Stephen Brett and the water bottle Saturday, October 30, 2010

www.rugbydump.com Canterbury vs Tasman 2010 ITM Cup



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m_v-w9yG3M&hl=en

Gardening - What are Annuals and Biennials? Wednesday, October 27, 2010

True annuals are plants that will complete their life cycle within twelve months of sowing. Biennials require two growing seasons to do so and are usually sown in summer to flower during the following spring and summer.

Many other plants that botanists would define as perennial can be treated as annuals, although some are half-hardy and, while able to flower well for a single season, are not hardy enough to be used for more than one year. Half-hardy annuals are generally raised in a greenhouse, then 'pricked out' (transplanted, a few centimeters apart in larger boxes) and grown under protection before being planted out.

The winter hardiness of biennials depends on the district where they are to be grown. But there are significant advantages in planting out in late summer or autumn for all those hardy enough to winter well. For example Canterbury Bells that are planted outside as transplants in the autumn will flower well the following summer, but if planted out in the spring they tend not to flower until twelve months later!! Sweet Williams behave in a similar way.

Biennials are usually sown in a seedbed in the open, or in boxes in a frame or greenhouse, and transplanted as seedlings. They are then put in their final quarters in late autumn, as in the case of Wallflowers which do best in cool regions. It is quite important to plant out forget-me-nots and cinerarias in the autumn, as both of these flower early and therefore need to be planted out well ahead of flowering time.

Cinerarias are suitable only for areas free from frost but in such areas they are very showy and they are particularly useful for shady gardens. There are short, medium and tall types and the color range is wide. Especially good are the rich blue shades.

Plants that are not frost hardy include Begonia semperflorens, coleus and impatiens. The latter have become extremely popular plants. They are available in both short and taller varieties and also in numerous double flowered cultivars, which are mainly propagated by cuttings. Impatiens grow well in full sun if watered or in shade and are popular container plants for patios.

Hardy biennials are plants that are sown the year before they are expected to flower. They are raised in a seedbed outdoors or in a cool, shady frame and may be thinned out or transplanted when large enough. For best results planting out should be done in the autumn. If they are bought from the garden center in punnets or seedling trays, plant them out early in the season. Even in areas where the winters are mild, planting at that colder time will result in small flowering plants, except perhaps with pansies and violas.

Annuals that can be sown directly in well prepared flowerbeds and which come quickly into flower are bound to be popular if they are capable of sustaining flowering for a lengthy period of time. There are numerous suitable varieties to choose from and in most cases they may be sown in boxes and transplanted. Before sowing time, prepare the growing site. If the soil is lumpy and heavy, compost should be worked in and planting mix applied to the surface. Then choose a dry day, apply a little general fertilizer and rake it in. Seed can be broadcast or it can be sown in shallow drills.

Some seedlings can be safely transplanted but the following do not transplant easily: clarkia, eschscholzia, godetia, gypsophila, linaria, nigella and poppies.

Half hardy annuals must be raised in a frame or greenhouse or in a few cases sown outside after the danger of frost has passed.

Germination time varies, and most kinds require pricking out into boxes or pots of potting compost. Some of the seeds such as lobelia, begonias and petunias are very small and need to be sown carefully and kept out of direct sunlight.

Nowadays the numerous garden centers often do all this work for you offering a good range of these plants n punnets ready for planting. But it may be that you want to use seed collected from your own garden, or wish to grown varieties unavailable in punnets. In any case you will find that raising your own seedlings can add a great deal of interest to your garden.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Gardening

Charitable Donation For a Visit to Oaxaca, Mexico - CORAL, Center For Hearing and Speech Sunday, October 24, 2010

Non-Profit Oaxacan Rehabilitation Center for Hearing Impaired, Needs Aid

When the Cole-Gardner family recently vacationed in Oaxaca, Mexico, they brought along several basketballs, soccer balls and baseball gloves, to donate to indigenous children without ready access to such sports paraphernalia. They'd read this writer's article about the opportunity to help Oaxacans in need, by filling an empty suitcase earmarked for packing Oaxacan handicrafts, with used clothing or anything else available for donating. They also brought 668 hearing aid batteries to donate to CORAL, Centro Oaxaqueño de Rehabilitación de Audición y Lenguaje, A.C., a non-profit organization providing assistance to the deaf and hearing impaired and their families in Oaxaca.

