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Julie Goodwin shares her top tips for perfect potatoes every time

<p dir="ltr">Who doesn't love a good, hearty, delicious serving of fluffy and decadent potatoes?</p> <p dir="ltr">Original <em>MasterChef Australia</em> champion Julie Goodwin has shared her ultimate hacks for cooking the perfect potatoes every time, whether they’re mashed, roasted or baked.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Julie, there are three key things every home cook needs to keep in mind the next time potatoes are on the menu. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Make sure you have the right potatoes </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Depending on whether you want baked, mashed, roasted, or any other way you want to prepare your potatoes, it all starts in the supermarket. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I find that for things like mashed potatoes and gnocchi and rostis you want a floury potato, so the general rule is dirty potatoes for those things," Julie told <em><a href="https://kitchen.nine.com.au/latest/julie-goodwin-top-three-tips-to-cook-potatoes-robertson-potato-festival/4d16ba12-bf14-4af2-990e-dcf0e89c30ee">9Honey</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And then for stuff like potato salads, boiled baby potatoes, and potato bake, it's better to have a waxy potato because they hold their substance better. And those are the ones that are sold clean, so things like the Pontiac and Desiree with the pink skin or the washed potatoes with the white skin."</p> <p dir="ltr">"If you want to use them in an Irish stew to break down and thicken the sauce you've got to use a floury potato," she says. "So tend to your dirty ones."</p> <p dir="ltr">She says that if you're buying a clean, waxy potato, you won't have to peel them since the skin is supposed to be edible.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, if you're buying a dirty, floury potato, then you're going to want to peel the dirt off first and then wash off the residue.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Get those crispy edges </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">As every home cook knows, the key to the perfect roasted potato is for the inside to be soft and fluffy while the outside stays crispy. </p> <p dir="ltr">It can be a tricky balance to master, but Goodwin says there's a simple way to get it right every time.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I like to par boil them before I roast them. Just so that they go a bit fluffy around the edges," she explains. "What happens is those bits go really crispy and lovely."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Let the flavour flow </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When it comes to seasoning your potatoes, it's hard to know what flavours will suit your dish best. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to Goodwin, more is less when you season potatoes, so it's best to close the spice cabinet.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Salt is absolutely the number one, pepper's beautiful [but] it depends on what the meal is," she says. "So if you're doing a bit of a Portuguese or Spanish inspired meal you might put some paprika on there.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"But I really love rosemary and that's beautiful if you pound that up with your salt and put it on the potatoes that makes it really nice."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

Food & Wine

Hospice nurse reveals six unexplainable "death bed phenomena"

<p>Hospice nurse Julie McFadden has lifted the lid on six unexplainable "death bed phenomena" that occur within a person's last weeks of life. </p> <p>The LA-based nurse, who specialises in end of life care, explained that as a person nears the end of their life, they will experience a range of unusual things, including hallucinations, random bursts of energy and even choosing when they're going to die. </p> <p>McFadden once again took to her YouTube channel to educate people on what happens when you're on your death bed, detailing each of the six strange occurrences. </p> <p>Julie explained that patients often experienced "terminal lucidity", "hallucinations", "death stares", and more in their final weeks. </p> <p>She began by explaining the first wild thing that happened at the end of life was terminal lucidity, in which people get a "burst of energy" in the days before they die, sharing that it happens "very often". </p> <p>She said, "Just enjoy it and expect that maybe they will die soon after because that's the kicker with terminal lucidity, it looks like someone's going to die very soon then suddenly they have a burst of energy."</p> <p>"They maybe have a really great day, they're suddenly hungry, they're suddenly able to walk, they're suddenly very alert and oriented, and then shortly after usually a day or two they will die, so that can be the hard part if you're not ready for it, if you don't know what's coming you can think they're getting better and then they die, which can be very devastating."</p> <p>Julie then described how most people in their final days will encounter "death visioning" or "hallucinations", as many people describe seeing the ghosts of loved ones in their final days. </p> <p>"I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it for myself over and over again," the nurse admitted. </p> <p>"Number three, this is really crazy - people choosing when they're going to die. I have seen some extreme cases of this, people just saying, 'Tonight's when I'm going to die I know it, I can feel it,' and they do. There's also a time when people will wait for everybody to get into town or get into the room arrive at the house whatever it is and then they will die," the nurse explained. </p> <p>The fourth phenomena is known as the "death reach", according to Julie. </p> <p>She explained, "It's when the person's lying in bed and they reach up in the air like they're seeing someone or they're reaching for someone either to hug them or to shake their hands. A lot of times they'll hold their hands up for a long time, like they're seeing something that we're not seeing and they're reaching for someone that we can't see."</p> <p>Julie then listed "number five is the death stare," explaining that the death stare and the death reach often "go together". </p> <p>"It usually looks like someone is staring off into the corner of the room or the side of the room basically looking at something intently, but if you're snapping your finger in front of their face or trying to say their name to kind of snap them out of it, they won't," she said.</p> <p>The last wild thing the nurse has seen is known as a "shared death experience" and is "most impactful", according to Julie. </p> <p>She explained, "A shared death experience is when someone who is not dying feels or sees or understands what's happening to the person who is dying."</p> <p>"It's kind of like the dying person gives you the sensation of what they're going through. From what I experienced, it was a very good feeling. It was like the person was giving me these feelings of freedom and joy and kind of telling me that they were okay."</p> <p>"At the time, I was shocked, I didn't know what was happening, but I've come to find out that that's called a shared death experience."</p> <p><em>Image credits: YouTube / Instagram </em></p>

Caring

King Charles shares birthday photo of baby Princess Anne

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">To commemorate Princess Anne's birthday, the official social media accounts of the monarchy posted two images – one captured at Buckingham Palace on May 6 at the King's Coronation, ceremony, with King Charles and his sister both adorned in regal attire, and the other of the siblings at a very young age.</span></p> <p>In the Coronation picture, King Charles dons the resplendent Imperial State Crown, his purple satin coronation tunic, and the dignified Robe of Estate, offering a cheerful smile to his sister. Princess Anne, meanwhile, dressed in the uniform of the Colonel of the Blues and Royals, wears a striking red plumed hat and a military ensemble.</p> <p>Personally appointed by her brother, King Charles, Princess Anne led a procession of 6,000 armed services personnel through London's streets in her capacity as "Gold-Stick-in Waiting" at the historic event - the first woman to fulfill this role of being responsible for the monarch's safety. This tradition traces its origins back to the 15th century, with the roles of Gold Stick and Silver Stick established to safeguard the monarch from harm.</p> <p>However, it was the addition of the throwback image from the family archive that really turned heads: A snapshot from 1951, capturing a two-year-old Charles gently reaching over to clasp the hand of his nearly one-year-old sister Anne. This delightful moment crystallises their sibling bond.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv9K_8msO1W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv9K_8msO1W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>This birthday holds a bittersweet sentiment for Princess Anne, as it marks her first celebration since the passing of her mother, Queen Elizabeth II.</p> <p>Often lauded as the hardest-working member of the royal family, <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Princess Anne</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">has seamlessly resumed her commitments following the loss. As a part of King Charles' streamlined monarchy, she continues to contribute significantly. In her downtime, she retreats to Gatcombe Park estate, sharing proximity with her son Peter Phillips and daughter Zara Tindall, along with their families.</span></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Flex your sustainability skills this Plastic Free July

