Emma Davidson's blog

Brindabella Baby's Lonsdale Street shop will be closed on Canberra Day public holiday, Monday 8 March, and re-opens Tuesday 9 March. You can still order online, and orders will ship Tuesday when couriers and Australia Post are back at work. If you're in Canberra, there's plenty of free fun to be had on Monday - like the Australian Ethical Big Canberra Bike Ride, watching the hot air balloons take off at the Canberra Festival Balloon Spectacular, the Canberra Times Outdoor Art Show, plus the National Art Gallery and National Museum of Australia have free entry to interesting and fun permanent exhibitions. The main birthday party for Canberra actually happens next Saturday (no idea why, as we've got the public holiday this weekend) with the massive Celebrate In The Park concert featuring Eskimo Joe, plus Roary the Racing Car show and lots of other kids entertainment during the day.

The International Association of Infant Massage is considering running a 10 week Attachment focused supported activity program or playgroup in Term 2 of 2010, and is inviting expressions of interest from individual parents and groups/organisations to participate.

International Women's Day is coming up soon, and you can support Zonta International's womens projects by shopping at their designer and vintage preloved clothing sale on Saturday 6 March 2010. It's at ACT ATSI Cultural Centre, 245 Lady Denman Drive, Yarramundi Reach (on the city side, just before Scrivener Dam) from 10am til 2pm. Coffee, cake and EFTPOS facilities will be available. More info here.

Your support will help Zonta fund projects like distributing birthing kits to women in developing countries, a CIT scholarship to help with books and fees, support for Karinya House refuge and support centre for young mothers in Canberra, and providing breast care cushions to women who have undergone breast surgery. Zonta International has been around since the early 1900's. Did you know Amelia Earhart was a Zonta member? I didn't know about it til I looked up Zonta's history.

Sounds like a great cause to support, and fun too!

Shhhh you're the first to hear... Anyone subscribed to the Brindabella Baby email newsletter on 1 April 2010 will have a chance to win a one-year subscription to Barefoot magazine (RRP $30). I only send out newsletters once or twice a month, and I don't share my mailing list with anyone.

Storytime with Canberra author Tania McCartney

One thing I love about my job is that I can support local talent. That is, Canberra region designers, manufacturers, and writers. Here's some of my favourites:

• Packs of 5 flannel/fleece wipes made by Belinda in Canberra;
• Locally made WildSlings ring slings (currently out of stock) and Acorn Baby mei tais (available for custom order in-store);
• Canberra authors David Vernon, Tania McCartney, Rhodanthe Lipsett, and Ingrid Jonach;
• Ultra-cool Fully Stoked bags and cot quilts, based in my suburb;
• New Canberra modern cloth nappy brand Monk N Bear; and
• To wash those nappies, Naturally Clean laundry powder and detergent, made in O'Connor.

And from just a little further away, Skeanie shoes (based in Goulburn); and from the south coast of NSW, PureWipes biodegradable instant wipes and Cherub Rubs organic skincare.

I'm off to Corinbank from Friday to Sunday, teaching babywearing with bedsheets to anyone who doesn't want to lose their toddler in the crowds. Morgyn and Pam will be at the shop, so you can still try on carriers or pick up nappies or toys. While I'm there, I hope to catch Clare Bowditch. When I put on this clip of her from Rockwiz, Billy went and got his red ukelele so he could play along!

Playdate for the Planet Now the big kids are back at school, it's time for some fun with the younger kids. Come along to Playdate for the Planet at 10am on Thursday 25 Feb at Black Mountain Peninsula Play Area (weather permitting) with a BYO morning tea to share eco-tips with other parents while the kids play.

Have you head about Project Remake? Their workshops are for anyone wanting to make the most out of their wardrobe by deconstructing and stitching with love and thought to create new items with interesting twists.

It's February! Which means not long til Corinbank, 26-28 February 2010 at Corin Forest Recreation Park, ACT.