PAKMAG - March 2009

Issue 21 March 2009

kID’S MINI MAg INSIDE! ! T NLYOU S OME KUIDLL

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e re g o g y il m fa r u o y lp e we h Lots of activities for Parents and Kids

Heaps of priz es to t %JE ZPV LOPX t - PBET PG $PNQ T t )FBQT PG 1SJ[F T t 1", SFWJFX

be won!

What’s on for March

Mix it up with us!

1. Choose your ice cream flavour 2. Choose your Mix Ins 3. Watch it being smashed

EA

CORAL S

Shop 7, Trilogy Towers Aplin Street, Cairns between the Towers and Aplin St P: (07) 4041 0611 www.coldrock.com.au

Choose it. Mix it. Smash it.™

MANA VILLA RO NT A R U A T S RE

what’s stacked in pak this month!

PAREntS

editor’s note Hello and welcome to the 21st Issue of Pakmag, our ‘Going Green’ edition.

Whilst the magazine is going green with lots of great tips and info about being a green family, I am going green with envy at the 6 mums from my ante natal class who have had their babies!! Yes, can you believe it, I am overdue. For those who know me it won’t be much of a surprise that I’m late since I rarely do anything right on time and it looks like our baby is already taking after me.

Being 7 days overdue is turning out to be quite comical. Being located within a radio station where, of course, everyone is a comedian, I am constantly subjected to lovely comments such as: “Get out the way you’re blocking the light”, “Your cankles look so pretty in those thongs”, “Oh my goodness you’re still here” and “My birth date guess is tomorrow”. I would laugh more if I wasn’t so uncomfortable. Ah the joys. By the way, these fat jokes won’t be funny after the baby is born.

Next month we are back into the holiday spirit again and thanks to Cairns Central we will have some Easter prizes up for grabs and of course everything you will want to know for the holidays. If you have anything to submit we would love to hear from you.

So again, with chubby hands and feet I sign off until next time when I can pretty much guarantee I will definitely have a baby in tow! Wish me luck.

Bree

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DIY Pak Projects - Musical Instruments

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Eating Out - Fusion - Allergy Free Café and Juice Bar

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Time for a Break

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What’s New

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Sea FM’s Doting Dads

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Back to School

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Going Green

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A Family Affair - The Doyles

kiDS

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Pak Health - Meditation

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Kids Mini-Mag

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Pak Health - Allergies - Dust Mites

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Colour it in & Win

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Health Food - Greens

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Pak Health - Chiro

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Is Your Child Gifted or Just Plain Smart?

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Kids in the Kitchen Coconut Slice

21-24 What’s On February 33

Taming the Reluctant Brusher

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Travel with Kidz - Tasmania

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Valentines

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Pak Vouchers

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Prize Winners/Favourite Pet Shots

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Pet Tips & Hints with Darlene from Poochie Parlour

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20-25 Pak Activities 26

Bopstars Bulletin

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Pak Animal Facts

BABY & toDDLER 31

Nappy Revolution

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Eco Babies

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Pak Parent - Supermum

tHinGS to Win 20

Win a Personalised Cake

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Battle of the Brains

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Win a Civic Prize Pack

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Favourite Pet Shot Competition

Business Directory

ThE pAk MAg CREw:

Editor: Bree James Sub Editor: Elaine Seager Graphic Design & Layout: Cameron LeBherz www.lebherz.com.au Articles: Elaine Seager, Amanda Mathiot, Caz Williams, Shannon du Plessis and submitted writers.

CONTACT US:

Phone: 4031 9915 Fax: 4031 9916 Email: info@pakmag.com.au Postal: PO Box 7433, Cairns QLD 4870 Level 2, 68 Abbott Street, Virginia House, Cairns Q 4870

ENQUIRIES:

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.

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what’s new!

Baby & Children’s Expo

Babes in Arms Support for Infant Loss Comedy Show Cairns Show 2009 (15-17 July) Kids with Autism

Shave it Off!

Don’t forget the Expo is happening at the Cairns Convention Centre 7/8 March and will be featuring lots of entertainment for the kids as well as plenty for the parents. See page 37 for our special PakMag 2 for 1 child’s ticket voucher. For more information check out www.nqbabyexpo.com.au.

For those Mum’s who are at home with the littlies and missing out on the latest movie releases, check out Birch Carroll & Coyles upcoming ‘Babes in Arms’ features on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am. These are special screenings for parents so you don’t have to worry about squirming bored children or screaming babies – you’re all in the same boat! Only $8.50 and the kids under 5 go free. Upcoming releases being shown in March include: He’s Just Not That in to You, Last Chance Harvey, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Duplicity. Check session times for more info.

SANDS Support Groups are casual gatherings for all family members who have been affected by pregnancy or infant loss. There is a local group being held on the second Thursday of each month 10am-12pm at the Marlin Coast Neighborhood Centre, 45 Cumberland Ave, Smithfield. Call Nerissa on 4098 3089 for more info.

The Civic Theatre will be showing a great production for the kids on 25 March called Letter’s End which will make them both laugh and think. The last time American Wolfe Bowart premiered a new production it received rave reviews around the world and this show in Cairns is part of an Australian tour.

It incorporates circus, magic, film, physicality and language to tell a quirky story about a guy burning packages in a dead-letter office only to discover that he’s burning his own memories. Tickets available at Ticketlink on 1300 885 835 or www.ticketlink.com.au Pakmag is one of the proud sponsors of the McDonalds Comps For Kids at the Cairns Show this year. The Show is not only great fun to visit, it’s also a great opportunity to show off your talents. Is your child a budding photographer, artist, cook or gardener? There are heaps of different competitions for the kids to enter – to find out more download the competition schedule from www.cairnsshow.com.au.

Cairns families who have young children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can now benefit from a new government initiative which provides special playgroups for children 0-6 years with autism like symptoms (they are welcome to attend even if they have ADS like symptoms and haven’t been formally diagnosed). The PlayConnect Group is held at St Margaret’s Anglican Church Hall at 230 Aumuller St, Cairns and will meet every Thursday, 9.30am -11.30am. For more information call 1800 171 882 or email info@playgroupqld.com.au The World’s Greatest Shave will be happening 12-14 March and one of our readers is bravely volunteering to shave her hair off for to help raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. To donate or sponsor Tania Woolley, go to her profile page at http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage. aspx?SID=47552

Boogie Time

The Cairns Rock ‘n’ Beat ‘n’ Boogie Dance Association is a non-profit rock ‘n’ roll dance club for kids. They are offering first lessons for free so that kids can come along and try it, thereafter it is $8 per lesson and pay as you go so no upfront term fees. Anyone is welcome to go along whether experienced or beginners. Lessons are held at the Green Railway Hall on McNamara St 6pm on Wednesdays during term time. Call 4055 0956 for more information.

Fusion Foods

Has someone in your family been diagnosed with food allergies? Fusion Allergy Free Café on the corner of Grafton and Aplin Street in the city have begun cooking classes to share their extensive knowledge with those that need to learn to cook allergy free foods or those people who just love to cook good wholesome food. Nutrition, alternatives and techniques are all discussed in an informal atmosphere and you take home the goodies. There are also children’s classes so that youngsters can feel comfortable cooking for their allergies (Wednesdays 4:00pm - 5:00pm). Adult classes are held between 5:15 pm - 7:00 on Wednesday evenings and bookings are essential.

Please phone Pennie on 40511388 to book your place.

Montessori coming soon

Interested in embracing your child’s full potential and their love of learning?

To discover more about Montessori an information evening is being scheduled for April 2009, venue and date to be advised in April’s edition of Pakmag. Register your interest at cairnsmontessori@gmail.com

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

Email us at: info@pakmag.com.au

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MARCH

DVD RELEASES thanks to Civic Video Quantum of Solace M Action starring Daniel Craig & Olga Kurylenko

Rock N Rolla MA15+ Comedy with Gerard Butler & Tom Wilkinson

Death Race MA15+ Action starring Jason Statham & Joan Allen

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People M Comedy with Simon Pegg & Kirsten Dunst

Sex Drive MA15+ Comedy starring Seth Green & Josh Zuckerman

Saw V R18+ Horror with Tobin Bell & Julie Benz

Traitor M Action starring Don Cheadle & Guy Pearce

Nights in Rodanthe PG Romance with Richard Gere & Diane Lane

Hell Ride R18+ Action starring Quentin Tarantino & Bob Weinstein

The Square MA15+ Thriller with Joel Edgerton & David Roberts

See pg37 for your free kids DVD hire voucher thanks to Civic Video

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WANT TO WIN A FAMILY PASS TO THE WIGGLES? All you have to do is send us a photo of at least one family member dressed as their favorite Wiggle and you could win!

Send your photo to photos@pakmag.com.au or post to THE WIGGLES COMP PO BOX 7433 Cairns 4870 (include a self addressed envelope if you would like the photo returned) Drawn the 10th of May

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Doting Dads P&P: Which meal do you cook for the kids that they just love?

DW: Mashed Potatoes with lots of milk and a little cream, OK, so it’s not authorised by Weight Watchers, but it does taste great!

P&P: Do you prefer mornings or evenings at your place?

DW: Evenings without a doubt. Some close time with our darling child and then, hopefully, some really special time putting her to bed.

P&P: How much pocket money should kids get?

DW: Hard to answer, but our little one works for her money and doing the dishwasher etc earns her between $5 - $10 per week.

P&P: What’s the best thing about being a Dad? DW: There’s far too many of them to mention, but I think having the trust and love bestowed upon you that only a child can give.

P&P: What’s your favourite family activity?

DW: Any activity where all of us are together and at the moment that seems to be fundraising with things like Operation Rudolf which not only brings joy and happiness to my daughter but also so many other families.

P&P: What have you learnt from being a father?

DW: Love and worry - you love your children so much that you worry harder than you ever have over anything in your life. And, you worry about what the big wide wonderful (sometimes) world will be like when they go out in to it solo especially because a Dad’s daughter is always his little girl.

with

Dayles White aka The Sheriff

P&P: Who runs the household – Mum, Dad or the kids?

DW: I may be The Sheriff because I have held 2 uniformed military commissions and am quite a successful businesses person but in all honesty I have to say definitely Mum! P&P: Best piece of advice you’ve given to your kids?

DW: Take care and give the world what you want to get back. Or, to put it another way, if you see someone without a smile give them yours because they will give it back.

