22 Mahurangi Matters July 16, 2014 hobbiesfeature

Get your Home brew (Hand Crafted Beverages), Cheese and Preserving supplies from your

Lucky Lotto Shop at the Top of Town. Easy parking, friendly staff.

221 Rodney Street, Wellsford Phone 09 423 8258

The Complete DistilleryNormal price $750.00

Our special price

$600.00while stocks last

Turbo 500 Still

www.woodyswinners.co.nz

hobbies FEATURE

Photographers are heading to Mahurangi to take photos of the cosmos and photographer, Jonathan Green, says it could be a major tourism draw card for the area.Jonathan has been travelling to the area to take photos of the stars since 2012.“Warkworth is the first area north of Auckland that has low enough levels of light pollution to take these kind of photos,” Jonathan says.The images are created using a Digital SLR (DSLR) camera and by taking multiple 20-second exposures. The long exposure time allows the camera to capture the low levels of light

emitted from stars.“But any longer than 20 seconds and you are going to get distortions from the Earth’s rotation as the stars appear to move across the sky.”North Shore resident Mike Mackinven started capturing starscapes around iconic Mahurangi sites last year.“My favourite locations include the satellite station and the haunting ruins at the cement works,” Mike says.“A lot of people don’t look to the stars and don’t know about the Milky Way, even though it’s right above them every night. It’s nice to be able to show people what is out there and what an

amazing place we exist in.”But there is concern the bright stars will be lost as the area develops and more night lighting is installed.Jonathan has experienced this first hand. He started out taking photos near his Coatesville home, but as the area developed he has been forced further north to avoid light pollution.He says that unless more is done to manage lighting, such as covers for streetlights and sensors for other public lighting, the same could happen to Warkworth.The Auckland Astronomical Society is lobbying Auckland Council to make

it compulsory for street and sport lighting to have covers so the light is only cast down, he says.Tekapo has implemented similar regulations and became internationally recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve in 2012. Jonathan says an area like Pakiri could attract similar interest and would be a significant tourism boost for the area in the off-season.People interested in learning the craft can get in contact with Jonathan and Mike through the Aotearoa Astrophotography Facebook page.(Full story can be read online at www.localmatters.co.nz)

View more photos online

localmatters.co.nz

Mahurangi sky attracts photographers

Mike Mackinven Jonathan Green

23 July 16, 2014 Mahurangi Matters hobbiesfeature

Adults $30 • Students Free • Info. Ph 425 7313 or 425 7015

Warkworth Musicpresents

ANTITHESIS - a programme of oppositesNew & old from the Northern & Southern Hemispheres

Performed by the Dalecarlia Clarinet Quintet

FRIDAY 18th July at 7.30pmAt Ascension Winery,

Matakana Road, Warkworth

Regular meetings are held on the SECOND Monday of each

month at 10am at Shoesmith Hall, Shoesmith Street.

NEW members welcome, contact: Margaret 4254215 or Cheryl 4259945

NZ Society of Genealogists

WARKWORTH BRANCH

We can help you climb

your Family Tree

CLASSES ALL $25 plus fabricsTuESdAy morningS • 9am - 12.30pm Learn how to make a Log Cabin Quilt.ThurSdAy nighTS • 5.30pm - 8.30pmCome along for a fun evening of hand sewing. Stich together an Heirloom Hexagonal Quilt. SATURDAYS • 9am - 1pm Still Life Cushion. Fun to make. Learn a variety of embroidery stitches. A great project learning applique.

being creative is not a hobby, it’s a way of life09 425 9440 www.pukekopatch.co.nz • pukekopatch@gmail.com

Warkworth & WellsfordPipe Band

Learner or experienced pipers wanted. Friendly group of all ages.Meet at Womens Bowling Club, Shoesmith Rd, WW. Mondays 7pm.

Contact John Lane 09 422 1815

For all your cheese making

supplies

gourmet purveyors of �ne crafted cheeses

kaiwaka

Open 7 days - Mon-Thur 9-5 • Fri-Sun 9-6State Highway1, Kaiwaka, Northland

09 431 2195 www.kaiwakacheese.co.nz

A permanent arts trail has been established at Mangawhai, which artists hope will see the town recognised as more than a place to surf, swim and play golf.The trail has been developed by the Mangawhai Artists Association and will involve more than 20 artists, who will open their studios to the public by appointment.Committee member Sarah C says the arts community has grown rapidly in Mangawhai and there are many artists producing great works.The association has been running an art trail twice a year for more than a decade, attracting about 1000 people, but the new trail will now become a permanent feature of the town.“Working as an artist can be a very solitary experience and this is away of making works more accessible to both visitors and locals,” Sarah says.A free brochure will be released soon and will be available at community

and information centres as far afield as the Waikato.Sarah says the trail also highlights the fact that Mangawhai is short on space for exhibitions and workshops.The association, which has grown to about 100 members, runs regular workshops, which are often booked out in advance. But without a dedicated headquarters, the workshops are often run from artists’ homes.Discussions are underway with Kaipara District Council about building an arts centre on land in Mangawhai Park, near the new Mangawhai Museum.Meanwhile, the association is planning its biggest art trail event of the year on the weekend of September 27 and 28.The event is traditionally held on Labour Weekend, but Sarah says that weekend is becoming too crowded with events.“It’s time to set it apart as an event in its own right.”

