Be a Dog with a Bone
RRP: $18.95
HAYHOUSE, ISBN: 9781401924645
At all leading retail stores
Can you imagine being inspired by a dog to achieve your dreams? The book Be a Dog with a Bone cites dogma (pardon the pun) for a successful life.
According to Peggy McColl, there are a lot more things we can learn from dogs than what we think, such as…
Dogged determination – how to grab hold of that bone and never let go, You can teach a dog new tricks – learn the behaviours that will guarantee you success, Don’t chase your tail – stop doing things that get you nowhere, Only eat things that are good for you – poisons sabotage success, and Be a little dog with a Big-Dog attitude – your attitude is the little thing that makes a big difference
This book creatively draws upon dog analogies to teach the most valuable human life lessons. It is a simple, unique, inspiring and humorous book that reveals the profound truths and benefits of always going for your dreams—and can make the perfect gift!
Eating Raw Food needn''t be boring with this new recipe book
Art of Raw Living Food: Heal Yourself and the Planet with Eco-delicious Cuisine Doreen Virtue & Jenny Ross
HAYHOUSE, RRP $26.95 ISBN 9781401921835
In Stores October 2009
Who said healthy food was boring? Now you can enjoy food as nature intended—raw, fresh and totally naked!
Savour all of the health benefits of a diet high in fresh produce, while still enjoying tasty meals in this delicious book by Doreen Virtue and Jenny Ross (owner and chef of the popular Southern California raw-foods restaurant, 118 Degrees).
Discover hundreds of recipes and tips for creating gourmet meals—all created 100% from raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts!
You’ll enjoy Mexican, Italian, Asian, and other cuisines, while deriving all of the physical, spiritual, and emotional benefits of eating one of the healthiest diets available. As you follow these easy-to-prepare recipes, you’ll discover why thousands of people are eating food in its al natural state!
Devour a colourful palette of recipes on:
• Drinks & smoothies
• Salads
• Marinated vegetables
• Small bites & appetizers
• Sauces, Spreads, Breads & Crackers
• Entrees
• Sweet, savoury and healthful desserts
Raw living food has been found in some circumstances to provide the following benefits…
• Increased stamina
• Improved mental focus and clarity
• Lowered cholesterol
• Reversed “life-threatening” diseases and conditions
• Healthy skin and hair growth
• Improved vision
• Revitalise organs
• Longevity
Jeff Cook,Betty Gill,Samuel Gordon Stuart, Lon Morgan
Radio 2CC’s Drivetime Host Mike Welsh has produced a TV documentary that provides an insight into the people who have a passion to phone in to talkback radio programs.
Directed by 2GB Producer Michael Thompson, the 26 minute documentary delves into the lives of five passionate talkback callers.
At a recent launch at Teatro Vivaldi, Mike introduced Lon, Geoff, Betty, Samuel and Steve, who met each other and saw the documentary for the first time.
After 28 years in radio, Welsh felt he had an interesting story to tell about the people behind the voices that regularly call him.
“These people have opinions on all kinds of things. I wanted to bring out the characters and get an insight into why they call talkback”, says Welsh.
A crew of six spent a day and a half in their homes, which was a challenge in itself.
What’s evident from the documentary is the diversity of the group: Lon, who is so passionate about radio he wears one around his neck at all times; Steve—Bruce the Goose’s nephew—who loves to be silly and try to trick the talkback jock; 75 year old Betty who doesn’t pull any punches; Geoff, an ex toastmaster who lost his confidence when he experienced bipolar disorder, and shy 20 year old Samuel who is passionate about talkback radio.
“Talkback radio is a place where I can have my say; I generally don’t find music radio overly exciting”, says Samuel. “I find that listening to talkback radio is much more interesting and it seems natural for me to take part”.
Welsh says that we all probably yell at the radio from time to time, but we won’t ring as often as these people do.
“There is usually an issue of the day that is spiking them, getting them angry enough to call”, says Welsh.
