Local Vanguard

Editor's Thoughts

2010-03-30T16:40:00.008+13:00

I started Local Vanguard while attempting to explore and learn about Christchurch - a city that I was to make my home for the next few years. I identified an opportunity to help promote a side of Christchurch that I believe is undersold...especially when comparisons are made to life in much larger cities. Christchurch may be small, but it has a mighty and growing presence of creative and unique cultural offerings. There's much more than meets the eye, here in the ol' Garden City. You may just have to dig (or chat up some locals) to find it. It's been my pleasure to do just that over the course of the last few months. I've hit the streets, spoken with shop owners, asked loads of questions, and discovered many of the local hot spots. And I know there are even more attractions to be found. However, my direct involvement in producing stories for the site must come to an end, due to an unexpected move back overseas.

This has been a truly rewarding project for me to have taken on. I have had the privilege of meeting and listening to many interesting characters and have attended some fantastic cultural events. The people I have met are passionate about what they do, and their work/hobbies help create the kind of unique offerings that make a city distinctive. I'm grateful for the amount of positive feedback from locals and the quick popularity of the site. I am also very appreciative of the help of friends, who pointed me in the direction of some of the city's long-standing local gems.

Furthermore, I am optimistic about the growing momentum of positive and creative happenings that I have observed taking place during my time here. I believe this city is on the cusp of an exciting cultural upswing. I am hopeful that Local Vanguard will continue to be a part of this movement, through the involvement of local contributing writers. If you are interested in contributing or just curious as to how to be involved, email us. It doesn't have to take a lot of commitment by one person if we all chip in - just photographing and writing about the things you are already seeing and doing. Email us at localvanguard@gmail.com.

Cheers.
Jenafer

Designers Speak Series

2010-03-23T08:30:00.006+13:00

DINZ Designers Speak Series comes to Christchurch this Thursday. The event will host a line-up of speakers from three design studios, each sharing insights on what makes their studios tick.

Speakers include Steve Le Marquand from interactive agency Resn, designer and typographer Catherine Griffiths, photographer Bruce Connew, and Dean Poole from Alt Group. If you love design, this is an evening not to be missed. Design led conversations like these are few and far between in our fair city, so spread the word and come along.

Thursday 25th March 6pm, CoCa Gallery, 66 Gloucester Street

For further information and ticket purchasing options click here.

Local Profile: Mark Spurgeon of Preserve.co.nz

2010-03-18T11:56:00.000+13:00

Preserve a website that documents old hand-painted building signage, serving as a permanent record of a dying craft and visual heritage of city life. Started by local graphic designer Mark Spurgeon, Preserve is a permanent photographic record of old signs that are slowly being erased over time - either worn away by weather, painted over, or disappearing as buildings are demolished or signage is replaced with modern equivalents. The collection is mainly made up of signage from New Zealand, but signs from other countries have been added over time, as people have learned about the site and have wanted to contribute to Mark's collection. I recently asked Mark to tell me why he started Preserve and what he enjoys about doing the site. Here's what I discovered:

When did you start the site and what motivated you? Even as a kid I really liked old buildings. There seems to be a charm about them that is not captured in today's modern structures. I can still remember in Wellington, where I grew up, seeing the large warehouses with advertising painted down the sides for various products from times past. These old buildings had a charm about them then, and even more so to me now as time has gone on. I see something special in a building with a really well-painted, large, weather worn sign. I guess its about the scale, size, and the hand crafted nature that attracts me. I also really love old type and its many forms. I started photographing signs on buildings about 4 years ago. The first sign was in Sydney and was a simple sign that read 'Beware of Traffic'. I remember thinking, when a saw it, that it wasn't only interesting because it was wearing away, but because it was a hand crafted creation - a work of art in itself. After taking that shot I began to build up a library of shots mostly from New Zealand. Initially I was keen to put them into a book but thought I'd start with a website. And that's how Preserve was launched, just over a year ago.

What do you enjoy most about doing the site? I guess there are two aspects which are linked. First, I really like the idea that Preserve is somehow capturing a fast disappearing craft. There aren't too many signage guys nowadays that hand paint signs (although there are still a few around that can do an 'old school' sign). Today, most signs are computer generated type, made of plastic, which don't have the same old-world aesthetic charm. And secondly, in some small way Preserve is archiving some of New Zealand's visual heritage, as it disappears right before our eyes.

Where do take most of your photos/how do you find the material you shoot? Most material I have shot has been in Christchurch. To date, there has been plenty of old signage to photograph here and it is also where I live. Having said that, I am finding it more and more difficult to find "Preserve-type" signage I haven't already documented in Christchurch and am now going about discovering the not-so-obvious signage. I find the really good ones when on foot - walking around the streets, not looking straight ahead, but really exploring high and low. There are a lot of great ones up high on building facades. I also normally head for the older parts of town, that are a little run down and where building owners may not have done as much upkeep on the buildings. To get some of the shots, I've had to hang out of windows three stories up, have managed to rip my pants climbing over barbed-wire fences, and have been chased by guard dogs.

Which is your favorite image at present? I have to say my favorite shot is called 'Use'. It is a part of a larger sign which reads 'Use Tai Tapu Butter', on the back of a building that borders the rail yards in Christchurch. I just like the composition, rich colours, and weather worn look of it.

When you aren’t doing the site (or at work), where are we likely to find you? I like the coffee at C1 or at Underground Victoria Street in the morning. I also enjoy having a beer at the Dux or Bangalore Polo Club in the evening. I think the best food in Christchurch is at the Joyful Restaurant on Colombo Street.

Fill in the blank - I do this website, because "it's a passion. I do it because I love typography and especially hand painted sign typography. I am always interested in collaborating on project that relate to this forgotten art of hand-brushed type. You can contact me at - mark@preserve.co.nz".

To see more or Mark's photos go to the Preserve website. Also, note that Mark plans to soon release a limited edition range of posters portraying some of the large photographs that he's taken of New Zealand signage. You can keep up with the release of these posters through the Preserve website or by emailing Mark at the email address listed above.

Fundraising Friday at The Physics Room

2010-03-18T08:00:00.013+13:00

Fancy a limited edition tote bag for your library books?

Then head down to the Physics Room tomorrow night for their Cash 'n' Carry release party. Your $30 donation/entry fee into the event, will help support the operation of the Physics Room and their upcoming exhibitions.

Plus, you'll walk away the proud owner of a locally designed and printed tote bag! Artwork featured on the bags was selected in a design competition. Chosen works are by artists: Fiona Connro, Jacqueline Fraser, Rob Hood, Sean Kerr and design competition winner Geoff Newton.

Friday 19th March 6pm

Physics Room, Second Floor 209, Tuam Street

Jewellery Gallery Showcasing Local Works

2010-03-16T08:38:00.006+13:00

The National is a Jewellery Gallery that showcases and sells both collectible and accessibly priced jewellery by emerging and established artists from around New Zealand, as well as a few international jewelers. It is one of the best places in town to find a truly special wearable piece that will stand out from the crowd.

Located on the fashionable block of High Street, between Lichfield and Tuam, The National rotates about ten exhibitions per year of solo or group works. The current exhibition (March 1-27), is by Kay Van Dyk, an Ashburton gal now living in Nelson, who's necklaces make comment on the environmental impact of the farming industry on the Ashburton River and local area. Made of copper, silver, enamel, and found objects, her pieces bear enamel tags making reference to local sayings like "Ashvegas", places, or to birds, fish, and signs of pollution. Other artists works currently on display at The National include those created by Christchurch based jewelery artists Elfi Spiewack, Rob Upritchard, and Jennifer Braithwaite - whose floral leather necktie pieces are visible in the gallery's front window (see the image below).

What makes The National a noteworthy local spot, is the mission and passion with which gallery owner Caroline Billing operates the space. Caroline is dedicated to providing a stage for jewellery artists, and is passionate about educating people about the value of these artists' craft. "It's not an easy decision to make a living as a jewellery artist. I think if people are aware of the amount of time, work, and talent that goes into creating a brooch or necklace by hand, they will appreciate it as a one-off piece of art." Caroline is lucky enough to work closely with these artists in order to communicate the story, meaning, and technique behind each artists' pieces to gallery browsers and customers.

To learn more about the artists currently or previously featured go to The National's website.
Make sure to pop though The National before March 27 to browse the current exhibition.

The National
158 High Street, City Centre, Christchurch
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10.30 – 5pm, Sat 10.30 – 4pm

Local Sights

2010-03-12T08:02:00.004+13:00

Photograph taken by EyeQ 1 on Flickr
Location: Train tracks 364. Wilsons Rd, North Philipstown, Christchurch

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Local Profile: Matt & Tim of Christchurch Modern

2010-03-11T08:00:00.014+13:00

Christchurch Modern is a website/blog that profiles residential buildings in Christchurch, designed in the modern period of architecture. It was started two years ago by Matt Arnold and Tim Kelleher, two Christchurch graphic designers that run a design company, Sons & co. We first became fans of Christchurch Modern because it reveals a rich emphasis on architecturally styled buildings in Christchurch, and in particular a style that epitomizes a turning point in design history. I recently sat down with Matt and Tim to learn about how and why they started Christchurch Modern and quickly learned these two have a great deal of passion and a huge knowledge base as to how this architectural movement played out in Christchurch. Here’s just some of what I learned from them:

What motivated you to start Christchurch Modern? We were both into architecture, but really became fascinated a few years ago while looking for an office for our design company Sons and Co, as well as when I (Matt) was looking to buy a house. Through these experiences we learned that there were about a half a dozen or so architects who emerged out of Christchurch in the modern era (late 50’s through ‘60’s), that really created a name for themselves, both here in New Zealand and abroad. Also, we learned there wasn’t a public sort of database or way finding out more information about the houses designed by this group of architects, since they were working amongst different firms or independently about town. We also knew that the more documentation, interest, and recognition that these buildings had, the less likely they would be demolished one day (although some have been altered beyond their recognizable features). So we decided to start documenting homes we came accros with a photo and an address and hoped people would start to provide more information. We really didn’t know all that much in this topic area at that point, we were just curious and wanted to learn more. Luckily, that’s just what’s happened....people email us now with information about a house they might see on the site and we’ll update the post with more detailed information.

What do you enjoy most about doing the site? Two years into it, we’re not doing as many posts as when we first started. When we started, we were both just fascinated with what we were learning about this group of architects and this time period in Christchurch when it seems the design and arts comunity was really thriving. Due to these architects’ works, like Peter Beaven, Miles Warren, Paul Pascoe, and Don Cowey, this was a time when the North Island was looking to the South Island as a leader in design. It was a lot of fun for us to learn more about this slice of history and gain a stronger understanding of the way the city was shaped.

How do you approach taking photos and learning about the houses that you feature on the site? Some of our first photos were just taken as we drove by a house or taken over hedges and washing lines. But over time we’ve learned that people who live in these homes are in many cases the original owners, and they are ususally happy to open their doors and have a conversation with us about the house and about going through the design process with the architect. In some ways we think this speaks as a validation of ‘good architecture’. These owners love their homes – they were designed for them, their lifestyles and families, and the homes have really stood the test of time. Most are of an open space plan, north facing, and still work really well today.

Which is your favorite building at present? Matt: My favorite is the Lyttelton Tunnel Building, just before going into the tunnel towards Lyttelton from Christchurch. It was designed by Peter Beaven and blends in so well with the landscape. Tim: A Don Cowey house that actually isn’t on our site. We came across it in a video that was put together by Zoe Roland of Canterbury University called ‘Four Houses from Four Decades', which examined one house per decade (40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s) that epitomized the design style of that era. The Don Cowey House was the home chosen for the 60’s, is located in Halswell, and has amazing steel beams.

When you aren’t doing the site (or at work), where are we likely to find you? Lyttleton, Coffee Company, Bicycle Thief, Temperance Society, C1...these are all good places we like to hang out. But If you’re looking for something unusual, try Kim’s Chinese on Colombo (this is Tim’s pick). You can order anything there. Also, there is this interesting coffee shop in Heathcote called Upshot, where locals cruise down to get takeaway coffees and just hang out.

