Road work affects phone, power lines in Korattur colony

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Reported by Monika.S

Chennai Corporation teams are widening the roads at Central Avenue, Korattur. Work began on April 28.
Workers began to dig up the sides of the road using bulldozers. In the course of this work, the phone/Net lines of Vodafone  were damaged and lines got disconnected.
Consequently, Vodafone users suffered network problems for a while. Staff of this company came in and quickly rectified the damage.

Later that day, residents at Central Avenue were victims of power supply breaks. After a series of complaints to the Electricity Board, employees of EB came in to solve the problem.

Launching in 37degrees!

We launched the 2012 edition of the Journalism Camp on April 30 even as the city began to sizzle at 37 degrees later in the day.
The group gathers at the office of the KutcheriBuzz, a web site for classical music and dance.
The arrangements are makeshift with chairs borrowed from the Mylapore Times office down the corridor.

Day One was a warm up morning and a time to work out the rules of the Camp and the course it would take. The group of students went home with an assignment - to map their own neighbourhood and look out for events around them. the

Day Two was down to business. The practice is for students to read news reports from the daily newspaper which each one has to carry to the classroom. The exercise provides the space to discuss a few basic skills that journalists must possess to do well.

It was also a day to look at what News is all about and at News Organisations; its structure, its staff and their jobs.

JOURNALISM CAMP FOR 2012 SUMMER

This camp for the 2012 summer holidays is open to students in high school – ( class 8 to 12) and to college students.

Its focus is on encouraging young people who like to explore the local world and write on it to sharpen their skills and use their talent.

The camp is directed by Vincent D Souza, Editor/Publisher of Adyar Times, Mylapore Times & Arcot Road Times newspapers. He has over 30 years of experience in journalism.


DATES:
The 2012 camp is scheduled to start on April 30 and will run for 10 days. They run from Mondays to Fridays. (Sat & Sun. are holidays.). 

VENUE / TIME:
 - Mylapore Times newspaper office at Corporation Shopping Complex, Alwarpet. 2nd Floor, 77, C. P. Ramaswamy Road. ( near the flyover). Classroom sessions start at 9.30am to 11 am.
                    

                     FOCUS OF CAMP :
About Newspapers, What News is all about, How Reporters work, Interviewing people and making contacts, Gathering information, filing reports, writing feature stories.. Writing for the Campus / Net.

                     The course will be covered through lectures, interactive sessions and daily field assignments.
Participants will have to report and file assignments from day one. These reports and photos will be posted on a blog - www.mtjclass.blogspot.com (visit this blog and get a feel of last year's work)

FEE and BENEFIT :
Fee - Rs.1200 (non - refundable). Fee may be paid in cash before camp starts at the Mylapore Times office (Ph: 2498 2244) .
All participants will be given certificates. This workshop will be useful for those who plan to join a media course / wish to write or freelance / to get an introduction to journalism/media. Registration is open now.

                     HOW TO SIGN UP:
Call 2498 2244 and talk to Ms Janaki, Manager. Or mail to mytimesedit@gmail.co

Rains in the city

 By P.V Durga
The city experienced some unexpected rains during the first week of June.  In T. Nagar, many people were seen coming out of their houses eagerly anticipating the rain. As soon as it began to drizzle, they stood still to enjoy the cool showers.

Some put away their umbrellas.
The rain gave a fresh look to the environment. The plants and trees looked really green.

‘Vadaa Paa’ chain in Chennai

Reported by P. V. Durga

The 'Vadaa Paa' joint in Nungambakkam

‘Vadaa Paa’ is a new food joint in different parts of the city.
The chain was started in February 2011.

As the name suggests, it exclusively sells the famous North Indian snack - the vada pav.

These vada pavs are freshly made and served. They are priced at Rs.15 per vada pav.

They also have an interesting “Double Tucker” offer wherein you are served two vadas in the same paav. This one costs Rs.25.

