A human offense

On April 11, editor emeritus Camille Framroze wrote a stalwart column defending the Humanities from the condescending notions of natural and engineering science majors. Though she makes compelling points ones that might drive the reader to disdain science majors for their snobbery I think that Camilles column somewhat missed the point. In writing her piece the way she did, Camille implicitly accepts the following notion: Smarter people work harder than dumb people.

On the contrary, Camille, other humanists and Princetonians in general should realize that it is those who do the least work for the most reward who are the true geniuses. One need not defend the humanities or social sciences from being labeled bastions for the feeble-minded. One should take the offensive and point out the ridiculousness inherent in making life and school harder for oneself.

The only thing required to prove Camilles and her cohorts infinite wisdom in major selection is to assess whether the natural and engineering sciences henceforth NES are actually harder than other humanities and social sciences henceforth HSS. To determine this, I have broken down academic rigor into its four primary components: workload, subject matter, grading and course enjoyment.

Workload: Advantage NES. NES courses, being sciences, tend to rely more on regular problem sets, lab reports and exams than their counterparts. Camille makes following comparison: three problems sets vs. 400 pages of reading and one response paper. These are probably equivalent in terms of time required, assuming erroneously that everyone does all of their reading. If youre crafty, you can get by with doing a fraction of the reading and polishing off that response paper with a few well-selected passages. Good luck turning in a 20 percent complete problem set. Team HSS just won themselves a whole lot of extra time to lay out in the sun.

It is important to note about the workload metric before leaping to workload conclusions that HSS workloads, particularly in the humanities, can be highly variable in a way that NES courses arent. Some members of Team HSS really push themselves hard, do all the reading, wrestle with deep issues and are genuinely allowed to freak out in an admirable manner.

Oh, and as far as independent work goes in the words of two professors, not my own Theyre just really frickin long, glorified papers. Thesis: trivialized.

Subject matter: Tie. As someone whos had the privilege or curse of having taken both Introduction to German Philosophy as well as Multivariable Calculus, I can assure you that both trying to wrap your mind around the partial volume of a rotated hyperboloid and trying to understand Ludwig Wittgensteins picture theory of meaning are equally mind-bending. Sorry, by matriculating at Princeton youve basically ensured that the content of your courses will be hard as balls.

Grading: Advantage NES. The March 6tharticle on grading policies at Princeton states that the primary intent of grade deflation was to bring Team HSSs grades down to the level of Team NES. In other words, West College felt like HSS courses were being graded too leniently compared to NES courses. This means that generally speaking one can expect HSS to be graded up to as severely as NES courses, but no harder. Once more, Team HSS has done it right. If part of your overall goal is to graduate with a swanky GPA to throw on the good old resume, Team HSS is your best bet.

Course enjoyment: Advantage HSS. According to the April 3rd article on course evaluations, HSS courses dominated NES in terms of overall student enjoyment. Humanities courses received far and away the most favorable reviews, while science courses struggled. Once again, Team HSS comes out ahead by having a whole lot more fun taking their courses than their scientific counterparts.

After an evaluation of majors on these four criteria, its pretty clear that NES fields tend to be on average more academically rigorous for undergraduates. Naturally, there are reasons why students would want to pursue the natural and engineering sciences. Many such subjects are fascinating and fulfilling, not to mention come with rosy employment prospects. But if youre not scientifically inclined and/or dont plan on going into a field requiring an NES background, selecting a scientific course of study is likely a dumb move. Even if you work your ass off doing it, youre still foolish for having made your life harder.

So assuming you, like most of us, only have a foggy idea of what you want to do after graduation joining Team HSS makes you the smarter of the two groups. They get less work, better grading and more enjoyable classes. Talk about good decisions.

Dont get caught up in the academic penis-measuring that is so rampant on our campus. The next time you as a proud humanities or social science major get that I am much smarter than you, and I work much harder than you vibe that bothered Camille, see it for what it really is: a poor attempt to derive some satisfaction from an academically stressful life.

Nathan Mathabane is a geosciences major from Portland, Ore. He can be reached at nmathaba@princeton.edu.

