Blueskin Bay radio news for Friday March 26

Puketapu Radio presents Blueskin Bay local news in association with blueskin.co.nz

Two new businesses involving Blueskin Bay residents are now open. The former owners of the Karitane Café have set up as Eat, at the bottom of Dowling Street in town. And local bookoholic, Beck Ritchie opens his new second-hand bookshop, Selected Works, in the Gardens on Thursday. The shop also includes a bookbinding studio.

The Orokonui Ecosanctuary is now open for self-guided walks. The cafe and visitor centre are open seven days, and the Centre is free to explore, as are the Pa Harakeke walk and the 9km perimeter track. Guided tours are at 10.30am and 1.30pm daily. Or, you can do an unguided walk during opening hours, 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Next Tuesday’s Waitati Film Festival offering is the Danish film, The Five Obstructions. An investigative journey into the phenomenon of the documentary it is about a film-maker recreating one of his first films. Movies are shown at Bill’s Place in Orokonui Rd from 8pm.

Hard on the heels of the tsunami that never arrived earlier this month are two public meetings designed to help us understand and prepare for them. Organised by the DCC Civil Defence, the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board and Neighbourhood Support, the meetings will be held at the Karitane Hall on Monday April 12 and at the Waitati Hall on Tuesday April13. Both meetings run from 6.30 - 8.30 pm.

Warrington Indoor Bowls Club will begin its 2010 season on Tuesday April 6 at 7.30pm in the Warrington Hall. The club welcomes past and present members and any new players who would like to give this challenging game a try. Free tuition is available to new players, and the club supplies the bowls. The only "special equipment" required is a pair of soft-soled shoes.

The Blueskin Bay local volunteer news website can be found at www.blueskin.co.nz.

 

 

Bohemian Nights return to Warrington

By the editors

It's been three years since we've seen them in Blueskin Bay but
popular Australian folk performers, Bohemian Nights are returning
later this month for one show in Warrington.
Violinist Ernie Gruner and accordionist/singer Phil Carroll have
already visited New Zealand five times. For them, tour number six will
be like coming home.
They draw from diverse sources: Gypsy, Klezmer, Middle-Eastern,
French, Italian, Russian, jazz and tango. Their music ranges from
soulful to wild.
Ernie and Phil last performed in Warrington in 2007. In association
with Blueskin Bay FM, they play Warrington Memorial Hall on Saturday
April 24. Doors open 7.30pm and tickets are $15 (concession $10,
families $25).
Ernie specialises in Jewish music and Phil specialises in
Middle-Eastern music. They have worked together on and in theatre and
dance events for Russian, Armenian, Jewish, Turkish, French and
Italian communities. They also perform regularly for other events such
as parties and weddings. They provide a very lively and entertaining
performance.
Tickets only available at the door.

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WAITATI ENERGY PROJECT

By Scott Willis

Horseshoe Bend
Autumn weather was blowing a gale when the morning of our Horseshoe
Bend field-trip dawned. There was only one 7am phone call though
("shouldn't we cancel in this wind?") and at the rendezvous point
everyone was looking ready and warmly wrapped.
Our Roxburgh rendezvous point was 'Jimmy's Pies' (where else?) where
Peter Dowling, Pioneer Generation's chief executive and Bob and Viv of
our WEP group were waiting for us. After a brief introduction to
Pioneer Generation by Peter, we set off again, winding up the road to
Horseshoe Bend. This was all very nostalgic country for me – my
grandfather Jack Young was mayor of Roxburgh in the 1960s-70s and his
grandfather Andrew Young was one of Roxburgh's earliest settlers (a
miner, beside the Teviot river). Every summer I remember as a child
we'd spend part of our Christmas holidays exploring Roxburgh and
surrounds.
At some point along the winding road we came over a crest and there
they were: three giant children's toys set in the bare undulating
landscape. Closer, they grew more impressive and more a part of the
landscape, a sculptural enhancement (for me at least) on a rise above
the Teviot (and above Pioneer's small 4.3MW Horseshoe Bend hydro
station).
Beneath the turbines – only one was turning – we were astonished by
the noise. The wind was a steady and cold 12 metres/second yet it
sounded like a washing machine. Peter explained the tips of the blades
(which reach to 69 metres on the vertical) are travelling at around
200 kms/hr at this speed and we could read the live output, showing
around 550kW each moment, yet it was not noisy. Of course, the wind's
speed confuses turbine sound so that as paradoxical as it seems, wind
turbines often seem more obvious in light winds than in real blusters.
I was most impressed by the simple, practical and effective
technology: these are second-hand turbines and took 10 days to erect
and begin generating. Inside, a tower is essentially a steel tube
bolted together, simply providing height for the 'nacelle' which sits
on the top of the tower and includes most of the working parts of the
turbine, and to which the rotor is attached. Essentially, the wind
pushes against the blades which turn the rotor, which turns a
generator (a dynamo) which makes electricity.
Peter fielded questions from our diverse group – technical questions,
resource consent questions and business questions – and in turn gave
us an insight into the small 18 person community-owned renewable
generation company that is Pioneer Generation. Eventually, our fingers
turning blue, we descended to the shelter of the nearby hydro plant.
To cut a long story short, in addition to the turbines we visited the
Horseshoe Bend hydro and Teviot Bridge and Teviot Ellis hydro.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the scale of generation – its low
environmental impact and reflecting on the difference between this
type of embedded generation and the big hydro/wind/gas/coal/geothermal
generation we mostly meet our household energy demands with. I loved,
too, seeing NZ falcons on our trip and couldn't help thinking that
appropriate scale distributed generation is the way of the future,
weaning ourselves off fossil fuels and generating energy closer to
where we consume it, more in tune with our environment.
A big thank you is due to Peter Dowling for being so generous with his
time and knowledge. We had a late picnic lunch together by the Clutha
(after a very brief glimpse at the cob cottage my great great
grandfather built and my mother grew up in, beside the Teviot), and
meandered back to Waitati. A great day out!

