15 minute read
PREDICT WEATHER.COM
August is expected to be slightly drier, cloudier and warmer than average.
Most of the rain comes in the second half. The second week is the driest, and the fourth week is the wettest. The second weekend of the month will have the driest weather. Although the second week will have the coolest nights, daytime temperatures will not vary much from week to week. Atmospheric pressures should average about 1014mbs. Southwesterlies about ten days will predominate.
For fishermen, the highest kingtide may be around 20th. The best fishing bite-times in the east are at dusk on 3rd-5th and 18th-20th (and in the west around noon on those days). Chances are also good in the east for noon of 10th-13th, and 25th-27th (and in the west around dusk on those days).
For gardeners, the 20th-28th are the best sowing days (waxing moon ascending). The best pruning days are 5th-15th (waning moon descending). For longer shelf-life for crops, harvest at neap tide days, 13th and 28th.
Allow 24 hour error for all forecasting. (KEN RING) PN For future weather for any date, see www.predictweather.com
@ Ponsonby Community Centre
Ponsonby Community Centre is a unique building and organisation. We love the quirky naming of the rooms for hire, all named after famous Ponsonby personalities and institutions.
One of the best, the Gluepot Room, is named for the much frequented pub and music venue, the Gluepot Tavern, which was sadly closed for good in the early 90’s.
The Gluepot Room is set up as a meeting room and workshop space, with a whiteboard, projector screen and Apple Smart TV. It has a kitchenette attached with a zip and microwave. It’s the perfect spot for your next board meeting or seminar. We would love to host you!
Sadly, we aren’t able to fully emulate the room’s namesake. There is no beer on tap, or space for a band, but we are nice and close to all the fabulous cafes and restaurants Ponsonby has to offer! PN
Call us or email for more information and hire rates: info@ponsonbycommunity.org.nz or T: 09 378 1752.
Looking for a space to conduct a meeting or workshop?
The Gluepot room at Ponsonby Community Centre, named for the famous Ponsonby pub, has everything you need...
(except for beer...sorry about that)
Kia ora, my name is Kevin Barratt and I’m a Grey Lynn local. My partner (Gavin) and I have lived together in the area for approximately 20 years. I’m a registered nurse and it’s a role I absolutely adore.
However, I have very recently set up my own brand spanking new online company called Famine of Beauty. Famine of Beauty’s first product is the exclusive and luxurious, Ashley Bloomfield Bathrobe. Permission was kindly granted by Dr Bloomfield with 50% of profits from bathrobe sales being donated to Oxfam NZ; the charity Dr Bloomfield personally suggested I donate to.
What was your inspiration behind the Ashley Bloomfield Bathrobe? During lockdown, I watched the daily 1pm COVID-19 updates almost religiously. The more I watched, the more I started referring to these updates as my ‘daily snuggles with Ashley’. One morning, I woke up cold, hungry and a little bit grumpy to be honest, and my old bathrobe just wasn’t giving me the comfort I needed. I thought ‘dude, you seriously need a new bathrobe! How about one with Ashley Bloomfield’s face on it? That would be magnificent!’ I wanted to get my daily snuggles whenever I wanted. And here we are today.
Why an Ashley Bloomfield Bathrobe? Basically, I adore Dr Bloomfield and I wanted to make a tribute to him in some way shape or form. I wanted to make something unique which would last for a long time. I wanted to make something so that others could get their daily snuggles too. I also wanted to make something I could be proud of. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this wee little project and I’m so so proud of all that’s been achieved so far.
When did you start this? 4 May 2020 is when I kicked this all off. It was a complete and utter whirlwind to get the online site launched on 30 May. I spent every waking moment outside of my day job trying to turn my inspiration into a reality.
What did this involve? May was spent getting the business underway. This included getting Dr Bloomfield’s permission to pursue my idea; setting up the website from scratch myself; sampling robes from multiple Kiwi companies until I found the right one; commissioning the gorgeous likeness of Dr Bloomfield; having the robes embroidered locally; roping family and friends to become unwitting bathrobe models and having a dear friend re-enact Scarlett O’Hara’s famous “Oh Ashley” scene from Gone with the Wind. This was three short weeks of incredibly hard work, frenetic energy and a hell of a lot of fun. I finally launched the Famine of Beauty website on 30 May and unleashed my bathrobes unto the world - Fly my pretties, fly. On the first night live, a lovely lady from Waiheke bought the very first robe - I was completely over the moon.
How did you manage to achieve this? There’s the old saying “it takes a village”, I could not have done this alone. It was very much a team effort which included my incredible partner (Gavin), sister-in-law (Sharon), my Mum (Mavis), my beautiful sisters (Pam & Chilayne [models]), my magnificent friends from Cibo Restaurant (Jeremy & Brad [models]) and the alluring actress (Yvette Parsons). I am incredibly grateful to all for their help, love and support.
