Did you know.....

Shade sail away for winter
Have you noticed that the shade sail at the Fagan St playground has been taken down for the winter months? Mangawhai Zonta, which raised the money for its purchase, say it made sense to protect it from winter weather damage.

Zonta boosts funds
Fundraising for the Spirit of Adventure scholarship offered annually by Zonta will get a boost from the popular Trivial Pursuit evening on Thursday June 27. With the theme being 'Movie Madness' you can expect some hilarious costumes and a hilarious night! Teams of six, $10pp, and you will need to book a table by phoning Jude 431 5765. It's all happening at The Club, 7pm start.

SeniorNet workshops
SeniorNet have a couple of workshops coming up which should be of great interest – how to take great photos and videos with your iPad, edit and view them, post on Facebook, and lots of other tips. Friday June 14, 10.30am -12.30pm at the Learning Centre in Kaiwaka. To register, call Tony 431 2269 or email seniornet.mangawhai@gmail.com. Members $10, non-members $15.

And on Thursday June 27 – same time, same place – a Photo Album workshop: Shutterfly. You'll learn how to create your own photo album and much more, plus lots of ideas for gifts you can make with Shutterfly. Enrolments details and costs as above.

Did you know…
… that 48% of the 4,796 visitors to the Mangawhai Information Centre this season were from the Auckland region? Locals, at 12.5% just edged out visitors fom Europe at 12.1%. North Island locations were next at 10.8%.

Toilet tissue tuatara!
Children attending the After Three programme organised by Jen and Jaki at Mangawhai Beach School are creating a magnificent papier mache tuatara. By all accounts it's looking quite amazing with the last paper coating going on this week. The 3-ply toilet tissue being used will produce the necessary authentic wrinkles! We will certainly ensure pictures are published when this giant sized tuatara is all painted and finished.

Mangawhai Park needs consensus Plenty of people are asking just when and where the new St John ambulance station is to be built. The funding is available, plans drawn up, and a site in Mangawhai Park approved. Kaipara District Council is waiting for the local Mangawhai Park steering committee, headed by Jim Wintle, to present an overall community accepted plan for the entire park before giving the go-ahead to any new development. Community consensus on the use of Mangawhai Park has been, and continues to be, a challenging task for the steering committee. Jim says right now the steering group is looking at the deliberations of a sub-committee and will shortly be presenting the draft plan for Mangawhai Park for public comment. But the St John project is urgent, so Jim and Dave Wingate will be making a presentation to the June KDC meeting (deferred last month) to ask for a formal dedication of the site for St John so that work can begin.

 
Business news

�¡ You may have been wondering what is going on next door to the Smashed Pipi. This purpose-built office will be home to the team at Ray White Mangawhai. Business owner Kaye McElwain says a new location is just part of this agency's commitment to growth and exceptional service to its cients.

�¡ On the business scene, Trish Powley is bringing her Funky Clothing back into the village, opening on June 10 in the premises next to Bazaar World. Trish is also offering sewing and cooking classes, so call in and see what it is all about.

�¡ Allsortsa Things (quite a name!) next to Books & Gifts in Wood St has an extensive range of DVD's, all very clearly displayed in their various categories. Did you know they offer Internet services starting from $3 for 15 minutes? WiFi is also available. Open 7 days, winter hours are 9.30am – 7.30pm.

�¡ Beach, Bach & Beyond in Sail Rock Drive is the place to go for all your sewing needs. Mary can handle your clothing alterations, curtain making and furnishings for your home. Phone 027 407 2828.

�¡ Bennett's Cafe is closed for their annual holiday from June 10 through until Thursday July 11. The Chocolate Shop is open as always, along with Kakariki.

�¡ The Mangawhai Business Development Association (MBDA) annual general meeting is coming up on Tuesday June 18, at the Smashed Pipi, 7pm. Everyone is welcome, but if you'd like more details, phone 022 0123 033.

�¡ Frog & Kiwi's annual 'Tour de France des vins' is happening on Saturday June 22. This unique 'wine tour', at $145 per head, stops this year in some amazing regions – Bourgogne, Loire Valley, Champagne, Beaujolais and more. Nine meals, nine gorgeous wines. Sommelier Jean- Christophe will be there to explain the wines especially for you. Dress to impress! Bookings are essential, and need to be made before June 16. Phone now 431 4439.

�¡ News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711 or email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz