Hello
Tassie On My Mind, July 2013
- keeping warm in winter
Welcome to the July 2013 issue of Tassie On My Mind, a free monthly newsletter keeping you informed of the latest news on what makes Tasmania such an attractive travel destination.
There are so many opportunities to keep warm and still enjoy all that Tasmania has to offer in winter. Thoughts of special native animals, fun in the snow, dancing, and more...
Read on to see what I mean...
This issue:
- Saving our Devils
- Let it snow!
- The wonders of wine
- Christmas in July
- Get dancing
Plus... your chance to be a part of tasmania-attractions.com!
Saving our Devils
The thought of our beloved Tasmanian Devils certainly warms my heart, what about you?
The fight continues (and long may it do so) to preserve our beloved Tasmanian Devils in the face of the fatal Devil Facial Tumour disease (DFTD).
How is the fight continuing?
Two new Tasmanian devil breeding facilities are opening. One just opened at Richmond's ZooDoo wildlife park and another will be built soon at Wings Wildlife Park at Gunns Plains in the state's North-West.
And now wildlife parks located overseas, including the famous San Diego Zoo, are hoping to join in the fight.
In a program to raise awareness of DFTD and the need for research funding, the Devils will act as ambassadors through their presence in these zoos in New Zealand and the USA.
According to Environment Minister Brian Wightman,
"We always need additional resources to help find a vaccine or potentially a cure."
Let's hope that happens soon - it will be music to many (including my) ears...
Let it snow!
That's what many people are saying at this time of the year in the Southern Hemisphere (no less in Tasmania), at least to themselves in their own minds. Some might even be singing the popular Christmas time song, who knows!
In any case, snow has certainly been falling in Tasmania.
June saw this winter's first decent snow dump on Mt Wellington. When the temperature dropped to zero at the mountain top, snow fell to 1000m in Hobart. In spite of severe winds, snow and sleet, some very tough and determined people made their way to the summit of Mt Wellington to make snowballs, engage in snow fights and build snowmen.
Having fun in snow like that would help keep your mind off the cold wouldn't it?
What else can you do with snow?
You skiers and snowboarders have an answer to that question! Keep an eye on Ben Lomond for the snow action that you love!
The wonders of wine
There are many ways to keep warm in winter - heaters, blankets, hibernation, etc.
And then there is wine... And always in moderation of course...
Wine lovers, do you know where you can try more than 90 Tamar Valley wines in the one room?
This is the question asked and answered by the promoters of the Taste of the Tamar: Wine and Food Showcase event, which will be held at Salamanca Arts Centre Hobart on 20th and 21st July.
Entry is $15 at the door, and includes a souvenir engraved tasting glass, tastings and a chance at winning the lucky door prize of accommodation for 2 at Country Club, Prospect as well as dinner at renowned Stillwater Restaurant.
Available for your tasting pleasure at the exhibition will be around 90 wines, including many prestigious award winners.
The Taste of the Tamar is an annual event which celebrates & showcases the premium cool climate wines and regional produce from the Tamar Valley in northern Tasmania.
For more information (including the list of exhibitors and a Tamar Valley wine route map) visit the Taste of the Tamar website.
Christmas in July
We like breaking the rules down under - so we celebrate Christmas in July (as well as in December)!
The Southern Midlands Arts Learning Centre will be celebrating Christmas in July on Sunday 21st July with its inaugural indoor monthly "Handmade and Home-grown Market".
There will be handmade and home-grown products for sale, plus you could book into workshops and learn a few things yourself - how to make a quilt maybe? Quilts are good for keeping warm in winter too.
With demonstrations throughout the day, you can learn:
- how to create an original Christmas Heirloom,
- how to decorate stunning wall panels with free motion quilting,
- fundamentals of design and layout for domestic sewing machines.
For more information, visit The Southern Midlands Arts Learning Centre website.
I attended a Quilt Show for the very first time last month and was amazed at the skill on display. I purchased a few items (like an embroidered phone cover) and now wish I had picked up more - as spares and for gifts. The items that were on sale were quite beautiful...
Get dancing
Now that's another great way to keep warm and stay fit - dancing!
And no you don't have to dance by yourself. Join other dance enthusiasts every Friday evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in The Courtyard, Salamanca Arts Centre at Rektango, a free live music event.
Catch up with friends, get dancing and enjoy music of many genres including funk, reggae, soul, blues, rock and more!
Interested in learning a specific type of dancing? You could be learning Scottish Country dancing, Irish dancing, Bush Circle dancing, Balkan dance, Bellydance and more...
For more information visit The Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc website.
Well that's it for this issue.
This winter, let us also remember the other more "common sense" ways of keeping warm, e.g. packing those winter garments wherever you go. That trusty umbrella or raincoat could come in handy too, as many of us have found out with all the rain we've been having. Stay warm and safe this winter.
See you in August!
To contact me, click here.
Here's your chance to be a part of
Tasmania-attractions.com!
One Day In Tasmania
What if you had just one day in Tasmania? Where would you go? What would you do?
Share your dream with us.
If selected, your dream will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
It doesn't matter if you have never been to Tasmania. I would love to hear your thoughts too. It's easy to find out about Tasmania, at tasmania-attractions.com or elsewhere.
This is your chance. Join in the fun. Share your thoughts with us.
We all gain so much from each other's ideas.
Hit us with your best shot
Your best wildlife shot, that is...
Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time and snagged a great wildlife photo?
Share that photo with us.
We would love to see it. Not only that, we would love to get your tips on how you got the photo.
How did you manage not to scare the animal away? What did you do to prepare for the shot?
If selected, your photo and story will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
This is your opportunity to shine. Let's share our stories around.