CORAL, the Oaxacan Center for the Rehabilitation of Hearing and Speech, is a vibrant NGO relying on donations from predominantly private and local corporate foundations, to assist mainly young, hearing impaired children whose families are of extremely modest means. The four-pronged enterprise consists of an audiology clinic, hearing and speech therapy center, early detection hearing loss program, and a social work component. One would be hard-pressed to find a more commendable aid organization, in preparation for a visit to Oaxaca and wanting to contribute clothing, cash, or of course hearing aids and components.

History of CORAL, Oaxacan Center for the Rehabilitation of Hearing and Speech

In 1988, an Oregon couple, Drs. Richard Carroll and Nancy Press, began investigating the problems besetting poor, rural Oaxacans. They spent months at a time away from their medical practice in the US, visiting indigenous and mestizo communities. They identified a major impediment to progress in the pueblos: deafness and hearing loss in a number of children, not being treated when hearing impairment began, or ever.

While there was perhaps only one audiologist in the entire State of Oaxaca when the doctors began, over the course of the ensuring decade they nevertheless managed to assemble a team of professionals to assist in what became their passion: to identify the hearing impaired, and provide aid - any kind of aid they could muster through their own resources, and in due course charitable contributions of others.

In 1999, CORAL rented premises in Oaxaca, enabling it to continue the work of Drs. Carroll and Press in a more formalized fashion. It thereafter began associating directly with a registered American charity with related goals, Child-Aid. In 2008, CORAL purchased its current premises, so as to better enable it to advance its goal of identifying those Oaxacans who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, assess their needs and those of their families, and act.

Work of CORAL as a Charity in Oaxaca, to Assist the Deaf and Hearing Impaired

The virtually non-existent component of audiologists in Oaxaca in the 1980s, has grown to at least six, two of whom work at CORAL on a part-time basis. Its hearing impaired facilities now employ eight specialists trained to assist the hard-at-hearing and deaf, and one volunteer. The total complement working at CORAL is 15 individuals. Its director, Oaxacan Saul Fuentes Olivares, is a career NGO organizer and employee. Its coordinator of promotion and fundraising, Megan Glore, is an American, curiously with a Masters' in ethnobotany from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. They, like the rest, are dedicated to ameliorating the problem of hearing impairment among young children in Oaxaca which would otherwise go unnoticed, and untreated.

The CORAL audiology clinic is designed for testing and diagnosis, repairs and maintenance to hearing aids and hearing-related accessories, and ongoing support. Individuals of all ages have access to the clinic.

The therapy center currently has 35 children enrolled. Parental attendance is a prerequisite. The program consists of morning group sessions and afternoon individualized treatment. Attendance is optimally required four days per week, and 10 is the maximum number children per hearing and speech specialist. With such numbers it should come as no surprise that there is a waiting list.

The early detection program is designed to identify and treat children in infancy, by sending staff out into the field, as well as training doctors to recognize and screen for hearing loss behaviors. A major component of this work is to assist parents in identifying normal childhood development and what to do if they suspect a hearing problem.

Analysis begins as early as two days after birth, with therapy commencing as early as six months old. While therapy generally continues for about two years, there are children who have been treated through the clinic for profound hearing loss for up to nine years, using different therapeutic modalities.

Through the social work component of CORAL, staff travels throughout the City of Oaxaca and into rural communities to identify and serve deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Once in the home, staff educates on the use of aids, troubleshoots problems, provides resources, and monitors.

Why CORAL Needs Charitable Donations to Help Oaxacans with Hearing-Impairment - Mainly Children of Families of Extremely Modest Means

Every family which participates in CORAL hearing impairment programs must make a financial contribution. But such donations are token or extremely modest. For example, CORAL currently has three designated categories of families whose members receive assistance for hearing loss:

o Families with monthly income of less than 1,000 pesos (about $80 USD)
o Families with monthly income of between 1,000 and 5,500 pesos
o Families with monthly income of over 5,500 pesos.

