PAKMAG - December edition 30 by Grand Publishing

Issue 30 December 2009 Photography

! t NLYou S Ome KuIDLL

Cover Photo: Anya Ka rmansky from Cheeky Mo nkey

Kid’s mini mag inside!

When Mum is teacher

Free holiday activities

Over $2000 worth of prizes to be won!!!

• Did you know ? • Loads of Comp s • Heaps of Prize s • PAK review

What’s On December

OPEN 8am TO 8pm - 7 DAYS A WEEK

what’s stacked in pak this month

“Open everyday over the Festive Season” except Christmas Day 25th December - Closed

Catalogue OUT NOW!

Be sure to pick one up today. ~ Merry

parents

Christmas ~

From the team at Calanna Pharmacy

TH L A E H s f o t tma f i G hris e th is C e Giv th FEEL ALIVE Woree  600 Bruce Highway

 FEEL HEALTHY

 FEEL GOOD

kids

What’s new

Kid’s Mini Mag

Sea FM’s daddy diary

Colour it in & win

editor’s note

PakMag’s Big Christmas Giveaway

Healthy kids

When Mum is teacher

Pak activities

Christmas reading

Bopstars bulletin

Hello and welcome to the 30th edition of PakMag, our very special Christmas edition loaded with heaps of prizes and information for your family this Christmas. It is the season for giving, and thanks to Cairns Central we have over $2000 worth of presents to give to a deserving family, so get your last minute nominations in. There is also loads of stuff for you and the kids to win too. I am very excited to say that we have partnered with Cazaly’s and on the 24th of January we will launch our very own Parents and Kids Club (PakClub). It’s going to be a monthly gathering of parents who want to meet other parents, learn about new products and have a great family night out. There will be loads of entertainment, reviews, and activities for the whole family, stay tuned next month for more info, please email us if you would like to be involved in anyway. I had no idea how life flies even faster when you have kids. Jordan is growing by the second and will be 10 months old for his first Christmas. We have laybyed him a little bike and from the rate he is going I expect him to be taking his first steps very soon. Getting this magazine together is getting more and more challenging with him in the backround he is into EVERYTHING. I am not game to put up a tree, but hey, it may distract him from the rubbish bin and dog bowls. From all the team at PakMag, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and may 2010 be filled with everything you desire. Thanks to all our loyal readers and advertisers, we look forward to an amazing 2010 with you. See you next month for our Summer Holiday Special. Happy reading, and don’t forget to tell everyone, you read it in PakMag.

15 Pak Health - Food intolerances

Animal facts

Merry Christmas, Bree

Pak Health - Juiceaholics

16 Pak Health - Healthy BBQing 17

Pak Health - Infertility

baby & toddler

19 Kids in the kitchen 19 Parents in the pantry 20

Out & about photos

What’s On October

Out & about photos

38 Pak Parent

Baby wearing

The Snip + Ergo Pouch

A moment for mum

Post pregnancy belly wrap

40 Weekender 42 A trip to… 42

No laughing matter

Pak Vouchers

44 Prize Winners/Fav Pet Shots

Things to Win 13

BIG Book Giveaway

Separated Parents

Win a double movie pass

46 Business Directory

Colour it in & win

47 DIY Pak Project

Battle of the brains

Lords of the dance

Word scramble Central voucher

Ho Ho Holiday Activities for kids

Civic prize pak

Movie of the month

Win a post pregnancy belly wrap

Mystery PakMag prize

52 Time for a break

Editor: Bree James Sub Editor: Elaine Seager Website, What’s On & MiniMag Manager: Trent Stievano Graphic Design & Layout: Trina Jensen from Intrinsic Creative Articles: Elaine Seager, Shannon Du Plessis, Amanda Mathiot, Susan Dillicar and submitted writers Phone: 4031 9915 Fax: 4031 9916 Email: info@pakmag.com.au Address: Level 2, 68 Abbott St, Virginia House, Cairns Q 4870 Postal: PO Box 7433, Cairns Q 4870 Sales & Advertising enquiries: sales@pakmag.com.au Stories, events, distribution, subscriptions to: info@pakmag.com.au Accounts to: accounts@pakmag.com.au Photos to: photos@pakmag.com.au Disclaimer: No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may br reproduced, in part or in whole without the expressed permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest of care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advsied to check details before visiting. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The expressions expressed within PaK Magazine are not neccessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers.

 North Cairns 355 Sheridan Street  Innisfail 75 Edith Street www.pakmag.com.au

what’s new! Santa is here! PakMag’s new Parents Club

Santa will be taking early orders as usual at Cairns Central. From the 12th he’ll be there 10-3pm Fridays to Wednesdays but will hang around on Thursdays until 7pm.

We are very excited about our new monthly Pak Parents Club events taking place next year at Cazaly’s. They will be happening once a month on a Sunday afternoon with food and entertainment to suit the

With the threat of Dengue around again it’s worth checking out the

DEC 2009

They have created a number of ‘dream nets’ which are lots of fun for pretend play while having the added benefit of protecting against nightly mozzie attacks. There is a discount for PakMag readers (see

DVD RELEASES Terminator Salvation (M) In store 9 Dec

G.I. Joe The Rise Of Cobra (M) In store 3 Dec

Bring the family along to the Esplanade & City Heart & celebrate the magic of Christmas The Ugly Truth (MA15+) In store 16 Dec

baby section).

the ‘Cairns Mum’s Diary’ as a way of raising funds for the Muscular

Inglourious Basterds (MA15+) In store 17 Dec

Dystrophy Assoc. It is a gorgeous diary and is available for $24.95 and Juniors as well as some newsagents and Post Offices. Call

Musical Carollers A mixed bag of Christmas characters roaming the CBD and esplanade with their musical instruments and a sack full of Christmas fun. Look out for… • Father Christmas and Mrs Claus • Kangaroo-dolf on bouncing stilts and Mrs Elfie on Roller blades

through child care centres, kindergartens, Coco Boo, Hot Mummies Samantha on 0411 899 605

Four Holidays (M) In store 3 Dec

• Captain Jazz and the Bandicoots • Santas on Cycles • Ukele Angels - Roaming Characters

Internet Safety

Cairns Police will be presenting a 2 hour workshop on Internet Safety and Drugs & Alcohol for parents and teenagers on 3 December. It runs 6-8pm at Lifeline, 188 Aumuller. For more info or to book call

Esplanade Activities

Ice Age 3: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs (PG) In store 2 Dec

4050 4955 or lifeline.fnq@lccq.org.au

what’s new in entertainment! Christmas fun around the city

20 0 9

thanks to Civic Video

fun nets and canopies that are available at www.thelifeofriley.net.au.

Looking for a new diary for 2010? Samantha Thyrd has published

Cairns Mum’s 2010 Diary

24 D ece mbe r

whole family. So, come along and meet fellow PakMag readers and their families. The first one will be on 24th January.

The Life of Riley

1–

Join Hot FM on Wed 16th at the Showgrounds for the Cavalcade of

Creating Xmas Together District 9 (MA15+) In store 30 Dec

Public Enemies (MA15+) In store 2 Dec

Lights or wander around the city to check out the decorations. The fig trees in City Place and around the Lagoon area will be colourfully lit from the 1st December. The Esplanade Plaza will also be lit up to celebrate the festive season.

There are heaps of things going on in December around the CBD and Esplanade including the Santa Sleigh and his reindeers, the Roaming Musical Carollers and lots of craft activities.

• Christmas Carollers - Santa’s Helpers will take to the streets spreading Christmas cheer singing all your favourite Christmas carols.

Charlie & Boots (M) In store 31 Dec

Join us on the Esplanade and help build our community Christmas decoration. Bring along any recycled items that will be suitable for this hanging sculpture.

Ukele Xmas Club Bringing the sounds of the SumMERRY Christmas to the Esplanade with a mix of south pacific sounds, gospel and modern Christmas carols.

Face painting & Decoration Be careful what you wish for or you may well leave as a Christmas decoration.

Virtual Xmas Cards Here is a carbon footprint conscious way of spreading festive cheer this season; record your Christmas greeting with the beautiful esplanade as your backdrop and then email your virtual Cairns Christmas card to all your friends and family in Australia and around the world.

The Vegemite before Xmas Made especially for the kids of Cairns this animated short film will feature in a shop window every night in City Place from 18th – 24th December.

SumMErrY Tunes A variety of local musicians playing in City Place and the Esplanade.

Xmas Markets Get your last minute unique handmade Christmas gifts from our Christmas market – Saturday 19th December.

outdoor Cinema CiTY plaCE Wednesday 16th December at 7pm

Happy Feet Wednesday 23rd December at 7pm

Deck the Halls Kids WorKshops ESplanaDE Make your own Christmas Cards Friday 11th December 10am-2pm Make your own Christmas Decoration Thursday 17th December 10am-2pm Make your own Christmas Cards Friday 18th December 10am-2pm norTHErn ESplanaDE Northern Circus Alliance static trapeze and circus workshops will run over the Dec / Jan School Holiday period. Cairns Regional Council are putting on FREE classes in the lead up to Christmas. Wed 16 Dec: 9am-10am & 10am-11am Thu 17 Dec: 9am-10am & 10am-11am Fri 18 Dec: 9am-10am & 10am-11am Classes will be suitable for 7-15 years and they can take up to 40 kids per class!

Year One (M) In store 16 Dec *All times and activities are subject to change.

Have you got something new that Cairns families should know about?

2 Email us at: info@pakmag.com.au or go to our website www.pakmag.com.au and add in your event

www.pakmag.com.au

www.pakmag.com.au 3 For more information, activity times and venues visit www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

daddy diary #8 Potts, one half of the Sea FM morning crew, continues his chronicles of first time fatherhood I’ve been mentioning on SeaFM recently that NOAH is a MASSIVE boy. He looks absolutely huge and proved it last week when we weighed him and he came in at the 95th percentile. While I’d rather a bigger chubby baby than a skinny one, it doesn’t spell good news for the back when lifting him all the time. And, it seems his favourite spot is on the shoulder of Mum or Dad. It’s the perfect place to put a crying baby but you don’t notice the spew going down your back until someone points it out. Every new parent’s worst nightmare is a non-sleeping baby. Fortunately for us Noah has been quite good and regularly sleeps for 8 hours each night although the downside is he doesn’t sleep much during the day. Since Kylie works from home and Noah only sleeps for about 20 minutes at a time, it makes her life a bit more difficult. She’s in a constant pattern of putting him to bed then going back and forth every 20 minutes for the rest of the day. It’s a great workout for the legs going up and down stairs all day but not great for working. But in the last

week or so we’ve managed to get him down for about 90 minutes each time by recognising his ‘tired signs’. This can be anything from him being grizzly, sticking his fist in his mouth or updating his Facebook page saying “I’m tired, put me to bed.” We’ve also had another issue to deal with twice this month as Kylie has had to travel to Sydney for a couple of days work. This means First Time Father Potts has to look after the little fella which isn’t a problem in the afternoons when I finish at SeaFM, but you should try finding a babysitter who’s prepared to cover my duties at 4.30am when I start. Since both nannies are in Perth we’re on the hunt for a surrogate Grandma. If you’re interested you’ll need an endless supply of hug tickets, be willing to start before the rooster crows and be able to put up with my bad jokes Drop me an email at: pottsandpacey@seafm.com.au

All participants get a

FREE T-SHIRT

Camp Cheer 5 days of Awesome fun 4th to 8th January 2010

P.S Spew and a sore back are part of the dangers of taking this on but you get to hug this:

> For the inexperienced to the talented boys & girls aged 7 & over > Learn cheer from American renowned male cheer coach Sanford McMurray + Broncos cheerleader Ashleigh Besse + Tamara Cameron a level 3 USASF & Gymnastics Australia Cheerleading Coach

Potts & Pacey

> WorkShopS in: stunting, tumbling, pom routines, hip hop, cheer routines, fitness as well as team building activities & swimming > Fully supervised & catered, camp style accommodation at Tinaroo Dam

t he SeaF M Morn i ng C r e w

> All experience levels catered for > individuals & teams welcome

weekday MorningS FroM 5.30aM Hurry!!!

on the loCal you know,

places are Filling Fast

99.5 SeaFM CairnS. 4

www.pakmag.com.au

Cheer Camp is $350 all inclusive For more information contact Tamara 0402 225 630 or email info@awesomecheerleading.com or visit www.awesomecheerleading.com

AWESOME

Big Christmas

Maybe you know a family who has been doing it tough or perhaps a family who have made a significant contribution to the community? If so, you can nominate them to win ALL of these prizes valued at over $2000. All you have to do is email their details to us plus your details so we can contact you to competitions@pakmag.com.au. And, not only that, these prizes include lots of great Christmas gift ideas.

