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Sleep Until Dawn

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Canberra Author
Imaginary here, mountains to climb, blend in, whereever  you are, moon rise, blossom falls,shadows linger on, black shroud of depression, arctic chill, god showing kindness.
Flickering eyes, millisecond, vanished, shicker village flames, heavenly mist, chalk cliffs glimmers, in moon light, poetic images floating through my mind.
Clear water, white clouds, blue sky, deep breathing, animal’sknocks hoof, frozen earth, capturing thedance of life.
Beer flows, voices break, festive feeling, laughter, sparks ignite, wisps of smoke, curls, flames, erupts, sleep until dawn, firstray of sun, touches dawn.
Eyes voice, powerless merges our destiny, creatingimages, creator, some essence, ultimate potential.
Ego denies, original invisible reality, banished, fromour awareness, recall, thousand, instances, black hole, confusion, questions,lays existences, big questions, connections in spirit.
Look back, years parted, realize, now none of it exists, isn’t real, all changing in, time, space, past fall into illusions, let itpass, stay connected in the spirit.
Eyes gaze secret inner world of sound, pass, hours of solitude, fertile mind, plotting fresh awesome mischief, beyond man’s imagination,my presence, mark indifference, symbol, refusal.
Love hatred, pity, fear, cartel me, spinning me wildly, peak emotions, to another, withdrawing, solitary mirror.
Grim testimony, endless circles of violence, characterized life together, sing softly, hypnotic sweetness, manifestation, curious genius.
Tense, resounding silence, descended, into muddy waters, whatever you hear, is only voice of my confusion.
Judgement, affected in strain of solitude, sad gray, deadfire, beneath, hollow sockets, eyes, livid flesh, thin, parchment.
Secret world within my cave, music, illusions, touched inspired, lightened concepts, in beauty, mystery, silent poem.
Gypsy woman, lascivious in her own way, danced, growing wildness, liquor flowed freely, flames, camp fire, leaped against black emptysky.
Universal secret,love of life, blast, shapeless, nights, time, place, still lives, inside invisible bars.
Magic talisman, death, long, skeleton hand, succumbs,lies, unhallowed grave, gale of heaven, person closed forever.
Memories, glass flies, darting across, surface of mymind, images, sharp vivid, breathe in wonder, swirling peddles, questions,regret, recrimination.
Clearly dark, stillness, Empty Street, aching heaviness, heart, restless, disturb, as dreams reach the sky.
Reorganise, signs, romance, travelling, wake, signspassed, another eye, unnoticed, perfect skill magic, devising complex, magicaltricks, enchant the crowd.
Life unfolding before my eyes, infinite , no beginning, never ending universe, no past, regret, avoid being here, only minute we haveis now, see all in front of your eyes , be inspired.
 
 
 
 

Commercial celebration of Bollywood

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Carol Furtado dances as Ayesha Merchant in The Merchants of Bollywood at the Canberra Theatre until March 6.
Commercial celebration of Bollywood
By Rama Gaind