What is evident is that these five have their own demons to deal with, whether it be eccentricity, depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder or Aspergher’s Syndrome.
Talkback radio provides a connection for these five (most live on their own) into the community. It keeps them engaged. And as Betty says:
“It’s my right to give my opinion on that day at that time”.
ASIO, the Army and Australian Federal Police have all applied to Rudd for increased funding. The Prime Minister decides to give them a test and releases a rabbit into a forest. Whoever finds the rabbit gets the cash.
ASIO goes in. They place animal informants throughout the forest. They question all plant and mineral witnesses. After three months of extensive investigations they conclude that rabbits do not exist in Australia but are an ever-present threat.
The Army goes in. After two weeks with no leads they burn the forest, killing everything in it, including the rabbit, and they make no apologies. The rabbit had it coming.
The AFP goes in. They come out two hours later with a badly beaten bear, who is yelling: "Okay! Okay! I’m a rabbit! I’m a rabbit!"
Three legendary, internationally recognised bands have teamed up to celebrate 30 years of the 2tone ska label with the release of the ultimate live DVD, recorded here in Australia during the band’s recent Legends of Ska Australian Tour 2009.
Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney features the flag bearers for the Ska movement over the last 20 years, THE SPECIALS, THE BEAT and THE SELECTER performing at their best and captivating, engaging and mesmerising an ecstatic audience.
SPECIAL BEAT, fronted by The Special’s Neville Staple and The Beat’s “Ranking” Roger, are no strangers to Australian shores, having performed at sold out events like the Falls Festival, Southbound & The Great Escape. While music lovers lapped up awesome performances there was never any expectation that the super group could get any bigger – but when Pauline Black, front woman for The Selecter, was named as special guest for the 2009 tour, 2tone music fans were offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a genuinely remarkable event.
Held at one of Sydney’s premier music venues, The Forum, this electrifying performance was captured by the good folk at MoshCam, and produced by Reign Record’s Andrew McAllister, and Greg Courtney.
Special Beat: Ska’d in Sydney is a must for all fans of the genre. This DVD takes the ska movement to the next level and this culmination of these celebrated performers is the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 2tone ska label.
To have internationally recognised artists come together and launch a DVD of this incredible Australian show indicates just how impressive the fan base and the influence of Special Beat is here in Australia.
WHO IS SPECIAL BEAT?
Neville Staple – The Specials
Forming in Coventry, 1977 The Specials had 7 consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK. At the forefront of them all was the deep baritone & dreadlocks of roadie-turned-singer Neville Staple. His wild stage antics, vibrant presence & dancing dominated their concerts and Staple, despite the passing of three decades, still continues to shine as an energetic performer.
‘Ranking’ Roger – The Beat
In 1979, against a backdrop of social & political upheaval, came The Beat with their simple message of love & unity set to a great dance beat. Releasing just 3 albums the band gained worldwide attention crossing over between a soul, reggae, punk & pop becoming overnight sensations with Ranking’s Jamaican-style toasting the essential ingredient.
Pauline Black – The Selecter Enjoying a string of hits and two gold records in ‘Too Much Pressure’ & ‘Dance Craze’ as part of her time fronting The Selecter, Pauline has since gone on to re-invent herself as a multi-award winning actress, tv presenter & author but it is as a pioneer in music that she is best remembered, named by Rolling Stone as having “the best voice to grace a 2tone release”.
These three icons of 2tone are responsible for some of the greatest ska tunes of all time including ‘Tears Of A Clown’, ‘A Message To You Rudy’, ‘Too Much Pressure’, ‘Too Much Too Young’, ‘Ghost Town’ & ‘Mirror In The Bathroom’ and Ska’d in Sydney perfectly captures the hits of The Specials, The Beat & The Selecter as well as some of those of their contemporaries in what is a knock out live show.
Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney is released by Reign Records and distributed through MGM.
