Latest news with #Santana
Otago Daily Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Selling farm no easy decision, owners say
Ardgour Station owners Linda and Bruce Jolly have sold their sheep and beef farm to Santana Minerals, but the cherry and apricot orchards (pictured) will be retained and continue operating on the Tarras property. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/HORTINVEST A family which has owned a Central Otago farm for 70 years says it was not an easy decision to sell up to miner Santana Minerals for $25 million. Time and talk were the keys to making the decision to sell most of the farm to the Australian mining company, Ardgour Station owner Bruce Jolly said earlier this month. Mining company Santana Minerals has announced the purchase of more than 2800ha of the Tarras station for $25m as part of preparations for its Bendigo-Ophir Gold project. Celebrations were low-key when the sale contract was signed, Mr Jolly said: "You'd hardly call it a celebration." Phone calls to his and wife Linda's adult children were the first things they did. While the family had plenty of bright ideas for the windfall, the only thing Mr Jolly was sure of was that it would make succession planning much easier. Ardgour Station had been farmed by the Jolly family since 1955 and by Mr and Mrs Jolly since 1984. Mr Jolly said he was coming up to retirement age and none of the family wanted to take over the property; nevertheless, it still was not an easy decision. "It took some time and a whole lot of family discussion." Making the decision easier was the fact they did not live on the farm, so it was more like selling their workplace than their home. Their access agreement with Santana had a purchase option in it but there had been no guarantee that would actually happen. However, power and road access came right along the property and it was the ideal position for the mine's infrastructure and process plant, Mr Jolly said. They are keeping the balance of the Ardgour property on which cherries and apricots are grown. The sale still has to be approved by the Overseas Investment Office.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: parties on right, bulldog art, rugby
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including parties on the right, opposition to bulldog art and rugby spoiled. Right hand and what the right hand is doing The old cliche that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand's doing, to describe incompetent management, needs a tweak with this coalition government. The right hand doesn't know what the other right hand is doing, or maybe the other. On the National hand we have Minister for Tourism, Louise Upston, touting growth targets of 5 million international visitors a year by 2034, with a majority of those visiting the Queenstown-Lakes District. On the NZ First hand we have Minister for Regional Economic Development, Shane Jones, touting growth targets that involve cratering the landscapes that those visitors come to see and actively enjoy. There is absolutely no sense that this government knows anything about cause and effect, conflicting values, limits to growth, and environmental risk assessment for the future of New Zealanders. Ms Upston and Mr Jones have 10 children between them and several mokopuna. Their future and those of mine depend, not on the bottom line of Australian mining companies or traffic-jamming and sewage drowning in Queenstown, but on caring for our priceless environment whose only bottom line is preservation. Philip Temple Dunedin Thanks, but You were gracious enough to publish my letter regarding this mining venture (18.7.25), where I rebutted two opinions I considered emotive and poorly considered. However, I object to your heading ''Mining is great'' which suggests I am an advocate for this activity at any cost. Mining is never great for any environment. My letter was an attempt to put another view in front of people who do not look at both sides of an argument before committing themselves to a cause. Gavin Dann Alexandra Responsible behaviour Comments by Damian Spring, Santana CEO (ODT 15.7.25), are telling. Mr Spring confirms that they have run an industrial processing plant in ''temporary buildings'' for four or so years without ever applying for consent. The works he now proposes will involve major earthworks, visual amenity impacts, and facilitate traffic volumes for his entire mining workforce of well over 250 people. The non-consented approval path he seeks is a choice to fly under the radar. Not answering the many questions we have posed and lack of any meaningful engagement with the community just confirms this further. It is worth reminding your readers that Santana is a tiny Australian company that has never built an open-cast hard rock mine, and almost entirely relies on external consultants in their development of this project. Questioning its plans and behaviour to date is not only justified, it would be irresponsible not to. Rob van der Mark Sustainable Tarras Community housing Thanks to G. Nicol (Letters ODT 17.7.25) for raising the issue. Those who supported the proposed new community housing build were: Walker, Laufiso, Garey, Benson-Pope, Mayhem and O'Malley. David Benson-Pope Dunedin Dogged opposition I am appalled by the decision to have a mural of a British bulldog. They are badly designed brachiocephalic dogs. They have trouble breathing during exercise because of enlarged uvula and small nostrils. They suffer from heat stress. Many need caesareans to give birth due to the puppies' big heads. Popularising this breed of dog is not in the interests of animal welfare. Sheenagh Tinkler Palmerston North The modern game day is a load of rubbish How to spoil a test match. Let the Sky showbiz frenzy team organise it. First, a man with a booming voice and a mic that can be heard all over Hamilton. A music device that drowns out the slightest sign of crowd spontaneity with explosions of music and instructions what to think. Smother the referee's instructions, spectator conversation and, in case attention is diverted from the razzmatazz, the game in play. Orchestrate, orchestrate, control, control. Abandon class. Aim for crass. Christopher Horan Lake Hawea Lights out I have noticed that the latest subdivision in Tomahawk, 45 sections of 'prime' real estate, has turned on the streetlights, of which there are 22. That is 22 new lights burning bright in a subdivision where 15 