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Scholastic Morningside Warehouse Hosts Children’s Book Sale

Kids and parents will be treated to two days of massive discounts during Scholastic Australia’s warehouse sale. Children’s books will go for as low as 50 per cent off their original retail price. Customers can fill a box with selected books for only $40. Options range from picture and chapter books, novels and activity items.

The sale will be held from 17th of November, from 7:00 am until 5:00 p.m., until the 18th of November from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Entry to the event is free. The venue is at Unit 2, 350 Lytton Road Morningside.

Importance of Reading With Your Kids

A father reading to his child
Credit: CCO Public Domain / Stock Snap / Pixabay

A 2016 study published in the Australian Journal of Education has found that some children are affected when parents stop reading stories to them. A survey of children aged 8 to 11 years old, in the upper primary school grades of Year 4 and 6 in Australia, found that some kids regretted the lost opportunity of having their parents read a book to them.

Anna has shared that her mother stopped reading to her when she started reading on her own. She said that she regretted losing her alone time with her mum. Another child, Jason, has shared: “They kind of stopped when I knew how to read. I knew how to read, but I just still liked my mum reading it to me (sic)”.

As one of the sadder cases, Hayden had no one to read with. This has resulted in poor pronunciation and comprehension and insecurity issues. Not having anyone has always frustrated him.

“Because some words I can’t understand. I just try to sound them out, but once I sound them out, I can’t get it. But some of the words are so easy that I just read. Read them. But I…when I’ve got a word that’s bad, I just skip it, go back, and once I see the same word, I’ll skip it, and I’ll go back pages. I’ll try to sound it out. Then I’ll go back. Then I might read the whole thing again”.

Some children, on the other hand, say that reading aloud to their parents is relaxing. They also think that reading to them makes their parents happy. Marco said that his mum gets really delighted when he reads to her. Kara, on the other hand, likes reading to her friends and her classmates. She reads a “happy book” to them when they are upset.

Scholastic Australia

The warehouse book sale is an annual activity held by Scholastic Australia to help promote reading and the love of books among children and families.

Scholastic Australia has been in the children’s publishing industry for more than 45 years. It is a part of Scholastic Inc., which publishes and distributes children’s books across the world. It is currently building its name in the new media industry as it starts to produce and license content for films, TV, online platforms, and other related online materials.

To know more about the Scholastic Morningside Warehouse sale, click here.

Southside Art Market Returns in Morningside

Morningside’s popular family-friendly event, Southside Art Market, is back on Sunday, the 19th of November from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Morningside School of Arts Hall. The event promises to showcase art pieces from various artists in Brisbane.

Southside Art Market is not just a venue for people to do their early Christmas gift shopping for handmade crafts and other trinkets. It is also held to promote the local artists whose dedication and passion to their art is beyond belief. Some of them have already transitioned to the international market.

Providing music for the day are Flautist Gerard Dutton from the Brisbane Flute Studio and Guitarist Russell Neville. There will also be Raku Firing Demo and pottery activities courtesy of the Ceramic Arts Qld. Paintings from Max Fulcher and Alana Lani Bosgra will also be showcased for purchase, along with other pieces from more than 40 artists.

Gerard Dutton from the Brisbane Flute Studio

Gerard is both a professional player and teacher of flute and piccolo. Prior to teaching students at the Brisbane Flute Studio, he has performed with the Queensland and Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also lectured at the Queensland Conservation of Music.

Gerard has made his mark internationally, performing in the United States, Vietnam, Tonga, New Zealand, South Korea, China and Myanmar. His last stint abroad has been in Yangon, Myanmar, where he also taught music at the British School of Yangon and at the International School of Yangon.

Guitarist Russel Neville

Russel is a guitar teacher who also performs for functions, weddings, and other intimate occasions. His numerous accolades include winning the first prize for the Queensland Conservatorium of Music Guitar Prize for four consecutive years (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988).