GST and Energy
It seems inevitable. Prices are about to rise across the board in May
as the government pursues a rise in GST, causing prices to rise on
everything. We know of course that this type of tax will present the
most challenge to people whose household income is already borderline
(levels of fuel poverty – the inability to afford to keep warm – are
already extremely high in the south of the South Island).
You may be already engaged with this politically, and there are
pragmatic things we can do as well. Increasing household energy
efficiency is probably one of the most effective things you could
contemplate as we head towards winter and a GST hike. By investing
now, in insulation, double glazing, solar hot water, photovoltaic
panels, energy efficient appliances, or even dry wood, you'll be
buying at 'X' + GST 12.5% and saving when energy is costing 'X' + GST
at 15% over winter. That's a double benefit. The bigger and more
strategic your energy efficiency investment now, the greater the
percentage of negative GST impact you'll be able to offset over time.
GST is a very lucrative tax for governments. While this government is
raising GST taxes, don't expect any future government to cut it soon –
it is just too good for the coffers. Now is the time to invest in
greater financial security for your household by investing in energy
efficiency.

BRCT
Finally, work in the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust has been
hectic this month. As I write, we have our community turbine
feasibility report to finalise, and we've just completed a big funding
bid in conjunction with Waitati School to the Community Development
Scheme. It's all on in Blueskin Bay!
• WEP: Scott Willis 482 2048, 0274888314, waitatienergy@gmail.com

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

NEW BUSINESS FOR WAITATI RESIDENT

By the editors

April fool's day was a celebration rather than a joke for Waitati
resident Beckford (known to all and sundry as Beck) Ritchie. On 1
April he opened his new venture, the second-hand bookshop Works
Second-hand Books.
Conveniently located across the road from the Gardens supermarket in
North East Valley, Works stocks a wide range of titles, most of which
are from Beck's own private stock, collected over many years.
The store also features a book binding studio where Beck is able to
repair books and make slip cases for clients. Beck also sells printed
ephemera including postcards, programmes and posters.
This is not Beck's first foray into the second-hand book business, nor
even his second. He has previously owned or run businesses in Oamaru
(Cover to Cover) and Upper Stuart Street (The Haunted Bookshop, and
yes, apparently it was). He's even sold books from a double-decker bus
in Waitati but for the past 12 years Beck has been working part-time
at Scribes.
A clearly ideal candidate for such a venture, Beck says, "Second-hand
booksellers are allowed to be eccentric. In fact, it's almost
expected."
Works is open Mon-Sat from 10am to 6.30pm.
• Works Second-hand Books, Beck Ritchie 027 253 1412, beckfordritchie@gmail.com

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WAITATI EDIBLE GARDENERS

By Jason Ross, Jackie Fanning and Lynnaire Johnston

The Waitati Edible Gardeners group has been exceedingly active over
the past month with a number of projects moving forward.

Harvest Market
The second of the year's three harvest markets, held last month was
dubbed another success. As well as a strong turn-out from local
residents wanting to make the most of the best produce on offer, a
number of visitors were from town or further afield. The market
showcases vegetables and fruit, preserves, plants and nuts, along with
anything else that is surplus to requirements.
A particular feature of the March market was an apple press which
seemed to be always surrounded by people fascinated at how it works or
wanting to try the juice it produced.
The third and final market will be held on Sunday April 18 from
10.30am to midday.

Waitati Open Orchard
Thanks to all of you who donated stuff to the WOO stall at the last
two WEGgies harvest markets. Fundraising is going well and we will
have another stall raising money for planting fruit/nut trees in
Waitati streets at the April market. We are still accepting donations
for the stall if you have anything.
The apple press at the last market was a hit so we will be doing it
again at the April market. So bring your own fruit to press (or let us
know of trees with ripe fruit and we may collect it to sell juice as a
fundraiser). The idea of pressing juice is that fruit that may
otherwise go to waste is juiced and that juice then can be frozen or
turned into cider.
Our recent successful fundraising efforts will allow us to buy some
trees etc. which we plan to plant in 'neighbourhood patches', street
verges and put into the 'adopt a tree' orphanage (we'll explain that a
bit more in the next issue).
On April 25 and 26 the Orokonui Rd riverside bank is getting some TLC
to get it ready for WOO trees. This area used to be a kept site used
by the community and the neighbours are keen to see it return to its
former glory – with the addition of fruit trees. The more the merrier,
so please come along, meet some other locals, and bring some tools to
cut long grass and weedy stuff!