Angus & Robertson

Sunglass Hut

Sunglasses are a great gift and no one knows sunglasses better than Sunglass Hut. These Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses are included in our prize and are available for $225.

Garricks/Quickpix

1300SMILES

Specialists in family dentistry, 1300SMILES are donating to one winning family member a Professional Dental Take Home Teeth Whitening plus a dental check up and clean. These normally cost $695 but are now only $344 for PakMag readers.

SECRETS...Shhh You can’t go wrong with books for Xmas. Check out this selection of books for the whole family: • The Five Greatest Warriors (Matthew Reilly) $32.99 • A Song in the Daylight (Paullina Simons) $22.99 • Huey’s Bloody Good Recipes (Iain Hewitson) $54.99 • Where the Wild Things Are (Maurice Sendak) $21.99

Birch Carroll & Coyle Any family would love you for buying them a BCC gift card! BCC are donating a $100 gift card which our winners can use to buy cinema tickets and scoop alley items at any of their cinemas. Go to www.birch.com.au to check out the forthcoming movies.

Noodle Box

Lots of great ideas for using your favourite family photos to create perfect Xmas gifts. Why not create a photo calendar from $34.95 or a coffee table style photo book using photos and kids art from $29.95. Both ready in 1 hour.

Tree of Life

Inspired by India, Tree of Life is full of great value gift ideas. They have kindly donated 4 prizes: a coin purse, candle holder, glitter pens and a photo frame.

Amazen

Once again, thanks to Cairns Central and a number of other generous businesses, we are giving away a huge Christmas present to one local deserving family. Do you know a family that deserves to win our big Christmas Giveaway? Simply download the entry form from our website and tell us why they should win. For more details go to www.pakmag.com.au

Treat your family to a healthy Asian style convenience meal. Our lucky winners will enjoy 2 regular noodle boxes, 2 small noodle boxes, 2 sides plus 4 Mt. Franklin Waters valued at $70.80.

www.pakmag.com.au

The experts in games & puzzles have a huge range of fun and educational games for the family to play over Xmas. Sequence is easy enough for kids (7+) and challenging for adults and can include up to 12 players. RRP $42.99 but currently on sale at $29.99

Mums will love the exquisite simulant diamond jewellery at Secrets Shhh for Xmas. Secrets have kindly donated a pair of 2 carat brilliant cut diamond studs set in 14 carat white or yellow gold valued at $160.

Zelows

A mecca for travel goods and handbags, Zelows have kindly donated a young fashion handbag, a summer vinyl handbag, a ladies leather wallet and a men’s leather wallet.

Civility Mum will love you for this! All mum’s deserve a bit of pampering after the chaos of Christmas so why not treat her to a luxurious treatment at Civility. Lots of great ideas such as a $95 spa pedicure – 75 mins of bliss for those neglected feet!

Big Christmas Giveaway - continued... Cairns Central Still stuck for a Christmas present for someone despite all the choices at Cairns Central? Well, our lucky winners will also get a $100 gift voucher to use in any Cairns Central store. Purchase them from the information booth.

Simply Hampers

Zoo to You

Cairns Mum’s Diary

Treat your favourite family to a great party for Xmas! Our lucky winners will be able to invite some Aussie critters to their next kid’s party with a free party donated worth $220.

C-Me Swim The gift of life! Leading swim school, C-Me Swim are donating 5 swimming lessons valued at $70 which can be used at Edge Hill or the new school at Paradise Palms.

Impressionable Kids

A delicious Christmas Hamper worth $150 is winging it’s way to our winners to enjoy courtesy of Simply Hampers. Check out www.simplyhampers.com. au for their fabulous range of gift ideas.

The ‘framed memorabilia’ products created by Impressionable Kids are fabulous gift ideas. This name frame $85 comes in 30 different colours. www.impressionablekids.com.au

Our winning Mum will be getting one of these fabulous 2010 diaries which are available through local daycare & kindergartens. $1 from each purchase goes to the Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.

A HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF THESE FANTASTIC BUSINESSES FOR HELPING US CREATE A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FOR ONE DESERVING FAMILY

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When mum is teacher Shannon du Plessis breaks down the misconceptions about home schooling and provides information for parents who are still considering an education model for their children 10

www.pakmag.com.au

What do you think of when you hear the words “home schooling”? For most parents who send their children to government or non-government schools, it can conjure up images of extreme religious groups, or tree-hugging hippies in the country. Some people believe these children are locked away from the world, putting them at an educational and social disadvantage. But home schooling stereotypes are, for the most part, myths.

abilities and interests. Many parents are disheartened by the government school systems which can have discipline problems as well as high teacher/student ratios. Alternatively, some parents feel schools are too disciplined and structured and would like their child to have more flexibility in their learning. Others come from a different cultural background and wish to teach their children a language other than English.

Home schooling is a lawful alternative when considering the education of children of compulsory school age. It offers parents the power and freedom to educate their children in a way that is more flexible and suited to their family values. Models of home schooling range from child-led learning, to interest-based learning, distance education, traditional classroom models with professional teachers, co-operative teaching arrangements between parents and a commercial learning centre, online courses, or subject-specific tutors.

For Jason and Rachael Wynberg of Clifton Beach, mainstream schooling “just didn’t feel right” for their eldest child Anastasia, now 5. “We had our daughter enrolled in mainstream but we felt there were better options for us as a family,” Rachael says. “It was a holistic sort of decision, we felt there was a better way to do it for us, in terms of the goals we have for our family and our children, growing together. The more we looked into it, the more we thought home schooling was the right choice for our children and for us as a family.”

There are various home schooling terms which you might hear or read about: Unschooling which is child-led natural learning; Montessori home schooling based upon Maria Montessori’s methods of observing the child and removing obstacles to learning; Waldorf Method developed by Rudolf Steiner emphasising arts, crafts, movement and music; Enki Education method which combines Waldorf, Montessori and other learning methods; Classical education which includes lessons in Greek and Latin; Charlotte Mason method which advocates reading and spending time in nature.

Rachael and Jason researched for more than six months in deciding how they wanted their children to be educated. “It was all consuming,” she says. “It’s a very alternate road and just choosing to home school was a big decision, and also choosing how to home school was a big decision”.

While there is not one method of home schooling, there is one common theme parents assume the primary responsibility for the education of their child, rather than delegating that responsibility to a school. In Australia, there are about 15,000 home school families with about 26,500 students. Home schooling is enhanced by the use of community resources such as libraries, museums, art galleries, zoos, sports and recreational clubs or religious groups. There are a number of reasons parents choose to home school their children. These can include having greater involvement in the education of their children, influencing their moral and ethical values, strengthening family bonds, and flexibility in what they are taught in order to harness their natural

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The Wynberg’s chose to enrol Anastasia with Cairns School of Distance Education which means she can learn at home, but still have the benefits of a state education system. “It’s really hard to find information, but once we talked to the principal, everything he said was music to our ears,” says Rachael. “We could personalise the curriculum and Distance Education meant we had the support of qualified teachers and a strong school community.” Anastasia is nearing the end of her Prep year and Rachael says she likes formal learning with structure and routine. “She has a lesson with other students over the phone with her teacher, and she also has a telephone reading lesson which is one-on-one with the teacher.” According to Rachael there is a lot of flexibility in learning. “We were looking at emergency services and it really took her interest, so we went to the fire station and they took us around and we did a whole project on it,” she says. “Independent learning is a big part of home schooling and the children learn that there’s time for school and time for play. There are times when

you are the home tutor and other times when you are Mum.” Distance education through a registered school means the home tutor - usually the parent - is provided with a program for the child. Cairns School of Distance Education acting principal Kathryn Todd says there are currently 54 students in the Cairns cluster, which extends from Mossman to Innisfail, enrolled from Prep to year 12. “The incidence of kids not fitting into mainstream schools is growing, so parents are looking for an alternative,” Kathryn says. Rachael says: “We are in the junior school and we get complete units of work including activity sheets and lesson outlines. Today our lesson was broken up into four sessions with an outline of each session and the focus of what we aim to achieve. We are given learning cards with different teaching methodologies outlined so most of the hard work is done. The night before I read through the lesson, sometimes there’s preparation involved, and sometimes the school provides equipment for the lesson. The teachers still mark the work and assess the child. They also give me feedback as a home tutor and give me ideas for extended learning. Sometimes our cluster of students come together and meet teachers and support staff and the children do activities together. The parents also have lessons together on topics such as technology and personal development and there’s a parent liaison officer to offer advice”. Rachael says her main concern was socialisation skills for her children, but finds that myth has been busted. “Anastasia not only has friends that home school, she does dancing, we go to art classes, she has lots of friends across a broad range of ages and she does lots of other activities outside of the home,”

When mum is teacher - continued... Rachael says. “She also has to learn to listen on the phone when she does lessons and she learns about children from completely different backgrounds. We recently travelled to Japan so now she is learning Japanese.” Rachael says the biggest challenge of home schooling was facing the attitudes of society. “We’ve had challenges with family and friends in making the decision in the first place. Everyone was against it,” she says. “It’s such an alternative road and that’s an ongoing challenge. One of the challenges I find is the misconceptions as to why, or your motivations for choosing home schooling. Whilst people may not always agree with the way others do things, it is important that we respect and accept individual approaches. Home schooling is a really viable option. Mainstream isn’t for everyone, just like home schooling isn’t for everyone. I think it’s just another option to consider. It’s the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done. I don’t think it’s easy, but learning with our children is better than I thought it would be - it’s fantastic.”

Queensland Law: The Queensland Government supports a parent’s right to choose their child’s educational environment. However, to balance this right and the State’s obligation to ensure that all children are appropriately educated, parents need to apply for and be granted registration for their child. The home educational program or learning philosophy must be developed or adapted by a parent or registered teacher. If your child is enrolled with a distance education program (either state or private), they do not need to apply for registration. Once a parent has provided all the required information, the application is determined by the Director of the Office of Non-State Education.

Christmas reading Parents must provide an annual report which demonstrates the educational progress of the child. It is believed that many families home school their children in secret for fear of not being granted registration. The problem arises when authorities find it hard to distinguish between truancy and home schooling. Prosecution of parents who refuse to send their children to school does occur, and sometimes families are granted dispensation. The Home Education Unit is the contact point for parents wishing to register a child: Phone 3405 3916 or 1800 677 176 or email homeeducation@deta.qld.gov.au Check out: http://cairnssde.eq.edu.au www.aussiehomeschool.com

2 FOR 1 LOCAL RATES

Mumble and Jumble and the Great Corpsicle Conundrum

Entertaining family and friends and want to shout them Long Resort, Whitsundays Crocodile Airlie Beach Hides Hotel, • Sunlover cruises, Cairns • Cape Tribula tion Resort & Spa • Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Cape Tribulation toIsland a day on the• Club reef? Rates as• low as Cairns $90* perReefperson Local rate includes:

Shortest Travel Time, Longest Playing Time!