P&P: How have your kids embarrassed you?

DW: They never have!!!! Are they meant to? Oh ok…my daughter (then 4) was at a police function with us and her older sister after we had all been involved in an anti-drink driving event called Operation Reward. The senior copper got up and gave a speech about how the local media and the police had worked together to cut drink driving offences dramatically.

Then out of the crowd this little voice says: “Daddy, is it wrong for my sister to drink and drive because she does it all the time?”. The room was hushed but her words literally boomed across the audience. Unfortunately she failed to mention that her sister was drinking and driving when they picked up lemonades from the local McDonalds store!

P&P: What’s your favourite memory of your childhood?

DW: Being safe and secure and falling asleep in the back seat of the family car after a marvellous and exciting day out at the beach. To me, then, my world was perfect.

POTTS & PACEY T HE SEAF M MORN I NG C R E W

WEEKDAY MORNINGS FROM 5.30AM ON THE LOCAL YOU KNOW, 99.5 SEAFM CAIRNS. 4

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AMADEU S AMADEUS Cairns Civic Theatre & Cairns Little Theatre present...

BY PETER SHAFFER

DIRECTED BY JOHN HUGHES

The Man.

The Music.

The Magic.

The Murder The Madness.

The Mystery.

THU 30 APRIL - SAT 2 MAY TICKETS: $8 - $35 BOOK: 1300 855 835 www. .com.au www.pakmag.com.au

Early bird special available until 26 March. Check website or call for more info on ways to save!

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Easy ways for your family to go green.

By Elaine Seager

Young families are often the worst offenders when it comes to crimes against the environment. Just think of all those environmental time-bombs (stinky disposable nappies) we are leaving our future generations to deal with in our landfills. Then, on top of that little people tend to create mountains of laundry, waste water when they’re brushing their teeth and burn needless energy with flicking light switches and fans on and off. Then there are all of our wonderful relatives who buy overly-packaged plastic toys that require batteries (which end up leaking toxic chemicals in to the landfill).

Despite all of this, there’s nothing quite like impending parenthood to galvanise your interest in being environmentally conscious. Just the thought of your newborn breathing in toxins, being knee deep in rotting litter and being subjected to the affects of climate change is enough to break out your inner greenie. But becoming Green can be overwhelming so where do you start?

Waste Not Want Not According to the Australia Institute Aussies spend $5.3 billion dollars a year on food that they don’t eat. First you over-buy and then there’s your children refusing to eat it anyway! What’s a Mum to do? Well, firstly there’s only buying what you actually need or even better, grow your own veggies so you can just pick it when you want it. A compost bin is also a must. Even if you’re not much of a gardener, throwing your organic food scraps in to compost significantly reduces your household waste and provides highly nutritious soil for the garden.

Packaging is a significant problem for the environment everything we buy these days is over-packaged. It creates rubbish, wastes huge amounts of energy to manufacture and it

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costs you money. It’s estimated that 10% of your shopping bill goes towards packaging which you then just throw away straight in to the bin. Here are some ways to minimise the rubbish you create: 1) Buy things in bulk 2) Buy products that can be used more than once eg. refillable laundry containers 3) Start using more reusable products such as drink containers instead of buying bottled water 4) Use plastic lunchboxes and plastic containers for leftovers rather than using gladwrap 5) avoid using disposable products such as plates, cups, glasses, wipes, napkins and 6) take this copy of PakMag to a local dentist or doctors waiting room for others to read!

Of course, one of the best habits to get in to is using green reusable shopping bags (which are a hell of a lot better than plastic bags anyway!). Australians use roughly 4 billion plastic bags a year, and an estimated 94 million of them end up in creeks, rivers and beaches. As if the litter they cause wasn’t enough to ban them, it’s also estimated that the oil it takes to manufacture a single plastic bag is equivalent to the oil it takes to drive a car 11kms. The Howard government avoided taking any action to phase out plastic bags and whilst Peter Garrett talked about banning them by 2009, that hasn’t happened yet either. However, some corporations have voluntarily taken action themselves. Bunnings has now completely banned the use of plastic bags and even McDonalds switched to paper bags.

Apparently 92% of Australians are in favour of a total ban and some towns along the NSW coast have already gone ahead and banned them. Is Cairns ready to become the first city to ban them?

Most cities these days are pretty efficient at recycling our rubbish but to help those poor buggers who oversee the process of sorting through our rubbish at the waste depot make sure you observe the Council’s recycling rules:

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Recycling: Help deal with waste by knowing the Council’s Recycling Rules: 1. Rinse all steel and aluminium cans before placing them in “Bindy” the yellow lid recycling bin 2. Crush aluminium cans before putting them in.

3. Only put metal cans, aluminium foil and aerosol cans in the recycling bin. All other metals should be taken to the transfer station. Please make sure your aerosol can is empty.

4. Remove all lids from plastic and glass containers and bottles.

5. For plastics: Look for the recycling triangles 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 on your plastic bottles, containers and jars.

The symbols are stamped on the bottom of most containers. These plastics are recycled in Cairns.

6. NO - window glass, blue glass, broken glass, ceramics, crockery, light bulbs, mirrors, pyrex (ie. casserole dishes), building materials, plastic bags, disposable nappies, garden waste, food scraps, syringes, waxed cardboard (ie. juice or cream milk cartons) in the yellow lid recycling bin.

Save energy, save money The recent bushfires were a stark reminder about the future implications of climate change but even if you’re still not very motivated by environmental concerns, saving energy does have the added bonus of saving money too. There are some very easy habits to get in to to save energy and money: 1) replace all your lights bulbs with CFL’s, they are more expensive to buy but last much longer 2) be mindful of switching off lights and electrical appliances when not in use including not leaving them on standby during the night.

3) Leave air-conditioners on at 25 degrees 4) dry laundry in the sunshine rather than using dryers and 5) use less hot water. For more ways to cut your energy bill go to www. ergon.com.au and click on ‘10% less’. continued overleaf...

Ph 4031 6661 P ar t y P a r t y Par ty Packages

$10 per child*

Hot & cold party food Bottomless softdrink for 2 hrs Party hats & balloons Activities Cakes & platters for parents can also be organised Private function room available * Minimum 10 children www.pakmag.com.au

www.youtube.com/laporchettacairns 108 - 114 Grafton Street email:cairns@laporchetta.com.au 7

Easy ways for your family to go green - continued...

Buy Local There are a lot of good reasons to buy local produce, not only does it help support our local economy but it also considerably reduces your carbon footprint. The flooding recently gave us a great insight in to how much of our food is transported here from other parts of the country. Even Rusty’s Market was noticeably empty with many stalls selling only potatoes, limes, avocadoes and mangos. Most big supermarket chains transport fresh foods from distribution points down south (even our bananas which are grown locally have to go via Melbourne before we eat them) so we waste an awful lot of fuel making our food do a tour of the country before we eat it. Some IGA Stores buy from Tablelands producers and soon there will be a Farmer’s Market trialled at the Pier starting in April where you will be able to buy direct from local farmers.

Going Green involves a lifestyle change and the best way to approach it is to slowly implement changes and to involve the children by educating them about why these things are important. Ultimately it is our children and their offspring who will have to contend with our disrespect for the environment.

As an old Native American saying goes: “We don’t inherit the Earth, we borrow it from our children”. So, it begs the question, if you were borrowing anything else from your children would you be happy to hand it back littered and polluted?

e h t n o k l a w e

d e i s wild

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It’s a Family Affair.

By Caz Williams

The Doyles are busy people. They clock up more than 250 performances a year which includes many of their own original music plus a repertoire of music that includes Up-tempo Jump Blues, Australiana Bush Music, Rock and Roll dance music and now Children’s music. It is most likely their ‘anything to entertain’ attitude that is the reason The Doyles are so in demand. Besides their music they are well known for their popular ‘Toad Races Comedy Show’ which has been widely featured on TV and have also released two albums which have performed well both in Australia and overseas.

More recently, though they have also started The Doyle's Family Kids Show which consists of singalong’s and dancing, with children being encouraged to participate with shakers, tambourine, bells, clacker sticks, three quarter guitars or even just by donning a funny hat or wig to join The Doyles on stage.

For over three years The Doyle's have been performing their Family Kids Show at the Hilton Hotel’s Mondo Cafe Bar and it has been a huge success with both local kids and international visitors. Since son Jake now travels a lot with his own music, Terry has recently teamed up with Rachel Bradley, better known as the singing face painter. Together they have improved the format of the kid’s shows and have carefully tailored theme nights including circus nights, pirate shows and bush dance nights for ages ranging from twelve months to twelve years.

Terry started writing his children songs for the Tuesday night shows and some of the songs include dance steps and actions etc. such as 'The Mondo March', 'The Crocodile Song', ‘Are we there Yet’, ‘Big Barramundi', ‘Like to See That' etc. which they perform each show along with the

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usual aussie anthems and favorites like 'Home Among the Gumtrees', 'Waltzing Matilda', 'Grasshopper Loose in Queensland', 'Click go the Shears' etc.

“Entertaining young kids is a real hoot, if they like it they really get into it and come along for the ride, but, they will be the first to let you know they think you are trying to put it over them,” says Terry. “After forty odd years of playing in pubs and clubs all over Australia I am really enjoying this part of my musical journey, making kids laugh and laughing along with them is very rewarding”.

The ten track album ‘MONDO FUN’ is Terry Doyle’s first venture into children’s music and already sales have been encouraging with a number already sold to USA, England, Germany as well as across Australia. Terry’s songs represent some of the great Australian animals that are so loved across the world from the platypus to the crocodile.

Terry continues “As I have seven grand children of my own I have found it very easy entertaining kids and in turn I find it easy to write children’s songs, plus it is a great avenue to road test them every Tuesday night. The kids really love it when I have a new song and the mums and dads get into them as well, so I thought we had better get an album of these songs out".

Already Terry is busy writing new material for his second kid’s album and if all goes to plan it should be available around the middle of the year.

The Doyles will be performing at the NQ Baby and Children’s Expo on 7-8 March at the Cairns Convention Centre. Check our What’s On Guide for other performances during March.

For more information on album sales or kids show bookings contact Terry by e-mailing him at: info@doylee.com or by phoning 0418 712906.

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pak health

Meditation Demystified: You might think it’s New Age mumbo jumbo but meditation now has proven health benefits.

by Elaine Seager

‘Learn to meditate’ has been an item on my to-do lists for a few years and whilst I’ve dabbled with it a bit here and there, it remains one of those goals that is ‘yet’ to be achieved.