The clinic assists the hearing impaired in mainly the first two categories. The cost to patients in the third category is lower than the prices for products and services charged elsewhere in Oaxaca. Currently each and every one of the 35 children being treated at the therapy center comes from a family earning less than 1,000 pesos monthly. Consider the donations that such households can possibly make!

While for the past five years CORAL has applied to the Government of Mexico for assistance, and has in fact received financial aid, the lion's share of resources comes from individual donors and a number of Mexican corporate foundations. The total revenue received from all sources for running the 2009 programs was about 1.8 million pesos, or under $150,000 USD - to pay 15 employees; utility costs; maintenance and taxes on the CORAL facilities; for all equipment (including hearing aid batteries which last only 15 - 20 days); and for two vehicles.

Plans to Enhance the Work of CORAL for Deaf and Hearing Impaired in Oaxaca

CORAL is currently working on several projects it's confident will bear fruit within the next several months, enabling it to better identify and treat deaf and hearing impaired children in Oaxaca:

o Designating a fourth category of monthly family income is in the works, designed to increase contributions from the "wealthy." With all 35 children in the school coming from families with monthly incomes of less than 1,000 pesos, revenue from CORAL program participants to date has been negligible;
o February, 2010, marks the beginning of an in-home training program for parents in the outlying indigenous communities. Since many deaf and hearing impaired children reside more than a three-hour bus ride from the CORAL offices and are therefore precluded from attending regular weekly classes, this new program will bring CORAL's resources into the pueblos by educating parents - for all intents and purposes making them therapists of their own children. Naturally, ongoing professional monitoring will continue;
o A plan is underfoot whereby if all goes as anticipated, a particular Mexican corporation will be donating a fully-equipped vehicle to serve as a mobile clinic, enabling the work of CORAL professionals in the villages to proceed more efficiently;
o Through the auspices of Child-Aid, CORAL is a registered charity in the US. One is therefore able to deduct charitable donations against US income. As a consequence of an agreement between Mexico and the US, American donors are entitled to receive tax deductible receipts by donating directly to CORAL. Now, a new arm to the program is in the planning stages, making contributions even more attractive to generous and caring Americans. With the institution of a child sponsorship program, contributors will have a one-on-one relationship with a particular infant or youth, and be able to monitor a child's progress and note their contributions at work. The program would be akin to Foster Parents Plan.

What Vacationers Can Do for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children in Oaxaca

While cash charitable donations constitute the most obvious and easiest means of contributing to the work done by CORAL for the deaf and hearing impaired of Oaxaca, there are other ways of providing aid and assistance:

o The hearing aid batteries brought to Oaxaca by the Cole-Gardner family were actually donated by the Oregon Lion's Sight and Hearing Foundation. Like organizations in one's hometown can be tapped. Those with connections to product manufacturers should be able to approach those companies for similar aid;
o Many medical and dental supplies are accessible through dental equipment and pharmaceutical representatives, doctors, nurses, hygienists, and other staff in related fields. The beauty of items such as tooth brushes, dental floss, band-aids, and hearing aid batteries is that they are light, take up very little suitcase room, and do not need special packing to prevent breakage;
o Donations of used clothing are invaluable. If a family in Oaxaca with a child in treatment does not have to purchase clothes, it therefore has more resources to contribute to the child's therapy as well as to other necessities of life simply not accessible to those "living on the edge;"
o Given that the therapy center serves a dual function of school, small educational toys and games, as well as sports equipment is helpful;
o Visitors to Oaxaca are at times considering a longer-term stay, as part of a sabbatical or when considering more permanent residency in the city. Those with specific training or experience in a field related to teaching, therapy or medical treatment for the deaf and hearing impaired, can provide much-needed volunteer services. Similarly, those with technical skills related to hearing aid components and other tools and equipment used in assessment and treatment can offer support. Finally, the assistance of a graphic designer, artist and / or computer programmer would be useful to CORAL in achieving its goals.

