Grey Natter

The Official Organ of Grey Power Wainuiomata Association Vol. 17 No. 1 February 2016

Proudly Sponsored by the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust

Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon. Winston Churchill

Jane’s Jottings Greetings everyone

Greetings all

By now you will have survived the festive season, and hopefully have had some quality time with loved ones and friends over the summer break

I had a lovely, if quiet time, and looking forward to getting our calendar for 2016 under way.

This year we have a change of speaker organiser, with Anne Penn taking over that role. I am sure Anne would value suggestions, and/or any contacts you may know of that would engage our members at the monthly meetings.

This frees up Ken Salmon who is currently visiting Jean in Woburn Masonic. I am sure you will join with me in wishing him strength to be there for her, and also for Jean in her recovery process.

I have printed off the Winz calendar and highlighted our meeting dates for 2016. This will be on our table at our first meeting on Feb 24th.

The big event for some of us is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the 18th of February. I am hoping for decent weather, and all those who have tickets, to be staying well enough to go. We do have a small standby list but no promises made.

The lady who runs the "Staying Safe" workshops through Age Concern, has been in touch again and is keen to run a workshop for up to 15 people, who feel they need to be refreshed/updated on the road code etc.

If the lady gets enough names (up to 15) she will book a room at the Life City Complex. Details below.

The Cost is $10.00 per person and the workshop takes approximately two hours including morning tea.

Participants will leave with a booklet which covers much of the workshop material and includes information on license renewal.

Contact number for all bookings: Age Concern Wellington Ph 449 6646

The cup of tea/coffee that we have after our meetings.......last year we sort of fell by the wayside when it came to paying $2.00. I will endeavour to organise for someone to be available to make sure tea/coffee and biscuits are there for us.

I Hope to see as many of you as possible on February 24th

Jane Chamberlain, President

Grey Power Electricity. Are you taking advantage of the low rates on offer? Maybe it’s time you had a look. Have your GP membership number and last power bill to hand, then call. Freephone: 0800 785 733

AIL of New Zealand Ltd All members of Grey Power are covered by an $2000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy. This automatic membership benefit is provided to you at No cost and covers you as long as you are a financial member of our association.

To receive your Certificate of Coverage and name your beneficiary, members can follow this link: www.ailnz.co.nz/request An AIL representative will contact you to make an appointment to deliver your Certificates and discuss other benefits available. AIL offers superb Funeral Cover & Life insurance plans, plus Accident, Hospital & Cancer Protection policies (all international cover.) You are under No Obligation whatsoever.

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The Best Easy Hairstyles for Curly or Wavy Hair Do you want to change up your hairstyle in your 60s but have curly or wavy hair? It can be quite hard to style, especially if you have grey hairs too. So if you’re sick of seeing hairdos just for straight haired over 60 women, here’s some of the best curly and wavy styles we’ve found – which would you like?

The curly lob look embraces your natural curls whilst also providing body.

This pixie wave uses the hair’s natural curl

to give body to the hair. Let it natural sit and

it looks amazing!

Isn’t this wavy bob so pretty? We love

the soft cut and how the hair sits.

Jane Fonda has the shaggy ‘do down pat’. Her

hairdresser has shaped her hair so she has a lot of

texture and doesn’t need a lot of styling to make it

sit perfectly.

This shorter cut embraces your curls

whilst also letting them run curly &

free! All you would need is some

mousse worked through your ends to

give it a bounce.

Blythe Danner’s messy

scrunch shows off her golden

locks but also how messy can

be very chic

This swept-back crop is for ladies with

just a slight wave and is best if you have

a straightener or less curly hair on top.

With a bit of product, it looks sleek and

very modern.

The ruffle crop, lopped off just

below the ears, this style is

universally flattering, and can

improve hair with a cowlick or with

varying depths and lengths.

The long flick of Jaclyn Smith knows

how to look stylish and pretty whilst

taking care of her naturally kinked hair.

These simple flicks look lovely with a

fringe and some highlights.

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I spotted this on an Australian web site and thought, yes, I do believe this applies to New Zealand as well, read on. Have you noticed that it’s getting harder to pay the bills? You’re not alone – and it’s not because you’re poorly managing your money, either. Analysis by the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has found that the cost of essentials such as household fuels, water access and rates have increased at a much greater rate than the consumer price index (CPI) over the past decade, leaving people on pensions or other allowances significantly short. The ABC reports that the SACOSS found prices on the following were up more than double CPI: Gas, household fuels 111pc Water, sewerage 95pc Property rates and charges 81pc Medical costs 79pc Electricity 78pc There is some good news: clothing, computers, electronics and other household appliances have come down in price comparatively. For those who are living on a tight budget and aren’t busy buying new TVs and fridges, the discrepancy is hard to take. Lower-income households, including pensioners, spend proportionately more of their income on utilities, which are going through the roof. SACOSS said the analysis showed that government support payments fell short of the financial pressures Australians faced. “This is another blow for households living on hopelessly inadequate support payments. It means they are going backwards both in their own household budgets and in comparison with the rest of the population,” said SACOSS executive director Ross Womersley. Going back to earlier comments on the TPP Agreement, I seriously believe that will not bring any real savings to the lower sociological income groups at all. Yes we may get cheaper cars, TVs and computers, but if our growers, producers and manufacturers can get more for their products off shore, they will want the same returns on the local market, pushing prices up even more.

