March 5 2021
The art of music While on a road trip looking for options of places to live in Northland, Heather Revell discovered the small township of Tinopai. She fell in love with the view of the Kaipara Harbour and took up residence a few years ago. Being a talented music teacher, she has since been sharing her knowledge with students in schools, through private lessons and via her online classes. Now living in the Kaiwaka area, Heather says she loves helping her students discover the world of music. continued on page 10 …
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY INTEGRITY COMMUNITY MEDIA, A PRIVATELY OWNED KAIPARA COMPANY. Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: 107 River Road, Dargaville Editor: Deb Wright | 021 639 696 Journalists: 0800 466 793 | Andy Bryenton | Liz Clark | Ann van Engelen Marketing: Betty Willetts 027 525 8197 | John Pickworth 027 525 8189 | Andy Bryenton 021 439 947 Creative Director: Jessica Keesing Design Team: Sacha Freeman | Gavin Bainbridge | Kelsey Hansen
Outrage at tree ‘murder’ u by Andy Bryenton
Mangawhai residents have taken to social media to express their anger and disgust at what has been called the ‘deliberate murder’ of two coastal pohutukawa trees on Kaipara District Council reserve land.
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The trees, protected native species that prevent coastal erosion on the beachfront strip owned by the KDC, appear to have been targeted by a drillwielding poisoner, according to council parks officer Mike Collins. “Investigations have uncovered what appears to be a hole drilled into the trunks, and poison injected directly to the bases,” Mr Collins said. “It was not clear what type of poison had been used. The council parks team was made aware of the dying pohutukawa after multiple reports from concerned residents in the area.” The public was alerted to the poisoning when the crowns of the usually bright green and red trees became withered and brown. Both trees are approximately 15 years old. They have not reached the large mature size these specimens can achieve, casting motives for the poisoning into doubt. One of the reasons similar crimes have been perpetrated in other locations is the desire of homeowners to obtain an unrestricted sea view, as in Whangarei’s Parua Bay area last year or Arkles Bay and Opito Bay in 2018. Mr Collins and the KDC advise that offenders can be charged under the Consolidated General Bylaw 2020 with an infringement fine of up to $500, as well as a fine under the Reserves Act 1977 of up to $1,600. The council can also enforce mitigation measures to replace any vandalised tree with one of similar size and age, a much more expensive punishment for the
perpetrator. However, the authorities admit that with no eyewitnesses, it is hard to find a culprit. Anyone with information is encouraged to email confidentially at parks@kaipara.govt. nz. With words like ‘callous’, ‘greedy’, ‘foolhardy’ and worse, levelled at the mystery poisoner online, the sense of outrage is palpable in a town already protesting the loss of natural beauty
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Investigations have uncovered what appears to be a hole drilled into the trunks
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and character to development. Mr Collins would not speculate on who had poisoned the trees. He says the attack has saddened the parks team and the community members he had spoken with. On a brighter note, there may be hope for the trees if arborists can move quickly. The quartet of Opito Bay trees that were poisoned in 2018 were returned to full health by plant biology specialist Phil Walesby. A similar treatment may be possible if the attacks have not already critically weakened the pohutukawas at a cellular level. ¢
THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
Developers’ contributions reviewed
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u by Andy Bryenton
With large-scale growth projected, the Kaipara District Council is proposing changes to its development contributions policy. It will expand the scope of what may reasonably be asked of proper ty developers when considering the necessar y improvement of infrastructure and community amenities. Changes to the plan allow for development contributions for growthrelated impacts on community infrastructure beyond what is allowed in the current policy. The current policy dictates development contributions for roading, water, stormwater and wastewater, but does not take into account other areas put under pressure. The document references increased areas of growth and states that changes have been made to future infrastructure projects that are necessary to provide for that growth. These changes will reflect on the calculation for development contributions. The architects of this proposed policy have attempted to strike a balance between providing for what they project as growth to 32,600 citizens by 2051 and ensuring development is not discouraged by high infrastructure costs. Development contributions are used to fund the kind of large, multifaceted projects that benefit whole communities and would be impossible for individual property developers to provide for themselves in totality. Sewerage treatment plants, water mains, arterial roads, libraries, sports fields and boat ramps are examples. In some cases, developers contribute financially only. In others,