• morning tea

• 10am departure from the Reef Fleet Terminal

• full buffet lunch

• 1.5 hour to Moore Reef

• FREE snorkelling gear

• 4.5 hour reef play time

• FREE glass-bottom boat & semi-sub tours • Home by 5.30pm • kids pool enclosure & touch tank

Reservations: 1800 810 512 Reef Fleet Terminal, 1 Spence Street, Cairns

Starfish Kids Club

18 Dec - 31 Jan Ask us!

ired (drivers license or rates bill)

Jimba Jackobean & the Bouncer-Bangerrings

PICKidz

Local authors, Gabi Plumm and Liam Phillips, have woven modern day issues into this story of two 11 year olds who have unique talents such as the ability to read each other’s minds and to predict future events. Both children are labelled as different. Their labels, ADD (A Devilish Distraction) and OCD (Over Careful Distraction), turn out to save the day. The book retails for $29.95 and is available at Angus & Robertson or the Crystal Ball Bookshop. We have one copy of the book to giveaway along with an audio MP3 version and a comprehensive resource book.

This is the first in a new series of 10 children’s picture books by new Australian author, Alexis Tapp, who has reinvented herself as an author at the age of 58. She has spent her life to date being passionate about children’s literature although she only began to explore her own creative writing fairly recently. This book is an entertaining and beautifully illustrated book. It sells for $17.95 via the website at www.jackowisp.com.au

Another local author, Tracy Benson, wrote this series of six children’s books based on the human behaviour models that she teaches to corporations. The thing that really makes them unique is that they help explain children’s behaviour not only to parents but also to the kids themselves so they can be used as a very practical tool. They are suitable for kids up to 9 years. The pack of 6 sell for $75 and are currently available via the website at www.pickidz.com, Harley’s Educational Supplies or Angus & Robertson at Stockland.

WIN

TO WIN simply answer the following question: What do ADD and OCD usually stand for?

TO WIN simply answer the following question: What is the name of the land where this story is set?

TO WIN simply answer the following question: What are the names of the 6 characters in this series of books?

res@sunlover.com.au

*2-for-1 rate based on $180 full rate. 50% discounted rate applies to 3rd person. Valid for travel until 31 January 2010. ID required

Books are always a good present for anyone and if you’re wondering what titles to buy check out Angus & Robertson’s new top 50 list of best children’s books as voted for by children at their website. We also have some great kid’s books to giveaway just in time to pop in to a Christmas stocking!

Send your answers to: competitions@pakmag.com.au Competition closes: 18 December 2009

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pak health Food intolerances in children Naturopath Kylie Cloney explains food intolerances and how to treat them The words ‘food intolerance’ are heard more and more around mothers groups, schools and in the media but what exactly does it mean?

Allergy or intolerance? A true food allergy is a specific immune response by the body whereby the immune system sees a particular food as a threat to the body and declares an attack against it. Only a small amount of the ‘culprit’ food can trigger a dangerous cascade of events in the body resulting in inflammation, rash, breathing difficulty and/or swelling. By contrast, a food intolerance is usually more subtle and involves the ‘digestive’ system more than the immune system. Due to varying factors, when a particular food is eaten, the body is unable to digest and break it down properly causing discomfort and irritation to the digestive system. The causes of food intolerance vary. Some people are deficient in particular enzymes. Enzymes are the essential components which help to break down food into suitable products for the body to use. Did you know? As we grow from babies to adults, a large percentage of the population lose the ability to adequately digest lactose (milk). Milk is in fact one of the more common foods linked to intolerance these days along with wheat.

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Other factors which may contribute to the onset of food intolerance include an immune system that is under pressure, stress and anxiety, viruses, episodes of diarrhoea and imbalanced gut flora.

Symptoms of intolerance • Diarrhoea • Stomach Pains • Nausea • Heartburn, reflux • Constipation • Bloating of the abdomen and gas • Runny Nose • Headaches • Body aches and pains • Fatigue & Irritability Unlike a food allergy, which is an instant reaction, the symptoms of food intolerance may not be present until hours after eating.

Getting to the ‘Guts’ of the Matter - Treatment Choices The gut can be the best place to start when addressing food intolerance. The removal of the offending foods is often recommended and specific elimination and rotation diets are commonly used to determine the offending foods. However, before treating food intolerance, it is important to establish the primary underlying problem for each individual. It may be inadequate enzyme production, the bowel lining needs to be

nurtured or the gut flora re-established, perhaps stress is the issue and this is affecting the digestive function. If you suspect food intolerance or experience any of these symptoms you should seek professional advice for individual treatment.

Tips for reducing the risk of food intolerance • Mix Up The Diet - Research has shown that repetitive consumption of a particular food can lead to intolerance. This can be avoided by changing the foods your child eats from day to day. • Probiotics – these can help to rejuvenate the lining of the gut and balance bowel flora. An imbalance in flora can lead to digestive sensitivity. • Breastfeed - if possible, breastfeed your baby for as long as you can. Breast milk has multiple factors which support healthy digestive development. • Eat Slowly, Chew Food and Relax Teach your children to chew slowly. When we chew, our food begins the digestive process in the mouth leaving less work for the stomach and bowel. Saliva also produces components which signal to the body that food is coming to release digestive enzymes.

pak health

Juiceaholics: Infertility Are your kids drinking too much juice? Fruit and juice drinks may be perceived as healthy but doctors and dentists now warn parents against allowing their children to consume too much fruit juice. Many fruit juices contain a large amount of carbohydrate (sugar) but very little nutrients other than vitamin C. And, if you read the small print on the label, those that boast no or low sugar content often contain artificial sweeteners instead. Critics argue that these can be harmful if consumed in large quantities.

What to do about it? [1] Water and milk are the best option for children but they’re obviously not so attractive to kids when there’s brightly

a common problem

One of the most well known factors affecting women trying to fall pregnant is stress. Minimising stress during fertility treatment with a range of holistic treatments such as acupuncture and massage has now become as much an integral part of modern fertility techniques as using cutting edge technologies.

[2] If you’ve already got juicaholics on your hands you’ll need to be sneaky and start to dilute their juice or cordial drinks. Another option is to substitute juice with more milk based drinks which contain calcium such as milk shakes or smoothies.

Going for fertility treatment Once a couple has been referred to a fertility clinic by their GP, comprehensive testing and assessment is undertaken. They are asked about their medical history, lifestyle habits, exposure to chemicals, use of prescription medications and their frequency of intercourse. A physical examination (inc. ultrasound) and blood tests are then conducted to check the male and female hormone levels. During an assessment cycle additional blood tests will be arranged around menstruation as well as ultrasound scanning to track follicle development.

Juice should be viewed as an occasional drink. Most importantly, it should never replace milk in younger children’s diets and avoided altogether for babies.

Christmas and the summer holidays usually means lots of BBQ’s but mounting evidence links barbecued meat to certain health risks including cancer. So follow these tips for a healthier BBQ season:

[2] Avoid over-cooking the meat (scrape off charred bits before serving).

[3] Use thinner slices of meat so they cook more quickly with less heat. [4] Microwave the meat slightly before cooking (again, so it needs less time on the BBQ).

There are many reasons for infertility. For men low sperm counts, poor sperm mobility and genetic factors and for women causes can be endometriosis, hormonal disorders, obesity, and blocked and damaged fallopian tubes. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity, can also result in fertility problems and an increased risk of miscarriage.

coloured juice drinks on offer instead. Therefore the best strategy is to establish good drinking habits from early on and get your child into the habit of drinking water from a baby or toddler.

Once the assessment cycle has been completed most couples should know the reason for their infertility. Treatment options are then discussed and in some cases a couple may simply need to have intercourse at the right time of the cycle.

Healthy BBQing [1] Marinate the meat before cooking to reduce the risk of burning, keep meat tender and add flavour.

Individually, males and females are responsible for infertility in 40 per cent of cases, both partners are responsible for 10 per cent of cases and the other 10 per cent is for unexplained infertility.

[5] Use lower temperatures – this causes less formation of unhealthy chemicals on the meat. [6] Use more veggies!

www.pakmag.com.au

For those who need more assistance, there are various types of fertility treatments available depending on the cause of the infertility. The aim of treatment is to prepare eggs and sperm so that they have a better chance of fertilisation, subsequent formation of an embryo and successful implantation.

The new Cairns Fertility Centre is unique in Australia in that it offers couples seeking fertility treatment a one stop shop that includes the treatment, accommodation and a range of holistic services all under one roof. So, visitors can now come to come to Cairns for a relaxing tropical holiday while undergoing treatment. For local couples it means having an alternative choice when seeking specialist fertility treatment.

If the female is experiencing ovulation problems she may undergo ovulation induction (OI), where medications are used to stimulate development of one or more mature follicles (where eggs develop). Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment enhancement where sperm is prepared and passed through the cervix into the uterus at the time of ovulation. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be utilised for those patients with blocked fallopian tubes, damage to their tubes or those who have had their tubes removed all together. The process involves the combining of a selected sample of mature sperm with mature eggs in a petri dish or test tube for fertilisation.

Infertility affects about 15% percent of couples and is defined as when a couple has been trying to conceive for 12 months or more with regular unprotected sex and have been unable to achieve a pregnancy. It can also be the inability to carry pregnancies through to live birth.

Fertility treatment is emotionally demanding on couples so counselling plays a major role throughout the process. It also helps with establishing realistic expectations, dealing with disappointments and learning communication skills to better support one another throughout treatment.

By Rachael Melling

www.pakmag.com.au

kids in the kitchen

parents in the pantry

fruit ice cream

pudding truffles

with Teah

Ingredients • 1/2 (750g) pineapple, peeled, cored, chopped • 1 large mango, peeled, chopped • 4 passionfruit, halved • 2 cups lemonade

Method Place pineapple and mango in a food processor or blender. Blend or process until smooth. Remove to a jug. Add passionfruit pulp and lemonade. Stir to combine. Pour mixture into moulds. Insert paddle pop sticks or secure with lids. Freeze until set. Remove ice-blocks from moulds. Serve.

brand new

Variation

club

For mixed-berry iceblocks, blend or process 500g hulled and chopped strawberries, 250g raspberries and the pulp of 4 passionfruit until smooth. Stir in lemonade or you can subsitute with melted vanila ice cream for a richer ice cream. Follow steps 2 and 3 above.

Sunday 24 January 5-7Pm Cazalys FunCtion RooM

with Louise Farthing

Ingredients • 500g light fruitcake • 350g dark chocolate melts • 60ml (1/4 cup) brandy • 2 tbs apricot jam • 60g copha • 150g white chocolate melts • Red & green glace cherries

Method Place the cake in food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in 150g of melted dark chocolate, brandy and jam. Refridgerate for 30 mins or until slightly firm.

Win a double Movie Pass Send in your reader recipe for the chance to win a double pass to the movies. Email your recipe to:

competitions@pakmag.com.au Line 2 large baking trays with Entries close: 18/12/09 non-stick baking paper. Stir the cake mixture. Roll 2 tsp quantities of mixture into balls and place on lined trays. Refridgerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Place the extra dark chocolate and copha in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Cook on High/800watts/100% for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Use a fork to dip 1 truffle in the chocolate mixture to coat. Remove truffle, tapping the dipper or fork on the side of the bowl to shake off excess chocolate. Place on 1 lined tray. Repeat with remaining truffles and chocolate mixture. Set aside to set. Spoon the white chocolate into a small sealable plastic bag. Cut 1 corner from the bag to make a small hole. Drizzle a little white chocolate over each truffle. Decorate with glace cherries.