Here’s to a more civilized brand of equestrian enjoyment

All the same, the opening of the Maryland horse season this spring set me to thinking about the relationship between horse racing and that great social lubricant, ethyl alcohol and its many forms. In the 136 times the Preakness Stakes has been run here in my home state, Ive attended exactly one time. The local rock band the Ravyns whose hit Raised on the Radio was in the charts thanks to its being on the soundtrack of Fast Times at Ridgemont High was a headline act at the infield. The forecast was for intermittent showers throughout the day, but it was expected the show would go on.

It was certainly a show, but not the one I had hoped to see. The Ravyns played three or four songs before the sky opened up and all electronic equipment had to be shut down and put away. The show that went on after that involved hundreds of people, many of them wearing shirts that said something to the effect of I went to the Preakness Infield and never saw a horse rolling around in a huge mud bog disturbingly close to a line of portable toilets. Enough said.

Flash forward to the more recent incarnations of the so called Preakness Infield Party and its semi-official mascot, a centaur (half man half horse) named Kegasus. It seems all pretense of horse racing being the sport of kings and the Preakness a highlight of the elite social calendar has long since been tossed aside in favor of a flashback to the most base of the ancient Greco-Roman festivals at the local hippodrome.

At the risk of falling on the too loud side of the Ozzy Osbourne rule, If its too loud, youre too old, Ill postulate that its a real shame equine enthusiasts havent yet been able to strike more of a balance in mixing a few social drinks with some polite wagering on favorite horses, jockeys, trainers or farms (or even just favorite colors of silks).

There absolutely is a difference between swilling so much beer that standing up and speaking clearly are insurmountable challenges and raising a glass (or red plastic cup) and chirping a toast.

If horse racing is ever to regain any semblance of general popularity beyond a few races in the spring, it has to get beyond being an excuse for young people to over-indulge in a keg party, as much as it has to get beyond the day-to-day image of being the realm of cigar-chomping old men wearing polyester, as they peruse their racing forms and line up at the mutuel tellers.

Horse racing does have the drawback of being a few minutes of excitement packed into a days slate of races; then again, baseball has a comparable drawback and still manages to draw crowds. And, the ballpark offers ample opportunity to enjoy a cold cup of beer, even as fans and ballpark staff are generally intolerant of obnoxious drunkenness.

A big day in the equestrian season is fast approaching, as May 5 brings the Kentucky Derby (for those of us in Maryland, the warmup race for the Preakness). It would be an ideal day to raise a tumbler of bourbon, mint and simple syrup (traditional drink of the Derby) in a toast looking forward to an era of more civilized enjoyment of the Sport of Kings.

Suggestions for better enjoyment of PPUR

We are balikbayan visitors in our 70s who recently experienced the exciting boat ride along the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR). Although we enjoyed the one-day excursion, we had to endure a couple of dangerous situations which we know could have been avoided. We would therefore like to propose the following improvements, particularly for the sake of other elderly tourists:

1. The loading and unloading area (considered as the “wharf”). One of us almost lost her footing when two big waves suddenly slapped our boat. She was lucky because she was being helped up the steps to the “wharf” by the boat man and a fellow passenger. Easy and safe access to the motorized boats should be provided. Boats should be properly anchored in anticipation of strong waves that may hit the boat while passengers are boarding and disembarking. Would it be possible to move this area closer to the beach?

2. Walking trail to the river. There should be a safe pathway to the waiting area. Hand rails should be provided for visitors who are traversing the wooden planks. The raw trail should be leveled; plants and roots obstructing it should be cut and cleared.

3. Waiting area. Chairs are provided for those waiting for their turn to tour the river, but the area is sandy. It could be leveled so that the chairs are anchored safely to the ground.

4. Helmets and vests. The helmets and vests provided on the boats go from one person to another, an unhygienic practice. Could these items be sanitized after each use?

May we also suggest that brochures and flyers be provided not only at the Underground River but at all other tourist destinations? True, tour guides provide information along the way, but written materials could bolster word-of-mouth invitations to family and friends and help visitors remember the places long after their visit.

We make these suggestions in the hope that the safety and wellbeing of future visitors to Puerto Princesa, particularly the Underground River, will be assured. We ourselves look forward to making a return trip so that we can once again enjoy the river and the city’s other tourist attractions.

