Dear
Reader, Issue 51 is running late, we hope you receive it for mid Summer. We
continue in a new and brighter format. We have more info on the election in
' winners and losers.' You may not be interested in politics but they are a
'crying out for what is right', essential to keep the country on an even keel.
Also vital is getting the best out of life. Read Body, Mind, Spirit and begin
to live! Enjoy our Music and other features. Avoid the usual 'rushed scan',
relax and learn to read again! Enjoy Summer! The Editor
SUMMER 2005 NO. 51
News Views:
Elections & PR,Our Environment Body,Mind,Spirit: Preface,Diet,Alexander,Exercise
Music
Link: Natalie DLV &McSpeedo
CLICK 4:- NEWS VIEWS
BODY,MIND,SPIRIT
MUSIC
LINK
CONTACT US ON phone/fax 0113 2268904, 07802 741346, 07818 445678 e-mail
info@newsviewslink.co.uk web www.newsviewslink.co.uk
Editorial/Co-ordination - John Broadhead, MusicLink, Ann Marie:
Reader, Dorrette M Production - Chris Nriapia, Features
Evans Gallo, Letter Peter Gatiti
PLEASE NOTE The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the
editorial team .
Print, Smallprint, Chapel Allerton. Distribution in Town,
Frontline
LINK works for the community as a wholly charitable oganisation and on a
non profit basis.
NEWS VIEWS
A
GREENER CHEAPER AND HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE WhizzGo
is a new car club in Leeds. It offers you cars (Citroen C3s Desires) including
fuel, Insurance, maintenance and RAC cover, all from less than £4 per hour.
You can book a car whenever you want giving a few months notice or by booking
one minute in advance. WhizzGo never fails to supply you with a car! The cars
are available from five points in Leeds at Town Street, Chapel Allerton; at
42 The Calls Hotel, High Court (just past the Parish Church); Thoresby House
opposite the Light car park in Great George St; Denison Road near Park Lane
College and in Woodhouse Lane. To join is simple and costs just £25 for a smart
card to gain access to the car and a returnable insurance deposit of £125. Helen
James is a WhizzGo member and says ''I decided to get rid of my car because
I was hardly using it. I use WhizzGo cars to visit clients, to go to the supermarket
and for days out in the countryside. I know it saves me a lot of money and I
have started to walk to places more and use my bicycle'.WhizzGo, greener, cheaper,
healthier. www.whizzgo.co.uk/ 0870 446 6000.
WINNERS & LOSERS
Now that the General Election has come and gone we can revisit the question
we asked in our last issue; What is the value of the election in its present
form? There is no doubt many voters feel cheated of their right to have a say
in government affairs as the party or indi viduals they voted for are not in
government. Worse still are those who voted for candidates, who lost narrowly,
some by just a few hundred votes. Just consider this; of the 61% that voted,
only 36% voted Labour, a mere 22% of all registered voters! How are the rest,
78% represented in government decision making? The answer to this question and
to our main question is that the majority is denied its democratic right to
representation. The current system works on the principle that losers, however
narrowly they lose, are kept out of government. As a result, their voters are
not represented in decision making. Such a system cannot claim to put in place
a government of the people and for the people. It can only be a government of
shrewd politicians and manipulators, who will always be in the minority. Link
believes that Proportional Representation is what is needed if we are to pride
ourselves as real democrats; ----- for PR is the only electoral system that
will see the majority represented in government! Evans Gallo
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT - Looks at the greatest problem facing
mankind today -- and ways we can all help to tackle it. Remember not only Britain
is affected but countries around the world and particularly Africa. Air Pollution
- The biggest and most obvious cause is the combustion of coal, oil, and petrol.
More than 80 per cent of the sulphur dioxide is from burning fossil fuels; 50
per cent of the nitrogen oxides is from Motor vehicle exhaust; and 30 to 40
per cent of the particulate matter emitted to the atmosphere are produced by
fossil-fuel-fired electric power plants, industrial boilers, and 
residential
furnaces. Other major pollution sources include iron and steel mills; zinc,
lead, and copper smelters; municipal incinerators; oil refineries; cement plants;
and nitric and sulphuric acid plants.>>>The effects of air pollution Certainly
those who suffer from asthma or any respiratory complaint will notice the effects
of increased pollution. Tall industrial smokestacks do not remove polutants
but boost them high into the atmosphere, reducing their concentration at the
site. Pollutants are then transported large distances and produce adverse effects
in areas far from the original emission. Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions from Western Europe cause acid rain in Norway and Sweden. We therefore
urge people with their own transport to use more public transport for those
short journeys. It's up to all of us to 'do our bit' and sacrifice where possible.
The next time you get into your car, THINK! - Can you catch a bus, get a lift
or just simply walk.