However, a recent Oprah show could’ve changed all that when she introduced two women in their 60’s who looked not a day over 45. Their youthfulness had nothing to do with botox or pulling their cheeks up behind their ears, they looked fabulous because they were lifelong meditators.

So, call me vain and superficial but I now have renewed motivation to start meditating.

Why meditate Besides the long term cosmetic benefits, the proven health benefits associated with meditation are immense, to the extent that some insurance companies offer lower premiums to meditators. When you meditate it causes your heart rate and breathing to slow down, your blood pressure to normalise and your body to use oxygen more efficiently.

It is a great stress reliever (reducing cortisol levels) and is very effective in treating mental conditions such as anxiety disorders and depression. Overall, this results in improved immune function and prevention against numerous ‘lifestyle’ diseases including cancer. But if all this is not enough to convince you to try it, there’s always the prospect of looking fabulous in old age without the use and expense of botox.

How it works The whole point of meditation is to stop that constant chatter or stream of thoughts inside your head (ie. “must do this, must do that, I can’t believe she said that, how are we going to pay that bill, if he does that one more time I will throw him out the window etc etc”). Meditation involves sitting in a relaxed, quiet position and clearing your mind of thoughts.

There are many different styles and techniques to achieve a quiet mind, some focus on your breathing or being attentive to all the sounds you can hear. Ultimately the goal is to have no distracting thoughts whizzing through your head for as long as possible. If you’re the Dalai Lama you might be able to do this for hours but the average person on the street will be lucky to achieve more than a few seconds. But that’s ok, initially it’s just useful to become conscious of just how distracted your mind is and then to keep pulling it back in to focus. Eventually, with practice, the gaps between your thoughts become much longer and you begin to experience more peace as you gain control over your restless brain.

Meditation does take practice and some people may find it difficult to ‘get it’ at first but the benefits are well worth the effort.

Places to learn meditation in Cairns: Check out Yoga Schools, the Buddhist Centre and the Chrysalis Centre on Mulgrave Road.

Looking for a UNIQUE PERSONALISED Gift for a special child?

www.unique4kidz.com.au Music, Books, Poems, Posters, Toys, Back to school supplies and much more.... info@unique4kidz.com.au www.pakmag.com.au

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pak health Allergies: Death to the Dust Mite!

By Quintin Bowles

For anyone that suffers from allergies, house dust mites and their faeces are a nightmare. For others it means asthma, eczema, waking up tired, sneezing, itchy eyes and a host of other reactions. Dust mites live in the fine layer of dust that continually settles on household items and can be found everywhere in your home although they are particularly concentrated in carpets, mattresses and bedding, soft furnishings and soft toys. They thrive in humid climates so keeping them under control in tropical coastal regions like Cairns is difficult. There are also seasonal fluctuations so our summers can cause their populations to ‘explode’.

House dust mites have been associated with allergies and respiratory ailments for many years. Whilst they don’t bite or sting, they harbour strong allergens and contact with these allergens can trigger respiratory and skin complaints.

The dust mite is not an insect; it belongs to the same class of species as spiders, scorpions, and ticks. They are attracted to ‘high traffic’ areas of the house by their favourite food source i.e. dead skin cells, ours and our pets. The females lay 2 to 3 eggs per day and up to 100 eggs in her 2 to 3 month life span.

Their survival and fertility rates are dependent on humidity and temperature.

Reducing levels of dust mites in the home minimises known triggers for many health conditions including asthma. Asthma Qld give the following advice: - Use dust mite proof mattress, doona and pillow protections.

Clean the covers regularly.

- Hot wash (greater than 55oC) bedding sheets, pillows cases and quilts, in soapy water at least once every two weeks. If possible, dry the bedding in sunlight as the mite is sensitive to ultra violet light. Cold water won’t kill them.

- Put soft toys in the deep freeze once a week for 24 hours. This kills dust mites but does not get rid of the allergen. A further wash at any temperature will get rid of house dust mite faeces.

- Normal vacuum cleaners have been proven to be ineffective in ridding your house of allergens. And, given that it’s the dust mite faeces that causes allergies rather than the dust mite itself, HEPA filtration, high powered vacuum cleaning is recommended.

Quintin Bowles represents Health Protect International here in Cairns. For more information on their mattress and carpet sanitising services call 1300 851 363

Gobbling up their Greens

By Amanda Mathiot

For parents with fussy eaters the five-a-day motto can be easier said than done but here are a few tips to getting some greens in to them: 1. Start early - Offer toddlers a wide range of different fruits and vegetables to ignite their taste buds and hopefully make them more accepting as they grow older. Keep offering it even if it gets spat out on the first attempt, some children need to taste foods several times before they actually start to like it.

2. Be a good role model – They love to copy you so if you continually say that you hate eating fruit and vegies, don’t be surprised if your children follow suit.

3. Hiding and disguising – The ultimate secret in the parents’ guidebook of fussy eaters.

Grate zucchini and carrot in to yummy muffins and lasagne. Add lots of fruit to milk shakes. Mash banana into a pikelet mix.

4. Grow Your Own – Grab any old container and get them interested in where food comes from. Tomatoes, pumpkins

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and zucchini are simple and easy to start with. You could also take them on a daytrip to a farm to pick their own fresh strawberries, mangoes and oranges.

5. Presentation – A good balance of colours and textures makes food look more fun and interesting. And, it also pays to get creative and to present meals in shapes or funny faces.

6. Get Them Involved – Get them involved in the shopping, preparing and cooking and talk to them about what they like and would like to try.

The 5-a-day rule: 2 – 3 serves of vegies and 1 – 2 of fruit per day. 1 serve of fruit is equal to 1 medium piece fruit (eg: apple) or 2 small apricots or 1-cup dried fruit. 1 serve of vegetable is equal to: ½ cup of cooked vegetables, 1 medium potato or 1 cup of salad greens.

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pak health

with

Singing in the rain

By Dr. Allen Bonilla DC (USA)

The heavy rain of Far North Queensland brings with it an assortment of difficulties: widespread flooding, closed highways, etc... And along with the rain comes another difficulty albeit one less widespread: it causes my car stereo to stop working.

This has happened a few times now - always in times of heavy rain. The first time only lasted a few minutes and as quick as the music went away it came back on. I could be forgiven for thinking that it was just a fluke. But on a handful of occasions since the pattern has become apparent.

A drive without music isn’t necessarily a catastrophe, but it is a sign. It’s a clear indication that somewhere in my car there lies a problem and that at any given moment, whether the music is playing or silent, the problem remains. Problems left unattended don’t self resolve as a rule so I can only expect it get worse over time. I have no idea what the problem is or how bad it can get. Will my radio stop working completely? Is there a chance that my car won’t start when I need it most?

No radio and pushing my car in the rain - that’s more of a catastrophe

present. They may seem to come and go with no rhyme or reason. Symptoms that are off and on are often treated as emergencies when they arise and soon forgotten when they subside. The truth is a problem that comes and goes doesn’t really go - it just goes quiet. Like the silence emanating from my speakers, intermittent symptoms are a sure sign that a problem lurks within.

Just as a good mechanic would have an understanding of the mechanics and wiring relating to my car’s problem, a good chiropractor is expert at dealing the with mechanics (alignment) and wiring (nerves) of your body. Getting to the root cause of a problem is the best bet to prevent the recurrence of symptoms and the inevitable decay that accompanies it.

If you’re waiting for your symptoms to go away – ‘cause they usually do, or for them to return - because they always do, why not break the cycle? Whether you’re in pain or feeling fine, chiropractic care is the best way to get to the root cause of problems. As for me, I’m going to keep my car - and my body - problem free so rain or shine the music never stops.

Problems within our own bodies can behave similarly. They may often lie dormant until the right set of circumstances

www.pakmag.com.au

13

Is your child gifted or just plain smart?

by John Mula

Throughout my teaching career I have often had parents ask if their child fits in to the 'gifted' category. Since there is no single definition of giftedness this is often a difficult question to answer. Is a child gifted simply when they achieve significantly above the standard of their peers in academic subjects, cultural pursuits or in sport?

Or is it when they display a passion in a particular discipline or area of interest?

How do you tell if your child is gifted?

Educational research suggests that a child may be gifted if he or she: •H as gained skills such as walking, reading or maths at a very early age •E xcels at a wide range of areas • I s able to undertake research in the area of interest •S tudies with great concentration •A ccumulates a ‘library’ of information •K nows more about a topic than you do (electronic games excluded!)

•S eeks out like-minded individuals •H as a self-generated passionate interest in an academic area Most parents would match at least one of these behaviours with their child. If you can match all of them then your child is talented but not necessarily gifted. He or she may just be a determined, hard worker who is seeking a goal. There is also a growing body of research which suggests that a child may be gifted if they: •H ave some specific deficits, e.g. poor handwriting/ practical skills or social problems •A re withdrawn or lack confidence •A re disruptive or unruly at school due to boredom •T here is no one measure of giftedness however if a child does something exceptional like teaching themselves to read or begins composing piano concertos at age six then you probably have a gifted child.

14

What to do about it If your child is being or doing something exceptional and you suspect they may be gifted you can contact the Gifted and Talented Association (www.qagtc.org.au) who can advise you of a reputable group that can test them.

There are no hard and fast rules but parents can also help a potentially gifted child by doing the following: • Encourage them at all times • Listen carefully to their explanation of their particular passion • Consider using a carefully selected mentor to provide encouragement and extension activities as well as be a source of inspiration and encouragement • Attempt to engage more deeply in their passion through doing some of your own research into the area of interest in order to communicate on that deeper level. Simply saying "that's nice dear" or "well done" is not enough engagement for the gifted student.

• Support the passion both emotionally and through the provision of resources • Investigate how the school can support your child if they are becoming bored at school.

• Join a support group for parents of gifted children • Be prepared for changes in interest

Of course, these suggestions are just as applicable to any child with a curious and enquiring mind so whether or not your child is gifted, the most important thing to do as parents is to show a genuine interest in their learning and encourage them to be their best.

John Mula is Assistant to Executive Director Learning and Teaching at Catholic Education

www.pakmag.com.au

kids in the kitchen

with Teah

Coconut Slice Ingredients: 125g butter or margarine 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water 1 cup SR flour 1/2 cup coconut 1/2 packet glace cherries chopped

www.pakmag.com.au

Method: Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan.

