Need to know

On the move


Southbound lanes 1 and 2 (the southbound clip on) on the Harbour Bridge will be closed on Sunday between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm for monitoring. The SH16 Lincoln Rd off ramp, westbound, will be closed on Sunday from 10 pm to 5 am. SH1 Greenlane off ramps, north and southbound, will be closed from Sunday to Friday between 10 pm and 5 am.

Weather


Cloudy periods will increase today with some evening rain. It will be clear tomorrow morning and should be fine for the Hero parade. Same story for Sunday. Burn time is about 12 minutes. Grass pollen is low, but privet, dock and nettle are flowering.

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Slap on your best jandals and go west on Sunday for the biennial Karekare beach race carnival. The nine race card starts at 10.30 am and includes trotting and galloping for nags ranging from wannabe Sunlines to a few creatures hiding from the glue factory.

Today


* A support rally for Mark Middleton assembles at the Auckland District Court, Albert St, at 9 am. After his sentencing the rally will march to Aotea Square to launch a petition calling for tougher sentencing.

* Nominations for the Rodney District Council election close at noon. Ten members of the former council which was suspended and labelled as dysfunctional last April have already come forward. The election will be held on March 31.

* The Football Kingz host the struggling Northern Spirit at Ericsson Stadium at 7.30 pm.

* The scallop season finished at midnight on Thursday. Fisheries officers warn there are heavy penalties for taking scallops outside the season.

* The International Juggling Festival has its balls in the air throughout the weekend in Paekakariki, 20 minutes north of Wellington. Includes workshops for beginners.

* Hero fest: Georgina and George: Jewel's Darl and Naughty Little Peeptoe, two films by Garth Maxwell and Peter Wells on at 6.30 pm in the new Grey Lynn Community Centre till Saturday; Hero tennis tournament at the Westend Tennis Club, 5.30 pm to 10 pm; The Artist Currently Known as Jackie Loeb in the Cabaret Club at 8 pm; Climax Dance Party at Velvet Underground, 1 Anzac Ave, from 10 pm to 5.30 am; Ritual Nation, gay road story, Triangle Television, 11 pm.

* The 114th Franklin District A&P is on over two days at the Pukekohe Showgrounds with competitions, critters and culture from around the world.

* Summer Shakespeare with As You Like It under the Auckland University Clocktower from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

Also today:


Howard Carter enjoyed one of the biggest moments life can offer in 1923 when he unsealed the burial chamber of 10-year-old Egyptian boy Pharaoh Tukankhamen and rediscovered the priceless death mask (above) which had been hidden for almost 3300 years.

Tomorrow


After a week of buildup the Hero Festival spurts into full bloom at 8.30 pm with the annual parade (full details and a map will be available in the Time Out section of the Weekend Herald). Parking spots will be rarer than a grumpy face on the night. The Hero Party kicks up its heels throughout the Auckland Town Hall from 11 pm to 8 am.

* The annual Onehunga Festival is on at the Onehunga Basin Reserve, Beachcroft Ave from 11 am to 4 pm.

* The Heaven Hill-Stickmen national open 8-ball pool competition is on for two days at the ASB Stadium, corner of Kepa and Kohimarama Rds, Kohimarama.

* The Korean Society Festive Day will be held at the North Shore Events Centre from 10 am.

* It's the annual family fun day at the Mangere Pools, behind the Mangere Town Centre, from 10 am to 6 pm.

* The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification is holding a regional hui at Omahu Pa, Hastings from 9.15 am to 5 pm.

* Keep some change handy in case the IHC collector knocks on your door. The campaign runs until February 21.

Sunday


The talents of three Japanese men's gymnastic teams and New Zealand men's national squads will be on display at the North Shore Events Centre from 7 pm. Adults $10, children $5.

* The only good rubber is burnt rubber at the Ultimate Burnouts in the Manukau Sports Bowl. Adults $12 and free parking.

* The New Zealand Warriors show off their new uniforms and attitude at Ericsson Stadium at 4 pm against the Canberra Raiders.

* The annual Bike the Bays pedals off from the Domain at 8 am. The course heads along Parnell Rd, Gladstone Rd, Tamaki Dr and up Cliff Rd in St Heliers and then back again. The junior ride starts at 8.30 am. Tamaki Dr will be closed throughout the event.

* Five new earlybird bus services start tomorrow. The buses will run along Mt Eden Rd, Great North Rd, New North Rd, Sandringham Rd and from the East Coast Bays about 5 am to arrive in Auckland CBD at 6 am.

* Woofstock - the Ultimate Animal Party is on at the Auckland Animal Village, Westney Rd, Mangere, from 11 am. Entry is $25 or $50 for a family of four.