1 . Make full use of your senses, discover hidden talents and enjoy a new interest at the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Learn the following lessons of the adult education programme. Our expert instructors offer virtual learning in different kinds of topics.

Beginning Watercolor

Wednesday 28 February

Watercolor is a fresh, beautiful way to express the beauty of a sunset or the reflection of trees and clouds on a pond. You will learn to make expressive marks, mix colors, and apply water mindfully to achieve the amazing effects watercolor offers.

Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics

Thursday 29 February

Learn the basic techniques and tools required to grow your own vegetables. Site selection, bed and soil preparation, seed sowing, transplanting, and harvesting techniques will be covered. You will receive a packet of seeds to grow at home.

Essence of Internal Martial Arts (武术)

Friday 22 March

Whether your goal is to improve your practical skills and your well-being, or you are simply interested in the internal martial arts, this class will provide a strong foundation (基础) for your practice. Instead of fixed forms, the class focuses more on the necessary rules and fundamental training. It provides a detailed study into effective ways of body use and a well organized way of building health while connecting the mind and body.

Plants That Attract Beneficial Insects

Sunday 7 April

Are you interested in controlling insect pests (害虫) in your garden naturally? You can finish this by planting a variety of beautiful plants that attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. By learning about adult beneficial insects, their hungry larvae and their preferred plants, you can effectively reduce or remove pest populations.

3 . Top Kid-Friendly Summer Vacations

Dude Ranch

If you have little cowboys and cowgirls at home, thrill them by visiting a dude ranch(度假牧场) on your next vacation. Your children can learn about nature, enjoy horse back riding, and gain an entirely new perspective. You can choose between programs that have you spending quality time with your kids, and programs that are for children only. This summer, experience the perfect combination of work and play, and enjoy the great outdoors at a dude ranch!

For more information, visit: www.Ranchweb.com

Six Flags Great Adventure

Review a classic vacation by visiting one of the most renowned theme park chains in the country. With locations all over the US, there’s sure to be a Six Flags near you. Take the whole family and be back at work on Monday. Escape the summer heat with countless water rides, or get excited with a thrill ride. Take your kids to have brunch with Bugs Bunny, or check out the new Safari Park, where you can interact with real animals.

For more information, visit:www.sixflags. com

Rosewell UFO Festival

Do you have sci-fi fans in your household? Encourage their interests and experience a special vacation at the annual Rosewell UFO Festival, held every year in early July. Come in costume if you wish, and join the parade. Attend lectures by famous authors and researchers, or watch up-and-coming bands perform. Even if you’re not a believer, you can still enjoy the artwork, music, and great celebration.

For more information, visit: www.roswellufofestival. com

Earthplace

Being green is not easy, but it can be fun if you visit the exhibits at Earthplace in Westport, Connecticut. This 62-acre wildlife reserve is committed to educating the public about the environment and promoting positive action to preserve nature. The exhibits provide hands-on features that make learning fun for your kids. After touring the exhibits, visit the garden and the playground, and enjoy the summer weather.

For more information, visit: www. earthplace. org

6 . Canyoning

The sports of canyoning (蹦谷) explore the high-energy environment where water meets rock on the coast. Protected by wetsuits and helmets, people jump from cliffs and waterfalls and discover caves that would not normally be arrived at.

It was first done in the U.K. by TYF Adventure (01437 721611, www.tyf.com) and several thousand people jump from the cliffs near St David’s each year. A half day canyoning trip costs ￡50 (￡30 for children under 16).

Diving

Diving is not popular with British people. The difficulties of wild waters are greater because the water is colder and not clear enough, but the coasts of Cornwall, Wales and Scotland have some of the best diving in the world.

The British Sub Aqua Club (0870 112 9133, www.bsac.com) and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (01580 819688, www.padi.com) run courses teaching the important skills.

Surfing

The best surfing places in the UK are on the southwest coast where it is warmer, especially in Cornwall. The best time of year to surf in the UK is late summer and autumn.

The British Surfing Association (01479 861256, www.britsurf.co.uk) has a list of famous surf schools around the country.

Rock climbing

The most popular natural rocks in Britain include the Peak District, the Lake District, while large areas of Scotland are a climber’s ideal place. Climbing courses and climbing walls can be found on the website of the British Mountaineering Council (0870 010 4878, www.thebmc.co.uk).

Should you have your baby’s DNA sequenced? What keeps you awake? Step inside the Hall of Human Life. the Museums new biology exhibition, and encounter such far-reaching questions on an amazing journey inside the human body. Through digital media and personal interaction, you become “part of the story”, as you contribute your own data in a process of learning and discovery.

This exhibit features the Museums extraordinary collection of birds，displaying over 300 species in New England. Here, you can learn to interpret the bird language taking place just outside your window at home.

Test your observation skills and see if you can get past different birds without them alerting(发信号)other animals to your presence. Learn to identify birds from a distance by recognizing unique flight patterns. Practice your flying technique in the Bird Walk.

Walk among the free-flying residents of this warm conservatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from New England and across the globe. The “Emergence Box” offers a window into the butterfly behavior. Look inside to see hanging chrysalides (蝶蛹)transform into adult butterflies. Tickets are required and visitors should reserve at least two weeks in advance.

9 . Have you ever thought about writing your own fantasy novel? One of the best things you can do is to take inspiration from others. Here are some of the best fantasy books for you.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

While attending boarding school, Sabriel receives a package which contains bells, her father's swords, and a message instructing her to stop a dangerous act on destroying the Old Kingdom' S magical rules. This classic fantasy provides readers with more adventures to explore.

Also available from: Amazon ; Walmart.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

This book is about ideas of justice, good and bad. Jam lives in the town of Lucille, where the old statues have been torn down and the bad things no longer exist. But when a creature named Pet appears from one of her mother's paintings, on the hunt for a monster, Jam will have to rethink all she's been taught.

Also available from: Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Fans of Harry Potter will be swept away by this adventurous tale about four new friends who discover they have access to powerful magic. Born in New York City, Sunny Nwazue felt out of place and isolated-until she was invited into a hidden world and handed a dangerous task.

Also available from: Amazon; Walmart.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

This novel takes readers into a world where dragons and humans live side by side. Seraphina is half human and half dragon, with a dragon mother able to take human form and a human father who can't stand dragons. Seraphina will probably become a teen fantasy classic.

Also available from: Bookshop; Target.

10 . Welcome to the Friendship Hotel. To make your stay as enjoyable as possible, we hope you will use our facilities (设施) to the full.

Room Service

This operates 24 hours a day. Phone the Reception Desk, and your message will be passed on to the room staff.

Telephone: 48759

Dining Room

Breakfast is served in the dining room from 8 to 9:30 a. m. Alternatively, the room staff will bring a breakfast tray to your room at any time after 7 a.m., if you place an order for it by telephone. In this case, please fill out a card and hang it outside your door when you go to bed.

Lunch: 12:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Dinner: 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Telephone: 48752

Telephone

To make a telephone call, dial 0 for Reception and Laundry (洗衣店), and ask to be connected. We apologize for delays in putting calls through when the staff are very busy. There are also public telephone booths (电话亭) near the Reception Desk. Early calls should be booked with Reception.

Shop

The hotel shop is open for souvenirs (纪念品), gifts and toiletries (化妆品) from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Telephone: 48687

Laundry

We have a laundry on the premises (附属) and will wash, iron and return your clothes within 24 hours. Ask the room staff to phone the laundrymen to collect them.

Telephone: 48867

Bar

The hotel bar is open from 12 to 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Reception staff will cash cheques and exchange money in many foreign currencies (货币).