win by weeding

If you are a member of the Regional Council's Be the Difference program then you'll be aware of their new promotion.

If not, then of course you should join (hint: it's free).

Be the Difference are offering a prize draw of a garden makeover worth $3,000 for members who send them photos of the dodgy pest plants they've pulled out. Entry closes on 30 September.

Obviously this competition doesn't make much sense for all you hip apartment dwellers out there, unless you've got some Old Man's Beard in your [flower] bed - in which case it's high time you got rid of him anyway.

So join up, enter the compeition, and with luck you'll obtain funding for that all-paved-garden look you've been hankering for.

Places we like to shop & watch outrageous music videos - The Guava Tree

This lunchtime I spent a pleasant 20 minutes or so in a new store called The Guava Tree. Not normally a place frequented by Wellingtonistas, but my interest was piqued by the vast plasma screen observable through the shop window playing what appeared to Bollywood movies.

I've always wanted to see a Bollywood movie. They look like fun, and it doesn't hurt that the locations, production designs, and casts are inevitably spectacular.

But I'm put off by the 3 hour plus running time of them.

So I spent that pleasant 20 minutes discussing Bollywood movies with the helpful & knowledgable young woman in the shop.

Not all Bollywood movies are more then 3 hours long apparently (only the better ones it seems). She recited a list of the good ones, and told me which actors to watch out for. Unfortunately, the words were all Hindu to me & so I'm going to have to make my choices based on who looks best in a wet sari....

And also... what were were watching wasn't an actual movie, it was a DVD selection of musical clips. MTV Bollywood if you like. Still... I want that DVD!

Places we like to shop - The Guava Tree

Where? Upstairs at the North end of Capital on the Quay.

What? Purveyors of fine Indian "stuff": Kitchenware, fabrics, clothes, displayers of fine Bollywood musical numbers.

Whale tail no fluke

Terrible headline pun lifted directly from the Hutt News, which this week reveals more about the man behind the fake whale tail that is currently flipping and flapping amonsts the waves in Wellington Harbour.

Turns out Phillip Waddington, a noted local potrait artist, created the fake tail (made of bamboo, inner tubes and black PVC) to protest Japan's bid to increase their annual kill-for-food quota. He just didn't bother telling people about it until now. Very subtle protesting. Phillip positioned the tail in the harbour last Monday night with a little help from friends, after which the 'windsurfer in distress' story came out in the Dominion Post a day or so later. As Philip says...

He obviously didn't put the binoculars on it.

Indeed. The current plan is to move the tail a bit closer to shore, so as to make it more visible to people walking along the shoreline. Discussions with the harbourmaster have established that it's not going to be a maritime hazard, so it'll probably remain until wear-and-tear do their bit and it all falls apart.

What a great thing to have created. Phillip Waddington, we salute you!

Watch Sputnik Run.

You may have seen this on TV1 news last night. Local woman stalks crocodile...

When the large box arrived at the office for Bindi, we were intrigued... not least because she wasn't in the office for a few days & we wondered if maybe we should open it & save it from perishing... on the off chance it was perishable consumables.

But turns out it was a satellite transmitting device! And Bindi's upcoming trip to Australia wasn't the belated honeymoon we all assumed it would be...

Watch Sputnik run (although if his movements so far are any indication, he's hibernating at the moment...)

Sputnik

geckos and skinks

The Wellingtonista has been going for a while now, yet there does not seem to be any mention of that unique Wellington institution, the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, a large fenced-off and predator-free "island" in a valley beside Karori. We must apologise for this lapse.

And make up for it by suggesting an outing this weekend. For Saturday is Lizard Day, one of a series of Saturday events at the Sanctuary (next ones are Pest Day on 24 September and Frog Day on 29 October). It's meant to be a bit of a family outing where you can find out more about those cute wee beasties that live in your rock gardens and shrubberies. But don't worry: the Sanctuary people will be bringing some along for you to see up close for yourself in case you don't spot any in the wild.

