Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Book reviewer Catherine Raynes has been reading When I Ran Away by Ilona Bannister and The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relationship expert Steven Dromgool's looking at how your relationship can impact your child's resilience. LISTEN TO HIS TALK WITH JACK TAME ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CholesterolOur resident Doctor Bryan Betty has some tips on keeping your cholesterol in check. He's a GP, and Medical Director for the College of GPs.LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggies of Autumn Equinox is tonight at 10.37 pm. Autumn officially here and two little rotters are the “biggies” in your garden!  1) Tomato (and potato) Psyllid These have been working quietly away in your tomato patch. Many generations have gone before them, but what you see now is the culmination of their damaging activities. Yellowing leaves, covered with fine, white crystals that actually taste quite sweet. Many tiny hopping, aphid-like sap-sucking bugs everywhere (actually they look more like tiny versions of cicadas). Your plants will be looking poorly and tomato yield will seriously decline I used to rarely get them, simply because I am fanatical about pulling up nightshade weeds. I reckon the psyllids overwinter on these weeds, so removing them meticulously helps a lot to keep your patch clean.Sprays with insecticides need to commence well before you see the first psyllids, it keeps their populations down too. I don’t grow potatoes, but if you do: only use the early varieties. Pre-Christmas! Now

Instagram is exploring a kids version of the app Apparently, kids under 13 are asking their parents for Instagram accounts but giving them those are 1) against the terms of service and 2) letting them off into the discover tab with no oversight.   Instagram says they want to change that.. by launching a kids app with parental controls and ways to give parents "transparency" - so I assume that means a look into what their kids are liking and following. It's still early days but FB says they'll share more later.  Messenger for Kids was launched in 2017.  Microsoft Powerpoint can now coach you to be a better presenter The AI robots can now watch you deliver a presentation and give you pointers on how to make it better. Speaking too fast? It'll tell you! Too many umms? It'll tell you! Are your eyes looking all over the place? It'll tell you! Reading your slides? Yep.. it'll tell you!  It's been available on the web version of Powerpoint for a bit, but is now launching in the Windows and Mac apps.  YouTube's tryin

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Following the events of 'Avengers: Endgame,' Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities -- and their patience (Disney+).  Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal: Reenactments drive this documentary investigating the mastermind behind a scam to sneak the kids of rich and famous families into top US universities (Netflix)  Billy Connolly: It’s been a pleasure: a special episode celebrating Sir Billy Connolly’s 50 year career and his retirement, featuring interviews with guests like Sir Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg and Sir Paul McCartney (TVNZ1, Monday 8.30pm).  LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve probably heard of, or even seen, Disney’s movie Soul. It's about a jazz musician, stuck in a mediocre job, who finally gets his big break.  What you might not know, is the movie’s animated lead Joe is partially based on real-life jazz musician John Batiste.   He’s just won a Golden Globe, and is nominated for an Oscar for his work on the screenplay. But that’s not the only thing he’s got on his plate. He’s also the bandleader and musical director at the Late Show with Stephen Colbert with his band Stay Human, and has a new album out: We Are.   He's been speaking with Jack Tame. LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movie reviewer Francesca Rudkin's been watching French Exit and Zach Snyder's Justice League.LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ingredients6 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on or offOlive oil2 medium red onions1 ½ tsp cinnamon1 heaped tsp ground coriander1 tsp cumin1 heaped teaspoon gingerSalt and pepper1 preserved lemon - flesh & pith removed - chopped(or use 2tbsps lemon zest & pith) 5 cups (approx.) stock, vegetable or chicken1 tbsp honey1 cup pitted prunesHandful of fresh coriander, chopped, to garnishMethodHeat the oil in a heavy-based casserole dish or saucepan (that has a lid preferably). Add the onions and spices and cook until fragrant, then add the chicken, toss to coat in the spices and cook until beginning to brown on one side.  Add the preserved lemon, stock and honey.Give everything a good stir then put the lid on (or cover tightly with foil) and simmer on a low heat for about 1 hour or until the meat falls away from the bones. I check it after 45 mins and add more water if it looks like it needs it, and the prunes at this stage.Replace the lid and continue to cook. (Alternatively this dish can be cooked in the ove

Kevin Milne reckons the Wellington Regional Council proposal for commuter parking fees is nuts. LISTEN TO AUDIO ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was December 17th that we first saw the America’s Cup AC75s racing in anger. Three months to the day from the first race on the Hauraki Gulf, to the race in which Emirates Team New Zealand tied up the Auld Mug.I’ve been in the viaduct for almost every single race day over those three months. So, while the powers-that-be squabble over where to host the next competition, these are my Good and Bads from the 36th America’s Cup. Let’s start with the bads: -It really hurt not having foreign tourists in Auckland for the competition. It obviously affected retailers and hospitality. Over three months, I had a lot of lunch breaks at the fantastic Pantry Cafe at the gleaming new Park Hyatt hotel (I Highly recommend the portuguese custard tarts). It’s maybe the closest cafe to the Team NZ base. But until the last few days of the cup, it didn’t come close to being full. And more than the economic side of things, no foreign visitors hurt the atmosphere of the America’s Cup. Nothing against Kiwis but we generally aren’t