<p dir="ltr">It’s no secret that single-use plastics are often a huge part of our lives, with grocery items and household essentials often relying on plastic for their packaging. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, if you look a little further, you’ll find that there are sustainable options out there to help curb your plastic consumption. </p> <p dir="ltr">The annual global initiative of <a href="https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/">Plastic Free July</a> is once again taking place, with over 190 countries determined to be a part of the plastic pollution solution. </p> <p dir="ltr">Plastic Free July is a great opportunity to discover more sustainable options in day to life, while also helping to save valuable dollars during the ongoing cost of living crisis. </p> <p dir="ltr">In collaboration with this international movement, <a href="https://www.brita.com.au/">BRITA</a> have shared ten valuable tips to help reduce individual plastic waste contribution in everyday life. </p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Make the switch to a filtered water jug and reusable bottle instead of drinking single-use bottles of water at home or at the office.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Instead of plastic food wraps, choose alternatives such as beeswax wraps or reusable containers.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Try a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Skip the plastic straw or buy stainless steel straws to reduce dangerous plastic waste caused by used straws. Think of the turtles!</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Try out powdered laundry detergent that comes in a box instead of laundry liquid in plastic bottles.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Swap plastic bin liners for newspaper or certified compostable ones instead.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Avoiding pre-packaged foods by choosing bulk or loose food. Or, better yet, take in your own jars. </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Use soap bars instead of liquid soap in plastic containers.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Use your own cutlery when ordering takeaway food, instead of relying on plastic ones.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Always consider the three R’s for a better planet – reduce, reuse, recycle!</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Home & Garden

Erin Doherty’s new role sure to be approved by Princess Anne

<p dir="ltr">Erin Doherty might just get the tick of approval from Princess Anne as she holds the reins in the forthcoming series <em>A Thousand Blows</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Doherty, 30, who played the role of horse-mad Princess Anne in <em>The Crown</em>, will star in the new drama which tells the story of the Forty Elephants, an all-woman crime syndicate specialising in shoplifting from department stores. </p> <p dir="ltr">Much like her role as Princess Anne, images from the upcoming series have seen the actress in a Victorian outfit driving a horse-drawn carriage on set in London. </p> <p dir="ltr">The period drama will also star actor Stephen Graham and it’s created by Stephen Knight who was responsible for the hit gangster drama Peaky Blinders.</p> <p dir="ltr">The presence of horses is sure to please King Charle’s sister as she is a known horse-lover. Prince Phillip once joked, “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The series will also be heavy on boxing but will explore the social climate of London during the post-industrial revolution era. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is still under production and is set to be released on Disney+ with 12 episodes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

"Prima donna in pigtails": how Julie Andrews the child star embodied the hopes of post-war Britain

<p>In June, the American Film Institute presented its 48th Life Achievement Award, the highest honour in American cinema, to the beloved stage-and-screen star <a href="https://www.afi.com/laa/julie-andrews/">Julie Andrews</a>. </p> <p>On conferring the award, the AFI praised Andrews as “a legendary actress” who “has enchanted and delighted audiences around the world with her uplifting and inspiring body of work”.</p> <p>As anyone who has seen <em>Mary Poppins</em> (1964) or <em>The Sound of Music</em> (1965) can attest, “uplift” is central to the <a href="https://www.sensesofcinema.com/2002/female-glamour-and-star-power/andrews/">Julie Andrews screen persona</a>. </p> <p>It is a sweetness-and-light image that is easy to lampoon. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZtTQSbl-nw/?hl=en">Andrews herself</a> is alleged to have quipped “sometimes I’m so sweet even I can’t stand it”. But it’s an element of feel-good edification that fuels much of the star’s iconic appeal.</p> <p>The idea of Julie Andrews as a figure of uplift has a long history. </p> <p>Decades before she attained global film stardom in Hollywood, Andrews enjoyed an early career as <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19392397.2022.2109303">a child performer</a>. </p> <p>Billed as “Britain’s youngest singing star”, she performed widely on the postwar concert and variety circuit with forays into radio, gramophone recording and even early television. </p> <p>Possessing a precociously mature soprano voice, Andrews was widely promoted in the era as a <a href="https://paralleljulieverse.tumblr.com/post/63601790519/julies-status-as-a-juvenile-prodigy-possessed">child prodigy</a>. A 1945 BBC talent report filed when the young singer was just nine years old enthused over “this wonderful child discovery” whose “breath control, diction, and range is quite extraordinary for so young a child”.</p> <h2>‘Infant prodigy of trills’</h2> <p>Andrews made her professional West End debut in 1947 where she dazzled audiences with a coloratura performance of the <em>Polonaise from Mignon</em>. Newspapers were ablaze with stories about the “12-year-old singing prodigy with the phenomenal voice”.</p> <p>Reports claimed the pint-sized singer had a vocal range of over four octaves, a fully formed adult larynx and an upper <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_register">whistle register</a> so high dogs would be beckoned whenever she sang. </p> <p>On the back of such stories, Andrews was given a slew of lionising monikers: “prima donna in pigtails”, “infant prodigy of trills”, “the miracle voice” and “Britain’s juvenile coloratura”.</p> <p>While much of it was PR hype, the representation of Andrews as an extraordinary musical prodigy resonated deeply with postwar British audiences. The devastation of the war cast <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436946/">a long shadow</a>, and there was a keen sense a collective social rejuvenation was needed to reestablish national wellbeing. </p> <p>The figure of the child was pivotal to the rhetoric of postwar British reconstruction. From political calls for <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0363199020945746">expanded child welfare</a> to the era’s booming <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/30036327">family-oriented consumerism</a>, images of children saturated the cultural landscape, serving as a lightning rod for both <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/growing-up-in-the-second-world-war">social anxieties and hopes</a>.</p> <p>In her status as “Britain’s youngest singing star”, Andrews chimed with these postwar discourses of child-oriented renewal. </p> <p>A popular myth even traced her prodigious talent to the very heart of the Blitz. Like a scene from a morale-boosting melodrama, the story claimed the young Andrews was huddled one night with family and friends in a Beckenham air raid shelter. In the middle of a communal singalong, a powerful voice suddenly materialised out of her tiny frame, astonishing all into silent delight.</p> <h2>‘Our Julie’</h2> <p>One of the most pointed alignments of Andrews’ juvenile stardom with a discourse of postwar British nationalism came with her appearance at the <a href="https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance/archive/detail/1948-london-palladium-">1948 Royal Command Variety Performance</a>. </p> <p>Appearing just two weeks after her 13th birthday, Andrews was the youngest artist ever to participate in the annual event. It generated considerable media coverage and yet another grand nickname: “command singer in pigtails”. </p> <p>Andrews performed a solo set at the event, and was also charged with leading the national anthem at the close.</p> <p>Ideals of restorative nationalism shaped Andrews’ child stardom in other ways. </p> <p>Much of her early repertoire was markedly British, drawn from the English classical canon and rounded out by traditional folk songs. </p> <p>Press reports emphasised, for all her remarkable talent, “our Julie” was still a typical English girl thoroughly unspoiled by fame. In accompanying images she would appear in idyllic scenarios of classic English childhood: playing with dolls, riding her bicycle, doing her homework.</p> <p>Elsewhere, commentary was rife with speculations about Andrews’ prospects as “the next <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelina_Patti">Adelina Patti</a>” or “future <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Pons">Lily Pons</a>”. The mix of nostalgia and hope helped make the young Andrews a reassuring figure in the anxious landscape of postwar Britain. </p> <h2>All grown up</h2> <p>Little prodigies can’t remain little forever. There lies the troubled rub for many child stars, doomed by biology to lose their principal claim to fame. </p> <p>In Andrews’ case, she was able to make the successful transition to adult stardom – and even greater fame – by moving country and professional register into the American stage and screen musical. </p> <p>Still, the themes of therapeutic uplift that defined her early child stardom would follow Julie Andrews as she graduated to become the world’s favourite singing nanny.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/prima-donna-in-pigtails-how-julie-andrews-the-child-star-embodied-the-hopes-of-post-war-britain-188363" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

