December 2015 Happy holidays! Best wishes for 2016! · 2015-11-29 · December 2015 Happy holidays!...
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December 2015 Happy holidays! Best wishes for 2016! We’ ll be back with our next issue in February. MVRA says, “Use it or lose it!” Many of Mt Victoria’s small businesses, such as our four surviving dairies, are family-owned and run. However, what we don’t use we may well lose. These businesses often fulfill a social function by providing a refuge from the anonymity and isolation of increasing automation, while newcomers to our neighbourhood will find that favouring nearby businesses helps them become locals. The MVRA is keen to foster support for our local businesses. To this end, we are working with them to offer a discount for our paid-up members. In time for the holidays, we have persuaded Regional Wines on Ellice St to offer a 10% discount to MVRA members. As of now, MVRA members who show their certificate of paid-up membership to Regional staff can receive the discount for each transaction, or the opening of a special personal account. Certificates of paid-up membership will be sent as an attachment to an email to those who have renewed their subscription after 1 September (when our 2015/16 year began). In the new year we’ll print distinctive annual membership cards. Should you know of any Mt Victoria businesses, including your own, that would be interested in participating in this program, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or leave an answerphone message with a name and phone number on my landline: 385 0366. Craig Palmer for the MVRA Also in time for the holidays “Super keen” cyclist Claire Pascoe says, “I'm no fashion guru,” but her taste in bike bags calls for something stylish enough that “no one ever knows it’s a pannier bag.” Now a Mt Victoria resident, Claire spent time in Los Angeles and got to know about Koki products for bicyclists through the company owners. Claire currently works in the National Cycling Team at the Transport Agency as a senior cycling advisor. She’s so keen to see others, especially women, riding bikes that she imports Koki bags in bulk so that Kiwis can buy them for less than it would cost to order online from the US. Check out her website, www.beautifulbikebags.co.nz for more info, and get riding! Welcome the world into your home Mt Victoria resident and homestay coordinator for Wellington High School’s International Department Di Jordan tells us that 2016 will be an exceptional year for the program. “We usually have around 55 international students at Wellington High at any one time. In 2016, though, we will have a larger group, so we need to find more homestays.” Overseas students come for varying lengths of time, from one or two terms, to a full year. Some students stay up to 3 or 4 years. The short-term students come for a cultural experience and to improve their fluency in English. The long-term students come to complete NCEA and achieve entry qualifications for tertiary studies. These visitors generally come from Europe, South America, and Asia. “Mt Victoria is a great location for our students as it is walking distance to Wellington High and has great access to the amenities of the city. Also, every year many Clyde Quay School students move on to Wellington High, so there is a natural relationship.” Homestay families need to be inclusive and supportive. “A friendly home atmosphere is really important. We want our students to feel connected to their host family.” Although sometimes homestay families do take in more than one student at a time, Di says, “We avoid placing students of the same nationality together.” In 2016 WHS will pay a homestay fee of $266/week. Students require a room of their own, 3 meals a day, and access to unlimited wireless broadband. If you are interested, check out their Facebook page - Wellington High School International Students – or contact Di Jordan directly: [email protected], 021 02063860, or 385 8911 x781. Neighbours Day 2016 If you enjoyed the Mt Victoria Community Treasure Hunt in April and think you might be keen to volunteer for the next Neighbours Day event in March 2016 as part of the organising group, please email Emma at [email protected] or phone 384 4770 or 021 765 525 for details. This year we will be working with the Innermost Gardens again, focusing on beautifying our wonderful neighbourhood.
Transcript of December 2015 Happy holidays! Best wishes for 2016! · 2015-11-29 · December 2015 Happy holidays!...
December 2015 Happy holidays! Best wishes for 2016!
We’ ll be back with our next issue in February.