Take heat and add the egg and water mix.

Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients in bowl and mix well.

Then pour into a 24x18 tray lined with baking paper and cook at 180º C for 20 minutes.

Ice while warm if you like icing and cut into slices when cold.

15

out & about

Hayley and R

obert Brought on @ Mondos Kayla Baile y on her firs t day of pre year at moth p er of good council

Beautiful Bella in her 2nd birthday dress

Edward & His sis ter, The Winners of th e Bolt Toy

ng

Jake @ Donut Ki

Lauren & Rya

n @ Cairns C

Lacklan & Caitlin Bates @ Tinaroo Dam

16

entral

Kaylah,

Rhea

re Foot

l @ Ba & Danie

Bowls

www.pakmag.com.au

! t NLYou S Ome KID l

l u P

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

To enter this fantastic competition just colour-it-in and mail to: PAKMAG, Colour-it-in March, PO Box 7433 Cairns Q 4870 and you go into the draw to WIN! Closing Date: 22nd March 2009 For more copies of the colour-it-in and win download from our website

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

18

www.pakmag.com.au

dot to dot

MAZE

This month is all about going green!

Do your bit, keep it green!

www.pakmag.com.au

Help the worker find his office!

19

sudoku

For February’s answers - see pg 44

JOKES Knock, knock Who’s There?

Gorilla Gorilla Who? Gorilla me a hamburger, I’m hungry.

Knock, knock Who’s There?

Cow-go Cow-go Who? No, Cow go MOO!!!

Knock, knock Who’s there?

Centipede.

Centipede who?

Centipede on the Christmas tree.

Knock, knock, Who’s there?

Lettuce.

Lettuce who?

Lettuce in!!

did you know?

Australian Facts The highest annual rainfall occurs at Tully in Queensland, with an ann ual mean precipitation of 4400mm.

The lowest overnight ground temperatures recorded in Austra lia were at Canberra with -15.1 deg rees, and Stanthorpe in Queensland wit h -11.0 degrees.

The largest artificial lake in Austra lia is Lake Argyle (700km2) which is in Western Australia.

The Deepest lake in Australia is Lake St Clair.

The continental shelf below Austra lia varies in width between 30km and 240km.

20

word scramble WEATHER 1. irna

_ _ _ _

2. onelycc _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. otmrs _ _ _ _ _ 4. aurirhnce _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5. ghitnling _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6. rife 7. ofldo 8. etraw

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9. hunrtde _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10. ihal

_ _ _ _

WIN A PERSONALISED ICE CREAM CAKE THANKS TO COLD ROCK ON APLIN STREET. SIMPLY UN-SCRAMBLE THE WORDS AND SEND THE ANSWERS TO US VIA EMAIL competitions@pakmag.com.au or post to PO BOX 7433 Cairns

www.pakmag.com.au

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

Sun 1st

Mon 2nd tues 3rd Wed 4th

thur 5th

Fri 6th

Sat 7th

Sun 8th

Mon 9th

VENUE

AUSTRALIA Mondos Esplanade Lagoon Brothers Mondos Gordonvale Library Cazalys Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas Green Railway Hall Cairns Regional Gallery Manunda Library Cazalys Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Edmonton Library Mossman Library City Place Cazalys Reef Hotel Casino Brothers Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 Tanks Art Centre - Tank 4 Mondos City Place Esplanade Lagoon City Place Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 Tanks Art Centre - Tank 4 PCYC Cairns Convention Centre Cairns Regional Gallery Esplanade Lagoon Esplanade Lagoon Cairns Convention Centre Mondos Esplanade Lagoon Trinity Beach Tavern Brothers

GREEn = kIDs

bLuE = ADuLts

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Clean Up Australia Day -DO IT! Bean Bags & Giant Games Youth Singer Songwriter Showcase BINGO Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel Storytime - Book Reading "Out of the Blue" - Live Music BABE IN ARMS - "He's Just Not That into You" Rock 'n' Beat 'n' Boogie Dance Classes Childrens Fine Art Classes - BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL Storytime - Book Reading "Big Noise" - Live Music "Watchmen" (TBA) - Release Date "All About Steve" (TBA) - Release Date "Watchmen" (TBA) - Release Date "All About Steve" (TBA) - Release Date Storytime - Book Reading Storytime - Book Reading "Vikarious" - Live Music Kids Club Night "3's A Crowd Duo" - Live Music "The Angels" - Live Music "Katie Noonan" - Live Music Hannah Parker Exhibition Official Launch "Azonic" Live Music "Lucky Phil" - Live Music Drum Up Big "Barrier Reef Rockers" - Live Music "ABBA: Live" "Women in Song" - Lve Music Jessie Hall Exhibition Official Launch "KindyCheer" with Awesome Cheerleading North Queensland Baby & Children's EXPO Free Entry to Gallery All Day "Juicy Fruits" - Live Music "I & I Tuala" - Live Music North Queensland Baby & Children's EXPO Bean Bags & Giant Games "Eagle" - Live Music "Tunes With Trent Solo" - Live Music BINGO

START TIME

All Day Arvo 15.00 9.00 18.00 10.30 20.00 10.30 18.00 6 week 10.30 20.00 All Day All Day All Day All Day 10.30 10.30 12.00 18.00 19.00 20.00 19.30 18.00 18.00 12.00 19.00 19.30 20.00 18.30 18.00 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 15.00 9.00 Arvo 15.00 14.00 9.00

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4056 1365 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4052 1166 (07) 4055 0956 (07) 4046 4800 (07) 4044 3779 (07) 4054 1464

(07) 4055 41 21 (07) 4099 9496 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4053 1053 (07) 4032 6601 (07) 4032 6601

(07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601 (07) 4032 6601 0402 225 630 (07) 4039 2725 (07) 4046 4800

(07) 4039 2725

Time to relax?

$1 DAY TUESDAY 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

COST

Free Free Free Cost Free Free Free $8.5/U5 Free/$8 $90 Free Free Cost Cost Cost Cost Free Free Free Cost Free Cost Free Free Free Free Free Cost Free $10 Cost Free Free Free Cost Free Free Free Cost

$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

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

Tues 10th Wed 11th

VENUE

Mondos Brothers Cazalys Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas Green Railway Hall City Library Thur 12th Various Locations Around Cairns Mossman Library Cazalys Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Thurs 12th Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Brothers Cazalys City Place Reef Hotel Casino Fri 13th Various Locations Around Cairns Brothers Cazalys Mondos City Place Esplanade Lagoon City Place Sat 14th Various Locations Around Cairns Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 PCYC Esplanade Lagoon Esplanade Lagoon Sun 15th Mondos Esplanade Lagoon Mon 16th Brothers Tues 17th Mondos SPECIAL DAY Smithfield Library Wed 18th Cazalys Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas Green Railway Hall Babinda Library Thur 19th Cazalys

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel "Gerry & the Pacemakers" - Live Music "Small Baggage" - Live Music BABE IN ARMS - "Last Chance Harvey" Rock 'n' Beat 'n' Boogie Dance Classes Storytime - Book Reading World's Greatest Shave - Register NOW! Storytime - Book Reading "Carrizma" - Live Music "Confessions of a Shopaholic" (TBA) - Release Date "Friday 13th" (TBA) - Release Date "Confessions of a Shopaholic" (TBA) - Release Date "Friday 13th" (TBA) - Release Date "Muph & Plutonic" Live Music Kids Club Night "Mitch" - Live Music "3's A Crowd Duo" - Live Music World's Greatest Shave - Register NOW! "Shannon Noll" - Live Music "Toecrackin Jack" - Live Music "Prodigal Sista" Live Music "James Braithwaite" - Live Music Marks Aussie Animal Show "Relay Rockers" - Live music World's Greatest Shave - Register NOW! "Hill Billy Goats" - Live Music "Eric Bibb" - Live Music "KindyCheer" with Awesome Cheerleading "Shari & the Mice" - Live Music "3's A Crowd Duo" - Live Music Bean Bags & Giant Games "Koahilition" - Live Music BINGO Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel St Patricks Day Storytime - Book Reading "Out of the Blue" - Live Music BABE IN ARMS - "Confessions of a Shopaholic" Rock 'n' Beat 'n' Boogie Dance Classes Storytime - Book Reading "Small Baggage" - Live Music

START TIME

18.00 20.00 20.00 10.30 18.00 10.30 All Day 10.30 20.00 All Day All Day All Day All Day 20.00 18.00 12.00 19.00 All Day 20.00 20.00 18.00 12.00 19.00 19.30 All Day 20.00 19.30 8.00 11.00 15.00 Arvo 15.00 9.00 18.00 10.30 20.00 10.30 18.00 10.30 20.00

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4053 1053 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4052 1166 (07) 4055 0956 (07) 4044 3720 1800 500 088 (07) 4099 9496 (07) 4054 1464

(07) 4053 1053 (07) 4054 1464

1800 500 088 (07) 4053 1053 (07) 4054 1464

1800 500 088 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601 0402 225 630

(07) 4057 7755 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4052 1166 (07) 4055 0956 (07) 4067 1112 (07) 4054 1464

COST

Free Cost Free $8.5/U5 Free/$8 Free Free Free Free Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Free Free Free Cost Free Free Free Free Free Free Free $10 Free Free Free Free Cost Free Free Free $8.5/U5 Free/$8 Free Free

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

VENUE

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Thurs 19th Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Mossman Library Cazalys City Place Reef Hotel Casino Fri 20th Cazalys SPECIAL DAY Mondos City Place City Place Esplanade Lagoon City Place Sat 21st Cazalys PCYC Esplanade Lagoon Esplanade Lagoon Sun 22nd Mondos Esplanade Lagoon Trinity Beach Tavern Mon 23rd Brothers Tues 24th Tanks Art Centre - Tank 3 & The Mondos Manunda Library Wed 25th Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 3 & The Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas Green Railway Hall Smithfield Library Thur 26th Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 3 & The Cairns Central Cinemas Cairns City Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Earlville Cinemas Cairns Civic Theatre Earlville Library Mossman Library Cazalys