‘The Merchants of Bollywood’ musical, which ends its season in Canberra on March 6,  is a huge celebration of Bollywood in all its commercial glory.
Based on real life, and through music and dance, this story highlights the vital part played by cinema in the heart and soul of Indian society.
The energetic celebration features a youthful cast of 40, dancing and singing their way through choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant, granddaughter of Harilal Merchant, one of the founding fathers of classic Bollywood cinema.
Focal point is the story of a young girl, her tough taskmaster grandfather who wants nothing less than perfection and their shared love of dance.
However, her grandfather Shantilal (Arif Zakaria), rejects the style and approach of Bollywood and they become estranged – until she returns to her birthplace and meets former boyfriend, Uday (Deepak Rawat). 
Carol Furtado takes centre stage in the lead as Ayesha Merchant who looks back on the traditional start to her career and the break with her mentor grandfather when she goes to Bollywood and wins accolades as Indian filmdom’s Princess of Romance.
Music and dance creates the structure to reflect some of the most popular of the 800-plus films made every year in Mumbai.
Lip-synching their way through the songs, the dancers perform dance that is linked mostly to recent movies, but also to a clutch of classics naming legendary actors from 1955 to 1974. From disco and hip-hop to classical, they look like they’re having a fabulous time and their vivacity carries the audience on a collective surge of harmonious clapping and toe-tapping.
It’s a trip down memory lane with nostalgia being revived through some memorable numbers from films including Rang De Basanti, Devdas, Dhoom, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Kal Ho Naa Ho.
After the intense opening with the Natraja, in the Temple of Shiva, some of the singing highlights include blockbuster songs such as Rang De Basanti, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Nach Baliye, Kajrare Kajrare, Say Shava Shava, Dhoom Machale Dhoom and Rock and Roll Soniye.
What’s more, there’s also some comic relief.
The show was a brainchild of writer-director Toby Gough and the music – written and arranged by Salim and Sulaiman – has an irresistible beat. Shimming costumes, bright lights and an intense flow of activity add to the electrifying energy on stage.
The storyline for this lavish production may be simple, but it is a sparkling, artistic spectacular which you can’t get enough of, with the audience clamouring for more, even after a couple of encores!

McDonalds and Weight Watchers an unlikely pairing

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McDonalds sees a profit in providing for dieters
In a world first, McDonalds has signed a deal with Weight Watchers to promote some of its meals to dieters.
Three meals with the Weight Watchers logo will go on sale in New Zealand today and are expected in Australia later this year.  The deal is part of a six year push by McDonalds to change its image and comes three years after the company paid $330,000 to put the Heart Foundation’s tick on seven meals, including burgers and nuggets.
Weight Watchers spokesman Chris Stirk said the partnership had been formed after similar successful alliances with other restaurant chains in the UK and the US.
“People have a greater chance of losing weight and keeping it off when they did not have to deprive themselves of every indulgence,” he said.
The meals include the Filet o Fish (1390 kilojoules), Chicken Nuggets (1560 kilojoules) and the Sweet Chilli Seared Chicken Wrap (1640 kilojoules), each served with salad as well as water or a diet drink.  They add up to 6.5 Weight Watchers points each, which those in the program must factor into their daily intake of between 18 and 40 points each day in order to reach their goal weight.
According to McDonald’s New Zealand Managing Director, Mark Hawthorne, the menu items were carefully chosen.
 
“We were able to include some of our most popular items because of the many changes we have made over the years. For instance, the switch to a healthier canola blend cooking oil means menu items such as the Filet-O-Fish and Chicken McNuggets contain 60% less saturated fat than they did six years ago,” he says.
 
But Nutritionists and Obesity Experts say the deal is just a marketing ploy to lure people into McDonalds so that they can buy more burgers.
 
“Make no mistake, this is about selling more burgers and fries,” Boyd Swinburn, from the Australian Society for the Study of Obesity at Deakin University, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
 
“Mum can go in and feel good about her Weight Watches meal while she buys the kids burgers. Anyone who thinks otherwise is naive.”
 
Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton agreed, telling the SMH that sales of burgers and chips soared when McDonald’s brought in its Deli Choices rolls back in 2004.
 
Weight Watches Spokesman Chris Stirk defended the move, saying that while the partnership may be unexpected, the new meals were part of their philosophy.
 
Spokeswoman for the Fight the Obesity Epidemic group, Dr Robin Toomath, told the New Zealand Herald that the move would be okay if it encouraged existing McDonald’s customers to make a healthier choice.
 
However, she said it was more likely that the promotion would attract new customers and thus normalise the regular eating of McDonalds.