• Waitati Open Orchard: waitatiopenorchard@gmail.com
• Waitati Edible Gardeners: Waitati.edible.gardners@gmail.com

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WARRINGTON SURF LIFESAVING CLUB

By Pete Russell

The season finished with the Junior prize-giving followed by the
lifeguard BBQ on March 14. Many thanks to the Junior coaches, Mark
Familton, Cherie Oldham and Polly Clyne for their work throughout the
year. We also would like to acknowledge and thank the parents for
their commitment and support. Well done to all the Juniors who
competed over the summer. Warrington has moved up the ladder to become
the second top club in the region. Congratulations to Matt Kelly and
Allie Adams who were first overall in Otago in their respective age
groups. The main prize-giving awards were:
Club medals: Abby Clayton, Ruby Randell, Gracie Lamphie and Tait Familton
Top Male Competitor: Matt Kelly
Top Female Competitor: Allie Adams
Oldham Family Swimming Trophy: Taigh Kelly
Junior Surf Award: The Kelly Family
Most Valuable Contribution to Club: Charlotte Ibbotson
Special mention and thanks also to Polly Higham, our treasurer, who
was presented with a tree for her efforts in keeping us financially
sound. Polly has been treasurer for the last five years and has
provided the club with much needed stability through a time of change
and growth.
The lifeguards finished the season with a kangaroo court and BBQ. The
club captain reports that Warrington voluntary guards completed 1190
hours of lifeguarding, undertaking 469 preventative actions involving
375 people. We have the third highest patrolling hours' tally in
Otago.
WSLSC guards have had:
• 10 members complete VHF qualifications
• 18 attempt the BALG programme
• 12 complete workplace first aid
• 10 pass Intermediate Guard
• 8 attend the IRB motor workshop
• 4 pass PHEC
• 5 gain jobs as paid regional guards and 4 work on Beach Education
• 2 gain their crewman's award
• 10 selected and competed for the Otago rep team
• 6 contribute as Event Guard team members
Highlights this season include:
• Our profile on What Now on Sunday mornings
• Several articles in the ODT and community newspapers
• A visiting pod of Orcas
• 5 local competitions held at our beach as well as two South Island
competitions
• A huge upgrade of our first aid capabilities, including gear and training
• A new IRB and new bike
• New hand-held radios and upgraded base sets
• A road trip to Kaka Point in December and another road trip in
January to Oreti.
Many thanks to Charlotte Ibbotson, the club captain, and her team for
a successful season.
The club has several activities in the coming months including:
• Hosting the Otago Surf Life Saving awards over lunch on April 18.
• Presentation of life member awards to Lyn Hastie and Kaye Burns on
Sunday May 2, 3pm at the clubrooms. All past and present club members
are invited to this very important occasion.
• Strategic planning sessions May 9, June 13 and July 11, 3 – 6pm.
Come along if you wish to have input into the future direction of the
club.
• The AGM in August, date TBA.
The committee would like to thank all those involved with the club for
what has been a successful season.

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WARRINGTON RESERVE GROUP

By Karen Hobday

Planting time is nearly here again, so put Sunday 13 June at 10am
aside to come and help create our windbreak at Warrington Domain.
Although we have lost a few plants to drought this year, the native
flaxes and grasses are growing well and are tall enough to protect
young trees from the howling southerlies. This year we will be
planting more native trees.
Thank you to everyone who helped Mike with release weeding around
plants on the bank by the beach at the Otago Tree Society plantings.
There will be a couple of community weeding days there each year.
Submissions to the Coastal Dune Reserves Management Plan were sent in
to the DCC by 12 March, and we intend to speak to the hearing
committee in support of our submission.
We met with DCC parks officer Renee Gordon in March. Our plans for the
next year include a noticeboard area at the Warrington Domain with
information and interpretation panels.
• Karen Hobday: 482 2762, karenhobday@yahoo.com

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WARRINGTON PLAYCENTRE
By Mary-Jane Mirfin

Playcentre Awareness Week, March 22-29, started off a bit early for us
by our promoting one of our most popular play areas, the play dough
area, at the Blueskin A&P show. Many children enjoyed our play dough
table and thanks to everyone who bought play dough or a pet rock. We
are carrying on with Playcentre Awareness Week by encouraging anyone
in the area, especially with little children, to come along and see
what fun we have at our playcentre. We are open on Tuesday from
10.30-1pm, Wednesday 9.15-12.15pm and Friday 9.15-12.15pm.
Happy birthdays go out to Amelia (1) and her big brother Ben (3) and
also to our five-year olds Rhiannon and Brook. Have a great time at
school. We will miss you both.
A big welcome to Ayano, Benjamin, Flynn and Jamie.
Some changes are coming up with one of our entrances. The Otago
Playcentre Association and the Ministry of Education have been
concerned that the shared entrance into Playcentre by the postal boxes
creates a risk for our children. As a result, we are going to redo
the fencing so people don't need to come into the playground when
picking up parcels or dropping off the key. A big thank-you to Mark
Horsefield who is helping out with the construction of the fencing and
also to the Playcentre parents who will be involved in the building of
it.
We have been enjoying the warm weather with lots of water play,
visiting Warrington Beach and Warrington School for a few pool visits.
We had a great crop of potatoes in our vege patch and have been
finding interesting bugs in our garden, too. Feel free to stop by for
a cuppa and see what we are all about.
• Warrington Playcentre: Mary-Jane Mirfin 482 1962