sections appear to have been sold but not a sod has turned a sod yet. For whom do these lights glow in the gloom of our night? Perhaps a solitary dog walker who otherwise may stumble off the sidewalk? For this subdivision is empty of life yet it is burning power, to what purpose I ask? Owen Kreft Dunedin No to plonkers on the council I have always been fascinated by the argument that politics have no place in local politics (John le Brun, Letters 15.7.25). Dunedin is unusual in having minimal participation by people who name their political affiliation. Personally I'm grateful to those who do - whether I support that affiliation or not. They are prepared to tell me straight up, simply by saying Green, Labour - and now Act New Zealand - the values they hold and will demonstrate around the council table. Some candidates I then easily dismiss from my potential list and others I will put to the top. That does leave a whole lot where I'm reading between the lines to find out more and hoping I don't either help elect a plonker by mistake or, worse, someone who is covertly aligned to a party whose values I don't support. Gio Angelo Belleknowes Well, yes, but In other times I might agree with V. H. Markham (Letters 17.7.25) that a city council should confine itself to local matters. Unfortunately, in this time - now - a genocide is happening. Thousands of unarmed civilians have been killed. Those remaining are at risk of detention and incarceration in a concentration camp. When very similar things happened in my parents' time, 80 years ago, the world eventually stood against it. Three common sayings come to mind: 'We didn't know'' and ''Never again.'' The third is the legal and philosophical adage ''Qui tacet consentire'' implying that ''He who is silent gives consent.'' I wish to speak out against the genocide of the Palestinian people. I am pleased that my city council has seen fit to speak out. I would dearly love my government to speak out - but they are silent. What will we say in five, 10, 80 years time? ''We didn't know''? Dorothy Browne North East Valley Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville News Digest: Naperville School of Rock performing at Veggie Fest in Lisle; live Latin music and dance part of Latin (sub)URBAN Art Walk
School of Rock Naperville is among many performers providing live entertainment at this year's Veggie Fest in Lisle. The 15th annual Veggie Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and, Aug. 9-10, at Danada South Park, 2701Navistar Circle. There is no admission to the event, which features a variety of vegan and vegetarian cuisine from around the world. Tickets for food sales are $1 each, with most food items costing between $3 and $15. Dining options include salads, pizza, vegetarian kabobs, tacos as well as smoothies, juices, fresh fruit and desserts. Several live musicians will be performing, including School of Rock Naperville at 11 a.m. Saturday and School of Rock Glen Ellyn at 11 a.m. Sunday. Brother John Katkke will present a mix of blues, soul and rock, at noon Saturday and Sunday; Afinca'o will perform Latin music at 3:30 p.m. Saturday; and Rico, a cover band featuring the music of Santana, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, James Brown and more, will perform at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Award-winning reggae band Gizzae will take the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Veggie Fest also features health and wellness talks, live cooking demonstrations, yoga and meditation tents, and kids' activities. For festival information, go to Naperville Park District and the DuPage Hispanic Alliance will bring live Latin music and cultural dance performances to the Naperville Riverwalk Saturday, July 26. The free event, 'Latin Rhythms on the Riverwalk,' will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. near the Paddleboat Quarry rental area, 441 Aurora Ave. Performers include Ballet Folklorico from Spain, Tambors from Venezuela, and authentic flute and guitar performances from Ecuador, a park district news release said. The event coincides with the DuPage Hispanic Alliance's Latin (sub)URBAN Art Walk taking place throughout downtown Naperville. During the art walk, participants can check out a variety of art and speak with artists while strolling downtown streets. For more information, go to Mannsha N. Assudani, a Naperville resident who attended Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, was awarded a National Merit Scholarship from Purdue University, where she plans to study engineering. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced nearly 800 additional winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities, which provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of study. The final group of winners brings the number of 2025 National Merit Scholars to more than 7,100, a news release said. These distinguished high school graduates will receive nearly $26 million in various scholarships for undergraduate study, the release said. Students reaching the finalist stage had to submit a detailed scholarship application that included an essay, a description of leadership positions held, an outstanding academic record, an endorsement from a high school official and qualifying standardized test scores.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Primary Wave Acquires Rights from Estate of Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green
Primary Wave has acquired the publishing rights of Fleetwood Mac founder and original guitarist Peter Green, the company announced on Monday, with Primary Wave acquiring Green's interests in the songs he composed as well as the assets of Green's Rattlesnake music publishing catalog. Primary Wave declined to disclose financial details of the acquisition. The deal includes the early Fleetwood Mac hits Green penned including 'Albatross,' 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Oh Well.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Rob Reiner Teases Paul McCartney, Elton John Cameos in 'Spinal Tap II' Unreleased Beyoncé Music Stolen From Rental Car Ahead of Cowboy Carter Tour Atlanta Stops Blackpink Returns to L.A. to Remind Us All Why They're the Biggest Girl Group in the World Green co-founded Fleetwood Mac in the late '60s alongside Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, starting the group as a blues rock band. The instrumental 'Albatross,' which Green wrote himself, became the band's biggest early hit, topping the charts in the U.K. 