Sony Foundation and CanTeen launch 'You Can' – Campaign to raise funds to build youth cancer treatment centres of excellence across Australia

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You Can ambassador, Stan Walker, donating his unused mobile phone
Sony Foundation launches national fundraising campaign for youth cancer
·  $15m target to build specialised youth cancer centres in Australia
·  Public call-to-action: donate used mobile phones

Sydney, 1 March, 2010
– Sony Foundation Australia, together with CanTeen, today launched a national fundraising campaign to raise $15 million to build youth cancer centres of excellence in Australia.
The campaign’s public appeal – ‘You Can’ – addresses the need for specialised youth cancer treatment centres for Australia’s ‘forgotten generation’, persons aged between 15 and 251 fighting cancer.

Dr Louise Messara, Executive Director, Sony Foundation Australia, said, “The facts on youth cancer are staggering. One in 100 Australians is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30, but in the last 25 years there has been virtually no improvement in survival outcomes for the 15 to 30 age group. More can be done. The creation of these new centres virtually guarantees an increase in the survival rates, through the collaboration of medical experts, the development of specialised treatments and the opportunity for young people to be amongst peers in a dedicated, encouraging environment.”

How You Can help
It’s simple for the public to get involved. You Can’s primary fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds.
It is estimated that there are anywhere from 15 to 20 million unwanted phones in Australian homes.2 In an independent survey conducted on behalf of AMTA in 2009, 31% of mobile phone users had two or more old unused mobiles at home and 64% had one old unused mobile at home.3 In addition, on average, Australians upgrade or change their mobile every 18months4. This means there is a continuous supply of mobile phones becoming obsolete each year.
Sony Foundation has partnered with Folamh, an Irish recycling company, to swap old mobile phones for cash to raise money for the development of youth cancer centres. All donated phones will be recycled for reuse. That means, once collected, phones will be refurbished and resold. Any mobile phone that cannot be resold will be broken down into its constituent parts and responsibly recycled. So simply by donating an old mobile phone, Australians can directly contribute to You Can’s fundraising appeal, whilst also contributing to a greener planet.

You Can’s public appeal
The You Can campaign will debut tonight on Australian television screens led by an advertisement that aims to alert the public to the shocking fact that simply turning 16 can halve your chance of surviving certain cancers in Australia. The national advertising appeal will be supported by Reply Paid mobile phone recycling envelopes inserted in national newspapers and magazines from early March. Redundant mobile phones can also be dropped into YouCan bins located in Sony Centres nationwide.
For more information on the You Can campaign and how to contribute, or to download a Reply Paid label, visit www.youcan.org.au 

Australian FederalGovernment commits $15 million
Through the Youth Cancer Networks Program, the Australian Government has committed $15 million to improve services, support and care for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
CanTeen is managing the implementation of the Youth Cancer Networks and has committed to raise an additional $15 million in corporate and community support. Sony Foundation is proud to support CanTeen in this mission.
Dr Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer of CanTeen, said, “Through 25 years of working with young people with cancer, we know that their needs are unique. We need cancer services designed specifically for young people to improve outcomes for this group that have stagnated for decades. With the funding from the Australian Government, and with the support of Sony Foundation, we can make a huge difference in the lives of young people with cancer.”

Sony Foundation Youth Cancer Centres of Excellence
On behalf of young people living with cancer, CanTeen and Sony Foundation’s longterm aim is to fund the establishment of youth cancer centres throughout the country. These centres will address the lack of improvement in cancer survival for this age group by providing a focus for collaboration amongst medical professionals, facilitating the development of clinical trials, encouraging specialist training and allowing for the delivery of a psychosocial support service equipped to deal with the issues specific to this age group.
Utilising the expertise of the Sony group of companies, Sony Foundation’s youth cancer centres will also incorporate technology innovations and entertainment experiences relevant to this age group.  This will encompass everything from the use of Handycam camcorders to populate social networking sites and record journeys of recovery; to the use of VAIO notebook technology, which can assist in maintaining all important links to family, friends, schools, universities and workplaces.  
In addition to Sony Foundation’s capital program, through the Youth Cancer Networks Program, funding will also be directed to national projects, including new clinical research and guidelines, professional education and networks for this age group. It is anticipated that these efforts will entirely change the landscape for young Australians battling cancer.

