• NGT Dec 08.indd - Nimbin Good Times

LOOK TO THE STARSYOUR MONTHLY REVIEW OF WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HEAVENSBY BEV MURRAYDecember is shaping up to be quite a feisty month. Thereis some intense Mars and Pluto activity suggesting somevolatility world wide. Western Africa, Central Americaand parts of China look particularly unstable, as does the USA. Thefull moon this month is also a particularly potent energy. OpposingMars and squaring Saturn we can expect this full Moon to bringrelationship difficulties to the fore not only on a personal level buton a global level too. Midsummer on the 21st is full of intense emotion and hiddenagendas. There is a focus on secrets and miscommunication this month. If you are notsure about something the wise procedure is to keep quiet! If you have secrets expectthem to find their way out into the open! Mars enters Capricorn and conjuncts Plutolate in the month suggesting an opportunity to sweep away all obstacles and blocks.One problem is that individuals can push too hard in an effort to do this, not stoppingeven when tired. This unmanageable approach may cause exhaustion. Anger will beexpressed in a rather cool, level-headed way with this placement of Mars. There are alsofears of “letting go” and the need to stay in ‘control’ could cause problems.Aries: You struggle with anoverabundance of energy this month!The Sun/Mars conjunction inSagittarius in the first week can spuryou on into adventure and risk takingactivity! You may also start an argumentor two if you are not careful. Watchthe full moon on the 12th for accidentscaused by lack of forethought.Taurus: The month starts out on anincredibly romantic and luxurious note.All things pleasurable are highlighted.However, from the 12th things get alittle more serious. Finances can beworrisome or tempers can f lare. Trynot to let things escalate out of control.Practice deep breathing and letting go. Itgets better from the 28th on.Gemini: It’s an edgy month with muchthat irritates and frustrates. Major shiftsin relationships can happen aroundthe 12th. The 16th brings some senseback into the fray and you can affordto forgive and forget. The rest of themonth is all about the holiday spirit.Saturn and Mercury on the 26th suggestcreativity and optimism.Cancer: Watch the Gemini Full Moonon the 12th as tempers can be unstable.You could say something you will laterregret. It’s a month for quiet times andreviewing the year past in order to reprioritizegoals and wishes. Let othersknow you need your space; communicationis the key to peace right now.Leo: Think before you act this month oryou’ll take issue with the consequences.The 12th brings out your fierce senseof self will. Others may not understandthis! You will need to be prepared to takeresponsibility before the month is out, forall your actions and words in the year past!Virgo: It can be hard to think clearly orget organised this month; All anathemafor Virgoes. Problems at home midmonthcan make you feel off balance. TheNew Moon on the 27th is intense butthere is also an abundance of fun, playactivity highlighted. You will be in bettershape by months end.Libra: Reconnecting with relatives andorganizing fun social activity keep theearly part of December very enjoyable foryou! Mid month has people around you inargumentative mood and worry and fearcoming to the for. Keep level headed andpractice your relaxation techniques. The lastweek is all about practical issues.Scorpio: It can be a stressful month forScorpio. Avoid arguments by recognizingthat you cannot always be right. The moreyou push your point the more others pushback. The 16th sees you more focused andready to embrace a new goal with gusto.You are ready for hard work. The 28thmay see old issues resurface.Sagittarius: The month starts out infestive mood, with much nice Venus/Jupiter activity. The Full Moon on the12th though, is a different story! Youwant your own way and will stop atlittle to get it! Others are not impressed!Try to pull that self -will back a tad.Enthusiasm and a clearer sense ofdirection come with the new moon.Capricorn: Emotions are all over theplace this month and this is unsettling foryou. You can feel the need to move quicklyon ideas and become easily frustrated bydelay. Mars/ Saturn on the 15th-17thcan put you n the mood for a little soulsearching. The 28th offers a gentler energyof romance and sensitivity.Aquarius: A month filled with ideas andinventions. With Venus in your sign earlyon you