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September/October 2014 issue22

VISION

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CONTENTS 9

Why Children Should Play A Musical Instrument

7 8 8 MOVIE 15

of the month

BUSINESS DIRECTORY GET IN THE PINK

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Please contact the author to obtain his or her written consent. Once you receive permission from the author, contact us to let us know where and when the article will be reprinted.

Car Care

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leaning and waxing your car can seem like a chore. But, it is a worthwhile investment. If you don’t want to do it yourself, take it to your local valet or find one that can come to you.

Cleaning and protecting your car’s bodywork can bolster its resale value. Acid rain, bird droppings, road salt and the sun can damage your car. So ensure unwelcome deposits are regularly washed off and wax your car to provide a protective coating.

A clean car is also safer. Washing mirrors, windscreens and lights

regularly, means you will see more of the road and others will be able to see you better. A cleaner car is also less wind resistance so that helps fuel economy.

In addition to regular cleaning and waxing, there are times when special attention is required, such as when you spill milk in your car or a child or pet vomits in your vehicle. Your local valet will have their own tried and trusted methods, but here’s a few tips in case you need to take immediate action.

First, wipe up any excess liquid or debris. Second, take out floor mats and seat covers and wash these separately. Let the area dry completely and then apply some baking soda. Put cold water over the soda and allow to sit overnight. Then vacuum the next day. Or you can apply vinegar to the area and again let it sit overnight before vacuuming, or use a special carpet or pet cleaning product. These methods help break up the enzymes in the spillage and reduce odours

“Cleaning and waxing your car can seem like a chore”

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Carluke Jam & Ham Festival The Carluke Jam & Ham Festival will celebrate Carluke's history, musical traditions and food manufacturing expertise within the town through an exciting array of family friendly events on from the 2nd to the 4th of October!

Jam Today Autumn is the perfect time to start preserving.

You can use home grown fruits or those you’ve foraged amongst the hedgerows. Preserving is relatively easy. Once the fruit has been picked, washed and prepared, you just need some simple equipment to turn it into marvellous produce.

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in honey. In ancient Greece quince was mixed with honey, dried and packed tightly into jars. The Romans cooked the quince and honey producing a solid texture. As there’s not enough sunlight in Northern climates to successfully dry fruits, housewives learned to make preserves, heating the fruit with sugar, and this is the The concept of preserving foods has been method we know today. around since the earliest humans. To survive, ancient man had to harness nature. Whilst there is no longer a pressing survival In frozen climates he froze seal meat on the reason for preserving, it can be very ice. In tropical climates he dried foods in rewarding. As well as providing delightful the sun. Food by its nature begins to spoil food and drink for you to consume, you could the moment it is harvested. So the ability also make your preserved fruits into lovely to preserve food enabled ancient man to Christmas gifts. There are many possibilities make roots, and live in one place and form including jams and marmalades, chutneys a community. and pickles, and beverages such as sloe gin.

Many establishments run evening classes Preservation with the use of honey or sugar which can help you create these and many was well known to the earliest cultures. other fabulous recipes, such as fruit butter It was commonplace for fruits to be kept or fruit cheese. ou can get lots of advice from your local cook shop on what’s required, but some basics are: a large heavy based saucepan, spoons and funnels, a sugar thermometer, containers and jars, lids and labels.

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When preserving, you should use fruits that are sun ripened, as the process will not improve green tasteless fruit. Using fruit that has a high acid content is recommended, as it less likely to harbour bacteria. When filling jars, you should ensure they are hot as temperature drops will increase the likelihood of bacteria forming. For the same reason, always cover your jars straight away and when the jars are cooled, you should recheck the seals and tighten lids to prevent any air entering and causing mould to form.

Or you could use a waxed disc of paper and cellophane to act as a cover.

Keep your preserves in a cool, dark, dry place. Chutneys and pickles can last for around a year, and fruit liqueurs and fruits in alcohol up to two years. Once opened, store in the fridge and use quickly.

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VISION GARDENING

Blooms from bulbs

It may seem early to begin planning next year’s spring and summer colour, but it is essential to get bulbs planted this month with the exception of Tulips which should be planted in November.

