News in brief 12 August
Lodge donates valuable equipment
People will be able to breathe more easily as a result of a gift to the Golden Bay Community Hospital from the Masonic Lodge.
Worshipful Master Bernie Davis and other Golden Bay Masonic Lodge members were on hand recently to present two oxygen concentrators to Alexia Russell, the nurse manager of hospital.
“The machines extract oxygen from the air and deliver it in predetermined concentrations to people whose lungs are compromised,” explained Alexia. “These two are great because they are light and portable, they fit inside a car and can be easily manouvered in people’s homes. They run very quietly too. The community nurses will be able to make great use of them.”
The oxygen concentrators, valued at $3000, enable people to remain in their homes and maintain some normality in their lives, where once they would have had to go to the hospital to be hooked up to a bigger machine. Alexia explained that, with the long leads from the machines to the person, the concentrators can be “parked” in another room or out in the hall while someone reads, watches television or prepares a meal.
The lodge members explained that they like to support local causes with their funds and they are able to apply to their parent body for assistance with worthy causes as well.
“We donated those special saws to the fire brigade last year and we think these oxygen concentrators will make a difference to a lot of people’s lives,” said Bernie.
Neil Wilson
NZ edition of a timely book to be launched in Takaka
A book that includes essays by 27 international and 12 New Zealand writers is having its public launch on Saturday 13 August at 2pm at Takaka’s Wholemeal Café as part of the Ecofest events.
One of the writers and the co-publisher is local man, Laurence Boomert, who will introduce Fleeing Vesuvius – The NZ Edition, as part of his talk “Toolkit for an Extended Crisis” which follows many of the themes of the book.
Despite its daunting subject matter, responding to economic and environmental collapse, the book is surprisingly upbeat, putting forward solutions that involve changes to our economy and financial system, our use of energy and land, our world view and our relationships to others, particularly those in our own communities.
“Fleeing Vesuvius offers a powerhouse of social and environmental technologies, many of which are in action in the world today,” explains Laurence, whose essay How I Survived the End of the World in Aotearoa is included. “These may turn out to be our most rewarding modern inventions to date and as we hurtle towards economic ground zero it would seem common sense to be discussing these options.”
Laurence will lead an exploration of the historical precedents and contemporary issues with the focus on how local communities can get through extended crises when outside help isn’t coming. His Takaka talk introduces a national tour he is undertaking to promote Fleeing Vesuvius. The tour’s official launch is at parliament on August 16.
The book was originally published in response to Ireland’s economic collapse. The New Zealand edition also includes work by Motueka writers.
Submitted by Laurence Boomert
NZ Mountain Film Festival
Good news for outdoor people: for the third year, the best of the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival is coming to Takaka. Wild adventures in Africa, the Himalayas and the Swiss Alps are among the delights on offer. Expect some gorgeous film-making, spectacular scenery and a couple of excellent NZ offerings. Warning: there are some adrenalin bursts.
The six short films, from three minutes to 55 minutes long, will screen at the Village Theatre for one night only, Monday 22 August. Tickets will be available from Soul Shoes in Takaka. Proceeds from the festival will go towards building cycle tracks in Golden Bay.
Breast Hill Carbon Free. Biking from home to Breast Hill, climbing it, then flying back down to Lake Hawea. A carbon-free adventure.
Towers of the Ennedi. The first-ever climbing in the remote Ennedi desert of Chad, Africa. After four days and 800km following a GPS coordinate on a roadless wasteland, the climbers found themselves among thousands of beautiful unclimbed towers.
The Whole Nine Yards. A ski film based up in the mountains surrounding Mt Cook.
No Ceiling. Join Glenn and Heather as they travel to Mt Meru (6672m) in the Garwhal Himalaya in India to try and break the record for the world’s highest base jump. But first Heather, a regular and quite unadventurous woman, has to learn how to base jump and climb.
Chimaera: Sounds of Winter. A unique camera system capable of shooting over 1000 frames per second was used in this film. It slows our perception of reality and offers an unprecedented look at a skier’s life.