From the Editor’s Desk.. Sorry, way to warm to sit at a keyboard and think about, anything! I really do love the weather we have been having since Christmas, lots of sunshine and warm, isn’t this a great place to live.

As I sit here typing this and keeping one eye on Twitter and Facebook, seeing John Key sign the TPP Agreement at a casino, rather appropriately, gambling with our future and, wearing not the New Zealand flag in his lapel but the flag he would like to see replace it. Not a good look for the Prime Minister of our country, but then again, he has already stated he gets confused over what is the New Zealand flag!

While not an enthusiastic believer in the TPP Agreement, I can well believe there will be benefits to some in New Zealand, what concerns me is the secrecy surrounding the negotiations and the actual content. I have immense respect for Helen Clarke who has endorsed the agreement, but still harbour serious concerns over what it will mean for the working class, while accepting that the farmers and big business will see the rewards promised.

We have an old, I mean in terms of the years they have known each other, (not that Helen is old, just to make sure we all understand what I am saying) staying with us at the moment from the UK. Anyway, anyway, we have been driving around the Hutt, Petone and of course into Wellington when we really have to. It is always a good reminder when showing visitors around what a wonderful country we live in and on the whole, how friendly people are.

Sat on a low wall just off the car park on the top of Mount Victoria yesterday evening, while Hilary and Helen walked up to the lookout, a young lady, in her early twenties I would guess and with a Muslim style headdress on smiled at me as she also sat down and said, what a beautiful evening it is up here and what a great view. So we sat and chatted while I waited for the ladies to return. It turns out she was from Malaya, has lived here for around 5 years and all her flat mates were away on holiday, so she was, in her words, talk starved. As we prepared to leave, she asked Hilary if she would take a photo of herself and me on her mobile phone, as youngsters of today will, which Hilary did and off we went. It was nice to just sit and chat for 10 minutes and so easy, even with a total stranger, if we are prepared to take people at face value and, smile.

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That Green Thing

Yesterday after shopping in our local supermarket, I was in the queue at the Check Out, and heard when the young cashier suggested to the much older lady that she should bring her own grocery bags, because plastic bags are not good for the environment. The woman apologised to the young girl & then sighed, "We didn't have this 'green thing' back in my earlier days." The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. You folk didn't do enough to save our environment for future generations." The older lady said "Ahh yes you're right -- our generation didn't have the "green thing" in its day." She sighed then continued: Back then, we returned milk bottles, lemonade bottles & beer bottles to the shops. The shops then sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized & refilled, so those same bottles were used over & over, thus REALLY were recycled. But we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day. Grocery stores put our groceries into brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things. Most memorable was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our school books. This was to ensure that public property (the books provided for our use by the school) were not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalise our books on their brown paper bag/covers. But, too bad we didn't do the "green thing" back then. I remember how we walked up stairs because we didn't have an escalator in every store or office building; walked to the grocery store & didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go 200 yards. . . . But she was right. We didn't have the "green thing" in our day. Back then we washed the baby's nappies because we didn't have the throw away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts. Wind & solar power really did dry our clothes back in our days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. . . . But that young lady is right; we didn't have the "green thing" back in our day. Back then we had one radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And if anyone did own a TV, it had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of a football pitch. When cooking we blended & stirred by hand coz we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send by post, we used layers of old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity., , , , But she's right; we didn't have the "green thing" back then. We drank from a tap or fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, & we replaced the razor blade in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the "green thing" back then. Back then, people took the bus & kids rode bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mothers into a 24-hour taxi service in the family's expensive car or van, which cost what a whole house did before the "green thing"..

Oh and we had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest leisure park. Continued in Next Column:

Continued:

. . . . But it so sad this current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the "green thing" back then? . . . I think you should forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from some smart ass young person. .. … We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to annoy us... Especially from a tattooed, multiple pierced smart pants who can't make change without the cash register telling them how much.

Why Are So Many Aussies Moving to New Zealand

The BBC reported this week that for the first time in 24 years, more Australians are moving to New Zealand than vice versa. Funnily enough, this milestone was not reported widely in Australian media.