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WARRINGTON INDOOR BOWLS

By Cliff & Ruth Porteous

Warrington Indoor Bowls Club will begin its 2010 season on Tuesday
April 6 at 7.30pm in the Warrington Hall. The club welcomes past and
present members and any new players who would like to give this
challenging game a try. Free tuition is available to new players, and
the club supplies the bowls. The only "special equipment" required is
a pair of soft-soled shoes.
Come along and join a dynamic group of people who have kept this club
going longer than any other indoor bowls club in the East Otago area.
Warrington Indoor Bowls: Cliff or Ruth 482 2849

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WAITATI SCHOOL

By Jenna Packer

Picture this charming scene at the annual Country Fair and Clearing
Sale: from behind the laden tables of the 'Kereru Cafe', the Waitati
School P.T.A, bedecked in floral aprons (thanks Ms Burra!) we had a
superb view of the event to which the cafe had previously owed its
name: the Flying Possum! Sweet, bright eyed children rushed forward at
the sound of canon-fire, the smell of gunpowder and singed … say no
more.
Slightly less spectacular, but just as enduring would be my memory of
one of the schoolchildren taking part in the recent Enviroschool's hui
at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Within my brief visit, one student had
come up three times, face shining, to tell me "this place is so cool"
and "this is great!" Shylo was one of three students from Waitati
School who took part in the hui and who, despite the extreme weather,
had a "really awesome time" tracking kaka, setting ink traps for mice
and learning about the ideas and work that went into the eco-hut
designs. The children loved being shown Purakanui's ecohut, and came
back to school buzzing and eying up hut sites and planning
bird-feeders "to keep the birds alive and safe at our school". One of
the best things about the hui was the forum for children to share,
compare and appreciate what each other was doing. It is exciting to
see the local, coastal schools building relationships, both
competitive and collaborative.
Speaking of competitive, this season has seen the school cricket team,
the Waitati Wanderers, really start to take shape. Thanks to CRT for
the portable practice nets and big sack of grass seed for the sowing
of a future cricket pitch on Bland Park. The team also wishes to thank
the North East Valley Junior Cricket Club, with whom they are
affiliated, for providing kit and administration this season. The
Wanderers are looking to broaden their catchment, so any keen
cricketers in the Blueskin area, do start thinking about next summer
and contact Waitati School or Antony Deaker.
With term two approaching, the children are inevitably going to be
spending more time inside, however there is great excitement over the
imminent arrival of an interactive white-board and a computer
microscope. The P.T.A, with assistance from the Otago Community Trust,
has been successful in securing a grant for these new resources. This
really looks like the best of both worlds for our children, with
science based on observation and research 'in the field' – the field
being the rich environment around us and the extension of this
exploration into the classroom. Gumboots and high-tech!

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

STOP PRESS

By Rosemary Penwarden and Derek Onley

In the past two weeks, sometime between the end of February and the
second week of March, an amazing, unbelievable yet ordinary, and
mostly unnoticed event occurred. About 600 godwits left Blueskin Bay
on their non-stop flight to Korea, then onward to Alaska to breed.
One male godwit, colour banded on Warrington spit in Feb 2006, was
seen feeding on the Karitane estuary on Monday March 8. Nine days
later on March 17 it was seen feeding at the Yalu Jiang Nature Reserve
on the China/North Korea border! This same godwit has been seen a
dozen or so times over the past four years.
See the next Blueskin news for the full story.

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

OROKONUI ECOSANCTUARY

By Sue Hensley

Despite the weather the launch of unguided walking was a buzz with
lots of people and lots of activities. A talk by Neville Peat on kiwi,
storytelling by Kaitrin McMullan and live music were just some of the
highlights. As track upgrades are completed they will be added into
the network of tracks available. It is hoped the Valley Track will be
finished and ready later this month.
The official opening of the Pa Harakeke/flax plantation will also take
place in April and a booklet is being designed giving information
about this amazing fibre, the background to this project and
tikaka/guidelines for its use.
Rats are at undetectable levels for the second time in a row and we
hope this current round of tracking tunnels confirms this low level.
If so, the proposed April robin transfer will go ahead. Dr Ian
Jamieson of the University of Otago Zoology Department is overseeing
this project. The birds are being sourced from commercial forest
plantations in Flagstaff and the Silverpeaks, which are scheduled to
be felled. The tricky thing about this transfer is that robins,
despite their small size, are renowned for flying straight back to
where they came from. Staff and students monitoring the robins will be
feeding out meal worms in the initial stages to encourage them to make
Orokonui home.
After successfully raising twins, the parent kaka re-nested at a new
site but abandoned it within a month. We presumed that was the finish
for the breeding season but at the end of February discovered the
female back in her old nest – this time with four eggs. Taking a photo
to find out what is happening in the nest is not easy as the nest
cavity is a deep one and about 4m up a tree. From the rather blurry
photo taken at the end of March it appears that possibly two have
hatched. Grey, down feathers indicate very young chicks only a couple
of weeks old.
The cafe and visitor centre are open seven days, 9.30-4.30. The Centre
is free to explore, as is the Pa Harakeke walk and the 9km perimeter
track. Guided tours are at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Unguided walking during
open hours.
• Orokonui Ecosanctuary: www.orokonui.org.nz,
www.facebook.com/pages/Orokonui-Ecosanctuary