Max Fulcher

Max’s artworks involves the vivid depiction of the Australian rainforest environment. His favourites are orchids and birds. His passion for the orchids has been the motivation for his two renowned books, The Enchanted Orchid and The Orchid Teacher. Max has also been featured in various magazines, including an 8-page feature from Vogue Entertaining.

Max is particularly renowned for his watercolour and pen-and-wash technique. His most iconic contribution to the digital age has come 25 years ago when he pioneered freehand drawing using a mouse and Apple Mac.

Max personal story has also been a timeless example of how persistently the calling for the arts can “pester” a person. He was in the navy when he was younger. His calling for the arts turned out to be stronger so he eventually shifted to advertising. His career in advertising, however, did not satisfy his thirst for the arts. In his 40s, he decided to become a full time artist.

Lani’s Art by Alana Bosgra

Alana or Lani’s art is famous because she does not merely create for personal expression. More importantly, her artworks are storytelling that centres around mental health issues. Lani believes that art:

…does not have to be about skill but instead the experience and process of creating.

Art should be available to everyone, not just those who have studied it or understand it technically.

Art serves a purpose; to bring peace, calm and understanding to what can at times be a tumultuous life.

Art tells stories, it allows for interesting communication, it connects us not only to our own story but to something bigger than ourselves.

Ceramic Arts Qld

The not-for-profit organization, which was formed in Brisbane in 1968, has the ultimate goal of promoting the Ceramic Arts. The group of artists will demonstrate Raku Firing, a complicated process of making pots which make use of combustible materials.

For updates on other artists that will be going at the Morningside School of Arts Hall, follow Southside Art Market on Facebook.

Kerbside Collection in Morningside: Time to De-clutter, Recycle, or Donate

Heads up, Morningside peeps! Kerbside Collection is coming to Morningside on Monday, the 30th of October. It’s the perfect time to get rid of those big pieces of furniture and appliances or those clutters waiting for disposal. However, there are items that could be given a second lease on life. You may have clutter that can still be useful when recycled or donated.

Be prepared! Organise your clutter early and sort them out. Do note that there is a list of acceptable and unacceptable items. For the items that you want to take out, Brisbane City Council recommends that all items should be taken out this weekend. Just make sure that you follow the limit. The Council will only collect piles that are not larger than two cubic metres, or the equivalent of a small box trailer load to cater to the whole neighbourhood.

If you happen to have unacceptable items or items that you think are usable, don’t take these items out on the kerb. There are other places where you can bring these items.

Visit the Resource Recovery Centres to Recycle.

The Resource Recovery Centres is open for both recyclable and green or general waste. There are four recovery centres in Brisbane located in Willawong, Chandler, Ferny Grove, and Nudgee, that were recently upgraded to further help in reducing waste to landfill by making recycling easier and faster.

Do note that the centres are open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. every day, including Christmas and other holidays. Vehicles that are under 4.5 tonnes Combined Gross Vehicle Mass (CGVM) can use the drive-through recycling area for free, whilst vehicles above the limit can still use the service with fees applied.

The Resource Recovery Centres turn over all of the recyclable items that they collected to the tip shops in Acacia Ridge and Geebung. It’s the tip shops’ job to rethink and recycle the items that were turned over into something beautiful and useful. The shops stocks household furnishings, collectables, books, toys, and sporting equipments.

Photo credit: karenbenjaminartist/Instagram

These tip shops are operated by Endeavour Foundation, one of the largest non-government organisations with a goal to help people with disabilities. All of the proceeds are reinvested back into fulfilling the foundation’s goal.

Don’t hesitate to visit the tip shops on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Donate usable items to the charities.

If you have items that are usable with minimal or no damage at all, save these items from getting dumped and donate. According to the February 2017 NAB Charitable Giving Index, total charitable giving fell in Queensland by 2.5% over the year course since February 2016. This has made Queensland the lowest of all the states in terms of total donations.

There are charities where you can donate these items. The National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations Inc. (NACRO) is the peak organisation that holds several charities all over Australia, including Endeavour Foundation. NACRO’s assistance includes home visitations, refugee assistance, hospital and health services, aged care services, and other programs that will give benefits to the society.