"New In Town" (TBA) - Release Date "Duplicity" (TBA) - Release Date "New in Town" (TBA) - Release Date "Duplicity" (TBA) - Release Date Storytime - Book Reading Kids Club Night "Out of the Blue" - Live Music "3's A Crowd Duo" - Live Music "Cootes in Suites" - Live Music Crazy Hair Day - Cystic Fibrosous "Azonic" Live Music Safe Communities Designation Ceremony Songwriter Showcase "Foreshire Fire" - Live Show "Barrier Reef Rockers" - Live Music "Hypnotist - Mark Anthony" - Live Show "KindyCheer" with Awesome Cheerleading "Sorry Miss Jane" - Live Music "Raconteours" - Live Music Bean Bags & Giant Games "Hill Billy Goats" - Live Music "Tunes With Trent Solo" - Live Music BINGO Arts Business Training - FREE (Worth $1600) Family Night with Terry Doyle & Rachel Baby Rhyme Time "Small Baggage" - Live Music Arts Business Training - FREE (Worth $1600) BABE IN ARMS - "Duplicity" Rock 'n' Beat 'n' Boogie Dance Classes Teen Book Club "Big Noise" - Live Music Arts Business Training - FREE (Worth $1600) "Knowing" (TBA) - Release Date "The Uninvited" (TBA) - Release Date "Knowing" (TBA) - Release Date "The Uninvited" (TBA) - Release Date "Letters End - Physical Comedy For Children Storytime - Book Reading Storytime - Book Reading Kids Club Night

START TIME

All Day All Day All Day All Day 10.30 18.00 12.00 19.00 20.00 18.00 12.00 12.00 19.00 19.30 20.00 8.00 11.00 15.00 Arvo 15.00 14.00 9.00 9.00 18.00 10.30 20.00 9.00 10.30 18.00 20.00 9.00 All Day All Day All Day All Day 2 Shows 10.30 10.30 18.00

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4099 9596 (07) 4054 1464

(07) 4054 1464

(07) 4054 1464 0402 225 630

(07) 4032 6601 (07) 4044 3779 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601 (07) 4052 1166 (07) 4055 0956 (07) 4044 3785 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601

1300 885 835 (07) 4044 3766 (07) 4099 9496 (07) 4054 1464

COST

Cost Cost Cost Cost Free Cost Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free Free $10 Free Free Free Free Free Cost Free Free Free Free Free $8.5/U5 Free/$8 Free Free Free Cost Cost Cost Cost Cost Free Free Cost

Cairns Esplanade Markets

BY THE LAGOON

Pottery, Handcrafted Wall Hangings, Jewellery, Candles, Soap, Artworks, Children’s Clothing, Dresses, Shoes, Airbrush Hats, Aboriginal Art, Glassworks, Cards, Tea, Mango Products, Woodwork, Leadlight, Wild Nature Skin Care, Opals, Bone Carvings, Frog on a Log, Landscape and Underwater Photography, Gemstones, Dog Collars, Ceramics, Craftwork, Cairns on CD, Hair Braiding and Tarot... and much more...

EVERY SATURDAY 8AM - 5PM BY THE LAGOON

www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

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

VENUE

Green = kids

blue = adults

ENTERTAINMENT/EVENT NAME

Thurs 28th Reef Hotel Casino Fri 27th Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 Tanks Art Centre - Tank 3 & The Mondos Reef Hotel Casino - 2nd Level City Place Sat 28th Cazalys Tanks Art Centre - Tank 5 PCYC SPECIAL DAY Esplanade Lagoon Esplanade Lagoon Sun 29th Mondos Esplanade Lagoon Mon 30th Brothers Tues 31st Brothers

"3's A Crowd Duo" - Live Music "Swingin Alleycatz" - Live Music "Montreal Guitar Trio & Nano Stern" - Live Music Arts Business Training - FREE (Worth $1600) "Prodigal Sista" Live Music "Chris Lloyds & Friends" - Live Pop & Jazz Music "Doyle Duo" - Live Music "Kick Start" - Live Music "Sneaky Beats" - Live DJ "KindyCheer" with Awesome Cheerleading Earth Hour "Sweet K" - Live Music "Small Baggage" - Live Music Bean Bags & Giant Games "Meridian" - Live Music BINGO Membership Draws

START TIME

19.00 20.00 19.30 9.00 18.00 11.00 12.00 20.00 18.00 8.00 All Day 11.00 15.00 Arvo 15.00 9.00 19.00

FOR MORE INFO:

(07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601 (07) 4032 6601 (07) 4030 8702 (07) 4054 1464 (07) 4032 6601 0402 225 630

COST

Free Free Free Free Free Free Free 15 $10 Free Free Free Free Free Cost Free

regular weekly events XTREME ILLUSIONS starring Sam Powers at Velvet underground - Every Mon through to Sat @ 19.30 GO Bowling Cairns Specials on all month for adults, kids, birthdays and groups!

Cairns Recreation Centre Mon to Fri - Vacation Care @ 8.00 (FDay $20 / HDay $12) Cairns Recreation Centre Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri - Kids Boot Camp @ 16.00 Fri - Teen Skate @ 19.00 Sat - Beginners Skate Session @ 10.00 Sat - Family Skate Session @ 19.00 Sat to Sun - General Skate Sessions @ 13.00 Sun - Learn to Skate Sessions @ 10.00 Sun - Dance Skate with Roger G @ 18.00

Atherton Markets

Esplanade Lagoon Mon - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30 & Walk / Run Circuit @ 17.15 Tues - YOGA @ 6.30 Wed - Sarge’s Army Boot Camp @ 17.30 Wed - Beach Volleyball Clinic @ 17.30 Thurs - Pilates @ 6.00 & Petanque @ 10.00 Thurs - Aqua Aerobics Class @ 18.15 Fri - Aqua Aerobics @ 6.30 & Boot Camp @ 6.30 Sat - Sahaja YOGA @ 7.30, Aqua Aerobics @ 8.30 & Boxercise @ 8.00 Brother’s Leagues Club Tues - Seniors Morning “Club Gold” @ 9.30 Brother’s Leagues KIDS Club Every Sun - Kids Disco 15.30-18.00 (ages 3-12yrs)

regular markets

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

Malanda Markets

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

Babinda Markets

Mareeba Markets

Rusty's Markets

Mission Beach Markets

Esplanade Markets

Monster Markets

- the first Saturday of each month, except January, from 8am, Munro Street - All day Friday, until 2pm Saturday and Sunday, Grafton Street, Cairns - Every Saturday from 8am - 4am at Fogerty Park, Cairns

Mt Sheridan Markets - 2nd Saturday of every month

Night Markets

- the 2nd Saturday of each month at Centenary Park, Byrnes Street - 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 6.30am - noon, Opposite Hideaway - the last Sunday of each month from 8am - 2pm, April til Nov at Marcs Park

Mossman Markets

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

Port Douglas Markets

- Everyday from 4.30pm-11pm, Entry from Espanade or Abbott Street, Cairns

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

Northern Beaches Markets

SPeewah Markets

Tanks Art Centre Markets

Tolga Markets

Cooktown Markets

Tully Markets

Gordonvale Cottage Markets

Yungaburra Markets

- the 3rd Sunday of each month from 9am - 3pm, Smithfield Shopping Centre - the last Sunday of each month from 9am-1pm, Cairns - every Saturday from 8am - noon at Lions Park - on the first Saturday of each month from 8am - noon at Norman Park

Innisfail Red Cross Markets

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

Kuranda Markets

- every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 9am - 3pm in Therwine St

- Every Sunday 8am-2pm Carpark of the Speewah Tavern, Speewah Road. 6ks past Kuranda - the first Sunday of each month at Morrow Park Race Course - every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Tully Showgrounds.

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

Swap Meet @ Rodeo Drive-in Mareeba

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

the spot difference

How to do a hand stand

By Tamara Manning from Awesome Cheerleading

1. Stand up straight stretching your arms above your head. They need to be very straight otherwise you might fall on your head especially if they are bent.

2. Reach up as tall as you can and put your preferred foot forward.

3. Take a big step forward onto that foot and kick up your second leg to join with the first. Tip: Push up through your shoulders trying to make your feet as high as they can this will help you balance.

4. To come back down let your second foot reach for the ground and the other follow-stand up.

See if you can spot the 8 differences. Don’t stop until you find them all

PaK

5. It is always important to try this in an area that is open e.g. on a field with nice soft grass, not in the lounge room and have someone with you like a parent.

Tip: Try this against a wall with an old mattress under you. The wall will help your balance. And remember no dirty feet on the wall to keep mum happy

science

Secrets will stay a secret - Invisible Ink!

Fancy yourself as a young EINSTIEN??? Well check out our new segment - PAK Science!!!

Have you ever wondered how the undercover agents used to write secret messages to each other? Before transmitters and mobile phones were invented? One possibility may have been through the use of a lemon, water and a fire.

WHAT YOU NEED: 1/2 Lemon, Saucer, Water, Teaspoon, Cotton Swab, White Paper, Lamp.

WHAT TO DO: Simply squeeze the lemon into the saucer and mix with a little water with the spoon. Dip your swab into the solution and write a message on ordinary white paper. When it dries, the writing will be invisible. When you are ready to read it, simply hold the paper near a light bulb to heat it up.

WHAT HAPPENS: The words will then appear!

WHY: The juice of lemons and some other fruits contain compounds of carbon. These compounds are nearly colourless when you mix them with water. However, when you heat them, the compounds breakdown and produce carbon, which is black.

www.pakmag.com.au

25

BULLETIN #16 The totally amazing, incredible, fantastic adventures of Bopstar, Bree and the Boppers!

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.

FOREVER! TOGETHER! BOPSTARS! Bulletin: Part XVI Last Edition: “What are we going to do? How are we going to get out? I want my mummy!” gasped Trent, huddled in the corner of the enormous glass chamber. “We need a plan to break out and we need it now!” urged Bree. Bree needed to think of a plan and fast. How could they escape? What is Crazy Jims new evil scheme and if they did escape, how would they stop Jim from following through with his plan?

Many things started racing through Bree’s mind and only time would tell if they would escape in time!

Bree had been pacing, back and forth within the chamber thinking of a plan of how to escape. It had been at least 2 hrs since they had seen Crazy Jim and Eleese was beginning to worry. All of a sudden, Eleese jumped in the air and said “I’ve got it!” “Shhhhh!” stated Bree, “you don’t want to alert ZORAN the servant!”

MEANWHILE….

Crazy Jim had been experimenting with his new CYCLONE-A-FLOOD-A-MATIC machine! His invention was a state-of-the-art weather maker and predictor which had been testing in Far North. Talking menacingly to his incredible machine, “Eventually, you will be ready to take over Queensland and then we will rule the nation.