Come and join us for this free event • Meet other parents • Have fun • Find out the latest product reviews • Enjoy games, activities and giveaways!!! Proudly brought to you by:

www.pakmag.com.au

! t NLYou S Ome KID

ll u P

out & about

Pelicans in Parad

adise Palms launch

ise, Paradise Palm

s launch

Pelicans in Paradise, Par

Pelicans in Parad

ise, Paradise Palm

s launch

Pelicans in Paradise, Par

adise Palms launch

Pelicans in Parad

ise, Paradise Palm

s launch

Pelicans in Paradise, Paradise Palms launch

www.pakmag.com.au

• Did you know? • Loads of Comps • Heaps of Prizes • PAK review

Healthy kids

To enter this fantastic competition just colour-it-in and mail to: PAKMAG, Colour-it-in December, PO Box 7433 Cairns Q 4870 and you go into the draw to WIN a Prize! Closing Date: 18th December 2009 For more copies of the colour-it-in and win download from our website

Helping you be SUN SAVVY this summer It’s summer and it’s time for fun in the sun! No need for us to remind you that the sun is hot, and that it makes flowers & plants grow, gives us Vitamin D to help calcium absorption in our bodies and helps makes our bones nice and strong. But do you know why the sun in all its glory burns our skin?

you feel extremely uncomfortable it can increase your chance of getting wrinkles, and even worse can lead to skin cancer when you get older. These things don’t happen straight away, but each time your skin is too exposed to the sun, it increases the chances. So, it’s time to get SUN SAVVY.

The sun sends down light by invisible ultraviolet rays – better known as UV rays. UV rays pass through air and clouds which then penetrates our skin. When our skin has been exposed to too many rays we get burnt – OUCH! Sunburn not only looks awful and makes

• Apply 30+ Sunscreen at least 20min before going out into the sun. • Wear a hat, sunglasses, protective clothing (something you can’t see your hand through – UV rays can also penetrate clothing).

• Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours – more if you are swimming, as the reflection from water intensifies UV rays. • Drink lots and lots of water, to keep you hydrated and take time out in the shade! Sunscreen Tip: Put sunscreen on your whole body including ears, the back of your neck, hair line and on the tops of your feet! Calanna Pharmacy can help you & your parents out with sun care products – visit us! Stay ‘COOL’ in the Sun & Merry Christmas! We wish you a safe and fun New Year!

Question 1: What day of the week is Christmas day this year? Question 2: Finish this new movie title: I_ _ _ _ _ _ T_ _ _ (hint: Eddie Murphy)

Answer all the questions and you could win a fantastic prize pak!!!

Question 3: How many sides on a rectangle? Question 4: How many eggs in a ‘baker’s dozen’? Question 5: What is 1 multiplied by 1?

Name:_________________________________________________________________Age:________________________________________ Parent/Guardian:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________________________________Email:_______________________________________ Post entry form to PAKMAG, Colour-it-in December, PO Box 7433 Cairns Q 4870 or you can drop it off at reception - Level 2, 68 Abbott Street.

www.pakmag.com.au

Entries close: 18th December 2009 Email your answers to: competitions@pakmag.com.au Or post your answers to: Battle of the Brains, PAK MAG, PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870

www.pakmag.com.au

sudoku 4 5 2 1 3 5 1 3 1 2 6 4

did you know?

JOKES

pak’s what’s on guide december RED = FAMILY DATE

(Q) What did the egg in the monastery say?

Tue 1st

(A) ‘Out of the frying-pan, into the friar.’

Wed 2nd

JOKE: There was an English man a Irish man and a Scottish man. They went to a funfair and they all wanted to go on a magic slide. So when they got there, the man said whatever you say going down the slide you will land in, so the English man went down and said Gold. Then the Scottish man went down and said Silver, then the irish man went down but wasn’t listening so went down and said weeeeeeee and landed in a pot of wee!!! Ha ha Ha Boom Boom

Thu 3rd

word scramble

VOLCANOES

The Ocean

Volcanoes are like giant safety valv es that release the pressure that builds up inside the Earth. The name “volcano” has its origin from the name of Vulcan, a god of fire in Roman mythology.

(1) ihsf

____

(2) hrkas

_____

(3) hleaw

_____

(4) oldphni

______

As pressure in the molten rock bui lds up it needs to escape somewhere. So it forces its way up “fissures” which are nar row cracks in the earths crust. Once the magma erupts through the earth’s surface it’s called lava. Magma is liquid rock inside a volcano.

(5) dnsa

____

(6) vesaw

_____

(7) ursf

____

(8) llejyifhs

_________

(9) sllehs

______

Lava is liquid rock (magma) that flow s out of a volcano. Fresh lava ranges from 1,300° to 2,200° F (700° to 1,200° C) in tem perature and glows red hot to white hot as it flows.

(10) rbcsa

_____

Fri 4th

Sat 5th

Sun 6th

Mon 7th Tue 8th

Wed 9th

Win a Central voucher!

Simply un-scramble the words and send the answers + your name & contact info to email competitions@pakmag.com.au or post them to PO BOX 7433 Cairns. Entries close: 18/12/09.

www.pakmag.com.au

Thu 10th

VENUE

Brothers Leagues Club Mondos Gordonvale Library Brothers Leagues Club Cazalys Manunda Library Brothers Leagues Club Edmonton Library Cazalys Mossman Library Cairns City Place Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Cazalys Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Cairns City Place Brothers Leagues Club Brothers Leagues Club Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Cairns Esplanade Cazalys Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns Regional Gallery Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Esplanade Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 Tanks Art Centre - Tank 4 Stockland Earlville Brothers Leagues Club Smithfield Shopping Centre Mondos Stockland Earlville Stratford Library Brothers Leagues Club Cazalys City Library Brothers Leagues Club Cazalys Smithfield Shopping Centre Stockland Earlville Cairns City Place

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Live Music - Out of the Blue Family Night Kids Free Storytime Live Music - Carrizma Small Baggage Kids Free Storytime Live Music - Sweet K Kids Free Storytime Toe Crackin' Jack Kids Free Storytime Prodigal Sista Live Music - Big Jim Tunes With Trent Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Rand Blade - Solo DRUM UP BIG Relay Rockers - Rock N Roll Dance Group Live Music - Rhythm & Groove Live in the Auditorium - Lucky Dube's 'One People' Tour Kaz and Gaz Karaoke Esplanade Markets Steve Williams Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Free First Saturday - An Opportunity to Explore Exhibitions Frontear Duo Cairns Bands Live Music - Carrizma TAFE Showcase - tentative + BBQ reserved Living Books Reach for the Stars My Darling - Exhibition Launch Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Live Music - Carrizma Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Family Night Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Kids Free Storytime Live Music - Carrizma Out Of The Blue Kids Free Storytime Live Music - Take 5 Juicy Fruits Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Chris 'Live & Acoustic' - Solo

START TIME

7:00 PM 5:30 PM 10:00 AM 8:30 PM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 6:00 PM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 AM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 9:30 AM 1:00 PM 10:00 AM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 5:30 PM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 8:30 PM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM

FOR MORE INFO:

COST

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

Free Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.cazalys.com.au Free (07) 4044 3779 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free (07) 4055 4121 Free www.cazalys.com.au Free (07) 4099 9496 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.cazalys.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Cost www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Free Entry (07) 4044 3715 www.cazalys.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4046 4800 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 40326600 Free (07) 40326600 Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3733 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.cazalys.com.au Free (07) 4044 3720 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.cazalys.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free

(07) 4056 1365

pak’s what’s on guide december RED = FAMILY DATE

Fri 11th

Sat 12th

Sun 13th

Mon 14th

Tue 15th

Wed 16th

Thu 17th

Fri 18th

VENUE

Smithfield Library Mossman Library Cairns Esplanade Cazalys Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns City Place Cairns City Place Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Esplanade Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Esplanade Smithfield Shopping Centre Brothers Leagues Club Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Brothers Leagues Club Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns Esplanade Fogarty Park Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns Esplanade Cairns Regional Gallery Brothers Leagues Club Mondos Cairns Esplanade Cairns Regional Gallery Smithfield Shopping Centre Smithfield Library Northern Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cazalys Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns Regional Gallery Babinda Library Brothers Leagues Club Cairns City Place Northern Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Smithfield Shopping Centre Stockland Earlville Stratford Library Cazalys Cairns Regional Gallery Cairns City Place Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Esplanade Meridien Marina Mirage Cairns Esplanade Cazalys

Green = kids

pak’s what’s on guide december

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

START TIME

Kids Free Baby Rhyme Time Kids Free Storytime Make your own Christmas Cards - DIY Steve Williams Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Vikarious - Trio MARKS AUSSIE ANIMAL SHOW Live Music - 4 in the Groove Live Show - Marks Aussie Animal Show Live Music - Usual Suspects Esplanade Markets Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Live in the Auditorium - The Hilltop Hoods 'Still Standing’ Toe Crackin' Jack J.A.C.S - Aaron Harper Paris Texas - Trio Live Music - Carrizma Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Jaia Rain - Trio Carols by Candlelight Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Little Life Savers Program (Bookings Essential)

10:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 12:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 AM 9:30 AM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 3:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM Christmas School Holiday Workshops - Pop-up Xmas cards 1:00 PM Live Music - Carrizma 7:00 PM Family Night 5:30 PM Little Life Savers Program (Bookings Essential) 10:00 AM Christmas School Holiday Workshops - Tapa Pattern Printing 1:00 PM Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation 9:30 AM Kids Free Storytime 10:00 AM Static Trapeze and Circus Workshops - FREE Classes 9:00 AM Little Life Savers Program (Bookings Essential) 10:00 AM Small Baggage 12:00 PM Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation 9:30 AM Christmas School Holiday Workshops - Soft Sculpture Xmas Decos 1:00 PM Kids Free Storytime 10:00 AM Live Music - Carrizma 8:30 PM Free Movie in the City: "Happy Feet" (G) 7:00 PM Static Trapeze and Circus Workshops - FREE Classes 9:00 AM Little Life Savers Program (Bookings Essential) 10:00 AM Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation 9:30 AM Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation 9:30 AM Free Kids Baby Rhyme Time 10:00 AM Sweet K 7:00 PM Christmas School Holiday Workshops - Lovely Leis 1:00 PM Mark Lane Solo 12:00 PM Live Music - Big Noise 7:00 PM Make your own Christmas Decoration - DIY 10:00 AM Santa and the Birds - Free Photography emailed to customer 10:00 AM Little Life Savers Program (Bookings Essential) 10:00 AM Steve Williams 7:00 PM

RED = FAMILY FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4044 3711 (07) 4099 9496 (07) 4044 3715 www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 (07) 4044 3715

COST

DATE

Free Free Free Free Donation

Free Free

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

0428 316 896

Free

Sat 19th

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

(07) 4044 3715 (07) 4041 1454

Free Entry

Donation www.brotherscairns.com.au Cost

www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4044 3715 (07) 4044 3715

Free Free Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 jdunnett@lifesaving.com.au $60/week $18/$80 (07) 4046 4800 www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

Sun 20th

Mon 21st Tue 22nd

Free jdunnett@lifesaving.com.au $60/week $18/$80 (07) 4046 4800 Donation (07) 4041 1454

(07) 4044 3711 (07) 4044 3715

Free Free

jdunnett@lifesaving.com.au www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4046 4800

$60/week

Donation $18/$80

(07) 4061 1112

Free

Wed 23rd

free Thu 24th

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

(07) 4044 3715 (07) 4044 3715

Free Free

jdunnett@lifesaving.com.au $60/week Donation (07) 4041 1454 Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3733 Free

www.cazalys.com.au (07) 4046 4800 (07) 4044 3715

Free $18/$80

Fri 25th Sat 26th

Free

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

(07) 4044 3715 www.tourismportdouglas.com.au

Free Free

jdunnett@lifesaving.com.au $60/week

www.cazalys.com.au

Free

Sun 27th

VENUE

Smithfield Shopping Centre Northern Esplanade Cairns Regional Gallery Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Cairns City Place Brothers Leagues Club Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Cairns Esplanade Smithfield Shopping Centre Stockland Earlville Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns City Place Cazalys Brothers Leagues Club Brothers Leagues Club Smithfield Shopping Centre Cairns Esplanade Cairns City Place Cairns City Place Smithfield Shopping Centre Brothers Leagues Club Mondos Smithfield Shopping Centre Stockland Earlville Cairns City Place Smithfield Library Cairns City Place Smithfield Shopping Centre Cazalys Stockland Earlville Brothers Leagues Club Brothers Leagues Club Smithfield Shopping Centre Cazalys Stockland Earlville Cairns City Place Earlville Library Mossman Library Cairns Esplanade Hilton Cairns Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Cairns Esplanade Cazalys Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Brothers Leagues Club Paradise Palms