March 2010 Predictions

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2010 – Year of TRUTH and INTEGRITY
Predictions for MARCH 2010  by Roseline Deleu

 CAREER -Abundance, Money and Wealth are coming your way! Simply open up your views, your ideas, your arms and remember to say “YES – THANK YOU” when it is time to receive. You used to totally ignore new opportunities that could increase your income; this month you can change this simply by saying “YES, THANK YOU” and studying the offer.
LOVE – Raiseabove! In March, you observe and take a step backwards when challenged. Insteadof confronting the other, you understand his/her point of view. Your patienceand compassion allows you to act differently by making positive choices andchoosing the right words to express yourself. Well done!

FAMILY
– A little challenge in your health makes you re-consider your life priorities. You are the only one to find out how to solve this health issue. Listen to your body and eliminate the unbalance. Change diet drastically to be healed in 4 to 5weeks. Blue sky comes after the rain!
WEALTH – Your roots for wealth are like mangrove roots, no matter the tide, the tree grows. In other words, for this month, you always have enough food to survive.
YOU – ‘The other is your Mirror’ – Whatever you dislike in others is the reflection of what you dislike in yourself. Fly above any criticism and focus on the positive things that life offers.

HELP
– Health issues from the past seem to have the potential of recovering faster thismonth. Recall to what emotional imbalance your disease is linked; eliminate the memories in your cells and re-program them with a ritual.

CHILDREN
– Keep an eye open, stay quiet. This month observe your children and ideas and wait until the right moment before acting. Patience is the key.

STUDY, OPENNESS
-in March 2010, on a daily basis you are connecting with the unseen. Call them how you prefer: your angels, guides or even God – they are there to help. So,what are you waiting for?

SELF CONFIDENCE
– You now feel like a precious detailed artistic lace work. Created patiently, with a sharp eye for details, you are building your way out of what you thought was a black hole. Well done, now you are on your way to happiness!

Win a $10,000 wedding at Kamberra Wine Company

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Kamberra Wine Company function centre
Kamberra Wine Company’s function centre is giving away a 2011 wedding valued at $10,000.
The prize includes venue hire, sparkling wine and strawberries with pre-dinner canapés, two-course dinner for up to 100 guests served with local Kamberra wines, room decorations and chauffeured transport to the ceremony, reception and your hotel of choice. To enter the draw, couples must book a 2011 wedding at Kamberra Wine Company and pay deposit before 30 May 2010.
Located at the Kamberra Wine Complex in Lyneham, only ten minutes from the Canberra city centre, Kamberra Wine Company’s function centre provides a scenic winery setting for all types of functions including weddings, conferences and parties.
The recently refurbished venue is complete with open fireplace, built-in dance floor, full-length glass windows and covered verandas opening onto vineyards, gardens and a reflection pond.
New wedding planning service
In conjunction with the 2011 wedding give away, Kamberra Wine Company is introducing a new wedding planning service ‘Weddings by Design’. Weddings by Design was recently launched by local resident Katrina Povey who realised there was a great market for a wedding planning service in Canberra.
“My husband and I had our wedding at Kamberra Wine Company’s function centre last December and going through the whole wedding preparation process made me realise there is a significant need for a wedding planning service in Canberra. I approached the management at Kamberra Wine Company with the idea and they were immediately on board,” Povey said.
“I can assist couples with their wedding preparations from menu selection, flowers, venue, fittings, theme, photography and more. I have various packages on offer from ‘Starter’ to ‘Complete’.
“Organising a wedding can be very time consuming and stressful. I want to design every wedding in a way that expresses who the bride and groom are and make their preparation and big day a memorable and successful experience,” she added.
The Kamberra Wine Company business includes a winery, function centre and Connoisseur Catering.

For more information on Kamberra Wine Company, visit www.kamberra.com.au or call (02) 6262 2333.
 
For more information on Weddings by Design, call Katrina Povey on 0450 908 322.


