Need to know

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Grafton Gully holdups

Be warned that if you are planning to be in the Grafton Gully area during the next two weeks there will be traffic holdups because of work on the Grafton Gully Project. Grafton Rd will be closed to city-bound traffic between Stanley St and Symonds St until January 28. Motorists should use Alten Rd, Beach Rd and the Grafton Bridge instead.

Spray bombing

If weather permits, aerial spraying for painted apple moth will begin in West Auckland next Saturday. If there is too much wind or rain, radio reports every half hour on the day will keep you informed. The stations to listen to are Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits, More FM, 91ZM, Radio Hauraki, i98FM, 531Pi and MaiFM. For more information on the spraying programme, call 0800 96 96 96 or visit the MAF website.

Holiday action

School holiday programmes abound this week.

* Auckland City Art School, 19 Carrick Place, Mt Eden, offers classes for 5- to 14-year-olds, including clay painting and cartooning. Call 638-9477.

* Kids 4 Drama presents one-day workshops for children and teenagers today and Wednesday in Blockhouse Bay and Henderson, phone 627-2274.

* Mt Roskill Community House in Grahame Breed Drive, Three Kings, has holiday programmes for 5- to 12-year-olds that include sports, games, trips, crafts, cooking and much more. Phone 624-3281.

* Mad Loop Windsurf School has places available in a programme starting tomorrow, phone 521-0396.

* Artstation at 1 Ponsonby Rd, Newton, is offering art classes for kids this week. Phone 376-3221 to enrol.

* There's skateboarding and mural painting until Saturday at Corban Estate Arts Centre, 426 Great North Rd, Henderson. Phone 838-4455.

* Manurewa Community Arts Centre in the Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Rd, Manurewa, has cooking, kite-making, pottery and trips. Phone 267-0180 for more information.

* The Maritime Museum has model boatmaking, a fishing trip and visits to the Tepid Baths this week. Call 373-0800 to enrol.

Animal care

Have you helped to look after animals in your community? The SPCA Animal Ark Young Carer of the Year Awards close on February 1, and there are great prizes to be won, including books, cameras and digital diaries. Entry is free, and forms are available from all SPCA branches or by calling (09) 256-7300.

Culture challenge

The challenge of living in two cultures is explored in an art exhibition entitled Shining Star, by Samoan artists Sonny Pepe and Neli Seumanutafa. The exhibition is on display at the Otara Music Arts Centre, on the corner of Bairds Rd and Newbury St, Otara, until February 1.

Volunteers wanted

Organisers of the Aotearoa Traditional Performing Arts Festival, to be held from February 22-24, are seeking volunteers to help with catering, stall management, ticket taking, parking and a host of other activities. Training will be provided. If you can help with Kapa Haka 2002, phone 521-4291 or visit Orakei Marae.

Another day ...

You must remember this. In 1943, Allied leaders met in Casablanca to agree on a strategy for ending the Second World War. US President Franklin D. Roosevelt flew to Morocco, the first President to fly in an aeroplane while in office.

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