Sadly we have since received a fax saying the 'efficacious ceremony used in times of dire hardship' has been postponed until further notice. The reason? 'Bad weather.'

Let's hope the next time catastrophe and hardship befall Hong Kong, they do so on a nice sunny day (with perhaps a gentle, cooling breeze).

After-Sars party starters

It's the most innovative and radical anti-Sars suggestion yet and it comes from one of the government's most studious and serious legislators.

Legislative Council member Choy So-yuk (right) wants Hong Kong to throw a Rio Carnival-sized party later this year to show the world we are bouncing back.

The '50-something' member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong made the following suggestions to Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung at a special task force meeting this week. As soon as the city has eradicated Sars we should have:

? a two-week, city-wide party

? a three-day public holiday

? half-price beer at all bars

? free tea at all tea houses

? half-price admission at Ocean Park and all museums

? street carnivals with floats and parades

? big hotel discounts for tourists

Choy said: 'I might not be able to dance or sing, but I know what this city needs is a very big party. As soon as we are clear and clean of Sars we need to send a message to the world.'

The carnival idea grew out of a discussion over lunch between Choy and her old university friends. 'I just blabbed it to Antony [Leung] when we met up and he quite liked it. If there turns out to be real public support for the idea then I think a lot of politicians from all parties will get behind it and push.'

It's not the first time the serious Choy has had a radical idea. Last year she suggested prostitution be controlled and taxed to help reduce the budget deficit. And the year before she introduced a private member's bill to protect the city's old and valuable trees.

NO MORE HAIKUS

Thanks to everyone who has sent in haikus in the past two weeks.

The winning entry will be announced next week.

After Sars the wise

Will keep their N-95s

In smog they save lives

(Jim Salter)

Almond eyes twinkle:

Why do I still wear this mask?

Not Sars, Pollution!

(Stephen E)

Axis of entertainment

The once hopping Phi-b nightclub, closed for more than a year, looks set to reopen next month.

The landmark bar, now renamed Yumla (the enthusiastic form of the Cantonese word for drink), will take advantage of Central's new axis of entertainment - a park and pedestrian walkway between Pottinger Street and Wo On Lane.

Redesigned and refurbished, the bar will open right next to the government's $6.8-million Lok Hing Lane Park development due for completion in late August.

'It's going to be a pretty relaxed location, laid back and surrounded by trees,' said concept director Dan Findlay. 'It's one of the few developments in Central where being outside does not mean standing in the street.'

As with the original venue, music will be a key concern of Yumla, but Findlay stresses that the bar will provide an improved take on the well-tried DJ formula. Nights at the new spot will be hosted by well-known turntablists such as promoter and artist Simon Blackjack (right), composer Pete Millward of Drum Studios and Simon Pang.

Unwelcome home

You might want to think before snapping up those cheap air tickets being offered to help the local economy in the wake of the Sars crisis. Local photographer Graham Uden picked up a bargain ticket for his annual trip to Britain only to find that although we love Hong Kong, no one else seems to.

'Dear Graham,' ran the e-mail from his sister, a Barclays Bank employee in London. 'I'd love to see you this summer, but at the moment we have this anti-Sars policy at work and we have been advised not to see anyone from Hong Kong.'