Take part in the garden bird survey this weekend, for just an hour in your own back garden. See below for more information.
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/birds/garden-bird-surveys
Around 100 people were at the Hataitai Bowling Cub last night to air concerns over the proposed runway extension. Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and Greg Thomas from Wellington International Airport presented the case for a runway extension in terms of business opportunities, tourism potential, attraction of international students, and time-saving for international travelers. Several residents spoke against the extension in terms of environmental effects, impacts on Evan’s Bay foreshore, and arguable economic benefit (with only one daily long-haul flight to and from Wellington). There will obviously be more debate on this to come….in fact a follow up meeting is planned in about a month…..
I’d love to feature a variety of views on this, as we are talking a major development, with a big price tag… Comments are welcomed!
Bohemein chocolates are some of the best in Wellington (winner of the cuisine artisan awards in 2012), and- I confess- I have been known to sample them on a semi-regular basis. The fillings are truly amazing, and the chocolates themselves a work of art. And all made at the factory in Waitoa Road, in Hataitai.
But on a more serious note, Jiri Havlik (George) and his staff deserve kudos for setting up this successful business and taking it to the point where they have opened a second store in Featherston Street, and are delivering throughout New Zealand. This is what we want more of in Wellington and in the Eastern suburbs, successful innovative businesses that employ local people and help strengthen the Wellington economy.
(Disclaimer: Sarah features interesting businesses that seem to provide a great service. She receives no financial benefit whatsoever. Mention in this blog is not an endorsement as such – people are advised to do their own research into how well the business suits their particular needs).
Although there are quite a few people walking and cycling through the Mt Vic tunnel, most I spoke to when I was there Saturday morning considered it an unpleasant experience. One young man said that he felt that every journey took minutes off his life.There are many amazing artists living and working in the Eastern suburbs! This short video shows some of the many artists featured in the 2013 Artist in Action weekend. (Video from the Miramar Peninsula Arts Trail Wellington Facebook page). Its well worth a look.
Former Wellington East Girls College student and current Wellington resident Larissa MacLeman and her business partners have just released a very smart app that lets hairdressers and salons keep a record of a clients style journey with before and after photos and notes from every visit. Means you can keep track of your ‘do even if you use a new hairdresser. Sure beats trying to explain what you want using those mags that never have the style you’re looking for!
Check it out!
(Disclaimer: Sarah features businesses that interest her, or that seem to provide a great service. She receives no financial benefit whatsoever. Mention in this blog is not an endorsement of any business as such, and people will still need to do their own research into how well the business meets their particular requirements).
Here are the plans for the upgrade to SH1 on the Hataitai side of the Mt Victoria tunnel. Apparently, its only planned to have four lanes now (rather than six?), but the upgrade will still take in quite a bit of the town belt and affect properties along Moxham Ave. You can see how much the new road encroaches on the town belt as shown by the fact that it goes through part of the existing badminton courts. There are plans for a cycle way and walkway, as shown on the eastern side of the road.
There are also plans to have traffic lights at the Goa Street intersection. I can understand the need for something here, although it will slow down traffic flows. However, many of us will have had the frustrating experience of coming from the netball/badminton courts on a Saturday, and trying to turn to the south, or even trying to go straight across into Goa Street- just about impossible at some times of the day!
With all the attention on the city side of the tunnel, I think its important that the upgrades on the Hataitai side are well thought through as well, so eastern residents get the best deal possible.
Any comments?
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/wellington-inner-city/docs/witi-posters/44-ruahine-st-widening.pdf
The Wellington Curtain Bank, which is managed by Sustainability Trust, ( 2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Ph: 04 389 3400) is such a great initiative! I have always seen the value of curtains for retaining warmth (not to mention providing privacy), and I was instrumental in setting up the curtain bank and promoting it.
The idea is that people drop off their unneeded curtains, which can then be repaired (if necessary), lined and altered to fit their new windows. The curtain bank will provide for free, at least one set of curtains to families who have a community services card. Its a great way that people can help support others in need.
Most people don’t realise that lined curtains can provide as much insulation as the average double glazing. Lining curtains adds considerably to their insulation value, as air (which is a great insulator) gets trapped between the two layers of fabric. In order to stop curtains getting mouldy, put a security stay on just one window and try leaving it open just a crack in the evenings. Surprisingly, this won’t cool the room much at all- but what it will do is reduce the humidity of the room and help stop condensation and mould.
More about ventilation later… in the meantime, here’s a nice snap of me handing out curtains to a client taken just a few days ago at one of the mobile curtain bank clinics! (client’s permission obtained)
When I was running the Energy Advice Centre, I would frequently get calls from people who were having a new house built , wanting to know how to make it more energy efficient. Frequently these houses would be rather large (250, even 300 square metres). It took quite a lot of discussion to get people to realise that they needed to seriously consider the costs of heating all that space, and to at least have ways of partitioning some of it off, or having an alternative living area for the winter.
I’ve since become a fan of small to medium, really well designed houses- I live myself in a house of just under 130 square metres. And although I’m certainly not advocating the following housing solution for those of us living here in Wellington, this incredibly well-designed “tiny home”, does have its appeal!! Take a look:
Sarah Free 