EdgE Hill SmitHfiEld WEStCOURt BRiNSmEAd

Cnr Woodward & Pease Streets Ph 4053 2317 Cnr Faculty Close & McGregor Road Ph 4057 8755 Showground Centre, 171 Mulgrave Road Ph 4051 8379 Shop 4, 101 Brinsmead Road Ph 4034 2024

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Static Trapeze and Circus Workshops - FREE Classes Christmas School Holiday Workshops - Model Magic Mayhem

Suave Swing - Duo FORESHORE FIRE SHOW - CYCAS CIRCUS Relay Rockers - Rock N Roll Dance Group Live Music - Giles Smith Band Live Music - Barbary Coasters Kaz and Gaz Karaoke Esplanade Christmas Markets Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Kian Junior See Poy - Trio Vikarious - Trio Toe Crackin' Jack Live Music - Rhythm & Groove Live Music - Carrizma Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Latin Jazz Excursion Andy Smith & Eric Von Duo Pauline Bradshaw Duo Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Live Music - Billy May Family Night Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Vikarious - Trio Free Kids Baby Rhyme Time Free Christmas Movie in the City: "Deck the Halls" (PG) Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Out Of The Blue Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Live Music - Carrizma Live Music - Big Jim Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Out Of The Blue Gift Wrapping supporting Leakaemia Foundation Lucky Phil Free Kids Storytime Free Kids Storytime CHRISTMAS DAY - Migaloo Christmas Day Lunch - Free Kids Entertainment and Live Music

Kaz and Gaz Karaoke Esplanade Boxing Day Markets Toe Crackin' Jack The Babagaghannouj Express The Hillbillygoats Live Music - Muthafunk Craig Morrison

START TIME

9:30 AM 9:00 AM 1:00 PM 12:00 PM 12:00 PM 7:30 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 12:00 PM 9:30 AM 7:00 PM 5:30 PM 9:30 AM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 9:30 AM 8:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM 11:00 AM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:30 PM

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 (07) 4046 4800 (07) 4044 3715 (07) 4044 3715 (07) 4044 3715

COST Donation

Free $18/$80

Free Free Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Free Entry (07) 4044 3715 Donation (07) 4041 1454 Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free www.cazalys.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3711 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 www.cazalys.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 www.brotherscairns.com.au Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 www.cazalys.com.au Free Donation (07) 4041 1454 (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3766 Free (07) 4099 9496 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free $75/$125 (07) 4052 6702 www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Free Entry (07) 4044 3715 www.cazalys.com.au Free (07) 4044 3715 Free (07) 4044 3715 Free www.brotherscairns.com.au Free Free

Building… digging… hauling…

Bob the Builder™ is always ready to tackle any project. See Bob and Wendy live at Expo 2010!

$2 games ThuRsday

OPEN 9am-10pm Sun-Thurs, 9am-12midnight Fri-Sat OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days OPEN 9am-Midnight 7 days

blue = adults

Bob is coming!

Time to relax?

$1 day Tuesday

Green = kids

For more information, visit: 6th –7th 10 March 20 s Cairn n Conventio Centre

www.nqbabyexpo.com.au Subscribe online for our FREE NQ Baby and Child eNews and you could wiN a FREE FAMiLY EXPO TiCKET! © 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman. All rights reserved. © 2009 HIT Entertainment Limited.

Exhibitor bookings now open. Contact the Themevents Office on 4039 2725 or email jodie@nqbabyexpo.com.au for an Exhibitor Information Package.

pak’s what’s on guide december RED = FAMILY DATE

Tue 29th Wed 30th Thu 31st

VENUE

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Brothers Leagues Club Mondos Brothers Leagues Club Cazalys Edmonton Fuller Sports Club Cazalys Brothers Leagues Club Cairns Esplanade Cairns City Place Cairns City Place Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Cairns Esplanade Fogarty Park Cairns Esplanade

Live Music - Junior & the Geriatrics Family Night Live Music - Carrizma Small Baggage Kaz and Gaz Karaoke Vikarious Live Music - NYE 4 in a groove Family Amusement Rides - all ages Rocket Fuel The Soul Objective Heather Angel Spunky Jelly Babies Venus Project Stomp the Nard - Girl Crew Bopstars - Disco Divas Bluebud Carinda Christie Rattle N Hum Tropical Firestorm ALL AGES - BLUEMOON PARTY - Showcasing Local DJ's NYE Fireworks

START TIME

7:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 12:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM 7-10:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:00 AM

FOR MORE INFO:

COST

www.brotherscairns.com.au Free

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spot

Cairns Central Shopping Centre Cairns City Place

TUE > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10) Tiny Tots Fitness 5.30pm ($7) Teen/Kid Fitness 4.30pm ($7) Turbo Fit Session 5.30pm ($10) WED > Boot Camp 9.15am ($10) Inline Hockey 4.30pm ($9) THU > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10) Circuit Trg 9.15am ($10) Tiny Tots Fitness 11am ($7) Teen/Kid Fitness 5.30pm ($7)

FREE chess in the City Place during December.

Bartle Frere State School

Family Day Group - every Tuesday 9am-11am during school term. ALL WELCOME!

Velvet Underground

TUE - YOGA @ 6.30am WED - Sarge’s Army Boot Camp @ 5.30pm WED - Beach Volleyball Clinic @ 5.30pm THU - Pilates @ 6.30am & Petanque @ 10am THU - Aqua Aerobics Class @ 6.15pm THU - Learn to Run @ 5.30pm FRI - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30am FRI - Mums & Bubs @ 8am SAT - Sahaja YOGA @ 7.30am, Aqua Aerobics @ 8.30am & Boxercise @ 8am

FRI > Boot Camp 6.30am ($10) Teen/Kid Fitness 9.15am ($10)

GO Bowling

SAT > Heaps of activities all day Call 4053 5353 for further info

Cazalys

SUN > Heaps of activities all day Call 4053 5353 for further info

Brothers Leagues Club

Specials on all month for adults, kids, birthdays and groups! Super Special Sunday Sessions - 3pm until late ($13.95 per person for 3 games)

Cairns Recreation Centre

Esplanade Lagoon Fun FREE Fitness

MON > Boot Camp 9.15am ($10) Teen/Kid Fitness 4pm ($7) Enduro Trg 9.15am ($10)

North Lagoon (near the Skate Park) - Circus and Trapeze Workshops. Call 0431 873 591 for further information. Wed throught to Sat - Live Music @ 7.30pm

(2) Jogging along the beach. The cardio vascular activity keeps your lungs healthy and the sand lowers the impact on your knees while increasing the intensity of your workout. (3) Running up/down the stairs…or running the red arrow. This is a great local fitness activity that you can do with your friends. (4) Riding your bike along the esplanade…enjoy the view often missed by the locals while keeping fit. (5) When you wake up do the following 5 minute strength work out:

See if you can spot the 5 differences. Don’t stop until you find them all!

PaK

Tues - Seniors Morning “Club Gold” @ 9.30am Every Sun - Kids Disco 3.30pm-6pm (ages 3-12yrs)

- the first Saturday of each month from 7am at Platypus Park, Herberton Rd

Babinda Markets

- the first Saturday of each month, except January, from 8am, Munro Street

Rusty’s Markets

- All day Friday, until 2pm Saturday and Sunday, Grafton Street, Cairns

Esplanade Cotters Markets

- every Saturday from 8am - noon at Lions Park

Gordonvale Cottage Markets

- every Saturday from 7am - noon under the raintrees in Mossman

Port Douglas Markets

Innisfail Red Cross Markets

SPeewah Markets

Kuranda Markets

Tolga Markets

- held the 3rd Sunday of each month at Anzac Memorial Park

- 2nd Saturday of every month

- the 3rd Saturday of each month from 6am - noon at Jack May Park

Night Markets

Mareeba Markets

- every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Tully Showgrounds.

Northern Beaches Markets

Mission Beach Markets

Tanks Art Centre Markets

Monster Markets

- Everyday from 4.30pm-11pm, Entry from Espanade or Abbott Street, Cairns - the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am - 3pm, Smithfield Shopping Centre - the last Sunday of each month from 9am-1pm, Cairns

- the 2nd Saturday of each month at Centenary Park, Byrnes Street - 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 6.30am - noon, Opposite Hideaway

• Water

- Every Sunday 8am-2pm Carpark of the Speewah Tavern, Speewah Road. 6ks past Kuranda

Malanda Markets

Mt Sheridan Markets

science Materials you will need:

- every Sunday from 8.30am - 2pm at Anzac Park

- the first Sunday of each month at Morrow Park Race Course

- Every Saturday from 8am-5pm nest to the Lagoon

- 7 days a week from 9.30am - 3.30pm in Therwine St

(a) 15 sit ups (b) 10 push ups (c) 10 tricep dips (d) Laying on your stomach and lifting your shoulders and feet off the ground together ten times.

Swimming Fish

Mossman Markets

- on the first Saturday of each month from 8am - noon at Norman Park

Surface tension experiment

regular markets Cooktown Markets

Cheerilicious Christmas

(1) Swimming – Swimming keeps your whole body toned and keeps you cool over summer.

MON - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30am & Walk / Run Circuit @ 5.15pm

Atherton Markets

Cheerleading

Christmas can be the best time, no school, hanging out with friends and lots of yummy food….all the things that make returning to cheerleading hard work in January. So looking after your body over Christmas is vitally important, here are some great fitness tips to keep you active and healthy.

Northern Circus Alliance

SAM POWERS EXTREME ILLUSIONS Every Monday through to Saturday @ 7.30pm

Awesome

BY: Tamara Cameron www.awesomecheerleading.com

regular weekly events Santa photos every day from 14 Dec until Christmas Eve. Kids get a FREE Happy Meal voucher.

AWESOME

• A Bowl

(2) Place the cardboard fish on the surface of the water. (3) Release a drop of washing-up liquid soap just behind the fish’s tail and watch the fish swim away.

• Liquid Dish Soap

Tully Markets

• Cut out Fish (Cardboard)

Yungaburra Markets

- Held the 4th Saturday of each month from 7.30am - 12.30pm in the Main Street

Steps:

Swap Meet @ Rodeo Drive-in Mareeba

- open every Sunday from april til september, Highway 3 (Near Bremerton Airport)

(1) Fill the bowl with water.

Why: It works because the soap gives off an oily film that rushes outwards, breaking down the surface tension of the water and pushing the fish away.