Photo credit: GIVIT – Goods For Good Cause/Facebook

If you don’t have time to visit the charities, you can try to “GIVIT”. GIVIT is a national non-profit virtual organisation that supports all agencies, services, and charities in Australia in storing, sorting out, and distributing donations.

Donating to GIVIT is easy. Just check out their list of items that are needed by other people and charities or pledge your own items into the virtual warehouse through registration of every item on the website. There are also items that are prohibited to pledge.

Supporting homeless people through GIVIT

What difference can a bicycle make for someone who has been living rough?It's homelessness week and a couple of months back, we made this video with our friends at UnitingCare West to show how real action and innovation can make a difference in people's lives. #Homelessness #HW2017

Posted by GIVIT – Goods For Good Causes on Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Save people in need the trouble of rummaging piles. Recycle and donate more.

Ice Cream Lovers: Lick! Ice Cream is Coming to Morningside

Brace yourselves, Lick! Ice Cream will open their second dessert bar in Morningside. The new shop is expected to open on Wynnum Road in early November.

“We’ve been at Graceville for two years and it [has] been an absolute dream run … It was pretty much a no-brainer to do a second store. We get a lot of visitors from all over Brisbane that come to Graceville. Because Graceville is in the west, we wanted to launch something in the east,” Lick! Ice Cream owner Grant Lew said.

Where It All Began

For the past 13 years, Grant Lew and his sister, Carina, had been supplying their custom-made ice creams to some of Brisbane’s iconic restaurants, such as Cha Cha Char and Jellyfish. They are also the team behind the iconic strawberry sundaes that are a surefire hit every year at Ekka. Their successful wholesaling and the overwhelmingly positive response to their product led them to open their own ice creamery in Graceville in 2015. After two successful years, they’re now ready to bring their delicious flavours to Morningside.

Mr. Lew said that the soon-to-open ice cream destination in Morningside will offer the same features that Graceville’s Lick! Ice Cream is offering.

The menu will be as “yum” as Graceville’s menu!

Morningside peeps can expect the same flavours that have made Lick! Ice Cream such a well-loved brand. Salted nut, popcorn honey, and Redskin will soon be offered in the Morningside store. Yes, the iconic “Doffle” will be on the menu! Doffle is a doughnut and waffle hybrid, served with your favourite Lick! Ice Cream flavour, and warm salted butterscotch sauce.

Other than the classic ice creams and doffles, Morningside dessert lovers can also enjoy unique twists on their avourite desserts. “Lickamisu” will soon be touching base in Morningside. It’s a Tiramisu ice cream sundae with twists of Savoiardi biscuit, mascaporne cream, coffee, and hazelnut ice cream. They will also be serving ice cream sandwich, banana split, shake, and iced coffee.

Vegan? No worries. They also serve ice creams that are gluten-free!

Lick! Ice Cream is not always “cold”, they’re “hot”, too. They also serve hot chocolate, chai latte, espresso, piccolo, and a range of tea.

Same iconic ice cream, same iconic ambiance

Super excited to announce we are spreading our Lick! Ice Cream wings! With a brand new Lick! icecreamery dessert bar in Morningside 💜💛💚✌🍦Since starting our flagship store, it has been an absolute dream, serving our beautiful customers and working with the local community. Morningside will be no different 😀Currently in fit out stage we will keep you updated as we get closer to launch!#eastside #morningside #icecreamlikenoother #thepeoplesicecream #openingsoon #lickicecreamau #localproducer #graceville #cantwait #thankyouforallthesupport #happy

Posted by Lick! Ice Cream on Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Mr. Lew hired the same contractors that built the Graceville’s store to make sure that the aura of the first shop will be felt in Morningside. The plan is to replicate the same feel and the same concept of the west side shop. The Morningside shop will also feature an outdoor deck, perfect for customers-on-the-go or customers who just want to bask in the outdoor view.

Same opening hours too!