Princess Anne gives touching insight into Queen's final hours

<p dir="ltr">Princess Anne has opened up about her mother’s final 24 hours before she passed away. </p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96 on September 8 while under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her daughter Princess Anne was “grateful” to spend the final 24 hours with the late monarch before her tragic death. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother’s life,” Princess Anne’s statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to thank everyone who sent their well wishes to her late mother before acknowledging the understanding given to her brother, King Charles III.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To my mother, The Queen, thank you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen will be laid to rest on September 19. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Family & Pets

Anne Heche's official cause of death revealed

<p dir="ltr">Anne Heche’s death has been ruled an accident just days after she was taken off life support.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 53-year-old was pulled out of her burning car after she crashed into a Los Angeles mansion while driving 140km/h on August 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actress fell into a coma where the “<a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/anne-heche-s-blood-test-results-revealed-after-horror-smash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">presence of drugs</a>” was found in her body as she remained on life support.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having been labelled labelled legally dead two days prior, Heche, an organ donor, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/anne-heche-to-be-taken-off-life-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">taken off life support</a> on August 14 after recipients for her organs were found.</p> <p dir="ltr">On August 17, almost two weeks after the horrific incident, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner ruled Heche’s death an accident.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ruling read that Heche died due to inhalation of smoke and thermal injuries, with "sternal fracture due to blunt trauma" listed as another "significant condition".</p> <p dir="ltr">The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) also confirmed that the investigation into the crash would not move forward.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case," a spokesperson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the news of Heche’s death, her representative issued a statement about the loss of a “joyful soul”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Today we lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend," the statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact."</p> <p dir="ltr">Heche is survived by her 13-year-old son Atlas, who she shares with actor James Trupper, and 20-year-old son Homer, shared with ex-husband Coleman Laffoon.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Legal

Happy Birthday! Princess Anne turns 72

<div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <p>The Royal Family are sending their best wishes to Princess Anne in honour of her 72nd birthday.</p> <p>On Monday the 15th of August, the only daughter to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip was inundated with tributes via social media from all three of the Royal Family’s official accounts.</p> <p>The Royal’s man account shared a photo of Princess Anne from the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace in May.</p> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing The Princess Royal a happy birthday today! <a href="https://t.co/dGgolFVGic">pic.twitter.com/dGgolFVGic</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1559092626799853568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall shared that same post to their instagram story, while Prince William and Kate Middleton added their congratulations and well wishes over on Instagram and Twitter.</p> <blockquote> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing a very happy birthday to The Princess Royal today!🎂</p> <p>— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1559098086395453441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Anne has two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Philips and previously held the honour of competing as an olympic level equestrian, with Zara has following in her foot steps.</p> <p>Known for her tough work ethic, she remains one of the hardest working Royals, attending hundreds of royal engagements each year.</p> <p>Princess Anna has clocked up an impressive 506 coming in second to her brother, Prince Charles while he sits at a whopping 521 events. She is involved with over 300 charities and organisations and was bestowed the honour of Royal Princess in 1987.</p> <p>Next in line for the title is Princess Charlotte when her father Prince William eventually becomes king.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div class="post-actions-component" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible;"> <div class="upper-row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 8px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; height: 24px;"> </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

Anne Heche to be taken off life support

<p dir="ltr">US actress Anne Heche will be taken off life support days after she was reported to be brain dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision comes after the 53-year-old was matched with an organ recipient, per CNN, in line with her wishes, after Heche was pulled out of her burning car, which she had <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/actress-fighting-for-her-life-after-horror-car-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">driven into an LA home</a> while driving 104 km/h on August 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">Heche's publicist broke the news that the <em>Six Days, Seven Nights</em> star was "not expected to survive" on Friday, revealing that Heche had "suffered a severe anoxic brain injury".</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have lost a bright light, a kind and most joyful soul, a loving mother, and a loyal friend,” her spokesperson told <em>Page Six</em> at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anne will be deeply missed but she lives on through her beautiful sons, her iconic body of work, and her passionate advocacy.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-02f14bcd-7fff-85ab-3ecc-d0d822147ddc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Her bravery for always standing in her truth, spreading her message of love and acceptance, will continue to have a lasting impact.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdUqTdKLo6E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdUqTdKLo6E/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Anne Heche (@anneheche)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The following day, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement that the investigation into the crash would not move forward.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As of today, there will be no further investigative efforts made in this case," the LAPD said in a statement to <em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/08/14/anne-heche-police-investigation-dismissed-following-stars-death/?_ga=2.230917663.184706205.1660479883-1122528718.1567945808" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Any information or records that have been requested prior to this turn of events will still be collected as they arrive as a matter of formalities and included in the overall case.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When a person suspected of a crime expires, we do not present for filing consideration.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After the results for Heche’s blood test following the crash <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/anne-heche-s-blood-test-results-revealed-after-horror-smash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">detected “the presence of drugs” in her system</a>, police investigations escalated to a “preliminary” felony DUI.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gossip magazine <em>TMZ </em>reported on August 10 that the investigation was escalated after a woman claimed she was injured and needed medical assistance due to Heche crashing into her home.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7a45620a-7fff-a523-348f-68564680d4f2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">However, an LAPD public information officer told <em>Page Six</em> that the felony was preliminary due to pending further toxicology testing.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKkPVLukOi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChKkPVLukOi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by James Tupper (@mrjamestupper)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Heche, who never regained consciousness after the crash, is survived by her 13-year-old son Atlas, who she shares with actor James Trupper, as well as her 20-year-old son Homer, shared with ex-husband Coleman Laffoon.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-661f6c10-7fff-c097-316a-6f5c947cb84c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">On Saturday, Tupper shared a sweet tribute to his late wife to Instagram, posting a single photo of Heche along with the caption: “love you forever 💔”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLAEgaPFFF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLAEgaPFFF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Coley Laffoon (@coleylaffoon)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Laffoon took to social media to wish his ex-wife peace on her journey, sharing a throwback photo of Heche with their son as a baby.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s important to remember the real love in the best times. Thank you Anne. Peace on your journey,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dd5ef628-7fff-d8e9-c738-71dae7ec97e9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @anneheche (Instagram)</em></p>