- the last Sunday of each month from 8am - 2pm, April til Nov at Marcs Park

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pak review Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs DVD

Bulletin #25 The totally amazing, incredible, fantastic adventures of Bopstar, Bree and the Boppers! Bulletin: Part XXV

Last Edition: “We are trying to get your money but this amount of money takes time to organise and we are at full speed! We need more time!” stated the Prime Minister. “Yes time is an interesting thing…however your TIME is now slowly creeping away and there is still no money in my nominated accounts. You have 48hours 10mins and approx 23 seconds left until deadline, so snap to it!” ordered the evil villain, not taking any sympathy on the world leaders. “Guards, it is starting to get close to the deadline so get the Satellite – Activated – Navigational – Targeting – Armoury armed, aimed and ready to destroy the reef and rainforest. Remember the plan crew, even if they pay the money, I am still going to destroy them. MWAHAHAHAHAHAH!” chuckled the evil villain. Bree, Trent and Trina, tip-toed through each hallway, cautiously cornering and swerving so that they wouldn’t be seen by any of the patrolling guards. Left, right, right, left. Each corridor seemed to lead into replica of the last. Dodging and diving, the three boppers finally reached the main conference room and could hear the evil mastermind, shouting orders at his chief guard. “It is time to put the plan into action team.” Calmly, whispered Bree. “We only have one shot at this and we need to make sure we get it right, or it could spell disaster for our beautiful landscapes.” Trina continued. Step by step, the three

boppers got into position for their intricate plan. Bree could see that the other boppers were in place and ready to stop this evil villain. ‘wait for it, wait for it’, thought Bree…..”NOW!” shouted Bree. Trent quickly activated his 28watt-cherry-pop-wicked-iFonic and knelt down, waiting for the music to get the guards attention. Trina remained still and quiet at the foot of the door and slowly slingshot her koola-bonic-kika-wika-iWire tightly across the foot of the door. What seemed like hours, which was realistically seconds, passed, and the door began to open. Trina jumped up and began to run towards the end of the hallway, catching the guards’ eye. As he took one step to chase after her, the iWire tripped him over and Bree quickly jumped on top of him. With his hands and arms tied, Bree quickly grabbed his key card and threw it to Trent to open the door.

> Rating: G > Category: Family > Released on DVD: 21/12/09 Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while, maybe, finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth, Sid the sloth creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs; and Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too “soft” hanging with his pals. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora fauna run amuck - and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck...check it out! To win a Civic Prize pack, simply tell us in 25 words or less “Which is your favourite Ice Age character and why?”

Civic & PakMag Competition Send your answer to: Civic Comp, PO Box 7433, Cairns, Qld 4870 or email us at: competitions@pakmag.com.au. Don’t forget to add your details (Name, Age, Email, Address and Phone Number). Entries close 18th December 2009.

With precision, Trent swiped the key card and all three boppers where face to face with the instigator of all this mess. “What are you doing here!” roared the villain, obviously surprised and furious that his guards had let the boppers loose. “We are here to stop you in your tracks!” Bree proclaimed. Jumping with super-stylish speed, Bree flew through the air, fly-kicking the villain fair in the nose and he dropped to the floor.

Walking on the

Wild side

POW! CRASH! PING! KAPOW! 3 HOURS LATER…back at the Bopstars Base. “You have saved the residents of Cairns once again boppers. I am very proud of you and I think you deserve a holiday. Take the Bobopstar Mobile and go relax.” Stated Bopstar. Once again the Boppers had stopped evil in its tracks, keeping Cairns a safe and protected place! Until next time, be safe and remember, FOREVER! TOGETHER! BOPSTARS!

It’s nearly the Christmas holidays and I can’t wait. This has been a very busy year for us at Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve. We have welcomed a new baby pigmy hippo called Fergus, our two new otters Larry and Curly who are happy in their new pool and our two new Bengal tigers from Australia Zoo (Manus and Khan). They are very big and weigh about 160kg compared to our Sumatran Tigers who only weigh about 120kg. The Bengal tiger is the second largest of the tiger species.

The Boppers were on their way to a nice relaxing Christmas holiday….or so that’s what they thought. To be Continued…

Why not come up and have Breakfast with the Beasts in our new room inside the lions’ enclosure where 19 lions surround you and watch while you’re eating breakfast. It’s great fun to watch them all playing in the sun.

Where there’s a SHOW that needs a GLOW, a SMARTY that needs a PARTY, Bree and the boppers are ready to entertain the people of Cairns! But when Trouble arises and there’s no one else to call, The Bopstars use their Super Special Powers and embark on Exciting Expeditions to protect and preserve.

During the school holidays I am going to help my Mum at the zoo. My brother Justin, is going to help design a new reptile enclosure. He has his own snakes and lizards but loves helping with the reptiles at the zoo.

FOREVER! TOGETHER! BOPSTARS! 30

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See you when you next come up to Cairns Wildlife Safari.

www.pakmag.com.au

Jemma 31

out & about

Bush Stone Curlew Proudly brought to you by

Cairns Business

erve

Womens Club Aw

ards Night at the

Cairns Wildlife Safari Res

Hilton

PAK Facts Did you know? DID YOU KNOW? The call of a curlew in some cultures is taken as a bad luck sign. Some indigenous people of Australia believe the eerie screaming call of the Curlew means that something bad is going to happen or has happened. Bush Stone Curlews, other wise known as bush thick knees, are nocturnal birds coming out in the darkness of the night while during the day they crouch down quietly and low on the ground. Their large eyes help them to find food at night such as insects, bugs, frogs and small mammals. They socialize noisily with a series of drawn out eerie whistles and screams. Bush Stone Curlew’s are found all over Australia with their habitats ranging from open woodlands, coastal scrub, mangrove fringes, golf courses, cemeteries, orchards, plantations, and even bushy gardens in suburban front yards. Breeding season takes place in Spring (August to January) and two to three eggs are usually laid in a nest found on the ground. Both parents help with sitting on the eggs, keeping them warm and safe for the next 23 days or so until they hatch into a cute little grey fluffy curlew.

DID YOU KNOW? Curlews are very protective of their young chicks?

Pelicans in Parad

ise, Paradise Palm

s launch

Baby Laura just “chillax

in”

If predators like foxes or feral cats come near the Curlew’s nest the parents will pretend that they are injured, luring the predator away from the nest, thereby protecting the eggs or chicks from being eaten. They will also sometimes pick the egg or chick up under their wings to move it to a safer place.

Cruising the Inlet

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on the Crocodile

Explorer

Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve

pak babies

Babywearing: Amanda Mathiot reports on the benefits Babywearing is the practice of carrying around a baby in a sling or other form of carrier for a substantial part of the day. It is commonly associated with attachment parenting although many other parents do it and, of course, in Third World countries like India, Africa and Asia it is natural to ‘wear’ a baby rather than push it around in a pram.

Benefits of babywearing: • Increased progesterone in mums (leading to more intimate bonding and less incidence of post natal depression) • Calmer, more secure babies (parents movements and rhythms are soothing)

Fun-filled & exciting indoor playground for children under 11

• Easier (and more private) breastfeeding

Double speed slide unique to Cairns Hosted children’s birthday parties Relaxed & comfortable cafe with great coffee & simple, fresh, no-fuss food After hours hire for family friendly celebrations Come in and see what all the fuss is about!!

embracing potential

Interested in preparing your child for school? Help your child discover a love of learning that will last a lifetime by enroling your child in an authentic Montessori program that is owned and operated by a passionate Montessori/Early Childhood Teacher. We offer; • A Montessori based kindergarten program implemented by experienced and mature university trained early childhood and Montessori teachers

Open 7 Days* 9.30am – 5.00pm * Closed: Christmas Day, Good Friday, Anzac Day

• Greater stimulation resulting in quicker neural development & cognitive learning

• Less incidence of ‘flat head syndrome’ • Easier for Mum to get around • Less colic & reflux • Greater muscle tone in bub

Facts

• Deeper & longer baby sleeps In Western Societies, people often imagine that carrying a baby around all day would lead to babies becoming spoilt, demanding and clingy whereas research has shown that the complete opposite is true. If you’re considering babywearing, make sure you buy the correct size of sling or pouch and, if it doesn’t feel right, experiment with different positions and carriers.

• Reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51% • Helps premmies and slow weight gainers put on weight faster

Christmas sale Up to 60%oFF For pakMag readers $20

$20

$18

• An exciting and innovative curriculum framework to be introduced in 2010 • Extended day programs for children 15 months to school age (including Prep)

& 4036 1055 • www.cairnsmontessori.com.au 34

• Earlier social development (bub is the centre of action rather than centre of attention)

• Bubs tend to move away and become independent sooner

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Enchanted Garden

Fairy Princess

Under the Sea

Daisies

Imaginative play and to keep the mozzies away p: 07 3399 6375 • M: 0403 762 646 • www.thelifeofriley.net.au *PlUS PoStaGE anD hanDlInG

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pak babies the snip

Circumcision has not been recommended by medical bodies in Australia since the 1970’s, but it still seems to get some people steamed up. Most doctors are opposed to it unless there is a genuine medical reason (very rare) but there are a few die-hard enthusiasts who keep trying to bring it back. Only about 12% of baby boys are now circumcised although it used to be very common. Australia was originally influenced by Britain where there was a fear of STD’s after the First World War. However, whilst the practice had pretty much died out in Britain by the 1940’s, it continued to increase in Australia right up until the 1970’s. Circumcision is being promoted in Africa to help combat the AIDS epidemic since research has shown that it reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV in men by 60%.

pak babies Less Wiggles, more running

That’s the message from the government after new research found that most preschoolers (3-5 year olds) spend 85% of their waking hours being inactive. The government guidelines are that kids 3-5 should not sit in one spot for more than an hour and that they should limit TV time to less than an hour a day. Just letting your kids play outside isn’t enough either - it seems that young kids are much more likely to be active and for longer if parents or adults play with them.

a moment for mum Do this:

Read this:

Make This:

Reclaim your mummy time

The Time Traveler’s Wife

Chocolate Strawberries

Once you become a Mum Christmas becomes exciting but also exhausting. It’s all about everyone else and while it’s fun to watch your kids getting involved in all the Christmas activities, it’s important to plan some Mummy Me Time or risk a Boxing Day Meltdown! Make a point of: (1) reducing stress by buying presents online (2) organise a sleep-in on Boxing Day and (3) Ask Santa for some good books, grab a glass of wine, put your feet up and start reading them!

If you’re not going to be able to watch Eric Bana in the movie version at the cinema, grab a copy of the novel and dive head long in to it during the holidays. This debut novel of American author Audrey Niffenegger is a beautiful love story about a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to unexpectedly time travel. You will love it.

Simple but delicious. You deserve to be hand-fed these delicious little treats by Daddy as a reward for all your hard work. All you need is a block of your favourite chocolate, melt it down, dip the strawberries in and leave in the fridge until they set. Yum.

Make a note of this:

celeb secrets Vespa &

try this Your baby will spend most of their life in bed, they deserve the best in ultimate comfort, warmth and safety. Ergo Pouch have an innovative range of organic baby sleeping bags, pyjamas and swaddles, made from natural fibres to help babies sleep better. All of their products are unisex designs so siblings can get more use out of them for years to come. ErgoPouch is strictly compliant with all safety regulations and are perfect for our climate. They have just won the prestigious iParenting Meda Award for outstanding bedding product of 200 and have been voted as one of the top 25 must haves for new mums. Visit ErgoPouch.com.au for more info. To win a sample of their clothing, simply tell us one of the natural fibres that make their products out of. Send your answer to competitions@pakmag.com.au. Comp closes 18/12/09.

The NQ Baby & Children’s Expo will be on again in March. After last year’s success there will be more parenting forums and heaps of entertainment for all the kids so you can make a day of it. Watch this space to find out more about what’s coming.

The secret’s out! Hollywood stars do have belly’s like the rest of us when we leave the hospital after giving birth but they’ve been covering it up with a handy little product called a post pregnancy belly wrap. They’ve been used around the world for centuries and they help flatten and firm a new mum’s tum. They are available from Vespa and the Ladybird for $49.95. Put them in your hospital bag and join the ranks of yummy mummies. We have 3 to giveaway - simply tell us 3 celebrities using it (hint go to the Vespa website). Send your answers to competitions@pakmag.com.au. Comp closes 18/12/09.

More milk! Breastfeeding mums often worry about having enough milk but bub’s sucking stimulates your breast to produce more milk. So, you can make more milk by letting bub feed more often and also having lots of skin-to-skin cuddles because this also boosts milk production hormones. Rest is also important.