We'd love to catch sight of a Harlequin Gecko, but as it's not native to Wellington it's rather unlikely. However, the very spectacular-when-seen-by-dim-forest-light Wellington Green Gecko should definitely be on the cards. According to the Sanctuary people, "talks will be held in the Heritage Area between 11am and 2pm [and] there will also be other fun activities happening for kids".

So, truck up and have a look. And while you are visiting, become a member. That way, you get free entry for the year and a good green vibe thing going on.

Hello NZ Girls!

We heard you might be dropping by... and in your honour, we'd like to offer you the chance to WIN A DATE WITH ORLANDO BLOOM*

Hope you find something of interest here, we'll endeavour to target your particular demographic (reliably informed: female, 18-25 years) over the next say... until we get bored with it.

In the meantime, feel free to send us pictures of your older sisters, or let's face it I suppose, your mums. BTW: If you have any questions on the havoc children (when you decide to have them) will inflict upon your life, feel free to ask.

Otherwise we'll just continue to post about the best shows, food, shopping, views, toys, gigs & party drugs.

Enjoy your stay.

*But we can't. However, Joanna's ex-flatmate looks a lot like him apparently, so we might be able to sort something out.

Public Address | Club Politique | Burying One's Feet

I'm sure Che Tibby won't mind, but this is one of the finest love letters to Wellington I have ever read.

Public Address | Club Politique - Burying One's Feet

A Whale of a Tale

One of the more bizarre bits of news we've seen around the place recently was the Case of the Fake Whale Tail in Wellington Harbour.

Several people spotted what they thought was a windsurfer in distress off the Petone beach, so a launch was sent out to make a rescue. Upon arriving at the scene, the rescuers discovered it was, in fact, a well made plastic whale tail, that had been anchored to the seabed, and was doing a pretty good imitation of the real thing, flapping and splashing around in the surf as if a particularly frolicsome sperm whale. Or maybe a southern right whale. Either way, the whale has been deemed a marine hazard, and if not already removed, will be shortly.

We here at Wellingtonista Towers can only but admire whoever was behind the maker of such a pointless object, and hope they have more in store...

Botanic Gardens' Playground Closed...

A notice was dropped in our letterbox the other day informing us that the playground in the gardens would be closed for the next 3 weeks or so, while 6 ancient pines were removed.

The council stated that it regretted the need to remove these trees as they were much loved, especially the magnificent specimen that grew right beside the public toilet block. In fact, I know of one local resident who on hearing the news, made a special trip to the tree the day before work began, to give it a hug, having spent many summer afternoons in its shade in her younger days..

And it is gone, just a pile of regal & immense logs lying beside its old spot. It's impossible not to get a little misty, but the council is right, these trees were getting dangerous, more than one of them has endured quite spectacular storm damage over the last year or two.

The gardeners have however, taken cuttings of these historic trees to ensure the genetic line continues, and intends to plant Norfolk pines, monkey puzzle trees & others to replace them.

Links for Monday, 15 August 2005

• Tom Beard at WellUrban continues his investigations into finding single men in Wellington. This time it's Toyboys & Sugar Daddies.
• The billboard space near the corner of Cuba and Ghuznee has been getting a lot of comment around the place, with both a 'controversial' Hell Pizza ad featuring a demonic George Bush, and an 'illegal' ACT billboard directly above. The usual witty Wellington billboard-defacers have been to work on both.
• Long-time Wellington blogger Short-and-Sweet has had a baby. Congrats Violet!
• And Straight from the Whore's Mouth speculates on the departure of the Kirks and Stains' boss (ostensibly for 'health reasons'), and just why the venerable old department store isn't the icon it once was.

Film Society for August

Apologies, a bit slow on film society news this month... I'm posting this too late to cover Place Vendome, but what remains is well worth seeing.

JEANNE AND THE PERFECT GUY (1998). At first glance, Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau's
film appears to be a relatively traditional French melodrama about AIDS - well acted and intelligently written, but nothing special. But this is the first time that the subject matter has been used as the foundation for a musical and transformed into an irreverent, enjoyable and completely unexpected motion picture experience.