Artists hunt for headquarters

Mangawhai Artists is building on the popular art trail event by producing a brochure so the public can visit local artist studios throughout the year.

Morning & evening classes in Matakana & WarkworthYoga mats, yoga wear available • Full timetable onwebsite

Start in July & save on fees, see website for detailswww.ingridyoga.co.nz • 422 3290 / 021 707486

keep your mind & body healthy this winter with yoga!

For enquiring minds of the 3rd age • 55+No academic qualifications necessary

Discussion Groups:Art AppreciationBook Talk • Creative Writing Current Affairs Poetry ReadingJazz ListeningMusic Appreciation Shakespeare • Local HistoryHistory • Food for ThoughtMedical DevelopmentsPlay Reading

Contact Ernie Gidman • 09 425 9869 • vegidman@clear.net.nz

24 Mahurangi Matters July 16, 2014 hobbiesfeature

Kowhai Art & Craft

SH1, Warkworth Showgrounds Reservewww.kowhai-art-craft.infoPhone for info 09 427 8911

Drop in. Get inspired. Make a friend.

Create something new. Have fun!

MONDAY Art + Painting / PotteryTUESDAY Book Art / PrintmakingWEDNESDAY Freeform Kreations / Porcelain PaintingTHURSDAY Calligraphy / Felting / Spinning + Weaving / LeatherworkFRIDAY Art + Painting / Silk Painting / Glass Art Flax Weaving /

Tutor Mandy Thomsett-Taylor BVA, MFA (Hon)This exciting mixed media art course has an exploratory focus and is suited to students of all levels. The course offers a unique insight into methods of painting and drawing via a series of tutor-led sessions that explore a broad range of painting and drawing materials and approaches. Classes encompass the spirit of a personal direction and individual vision, encouraging students to develop their individual artistic voice.

Contact Mandy Thomsett-Taylor on 021 843590 or email mandytt@xtra.co.nzSeven week course - 12 places only - $300Matakana Community Hall, Matakana, 9.30am - 12.30pmWednesday July 23rd - Wednesday Sept 23rd

the Paint Club

Citizens Advice BureauWellsford

WarkworthSatellite Service

Wellsford Community Centre 1 Matheson Rd, Wellsford 0900Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am-3pm

Queen Street, Warkworth Auckland Council Building, The Board RoomOpening hours: Wed & Fri 10am-1pm

For free confi denti al and imparti al informati on, advice, advocacy and support, come in and talk to us.

Our services cover from Puhoi to the Brynderwyns and Coast to Coast.

A hive of information

09 423 7333 or 0800 367 222 • Cab.wells@xtra.co.nz • www.cab.org.nz

1 7 4 5 3 8 2 9 63 5 9 7 6 2 4 8 18 6 2 9 1 4 3 5 7

2 8 1 4 5 7 6 3 99 4 7 6 8 3 1 2 56 3 5 2 9 1 8 7 4

7 2 3 1 4 9 5 6 84 9 6 8 2 5 7 1 35 1 8 3 7 6 9 4 2

solutionSudokuIn a basement shop in Wellsford about a dozen people regularly gather to play with magic.Paul Mills started up the store, Redzeed, below his flat in Rodney Street last year, where people from as far afield as the North Shore and Whangarei come to play trading card game Magic: The Gathering.In a world where it seems like every teenager has access to video games in the palm of their hand, the card game is still remarkably popular, with an estimated 12 million players worldwide. It also holds the Guinness world record for the most played trading card game.Paul was first involved with the game in Auckland, but after moving to Wellsford last year he saw a gap in the market and set up shop.“I thought maybe I’m crazy doing this, but as soon as I opened, people came out of the woodwork,” Paul says. The relaxed feel of the store means

‘Magic gathering’ catches on in Wellsford

The game attracted plenty of interest at the Wellsford Show last year.

