Happenings & Events: July!

FOURTH OF JULY AT SMOKEY JOE’S

Smokey Joe’s in DB North is the place to celebrate July 4, with Chef Joey Daze serving up a sizzling US Independence Day feast. Alongside his popular burgers, steaks and sliders, expect all-American favourites like chilli-cheese hotdogs and standout Texas Twinkies – slow-smoked, bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cheese. Vegetarians are well catered for too, with Impossible Burgers, fresh salads and hearty sandwiches. The festivities kick off at noon, with a happy hour from 3pm to 7pm. Expect baseball on the T Vs and classic American tunes on the speakers. To book a table, call 5784 7101 or visit smokeyjoesdb.com

RACE LANTAU 2 PEAKS

Registration is open for the Lantau 2 Peaks, organised by Action Asia Events, and the two peaks in question are, of course, Lantau and Sunset. There are two distances: the 24km (two peaks: elevation gain 1,889m), which you can run solo, with a partner or in a team of four, and the 15km (half peak: elevation gain 854m), which is run solo. To sign up to race on October 4, visit actionasiaevents.com [PHOTO COURTESY OF Action Asia Events.]

LEARNING CHINESE ONLINE

Trusted by 1,000+ non-native learners globally, Hong Kong-based Linguabox specialises in online Mandarin and Cantonese instruction. Tailored learning pathways for adults and international school students target academic success and real-world fluency. Students gain the confidence and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers, and are supported by a specialised, exam-aligned curricula (IB, IGCSE, HSK, YCT). To find out more, visit linguaboxgroup.com

HARRY WRIGHT SWIM SCHOOL: 50+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, Harry Wright Swim School continues to build on over five decades of empowering young swimmers and shaping Hong Kong’s aquatic culture. From parent-and-child lessons to elite swim squads and adult classes, it offers something for every age, every ability and every ambition.

Harry Wright has been a trusted swim partner for families in DB for decades, offering expert-led lessons at Club Siena. With a structured progression system, small group sizes and professional coaching that meets international standards, Harry Wright’s community-driven values continue to resonate with DB

families. This summer, Harry Wright is running an extensive summer holiday programme at Club Siena through August 15 for all ages, including adults. The daily programme runs Mondays to Saturdays, while weekly camps (three-day and five-day options) run through August 14. A new adult class is also available on Saturdays through August 15. Both club members and non-members are welcome to enrol at Club Siena or DBRC reception.

Over the past five decades, 18 Olympians, 22 Asian Games and 13 Commonwealth athletes have trained with Harry Wright, representing Hong Kong and countries around the globe. Recent notable alumni include Siobhán Haughey and Ian Ho. For more information and to enrol in the summer programmes, call 2575 6279, or visit harrywright.com.hk [PHOTOS COURTESY OF Harry Wright.]

NO BUTTS DAY

On No Butts Day, July 4, thousands of volunteers worldwide hit streets, parks, trails and beaches to collect discarded cigarette butts. The campaign highlights the environmental harm caused by plastic cigarette filters, and calls for their ban. You can join the effort in DB by organising your own clean-up or taking part in an existing event. To help contribute to the global count, visit nobuttsday.org

SHOUT-OUT TO TAICHI KHO

Congratulations to sometime DB resident Taichi Kho who achieved a landmark Asia Tour victory on June 14 by winning the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat. The 25-year-old golfer, who developed his game at DB Golf Club, finished at 19-under par, edging two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson by one stroke after making a crucial birdie on the 18th hole in the final round. The victory earned Taichi his first International Series title and his second Asian Tour victory as a professional.

ELDERLY HEART CARE SEMINAR

Seniors, families and carers are invited to attend an Elderly Heart Care Seminar on July 30, focused on mental health protection. The seminar is being held at DB Office Centre, from 12pm to 1pm, and is led by a Lifeline senior counsellor. Admission is free. To find out more and enrol, visit FB@db.community.hk

MURAL REFRESH AT DB NORTH

In case you haven’t noticed three walls at DB North Plaza have been transformed by fun, anthropomorphic murals celebrating DB’s pet-friendly environment. The wall paintings were created by Art Dreamers, a Hong Kong social enterprise that partners with schools, charities and non-profits to host art workshops and community mural projects, notably Project C – Cats in a Dreamy Rose Garden in Yau Ma Tei. Students from S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School helped Art Dreamers put the finishing touches to the DB North murals on June 20.

SMOOTHIE-MAKING WORKSHOP

Hong Kong food-tech startup Food With Benefits is hosting a Zero Food-Waste Smoothie-Making Workshop on July 18, from 11am to 12.30pm, at DB Office Centre. The fully interactive workshop combines nutrition education with sustainability themes, teaching participants how surplus produce can be upcycled into healthy and delicious smoothies. Instruction is in English and Cantonese; all ages are welcome. Find out more and enrol at FB @db.community.hk.

DB TRANSPORT APP

Long-time DB resident Christoph Lamprecht has developed DB Transport, a free app that delivers instant, offline timetables for our internal buses, external buses and ferries. Fast and easy to browse, DB Transport features a smart filtering system that surfaces the routes that are relevant to you (and hides the rest). It also includes favourites, live departure countdowns and a search function – in English and traditional and simplified Chinese. Most importantly, it’s completely free – no ads, no tracking, no sign-up, no upsell. Download it at App Store and Goggle Play.

SUMMER SECURITY REMINDER

The idea that burglaries in DB spike every summer is largely an urban myth. However, holiday periods can create opportunities for burglars because more homes are left unattended. While DB periodically experiences burglary incidents, the risk appears to be driven more by vacant properties, hillside access routes and construction-related vulnerabilities than by the season itself. Offenders have been known to approach properties from hillside areas and use darkness, vegetation or scaffolding associated with renovation works to access upper-floor units.

Recent incidents demonstrate that burglaries still occur in DB despite Hong Kong’s generally low burglary rate. In late May, at least two break-ins were reported in the same residential block within nine hours. At the same time, burglary figures across Hong Kong have been trending downward. Police reported that 2025 recorded a historic low of 816 burglary cases, the lowest since records began in 1969, and that burglaries during Easter, summer and Christmas holiday periods fell significantly following targeted anti-burglary operations.

Security priorities vary depending on whether you live in a stand-alone house, ground-floor unit or upper-floor flat, but the same basic precautions apply:

• Lock all windows and balcony doors

• Be especially vigilant during renovation or scaffolding works

• Consider installing CCTV or alarm systems

• Store valuables in a bank safe-deposit box

• Inform building management if you will be away

• Arrange for someone to collect your mail and deliveries

• Use timers for lights so your home seems occupied

Remaining vigilant and reducing access opportunities remain the most effective burglary deterrents.