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

NEWS

Climate expert to give talks in Palmerston
Dr Jim Salinger, honorary research graduate in the School of
Environment at Auckland University, and the president of the World
Meteorological Organization, Commission for Agricultural Meteorology
at Geneva (Switzerland) will present a series of lectures on climate
in the library at East Otago High School in Palmerston next month.
Organised by Hampden Community Energy Society and Waihemo
Wastebusters, the full details have yet to be arranged, but lectures
will be given over two days between Friday and Sunday May 14-16.

ANZAC Day
A commemoration service will be held in Waitati on Sunday April 25
starting at 10am, at the Waitati Hall and Cenotaph, followed by a
community morning tea (please bring a plate).
This is a community commemoration, and many people and local groups
help to make it happen. If you are keen to be involved and haven't
been in the past, please contact Helen Beamish (4821440) or Alasdair
Morrison (4822505). New ideas... new faces... most welcome.
This year we are keen to include more local "flavour" so if you have
family stories to share, or medals to show, please contact Helen or
Alasdair. We will be trying to incorporate those stories into our
service if possible.

Bohemian Nights return
It's been three years since we've seen them in Blueskin Bay but
popular Australian folk performers, Bohemian Nights are returning
later this month for one show in Warrington.
Violinist Ernie Gruner and accordionist/singer Phil Carroll have
already visited New Zealand five times. They draw from diverse
sources: Gypsy, Klezmer, Middle-Eastern, French, Italian, Russian,
jazz and tango. Their music ranges from soulful to wild.
Ernie and Phil last performed in Warrington in 2007. In association
with Blueskin Bay FM, they play Warrington Memorial Hall on Saturday
April 24. Doors open 7.30pm and tickets are $15 (concession $10,
families $25).
Tickets only available at the door.

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Library Development Community Meeting

Monday April 19, 7.30pm, Waitati Hall

What will the new library look like?

Why knock down the existing library building?

How will it affect the play ground?

Who's paying and how much will it cost?

Time to find out the facts and express your view.

Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

BLUESKIN PLAYCENTRE

By Marion Rucker

We've had a busy month with our neighbourhood theme, visiting the
garden centre and cafe, Bland Park, story time at the library and the
Ecoscantuary, with our children learning lots about what is on our
doorstep. We also enjoyed Miss Burra bringing Room 3 to visit us at
Playcentre.
Children have enjoyed lots of messy play – cornflour, slime and finger
paints to name a few. Our swan plants have been a real hit with a
Monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis during a session, drying
its wings and flying away, watched by 18 children. To celebrate, as
part of our baking programme, we made butterfly cakes.
We have welcomed two new families this month: Soo with Jessica and
Natalie with Ellie. Happy birthday to Jessica who turned two and
Benedict now four!
Playcentre will finish on March 31 for Easter, reopening on Monday April 19.
We are also now collecting for our annual jumble sale that is to be
held on Sunday May 23. Donations can be left at playcentre during
opening hours.
• Blueskin Playcentre: Marion Rucker 482 1395

Mainly Music
Mainly Music started in Waitati this month and the Tuesday morning
sessions have been well attended with children enjoying some classic
songs such as Miss Polly Had a Dolly and I'm a Little Teapot, as well
as a number of new songs.
Mainly Music runs during term times at Waitati Hall on Tuesdays
10.00–11.00am with songs followed by morning tea. Cost: $2 per child,
$3 per family.
• Mainly Music: Kim 473 8932

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

BLUESKIN GARDEN CLUB

By Lyn Hastie

Last month the club visited the Village Potager herb garden in
Waitati, and shared recipes along with tasting many delicious pickles
and preserves. Here are two recipes which were enjoyed.

Liz's Silverbeet Pickle
4 C silverbeet, 7 onions, 5 stalks celery. Chop and cover with 4C sugar.
Add 1T celery seed (or celery salt), 1T mustard, 1½ cups vinegar, ½ t salt.
Boil till tender and thicken with ½ C flour, 1t turmeric, 1t curry
powder mixed together in ½ C cold water.

Lyn's Cauliflower Pickle
6lb green veges – including at least 1 large cauli, also green beans,
courgettes, cucumber, green apples, green tomatoes, broccoli –
anything you have to spare.
Wash, chop veges and cover with 2T salt and leave overnight.
Boil together above plus, 1D curry powder, 1D mustard, 3lb sugar, 3
pints vinegar, pinch cayenne, 2T turmeric.
Boil for one hour and thicken with ½ C flour mixed with a little vinegar.