–ESTER E. EUSEBIO, PAT TANCO

and PERLITA T. CARIÑO, maderdir@yahoo.com

3-D conversion adds to enjoyment of a good movie

The only question looming over Titanic 3-D, really, is: Does the 3-D get in the way? The ever-canny James Cameron has wisely resisted the temptation to tweak the films Oscar-winning special effects – one of the 11 Academy Awards the movie won in 1998 – or update the CGI shots of the doomed ship (which, by contemporary standards, occasionally look a little hokey) or add previously deleted footage to slap on a Directors Cut subtitle that would guarantee to sell a few extra tickets.

No, this is exactly Titanic as you remember it – or, more accurately, the Titanic youve probably forgotten. The secret weapon of Camerons monumental blockbuster – the reason why audiences kept going back to see the movie, eventually buying an astounding $1.8 billion worth of tickets – is that this was a picture truly made for the big screen. At home, on DVD, no matter how big your flatscreen or video projector are, Titanic just isnt the same: Its a souvenir of the experience you had at the theater, when the enormity of Camerons vision was given its proper due, and where your stomach felt a twinge of vertigo as Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet clung from the ships railing, people beneath them falling to their deaths, as the boat began its final plunge into icy, deadly waters.

Soli Philander Brings Taxi Nights to the Kalk Bay Theatre

Soli Philander will be bringing Taxi Nights to the Kalk Bay Theatre from 18 to 28 April, 2012, at 8.30pm nightly. Taxi Nights will also exhibit local talent at its best and will feature both comedians and musicians.

After a year of broadcasting the spirit of the Mother City to South Africa and beyond, the entertainer, comedian and broadcaster presents a night of traditional Cape enjoyment.

The golden-voiced Ronald Jones, a Taxi Discovery and now favourite entertains with his own, soulful interpretation of modern and classic standards.

Each evening Taxi Nights will also exhibit local talent at its best with guest performances on different nights by, amongst others, comedians Wayne McKay, Shimmy Isaacs, and Eugene Mathews. Musical guests will include some of Cape Towns finest.

Favourite female creations

To close the evening The Taxi Boss, Soli Philander, will parade some of his favourite female creations including Rosie September from his early stand-up days, Banu from Woeskroes, and the Nameless Wife from Hotnotsgot, as well as The Old Lady from the same show, who reminds us to be conscious of love and sacrifice.

Doors open at 6.30pm and seating is unreserved. The performance starts at 8.30pm. There is no performance on Tuesday and Sunday is at 7.30pm. Guests can enjoy a two- or three-course meal created by the Kalk Bay Theatres chef, Hannah McMahon, with coffee and dessert served after the show.

Make a night or weekend stay of your visit to Kalk Bay.The Inn at Castle Hill guest house is just a few minutes walk from the theatre. Accommodation can be booked by clicking on the Castle Hill link on the Kalk Bay Theatre home page.

‘Rules’ have ruined enjoyment of fishing

To the editor:

I preface this letter with the statement that, at best, I am a novice, recreational fisherman; and when I use the term fisherman it is gender neutral.

Most of my fishing is done from the Seaview Pier. With the exception of a few species, I must often rely upon others to tell me whether or not what I have caught is legal. The so-called rules are complicated to say the least. Anyone fishing, commercially or recreationally, must know all the rules or face severe penalties. One must not only properly identify the species caught, but know the legal catch size and limit.

The 2011-2012 North Carolina, Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest is just a digest, not a full-blown version of the rules, and it was 85 pages.

On top of all the rules, a person must invest in a license, equipment, bait, transportation costs, pier fees and other expenses up to and including the expense of owning and operating a boat just for the privilege of putting a hook in the water and possibly catching something edible.

Now, do-gooders at the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) are trying to get House Bill 353 passed. As I understand it, HB 353 will further restrict each and every North Carolinians and visiting tourists fishing potential, thereby depriving these individuals of an opportunity not only to relax, but to put food on their tables by attempting to catch a few speckled trout, red drum and striped bass. If the do-gooders have their way completely, the only live fish fishermen would ever see would be through the glass at one of the aquariums.

For me, the bureaucratic rules for fishing have almost become so burdensome and Im sure CCA members will appreciate this that I no longer find fishing to be a pleasure; but rather fishing has become a maze, an obstacle course or minefield through which I have a diminishing desire to tread. In fact, were it not for my brother and my cousins enthusiasm for the sport, as well as my mothers desire for fresh seafood, I would readily give up trying to negotiate the minefield of rules.

