Information from Parea sti Mani - February 2010 Thank you everyone who has contributed to the schoolroom fund. The accounts for 2009 are now on display in schoolroom. Unfortunately our expenditure on the schoolroom exceeded income so we need your help to make sure everyone who uses the room is aware they need to make a contribution. We would also like the room to be used more, so if you want a meeting or a party, how about using the school room? Contact Christina-Maria for terms of use and to make a booking: Tel 27210 77402 or email sittka@otenet.gr
We also need to have a record of users of the room, so if you already supervise an activity and use the key, please complete one of the forms which will be in the schoolroom, and return it to Christina-Maria. This record is so you can be contacted, in case of emergency. As we are asking you to take responsibility for the room while you are there, we have also put a book in the schoolroom where you can write details of any problems you find when you arrive, such as shutters left open or something broken.
The German book reading on February 7th, arranged by Eva Lang to promote a new publication, was very successful. We much appreciate the generous contribution to Parea funds, made by the organisers.
Carnival time is upon us and there will be fun and games in Stoupa at the Patriko café in Stoupa on Sunday February 14th (link for details)
A new venture for the Parea is a regular ’Parea lunch for Body and Mind’ The first lunch will be on Thursday February 25th at Angeliki’s taverna in Stoupa. (link for details)
We have started a page ‘Environment’ under the INFO heading. On this page we will display information on environmental matters. We will also have links to old environmental news items which have been moved to the archive section.
We have started a Shopping tips page where we will display details of any interesting shops or shopping offers our readers discover. Details of the Russian shop are now on this page (link)
If you have something to sell, you can now advertise low value items free on our website. See the Advertising page for details (link) (The recent ‘household bargains’ from Elaine, were all sold within 3 days of appearing on the website!!)
The Austrian Bakery now has a free notice board where you can advertise goods and services Contact the bakery (link)
We have reprinted an article from Manifest, by Pam Garelick, under the HEALTH heading. It is about blood donation and emphasises the importance of contributing, if you qualify. The next local blood donation session will probably be in March. We will publicise the date as soon as we know it.(link)
The Kindergarten in Ag. Nicolaos has worked hard to improve their playground and the Parea has contributed 160€ for a new slide.
Study exposes water wastage Extract from Kathimerini English edition Feb 18th.... Greece has one of the world’s most inefficient systems for managing dwindling water resources, with the irrigation of the agricultural sector largely to blame for waste, according to a report by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE), a nonprofit research group.
The report highlights the absence of a comprehensive water management system which means that supplies cannot always satisfy demand.
The agricultural sector is responsible for the consumption of 86 percent of water resources, the report notes. An extract reads, «The types of cultivation and current water pricing policy both boost the consumption of water used in irrigation for agriculture.»
The report also notes that inefficient methods of irrigation are to blame for the loss of a large volume of water. Between 60 percent and 70 percent of water used in irrigation never reaches its final destination, according to the report.
IOBE proposes various amendments to current practices. The first is the drafting of a comprehensive water management strategy, in line with European Union directives.
IOBE also recommends that water be priced on the basis of the volume that is consumed rather than the number of hectares destined for irrigation. Another proposal is that the granting of European Union subsidies be linked to the implementation of environmentally friendly farming practices.
The report further recommends the introduction of alternative methods of water management on hundreds of islands and in tourist resorts where consumption of water skyrockets during the summer months. Click here for latest Kathimerini English Edition
(You can subscribe free to the Kathimerini English Edition with Google reader)
The Carnival Season is upon us. Anyone who was in Kalamata last Thursday will have see the enthusiasm with which locals celebrated ‘Burnt Thursday’ . On many street corners there were trays of BBQed food which was free to anyone passing by. The delicious aroma mingled with the smoke from the many little BBQs, and the sound of live street music. Burnt Thursday is 11 days before the start of Lent and starts a long weekend of celebration which concludes with Meat-eating-Sunday (Feb 7) This is technically the last day for eating meat before Easter.
The 2010 Greek Carnival Dates: Triodion: Sunday, January 24th Tsiknopempti or "Burnt Thursday": February 4th Tsiknopempti Weekend: Friday, February 5th - Sunday, February 7th Main Carnival Weekend: Friday, February 12th - Sunday, February 14th Sunday 14th:11.00am carnival party at Patriko Cafe - PHOTOS are in the gallery under ’other activities’ Monday, February 15th (This is kite flying day) There will be a big event in Platsa(weather permitting), at or near the Kabinari taverna. Bring a kite or just come and watch around 10 to 11. Why kite flying? Some Greek Orthodox communities mark the start of Lent as the first outdoor day of the new year. Lent is the beginning of spring. After the long death of winter, here is the first sign that new life is coming. We must go out to greet it. The community celebrates this day by climbing the nearest hill and flying kites on the fresh spring wind! The Greeks are notoriously bad at announcing events in time to advertise them, and we have no other details, but there are likely to be many local events during this period. Please let us know if you discover any events we can publicise. See Messiania and the Mani link for more information, and events last year
(Feb 5)Message from Fran :-Can you give me a loving home?
THIS 4 YEAR OLD DOG WAS FOUND ROAMING THE STREETS 2 WEEKS AGO AND NEEDS A LOVING HOME HE IS HEALTHY, (NO LEISHMANIAS) AND VERY GOOD WITH PEOPLE AND CHILDREN. USED TO LIVING OUTSIDE Please help Please phone:6942045339 or 6944171916
CARNIVAL DAY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14TH PATRIKO CAFE, STOUPA From about 11am on :- 12.00 MUSIC AND GAMES on the beach front and a clown for the children 12.30-14.00 TREASURE HUNT round Stoupa (A prize will be awarded to the winner, compliments of the bar) About 2.30 the BUFFET food will be served. Please bring a dish for the buffet. (Dina from Sunset will bring cheesepies) To join in the fun please wear fancy dress or at least one fancy item (eg hat, mask,ears etc). There will be a prize for the best individual dress, best couple, and best group with the same theme. Extra points will be awarded for giving a performance (eg mime or dance) Anyone who needs help (for special song etc), let Christina at the bar, know what you want. For more details contact Brenda of the Neon Players on 69 7681 4897 (Photos in the gallery) MUSEUM CLOSURE If you are planning a trip to a museum or archeological site in the near future you should check with this site, as a number of places are currently closed or have restricted open hours http://livingingreece.gr/2010/01/12/museums-sites-greece-closed/ This site often has items of interest and it is now on our links page
today