What hurts even more is that two thirds of these ditch-jumpers were New Zealanders returning home – in other words, they came, they saw, they went back.

According to Statistics NZ, 25,273 people migrated to New Zealand from Australia in 2015, while a total of 24,504 people moved from New Zealand to Australia, making a net flow of 769 people to New Zealand. This marks the highest net flow of Australians heading to New Zealand since 1991.

The shift has been largely credited to economic and political stability in New Zealand, along with the end of the mining boom here in Australia.

We can’t say we weren’t warned. Back in August then Treasurer Joe Hockey told ABC Radio that New Zealand’s lower income tax rate was “unquestionably” part of the reason increasing numbers of Australian residents were moving to New Zealand.

“New Zealand has a top personal tax rate of 33 cents in the dollar. We have a top personal tax rate of 45 cents in the dollar, plus two per cent for the Medicare levy, plus two per cent for the temporary budget repair levy – so 49 cents in the dollar.

“Sooner or later people start to move to New Zealand and that’s what’s happening. In fact, in the last 12 months, for the first time in years, there were more people moving to New Zealand than there were New Zealanders moving to Australia,” he said.

Australians citizens moving to New Zealand are treated much like native citizens, with access to benefits such as the pension.

Shipping your wife A man and his ever-nagging wife went on holidays to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the husband, “You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150.” The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home. The undertaker asked, “Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would spend only $150?” The man replied, “Long ago a man died here, was buried here,

and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can’t take that

chance

Really:

Q: Why is England the wettest country?

A: Because so many kings and queens have been reigning

there.

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Patience... A kindergarten teacher was helping one of her students put his boots on. He had asked for help and she could see why. With her pulling and him pushing, the boots still didn’t want to go on. When the second boot was on, she was nearly out of breath. She almost whimpered when the little boy said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.” She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as they worked together to get the boots back on – this time on the right feet. He then announced, “These aren’t my boots.” She bit her tongue rather than scream, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” like she wanted to. Once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off. He then said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear them.” She didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. She mustered up the grace to wrestle the boots on his feet again. She said, Now, where are your gloves?” He said, “I stuffed them in the toes of my boots…”

Thinking of Living in a Retirement Village?

The Commission for Financial Capability is running free seminars about living in retirement villages with support from the Retirement Villages Association and experienced legal practitioners.

These seminars are for intending retirement village residents and their families.

The seminars focus on things to consider before choosing to live in a retirement village and practical tips before you sign up to live in a retirement village. Speakers from the Commission, Retirement Villages Association and legal profession will discuss types of retirement village structure, costs and operations. The seminars will also explain some important resident’s rights and where you can find out more information.

The seminars are 90 minutes long and include plenty of dedicated question and answer time throughout the event. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Event registration

Places are limited, so registration is essential.

For further information or to register your attendance, select a location below or call 0800 268 269.

When: Tue 8 Mar 2016, 10:30am–12:00pm Where:Hutt City Senior Citizens Association, Westfield Tower, 45 Knights Road, Lower Hutt Restrictions:All Ages Website: www.cffc.org.nz

You know you are old when…

You know you are old when you knew when the Dead Sea was only sick. You know you are old when you go to the beach and turn a wonderful colour: Blue. It’s from holding your stomach in. You know you are old when people tell you how good you look. You know you are old when the candles cost more than the cake. You know you are old when you tell people you are retro. You know you are old when you’re told to slow down by your doctor and not the police. You know you are old when you stop growing at both ends and start growing in the middle. You know you are old when you spot that first grey hair…on your kid. You know you are old when you see a cute guy and start to calculate if you could be his mom. You know you are old when “Getting any?” means sleep. You know you are old when you’ve been diagnosed with CRS: Can’t remember sh*t. You know you are old when your dreams are dry and your farts are wet. You know you are old when you no longer see speed limits as challenges. You know you are old when you have a hard time deciphering between boredom and hunger. Grey Power Meetings

These are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 1:30 pm.

Venue: Life City Church

Corner of Wainuiomata Road and Parkway

February Wednesday 24th

Diane Isherwood – to speak on the Toastmasters meetings in Wainui and what are the benefits of completing a Toastmasters course.

March Wednesday 23rd TBA

April Wednesday 27th

Sarah Clark - Director of the Office for Senior Citizens, Ministry of Social Development

The Irish.

An Irishman was walking home late at night and sees a woman in the dark shadows.

'Twenty pounds,' she whispers. Murphy had never been with a hooker before, but decides what the hell, it's only twenty pounds. So they hid in the bushes. They're going 'at it' for a minute when all of a sudden a light flashes on them. It is a Police Officer. 'Allo, Allo, Allo, What's going on here, people?' asks the cop. 'Ta be shure, O'im making love to me missus,' Paddy answers sounding annoyed.

'Oh, I'm sorry,' says the cop, 'I didn't know.'