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he history of bulbs can almost be traced back to the beginning of man, when they would most certainly have been used as food. We know that the ancient Egyptians grew onions and that potatoes (technically tubers) have been cultivated in South America for thousands of years. I wonder what these early people would think to the use of our ornamental onions, such as Allium ‘Pinball Wizard’, grown for their show stopping flowers!

flowers borne on short stems.

take a good few years to flower, around five in my experience, but it’s very satisfying When buying and planting bulbs, try and when they finally do and you can even have follow these general rules: a go at cross pollinating to make your own 1. Wear gloves when handling, as some are varieties. toxic and can cause skin irritations 2. Try and buy them loose so you can feel Other favourites of mine are: them. Give each a gentle squeeze and Tulip ‘Prinses Irene’ an exquisite orange and check they are firm. Reject any which are purple flower not, or appear to have shrivelled, and those Narcissus ‘Thalia’ a white and scented showing any sign of mould (normally grey/ daffodil blue in colour).

Galtonia, an imposing 60cm tall with grass 3. Reject any showing excess signs of like foliage and a 90cm high flower spike in growth, with either long or pale stems. white Bulbs should not be showing any sign of Chionodoxa, with around 10 blue blooms growth, but a short tip is ok per stalk, this is a small but cheery bulb 4. Damaged or split bulbs should not be selected 5. Plant using a bulb planter, allowing a hole twice the diameter of the bulb and about 3 times the depth, but I would advise to research it as each variety is different.

6. Place a little bone meal in the hole for good root development

Most of the usual subjects including Allium bulbs can be planted right now, and range in price from the very cheap tiny bulbs of Allium sphaerocephalon, to the more rare and expensive giant heads of Allium schubertii. Most kinds of Alliums enjoy a position in full sun, but if you have a very dry and shaded border such as that under a large tree, then try Allium ursinum, more commonly known as wild garlic. Its beautiful lush, low growing green foliage makes a great foil for a woodland setting, as well as producing a mass of white globular Bulbs can also be grown from seed. They

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review books The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern

Magic Tree House: Valley of the Dinosaur - Mary Pope Osborne

The circus arrives without warning … It is simply there when yesterday it was not”

Time travel. A quest to solve.

Exciting adventures.

So begins this adult fantasy novel.

From the seductive opening you are drawn into the world of the circus. The mysterious circus owner, Prospero the Enchanter, otherwise known as Hector Bowen, is a magician and Le Cirque des Rêves is the greatest accomplishment of his career.

Magic unfolds on every page as his circus and its assembled performers enchant and amaze its audience. Time moves differently in the circus, as the performers appear not to age. Acrobats perform without safety nets and the audience move from one spectacle to another, created by the illusionist who transforms tents on a whim.

Fates intertwine as two young protégés must meet and compete on this unsuspecting stage. The ultimate bet will be decided after years of dedication and preparation.

Set in America and Europe in the late 1800s this novel oozes with an era that never quite existed.

A steampunk retelling of the Victorian age that you will wish you could visit. The language is poetic and evocative and you will find yourself longing for the day when the circus arrives near you without warning. You too will want to wear

screen

This book for young readers who are growing in confidence has all of these and much more. The first of a series of books, it follows the adventures of Jack and Annie as they discover a magic treehouse in their neighbourhood.

As the story begins Jack and Annie are chasing an imaginary monster into a nearby wood when they stumble across a solitary treehouse. Curiosity getting the better of them, they decide to explore and inside they find wonderful collection of books.

Jack is drawn to a dinosaur book and before they know it the two children are transported back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Full of fascinating facts this book will appeal to any budding palaeontologist. At ten chapters this is a nice introduction to reading without seeming too daunting. The sentence structure can be repetitive and simplistic, but I am assured by young readers that this is not a problem!

There are currently sixteen books available in the series covering different time periods and geographic locations. These along, with an interactive website, promise to engage and educate young readers for many a long school holiday.

THE EQUALIZER Release date: 26th September In "The Equalizer," Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life.

But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by – he has to help her.

Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened.

If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

a red scarf and join the rêveurs.

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Why Children Should Play A Musical Instrument S

cientists say that children who play an instrument do better academically than those who don’t. It can benefit their reading age because it enhances comprehension skills.

Learning to understand beat, rhythm and scales improves their maths skills as children learn how to divide, create fractions and recognise patterns. Listening to pitch, rhythm and tempo helps to sharpen their concentration and using mnemonic devices to learn musical patterns can improve memory.

an early age helps foster open-mindedness about worlds and traditions beyond the ones they know.

If your child shows an interest in learning an instrument, be sure to choose one that excites them (my daughter was horrified to be presented with a cello when what she coveted was a clarinet). Select an instrument that suits their ability and temperament, and make sure it produces a sound that you can tolerate for hours as you listen to them practise (I have memories of my mum banishing me to the furthest corner of the house because she couldn’t bear the sound of me screeching on the violin!).

Co-ordination and motor skills are also developed as a child learns to convert written notes to movement of hands, arms and feet. This improved co-ordination and timing can benefit children in other hobbies such as dance and sports.