'Black Magic Woman' meanwhile, became a hit for Santana and remains one of his biggest songs over five decades later. Green recorded three albums with the band, but he'd suffered from mental health issues (later being diagnosed with schizophrenia) and left in 1970. By the mid-70s, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined and launched the iteration of the band that reached international stardom. This isn't the first Fleetwood Mac deal Primary Wave has made; they bought a stake in Stevie Nicks' catalog back in 2020. Outside of Primary Wave, Buckingham sold his catalog to Hipgnosis Songs, Fleetwood sold his recorded music rights to BMG and McVie's estate sold her recorded music stake to HarbourView in 2023. Green, who died in 2020 at age 73, is often cited as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, lauded for his distinct tone and inventive and virtuosic approach to the blues. His 1959 Gibson Les Paul is itself a legendary instrument among guitarists, known to have a unique tone because one of its pickups was placed in the guitar upside down. That guitar, known as 'Greeny,' is owned by Metallica's Kirk Hammett, who's been known to give replicas of the instrument to other guitarists. 'When I look at the definition of a musical genius, Peter Green ticks every box,' Primary Wave's Robin Godfrey Cass said in a statement. 'As a musician, songwriter, and founder of Fleetwood Mac, he is an icon. It has been over 60 years ago since he began writing his body of legendary songs which are still in use every day. I am ecstatic that the estate has given Primary Wave the reins to continue his amazing legacy.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Party in the U.S.A.' to 'Born in the U.S.A.': 20 of America's Most Patriotic (and Un-Patriotic) Musical Offerings Most Anticipated Concert Tours of 2025: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter and More Hollywood's Most Notable Deaths of 2025
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Group's composition, stance on mining company questioned
Claims an Australian mining company was "flying under the radar" in Central Otago were rebutted yesterday and questions were raised about the makeup of the group complaining. Santana Minerals has estimated it could extract $4.4 billion worth of gold from an open pit and underground gold mine on Bendigo and Ardgour Stations. Earlier this month, Santana bought the more than 2800ha Ardgour Station, subject to Overseas Investment Office approval. The company has said it will lodge within weeks a fast-track resource consent application to operate an open pit and underground mine. Sustainable Tarras chairwoman Suze Keith said the group had newly uncovered information that Santana Minerals was intentionally "flying under the radar" to avoid scrutiny of its plans to mine in the Bendigo-Ophir area. The group is described on its website as a "group of concerned locals who love Tarras and want to live here". The statement was signed by Ms Keith, Bendigo winery owner Rob van der Mark and Duncan Kenderdine. Otago regional councillor Michael Laws responded to Sustainable Tarras, questioning if they actually lived in the region. He had lived in the Cromwell area for nearly 10 years and had never met any of the people who signed the statement. "I'm intrigued as to how [Ms Keith], a Wellington-based environmental activist, became the chair of an anti-mining lobby in my constituency" Mr Laws said he had not had any Tarras resident contact him with concerns about the Santana application. "If opposition was so widespread then you'd expect their local regional councillor would be an early reference point, would you not?" Ms Keith did not respond before deadline to a query from the Otago Daily Times about where she lived. Sustainable Tarras' statement said Santana Minerals was trying to avoid scrutiny by operating in breach of the district plan, giving nearby residents little notice of blasting activity that did not have council approval and asking for non-publicly notified resource consent. "It's beyond arrogant — in fact it's a callous disregard for the locally affected residents and indeed our local district council" Santana had likely been operating outside the district plan rules for years by operating plant to process drill samples and co-ordinate drill crews from Bendigo, the statement said. Ms Keith said Santana had applied for consent from the Central Otago District Council for a mining camp and requested it be non-publicly notified. The group also said the company had reneged on plans to construct a large, multi-year workers' campground and replace it with temporary shelters. Plans to seal Thomson Gorge Rd now appeared to be off the table as well. Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring said the company's current resource consent application was specifically for early infrastructure works outside the outstanding natural landscape and was following the normal Central Otago District Council process. The company's planners had advised the application be non-notified due to its low effect and in accordance with the district plan, he said. Temporary buildings had been established in Bendigo while consent applications for permanent facilities were under way. Residents near the proposed mine site were contacted last week with an overview of planned works over the next six months, subject to resource consent where needed, he said. Part of that was roadworks on a section of Thomson Gorge Rd between Matilda Rise Rd and Rise and Shine Valley, which was due to begin yesterday. That information was also shared by the district council as part of its traffic management plan. A small blast would be needed to access 2000cum of material from a pit to test it for strength as roading material. That was a permitted activity under both CODC and Otago Regional Council plans, he said. Worker accommodation for the mine would be a mix of caravan/campervan facilities and temporary accommodation. All mine workers would be required to be residential, and transport would be provided to towns within an hour's drive of the mine. Chipsealing the section of Thomson Gorge Rd in front of private residences was still in the plan once construction was completed, Mr Spring said. A district council spokeswoman did not respond to questions from the Otago Daily Times before deadline.
