【推荐1】Beijing has four distinct seasons. Spring is time for the capital city to dress in blossoms. It might be common to enjoy the fragrance of flowers elsewhere, but in Beijing, they can be appreciated alongside the ancient buildings nestled among them. Here is a quick guide of the best routed of themed spring tours for visitors.

Yulan magnolias

Its flowering phase is very short, as if showing a never-say-die courage and pride. Many love the plant for the flowers that blossom before leafing. The best time to see it is usually from the last week of March to mid-April,

Yulan magnolias usually appear first along Chang' an Avenue, and locals consider it a sign of the real approaching of spring. The blossoms look best on the western side of the avenue. Visitors should also look out for the spread of purple magnolias in the north western corner of the street, near the National Center for the Performing Arts.

The Summer Palace has a long history of planting Yulan magnolias. Every time they blossom, the Longevity Hall is filled with fragrance.

Winter jasmine

These golden-yellow flowers can be widely seen in Beijing in March. Their beauty is amplified by the red walls and green titles of historical buildings.

At the northern gate of Beihai Park, winter jasmine provided a picturesque scene against the back drop of water, hills and pedestrian activity and has been a lasting favorite of photographers. The blossoms are brought out by the nearby lake stones of various shapes and sizes.

In Zhongshan park, winter jasmine breathes life into the solemn(庄严的) atmosphere of the royal sits, where sacrificial ceremonies were once held during the Ming and ding dynasties.

【推荐2】Are you ready to get down to a thrilling journey through the pages of captivating stories and profound knowledge? Join us for an unforgettable reading event that promises to ignite your passion for literature and broaden your horizons!

Celebrating the Richness of American Literature

Immerse yourself in a treasure of literary masterpieces that showcase the cultural richness and diversity of American voices. From timeless classics to contemporary gems, there’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

Book Highlights:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Delve into the timeless tale of justice, morality, and compassion set against the backdrop of the American South.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Experience the glitz, glamour, and disillusionment of the Jazz Age through the eyes of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby.

Beloved by Toni Morrison: Journey into the haunting world of slavery’s legacy and the enduring power of love and memory.

Meet the Authors: Signed Copies and Book Giveaways!

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet renowned authors and get your books personally signed! Plus, stand a chance to win exclusive giveaways and limited edition merchandise.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, March 23rd

Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Location: Central Public Library, 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA

Who Should Attend?

This event is perfect for crazy readers, literature enthusiasts, and anyone eager to explore the diverse landscape of American literature. Whether you’re a high school student preparing for college or a seasoned bookworm, there’s something here for you!

Registration and More Information:

Visit our website at www.booklovers.com to register for this exciting event and learn more about the featured authors and book selections.

Why It Matters:

By celebrating the rich tapestry of American literature, we not only honor the voices of the past but also inspire future generations to embrace diversity, empathy, and the power of storytelling.

【推荐3】Volunteers Wanted: Caring Rides

CareGivers is seeking volunteers for its Caring Rides program, serving homebound seniors (居家老人) in New Hampshire.

Volunteering is easy, and we offer flexible opportunities built around your schedule, whether you volunteer once a week, once a month or on an as-needed basis.

Volunteers need to drive seniors to medical appointments, dental visits or a drugstore. Sometimes, you need to shop for them or run errands (差事) on behalf of individuals. Taking a client on a round-trip usually takes an hour of your time, and our requirements are that you have a car, valid driver’s license and a friendly attitude.

For hundreds of seniors in New Hampshire, doing something as simple as getting to a medical appointment or picking up medication at a local drugstore is a necessity — but sadly, not an option. Most live alone, and cannot drive or access reliable transportation. They rely on our network of volunteers. But more than 200 seniors across the area are on waiting lists to receive these services, many of whom have to cancel doctor appointments and have difficulties gaining adequate access to the food they need. That’s where YOU can come in.

You Truly Make a Difference in the Life of a Local Senior

For these seniors, our network of volunteers is their lifeline. While providing a ride for a senior in need may seem like a small task, it’s significant and life-changing for those we serve:

●You can help them avoid common feelings of isolation and loneliness they have.

●You can ensure they maintain access to medical needs, food and other essentials key to their physical health, emotional well-being and overall quality of life.

●You can make them realize that they can age in a dignified manner inside their homes for as long as possible.

To sign up, simply fill out the contact form on this page and we will be in touch with you the next steps!

【推荐1】Young students can, and do, make a big difference. As an educator, you have the opportunity to spark (触发) a passion in students that will drive them to do their part to take care of the Earth. Here are activities you could add to your lesson plans to inspire your students on Earth Day:

Make signs for school and at home

Sometimes we just need a little reminder to help us change our habits. Have students think about what they can do at school and at home to help the environment and how they can encourage others to change their habits.