How is it that bureaucrats have been given control over what a fisherman may or may not catch and place on his table? Bureaucrats dont seem to understand that when a fisherman puts his line or net, for that matter in the water, he has no control over what species or size fish will bite the hook or become entangled in the net thats up to the individual fish! Why is it that a fisherman must throw back an injured fish of the wrong species or size? The fish will probably die from the injury, why not keep it and eat it? Why, when the fisherman is fined for violating a bureaucratic rule is the fisherman not allowed to keep the catch? The catch will most likely die anyway, if it is not already dead, and the fisherman will certainly pay (court costs and fines) for the mistake.

Eddie C. Quinn
Jacksonville

Students find enjoyment in parkour

As spring quickly approaches, many people are out and about walking, running, biking and enjoying the warm weather. However, there is one activity that has captivated the attention of passersby.

This activity is known as parkour. Parkour is defined as “the sport of trying to move along a route, typically in a city, trying to get around or through various obstacles in the quickest and most efficient manner possible, as by jumping, climbing or running.”

Nick Smith, junior in liberal studies, has been doing parkour for two years now. He originally heard about a parkour club that Iowa State had while he was in high school, but the club was no longer existent by the time he became a student. However, some of the members still parkour together and are active in a group they call Team Impulse.

“I was at Beyer Hall one day doing pullups and [Team Impulse members] were all doing backflips and wanted to know if I would like to learn parkour and free running,” Smith said. “They welcomed me to their club and taught me even though I had no previous experience.”

Eric Stodola graduated in 2011 from Iowa State with a major in psychology. He was one of the founding members of Team Impulse.

“Officially, we are a conglomeration of people from across Iowa who regularly and intensely practice parkour and/or free running,” Stodola said. “Unofficially, we are a group of friends who practice together, learn together and do our best to help each other out. Whenever we are in the other teammates area, we usually try to make contact with them and get out and train. We are not all ISU students, though that is where we were founded.”

All but one of the founding members of Team Impulse have graduated. Patrick Bryan, senior in graphic design, is the sole founding member left. He helps new members learn the art of parkour.

“It wasnt until my sophomore year in college that I joined the ISU Parkour and FreeRunning Club, which no longer exists due to liability issues,” Bryan said. “At that point, I became more serious about parkour and began training more often with the group. We trained in the Cardinal Gymnastics room in Beyer, but once someone — no idea who — decided we were a liability, they kicked us out and said we couldnt be a club anymore.

Bryan said it was after the club was disbanded that Team Impulse was created.

“The few of us that were serious about continuing formed Team Impulse, a group not affiliated with ISU,” he said. “We continued training around campus and members, basically anyone that wants to try it out, typically meet up at the outdoor aerobics area next to Beyer. Now, I am the only original member left and will be graduating in May.

However, the group, now just referred to as ‘Impulse Parkour,’ is continuously taking on new members that continue our legacy and keep parkour alive at ISU.”

The cohesiveness of Team Impulse is what Smith said really makes it click.

“A lot of trust is involved because a lot of the stuff we do we make up on the spot,” Smith said. “Teammates are also the people who spot you when you are doing something new so you dont get injured. Some days we are serious and want to get stuff done; other days we just have fun and do whatever.

I really enjoyed my teammates because they knew how to build my confidence and got me to do something that was frightening without me feeling like I was forced to do it.”

Smith said that being active in parkour has broadened his horizons.

“It really broadened my knowledge on how big the world is,” he said. “Ive only been outside of Iowa a couple times, and since joining parkour, I have met people from different towns, different states, and even occasionally talk to people from different countries about parkour.”

As it involves a lot of running, climbing and jumping off of random obstacles at varying heights, parkour is seen by many to be risky and dangerous. According to the Washington Parkour website, “Most Parkour injuries occur when the traceur is careless or attempting something beyond their capabilities (for example, jumping from too high up). And like any new physical activity, those starting out will have to get accustomed to using new muscle groups and body motions, which can lead to anything from soreness to more serious injury if overly strenuous activity is attempted too soon.”

Bryan said the risk of liability is one of the reasons why the ISU Parkour and FreeRunning Club is no longer existent.

Stodola said it is the risks of parkour that intrigue him.