What is your proudest moment? The proudest moment of my story so far is the ‘paying it forward’ of one of my bathrobes to a proud local Maori woman, Whaea Rose Greaves, who was subject to a vitriolic and heartbreaking racist attack recently in Ponsonby. My heart simply broke when I heard of her story. Right back at the beginning, I offered bathrobes to both Ashley and Libby Bloomfield. However, Dr Bloomfield asked me to pay theirs forward to “someone who deserved a break or something nice to happen to them”. I could not think of a more deserving person, and the robe was gifted with kind-heartedness and aroha. I was honoured to have met Whaea Rose and have made a new friend because of it. Dr Bloomfield is aware of this.
How has the robe been doing since launch date? The robe has been doing great, and has been extremely well received. I managed to get the bathrobes onto a huge NZ Made facebook page. Since then, my pretties have just flown out the door to wonderful new customers who are now enjoying their daily snuggles with Dr B too. I’ve received such fantastic customer feedback and some may have even bought a little tear to the eye (sshhhhhhhhh).
What next? I intend to feature further products of my own creation through the Famine of Beauty website. I’m currently working on some new products which I’ll be able to share with you all very soon. I’m super excited with everything that’s unfolding and it’s only the very beginning, so please watch this space.
How to order an Ashley Bloomfield Bathrobe. If you’re after an Ashley Bloomfield Bathrobe for yourself or as a gift, head on over to www.famineofbeauty.co.nz. We offer free shipping to most NZ locations and I’ve personally hand-delivered a number of robes to local residents already.
A final word of thanks goes out to Dr. Bloomfield for his ongoing exemplary leadership, stoic calm as well as his poise and grace during one of our country’s most challenging times; also for allowing me to pursue this crazy idea. What’s unfolded so rapidly and unexpectedly from this has given me the ability to set up Famine of Beauty, help support other NZ businesses and meet fabulous new friends and customers. I’m also incredibly grateful for all the love and support that has got me here, and again, it’s only the beginning, so please watch this space. PN
Arohanui, FAMINE OF BEAUTY, www.famineofbeauty.co.nz, FB: @famineofbeauty, IG: #famineofbeautynz
Since 1993 Roscoe Thorby has helped light up the Ponsonby community with the Franklin Road Christmas Light Show. I recently had a chance to speak to him about where it all started and how he sees it moving forward.
Like so many other beautiful things, it all started as a happy accident that just kept snowballing. One night he was hosting a dinner party when he suggested that everyone pop outside for a moment to turn on the Christmas lights.
He didn’t know what it was, but the idea seemed to resonate with people, and a year later his neighbours decided to get in on the fun as well. Before long over a hundred households had gotten involved, and today thousands of people pass through each year to visit the estimated 100 -110,000 lights.
“It amazes me that people are still coming out to see them. It’s such a simple thing, and it’s turned into something so iconic.”
When I asked if he saw it going for another 20 odd years, he laughed saying that each year he always thought it couldn’t get any bigger, but somehow it always did. the few free things that you can do with your family at Christmas. The only money we’ve ever accepted is from the Waitemata Board, and that’s because they don’t want anything in return. We’re just one of the groups they support.”
“Someday people may stop and that’s fine; there’s no obligation or pressure to keep going.”
One thing he’s adamant about though, is that the event remains a free gift for the community and doesn’t become a commercial venture.
“As soon as you start asking for money or begin charging people, you change the tone of the whole event. At the moment, it’s one of So what keeps him going year after year?
“It’s not always easy, but when you see kids with these big smiles on their faces and all the happiness that the lights bring them, it makes it all worthwhile. It’s such an amazing feeling to think that we did this, and we’re creating memories that they’ll remember long after we’re gone. My advice for anyone who’s thinking of doing anything like this is to take a breath and do it.” PN
For more information about the Franklin Road Christmas Lights, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/franklin-rd-freemans-bay-auckland-1011-new-zealand/franklin-road-christmas-lights
And if you’d like to visit Roscoe’s website, visit www.chandeliersales.co.nz
Lucia Mataia: Leys Institute Little Library
Tena koutou. Firstly, thank you lovely locals; it has been a pleasure to read your positive comments about our new location. It is great some of you have included us in your daily walking routine, picking up and dropping off items as you pass by the library. Check out our new look Library Website – link below.
www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz has a new look, making it even easier for you find information. From the home page you can easily join the library, renew your books, update your details, or print a document. Whakarongo, M atakitaki is a new link that leads you to a range of resources such as podcasts, DVDs, streaming, and audiobooks. If you are after family friendly meals, then check out Magnolia Table.
Podcast The Books and Beyond podcast is hosted by Auckland librarians, Alison and Ineka. Together they cover a wide range of book related topics. To give you an idea of the sorts things they discuss, over the classics such as crispbread and more modern dishes.
last few months topics have included reading lists, Black Lives Matter, Matariki and Joan Didion.