feel good about yourself and areready to take on the world! The 10th bringsthe only frustration in December and thatis a need for more freedom. Dreams andwishes have a way of coming true in lateDecember and early New Year.Pisces: It’s a great month for taking careof yourself and your needs. The Full moonmakes you feel like bucking the rules but dobe careful! The New Moon brings friendsinto focus and you will have cause to bothenjoy and appreciate them. Interesting newfriends are also likely. A new motivationand direction are very likely in the NewYear so look forward to it.Bev can be contacted on 0401 800 210. Bev would love to hear from you and yourcomments on her blog spot www.astralinsights.blogspot.com are appreciated.Bev holds classes in mindfulness and meditation at the Yamba Wellbeing Centre on Mondaysand will be offering beginner astrology classes. Call Bev for info or to book a place.The US Presidential electionA wolf in black sheep’s clothing ?by Rob Bruce“The two greatest obstacles to democracy inthe United States are, first, the widespreaddelusion among the poor that we have ademocracy, and second, the chronic terroramong the rich, lest we get it.”– Edward DowlingThe charade and circus that is theUS Election cycle has reached itsagonizing finale. The illusion ofdemocracy remains stark. No matter whoAmericans vote for, they can only elect a warmonger and secret representative of the WallStreet corporate oligarchs.Americans seem only ever to get stuckwith war criminals and mass murderersas presidents or presidential aspirants. BillClinton ruthlessly bombed Iraq duringthe 1990’s, enforcing a no-fly zone andsustaining a brutal embargo that killed overhalf a million Iraqi children. Obama haspromised to bomb and destroy all “terrorists”in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the“good” war must continue to be fought. As forMcCain, he has already bombed a nation as asoldier decades ago.Decent Americans just want a taste ofdemocracy for once. They are sick of theirpoliticians serving the interests of corporatecriminals and the industrial military complex,while destroying their legitimate aspirations,hopes, dreams and needs, ripping them offblind, and erecting a corporate fascist policestate around them. Decades of bold andrelentless US hegemonic aggression worldwidehas normalised a permanent state of warand conquestIn the minds of many Americans, but morepeople than ever are beginning to see throughthe game. And this, despite the powerful,bewildering and relentless media censorshipthat operates within the USA. The spindoctors have been successful in creatingthe Obama phenomenon. He is a talentedorator, and his overall disposition appearscompact, resolute and disciplined. Indeed, incomparison with the belligerent and oafishBush and McCain, Obama appears dignifiedand serene.No doubt, he is a more decent man thanMcCain and Bush, who are unapologeticallyatavistic and even more shamelesslysubservient to the Wall Street mafia. But evenif Obama suddenly became a saint, he hasaccepted so much campaign money from WallStreet that no matter what good he mightseek to do, his hands are well and truly tied.Many have been fooled by Obama’s smoothand slick approach, and by the charade of thetwo party circus in America. In Obama, thepower brokers who run America have madea very clever choice. He appears to be thechange honest decent people are thirsting for.But people need to watch him closely, andactually listen to his words, his ambitions,his promises, and the caveats he places uponthose promises.Obama’s aspirations and actions will bedictated by those who bought him during andprior to the election campaign, and he will bedifferent to Bush only in personality. Even therhetoric is largely the same.High hopes. Expectations are high in manyquarters that US President-elect Barrack Obamawill deliver significant reforms, both in domesticand international policy, but will he measure up?Digital photomontage by schoolchildren.In fact, in many areas, Obama seeks to gofurther than Bush. He laments that the US“has lost Latin America,” and, describingthe democratically elected governmentsof Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua as a“vacuum to be filled,” promises interferencein these countries. He supports the criminalUribe regime in Colombia, and asserts itsright to launch military raids across itsborders. He has also expressed a desire topull Mexico into line using the Colombianmodel adopted by previous Washingtonregimes, and, in language more expansionistand ambitious even than George Bush’s,announced that in South America: “We mustpress further south as well.”As for the Palestinian question, even theBush regime recognizes the UN designationof Jerusalem as an international city to beshared, but on June 4th, Obama made theextraordinary promise at a conference ofthe Israel Public Affairs Committee of an“undivided Jerusalem.”