people are willing to travel to play, even if other stores are closer to them, he says.“Other people take the game very seriously, but we are here to have fun.”The store attracts a wide range of players, aged from nine to 60.Players purchase a pack of 60 cards, which cost $20 and helps pay for running costs. The store has about two weekly tournaments, with prizes up for grabs.The shop is currently only open on Friday nights and Saturdays, but it’s Paul’s dream to open full time.“For me, that’s my mission.”He is also looking to expand the range on sale to include Warhammer and other fantasy games and collectibles.The game was launched in 1993 and

comes from the creators of fantasy game Dungeons and Dragons. Paul says it is about 60 per cent luck and 40 per cent skill, but the rewards are there for top-level players, who play in a professional world tour.“That’s their ticket for the rest of their lives. That’s what I aspire to be. But they are incredibly skilful. They’re true professionals.”Paul is busy preparing for the national tournament in Auckland in August.The winner goes on to compete at the world championships, with the opportunity to become a fulltime professional. New Zealand is well-respected on the international circuit, but can’t compete with Japan and the US, who are fanatical about the game, Paul says.

25 July 16, 2014 Mahurangi Matters hobbiesfeature

Snells Beach500 Club

Every Wednesday Night

6.30pm Setting up

7pm Cards start sharp

Betty Paxton RoomCommunity Centre

Snells BeachSupper provided.

New members and visitors welcome.Bring along your grandchildren.Contact Dave

425 6351for further enquiries

Warkworth Photo Club

Meets the second Wednesday of the month.

Photo Challenges. Show & Tell. Photo Safaris.

Info: Mary Moore mayree@xtra.co.nz or at

09 425 6910

SeniorNet Warkworththe place where you acquire computer skills

We offer courses for PCs, Apple Mac, IPads and Tablets from absolute beginners to advanced users.

If you cannot attend but wish to get further information contact our course co-ordinator on 422 3728

www.seniornetwarkworth.org.nz

Come to our Open Day Tuesday 22nd July 2014 from 2.30 - 4.30pm

3 Matakana Road, Warkworth and learn more about us

info@webbsroofing.co.nzwww.webbsroofing.co.nz

info@warkworthtiles.co.nzwww.warkworthtiles.co.nz

Phone Bill & Sandi Webb 09 425 9080 or 021 955 549Unit 2, 2 Glenmore Drive, Warkworth

We have a great range of Mosaic Supplies –

indoor/outdoor bases, kitsets, glass tiles, ceramic tiles, paua

and all glues and grouts.  Pop in and have a look! 

We also run Mosaic Classes onWednesday night 6-8pm please

call for more details.

MOSAIC SUPPLIES

Managing the settings on your smart phone or tablet could save you thousands of dollars, says Netsafe.The advice comes as more parents are getting stung with huge fees from apps that their children are using.Often the apps are free to download, but in-game fees and data costs can add up quickly. Many users are unaware they are incurring fees until the bill arrives at the end of the month.Orewa resident Theresa Tudor was shocked when she received a $500 bill after her daughter was using a smart phone for a month.Her daughter was allowed to install a number of apps on her phone under the impression that they were free to use. However, the apps chewed through 1.2 gigabytes. As the phone wasn’t on prepay, the costs continued to rise without their knowledge, until the bill came.“I felt like we had been ripped off, that it was fraudulent, dishonest and unethical.”After reading the terms and conditions she discovered that the apps were using data even while they were not in use.“We had to go into the settings and turn off each individual app from using mobile data but we didn’t know this at the start. Everyone should know they need to do the same thing.”Netsafe operations manager Lee Chisholm says many people fail to read the terms and conditions, but

Surprise app fees upset unsuspecting parents

there are still measures you can put in place to avoid unexpected bills.“People can also put in a data cap or have their provider contact them when a certain percentage of data is used to avoid this sort of thing,” Lee says.Other smartphone users have racked up thousands in fees from children buying in-game purchases.Netsafe digital project manager Chris Hails says putting in place restrictions around how credit card details are used is vital.“It comes down to spending the time to understand the settings on your tablet or smartphone and being certain that any credit card stored for ease of use is not wide open, allowing a one-click purchase,” Chris says.“The simplest way to avoid big bills is to never share your password for the purchasing account with your child. That prevents them from being able to automatically install paid apps on

the device without asking the parent to log-in.“Both Google and Apple have made changes to their devices and app portals to help parents set controls and restrict purchasing permissions.” There are clear guidelines for app developers to ensure all costs are clearly displayed, Chris says.“The providers do police apps and take down unsuitable content and remove anything obviously breaching their terms of service if a large number of users complain about the charges made.”Sometimes providers will reduce fees if the user feels they have been unfairly charged.Theresa says she will not be seeking a refund.“We have not bothered to take it up with our provider because it was our own fault for not reading the terms and conditions carefully.”