p Developers’ contributions may go further than just core infrastructure as new policy changes go public, seeking to balance growth with the needs of a growing population
a development agreement is reached where the developer cedes land to the council for use in future projects; green spaces and parks, for example. With large developments such as Mangawhai Central in process, the KDC aims to ensure that developers’ contributions make a significant dent in the cost of upgrading infrastructure. Broadening the definition of what may be included under the development contributions umbrella is one way of ensuring that the wider impacts of new
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submissions open until April 1. Find the proposed Review of the Development Contributions Policy at kaipara.govt.nz, alongside the proposed 2021–2031 Long Term Plan. ¢
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Collection from a classic age u by Andy Bryenton
It used to be a butcher’s shop, but now the storefront of this Paparoa village enterprise is decked out like a scene from a classic Kiwi movie. Take a closer look, and you might recognise that painting, those chairs, that table, that particular lamp; because this is Paparoa Vintage, and it’s a world of retro nostalgia. Proprietor Darren Breen has collected, or more appropriately curates, a collection of items that will be familiar to children of the 70s and 80s, as the styles and decor of the golden age of Kiwiana. Nostalgia is big business right now as people wake up to the beauty and function of things that were not only not mass produced, but in many cases, were made in New Zealand, with a quirky sense of time and place built-in. “People are starting to realise that if you buy a new chipboard table from a big store, it’s worthless as soon as you open the box. However, if you buy something vintage and cool, it speaks
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to your personality, it makes a room look different, and it’s likely to hold its price or appreciate,” says Darren. Darren has been in and out of the trade in retro and vintage objects for two decades. He admits that there’s a fine line between having a personal collection and amassing the goods to open a store. “I don’t put prices on every item,” he said. “I want people to pick up something purely because they love it for what it is. We can talk about the price afterwards.” That’s why Darren sits among the collection at Paparoa Vintage, less like a storekeeper and more like the curator of an art gallery. There’s a sense that you’ve walked into a time capsule like Christine Fernyhough’s butterfly house in Mangawhai, but in this case, all available to take home. ¢
If you buy something vintage and cool, it speaks to your personality
p Darren Breen has assembled a collection of retro, vintage and just plain cool objects and items of furniture, reflecting the mid-century Kiwi zeitgeist
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
Monument to the man from Matakohe
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u by Liz Clark
When a former prime minister and statesman passed away suddenly in late May 1943, the nation felt his loss. A year later, after the death of parliamentarian and former prime minister Joseph Gordon Coates, the government announced it would be commissioning a national memorial in the form of a non-denominational church at Matakohe. After consulting with the Coates family and Gordon’s widow, the government commissioned prominent Auckland-based architect Horace Lovell Massey to design the proposed building. Plans also included a redesign of the cemetery reserve and a headstone for Coates’ final resting place at the site. A newspaper of the period reported: ‘It was intended to build the church in brick, internally faced with mottled textured bricks of autumn tints, the roof to be covered with shingles. External facings of the doors and windows would be in cast stone. Internally the walls would be finished with tinted plaster, with open timber roof trusses. ‘The font would be in stone, and the pulpit, reading desk and pews in timber, of simple character, embodying carved motifs. The church would not be a large structure, designed only to meet the needs of the district. The seating accommodation would be for 100 worshippers.’ In 1947, a newspaper reported Matakohe residents had complained of an ‘unsightly pile of bricks’ being left at the construction site and no work had commenced. The cause had been cited as a labour shortage due to the aftermath of the second world war. In April 1949, the foundations were laid by the contractors. FC Cole, the manager of the company of the same