To see more of Tim and Matt's documentation of modern architecture, go to the Christchurch Modern site. To contact Tim and Matt at Son's & co click here.

Image Source and Location:
1) Christchurch Modern; Warren & Mahoney townhouse in Merivale
2) Christchurch Modern; 5a Snowdon Rd. Forbes House. Warren & Mahoney
3) Christchurch Modern; 4 Michael Ave, Architect Unknown
4) Nick Burrowes; Beaven's Lyttelton Tunnel Building

Historic Flashback - Lichfield and Manchester

2010-03-10T08:06:00.001+13:00

This image was taken at the intersection of High, Lichfield, and Manchester Streets in 1962. The Majestic Theatre is captured on the right.

Image Source: Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Collection

High Street Boutique Readys Itself for New Pop-Up

2010-03-09T09:06:00.003+13:00

Infinite Definite is a shop on High Street housing some of the city’s most unique fashions. Opened in December 2008, by young entrepreneurs Bob Weatherford and Jono Moran, Infinite Definite set out to create a different shopping experience to what was already on offer in Christchurch. They began with a small concept of carrying a unique mix of independent brands in a gallery type setting. A year and half on, they are enjoying a growing reputation as a shop where one can find a fantastic selection of high quality, artistically driven fashions.

Infinite Definite carries NZ based and international brands such as Karen Walker, Lonely Hearts, 27 Names, and Cheap Monday, as well as Bob and Jono’s own individual ranges, Hype or Tension and Infinite Definite, respectively. Infinite Definite also carries fashionable shoe brands, like California based Keep, and Schmid, designed by the same person behind Alexander McQueen’s sneaker line.

Infinite Definite is soon to offer even more, as they prepare to expand the shop through to Lichfield Street in the coming months. Simultaneously, they will open another storefront, two doors down on Lichfield. This separate space, called Dead Seat, will bring another truly unique fashion experience to Christchurch. The space will serve as a sort of guerilla pop-up store and gallery, but in the same location. Dead Set will not be open on a regular basis, but rather only for exclusive sale periods of a few days/hours at a time. Sale collections will vary and include preview clothing for the existing Infinite Definite space or for themed sales like the anticipated “Past Tense” sale of collectible vintage and second hand goods.

For news and updates from Infinite Definite, including the opening of these new spaces and the launch of their new website, become a friend of Infinite Definite on Facebook.

Infinite Definite
184 High Street, City Center, Christchurch

Local Wine Release at Temperance Bar Tonight

2010-03-05T07:41:00.007+13:00

Come out to taste a local wine with a complimentary glass at Christchurch Temperence Society from 5-6pm tonight. The wine, formerly known as Prince Albert, with artistically driven labels and being sold by young entreprenuers at Riccarton Market and at a few local shops, is changing their name Uncle Fritzl's Cellar. Come out to taste the wine and get the dish on why they've had to change their name.

Chinese Lanterns Set to Light Up the Night Sky

2010-03-04T09:38:00.001+13:00

The sixth annual Chinese Lantern Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday nights (March 6 & 7) in Victoria Square. This event marks the end of the two week Chinese Lunar New Year festivities and showcases of hundreds of intricately designed lanterns, specially commissioned from China. There will also be Chinese food stalls, crafts, and live entertainment by visiting Chinese performers.

Here are a few images of the Chinese Lantern Festival from previous years, submitted by Local Vanguard flickr group members Joseph M and Kristin Hartnoll . Click here to see many more on flickr.

Chinese Lantern Festival
Saturday and Sunday, March 6 & 7
Victoria Square, Christchurch
The Chinese Lantern Festival is organized by Asia:NZ.

Local Sights

2010-03-04T09:06:00.000+13:00

Photograph taken by ghewgill on Flickr
Image info.: Peter Donnelly creates art in the sand every week under the New Brighton pier.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Vern's BBQ Sauce Makes Sloppy Joes a Hit

2010-03-03T08:00:00.003+13:00

On my first visit to the Riccarton House farmer’s market, I stumbled across a locally made food good that is truly unique to this part of the world. I was immediately drawn to Uncle Vern’s Authentic Louisiana BBQ Sauce and its creator Vern Andrews, a jovial guy who enjoys introducing his sauce to a Kiwi audience. The origins of Vern’s BBQ sauce goes back to Vern’s first year in New Zealand in 1996, when he was hired as a sociology professor at Canterbury University. Vern was also a bit of an experimental cook in his personal time, perfecting a BBQ sauce similar to the kind he grew up eating as a kid in the States. He entered himself and dishes that he created using this sauce into the Blues Brews and BBQ’s Festival during his first two years here, subsequently winning a fourth and second place position. His participation in this event drummed up public interest for Vern to bottle and market his BBQ sauce. However, it took several years for Vern to decide to sell his sauce as a retail product.

Uncle Vern's Authentic Louisiana BBQ sauce is killer on ribs, but can also be used for other dishes, like Vern’s Signature Sloppy Joes. A healthier version to the popular American kid’s lunch, Vern’s Sloppy Joes are an excellent quick fix for dinner or, as Vern notes - a great after school snack for the kiddies. Vern recently invited to me over to cook up his Signature Sloppy Joes and to share this recipe with Local Vanguard.

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Uncle Vern’s Signature Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:
olive or cooking oil
½ kg lean ground/minced beef
1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
approx 1 tsp garlic salt
½ tsp mixed Italian herbs
1 tsp butter
7 mushrooms, roughly chopped
1 capsicum, roughly chopped
1 medium sized onion, roughly chopped
1 can crushed tomatoes
½ bottle of Uncle Vern’s BBQ Sauce (Medium)
4 hamburger buns
avocado, sliced (optional)
mozzarella cheese, sliced (optional)

Method:
This recipe only takes about 15-20 minutes to make from start to finish, and can be made ahead of time and quickly heated up in the microwave. You'll need two medium sized sauté pans. Warm up oil in one sauté pan. Add lean ground beef/mince. Add all-purpose seasoning, garlic salt, and mixed Italian herbs. Stir gradually. In a separate sauté pan (for veggies), add butter, and chopped mushrooms, capsicum, and onion. Allow to sauté and to slightly burn (for more flavor).

Check ground beef/mince. Brown until well-done and a bit burned (in order to bring out the flavor), then remove from heat. Add crushed tomatoes and cook on medium heat. Add sautéed vegetables. Add ½ bottle of Uncle Vern’s Authentic Lousisiana BBQ Sauce (Medium). Let mixture simmer. Once liquid is cooked down a bit, take pan off heat. Warm hamburger buns, dish on sloppy joe mixture, top with sliced avocado and/or mozzarella, if desired. Sloppy joes are ready to serve!
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Vern and I sit down at the table to enjoy these yummy looking sandwiches. Vern states it best, as he looks up after taking the first bite - “Now that’s good eatin’”.

Uncle Verns Authentic Louisiana BBQ Sauce is available across shops in New Zealand, including Chirstchurch locations: Cashmere Cuisine, The Pantry on Mandeville, Emma’s at Oxford, Bishopdale Butchery, Elmwood Fine Meats, Torlesse Wines, Verkerk’s, Prenzel, La Traiteur, Gracebook Farms, Peter Timbs Meats, Ground Deli, Talbot Forest, The Good Street Deli.

Contributing photographer - Alice Lines, Another Alice on Flickr

Vintage Crown Lynn "Down Town" Series

2010-03-02T07:09:00.003+13:00

This Crown Lynn saucer and dinner plate were ornamented with a black on white map of Christchurch City. Known as the Down Town series, this pattern (number 452) was produced by Crown Lynn Potteries of Auckland between 1969 and 1972. Crown Lynn also manufactured dinner sets featuring maps of the other principal cities of New Zealand.

These plates remind us of a modern series of city oriented plateware, produced by a company in New York City called Fishes Eddy. We'd love to get our hands on one of these original gems of local history, as an ornamental feature and keepsake collectible.

Image and information source: Canterbury Heritage Blog

Handmade Nation on the Big Screen - Thurs. 4th March

2010-03-01T07:34:00.002+13:00

Handmade Nation is a film that documents the growing craft movement. This region will have a one-night only showing of the film on the big screen on Thursday 4th March at 7:30pm at the Hollywood Cinema in Sumner. This viewing is organized by local crafter Miss Millie in association with local crafting organization Felt.

Handmade Nation explores today's craft world as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, and its influences in traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art. Handmade Nation is the feature film debut of director, author, artist and curator Faythe Levine, who traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles of the United States to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members. Click here to find out more about Handmade Nation and to watch the film trailer.

Tickets are $20 per seat and your ticket price includes a glass of wine and nibbles on arrival. Click here to purchase tickets.

Handmade Nation
The Hollywood Cinema, Sumner
Doors open at 7pm. Film starts at 7:30pm.

Iconic Video Shop and Film Paradise

2010-02-25T09:05:00.002+13:00

A true icon of Christchurch, Alice in Videoland carries a standout collection of arthouse, foreign, cult, classic, documentary and hard-to-find titles on VHS and DVD. Even in an age in which downloading music and movies is popular, shops like Alice in Videoland are just valuable as ever (if not more so). Every title in Alice in Videoland's library is hand-picked by Alice's movie mavens after rigorous research of film archives, consultation of movie critics, and from valuable recommendations from Alice's customers. Alice in Videoland strives to carry artistically important films and bypasses much of the "cinematic mediocrity and questionable mainstream releases" in order "to focus on the good, the great, the rare and the unusual". Quite simply Alice in Videoland has titles that you can't find in a typical video shop or online, making it a popular spot for true movie buffs and where you will most certainly find a film worth watching.

It's treat to pop in and view the selection at Alice in Videoland, but if you're more into having home delivery of movies, Alice offers courier delivery of DVD's as well. Alice in Videoland is located at the historic corner of High Street and Tuam (in fact the corner plot just in front of Alice's is the site of Chirstchurch's first public well). Opening hours are listed below, and further information and a listing of films can be found on Alice in Videoland's website.

Alice in Videoland
High Street and Tuam, City Centre, Christchurch
Opening Hours: 9:00am-10:30pm Sun-Thurs; 9:00am-11:00pm Fri, Sat

Local Sights

2010-02-25T08:02:00.001+13:00

Photograph taken by CpPhotoNZ on Flickr
Location: Christchurch City Center's Rooftops, looking east to Colombo Street from a building near Armagh St. and Oxford Terrace.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Local Poster Design Competition

2010-02-24T10:05:00.006+13:00

Franz Tormers, a local shop and artspace, located on Bedford Row, has put out a call for submissions to local graphic artists, graphic designes, artists, and other creative individuals to take part in a poster design competition called "Too Big to Upload". The winning poster will be showcased online as well as at an open night on the 25th of March at Franz Tormers Artspace.

The deadline for poster design submissions is the 16th of March. Click here to download the entry form and to learn more details about design submissions. For additional information about Franz Tormers visit our previous post on Franz Tormers Store and Artspace.

The Eastern Album Release at Wunderbar, 26 & 27 Feb.

2010-02-24T08:03:00.003+13:00

The Eastern is celebrating the release of their new album with two shows at Wunderbar this Friday and Saturday (26-27 Feb). A Blues/Bluegrass/Country band based in Lyttelton, The Eastern has played in venues around the world, but enjoy most playing in their home country rather above chasing the dream of fame abroad.