HA HA HA!” chuckled Jim. BOOM! CRASH! BANG! Without warning, the three boppers appeared through the lab door and Bree shouted, “You may have flooded Queensland, but I am going to make sure it stops there!”

“B…b…b…but how did you escape?” Crazy Jim quivered. “It was easy!” stated Eleese, “I remembered watching a documentary on minerals of the earth and how diamond was much harder then glass. I then realised that I had been wearing my diamond ring the while time!” Bree piped up, “We then needed a diversion to distract your servant, and Eleese quickly cut a hole in the chamber and now you are going to pay…BIG TIME!” After capturing Crazy Jim, restraining his servant, ZORAN, and shutting down the CYCLONE-A-FLOODA-MATIC machine, the three boppers decided to take a break and spent the rest of the day playing at the beach and enjoying the sun!

All three boppers huddled in a group and began whispering and chuckling amongst themselves, devising their plan to escape.

26

www.pakmag.com.au

pak review bEEtHoVEn’s bIG bREAk DVD Rating: PG

Category: Family

Released on DVD: 14/1/2009 Since losing his mother, Billy lives with his hard-working dad, Eddie, and all of Eddie’s interesting animals. Eddie works as an animal trainer, but he won’t allow his son to have the one pet he really desires…a dog! One day, though, Billy chances to meet a large and lovable St. Bernard, and he just can’t help but bring him home.

Billy names the dog Beethoven, and the two become instant best friends.

Kids, especially dog-lovers, will get a kick out of this big-hearted movie featuring a huge, slobbery, and adorable St. Bernard whose middle name should have been “Trouble!” The movie has some funny parts for kids, and they will enjoy watching the dog’s chaos-causing antics.

Make sure to grab the VOuCHEr in the vouchers section and go see the team at Civic Video for their special offer!

Win a civic prize PAK! To win simply answer this question and send you answer to competitions@pakmag.com.au Or mail to Pak Review PO Box 7433 Cairns 4870 “What type of dog is Beethoven?”

Question 1: In the Bopstar Bulletin, what is the name of Crazy Farmer Jims Invention?

Question 2: Finish the title of this movie: “H_ _ _ _ F_ _ D_ _ _”

ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS AND YOU COULD WIN A FANTASTIC PRIZE PAK!!!

Question 3: What special day is on the 14th of February each year?

Question 4: What month is the Cairns Show held?

Question 5: What two planets are either side of Earth?

Email your answers to: competitions@pakmag.com.au Or post your answers to: Battle of the Brains March 09, PAK MAG, PO Box 7433 Cairns Qld 4870 *Conditions Apply

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PURRRRR, MEOW!

The frisky feline - Domestic Cat!

The cat (Felis catus), also known as the domestic cat or house cat to distinguish it from other felines and felids, is a small predatory carnivorous species of crepuscular mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin, snakes, scorpions and other unwanted household pests. It has been associated with humans for at least 9,500 years.

A skilled predator, the cat is known to hunt over 1,000 species for food. It can be trained to obey simple commands. Individual cats have also been known to learn on their own to manipulate simple mechanisms, such as doorknobs. Cats use a variety of vocalisations and types of body language for communication, including meowing, purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Cats may be the most popular pet in the world, with over 600 million in homes all over the world. They are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This hobby is known as the “cat fancy.�

Until recently the cat was commonly believed to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt, where it was a cult animal. However a 2007 study found that the lines of descent of all house cats probably run through as few as five self-domesticating African Wildcats (Felis silvestris lybica) circa 8000 BC, to the East.

Figure 2: Blue-eyed cats with white hair have a higher occurrence of genetic deafness.

QUICK PAK FACTS Eat

Eat a huge variety of foods. Domestic cats mainly eat 'cat food' or pests around the home.

Habitat

Globally - Cats live in all parts of the world

Fact

Some breeds of cat, such as the Maine Coon, can exceed 11.3 kilograms.

Fact

Thirty-two individual muscles in each ear allow for a manner of directional hearing: a cat can move each ear independently of the other

Fact

Cats' night vision is superior to humans although their vision in daylight is inferior.

Fact

Cats' acts of self-defence involve arching their backs, raising their fur, turning sideways and hissing.

Figure 1: Common House Cat.

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out & about

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Lily Young

Connor and Bella for her 2nd birthday

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Maya @ Palm Cove Australia Day Breaky

Sam @ Palm

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Day Breaky

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pak babies Why use Modern Cloth nappies?

For centuries women have used cloth nappies on their babies until the invention of disposable nappies teamed with effective advertising campaigns caused most mums to opt for convenience above all else. A generation later and even more mothers are completely unaware of the cloth nappy options that are available to them. They still believe it’s pins and pilchers, folding, soaking and nappy rashes – and who wants to deal with all of that? But modern cloth nappies are not that way at all – in fact, they are the way of the future. They come in a wide range of materials and styles to suit all babies and budgets. Easy to use, easy to care for, super absorbent, super groovy, better for the environment and much better for your budget!

STYLES OF MODErn CLOTH nAPPIES

Join the nappy revolution Many parents are turning to a rapidly growing trend to use cloth nappies and are discovering it’s not like the old days, reports Shannon du Plessis Did you know that disposable nappies contain sodium polyacrylate crystals which was banned from tampons in 1985 because of its link to toxic shock syndrome?

Disposable nappies also contain polypropylene, a petrochemical, which is non-recyclable and toxic when incinerated. It is also fat soluble, and can pass quickly from water to living tissue.

Ttributyl tin is a toxic chemical which can contaminate certain types of plastic during manufacture. Research by the Royal Women’s Hospital found babies may be in contact with up to 3.6 times the World Health Organisation’s estimated daily tolerable intake of this chemical if they wear disposable nappies.

Further research by Anderson Laboratories in 1999 showed airborne emissions from some disposable nappies are linked to asthma.

As we age, our skin develops a natural barrier to chemicals and pollutants, but babies do not have that protective layer.

Their skin is super sensitive which is why chemical-free, natural products are the obvious choice for babies.

Supermarket shelves are stocked full of chemically-derived wipes, lotions, shampoos, and plastic nappies. They look harmless and we buy them to pamper our little ones, but your average babycare products contain a cocktail of chemicals that might surprise you. continued overleaf...

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COVERS: Gone are the days of sweaty PVC covers! Improved materials used today include wool, polar fleece, nylon, and Polyurethane Laminates or PUL. Covers are made either as a pull-up style, snap closure or hook & loop closure. They are easy to use and keep the mess in while allowing your baby’s skin to breathe.

LINERS: Liners help to keep baby dry, make disposing of solid waste much easier and are a good way to protect your modern cloth nappies.

Liners today are made of microfleece, raw silk (excellent if baby has a rash) or a biodegradable flushable liner.

WIPES: Mums who use modern cloth nappies usually go another step further and use reusable wipes on their baby’s bottom. Water is all that is needed to clean a baby, and reusable wipes are most often made from flannel, microfleece, sherpa or polar fleece.

FLATS AND PREFOLDS: Terry, muslin or flannelette squares are the traditional methods of cloth nappying. These are a practical and affordable option. Standard flat squares and their modern variation, the prefold (a rectangular shaped nappy with an absorbent panel sewn down the middle), can be folded to fit most baby sizes and are fastened easily with products like the Snappi Nappy Fastener or a traditional nappy pin. Flat nappies and prefolds are typically used with a cover.

FITTED: Fitted nappies are shaped, ensuring no leaks and a comfortable fit. They typically have elastic in the legs and waist and most have hook & loop or snap fasteners attached. They come in a range of sizes or a onesize-fits-all style. Newborn styles feature a snap-down flap to go under the umbilical cord stump. Fitted nappies are adjustable, and are typically used with a cover.

ALL-IN-ONE: A shaped absorbent nappy with a waterproof cover builtin, the all-in-one is fastened with either hook & loop or snaps. Like the fitted nappy, these come in various sizes from birth to toddler, with some being one-size so they grow with your baby. All-in-one nappies are super convenient for busy mums and dads.

POCKET NAPPIES: Similar to the all-in-one, pocket nappies are a cover and liner sewn together to form (as the name suggests) a pocket. The pocket is stuffed with an absorbent material – such as a contoured insert made of microfibre or hemp, or folded up flat nappy – to give the convenience of an all-in-one, with variable absorbency and a quick drying time!

Let your washing machine do the work!

Reusable nappies don’t need to be soaked anymore – in fact, soaking can ruin modern cloth nappies. Just flush any solid waste, then store nappies in a securely lidded bucket until wash day with a drop of tea tree oil to stop the smells. “Dry-pailing” is easy, chemical free and safe.

Dry-pailing takes the fuss and smell out of using cloth nappies, and does away with the inconvenience and hazards of a bucket full of water. You can give nappies a quick rinse before dry-pailing if you want to. On wash day, just wash your nappies with a small amount of detergent. Sun dry as much as possible. The sun naturally bleaches stains and sanitises your nappies.

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pak babies - join the nappy revolution - continued...

Many parents choose what they perceive to be the “easy” way of caring for their baby, instead of the safest, more economical and more environmentally friendly ways.

It is a fact that every disposable nappy ever dumped still exists today as they can take centuries to break down.

colours and some use very innovative fabrics making them stylish, fun and environmentally sound for your baby to wear.

Reusable nappies are made from highly absorbent eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo and hemp.

The average baby will use around 2400 nappies per year and create around two tonnes of landfill made entirely of disposable nappies over two and half years.

Not only are these materials incredibly effective and soft for your baby to wear but they are leaving minimal impact in their production as they are grown sustainably, using minimal water and chemicals in their production.

Annually in Australia, it is estimated that 1.247 billion disposable nappies are dumped (roughly 3.41 million per day).

Methods of cleaning nappies have changed too, so you use less water and use chemical-free laundry powder.

Now consider that most parents are too lazy to tip the poo into the toilet and instead leave it in the nappy to be dumped.

No longer requiring soaking, modern cloth nappies are quickdrying, shaped like disposables with Velcro, Snappis or pressstud fasteners and they can last for years for more than one child.

This leads to a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, and dumping faeces in such a way is completely illegal. During the wet season these viruses can make their way back to our water sources.

For parents on a budget, the savings of using cloth on baby’s bum is enormous. For the first child, you can save more than $3000, and for three children, you could save more than $10,000.