Winner of Best New Australian Play, Best Direction, Best Independent Production (2007 Matildas Awards)
"One of the best productions of 2007…a compelling and highly theatrical script…exceptional." William McBride, Rave Magazine
"…probably one of the best pieces of Independent Theatre I have had the pleasure of seeing…a fast paced piece that will have you on the edge of your seat." Nigel Munro-Wallis, 612 ABC
On August 12 2000, the Russian nuclear submarine The Kursk went down taking its crew of 118 men with it. This is the thrilling true story of those mariners and their final hours leading up to this global catastrophe. The story follows the rescuers urgent mission to save the submarine and its crew, the political games that were played out behind the scenes and the loved ones that the mariners left behind. In the meantime the whole world waited desperately for the survivors to be rescued.
Playwright Sasha Janowicz, who also performs in the show, is a Russian born Australian whose passion for the subject matter has led to extensive research and several trips to Russia to seek out the truth behind the controversy. Sasha was also sent an anonymous package. In it he found a submariner captain’s uniform complete with medals. The Russians donated their time, artefacts and pieces of uniforms for the project. It was clear that the true story of The Kursk had to be told.
The Kursk is a haunting and chilling theatrical experience; it is an edge of your seat thriller. This extraordinary and inspired play is the true and human story behind the ill-fated Kursk. This unique production magically captures the submariners’ claustrophobic world and the terrifying ordeal that the trapped sailors endured as they awaited rescue.
WHAT: The Kursk
WHERE: The Q Performing Arts Centre, Queanbeyan
WHEN: 22 – 26 September 2009
TICKETS: $27 – $47
BOOKINGS: 02 8298 0290 OR www.theq.net.au
What a day for a daydream - a special book to show you how to use your daydreams powerfully
Creative Flowdreaming: Manifesting Your Dreams in the Life You’ve Already Got
by Summer McStravick
AU RRP $24.95 ISBN 9781401920234
AT ALL LEADING RETAILERS
‘Summer has uncovered a brilliant method for using intention with beauty and precision. A wonderful guidebook on the art of manifesting’ – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
When Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser coined the phrase ‘life wasn’t meant to be easy’, he certainly didn’t understand the power of daydreaming!
Some think of daydreaming as pleasure-filled fantasies while others think of daydreaming as a powerful tool for envisioning goals, plans and strategies.
Acclaimed author Summer McStravick says it’s letting your mind go of limits on outcomes. In other words, letting our imaginations run wild!
Imagine if you knew how to harness the power of daydreaming to allow your life to flow with ease, perfection, and bubbling potential.
In Creative Flowdreaming, McStravick reveals that life is neither a mountain to be conquered nor a forest to be battled through. You can wake up every morning feeling that your life is in the process of unfolding exactly as it was meant to—just like your daydreams!
In McStravick’s book you can discover…
• How to become the artist of your life.
• How to sculpt the events and opportunities in your future not merely through physical action, but by using a far more powerful and subtle type of energy.
• How to lay the blueprints for everything that erupts in your physical existence.
• Better yet, learn to use this energy to your full advantage!
Summer McStravick is the Network Producer/Programming Director for HayHouseRadio.com®, where she and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer co-host the weekly radio show Dr. Wayne Dyer’s Inspiration.
Embers offers insight into the heroism and agony of the 2003 Victorian bushfires
EMBERS by Campion Decent
Presented by HotHouse Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company
Winner of the 2007 Queensland Premier’s Literacy Award for Stage Script
"A toweringly important new Australian play that speaks to our hearts from the hearts of our countrymen." The Daily Telegraph
"The best things in this show, a great and emotionally powerful piece of investigative documentary theatre, are the traces it has of the people who were there." The Australian
"There were strings of fire. I’d say 50 to 60 metres long just racing across the ground. You know, 46 years fighting bloody fires I’ve never seen anything like it." – A firefighter
With Australia still reeling from the February 2009 fires, this play, based on the January 2003 fires in Victoria is a riveting expose of the courage and endurance of communities put to the test.