We first heard The Eastern play at the Arts Centre, as part of the Buskers Festival, and can attest to their talent of performing foot-stomping music that get the crowd really going. For a bit of insight into The Eastern's style and flavor, we use their own words - The Eastern"believes in kicks and sadness, heartbreak and hope, 12 bar blues and 12 round rock’n’roll, fistfights and dust, road songs and trains, justice and freedom, holding it up and putting it down, that long lonesome sound, the river rise, the gospel plow, scratches and skips, static and hum, bleeding fingers and beating hearts, pages and type, ink and lead, rain on tin, iron and wood, 33 and a third, 45, 78, boots on the floor, dirt in the cracks, guts, harmony melody and soul, thinking and walking, the road and the lines between, closed signs and flickering lights, nightfall and sunrise, Kerouac, Guthrie, the end of the golden weather and the night of the riots, sheds, collections and dreams, Strummer/Jones, Morrissey/Marr, the Hanks Chinaski and Williams, Eddie Cochran, Johnny Devlin, Memphis and myth, the south from gore to the Cargill and back…". Local Vanguard loves this description and couldn't have said it better ourselves.

For a taste of The Eastern's music, and to find out when even more of their shows are on, go to the The Eastern's MySpace Page.

The Crumpet Club - Crumpets by Day, Tapas by Night

2010-02-23T08:03:00.023+13:00

We recently had dinner at the Crumpet Club, a local tapas restaurant, and were truly impressed with the fantastic flavors and the relaxed atmosphere. Philip Kraal, owner and head chef, opened the Crumpet Club a few years ago, initially as a catering spin off of Bon Bolli, the long-time popular restaurant at the Arts Centre. Forced to leave the Arts Centre location due to rental hikes, Philip found a new location offering a spacious kitchen in an old warehouse building. Once Bon Bolli Catering was up and running, Philip and his team decided it was time to renovate the old warehouse section of the building for hosting a breakfast and lunch cafe.

They developed a concept around crumpets, inspired by the opportunity to take a common food from NZ culture, make with better ingredients, and give it a creative spin. "Have you ever looked on the back of a crumpet package?" asks Philip? "Unlike, store bought crumpets, ours are made with just flour, free range eggs, and milk". Crumpet Club also shapes its crumpets in triangles, in order to further differentiate them from the round, store-bought variety. These triangular shaped delights are used as a substitute for toast in many dishes. The breakfast menu includes a creative take on french toast - Caramelized Crumpets with fresh mango, mascarpone, and drizzled with mint syrup. For lunch - Field Mushrooms and Hot Griddle Crumpets are served with truffle oil and tangy gruyere. Gourmet pies, such as Venison and Blue Cheese, and Chicken and Brie with Sweet Corn, are also very popular with the local lunch time crowd.

Following the success of breakfast and lunch, Philip extended Crumpet Club's hours for a casual dinner service and culinary adventure that Philip refers to as Tapas Espinasian (Spanish and Asian influences). The Tapas Menu includes a Grilled Venison Burger between two crumpets with a mango and beetroot salsa, an Indian inspired Hoggit Curry served with aubergine chutney, raita, and naan bread, and a Slow Roasted Pork Belly stuffed with garlic, lemon, ginger, and onion, served on a sweet onion crystallized ginger jus.

We ordered several dishes, among them the Hoggit Curry and Slow Roasted Pork Belly. These dishes in particular were amazing, but was all pretty brilliant - absolutely delicious! The atmosphere in the Crumpet Club is cool and relaxed...a great spot for a couples' night out or evening with a group of friends. All in all - a local hot-spot we'll definitely make return visits to.

The Crumpet Club
218 Durham St. South (corner of Durham and Tuam Streets), Central City, Christchurch
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue 7am-4pm; Wed-Thu 7am-11pm; Fri 7am-11:30pm; Sat 9:00am-11:30pm

French Film Festival Starts Tomorrow

2010-02-22T15:08:00.007+13:00

The French Film Festival starts tomorrow in Christchurch and will run until Sunday 28th February at Rialto Cinemas (corner of Moorhouse Ave and Durham St). A variety of French films will be shown throughout the week - three showings per day Tuesday-Friday, and an additional two showing times on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are only $12.50 for an adult and less for students and seniors. For a description of the films, to view trailers, and to see a timetable of showings click here.

The French Film Festival is organized by the French Cultural Trust.

Local Sights

2010-02-22T08:03:00.001+13:00

Photograph taken by sarahraisel on Flickr
Location: Hagley Park

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Christchurch Urban Revitalization Strategy Released

2010-02-21T22:00:00.007+13:00

The report, created by urban design guru Jan Gehl and commissioned by Christchurch City Council, that strategizes revitalization efforts for the city centre, has just been released for organizational and public debate.

The report identifies the city's strengths (such as flat wide streets and large number of heritage buildings) and weaknesses (such as traffic dominated city and a city centre only heavily active during work hours), and puts forward 110 recommendations that emphasize pedestrian activity and encourage more cycling in the city centre. Recommendations to support these goals include continuous cycle lanes, a traffic reduced city centre, a reduction in the number of buses in Cathedral Square and on Colombo Street, and only allowing bus lanes on the periphery of the city centre.

Councillors are set to decide next week which recommendations will be given further investigation. Click here to read more in The Press's article about the release of the Jan Gehl report.

Smith's Bookshop

2010-02-19T09:30:00.005+13:00

Wandering around the city on foot, or have some time to spare? Check out Smith's Bookshop. Smith's Bookshop is a long established New Zealand bookseller stocking over 150,000 new and secondhand books on all subjects, fiction and non fiction, reference etc., as well as vintage Kiwana photographs, old prints, antique maps, postcards, and classical LPs. They have two central city shops. We frequently find ourselves at the Manchester Street location and end up loosing at least an hour exploring all of the shelves. There are new discoveries to be found with each visit. Another fun and assuming little gem of Christchurch.

Smiths Bookshop
133 Manchester Street, City Centre, Christchurch (pictured above)
nother location at 11 Regent Street, City Centre, Christchurch

Oui, Ces Macarons sont Fantastiques!

2010-02-18T08:09:00.015+13:00

"J'aime les macarons" is French for "I love macarons". Amanda McBeath, is proprietor and baker of J'aime les macarons, a boutique macaron bakery in Christchurch. Amanda first discovered her love of macarons during an overseas experience in Paris. Upon returning home to New Zealand, she went into cheffing and worked for a catering company, for which she executed many themed desserts. She enjoyed working with macarons in particular, due to the many possibilities of combinations, achieved by simply changing color and flavour. Amanda took a break from the professional world to have children, and then started playing with the idea of opening a macaron business. She first opened a stall at the Christchurch Farmers Market at Riccarton House in November of 2008. After gaining a popular following in just one year, she opened the J'aime les macarons shop on Norman's Road (Nov, 2009).

Amanda uses an Italian meringue and ground almonds to make the shell, and either a butter cream or chocolate ganache for the filling. She describes the event of biting into one of her macarons in a deconstructed manner - a slightly crispy crunch on the outside with a pillowy soft chewy layer on the inside. No matter how the experience unfolds in your mouth, you will undoubtedly agree that these macarons are simply melt-in-your-mouth spectacular!

Macarons can be purchased individually or in sets of six or twelve, and come in a variety of rotating flavours - from traditional vanilla, to passionfruit, lemon, rose, coffee, raspberry, and licorice. Sets of six or twelve come in lovely decorative box, making them a perfect treat or gift for tea/dinner parties. Amanda also enjoys putting together themed macarons and packaging concepts for holidays and special occasions, such as weddings and Valentines Day (as shown in the image above).

So if you haven't already discovered J'aime les macarons, pop into the Normans Road shop for a wee treat. I'm certain that once you do, you'll find it hard to stay away!

J'aime Les Macarons
9F Normans Road, Strowan, Christchurch
Opening hours: Tue to Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Local Sights

2010-02-18T07:55:00.000+13:00

Photograph taken by nicolas burrowes on Flickr
Location: 29-35 Latimer Square - This is one of the more iconic 60's modern style buildings in the city centre. The strong presence and significance of this architectural style on the fabric of city centre was recently profiled in The Press.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Harbour Kitchens Cookbook

2010-02-17T10:40:00.002+13:00

Harbour Kitchens Cookbook is a collection of recipes celebrating Lyttelton's location, history, and people. Over 150 recipes were collected from local parents, business people, artists, writers, and prominent chefs. Softbound and printed in colour throughout, the book is divided into four seasonal themes. The gorgeous photography helps bring the dishes and region to life for the reader or cook, which makes it a perfect gift for those with a connection to the area. Plus all profits from the book are used to benefit Lyttelton Main and Lyttelton West Schools.

You can purchase these cookbooks from selected retailers in the Christchurch and Lyttelton community (here is a list of locations), or by emailing harbourkitchens@gmail.com.

Lyttelton Festival & Street Party - Fri 19-Sun 28 Feb.

2010-02-17T08:05:00.001+13:00

Project Lyttleton, the organisation that brings us the popular Lyttelton Farmers Market, is also the primary organizer of this annual summer event. The Lyttelton Summer Festival is a ten-day long festival celebrating arts, food, entertainment and community culture of Lyttelton, a suburb and primary port town of Christchurch.

Events include free musicians and bands, wine tastings, coffee tours, interactive culinary evenings, historical walks, photographic and art exhibitions, a bio-diverse gardening display, and a chance to up-cycle your old clothes. The festival will conclude with a fun filled street party, filled with music, food vendors, and quirky performances (Sunday 28th Feb 2010, 12-6pm). Click here for a full line-up of events held throughout the week.

Image source: mrsteve1_nz on Flickr.
mrsteve1_nz is part of the Local Vanguard Flickr Group. Join our Flickr group to have your photos posted on the site.

Historic Flashback - Victoria Sq. Bike Commuters

2010-02-16T08:06:00.000+13:00

In honor of tomorrow's Go By Bike Day, here's an image of cycling commuters near Victoria Square in 1949. Perhaps it will inspire more of us to participate in tomorrow's event and to support the re-adoption of this sustainable form of getting to/from work and around town.

Image Source: Canterbury Heritage

Free Breakfast for Bicycle Riders Tomorrow, Wed. 17 Feb

2010-02-16T07:55:00.003+13:00

Three Christchurch organisations are putting on free breakfast events from 7am to 9am for commuters who bike into work tomorrow (Wednesday, 17th Feb.), as part of a national Go-By-Bike Day celebration. These breakfast events will be held at:

• The Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Corner Madras and St Asaph Streets,
• New Zealand College of Early Childhood Education, 50 Victoria Street, and
• Canterbury District Health Board, Corner Oxford Terrace and Antigua Street.

Mayor Bob Parker will be trialling several electric bikes at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology breakfast. The Council is also launching the new and improved 2010 Christchurch City Cycle Guide, which will be handed out at all of the breakfast locations. The guide will also be given to organisations that registered for the Bike Wise Challenge (a campaign that encourages groups of employees within a business to take up biking to work), will be available at Council's service centres, or can be downloaded from Council's cycling information webpage.

The national Bike Wise Month campaign is funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency and Ministry of Health.

Local Profile: Ralph Bungard, Brewer-Three Boys Brewery

2010-02-15T17:10:00.011+13:00

Ralph Bungard is the owner and brewer of Three Boys Brewery, a growing craft beer company based in Christchurch. I recently met up with Ralph and had a fascinating conversation with him about his craft and motivation to start Three Boys Brewery. Here's what I discovered:

What motivated you to get into brewing beer and starting Three Boys? I started out studying wine and horticultural science at uni, with the hopes of getting into wine making and viticulture. Instead I ended up a scientist and university lecturer of plant chemistry and physiology. I really became enthusiastic about beer while living and working in the UK years ago, due to the amazing range and varieties of beer in that part of the world. Upon coming back to NZ, I started thinking about starting a brewery while continuing work as a university lecturer at Canterbury University. I started collecting bits and pieces, volunteered with some breweries around town (including Harringtons) and really started diving into micro-brewing and recipe development. I began doing three boys full time in 2006, first in a smaller premises in Woolston’s Industrial Area, and then moved into the current building in the same area 2 years ago. The Twisted Hop was the first bar in town to start carrying Three Boys beers, as well as Canterbury University’s events facility and staff club (which Ralph notes probably has the best craft beer range on tap anywhere on the South Island). I’m pretty much the brewer, manager, and wear a lot of hats. But I do get part time help to come in to help out with the workload at times, like young brew lovers interested in learning the craft. I just recently had two travelers helping that were on a one year visa from Mexico, which was great, and fun for them because they were learning a bit as well.