News

Anne Heche's blood test results revealed after horror smash

<p dir="ltr">An investigation of Anne Heche’s blood results have detected “the presence of drugs” following <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/new-details-of-actor-anne-heche-s-fiery-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her horror smash</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The US actress was pulled out of her burning car after she smashed into a mansion in Los Angeles while driving a terrifying 140km/h on August 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 53-year-old suffered severe injuries and soon after the crash fell into a coma and has not regained consciousness since. </p> <p dir="ltr">Almost a week after the incident, a Los Angeles Police Department Public Information Officer confirmed there was a “presence of drugs” in Anne’s blood system. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Based on the blood draw, it revealed the presence of drugs, however additional testing is required to rule out any substances that were administered at the hospital as part of her medical treatment,” they told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/anne-heche-blood-test-revealed-presence-of-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News Digital</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Any secondary drugs [takes] up to 30 days for [a] secondary test to come back.” </p> <p dir="ltr">TMZ previously reported that Anne had cocaine in her system upon arrival at the hospital, but that is yet to be confirmed. </p> <p dir="ltr">The crash is currently being investigated by the LAPD who have confirmed that if Anne is found to have been drunk she would face significant charges. </p> <p dir="ltr">"If found intoxicated, [Heche] could be charged with misdemeanour DUI hit and run. No arrests have been made so far,” a representative said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Anne’s representative has confirmed that she is in an “extreme critical condition”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has a significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention,” her representative said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She is in a coma and has not regained consciousness since shortly after the accident.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Ellen DeGeneres’ frosty response to ex’s car crash

<p dir="ltr">Ellen DeGeneres has commented on ex Anne Heche’s horrifying incident which has landed her in a coma. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 53-year-old actress was reportedly driving at an extraordinary 140km/h when she crashed her Mini Cooper into a house in Los Angeles. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/new-details-of-actor-anne-heche-s-fiery-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">car burst into flames</a> and Anne was pulled out, suffering severe burns and has since ended up in a coma. </p> <p dir="ltr">Anne’s ex, talk show legend Ellen, was inquired about the incident and asked if she has spoken to her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No, I have not. We’re not in touch with each other, so I wouldn’t know,” she responded, <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/ellens-cold-response-to-ex-anne-heches-horror-car-crash/news-story/e58a3fbbd62c457c1e050a0206a70e55" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> reported. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ellen was then asked if she had any well wishes for her former partner to which she just responded with a, “Sure, I don’t want anyone to be hurt”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The crash is <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/actress-fighting-for-her-life-after-horror-car-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">currently being investigated</a> by the LAPD who have confirmed that if Anne is found to have been drunk she would face significant charges. </p> <p dir="ltr">"If found intoxicated, [Heche] could be charged with misdemeanour DUI hit and run. No arrests have been made so far,” a representative said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Anne’s representative has confirmed that she is in an “extreme critical condition”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has a significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention,” her representative said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She is in a coma and has not regained consciousness since shortly after the accident.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Anne and Ellen made their relationship public on the red carpet for the movie premiere of Volcanoes back in 1997.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Anne was told she would lose her contract if she appeared with Ellen, who was also advised to appear alone.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair did not adhere to what they were asked to do and instead showed up on the red carpet but were reportedly kicked out before the movie ended.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their relationship lasted three-and-a-half years before they broke it off and within hours, Anne was spotted at a stranger's house which saw the police called.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also had a public breakdown amid the break-up. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Actress fighting for her life after horror car crash

<p>US actress Anne Heche is fighting for her life following a <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/new-details-of-actor-anne-heche-s-fiery-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fiery car crash</a> in Los Angeles.</p> <p>The 53-year-old crashed her Mini Cooper into a house at a great speed, and was subsequently hospitalised with severe burns. </p> <p>According to the New York Post, the star is reportedly in a "critical condition".</p> <p>A spokesperson for Heche told the Post, "Shortly after the accident, Anne Heche became unconscious, slipping into a coma."</p> <p>They explained that Heche, who also crashed into an apartment garage earlier in the day, suffered "significant pulmonary injury requiring mechanical ventilation and burns that require surgical intervention".</p> <p>The Post also reported that the Los Angeles Police Department received a warrant to test the actress' blood, as they worked to determine if the crash was a result of drugs and alcohol.</p> <p>According to the Post, a representative for the LAPD confirmed the warrant was "obtained the same day as the traffic collision, which was August 5. The warrant was to draw blood, and an investigation is ongoing pending the blood test results."</p> <p>"If found intoxicated, [Heche] could be charged with misdemeanour DUI hit and run. No arrests have been made so far."</p> <p>Witnesses to Heche's first crash tried to help the star out of the vehicle, but she allegedly backed up and drove off before crashing into another home where her car became "engulfed" in flames.</p> <p>Aerial shots from the accident show smoke billowing out of the home she crashed into while photos from the scene capture Heche being put on a stretcher before being taken to hospital. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

