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Articles by Jan Fleming
Fort Myers Beach crosswalk signs need to be replaced
By Jan Fleming - | Feb 4, 2024 The following letter was shared by the author after being addressed and sent to the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council, Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager, Town of Fort Myers Beach Public Safety Committee and Lee County Board of County Commissioners: Crosswalk signs need to be replaced On my 15 1/2-mile bike ride today I took notes at every crosswalk, and I would like to share that information with you.
Tenby powers on
Tenby Point might be off the beaten track, but this small community is making strides in its journey to sustainability. By Anne Heath Mennell and Margaret Golder TENBY Point? Where’s that? There are people in our shire who haven’t heard of it. Residents are happy to keep a low profile and maintain the tranquil nature of their small settlement. But things are stirring in Tenby Point – good things.
Council talks tough on mining
By Catherine Watson BASS Coast Council is calling on the State Government to start consulting the council and community on the future of sand mining in the shire. Councillors have warned of the impact on residents of thousands of sand truck movements a day within the shire if the industry continues to expand into designated Extractive Industry Interest Areas.
The Solace of Birds VI
Words and paintings by Patsy Hunt In Wordsworth's poem, which I quoted at the start of this series, he is telling us that we are too much concerned with material things and worldly cares that stop us seeing the beauty of nature. Although this poem was written in 1802 (published in 1807) as a comment on the effects of the industrial revolution, it rings true today in this age of technology. The final group of birds that provide cheer, comfort and inspiration to me are those that fly overhead.
Salutations from the high ground
By Geoff Ellis Like the climate emergency itself, the National Climate Emergency Summit in Melbourne last weekend was almost too big. As the nine o'clock opening approached I strode to the end of the queue for the delegates' entrance. Surprise! The line starts 200 metres around the next corner. I shuffle into the queue and put my journo question to the first person who makes eye contact. "Where are you from and why are you here?" The couple next to me are from the edge of Torres Strait.
Our special places - Red Rocks, Millowl, by Sue Saliba
Red Rocks, Millowl. Paintings: Ann Shenfield By Sue Saliba Ancient rocks, sea creatures as alien and beautiful and strange as the oldest language. The rock pools with their miniature worlds. And beneath the smooth water, a forest unable to be seen. Or perhaps imagined, not in its entirety or its exquisite detail. A seal pokes her whiskered face through the blue surface, a cormorant stands like a crucifix on the edge of the rock platform, his black wings outstretched to slow his beating heart.
Power to the people
Tidal generators at San Remo, a biodigester at the Grantville landfill, floating solar arrays on the Candowie and Lance Creek reservoirs … just some of the ideas put forward for a local energy roadmap. Catherine Watson reports By Catherine Watson IMAGINE this. It’s 2030 and you’re driving from Cowes to Inverloch in an electric share car. You could have gone driverless but hey, it’s a nice day and you feel like driving. Besides, it costs nothing to charge the car off your solar panels.
Mutton bird special
By Catherine Watson “Shearwater birds on road. REDUCE SPEED!” the electronic sign warns as we approach the bridge to Phillip Island. The young birds are often found, grounded and bewildered, waddling on the bridge after their first attempt at flying comes to grief. We’re headed for Forrest Caves, a beach walk between Newhaven and Surf Beach. I’ve been meaning to visit for ages. The name is so enticing. And it’s a perfect autumn day, sunny and crisp. There is a “No Dogs” sign at the carpark.
There's silly strangeness in Christmas classic 'The Nutcracker'
Another Christmas in the books and this was my 81st, so forgive me if I get a little cranky. I woke up one morning with the gorgeous strains of the sublime "Pas de Deux" from "The Nutcracker Ballet" singing in my head. It is my long Christmas tradition to take in the Nutcracker. A lovelier Christmas cannot be found. It is entrancing and superbly performed by our own Ballet Des Moines. This takes me to my issue: the nutcracker in the ballet.
Oasis on a crowded planet
The strategies are in place to protect Phillip island for future generations, writes Phil Wright. The question now is whether we have the will. By Phil Wright AS CR Michael Whelan wrote in the previous issue of the Bass Coast Post, several Bass Coast Shire Council strategies are consolidating into an integrated vision for Phillip Island. This article is written to discuss the existing hurdles that will disrupt the likely delivery of an enhanced natural environment.
Ballet Des Moines is a gem in our community
Last weekend, there was a meteor shower for Des Moines residents to observe. I did not watch it as my head and heart were so full of Ballet Des Moines’ presentation of “A Triple Bill.” This program presented three original ballets that took your breath away. Des Moines has become a cultural center with two fine orchestras, a widely acclaimed opera company, a renowned art museum and much more. Ballet Des Moines is one of the finest dance companies anywhere. On Oct.
A wild ride: Summerland scenic drive
Behind the scenes of the Summerland peninsula lies a unique history of tourism, development and wildlife conservation. Linda Cuttriss reports. By Linda Cuttriss SUMMERLAND peninsula on Phillip Island sits between the open waters of Bass Strait and the western entrance of Western Port Bay. The scenic drive has views to rival the best in the world and behind the scenes is a unique history of tourism, development and wildlife conservation.
Des Moines Metro Opera tackles splendid trio of operas
Something splendid and awesome is occurring again with a trio of operas at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola.
Gifted musicians 'pay to play' in Des Moines Community Orchestra
Des Moines has some incredible treasures that are not often enough brought to the attention of the public. One of these is the remarkable Des Moines Community Orchestra under the direction and conducting of Carl Johnson. So much could be said about the excellence of the orchestra and its creative programming. Attending a performance would make that all very clear. Concerts are attended by an enthusiastic and dedicated audience.
Ballet Des Moines does it better than anyone
Ballet Des Moines did it again. "Snow White" left us dazzled and charmed. And there was the dancing. Ballet Des Moines does it better than anyone. We are so blessed to have such a superior ballet company in our community. They are especially in need of our support now with the threat of losing funds from the National Foundation for the Arts. And why is ballet so important? Ballet reflects our history; ballet expresses feelings, thoughts and ideas that are not easily expressed in other ways.
Back to nature
With views of Western Port, Scenic Estate was a developer’s dream and a planning nightmare. John Eddy delves into the history of Phillip Island’s new conservation reserve. By John Eddy SCENIC Estate Reserve is a new 28-hectare (70-acres) conservation reserve on Phillip Island, in the area formerly known as “Chinamans”, located on the north side of the Tourist Road opposite Forrest Caves.
Wet wonderland
In 2005, it was a paddock with a single tree. Now the Wonthaggi Rifle Range wetlands is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. By Terri Allen A STRONG breeze blew on a fine late spring day as we braved the Wonthaggi Rifle Range Wetlands to sample the wild life. The wind turbines were facing south-west, the blue sky soon clouding over to produce magnificent cloudscapes.
Bandcioot island
Phillip Island’s new fox-free status gives hope for one of Victoria’s most endangered species, the eastern barred bandicoot. By Roland Pick ON OCTOBER 20, researchers from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Zoos Victoria and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team released 44 bandicoots onto the Summerland Peninsula, at the western tip of Phillip Island.
Ballet's 'Peter Pan' was a performance for the ages
They danced into our hearts and souls with a stunning and thoroughly professional presentation of "Peter Pan" Des Moines has a ballet! They danced into our hearts and souls with a stunning and thoroughly professional presentation of "Peter Pan" on March 26. They were a feast for the eyes, and the Des Moines Community Orchestra, under the direction of Carl Johnson, was a feast for the ears.
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