“We lead the world in battling immediateevils and promoting the ultimate good,” saysObama. “We must lead by building a 21stcenturymilitary... to advance the security ofall people.” Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Obamasays in pursuing “terrorists” he would attackPakistan. As for the Iraq question, Obamanow “reserves the right” to change his pledgeto get troops out next year. “I will listen to ourcommanders on the ground,” he says, creatinghis inevitable loop hole and escape route.Obama’s adviser on Iraq, Colin Kahl, hasdeclared that the US should maintain upto 80,000 troops in Iraq until 2010. LikeMcCain, Obama has voted numerous timesin the Senate in support of the Bush regime’srequest for an ever greater war chest for Iraq;and he has echoed Republican calls for anescalation of military actions and personelin Afghanistan, and for emphatic militaryinterventions elsewhere in the region.Page 20 The Nimbin GoodTimesDecember 2008Clarrie & Sally Rose, trading asNimbin Mill FarmHardware & Gasat the Old Sawmill on Gungas Road.The name says it all!We sell bulk landscaping materialsand Searles gardening products.Come out, see our range and compare prices.Yes, we can deliver.Free delivery to Nimbin townshipPhone 6689 1206www.nimbingoodtimes.com

Teeth, necks, feet and backsSeventh in a series byTonia HaynesBowen therapist and Pranic healerPhone 6689 9284One would thinkfrom the title that Iam all over the shopthis month. Why should aBowen Therapist who alsopractices basic kinesiology,pranic healing, remedialmassage and emotional fieldtherapy, but is not a dentistor podiatrist, be chattingabout teeth and feet?Well, if you have an ongoing and mysterious muscleor skeletal problem thatkeeps reoccurring, yourpractitioner is remiss if theyhaven’t addressed those twoparts of your anatomy to seeif there is any malfunction ineither or both of those areas.There are times whenbody therapists of alldenominations will saysomething like, ‘Geez mateyour duvalaki keeps goingout on the whatsit, with anaccompanying shrug andrighteous expression thattells one loud and clear. Itmust be your fault!So instead of asking, ‘why ismy duvilaki so disobedient?’We humbly return for moretreatment that may or maynot bring our duvilaki intoline, or at least persuade it tofeel a little more in harmonywith our whatsit. Or we leavedespondently, thinking, “Ohwell I guess I had better learnto live with it.”A good practioner will doeverything in their power tofind out why your duvalakiwon’t do as it’s told, becauseyou came to them withhope and your hope is asimportant to them as youare.I have learnt through longexperience that a continuingneck problem may be comingfrom a teeth problem.This is due to a hinge inthe jaw called the TMJ ortemporomandibular joint.This joint is a junction fornerves that run all over thebody. It particularly affectsthe neck area, which canaffect shoulders, arms andeven lower back and legs. Badteeth which are in a continualstate of low infection, canhave a huge negative effect onthe TMJ and also directly, onthe vertebrae in the neck.The feet are thefoundations of the temple,(our body). Like anybuilding, if the foundationsaren’t right the body willslump somewhere and noamount of propping up thetemple will fix the problem.So, if your practitioner’swealth of knowledge did notimprove your feet and yourback is still not right, it maybe that podiatry assistanceis needed. I remember oneclient in particular who hadseen everyone including me,to no avail. The back was stillcrook. We finally discoveredshe was slightly (only slightly)flat-footed. After a couple ofvisits to the podiatrist andinserts for her shoes, herback surrendered to goodhealth.Make sure when you see aprofessional practitioner thatyou tell them everything,when they ask for yourhistory. Feet and teethproblems included. It givesthem more of an opportunityto assist you.If your teeth needattention.Public dental health isappalling in Oz as we allknow and dentists areexpensive, but healthy teethand a healthy you are worthit. If you are really out on alimb financially, it