Food safety at home is rarely as stringent as most restaurants.
In most homes fridge temps are really checked let alone food temps. Leftovers are often kept far too long and then insufficiently heated in a microwave. Food prep is rarely done in a safe environment and cleaning procedures usually only promote bacterial growth. The unsafe food [...]

The Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate are giving notice that trout season ends on midnight Monday.
If you miss the window the next trout season starts on 28 September 2012.
“During the closed season, it is prohibited to take rainbow and brown trout from all waters in the ACT,” Mr Walters said.
“Anglers in the ACT are still [...]

It’s bad enough that as a society we’re so gormless we need government provided dog parks (rather than taking our dogs to open space with a tennis ball and letting rip).
But now Territory and Municipal Services have felt the need to remind us of the smoking rules around the parks.
“We have received feedback from the [...]

So I want to make cheese with unhomogenised milk.
I just wondered whether anyone can save me some time by recommending the cheapest source of unhomogenised milk.
I’m looking for 10-13 litres per week.
I know the brands here are Barambah, Canberra Gold and Paul’s Organic.
Has anyone managed to strick a good price deal?
thank [...]

The Environment and Sustainable Development has the pleasing news that Canberra’s prettiest lake is safe to swim in again:
Lake Ginninderra was initially closed in April 2012 as a precautionary measure after extreme levels of blue-green algae were detected in areas of the lake. ACT Health has confirmed that blue-green algae are now at levels that [...]

Chief Minister Gallagher has the happy news that selected public conveniences are being improved while new facilities will be going into Scullin Shops, Campbell Shops, Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary and Molonglo Reach.
“New public toilet facilities will be installed at Scullin Shops, Campbell Shops, Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary and Molonglo Reach,” the Chief Minister said.
“Work at [...]

Thanks to Ari for the tip, the Jakarta Globe has a cute story on living and cycling in Canberra.
Nearly six months after taking up cycle-commuting and mountain biking, I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the excellent cycling facilities in Canberra and the benefits it has brought to me and my family.
During [...]

Canberrans are busy people and often hold stressful jobs, within the public service or private sectors. Our corporate life style could be affecting us and our levers of stress. Do you rush around feeling like you are always ‘on’? If you answered yes there’s a good chance that your body is stressed.
Stress hormones such [...]

Hmm, what a coincidence.
The ACT Government has belched out its Pre-Commitment Gambling Reform documentation.
I’m taking a look but feel free to post your highlights.

I am looking to join Fernwood gym and was wondering what others experiences where?
I am currently a member of club slime and I am so sick of the all roid munchers taking up all the weights, plus their crazed blood shot eyes scare me.

[ 30 May, 2012; 12:00 am to 1:00 pm. ] The RSI and Overuse Injury Association of the ACT presents a free seminar:

Dealing with Depression: For people with a chronic condition, with Professor Kathy Griffiths.

Room 6, Griffin Centre
20 Genge Street, Canberra City

You are invited to join us until 2pm for a light lunch following the seminar.

Professor Kathy Griffiths is the Director of the Centre for [...]

Urban Dictionary confirms there is a deal of confusion as to what a poke means on Facebook these days.
We should probably sort it out so here we go.

A facebook poke means…
Would you like to have sex with me?
I have generally warm feelings towards you but nothing specific to say
View Results

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[ 12 June, 2012; 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. ] A Canberra Skeptics Event

Venue: Lecture Theatre, CSIRO Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross Street, Acton,
ACT 2601

Members Free/Non-Members Gold Coin Donation

The topic of illicit drugs in Australia is a topic that attracts continued controversy.  Some argue that drug policy should continue to remain based on the principle of prohibition while others argue that such prohibition should be repealed.

Canberra [...]

Andrew Barr is letting us know he’s kicked off the plantings for Floriade.
And the theme this year is Style and Design.
One can’t help wondering if it’s been chosen for commercial cross over considerations (and possibly that the flower beds are freed from having to look like anything)

And just because we can here’s our hexacopter ride [...]

Let’s face it Canberra, we’re not likely to win an NRL premiership any time soon.
But we’re in with a shot in the global Hooping Idol competition.
Following on from the exciting news that we have an entrant, Jasmine has informed us that voting is open again for this week:
Voting has opened for the next round of [...]

Hey lovers/haters, thought we would get you a bit of an update from our last Gaycrash event
So as our Facebook friends would know, last friday (the third of every month) was our fourth Gaycrash.
113 people RSVP’d to the event, and we estimate approximately 90+ gays, lesbians, queers, trannies et al descended on [...]