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pak parent

Xmas carol caper Amanda Mathiot’s shares her love of Christmas carols and how they sometimes need a bit of explaining to children

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way…I just love Christmas Carols. In my house I’m the ‘singer’. I love singing so much that I often dream about having a job on Play School. I sing in the shower, while driving the car and I’m also one of those annoying people that sing happy, jolly songs first thing in the morning. My husband groans, the kids make faces and the dog starts howling. Hey, I never said I was a good singer! That’s why Christmas Carols are so great. No matter how horrible your singing voice is, nobody sounds bad while singing them. We all have our favourites. My favourite is ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ and when I had my first son, it was the Christmas Carol that I liked to sing the most. When he was 3 years old he was just the right age to think my singing was great. No screwed up noses and no judgement. He thought my singing voice was wonderful and he was also able to learn the words so we could sing a duet together. It was fantastic.

Then maybe a couple of weeks before Christmas things went a bit wrong. We had sung a few renditions of our favourite Carol one day and, as I was trying to cook dinner, I insisted that he went to play outside for a while. He seemed pretty content to do this, so off he ran. About five peeled potatoes later, I suddenly heard a blood curdling scream. At 1000 miles per hour I took off outside expecting blood or broken bones. The way he was screaming I wouldn’t have been surprised if there had been a real life dinosaur sitting in our backyard. Relieved, I found him standing in the backyard looking terrified but with no signs of blood. I started questioning him. What happened, did you see a snake? Maybe a frog? Was it a huge spider? After wiping away the tears and both of us calming down, the description of the terrible situation began. He started reciting lines of a Christmas Carol. “He sees me when I’m sleeping” he said, and “he knows when I’m awake”. “Santa is everywhere Mum and he’s watching

me!” he exclaimed pointing to the bushes around our yard. Oh no, what had I done? The lovely innocent singing of a favourite Christmas Carol had scared the poor thing to death. I started trying to explain how that isn’t exactly what I meant but he looked at me with blank eyes. Hmm... he was still at the age where EVERYTHING I said was the truth. Heck he even thought I was a good singer. I had to change tactics so with super fast thinking and being the queen of imagination I grabbed the phone and told him I would take care of it all. I ‘rang’ Santa’s mobile that day and explained the situation to his elves. I told them my son didn’t need to be watched, I would make sure that he was a good boy and I would get back in contact with the elves closer to Christmas to let them know how he’s been. As he smiled up at me, and gave me a hug I knew that all was as it should be once again. Off he ran to play outside and I continued on my dinner cooking adventure. That is one Christmas Carol that hasn’t been sung to my other five children.

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Looking for something to do? Come down & enjoy skating, roller blading & loads more fun activities We will be closed for refurbishment from the 18th of Dec during the hours 7am-4pm Mon to Fri. All night time and weekend activity will remain the same. Our Vacation Care Program commences on the 2nd of January 2010. CRC Closures = 25 & 26 Dec + 1 Jan 2010.

ALL DAY ACTIVITIES PROGRAM:

Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.30pm

General Skate Sessions > Mon to Fri 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm Friday Night Skate Session > Top 40 Dance 7pm-10pm

*Per child per day. Contact centre for info.

Saturday Super Skate Sessions > Beginners 10.30am-12.30pm > General Session 1pm-3.30pm > New Retro Skate 6.30pm-9pm

$20

Sunday Super Skate Sessions > Learn to Skate 10am-12pm > General Session 1pm-3.30pm

PER * DAY

No over crowding, with children supervised at all times. Strict sign in/sign out procedure, bullying not tolerated. 44 Behan St, Manunda

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Phone: 4053 5353

info@cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au

www.cairnsrecreationcentre.com.au

weekender By Bree James We checked in at 2pm and were warmly greeted by the reception staff in the newly renovated reception area. After two trips from the car with the trolley (do you ever travel light again once you have kids!?) we could finally get around to exploring our room. It was huge and certainly a home away from home. We had a family room with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two balconys, a huge well appointed lounge room, dining area and fully self contained kitchen complete with state of the art appliances. The rooms are very well furnished in a contemporary design with luscious green views. More importantly, there was nothing breakable within reach of my ankles so Jordan could crawl around without me needing to rearrange things. He was very happy and since this turned out to be the first night that he has slept through for a long time, we all had a great weekend!

Family fun at Paradise Palms Resort & Country Located just 20 minutes north of the city, Paradise Palms Resort & Country Club is paradise for families.

You’re unlikely to get bored in a hurry at Paradise Palms. We had three LCD screen televisions with cable TV for starters and then there’s a 18 hole championship golf course, Reds Day Spa and Salon, a fitness centre, barbeque areas, two swimming pools that are very child friendly with substantial shallow spots for younger children (kids can also get swimming lessons with C-Me Swim), the brand new playground “Pelicans in Paradise” which is situated on 2 acres of land complete with several little cubby houses, climbing and play equipment and a mini golf course. And, you’ll also find video games, a pool table and pinball machines at the Fifty Nine Bar and Restaurant.

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If you’re thinking of where to go for Christmas lunch then Paradise Palms has to right at the top of your list. They will be having a Christmas Day Banquet with all your favourite items like fresh prawns, roast turkey with a sage and macadamia stuffing as well as homemade Christmas pudding with hot custard to name a few dishes that took my eye. It costs $79.50 for adults and $39.50 for children. The Christmas Day Dinner also looks fantastic with 3 choices for entree, main and dessert (adults $75 and kids $34.50). You don’t have to be staying at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club to enjoy their new family facilities. Locals can become “Leisure Members” which entitles you to come out and have fun daytrips. They have 3 different packages available:

Pelicans in Paradise Playground for 2 adults and up to 3 children for $149 per year. [2] Pool, Play and Putt Package: this gives you access to the lap pool, the Pelicans in Paradise Playground and unlimited mini golf for 2 adults and up to 3 children for $199 per year. [3] Daily Package: you can also just go for the day with a Pool and Playground entry which is $10 for 2 adults and up to 3 children or $4 per adult and $2 per child. If you also want to include mini-golf it costs $35 for the day for two adults and up to three kids (extra adults $12, extra kids $10). With all these facilities now available it’s no wonder that Paradise Palms will also be offering kids parties. From $10 per child they have a mountain of food and drinks, lollies and chips and you can use the playground for free and pay extra for things like Piñata’s, mini golf and cake. So if you are up for a fantastic day, night, weekend or week, Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club is the perfect place to come with your family. With overnight rates starting at $145 per night for a resort room up to $210 per night for their family room, its the perfect place to relax and reward your family. For more information on Paradise Palms call 1800 666 614 for accommodation enquiries or 4049 9919 for events and party information.

[1] Pool and Play Package: this gives you access to the lap pool and the

Treat the Kids to a Real Adventure Today! PELICANS IN PARADISE N E P FUN-FILLED ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND, WO

MINI GOLF & SWIMMING

Family-friendly prices guaranteed!

Yes, there’s the golf course for those who like to hit a ball around, but there’s so much more on offer for the whole family. This has to be the best all round family venues for a weekend away in Cairns. There’s literally something to keep everyone happy whatever age your kids.

Fifty Nine is a fantastic place to kick back and people watch. It overlooks the new playground, or the golf course depending on where you sit. The food is sensational and they really cater for families. On Wednesday nights, for $10, the kids can make their own pizza by rolling out the dough and choosing their own toppings. The chef puts it in the oven and then it is brought out to eat when it’s ready. The package also includes a drink, dessert and a toy so it’s really good value. On Saturday nights they have a family night with the Doyles as entertainment. The kids can get their faces painted and enjoy a 3 course meal for $8. For adults there’s an extensive menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus of course yummy desserts and a snack menu all day.

Open 9am-9pm Fri & Sat; 9am-6pm Sun-Thur Turn into Paradise Palms Resort & Country Club off the Cook Hwy, just past the Kewarra Beach Roundabout, then follow the signs.

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pak vouchers

a trip to...

Brekky with the beasts

Receive 25%OFF restaurant

Elaine Seager has brekkie on the wild side and finds out it’s one of the best things to do in FNQ, if not Australia.

Receive 25% off the total food bill when you dine Maximum discount up to $40.00. Offer available Monday to Friday. Conditions apply. Offer expires 30/12/09.

5 Aplin Street , CAirnS (near the esplanade)

Come and try any class for FREE

PHONE: 4051 8877

AWESOME

For more information call Tamara on 0402 225 630

Eating a delicious breakfast on a beautiful Sunday morning while surrounded by a pride of roaring lions, is one of the best things I’ve done in a while. It should be on those lists of ‘100 must-do lifetime experiences’ and it certainly ranks up there as one of the top things to do in Far North Queensland. That Sunday morning our daughter bounced out of bed early, immediately ran in to our room, roared at us like a lion and then put a dress on and announced she was ready to go. It wasn’t even 6am. Luckily the Reserve opened from 7.30am so we got there early to watch the hippos, gibbons and peacocks doing their thing for a while before being escorted to our table at the restaurant.

The restaurant is basically a caged deck inside the lion enclosure so it’s hard to tell who’s meant to be watching who. On one side we had four young male lions and on the other, a huge pride including the oldest male and his harem of ladies and a few offspring. This is actually one of the largest lion prides in Australasia and after a morning of watching them I began to realise why the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve likes having so many lions. Compared to all those other animals who like to hang out by themselves, lions are sociable, in your face and far more entertaining. Anyway, let’s talk about breakfast! For $49.50 ($29.50 for kids) you get entry in to the zoo plus a full breakfast. It includes drinks, cereals, toast, croissants and

fruit when you first arrive plus a cooked breakfast with a nice big plate of eggs (scrambled or fried) and a huge platter of barbecued bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. The food was great by any standards but how many restaurants do you know where you can enjoy this view when you’re eating brekkie? And, just to make sure you get really good value the zookeeper comes along after you’ve eaten to chuck a few snacks over the fence to stir up a few roars. Breakfast with the Beasts is available everyday (bookings are preferred especially for large groups). Great food, great service, informative commentary and lots of animals - what a great family day out!

free Garlic Bread with any main meal Birthday Party Special Offer Mention this ad and we will bring a crocodile, snake, turtle, sugar glider and a lizard for an hour to your child’s Birthday Party

To You

Limited spaces so book now for anytime in the year. Valid for bookings made in December only.

Phone: 0415 696 439 Web: www.zootoyou.com.au

FOR ONLY $180

Normal price is $220

PRESENT THIS VOUCHER & YOUR

KIDS EAT FREE ANY TIME

Conditions: 1 adult meal over $12 = 1 Free Kids Meal. Not available with any other promotional offers. Valid until 31/12/09.

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Receive a FRee bonus GiFt with eveRy paRty bookinG!

fav pet shots

Photo of the month wins a mystery prize to the value of $30!

This month’s entries:

NOVEMBER WINNER!

Separated parents: How to navigate Christmas

Princess loved by Hanna

Angel being an angel

Blackie tucked in for th

e night Tommy loved by Willow

Shainele and her

red cattle dog

Email your photo, name/s and address to: photos@pakmag.com.au Deadline for photos is 18th December for our January edition. By Mike Friganiotis

prize winners Congratulations to our November prize winners! Colour in to win:

Battle of the brains:

Babes in the shade:

• Josie Ross, Gordonvale

• Kyle Talbot, Edmonton

• Peta Bryen - Palm Cove

• Kaitlyn Twine, Bungalow

Word Scramble:

Troubled Teens Book:

• Trenae Jia, Cairns

• Danielle Smart, Edmonton

• Tara O’Keeffe, Trinity Beach

Aqua Watch:

Time for a break:

• Jasmine Fredricks, Mooroobool

• Tracey Jones, Bayview Heights

• Joanna Wu, Forest Gardens

• Annie Hankin, Manoora • Liam Ratcliff, Clifton Beach

To claim your prize drop into our office on Level 2, 68 Abbott Street between 9-5pm Monday to Friday to collect your prize from reception.