is betterto have the teeth removed,rather than let them rotin your head. The healthimplications of rotten teethcan be huge.I know, dentures are thepits, particularly bottomdentures that fly out of one’smouth with gay abandonwhen one is attemptingto verbally impress animportant opinion uponothers. Or during thatpassionate embrace, theyleap into the mouth of theloved one and there you are.Attempting to prove to ouruniformed protectors thatthe death of your love bysuffocation from denture wasan accident, rather than premeditatedmurder.I hope I haven’t ruinedanyone’s future plans.All jokes aside, teeth orlack of are an important partof one’s health. Rememberthe hassle it was to get them?A last word about feet.My mother made me wearlace up shoes until the ageof twelve. I loathed them,but I thank her now. Duringthe years when my feetwere growing they werewell supported and I haveno trouble with them as anadult. Putting supportiveshoes on our kids will givethem well formed feet inadulthood. Bare feet are greatand often preferred in thisarea, but kids all wear shoesto school. Let’s make surethey are good ones.Have a good Christmas andI am sure 09 is going to bevaried and exciting, Let’s doour best to see the positivein these times. I know themedia are doing their bestto let us know daily howdreadful things are, butpetrol prices are down at themoment and so are interestrates. The weather is stillgifting us with rain albeitrather forcefully at times, butat least we are not frying inthe heat or dying of thirst,thanks to the wonderfulbuffer and water retainingskills of our beautiful trees.Planting another tree wouldbe the best of Christmaspresents for mother earthand for ourselves.Love, light and for goodnesssake, remember to laugh. It’sgood medicine.Nimbin Crossword2008-12by 5ynicAcross1. (and 7 down) orbitalplatform for transmittingRupert Murdoch’s contentacross the globe8. Small person?10. Second Life (innit.)11. Bird’s feathers12. This is paid on capital,sometimes13. (3,4) drilled to extractcrude15. Anything containing thehallucinogenic fungus ergot18. Rough (like sandpaper?)20. Bogan fashion icon? Softcotton fabric, with nap onlyon one side21. Head nurse (innit.)22. Picture?24. Complete change, suchas we’ll need in our energysources to avoid planetarydeathSolution Page 23.Down2. Not a Hindu symbol ofthe absolute, but a unit ofresistance3. Canadian tree? Syrupgood on pancakes4. Chunk of gold5. Hidden- ? Methodto prevent data beingeavesdropped upon6. Mexican agave spirit7. See 1 across.9. Posable artist’s model fordrawing the human figure10. 1960s Kids TV puppetshow? Flat, barbed fish12. Flawed? Past tense14. “Watch out in Nimbinmate, it’s full of _______ ”16. English plain wovencotton or muslin cloth17. (Sexual?) climax19. Single page? Bed linen23. Wrote “Little Red Book”,killed tens of millions,enjoyed calligraphyCreative writers Re-PlacedA new anthology, Re-Placement,featuring the work of some ofAustralia’s top emerging creativewriters will be launched in Lismoreby Jeni Caffin, director of the ByronBay Writers Festival, on Thursday,December 4 at The Alleyway/NextArtGallery in Magellan Street.The anthology covers prose andpoetry – from creative non-fiction topersonal essays and short stories. Itbrings together the work of writersfrom universities around Australia,and Dr Janie Conway-Herron, a seniorlecturer in Southern Cross University’sSchool of Arts and Social Sciences, isexecutive editor.Re-Placementfeatures the work ofundergraduate andpostgraduate studentsand includes well-established writers as wellas others who are beingpublished for the firsttime.“We were very pleasedto be asked to edit thisanthology,” Dr Conway-Herron said. “It’s a real mark of respectfor the writing program at SCU.”Nimbin resident Dr Nell Cook, whohas just completed a PhD, is one of fourSCU students whose work was selected.“Writing is a reflectionof culture and thecontemporary worldand knowing the theorygives you the techniquesto really understandthe different layersof meanings and toincorporate those in yourown writing,” Nell said.“This anthology is acelebration of the craftof writing, particularlyfor new and emergingwriters. It’s very excitingto be part of that.”Re-Placement is published by SouthernCross University Press in associationwith Australian Association of WritingPrograms. It is available from theUniversity Co-Op Bookshop.Fashionating!Cullen Street NimbinSTEAL A CAMPER TRAILERAussie Swag, Lightweight Off-Road TrailerKing-sized bed,Hard floor, opensto 6’ x 14’ + 8’x 14’ awning,wired 240 & 12volt, 40 litreswater tank.Ready to roll wherever you want to go.Only $2200. Details phone Doug 6689-9242www.nimbingoodtimes.com December 2008 The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 21