Let’s get with the program people. It’s 2012 and we’re not all white anglo saxon protestants around here trooping of to church every Sunday and observing the Sabbath.
Why should the Christians get all the holidays while Diwali, Hanukkah, Lunar new year, the Eid ul fitr, Nowruz, or Kwaanza are not?
To say nothing of the massive [...]

Katy Gallagher is letting us know who’s getting the next round of playground renewal:
“The ACT Government has allocated $1 million to the 2011-12 Playground Safety Program which will include upgrades to the play spaces on Muller Street in Yarralumla, Rosman Circuit in Gilmore, Gibbs and Crafer Places in Kambah, and the giant slide at Point [...]

There are some free skateboard coaching clinics with accredited skate coaches happening across Canberra soon.
Helmets and boards are supplied.
Under 18′s need a parent or guardian over 18 to sign off in order to participate.
Check out the link for more information and registration.

I was reading the Times last Wednesday when I noticed this article - Car parking push at Calvary. The gist of the article is Glenn McCrea (who’s running in the local elections) has passed a petition around Belconnen that got 1200 signatures to get more parking at Calvary. It was a shock to see this in [...]

It’s been a busy two months in the Taratory since our last wrap in February – but that’s because there’s been plenty to do in and around Canberra!
First of all, we’ve quite simply done a lot of eating. On johnboy’s recommendation, T1 checked out what all the fuss was about at Sage, and was totally [...]

Breif history is that I had my thyroid removed 10 years ago and have been on medication ever since. First couple of years on thyroxine thyroid medication were up and down, next 6 perfect. Last 2 have been up and down again with various symptoms, doctors appointments, blood tests every 6 weeks, adjustment of medication then go [...]

Burmese curry = good, Burmese powder not so much as ACT Health has issued a warning that they contain lead and arsenic.
The ACT Government Health Directorate advises the community to avoid the use of Burmese traditional powders at present, while an investigation into their safety is conducted.
These powders are sometimes used to assist digestion [...]

Good Day Rioters,
I wanted to say a big thank you to the Lady who came knocking at my door this Easter Sunday. She had seen this beautiful dog (who we will call M) thrown from a grey car, then nearly run over by the same car – I will spare you my comments about that [...]

In light of the past story on Pink Ghettos in Canberra I was wondering if there were any Rainbow Ghettos in this city? That is places that are friendly to, and good employers for sexual orientation and gender diverse people?
I’ve had some friends leave a major government employer specifically because of their poor attitude towards [...]

I’m guessing there are quite a number of Rioters who enjoy the plod up Mt Ainslie on the walking track leading up from the back of the War Memorial.  It certainly gets very busy on occasions.  I have no idea of the statistics but I would guess several thousand use the track each week.
Unfortunately the [...]

Territory and Municipal Services have let it be known that while much has returned to normal, some things remained closed after the flooding at the start of the month:
• Corin Dam (Namadgi National Park)
• Swamp Creek (Murrumbidgee River Corridor)
• Discovery Trail (Cotter River)
• Lyrebird Trail (Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve)
• Cascades Trail (Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve)
• Eucalypt Forest [...]

I have extremely bad posture and this is due to the fact that I constantly at a computer.
Over the years it has been getting worse and I am suffering headaches as a result (plus I look like the hunchbacks’ sister!) I’ve tried oestopathy and don’t particularly want to keep paying a fortune for half [...]

Has anyone been victim to the new ads played at target?
While standing in line they have a tv playing the specials while your waiting to get though the checkout.
I felt lucky that the line was short today I couldnt imagine standing there on a busy day.
The main problem with this it only plays one set [...]

The Heart Foundation’s Cycling Promotion Fund has announced they’re giving Chief Minister Gallagher an Australian Bicycling Achievement Award:
The Chief Minister was presented with the Achievement Award for Contribution by a Politician who has, by their own example or by the support for investments and programs, advanced cycling during 2011.
With support of the ACT Government, Canberra [...]

Andrew Barr has announced the completion of planning for the Gungahlin Leisure Centre so construction can start before the election.
Construction on the centre – for which the Government has committed $28.7 million – is expected to commence in August with completion planned for early 2014.
The highlights of the leisure centre are:
– The 50 metre [...]

The Greens’ Amanda Bresnan is pushing on with her campaign to insert the ACT Government ever more firmly into our lives by regulating workplace bullying.
She has, in fact, created a survey she’d like you to fill in.
We’d be curious to hear what the data wonks out there think about the survey’s structure.