'Well, neidder did I, til ya shined that bloody light in her face!' `

Swept Away

Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married. One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom. The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo. The wedding was lovely. After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, 'I think I am going to have a little broom!' 'Impossible !' said the groom broom. Are you ready for this? Brace yourself; this is going to Hurt!!!!!! 'We haven't even swept together!'

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The Mall is not a Wainuiomata Problem; it’s a Mall Problem Councilor Campbell Barry

The state of the Wainuiomata Mall is not a Wainuiomata problem; it’s a Mall problem that has existed for 10 years plus.

In fact Wainuiomata has a number of exciting developments and initiatives, which are either on going or soon to be started. We have over 100 homes planned for the Parkway Extension (both sides of the road), which will be built over the next few years. We are on the brink of securing a $20-30m retirement village at Hugh Sinclair Park. $9m is being invested into a 4m wide protected shared walk/cycle path over the Wainuiomata Hill, which will be completed over the next 2 financial years.

House prices continue to be some of the most affordable in the region, and sale statistics show that we are attracting more families and young professionals than ever before. Sportsville is gaining momentum, and we have a fantastic gym that is going from strength to strength. We are the gateway to the outdoors with our mountain bike tracks, bush walks, campsites, golf course, coastline and stunning views.

Of course we have our challenges, but in no way does the Mall’s problems characterize or reflect on Wainuiomata generally.

There is no question that we all agree that something needs to happen with the Mall, but there is no point in continuing with the thought that ‘it use to be great’ or simply pointing the finger at Mall Management.

Instead, lets focus on things that we can control. Lets work with building owners and people in the private sector who can and want to make our town centre a more vibrant place NOW.

In December last year I was reflecting on what my priorities would be for 2016, and near the top of my list I put down working with who I can to transform our town centre, knowing that eventually the Mall would do something once they see everything else happen around them.

Here’s some of my thoughts and a few examples of what I will be focusing on this year:

I want to see office space developed above our Queen Street shops and target small businesses, start ups, call centres etc to move in with the attraction of some of the lowest rent costs in the region. This would not only help existing businesses, but it would also attract cafes, coffee as well as provide local jobs for local people.

As a part of our Development Plan, I want to see Queen Street and the Strand turned into attractive shared spaces for cars, cyclists, walkers and relaxers. Free Wifi should be on offer across the whole area and the entrance of Queen Street must be opened up so visitors passing by know it’s there.

With the Hutt River being widened over the next 5 years, we need to be knocking on every single manufacturing business on Pharazyn Street and telling them about the space available down Waiu Street. The more people working in the Valley the better for our town centre.

If we can get cracking on all of this, alongside all the good things happening already, then I’m confident the Mall will pull its socks up and come with us. But if it doesn’t, so be it… We will still be creating a more vibrant town centre, and stronger Wainuiomata.

Of course I can’t do all this by myself! – I’m keen to hear your thoughts/ideas and get in touch if you would like to help.

Cutting Down on One Ingredient Sometimes cutting down on one ingredient – even a little – could make an astonishing difference. It’s hardly news that salt isn’t great for us. But far too few of us are aware of the enormous difference it makes to our long-term health. According to The Age, excess salt intake is one of the biggest, most preventable causes of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. In Victoria, it’s responsible for one in every 20 deaths – making it six times more deadly than car accidents. It has even been tied to osteoporosis. While it’s always fun to indulge in the occasional serving of salty fish and chips, we know this is just an indulgence. It’s the everyday grocery store ingredients – which we don’t traditionally think of as salty at all – that could be a far bigger threat. This makes it all the more important to check the sodium levels of a product before purchase. Now VicHealth calling on food companies to start cutting down on salt as an ingredients in packaged food – particularly bread, processed meats and cereals. While the World Health Organisation recommends a maximum of five grams of salt per day, many of us take in something closer to 8-9 grams. The organisation has challenged Australia to reduce intake by 30 per cent within the next decade. It is believed that this tiny reduction could save approximately 800 lives per year – and $50 million in health costs. It would also go a long way in preventing disabilities caused by strokes, heart attacks and other debilitating conditions. Dr Bruce Bolam from VicHealth said that in Victoria (as with the rest of the country), a doubled salt intake is responsible for “about half the strokes, heart attacks and chronic kidney diseases”. “It is often not recognised how big a contribution salt makes to the chronic disease burden in Australia and in Victoria.” He named Vegemite as one common culprit. “When you put that together on your bread, which is usually already pretty salty too, you are looking at a very salty snack”. How much salt do you think you eat per day? Would you be willing to cut down the salt in your diet, knowing just how big a difference it could make to your long-term health? Or is it one diet concession too many?