Program design by MimNim-FM celebrates nine years on-airStory and photos by Pam PussycatOn a sultry Novemberevening music drifteddown Cullen Street andthe scene was set with balloons, cakeand smiling faces. The night washigh for a party, as local communityradio station 2NIM-FM was set tocelebrate its ninth birthday.The evening began with a welcometo the country, then was followed bythe gentle guitar and songs of EssieThomas. Our minds expandedwith street understandings, hearinglocal wordsmith and hip-hop artistKaliba (Stormrider) inspiring theaudience with his insights. HealingEarth sang wise words to tantalise,reminding us of the footprints weleave as we tread upon Gaia. RancidCandy brought sassy sensuous tonesto the night, filling the room withsweet delight. Brisbane basedband Hypernovae rocked our socksoff and people began to leave theirseats and hit the dance floor.A few short speeches, thenJudi’s selection of birthdaycakes appeared. Candles lit andextinguished, during birthdaysongs. The kids happily enjoyedthe sweets... ok the kids at heart aswell. Meals and refreshments wereavailable from the kitchen crew, aswell as fruit punch, energy punchand more sweets selections.The Nimbin School of Arts shoneresplendent with its new fittingsand fixtures since redecorationswere completed.Revellers were surprised by ashort guest appearance by twolocal police, who assured us thatthey had our safety first in mind,and warning about the dangers ofdrinking. They were not temptedto indulge in the kitchen’s fine fareon offer.As the evening drew to aconclusion the dancers explodedto life en force with the new wavesounds of Manifest.Around midnight, a few smilingfaces were enjoying the veranda asthe radio crew began the pack up.Thanks to Happy High Herbsfor the special energy punch,Beau Khan sound mixer, Luckyfor co-ordinating the event,Martin Preedy who was theMC for most of the night,Judi Hale’s kitchen, theentertainers for the good vibes,Katrina and Pam for door duties,Gail for speeches, and to all of youwho came to celebrate.It’s your radio!Call GaiQualifi ed GardenerFree adviceReasonable Rates6689-74410429-702-148Page 22 The Nimbin GoodTimesDecember 2008www.nimbingoodtimes.com

Making the hard yards at seaKnockout pairStory and photos by Pixie,Fishing reporterIn between all the bad weather,with strong winds and big seas,the Nimbin Heads Fishing Teammanaged one trip to sea this month,with Pix, Cal, Zac, Ryan, Arrow, Chris,Huen and first-timer Pommy Chrisgetting a lucky break in the weather.Fishing out of Wooli, we first cameacross a school of kingfish about 20kilometres out. We were using liveslimy mackerel for bait, and seeingthe kingies on the sounder, we wereconfident of some good hook-ups. Butthe fish were not on the bite and itwas a long start to the morning, withhardly any current and the barometerdropping.An hour later Huen landed ourfirst small kingie, and Arrow aneven smaller one, which went back.The livies were active but it wasn’thappening. After two hours we still hadonly one fish.With hardly any current, we decidedto go wide and chase samson fish.An hour later we stopped on a reefHook-ups (clockwise from left): Chris witha 7kg samson fish, Zac with a large snapper,Huen with a 5kg jewfish, and Pommy Chris,happy just to land a fish.and could see a shitload of fish on thesounder. This looked good. We wereso wide we could not see land, and wewere fishing deep. We put the pickdown, dropped down our lines witha one-pound sinker and found thecurrent was gushing and we couldn’thold bottom.The only thing to do was pull upanchor and try to drift with twopoundsinkers. With the wind blowingthe same way as the current, if youdidn’t get a hook-up as soon as you hitbottom, it was too late. After each driftwe would land one or two fish and findwe would be about 5K off the reef.So for 4 hours we kept doing the samefast drift, and the fish were now comingin, with your humble fishing reporterand Chris both landing 7kg samsonfish and Arrow and Huen landing anice silver 5kg jewfish each, and Ryanand Cal landing a 4kg samson fish each.Then after six hours of fishing,Pommy Chris finally landed a samsonfish which topped off his day at sea.Nothing was easy catching fish thatday, but that’s