Enjoy your ice cream until late at night! The soon-to-open Morningside store promises to have the same opening hours as the Graceville shop, so customers can satisfy their sweet cravings with a late evening run to the store. The store will be open until 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fingers crossed on home delivery!

Mr. Lew also mentioned that home delivery “may” also be a feature. Localised delivery is the talk of the town. If home delivery becomes part of the Morningside store’s services, it will surely be a big hit for the upcoming Brisbane summer.

Can’t wait for Lick! Morningside to open and don’t want to go all the way to Graceville? You can visit Feast on Fruit, a fresh food hub, at Morningside Central. Feast on Fruit is an official stockist of Lick! Ice Cream. Enjoy Lick! amidst the comforts of your home.

Don’t forget to visit Lick! Ice Cream’s website and follow their Facebook page for important updates.

Help Fight Hunger @ Morningside’s World Food Day

Foodbank Queensland is inviting everyone to join their second Annual World Food Day to help fight hunger in Queensland and the rest of Australia. Foodbank Queensland is a part of Foodbank Australia, Australia’s largest food relief organisation. In Queensland alone, Foodbank has provided over 20,000 meals in 2016 and almost 8,000 meals in 2017, to date. World Food Day hopes to raise awareness of food insecurity in Queensland.

World Food Day is normally held every 16th day of October. However, Foodbank Queensland will hold their celebration of World Food Day on Sunday, the 15th of October.

Event Details

Date	Sunday, 15 October
Time	6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Venue	Foodbank Queensland Warehouse
Tickets	$150

In Morningside, World Food Day celebrations will feature an evening of food, drinks, and entertainment. The main stage will be occupied by the Havana Tropical Band to set the cocktail theme and mood. There will be live and silent auctions of memorabilia and unique items.

Guests will be delighted by the exquisite cocktail dishes and drinks that will be served by Brisbane’s best restaurateurs and boutique breweries. They are also the “Diamond Sponsors” of the World Food Day.

Cha Cha Char Wine Bar & Grill

Cha Cha Char promises an innovative dining experience as Brisbane’s signature steakhouse. Their wide range of high quality meats were sourced from local Australian producers. Their “Steak Menu” features different cuts of beef that were cooked from the traditional wood-fired grill.

Aside from the steak, Cha Cha Char also serves lighter meals. Their “A La Carte Menu” is inspired by both Asian and European cuisines. They’ll be serving their “special cocktail dishes” for the “special cocktail fundraiser”.

1889 Enoteca

“Vera Cucina Romana” — 1889 Enoteca

One of the few restaurants that claim to serve “Real Roman Food,” 1889 Enoteca, like any other “enoteche” (wine repository) in Italy, combines a restaurant, a wine bar, a basement level cellar, and a small wine store. Their wine list focuses on natural wines and vintage wines that will make you think of the flavours of the bold, Tuscan countryside.

IL Centro

IL Centro is one of Brisbane’s best restaurants at the Eagle Street Pier since 1992. They only use the freshest local produce to serve their “innovative modern Italian menu”. Their signature dish, Sand Crab Lasagne, will be served on the night of the event. The restaurant describes it as a modern Italian dish with a Queensland twist. This creamy crustacean dish is every patron’s favourite when they visit IL Centro.

Mr. & Mrs. G Riverbar

Mr. & Mrs. G Riverbar is IL Centro owners’ welcoming bar, located just across IL Centro. Their Bar Team will be serving exotic new cocktails that will compliment the World Food Day’s cocktail fundraiser theme. They are also proud in serving “tapas-style” food menu that are tempting and heavenly to taste.

Jellyfish Restaurant

Jellyfish, as its name suggests, specializes in serving the “best” seafood dishes in town. They aim to serve the best fish dishes that are oven baked, crispy fried, char-grilled, soda-battered, and citrus-crumbed. Jellyfish chefs are eager to complement these fish dishes with sauce and extensive range of side dishes. Luckily, the World Food Day guests can have a taste of their menu.