“I have always felt that life is more about competing with yourself and your circumstances, finding innovative ways to navigate and handle issues,” he said. “Parkour does that for me; there are a million ways to use the same obstacle, a thousand ways to approach the same challenge. Plus, I personally think it is much more fun than dribbling a ball or catching a pass, as well as much more challenging. In parkour, you are often forced to evaluate your abilities and your limitations, as well as confront and control whatever fear you might have about a certain movement or obstacle.

Conquering another person or another team is simple; besting your fear and your limitations takes actual strength.”

Smith said he practices parkour whenever he has time off from classes and is not busy.

“I [practice parkour] occasionally when I have free time,” he said. “I like to do parkour in areas where people arent around because parkour isnt welcomed very well on campus. People think there are a lot of injuries associated with parkour, but since doing it for two years, my worst college injury is still falling down the stairs my freshman year trying to get to Seasons before they closed.”

Being involved with Team Impulse has allowed his teammates to get to know Smith on a more personal level.

“Nick and I trained together a few times and he is a pretty talented guy,” Stodola said. “Nick always seemed to be one of those guys who just got better with what seemed like no practice, and Ive been impressed on more than one occasion at the things Ive seen him do. His aerials have always been pretty good, but I was very surprised when I saw him land a double-side into a mat at a gym. He is pretty ballsy.”

Bryan said that through parkour he quickly became friends with Smith.

“The unique thing about parkour is youre basically automatically friends with anyone else that does parkour,” he said. “So it is a great way to connect with others and create opportunities. Nick started training with us a year or two so after we formed and showed a great deal of interest in training. Many people try it and quit after one or two practices.

“So we have practiced together and it is always great to see the different styles or approaches that every new member brings because Nick was very experimental with his movement. So I was able to learn some unique movements from him while I was helping him with technique and basic skills.”

Today’s mystery bird for you to identify

Mystery Bird photographed at the London Wetlands, Wildfowl amp; Wetlands Trust, London, England (UK). [I will identify these birds in 48 hours]

Image: Ian Felton, February 2012 (with permission, for GrrlScientist/Guardian use only) [velociraptorise].

Question: This London mystery bird has a trait that is quite unusual amongst its close relatives, what is that? Can you identify these birds taxonomic family and species?

The Rules:

1. Keep in mind that people live in zillions of different time zones, and some people are following on their smart phones. So let everyone play the game. Dont spoil it for everyone else by identifying the bird in the first 24 to 36 hours.
2. If you know the mystery birds identity, answer the accompanying questions and provide subtle ID hints so others know that you know. Your hints may be helpful clues for less experienced players. Keep in mind that some hints may read like inside jokes and thus, may discourage others from participating.
3. Describe the key field marks that distinguish this species from any similar ones.
4. Comments that spoil others enjoyment may be deleted.

The Game:

1. This is meant to be a learning experience where together we learn a few things about birds and about the process of identifying them (and maybe about ourselves, too).
2. Each mystery bird is usually accompanied by a question or two. These questions can be useful for identifying the pictured species, but may instead be used to illustrate an interesting aspect of avian biology, behaviour or evolution, or may be intended to generate conversation on other topics, such as conservation or ethics.
3. Thoughtful comments will add to everyones enjoyment, and will keep the suspense going until the next teaser is published. Interesting snippets may add to the knowledge of all.
4. Each bird species will be demystified approximately 48 hours after publication.

You are invited to review all of the daily mystery birds by going to their dedicated graphic index page.

If you have bird images, video or audio files that youd like to share with a large and (mostly) appreciative international audience here at The Guardian, feel free to contact me to learn more.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..

twitter: @GrrlScientist
facebook: grrlscientist
email: grrlscientist@gmail.com

AIM West Milford: The Thumbs Tell It, March 23, 2012

SUBMISSIONS ARE FREE!

AIM presents the popular, entertaining and stimulating The Thumbs Tell It! This featured section is for the enjoyment of our readers. This feature shows negative statements with a thumb pointed down and positive statements with thumbs pointed up. Messages are not to exceed 40 words. You may drop off submissions to our office at 505-509 Main St., Butler. Mail submissions to The Thumbs Tell It!, c/o Aim West Milford, at 505-509 Main St., Butler, NJ 07405. Or e-mail submissions to thumbs@northjersey.com. Sorry, no faxes.