Overnight on 7 and 8 January, in the year 2003, a dry storm ignited over 80 fires in Victoria’s North East and Gippsland. From exhaustive interviews with residents of the region, Campion Decent has fashioned an extraordinary account of the fires; the heart-stopping tales of survival, awe-inspiring courage and spine-chilling evocations of the wave of heat that roars through pristine valleys – and the mountains of sandwiches volunteers anxiously prepared.
Gripping, lyrical, comically overwrought when it seems tragic, and deeply moving when all appears lost, Embers is the story of a fire – and the people who conquered it.
WHAT: Embers
WHERE: The Q Performing Arts Centre
WHEN: 16 – 19 September 2009
TICKETS: $27 – $47
BOOKINGS: Q Box Office on 02 62980290 or www.theq.net.au
Australian audiences will be treated to a talented ensemble of actors in Marion Potts’ not-so-classic, all-female take on Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy The Taming of the Shrew, presented by Bell Shakespeare Company.
This new gender-twisting production sees women playing men, dressed as men in conflict with women playing women, dressed as women (phew!)
In tackling what is often labelled Shakespeare’s most chauvinistic play, the politics of marriage are under the microscope in this comical look at the dubious sexual politics of Kate and Petruchio’s Padua.
Is Petruchio nothing more than a vain, uncaring, greedy chauvinist who treats marriage as an act of domination and attempts to train his wife as he would a hawk? Is Kate a spirited woman who is cowed into abject submission by the violence of a blatant bully? Does Kate start out as an independent and vital woman, only to become a Stepford wife?
The Taming of the Shrew is the tale of two eccentric rebels who must fight and challenge each other before they will admit to being deeply kindred spirits.
Jeanette Cronin (who received a Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Holding the Man) is in the blue corner as the mercurial and witty Petruchio.
Lotte St Clair (Homebody/Kabul, Macbeth and All Saints) is in the red corner as the challenger, Kate. Both are ably supported by a bevy of talented and acclaimed actresses (including Sandy Gore) in this fast and fiery examination of the psychology of relationships.
WHAT: The Taming of the Shrew
WHEN: 6 – 17 October
WHERE: The Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre
BOOKINGS: 02 6275 2700
or canberratheatre centre.com.au
Sustainable fashion collective Green Threads, in conjunction with ACT otherWISE will be holding their next public clothes swap this Sunday, September 20th at the Inner North Community Fair.
This is the perfect opportunity to spring clean your cupboard and swap some unwanted clothes (that are still in good condition) for some new and wonderful wardrobe finds for this lovely spring weather.
Everyone is welcome, girls, boys, ladies, men, fashionistas and otherwise. This swap is about giving unworn clothing a new lease on life, and reducing the impact of our lifestyles on the environment so our system is pretty casual. You can take more than you give, you can give more than you take, and if you have nothing to give at all then make a donation to ACT otherWISE and support youth led sustainability in canberra.
We’ll be there swapping from 11am to 3pm at the Banksia Street Wetlands O’Connor (next to the tennis courts). For more info comtact Michele on 0411 095 165 or u4220048@anu.edu.au
The Inner North Community Fair will also feature food, stalls, entertainment, wetlands displays, and organic gardening advice. And hopefully sunshine, it should be a beautiful day for all!
Adrian Flor and Duncan Ley rehearse the duel scene in ''Liaisons''
Les Liaisons Dangereuses Review by Shanna Provost
‘Liaisons’ is a dire story of seduction, revenge and malice—a morality tale that shines a jaundiced light on French aristocracy not long before the French Revolution. The script is a grand endeavour in that it is Peter Hampton’s clever adaptation of a 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.
What impacts immediately in this production is Ian Croker’s impressive set. Finding time to create such a stunning housing for Rep’s play while rehearsing the lead in another is admirable. The emergence and retreat of his three enormous paintings in heavy gilt frames at critical times during the play are a clever distraction from the cumbersome scene changes. The period paintings, with their lascivious themes, add a significant mood and a third dimension to the unfolding play.