Moda Restaurant

The Moda Restaurant is one of Brisbane’s most unique restaurants. Led by the famous Chef Javier Codina and front of house host, Francois Le Saveant, they combine rustic and contemporary cuisine to serve their unique menu. Moda provides exquisite dishes that can complement intimate dinners, soiree, and cocktail parties, including the World Food Day.

Newstead Brewing Co.

Newstead Brewing Co. is one of the most iconic boutique breweries in Brisbane. Their operations started when they established the Newstead Brewing Co. in a 1940s steel warehouse on the Doggett Street back in 2013. Just this year, they already extended their market by establishing a production brewery and pub in Milton.

They will be serving their signature brews at the World Food Day and you may not want to miss this.

A shout out from Michael of Newstead Brewing Co. to come along to #WorldFoodDay! Get your tickets via http://bit.ly/2jmiaiA and see you there!

Posted by Foodbank Queensland Ltd on Wednesday, September 13, 2017

World Food Day is a global initiative that aims to end hunger and poverty. Over 150 countries around the globe will be celebrating the World Food Day to commemorate the founding of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an organisation that is dedicated to eliminate hunger and malnutrition.

Visit Foodbank Queensland’s website for updates.

Events and Activities in Morningside this Week

Morningside will be filled with recreational activities and fundraising events this week. There will be a walking tour, camping, socialisation, and Raising Awareness days happening in the suburb this week. Here is a rundown of the events you should not miss.

Thursday, 12 October

Gold Coast Walk & Talk

Tickets:

$15 – Non-members
Complimentary for members

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Venue: Women’s Fitness Adventures Morningside

Photo credit: www.womensfitnessadventures.com

Every Thursday, the Women’s Fitness Adventure Morningside hosts a “Thursday Walk & Talk”event for both members and non-members of the fitness club. This Thursday, they are inviting the Morningside community to join their “Gold Coast Walk & Talk” to explore the environment. The “Walk & Talk” is a fitness walk for everyone of any fitness level and a socialisation for the Morningside community to meet new friends.

No special fitness gear is required to join the event. Just wear a pair of joggers or comfy walking shoes and you’re good to go. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle and hat.

Friday – Sunday, 13-15 October

Mother-Daughter Camping Weekend

Tickets:

$395 – Member
$524 – Non-member

Time: 6:00 p.m. on Friday

Venue: Scenic Rim, Queensland

The Women’s Fitness Adventure in Morningside invites everyone to join their Mother-Daughter Camping Weekend of adventure and bonding. There will be mountain rock climbing, team challenges, swimming at the Split Rock waterhole, and nature walks. Strengthen your bond with the most important female in your life with this mother-daughter camp.

BYO breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Saturday, 14 October

World Food Day Cocktail Fundraiser

Tickets: $150

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Venue: Foodbank Queensland

Photo credit: Foodbank Queensland Ltd/Facebook

Foodbank Queensland is inviting everyone to join their Second Annual World Food Day Cocktail Fundraiser to help fight hunger in Australia. Brisbane’s most iconic restaurants Cha Cha Char, Enoteca, IL Centro, Jellyfish, and Moda Restaurant will be there to serve their signature dishes.

Aside from the food and drinks, the main stage will be occupied by the Havana Tropical Party Band to set the cocktail theme and mood. It will also be a night of live and silent auctions of memorabilia and unique items.

Saturday, 14 October

Mini-Field of Women and Come & Try Day

Time: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Venue: Colmslie Beach Reserve

Photo credit: Dragons Abreast Brisbane/Facebook

The Dragons Abreast Brisbane will hold a Mini-Field of Women event to pay tribute to all women affected by breast cancer in the community. Dragons Abreast Brisbane is a part of the Dragons Abreast Australia, a dragon boating group of breast cancer survivors of different age groups and athletic abilities. They are dedicated to promoting breast cancer awareness, while being involved in challenging physical activities.

Women’s Fitness Adventures in Morningside Holds Mother-Daughter Camping Weekend

Leave your gadgets at home and spend a weekend with your daughter outdoors, while reconnecting with nature. The Women’s Fitness Adventure in Morningside invites everyone to join their Mother-Daughter Camping Weekend of adventure and bonding.