Using a modern cloth nappy system costs roughly $690 over two years, which can then be used for subsequent children.

It was not so long ago that every baby wore a cloth nappy, and now that modern cloth nappies are proving to be an effective and economical alternative to disposables, this writer hopes that one day cloth will become the norm again in the future.

If you’re still not convinced ask yourself this: would you like to wear plastic underwear in the middle of summer? * Shannon is owner of Berry Baby, visit www.berrybaby.com.au

Modern cloth nappy options come in wonderful styles and

Eco-Babies Our newborn babies enter this world all pure and delicious and then before you know it we’re bombarding them with toxic chemicals. If you want to minimise your baby’s exposure follow these 5 easy ways to make them happily green: BrEASTFEED Breastfeeding is obviously the greenest option for feeding your baby but if it’s not for you then look for organic brands of formula. They are free of steroids, antibiotics, pesticides, growth hormones and chemical fertilisers. And, if you’re using plastic bottles, be careful about warming them up in the microwave since it causes them to leach Bisphenol A (a toxin that mimics oestrogen). Check out the range of glass and stainless bottles at Enviromart.

MAKE YOur OWn OrGAnIC FOOD Feeding your baby from purchased jars of baby food is expensive, exposes them to additives and creates waste.

You will be doing both your baby and the planet a big favour of you buy organic fruit and vegies and make their food yourself.

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by Elaine Seager

uSE rEuSABLE nAPPIES AnD WIPES Our reliance on disposable nappies and wipes for dealing with baby’s bums is a major problem for the environment and not that great for our baby’s since they are packed full of chemicals. Save some money and the planet by trying reusable brands. uSE nATurAL/OrGAnIC SKInCArE PrODuCTS Parents have recently been advised to limit their baby’s exposure to shampoo, lotions and powder after a new study found chemicals in these products in their urine. They lead to a higher concentration of phtalates in their body’s which are linked to allergies and altered reproductive development. (Check out miessence for certified Mother & Baby products).

CLEAn THE HOuSE WITH nATurAL Or OrGAnIC CLEAnInG PrODuCTS All of those products we buy to make the house smell clean are jammed full of toxic chemicals so instead of cleaning your baby’s room with them, use more natural alternatives or go really green and use bicarb of soda and vinegar instead.

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Taming the reluctant brusher! by 1300smiles

Babies begin to get teeth from 6 months of age and as soon as teeth appear it is important that bacterial plaque, food debris and mouth acids are removed daily with brushing. Initially it may be easier to use a small soft cloth with water to remove the plaque film, but as the child grows older, a small soft, toothbrush with fine bristles is recommended. Use a smear of low fluoride toothpaste such as Colgate’s “My first toothpaste”, or Oral B’s “Bananas in Pajamas”.

A good method for brushing toddler teeth is to cradle them in your lap. This gives you more control and makes them feel safe and secure. As they grow, you may find it easier to see and get access by assisting the brushing (especially at the back of the mouth) by standing behind your child with their head gently tilted backwards. Some children are very enthusiastic about brushing whilst others may be very reluctant and uncooperative. Gentle persistence and encouragement with lots of praise works well at making them feel special for achieving success.

Always encourage your child’s efforts to mimic you by brushing their own teeth but remember that adult assistance, and then later, regular supervision is important until they are quite a bit older. For the reluctant toothbrusher, try making tooth brushing fun by singing or playing games whilst brushing or by using distractions such as the radio or the T.V. Sometimes the use of a

INTRODUCING DENTAL THERAPIST TANIA PATERSON

battery operated or electric toothbrush can provide the added novelty value required to make brushing less of a chore.

If your child does not like the taste of toothpaste, then use water only or experiment with different brands of junior toothpastes until you find a flavour that your child prefers. Remember however, that many toddlers cannot avoid swallowing the toothpaste, so a pea sized amount of low fluoride paste is essential for children aged between 2 and 6 years. Younger children (under 2) should use little or no toothpaste.

Teeth should be brushed twice a day, especially prior to bed time after which (for toddlers) no food or drink should be taken (including milk). Brush along the chewing surfaces using a soft gentle scrubbing motion. Use a circular or jiggling motion on the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth ensuring that the gums are reached in both arches. Be especially careful to make sure the teeth all the way to the back of the mouth are brushed as well as behind the lower front teeth, where plaque accumulates and goes hard quickly.

Remember that regular checks and visits with Tania at 1300SMILES at both Cairns Central and Smithfield Shopping Centres will assist you in keeping your child’s teeth healthy and you smiling!

As a Dental Therapist Tania works solely with 4 to 17 year olds. Her duties include examinations, x-rays, restoration of baby and adult teeth, cleaning and fluoride applications, emergency treatment due to caries (decay) and trauma, oral health & diet instruction.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre Shop 3, Ground Floor, Cnr Spence & McLeod Streets

1300 S 7 M6

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Smithfield Shopping Centre Shop 62, Smithfield Centre, Cnr Cook & Kennedy Highways

Free Teen Dental Check Up Medicare Teen Dental Voucher Use your $150 dental voucher at 1300SMILES and receive a FREE dental check up & clean.

No out of pocket expense.

1300SMILES will bulk bill.

That’s $150 value for FREE. Don’t let your teen voucher go to waste.

Call 1300 764 537 to make an appointment.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH TANIA TODAY (She may also be available for external ‘Group’ Talks & Presentations)

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pak parent

SuperMum:

Samantha Olding ponders on the ultimate juggle of being a working mum and trying to save the planet.

Motherhood has many challenges but how on earth are we supposed to go about trying to care for the environment when we’re busy caring for everyone else in the household?! Nurturing two children, going to work, doing the shopping, cleaning the house, cooking dinner, putting the children to bed, making time for small talk with hubby and making the school lunches for the next day.

When your day is consumed by domestic duties, saving the planet is hardly top of the list!

It can be overwhelming to think too hard about it so I content myself with taking some small baby steps to do my bit. At home I am ably assisted by a recycling Nazi. After teaching our eldest daughter about recycling she has taken it upon herself to know more than I do: ‘Mum, you are supposed to wash out the dog tin and place it in the recycle pile’…

OR ‘Mum why did you put that in the wrong bin?’. There is no escaping the recycling Nazi in our household but all in all this is a good thing. The best thing about recycling is that it generates lots of materials for arts and crafts either to use at home or at school for their art projects. Empty egg cartons, milk containers, beer bottles, cereal boxes etc can all be reused in the name of entertainment.

When my first daughter was born I was concerned about using disposable nappies and I diligently used cloth nappies for two months. However, the amount of time I was spending on cleaning the cloth nappies took their toll one me and like many women I gave in to the convenience of tried and true (easy to use) disposable nappies. However I lessened the guilt of giving in to convenience by using the cloth nappies for cleaning up spills and wiping down the outside table! Hey, I didn’t say I was perfect!

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I always thought that I was fairly green but when I looked in to it further I realised I’m really not that green at all. I suspect many other people are the same. Our lives have become so dependent on things that are convenient but not good for the environment that it’s a hard habit to break. Trying to turn green overnight will never work, but at least making a few changes slowly and integrating in to your lifestyle is a step in the right direction. I have found it easiest to start by doing those things that also make economic sense so I save my hip pocket as well as the environment. So, we installed a solar hot water system which has slashed our energy bill (electricity) by 60%. We use candles at night in the lounge room (this also signifies to our eldest daughter that it is night time ie. therefore quiet time which works a treat!). Lights are kept off in bedrooms until bedtime.

The airconditioning never runs higher or lower than 25 degrees. And, I make a real effort to use the car less.

Mind you that’s more of a dry season tactic and would be made easier I we had better public transport.

Whilst it’s true that I’m not as green as I could be, I am making an effort to do some small things for the environment. I want to do more because I am concerned about what my children will be left to contend with. The key is to make it fun – not just for your children but for yourself as well.

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Time to travel to Tassie.

by Travel with Kids

Fancy a complete change of scenery for your next family holiday? Why not check out Tasmania. This unique island has some stunning scenery and landscapes, intriguing history, delicious food including some of the country’s best seafood as well as its fabulous National Parks and wildlife.

Here are just a few of the wonderful experiences awaiting visitors: ADVEnTurE: Soar in the treetops and cross rivers on swinging bridges at the Tahune Forest Airwalk, head underground at Hastings caves, take a thrilling ride on jet boat at Huonville. And, why not introduce the kids to the cold surf by catching a surfing lesson with a local surf school.

WILDLIFE: The kids will love taking an eco-cruise and looking out for seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds. At night there are opportunities to stalk quolls and Tasmanian Devils, and by day you can see wombats and platypus at Mt Field Rehabilitation centre.

HISTOrY: Visit the historic site at Port Arthur with its convict buildings and the picture perfect town of Richmond, an old colonial village that is now a centre for artists and craftspeople. Wander through its galleries, cafes and antique shops and maybe stop off and visit a vineyard on the way.

FOOD & WInE: Paddle the Hobart docks and finish off with fish and chips fresh from a punt, have a picnic Bruny Island style and visit Salamanca Markets for some fine Tasmanian food.

There are self-drive or tour options available. *Return airfares from Cairns start at $621.00 per person. *10 day car hire from as little as $43.00 per day Book now!

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For further information on family holidays call now for an appointment with Jill at Southside BLT on 07 4033 8333 or Debby at Cairns North BLT on 07 4080 4000 or one of our Travel With Kidz Holiday Experts.

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fine coffees ™

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pak vouchers 95c HIRE of any GAME or DVD

1 FREE KIDS DVD HIRE *PG or G Rated

95c HIRE of any GAME or DVD

EDGE HILL SMITHFIELD WESTCOURT BRINSMEAD

FREE Garlic Bread with any main meal

COME AND TRY ANY CLASS FOR FREE Call Tamara on 0402 225 630

FREE COFFEE

with any kids pack purchase* Coffee is small size only. Valid at Jamaica Blue Cairns Central until 31/3/09. Present voucher to redeem offer. Not valid with any other offer.

FREE Come & Try Game*

This entitles you and a friend to attend a FREE COME & TRY session of Tenpin Bowling at selected COME & TRY days. Please phone the centre for details. This session includes one FREE game with coaching tips and pointers.

Complimentary welcome coffee or soft drink *Must present voucher to redeem offer

BUY ONE CHILD'S TICKET, GET A SECOND FREE

Not valid with any other discounts or vouchers.