All submissions must include name, address and telephone number (for use by office for verification only); submissions without this information will not be printed. Negative comments should omit specific references to person(s), location(s), business(es). At the editor’s discretion, elected officials’ and township employees’ names may be allowed in addition to names of public organizations. AIM reserves the right to edit all copy. Limit is two submissions per week per household.

Thumbs Up to the Daisy Troops selling Girl Scout Cookies this year. I bought some by Rite Aid on Saturday and last week my husband also bought some. The girls also left a Thank You note tucked into one of the boxes of cookies.

Thumbs Down to those frightened of bears. Here we go again. Home had guns and other items removed. Butler man DWI’d in a school zone and a WM male arrested for 100 bags of heroin. Fear your own kind.

Thumbs Down to our unfriendly and rude neighbor who never introduced herself since we moved here over a year ago and thinks its OK to knock on our door at 6 am and 8 am to complain if the wind blows garbage into her yard.

Thumbs Down to the person on Otterhole Road that stole my No Bear Hunt sign. I hope your fingers still stink!

Thumbs Down to all the people that move to the Highlands and are afraid of wildlife. Your children are safe here. Parents just have to realize it and teach respect.

Thumbs Down to the people who write in the Thumbs every week about the bears. If you don’t like living near bears, we dont care. If you do like living near bears, we still dont care. And FYI, the bear hunt is over.

Thumbs Up to Jim Foody. Thank you from a concerned taxpayer for your being the watch dog on the board of education. Your doing your homework proves you must spend many hours of your time so the public can be aware of what is happening.

Fringe activities to complement flower show at Victoria Park

Hong Kong (HKSAR) – The Hong Kong Flower Show 2012 at Victoria Park will close on Sunday (March 25). Featuring beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays, the flower show also offers a rich diversity of fringe activities for the enjoyment of visitors of all ages including music and cultural performances, floral art demonstrations, horticultural seminars and workshops, and fun games.

The Happy Wonderland on the parks lawns has been well received by kids. The fun-filled programmes include a magic show, balloon-twisting, face-painting, African drum playing, an inflatable bouncer, sports games, art-and-craft stalls, a toys world, sketching and games stalls.

Various programmes are being held on the stage, including a cappella, Chinese opera, music and variety performances.

There will also be floral art demonstrations by masters from Japan and Hong Kong.

Programmes at the T-shaped platform are equally entertaining, including African drumming, rope skipping and dance performances.

The flower show has attracted over 200 organisations from 21 countries to take part in showcasing exquisite potted plants, beautiful floral arrangements and gorgeous landscape displays. More than 350,000 flowering plants are on display, among which are over 30,000 pots of the theme flower hyacinth in some 20 cultivars.

Greeting visitors at the showground entrances at Sugar Street and Hing Fat Street are floral displays of international scenic attractions such as the penguins of Antarctica and the Great Wall of China, echoing the theme of Floral Delights.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department is also presenting a spectacular exhibit made up of over 16,000 pots of flowers in the display Colourful World. To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, there is a colourful floral wall depicting a junk.

A spectacular sea of flowers made up of more than 15,000 tulips is also a popular spot for photo-taking.

Other main attractions include a mosaiculture display entitled Tropical Delights, with tropical fruits from around the world decorated with the local costumes of their main country of production; a fun display on the parks main lawn featuring flowering plants and agricultural produce in the shape of a 4-metre-high windmill; and a wish-making corner in the shape of a Hakka tulou.

Displays from the Mainland are equally spectacular, including Vitality Abounds in Spring by Beijing Municipal Administration Center of Parks and The Way to Go, in the Year of the Dragon by Shenzhen Urban Management Bureau.

Special plant exhibits include Aquilaria sinensis (also known by its common name incense tree) and Synsepalum dulcificum (commonly referred to as miracle fruit).

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2012, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), runs until Sunday (March 25) from 9am to 9pm.

Admission tickets are available at the entrance to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus cards can be used to pay for admission. Admission tickets will also be sold from now until March 25 at the LCSDs District Leisure Services Offices and leisure venues with Leisure Link services.

Admission fees for the flower show are as follows:
* Normal rate: $14
* Children, students and senior citizens aged 60 or above: $7
* Persons with disabilities and minders (each person can enjoy the concessionary rate with one minder only): $7

For enquiries, please call 2601 8260, fax 2691 7264 or visit the LCSD webpage at www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2012/en/index.php.