Hannah Ley deftly plays Ice Queen the Marquise de Merteuil with the marked restraint required of the role. Her husband, Duncan Ley, who plays opposite her as the malicious Vicomte de Valmont has surely met his professional match. There is a familiarity there that adds intimacy and depth to their characters. Ley’s impeccable timing adds a further layer to the ruthlessness of Valmont.
Despite its malicious intent, Hampton has stayed true to Laclos’s biting wit and there are some funny moments when we laugh with or at the plotting and scheming characters.
Strong performances from the supporting cast, particularly Helen McFarlane as La Presidente de Tourvel and Adrian Flor as the affable music teacher Le Chevalier Danceny. Lexi Sekuless lights up the stage as the beautiful, naïve (for a time) Cécile Volanges.
The duel choreography is cleverly crafted, with Ley and Flor throwing themselves into the scene with commitment. So much so that I felt a nervousness for their safety, for the props with which they fight are potentially dangerous.
The nude scenes were quite demure for what is purported to be a window into the decadence of the French ruling class; perhaps this was done in deference to audience sensitivities?
Costumes were extravagant and kept to Period, and keeping actors in the one costume throughout the play helped ease distraction from the core of the play (the interplay between characters). This approach could have been used to tighten the links between scenes. Rolling beds in and out and moving settees became tiresome by the end of the first act—the interscene business almost overshadowed the fine scenes between.
Leaving the beds on set throughout (it is a play about seduction after all) and using light only to reflect the change of scene would help the audience to stay on top of the plot. Canberra Rep audiences are sophisticated enough to understand the inference of scene changes without actors and crew having to drag bits of furniture around continuously.
Minor annoyances aside, Les Liaisons Dangereuses is yet another quality production from Canberra Repertory.
What: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES
Where: Theatre 3, 3 Repertory Lane (off Ellery Crescent) Acton ACT
Season: 11 September – 3 October
Director’s Q & A: 19 Sept, following matinee performance
Tickets: $35, Conc $27, Members $25, Preview/Mat/Twilight $27
Online bookings: www.canberrarep.org.au
Phone bookings: 6257 1950, Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm,
Tickets also available at the door 1 hour before scheduled performances.
Please note: this play contains nudity.
and can’t feed your pet or water your pot plants? What a loss of freedom if you can’t go away, and if you can’t rely on the good will of your neighbour to watch out for your place while you are away! What about in times of crisis- a fire, an accident, a burst water main, or electricity pole down in the wind? Friendly neighbours will always take the trouble to check how you are going, and will help you out or share information where possible. Goodwill can be lost easily by believing or repeating stories or gossip Good will is easy to lose, and takes a little effort to create and keep. Knowing the person in good times is always an insurance against a mistake, accident or misunderstanding in rough times. Treating each other with respect, and listening to another point of view is vital. Gossip involving neighbours often spreads quickly, and as is often said, bad news travels faster than good. If we do not know a person first hand, it is much easier to believe something said by others, or even to make assumptions about their motives when something happens. It is too easy to develop suspicions without proof For instance, the bin is tipped over. There are young people in the house next door, who have been seen hanging out in the driveway at night. Of course it was them. We may never test the truth of this belief. But next time something happens, eg a letterbox is damaged, we are more than likely to believe the same young people are responsible. If people are wrongly accused, they can become anti-social. Find ways to build social connection among neighbours Street parties are not everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of getting to know people in your street. Sometimes people even find they have skills to share, or information to pass on. Even chatting at the local shops can be helpful. The potential for hearsay to
