Selected news topics by Fukuoka Now from Fukuoka’s Shisei Dayori.
Kego Park’s Iceless Skating Rink
An outdoor iceless skating rink will open at Tenjin’s Kego Park on Dec. 1. Instead of ice, it will feature a special plastic surface covered with wax, preventing wet bottoms after a pratfall. The rink will be open daily until Jan. 9 (Mon., Hol.), except for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. For now, admission will be ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for kids in primary school and younger (The price is subject to change). Don’t pass up the perfect chance for central city skating!
Winter Power Conservation
It’s expected that power supplies will be severely limited this winter with Kyushu Electric Power’s nuclear plants idled. Problems could develop because the cold weather causes people to turn on their heaters. Therefore, the utility is asking people to conserve electricity to prevent electric outage caused by power shortages from Dec. 1 to Mar. 30 from the hours of 8:00 to 21:00. They hope to reduce power consumption by at least 5% especially on weekdays from Dec. 19 to Feb. 3 (excluding Dec. 29 ~ Jan. 4). Residents are asked to access Fukuoka City’s website for power saving tips.
Consultations for Alcohol Problems
Psychoanalyst will give individual consultations on various problems concerning alcohol for each person. Applications are accepted only by telephone and only in Japanese at Health Section of Health & Welfare Center in following ward offices:
(1) West Ward Tel: 092-895-7074, (2) Higashi Ward 092-645-1079, (3) South Ward Tel: 092-559-5118, (4) Sawara Ward Tel: 092-851-6015
● Date: (1) Dec. 6 (Tue.), (2) Dec. 8 (Thu.), (3) Dec. 15 (Thu.), (4) Dec. 22 (Thu.)
● Time 13:30 ~ 15:30
Cat Microchip Implants and Spaying Subsidies
Partial subsidies are available for the costs of implanting microchips in cats, useful for identifying ownership, and for spaying the cats. Those eligible for the funds are cats (aged over six months) kept in Fukuoka City. The subsidy amount is ¥7,500, and the sponsors are hoping for 25 applicants (One cat per person. Note that those who have taken aided operation during 2011). Operation will be held in Jan. 2012. Applications must be sent by postcard from Dec. 1 ~ 20, and must include keeper’s postal number, address, name, and the breed, sex, age of the cat. They should be sent to the Tobu Animal Control Center at 5-10-1 Kamata, Higashi-ku, 813-0023. (Tel.: 092-691-0131)
Exterminating Boar in Aburayama
A program to eliminate wild boar in the Aburayama district of Jonan-ku using dogs and guns is now underway. Residents are asked not to go to the mountain without reason from 9:00 to 16:00. on weekdays until Jan. 13 (Fri.) Dog owners are also asked to use a leash when waling their pets. For more details call (092-833-4052) or fax (092-822-2142) the ward office.
YIPEE! FOR FREE!
Robot Design Contest 2011
Anyone can watch the judging of a contest for new robot designs for free. See for yourself what creativity can inspire. The contest will be at Robosquare, in the TNC Hoso Kaikan at 2-3-2 Momochihama, Sawara-ku, from 13:15 to 16:00 on Dec. 10 (Sat.)
For more Information…
Fukuoka City Bulletin
Fukuoka Shisei Dayori is City Hall’s official magazine published bi-weekly on 1st and 15th of each month 23 times per year. It’s available in Japanese online too. Consider using it for Japanese study! ふくおか市政だより Website: www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shisei/kouhou-hodo/shiseidayori/
Originally published in Fukuoka Now magazine (fn156, Dec. 2011)