Children who learn as part of a group cultivate social skills as they interact with other class members. They learn to wait patiently for their turn, and show respect for others. It’s also a chance to make friends, especially if they play in a band or orchestra.

Mastering an instrument and achieving goals takes months or even years. Perseverance and patience are useful qualities developed along the way, as is self-confidence which grows further if they go on to perform in public.

Caring for their instrument teaches a child responsibility, while managing their time to ensure that practice is done regularly helps them develop organisational skills.

Finally, learning about and playing a musical instrument can help children discover the role of music in other cultures, and this familiarity from

“Music is an important part of life – nearly everyone enjoys listening to it. Yet relatively few of us have the ability to create it.”

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Spicy Baked Apples with Walnuts

Ingredients 4 large Golden Delicious Apples 1 splash Lemon Juice 85g Walnuts, halved 1 tbsp Raisins 1 tbsp Soft Light Brown Sugar 25g Butter ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon

Method

Preparation time: 15 mins Cooking time: 30 mins Serves: 4

Preheat the oven to 180°C /Gas 4. Carefully cut a 2.5cm (1in) slice from the top of each apple and set aside. Using an apple corer or a small, sharp knife, remove the core from each apple.

Place the walnuts, raisins, sugar, butter, and cinnamon into a food processor and pulse several times, to produce a coarse, textured mixture. If you don't have a food processor, chop the walnuts roughly and mix thoroughly with the other ingredients.

Stuff each apple cavity with the mixture and replace the reserved tops. Arrange the apples in a shallow, ovenproof dish so that they're upright, and then fill the pan 1cm (1/2in) deep with water.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the flesh is tender when pierced with the point of a knife. When slightly cooled, carefully remove the apples from the baking dish, transfer them to serving plates, and serve hot with crème fraiche or ice cream.

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Dementia Around 800,000 people in the UK have dementia.

The word dementia describes a set of symptoms which include memory loss, and difficulty with thinking, problem solving and language. These symptoms can sometimes be caused by other things however, so it’s important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.

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our GP may refer you to a specialist consultant. Assessments are likely to include conversations with you and your loved ones, a physical examination, memory tests and/or a brain scan.

Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting 62 per cent of those diagnosed. Other types include vascular dementia affecting 17 per cent, and mixed dementia which affects 10 per cent of those diagnosed.

Those with dementia may be given medicines to help with symptoms and slow down progression, but as yet there is no cure. Some sufferers also attend day centres and support groups. Carers can get help from local Carers Groups, Social Services and Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses. These nurses specialise in dementia and provide practical and emotional support as well

as information to families, friends and professionals.

Dementia UK is a charity. In addition to Admiral Nurses it also provides a national helpline and email service.

One of the other major organisations in this field is the Alzheimer’s Society. This is a membership organisation which provides local support services, including day care and home care and befriending and support for families and partners of those with dementia. They also provide fact sheets and publications and have a helpline and an online forum called talking point.

In addition, the Alzheimer’s Society fund research, provide training and development and campaign to raise awareness.

One of their recent initiatives is Dementia Friends. You may have seen the television adverts for this which included lots of celebrity support. Anyone can become a Dementia Friend. I did in just over 10 minutes!

This campaign is all about increasing understanding about dementia, and

educating people so that they can help those with the condition. Dementia Friends learn a little bit about what it’s like to have dementia and then turn this understanding into action. This could include helping someone get on the correct bus, or being patient if someone with dementia is taking a long time to find the right change when paying for their goods at a till. To become a friend you watch a short video on the website then register or attend a local information session.

Dementia UK www.dementiauk.org Helpline: Call 0845 257 9406 or email direct@dementiauk.org.

The Alzheimer’s Society: www.alzheimers.org.uk Helpline: Call 0300 222 1122 Dementia Friends: www.dementiafriends.org.uk Alzheimer’s Scotland www.alzscot.org

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Puzzles to keep the brain fit and active

Across 8. Pear-shaped fruit 9. Capital of Vietnam 10. Religious recluses 11. Foretell 12. Having eyes 13. Deeply respectful 16. One who surveys 19. Injure 22. Holy 23. Easy pace 24. Move to and fro 25. Make larger

Down 1. Innocuous 2. Spring suddenly 3. Stern 4. Dead body 5. Having wheels 6. Immature 7. Wither 14. Tied up 15. Dizzying sensation 17. Dried grape 18. One-fifth of the atmosphere 20. Not yet born 21. Each day 22. Scarf

Medium

Hard

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Solution corner

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