Delays on Parkes Way

The National Capital Authority is warning that they’re slowing down traffic along Parkes Way near Kings Avenue while they knock down trees:

“The trees will be removed over a three week period from Monday 5 January. The work will be conducted during the day from 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

Traffic will be diverted and slowed to 40km/h for short periods while those trees overhanging the road are removed.”

The whys of this get cute.

They want to get started on the long awaited Kings Avenue overpass which would eliminate one of the worst traffic black spots.

Unfortunately there’s a 350mm gas main in the way which needs to be moved first and the trees have to go before they can move the gas main.

It’s never this hard in Sim City.

Police Wrap - 6 January

1. Masked mugger stalks Pearce:

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an aggravated robbery of a 25-year-old Pearce man which occurred yesterday (January 5) on Marr Street in Pearce.

Around 10.15pm police attended the scene and spoke to the victim who told police he had been struck from behind by a man wearing a balaclava and knocked to the ground with a club. The male offender continued to kick and hit the victim with the club and was accompanied by two other men who also kicked the victim.

The three offenders stole the victim’s wallet, mobile phone and a bag of shopping and fled from the scene towards Beasley Street, Torrens.

The male offender who initially struck the victim is described as Caucasian, around 175cm (5′9″) tall, with a thin build and was wearing a green shirt, black pants and white shoes.

Police immediately conducted patrols of the surrounding areas.

—

If you can help police contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers website on www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.

Water use blows out on the first day back at work?

ACTEW is reporting that with Canberrans returning to work yesterday water use blew out to 160ML over our target of 139ML.

This is from the Sunday usage of 136ML.

So it’s domestic water use that’s the problem? Seems unlikely.

Fred Smith at the Phoenix on Christmas Eve

Christmas sees a lot of people coming home to spend time with their families.

After a short period of time this reminds them why they left in the first place.

And so The Phoenix in Civic on Christmas Eve is a raucus place with a slightly older than usual crowd of returning expatriate Canberrans and others driven out of the house by their returned relos.

In recent years Fred Smith has made the night his own with what’s becoming a big of a christmas institution.

This year I’d stumbled in to the show somewhat by accident but sat down for a set to enjoy.

Backed by Gregor, Pete and Fiete it’s a bit of a Canberra super-group up on stage.

We got a mix of the old stuff and the new stuff which kept the crowd happy and buzzing and, most importantly sane.

So, for those without children at a loose end next Christmas Eve, I recommend a trip to the Phoenix.

Thanks to ‘Pling for the photograph.

What’s the worst thing you’ve seen a diplomat doing?

The ACT has a large diplomatic corp. To some extent they’re beyond the law.

Most of course do not abuse the privilege, but there are bad eggs everywhere.

So, dear readers, what’s the worst thing you’ve encountered a diplomat doing in Canberra?

(If you haven’t actually seen it yourself make sure you clearly describe your sources).

Time to re-think restricted licences?

The ABC brings word of Magistrate Maria Doogan’s public musings on the continued provision of restricted licences to convicted drink drivers.

It was brought on by one Corey McCracken, 21, who blew over while already on a restricted licence.

“Magistrate Doogan said the ACT was the only state or territory that gave offenders the chance to have a restricted licence.

But she said, given the number of people caught breaking the law, the Government could rethink the privilege.”

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Wanniassa Carnage

The Police posted a link to a media release on this but, as is so often their way, the link is a dud.

The Canberra Times, however, has picked up the story of three Canberra men and two Yass women attacking another bloke in Wanniassa.

The ACT Magistrates Court heard Falicia Connors, 18, Harold Connors, 20, Robert Connors, 22, Liza Simpson, 18, and Kentyn Obah, 20, attacked 35-year-old James Andrew Chapman and his friend Amanda Hindmarsh at Malahide Court on Saturday night.

Prosecutors say the five launched an unprovoked assault on Mr Chapman, a neighbour of two of the alleged attackers, at the public housing complex just after 10pm.

Police allege that, when they arrived on the scene, they encountered Ms Hindmarsh, who told the officers, ”They’re throwing a shopping trolley at him. I’m surprised he’s still alive.”

Sounds like the young turks have gotten in over their heads.

UPDATED: Hooray! The AFP media release is now online!

Ballooning over Canberra - A review

[First filed: January 02, 2009 @ 13:03]

Santa threw a bit of a curve ball this Christmas morn with vouchers for a boxing day balloon ride for not just me but also for my brother (visiting from Japan), and both our girlfriends. (The gift was with Balloon Aloft, this article is in no way a judgment on other balloon providers in Canberra)

While immensely appreciative of this parental largesse it did mean our Christmas night was tempered with the knowledge we’d have to be up, about, and at the Hyatt by 5am the next day.

Worse still one of the party would have to be up at 4.15am to confirm the flight and check it had not become a victim of the weather.

(more and a slideshow below)

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Traffic lights at Pialligo - WHY?!

So this morning at 7.45 coming from Majura Ave and going through to Hindmarsh Dr I noticed that all three sets of traffic lights this transition requires were not working. No lights at all. No flashing amber, no warning signs, no Police directing traffic, nada.

10 minutes later I called AFP from Narrabundah to report this (being a good citizen I thought it best not to phone the police while driving since I do not have handsfree). Apparently they already knew that the traffic lights were out, and informed me this was the case all through Pialligo towards Queanbeyan.

It had not yet occurred to them, however, to send anyone out to direct traffic as “people generally sort themselves out”.  Given today would be the first day of “peak” hour (as peak as it gets for the first working week of January), I thought perhaps a policeman would be required to direct traffic through the major intersection on the northside of the lake where the Monaro Hwy meets Morshead Dr (the intersection nearest the airport).