MVRA says, “Use it or lose it!” Many of Mt Victoria’s small businesses, such as our four surviving dairies, are family-owned and run. However, what we don’t use we may well lose. These businesses often fulfill a social function by providing a refuge from the anonymity and isolation of increasing automation, while newcomers to our neighbourhood will find that favouring nearby businesses helps them become locals. The MVRA is keen to foster support for our local businesses. To this end, we are working with them to offer a discount for our paid-up members. In time for the holidays, we have persuaded Regional Wines on Ellice St to offer a 10% discount to MVRA members. As of now, MVRA members who show their certificate of paid-up membership to Regional staff can receive the discount for each transaction, or the opening of a special personal account. Certificates of paid-up membership will be sent as an attachment to an email to those who have renewed their subscription after 1 September (when our 2015/16 year began). In the new year we’ll print distinctive annual membership cards. Should you know of any Mt Victoria businesses, including your own, that would be interested in participating in this program, please send an e-mail to [email protected] or leave an answerphone message with a name and phone number on my landline: 385 0366. Craig Palmer for the MVRA
Also in time for the holidays “Super keen” cyclist Claire Pascoe says, “I'm no fashion guru,” but her taste in bike bags calls for something stylish enough that “no one ever knows it’s a pannier bag.” Now a Mt Victoria resident, Claire spent time in Los Angeles and got to know about Koki products for bicyclists through the company owners.
Claire currently works in the National Cycling Team at the Transport Agency as a senior cycling advisor. She’s so keen to see others, especially women, riding bikes that she imports Koki bags in bulk so that Kiwis can buy them for less than it would cost to order online from the US.
Check out her website, www.beautifulbikebags.co.nz for more info, and get riding!
Welcome the world into your home Mt Victoria resident and homestay coordinator for Wellington High School’s International Department Di Jordan tells us that 2016 will be an exceptional year for the program. “We usually have around 55 international students at Wellington High at any one time. In 2016, though, we will have a larger group, so we need to find more homestays.” Overseas students come for varying lengths of time, from one or two terms, to a full year. Some students stay up to 3 or 4 years. The short-term students come for a cultural experience and to improve their fluency in English. The long-term students come to complete NCEA and achieve entry qualifications for tertiary studies. These visitors generally come from Europe, South America, and Asia. “Mt Victoria is a great location for our students as it is walking distance to Wellington High and has great access to the amenities of the city. Also, every year many Clyde Quay School students move on to Wellington High, so there is a natural relationship.” Homestay families need to be inclusive and supportive. “A friendly home atmosphere is really important. We want our students to feel connected to their host family.” Although sometimes homestay families do take in more than one student at a time, Di says, “We avoid placing students of the same nationality together.” In 2016 WHS will pay a homestay fee of $266/week. Students require a room of their own, 3 meals a day, and access to unlimited wireless broadband. If you are interested, check out their Facebook page - Wellington High School International Students – or contact Di Jordan directly: [email protected], 021 02063860, or 385 8911 x781.
Neighbours Day 2016 If you enjoyed the Mt Victoria Community Treasure Hunt in April and think you might be keen to volunteer for the next Neighbours Day event in March 2016 as part of the organising group, please email Emma at [email protected] or phone 384 4770 or 021 765 525 for details. This year we will be working with the Innermost Gardens again, focusing on beautifying our wonderful neighbourhood.
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Community Events Transition Towns: Tuesday, 1 Dec, 7:30pm, New Crossways, 6 Roxburgh St. All welcome.
We will view a documentary film on the ability of nature to recover following an environmental disaster. For more info, contact Frank Cook: 027 649 6508.
Innermost Gardens: The Mt Victoria Community Garden and the Charles Plimmer House are located on the greenbelt to the right off the top of Majoribanks St.
All welcome. www.innermostgardens.org.nz. Compost bins available at the Gardens are only for household vegetable scraps. Please cover fresh waste with the coffee husks from the adjacent black bin. Gardening Sundays: 1st & 3rd of each month, 11am-2pm.