Event Details

Date	Friday – Sunday, 13-15 October
Location	Scenic Rim, Queensland
Fee	$395 – Member $524 – Non-member
Fitness Level	Beginner

Strengthen your bond with the most important female in your life with this mother-daughter Camping Weekend.

Here are five benefits of the mother-daughter camping.

1. Camping builds a mother-daughter connection.

Camping is about connection and communication. Spending the night in a tent, away from gadgets, encourages a good mother-daughter talk without distractions. Fun activities such as rock climbing and team challenges can build a stronger bridge of communication and camaraderie, plus make excellent memories to look back on.

2. Camping reconnects you to nature.

Camping also builds an intimate connection to nature. During the weekend camp, there will be nature walks alongside a creek, night adventure, and hiking the Yellow Pinch Lookout. There are enough outdoor activities to discover the real beauty of nature. Reconnect with nature and instantly reduce stress.

3. Camping has amazing health benefits.

Camping is a physical activity that invites everyone to move more. The weekend camping includes mountain climbing, nature walks, swimming, hiking, and more physical activities. Unlike gym workouts, outdoor activities involve challenging obstacles such as rocky terrains and strong wind, therefore, burn a lot of calories and boost energy. Moving more helps combat diseases, such as common heart ailments.

Aside from fresh air, camping increases one’s Vitamin D intake. Exposure to sunlight (with proper UV protection) helps the body to gain more Vitamin D that is efficient in bone health.

Camping also promotes a better sleeping pattern. Why? It is said that camping can reset our biological clocks, to a healthy “sleep at night and wake up in the morning” routine. Adequate sleep is crucial to one’s health and wellbeing.

4. Camping can help develop a child’s learning ability.

Exposure to the natural environment helps improve cognitive development, and helps in boosting creativity, imagination and fosters observational skills. These skills stimulate the child’s sense of wonder, an important motivator for lifelong learning.

Camping involves outdoor play, which means that it can improve a strong motor fitness. This includes coordination, balance, and agility. Strong motor fitness can also improve the body’s resistance against common illness.

5. Camping makes you happy.

Yes, camping will make you happy. Serotonin is a chemical produced by our nerve cells to regulate happiness and anxiety. Low serotonin can result to depression. So, how can camping help make us happy? More sunlight, more oxygen, and increased physical activity can help the nerve cells to create more serotonin, thus, making us feel more positive and happy.

Visit the event page for detailed information about the Mother-Daughter Camping Weekend.

Battle Drowning by Letting your Kids “Learn2Swim” at the Hampton Swim School in Morningside

This year’s “Learn2Swim Week” initiative kicks off at the Hampton Swim School on Monday, the 25th, all the way to Friday, the 29th of September. As a Learn2Swim partner, the Hampton Swim School will be holding free introductory swimming classes at both of their pools in Morningside State School and Norman Park State School.

Photo credit: www.hamptonswimschool.com.au

Julia Ham, a former Australian swimming representative, established the Hampton Swim School in 1999. The swim school provides essential water safety and life skills through their tailoured programs for all ages, from infancy to adulthood.

Learn2Swim 2017

Learn2Swim Week is an initiative backed by the Kids Alive – Do The Five campaign that will run from the 23rd of September to the 2nd of October. The goal of the initiative is to give every child, especially children under 5 years, the chance to learn swimming. Learn2Swim is about reminding everyone, particularly parents, about the importance of water safety. This initiative will educate parents that teaching basic swimming to kids under 5 years of age should be encouraged.

According to Kids Alive, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children, worldwide. In the 2017 Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report, there were 29 reported drowning deaths in children under the age bracket of 0-4 years old between the 1st of July 2016 and the 30th of June 2017. This is a 32 percent increase on last year’s drowning deaths. Swimming pools were the leading location for drowning among this age group.

Hundreds of swim schools from all over Australia, including the Hampton Swim School, are participating to reduce this drowning statistics through teaching vital water safety and life skills.