Make a video or presentation urging others to take action

Students can make a bigger impact if they influence others to do their part to protect the environment. Putting together a video or presentation also helps them internalize the material itself — they need to understand it before they can explain it to others. Presentations can be given in the classroom or even to the whole school. Eventually, they may be able to present their lessons and research at a local conference.

Show them examples of other students making a real difference

It's important for students to see examples of young environmentalists so they know they don't need to wait until they're older to make a difference. Learning about the work these young people are doing can give your students new ideas for how to protect the environment. It can open the door of possibilities for how to think about finding solutions to problems they can help solve.

Earth Day isn't just on April 22. It's every day. How will you celebrate Earth Day and help students make a difference year-round?

The Power and Problems of Eco-Tourism

Eco-tourism gained its popularity over the past two decades. At its core, eco-tourism promotes sustainable travel practices that benefit local communities and protect the environment. However, like any significant trend, it is vital to analyze its impact and understand both its merits (好处) and potential shortcomings.

Eco-tourism emerged as a response to the damaging effects of mass tourism. Coastal towns were being transformed into commercial centers, but the luxury resorts rarely invested back into the community. Over time, ecosystems suffered, local cultures were overshadowed, and the very essence of these destinations was at risk. On the other hand, eco-tourism focuses on smaller groups, environmental education, and local engagement.

One of the primary merits of eco-tourism is its emphasis on environmental conservation. It helps protect endangered species and reforest areas affected by deforestation. Take the mountain gorillas of Rwanda for instance, tourism income has played a crucial role in their conservation efforts, bringing them back from the edge of extinction.

Furthermore, eco-tourism often ensures that local communities benefit economically. Instead of leaving profits to international corporations, the income often stays within the community. Local artisans, guides, and service providers receive a more significant piece of the pie, ensuring that tourism acts as a tool for socio-economic growth.

Yet, eco-tourism is not without its problems. The term “eco-tourism” is sometimes misused or overused. Some businesses might claim themselves as “eco-friendly” purely as a marketing strategy, without truly making sustainable practices.

In conclusion, eco-tourism represents a significant change towards more sustainable travel, placing emphasis on the environment and local communities. However, as with any major movement, it’s essential to approach it with a critical eye. By doing so, we can ensure that our passion for travelling doesn’t come at the cost of our planet or its inhabitants, but rather enriches both the traveler and the destination.

【推荐1】Young poets between 18-23 years old are invited every two years to apply for the Tower Poetry Residential Summer School, which takes place at Christ Church in Oxford. The programme can offer opportunity to develop their own poetic voice through a series of exciting and challenging workshops run by two well-known poets during a week. All tuition will be paid for by Tower Poetry, not covering accommodation and food costs.

The Tower Poetry Competition is held every year, with students between 16 — 18 years of age challenged to write a poem. The top three winners will automatically be offered places on the Summer School following their 18th birthday.

Summer School 2024

The 2024 Tower Poetry Summer School will take place on 21-27 August, 2024. This year's tutors will be the famous poets Helen Mort and André Naffis-Sahely and we will have readings from the wonderful John Clegg and Isabel Galleymore.

If you would like to apply for a place on the Summer School, please send the following to tower. poetry@ chch. ox. ac. uk: A short cover letter telling us about yourself. Four or five poems you have written — Applicants are accepted on the basis of your written works. The deadline for application is:30th May, 2024.

To be eligible (合格的) for the Tower Poetry Summer School, you must be no younger than 18years old, and no older than 23 years old, on 21st August, 2024.

Summer School Publications

After each summer school, Tower Poetry publishes a collection of poems written by the attendees of the Summer School.

【推荐3】Great European Cities

Paris is the capital and largest city of France, situated on River Seine. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and is visited by more than eight million tourists every year. The most popular place for tourists is the Eiffel Tower, the famous symbol of Paris. One of the world’s largest art galleries, the Louvre, is also located in Paris. The city is also famous for its restaurants, cafes and theatres. About two-thirds of France’s artists and writers live in Paris.

Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain and is situated on the northeast coast, about five hundred kilometres east of the Spanish capital, Madrid. One of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks is the Church of Sagrada Familia (圣家族大教堂), which was designed by an architect called Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi worked on the project from 1882 until his death in 1926. The church hasn’t been finished yet!

Florence is an Italian city which won its fame because of the Renaissance (文艺复兴), a great artistic movement which began in the 1300s and lasted for three hundred years. During the Renaissance, some of the greatest painters of all time lived and worked in Florence. Many of Florence’s most beautiful paintings and sculptures were produced by great artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Florence is visited each year by about a million tourists who come to see the art galleries, churches and museums. The Uffizi Palace (乌菲兹美术馆) is the most famous art gallery in the city.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is known as the birthplace of western civilization. Two thousand four hundred years ago, it was the world’s most powerful city. Buildings such as the Parthenon (帕特农神庙) on the Acropolis (雅典卫城) Hill were built during this period. Greece’s best writers lived in ancient Athens. Their work has influenced other writers ever since.