New details of actor Anne Heche's fiery crash

<p dir="ltr">A man who witnessed actress Anne Heche’s fiery car crash in Los Angeles has described the life-threatening incident as “horrific” and revealed he could “hardly breathe” while trying to help the trapped star.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lynne Bernstein said he and his wife saw a car driving down their street at a “high rate of speed” before his wife heard Heche’s car crash into their neighbour’s house.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bernstein, who tried to assist Heche out of her blue Mini Cooper, said the flames and smoke made it “hard to breathe”, telling <em>Fox News Digital</em> that Heche was “conscious” but that he didn’t know how “coherent” she was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The smoke was just getting way too intense, we could hardly breathe,” Bernstein said. “The smoke was making it hard to breathe.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bernstein added that the tenant whose home Heche crashed into left her house from a side room and was “shocked” at what had happened, telling a group of people to “get out of my house” before realising what had happened.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to Bernstein, another neighbour, Dave Manpearl, asked Heche if she was alright and she rescinded that she wasn’t.</p> <p dir="ltr">Manpeal, who also attempted to rescue Heche from the burning car, exited when flames overtook it, telling the <em>Daily Mail</em> he was “positive” that she was dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was positive that the driver was dead. That she had burned up,” he said “It took at least 30 minutes for the fire department to douse the flames, extract the car and pull her out of the car.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Heche was then transported to a hospital in critical condition, according to emergency responders.</p> <p dir="ltr">A second witness told <em>Fox News Digital</em> the crash “scared the entire neighbourhood”. Yaroslav Borets added that these types of accidents don’t often occur in their neighbourhood.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Something we will remember for a long time,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is generally a safe place.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, the Los Angeles Fire Department said the vehicle had a single occupant when it crashed into a two-storey home built in 1952, and that the occupant was taken to a local hospital by paramedics.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Fifty-nine firefighters took 65 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish the stubborn flames within the heavily damaged structure and rescued one female adult found within the vehicle who has been taken to an area hospital by LAFD Paramedics in critical condition,” the <a href="https://www.lafd.org/alert/knockdown-structure-fire-08052022-inc0707" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> read.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <em>FOX 11</em>, no other injuries were reported and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has also emerged that Heche joked about drinking vodka and chasing it down with wine on an episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/better-together-w-anne-heche-and-heather-duffy/id1534627568" target="_blank" rel="noopener">her podcast</a> that was released on the day of the crash - which has since been removed from the internet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Heche and her co-host Heather Duffy spoke about drinking vodka supplied by a podcast sponsor and chasing it with white wine, with Heche opening up about having a “bad day”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know what happened, sometimes days just suck and I don’t know if you ever have them [but] some days, those no good, very bad days, and some days days just end up like this,” Heche told listeners.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-54905d80-7fff-9234-94d6-26e2f6f4753b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Sometimes days just suck and I don’t know if you ever have them, but you know some days, Mama says just gonna be like this. Some days there’s those no good, very bad days.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

To scooter, or not to scooter?

<p><em><strong><img width="117" height="100" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/41006/julie-g-aka-barbara-bindland_117x100.jpg" alt="Julie G Aka Barbara Bindland (5)" style="float: left;"/>Barbara Binland is the pen name of a senior, Julie Grenness, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is a poet, writer, and part-time English and Maths tutor, with over 40 years of experience. Her many books are available on Amazon and Kindle.</strong></em></p> <p>So, as a senior citizen, you have finally hung up your car keys, for whatever reason. That is part of our ageing journey, one day no longer being able to drive a motor car again.</p> <p>What’s next? Well, the senior citizen, over-60, golden oldie, can decide to purchase an electric mobility scooter. These provide both transportation and independence to anyone with limited mobility. Scooters are a great invention, assisting their owners in performing everyday tasks, such as shopping, or running errands. Electric mobility scooters are the safest way of travelling currently in Australia, even safer than walking on a footpath!</p> <p>There is a variety of styles of scooters available, at a variety of prices. In Australia, the costs range from $1,400 to $8,000, depending on style, number of wheels, length of battery life, and manoeuvrability, as well as number of wheels. They have a warranty, you can have a home demonstration for a test drive, and can even have lessons!</p> <p>Here are some questions to consider before purchasing:</p> <ol> <li>What and how far do you intend to travel?</li> <li>Are you only planning to use your scooter locally, or do you wish to use it on trips?</li> <li>Are there tight corners where you wish to travel?</li> <li>Where will you store your scooter?</li> <li>Do you wish to carry luggage or bags with you?</li> <li>Have you considered the cost of insurance for your scooter?</li> <li>Is your vision okay at normal walking speed?</li> </ol> <p>Overall, electric mobility scooters are easy to operate, travel at a modest speed, and are a safe and stable mode of transport, as they are designed low to the ground. If you have a disability, or issues with walking, a power scooter helps you get around and provides you with independence. With a variety of styles available, you can find one that suits your needs, and looks good too.</p> <p>Finally, here is a little verse about greys on scooters to lighten your day…</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span></p> <p align="center"><strong>FREEWHEELING!</strong></p> <p align="center">What a lovely day,</p> <p align="center">Look, here come the greys!</p> <p align="center">Freewheeling today,</p> <p align="center">On their scooters again…</p> <p align="center">Skateboarding teens, yah!</p> <p align="center">Look out, kids, you’re in the way!</p> <p align="center">Greys toot and wave,</p> <p align="center">Freewheeling today,</p> <p align="center">There go the greys!</p> <p align="center">Have a fun grey day!</p> <p align="center">Cheers from one of the greys!</p> <p>Do you use a scooter? How do you find it? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Caring

Anne Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon jump on new Barbiecore trend

<p dir="ltr">After official <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/first-look-at-completely-transformed-ryan-gosling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">behind-the-scenes photos</a> emerged of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken in the upcoming live action <em>Barbie</em> film, there’s been a resurgence in Barbiecore, with celebrities and high-end fashion houses deciding that its vibrant pink hues are the new “It” colour this season.</p> <p dir="ltr">The nostalgic trend that embraces hyper-pink shades and feminine silhouettes has been cropping up on social media, high fashion runways, and at red carpets and A-list events around the world. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d815d5df-7fff-6579-fbae-e4f2806e96f9">“The main theme? More is more – and you can never have too much pink,” reports <em><a href="https://www.beautycrew.com.au/what-is-barbiecore?category=makeup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beauty Crew</a></em>. “When it comes to fashion, the vibe is essentially dopamine-dressing in fluorescent pink and as many sparkles as you can handle.”</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/barbiecore1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Anne Hathaway (left), Reese Witherspoon (centre), and Duckie Thot (right) have stunned with their own spins on the Barbiecore trend. Images: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Stars Anna Hathaway and Reese Witherspoon are among the growing number of celebrities jumping on the fuschia-focused trend, which has also been featured heavily by designer brand Valentino to the point where “Valentino pink” is the fashion house’s “now-signature magenta hue”, per <em><a href="https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/anne-hathaway-valentino-couture-front-row-magenta-dress-1235248441/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Women’s Wear Daily</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hathaway was spotted styling a sequin minidress in the brightest of hot pinks, paired with towering platform shoes and a studded minibag in a matching shade at the Valentino Haute Couture show in Rome.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-413fa31d-7fff-825f-e2de-b202e24780bc">Joining her in the front row in equally pink outfits was Korean pop rapper Hwasa and West Side Story star Ariana DeBose, with actress Florence Pugh also spotted styling the vibrant hue.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/barbiecore2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Anne Hathaway, Hwasa, and Ariana DeBose were spotted in all-pink outfits in the front row of the Valentino Haute Couture, flanked by Giancarlo Giammetti (far left) and Anna Wintour (far right). Image: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Witherspoon styled a knee-length, fuschia frock at the New York premiere of Where The Crawdads Sing, where actress Karen Pittman was also spotted pairing a hot pink camisole and skirt with a bold 80s-style blazer.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ab7093a2-7fff-c494-4a56-77d03b17f7d8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Other celebrities who have embraced the trend include Lady Gaga, the Kardashians, Australian model Duckie Thot, Lizzo, Sebastian Stan, and Natalie Portman.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6c52LOMAQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf6c52LOMAQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Natalie Portman (@natalieportman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Australian designer Mariam Saddiq, who featured Barbie pink suits and dresses at her Australian Fashion Week show this year, describes it as feminine without being “sickly sweet”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When people ask me for the Barbie treatment, it’s about helping them look like they have a magically snatched-in waist. It’s a move away from the androgynous look to something feminine, with prettier silhouettes, blazers with nipped waists and the celebration of that hourglass silhouette,” she told the <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/the-barbiecore-summer-is-coming-blame-margot-robbie-20220630-p5axxt.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sydney Morning Herald</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“For me, it’s about making sure that there’s an edge to pink looks so that they’re not sickly sweet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Erik Yvon, a Melbourne designer, says the trend is a continuation of the current generation’s interest in styles from the 80s and 90s.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can see it happening internationally at labels such as Moschino already but I totally see it happening here,” Yvon says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s an energy and playfulness to it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-de8d7168-7fff-120a-dd7d-36e6ce050122"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Here’s what happening across New Zealand in July

