Anyone attending the Festival of Life in Caloundra later this month is in for a taste of the international ‘yarn bombing’ phenomenon, thanks to Australia’s Crochet Queen Jenny King.

Sunshine Coast local, Jenny King, who is in demand internationally as a crochet expert, is hatching a plan with a group of crochet enthusiasts to transform ‘something’ within the festival.

The Festival of Life, on 27 September, is a fringe festival of the Caloundra Fringe Festival, will be held in Lion’s Park Kings Beach, and while the exact nature of the yarn bombing is a secret, it is guaranteed to be quite spectacular.

Jenny King said she was inspired to create something special for the lifestyle festival.

“That was a few weeks ago and now we have a small group madly crocheting so we will have our feature ready to be installed,” Jenny said.

“Yarn bombing, also known as yarn storming, has become an international phenomenon over the last decade with knitters and crochet enthusiasts creating installation art pieces that appear to pop up overnight,” she said.

“It is a great way to highlight yarn crafts and show just how versatile yarn can be. Yarn bombing has also been created with the recent resurgence in people taking up knitting and crocheting.”

Jenny is continuing her crocheting while visiting the US this week where she is a special guest at the Crochet Guild of America’s Knitting and Crochet Show in Reno, Navada, while others continue to stitch in secret around the Coast.

“I am so looking forward to coming home and seeing everyone’s reactions when our yarn bombing is complete for the Festival on the 27th.”

“It will be great fun.”

The Festival of Life will run from 10am to 6pm at Lions Park, Kings Beach and will feature Tibetan singing bowl workshops and meditation, Healing Music, Fusion Music of Tibetan, Indian & Asian influence, Soul Music and World Music. There will also be a variety of food available for the body, mind and soul, exquisite visual arts for the heart and an interactive art space created by Krystle Sturgess.

Jenny King Designs shop is at Marcoola, opposite the Surf Air. You can also find out more or purchase online at www.jennykingdesigns.com.

The Buderim Foundation announced the winning applicants of the 2012 Community Grants Program and Youth in Philanthropy Program (YIPP) to an eager crowd at its Good News Night on Friday, 7 September.

The annual event was held at the Buderim War Memorial Hall and eight community organisations were awarded grants worth $23,290.

The Buderim Foundation has awarded over $96,000 in grants to Buderim organisations since 2008.

The successful applicants of the 2012 Grants Program were Buderim Men’s Shed receiving $3,194 for workshop equipment; Maroochydore State Emergency Service Support Association receiving $2,245 for computers for their Operational Management System; QCWA receiving $3,000 for a chairlift installation at the Buderim Memorial Hall; Buderim Historical Society receiving $1,382 to replace computers for cataloguing assets and memorabilia; Buderim Male Choir receiving $3,730 towards their performance of ‘Cantata for Buderim’ as part of the B150 Celebrations and Buderim Sails receiving $3,739 for a Buderim Indigenous and South Sea Islander map and brochure.

Funding from the Buderim Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy Program was awarded to Fusion Sunshine Coast, who receiving $3,000, as the second year’s funding for support of the delivery of youth programs arising out of the Foundation’s 2009 youth-led planning process. The Sunshine Coast Youth Partnership also received $3,000 for its youth leadership project for a Twilight Cinema in Buderim.

Chair of the Buderim Foundation, Professor Paul Clark said he was pleased to present the grants to such worthy organisations dedicated to benefiting the Buderim community.

“Thanks to the support and generous contributions of local businesses and residents, the Buderim Foundation has been able to continue providing more funding for grants to quality local community projects,” Prof. Clark said.

“Grants are offered to not-for-profit organisations in the Buderim community, or not-for-profit Sunshine Coast community organisations that are able to provide services to the Buderim community,” Paul said.

The Foundation is a philanthropic, not-for-profit organisation, which aims to generate income from donations and bequests from community members and provide grants for community projects now and into the future.

For more information on the Buderim Foundation or the 2012 Grants Program, please visit, www.buderimfoundation.org.au.