Shed Nudes art exhibition

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If your artistic appetite has been whetted by the dazzling exhibition of Parisian post-impressionist art currently on display at the National Gallery of Australia, you might like to take a look at some of the art that’s being created a bit closer to home.
This month the Artists Shed, a working studio and gallery in east Queanbeyan, will showcase the work of local artists in an annual exhibition called Shed Nudes.
The exhibition celebrates the time-honoured tradition of representing the human form in art, a pursuit which has fascinated generations of artists and art lovers since ancient times.
Award-winning professional artist and Artists Shed proprietor Margaret Hadfield says the event is a credit to the creative flair of the local art community in and around the region.
“There will be sixty to seventy individual artworks in all styles and media – welded steel sculptures, photography, drawings and paintings – all the work of talented local artists,” Margaret says.
The exhibition opens Friday 19 February 10am and runs until 14 March.
Find the Artists Shed at 14 Foster Street Queanbeyan, or online at www.artistsshed.com.

Rain, rain and more rain for the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race in Tuggah!

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Paddy Pallin Adventure Race 13 February 2010
If two words were used to describe the third race of the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series they wouldn’t be “dry” and “hot”.  The heavens opened up as Canberra experienced its wettest weekend in almost a decade.  As with any good Adventure Race though both the competitors and organisers persevered and were duly rewarded.  A slight course change resulted in the absence of water activities but the competitors definitely weren’t dry, they were swimming allrace!
Aftera quick sprint around Tuggeranong Town Park and a mathematical equation it was Slack RRRs on to the bikes first with Stingers hot on their wheels.  Both teams set a cracking pace but Stingers were able to pass them and open a lead of over two minutes at the start of the first orienteering leg on Farrer Ridge.  Triple Treat lead early amongst the women and were only five minutes off the overall lead coming off the bikes.
Choices had to be made and best routes decided as the teams were able to visit any eight of fourteen checkpoints on foot.  With two Australian orienteering representatives, including the current number one ranked male – Julian Dent, it was hard to see the Stingers being overhauled on this leg and when they arrived back at the transition they had opened up a lead of nine minutes.  Just Peachy had the second fastest timefor the leg and assumed the lead in the women’s category.  Slack RRRs maintained second place and Blackheart Ultrafit moved into third with a strong leg.
Ashort but hilly ride gave the teams the choice of going over or around Mt Wanniassa before another short orienteering leg amongst the rocks of Wanniassa Hills.  On leaving Wanniassa Hillsthe Stingers had opened a seventeen minute lead with Slack RRRs still in second. Out of Range had moved up to thirdafter Blackheart Ultrafit extended their adventure amongst the rocks.  Just Peachy flew around and came outfifth overall, just behind Griffins.
From here it was a race to the finish via a checkpoint on Mt Stranger.  Unfortunately the planned run/swim leg along the Murrumbidgee River was cancelled due to safety concerns arising fromthe inclement weather.  Despite abroken chain the Stingers cruised home to give Nathan Versey his second victoryfor the season.  SlackRRRs arrivedfourteen minutes later to comfortably take second.  Australian Geographic Outdoor Mag took nine minutes out ofthe deficit to Out of Range but fell agonisingly short, missing out on thefinal podium by twenty-two seconds.  These three teams claimed the top three positions in themixed category.  Second in theMen’s category was Sexy Never Left with Spirit Kickers – Paddy Pallin third.Just Peachy dominated the female teams, winning by twenty-five minutes.  Crash Course Navigators were second and Triple Treat third.
The racing on the Novice Course was much tighter with the Dawson family teaming upas MAGics to sprint to victory only forty-nine seconds in front of CIC Australia.  Dong, Dick ‘n Mick werethird and the winner of the Men’s category.  The Cycle Ed Chicks showed that the Cycle Education courses do the trick as they took out the Women’s category.  The ingenuity award goes to The Deceptacons: when faced with tyre troubles and none of the usual gear to fix it they took some chewing gum and their mandatory crepe bandage to make a field dressing. It got them home!
Another special mention goes to the Yeung and Carroll families.  As they got to the end of the course the rain started coming down really hard.  When faced with the option of early finish to get warm and fed they stuck it out and showed determination to finish the course.  They aimed to finish the whole course and they wouldn’t stop until they did. It’s what Adventure Racing is all about, pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone!
A huge thank you to the Tuggeranong community for hosting a wet yet fun event, toour dedicated volunteers who braved the dreadful weather to help out, and toour sponsors for providing prizes and support for this event: Paddy Pallin,Fitness First, ice-breaker, World Expeditions, Salomon, Sea to Summit, UltraFit Magazine, Australian Geographic Outdoor Magazine, GU and Red Bull who came outin force for this event!
The fourth and final stop on the Paddy Pallin Adventure Race Series road show for 2009/10 is Nelson Bay on March 13th.  Entries are open now online and the coasteering is something you won’t want to miss!

