Take a closer look at this weeks pet – A Burmese Python – This native of southern and south Asia is currently in Mel’s Pet Shop Monifieth Dundee. The Burmese Python is one of the six largest snakes in the world. They can average 12 feet long and can weigh 200 Ibs or 90 kgs. Mel’s Pet Shop stocks a continuous variety of reptiles and everything you need to look after your pet.
The iconic changing rooms in Arkive in Dundee’s Seagate are getting a new look. The original wall decorated with legends by local artists eight years ago is to be transformed by artists Beatriz (From Spain) and local artist Gavin (who’s work can also be seen in The Doghouse). We spoke to Shiraz, owner of Arkive who explained how the original idea came about and how he met Beatriz who has come up with the new design.
Steven Billens passion for photography has led him to set up an on-line design company inviting guest designers to join, display work and sell it through his website which launches in April. Steven hopes students from Duncan of Jordanstone and further afield will join the venture which aims to provide another on-line avenue for emerging designers to sell their work.
A Personal Enterprise and Development Show was held in the Caird Hall today. Supported by over fifty local companies and organisations it was open to anyone interested in starting a business, finding a job, changing career or adding to their skills and qualifications. We spoke to Laura Rich from Business Gateway Tayside and to Gavin Oattes from Tree of Knowledge. Gavin appeared in the 2010 series of BBC Dragons Den and was at the event today to provide motivational workshops.
Last year The Dundee Channel developed a simple yet effective ad campaign for The Wisper Centre in Dundonald Street Dundee. The company were so delighted with it that’s its back this year. Clearly demonstrating that all you need is great music and something to say it was a spoof of a quality car advert that then introduces the viewer to eco friendly electric bicycles.
The advertisment was further successful because the message would still get through on laptops and smartphones where there was no sound or the volume was turned down. To find out just how creative and cost effective we can be for you contact scott@dundeechannel.com
An expert in facial attractiveness and sexual signalling from the University of Abertay Dundee is looking for volunteers to take part in a brand new study aimed at determining the factors behind mate choice.
Dr Fhionna Moore has studied human behavioural ecology and evolutionary psychology for several years and works with experts from around the world.
Dr Moore said: “Research into human attraction has yielded a fascinating insight into the ways in which men and women around the world choose their partners.
“On one hand are rich cultural differences in the characteristics that are attractive in the opposite sex – in a study of ethnographic data, for example, I found reference to attractive traits as diverse as black teeth and strong legs – and on the other are consistent differences in the preferences of men and women.
“A general pattern across societies, for example, is that men tend to focus on physical appearance, whereas women weight cues to a partner’s status more highly. While this large body of work has been useful in identifying key patterns across societies, a major criticism is that it has been limited by only looking at the characteristics that the researcher considers to be important in order to test a particular theory. This means that we may not get an accurate picture of real preferences – it might be the case that the characteristics we have focussed on are relatively unimportant in reality.
Dr Moore is now looking to further existing research by removing what could be leading factors – i.e starting with a blank canvas by removing the characteristics that are commonly believed to be important.
“To identify the characteristics that are really driving partner choice in the real world, I am collecting data online in which I am asking participants to tell me about the characteristics they consider to be important in a partner – rather than the other way round. I am looking for male and female participants who are over the age of 18 to contribute their views to the study by filling in a short questionnaire.” Dr Moore said.
To take part in the study please log on to: http://psych.abertay.ac.uk/tradeoffs/study1/pis.html
After 14 years as SDT’s Artistic Director, Janet Smith leaves to take up the role of Principal at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.
We spoke to Janet about her time in Dundee at Scottish Dance Theatre and to some of the dancers who have worked with her.