For more information about CORAL and helping the deaf and hearing impaired in Oaxaca through charitable contributions, contact this writer (as well to have your used clothing and other items picked up from your hotel or bed & breakfast for delivery to CORAL).

Alvin Starkman together with wife Arlene operates Casa Machaya Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast ( http://www.oaxacadream.com ). Alvin received his masters in social anthropology in 1978, and his law degree in 1984. Thereafter he was a litigator in Toronto until taking early retirement. He and his family were frequent visitors to Oaxaca between 1991 and when they became permanent residents in 2004. Alvin reviews restaurants, writes about life and cultural traditions in Oaxaca, and tours couples and families to the villages.

Christchurch - A City of Contrasts

Christchurch, known as "The Garden City" is the second largest city in New Zealand. It is the gateway to the rest of the South Island and all it has to offer. Perfectly positioned to take advantage of the region's spectacular natural beauty, the city itself is a vibrant and buzzing hub. In New Zealand, walking is virtually a national pastime and, for the visitor too, it is the perfect way to explore both the city and its surrounding areas.

A Stroll in the Park

Christchurch is well-appointed to earn its name as the Garden City and has some beautifully manicured gardens which are easily accessed from the city centre. Hagley Park is a massive 165 hectare space which contains sports pitches, cycle and running tracks, a wetland park and lots of mature wooded areas. Hagley Park is the true heart of Christchurch and one of the best kept municipal gardens in New Zealand. Walking along the many tracks which criss-cross the park would make for a wonderful lazy afternoon; and if you're lucky enough to visit Christchurch during one of the two floral festivals each year, you will be able to view the park in all its blaze of colourful glory.

World-class Wine

A city of many guises, Christchurch is also the wine capital of New Zealand. Walking amongst some of the wineries of the region you could be forgiven for thinking you have stumbled into France. In fact Christchurch is ranked alongside Bordeaux and the Napa Valley as one of the world's top wine producing regions. Within a short driving radius of Christchurch there are many wineries you can visit on a day trip, where you will be able to sample acclaimed varieties of wine that are now famous on the world stage.

Adrenaline Anyone?

Christchurch is also the place to come if you want to experience the wilder side of New Zealand. Walking through lovely city gardens and tripping off wine-tasting is just not enough for some adrenaline-junkies and they may want to try something a little more energetic. If this is you, the choice in Christchurch is easy: skydiving, hot air ballooning and paragliding are all activities that can show you a very different view of the city.

A Cultural Attraction

If jumping out of a plane is not exactly your idea of fun, then for a quieter pursuit in Christchurch head to one of the city's art galleries or museums. The Christchurch Art Gallery houses the largest collection in the South Island and the Canterbury Museum is home to the fascinating Hall of Antarctic Discovery.

Back to Nature

But of course, this is New Zealand and so, quite apart from the cultural and historical attractions, Christchurch is also renowned for its dedication to conserving and maintaining its unique animal populations. Head to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve to view its kiwi breeding program as well as seeing a host of other native bird life of New Zealand. Walking around the park is a delightful way to spend a day, surrounded by the melodic calls of the feathered population.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Travel In New Zealand Friday, October 22, 2010

Travel In New Zealand: Canterbury, www.fibcool.com is located at the East Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is the largest region in New Zealand and is well-known for its magnificent landscape. The beautiful scenery here, such as Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, is truly captivating. Indeed, you would have a lasting impression of this place after visiting it. Canterbury has a variety of wildlife and nature attractions, hence, it offers many opportunities for outdoor and adventure activities. Some highlights here include Mount Cook, Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch, Akaroa and Arthur's Pass National Park. Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand. The Mount Cook National Park is a world-renowned climbing and hiking destination. In total, there are about 23 peaks more than 3000m high. Mount Cook village, located at the foot of the mountain, serves as a base for climbers and hikers. If you are interested to watch whales, dolphins and fur seals, then you should not miss visiting Kaikoura. There are opportunities for whale watching tours and other marine activities at Kaikoura. An interesting experience you can have is watching fur seals lounge on rocks just a few metres away from the shore and seeing dolphins frolic in the sea. The thermal village, Hanmer Springs, is situated near to Kaikoura. It is a peaceful alpine village, popular for its thermal pools and spa. Visitors come here to relax and unwind. There are also plenty of outdoor activities ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6j60hnwCa4&hl=en