fishing. It was greatto be at sea again, and it makes youappreciate days when the Fish Gods aresmiling upon you. So all in all we stilllanded about 60kg of fish and all atefish for a few days.Last month on a trip that I wasn’t on(now that doesn’t happen very often)the boys tell me Zac landed a hugesnapper and manhandled it like it was alittle pinky. Nice one, Zac.Tight lines, guys.Nimbin Bowling Club hasan engraving job to do.Over the past fourweeks, 16 bowlers havecompeted in the 3-ballmixed-pairs knockout, andby the end of November. thewinners were decided whenRay Nugent and DarrenMarchant defeated DamianCleary and Che Potter.The Curtis and MannShield competition is onlyin its second year. Theshield was donated by a ‘pairof poms’ who visited theClub with the touring UKNomads bowls team in 2006.The Shield final providedan engrossing contest as thechallengers whittled downRay and Darren’s early lead,and included one end whenthe calipers came out toDarren and Raymeasure the closest to thejack (pictured).Ray commented, “Therewas only a fairy’s fartbetween them.”Ray won the inauguralShield knockout last year,with partner Dave Childs, sohis name will appear twice onthe Shield, which hasn’t yetbeen engraved.“It’ll happen,” he said.GOLDEN OLDIE $330,000 FAMILY HAVEN $350,000Alovelytree-lineddrivewayleads up tothisfamilyhome. Thisfantastichomehasmore thanenoughroomforthe wholefamily with aSituated on just over 1/2 an acre of elevated north facing land is this lovelylarge, clean3 bedroom turn of the century Queenslander. The home is framed by tall kitchen, 4 bedrooms, a huge light and airy living room and a studiograceful trees and there are glimpses of distant mountain ranges from the attached to the garage. Set on a sealed road only minutes to town withlarge decks that surround the home on three sides. The home has many a rural outlook this property ensures peace and tranquility with all offeatures that you would expect from a home of this era; high ceilings, the conveniences of village living. The land is rich and level with amazingfan lights above the doors, VJ walling, French doors and loads of under views of the ranges, ensuring many happy hours of gardening and morehouse storage. The home also has an excellent 2 bay colourbond shed. than enough room for the kids. This is great buying on today’s market!HAPPY HILLS $875,000The ultimate family sanctuary! Within this property there is a 4 bedroomhouse, a 3 bedroom house and a 2 bedroom studio plus extra buildingentitlements AND 3 sheds all with power. There is an abundance of waterfrom the creek and 2 dams. All of the homes have beautiful landscapingand views of the valley. The main house has a pool, spa, sauna, carport,2 bay shed and a 200m airstrip.TWEED VALLEY TREE CHANGE $650,000Situated on the Tweed caldera is this amazing property. Thereare 130 acres of rolling land with tall forests, open plateaus andinspiring mountainous views. The majestic Tweed River starts ina rainforest clad valley on this property ensuring an abundanceof water. There is plenty of room for the whole family with threedwellings on this property, all with Northern views of Mount Warning.MAGIC HAPPENS $129,500Occasionally anopportunity to bepart of somethingspecial comes up. Thissecluded two acreshare set on Nimbin’s5-starcommunityawaits...Tuckedawayoff the main accessroad, this block hasa sunny northerlyaspect providingampleopportunityfor solar power (withexcellent extra rebatesinvestigated & available). Surrounded by old growth trees and withstunning expansive views of the pinnacle and the caldera this is truly aspecial place. The owners have commenced work and there is a drivewaydown to a laser leveled building site, plus clear clean spring water piped tothree locations on site. Community fees have been paid in full until Feb 09.HOME SWEET HOME $495,000Situated on aquaint countryroad is this 2storey timberhome. This isa great familyhome with 3goodsizedbedrooms, 2bathrooms, anda kitchen that isan entertainer’sdream, includinga new big stainless stove and granite bench tops. There are also twoseparate living rooms, with one opening onto the resort style groundssurrounding the gorgeous in-ground saltwater pool. The home is nestledin beautiful tropical gardens with fruit orchards and a great little veggiegarden. With 5 acres of good soil, an abundance of water from a mountainspring fed creek and a huge workshop you could grow just about anything!Page 24 The Nimbin GoodTimesDecember 2008www.nimbingoodtimes.com