This month, in lieu of a nightly meeting, we are visiting the Chinese
Gardens on Saturday April 17, at 2pm. Cost is $9 pp or $18 for a
year's membership.
May is our AGM, which will be held at the Warrington Surf Life Saving
Club Meeting Room on the 13th. Food is to be pot luck. Time TBA. There
will be a dress code for the evening also TBA. After last year's hat
parade we decided it would be fun to carry on with a dress-up theme.
• Blueskin Garden Club: Lyn Hastie, 482 2896

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

BLUESKIN 10:10

Calling all no. 8 wire kids!
By Mei Ling

Did you know that about one in five New Zealanders is under 15 years
old? That's a whole lot of fresh thinking and new ideas. Almost all
the people talking about climate change are adults and a lot of the
things suggested about how we can make a difference are adult-sized
solutions – things like driving less or using energy efficient
appliances.
Sue Roberts-Blyth, a part-time teacher at Waitati School, recently
reminded me that young people's voices and experiences are often
missing – your voices and your experiences. Maybe your family already
grows its own veggies and you always turn off the lights when you
leave a room. At Blueskin 10:10 we'd like to hear about what you and
your family are doing now, and what you think you might be doing in
the future. It could be a Big Idea that might transform the world, or
simple actions we can take every day, using our own creativity,
resources, and No. 8 wire thinking.
If you are lucky enough to be in Sue's class at Waitati School you'll
have the chance to think and write about your experiences and ideas in
class, and in the next few months we'll be sharing some of those ideas
with you in the newsletter. If you aren't in Sue's class that doesn't
mean you can't use your incredible brain to think about these ideas,
and we at Blueskin 10:10 would love to hear from you.
Here is the list of ideas for reducing our personal greenhouse gas
emissions from the UK 10:10 website (www.1010uk.org). It might help
you think about what actions on the list you and your family already
take, if there are any you would like to start doing, and then the
exciting bit – your brand new ideas!
• Fly less
• Save 10% on heating by wearing more clothes, turning down heaters
and insulating houses
• Save 10% on electricity by changing to energy efficient light bulbs
and appliances, and turning things off at the wall
• Drive less – leave your car at home one day a week, join a car club
instead of owning your own, or car pool
• Eat local, in-season food and have one meat-free day per week (but
don't replace meat with dairy!)
• Buy high quality goods, repair things, and buy and sell second-hand
• Dump less – avoid excess packaging and useless stuff, recycle
everything possible and compost food waste
• Don't waste food
• Don't waste water – take showers rather than baths, be careful when
watering plants, and only run full dishwashers and washing machines.
Blueskin 10:10 is loosely based on the UK environmental awareness
campaign attempting to get people to make a public pledge to reduce
their personal/business/organisational greenhouse gas emissions by 10%
in 2010.
• Blueskin 10:10: ameilingb@yahoo.com, 482 2289

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

OPINION

Shop redevelopment could solve Library impasse
By Peter Dowden

The Dunedin City Council's proposal to demolish and rebuild Blueskin
Bay Library is threatened by a lack of community support. Funding
bodies will not give grants to a project which is so controversial.
Funding bodies will demand to know whether demolishing a perfectly
good building in an area where there is ample vacant land is a worthy
use of charitable funds.
The Council wants to demolish the existing library, one of Waitati's
newest and most modern buildings, and replace it with a larger
facility on the same site. Council staff are ignoring pleas from the
community to turn the library project into an opportunity to enlarge
the Waitati Hall.
It is the duty of charitable funding bodies, and of local governments,
to maximise the benefits a community receives from a project. We have
every chance of getting more than just a library for little more cost,
except perhaps for a loss of face by Council bureaucrats.
Meanwhile, at the north end of Waitati township, a highway project
requires the demolition and relocation of the Blueskin General Store.
The New Zealand Transport Agency is willing to meet the needs of the
store and its customers by building the replacement shop in the most
favourable location in relation to the new piece of highway.
The most desirable location for a shop happens to be on the existing
highway, raising the question, where to put the shop while building
the new highway?
Road planners have come up with a generous proposal: to build a
temporary shop away from the road works site, move the General Store
to the temporary shop, build the new road, then build a permanent
replacement for the General Store where the existing road used to be.
Customers and owners of the General Store ought to be pleased that
NZTA is paying more attention to their needs than the DCC is giving to
the community's concerns about the library project.
When the General Store is happily set up in its new location alongside
the new highway, what of the no-longer-needed temporary store?
An elegant solution to Waitati's needs for a new library and desire
for improved meeting space is available from NZTA's road and shop
redevelopment:
• Build the temporary General Store to suitable standards for a new library
• Put the library here when the road and shop development is complete
• Allow the existing library to become an extension of the hall
facilities as an extra meeting room, lounge, permanent Toy Library or
community office.

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Blueskin Play Centre

We've had a busy month with our neighbourhood theme, visiting the
garden centre and cafe, Bland Park, story time at the library and the
Ecoscantuary, with our children learning lots about what is on our
doorstep. We also enjoyed Miss Burra bringing Room 3 to visit us at
Playcentre.
Children have enjoyed lots of messy play – cornflour, slime and finger
paints to name a few. Our swan plants have been a real hit with a
Monarch butterfly emerging from its chrysalis during a session, drying
its wings and flying away, watched by 18 children. To celebrate, as
part of our baking programme, we made butterfly cakes.
We have welcomed two new families this month: Soo with Jessica and
Natalie with Ellie. Happy birthday to Jessica who turned two and
Benedict now four!
Playcentre will finish on March 31 for Easter, reopening on Monday April 19.