For complete results and photos and to enter the last event of the series go to: www.arocsport.com.au

Joyfully singin' and dancin' in the rain

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Adrian Flor, Hanna Ley and Tim Sekuless the perfect trio in Singin'' in the Rain
Singin’in the Rain
The Q Theatre Queanbeyan
Review by Shanna Provost
Free Rain Theatre’s production of Broadway classic Singin’in the Rain is a testament to the dedication of local amateur (read: notpaid but just as professional) theatre. One can’t help but see the hundreds ofhours that have been put into this production by all concerned.

Singers who can dance, dancerswho can act, actors who can dance and sing, an orchestra led byCanberra’s finest conductor Ian McLean-plus real rain are all elementsthat make this production enjoyable.
Directed by Anne Somes, thisadaptation of the 1952 musical is strongly cast (Somes has intuited thepersonalities of her lead characters and matched them with some of thestrongest actors in Canberra).
With some of the mostpopular and memorable Broadway hits including Make ‘Em Laugh, You Are MyLucky Star, You Were Meant for Me, Good Morning and the title tune ablysung, how can they go wrong?
Lexi Sekuless bringscharacter to the seemingly ditzy but ruthless starlet Lina Lamont and herbrother Tim shines as the quirky Cosmo Brown (it’s a Sekuless family affair,with their Aunt Barbara popping inand out of the storyline throughout).
Hannah Ley’s vocals are impressive, and she hits the mark as usual witha strong performance as Kathy Selden. Beats me how such a diminutive woman canhave such a huge presence on stage.
Adrian Flor’s star has been on an upward trajectory and his turn as the allsinging, all dancing actor heart-throb Don Lockwood cements the deal in this,his 30th show. And props to Sekuless, Flor and Ley for tap dancingtheir way through sometimes intricate choreography with only basic tapexperience.
Musical Director Lucy Birmingham and choreographer Annette Sharpe have co-createdsome vitalising ensemble moments, with a closing scene that easily lends itselfto an encore.
Costume designer Fiona Leach must be mentioned for her successful recreation of’20s Hollywood style and Dallas Bland’s homage to 1920s silent films usingstate of the art technology adds another layer to the show.
The occasional orchestral off note and rather static set don’t detract from theoverall delight the show invokes.
Congrats have to go Anne Somes and the entire team: what with 36 cast,18orchestra members and a production crew of around 40 this is no small task.
Singin ‘in the Rain
The Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
From now – 27th February
Tickets$38 adults, $32 concessions
BOOKINGS: 02 6209 0290

Of life, music and inspiration

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Katie de Veau

With her love of music nurtured from a young age, it has been a huge part of Katie de Veau’s life since then. Through the inspirational encouragement of a high school teacher, she tried her hand at song writing in her later school years.  

She laughs as she recalls her first attempt of recording “on a dinky little tape recorder in her lounge room, with dogs barking and the phone ringing in the background”. However in 1994 she was offered her first big break, the opportunity to record an album with a local recording company the hometown of her youth, Armidale.
 
She tells me that it was “a wonderful yet mad crazy experience”. Rehearsing songs in a woolshed all day and recording from midday through to midnight. “It was a lot of fun, and really hot!”

