Joe and Dina Grilli of Primo Estate in Mclaren Vale, SA bottled their first Joseph Extra Virgin Olive Oil in 1989. Ever since, they have been at the forefront of Australia’s modern olive industry, consistently producing top quality products. Each year Primo Estate release their limited new season Extra Virgin Olive Oil called ‘First Run’. A new season oil is made from the first olives of the season that are generally harvested in April sometimes May. It is then that the olives are at the peak of their intensity as most of the olives are still green. This means that there is less oil yield per tonne of fruit but this rewards us with a stronger flavour and a wonderful peppery finish. Joseph ‘First Run 2008′ Extra Virgin Olive Oil has just been released and it is simply superb. Green in colour, it has cut grass and green olive aromas followed by the spicy, peppery finish. Simplicity serves this oil best. Drizzle over some crusty, warmed ciabatta or together with vincotto over a salad of sliced buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. It’s a limited release and sells out quickly each season.
Monthly Archive for July, 2008
There can be a green alternative for all products and services. Creative Coffins, a company based in the UK, is proof of this brash statement. Formed in response to a genuine demand for an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional wooden coffins, Creative Coffins was born. Its individually designed coffins are made from 60% recycled paper as well as wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests – adding to the strength of the coffin. Creative Coffins also uses natural glues and adhesives in assembly and no non-biodegradable screws, tapes, bolts or other fixings. The coffins come in a range of contemporary designs, and the client’s own designs can also be adapted to the coffin depending on its difficulty. Instead of paying thousands for a wooden coffin, why Continue reading ‘creative coffins’
Soko (aka Stéphanie Sokolinski) is a petite 21-year-old French songstress who caught our attention for her bedroom-recording of her single “I’ll Kill Her”, which received huge Triple J airplay and subsequently landed her at number 9 on the 2007 Triple J hottest 100 music poll. Working her internet presence, Soko has created sell-out gigs throughout Europe with only an EP release to her name, and last year her single release was chosen for a Stella McCartney runway show in Europe. Fans won’t have to wait long for Soko’s debut LP, as she is in the midst of recording it in Seattle at the moment. As a cross between Kimya Dawson and Little Birdy, get set to expect super sweet vocals, daydreamy lyrics and a hint of triangle.
The island of Surtsey, found 32 kilometres off the southern coast of Iceland, was formed by volcanic eruptions during the 1960s. This week it was named as a new World Heritage site. The island provides scientists with a unique laboratory to study the process of colonisation by plant and animal life. Borne by ocean currents, the first seeds arrived in 1964. Moulds, bacteria, and fungi arrived the following year. Plants and invertebrates are now relatively abundant, as are bird species – 89 and counting.
We all know our daily habits have to change to increase our chances for a better environment and its future. Driving the car less, eating locally, carbon off-setting and switching to green energy are just a few examples to get the ball rolling. Global warming guru Bill McKibben has a simple answer to making our world a green place. That answer is 350. That’s the parts per million of CO2 in the atmosphere that scientists believe is safe. Currently the world sits at 387 parts per million and with a little persistence the world can lower its carbon emission to 350. Join 350.org to take action in your community, engage our Continue reading ‘the answer is 350′
sideshow sounds
For those not lucky enough to grab a prized ticket to this weekend’s Splendour in the Grass, don’t pout because Brisbane is getting some cracking sideshows from Splendour-bound performers. Nab a ticket to Tokyo Police Club, who hit The Zoo on Thursday night or check out The Presets next Monday evening, who are back in town after a sold-out Brisbane season only a short while ago. My pick of the mix is Cold War Kids on Sunday night. The Californian-based rockers are bringing their indie rock stylings to our fine city for their second Australian tour. The relatively new four-piece Continue reading ’sideshow sounds’
Each week, famed magazine Wired hosts a photo contest. The themes vary but common to all is the photographer’s ability to capture the theme. For Wired’s photo contest this week, it wants to see photos from dirty streets to pristine cityscapes of your home city. The 10 highest-ranked photos, as voted for by readers, will appear in a gallery on the Wired.com homepage. Show people playing in the rain, the distinct colours of your city or perhaps an image that best encapsulates the minds that meet in your city. If you’re not into taking photos, have a look at some of the interesting cityscapes that characterize our world’s cities, as well as some of the previous weeks’ themes.