What do you enjoy most about your work? The process of making a product – taking primary ingredients, like malt and hops, and ending up creating something so different. I grew up on a farm, so I have a great sense of respect for taking these types of primary ingredients, and the process of grinding up the malt, adding the hops, and boiling it. I enjoy the physical nature of the work. I believe some men need something physical, either in work or a hobby, to keep their life in balance. I also like the fact that I come across a variety of people in my daily work - from farmers, suppliers, serviceman, and the community of artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the Woolston Industrial Area - such as sculptor Andrew Drummond, the bakery beside us called Breads of the World, cutting edge clothing companies Kathmandu and Skinz, as well as more modern cafes servicing this community like The Coffee Workshop on Cumnor Terrace. It’s an interesting area in a stage of rebirth.

How long does it take to brew the beer, from the very start to the finished product? It depends on the style of beer. A wheat beer will take about 3 weeks, the ales about 4 weeks, and pilsners take about 2 months.

Where do your ingredients come from? Almost all of the malt is grown in Canterbury, apart from a little bit that is a special roast from overseas to give some styles a different color. But 90% comes from a small business down the road that grows the barley and then malts it. It’s a relatively new business that can stay afloat partially because of our business. The hops come from two long established suppliers in Nelson and Motueka. Then of course, we have great water in Canterbury, which is an important aspect. There is no chlorine in the water, so nothing to remove. No need to treat it in anyway. This kind of untreated groundwater, that has natural sulphates and calcium, makes great brewing water…and that’s what we naturally have here in Canterbury. So Canterbury really is a perfect region for brewing beer, since we are so close to the essential ingredients - we have good malt and good water. In fact, this is the reason that the Canterbury region had several good micro-breweries before the big breweries took over in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.

Which is your favorite beer at present? I love all of the styles, so it depends on the day. On a hot summer’s day, it’s hard to beat a wheat beer. On a wintry day, I enjoy having the Oyster Stout, which is a seasonal brew. In fact, the Oyster Stout is one of our most popular beers and an interesting style. It is one of the three traditional kinds of stouts - milk, oatmeal, or oyster. In the olden days, stouts were thought to contain a lot of iron and nutritional properties, and thereby considered a “health drink”. Adding in oysters to stout became a common practice because of their high nutritional properties. While we now know a bit more about the true science and nutrition behind beer, the traditional tastes have stuck. In our case, we add bluff oysters to the boil, which gives the beer a hint of briny ‘seaside-iness’ that gets the taste buds working and goes really well with food.

When you aren’t at work, where are we likely to find you? When not at work or home, the other places I go are usually beer related. I enjoy a bar called Pomeroys because of their range of good craft beers, their good bar environment, and it is a place where the kids can come too for a fizzy drink. There are also several great cheap eats in the city that we go to with the kids, like Malaysian Delights or Osaka off of Gloucester Street. I also enjoy involvement with the cricket community here. I play, as well as the boys. Through this involvement, we get to meet and enjoy the company of other locals that we might not necessarily come across otherwise. We also like to get out of the city as a family, my wife and the boys, to camp, fish, and to be outdoors.

Fill in the blank - “I do this work, because at the end of the day I have something tangible that I have produced and that is a good product that I can enjoy."

Beers from Three Boys Brewery are available throughout New Zealand. Christchurch locations include The Twisted Hop, Pomeroys, The Village Grape in Sumner, The Grape Escape on Centaurus Rd, Franks Liquor in Ilam, and Merivale Fresh Choice.

Chch Looks to be NZ's First City w/ Electric Car Network

2010-02-13T20:45:00.009+13:00

Christchurch City Council and the Renault-Nissan Alliance have joined forces to investigate the introduction of zero-emission vehicles to the city in 2012.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker wants the city to be the first in New Zealand with an integrated network for electric cars. Nissan says the Leaf model will be ideal for Christchurch, due to the flat geographic landscape of much of the city.

Promoted as the world's first affordable, zero-emission car, the medium-sized hatchback can carry five adults. It runs off a lithium-ion battery and has a 160 kilometre range. Motorists will be able to charge the car at home and eventually from charge points around the city, which is anticipated will provide opportunity for new private business ventures in the city. Click here to read the full article in The Press.

Bicycle Show on Saturday at Goodbye Blue Monday

2010-02-12T13:00:00.008+13:00

After you've got your bike all fixed up at the Free Bike Workshop on Saturday from 1-3pm (an event we covered a few days ago), you'll be ready to cruise over to Goodbye Blue Monday at 4pm for their 1st Annual Bicycle Show.

GBM is kicking off this annual event in honor of their one year anniversary. In this past year, GBM has been proactive in fostering and supporting the young creative community of Christchurch by hosting events and a providing a space and online blog platform that city's young creative types are drawn to. From offering up cutting edge musicians, such as Daedelus a few weeks ago, to hosting Tuesday night ping pong sessions, and now this annual bicycle show, GBM has in many ways become a kind of go-to and a central hang out spot for creatives in Christchurch.

This Bicycle Show should be a good time - for drinks and checking out some of the city's sweetest rides from garage hobbyists Bishops Cycles and other bicycle hobbyists. So come check it out, rain or shine.

Goodbye Blue Monday
Poplar Lane, Central City, Christchurch

Annual Vintage & Modern Airplane Show on This Sunday

2010-02-12T09:23:00.000+13:00

"Warriors at Wigram" is the theme for this weekend's annual Open Day event at the Air Force Museum in Wigram (Sunday 14 February). Watch as planes, like some of the ones in the image above, are taken out of the hanger and off the ground by the Royal NZ Air Force, the Royal NZ Navy, and NZ Army. Flying displays will include the Iroquois, Classic Harvard, Red Checkers Acrobatic Team and the Kiwi Blue Parachute display Team. These displays will be coupled with static ground displays which allow you to get up close and personal with the modern equipment of the current Defence Force.

Air Force Museum of New Zealand
45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram, Christchurch
Sunday 14 February; 10am-4pm
Entry Fee - $20 family or $10 indiv. adult, $5 indiv. child

Image source: mrsteve1_nz on Flickr.
mrsteve1_nz is part of the Local Vanguard Flickr Group. Join our Flickr group to have your photos posted on the site.

Local Sights

2010-02-12T07:37:00.000+13:00

Photograph taken by Kerry McCrory, cror1950's on Flickr
Location: Redcliffs, Christchurch at dawn

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Local Eats - Dimitris, A Favorite Souvlaki House

2010-02-11T10:55:00.003+13:00

Kiwi's love a good takeaway souvlaki. There are several fantastic souvaliki shops in Christchurch, such as Sami's in Riccarton, Costas in the city, as well as Dimitri's Souvlaki. Each shop has their own unique style of sandwich...be it due to the bread, the way of cooking the meat, or the sauce on top. But all are loved and have a dedicated following.

Dimitri's has always been on of Chirstchurch's most iconic souvlaki shops, but was forced to close the doors of it's 15 year location, on the corner of Colombo and Hereford Streets, in June 2009. The closure was due to complications in the renewal of the lease, as the location was slatted for a Taranaki Savings Bank branch. After closing, Dimitri's was able to maintain a presence in the central city with a stall at the Art Centre, and after six months this local favorite was back into a proper shop, newly located on Cashel Street Mall.

I had actually tried a Dimitri's lamb souvlaki while traveling through New Zealand in 2004 at their old location. It was delicious then, and just as fantastic as I had remembered, upon recently giving it a go again at Dimitri's new location. And it seems as if Dimitri's hasn't skipped a beat, with locals pouring into the doors of the shop at lunchtime. So I'm curious - what's the local favorite on the menu - is it the lamb or chicken souvlaki? Or is it something else? Give us your tip - what's your favorite thing to order at Dimitri's?

Dimitri's Souvlaki
79a Cashel Street, Central City, Christchurch

Free Bike Repair & Maintenance Workshop - Sat. 13 Feb.

2010-02-11T08:12:00.007+13:00

Do you have a bike that requires some work or has been lying around neglected in the shed? Then come along to the free bike maintenance/tune up workshop at the Linwood Community Arts Centre this weekend, Saturday 13th February from 1-4pm.

This event was started by a group of bike enthusiasts who were motivated by the high cost of basic bike repairs at bicycle superstores. On this day, these enthusiasts will be on hand to provide time, tools, and help with basic bike repairs. Attendees can participate in the process of tuning up their bike, and learn the basics of how to maintain it (fixing tire punctures, lubing chains etc.). So drop by with your ride to do some fixin' while getting to know other bike lovers of the community.

Back 2 School By Bike Maintenance Day
Linwood Community Art Centre, 388 Worcester Street (corner or Worcester St and Stanmore Rd)
Saturday 13, February

Image Source - Biker in Christchurch taken by Mark-of-Cain on Flickr. Photo submitted to Local Vanguard Flicker Group.

Canterbury Cheesemongers

2010-02-10T14:40:00.004+13:00

Canterbury Cheesemongers is a cheese maturing and retail shop that pays tribute to speciality shops of yesteryears. The shop carries a fantastic variety of boutique cheeses from New Zealand and abroad, in-house baked breads and pastries, and a growing range of grocery items that accompany cheese. Rather than picking straight off of a contemporary store shelf, customers consult and buy goods over the counter from Canterbury Cheesemonger's knowledgeable staff. All of the cheeses you’ll find in this shop are made by small-scale cheesemakers, who are passionate about their craft. Some are ready to sell straight away, while others are matured in the shop’s storerooms for up to two years. Every purchase becomes special and unique, since Cheesemongers only carries one or two of a cheesemaker’s cheeses, rather than a whole range.

Before opening Canterbury Cheesemongers, its owners were involved in every aspect of a cheesemaking and selling, in addition to breadmaking, in the UK. They first opened a stand at the Arts Centre and Riccarton Markets in 2000, before moving into the Salisbury Street location two years later.

In addition to purchasing cheeses, breads, and some grocery items, you can also order sandwiches at lunchtime. Just pick out your favorite cheese and watch it be cut in the maturing room. The cheese is placed inside a fresh made ciabatta roll with a gorgeous chutney and boutique salad greens. It’s a steal at lunchtime at $6/$7 (depending on if the cheese is from NZ or imported), not to mention absolutely delicious!

Canterbury Cheesemongers
44 Salisbury St (off Victoria St), Christchurch
Opening Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10am to 6pm, Sat. 10am to 4pm

Chch Mapkin (2006)

2010-02-09T07:36:00.005+13:00

A friend recently told me about the Christchurch Mapkin - an art piece created in 2006 by Emil Goh, a Malaysian born Australian artist, based out of Seoul Korea. Christchurch Mapkin was one of the selected artworks for Scape 2006, the former biennial event of over 20 international and national artists exploring the definition and parameters of art in public space with temporary works.

In the creation of the Christchurch Mapkin, Emil spoke the local shop owners, artists, architects, and a variety of other locals to learn about the way they accessed and personalized their city environment. The Christchurch Mapkin was the third in a series. The first was in Emil's hometown of Sydney and then the second, his new home of Seoul Korea. These mapkins were a way of charting human activity in order to discover the city that lies beneath official city maps.

While reading up on the Christchurch Mapkin, I was saddened to discover that Emil Goh passed away just a couple of months ago (September 2009). To learn about more of Emil Goh's life, talent, and works click here and here.

Local Sights

2010-02-08T08:15:00.001+13:00

Photograph taken by mrflett on Flickr
Location: Sparks in the Park 2010 (Friday, 5 Feb.)

