Congestion Charges – what do you think?
The Wellington Regional Council is considering charging all motorists who enter or leave Wellington during “rush hour”, a congestion fee.
The money raised will go towards improving the region’s buses and trains.
However, Mayor Kerry Prendergast is not keen on the idea at all. We’ll speculate here, that if the money raised was proposed for building a link road between Korokoro & Tawa… she & the two motorists who would regularly use it, might be more favourable to the suggestion.
Full story here.
Over at Kiwiblog, DPF suggests that revenue should be used for other purposes than merely public transport, such as improving the Bypass. If anyone would like to comment about possible Bypass improvements, feel free.
Most of the Wellingtonista walk, bus or Segway to & from the office & so we’ll not be affected, but how about you tell us what you think of the idea in the comments?
Three equations
3C = sausagefest
El Horno = El Porno (that’s a hot bit of ladylove in the mural)
Confit duck riceburger at Chilli Jam = (nom)3
Life in the City
I know we all love trolley buses (and can’t wait for the flash new three-axle jobbies to start ripping it up along Kent Terrace) but this must have been horrendous to be involved in at 5.15 yesterday afternoon. And deeply amusing for those of NOT involved, of course.
The bus slipped off its wire (not unusual) and then slid back so the pole-thingy got caught in the wires. Couldn’t go forwards (no power), couldn’t drift further back without ripping the wires apart. And right, slam bang in the middle of Cambridge Terrace during afternoon rush hour, disabling all the trolley buses behind in the process. Legend.
[Photo taken from the Hannah Playhouse. Click for a larger version.]
The secret of your success.
Dress for Success Wellington Autumn Clothing Sale
On this week >>> Wed 16 & Thu 17, 11.30am – 6pm each day
Hello fellow bargain hunters,
This week is the Dress for Success Wellington Autumn Clothing Sale. If you fancy yourself in Karen Walker but think you can’t afford it – Dress for Success Wellington has the answer!
We have some amazing labels for sale at rock-bottom prices. You and your mates can scoop up bargains from designers including Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper, Zambesi, Wallace Rose, Veronica Maine, World and even Versace. Of course there will also be lots of chain-store staples that your wardrobe can’t do without!
Nothing is above $50, with most items as low as $5 for tops, $10 for skirts and suits at around $25.
The sale helps us clear out items that are not suitable as interview or work wear, and clears space for incoming winter stock. It also helps raise cash so we can continue to provide our much-needed service.
The sale is open to you – my friends, also to our clients, client referral agencies and the general public – be in early to catch a bargain from our packed racks! The sale is held at the Dress for Success Wellington Office and Showroom, Ground Floor, 84 Willis Street, Wellington.
Please note, we don’t have an eftpos facility, we will be accepting cash or cheque sales only.
Please also, pass on the word – spread it round!
Who Watches the Watchmen? WE DO!
Superhero comics fans should press their best unitards this week in preparation for Armageddon, and likewise indie and underground comics fans should pull out their copies of Hicksville for signing, as the NZ Comix Weekend is setting up shop on the 19th-20th April at the Southern Cross, Graphic and Spacething.
There are talks, jams, stalls, seminars and exhibitions – providing a homegrown counterpoint to the big budget pulp culture-fest over at the TSB Arena (although some of the Comix Weekend artists are also represented at Armageddon)
Details and links after the jump…
Council e-Petitions
For those who weren’t aware of it, the Council has a nice online service that allows people to “petition the Wellington City Council, via the internet, on matters relevant to the Council’s business”.
Anyone can create one, so, if there’s something bugging you that you think the council should be looking into, just go right ahead. (Remember though, if it’s something that needs fixing as opposed to some more substantial infrastructural problem, just use their Fix It service).
A majority of the current petitions cover one of Wellingtonista’s favourite topics, namely urban transport (they’re removing cycle lanes!?), so, if you’d like to add your weight to those issues, or raise one of your own, rock on over and have your say.
(Note: this service is bought to you by the excellently entitled ‘Democratic Services‘ council department).
Holy Smoke!
The historic St Peters church, on the corner of Willis & Ghuznee St, is currently on fire.
There are seven fire appliances and one ambulance attending the fire, and just now they seem to have stopped the smoke belching out of the doors and windows. More updates & photos as they come to hand…
Cinephilia: Opening This Week
First up, Lars and the Real Girl is delightfully odd indie starring Ryan Gosling as a lonely and damaged young man who finds love on the Internet. With a doll named Bianca. Paramount, Penthouse.
Also at the Paramount, just for Wahine Week is a documentary about the disaster called The Wahine Disaster. Another documentary, that I missed in my sweep last week, is John Pilger’s The War on Democracy which is now playing at the Lighthouse Petone only. It was originally going to play at the Paramount as well but was cut by the owners for being ‘too left wing’. Some Paramount customers have already begun a boycott protesting this simple-minded attack on free speech (not to mention an attack on the Paramount itself and it’s grand history of showing films with a humanitarian and anti-establishment position). Feel free to voice your displeasure to the management.
Something to get off our chests
If, like many of us, you’re furious about the way many media outlets treat women, you need to start reading the American magazine Bust. It’s fiercely feminist, but also riffs on craft, culture and fashion – in a good way (they use ‘real’ people for models, of all shapes, sizes and sexualities etc) In fact, their new issue is the perfect place to start, because it features our Wellingtonians of the Year, the all-conquering Flight of the Conchords on one side of its flip cover, along with the Wellington landmark-defiling Elijah Wood.
I recommend subscribing, because this magazine is really so very very awesome, but if you just want to give it a go, you can buy it at Vic Books, Magazzino, and probably Unity Books.
The Phoenix Foundation – Bleaching Sun
Some Friday music video viewing for you. Two of the best things in life — Cricket and Music — combined into one fine music video from Wellington’s increasingly hirsute Phoenix Foundation…