Dumb Ass Once upon a time there was a king who wanted to go fishing. He called the royal weather forecaster and inquired as to the weather forecast for the next few hours. The weatherman assured him that there was no chance of rain in the coming days. So the king went fishing with his wife, the queen On the way he met a farmer on his donkey. Upon seeing the king the farmer said, "Your Majesty, you should return to the palace at once because in just a short time I expect a huge amount of rain to fall in this area". The king was polite and considerate, he replied: "I hold the palace meteorologist in high regard. He is an extensively educated and experienced professional. And besides, I pay him very high wages. He gave me a very different forecast. I trust him and I will continue on my way." So he continued on his way. However, a short time later a torrential rain fell from the sky. The King and Queen were totally soaked and their entourage chuckled upon seeing them in such a shameful condition. Furious, the king returned to the palace and gave the order to fire the professional. Then he summoned the farmer and offered him the prestigious and high paying role of royal forecaster. The farmer said, "Your Majesty, I do not know anything about forecasting. I obtain my information from my donkey. If I see my donkey's ears drooping, it means with certainty that it will rain." So the king hired the donkey. And thus began the practice of hiring dumb asses to work in the government and occupy its highest and most influential positions. This practice is unbroken to this date

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Officers and Committee Members of Grey Power Wainuiomata Association

Inc. President : Jane Chamberlain 87B Main Road Ph: 971 9189 Email: horatio@paradise.net.nz nz

Vice President: Ken Salmon 98 Hair Street. Ph: 934 6473 Email: k_salmon@paradise.net.

Secretary: Vacant

Minutes Secretary: Pat Hosking 321b Wellington Road Ph: 970 7120

Treasurer: Ellen Rodgers 564 5748 ellenrodgers@xtra.co.nz

Welfare Officers: Jim & Patsy Manu 39 Poole Crescent. Ph: 564 7366

Advertising & P.H.O. Rep: Tony Watling 24 Roberts Street. Ph: 564 5587 Email: tony@watling .co.nz.

P.H.O Rep: Karen King

Archivist/Historian: Ross Cunningham 10 Maire Street. Ph: 564 7216

Membership Secretary: Jeanette Osborne Ph: 564 1674 joz@clear.net.nz

Anne Penn: 63 Meremere Street Ph: 564 7167 annepenn@xtra.co.nz

Marion Wilkinson 5 Kim Street Ph: 564 4220

Diane Thompson 8 Kim Street Ph: 973 9066

Hilary Cooper 15 McGowan Road Ph: 564 1144

Newsletter Editor: Derrick Halford 15 McGowan Road. Ph: 564 1144 Email: derrick.halford@gmail.com

Tripping..

While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip. When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses. All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute. To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her, "While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card." .

Free Safety Check

for

AA Members The AA Safety Check is a basic health check of your vehicle by a qualified technician and includes items that commonly lead to vehicles failing their WoFs.

Two FREE checks per year for AA Members.

Contact the AA for more details

Scam Alert Apple is warning customers not to open a scam text message that tricks people into giving away their personal details. The message appears to be from Apple iTunes and tells users their account has been frozen and they should click the link in the message to validate their details.

The link is disguised so it appears to be from Apple, but contains a major virus that can wreak havoc on your device. Apple is advising its customers to simply delete the message instead.

It’s not the first time Apple has had to deal with scam messages being sent out to customers, with many people falling victim to fake emails and messages.

Apple released a statement on their website explaining how dangerous the fraudulent messages can be.

“The iTunes Store will never ask you to provide personal information or sensitive account information (such as passwords or credit card numbers) via email,” it read.

“Email messages that contain attachments or links to non-Apple websites are from sources other than Apple, although they may appear to be from the iTunes Store.

“Most often, these attachments are malicious and should not be opened.

“You should never enter your Apple account information on any non-Apple website.”

Phyllis Diller The only time I ever enjoyed ironing . . .was the day I

accidentally poured gin in the steam iron.

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Banana for Breakfast Anyone??? This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. PMS Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemea High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure : This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power 200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Heartburn Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morninf Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. Mosquito Bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. Continues in Next Column:

Continued: The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady. Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature Control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

How to Age With a Sense of Humour

Sadly younger people are still looking at the older generations as needy, frail, a drain on society etc. I would like to shout from the rooftops – wake up ‘young’ guys and girls! I recently observed by simply walking down the street and observing various generations shopping in stores and supermarkets just two days ago. There were far more happy over 50 and 60 year olds, in fact older senior people generally that were visibly more happy than teenagers and slightly older. It hit me that maybe older people know how to age as well as other things that younger people don’t know about, living a happy, healthy, fulfilling life is what we should all strive for – at any age don’t walk around with the ‘world’ on your shoulders. I looked at dozens and hundreds of young men and women, very few had a smile readily visible. We can certainly all learn from those who have been through life ahead of us, particularly older people with a great attitude that are aging well. Talking to older people can be interesting and entertaining. I don’t think it is my imagination but I can’t recall many comedians dying at an early age, which is surely no coincidence they…laugh a lot! As one older person remarked… we don’t waste your time

worrying about getting old. It can be a time of opportunity, growth and adventure. Seen as a quest, not an end.

