If you’ve been wondering what exactly is going on down at the Alphington Community Farmgate site on the corner Wingrove Street and Parklands Avenue, and are keen for a sticky beak, Miranda who is the lovely and enthusiastic founder and director of Melbourne Farmers Markets is running a site tour on Sunday 25 April from 9.30-11am.

You’ll be able to meet a range of growers, producers and community organisations all playing a role in supporting urban agriculture and a local food system. Visit The Mushroomery, Farmwall, 3000 Acres etc.

Following the tour there’ll be ample time to do your weekly shopping and soak up the atmosphere of Alphington Farmers Market. Here you can meet local Victorian farmers and small-scale producers, discover what's in season, see how seasonality influences flavour (and price) and discover new recipe ideas directly from the farmer.

The link to book is: https://www.trybooking.com/BQNIV

If you are not so keen to be out and about at nighttime in the city for whatever reason, but love classical music, did you know that you can sign up to get a whole series of Melbourne concerts streamed live to your lounge room (or bedroom or bathroom for that matter - perhaps we should just say to your device wherever that may be …).

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall offers a range of packs that enable you to support the arts and local artists from the comfort of home. They start at $24 for one concert (with $20 going directly to the artists) and could make a lovely gift for those family members or friends who really need nothing but enjoy experiences.

It is pretty amazing the way things have changed in the last year or so, isn’t it? And it’s fabulous to think that streamed concerts are now de rigueur - enabling so many more people to access our fabulous arts culture live, as it happens.

Chris Howlett and Friends 1 - Brahms Sonatas and Songs, 28 April

Hi Kalimna here.

I just booked myself a place in the upcoming Chai Tea Workshop which is on Saturday 8 May (the day before Mother’s Day).

I am a huge fan of chai tea so the idea of learning how to make it myself is really appealing.

Watch out friends - I suspect Kalimna’s Chai Blend may become the Christmas gifts for those I most love!

I am particularly interested in this workshop because I am fostering a beginners interest in Ayurveda, the worlds oldest holistic healing system. Developed in India it is the belief that health and wellness depend on the delicate balance of mind, body and spirit. I may never master yoga - but I am keen to embrace the understanding of eating for better health.

Here is a link to chai and why it can be good for you to drink according to ideals in Ayurveda.

I know Manu who is running the workshop from her volunteer work at the Community Centre and can attest to what an excellent cook she is through the Preserves Group (and sometimes she even brings us lunch - very lucky us!).

So I hope to see you there as we learn to blend and brew some lovely chai together.

Inspired? You can book in here.

Hi Kalimna here.

When taking photos of our ‘honestly ‘ letter project recently, our neighbour Glen struck up a conversation with Lee and I about two wonderful books he said were the best gifts he had ever received.

The books he was referring to are Living on Stolen Land by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Kindred by Kirli Saunders.

He noted that Living on Stolen Land should be mandatory reading for all Australian children. I was convinced, and will be sharing this book with my children; heartfelt recommendations like this don’t come along everyday.

You can find out more via this link to Magabala Books.

Thank you Glen for sharing these book recommendations with us.

University of the Third Age U3A Darebin is an organisation for people over 50 who are not in full-time paid employment and who wish to keep their minds and bodies active.

U3A is about sharing skills and interests, enabling people to enjoy low cost educational, creative, social and leisure activities in a relaxed environment.

U3A runs a host of activities across the neighbourhood catering for a wide variety of interests - from history walks to play reading (like Armchair Theatre that runs here at ACC each Wednesday afternoon).

If you are keen to find out more, you might like to attend the upcoming U3A Darebin afternoon tea. It is on at 2pm on Monday 12 April at 16a Bent Street in Thornbury.

This is a catered event so please register to ensure there is enough food for everyone to eat.

Email here to confirm you attendance or ring the office and talk to someone or leave a message.

The U3A Darebin office is at Fairfield Station and is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:15am-12pm.

Keen? Please BYO cup.