Having come a long way from Armidale, the dinky tape recorder and the woolshed, Katie is now a Canberra local who has produced two albums and gained a solid fan base.

With years of experience playing at festivals and local events, her music has a mellow, acoustic sound. She describes her sound as “acoustic rock with folk and country sprinkles” and laughs that her band says that she plays “girly rock”.

Having toured internationally and with many Aussie fans, Katie is an experienced performer. “I feel so at home on stage and just love connecting with people through song and story” she says.
 
Katie has been described as “.an artist whose music is genuinely cross-generational, artistic, thought provoking and dynamic.” (Tim Costello, World Vision Australia).
 
A mother of three who toured the world performing up until the birth of her first child in 2003, Katie has since been a pastor for three years, started a vocal coaching business, taught worship ministry workshops and with various recordings and festivals scattered in between. She is the true definition of a super mum! And in true super mum style, fans can expect a new album sometime over the next 12-18 months.

Katie’s love of God shines through in speaking to her. Both our conversation and her songs make it clear that He is her inspiration. “Whatever I do has a Christian tint because that’s how I see the world. They are the glasses that I wear so everything that I see, everything I write comes from faith.”
 
A country girl from her younger years, Katie tells me that “the bush church can offer us a lot; it is not just a one way street. It is worth saving, looking after and respecting.”
 
Katie will be performing at the Bush Church Aid Society Rally in Canberra on March 12th 2010. Come along at 7.30pm for coffee and dessert to hear from Katie and more about the work of BCA. CD’s will be available for purchase on the night with a percentage of the proceeds going towards BCA.

Burlesque too sleazy for some

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Yumi Amiumare''s Hebi Onma striptease at its best
The Burlesque Hour – She’s Back
The Street Theatre
11 February – 20 February
Review by Shanna Provost

Opening night of The Street’s revisit to Moira Finucane’s Burlesque Hour split the audience.  
Finucane makes no apology for the content of her show-in fact she is known to delight in provoking reaction. And Opening Night was no exception, with a handful of guests walking out at interval; others who stayed until the end but grumbled and others who thought it was the best thing they’d ever seen.
The Burlesque Hour is billed as a worldwide cult sensation.
Traditionally Burlesque was known for its sleaze, and as the bottom rung of showbiz. It is designed to stretch the envelope of propriety.
The first time I saw the show I was at once bemused, fascinated and disgusted, but could appreciate the artistry and the athleticism of many of the acts by performance artists Moira Finucane, Yumi Umiumare, Azaria Universe and Maude Davey. It wasn’t the nudity that bothered me-in fact I admired the women’s ease and comfort with their bodies. I was actually delighted by the opportunity the acts provided for me to check out any underlying sexuality issues and judgements around sleaze.
This year’s show however was disappointing for me. The shock value of the original acts that were included lost a bit of their lustre second time round (although the Hebi Omna strip remains my favourite). Some of the new acts didn’t quite reach the previous standard (Hello Kitty didn’t seem to hit the mark), however Jess Love’s opening hula hoop act and her drunken ‘Swinger!’ act showed skill and were entertaining.
The second act was faster-paced and more entertaining overall, which makes me wonder whether it would be better to drop it back to its original one-hour format without an interval.
The inimitable Miss Toni Lamond’s guest appearances throughout (accompanied on piano by talented Peter J Casey) almost gave the show a ‘stamp of approval’ and delighted those who remembered the Burlesque of old.  
The younger audience didn’t seemed phased-the strongest reactions came from members of the audience whose take on burlesque was that the acts should be skillful, exciting, creative and have a touch of class and beauty about them. Finucane may vehemently disagree.
So. an extreme reaction either way is better than feeling ambivalent, and no matter what the points of view and how you feel when you leave the show, it’s one of those events that one must see for themselves to be able to create their own opinion.
 