<p dir="ltr">Though the start of July brings with it the peak of winter’s chill and darkness, there’s still plenty to do across New Zealand this month.</p> <p dir="ltr">From Christmas festivities and a slew of top-notch films to nights of looking to the stars, here are some events you won’t want to miss.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Festival of Christmas (Greytown)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">This month-long festival features a program of spectacular lights, night markets, workshops, parties and activities celebrating Christmas in Greytown.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f68069ab-7fff-0230-b138-1305a3703ed2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With all the hallmarks of a northern hemisphere Christmas, you can expect European markets, warming drinks and festive treats, the Festival of Christmas also has a distinct Kiwi flavour, with celebrations of Matariki also featured.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/xmas-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @greytownvillage (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">This year’s theme is Gingerbread, with highlights including:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The Great Gingerbread Hunt, where visitors can enter a competition to search for a brightly-lit eight-foot gingerbread man and go in the draw to win some amazing prizes.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cocktails and Comedy - a rotating program of top comedians will entertain you as you enjoy a two-course dinner and Greytown Gin Cocktail.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Family Fun at Cobbletones, where you can flex your baking muscles at the Great Gingerbread Bake Off on July 9 and step back in time with A Very Victorian Christmas on July 16.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">For more information about this year’s program, head <a href="https://www.wellingtonnz.com/experience/events/festival-of-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>New Zealand International Film Festival</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Technically starting at the end of July, the New Zealand International Film Festival will be screening seventy feature films and four collections of short films in Auckland from July 28 until August 7 before touring the rest of the country through August.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4f12eae9-7fff-7efe-2f0b-8ba11eb7ddfa"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The festival will be opened by the premiere of <em>Muru</em>, the much-anticipated action-drama from local filmmaker Tearepa Kahi.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/nzff.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The New Zealand International Film Festival will kick off in Auckland from July 28. Image: Fire of Love (NZFF)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Other titles will include films direct from Cannes, award-winners from this year’s Berlin Film Festival, and a collection of New Zealand docos and feature films.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tickets for Auckland’s sessions are available for sale from July 14, while tickets for Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin’s sessions will be available from July 15, 18, and 25. </p> <p dir="ltr">The full program of films and information about the festival can be found <a href="https://www.nziff.co.nz/nziff-2022/auckland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Snugs</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Though it might be chilly outside right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out - and the return of <a href="https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2022/the-snugs/auckland#when" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Snugs</a> makes it even easier.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b4f54d34-7fff-9ac8-87b3-0f031002c6ed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Each transparent dome is kitted out with blankets and heaters, and can seat up to six people.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/snugs.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Auckland Live</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Plus, when you book your Snug you’ll be able to choose from a wide selection of food platters, beverage packages, and other add-ons, with a special Matariki menu available until July 13 and an exclusive Elemental AKL menu available from July 14-31. Each booking requires a minimum spend of $80 for sessions before 4pm and $130 after 4pm required.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Our Night Sky: See the Sky Above Auckland and Beyond</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">See Auckland in a new light this winter with the 360-degree display of New Zealand’s skies at Our Night Sky, the latest experience at Stardome Observatory and Planetarium.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cf3ecb14-7fff-b3c3-0f82-3fc0b87657db"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Suitable for ages 5+, the experience will take kids (and kids at heart) on an exploration of the stars, planets and the universe and even shows the placement of stars on the day you visit.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/stars-july.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Stardome Observatory and Planetarium</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and bookings are essential for each show, which run Wednesday through Sunday throughout July.</p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more and book your tickets, head <a href="https://www.stardome.org.nz/movie/our-night-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c0c279bf-7fff-cc9f-140a-f61348e237b6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: NZFF / Stardome Observatory and Planetarium</em></p>