p The Coates Memorial Church at Matakohe is a national tribute to war hero and former prime minister Joseph Gordon Coates
name, noted great interest in the process had been taken by Matakohe residents. By July of the same year, the brickwork for the church had almost been completed. In September, the roof and tower had been finished with a delay for completion of the entrance caused by the Department of Internal Affairs not providing the final plans. In February 1950, the building was completed at the cost of £20,000 and an opening date set to coincide with the seventh anniversary of Coates’ death. It was officially opened on May
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27 1950 by later prime minister Sidney Holland. A plaque at the entrance was unveiled jointly by Holland and Peter Fraser. Today, the church takes a prominent place at the Matakohe
Lawn Cemetery overlooking the view of farmland. Its English country-style architecture is a quiet testament to the memory of the New Zealand-born prime minister and war hero. ¢
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
What lies beneath u by Liz Clark
It’s one of those things that barely gets any attention other than when it’s dug into, reshaped or covered over by concrete — it’s just dirt. Across Kaipara District, there will be newly-established properties and the thoughts of creating thriving gardens, complete with vegetables and perhaps a few fruit trees. However, those with new sites will face the Death Valley-like dry expanse of bare earth, with cracks — and now it’s autumn — chirping crickets. Others with more established gardens may be having problems with plants failing to thrive. The answer to that question lies in what is in the soil. Plants take up nutrients through the root system; if those nutrients are unavailable, they will fail to thrive. Online there are thousands of articles advising on how to improve your soil to help plant growth. The earth, in itself, is an ecosystem in miniature. All kinds of microbes and fungi exist within the structure, breaking down organic matter, in turn, returning nutrients for plant roots to utilise for growth. Add in invertebrates such as earthworms; we have more than 171 different species, all with specialised roles, breaking down various types of organic matter. There’s also the slaters, wetas and other insects rendering down multiple components. It all comes down to what you put back into the soil. The basics are easy to understand. Add in compost, dried out weeds that
don’t have seed heads, prunings, blood and bone, as well as well-rotted animal manure. Keep the soil covered with mulch or even layers of newspaper, and continue to add in those components to create a healthy ecosystem in your garden. It improves overall structure, enhances moisture retention, better drainage and nutrient uptake for your plants. With all that in mind, also consider getting a free soil test from Soilsafe Aotearoa. The organisation is currently researching on a national scale to ‘understand better New Zealander’s relationship with the earth and nature, what we grow in our backyards, and includes a wider education programme on soil health and community attitudes’. The project is led by Auckland University. Dr Melanie Kah, the project’s lead scientist, is asking gardeners to send in soil samples from their gardens. “We’re excited to have the programme underway, it’s a major undertaking. We hope a wide range of Kiwis will be keen to get a better idea of the soil in their back yards,” said Dr Kah. More information on the project and how to get a free soil test can be found at soilsafe.auckland.ac.nz.
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
Bakers — bring your best u by Andy Bryenton
Kaipara bakers have been issued a tasty challenge, as the first-ever Great Dargaville Bake Off gets ready to tickle the taste buds.
p The Good Life team is ready to weigh our best local bakers in the balance, with big support from Fosters and McKay’s
During four weeks of heats and a grand final, which will incorporate a community fun day, bakers will vie for bragging rights and generous prizes. Good Life Stores co-owner and event organiser Drew Wardle says that it’s a way to highlight the positive, not just in the kitchen prowess of our locals but also of the town. “We’ve got four different categories for the four initial rounds, and they are open to all comers. “The only prerequisite is that you have to bring your baked goods into Good Life for judging before 1pm each Saturday. “For the first Saturday, April 3, we’re inviting people to enter their scones. For April 10, we’re judging the best sleeves. On April 17, muffins are in the spotlight. Then on April 24, it’s cookies.”