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Local Vanguard Interviewed on RDU's Breakfast w/ Spanky

2010-02-06T12:05:00.015+13:00

Local Vanguard's Creator and Editor was asked to appear on RDU's "Breakfast with Spanky" yesterday morning, to talk about how and why Local Vanguard was started and thoughts about living in Christchurch. Click here to listen to the interview.

Also be sure to check out the Breakfast with Spanky show weekday mornings 7:30-9:30am on RDU 98.5FM. As part of RDU's independent/alternative vibe, they cover some pretty unique and interesting stories. The Breakfast with Spanky blog has audio of past stories/interviews that have appeared on the show.

City Streets Just Got Smarter

2010-02-05T07:25:00.000+13:00

Have you noticed the new Council signs about town? A handful of new “interpretation” and “directional” signs were rolled out in various locations through out the city centre a couple of months ago (November).

The white “interpretation” signs, located in City Mall, communicate pieces of interest to the space in which they are placed, such as ornamental features on surrounding heritage buildings, the title and meaning of a nearby public art piece, or the purpose or manner in which the space was regularly used by residents of a by-gone era. Council planning for these signs included consultation with local heritage experts, signage experts, and even a study in which locals and tourists were given clipboards and cameras and asked to identify aspects of the space that interested them.

The red “directional” signs can found in locations such as Cathedral Square, the Canterbury Museum, the Arts Gallery, and the Library. These signs are replacements to the old bollard type directional signs that were put up in the city in the eighties. The new locations and information communicated on these signs were chosen by Council after doing pedestrian surveys and by monitoring pedestrian movement in order to understand the most trafficked routes and therefore the most effective positions for the new signs.

Keep your eyes peeled for more of Council’s new signs to pop up in the coming year, including another interpretation sign on the block of High Street between Lichfield and Cashel Streets and directional signs that will direct pedestrian traffic from the city centre towards AMI Stadium (in anticipation of the Rugby Cup).

Addington Coffee Coop - Coffeehouse w/ a Good Mission

2010-02-04T10:48:00.013+13:00

Addington Coffee Coop isn’t just another neighborhood coffeehouse. Yes, they have amazing food and superb coffees (made from in-house roasted beans), and they also sell a selection of miscellaneous fair trade goods. But what defines this coffeehouse is their overall mission and business model as an entrepreneurial cooperative. All profit made goes back to the farming communities, in Sumatra, Ethiopia, and Mexico, from which the Coffee Coop source their beans. At the end of the year, all Coffee Coop staff vote on where they would like to see percentages of the profits go. So this means that the coffeehouse floor staff get as much say in what happens with profits as the Coop's financial investors, which is something that the employees take great pride in.

Addington Coffee Coop is the brainchild of a few young 20/30-somethings, who were inspired by their overseas travels, and particularly within developing nations. After seeing how the other two-thirds of the world’s population live, they were moved to do something. They gathered a team of investors and like-minded people to create what, after a little over one year, has become a successful business, making a small difference in their community and in other struggling communities. The Coop’s profit sources come from coffeehouse sales in addition to sales of Free Set t-shirts and jute bags that are ethically sewn and manufactured in India. Addington Coffee Coop has overseen distribution of these tees to several successful NZ campaigns and events, including Splore (Auckland arts and music festival) and Safe (campaign against animal cruelty).

The building that Addington Coffee Company inhabits used to be an old mechanic’s workshop. After stripping everything back, steam cleaning, grounding down the floors, and putting in large windows where garage doors used to be, the coffeehouse now has a relaxed and comfortable vibe with a variety of vintage tables and seating. Globes, atlases, and international flags communicate a global interest, but the Coop is just as interested in local investment. Something that speaks to this is small laundry room at the front of the shop, intended to be an amenity for locals and shows the Coop’s desire to be accessible to all members of the Addington community.

We love Addington Coffee Company’s selection of foods - like the salmon and potato gateau and the seriously amazing rhubarb/berry compote with yogurt and granola, as well as the milkshakes and smoothies that are served in vintage milk bottles. Great care goes into coffee roasting and making…. the quality speaks for itself. We also really like the fact that $ spent here means investing in a good cause.

So if you haven’t been to Addington Coffee Coop yet…check it out. It is located on Lincoln Road in Addington village. Operating hours are Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm, and Sat & Sun 9am-4pm.

Addington Coffee Coop
297 Lincoln Rd, Addington, Christchurch

Historic Flashback - Colombo St

2010-02-04T07:30:00.005+13:00

This photograph is of Colombo Street circa 1930, looking south towards the cathedral. Notice the mixture of transportation modes - automobiles in addition to trams, pedestrians, and quite a few cyclists.

Image Source: Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Collection

Local Sights

2010-02-03T08:04:00.000+13:00

Photograph taken by Paul Willyams on Flickr
Location: 7339 Woods Mill, Christchurch

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Pecha Kucha Night - Thursday Feb 4

2010-02-03T07:45:00.002+13:00

A Pecha Kucha night is an evening event where presenters show a slideshow of 20 images, each of which is shown for 20 seconds — giving a total presentation time of 6 minutes 40 seconds. Each event usually has 8 - 14 presenters. Presenters (and much of the audience) are usually from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields.

The Pecha Kucha presentation format was originally devised by two architects in Tokyo, Japan in 2003. Since then, the event format has been replicated in more than 200 cities around the world. New Zealand's Pecha Kucha Nights (PKN) are now held in 6 cities: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, Hamilton and Dunedin.

Christchurch's upcoming PKN wil be held this Thursday at Dux de Lux and is a special edition event, produced in collaboration with Ten-Pacific Arts Festival. Click here for more information about PKN events and for a list of speakers and photographs from the last PKN held in Christchurch in September.

Dux de Lux, Corner Hereford and Montreal Streets
Doors open 7pm, starts at 7.30pm, entry by koha, come early - space is limited

Last Week to Have Your Say on Open Spaces Strategy

2010-02-02T08:40:00.005+13:00

This is the last week for Christchurch residents to comment on the draft strategy that will dictate how the city’s open spaces are managed over the next 30 years. The Draft Open Space Strategy calls for a redesign of Latimer and Cranmer squares, improving pedestrian access alongside the Avon River, and the creation of "pocket parks" for streets that border the city centre as well as three new neighbourhood parks – one west of Colombo St, one between Latimer Square and Fitzgerald Ave, and one on the High Street axis opposite the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

It’s easy to electronically submit your thoughts to Council on key areas of the proposed strategy by filling out this online questionnaire. But act quick - submissions end this Friday February 5. Click here to find a more detailed summary of the Open Space Draft Strategy, as well as a pdf download of the full report.

Image source: Bryce Edwards on Flickr

News Bite 02.02.10

2010-02-02T08:00:00.001+13:00

A donation of $10 million was recently gifted to the Canterbury Museum. The gift comes upon the death of a Blenheim businessman, who was known to be intensely private and unassuming with his wealth. This bequest comes within a month of the recent $1.8 million donation to the Christchurch Art Gallery by another local arts supporter, who passed away in January.
New Zealand and India have begun negotiations for a free trade agreement, which is expected to put New Zealand in a prime situation to benefit from India's growing economy.
Canterbury has growing input in the $32 million New Zealand Pavilion currently being constructed for the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai (May-Oct). The pavilion was designed by Christchurch architecture firm Warren & Mahoney, and is expected to draw in 40,000 people a day. Last year's Kiwi stand was hand picked by local media as a "must visit" for the event's 70 million attendees. The NZ commissioner-general for the expo notes the economic significance of an event like this in consideration of the country's growing trade with China. Last's year NZ exports to China were up to $3.3 billion from $1.9 billion in 2008.
Football may no longer take second seat to Rugby in Canterbury. 19,258 Cantabrians turned out to support the Wellington Pheonix football team, in their defeat over Adelaide United at AMI Stadium on Saturday night. This is over 8,000 more supporters than the crowd that showed up for the rugby final at the same stadium a couple months ago.

Local Eats - Corianders Indian Restaurant

2010-02-01T22:30:00.000+13:00

Corianders Ethnic Indian Restaurant has solidified itself as a favorite amongst many locals. Corianders prepares North Indian style dishes, and look to use spices and herbs not only for flavor but also for their digestive and nutritional benefits. Did you know that coriander is good for the kidneys, fenugreek peps up the liver, and ginger aids in digestion?

Tonight, we had our stock standard dishes - butter chicken, palak paneer, garlic naan, and also decided to try the naan stuffed with nuts and sultanas. Once again, it was all delicious. Corianders really is great Indian food at reasonable prices for takeaway, delivery, or dining in.

Corianders Ethnic Indian Restaurant
76 Edgeware Road, Edgeware, Christchurch
Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner 7 days/week

10 Reasons Why We Get Around by Bike in ChCh

2010-02-01T06:24:00.005+13:00

In honor of February being Bike Wise Month, we've put together ten reasons why we choose the bicycle as our daily mode of getting around Christchurch.

1. Christchurch and the inner suburbs are pretty flat and easy for biking.
2. Bikes aren't just utilitarian. Like cars, there are so many different styles and colors to suit anyone's personality. We love classic bicycles from the 20's-40' and especially Oxford style cruisers.
3. Getting around by bike saves money because you don't have to fill up the car's gas tank as often.
4. Biking gets the blood pumping. When you bike, you get less tired throughout the day and need less caffeine. And since you're burning calories while biking around town and don't have to go to the gym as often!
5. There are many bike lanes laid out through out the city. Maps of bike lanes are available in Christchurch City Council lobby or online here.
6. Biking is an easy way to do our part to be more eco-friendly.
7. You can also look stylish on a bike - girls in dresses, boys in buttondowns, oxfords, or tweeds. We love mod bike fashion.
8. It's convenient to not have to worry about finding or paying for parking as you would in a car.
9. The summer months are great for biking. We will need to bundle up more in order to bike in winter, but hey, they do it Copenhagen. So why can't we do it here. See Copenhagen Cycle Chic for inspiration.
10. We like the pace of life on a bike...not too fast, not too slow...it's just right!

The image above is of a group of cyclists enjoying a casual weekend ride around the city, spotted at the Dux de Lux. Tell us your thoughts - what do you like about getting around Christchurch on your bicycle?

Images from Sounday

2010-01-31T18:43:00.006+13:00

Yesterday's sunny, warm weather created a perfect day for lounging on the lawns of Hagley Park for some good live tunes with friends and fam. The crowd was a mix of ages and genres, but all smiling and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Here are some images of attendees hanging out, walking around, and jamming to musical acts like Phoenix Foundation and Electric Wire Hustle.

Upcoming Final Buskers Show With Highlights of Festival

2010-01-29T14:08:00.012+13:00

With every buskers performance we've attended, Local Vanguard is reminded that the Buskers Festival is real treat for the city of Christchurch and visitors. To have this many talented performers and laughs taking place in one city for a little over a week is pretty awesome. So we've been trying to squeeze in as many acts as possible in these last few days.

With this in mind, we thought we'd highlight the upcoming performance on Sunday evening at The Bedford. It will be the very last show for this year's festival and an opportunity to see some of the "best bits" of performances from the past ten days.

Doors open at 8:30pm and the show starts at 10pm.
The Bedford (corner of Madras and Bedford Row)

Local Sights

2010-01-29T09:10:00.001+13:00

Photograph taken by Mark Spurgeon on Flickr
Location: Cafe in Lyttelton

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Great Weekend for Music in ChCh!

2010-01-29T07:30:00.003+13:00

If you're feeling inspired to see more music beyond Sounday this weekend...you're in luck. Christchurch city bars are also playing host to some awesome musicians.

Think we'll be checking out Daedelus at Goodbye Blue Monday, for live electronic pop out of Los Angeles. It looks like GBM has lots of good musical acts playing in the coming weeks, in addition to other bars all around the city. To keep up to date on all upcoming gigs at Chch venues check out ChristchurchMusic.org.nz.