FINUCANE & SMITH’S
THE BURLESQUE HOUR. SHE’S BACK!
VENUE The Street Theatre, Childers St Canberra City West
DATES  Now till 20 February.
SHOWS Tues 16 – Thurs 18 @ 8pm
Fri 19 & Sat 20 Feb @ 7pm & 9.30pm
TICKETS  Standard: $37 Concession $33 Group +6 $30
  Catwalk Tix: Only $10 more!
BOOKINGS 6247 1223 or www.thestreet.org.au 
 

 

Making something of recycling

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ASIGN Observatory, Canberra''s eye on the sky
Many Canberrans are familiar with our recycling measures, from our wheelie-bins at home to the various recycling centres. Few may consider the scope of what can be achieved by putting some of these items to good use.
On seeing the void left behind by the 2003 bush-fires that destroyed the observatories on Mount-Stromlo, Barry Armstead has capitalised on this idea and built his own observatory to view and photograph the stars.
"It is a shame to see such versatile and valuable materials destined for landfill, when something practical or creative can be made out of them."
Enlisting the help and generosity of family, friends, neighbors and local business, Barry had the observatory up and running in 12 months.
"It is heartwarming to say the least, to experience the generous investments of material, time and genuine interest of Canberra residents and business in such ways."
Since completion, Barry has been photographing our neighboring planets and deep space objects such as massive star-forming clouds of bright and colorful gas and even other galaxies outside our own.
"If you are good at building things and have some imagination, materials to make it happen are not as far away as you might think!" 
Barry’s photographs of the heavens are available to view on his website

The Social Side of Sustainable Development

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The social side of sustainability
By Stina Kerans

Our understanding of the interconnectedness of our housing with many of society’s ills is vitally important to our future. We could well eliminate many of our health and social issues instead of spending billions of dollars on band-aiding them, simply by the way we arrange our housing.
An important issue arises when we look to a new way of thinking about housing for the future.
Medium and high density housing developments are beyond the control of one aware individual or small group. Local and State building codes, property developers and banks control the design of housing developments and our suburbs, and will continue to do so unless the general public presents alternative models and work together towards directing future development.
More controls equals more money, higher housing prices and all ‘the crap’ that goes with this. This issue touches every one of us in numerous different ways, and we can all be “one brick in the wall”.

The solution?

  1. Educate the public-this will eventually lead to market demand
  2. Have people interested in these issues work together to bring about the required changes from the top down.

A PowerPoint presentation that explores and explains the ‘human element-the social side of sustainable development’ will be delivered at the Sydney Eco Forum later in February 2010. 
You can find the presentation at 
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/lian.ania-321768-stina-social-sustainability-ecodevelopment-spiritual-inspirational-ppt-powerpoint/
 
Live presentations are provided to any individual or group upon request. Please contact Stina Kerans on (02)  6297 3401 OR 0428 268 935 or at
www.integratedecovillages.com 

World-first research reveals benefits of gastric banding for severely obese teens

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The gastric band can help severely obese adolescents lose weight and improve health and quality of life
world-leading obesity experts will launch a landmark study revealing a clinically effective approach to treating severely obese adolescents.
The world-first research, conducted by Monash University and the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), compares the outcomes of gastric banding surgery with those of an intensive, medically-supervised lifestyle program in 50 teens (14 to 18 years) over two years.
The research, published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) today, reveals how the gastric banding study participants shed an average of 79 per cent of their excess weight, compared to 13 per cent of those following a traditional, intensive, medically-supervised lifestyle program.
According to Professor Paul O’Brien, National Medical Director for the American Institute of Gastric Banding, Dallas and Head of the Centre for Obesity Research and Education (CORE) at Monash University, Melbourne, the study reveals that adolescents can achieve important improvements in weight, health and quality of life following placement of a gastric band and with support from parents and healthcare professionals.
“While this study confirms that some adolescents can achieve substantial weight loss and health improvements through diet and exercise, gastric banding should be considered for those severely obese adolescents who find primary weight loss methods unsuccessful”.
For more information visit www.vivacommunications.com.au/teens