Rleague.com: Todd Greenberg Interview (Part 3/4) Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Rleague.com catches up with Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg in an exclusive four part interview. Welcome to part three. Article & Questions: www.rleague.com Rleague: www.rleague.com Bulldogs www.bulldogs.com.au



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlyN_FhY3y4&hl=en

Environment Canterbury's Final Meeting Monday, October 11, 2010

IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SET OF A SOAP OPERA, A FULL RANGE OF EMOTIONS AT THIS MORNING'S FINAL ECAN MEETING.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBLxo8iQWS0&hl=en

Avenge Sevenfold - Seize the day Solo Friday, October 8, 2010

Just move to New Zealand, and I dont have the actual gear that I originally used. The equipments I'm using now are my custom guitar model ibanez pu Dimarzio Air Norton on the Neck, Vintage Solo on Mid, and Super Distortion at the Bridge Efx : POCKET POD ( TEST ) line out to logitech cheap speakers XD thats it.. just testing my pocketpod ! Check out the Second part here's the link www.youtube.com thanks



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXxTOxmGrbg&hl=en

Book a Motorhome Hire in New Zealand This Ski Season Tuesday, October 5, 2010

New Zealand is a famous winter destination for snow enthusiasts worldwide. With the ski season typically starting in July and lasting through to early October the influx of international and domestic travellers to the popular ski fields, located in both the North and South Island of New Zealand, correlates with high demand for accommodation in these areas.

Motorhome hire in New Zealand is a popular form of self drive transportation throughout the year and offers the perfect combination of accommodation and transport for you to make your way around the best ski fields in the country. Choosing motorhome hire in New Zealand is fairly simple, with the huge list of companies returned from a quick search online highlighting this fact. Of course, you'll have to look at the different companies that are available to work with and find the ones that best suit your specific travel needs and budget. Find a company that is offering winter ski packages - you could save yourself lots of money, plus reap the benefits of some extra vehicle features.

There are dozens of holiday campgrounds available in each of the major ski areas of New Zealand where you can arrange to stay. Many of the hosts of these campgrounds are also passionate about the mountain and can keep you up-to-date with snow reports each day. You can also narrow down your search by looking for holiday campground sites that offer specific ski & snowboarding facilities. Keep your eyes peeled for facilities that include the following:

- Spacious drying rooms (after a long day on the slopes it's always handy to dry out your gear so that it is ready for the next day)
- Tuning/waxing room
- Secure storage facilities (sleep well at night knowing your ski/snowboard possessions are safe and secure)

We have noted the major ski areas below to help with your holiday planning:

Central Plateau
- Mt Ruapehu - Turoa & Whakapapa

Canterbury
- Broken River Ski Field
- Mt Hutt Ski Area
- Roundhill Ski Area
- Temple Basin

Otago
- Cardrona
- Coronet Peak
- The Remarkables
- Treble Cone

Motorhome hire in New Zealand is accessible to all travellers heading to the slopes. Families, solo adventurers, and groups of friends can all find a variety of campervan hire companies available in New Zealand. The trick is to find the right rental company with the right deals. Be sure to ask the company you hire from about campsites with ski and snowboard facilities, as many campervan companies will have affiliations with campground sites around the country.

KiwiTravelNZRentals.co.nz - Motorhome Hire NZ. Bringing together in one site the leading brands of Motorhome and Campervan hire companies in New Zealand. David and his team are dedicated to helping you make an informed choice when selecting a vehicle that best suits your needs during your New Zealand holiday. We consistently update information about individual companies regarding specials and incentives to help you make the best decision when booking the campervan rental or holiday park of your choice.