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Over 500 students from five GEMS Education schools around Dubai are taking part in the Mirdif City Centre community art project that will be a highlight of the mall’s opening entertainment schedule.

The celebrations will include the unveiling of a giant 36 x 7 metre mural that the students have dedicated over 3000 hours painting in the weeks leading up to the opening and a unique dance performance, based around the environmental themes depicted in the artwork.

Mirdif City Centre is the most recent landmark shopping mall development in the UAE by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, after the success of Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre.

Students from The Millennium School, a GEMS Education School, in Dubai rehearse their dance routine in preparation for their performance on March 18th at 4pm, during the Mirdif City Centre opening week celebrations.

Tired of paying astronomical prices for last minute gifts on Valentine’s Day? This year, Dubai’s first singing telegram service offers a new and fun way to show your love.

The singing telegrams are the brainchild of Lorate Hamzeh, Managing Director of the new Dubai-based company The Big Moo. Canadian-born Lorate gave up a high-powered HR job to pursue her dream of starting a singing telegram service. “While singing telegrams are well-known in countries such as the U.S. and Canada, it’s something very new to Dubai,” said Lorate Hamzeh.

“We have seen tremendous interest in our singing telegrams since we launched The Big Moo in November. Our performers have been putting smiles on the faces of people all over Dubai and it’s a perfect idea for Valentine’s Day.”

The Big Moo utilizes a team of professional entertainers to deliver the singing telegrams to the homes or offices of the sender’s friends, relatives or loved ones. No two singing telegrams are the same: there are special characters to choose from and senders can even deliver themselves in an oversized gift box to propose to their Valentine. Prices begin at AED 297, making it an affordable gift alternative.

This Valentine’s Day, senders can choose from a variety of packages which can include a dozen long-stemmed red roses, a dozen sweet-heart cupcakes or other quality gifts together with their singing telegram message.

For children’s parties, The Big Moo offers performers who walk around the party in character. The birthday boy or girl also receives a balloon bouquet, party favours or even a piñata, a papier-mâché hanging character filled with sweets.

And what’s Dubai’s favourite singing telegram character? As it happens, a singing cow is the Big Moo’s best seller.

Anyone interested in making a Valentine’s Day booking or learning more about The Big Moo can visit their website: www.thebigmoouae.com

In order to stimulate community initiatives, Ministry of Social Affairs announced that nomination is now open to “Emirates Social Award” which gives individuals, companies, private and government sectors recognition of outstanding contribution in the scopes of social welfare and development.

The emphasis placed by United Arab Emirates to promote the distinguished values of Social responsibilities is in the light of UAE government strategy that comes under the auspices of His Highness Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and with the blessing of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. The Award is an integral part of the Social commitment to bridge the gap between the companies and the community. The award calls upon businesses to uphold their social responsibilities and at the same time to develop appropriate mechanisms to recognize those that are aware of their social responsibilities to give them greater and wider opportunities.

The Ministry believes that philanthropists are doing their part in the community from their ethical commitment, and their aim is to contribute more for the betterment of society. Thus, it is incumbent upon the community to appreciate and honor them through the Emirates Social Award. This award criteria depends on international standards of social recognition, these standards are a result of intensive studies conducted globally to strengthen the role of individuals, private and government sectors role in supporting the service of society and those in need.

According to this initiative, the Ministry of Social Affairs extends a humanitarian acumination invitation to the community members and the private and public sectors to participate in applying for the Award. The fact that it is a sign of community interest in social responsibility and recognizing it’s importance, the award grants various categories and includes: Rehabilitation, training and employment, minor care, orphans, children with unknown parentage, abused children, people with special needs, elderly, widows and divorced with limited income. In addition to contributing to the development of local communities and infrastructure development in social service facilities, the Award aims to increase their participation in social development programs and support social commitment in all its aspects.

The UAE is focusing on sustainable development for the advancement of the society to the best international standards, and seeking to set an example for its citizens in fulfilment of the ministry’s achievements. The Ministry of Social Affairs is looking to place this award as a great addition that contributes to advancing and enhancing the social initiatives, as well as drawing attention to community development, acting as a helpful tool to further dedication to charity and to guarantee enhancement of society while fostering cooperation between all elements.

The Ministry will start receiving applications for participation as of today’s date and will continue until Sunday, 21st February 2010. Visit www.esaward.ae for more details.

Arabianbusiness.com reports that the opening of the Fairmont Palm Jumeirah will be delayed until 2011 at the earliest due to funding problems.

Thomas Storey, President of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, told the publication that the company’s partners, IFA Hotels & Resorts, were finding it difficult to raise finance in the current economic climate.

Chapal Sports and Dubai Sports City (DSC) have signed an exclusive agreement for all on-ground and sponsorship rights of the forthcoming Pakistan-England Twenty20 series to be played at the Dubai Sports City in February. As per the terms of this multi-million dirham deal, Chapal Sports has now acquired all marketing rights of the event including title sponsorship, presenting sponsorship, co-sponsorship, associate sponsorship, ground logos and boards, entertainment branding or any other advertising opportunity on the venue. England will be arriving in Dubai on February 14 and play the Twenty20 world champions before flying to Bangladesh on February 21. The matches will be held on February 19 and 20.

Chapal Sports is a UAE based full-spectrum sports management company, owned by the renowned real estate developers and master planners, the Chapal Group. Their scope of business includes sports events management, sports rights acquisition and re-selling, sports personalities’ management, developing and executing sports related mega events and projects. Having its head office in Dubai and branch offices in Karachi and London, the company primarily focuses on cricket besides other interests in hockey, soccer, golf and polo. Dr Ahsan Malik, the former marketing and commercial director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is the founding chief operating officer of Chapal Sports while Khurram Ijaz, former PCB general marketing, heads the business operations of the company.