It takes time to create a sense of belonging and connection. Many of us nowadays think time is a scarce commodity. We may complain that we hardly have time to spend time with family, so why would we bother building bridges with neighbours… That may be a policy that works in fair weather when all is going smoothly in our street. What about a time when a crime is committed, or a public nuisance? A flood, a burst water main or fallen power-line? Not to mention a fire- who has a ladder or a hose? There are many good reasons to take the time to know your neighbours, at well least enough to know who is in their household, and if they go away for a significant period. We may value our privacy because we are so busy, but others in our street may value an occasional kind word because they may be isolated or unwell. Whilst we cannot legislate for kindness, we will all benefit from it when the need for community solidarity arises. The Chair of the Social Inclusion Board noted in his Introduction to the ACT Government Report on Open Forums 2005 that: ‘Canberra has been through a period of social, cultural and economic transformation…there has been a significant growth in the number of households of one or two person(s)….In the past, many cohesive neighbourhoods were based primarily on larger families, and children provided some of the social ties of a community… There is also evidence that…Canberra in particular has a transient population, with approximately thirty per cent of Canberrans moving house each year.’ The people who have lived in a neighbourhood longer are in a good position to introduce themselves to new arrivals. Never under-estimate the power of a friendly greeting from an insider to an outsider coming in. Establishing a friendly and supportive neighbourhood is not difficult, but it takes good will and a decision to make that effort. Don’t wait till you have a problem before you talk to your neighbour If you let time go by without meeting your neighbour in a friendly natural way, something they do may begin to annoy you. It is after all easier to be annoyed with the neighbours than with your boss, the government, your own children, dog, garden, or heaven forbid yourself! Bad-mouthing the family next door may be a nice easy way to let off steam, but how easy is it in the long run if there are tensions between you and the neighbours? Chickens come home to roost! The lost opportunities when we don’t trust our neighbours The down side of not being able to talk to your neighbours Do you want to live in a stand-off situation where you avoid coming across them near the front gate, or worse, in a virtual war zone where you are nervous about one them or their kids deliberately damaging your plants, letterbox or car? Who will watch my place or water my pot plants? On the lost opportunity list, what about when you want to go away become rumour and social division is less if people are able to chat and find out first hand how their neighbour ticks. If you don’t want to hold or attend a street party, just be friendly when you cross paths, see them working in their garden or collecting the mail. A neighbour may hold the key to something valuable you want to know…ah yes, I can recommend a reasonable plumber. If there is a problem between neighbours that concerns you, contact Conflict Resolution Service on 6295 5998 If a misunderstanding or annoyance has arisen between neighbours, and you don’t feel able to express your concerns face to face, contact Conflict Resolution Service for advice, referral, conflict resolution strategies mediation, or counselling Appreciate your neighbours as a friend in times of need Remember to value your neighbour, as there may very well be a time when you need one another. Not to mention positive feelings are better for your health than negative ones, and social connection is the best medicine. This project aims to educate the community in ways to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in their neighbourhoods. The Conflict Resolution Service is a community organisation funded by ACT Government to provide a free and accessible mediation service to the Canberra region for neighbourhood disputes; parenting couple and family disputes; and community disputes which may include charitable organisations or sporting organisations. Mediations will also be provided on a fee for service sliding scale basis for disputes involving property settlements exceeding $30,000; corporations and workplace disputes. Conflict Resolution Service is now located on Level 3 Griffin Centre Genge St Civic. Call us on 6162 4050 for advice or information on resolving disputes or visit
This column answers questions I’m frequently asked about investing in property. Should I buy in Canberra? Invest where the fundamentals are right, to gain strong capital growth. Canberra has steady growth in some areas, but it’s not ‘hot’. And with the right property manager you don’t have to live where your investment is. Why specialise in Brisbane? Experts agree that SE Queensland is outperforming the rest of Australia — strong population growth, excellent new job creation, affordable real estate, and a tight rental market. Now’s the time to invest, before prices skyrocket like in Darwin and Perth. How fast do properties sell? Fast — so fast many Brisbane agents complain they have nothing to sell. What if I have problems renting my property? Rents in SE Queensland are regularly setting new records. There are more renters than properties. How much do properties cost? Boutique developments of units, townhouses, and house and land packages are available at all price points, some under $300K.