It’s one of the biggest and most fun celebrations of the year but when families separate, Christmas can be a difficult time, especially the first Christmas after the break-up. Here are some tips for navigating a successful Christmas for separated parents: • Involve the children in your negotiations about plans for Christmas. It’s not just about what is convenient for the adults; the kids need to be happy with the arrangements as well, particularly if they are older. • Plan ahead – children will feel happier if they know what is going to happen in advance. • If you aren’t spending Christmas Day with your children, suggest having your own special day on a different date, not too far away. • Talk to your ex about what presents you intend to buy to avoid duplicates and set a budget guideline for you both to stick to. Avoid the trap of trying to out-do each other with presents; it simply results in the children feeling torn between you. • If you are the resident parent, make

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sure your ex knows about, and has the opportunity to attend, the child’s special events such as nativity plays and concerts.

• Remember that older children may want time to do their own thing as well as spending time with family. • Encourage the children to have meaningful contact with both parents on the day – face-to-face is best, but where that is not possible use telephone, email, letters, videos, SMS or Skype.

Christmas with one parent and the next day with the other – two Christmases for them! • Grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins can be very important sources of support for the children so make sure that your children are able to contact their relatives on both sides of the family. • For those parents who are without their children at Christmas, arrange to spend time with friends or family and reassure the children that you are OK.

• Call a truce for the day with no arguments and allow the children to feel reassured by your efforts to present a united front for their benefit. Maybe both parents can be present when the children open their presents.

• In general children like to see their parents together but this may not always be appropriate. If you or the children don’t feel safe and secure with one parent then don’t feel like you have to spend time with them.

• Step-parents may need to keep a low profile, or to share gift giving at a separate time. New partners need to make sure that the children feel welcome and get an equal share of the presents compared to step-siblings.

If you’re having any problems, there are many agencies which operate around the clock and can help. The Kids Helpline is a 24 hour service at 1800 551 800. Lifeline may be contacted at 13 11 14 anytime. Finally, in an emergency dial 000.

• Depending on the age of the children, separated families may be able to arrange for the children to have Christmas lunch with one parent and dinner with the other, or to celebrate

Happy Christmas! Mike Friganiotis is the Community Education Officer at the Cairns Family Relationship Centre

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Services

entertainment

Nikki the Clown • Face Painting • Puppets • Balloons • Games • Music • Other costumes available

DIY pak projects

Table centre piece

& 4057 8019 or 0408 183 032 www.nikkitheclown.com

Rachel

Bradley

The Singing Face Painter Available for themed childrens’ & adult parties

For bookings cAll 0428 600 213

Overflow kit: • Foam flower brick

= $2.50

• Wire leaf/berry garland

= $2.50

• Wire star garland

= $2.50

• Small plastic pot

= $1.50

Kids Moves

• Poinsettia flowers

= $2.99

• Poinsettia flowers

= $3.99

• Birthday parties • One on one sessions to help with progression of gross motor skills • Special functions anywhere you need children to be entertained • Mobile services available

• Shredded foil

= $2.99

Call Lee on 0427 849 775 or 4053 6837

Flip Ripley

entertainment

Magic shows • Characters • Clowning Comedy workshops • Juggling Unicycles • Comic telegrams

Total:

$19.46

Things we had at home: • Scissors • Pliers • Old newspaper • Old knife

(1) Using the scissors, cut lengths of the garlands off. Approximate 15cms in length. You can experiment with the lengths.

sorting activity, and it makes it easier for the child to choose their next item.

(2) With an adults help, separate the stems of flowers and cut off with the pliers.

(7) Let them go for it and create a centre piece masterpiece. All they have to do is poke the stems or wire into the foam. You can experiment with different heights, patterns etc.

(3) Lay out the newspaper to help with the mess.

(8) With the shredded foil place at the top of the pot to cover the foam.

(4) Cut the foam with an old knife to fit in the bottom of the plastic pot.

(9) There you have a beautiful, creative table centre.

(5) Place the foam in the pot.

Want to do this activity? Pak Overflow Craft Pack NOW 20%OFF RRP

(6) We found it easier to separate each group of items to be put into the foam. For example: we placed all the red flowers together, all the cream ones, all the star garlands together and the leaf and berry ones. This is a great

See instore for details

4039 0622 or 0410 510 095 flip2@westnet.com.au www.flipripley.com

Art

restaurants

Kids

MBER

DECE

Brighten your child’s room with personalised art

6 stores, 63 prizes, share in $48,000, it could be you!

0407 324 465

DIRECTORY LISTINGS FROM $50 46

PHONE 4031 9915 www.pakmag.com.au

Stockland

4033 6011

Raintrees

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4084 0826

Smithfield

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Atherton

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Mareeba

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kids activities

Lords of the dance Susan Dillicar reports on the benefits of boys learning to dance

[4] It teaches respect for other people since it requires a person to show courtesy and consideration towards other people (or they won’t want to dance with you again!) [5] Studies show it has many health benefits, such as improving body image, attentiveness, and communication skills. Dancing also reduces stress, fear and anxiety. [6] For older boys, dance is a wonderful way for to connect with girls in a safe and unthreatening way. This is an opportunity often missed today because boys are afraid of looking ridiculous in front of girls but it could be eliminated with a few simple dance lessons. [7] Teenage boys who are confident dancers have a social advantage over their peers. While young boys may not appreciate dance in quite the same way as girls, the advantages of being able to dance will suddenly become clear when they are teenagers! Girls of all ages love to dance and they appreciate a boy who is at least confident enough to get on the dance floor. This is a skill which will stand him in good stead for the rest of his life. “Boys quickly learn that a guy who knows how to dance can get any girl in the room on to the dance floor!” says Mr Oxley. While girls today continue to gravitate to dance from a young age, many boys avoid dance because of the modern perception that it is a feminine activity. Boys are instead encouraged to focus on sports as an outlet for their energies. The irony is that dancing can be even more physically and mentally demanding than football or basketball! It’s important to change this perception as boys are missing out on valuable skills. Here are just a few of the benefits of dancing for boys: [1] Dance allows boys an important outlet for expressing their emotions. Just watch Billy Elliott to see how dancing allows boys to express their emotions in a constructive way! [2] It teaches them body awareness and how to control their body. “Dancers learn to use their brains as well as their feet,” says Owen Oxley, local dance instructor and owner of Oxley Dance Studios “which is something a lot of boys can’t do, because multi-skilling is not a skill that comes naturally to them.” [3] It increases their self esteem and confidence. Mastering increasingly complicated dance steps boosts their belief in themselves, and they become more confident in their ability to master any new skill.

AUSSIE ANIMALS Go wild at your next party with some Australian native wildlife. We will bring our animals to you! Any occasion, your venue.

Dance Opportunities in Cairns There are many different forms of dance available in Cairns to interest boys, such as Funk, Hip Hop, Rock ‘n Roll and Ballroom. The energetic kicks, flips and spins of the Rock’n’Beat’n’Boogie Dance Club appeal to a lot of boys in Cairns, with at least 50% of the classes being made up by boys. “It is such an energetic activity that boys who are sporting often make the best dancers!” laughs Mr Jerome of the RBBDC, which teaches Rock & Roll, Lindy and other fun dances for children.

BIRDS OF PREY – CROCODILES – PARROTS – LIZARDS – SCORPIONS - AND MORE!

Phone: 0428 316 896 parties

special events

www.birdsofprey.com.au schools

corporate events

film & TV

Ballroom dancing has also proved to be a perennial favourite. Owen Oxley notes that his ballroom dancing classes have enjoyed a 50/50 mix of boys and girls for over 15 years. “While boys often get self conscious about dance at some stage during their teen years and leave for a while, they invariably come back within a year!” While sport will always be a major part of our Aussie boys’ lives, we should also encourage them to enjoy the many creative, social and emotional joys of dance. Giving our sons a love of dance –and the confidence to enjoy it - is a gift that will last them a lifetime.

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Ho Ho Holiday Activities for kids ‘Tis the season to be jolly but if you prefer your kids to be jolly well out of the way for a few hours while you finish doing the Christmas shopping, there are quite a few summer holiday activities they can be involved in before Christmas to help them get in to the festive spirit. Cairns Regional Gallery The Gallery are running a number of afternoon (1-3pm) workshops for kids aged 5-12 years. They cost $18 per session or $80 for the whole week (bookings essential). • Monday 14 Dec 1-3pm Make pop-up FNQ Aussie Christmas cards with Sue Hayes. • Tue 15 Dec 1-3pm Get crafty with Terrific Tapa Pattern Printing with Nicola Bryars. • Wed 16 Dec 1-3pm Make soft sculpture Christmas decorations with Kathryn Laughton. • Thu 17 Dec 1-3pm Get tropical and make Lovely Leis with Susan Doherty. • Friday 18 Dec 1-3pm Be spellbound with Model Magic Mayhem with Madeleine Challender. For more info call 4046 4800 or email info@cairnsregionalgallery.com.au

Esplanade The Esplanade are certainly getting into the Christmas spirit this year with the Northern Circus Alliance static trapeze and circus workshops running FREE classes in the lead up to Christmas for kids aged 7-15. • Wed 16 Dec 9-10am & 10-11am • Thu 17 Dec 9-10am & 10-11am • Fri 18 Dec 9-10am & 10-11am

Esplanade Free Craft Classes • Fri 11 Dec 10-2pm Make your own Xmas Cards • Thu 17 Dec 10-2pm Make your own Xmas Decorations • Fri 18 Dec 10-2pm Make your own Xtmas Cards

Virtual Christmas Cards Here’s a carbon footprint conscious way of spreading the festive cheer this season; for a small fee, record a short Christmas greeting on video with the Cairns Esplanade as your backdrop and the team will email it to your

account and you can then email your virtual Cairns Christmas card off to all your friends and family. Esplanade Lagoon on 11th, 13th, 20th, 24th December and the City Place on 16th and 23rd Dec.

Terry Doyle Xmas Family show 23 Dec 6-7.30pm @ City Place

Outdoor Cinema In City Place Wed 16 Dec 7pm – Happy Feet Wed 23 Dec 7pm – Deck the Halls (Family Comedy Rated PG)

Barron Valley Gymnastics Barron Valley Gymnastics Club have got gymnastics activities, obstacle courses & games, crafts and cooking happening at their Stratford premises for kids aged 5+. They will be open Monday 14th-18th December 9am3pm and also through the January holidays. It costs $25 for the day. Bookings essential, call 4055 1711.

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Time for a break Jokes

Don’t flush! There once was a blind man who decided to visit Texas. When he arrived on the plane, he felt the seats and said, “Wow, these seats are big!” The person next to him answered, “Everything is big in Texas.” When he finally arrived in Texas, he decided to visit a bar. Upon

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2 6

The bartender replied, “Everything is big in Texas.” After a couple of beers, the blind man asked the bartender where the bathroom was located.

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Win a mystery PakMag prize!

The bartender replied, “Second door to the right.” The blind man headed for the bathroom, but accidentally tripped over and skipped the second door. Instead, he entered the third door, which lead to the swimming pool and fell into the pool by accident. Scared to death, the blind man started shouting, “Don’t flush, don’t flush!”

Down 1. Point 2. Imitate 3. Sunburn 4. Change 5. Desiccated 6. Delicate fabric 7. Pitcher 13. Notions 14. Region 15. Haggard 16. Askew 19. Scheduled to arrive 20. Anger 21. Seafarer

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He exclaimed, “Wow these mugs are big!”

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arriving in the bar, he ordered a beer and got a mug placed between his hands.

Across 1. Information 5. Beverage 8. Opaque gem 9. Uncooked 10. Portable shelter 11. Frozen water 12. Duck 14. Accolade 17. Line 18. Redact 22. Stray 23. Nimbus 24. Unspecified amount 25. Oracle

Who sings this song? 1. Womaniser

4. Needle and the Dam

2. Don’t Hold Back

5. Horse with no name

3. Underneath the Radar 6. Poker Face

Email or post your answers to us: competitions@pakmag,com.au or PO BOX 7433 Cairns 4870. Don't forget to include details. Entries close: 18 December 2009.

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101 Spence Street, Cairns