This screening will also feature an extra. Lindsay Shelton, a past president of the Film Society and founding director of the Film Festival before becoming the first Marketing Manager of the NZ Film Commission, will speak briefly before the film. Copies of his book, "The Selling of New Zealand Movies" will be available before and after the film (at a special price for Film Society members). He may even autograph your copy!

Monday 15 August, 6.15pm at the Paramount

SAME OLD SONG (1997). Alain Resnais' affectionate tribute to English dramatist and screenwriter Dennis Potter uses fragments of old recordings to have his characters burst into lip-synched song to express their inner lives and reveal truths that they struggle to conceal or deny. The story follows six characters as they negotiate their relationships and covers topics such as real estate, agoraphobia, hypochondria and Parisian tourist landmarks.

Monday 22 August, 6.15pm at the Paramount

FAR AWAY [Loin] (2001). Taking place over the course of three days, Andre Téchiné's film explores topical issues of illegal immigration and drug smuggling with a high degree of clarity that also extends to the impassioned love story at the film's centre. French truck driver Serge reconnects with estranged girlfriend Sarah, who runs a family hotel in Tangiers, and with Saïd, his Moroccan friend who's desperate to start a new life in Spain (within viewing distance of his town's shore, but inaccessible due to immigration laws).

Monday 29 August, 6.15pm at the Paramount


Other movies at the Paramount this month...

Fritz Laing's METROPOLIS (Germany 1927). The beautifully restored print by the Murnau Foundation, with its newly-recorded score, screened at the 2003 Wellington Film Festival. The celebrated silent film about a futuristic society that descends into chaos, is a classic of a curious kind, a movie with visuals so strange and majestic they leave you breathless.

Commencing August 11, for one week only

HEIGHTS (USA 2004). Chris Terrio's movie (produced by James Ivory and Ishmael Merchant) takes place over 24 hours and
follows five central characters who are involved in each other's lives, if only they knew it. We know, and one of our pleasures is waiting for the pennies to drop. Watching their slow realizations and reactions to what is going on around them is a voyeuristic pleasure. Glenn Close has never been better.

From 18 August

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY (USA/Vietnam 2002). With a cast including Nick Nolte, Temuera Morrison, Tim Roth, Bai Ling, and Damien Ngyuen, director Hans Petter Molland's film deals with the life of a Vietnam boy with an American father. The heart-rending story of the young Amerasian man's quest to find his long-lost father is a sorrowful yet ultimately hopeful film made with impeccable artistry and emotional tact.

Opening on 25 August

Botanic Gardens for August

Glowworm Tour

Friday 5 August, Founders' Entrance on Glenmore Street, 7.30pm

See the Botanic Garden's glowworms after dark.

Cost: koha/donation
Bookings are essential as places are limited.

Not suitable for children under six.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult - maximum of two children per adult.

Bring a torch - no more than two people per torch.
Wear good walking shoes.

Guided Walk: Dinner with the Trees

Sunday 21 August, Duck Pond, 11.00am

Learn about the many products that trees provide including chocolate, ink, sugar and even chewing gum.

Moderate walk: 75 minutes.

Gardens - Botanic Garden - Events Calendar - Wellington - New Zealand

Extreme Poo - Wellington Zoo

Events Calendar: "Extreme Poo Identification Competition

Wellington Zoo will hold an Extreme Poo Identification Competition on 6 & 7 August.

As part of the Conservation Week theme 'Everything is Connected', the Zoo invites you to correctly identify different types of animal poo to win a prize.

Listen to the Keeper talks throughout the day to hear loads of awesome conservation messages and keep your eyes peeled for 'do-it'yourself' conservation tips to take home with you.

Be there for Conservation Week with Wellington Zoo
Start: Sat 6 Aug 2005 9:30 AM
End: Sun 7 Aug 2005 5:00 PM

Where the boys are!

Tom over at WellUrban has done a fantastic bit of demographic and geographic analysis to find just how all you unattached women (there's a man drought, didn't you know?), can increase your odds of bumping into Mr Right around Wellington.

Top spots: Te Aro, Lambton Quay, and, potentially North Miramar (although, as Tom points out, the numbers of single men at that latter location might be a bit skewed by the presence of Mount Crawford Prison).