The Swiss Machine. Ueli Steck may be the greatest speed alpinist the world has ever seen. In this film he tells the stories of his record-breaking ascents in the Alps, accompanied by stunning aerial footage of him racing up 8,000 foot alpine faces.
Cold. Cory Richards became the first American to summit an 8,000m peak in winter and it almost killed him and his partners. Cory filmed the climb as it happened, and filmmaker Anson Fogel transformed that footage into a raw, unflinching view of humanity at its limits. (Some language may offend)
Submitted by festival organisers
New electoral rolls
Preliminary electoral rolls, with the details of everyone currently enrolled, are available for viewing at local Post Shops and public libraries.
“If your details don’t appear, then you’re not yet enrolled, says Mr Wicks. “If your details are wrong you need to update them by filling in a new enrolment form.”
“We are urging people to enrol or update their details now to ensure they are ready to vote on Election Day, 26 November. It’s definitely not too late to enrol for this year’s election, but we are encouraging people to take the time to do it now.”
The final printed electoral rolls to be used on Election Day will close about a month before Election Day.
Submitted by Electoral Enrolment Centre
Takaka Memorial Library new books list
Display of the Month: Architecture and Home Design
Non-fiction
Great Britain – Lonely Planet. 9th edition, 2011
Paella by Alberto Herraiz. And I thought there was only one way to cook paella!
Lofting a Boat: a Step-by-Step Manual by Roger Kopanycia. Lofting is the essential stage in the transition between designing and building a boat.
Let your Past Go and Live by Avril Carruthers. Therapist Carruthers tackles the many characters we play to survive our family, workplace and relationship challenges.
Internet for Seniors by Michael Price
Ultimate Crochet Bible: the Complete Reference With Step-by-Step Techniques by Jane Crowfoot
The Dressmaker’s Handbook of Couture Sewing Techniques: Essential Step-by-Step Techniques for Professional Results by Linda Maynard
Raising Chickens for Dummies by Kimberly Willis with Rob Ludlow
Fiction
A Conflict of Interest by Adam Mitzner. Thriller
The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown. “The Beauty Chorus” were the female pilots who flew in Britain in WWII.
The Confessions of Katherine Howard by Suzannah Dunn. An historical novel.
The Year we Left by Jean Thompson. “The novel is a powerful reflection on middle American life… on the changes wrought by the passing years and the values that endure.”
A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman: Complete Short Stories by Margaret Drabble.
Doc by Mary Doria Russell. Doc Halliday is brought back to life in this reimagining of the iconic gunslinger and his curious friendship with Wyatt Earp.
A Death in Calabria by Michele Giuttari. Chief Superintendent Michele Ferrara’s anti-Mafia Investigations Department has another case on its hands.
Futureproof your business: managing the unmanageable
How would your business cope if you couldn’t operate from your usual premises? What would happen if you had to run out the door today and couldn’t get access for days, weeks or even months?
This year’s Ecofest Business Seminar on Wednesday, 17 August 2011 is all about futureproofing your business and the simple, commonsense actions that all businesses can, and should take, to help protect themselves - because whether it’s climate change or an earthquake, you never know what’s around the corner.
Paul Lonsdale, Christchurch Central City Business Association manager, who is presenting the seminar together with Nelson Enterprise Facilitator Carol Taplin, has first-hand experience of the myriad of problems that arise when businesses cannot operate as usual.
“In the seminar, we’ll be looking at some of the really simple things you can do straight away to help protect your business against the situation currently facing many Christchurch central city business owners. For example, are all your business files stored at your place of business or do you have copies at other locations?
“I invite local businesspeople to come and learn from our experiences. People never think disaster is going to happen to them – but my message is that it can and it does. Believe me, many Christchurch business people will be wishing that they had taken some simple steps to protect their businesses,” Paul Lonsdale says.
