Recent necrology, January 2014

A list of well-known people who have died recently

• Claudio Abbado, 1933-2014
  Shy but steely conductor who crafted some of the great performances of the last century
• Percy Blandford, 1912-2014
  Canoe designer who got Britain boating with his post-war do-it-yourself designs
• Colin Burrows, 1931-2014
  Former University of Canterbury ecologist who spent his life studying, protecting and teaching others about NZ’s native plant life

• Elizabeth Jane Howard, 1923-2014
  Novelist who drew on her miserable childhood and spectacular misfortune with men
• Michael Jacobs, 1952-2014
  Quixotic travel writer who celebrated the sounds and tastes of Spain and Latin America
• Kenneth Rose, 1924-2014
  Telegraph columnist and historian who chronicled the Establishment with wit, style and occasional asperities
• Thomas Rosenthal, 1935-2014
  Flamboyant publisher who also made his mark as art historian, broadcaster and connoisseur
• Pete Seeger, 1919-2014
  Godfather of folk music who was revered as the voice of political protest for more than half a century
• Ariel Sharon, 1928-2014
  Israeli leader famed for bold, brash, ruthless manoeuvres both in politics and on the battlefield
• James Siers, 1936-2014
  Pioneering Wellington photographer and writer

Science for kids – the Under 5 Fest

I reckon anything that gets kids into science is a good thing. And for all Mums, Dads, rellies, and teachers who agree – check out the Under 5 Fest. It is a special event for young children run by the excellent educators of Science Alive. Kids get to experience fun hands-on science activities and exhibits. There will be a petting zoo and puppet theatres. Kids can play with air and sound, amazing mirrors, and giant building blocks. Our own librarians will be there  – providing two storytelling sessions on the weekdays. And there will be a library stand with iPad activities during the weekend.

Under 5 Fest runs from 7th to the 13th of March 2014, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily and will be held at a new spacious venue – the Table Tennis Canterbury Stadium, 294 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. The cost is $5 per person, but the under 2s get in for free. For group bookings or more information phone 03 365 5199 or you can email bookings@sciencealive.co.nz

Here are some pics and the poster, kindly supplied to us by Science Alive.

Science Alive also have a cool after school science programme in ten of our libraries across Christchurch.

Excellent Science Alive educators lead children through interactive activities to stimulate their interest in science, and there is something to take home every week!

Programmes run during term time except the first week and no bookings are required.

For more sciencey goodness for kids, check out the following library resources:

• Booklists on all sorts of science subjects expertly formulated by our librarian Lisa
• A how-to guide to science fairs
• Good science books – Royal Society prize-winners
• Our homework zone
• Childrens’ science picture books