Images from Last Night's Buskers Fest. in Victoria Square

2010-01-28T17:25:00.007+13:00

These are photos of the Buskers Festival Night Sky Aerial Show and the Fire Show in Victoria Square last night. If you haven't caught any of the Buskers Festival yet, shows run through Sunday January 31st. Click here for schedules and locations for upcoming shows.

NZ Director’s Film Wows Audiences at Sundance

2010-01-28T08:57:00.005+13:00

New Zealand filmaker Taika Waititi's feature film Boy premiered to a sell out audience at the opening of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Written and directed by Waititi, Boy is a heartfelt coming-of-age tale about an 11 year old boy and his little brother Rocky, as they reconcile reality with the fantasies of the boys’ world, including bully defeating super hero powers, a love of Michael Jackson, and the idolized version of father returning home after many years away.

Boy was among 14 films selected from more than 1000 submitted for Sundance's World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Early reviews from US Media praised Waitati’s work and young actor James Rolleston was given a standing ovation when he joined Waititi at the end of the screening.

Waititi also directed the 2007 Sundance film Eagle vs Shark, as well as some episodes of "The Flight of the Conchords" and the short film Two Cars, One Night. Boy was shot in Waititi’s childhood hometown of Waihau Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand.

Watch the trailer below.

Franz Tormers Artspace and Store

2010-01-27T08:43:00.003+13:00

Franz Tormers is a recently opened shop and artspace, located in Bedford Row. The designers and artists in-residence above the shop, contribute to the various collections of graphic tees, art prints, tote bags, and badges that are available in the storefront space. For updates to art space parties and showings, befriend Franz Tormers on facebook.

Franz Tormers Artspace and Store
16 Bedford Row, Christchurch
Mon.-Fri. 11:30am-4:30pm, Sat. 11am-3pm

On The Street

2010-01-27T08:21:00.000+13:00

Local, Clementine, with her vintage bike while on a shopping mission to central city Trade Aid Shop.

Local Sights

2010-01-26T14:15:00.003+13:00

Photograph taken by mrsteve1_nz on flickr.
Location: At Chinese Lantern Festival (2009), Christchurch New Zealand.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Circa Coffee & Wares

2010-01-26T10:44:00.007+13:00

Circa's inviting atmosphere makes it a perfect spot to catch up with dear friend or to have a quiet coffee and treat over a favorite book or magazine. Circa is located just off the beaten path from the city centre on Colombo Street, north of Bealey Ave. Owner Esther Gray has run the shop for the last two of its four year operation. She maintains focus on quality made coffees, but notes the popularity of the savory cheese and bacon muffins and lolly cake among her regular customers. Circa also carries a selection of gifts and wares that are hand-picked by Esther, including lovely greeting cards, crafty fabric covered badges, fair trade scarfs, and antique glass-ware.

Circa Coffee and Wares
926 Colombo Street, St Albans, Christchurch

Local Profile: Michelle Sullivan, Christchurch Daily Photo

2010-01-25T14:54:00.001+13:00

It is customary for most of us go about our daily lives without paying much attention to the commonplace things around us. But what if we could see our own city with a new perspective, through fresh eyes? This is exactly what Michelle Sullivan embarked upon doing, two years ago, when she started Christchurch Daily Photo. Michelle photographs the spaces, people, and everyday moments she comes across in Christchurch and posts a new photo each day to the site. I recently met up with Michelle to ask about her motivation to start Christchurch Daily Photo and what she enjoys most about documenting life in Christchurch. Here's what I discovered:

What motivated you start the Christchurch Daily Photo website? I started the site over two years ago. I had come across the Auckland Daily Photo site and loved it. I first checked to see if there was already a site like this for Christchurch and there wasn’t. It gave me an excuse to pick up the camera again after a break from photography. I set up the site in less than a day, and joined the international daily photo network of about 500 daily photo blogs from all around the world.
What do you enjoy most about doing Christchurch Daily Photo? The comments and feedback that I get from visitors to the site. Many are photographers themselves so there is a sense of achievement from their encouraging words. I also love that it’s become a way of documenting my life. I recently went back to look at photos from previous years and came across the image of New Year’s Eve ‘08/’09. I remember exactly how I felt taking that photo. Before that it’s kind of a blur.
Which is your favorite photo at present? The image of the Rapaki Track at dusk. I think it really captures a lovely part of Christchurch living – a warm, still Canterbury summer evening, with a view of the hills and of the sea. It was a magical night up in the hills.
When you aren’t at work, where are we likely to find you? Walking up in the Port Hills usually with my camera. I also quite like going to Lyttelton on a Saturday morning to go to the market, get a coffee, and wander the shops.
Fill in the blank - “I do this website, so I have an excellent excuse to go out and take photos.”

The following images are a taste of Michelle's daily photographic exploration. For more images visit Christchurch Daily Photo.

Image source: Christchurch Daily Photo

Sounday 2010 Only One Week Away

2010-01-23T13:44:00.015+13:00

Sounday is an all-day, open-air event of music, food, and drinks held in Christchurch's Hagley Park. This year's event will feature 11 musical acts from New Zealand and overseas.

Musicians include those with close ties to Christchurch - keyboardist and Jazz School attendee Taay Ninh of Electric Wire Hustle (a Wellington based band), and Christchurch based band Sleepy Age. Other musical acts include NZ's Module, The Pheonix Foundation, and Delaney Davidson with Tuscson based french born signer Marianne Dissard, as well as other international acts - American The Handsome Family, and Australian electroacoustic Dizz1.

Sounday goes from 10am-8pm (30 January). Tickets are available for purchase at Embassy on High Street, Burgers & Beers, Hunters and Collectors, Real Groovy, and The Dux De Lux, or online from www.rdu.org.nz and www.moshtix.co.nz. $27 for adults, kids under 12 free. Click here for a full list of musical acts and information about the event such as food, parking etc.

Upcoming Frocks on Bikes Event - Tour de Tart

2010-01-22T09:41:00.007+13:00

Frocks on Bikes started as away to mobilize NZ women to embrace biking as a fun and sustainable way to move, leading up to the 350 Climate Action Festivals on International Climate Action Day on 24 October 2009. Over 350 Frockers came out in New Zealand's cities, including Christchurch.

Since then, the group has hosted two more monthly rides in various parts of the city. This month's event, Tour de Tart, will be held on the 30th of January. Riders can choose either a 6 or 12 K ride, starting from a point in the city/Linwood and concluding in Sumner at the Tart Cafe. 12K'ers will meet up at 1:30pm at Piko Wholefoods on Barbadoes and Kilmore streets. 6K'ers can join up at 2pm at Café Le Tour de France, 1091 Ferry Road, Linwood. Check out full details on the Frocks on Bikes Christchurch website.

The image above is of one of the sweet bikes seen at the Frocks on Bikes launch event in Christchurch in October. For more photos of the day, visit the photographer's blog - CHCH Ding Ding.

Historic Flashback - Double Decker Trams

2010-01-21T14:22:00.009+13:00

In honor of the completed restoration of Tram No 26 (see today's News Bite below), these images show the kind of double decker trams that ran from Christchurch city to the suburb of Sumner.

Image Source: Tramway Historical Society, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch, NZ

News Bite 21.01.10

2010-01-21T09:22:00.008+13:00

A proposal to upgrade the heritage status of the Antigua Boatsheds on the Avon River is in consideration by New Zealand Historic Places Trust. Built in 1882 by two Lyttelton boat builders, the sheds have retained their original character after 128 years and are thought to be the only surviving example of commercial 19th century river boatsheds in all of New Zealand.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has become the white wine of choice for Aussies, who prefer sauv blanc’s more fresh and fruity characteristics over Australia’s predominant white wine grape, Chardonnay. The decline in Chardonnay’s fashionability is also blamed by prime-time TV’s Kath & Kim’s constant guzzling and shrieks for “kardonnay”. Australian liquor retailers are finding that shoppers are asking specifically for Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough NZ over other wine regions.
The largest Lotto prize ever claimed in Christchurch was recently bought at New World in Fendalton. Without reading glasses on when checking the payout receipt, the winner initially thought she had won $9,333 and was shocked to hear the Lotto operator tell her the full amount of $9.3 million.
After 20 years of restoration, double-decker Tram No 26 will be back on tracks in Christchurch. No 26 was one of three open top double-decker electric tram cars purchased from John Stephenson & Co of New York in time for the opening of the electric tramway in Christchurch in June 1905. An official unveiling of the restoration will be held this Saturday (23 January) at Ferrymead Heritage Park.

Meadowlark Jewellery

2010-01-20T18:08:00.011+13:00

I became a fan of Meadowlark from coming across their jewellery at Infinite Definite, a shop on High Street. Meadowlark is created by Claire and Greg - two young New Zealand based designers with previous experience, respectively, in running fashion label Urchin (until it’s sale in 2004), and in visual arts and design for well-known brand Huffer, before turning focus to their present craft in jewelery design.

All of their collections are cast in silver and include a range of unisex pieces - necklaces, long pendants, rings, bracelets, earrings and cuff links. Their Starwood Lane and Mini Collections include a diamond cut out pendant (bling bling), swallow bird earrings, and anchor shapes. For ladies, we're loving the silver 'belt bracelet' in the Fit to Be Tied Collection.

Meadowlark is available at Infinite Definite (184 High Street) in Christchurch. Other New Zealand stockists are listed on the Meadowlark website.

Harakeke - Flowers & Chocolates

2010-01-20T08:00:00.010+13:00

Harakeke is a boutique florist shop in Poplar Lane, and a great shop to pop in when browsing or shopping in the Poplar Lane/High Street area. Owner, Laura McGuire, specializes in contemporary floral arrangements, and was recently awarded as New Zealand's top florist of the year for 2009. Beyond gorgeous flowers and floral arrangements, Harakeke carries locally made gourmet chocolates and NZ-made soy-based candles.

After three years in its Poplar Lane location, Harakeke is soon to move around the corner to High Street, in order to gain more shop space. So pop through their existing or new location, and when you do be sure pick up one of the chocolate covered nougat or bounty bars. These are two of their most popular chocolates, and totally melt-in-your-mouth delish!

Harakeke
16 Poplar Street, Christchurch, NZ

Increase in Local Tourism, Cruise Ships Arrive in Lyttelton

2010-01-19T09:27:00.011+13:00

Lyttelton Harbor will play host to a steady influx of cruise ships over the next two weeks. More than 14,000 tourists are expected, mainly from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism note that numbers of cruise visitors to the region have jumped by three times that of three years ago, from 35,000 to this year's anticipated 100,000. It is estimated that last year's cruise visitors directly contributed $22.7 million to the Canterbury economy.

To find out about the best days for viewing cruise ships coming in and out of Lyttelton Harbor, refer to the Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism Press Release on business.scoop.co.nz.

Image Source: Cruiselinehistory.com

Local Sights

2010-01-19T08:11:00.003+13:00

Photograph taken by janeslondon on Flickr.
Christchurch Buildings, city location unknown, Christchurch New Zealand.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Top Bicycling Cities Announced. Let's Get Rolling ChCh!

2010-01-18T10:23:00.015+13:00

An article in today's Press reveals a rating of The Top 10 Bicycle Friendly Cities of the world, including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Bogota, Portland, Oregon and Barcelona. No New Zealand cities were included in the list, but local media coverage of this topic highlights recognition over its growing significance. Most of the world's major cities have gotten behind biking as a means of creating sustainable cities and many overseas urbanites have embraced biking as a popular lifestyle trend.

While cars are the most common way of getting from point A to B in New Zealand, there is increasing interest in biking as a form of daily transport in Christchurch. This is evident through organized events like Frocks on Bikes, some hip bike shops opening up, and the presence of more fixed gears and old classic bikes on the street (not just lycra). There are also great deal of bike lanes for a city of this size, making cycling safer for those looking to take their daily trips via bicycle. Maps highlighting bike lanes within the city centre and routes from suburbs into the city can be found online or in brochure format in the lobby of the Christchurch City Council building.