The winners of each round will be chosen in a blind taste test by Feed and Flour catering entrepreneur and pop-up shop owner Kiri Taylor. They’ll receive more than bragging rights, taking home gift vouchers from Good Life as well as local sponsors Fosters Home Decorating and McKay’s 100% Electrical. They support better baking with fine cookware and kitchenware and top brand appliances, respectively. “Everything has to be made from scratch delivered on a plain paper plate,” says Drew. “There’s a gold coin donation to enter, which will go to the appeal for Cystic Fibrosis. Afterwards, all the remaining baking will be donated to one of our local retirement homes as a treat for the residents.” The icing on the cake, however, is the literal icing of the cakes. A grand final day is planned for May 1 at the
Northern Wairoa Boating Club. There, the four category winners will face off for a $1,500 prize, baking and decorating Dargaville-themed cakes. It will take place amid a planned hobby and clubs fair, with organisations
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Everything has to be made from scratch delivered on a plain paper plate,
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such as the Scouts, fire brigade, stock car racers, little theatre and cinema already on board. Expect raffles, games, fun and prizes as Dargaville comes out to celebrate the diversity of
its teams and clubs. Those interested in joining up should call Drew at Good Life to book a table. As for chief judge, Kiri, who will be joined on the finals-day podium by guest judges Mayor Jason Smith and businessman and firefighter Craig Woollam, she’s already getting prepared. “I’m making up my own batches of scones and biscuits to get attuned to the competition,” Kiri says, stopping in at Good Life for a quick photo opportunity. “This is going to be a lot of fun!” The Great Dargaville Bake Off is open to all comers of all ages and all levels of skill. Organisers opine that many a top chef or pastry professional has been bested by ‘grandma’s secret recipe’ over the years. Roll out the rolling pin and give it a go. ¢
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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Artificial intelligence is here u by Andy Bryenton
Artificial Intelligence or AI is often evoked as a science fiction bogeyman, or perhaps a saviour that can out-think the problems facing the human race as we enter a hyper-technological future. The fact is, however, that it’s here right now. AI might not be at the stage yet where gigantic computer ‘brains’ mull over the deep issues of philosophy and science, but in your day-to-day life, you might be surprised to know how often silicon ‘minds’ are lending a hand. You might be driving to work or a meeting and receive information from your car’s navigation system that there’s congestion ahead, which can be got around with a nip and zip through side streets. AI processing is used to collate that data from hundreds of sat navs and mobiles to plan different routes for different cars, breaking up traffic jams. Here, it’s a matter of a few minutes saved, but overseas it can mean the difference between gridlock and smooth sailing. Other trips, on ride-share platforms like Lyft and Uber use limited AI and machine learning to match you with a driver in the shortest possible time. Then there’s AI in the sky. How long are the pilot’s hands on the controls in a modern flight aboard a big Boeing jetliner? About seven minutes, according to the company that makes the sophisticated planes. That’s usually only for takeoff and landing; autopilots
p AI is among us — digital ‘brains’ crunch the numbers on day-to-day problems for us, helping us travel, shop, fight crime and mark exams
have come a long way and help us go further. The same technology is being trialled in driverless cars; if robots can guide a huge passenger jet, they could certainly get to grips with a small hatchback. Nowhere is AI working harder than in your inbox. Spam filters and spammers themselves are at war, trying to foist everything from timeshares to herbal remedies to Nigerian oil money on the unsuspecting. AI spam filters learn, grow and adapt using a process frighteningly close to Darwinian
evolution — all to keep our inboxes free of dodgy offers. Teachers overseas are even using AI to mark students on tests and check their theses and essays for plagiarism. One AI bot that has been programmed to red-flag sneaking copying can do so with 878 per cent accuracy, even if the cheat copied from books in another language. AI is already here. While it’s not taking over in a literal sense, as it has in movies like The Matrix, it is already something we’re unlikely to want to give up. ¢
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TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY LIVING
No longer optional extras u by Andy Bryenton
Technology has certainly come a long way with regards to the standard features of our cars, vans and utes. The first headlamps on a car were on one of the first electric cars, proving that the concept is not as new as Tesla. In 1898 the Columbia Electric Car from the Electric Vehicle Company of Hartford, Connecticut, boasted proper electric lamps. It replaced the gas lamps most cars had used until then, despite having electric spark plug systems. American inventor Mary Anderson is popularly credited with devising the first windscreen wipers in 1903. In Anderson’s patent, she called her invention a ‘window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles’. In 1929 two young men named William Lear and Elmer Wavering drove their girlfriends to a lookout point in Quincy, Illinois, to watch the sunset. It was a romantic night, but one of the women observed that it would be even nicer if they could listen to radio music in the car. Motivated, the pair hired a shed and developed the car radio, miniaturising the big ‘wireless sets’ of the day to tuck under the dashboard of a Studebaker. History does not record if the ladies approved. In the 1930s, a