To find out more, visit www.ecofestnelsontasman.co.nz Facebook (Ecofest Nelson Tasman).
Tickets to the Eco biz seminar cost $20 and are available from council offices. The seminar will be held in the Victory Room at the Trafalgar Centre, 17 August, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Ecofest is a joint event between Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council. Since its beginnings in 2001, Ecofest has quickly become established as one of the biggest showcases for eco-innovative products, services and messages in New Zealand, attracting an audience of around 6,000+. In addition to the business seminar, Ecofest includes a two-day expo, eco home and garden tours and an eco challenge.
Submitted by Ecofest Expo
Ten days left for submissions
on proposal for the union of Nelson City and Tasman District
Residents and groups have until 19 August to make a submission on a draft reorganisation scheme for the union of Nelson City and Tasman District.
Submissions can be made about:
(a) the Commission’s findings and decision and/or
(b) any of the provisions of the draft reorganisation scheme.
A document setting out the Commission’s findings and decision, the draft reorganisation scheme (which sets out detail of how union would be implemented), and information about the process can be accessed via the Commission’s website – www.lgc.govt.nz - or by contacting the Commission on (04) 494 0552 or info@lgc.govt.nz
Submissions may be forwarded to the Commission by:
Post: Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Commission, PO Box 5362, WELLINGTON 6145.
Whitebait season opens on Monday
As whitebaiters head for waterways, hoping to net “pounds” of whitebait from Monday 15 August, they are being reminded that taking steps now to help preserve these native fish species can enable good catches in the years to come.
The whitebait season runs from 15 August to 30 November over most of New Zealand. On the West Coast, the season is from 1 September to 14 November.
The Department of Conservation, which manages the fishery, says the steps needed to sustain the whitebait fishery include habitat protection, maintaining fish passage and abiding by whitebait fishing regulations.
“Whitebait are the young of native fish and we are losing more of these species every year,” said DOC Nelson/Marlborough freshwater specialist Martin Rutledge.
“Four of the five main whitebait species are now classified as in decline: giant kokopu, shortjaw kokopu, koaro and the inanga, the most commonly caught species.
“The declines in whitebait species are mostly due to a lack of clean, healthy rivers, streams and wetlands for the adult fish.
“Planting and fencing stream edges can improve their habitat. Whitebait also need access between the sea and their freshwater habitats so dams and culverts should be designed to allow them unimpeded passage or be removed.
“We’d encourage keen whitebaiters to assist with whitebait habitat protection to help maintain healthy fish populations, which are needed for the Kiwi tradition of whitebaiting to be enjoyed in the future.
“Protection of stream habitats by fencing out stock and planting up with native trees are worthwhile projects to get involved with.
“Whitebaiters should also ensure they know the Whitebait Fishing Regulations and comply with them. Each whitebaiter can use only one net with a maximum mouth size of 4.5 metres. Net and go-bys together must not exceed 6 metres in length or be more than one-third of the waterway width. This and restrictions on the hours of fishing allow some whitebait to escape the nets to reach adulthood and breed. It also means everyone can get a fair share.”
DOC rangers will be patrolling waterways to check whitebaiters are sticking to the regulations but if people see anyone breaking the rules they are asked to report it to the DOC emergency number 0800 DOCHOT/0800 36 24 68.
Whitebaiters are also reminded to “Check, Clean, Dry” fishing gear, including footwear, when moving between waterways to prevent the spread of didymo algae and other aquatic pests that can clog waterways.
Any gutty or mature whitebait and other aquatic species whitebaiters catch but won’t be eating should be returned to the water alive, so they can continue to support the healthy functioning of freshwater ecosystems. By-catch can include shrimps, bullies, glass eels, smelt and trout.
Submitted by DOC
Sports nominations open
Nominations are now open at http://www.sparc.org.nz/volunteers. This year you can nominate not just coaches, but also administrators, officials, referees, fundraisers or anyone that is a volunteer in sport (including through clubs, schools or events). Nominations close at midnight, 23 August 2011.