Stop using “I don’t care how long I live” as an excuse for bad health habits. Behaviours like smoking, poor eating habits and inactivity.

Don’t spend a lot of time fretting about your own mortality. What the experts recommend is careful planning and organisation for the end of life.

Keep up with technology …the threat of social isolation in middle age and beyond, should be taken seriously you should make conscious efforts beginning in middle age to stay connected through new learning opportunities and relationships.

Plan ahead don’t let fears and prejudices deter you or your older relatives from considering a move to a senior living community. Such a move often opens up opportunities for better living, rather than limiting them. Plan short getaways with people that make you laugh and feel good. I would add to the above – laugh a Lot, even when times are looking a little grim, there is no blue-print on how to age but I can assure you, a sense of humour gives you a special edge.

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You Won’t Be Happiest Until You Turn 65 Years Old

Will you ever be happy? The answer, it seems, is yes. Likely when you’re a bit older. A recent government survey asked people in the UK to rate out of 10 how satisfied they were with life, as well as how anxious and happy they’d felt. The results showed that people aged 65-79 had the highest levels of life satisfaction and happiness, and the lowest levels of anxiety. But things appeared less rosy for those aged 45-59, who reported the lowest levels of life satisfaction. The Office for National Statistics surveyed more than 300,000 adults between 2012 and 2015. Its results add further evidence that the mid-life crisis is real. Life satisfaction starts off high for those aged between 16-19, the youngest age group in the survey, but progressively falls from people’s Twenties. Life satisfaction gradually begins to peak again, returning to the high levels observed in the youngest group.

It still remains unclear as to why life satisfaction follows a U-shaped curve. Researchers speculate that the differences may be driven by socio-economic factors. The youngest cohort and those who have retired tend to have less responsibility and more time, and thus are more satisfied with life; those aged between 45-54 may struggle to balance work and family commitments. Women reported higher levels of anxiety than men, but also reported higher levels of happiness. While there wasn’t a significant difference between ethnicities, people of Arab ethnicity in Britain had highest levels of anxiety and lowest levels of happiness across all ages.

My Hearing Loss Doesn’t Make Me a Bad Driver! Here’s Why

Those of us with hearing loss already face a great deal of stigma, but the idea that we’re less safe as drivers is one of the most hurtful. Granted, when it comes to awareness on the road, the noises around us can make a world of difference: an approaching siren; a polite honk from behind; a motorbike in a blind spot. But there is no reason hearing loss needs to compromise your safety or independence as a driver. These recommendations, courtesy of We’re All Ears, will go a long way in helping you adapt. 1. Make sure you’re following all legal requirements If you have been diagnosed with hearing loss, be sure to check in with your state’s transport authority to find out if you have any legal obligations. In most cases there shouldn’t be any restrictions, just a friendly list of recommendations. Either way, that simple peace of mind can be an enormous source of comfort moving forward. 2. Buy an extended rear view mirror This is something that can benefit absolutely any motorist. A wider mirror (widely available for purchase online and from car retailers) will greatly improve your spatial awareness, placing far less burden on your ears to do the hard work. 3. Eliminate unnecessary noise inside If driving alone, this can be as simple as closing your window and keeping radio volume to a minimum. If you are driving with passengers, take the time to ensure they’re aware of your concerns and willing to keep unnecessary conversation to a minimum. The worse the hearing loss, the greater the concentration required to listen. As such, even routine chatter can be a very genuine distraction. 4. Be extra vigilant with your indicator It’s easy to accidentally leave an indicator on at the best of times, but when the gentle clicking is hard to hear, it becomes an enormous safety concern. All it takes is that little extra awareness. Keep this potential oversight in mind; make the habit of double-checking after completing a turn. 5. Get your car checked up regularly Sound is often the first clue that something might be wrong with a car. When these subtle warning signs become harder to hear, it’s all the more important to get your car on a regular maintenance routine. 6. Keep your hearing aid switched on Finally, and most importantly: if you are selective about when you use a hearing aid, make a habit of switching it on every time you enter the car. In time, this should become just as ordinary as fastening your seatbelt – and just as important..

Good Thinking, I think… A little three year old boy is sitting on the toilet. His mother thinks he has been in there too long, so she goes in to see what’s up.

