ACCORDING to a recent survey, Canberrans will find the cheapest average basket of groceries at Aldi. But “Confidential” can reveal Supabarn’s got a beef with the research.

The “Sunday Canberra Times Consumer Test”, published on July 24, was wrong says Supabarn.

James Koundouris, development manager of the Koundouris Group, which owns and operates the Supabarn supermarket chain, says he’s appalled with the report.

“I don’t know where they got their prices from, but eight of the items were priced incorrectly,” he says.  “If they’d done their research properly the total cost of the Supabarn basket at the time of the survey was actually $139.16 – almost $20 cheaper than the reported price,” says Koundouris.

The article refers to “The cost of the basket, based on consumer group Choice’s annual supermarket price survey”. But the spokesperson for the consumer group Ingrid Just maintains Choice had nothing to do with collecting the data.

“Choice’s most recent survey was in 2009,” she says. “A number of news outlets have used our methodology, however we were not involved.

“We’ve never surveyed Supabarn or Costco.”

The “Times” corrected the price for Supabarn’s unpackaged chicken on August 14, adjusting the Civic supermarket’s basket price to $151.63.

 

A pause on public art

MENTION the words “public art” to anyone in this town and it’s likely you’ll wind up in a heated discussion.

Statues, steel grass, flapping bits of metal and an owl are just some of the commissioned works that have created a stir, with many locals suggesting our Government needs to get its priorities right.

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher has told “Confidential” no new money has been committed to public art. “All money from the Percent-for-Art Scheme has been spent or is committed to artworks in the pipeline. There are about 16 left, all of which have homes to go to,” she says.

“The 2008-09 Budget provided $778,000 for 2011-12, the last year of the Percent-for-Art Scheme funding.”

What the last 16 pieces will be and where they will go remains a mystery.

 

Philippa’s passion

CANBERRAN Philippa Seldon has embarked on a journey to raise awareness of suicide prevention, cycling from Parliament House to Brisbane by Saturday September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day.

Philippa’s brother Dale ended his own life in September 2009 at the age of 35.

“The loss of a loved one by suicide has such a profound effect on so many people and my experience with suicide has motivated me to make a difference,” says Philippa.

Six people die by suicide every day in Australia. Follow Philippa’s Cycle 4 Life journey in conjunction with Lifeline online at www.cycle4life.org.au

 

Sweaty, hot and humid

THEY say what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. That’s yoga instructor Jacqueline Jansen’s motto and she might just have the proof.

Dubbed the “Torture Chamber” by many, Jansen’s Bikram yoga studio in Mitchell maintains a room temperature of 38.5C with humidity at a staggering 40 per cent. And it’s got everyone talking.

“It’s the ideal situation to make people sweat – but not die,” says Jansen.

The class runs for 90 minutes and Jansen says she doesn’t let anyone leave the room. “The heat forces you to focus and rids the body of toxins… your skin will glow and your hair will shine,” she says.

Yogis feeling the heat can opt to sit or lie down during the class. But a quick look around the studio might make you think twice about slacking off. “Confidential” can confirm the oldest participant is 86!

 

Pink and personal

WHAT on earth could Canberra-based hairdresser Tania have in common with American singer-songwriter and musician Pink?

Apart from a striking resemblance, Pink and Tania have a husband and now a baby – both with the same name.

Tania Hart, who owns and operates Ripe Hair in Fyshwick, was surprised to hear Pink – who married motocross motorcyclist Carey Hart – had named her daughter Willow. “It’s one of those crazy coincidences,” Tania says. But she’s quick to add she didn’t copy Pink. “My daughter’s now two-years-old, so I got in first,” she laughs.