Valid for 2009 event only. Present voucher at ticket office on either day to redeem. North Queensland Baby and Children's Expo, Cairns Convention Centre. Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March, 2009

BOOK IN MARCH FOR A FREE SINGLE BED SANITISATION VALUED AT $60.50* TELEPHONE 0423 549 310 or 1300 851 363 *conditions apply

BUT ANY ICE CREAM GET A FREE MIX IN

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Valid Aplin St Cold Rock, Shop 7 Trilogy Tower until April 30.

Valid Aplin St Cold Rock, Shop 7 Trilogy Tower until April 30.

Valid Aplin St Cold Rock, Shop 7 Trilogy Tower until April 30.

Valid Aplin St Cold Rock, Shop 7 Trilogy Tower until April 30.

Only one voucher per person per day

Only one voucher per person per day

Only one voucher per person per day

Only one voucher per person per day

prize winners for january Congratulations!

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

JEMMAH’S PEt oF tHE MontH FIrST DAY brendan and chase with their Guinea Pigs OF SCHOOL Leanne bailey of Yorkeys Knob

ThIS MONTh’S COlOURINg-IN COMpETITION wINNERS: Have all won Hotel for Dogs Prize Packs!

BAttLE oF tHE BRAinS

WoRD SCRAMBLE tyler Ratcliff

Lea Reeves Manunda

Emilie Binne-Ekbald aged 7

Amy Anderson aged 8

Ayle Baker aged 5

Tennile Nesbit aged 6

Sara Petrie aged 7

nAtURAL MiRACLES MoZZiE CoMP Jenny Harvey Stratford sarah torres Bayview Janet Walsh Cairns belinda Hilton Bentley Park brendan Davies-Mareeba

Elizabeth thompson Palm Cove Laura smith- Innisfail Amanda staple- Manunda Jemma Anderson-Whitfield Gabrielle Jones-Forest Gardens

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

Keesha loved by Justis

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Mr Greedy loved by Jai

Rosy loved by Ka

Email your photo, name/s and address to: photos@pakmag.com.au Deadline for photos is 21st March for our April edition.

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pet tips & hints

with Darlene Stewart

Separation Anxiety and your Dog Does your dog love you soooo much that when you leave they just can’t stand it? Well, just like toddlers, dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when their owner leaves them. It’s a condition that occurs when they become so highly attached to you and your family that they become extremely distressed in your absence.  How do you know if your dog is suffering anxiety separation? The common signs are destructiveness, barking, urinating or defecating inside the house, escaping or sometimes just subdued inactivity. The anxiety often begins to build up when the owner is preparing to leave the house. Dogs know what’s about to happen and jangling keys and lights being turned off is a cue that you are leaving. For affected dogs these cues will trigger panting, trembling and following you around.

Whilst many people feel embarrassed to admit that their dog has this problem, it is actually quite common. It doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you or the dog but it does require some guidance and intervention

to treat it and the sooner you get help to treat it the better. To alleviate the problem it is important start by trying to reduce their dependency on you by not giving them overly exuberant greetings, not rewarding attention seeking behaviour and ignoring them if they follow you around. You will also need to sharpen up their obedience skills so you gain better control over them. Only reward them when they sit or lie down quietly and provide them with a quiet and secure rest area where they can retire to and make sure you take time to teach them to use it.

Most importantly, when you are going out minimise their distress by distracting them with lots of toys and other stimulation to keep them amused whilst you’re gone. If you’re worried about this you should consult your vet.

There are many remedies available to help both you and your pooch. Your vet will be able to give you some fantastic tips and may even prescribe some medication.

All in all, the sooner you get help the better you and your furry friend will feel.

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DIY pak projects

Going Potty with Herbs

By Amanda Mathiot

Growing your own herbs is a simple and fun family activity and now is a good time of year to pull out the pots and seedlings and plant up some old time favourites. Fresh herbs are a great flavour enhancer for your cooking and they are also healthy with a surprising number of nutrients packed in to them. And, even better, growing your own avoids you buying herbs in unnecessary plastic packaging and using fuel to transport it here from other parts of the country, so it’s fantastic for the environment.

You don’t need much room to cultivate herbs. It can be as small as one container with several herbs growing, or a collection of pots. Move the herbs around for the best sun and to catch the rain and keep them close to the kitchen, so they are easily attainable when needed for cooking.

They look great on stairs or windowsills.

We decided to plant some Basil, Chives and Parsley. Basil is a sweetly aromatic herb that has become indispensable in Italian cooking and thrives when planted in pots. Chives are an onion flavoured herb that is best used fresh from the garden. Parsley is not only used as a garnish, but is also very good for your health with high levels of Vitamin A and C. They also contain Minerals and Compounds that help clear your body from toxins.

Lets get potting: You will need: · A pot or a container to plant herbs in. Anything can be used as long as it has good holes for drainage. · Good quality soil · Herbs that you will be planting. You can either buy seedlings at the nursery or like us ask around, somebody you know might have some extras that they are willing to part with. · Watering can · Old clothes that can get dirty · Gloves if you like Instructions: 1. Fill your container half to three quarters full with soil 2. In the centre of the pot make a hole big enough to start planting your herbs. We put our biggest herb (basil) in the centre.

3. Gently place your herb in the hole and fill in with the soil.

4. Continue these steps with your other herbs. Be very careful when planting that you don’t damage the plants.

5. Pat the dirt down.

6. Give it a good water with your watering can.

7. Place in a bright sunny area.

8. Wash your hands with soap, even if you wore gloves.

9. Think about what you are going to cook with your delicious herbs 10.Don’t forget to water your new Herb Garden regularly.

Enjoy

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41

eating out

Fusion Allergy Free Cafe and Juice Bar

Healthy Sunday morning with the kids

By Nathen Dainney I’m all into stepping out of the ordinary and today was a breakfast that proved to be a big surprise.

Pennie Browne the founder of Fusion allergy Cafe and Juice Bar is eclectic in spirit and imagination when it comes to food. Her influences are from all corners of the world which is evident in the gallery of photos which line the walls. An allergy free Cafe Juice bar originally conjured up preconceived ideas for me of odd flavourless offerings which tasted as bad as they were good for you but Pennie soon smashed those thoughts. What I discovered was food so rich and tasty that my three companions were moaning in harmony as we each took a morsel to our mouths. The foods are able to be changed and catered for all allergies with selections of vegan and wonderful meat dishes.

As it was a Sunday morning I picked my first course from the juice bar and ordered a freshly juiced pineapple lime and ginger drink. We also ordered a shot of Mona Vie, a super antioxidant drink from the Acai berry, which had delicious raspberry and grape flavours. Nothing like a wheat grass shot, it tasted great!

Our first breakfast Item, Miss Maddie, came to us in honour of Pennie’s young daughter, Maddie, who is currently living in India, whom they “miss” dearly. Thyme flavoured mushrooms covered with a light omelette and hollandaise on a thick rye toast. We also sampled and fought over a savoury beef mince on toast which was very moorish.

compote of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries along with maple syrup and yoghurt. Back off, it’s all mine! We also had a unique Indian omelette with wonderfully mild and intricate spices. Overall it was a delicious tasting and very healthy breakfast and good enough to rival any breakfast I have eaten in the world.

Breakfast mains averaged around $13 and are also able to be made in child portions. I could easily have been persuaded to hang around until lunch, minus the kids, to polish off one of their Lime Coconut and Avocado tarts. Then again there is take-away for lunch and take home dinner packs which became quite tempting as well.

We finished our visit with some of their great selections of tea and coffee, Soyachino and a LSD (Latte Soy Dandelion). Both good picks.

Fusion are so committed to allergy free cooking for the family that they provide classes once a week for parents and kids to learn how to replicate these addictive dishes at home. I’m also happy to announce that Pennie will soon be sharing some of her recipes with us in PakMag from her much anticipated cook book being published later this year.

✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘

My personal favourite was the pancakes made from organic buckwheat which are naturally gluten free and served with a

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www.pakmag.com.au

movie of the month CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC Based on the books “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and “Shopaholic Takes Manhattan” by Sophie Kinsella. Struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source, Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is a 25 year old who lives with her best friend Suze (Krysten Ritter) in Suze’s flat, in a trendy part of town. Rebecca Bloomwood unintentionally lands a job writing for a financial magazine after a drunken letter-mailing mix-up. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca’s innovative comparisons and unconventional metaphors for economics grants her critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke. But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her “shopaholic” condition will bring her real happiness.

wIN ONE OF FIVE pRIZE pACkS! Confess to us the release date of this film and you could win! Email your answer to: competitions@pakmag.com.au by February 22

www.shopaholicmovie.com.au

RELEASED APRiL 2 CoMEDY RAtinG M

Movie Session Times: 4057 0000

www.birch.com.au

CAIRNS CITY CINEMAS 108 Grafton Street 4031 1077 CAIRNS CENTRAL CINEMAS Cairns Central Shopping Centre 4052 1166 CAIRNS EARLVILLE CINEMAS Stockland Shopping Centre 4057 0001

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Time for a break

Children explain Angels....

I only know the names of two angels, Hark and Harold.

Gregory, 5 Everybody’s got it all wrong. Angels don’t wear halos anymore.

I forget why, but scientists are working on it.

Olive, 9 It’s not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there’s still the flight training to go through.

And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes.

Matthew, 9 Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else.

Mitchell, 7 My guardian angel helps me with math, but he’s not much good for science.

Henry, 8 Angels don’t eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!!

Jack, 6 Angels talk all the way while they’re flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead.

Daniel, 9 When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there’s a tornado.

Reagan, 10 Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter.

Sara, 6 Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who’s a very good carpenter.

Jared, 8 All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn’t go for it.

Antonio, 9 My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth. Simone, 9 Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don’t make the animals get better, they help the child get over it.

Vicki, 8 What I don’t get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.

Sarah, 7

8 9

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7 3

8

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7

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2 4

1

8 7

7

1

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KIDS Sudoku answers - February issue

Sudoku answers - February issue

7 3

Sudoku 3 5 8 4 6 9 2 7 1

6 1 9 5 2 7 8 3 4

2 4 7 1 8 3 9 6 5

7 8 3 9 5 2 4 1 6

1 9 6 7 3 4 5 2 8

5 2 4 6 1 8 7 9 3

4 7 1 8 9 6 3 5 2

8 3 5 2 7 1 6 4 9

9 6 2 3 4 5 1 8 7

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