wealthy Texan motorist invented auto air conditioning by having a Kelvinator fridge custom-fitted to his car to beat the heat. Directly after, General Motors head researcher Charles Kettering loaded blocks of ice in the back of his Cadillac Town Car to measure the energy required to cool a vehicle. However, it was Packard who cracked factory-installed air conditioning in 1940, making use of wartime advances in copper tube manufacturing. The first prototype of a car phone was created by Ericsson in 1956 outside of their Stockholm offices. The phone itself weighed 40 kilograms and was about the size of a suitcase. When mounted in a car, it cost almost as much as the car. Today, all of these technologies are seen as necessities on a new car, not luxuries. They, along with antilock brakes, traction control, airbags, Bluetooth, satellite navigation and many other advancements, are all part of the ticket price, making 2021’s models better value for money than our ancestors would have believed possible. ¢
Enjoy quality time catching fish and having fun on the beach with your family
p The modern auto has many features as standard, which were technological luxuries in times gone by
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10 March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
p Heather Revell says it thrills her when her students go from zero to hero with their musical ability
The art of music u by Ann van Engelen
Heather Revell is passionate about introducing children to music from a young age, in a fun way, as it helps to establish discipline, creativity and enthusiasm for the future. “I began learning piano when I was seven years old and am absolutely passionate about music,” says Heather. “When I was young, I worked through the ABRSM grades and learned several other instruments. I studied music and education at Auckland University and am now a music education specialist with more than 30 years’ experience. “I grew up in Pukekohe, moved to Waiuku later in life and found Tinopai after getting in the car and driving north to see where else may be nice to live. I had gone to Dargaville and on the way back home saw the sign that said Tinopai so detoured to see what was there.” Heather says the tide was in, and the Kaipara Harbour looked fantastic, and she made the move. “There were a couple of houses for sale which needed upgrading, but that didn’t matter. It was lovely living in this little fishing village. There was plenty of kai moana on hand, plus I had a great garden and orchard there. It has
an original apple tree remaining from the days when Tinopai was a thriving orchard and export area. Everything I need is here in Kaipara, and it is nice to not have the stress of the big city.” Heather has worked as a classroom, community and private music at-home teacher, band and choir director.
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I grew up in Pukekohe, moved to Waiuku later in life and found Tinopai
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“I taught classroom music and band programmes at King’s Prep in Remuera and ACG Strathallan in Karaka for 15 years. I also taught itinerant music with piano and woodwind as well as band programmes with students from several schools in South Auckland.
As band director, I toured my student jazz bands to festivals in New Zealand and Australia. “I lived in Tinopai for a few years and was in charge of the band programme at Otamatea High School and Westmount School, which is now OneSchool Global NZ. One day I had a freak accident, which put an end to my teaching for some time. “I couldn’t drive much anymore, so I relocated to Kaiwaka to be more central. I can be on my own as much as I like and get together with people when I want. I love the green space and the access we have to all the beaches.” Heather has been teaching online for a couple of years. “Students learn just as well as face to face. I am a mother and a grandmother and love guiding my students on their journey. During the first Covid lockdown, I used Music with Heather, my online platform, to teach people at home. It helped keep things positive for many people.
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
p Philippa, Heather’s daughter, has become confident in her own musical ability after a few refreshing lessons to help her children with their various music lessons
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When I was mentoring the jazz bands, it was absolute fun. Teenagers are great to work with
“My monthly newsletter supports parents too. Sometimes they don’t understand what is involved or how to help their children with lessons. I give tips on how to motivate students to practise, find the right place or time to practise at home and how to encourage them to play for family or friends. “I believe you learn music to share and also have a course for preschoolers as well. Everyone can have fun at home without the big expense. I help children as young as three years old to play ukulele and piano. It is so beautiful watching their faces of delight as they start accomplishing their tasks, even through a computer screen. “I believe people with musical ability can create income by teaching music themselves. It thrills me when individuals drop by wanting to learn more in a fun way. I think it is important to have the confidence and skills to do what you may have always dreamed about. My music at home mantra gives people the confidence to be creative
”
and knowledgeable to become one heck of a great teacher. “My Music with Heather Facebook page is a good place for people with an interest in music, whether it be learning themselves or helping a child. I believe every adult and child has uniqueness, creativity and is capable of success. Studies show that a quality musical education experience enhances a child’s brain development, fine and gross motor skills, coordination, self-discipline and increases their self-esteem. “It is important that students feel that they have accomplished something each week. “I wholeheartedly believe that children’s brain development is enhanced through positive musical experiences. It needs to be taught in a fun and welcoming way. I love seeing them move from zeros to heroes in their knowledge and skills as they learn to decode the language from blobs on the page to musical notes.