Kids Alive – Do The Five

Laurie Lawrence, former Australian Rugby Union Representative and Olympic and World Champion swim coach, established Kids Alive – Do The Five in 1998 to combat drowning. This campaign focuses on informing the public about the five fundamental steps to reduce the risk of preschool drowning.

According to the Kids Alive, here are the five important proactive tips to prevent drowning.

1. Fence the Pool.

The mandatory pool fencing legislation was introduced in 1991, requiring all pools to be properly fenced. Despite this, children under 5 years of age continue to drown in backyard pools due to poor pool fencing. It’s important that pool owners abide the state government’s pool fencing legislation.

Pool fence should be well-maintained. Always clear the fence; children can climb over using objects leaning against it. Failure to comply with the fencing legislation can result to heavy fines; tragically, it can also result to accidents.

2. Shut the Gate

Never leave the gates open; it’s one of the causes of drowning accidents. Self-closing hinges on pool gates are required. The latch should always be checked and replaced if it’s faulty. Do remember that all doors, including dog doors and cat doors if you have a backyard pool, should be closed especially if there are infants crawling around. Small children can easily crawl through small openings.

3. Learn to Swim

Of course, it’s vital that kids know how to swim. Learn2Swim is a good example of swimming classes that provide free water safety lessons to all parents and their children. Learning to swim does not just eliminates some risks of drowning, but also provides health benefits to children.

Laurie was afflicted by Bronchiectasis during his childhood. It is a condition where the bronchial tubes of the lungs are permanently damaged, widened, and thickened. He was advised to pursue swimming to improve his lung function after his surgery. This turned out to be life-changing advice because he found his real passion and great love for swimming.

Swimming is one of the healthiest ways to get your kids moving, but still remains to be a relaxing form of exercise. Moving the whole body against the resistance of the water is a great workout. It builds endurance, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness. More importantly, swimming helps maintain a healthy heart and lungs.

4. Supervise

Supervision around water is an absolute necessity. Children in their early years are curious and often drawn to water. Do not, by any chance, leave your kids unattended. Floatation devices are not reliable and should not replace adult supervision.

There are also instances that parents and guardians leave small kids under the supervision of older siblings or older kids. This is not advisable; they’re also kids. They can easily be distracted and may not be able to act in an emergency situation. The bottomline is that adults are responsible for the supervision of children.

5. Learn to Resuscitate

No matter how vigilant you are in taking safety precautions, accidents can always happen. Think of Murphy’s Law. It’s important that every parent and every supervising adult learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Prompt, competent first aid can save lives.

There are different ways to perform CPR to toddlers and babies. St. John Ambulance Australia and Life International Training provide first aid trainings, including CPR to kids and infants.

Get involved! Let your kids “Learn2Swim”. Visit the Hampton Swim School website and register for the free classes. You can also visit Learn2Swim website to check out other schools that will participate in this year’s initiative to reduce the risk of drowning.

How to Get a Good Book for Kids at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale in Morningside

The Scholastic Warehouse on the Lytton Road will hold its “Spring into Books Warehouse Sale” three days in a row in mid-September. A large selection of children’s books will be on sale for 50% off. These collections includes picture books, chapter books, novels, activity books, and nonfiction books.

The sale will also feature a “fill-a-box” promo for $40 for a selected range of books. This will be a separate section from the rest of the sale. You can fill the box as much as you would like and get as many boxes as you’d like to purchase. Just remember that these boxes are dedicated for this section. All boxes should be taped closed before going to the sale section.

The warehouse will accept cash, EFTPOS, credit cards, and school accounts.

Sale Dates

Thursday, 14 September	2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 15 September	8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 16 September	8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Reading is an essential tool in learning, especially for the kids. A good book does not have to be a bestseller, hence, a good book is a book that a child enjoys reading. Here are some tips on how to choose a good book for your kids.