Lights, camera, action! It is all systems go on the film front this week, which marks the start of the 17th annual Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF). Morgan Spurlock’s documentary Where in The World is Osama Bin Laden? kicks off the festival on Thursday night, followed by a 10 day line-up of Australian and international films that will challenge, entertain, sadden and inspire. Choke is a movie by first-time director Clark Gregg, which tells the story of Victor (Sam Rockwell), a med-school dropout who subsidises his income as a theme park mascot by pretending to choke in restaurants and profiting from the payout. But his dodgy tactics do support a good cause, with the extra dollars supporting his Alzheimer’s ravaged mother (Angelica Housten), who doesn’t remember him. Continue reading ‘biff boffins unite’
This photo, a polar bear leaping off sea ice near Devon Island in the Canadian Arctic, is but one of many stunning images of nature’s beauty. Some media inspires whilst other media can leave you in shock and awe. Thank you National Geographic.
On September 18, 2007 with equal parts humour and heart, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind lecture that moved an overflowing crowd at the university. Though titled Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, the lecture was actually part of something previously known as The Last Lecture series, where renowned academic presenters were asked to think deeply about the things that mattered to them most and then present them in a hypothetical ‘final talk’. This talk was to be given as if it were the final opportunity for the presenters to impart an important piece of wisdom to the world before they died. But in Randy’s case, the talk was not hypothetical – one month prior to giving the talk, he was given the prognosis that the pancreatic cancer, with which he had been diagnosed a year earlier, was terminal and that he had only six more months to live. Seizing the opportunity with bounding enthusiasm and a great passion for life, Randy went on to inspire the world with his beautiful and humble speech and even went on to write a best-selling book about it. Sadly, Randy passed away on July 25, 2008 (living five months longer than he was expected to), but in doing so he left a legacy that has inspired, and will continue to inspire, millions of people to chase their childhood dreams and celebrate every precious moment of life.
Amazing! I know these guys might have a lot of spare time. But if I were able to do something like this in my spare time – I would too!
Few would argue that a good deli should offer a good selection of both imported and local cheeses; however, this is something that most take for granted. As recently as the 1980s our choices were few and far between and it was the dramatic lack of quality cheese available that inspired UK immigrant, Will Studd to set about changing the Australian cheese industry for the better. Once referred to as a cheese terrorist, his tireless efforts at the forefront of the industry to promote, educate and supply Australia with traditional, high-quality imported and local cheeses has well and truly paid off. His battles with local authorities have raged quietly throughout the years over the ban on the sale and importation of unpasteurised cheeses. The most notorious taking place in 2003 when he was ordered to bury over 80 kg of the French Blue cheese, Roquefort, specifically brought into the country to test the existing, flimsy laws. Driven to its burial site in a black hearse covered in the French flag, the spectacle made headlines worldwide and eventually brought about the relaxation of the laws. Continue reading ‘cheese as we now know it’
There are countless stories of travellers who have gone overseas and ended up in trouble with the law for either a drunken pursuit of glory, stupid mistake or a planned misfortune. Most travellers don’t ever think about spending the night, or in some cases, several years in an overseas prison. Exploring this and the behaviour of Australians in strange lands is Benjamin Knapton who will present Gaijin in collaboration with Brisbane Powerhouse. In its Australian premiere Gaijin is a visually stunning one-man-show about the journey of an Australian in Japan. It takes a look at contemporary Japan from the inside-out. Well-known Brisbane performer David Eastgate takes his audience on an adrenalin-pumped adventure, incorporating narrative by presenting the story through the eyes of multiple characters. Informative and entertaining, Gaijin raises questions about moral and social responsibility in our increasingly globalised world. Gaijin will run from August 19–23 at Brisbane Powerhouse.
the savages
Having grown up with a domineering father in difficult household, adult siblings Wendy (Laura Linney) and John (Philip Seymour Hoffman) have long gone their separate ways to live very different lives. Wendy is a struggling scriptwriter, consumed with her own inability to achieve recognition for her work, and her agoraphobic tendencies see her largely confined to her flat. John is a college professor, specialising in obscure subjects. When Wendy gets the call to say their father is ill, the pair are plucked from their normal lives and are thrown into a new world of doctors, nursing homes and responsibility as their ailing father is slowly consumed by dementia. For the first time in a long time, the siblings have to deal with the quirks of their own family in The Savages. The film opens this Thursday in cinemas everywhere.