“It is important to be patient when teaching to relieve pressure. When my daughter Philippa began teaching her children the guitar she was very nervous. It had been a long time since she had picked up an instrument. She was still dealing with baby brain with three young children at home and is now doing super well with a bit of guidance.” Heather says music offers connection. “When I was mentoring the jazz bands, it was absolute fun. Teenagers are great to work with. They are so inquisitive as they try to make sense of their world. In a band, they are not individuals anymore — they are part of a team, like a sports team. They joke together and get excited making music. “Seeing them play at festivals with older musicians listening to them and encouraging them is always nice. One gentleman came to show my students his trombone from around 1919 and played with them. It was wonderful to see the comradery.
“If someone can play something, you can play together and learn so much more. “With my concert and jazz bands, I used what I had at the time and allowed instruments to cross over. Children with flutes would play jazz. This gave them the opportunity to perform and do their thing. They would come home feeling confident and enthusiastic about the next event. “Now, I am teaching some of my grandchildren online, which is amazing. It connects us from a distance as two lots live in Australia, and two lots are in Auckland. “Even when you are taught online, you need to be able to have fun. “I love working with children and families. My daughters say I am so lucky because I go to work to play. It absolutely fires me up and gives me a spark. “To me, music is life, it is exciting, exhilarating, and it is the gateway to the soul — it is never too late to learn.” ¢
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
Tomato ricotta pesto tart u by Jessica Keesing
I’m not a chef, but I sure do love to cook, so if you’ve got a glut of tomato and basil, this is the recipe for you. One sure to set family and friends mouth-watering providing they enjoy this kind of thing. I made this for my ladies gardening morning, and it was absolutely delicious, even if I do say so myself. It takes a couple of non-pantry essentials, but it’s definitely worth it. There’s something utterly satisfying about eating things that you’ve grown that taste like the beautiful, warm summer sun.
Ingredients 1 Sheet Puff Pastry ½ cup Ricotta 1 lemon (zest and juice) 1 ½ cups tomatoes (depending on the size of your tomatoes cherry or large adjust the quantity) Salt and pepper Egg (beaten) Basil for garnish Pesto 2 cups fresh basil ¼ pine nuts ½ cup Parmesan cheese ¼ cup olive oil 1 garlic clove
Method Preheat the oven to 190C bake. While waiting for the oven to heat, you can make your pesto and ricotta mixtures Mix the ricotta, half the juice from the lemon and the zest of the lemon in a bowl and some salt and pepper, set aside For the pesto: combine basil, Parmesan, pine nuts and garlic clove, and while blitzing drizzle in the olive oil; you may need to add a bit more oil to get a smoother consistency. I’m a bit of a lemon freak, so I added about half a lemon, juiced, to it and some salt and pepper to taste Let your sheets thaw (unless you’re an absolute pastry fiend and can make it from scratch). Once the pastry has thawed, score around the edges around two centimetres from the edge but not all the way through the pastry Beat an egg and brush the pastry, and pop in the oven for five minutes. Once baked, push down the centre of the tart with the back of the spoon Now add your toppings. First, spread the ricotta mixture over the tart, add spoonfuls of your pesto, then arrange your sliced tomatoes and bake for another 10 minutes, then add the prosciutto and bake for another five minutes until the tart is golden and puffy Finally, sprinkle the tart with fresh basil leaves and enjoy Adapt this recipe to cater to your wants. Add more or take away something; it really is up to you, have fun with it and just enjoy it. You can add prosciutto or ham, and if you don’t want to use fresh tomatoes, you can use sun-dried, but don’t add them until the last five minutes, or they’ll burn. If it’s not perfect, even better.