Hiring Plimmer House/Innermost Gardens: $15/hour, $50/4 hours; we can be flexible. Contact Margaret or Ian ([email protected]).
Scottish Country Dancing: St Marks Community Hall, Dufferin St, Basin Reserve. All welcome. Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Beginners welcome; qualified tutor. For further info, call Elaine: 389-3597.
Mt Victoria Toastmasters Club
We meet every Tuesday fortnight, 7:30pm. New Crossways, 6 Roxburgh St.
Improve your public speaking and leadership skills. Join the Mt Victoria Toastmasters Club.
For more information, email [email protected], visit www.mtvictoastmasters.org.nz, or drop in at the next meeting. Guests always welcome!
Mt Victoria Historical Society Mt Victoria Historical Society offers a range of events, guided walks, and a quarterly newsletter packed full of interest. For information or to join, send a message to [email protected] or visit the website at www.MtVictoria.history.org.nz.
Crossways Community Crèche Crossways Community Crèche is a parent-run early learning centre at 61 Majoribanks St for children aged 1-5. We have an excellent child-to-teacher ratio: 18 children/session, 3 qualified teachers, and up to 2 volunteers. Sessions: 8:30am-1:15pm, Mon-Fri. Contact [email protected]; 04 384 8201.
New Crossways Community Centre 6 Roxburgh St.
New Crossways offers space for hire for meetings, kids’ parties, and community events as well as regular classes and workshops for yoga, dance and much more. We are currently taking expressions of interest for 2016. If you would like to discuss ideas for starting a club/group/class in Mt Victoria please contact us. For more information, have a look at the calendar (crossways.org.nz), email [email protected], or phone 04 384 4770 / 021 765 525.
Unclassified Advertisements
Free 3-line ads to [email protected] by 20th of preceding month. Include an expiry date for editor & readers. Mt Victoria connection, please.
• Pet sitter available: Qualified Vet Nurse can look after ALL your furry friends. Call 027 3384 134 or email [email protected].
• For lease: Furnished 2-bedroom modern Mt Vic cottage with private courtyard available from 30 Dec. Call Anna 021422898.
• Drum tuition: International musician has studio on College St. All styles, levels, techniques. Visit www.tomscrase.com or call 027 227 0070.
• Massage & Feldenkrais: Sue Field 0274667123. • Wanting to house-sit/rent: Eastbourne family needs
3-4 bedroomed house over Winter 2016 whilst our boys attend Wgtn College. Julia 0274 830 100.
• Babysitter: Experienced Nanny (mid 20s) available evngs/wknd. Lev 2 First Aid cert. Please call Alice on 0273780374 or email [email protected].
• Babysitter: Experienced; have first aid training; Year 11 WEGC student. Contact Niamh Murphy: 0212396929.
• Babysitter: reliable teenager; any night of the week. Call Milly on 04 3856423.
• For Sale: Academic cap (mortarboard) and gown with hood for advanced degree. $250. Call 934-3173.
• Garage to rent: secure, dry garage in Mt Victoria to rent. $40 pw. Ph/text 021 0701 860.
• Adult painting classes: Learn from professional artist/teacher. Beginners welcome. Visit Niki Phillips Art on Facebook for details.
PikoPiko Clyde Quay Kindergarten Corner of Elizabeth and Brougham Sts. Pikopiko Clyde Quay Kindergarten currently has spaces available for children from 2+. Due to a number of children turning 5 over the Christmas break, we will even have some places available for 4-year-olds! Please contact us if you are interested.
Our kindergarten is situated on the grounds of Clyde Quay School, so if your child is going to go there when they turn 5, attending Pikopiko makes the transition from early childhood to school a lot easier!
Even if your child is younger than 2, it’s a good idea to put their name on our waiting list. You can do this either on the kindergarten website (www.wmkindergartens.org.nz) or via email ([email protected]).