Chris Nriapia
THE LEEDS GUIDED BUS
Previously we wrote:- 'The idea is that normal buses, with the addition of
little guide wheels at the side, run on guide ways and then back onto the normal
roads again. This way they are not held up in areas of heavy traffic and they
can still go onto estates to pick up as usual. The guideways run along central
reservations so as not to reduce the width of the road for other traffic.' As
you sit in a traffic jam and watch these buses go by you may well want to try
them. The really nice bit is car parks will be built along the special bus routes
and you will be able to use the buses and leave your car in these all day Free
of Charge. ' To come up to date:- We note that many Guided Buses are still far
from full. To make the system more 'user friendly' we suggest - Smaller buses
running more frequently, Bus stops with closing doors, heating and comfortable
seating, warm refreshments available at the stopping/car parking points and
suitable security measures. A little more investment could bring much better
returns and save much traffic congestion and pollution.Do the job properly!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The impact of the article Body, Mind, Spirit …. The article on page eight of
the News Views Link highlighting the importance of exercise for the body, healing
and hope for the spirit put a lot of inspiration on my life. This holistic approach
to life is for sure a good way of looking at modern life in a very practical
approach. It certainly made me rethink a fresh about the value of the human
soul. Of particular interest is the realisation that it is possible to exercise
without necessarily visiting the gym. As demonstrated on that article, exercising
ought not to be strenuous both physically and financially, an observation that
goes well with our society due to the increase in obesity. However, I must contend
that the gyms also have an important role to play as it is evidenced that those
who do visit gyms benefit more than home grown acrobats! Of course in addition
of being a source of income to the instructors.Finally, it was interesting to
read the 'four essentials' in being healed though that section was quite short
and it certainly left me in need of more flavour which I look forward to nourishing
through forth coming issues. Regards, Peter Gatiti BACK
BODY, MIND, SPIRIT; PREFACE
- So we bump and 'battle' through. In this struggle to establish ourselves
we can go it alone, or work together. This Column is for those who want to share
experiences and make the trip as tolerable and enjoyable as possible! OK, looking
out for others may bring us 'new warmth and presence.(see below) BUT TO HELP
THIS 'CONCEPT' ALONG WE NEED HARMONY WITHIN OURSELVES -FIRST WE MUST LOOK TO
OUR OWN BASICS. Our body, mind and spirit must work in harmony together, as
the buzz word says 'we must become holistically whole.' For a sound Body we
need good exercise and diet. To awaken a sound Mind and Spirit We need happy
relationships, hope, meditation or prayer. Below we look at Spirit and our special
approach: how Diet developed, the Alexander technique and core exercise. Of
course, to work well Body, Mind, Spirit needs feedback. Send your views to info@newsviewslink.co.uk
OR See our Noticeboard (p3) for other ways to share your views.
A Spirit thing? Our special approach encourages
a new warmth and presence in life. Simply it means looking
out for our others and its theme runs through all our work.
It's more than just 'one good turn will bring another back' - it's more like
a building up of rewards in storage until you really need some help. Then help
will unexpectedly come back to you. Is this a sort of spirit thing? Maybe so/maybe
not - because this stored away energy is solid and reliable. With words it
is difficult to express and you have to discover it in a sort of DIY process.
By looking out for others this energy/presence builds up and becomes your personal
strength and reserve.
HOW OUR DIET DEVELOPED
New fads on diet appear every day in the press. Coffee and tea are not good.
Too much alcohol is bad. Meat may be infected and even vegetables do not contain
minerals as they used to. Whatever can we eat that is good for us??
Scanning our history may show what we are really intended to eat and in what
quantities. Our very remote ancestors had to live on roots, berries, and nuts,
even insects, in order to survive. But as we learnt to make spears and then
bows to fire them as arrows, meat came onto the menu and the protein so provided
led to mans success. Working together he eventually came to rule the world above
all other orders.
Our diet was now
omnivorous - many things including meat and vegetables. This gave us the amino
acids that are often low in vegetable only diets, and on this menu we thrived.
As hunters and gatherers life swung between occasional plenty and periods of
hunger, even starvation. Fortunately our bodies were formed able to hold layers
of fat beneath our skins which we used to survive these famines.Vegans may be
upset by this information and claim their diet is superior. However there is
little doubt that an omnivorous diet is superior and we as a race are genetically
adapted to it and need it in order to live life at its full.
About ten thousand years ago came the great change that led to the steady and
reliable supply of food that those of us in the 'first world' can now rely on.
From being hunter /gatherers we now learnt to farm. Wild animals were penned
and crops were cultivated. Today then, we lucky ones, see obesity as a problem,
as people tend to eat lots but do not work hard physically or exercise enough
to burn off these layers. Conversely among poorer third world countries the
opposite arises. People rely on cheaper cereal crops as their staple diet. Little
meat is available and we know well how people here are undernourished and suffer
from the lack of protein in their diet. Editorial
note: For the idea behind this article acknowledments
. to Desmond Morris
The Alexander Technique By Evans Gallo
In my last article, I looked at the different avenues that give us the hope
of achieving happiness. In this issue I will look at a
simple technique that is sure to make our ever-stressful lives more bearable.