The Vadaa Paa joints are in Nungambakkam, Triplicane,  Gopalapuram, Kodambakkam and Anna Salai.


For more details visit www.facebook.com/VadaaPaa

Besant Nagar Fitness Studio has offers for summer

By Arathi Kannan

O2 Health Studio, one of the most well known fitness centers in the city has launched a brand new summer offer. This offer is called “Summer Shift” and offers upto 30% discount on annual gym membership. This offer is applicable for the inumerable number of fitness programmes the gym has to offer like general fitness, fast track weight loss programme, muscle gain, wellness combo etcetera.

In addition to this, the first 50 registrations get a free towel kit and complimentary aerobics and yoga. O2 has other offers for the summer as well like junior fitness, swimming camp, kids dance and yoga.

This health studio is located in Besant Nagar and has a number of well equipped cardio fitness and strength training equipments. The trainers are certified in fitness and ensure the clients get the service they wish for. The gym also conducts yoga, dance and Pilates classes.

For more details visit O2 Health Studio in Besant Nagar 7th Cross Street or call them on 044-4551670/8636.

A Real Stress Buster

By Arathi Kannan

With undue pressure mounting on students these days, it seems like almost everyone is in need of some professional help to cope with the stress. “Advising is not counselling” says Mrs. Shankari Mandiram, a psychologist who runs an institute that offers such professional help. Mrs. Mandiram believes that counselling involves a lot of empathy and not sympathy. “The counselor should have genuine concern and unconditional positive regard towards the client” she says.

She deals mainly with students and parents, especially the ones who need to build their self confidence levels. She says that the main problem parents face is anxiety about their child’s academic performance and overall development. The students on the other hand have many other problems like inability to concentrate in studies and peer pressure.

Her organisation, NISS Institute of Soft Skills Private Limited has its centre in Gandhi Nagar, Adyar and conducts various courses for students and their parents. Currently, she is conducting a summer course called “Smarter You”, a personality enhancement and soft skill training programme. She also runs long term courses that focus on psychological help and mentoring. These sessions last for over ten months.

Ask her about her future plans and she says “I am planning to start a mental conditioning course for students appearing for the IIT-JEE exam. I already have lots of clients who are under pressure due to that.”

Mrs. Shankari Mandiram can be contacted at +919940164661.

Guitar Classes at Thiruvanmiyur

By Arathi Kannan

A guitar class for beginners is being conducted in Thiruvanmiyur this summer. People of all ages are eligible to join. These classes are taken by Arun Kumar, a young law aspirant who has taken to teaching guitar because of his sheer love for music. Arun is a very passionate guitarist and has played onstage on various occasions.

These classes are held once a week at his residence. Students interested are asked to bring a guitar of their own.

The fee structure is as follows:

School students: Rs.150/- per month

College students: Rs.250/- per month

Office goers: Rs.350/- per month

For more information contact Arun Kumar on +919940489835.

Home-made Andhra pickles on sale

By P. V. Durga  

Lakshmi is a resident of Nandanam and is she is well-known for the traditional Andhra style pickles she makes and

A picture of the pickles she sells

sells.
 
She says her business started in March 2010.
"I was looking for Andhra pickles for my mother but I found all the pickles had preservatives and lacked the

traditional taste in them, so decided to make the pickle on my own, " she says.

Her friends also encouraged her once they found out that they were good.

She employs people in Guntur - her native town in Andhra Pradesh - to prepare the pickles. “My uncle takes care of

the preparation process there,” said Lakshmi.

She also said that no preservatives other than turmeric are added to the pickles she sells.

These homemade pickles are available throughout the year except during the November and December months (monsoon

time in Andhra ).

She also undertakes door delivery in areas like Alwarpet, Mylapore, Mandavelli, Nandanam, T. Nagar , Mambalam and

Saidapet.

Her address: Door no.7 , N Block no: 7, 5th Street, Lotus Colony, Nandanam, Chennai – 600035. Phone: (044) 6457

2233, 6457 6677. Cell: 9444183140