Need to know

Compiled by PHOEBE FALCONER

Holiday activities

* Tales of enchantment and wonder will be narrated by Tanya Batt at the Maritime Museum at 10 am and 1 pm. Call 373-0800 to book for this sea of stories.

* Alphabet Soup starts at 10 am at the Corelli Music School, Anzac Rd, Browns Bay, and at 2.30 pm at Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence St, Devonport. The show features singing, dancing and lots of fun, and will appeal to children up to eight years old. Tickets cost $2.

* It's Italian day at the Glenfield Leisure Centre in Bentley Ave. Turn up to experience Italian food and language.

* Make mad music at Birkenhead Leisure Centre in Mahara Rd. Create your own bongo song in the morning; join in outdoor games in the afternoon. Also at the centre: indoor rock climbing (phone 418-4109 for details).

Bohemia concert

Julia Dibley (violin) and Timothy Evans (piano) will perform An Evening in Bohemia at the University of Auckland's School of Music Theatre, 6 Symonds St, at 8 pm. Bookings can be made on 308-2383.

New on the web

Three youth websites have been launched by the Auckland City Youth Council. They are Youth Action, Auckland City Youth council and Auckland City Libraries. The sites are inter-linked.

Judge a city

The Manukau City Council wants volunteer judges for the Yates NZ Best Streets, Schools and Garden Awards, part of the Keep Manukau Beautiful initiative. If you know your weeds from your wisteria, call the council on 262-8900 ext 8813.

Meeting of Minds

A new programme for older people, called Meeting of the Minds, has two activities today: a book review group (10 am in the Parnell Library, 545 Parnell Rd) and a gardening talk (10 am to 11 am in the Pt Chevalier Library, corner of Pt Chevalier and Great North Rds). Phone 377-0209.

City roadworks

Parliament St, between Eden Crescent and Waterloo Quadrant, will be closed from today until at least Saturday. This is to allow Metrowater to separate stormwater and wastewater pipes. Phone 835-3800 or 624-2571 for more information.

Classical guitar

Robert MacPherson gives a concert of classical guitar at 8 pm in St Barnabas Church Hall, 285 Mt Eden Rd. Phone 520-2867 for details.

Another day ...

The first earth satellite was launched into space by the Soviet Union today in 1957. Sputnik 1 circled the earth once every 95 minutes. Its beep-beep transmission was heard by amateur radio operators for 23 days: then the batteries went flat. The satellite burned up on re-entry on January 4, 1958.

Suggestions for Need to know?

E-mail: info@nzherald.co.nz