Developed in the late 1800's, the technique works on the concept that the body
picks up bad habits and the skeleton and muscles are often misused as a result.
Poor posture creates many health problems. The Alexander technique aims at helping
people to unlearn these bad habits by re-educating the body to move in the way
that nature intended. Teachers of the technique work one to one observing how
the student moves. Next they re-educate the student in standing, sitting, lying,
walking and picking up objects. Research has shown that the technique helps
breathing and respiratory functions, muscle strength and co-ordination and lower
back pain. It has also proved helpful in stress related problems. Actors, musicians
and athletes are some of the people that find the technique particularly useful
as it improves breathing and enables them to have more control. I hope you will
give this wholesome therapy a try. Exercise 2
A little recap from our Spring
issue and, as promised, more exercises to try. 'Our core muscles are INTERNAL;
they stabilise our bodies and make essential functions such as walking, twisting,
bending, pulling, pushing and squatting possible -- 'We no longer pull and twist
and lift to climb trees, or run to save our lives. We no longer make these movements
to earn our livings --To start off we suggested running up and down stairs or
taking a brisk walk.
Now try these:- · Stand up and balance on one leg - swing the other
back and forth slowly (fully, as if running) Don't rotate, twist or dip your
pelvis. When you have mastered this try on the other leg. Now try these with
closed eyes. Be careful! · Again standing tighten up the tummy/abdominal muscles
- don't flatten your back and pull in your belly button. Now tighten your pevic
floor muscles to do this imagine you are trying to stop when having a wee! Relax
and breath easilly as you hold this braced position. · Lie on your stomach -
then brace your back and lift opposite arms and legs. Next arms and legs on
one side. Then all arms and legs at once. Make sure that your back does not
arch during this movement.
BACK
Natalie De La Verde ---- Raw
Talent
and This Fickle Business We Call
Music
MUSIC LINK
By Ann Marie
With the high standard and wealth of independent musical talent in Leeds, is
there any wonder that some of our artists out there, following their dreams
to make it big, can become disheartened? The music business is a long hard road
that can be fraught with only the strong surviving to create any level of success.
For longevity, many artists and bands must be selective in their choice of crew
and once suitable team players are found, the 'hit' songs for your four track
demo must be created. It's always helpful to have a good producer friend with
their own studio to hand; otherwise money for this plus studio time will be
necessary. By this point, chances are, you've run out of cash. There have probably
been arguments within the band, maybe some have left and if one of these was
your songwriter, you could very easily find yourself back to square one.
However if you do get to the next level you're going to have to pack your bags
for London! The majority of the movers and shakers in the music industry, renowned
for their success in launching stars, are in the South. It's just that to get
to London, let alone find and / or pay for somewhere to stay could very easily
break the bank! Then who's to say that the big wigs are going to like your style
anyway? Who's to say that you'll get gigs at the right showcase events? 
Who's
to say that even if you were to be signed you wouldn't get dropped by your label
and end up owing a fortune? So many questions left unanswered, so much to consider
and so little time! live performance Now one artist relatively new to the Leeds
scene but who has the talent to take it to the next level is a young lady by
the name of Natalie De La Verde. Not afraid of live performance she has showcased
her act at Unity Day 2004, the Think Tank and Wardrobe in town. She was most
recently voted as a winner in her category in the latest Bright Young Things
competition which was created to showcase local Leeds musical talent. This B.B.C
sponsored contest gives a head start to those wanting to take their careers
further and grants winning contestants studio time plus access to useful contacts
within the industry. As well as being vocally talented, Natalie writes all her
own material and is brave enough to approach personal subject matter that lays
close to her heart. She covers themes such as the trials and tribulations of
life as a single parent plus the age old adage of love lost and found.
Universally, all girls of a certain age will be able to relate to her lyrics
as well, as her sound which is predominantly urban. Her soulful voice harbours
angst ridden gritty undertones, heard especially on the track 'Down', which
screams of real life experience! By all accounts, Natalie is a raw talent but
where does an artist of such calibre go now? For success, the right attitude
is needed - though this is, of course, personal to each individual and the record
label / contract / management you find yourself with, if any at all. There's
no point in taking rejection personally. If things don't go the way you would
have planned then strength of character to keep on slogging is a prerequisite
quality. Success in today's music industry must be queried by the artist and
approached as one would with any other major business venture. For success,
the artist must want it, need it and believe it!
Mc Speedo's Karaoke Night
Ok, so you're never going to be the next Mariah and thechance of that lucrative
record deal and 'bling bling' celebrity lifestyle has gone out the window. However,
if you still fancy your chances behind the mike then check out Mc Speedo's Karaoke
Night, every Thursday, 8 p.m -late at H.Q Bar. For more information check www.thehqleeds.com
or call 0113 262 4178 BACK