Pikopiko’s hours are 8.45am-2.45pm, Monday to Friday. We offer 20 Hours ECE (your first 20 hours are free). We prefer a minimum of 3 days enrolment. Please feel free to phone (385 0441) or email us with any queries, or drop in and see us!
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Councillor Mark Peck “Good bye and thank you”
About this time in the electoral cycle people make decisions about their futures. I have decided that I will not seek re-election to the Wellington City Council. I decided to make the decision early so that good people who might be thinking of standing can see an opening. (It can be difficult to break in, so an incumbent pulling out does create a vacuum). I have enjoyed my time and I have the best part of a year still to run until the election. In that time there is an annual budget to complete, an annual report to scrutinise, and other issues connected with audit and risk that could affect the good name of the council that will require my close attention. I am most pleased that the Flyover did not proceed and I am watching with interest the work being done now to find a solution to the traffic issues in the vicinity of the Basin Reserve.
This will be my last contribution to the newsletter. A bit of me is going to miss the bear pit but after an accumulated fifteen years of public life it is time to pull up stumps and let someone else with the passion and vigor have a go. So goodbye, and thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of Wellington.
Mark Peck
End of year BBQ The Mt Victoria Residents’ Association (MVRA) is hosting a bring-your-own food and drinks potluck BBQ.
Current members and children, and those thinking of becoming members, are warmly invited.
SATURDAY 5 December, 4 - 7 PM Innermost Gardens
(off Lawson Pl at the top of Majoribanks St) To be held irrespective of weather.
Can You Help? MVRA committee members would be grateful for any help in making this informal gathering a success. We also need gas-fired BBQs; open-sided tents for sheltering them; paper plates and bowls; and plastic glasses, knives, forks, and spoons. If you or someone you know can provide acoustic background music individually or as a band this would be the icing on the cake.
To help, and enjoy taking part, please contact Ellen Blake ([email protected] or 021 1067 139). Membership in the MVRA
Anyone who wants to subscribe by bank transfer can do so for as little as $5 for unwaged/student, $10 for one person, or $20 for their family. The BNZ account is 02-0560-0030689-00. Please put your name and “subs” in the references, and notify the Treasurer, Sue Watt, of your postal address, email, and phone number to [email protected].
Donations also warmly received. We lost our traditional source of funds—the annual inorganic rubbish collection—when the City Council stopped subsidizing this sort of community service by providing trucks and their drivers.
The MVRA committee extend to all fellow Mt Victorians their best wishes for a safe and convivial festive season and summer, as well as a creative and prosperous new year.
Craig Palmer for the MVRA
“The time is now!”
That’s the promotional slogan for a new British film, Suffragette, which opens in New Zealand cinemas on Boxing Day. Starring Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter, with a small but important cameo from Meryl Streep, Suffragette has been getting a lot of media attention for its subject, its stars, and its largely female production team. Having had a chance to attend a preview screening of Suffragette, Newsletter staff can attest to the film’s being worth seeing. It’s got a really well-written script, the quality of the acting goes without question, and it avoided the possibility of being awfully “worthy” by gripping its audience in a full panoply of thoughtful and emotional responses. Even the costumes are a pleasure to look at while being both historically and politically correct! ;-))
If you’d like a free ticket, the Newsletter has some to give away, as well as an equal number of 2-for-1 tickets. To receive your ticket, send your name and Mt Victoria address in an email to [email protected] after 5 December with Suffragette in the subject line. We’ll give out the single tickets first, unless you specify that you’d prefer a 2-for-1 ticket. You must have an accessible letterbox, as the ticket will be delivered there by hand after 15 December.
Local cinemas that will be screening Suffragette include the Penthouse, the Lighthouse on Cuba St as well as Petone, the Embassy, Event Queensgate, and Monterey Upper Hutt. There’s nothing on the tickets to say that you can’t use them elsewhere in NZ, but we make no promises! However, don’t plan on using these freebies on Tuesdays, Saturdays, or public holidays, and you aren’t guaranteed a seat if a session sells out.