The little boy is sitting on the toilet reading a book. But about every 10 seconds or so he puts the book down, grips onto to the toilet seat with his left hand and hits himself on top of the head with his right hand. His mother says: “Billy, are you all right? You’ve been in here for a while…” Billy says: “I’m fine, mommy.. I just haven’t gone ‘doody’ yet.” Mother says: “Ok, you can stay here a few more minutes. But, Billy, why are you hitting yourself on the head?” Billy says: “Works for ketchup

Seenager

I am a Seenager. (Senior teenager)I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. I don’t have to go to school or work. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I don’t have a curfew. I have a driver’s license and my own car. I have ID that gets me into bars and the bottle store. The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant. And I don’t have acne. Life is great.

I have more friends I should tell this to, but right now I can't remember their names.

Of Course:

A priest, a politician, and a clown, walk into the bar. The

bartender says, "What is this, some kind of joke?"

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Listening, it is important We all know what it’s like to get that phone call in the middle of the night. This night’s call was no different. Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight. Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind as I grabbed the receiver. “Hello?” My heart pounded; I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my wife, who was now turning to face my side of the bed. “Daddy?” I could hardly hear the whisper over the static. But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter. When the desperate sound of a young crying voice became clearer on the line, I grabbed for my wife and squeezed her wrist. “Daddy, I know it’s late, but don’t…don’t say anything, until I finish. And before you ask, yes, I’ve been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back, and…” I drew in a sharp shallow breath, released my wife and pressed my hand against my forehead. Sleep still fogged my mind, and I attempted to fight back the panic. Something wasn’t right. “And I got so scared. All I could think about was how it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door and said I’d been killed. I want…to come home. I know running away was wrong. I know you’ve been worried sick. I should have called you days ago, but I was afraid…afraid…” Sobs of deep-felt emotion flowed from the receiver and poured into my heart. Immediately I pictured my daughter’s face in my mind and my fogged senses seemed to clear. “I think…” “No! Please let me finish! Please!” She pleaded, not so much in anger but in desperation. I paused and tried to think of what to say. Before I could go on, she continued, “I’m pregnant, Daddy. I know I shouldn’t be drinking now…especially now, but I’m scared, Daddy. So scared!” The voice broke again and I bit into my lip, feeling my own eyes fill with moisture. I looked at my wife who sat silently mouthing, “Who is it?” I shook my head and when I didn’t answer, she jumped up and left the room, returning seconds later with the portable phone held to her ear. She must have heard the click in the line because she continued, “Are you still there? Please don’t hang up on me! I need you. I feel so alone.” I clutched the phone and stared at my wife, seeking guidance. “I’m here, I wouldn’t hang up,” I said. “I know I should have told you, Daddy. But when we talk, you just keep telling me what I should do. You read all those pamphlets on how to talk about sex and all, but all you do is talk. You don’t listen to me. You never let me tell you how I feel. It is as if my feelings aren’t important. Because you’re my father, you think you have all the answers. But sometimes I don’t need answers. I just want someone to listen.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared at the how-to-talk-to-your-kids pamphlets scattered on my night stand. “I’m listening,” I whispered. “You know, back there on the road, after I got the car under control, I started thinking about the baby and taking care of it. Then I saw this phone booth and it was as if I could hear you preaching about people shouldn’t drink and drive. So I called a taxi. I want to come home.” “That’s good, Honey,” I said as relief filled my chest. My wife came closer, sat down beside me and laced her fingers through mine. I knew from her touch that she thought I was doing and saying the right thing. “But you know, I think I can drive now.” “No!” I snapped. My muscles stiffened, and I tightened the clasp on my wife’s hand. .Continued in Next Column

Continued: “Please, wait for the taxi. Don’t hang up on me until the taxi gets there.” “I just want to come home, Daddy.” “I know. But do this for your Daddy. Wait for the taxi, please.” I listened to the silence in fear. When I didn’t hear her answer, I bit into my lip and closed my eyes. Somehow I had to stop her from driving. “There’s the taxi, now.” Only when I heard someone in the background asking about a Yellow Cab did I feel my tension easing. “I’m coming home, Daddy.” There was a click and the phone went silent. Moving from the bed with tears forming in my eyes, I walked out into the hall and went to stand in my sixteen-year-old daughter’s room. The dark silence hung thick. My wife came from behind, wrapped her arms around me and rested her chin on the top of my head. I wiped the tears from my cheeks. “We have to learn to listen,” I said. She pulled me around to face her. “We’ll learn. You’ll see.” Then she took me into her arms, and I buried my head in her shoulder. I let her hold me for several moments, then I pulled back and stared back at the bed. She studied me for a second, then asked, “Do you think she’ll ever know she dialed the wrong number?” I looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at her. “Maybe it wasn’t such a wrong number.” “Mom, Dad, what are you doing?” The muffled young voice came from under the covers. I walked over to my daughter, who now sat up staring into the darkness. “We’re practicing,” I answered. “Practicing what?”

