Published as Issue No. 57
22 November, 2012
At the movies: The last community film night for the year will be held on Wednesday 28 November, 7.30 at Houghton Valley School. Two short films, totalling an hour, are on offer- Psychology For a Better World featuring Auckland sustainability promoter and psychologist Niki Harre and The End of Growth, a talk by US economist Richard Heinberg (filmed when he was in Auckland) who argues the current economic model of infinite growth on a planet with finite resources is outdated and dangerous to life on earth. But is there another way? Cake, coffee and discussion afterwards. If you haven’t been invited to The Hobbit opening this just might be the next best thing! Hope to see you there, Miranda.
An unintended consequence?: Some locals have suggested traffic travelling up Houghton Bay and Hungerford Roads is travelling faster and more often as a consequence of the new traffic intersection – perhaps treating the left-hand turn as a chicane on a race track to be taken at maximum speed. When the council declined to add speed bumps as part of the upgrade they did agree to monitor this aspect and make changes if needed. Let us know your experience, one way or the other, as follow-up could be needed.
Te Kawakawa Commons Community Garden’s Opening Day: This is on Sunday 9 December starting at midday. The Mayor Celia Wade-Brown will ‘open’ the garden at 1 pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and gorgeous views. A coffee cart will be on site, cake and elderflower cordial provided by local cooks, Common Sense Organics has donated some goodies. Bring veggies or seedlings for the swap and share table, treasure hunt for the children, piñata and excursions to the tree hut. Catch up with neighbours and meet new ones. Miranda
Elderberry Cordial: Sarah from Houghton Bay Rd asks – does anyone know where I can pick elderflowers (preferably away from the side of the road) to make cordial to sell at the next HVS Fair?
What’s to be done?: When there is something to be done, someone emerges to do it – or words to that effect, was a comment made when the organizing team for the archaeological dig gathered recently to celebrate the event. Examples of this are many in Houghton Valley, whether its preparing submissions about proposed bus route changes, maintaining the hall, designing a website, planting and re-generation, etc. and working in the community garden. As a regular visitor – but not a worker- I observe the latter as a strong example of community sharing. Not everyone is there every Sunday (sometimes people are busy on other projects or just busy or perhaps unwell) but it all works out in the end. When the vegetables are ready all share in the harvest, including the chickens that alongside Compostologist John have helped fertilise the land. I’ve been known to come away with a seedling or two myself, perhaps recompense for helping produce this newsletter. Norman, with apologies to those involved with all the other projects not mentioned here.
Regards, Norman and Grant