Ahmed Chapal, the chief executive officer of Chapal Sports, said Tuesday that they were delighted to enter into this agreement with the DSC. “Considering that the world’s number one T20 team is up against a very competitive England side just before the T20 World Cup, the level of interest from cricket fans and hence the potential sponsors is enormous. We are confident to put up a wonderful show in collaboration with the DSC management and at the same time generate a good commercial value out of the event. Chapal Sports will always have the cricket passion on top of everything and especially when it comes to supporting Pakistan cricket,” he added.

DubaiKidz.biz, the best and first online resource for families in Dubai, today reveals its new website design loaded with new features such as an interactive map of nurseries.

To celebrate the launch of the new site, DubaiKidz.biz is giving away a prize a day throughout February these include a hotel stay and family brunch at Kempinski Hotel, event tickets, baby activity classes, family photo sittings, party entertainment, spa and shopping vouchers and plenty more.

Founder Petra Sander and her business partner Amelia Wilson have been busy updating and redesigning the new site, which was last month awarded its second UAE Web Award.

“When I launched DubaiKidz.biz in 2005, I did all the design and programming work myself in a simplistic manner that I could easily maintain and up date,” explains Petra. “While we haven’t changed the look and feel of the site too dramatically, as we know that our readers appreciate the neat and tidy look of it, Amelia’s new design will look fresher and offer new features, like a Google map of all the nurseries in the Dubai area and we hope to be doing the same with the schools listings soon.”

Since 2005, many new features and services have been introduced to the site including the E-zine, an online magazine containing articles about motherhood in the UAE written by mums for mums, a free newsletter service, which is distributed to more than 4,400 subscribers bi-monthly, and Facebook pages that keep 1,500 fans up-to-date with vital information for parents in the UAE.

The popular site, which saw more than 19,000 site visits or 34,800 page views, during December 2009, provides a valuable source of essential information for families, especially first-time mums.

“New mums often feel isolated – they have just left their job and living in Dubai often means that they’re far away from family and friends. Being online is another mean of being in touch and not feeling left alone with all the changes and challenges that you face as being a mum,” Petra said.

One of Amelia and Petra’s greatest challenges is staying on top of all the new things happening; new shops and schools or nurseries that open their doors as Dubai grows so rapidly.

“More of today’s mums are working and don’t have much time to sort out activities for the weekend and appreciate our What’s On section, which covers a diverse range of activities from theatre and flea markets to music and sport lessons – even the latest sales!” added Amelia.

In what promises to be a busy year for the business, 2010 will also see the launch of AbuDhabiKidz.biz and the team are also looking at setting up franchising opportunities that will see the sites concept expand to other regions in the GCC and even perhaps across the world.

Baby Yoga is an informal class which promotes infant-parent interaction at a pace that is easily absorbed by the babies and develops as the babies grow. The classes include flowing postures, holding techniques, infant massage, sounds and deep voice relaxation. The class uses gentle yoga postures both for the mums to regain abdominal control and good posture, and for the babies to promote brain development and good-coordination. Through baby Yoga all the baby’s bodily systems are stimulated, including the digestive and nervous systems. The physical, physiological and psychological benefits for both are multiple.

The classes are held at the Ballet Centre in Jumeirah 1 ( 04 344 9776), on Thursday mornings at 10 am. Please do not hesitate to contact Melanie on 0505448325 or visit www.birthlight.com for more info on Baby Yoga.

Middle East Creative Services (mecs) is a European owned and managed design agency bringing a diverse range of services to businesses in the UAE. Formed in Kuwait by a British Master Printer and a Creative Director, mecs quickly became renowned for their graphic design and outstanding print quality; working with clients such as IKEA, and producing high-end Corporate Profiles for companies including Kharafi National, S.H.Behbehani & Sons and the Middle East’s largest retailer.

Having operated in the GCC region for 15 years, mecs have recently relocated from Kuwait to Dubai, with a view to entering the UAE market with renewed focus.

In a market flooded with ad agencies of all sizes, mecs offer something different. Traditionally, ad agencies buy advertising space for the client, and receive a commission (typically 15%) from the media provider, in return for the sale. By contrast, mecs define their role as a ‘design agency’ – believing most companies have their own staff dedicated to marketing strategy, media planning and buying, and that they should not be incurring additional costs from their agencies in these areas. The client makes decisions – mecs handle the design and execution, seeing those decisions through to successful results. This means far greater choice, flexibility and freedom for the customer; and of course, better value for money.

Breaking into a cash-strapped market is not easy, and the majority of new orders still come from existing clients in Kuwait; but the response in Dubai is promising. Already, mecs have signed up private jet charter companies, property developers and an international bank. Fledgling start-ups are also attracted by the transparent, results driven ethos. This week the company launched a website aimed exclusively at attracting businesses in Dubai, visit uaedesign.com for more information.

mecs is a European owned and managed design agency based in Dubai, UAE.
With over 15 years experience in the Middle East, our services combine professional European design with extensive knowledge and understanding of local markets.

The world’s tallest building officially opened on January 4 2010. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is an incredible 828 metres tall.

Here are some pictures of the opening ceremony and more:

Arabian Business reports that the opening of the Hard Rock Hotel in Dubai has been delayed. The hotel is now scheduled to open in 2013.

The project was originally announced at the end of 2007.