Dave Keen hangs up some of the entries in a pillow art competition raising money for the Kerikeri Retirement Village.
Dave Keen hangs up some of the entries in a pillow art competition raising money for the Kerikeri Retirement Village.
A weekly round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North
Pillow art
An unusual, pillow-themed fundraiser this Friday will raise money for new mattresses for Kerikeri Retirement Village.
More than 70 creative Northlanders - from pre-schoolers to professional artists and even a high-ranking cop - have turned plain pillowcases into works of art.
Their creations are on display at BedsR Us on Kerikeri Rd and will be sold at a charity auction at Kingston House, on Hone Heke Rd, from 6pm on September 4.
Sheep and Minions are popular themes. One is dedicated to the Warriors while another has been turned into a shoulder bag.
One pillowcase, which incorporates a set of handcuffs and may have been created by Kerikeri police Senior Sergeant Chris McLellan, has piqued an unusual degree of interest.
Beds R Us owner Dave Keen said there had been a "tremendous response", both from people taking up the design challenge and those wanting to see the finished artworks.
Entrants paid $20 for the blank pillowcase but get free entry to the auction (others pay $20). Entry includes a drink on arrival and nibbles.
Some of the pillowcases come with vouchers for dinner, spa treatment or personal training.
Visitors to Beds R Us can get the bids started via a silent auction. As of yesterday one of the more skilfully crafted pillowcases was already commanding a top bid of $120.
The village wants to raise $15,000 to replace the mattresses in its aged care facility with new, high-tech versions which prevent bed sores. Tickets are available from Beds R Us, the village and at the door. Cash bar available.
And the race is on ...
It's still two years to the next general election but the race to be the next Northland MP appears to have started already in Kerikeri.
National is opening an out-of-Parliament office on Kerikeri Rd on Thursday morning, beating NZ First leader and current Northland MP Winston Peters out of the blocks - he is due to open his Homestead Rd office on Friday afternoon.
Opening an out-of-electorate office is an unusual move and signals National's determination to win the seat back.
Meanwhile, is it a coincidence that Mr Peters' new office is next door to a trendy new bar and a stone's throw from a pub? Possibly, but the MP for Northland is known for his fondness for a night out.
Glass, landscapes on show
Two outstanding Bay of Islands artists will launch a joint exhibition at Kaan Zamaan Gallery, on Kerikeri's Hobson Avenue, this Friday.
Kim Logue's glass art explores the loss of New Zealand's native forests.
Kim Logue's glass work reflects her concern for the environment, in particular the loss of New Zealand's native forests; while Scott McFarlane's new oil paintings are based on the landscapes between Lake Omapere and Whangaroa Harbour.
The preview is 4-6pm on September 4. The show then runs until October 4.
Women's art
Masterpieces Gallery on Kerikeri Rd (just up from New World) is planning an exhibition of art by 14 local and international women artists.
Far North Smokefreerockquest winner Elsa Meier will perform at a gallery opening in Kerikeri on September 12.
The show will open at 1pm on Saturday, September 12, with live music by Opua teen Elsa Meier from 2pm. Elsa won the solo/duo section of the recent Far North Smokefreerockquest and made it through to the final 30 in the national competition.
Watercolours by UK artist Nicky Critchley, now living in Kerikeri, are among the women's artworks in an upcoming exhibition at Masterpieces Gallery.
Many of the artists - including Kiri Clark, Nicky Critchley, Lenie Johnson, Maggie Murray Lee and Lena Zankl - will be at the opening. The exhibition will run until September 26.
Tickets have gone on sale for the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway's annual Trivia Night, which will take place at the Copthorne Hotel's Waitaha Conference Room on September 19.
The organisers promise a "fast-moving, lively night with crazy auctioneering" as well as quizzes, auctions, raffles and spot prizes. The MCs will once again be Frank Leadley and Far North Mayor John Carter.
A repeat of Mr Carter's 2007 appearance in a bikini and blonde wig is not expected now that he has been elevated from MP to the more respectable role of Mayor.
Trivia teams are set up in tables of eight but smaller groups or individuals will be teamed up on the night. Tickets to the railway trust's most important fundraiser of the year cost $25 from Paihia Pharmacy, Paper Plus Kerikeri, or Trainspotter Bookshop in Kawakawa. Tickets to last year's event sold out weeks in advance.
Fancy watching a movie and going on an overseas cruise (sort of) in one evening?
Cinema Kororareka, an arthouse cinema in Russell Town Hall, is offering movie buffs on the other side of the ditch a $12 movie/ferry deal on the Bay Belle. That's the price of a normal return ticket without the movie.
Get your movie ticket from Fullers or the Paihia information booth and get it punched by the skipper. In winter the offer is available only on Friday and Saturday nights. In summer late ferries will run nightly.
Trading places
Paihia restaurant 35 Degrees South is holding a "swap-over night" on Tuesday, September 8, to raise money for the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park.
The event will see kitchen staff trade places with the front of house staff for the night. Tickets cost $60 and include a choice of entree, main and dessert, plus a welcome drink. Tickets are available at the restaurant or by emailing catherine@35south.co.nz.
Do you have news or an upcoming event you'd like to see in this column? Send it to us, including your full contact details, to baynews@northernadvocate.co.nz.