Exhibition Waitui Atea highlights the people of the Saltwater Realm, (the Pacific region). The exhibition focuses on customs, costumes and stories told through song, dance, and music. The exhibition has taken many Central Library. New Books Over the long winter months, for many of us, our thoughts turn invariably to food and cooking. Little Leys has feature shelves full of cookbooks with something to suit every palate. There are also some lovely new cookbooks to request.
Volume 2: A Collection of Recipes of Gathering by Joanna Gaines. The recipes sound incredible: Chicken-Pecan Asparagus Casserole, Stuffed Pork Loin and Lemon-Lavender Tart.
Also check out Smörgåsbord: Deliciously Simple Modern Scandinavian Recipes by Signe Johansen which features seasonal menus - Scandi months to prepare and runs until the 13th of September at the
And lastly, if you want simple, wholesome vegetarian fare: Love Is Serve: Inspired Plant-Based Recipes from Southern California by Café Gratitude will expand your recipe repertoire. PN
L to R: Tom Feeney, Samuel Pendreigh, Ned Gow, Elliot Rhodes
Sam Pendreigh and his friends, Elliot, Ned, and Tom, are a Ponsonby-based group of men planning a fundraising event for the Mental Health Foundation on 15 August, 2020.
The team is conducting a continuous relay race over a 24 hour period, with each person running a 6.7 km lap of the Riverhead Track in West Auckland, in a constant four-person cycle. That means each person will complete the course approximately 10 times, clocking up 70 kms over 24 hours.
Sam says, “this will be quite a feat of endurance and will require not only stamina but dedication and commitment to each other, particularly when we are exhausted and running through the night.” The team believes that by pushing themselves to the limit they can demonstrate how, with the support of your mates, you can get through tough mental and physical challenges.
The idea came to them after some harrowing experiences of their own - either personally, or through someone they know. Sam says, “it’s important to remember that one in six Kiwi adults have been diagnosed with a mental disorder brought on by a range of things such as shock, stress, undesirable living conditions, freak accidents and just day-to-day life. We need to remember that this type of illness is often unseen and deserves greater visibility and acceptance.”
Donations have already started to roll in for this very worthy cause. Anybody who has mental health issues or has experienced family and friends suffering through tough times will know just how painful it can be. Please support this group of men with their Givealittle (see below) on their quest to raise funds for such a vital New Zealand organisation.
The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is a charitable trust that is funded through donations and grants. It provides free training and information for New Zealanders struggling with mental health issues. It is also a key advocate for policies and services that support people with mental illness. MHF works hard to make sure that they cover all aspects of mental health by aggregating resources for a widerange of situations, including, wellbeing, emergency hotlines, suicide prevention and more. (HONOUR MITCHELL) PN
Check out their website. www.mentalhealth.org.nz https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/24hr-footrace-for-mental-health
Retire at Home...
Staying in your own home is not as difficult as you may have thought with the guidance of Elderly Assist.
I’m catching up with Janice Willis, hands-on founder of Elderly Assist, Moving Assist, and Clutterbusters, to talk about her new offering: Retire at Home. Janice’s new service is for elderly and retired people who are keen to start the process of decluttering and downsizing, but are not quite ready to move. Says Janice, “since setting up Elderly Assist in 2012 I’ve helped thousands of people declutter, pack up and move. Recently however, I’ve noticed more of our prospective clients are wanting to stay in their homes a little longer. They are overwhelmed at the thought of moving and I’ve had more than one person say to me, ‘I just want one last summer in this house Janice’.” Retire at Home gives people the security to do just that. “Eventually they know they will move and we will be there to help them with that move. In the meantime, the challenge - and our priority - is to work with people to make their home safe and easy to keep living in going forward.” There may be issues with trip hazards, unreachable cupboards and over-crowding of furniture and belongings. “Freeing up space makes a house safer and easier to move around, so often the first step is decluttering, something we are expert at.” Janice and her team also bring in services from companies they partner with, such as those providing medical alarms and nursing services. But that’s not all. Ring Janice for a free in-house consultation: 0800 839 874 Or email: janice@elderlyassist.co.nz www.elderlyassist.co.nz “We work closely with people running smaller companies in the community that offer all sorts of services you might not have heard
of or even thought of.” Another bonus of the Retire at Home service is that people are then ready to move at short notice with the hardest part of the job behind them.
“Months, or maybe years before they actually move, we have removed all the physical, and often psychological, obstacles. We are so much more than a moving company. We can come over every few months and do one or two projects at a time. Nothing is too much trouble or bother for our team.”
Janice is very proud of the professionalism and empathy of her team and of their average 98% approval from dozens of authenticated ratings on No Cowboys.
Writing on www.nocowboys.co.nz in February this year, Kay said, “I can’t express our appreciation more to the Elderly Assist team for their excellent service, professional approach and willingness to accommodate our wishes.’
Alison in June: “Janice and the Elderly Assist team were fabulous.”
“We understand how daunting all this change can be for people. They need to enjoy that last summer and we will put everything in place to
make it safe for them to do that.”
