Here's the news!!! A Constant Reader noticed my item two weeks ago in which I claimed to have created a record when I paid for a taxi ride with a Visa credit card in Shanghai. He said he suspected that this was nothing special in that it was probably a Chinese-issued Visa card that was used. Well, I can proudly report that this assumption is incorrect, the card used was an international Visa card. I have yet to receive any indications that this is not a first.

*** The Park Hotel is seriously mulling adding serious live music in its intimate and surprisingly pleasant bar on the second floor of its newly renovated self. It looks like a more likely place to make a success of live jazz on a Saturday night than just about any place else in town, and Mr. Zhou the manager, seems determined to make it work. Disappointingly, his first name is not Joe, but Johnson. But tha's even more encouraging in some ways, ins't it??!!.

*** Ughh! It's raining, it's not raining, temperatures are going up and down, wrap up warm, and serious thought before putting your longjohns away.

*** The latest fashion sensation on the streets of Shanghai are these desperately high sneakers, boots, and even shoes, with our ladies balancing at seemingly impossible altitudes in order to ensure they stay in the running of the trendy stakes. If some of Shanghai's models start wearing them, they're going to have to use oxygen masks!!

*** Speaking of trends, hair dying is leaping the chasm between the genders, and younger men are increasingly being seen with highlights, brown rinses, and golden streaks.

*** Coolest neon at the moment is the Siemens sign, which can be seen on the opposites side of the Bund. It some how gives the appearence of shimmery water.

*** Michelle of 1221 is reportedly opening a wine bar next to Huaihai Park, set to open in mid-April, which will undoubtedly draw all the loyal 1221 fans hoarding for a sip of wine.

*** Zoobaa is offering happy hour free water with dry bread, also available for anybody who produces a valid student card.

*** Studio City, the new multi-plex on the 10th floor of Westgate Mall is sponsoring a contest to guess the winners of the forthcoming Oscars. The cinema is also showing a wide range of Oscar-related movies in the second half of March, including Saving Private Ryan, Titanic, The Piano, Much Ado About Nothing, Mr. Holland's Opus, and Chinnis Khan. Check for movie names and times.

*** And meanwhile, I received an email which says: a foreign service officer in a North Pacific Island Nation asked local officials what plans they had in place for the millenium bug. They replied:" Oh, don't worry, we are prepared to spray everywhere." Byeeeee!!!

Byeeeee!!!