As national Bike Wise month rolls around (February), we'll discuss more topics centred around bicycling and highlight some of the trends we're seeing in Christchurch.

Image Source: Cyclists in Copenhagen from cooltownstudios.com

Antique Shop Full of Discoveries

2010-01-16T12:33:00.002+13:00

Exploring an antique shop is a fantastic way to spend an cloudy afternoon. It's fun to discover local treasures and gets the creative juices flowing.

The Blue Kiwi Antiques and Curios is chock full of new discoveries at every turn. I don't know much about the history of the shop or owners, but I just love all the pieces they've collected, and the prices seem reasonable. This shop will be my first stop next time I'm in the market for a piece of decor or something unique. This local find is a real gem.

The Blue Kiwi Antiques and Curios
180 Tuam Street, Christchurch

C1 Espresso

2010-01-15T22:23:00.001+13:00

C1 Espresso is centrally positioned in the area of High Street that hosts some of the city's more fashionable shops and culture. They are known for their consistently good coffee (some will say the best coffee in town). The selection of food is fantastic as well. I'm a fan of their muffins and omelettes, and my husband says they have the best Eggs Benedict around (supposedly it's all about the hollandaise).

C1 has pleasing atmosphere - always good music and a sweet fit out, including shelves lined with dozens of antique tea makers and coffee percolators and an old singer sewing machine that dispenses water. On a sunny day, you'll find their outside seating area filled with an eclectic group of clientele.

C1 also works directly with coffee growing communites in Samoa in order to do their part in suporting a sustainable Pacifico coffee industry.

C1 Espresso
150 High Street, Christchurch

Historic Flashback - High Street

2010-01-14T21:26:00.002+13:00

High Street was Christchurch's first major thoroughfare. Today, the High Street area is undergoing a bit of renaissance and is home to some of the city's edgier shops, several of which owned by young entrepreneurs.

The first photo is a rooftop view of High Street in 1929, looking southeast from Cashel Street. (I thought it very fitting that this first image shows operable trams on the street, in consideration of Mayor Bob Parker's recent announcement in favor of light rail system and Council's current initiatives to extend tram lines). The second photo was taken street-level in the last month (December 2009) from Lichfield Street, one block down from the first image, and also looks southeast towards the section of the street in which most of the more fashionable establishments presently exist.

Image Source for first image: Christchurch City Library Heritage Images Collection

Mediterranean Food Co & Pizza Cafe

2010-01-13T16:29:00.009+13:00

This is a one-stop shop for all of your Mediterranean food desires and needs. The Mediterranean Food Co carries a variety of European style cheeses, salami style cold cuts, gourmet olives, Italian olive oil and vinegar, spices, tomato products and the most comprehensive collection of pasta than I have ever seen. There is also a cafe on site that specializes in traditional Italian style pizzas.

Mediterranean Food Co
322 Tuam Street, Christchurch

Upcoming World Busker's Festival - Not To Be Missed

2010-01-12T16:19:00.011+13:00

The World Buskers Festival starts next week (Jan. 21-31). The festival is eleven days of 450 live shows of street, circus, and comedy style performances. Now in its 17th year, the event offers an international line-up of talent that includes 44 of the world’s best acts from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Japan, Israel, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.

Many of the shows are free to the public and performed throughout the day in central city public spaces such as Cathedral and Victoria Squares, at the Arts Centre, as well as in locations in New Brighton and Sumner. Late night performances (8:30-10:30pm) ask for a nominal donation of $5-$10 and will be held at The Beford, on the corner of Bedford Row and Madras Street.

For a schedule of events and to learn about participating performers and their acts go to the World Buskers website.
Image Source: World Buskers 2010 website

Local Sights

2010-01-11T16:33:00.003+13:00

Photograph taken by bishopscycles on Flickr.
Photo taken during a Bishop's Bicycle Run at Hagley Park Boat Shed.

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Lyttleton Farmers Market

2010-01-09T23:32:00.005+13:00

There is probably nothing more I love than a morning at a farmers market. I've been spoiled by some good ones in New York City and in St Luis Obispo California, and I'm just starting to explore the markets in and around Chirstchurch. I've been to the Lyttelton Farmers Market a few times now to get my veggies for the week and to try out some of the baked goods and treats. This market has the best sausage rolls around, cupcakes and croissants from the Cosair Cookie Company, Vics Bakery's amazing breads, sliced jerky from Biltong, and delicious pies, eclairs, goats cheese, artisnal chocolates, the list goes on. (Oh, and don't forget your veggies too!)

The Lyttelton Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 10am to 1pm, in the grounds of Lyttelton Main School, Oxford Street, Lyttelton. You can even make a morning out of it, by going to the farmers market and grabbing a coffee or brunch at one of the cafes in Lyttelton.

Danish Urban Designer Advises Council on Revitalisation

2010-01-08T14:50:00.005+13:00

Urban Designer Jan Gehl has prepared a report for Christchurch City Council that lays out 35 year blueprint for injecting new life into the central city. The report, to be released next month, is presumed to promote open inner-city public spaces and shift transportation away from cars to more sustainable forms of transit such as walking, cycling, and trams.

Gehl Architects produced a similar report for the City of Melbourne in 2004, which provided Melbourne City Council figures and strategy for achieving a well-rounded revitalization of Melbourne's CBD. Jan Gehl, is considered to be "the global guru" for creating livable and sustainable cities throughout Europe, the United States, and Australia.

While the initial cost of the report to council may seem high at $314,000, it should be noted that the strategy put forward, and initiatives once brought to fruition, are thought to be a means of attracting and retaining young skilled people and quality institutions to Christchurch, an thereby a sound investment for the future of the city.

Image source: Sydney Morning Herald, September 2007

NG - Boutique Cafe Gallery Space

2010-01-07T10:22:00.003+13:00

NG is a boutique, cafe, and gallery space, located near High Street and Poplar Lane on Madras Street. The boutique features fashions from top designers, many of which are European. I stopped by through recently and scored a gorgeous pair of slip on shoes by UK based designer Meher Kakalia. The cafe is nice spot to relax with a coffee and magazine with it's high ceilings, big arched windows, and comfy designer furniture.

NG
212 Madras Street. Christchurch

Local Profile: Stephan Schaffer, German Sausage Trader

2010-01-06T17:28:00.016+13:00

After going through the Art Gallery, stop by and pick up a brattie at The Bratwurst Grill food cart. Owner and trader, Stephan Schaffer, can be found outside of the Arts Centre almost everyday selling cooked bratwursts at the bargain price of $4-4.50 as an inexpensive lunch option, as well as packaged salamis and other German meats. Stephan is also currently opening a European Food Shop call Mr. Schnitzel at South City Mall. I recently asked Stephan some questions about his trade and why he enjoys working in Christchurch. Here's what I discovered:

How did you get into this line of work? What motivated you? I’ve been doing this for two and half years. A long time ago in Germany, my family became friends with Wynton Rufer, the famous New Zealand footballer. He would tell my brother and I about his good feelings for his country, how friendly the people are, and it gave me a dream to come to New Zealand. For many, it used to be the United States. For me, it was New Zealand.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Most people coming past are on holiday. They are happy with no worries.
Where do you get your products from? It is all made in Nelson, by German sausage makers who have been making it there for 16 years.
Which product is your favorite, and how do you prepare or eat it? The salami. I put it with New Zealand cheeses. I make a lot of antipasto plates with the salami at home.
When you aren’t at work, where are we likely to find you? At any of your favorite bars or cafes around Christchurch? I tend to go to the places that my regular customers own. If they support me, I like supporting them too.
Complete the following sentence. I do this…."for the love of quality foods and good sausage.”

The Bratwurst Grill at The Arts Centre, Worcester Blvd, Christchurch

The Vault, Neil Pardington at the Christchurch Art Gallery

2010-01-05T14:48:00.008+13:00

If you haven't already caught it, be sure to check out the Neil Pardington exhibit, "The Vault", on display at the Christchurch Art Gallery through March 14. This is only 3 of the 40 photographs in the exhibit. Each image captures a behind the scenes view into the storage spaces of museums and galleries throughout New Zealand, spaces that are normally closed to the public. Pardington is a New Zealand based photographer who has exhibited nationally and internationally, and worked as a film-maker, artist and designer.

The Vault: Neil Pardington, through 14 March 2010
Christchurch Arts Gallery, Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch

Welcome 2010! News You May Have Missed On Holiday.

2010-01-04T09:35:00.009+13:00

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker looks to the "steel and sparks" era of public transit – calling for trains, not buses to dominate Christchurch's public transport system within five years. Transport experts are reluctant to put a price tag on the creation of a light rail system, but agree it could cost tens of millions of dollars. The Mayor’s call comes after a recent urban transit fact-finding trip to San Francisco, Vancouver and Portland – cities which have invested heavily in light rail systems. The Press, 26 December 2009.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) deputy chairwoman Jo Kane slams Mayor Bob Parker’s methods of advocating for light rail, claiming that Parker went too far and that some of his statements were a direct pot shot at Ecan. (ECan runs most of the region's public bus network, although the Christchurch City Council operates the Red Bus venture.) Kane believes more debate is needed before leaders make public statements in support of a single direction and that all authorities need to sit down and have a hard look at all the issue surrounding public transport, not just light rails. She also suggests an “intermodal mix” of rail and buses could potentially work most effectively, from her observations on a recent visit to Stasbourg, France. The Press, 28 December 2009.

The Press reports a successful day for retailers on Boxing Day, including patronage of shops in the central city. “Kathmandu central city manager Andrew Veitch said shoppers were waiting at the doors when the Lichfield St store opened at 9am, and the demand continued right up to 6pm. "It's been flat out, with all the developments going on in the city centre there's plenty of people around and plenty of tourists, which is good for us," he said.” (LV side note - On a gorgeous 29 degree day (Celsius), a shopping stroll about the city sounds much more enjoyable than being stuck in a suburban mall, doesn't it?") The Press, 28 December 2009.

Christchurch snack-food company Cookie Time will launch a new health bar in United States next year. A “more refined version” of the One Square Meal bar will be aimed at the health food market for release in the States in April or May. Cookie Time's sees its partnership with Kiwi television star Phil Keoghan an advantage in a market saturated with snack and health food bars. The Los Angeles-based Cantabrian is host of reality television series “The Amazing Race” and will be international face of Cookie Time’s new American health bar. The Press, 29 December 2009.

Developer David Henderson is set to buy back the first of five central Christchurch properties he sold to the city council 18 months ago $17m while fighting liquidation proceedings against two of his companies. City council bought the sites to protect them from inappropriate development, and at the time gave Henderson the right to buy the sites back. Some criticised the arrangement as a bailout for Henderson. The sale of the northern portion of the old Para Rubber site in Manchester St to Henderson is expected to be ratified next month, under condition that development must be substantially under way within six months. "Henderson, in an email to The Press, would not say what will be built on the Para site”. The Press, 1 January 2010.

Over the course the week The Press hosted a lively debate from contributing writers and letters to the editor over Bob Parker’s call for a light rail system. Some point to the population of Christchurch, and question if a city of this size could support a light rail system in the way that other cities do. Many Christchurch residents applaud Parker’s calls for action and vision for a livable city of the future. “At last someone is talking sense! It’s taken – how long?”, states David Killick, a Press contributing writer, in an January 2 article “Time to rethink cars’ dominance” in which Killick fantasizes about what Christchurch and Canterbury could look like with more European approach to public transport. The Press, 2 January 2010.

"Season's Beamings! Happy Holidays!"

2009-12-24T22:47:00.012+13:00

Stockings hung and biscuits set out for Old Saint Nick, Local Vanguard is ready to sign-off for the holiday break. We leave with a shot from a local home dressed up for the holiday season in Kaiapoi.
Happy holidays! See you in 2010!

Is Les Mills a Precursor of Woolsack Lane Revitalisation?

