Parkes has many talented people and two of them combined their creative powers to do something they have never done before – writing and illustrating a children’s book. Erica Brazel and Jasmine Cole launched their book, I’m special and it shows from my head down to my toes, at the Parkes Library last Saturday.

“It is a book to help children learn more about their different body parts, from their head to their toes ad all the bits in between,” said Erica, mother of three boys. She started writing the book about five years ago when her eldest was two years old.

In response to a question of where the idea came from, she said the honest answer was in the shower and it was as a tune. “I never intended to publish the book, and if it was not for Jasmine I would never have done it.”

Erica and Jasmine are friends from church. Jasmine does drawing for a hobby and ventured onto new ground illustrating a book. “The first time Jasmine showed me her drawings for the book, I started crying,” said Erica.

Although it took Erica five years to see her first book published as she was doing it herself, she has since written six more books. “I have done a book about dads who sometimes work away from home, as my husband had to do FIFO (Fly In Fly Out). I am keen to see this one published too.

Shellie Buckle of the Parkes Library said it was very exciting to be hosting the launch. “We look forward to adding the book to our collection.” Erica grew up in Lake Cargelligo and moved to Parkes when she was 14. After living in Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle until 2008, she moved back with her husband to have their family.

By Maggi Barnard

Brittany Glover joined the team at Charisma Hair Design in Parkes last week. Brittany has gained a great deal of knowledge and experience in her career as a hairdresser. She has worked with Paula Hibbard styling hair for the magazine, Modern Wedding Bridal and will soon be working back stage on the bridal hair expo runway.

Brittany enjoys making beautiful balayage/ombré with blondes and coppers, loves upstyling, blowdrying, and creating personalised hair styles for the individual. She is excited to share her knowledge and skills with the community of Parkes!

Hailing from Wollongong, Brittany is looking forward to enjoying a slower pace in Parkes and meeting new people. “It is not as crazy here as it is in Wollongong,” said Brittany. Although she’s been a dancer all her life, she might try something different to do in her free time.

Call Charisma on 6862 3798 to book an appointment with Brittany. You can also follow Brittany on Instagram: hairbybritterz.

 

Re-awaken your sense of wonder …. Let curiosity lead your life.
WHAT’S ON @ The Library
SATURDAY ART CLASSES
Join guest teacher Leanne Wilson (Little Art Company) and have fun creating art on Saturday mornings.
• 12 August, 10am to 1pm – Space Madness
• 19 August, 10am to 12pm – Hoot Hoot!
• 26 August, 10am to 1pm – Magical Monster
• 2 September, 10am to 12pm – Bok Bok B’Gerk!
• 9 September,10am to 1pm – Woolly Sheep
• 16 September, 10am to 12pm – Mini Abstract Cost $2 per class. For children aged 8 to 12 years. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

MAKE A KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP
Saturday, 2nd September, 10am – 11am. For teens and adults. Kokedama, which means ‘moss ball’, originated in Japan in the 1600s. Originally invented for bonsai trees, but are now making a comeback in various forms. Participants will get their hands dirty and learn all the steps to construct a succulent kokedama. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

MAKE YOUR OWN TERRARIUM WORKSHOP
Saturday, 2nd September, 1pm – 2pm. For teens and adults. You’ll be getting your hands dirty and learning all the steps to construct your very own terrarium. The class will start with a short demo and presentation and then give you
time to put the knowledge to practice to make your own terrarium. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY STORYTIME
• “Escape to Everywhere” for families! Stories, singing, craft and special guests. 10.30am – 11.30am.
• 2 September: Escape to countries.
• 9 September: Escape to your own special place.
• 16 September: Escape to fantasy land.

BUSINESS LAW…. DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
Are you looking to set up a new business, buy or sell a business? The law puts a tremendous amount of responsibilities upon business owners and employers.
Starting in business can be an exciting time.
However, there are a range of business law issues you must take into account:
• Will you be employing staff to help run the business?
• Will you have contracts with your customers or clients?
• How will you deal with leases, insurance, debt recovery?
• Do you have finance in place?
• What tax implications are there in your business?
• Do you understand the fair trading regulations?

Before you commit to a lease, employ people or start work for clients, you need to be sure that you are not putting yourself in legal jeopardy or risking criminal or financial penalities.

Running your business may involve a range of business law issues:
• Guarantees and security documents;
• Confidentiality agreements;
• Copyright and intellectual property law;
• Partnership and shareholder disputes;
• Customer disputes;
• Supplier and contractor agreements;
• Terms and conditions of trade;
• Bankruptcy and insolvency;
• Work health and safety requirements.