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
OPINION
The tangled web of social media u by Anne T Social
Social media has achieved two of the goals which its techwunderkind inventors dreamed up, back in the days of fax machines and denim jackets. It’s made certain young programmers into billionaires beyond the dreams of oil barons and made it easier to talk to relatives overseas. However, there’s a dark side to the rise of social media. It goes beyond the sniping and gossip, or even the outright bullying that blights many of our screens. Airing the dirty laundry of strangers and posting hearsay as facts leads to two inevitable social ills. First, an addiction to being offended, self-righteous and angry. Secondly, to the death of the concept of truth. “There is literature that connects certain types of internet use to increased aggressive behaviour,” says the Psychiatric Times in an article on social media. “Teens that spend hours ‘liking’ their friends’ pictures on social networking sites may be significantly more likely to have other traits associated with violent behaviour.” Why? Social media feeds on narcissism and makes insecure people strive to portray themselves as happy, pretty, successful and exciting, often trying to keep up with the fake personas of celebrities who spend
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millions on public relations consultants and airbrushed glamour photography for their personal profile pages. The disconnect between real and fake life
“
There is literature that connects certain types of internet use to increased aggressive behaviour
”
can create a kind of schizophrenic response or exacerbate depression. For some, the grim reality is that ‘likes’ are the only positive human contact available. On the other hand, partisan groups (especially in politics) try their best to
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outrage their audience with half-truths and lies. This tactic was the linchpin of the US Trump administration’s shameful final weeks, fighting against democracy with more and more ludicrous proven falsehoods. Groups like QAnon, who could not exist without an uncensored media outlet (they would be sued for libel and slander instantly in the mainstream press) preach outlandish tales of global conspiracies, child sacrifice by public figures, and a cult based on the drug adrenochrome, which was made up as a literary device by author Hunter S Thompson. In their own way, they are as dogmatic, blinkered, vile and intractable as Al Qaeda. Moreover, because social media presents all facts as equally true, with no mechanism to effectively shut down liars, we are plagued with unproven,
debunked and unscientific arguments that are a real threat to people’s lives and safety. ‘Vaccines cause autism’ is one such lie. ‘The Queen is an alien’ is a more colourful one. ‘Bill Gates wants to track your movements and steal your information’ is another favourite. Ironically, the talking heads which form the echo chamber of social media voluntarily give all that personal information away for free, for their Andy Warhol-mandated 15 minutes of fame. We have come to a point where the two phrases that set off the most alarm bells among the cynical and wise are ‘do your own research’ and ‘wake up sheeple’. The catch cries of the social media addicted, who believe they are privy to hidden knowledge and important enough to merit government scrutiny despite a gaping lack of evidence. ¢
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SIX60: TILL THE LIGHTS GO OUT M
A CALL TO SPY M
Saturday 6th March 7.30pm
Saturday 13th March 7.30pm
2020 Documentary 1h 32m
2019 Drama/Historical 2h 4m
MADE IN ITALY M
THE WAR WITH GRANDPA PG13
Saturday 20th March 7.30pm
Saturday 27th March 7.30pm
2020 Romance/Drama 1h 34m
2020 Comedy/Family 2h 21m
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THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER March 5 2021
PUZZLE TIME