2009-12-23T10:58:00.010+13:00

Les Mills opened a new flagship location on Cashel Street between Madras and Manchester streets a couple of months ago. We've been noticing a little bit more construction activity in the front of Woolsack lane since. Will the opening of this Les Mills location be a catalyst for drawing further activity to Woolsack Lane?

City Council currently has a strategic plan in place for developing of a network of lanes in the central city. The goal is to create a series of safe and attractive pedestrian corridors, offering vibrant mixed-use destinations for residents and visitors. Council identifies the need to partner with property owners to make the lanes plan a success. Is this one such partnership? Woolsack Lane is identified as a "medium to long term" priority of the Central City Lanes Plan, taking a backseat to those lanes of immediate priority for works, including: Lichfield Lanes, Sol Square, Colonial Lane, Westpac Lane, and Kivers Lane.

You can learn more about the proposed plans for the network of lanes and download strategy documents and specific design guidelines on the Christchurch City Council website.

Actor Takes a Stand for Local Arts and Historic Theatre

2009-12-22T13:38:00.017+13:00

Christchurch actor and director Mark Hadlow has a grand vision to transform the dilapidated Odeon Theatre in to a vibrant $60 million arts complex. Hadlow took to the Odeon Theatre stage last night to recite Shakespeare and outline plans to restore the venue and build a two-storey arts complex on the car-park site next door. The plan thus far has no funding, however, Hadlow hopes the proposal will unite the city's arts organisations. He is quoted in today's Press, "I am tired of our complacency. Talking and talking and talking and never doing anything. We are very good at that,". Hadlow recognizes that it is an enormous project, and that it needs complete buy-in across the board, including from the public.

Local Vanguard says "good on him" - it's great to see people with a positive vision and passion for strengthening the cultural community and offerings. Tell us your thoughts.

Photo source: The Press, www.stuff.co.nz

NZ Based Crafty Lifestyle Magazine

2009-12-21T19:09:00.002+13:00

The name of this little magazine says it all. After picking up an issue of World Sweet World, you'll wish you could just slip into the lovely wee world of the editors. The magazine consists smartly illustrated, step-by-step instructions for making cool DIY projects (like box cushions or home-brew ginger beer), followed by feature articles about people, places, and sustainable living. A seasonal publication, World Sweet World is in its eighth issue. Check out the magazine's website for three of the current issue's projects, to find a stockist in New Zealand, or to order and subscription.

Image Source: World Sweet World

Vintage Clothing & Furniture Shop Opens in Lyttleton

2009-12-20T17:13:00.006+13:00

I happened to stumble across another hip little shop to have just opened up (yesterday) in Lyttelton.

Valiant carries modernist furniture and American Vintage Clothing. Located above Lyttelton Lounge on Oxford Street, it has the feeling of an attic filled with long lost retro finds just waiting to be uncovered. The shop carries both men's and women's vintage clothing and shoes, mod-looking chairs and other select pieces of furniture, as well as some cute clothing and toys for the wee ones. Valiant's owner, Georgina, sources the shop's clothing and furniture from overseas, which means you'll find pieces at Valient you can't get anywhere else in New Zealand.

Valiant
17 Oxford Street, Lyttelton (Above Lyttelton Lounge)

News Bite 19.12.09

2009-12-19T20:46:00.004+13:00

Wild weather has forced West Coast hippie gathering to relocate to new site. More than 1000 hippies were expected to gather for the World Rainbow Gathering, set to take place from the new moon in December to the new moon in January, with camp members living communally. No alcohol or drugs or technological stuff allowed...just what kind of hippie gathering is this anyway?
New Zealand and the Russian Federation to form stronger ties, agreeing to exploit the potential of trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.
Mega-retailer, The Warehouse, plans to introduce more expensive, higher-quality goods to appeal to an up-market consumer base, while still maintaining it’s position as the leading provider of low-price "everyday" products. Small business advocates question if this move will have an adverse affect on smaller regional chains and businesses. Some compare this move to Walmart’s similar strategy in the U.S. which struggled to attract sought-after brands.

Local Sights

2009-12-18T20:25:00.000+13:00

Photograph taken by nicolasburrows on Flickr. 55 Sandyford Street, Sydenham

Reader's photos are regularly selected to appear on the site. Submit your photos on our Flickr Group.

Art Exhibit - Pete Wheeler "All Bet's Are Off"

2009-12-18T17:15:00.004+13:00

I was able to catch Pete Wheeler's exhibit All Bet's Are Off for the last day of showing at The Jonathon Smart Gallery on High Street. Pete Wheeler’s traditional works are characterized by a grungy street aesthetic, expressionist style, and frequently controversial imagery. Returning to Christchurch after a year’s residence in Berlin, Wheeler's new paintings resemble weathered billboards and delve into a different subject area – the wild, everyday animal savagery of the natural environment.

Jonathon Smart Gallery, 160 High Street, 1st Floor

What's on the Horizon for Sol Square?

2009-12-17T10:04:00.006+13:00

The Press has got wind that six of Christchurch property developer David Henderson's former bars in SOL Square have been sold to new proprietors.

Yellow Cross, La Petite-Croix, Vinum, Fat Eddie's, Cleaners Only and The Fish & Chip Shop have been purchased by Christchurch hotelier Max Bremner and his business partners, former All Black Tane Norton and his sons, Richard and Andrew Norton.

Makes you wonder what's in store for this up-and-coming part of the city.....Do you think the new proprietors should keep these establishments as bars or make some into shops or cafes that will draw a daytime crowd? What would you like to see happen in SOL Square? Tell us your thoughts.

News Bite 16.12.09

2009-12-16T16:26:00.014+13:00

A 100-year-old pack of New Zealand butter has been found in Antarctica....in good condition! The butter, bearing the maker's Fernleaf symbol and date, was found in a sack by workers at New Zealand's Scott Base.
Sunscreen standards are set to change in Australia, increasing the highest level of SPF allowable from 30 to 50+. New Zealand critics call for international consistency and fear an influx of these new products could confuse consumers on this side of the Tasman.
Christchurch City Council is set to revise the bylaw that addresses advertising of commercial sexual services, the Brothels (Location and Signage) Bylaw of 2004, in hopes that advertising can for these services can be handled in a more appropriate manner.

Old-fashioned Grocers: The Last of Its Kind

2009-12-16T10:02:00.004+13:00

Johnson's Grocers in Colombo Street is a fantastic exploration of treats and delicacies from New Zealand and around the globe. Being used to tiny, intimate shops from life in New York, I am partial to the small scale of this shop, the sense of discovery at every turn, and the feeling of a by-gone era.

The front window beckons you in with old-school tins and boxes of quintessential N.Z. candies, biscuits, and the sort. Inside the shop, every inch of the walls and table tops are covered with goodies to entice the senses. On one wall, you'll find hundreds of jars of different kinds of chutneys, jams, relishes, and sauces. Turn around, and quite literally you are faced with piles of fine Belgian chocolates, marzipan, biscuits, and even more preserves. From gourmet cheeses, oat cakes, and escargot, right down to chocolate Christmas oranges, Maltesers and Milky Bar Buttons - this shop has it all! During lunch times you'll find the shop packed with ladies picking up goodies for dinner parties and chatting away with owner Colin Johnson. Colin has worked at the shop for 53 years, experience that is revealed as he provides a recommendation and is able to locate that perfect product for his customers amongst the floor to ceiling selection of foods.

Johnson's Grocers is the last of six or more small grocers that existed along Colombo Street between Peterborough Street and Cathedral Square. It may possibly be the last remaining grocery shop of its kind in New Zealand. So next time you're looking for something to impress dinner guests or a little gift for your foodie friends or, stop in Johnson's Grocers. You're sure to leave pleased.

Johnson's Grocers
787 Colombo Street, Christchurch

BumbleBee Cake at Dunsadel Store

2009-12-15T20:36:00.001+13:00

A group of us took a little trip down Rakaia way this weekend on a Trade Me excusion, and while on the road stopped off at the Dunsadel Cafe for cup of tea and treats. The slice of Bumble-Bee cake I ordered was a huge hit, with flavors of vanilla, almond, and honey. This is a must stop when heading out of town down Highway 1.

Dunsadel Store
Dunsadel, past Selwyn, Main South Road (Highway 1), Canterbury, NZ

Sydenham Store Closes After 26 Yrs. Road Plans to Blame?

2009-12-15T14:55:00.001+13:00

Sydenham Book Exchange is closing up shop on December 19, after being open to the public for 26 years. Jessie Hewitt, current owner and son of longstanding owner, attributes seveal factors to the decision to close shop - including a tough economy and the soon to be parking challenges for potential patrons. The later topic is a timely debate and concern amongst store holders in Sydenham, as preparation begins for new bus lanes to operate on Colombo Street.

The new bus lanes have been in planning by Christhurch City Council for several years as a means to tackle congestion during evening peak hours on Colombo Street, the main south bound arterial road to/from the city centre. They believe the success of the rush hour bus lanes in Papanui will be repeated in Sydenham. Environment Canterbury supports the Christchurch City Council’s planned bus lanes in conjunction with other public transport improvements. Several Sydenham shop owners along Colombo Street are opposed to the new bus lanes. They believe that business during bus lane operation hours is bound to suffer and will be another hurdle to the already struggling economic lifeblood of the area. The small business group and funding bodies now look to a compromise to reduce the operation of bus lanes from three to two hours. For further details, check out the article in Scoop.

What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you think the bus lanes are a good idea for all parties concerned (Colombo Street business owners, commuters, cyclists)?

New Bike Company Gets Wheels Spinnin'

2009-12-14T20:30:00.003+13:00

Ballarat Bicycles is a boutique start-up bike company offering up some sweet, classic-looking rides for both men and women. They are selling the first few bikes at a reduced price. Drop them a line or schedule a test ride through the Ballarat Bicycles website.

Dose Cafe

2009-12-12T09:55:00.001+13:00

A friend pointed me towards Dose on my first week in Christchurch, soon after the opening of the cafe's second location on Hereford Street. This location's interior of graffiti covered walls and vintage furniture creates a mod-urban feel.

I enjoy popping into Dose at lunch time for their reasonably priced sandwiches and an elderflower soda (they use Vic's bread, but the fillings make them super yummy). They also offer a great selection of savories, sweets, cooked breakfasts, and of course coffee and tea.

Dose Cafe
90 Hereford Street, Central City
77 Tuam Street, Central City

Why is Regent Street Experiencing Reduced Foot Traffic?

2009-12-11T14:48:00.021+13:00

An article, in today's Press highlights the struggle of small business owners in New Regent Street in central Christchurch. due to inconsistent foot traffic on the street.

St. Regent Street certainly holds a quaint appeal with it's Spanish mission style architecture, tram lines, shops, and eateries. So what is keeping locals and tourists from frequenting the street and its shops? Is the recession to blame, nearby construction, suburb shopping malls drawing businesses away from downtown, or parking challenges and fees? Give us your thoughts and comments below.

Historic Flashback - Sol Square

2009-12-10T23:32:00.011+13:00

A Southeasterly view of Lichfield Street towards the intersection at Manchester and High Streets; 1878 and 2007. For detailed information about the proprietors and inhabitants of the buildings in the 1878 image visit this Canterbury Heritage Flickr page.

Image Source: Canterbury Heritage

Speakeasy Found in Undeveloped Laneway

2009-12-09T22:25:00.004+13:00

The Christchurch Temperance Society opened its doors a few weeks ago in a small laneway off of Tuam Street, behind NG Cafe. From the exterior at daytime, Christchurch Temperance Society has the same feeling as a popular Melbourne bar - hidden away in a under-trafficked laneway, no glaring signs, only a few markings, and entirely closed up. These are all components that create a sense of frontierism and of satisfaction having once passed through the doors of a "secret society". And in this case, the few markings that do exist resemble, or in fact may be erasable chalk, a nice touch that adds an element of secrecy and exclusivity, and a nod to the era of temperance.

Christchurch Temperance Society
Off Tuam Street, behind Workshop