TUESDAY 1 FEBRUARY: WORDINHAND FLOOD RELIEF
7:30 FOR 8:00PM.  Donation $10/$5
THE FRIEND IN HAND HOTEL 58 COWPER ST GLEBE

ALL DONATIONS ON THE NIGHT GO TO THE SALVATION ARMY TO ASSIST OUR COUSINS IN QUEENSLASND AND VICTORIA.

"Shout a Mate" at the bar. If you're buying a round for friends, why not throw the price of a drink into the Salvation Army bucket? A Salvo's Representative will be on hand to accept our donations.

Kick off the new year with these fine poets who are donating their time to help the flood victims...

Miles Merrill
Bhupen Thakker
Ange Stretch
Julian "Jink" Wood
Chafic Ataya

Plus, our usual Open Mike and high-energy Slam.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers,

Jack

This weeks Inner West Courier has an article on Newtown's Hub, although unfortunately there is no news as such. The owner, Chris Vlattas, is quoted blaming Marrickville Council for the lack of progress in turning The Hub into an entertainment venue, a charge which the council quite reasonably denies given the most recent DA was for shops and offices (see my take from last year).

Maybe the publicity will force those interested to discuss sensible options for the venue; certainly Newstown readers have come up with some creative ideas. Use of such an iconic building for shops and apartments would really be a shame. Some sort of concert / cinema venue would be the most logical use - but I'd love to see some more original ideas !

Here's hoping - one thing for sure is that The Hub has stood empty for way too long.

Newtown locals George Washingmachine and Jane Worthington have organised a CD to raise funds to help kids with brain tumours. The CD features Troy Casser-Daley, Jimmy Barnes, James Morrison, Rebecca Breeds (Ruby on Home & Away), and jazz muso George Washingmachine to name a few.

Art on the Street had a soggy launch on Sunday. Read all about it here; and keep your eyes out around King Street.

Here's an email sent to the council archives regarding an organ recital Sunday prior to it being dismantled and restored.

I wish to advise you of a Pipe Organ recital to held at St Luke's
Anglican Church, 11 Stanmore Rd, Enmore on Sunday 1 November, 2009 at
2.00 pm.  It is the only Pipe Organ in Australia built by organ
builders, Wordsworth and Maskell of Leeds, UK but erected in its current
location by local organ builders, Layton Bros of Newtown. The organ is
mechanical action and is in essentially original condition.

The organ will be dismantled for restoration beginning 2 November,
2009 and there will be a short organ recital and talk by the well known
Sydney organist, Mr Peter Jewkes on Sunday 1 November at 2.00 pm at the
church. Admission is $10 and $5 concession, with afternoon tea provided.
The organ will be open for viewing after the recital.

I would be pleased if you could distribute this email and the attached
leaflet to your members to aid us in making local residents aware of
this historic instrument.

The restoration is supported by the Heritage Council of NSW and the
Organ Historical Trust of Australia.

People who move to the inner-city and complain about noise from pubs that have been there for 100+ years are a pet hate of mine. Great that the Sando is still going with the venue, but absurd that we were close to losing it.

There's an article in the Oz today featuring our very own Campos cafe' and coffee provider. Not long now until the Mayor's Top 5 Newtown cafe's are revealed - stay tuned !

As expected, Sydney Council approved the Woolworths Hive grocery store / supermarket (which word you use determines which side of the fence you sit on this one) at their meeting on Monday night. While it's certainly not optimal use of the site as far as the community is concerned, at least it's a decision and hopefully it will trigger use of the other abandoned sites along that strip of Erko Road.