Jumbo crossword ACROSS 1 Digging tool (5) 4 Repulsive (8) 9 Turn down (6) 14 Paris river (5) 15 In a state of confusion (2,5,3,6) 17 Form (5) 18 Donkey (3) 19 Loses temporarily (7) 20 Trite, obvious remark (9) 21 Unborn mammal (6) 24 Stage beam (9) 25 Colour remover (6) 26 Call names (6) 29 White wine (10) 31 Young goat (3) 32 Decelerated (6) 33 Grind up (4) 35 Fetch (3) 37 Astound (4) 39 Indemnity (9) 40 Collection of poems or other pieces of writing (9) 41 Fish (5) 42 Due (8) 47 Inmate (8) 51 Short, flat-headed nail (5) 55 The other way round (4,5) 56 Restored to good condition (9) 58 Cast off (4) 59 Large bird (3) 60 Egg centre (4) 61 Pact (6) 62 Snow runner (3)
63 Prying person (4,6) 66 Mixture of tunes (6) 67 One of the Seven Dwarfs (6) 69 Childish sulkiness (9) 72 Culmination (6) 73 Amuse (9) 75 Captivate by charm (7) 77 Ventilate (3) 80 Oneness (5) 81 One’s finest clothes (4,3,3,6) 82 Luggage (5) 83 Slight breeze (6) 84 Component parts (8) 85 Soup (5) DOWN 2 Male head of family (9) 3 Rotary tool (5) 5 Egg-shaped (4) 6 Symbol of socialist revolution (3,4) 7 Awe-inspiring (12) 8 Build (5) 9 Sediment (7) 10 Go without food (4) 11 Follow secretly (6) 12 King with golden touch (5) 13 Continue obstinately (7) 14 Navigation instrument (7) 16 Studier of the sources and development of words (11)
204
22 Genetic copies (6) 23 Circus tumbler (7) 24 Peculiar (7) 25 Financial plan (6) 27 One-horned animal (7) 28 Medieval clown (6) 30 Tale (4) 32 Backless seat (5) 34 Tier (5) 36 Gearwheels (4) 38 Make heavy demands on (3) 42 Messenger (5) 43 Preserved (7) 44 Bay (4) 45 Mistakes (6) 46 Hive product (5) 48 Self-governing (11) 49 Watch (7) 50 Female sheep (3) 51 Mounted troops (7) 52 Reliable (6) 53 Beyond doubt, not open to question (12) 54 Kiln (4) 57 Struggle (6) 64 Extremely good (9) 65 Grave (7) 66 Sovereign (7) 68 Selection of drinks in hotel room (7) 70 Sewer’s protection (7) 71 Endemic (6) 72 Loaf outer (5) 74 Happen afterwards (5) 76 Mouth sore (5) 78 Legend (4) 79 Rope joint (4)
Sudoku
Previous crossword solution
3 1 2 5 4 6 3
3 6 8 7 1 4 8 5 9 4 3 5 HARD
Fill 2 the 5 grid 1 so 6 that 8 9 4 every column, every 7 9 4 3 1 2 5 row and every 3x3 3 contains 6 8 7the5digits 4 1 box 18to 9. 7 5 1 2 6 9
7 1 8 2 97 7 6 22 63 1 1 6 5
6 8
2
3
1
5 4 2 7 6 5 Previous solution
4
4 7 1
3 4 5 7 1 8 2 6 9
717 28369 42 96 53 84 31 75 5 7 4 1 3 2 9 8 6 86 962 8 5 7 3 4 1 8 3 1 9 4 6 7 5 2 994 65238 53 72 91 16 27 84 32 147 6 8 4 5 9 3 1 3solution 2 9 4 5 8 6 7 Previous 9 4 6 8 7 3 2 1 5 4 8 3 5 9 7 6 2 1 6 2 9 4 3 1 7 5 8 Puzzle 5 1 7 All2puzzles 6 ©8The 3 4Company 9 www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz
ACROSS: 1 Spill the beans, 8 Unsure, 14 State, 15 Straight, 16 Flushed, 17 Sharp, 18 Off, 19 Maestro, 21 Frustrate, 22 Roster, 25 Clydesdale, 27 Schedule, 28 Reject, 31 Carbon, 33 Decibel, 34 Mousse, 35 Stow, 37 Duo, 39 Limo, 40 Flannel, 41 Inherited, 42 Earshot, 43 Dissolve, 48 Harmless, 52 Adheres, 56 Verdigris, 57 Tropics, 58 Tear, 59 Lid, 60 Tile, 61 Serial, 62 Illegal, 63 Roused, 65 Basket, 66 Listless, 68 Apologetic, 71 Travel, 72 Grotesque, 74 Triceps, 76 Mar, 79 Sever, 80 Formula, 81 Activist, 83 Stale, 84 Sleepy, 85 Take the mickey. DOWN: 2 Pitfall, 3 Leads, 4 Tug, 5 Eats, 6 Effervescent, 7 Nouns, 8 Updated, 9 Sash, 10 Reason, 11 Major, 12 Perfect, 13 Shareholder, 14 Spotted, 20 Resentful, 23 Hardware, 24 Plaudit, 26 Dubious, 27 Subtle, 29 Entitle, 30 Asthma, 32 Alibi, 34 Moths, 36 Wades, 38 Cram, 43 Duvet, 44 Surplus, 45 Omit, 46 Varied, 47 Chill, 48 Heirloom, 49 Reservoir, 50 Lettuce, 51 Space, 52 Aspirin, 53 Rudimentary, 54 Stylus, 55 Congratulate, 64 Relapse, 65 Blemish, 67 Thrifty, 69 Impasse, 70 Weevil, 71 Trial, 73 Scuba, 75 Civic, 77 Urge, 78 Cash, 82 Tom.
5x5 F S S
N N
F U E
I E
F I F E S U N L I T S A U D I
S I
C T Insert the missing letters M C to complete ten words O M gridE — five across the and five down. L A E More than one solution O E may be possible.
S Previous solution
S M A L T
C A M E O
O C E A N
T H E S E
S O R E S
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March 5 2021 THE WEEKEND LIFESTYLER
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