After taking his fill of Palmerston North’s urban enticements, the big backyard of Manawatu was calling Mike Yardley.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s some new research out of the US about financial mistakes. It’s not about the mistakes themselves, but the fact they all tend to start in the same decade – your 30s.  Hannah McQueen from enable.me joins Jack Tame to share her advice on the issue.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Nick Jonas was one third of the Jonas brothers, he released his own album.   And now, his third solo album Spaceman is out in the world.  Estelle Clifford has been taking a listen.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saving water  Now we’ve looked at collecting your rainwater (more detail here) and using rainwater (more detail here) let’s look at how to use less water in the first place.  Bathroom * Get tough on those who spend hours in the showers, have a timer with loud alarm so everyone in the house can hear. * Put a bucket in the shower as you wait for warm water, then use in the garden. I've been doing this for years, because when you manage your own water, and don’t rely on the council, you realise how precious it is.  * The bath is a luxury. If you have one share it someone you trust to be not too dirty. I also go second.  * Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth. Wet the brush, turn it off, then rinse it at the end. This may save your household up to 750 litres of water per month. * Flush your toilet on the short flush where you can. If you have an old-fashioned cistern, you can get a bottle of sand and water, and put it in. Cuts down the water used each time. Laundry * Choose machines with good water ratings

The disappearance of Stephanie Mailer, Joel Dicker  In the summer of 1994, the quiet seaside town of Orphea reels from the discovery of two brutal murders. Confounding their superiors, two young police officers, Jesse Rosenberg and Derek Scott crack the case and arrest the murderer, earning themselves handsome promotions and the lasting respect of their colleagues. But twenty years later, just as he is on the point of taking early retirement, Rosenberg is approached by Stephanie Mailer, a journalist who believes he made a mistake back in 1994 and that the real murderer is still out there, perhaps ready to strike again. Before she can give any more details however, Stephanie Mailer mysteriously disappears without trace, and Rosenberg and Scott are forced to confront the awful possibility that her suspicions might have been proved horribly true. What happened to Stephanie Mailer? What did she know? And what really happened in Orphea all those years ago? The Family Doctor, Debra Oswald Paula is a dedicated subur

Mycorrhizal fungi and planting tricks We are getting more and more information on how plants, shrubs and trees grow in association with other organisms in their ecosystem Yes: pollinators and biological control agents, as well as composters in the soil and the earthworms (earth workers) that aerate the soil and take well-produced organic matter deeper and deeper into the soil levels, where roots can pick up the nutrients.  But over the past decade or more scientists have made some grand discoveries around the role of fungi, assisting plants (Watch Susan Simard’s TED talk How Trees Talk to Each other)  Mycorrhizal fungi extending root zones of host trees and shrubs. They form Mycorrhizal networks that “connect” trees with each-other (sharing food, communication and warning neighbouring plants for bark beetle attacks etc).   Some of the orchids would do so much better if the mycorrhiza is included in the orchid mix; The way to achieve that is by mixing in some old mix in the new mix, when replanting your orchid

You might remember the story of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post reporter killed in a grisly manner by operatives of the Saudi royal family.   It sounds wild, but last week a US intelligence report was released, showing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman himself had approved Khashoggi's murder.  The killing is the basis of a new documentary by Bryan Fogel .. who is the director of Icarus .. The Oscar winning doco about the Russian doping scandal.   His new film is called The Dissident. Bryan joins Jack Tame to talk about the film.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trapped: An Icelandic crime-drama series following a police department as they try to uncover a mystery in a fjord nearby a small Icelandic town (TVNZ OnDemand)  Last Chance U: Basketball: the latest season of this sport documentary series takes an honest and gritty look inside the world of community college basketball (Netflix).  Finding Joy: a second season of the Irish sitcom about a woman dealing with a messy breakup who must take on a new work assignment that forces her to look for happiness in the most unusual places (Acorn TV).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sponge pudding brings such comfort on a cold night and I adore the flavour combo of figs with honey and ginger!   Serves 6 8-12 fresh figs, halved  90g honey 50g butter 150g softened butter ½ cup caster sugar 2 eggs  1 tsp lemon zest 150g plain flour 1 ½ tsp baking powder 2 tsps ground ginger Custard, cream or ice cream to serve  Preheat oven to 180 °C and grease a deep ceramic pudding dish. Gently melt the honey and butter in a heavy based frying pan. Add the fig halves and toss them to coat in the buttery honey mixture and cook for one minute. Pour off syrup into a ceramic dish.   Beat second measure of butter with sugar pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating in before each addition. Add the lemon zest then sift in flour, baking powder and ground ginger and mix to combine.   Spoon batter over syrup the ovenproof dish. Press figs into the mix, cut side up. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden and sponge is cooked through..  Serve warm spoonfuls with lots of runny custard, or cream, or ice cream