Mainly Music
Mainly Music started in Waitati this month and the Tuesday morning
sessions have been well attended with children enjoying some classic
songs such as Miss Polly Had a Dolly and I'm a Little Teapot, as well
as a number of new songs.
Mainly Music runs during term times at Waitati Hall on Tuesdays
10.00–11.00am with songs followed by morning tea. Cost: $2 per child,
$3 per family.

NEWS: Climate expert to give talks in Palmerston

Dr Jim Salinger, honorary research graduate in the School of
Environment at Auckland University, and the president of the World
Meteorological Organization, Commission for Agricultural Meteorology
at Geneva (Switzerland) will present a series of lectures on climate
in the library at East Otago High School in Palmerston next month.
Organised by Hampden Community Energy Society and Waihemo
Wastebusters, the full details have yet to be arranged, but lectures
will be given over two days between Friday and Sunday May 14-16.

Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade

Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade Open Day
Sunday 18th April, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Waitati Fire Station, Harvey Street, Waitati

The Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade invites the Blueskin Bay community,
their family and friends to attend our public open day on Sunday 18
April from 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Waitati Fire Station, Harvey
Street, Waitati.
Come along and have a look around your community fire station, meet
your local fire crew, ask any questions you may have and enjoy a cup
of coffee or tea and a sausage sizzle.
The Dunedin Fire Brigade Restoration Society has kindly given us the
following displays and vehicles for the day:
Dunedin's original Command Unit now set up as a travelling museum
showing the history of the Dunedin Fire Brigade.
#16, an open 35 V8 Ford fire engine (weather permitting).
And we will also be welcoming back #20, a 1947 Ford V8, which was the
second serving fire engine in our community.
Flint and Amber had such a great day out at the recent A & P Show that
they have requested more time off to attend our Open Day. So make sure
you bring your camera to get a photo with these infamous fire fighters
and have your photo taken on the vintage fire trucks.
SOMETHING TO SEE AND DO FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

Coast Road Market at Seacliff

The next Coast Road Market at Seacliff is at 11am-2pm, 4 April 2010.

Liz Abbott

Blueskin Bay radio news for Friday March 19

 

Puketapu Radio presents Blueskin Bay local news in association with blueskin.co.nz

The big local event this weekend is the annual Blueskin Bay Country Fair & Clearing Sale. This will be held at Bland Park tomorrow, Saturday. Many local organisations, including Warrington School, will have fundraising stalls with local groups also selling their wares. Food is a popular feature of the Clearing Sale, and this year will be no exception. There will also be plenty of free entertainment for children. The Clearing Sales runs from 9.30am to 4pm.

Tonight the Waitati Edible Gardeners or WEGies meet at the Old Stores, to make a final decision on possible uses for a recent Lotteries Commission grant. The meeting begins at 7.30pm.

On Sunday the area will be a hive of activity with three separate events. The annual Seacliff Garage Sale runs from 10am to 2pm at the Domain in Kilgour Street, no matter what the weather. With food, music, entertainment and bargains, the sale is billed as having something for everyone.

The second of the season’s three harvest markets will be held from 10.30am, also on Sunday. Locally produced food items of all kinds will be on sale, from produce to preserves. Anyone with something to sell is welcome – stalls are free. The Harvest Market is held at the Old Stores in Harvey Street.

And for those who prefer to spend their Sunday working, there is a community weeding day at the Warrington Domain. The start time is 10am.

This coming week is Playcentre Awareness Week and a number of different activities are planned locally. One of these is an open day at the Blueskin Playcentre on Wednesday from 10-11.30 am.

And finally, the library Book Car returns to Warrington School on Wednesday with a full stock of great reads. It will be open from 2-3pm and is followed at 3.15 by the book club, to which everyone is welcome.

The Blueskin Bay local volunteer news website can be found at www.blueskin.co.nz.

 

Blueskin Bay radio news for Friday March 12

Puketapu Radio presents Blueskin Bay local news in association with blueskin.co.nz

Blueskin Bay Youth Group meets tonight at the Waitati Hall, and every alternate Friday throughout the year. Activities include table tennis, badminton, basketball, videos and music. The entry fee is $2.

If you’re in town at Mitre 10 on Saturday, make sure you support the Blueskin Playcentre’s sausage sizzle. Saturday is also the final day of the Warrington Surf Club beach patrols.

Local MP Pete Hodgson holds his monthly clinic at the Blueskin Library on Monday at 2.30pm. He is happy to hear and discuss the concerns of local residents.

It’s film night on Tuesday and the feature is the Canadian movie My Winnipeg. Described as intensely idiosyncratic and hilariously unreliable, it takes viewers into a cross section of local lives. The Waitati Film Society meets at Bill’s Place on Orokonui Rd at 8pm on alternate Tuesdays.