Selling your business has a range of issues you need to think through before signing a contract. In particular, the negotiation for the sale of the business. Many factors come into play when deciding on a sale price for your business. Issues include whether GST is applicable in the sale price and liabilities, responsibility for employees, and trading restrictions that may apply.

The Henrys – Parkes Business Awards is generating a lot of interest and is set to become a major annual event on the Parkes calendar with the launch of brand new categories, a new independent judging system and new modern branding.

The Parkes Chamber of Commerce awards sub-committee has been determined to invigorate the business awards to
become a much easier, more relevant and more encompassing to cover all industries and individuals in business.

The aim is to allow every Parkes business and businessperson the platform to not only receive local recognition, but also the opportunity to move forward as an award winner to regional and state awards.

The awards are aligned with the NSW Business Chamber so all judging will be facilitated by them with independent judges overseeing the nominations and deciding on the winner in each category. The online entry system and judging process is totally removed from the local level allowing complete confidentiality and impartiality throughout the whole process.

Nominations close on 23rd August; enter online at http://www.businessannualawards.com.au/loginchamber=parkes

Enquiries to Chamber@parkeschamber.com.au or through the Facebook page: The Henrys – Parkes Business Awards. The gala black tie awards presentation event will be held in Parkes on Friday, 20th October.

Middleton Public School Kindergarten students recently celebrated a major milestone celebrating 100 days of school.
The day consisted of 100th day of school activities. “We also incorporated reading, writing, language and mathematical activities focusing on this all important number,” said Stacey Jones.

From day one at school, each day was marked off, which initiated discussion around numeral identification. As the
school days grew, mathematical language was used to develop understanding of number arrays of 5, 10, 15 up to 100.

On the 100th day it was time to celebrate! The students experienced and explored different opportunities to see, touch and display 100 using materials, such as building a tower using 100 cups, counting 100 and what 100 looks like in a variety of objects.

Injuries to the lower back are one of the most common golf related problems. The incidence of lower back pain in the male golfer is between 25% to 36% and 22% to 27% in the female golfer. It has been reported to account for up to 52% of all injuries in recreational golfers and 24% of injuries in professional golfers. The injury mechanism of nearly half of all lower back injuries in golf is due to the swing.

The modern golf swing has been shown to produce large forces on the lower back which change directions rapidly during the swing. Because golf is played in a slightly forward flexed position, along with the asymmetrical, rotational nature of the swing the forces the joints in the lower back are subject to are quite high. The compression force on the spine during the swing has been shown to be up to 8 times body weight.

So, what can you do to prevent getting back pain when you play? Maintenance of good mobility in the hips and thoracic and lumbar spine is important. This may require a regular exercise programme at home along with a good warm up before you play whilst using proper technique when lifting your bag and bending through the knees when retrieving the ball.

If you already have lower back pain consider slowing your backswing down. Make sure your weight properly shifts to your back foot and your hips rotate during the backswing. Also, avoid placing your feet too far apart during the address phase as this limits hip rotation later in the swing and increases stresses on the lower back.

For the fitness of you.
Linda Reilly

Whether you consider yourself a foodie or just enjoy eating out, make sure to head to the Station Motel Restaurant in Parkes in September.

The new chef, Peter Wilkinson, and manager Ian Wade-Parker, have more than 80 years combined experience in hospitality, and they are busy creating a new spring menu. The theme is going to be rustic food, sourced locally as much as possible, with lots of flavour. “We have an ever-expanding herb and vegetable garden at the back,” said Peter.

He has just moved to Parkes, and enjoys his new working environment with such a beautiful view. “I just love the country as I grew up in country New Zealand.”

It was in New Zealand where Peter won a trip to London for eight weeks to work with Jamie Oliver. “I am a great fan of his style. What has stuck with me is his focus on rustic, spontaneous food. That is what we want to achieve with our new menu: fresh, local and different.” Peter is also a big fan of Cajun and creole cuisine.

Peter will be able to let his creativity flow as Ian plans to host special theme nights and fine dining events to make the Station Motel one of the must eat places in Parkes. Not that it is already.

The Parkes Phoenix team was treated to a meal recently and vowed to be back for the spring menu. With Peter’s focus on flavour, and Ian’s talent to match just the right wine with a meal, the Station Motel Restaurant definitely needs to be on your to do list.

By Maggi Barnard