At the Sheraton Hotel there's a new hero in town: Spiderman is washing the windows. The idea came up in a brainstorming session with housekeeping staff, possibly taking inspiration from the human Spiderman who climbed the Jinmao last year. So far Spidey is receiving a thumbs up from the boys in the suits and guests alike, so if you live in Hongqiao, it looks like your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman is here to stay! UPDATE 28/4/2008-......

A new wine bar in Hongqiao called Vino Venue will start featuring live jazz with a special event happening this Saturday. Montreal-based vocalist Athesia (pictured) will perform a set of original music at the intimate venue, and the show is part of a package that includes dinner and a wine card. Not exactly sure how the wine card works, but it's worth 388 RMB by itself so it must get you a selection to taste.......

Okay, it may be the case that we don't fly enough, but yesterday at the Hongqiao Airport, we were really surprised to see this Virgin bookstore at the departure hall (that Richard Branson has really acted fast, hasn't he?). Does anyone know how long the store has been there? Food and beverage options appear to have widened up quite a bit too. Element Fresh has been there since last summer, located just outside the exit......

From Shanghai Daily:SHANGHAI issued an orange alert for heavy fog this morning. It was the first orange fog warning since winter began early this month. The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau issued a yellow alert for fog at 1am and upgraded it to orange about 5am. The alert was lowered at 10am this morning. Four international flights, with a total of 835 passengers, were diverted from Pudong International Airport and landed at Hongqiao Airport due to heavy......

Building off of the success of last year’s 1st ever Chili Cook-off, Bubba’s is once again hosting the event this weekend (October 20, 12pm-5pm), which they alliteratively proclaim will be “bigger, better, and with more room to roam.” For starters, we have moved the cook-off to the street that runs alongside Bubba's Bar-B-Que (between us and Marriott Hong Qiao). It is a nice, tree-lined street and we're gonna close that sucker down to traffic......

We have whined before about the dearth of decent restaurants in Shanghai's airports. Pudong travelers are still better off brown-bagging it, but it seems relief will soon be on the way for domestic travelers: Element Fresh is opening up shop at Hongqiao Airport. From their website: Element Fresh Express coming to Hong Qiao airport in July! Finally there is an alternative to airline food & drinks: the Express will offer fresh juices, smoothies and coffee......

Summer is here and everything is heating up. Leading up to this weekend, this is what Shanghaiist thinks is going to be hot today and tomorrow. Today, Wednesday May 30th Texans In Exile Monthly meeting at Bubbas Texan or a friend of Texas? You can meet up with fellow lovers of the Lone Star State during their monthly T.I.E. meeting at Bubbas tonight from 7pm. Call Ken to let him know you're coming. 7pm......

Have China Scholars All Been Bought? "Academics who study China, which includes the author, habitually please the Chinese Communist Party, sometimes consciously, and often unconsciously. " Cartoon police to 'patrol' all Web sites in China "China plans to expand its use of animated police figures into a virtual force symbolizing the government's monitoring of all major Web sites and online forums, state media said Saturday." Eating Human Fetuses in China "The story was about......

Shanghaiist decided to have a look at the Annual Adult Care Expo (or "Sexpo" as many call it). Located at the International Exposition center on Xingyi Lu, with a 30 RMB admission fee, the Expo features just about everything related to sex. Much of this was toys -- fancy dildoes and vibrators. As it was last year, there were several exotic toys that take the brain and physical work out of thrusting a piece......

Great news out of Jarrett Wrisley's restaurant and bar gossip column this week in SH (especially if you live near Tongren Lu like Shanghaiist does): While Moon River keeps the green suburbs stocked with thick milkshakes, omelettes and apple pie, downtown still desperately needs an American-style diner. Enter Eduardo Vargas, who, along with plans to open about five more iiiit! sandwich and salad shops, has quickly put together a new restaurant which is the answer......