Domestic Travel

Here’s what’s happening across Australia in July

<p dir="ltr">With July just starting, there is plenty to do no matter where you are in the country this month.</p> <p dir="ltr">From festivals of light and snow to public art installations and activities to take part in, here’s what’s happening across Australia this July.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Illuminate Adelaide</strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4ceb885d-7fff-fdb6-0faf-ad0fd47d320a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">As one of the country’s newest festivals, Illuminate Adelaide is a city-wide celebration packed with art, lights, sounds, and creativity.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/adelaide-illuminate.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Lights, sounds, and immersive experiences are all on the cards at this year’s Illuminate Adelaide festival. You can even get up close to towering glowing creatures! Images: @illuminateadelaide (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Highlights of this year’s program include:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/base-camp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Base Camp</a>, a pop-attraction in Victoria Square, which boasts an ice-skating rink open day and night and Electric Playground, consisting of three immersive installations: Neon Village, SEEP, and ORBIT.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/light-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Creatures</a>, where giant glowing animals take over Adelaide Zoo along with some of the zoo’s furry and feathery residents.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/light-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Cycles</a>, which sees the Adelaide Botanic Gardens transformed into an after-dark transcendent experience where technology and nature meet.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/digital-garden-mount-gambier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Garden</a> takes over Mount Gambier’s cultural centre once again with a captivating program of installations, projections and interactive lighting created by local and international artists.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/lacunae/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lacunae</a>, a free art installation where a live-feed shares silhouettes and music simultaneously from different locations, meaning people across South Australia can communicate and dance with each other.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">For a full program and information about tickets, head <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Darwin Fringe Festival</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The annual festival celebrating Darwin’s arts scene is returning once again this year, with ten days of theatre, cabaret and burlesque, music, art, circus and dance planned.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-05ead01b-7fff-1f3b-0885-dd096a76bc15"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Highlights include a free networking night for artists, roller disco in Civic Park (though it is BYO skates), a zine fair, and a slew of top-notch comedians - including a showcase of Darwin’s teen comics.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/Darwin-fringe.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Darwin Fringe Festival lineup includes comedian Di Barkas’ show, ‘Oops’, and the roving performances at Fringes of Mindil. Images: Di Barkas (Facebook) / Darwin Fringe Festival</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The festival will also include a variety of night-time events, including raving performances and fire shows at Fringes of Mindil, as well as art exhibits and even installations where visitors' stories and dreams are turned into artworks.</p> <p dir="ltr">Darwin Fringe Festival runs from July 8-17, with more information available <a href="https://darwinfringe.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Mackay Festival of Arts</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If you’re looking to immerse yourself in art of all kinds, Mackay’s annual Festival of Arts could be perfect.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-6f19fdb1-7fff-3e67-c031-ea1c4184759d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the festival program includes fan favourites such as the <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/wisely_wine_and_food_day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wisely Wine & Food Day</a>, the <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/friends_of_the_mecc_jazz_brunch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friends of the MECC Jazz Brunch</a>, and the vibrant displays and installations at <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/daly_bay_illuminate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daly Bay Illuminate</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/mackay-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Daly Bay Illuminate (left) and Barbaroi (right) are just two of the highlights of this year’s program. Images: @mackay_festivals (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">New additions to the lineup cover everything from art to trivia, with highlights including:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/wonder_rooms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wonder Rooms</a> - an installation of shipping containers converted into selfie museums and filled with works created by Queensland-based artists, with five rooms to discover across the Mackay region.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/barbaroi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barbaroi</a> is a performance where contemporary circus meets physical theatre, featuring acrobatics, aerials and circus acts.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/read_the_room" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the Room</a>, a quiz show at the Ambassador Hotel that sees guests answer curly trivia questions through their phones, with panel guests then needing to guess which way the Room will swing.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://www.hauntmackay.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haunt Cabaret</a> - Mackay’s permanent Dinner Theatre hosts dinners with a show every Friday and Saturday night, with its current show, ‘FANTASY’, coinciding with the festival.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">To see the full program for the Mackay Festival of Arts, head <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Anything But Square: Under Surveillance (Melbourne)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a2b95bdc-7fff-8f9e-ca71-87d05202657f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With a theme of surveillance from our devices, homes and streets, this intriguing festival will be taking over Melbourne’s Federation Square until early August, complete with a towering, eight-metre-high creepy sculpture of a head covered in giant eyes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/surveillance.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Free film screenings and a creepy, everwatching sculpture are two features of the Anything But Square 2022 program. Images: @fed.square (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Other highlights include Dance Dystopia, a series of Friday night DJ sessions with free loaded hot chocolates and eye-themed sweets; Surveillance Film Festival with free outdoor screenings of movies catering to the whole family; Secret Workshops, with a eye-theed program including jewellery making, paint and sip classes, and embroidery.</p> <p dir="ltr">For more information about the Anything But Square: Under Surveillance program, head <a href="https://fedsquare.com/events/anything-but-square-under-surveillance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Snow Festival Sydney</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">150 tonnes of real snow is making its way to North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel for Snow Festival 2022. </p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-07f8cf95-7fff-b4e7-9c60-7a6310179fe8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The festival also welcomes the largest ice rink the area has ever seen, with free ice skating all day and night (and coaches to show you the ropes), as well as figure skating performances and live music rink-side.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/snow-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Snow, music, drinks and skates abound at North Sydney’s Snow Festival. Image: @greenwoodhotel (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">On top of the wintery goodness, the festival will also include special sponsor parties, gondolas, skate-up Fireball whiskey bars, plenty of activities for the kids, free-flowing Champagne, and inflatable polar bears.</p> <p dir="ltr">To find out more or book a table, head <a href="https://greenwoodhotel.com/snow-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Bicheno Beams Tasmania</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The family-friendly light festival is returning once again to Bicheno this winter, with not one, but two different light shows on display on alternating nights.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-85b48890-7fff-d2bc-eca4-dcb6f137ed52"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Due to the festival’s proximity to Bicheno’s adorable penguins, the festival has adopted a silent disco approach, encouraging visitors to bring along a device to stream the soundtrack to and a pair of headphones, as well as woollies, a torch and a thermos of hot chocolate to stay warm as the night turns chilly.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/bicheno-beams.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Two light shows feature at this year’s Bicheno Beams festival. Images: @bichenobeams (Instagram)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">If you can’t make it down, you can still enjoy the lights from the comfort of home. Bicheno Beams will be streaming live every night from 6pm.</p> <p dir="ltr">You can find out more about Bicheno Beams <a href="https://bichenobeams.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cb5afff4-7fff-14e7-7637-772c324e6ea7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Domestic Travel

“A night of magic and music”: Julie Andrews enjoys touching ‘Sound of Music’ reunion

<p dir="ltr">Dame Julie Andrews has been awarded one of Hollywood's highest honours - bestowed on one person each year - and had a heart-warming reunion all in the same night.</p> <p dir="ltr">When the acclaimed actress received the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles on Thursday, she was surprised with a sweet rendition of 'Do Re Mi' from five of the stars who played the Von Trapp children in <em>The Sound of Music</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c0365a4-7fff-eb66-55da-638e9fb1020f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Andrews went on to join Duane Chase (Kurt), Kym Karath (Gretl), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) in their performance which marked the first time the cast had performed together in over six decades.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Julie Andrews is surprised by her kids from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and joins them in a sing-a-long of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ to kick off the AFI Life Achievement Award presentation to her — what a beautiful moment! <a href="https://t.co/TZYT7UNPhr">pic.twitter.com/TZYT7UNPhr</a></p> <p>— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg/status/1535106725946093568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Only Charmian Carr, who played eldest sister Liesel and passed away in 2016, and Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa and died in 2017, were missing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to receiving her award, Andrews said she was “gobsmacked” to find her career was being honoured in such a way.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t know or think that it would ever come,” she said on the red carpet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it’s just as well, because you can’t go around expecting awards and things like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca10a206-7fff-1b50-f412-1247ae730fed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans took to social media to share their delight at Andrews’ award and reunion with her castmates, prompting Karath to share an update on what happened after.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night! <a href="https://twitter.com/thesom7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thesom7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieTurnerDTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DebbieTurnerDTO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/acstudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acstudio</a> <a href="https://t.co/memxYDOR5V">pic.twitter.com/memxYDOR5V</a></p> <p>— Kym Karath (@KymKarath) <a href="https://twitter.com/KymKarath/status/1535362904928575488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night!” she commented on a video from the performance, sharing a behind-the-scenes look of the five Von Trapps.</p> <p dir="ltr">All five, along with Andrews, also posed for a formal portrait and shared it on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So much fun last night at the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award honouring Julie Andrews,” Cartwright captioned the photo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CepYeBdFTtc/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was great being with my ‘Sound of Music’ siblings once again. A night of magic and music.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6277b9a-7fff-3527-d2e4-ec84f8e524f8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @angelacartwrightstudio (Instagram)</em></p>