Leading cookbook author and gluten and grain free expert, Tania Hubbard is heading to the Garden City to join the line-up at the 2012 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers to share her passion for gluten and grain free living.

Tania will be performing a series of cooking demonstrations in Farm to Plate at the Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival, recreating some of the most popular recipes from her cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love and making a special presentation called ‘Seeds of Change’.

Tania, who grew up in Toowoomba, said she was really excited to return to her hometown and be apart of an event that she used to go and see as a child.

“My presentation will look at the benefits of foods like chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and raw cacao nibs and how to prepare and integrate these ingredients into foods,” Tania said.

“I will also whip up my amazing Chocolate Chia Cake and Chickpea Flat Bread,” Tania said.

Tania’s demonstrations will be held on Friday at 10.30am, Saturday at 1pm and Sunday at 4pm. Her cookbook, gluten free grain free – food we love, will also be available for sale at her market stall in the Winery, Gourmet and Retail area of the festival and is packed with over 150 pages of mouth-watering recipes, information about stocking a gluten and grain free pantry, label reading and more.

“I will also be showcasing my delicious bake@home range of cakes, biscuits and bread premixes, designed to make it even easier to cook great-tasting, gluten and grain free foods in the comfort of your own kitchen,” Tania said.

The Ergon Energy Flower, Food & Wine Festival is part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ celebrations and is held from Friday, 21 September to Sunday, 23 September in Upper Queens Park on the corner of Margaret and Lindsay Street, Toowoomba. The Festival, which is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors over the three-days, includes floral and artistic displays, gourmet food and wine from the Darling Downs region, gardening workshops, cooking demonstrations and plenty of activities for kids.

Tania’s journey began several years ago when after suffering migraines, chronic fatigue and repeated bouts of pneumonia; she was diagnosed intolerant to the proteins found in cereal grains.

“Since I was diagnosed, my life changed dramatically. I eliminated grains from my diet and all my symptoms disappeared,” Tania said.

“I was determined to continue enjoying food, despite my illness and restrictive diet, so I set to developing my own gluten and grain free recipes,” Tania said.

Tania’s condition turned out to be a blessing in disguise, helping her realise her talent and passion for food, which saw her go on to co-found the award-winning Husk & Honey Cafe in Nambour with husband and business partner, Eric develop her own gluten and grain free bake@home range and write her own cookbook.

“My food isn’t just for coeliacs and those with grain or gluten intolerance, it’s for everyone and anyone that wants to enjoy nutritious and wholesome cooking that tastes great,” Tania said.

“Food has turned my life around and I thoroughly enjoy helping others on their path to healthy eating,” Tania said.

Entry to the Festival is $25 for a single adult pass, $12 for concession and $10 for children 15 years and under.

For a complete list of stockists of gluten free grain free – food we love and the bake@home range, or to purchase online, visit www.glutenfreegrainfree.com.au

Bloomhill Cancer Help is hosting a special grand opening celebration to mark the official launch of its new Op Shop in Cooroy on Saturday, 15 September.

The opening will be held at the new store on 21 Maple Street, Cooroy at 10am and includes a huge opening sale with plenty of discounted items across the store and free celebration cake. All community members are welcome.

Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the charity was very excited about the new Cooroy Op Shop and becoming part of such a ‘tight-knit’ community.

“Bloomhill services more than 900 clients from across the Sunshine Coast, including Cooroy and surrounding areas,” Jenny said.

“In fact, a significant number of our clients come from this area,” Jenny said.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is a Sunshine Coast based charity and provides support and assistance to those affected by cancer. Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

The Cooroy Op Shop is one of six Bloomhill Op Shops situated throughout the Sunshine Coast. The other stores are located in Buderim on Main Street, Nambour opposite the hospital, Maroochydore on First Ave, Mooloolaba on Brisbane Rd and Caloundra on Bullcock Street.

“Bloomhill relies on our Op Shops to provide 80% of the funding required to continue providing our valuable services,” Jenny said.

Jenny said all the Bloomhill Op Shops were always in need of quality stock, particularly furniture, home wares and bric-a-brac.

