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PangamoniumAustralia’s newest publisher, MidnightSun Publishing, this week launches its second novel, Pangamonium, a witty critique of global capitalism by author Zanesh Catkin.

In Pangamonium, Francis is a journalist looking for a big story in the tiny kingdom of Panga.  Despite trying to maintain his usual selfishness, he is lured into liberating a group of child slaves making sex toys for the West. 

Toss in an African pilgrim named Easter on a quest to find his grandfather’s grave filled with pirate gold, a military regime oppressing the citizens of Panga, and a Bollywood romance — and pandemonium ensues.

With a striking cover design by Polly Leddar, Pangamonium will be launched at the SA Writers’ Centre this Friday, July 20.

Pangamonium was described as “‘a riot!” by Thomas Shapcott, judge of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Awards. “This novel is so funny I laughed aloud in my sober study, and it is so frighteningly sharp, I cut my finger and my heart turning the pages. A winner.’’

“Along with its farce and game-playing, Pangamonium is a sharp critique of global capitalism. Lively and intelligent...” adds Nigel Krauth, winner of The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award

Sarah and Anthony CrabbAustralian health drink success and early NBN customer Organic and Raw is doubling the size of its Willunga factory to meet demand for its popular pro-biotic raw drink product, Mojo Kombucha.

With sales doubling every six months, Mojo Kombucha drinks are sold nationally through health food stores, although Organic and Raw will focus on sales through supermarkets and greengrocers once its factory expansion is complete.

Mojo Kombucha is a refreshing, effervescent and invigorating drink that is made through a unique fermentation process with an ancient lineage in East Asia. Although in Australia, kombucha was only a cottage industry until Organic and Raw started production in January 2011, the health drink is a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar segment of the booming functional drinks market in the US.

Organic and Raw director Anthony Crabb said the factory expansion was essential to cope with demand. “This facility here is completely maxed out,” he said.

Donna Bartsch and Danny PauleyEnvironmentally-conscious SA builder Energy Aspect Living has designed its construction processes to eliminate building site waste and avoid the need for on-site skips.

At a time when 38 per cent of waste generated in Australia derives from the construction and demolition sectors, Energy Aspect Living is setting a high standard for construction waste management.

Energy Aspect Living is a South Australian-based GreenSmart Award-winning builder that aims to lead Australia into a new era of sustainable homes and lifestyles.

Energy Aspect Living director Danny Pauley said the company took waste management seriously. “We take it so seriously that we can build a new home without the need for an on-site skip for waste products,” he said.

KESAB's John Phillips and Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen YarwoodLate night littering in Adelaide’s entertainment precincts is being tackled from the ‘footpath up’ in a campaign launched this week on the city’s sidewalks.

Supported by KESAB, Adelaide City Council is embarking on an Australian-first anti-litter message to urge late night revelers to dispose of litter responsibly around Hindley Street and Gouger Street.

Starting this week a total of 45 bins around high pedestrian night traffic zones like Hindley and Gouger streets will be wrapped with bright red panels on all 4 sides with positive and enticing messages pasted on the surrounding footpath.

Research carried out for KESAB came back with the “usual excuses” from litterers as they wandered around city nightspots. The findings by research company Square Holes included:

  • Night owls in the CBD are largely unconcerned with littering.
  • It was noted that different patterns of littering were observed by night and by day.
  • And that offenders use the excuse of “insufficient bins” being available as a rationale for littering.
  • Adelaide City Council is committed to keeping the city streets clean and safe for the whole community to enjoy,” Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood said.

“We are proud to be partnering with KESAB to tackle litter in our busiest night spots and encourage city goers to do the right thing when it comes to putting rubbish in the bin.

“This simple and innovative campaign fits precisely with Council and KESAB’s stated objective of encouraging use of litter bins and it is a low cost option that suits Council well.

“Putting rubbish in the bin should be a simple, automatic action that everyone should follow and goes a long way in keeping our streets clean and protecting the environment.”

KESAB Chief Executive John Phillips said littering offenders often claim they didn’t see a bin. “We are dealing with ademographic who are largely unmotivated to dispose of litter properly, a group who are hard to connect with through usual forms of advertising, so we needed to consider unconventional options,” Mr Phillips said.

“The reality is that most Council litter bins are indeed painted a nice dark environmental green – acceptable for daytime use but hard to see at night in entertainment areas.

“The option was to change the colour of the bins and come up with something quirky and challenging to make sure night visitors to the city actually see the litter bin and get a message on the spot to do the right thing,” said John Phillips.

KESAB will monitor the campaign and compare the impact with bins used in other streets.

For media enquiries for Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood contact Naomi Marsh on n.marsh@adelaidecitycouncil.com or 8203 7446 or 0448 665 434

For KESAB Media assistance, Mike O’Reilly, 0414 882 505