I suggested, politely, that they may want to send at least one poor officer to the major intersection at least as the freight trucks travelling on the Monaro don’t always get along very well with the every-day commuter, who in turn don’t always get along very well with the bored or overwrought taxi drivers etc etc. This suggestion empowered the switch lady to transfer me to “Operations”, who let the phone ring out.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

I don’t know if they got someone to direct traffic - but I hope there wasn’t an accident in the meantime.

Apart from the general unhelpfulness of the AFP, it strikes me as ironic that they rip out a perfectly good roundabout - which doesn’t require electricity to function - in place of traffic lights that not only hold-up traffic and make the trip in the morning seemingly longer, but apparently can’t be relied on!

[End rant here]

art:house | art + design festival

art:house is a month long summer festival celebrating art + design in the local region. From visual art, photography, illustration and graphic design- the art:house festival aims to bring together emerging artists and designers in a program that will showcase and celebrate our regions creative talents. 

The art:house | art + design festival will hold a diverse range of group exhibitions and workshops encompassing all aspects of art and design. Held at Benedict House in Queanbeyan, the festival will run inline with four themes during the festival- view:culture | design:life | art:women | future:colour  

 view:culture | design:life
OPENING NIGHT 23 January 2009 from 6pm
: Exhibition Opening of view:culture and design:life group exhibitions
: Poetry Slam by Traverse Poetry Benedict House courtyard ($3 entry) 

art:women | future:colour
OPENING NIGHT 14 February 2009 from 6pm
: Exhibition Opening of art:women and future:colour group exhibition

Please check out www.benedicthouse.com.au/arthouse for more information.
Or join the Facebook group.

Exhibitions Open 23 Jan - 28 Feb 2009 Wednesday-Sunday 10am to 5pm
BENEDICT HOUSE 39 Isabella Street, Queanbeyan NSW 2620
Free Entry | arthouse@benedicthouse.com.au for more info.

Has anyone noticed the new kids play centres popping up across town?

Whilst on Holiday, we were looking for ways to entertain the kids. We went out to DFO, mainly so that I could see what the fuss was about.

There is a new Kids play area called “Monkey Mania” and it looks pretty good. We found that it was a bit steep in cost, around $35 for the family, but the kids were keen, so in we went.

Now, I have been to Kidcity in Mitchell, Kids Rampage in Tuggeranong, The Fun Factory in Kambah and fought for a seat with many other parents, as our kids ran around and jumped and played and screamed.

Nothing in comparison to this new place. cost is a bit steeper, for one.

I was informed that the Monkey Mania concept was new, and this was the first centre in australia, the pilot. Why is it so expensive?

I have to say, for a play centre, it was the same as the others. The factors that are different with this one is that:

1. once you are in, there are no pass outs. No shopping and leaving the kids with your partner. (yet - the section on their website for “drop n shop” is under construction)

2. The cost of food and drink is pretty high as well

3. 1-3 year olds are $9.50 per child. Over 3, and you are shelling out $12.50 per child.

here is the website link for more info.

They also have kid’s parties, but the cost is pretty high. I think we will stick to birthday parties at home…

There is another play centre at brand depot, but we haven’t been there yet, so I cannot comment.

What are the experiences of other parents with these Play Centres?

Lanyon car breakins

Has anyone been having problems with their cars being broken into in the Lanyon area?

My car gets parked in my front yard like it has been for about 3 years now, and some low life scum has all of a sudden felt the need to break into in twice in the last 2 months. Nothing major got stolen. The first time it happened they unlocked the door somehow, stole a watch, squash racket and a few other things but left the face plate of my cd player on.

The second time only happening last week, this time we went out side in the morning to find the drivers door and passengers door wide open. They also smashed the rear quater pannel window which then cos me $200 to get replaced. Now the lock is broken because they shoved what i am assuming to be a screwdriver into it and is now not able to be used.

This time they also left the face plate on the cd player. there was nothing in it to steal this time. Called the police but obviously it is not a huge crime so nothing could be done.

It is just a pain in the arse to have to be worrying about your property getting broken into and vandalised with nothing you can do about it.

Thumper’s inaugural ghost tour

[ED - RiotACT would like to make it very clear that we are not associated nor affiliated with this activity and take no responsibility or care for it]

Okay folks,

I was hoping that someone else would organise this. However, I’m keen to get something up and going at sometime soon.

First of all I can’t, due to various other engagements and responsibilities, put forward a date as yet although I was thinking of a Monday night or a Friday night. Secondly, I’d like to finish off somewhere near a pub so i can have a beer.

Thirdly, below are the sites I have in mind. Some we can visit, others we’ll just have to look at or hang around outside. No matter, as some of the places simply look spectacular anyway. Also, a few of the places may be difficult to access and I’m not even sure if some places are haunted or not although I’m sure they will give some people the heebee geebees.

Thus, the sites are:

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Staffies and Kelpies leading the turnover at the RSPCA

My own “Rescue Kelpie” is snoring at my feet as I type (a rescue kelpie does not rescue anything, but rather is rescued), he’s doing an improving line in fetching the ball but otherwise remains of few achievements.

Today the RSPCA has released its statistics on what dogs make up most of their business.

Staffies and Kelpies are notable for heading the lists.

Michael Linke is keen to note that the RSPCA in the ACT has the best rate of finding homes for dogs in the country.

UPDATE: Thanks to Dexi for sending in a picture of their staffy for the purpose of discussion.

Also Bloodnut has YouTubed video of his obedient stafford (he’s keen on the distinction) Persi.

Christmas Trees for 5 January

There’s just one day left before the 12 days of Christmas come to an end.

Here are our most recent entries in the RiotACT Christmas Tree Competition.

The first is from Kerces family home, the second is from the National Library as sent in by NFP.

Slideshow of all our 2008 entries below:

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