For those interested in change, Campos Coffee has recently announced the release of its ‘Obama’ blend. Contrary to my first thoughts on the new blend, it’s not an alignment of colour, but one that signifies a shift in our world today. Owner of Campos Coffee John Ronchi declares, “It is not so much that we are fans of this man becoming President of the United States, but that he represents this current moment in history. There is a change going on in the world today and we wish to acknowledge that with our new blend.” As passionate followers of world politics, Campos Coffee’s managerial team couldn’t help but admire Obama, and his countries of origin read like a list of great coffee growing areas – with Kenya and Indonesia being Continue reading ‘obama blend’
A group of young Australians have been working together to create a series of light bulb moments, which will illuminate the way for change. Bright Young Minds (BYM) is a non-profit organization that supports young Australians committed to making a positive difference to the social landscape of Australia and the world. Focusing on youth empowerment, social diversity and ambitious goal-setting, BYM brings 100 of the country’s top leaders, aged 18 to 25, together in an annual BYM Summit, where they put their heads together brainstorm new and exciting initiatives to provide innovative solutions to social problems. Continue reading ‘bright sparks’
what is it?
No, it’s not the Battlestar Galactica (but it will be visible from space). It’s a photograph of the construction of Dam Six in China’s Three Gorges Dam, taken three years ago by Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky. One of humankind’s most ambitious civil engineering projects, Three Gorges will be the largest hydro-electric dam on the planet. By its expected completion in 2011, one and a half million people will have been relocated and 1,300 villages submerged. It is just one of the many mind-bogglingly huge construction projects underway in China. As world economies shift and the Games begin, the commentariat swings its focus firmly to the sleeping giant’s barrel roll towards Western ideals and globally unprecedented consumption. Burtynksy - who has photographed many large-scale development sites in China - is part of a growing movement in photography to stimulate thoughts, feelings, policies and actions about our world. The acclaimed photographer has been shortlisted for the 2008 Prix Pictet Award in Photography, a new global competition focusing on sustainability. He also has plans to build a 10,000 year gallery to accompany the world’s first 10,000 year clock, an initiative to encourage long-term thinking, planning and action.
nagi noda
Originally drawn to her interestingly designed hairpieces, Nagi Noda proves to be an extremely accomplished and designer hailing from the left-field. In addition to manicuring obscure hair designs, Nagi Noda has directed videos for the Scissor Sisters and has done work for Laforet and Nike and is busy working on her own fashion label Broken Label with Mark Ryden. Her video called ‘Ex Fat’, which features her and several poodles doing an aerobics workout in a similar style to Aerobics Oz Style, launched her into designer fame. Born in Tokyo in 1973, Nago Noda has affirmed herself as one of Japan’s most prominent young designers. With the help of her lateral thinking prowess she runs a company Uchu Country Limited, which increasingly attracts global attention from potential clients and avid Continue reading ‘nagi noda’
Buying your first house is the universal sign that you are a grown-up and mature member of society. But decorating your abode can be a whole different story. If you are bored with the usual collection of sensible, functional furniture pieces presented at home wares stores, check out Lee Broom’s Neo Neon art-furniture collection. Made in limited series of twenty-five, each piece is carved from mahogany, lacquered in a high-gloss finish and fitted with neon lights. The ornate classicism of each piece contrasts with the whimsical pop-modern addition of the glowing neon lights, perhaps reflecting the influence of outrageous fashion auteur, Vivienne Westwood, with whom he worked for six-months during his formative design years. Either way, Lee’s Neo Neon collection can never be described as sensible. Look out for his next collection, titled Rough Diamond, which is due for release this coming September and features sleek neon-covered bistro furniture.
lauryn thompson, 26
What do you do? I’m studying a Bachelor of Arts, trying to get into graphic design. I also work at Jocelyn’s Provisions. What are you wearing today? I’m wearing a Marcs dress, Nine West shoes and Target tights. Describe your style? The opposite of what’s in fashion. I try not to wear what everyone else is wearing. Sometimes when there’s one trend in Brisbane, it just overtakes the whole city. Would you call yourself eco-friendly?
I strive to be but I don’t know if I’m there yet. I did ride my bike to work this morning, so that’s a good start. It was hard riding in a dress! Where’s your favourite place? Taormina in Sicily, Italy. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Treat others how you wish to be treated. Who is your rolemodel? I take inspiration from all my friends and family, but not from anyone famous really. Which website has caught your eye recently? The Computer Arts Magazine site because it has links to all different graphic artists.