A Lenten study group is being held on Wednesday nights this month, at St Barnabas Church Hall in Warrington. This dynamic exploration of the Gospel stories uses bibliodrama, visualization and art.

And next Thursday night the Waitati Open Orchards group meets at the Waitati Hall at 7.30pm. Up for discussion will be suggestions for using a recent funding grant received by the Waitati Edible Gardeners, or WEGies, and administered by the Blueskin Community Resilience Trust.

The Blueskin Bay local volunteer news website can be found at www.blueskin.co.nz.

 

DCC declares total fire ban

DCC declares total fire ban

The Dunedin City Council has been monitoring the fire risk across the
city. It has now reached the point where a prohibited fire season
(total fire ban) has been imposed over the entire Dunedin City Council
area, since 6:00am Tuesday 9 March.

The coastal areas of the city are now so dry a fire ban is needed to
ensure safety. Long-range weather forecasts offer no relief, with
only sporadic, small amounts of rain forecast.

The ban covers all rural areas and all urban areas of the city.

All Dunedin City Council rural fire permits that were in force are now
suspended and no applications for new permits or renewals of permits
will be accepted until the ban has been lifted.

This means that no outdoor fire may be lit or left alight anywhere in
Dunedin City until the ban is lifted. The ban includes charcoal and
wood-fired barbecues, braziers, incinerators, campfires and
thermettes.

Gas barbecues and cookers may be used but people are urged to keep
them clear of combustible materials.

Other activities that pose a high risk of fire include:

- The use of vehicles off-road

- The use of petrol chainsaws and mowers (the exhaust systems may
ignite dry materials)

- The disposal of cigarette butts

Anybody seeing a fire outdoors during the ban is asked to call 111
immediately to report it, as fires will spread rapidly in the current
conditions.

It will take a significant number of days of rainfall to lower the
fire risk so it should not be assumed that a heavy rainfall will lead
to lowered risk and the lifting of the ban.

The status of the ban will be available from the Dunedin City Council
Customer Services Agencies on 477 4000 or at www.dunedin.govt.nz.
Public notice will be given of the lifting of the ban.

For more information

Graeme Still, Principal Rural Fire Officer

Neil Brown, Manager, Civil Defence and Rural Fires

(03) 474 3111

--
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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

235 commuters take the morning train

235 commuters take the morning train

by 'Blueskin News' editors

At least two hundred and thirty-five commuters caught the morning
train from Waitati and Port Chalmers to Dunedin this Wednesday morning
in a one-day revival of rail commuting organised by the Dunedin City
Council, Taieri Gorge Railway and rail transport advocate group Get
the Train.

Final passenger numbers were still to be calculated from ticket sales,
train staff said.

Several children used the train to travel to Purakanui School, Port
Chalmers School and Dunedin Rudolf Steiner School (at Maia), while the
train was also popular with pupils of several Dunedin high schools.

Those arriving late to school were able to use the the train as an
excuse, because the outward empty trip from Dunedin was delayed by
Wellington train control, according to train staff.

There will be a return trip from Dunedin to the coastal towns this
evening, departing at 5.30pm.

'No Plastic November' campaign awarded

'No Plastic November' campaign awarded

by 'Blueskin News' editors

A campaign to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags received an
award at the Keep Dunedin Beautiful awards night on Friday 5 March.
Nancy Higgins and Geraldine Tait received the POD Award for initiation
and development of 'No Plastic November' last year.

Nancy and Geraldine are pictured receiving the award from the Mayor of
Dunedin Peter Chin.

Blueskin Bay radio news for Friday March 5

Blueskin Bay radio news for Friday March 5

 

Puketapu Radio presents Blueskin Bay local news in association with blueskin.co.nz

Tomorrow is the date set for the opening of the top tracks of the Orokonui Ecosanctuary to self-guided walkers. There will be activities for children, displays, talks and bird spotting tips. Initially the tracks open to the public will be limited to the main top track and two short side ones. The valley track will not open until the upgrade is complete, which is expected to be mid-year.

The ever-improving Coast Road Market is on again on Sunday from 11am until 2pm. Buy your fresh produce for the week, stock up on jams, jellies and honeys, buy beautifully crafted wooden items, and look at the many other innovative gifts, crafts and artwork on sale. The Coast Market makes a great day out with its relaxed, low-key feel.

It’s take the train to work day on Wednesday. This will be a further opportunity to show that North Coast residents want the commuter train reinstated. No bookings are required, and it costs just $5 each way. There will also be a bike compartment available. The train departs Waitati at 7.40am, arriving Dunedin at 8.40. The return trip leaves at 5.30pm, arriving at 6.30pm.

Those not heading to town on the train may like to take their pre-schoolers along to Mainly Music between 10 and 11am on Wednesday.

There will be 30 minutes of songs and actions, instruments and fun props. Cost is $2 per child or $3 per family. This event is part of Mainly Music International, which introduces children to the development benefits of music, dance and rhythm.

Blueskin Garden Club meets on Thursday evening; this month at the Village Potager on Doctors Point Rd. Members will tour the herb garden then hear a presentation on the making of preserves. Start time is 7.30pm.

The Blueskin Bay local volunteer news website can be found at www.blueskin.co.nz.