Music

Dark Waters is a scary movie. Here’s Why…

<p>Many people have said <em>Dark Waters</em> is more terrifying than any horror movie. That’s because the most frightening thing about<em> Dark Waters</em> is the fact it actually happened. A US corporation – Dupont – put money before human lives and jeopardised the health of every person on this planet by dumping toxic PFOA waste in waterways in West Virginia for years.</p> <p>This makes<span> </span><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>one of the scariest movies you’ll see but don’t let this put you off. We all need to see this movie because it’s about how corporations think they can get away with polluting our planet in shocking ways, as long as they keep it hidden. Yes, it’s a bit like<span> </span><em>Erin Brockovich</em><span> </span>but even a bit more sinister.</p> <p>Why is it sinister? Because in Australia, we can usually watch a film like this and thank God we live on a remote island in the South Pacific. But that argument doesn’t hold any more. There’s a scene in<span> </span><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>where Mark Ruffalo (playing lawyer Robert Bilott) asks what’s a safe level of the pollutant – PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) and the answer is – one drop in an Olympic-sized swimming pool!</p> <p>You see Ruffalo’s face as he mentally adds up the amount of this chemical he’s seen flowing in streams near Parkersburg in West Virginia, and you know from his expression, pretty much the world’s water supply has been wiped out. Dupont has illegally dumped so much of this chemical that by now, it would have worked its way into the underground water system and there’s no saying how far it’s travelled.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RvAOuhyunhY?controls=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h4 id="h-what-s-the-story-behind-dark-waters"><strong>What’s the story behind<em><span> </span>Dark Waters</em>?</strong></h4> <p><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>is based on real-life events to do with the lawyer, Robert Bilott. Back in 1998, Bilott was working as a lawyer in Cincinnati when a cattle farmer called Wilbur Tennant (played by Bill Camp) visits him at work saying his cows are dying and he’s convinced the DuPont Chemical plant in town has something to do with it.</p> <p>At first Bilott isn’t interested – he tells the farmer he’s a defence lawyer and he “defends chemical companies.” But, as a favour to his grandmother, who knows the farmer, Bilott later drives to the farm to check it out. Once he gets there, he sees the property is a graveyard and the farmer tells him 190 of his cows have recently died.</p> <p>Bilott agrees to do some research and to find the environmental report DuPont, and the Environmental Protection Agency, wouldn’t share with the farmer.</p> <p>But what Bilott finds is far more deadly. He discovers a cover-up involving DuPont’s plant in the town of Parkersburg. He finds a synthetic chemical known as PFOA, which was created to coat army tanks in the war but was later used as a coating for cooking utensils – commonly known as Teflon – has been dumped in the area’s waterways for years.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.54574132492115px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843832/dark-waters-3-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4fbfa27af6ae46b5b367a4550e95fbe6" /></p> <p>From his research, Bilott finds DuPont has known about the dangers of PFOA and the fact it’s linked with deformities in babies and cancer in people. Even worse, he learns these synthetic chemicals are known as ‘forever chemicals’ because our bodies can’t break them down – so they stay in our systems forever. Bilott is hooked and knows he has to chase this case down to the very end and show Dupont they can’t do this sort of thing.</p> <p><strong>As Bilott says later in the movie: “The system is rigged. They want us to think it will protect us. We protect us. We do.”</strong></p> <p><strong>Just how serious is this PFOA toxic waste?</strong></p> <p>PFOA is one of a class of PFAS toxins or Perfluoroalkyl substances. They are are all man-made toxins and it’s estimated the majority of living creatures on earth now have PFASs in their bloodstream.</p> <p><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>is the first movie to document this story about PFASs and the film has had a major impact. When it was first released late in 2020 in the US, DuPont suffered a stock price fall.</p> <p>The full cinema release of the movie was delayed because of COVID-19 earlier this year but now you can watch the film on Binge, Apple TV and Prime Video.</p> <p><strong>Does<span> </span><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>get its message across?</strong></p> <p><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>is two hours long and a lot of it is fairly harrowing, documentary-style viewing. But to make sure we understand the fully story, this is the most realistic and compelling way.</p> <p>Some reviewers have said the subject matter deserved more but the low key, intense nature of how the film is made – produced by Todd Haynes – is far more persuasive than any other style. The understatement wins you over to the seriousness of what’s unfolding.</p> <p>We see the effect this harrowing, drawn-out legal battle has on Bilott’s family life with his wife, Sarah, (played by Anne Hathaway) and their sons. Ruffalo gives a strong, intense performance as Bilott and we can feel his commitment to the situation. Tim Robbins delivers a great performance as Bilott’s boss at his company, allowing him to keep working on this case even though it ends up taking 13 years to resolve.</p> <p><strong>What’s the story behind PFOA and PFAs?</strong></p> <p><em>Dark Waters</em><span> </span>highlights the dire reality of pollution from this class of harmful chemicals called PFAS. PFOA is just one of these and it’s found in Teflon, carpets, waterproof clothing, grease-proof paper and some packaging.</p> <p>Most people have heard of the dangers of PFOA and many frying pans now have packaging promoting they are ‘PFOA free.’</p> <p><strong>At a time like this with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting most of the world’s population, it’s even scarier to know that the health issues linked with PFAS contamination include a reduced response to vaccines</strong>.</p> <p>The threat of PFAS contamination is not limited to the US. There have been major contaminations in Europe and unfortunately, here in Australia, we’re not exempt either.</p> <p>A story in the<em><span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/toxic-secrets-where-the-sites-with-pfas-contamination-are-near-you-20180616-p4zlxc.html" target="_blank" aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)">Sydney Morning Herald,</a></em><span> </span>written by Carrie Fellner and Patrick Begley in June 2018, reports at least 90 sites across Australia are now under investigation for elevated levels of PFAS chemicals.</p> <p><strong>You can limit your exposure to PFAS</strong></p> <p>The<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/pfos.aspx" target="_blank" aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)"><span> </span>NSW Health Department’s website</a><span> </span>has lots of information about PFAS and what you can do to limit your exposure. Our Defence Department has manufactured these chemicals as well and so did an American company called 3M which operated within Australia.</p> <p>You can see the 90 sites where PFAS have contaminated the area on the map<span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/toxic-secrets-where-the-sites-with-pfas-contamination-are-near-you-20180616-p4zlxc.html" target="_blank">below.</a><span> </span>(This map is republished from a story in the<span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/toxic-secrets-where-the-sites-with-pfas-contamination-are-near-you-20180616-p4zlxc.html" target="_blank" aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em>,<span> </span></a>written by Carrie Fellner and Patrick Begley in June 2018.)</p> <p><img class="wp-image-118038" src="https://womenlovetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Dark-Waters-Map.jpg" alt="Dark Waters map" /></p> <p>The<span> </span><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/pfos.aspx" target="_blank" aria-label="undefined (opens in a new tab)">NSW Health Department website<span> </span></a>has some tips of what you can do to minimise your exposure to PFAS if you live in a PFAS affected area. This list includes being careful not to use groundwater, bore water or surface water for drinking or cooking. They say, using town water from the taps is OK but to be even safer, filtering your tap water would be a good idea.</p> <p><em>Images: Dark Waters</em></p>

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