“We are in desperate need of donations, so in addition to the opening celebration, we are asking people to ‘de-clutter’ their homes and donate any unwanted, saleable items to Bloomhill,” Jenny said.

“Donations can be dropped off at any of the Bloomhill Op Shops during opening hours or you can call 5445 6858 to organise a free collection,” Jenny said.

Thousands are expected to flock to Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland this weekend for a two-day fiesta of food and fun at the Real Food Festival.

The festival, now in its second year, is anticipated to be even bigger and better than last year, with a full festival program across four exciting venues and plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

Festival Director, Julie Shelton said last year we received an overwhelming response to the festival with more than 4,500 visitors attending, so this year we extended the festival over two-days to cater for larger numbers.

“We have an amazing line-up of exhibitors, guest chefs and food experts – there is something to suit any palate and preference,” Julie said.

The festival will host more than 120 Sunshine Coast-based exhibitors ranging from specialty foods to food-related products and services. Visitors will also have the opportunity to taste the flavours of the world from more than 30 ready-to-eat food stalls offering a range of international cuisines including Indian, Thai, English, modern Australian, Mexican, Greek, Italian and more.

“There is an incredibly diverse range of exhibitors this year, covering everything from growing your own food to cheese and yoghurt-making,” Julie said.

Crowds will be following their noses to The Natural Food Store Real Food Kitchen where talented local chefs and special guest, Martin Boetz will be tantalizing taste buds with a series of cooking demonstrations. Head to the Food For Thought venue to join in discussions on a range of food topics or hear from leading experts on healthy eating and food trends in the Jeffers Market Nourishing Ideas tent.

“We also have a very special new addition to the festival this year, the REEL Food Film Festival, which will showcase a series of short ‘food’ films by local filmmakers and an international documentary,” Julie said.

The Real Food Festival will be held at the Maleny Showgrounds, 13 Stanley Road, Maleny on 8th – 9th September from 9am to 4pm daily and is a celebration of the local food industry, showcasing an abundance of local foods from Sunshine Coast producers, manufacturers and restaurants. Entry is $12 for a one-day adult pass or $20 for both days. Children under 16 are free.

For more information on the Real Food Festival, visit the Festival website at www.realfoodfestival.com.au.

Bloomhill Cancer Help is making a desperate plea to the Sunshine Coast community to support cancer care on the Coast by donating unwanted, saleable items to their Op Shops.

Bloomhill is a long-standing Buderim-based charity that provides support and assistance to people affected by cancer and their families throughout the Sunshine Coast.

Bloomhill President, Jenny Carroll said the op shops were seriously under-stocked and in dire need of quality, saleable donations including furniture, home wares, clothing and bric-a-brac.

“Spring is almost here, so it’s the perfect time to de-clutter your wardrobe and home,” Jenny said.

Bloomhill operates five Op Shops across the Sunshine Coast, and all the money raised from the sale of items going directly to fund the charity and the vital services it provides to its more than 900 clients.

“By choosing to generously donate goods to a Bloomhill Op Shop, you would be helping us to help your local community,” Jenny said.

“To make it easier for people to donate, Bloomhill even offers a free pick-up service,” Jenny said.

Operated by a team of dedicated staff and hundreds of volunteers, Bloomhill offers counselling, transport to appointments, respite care and a range of complementary therapies and other practical help.

With no ongoing government funding, Bloomhill relies on the money received from donations, fundraising activities, their several Op Shops throughout the Coast and most importantly, the support of the community, to continue providing its much-needed services.

“We are asking the community to dig deep to support cancer care on the Sunshine Coast,” Jenny said.

Bloomhill Op Shops are located in Buderim on Main Street, Nambour opposite the hospital, Maroochydore on First Ave, Mooloolaba on Brisbane Rd and Caloundra on Bullcock Street. There are even plans to open a sixth shop in Cooroy very soon.

For more information about making a donation or to arrange a FREE collection, please contact the Bloomhill Distribution Centre on 5445 6858 (during business hours) or simply drop your donations into a local Bloomhill Op Shop.