Joint Replacement Surgery and Recovery

Presenters: Mrs Helen Tobin, Orthopaedic surgeon will discuss joint replacement procedures, and the expected surgical pathways for pre-operative and post-operative care Kate Sutherland, Physiotherapist from TBI Health will discuss pre-operative and postoperative treatment and exercises for hip and knee joint replacement care

Wednesday 9th March 6:00pm –7:30pm

Knox Hall, 574 High Street, Lower Hutt

There is no charge for entry however donations are appreciated Registrations are essential: Please call 0800 663 463 or 04 472 5669 or email robyn.tuohy@arthritis.org.nz www.arthritis.org.nz

Phyllis Diller What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.

Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.

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Nicky Cooper

Licensed Salesperson

REAA 2008

W: 04 564 0004

H: 04 567 7766

M: 027 307 2999

E: nicky.cooper@harcourts.co.nz

Fundraising Opportunity List and sell your house through Nicky Cooper at Harcourts and Nicky will donate $250* to your

nominated church, school, club or charity, which we hope will be Grey Power Wainuiomata of course,

but it is your choice. (* Terms & Conditions apply)

Call Me For a Free Market Appraisal 32 Queen Street, Wainuiomata 5014

Report to Grey Power Cr Margaret Willard February 2016

At the start of the New Year, I wish you all the best for 2016, expecting that many of the improvements already begun in the community will continue to grow towards a more vibrant community with thriving businesses.

Wheels Over Pukeatua This event was a huge success, with 10 people (some of them Grey Power members) taking the opportunity to cross the bridge with the help of Wainuiomata Lions Rugby League club members, transport from Woburn Enliven home and wheelchairs from the Mobility Centre in Epuni. Views, fun and laughter were enjoyed both on the hill and over afternoon tea afterwards at Life City Church.

If there is a demand, the event will be repeated in about a year, so contact me if you missed out this time and would like to enjoy the experience.

Retirement Village Council has now completed its legal processes to clear the way for the building of the retirement village. I am working with Mayor Ray Wallace on getting this happening as soon as possible.

Mayoral Citation Harry Martin was presented with a mayoral citation by Mayor Ray Wallace for his many years of service to Wainuiomata. I enjoyed hearing the stories of the past from Harry and people he worked with as chair of the town council and briefly as mayor of Wainuiomata.

Recent Publicity There was negative media attention on Wainuiomata recently because of the inactivity of our mall. Unfortunately it was made to seem as if the whole community is in decline, when this is far from the truth. While we can’t go back to the 1970s and 80s because of external factors beyond our control, I am confident that with a group of proactive people working on the town centre and new opportunities arising, we can revive our community around the shops so more businesses will be attracted to Wainuiomata.

Heritage Projects You will soon hear about plans for a storytelling event that Grey Power members will be invited to take part in. We look forward to hearing more about earlier days in Wainuiomata’s development.

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors of the articles and not necessarily those of Grey

Power Wainuiomata Association Incorporated. The information in the publication is given in good faith and has been derived

from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. Neither Grey Power Wainuiomata Association Incorporated nor any person

involved in the preparation of this publication accept any form of liability whatsoever for the contents, including advertisements,

editorial, opinions, advice or information, nor for any consequences from its use.

Sweetener free, sugar free, grain free, gluten free carrot cake Carrot cake is an old favourite and although the traditional recipes are full of healthy carrots, they are often filled with sugar, negating the carrots’ nutrients. This carrot cake recipe has no sugar, no gluten and no natural sweetener. Instead, it’s packed with amazing ingredients to get you feeling your best! Prep Time: 15 min – Cook Time: 35 min – Total Time: 50 min Serves 6 Stuff you need For the cake 1 cup almond meal 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped 3/4 cup butter melted 1/4 cup coconut milk 2 carrots peeled and grated 2 eggs 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg Pinch of salt

For the frosting 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 cup butter cubed 1 lemon juice and rind 1 tsp. 100% vanilla extract Now what Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) and line 2 x 10 cm (4 inch) spring form cake tins. Or you can use 1 larger cake tin. In a large bowl combine the almond meal, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add the eggs, melted butter, coconut milk, carrots and stir really well. Fill the cake tins with the cake batter and place in to the oven for 35 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before turning out and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack. Meanwhile, let’s make the frosting! In your blender or food processor whiz the coconut until super fine. Add the butter cubes and continue to whiz, it should be getting smooth. Add the lemon juice, rind as well as the vanilla and continue to whiz. Once the cakes have cooled, spread frosting on top of both cakes evenly, the carefully place one cake on top of the other. Sprinkle with a few extra walnuts! If your taste buds like it a little sweet, add 1-3 tbs. of 100% maple syrup or honey to the cake batter and/or frosting.