Age Appropriate

You can’t give a toddler a book that has no pictures. The books should fit your kids’ age. Infants and toddlers (0-2 years old) need books that are hardbound and made of cardboard, plastic, washable cloth. You don’t want them to tear the pages of the paperbound books. The books should have big, bright, and colourful pictures, while the stories should be short that use only simple sentences.

For preschoolers, the pictures should also be colourful and interesting. Some good books that are suitable for this age group are the stories about everyday life that encourage children to ask questions and explore. Books should appeal interest to your kids, no matter how old they are.

Good Books are Well Worded

High quality books use rhyme, repetition, and humour. Children’s book have words that seem to flow smoothly. These are the books that your kids must have because it introduce new words in a context that the children can pick up their meaning. Well worded books expand the children’s vocabulary.

Photo credit: CC0 Creative Commons/kamiel79/Pixabay

Balanced Text and Illustrations

This will compliment the age appropriate category. Younger children require fewer written words and need illustrations to expound the meaning of the words. This will maintain the interest of the kids to read throughout the story.

Bottomline, the older the child, the longer the texts should be on the book. This will improve their listening skills, comprehension, concentration, and their sentence construction skills.

Engaging and Fun to Read

Don’t judge the book by its cover. The cover may be interesting, but the story itself could be boring. The book should have a “moving story” so that the child will be eager to turn the page to find out what will happen next. Choose a book that captivate their imagination and attention as well.

Great Books Teach

You can learn a lot from books. For children, choose a book that has a high and important moral lesson. Even fiction books have moral lessons that teaches a child to be kind or industrious. Great books reinforce self-esteem concepts that expands the children’s view about the world.

Photo credit: Scholastic Australia/Facebook

Great books leave a smile on your face that says that the story was terrific. These can be found at the warehouse sale this weekend. Visit the event page or Scholastic website and Facebook page for more details.

What’s On in Morningside This First Week of September

Morningside is the place to be this week. Here’s what happening around town.

Thursday, 7 September

Moo-Free Dinner

Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Venue: Charlie’s Raw Squeeze Morningside

Photo credit: MooFree Burgers Food Truck/Facebook

The Moo-Free Burger truck is back at Morningside. It’s your chance to get a load of healthy burgers for dinner. Raw Squeeze will also stay up late to serve their signature juices for only $5 to compliment your vegan burger.

Saturday, 9 September

Spring into Summer Pool Party

Tickets: FREE

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Venue: Hampton Swim School

Photo credit: Hampton Swim School/Facebook

It’s time to welcome summer! The Hampton Swim School is inviting everyone to let off some steam as they hold a pool party. Activities for all ages are waiting, including relay races, diving competitions, and water sensory for babies up to 3-year-old kids. The pool will be open for swimming and playing. There will be face painting and a jumping castle, too.

Free BBQ will be served all-day. Kids will also get the chance to meet Bruce the Shark.

Saturday, 9 September

Bees & the Buzz in the Hive

Tickets: FREE

Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Venue: Beelarong Community Farm

Photo credit: Beelarong Community Farm/Facebook

Lisa Kelly of Three Fat Bees will share her vast knowledge of the interesting and amazing life of bees. Lisa humbly began as a self-taught apiarist who started a honey business with just one hive. Over the rough four years, it grew into a commercial business that produces 100% natural, untreated honey.

The Brisbane City Council supports this GOLD event and particularly encourages Morningside residents aged 50 years and above to attend.

Saturday, 9 September

Norman Park C&K Open Day

Tickets: FREE

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Venue: Norman Park C&K

The Norman Park C&K will open their gates to the whole community. At the “Kindy Grounds”, the guests will experience what nature play really means. Their staff will be happy to answer all of the questions about the school.

Sunday, 10 September

Sunday in the Garden

Tickets: FREE

Time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Beelarong Community Farm

Sunday is Farm Family Day at the Beelarong Community Farm. Relax at the garden and enjoy nature, while having tea and a picnic. Guests will have the chance to explore Local Kids Garden and the Raised Garden Beds.

B.Y.O picnic blankets and have your fill of sausage sizzles, coffee, and tea.