This community newsletter is compiled every month or so on behalf of tawalink.com, Tawa's community website since 2002.

SPRING INTO TAWA MARKET DAY
It's almost here! We now have 60 stallholders selling everything from cakes and sausages to sweets, cards and various gifts. Throughout the morning there will be a variety of entertainers including Harry the Clown tying balloon animals, Tawa College street entertainment, Harold the giraffe, Geronimo Stilton, the Red Hackle Pipe Band, and Tawa Music Festival performers giving a preview of what's in store five days later at "Tawa Goes to Town". And as is the norm, students from the NZ Radio Training School will more than capably 'host' the event and run competitions and games.

So do make sure you get down to the Main Road shopping centre 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday, wet or fine. (You don't have to stay the whole time).

TAWA SCHOOLS' & COMMUNITY FESTIVAL - TICKETS SELLING FAST!
'Tawa Goes to Town' is the show of the year as far as Tawa is concerned. If you haven't already bought your tickets, it'll pay to do so in the very near future. You're 'guaranteed' to enjoy the occasion - 7.30pm Thursday 16 September at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Here's feedback from last time around:

"Last night I attended my first Tawa Music Festival and all I can say is 'Wow!' As my husband and I were walking out of the Michael Fowler Centre I reflected on whether there would be any other [comparable] community in New Zealand that could pull off such an event. As well as being a fabulous showcase of the musical talent of Tawa, it showed the amazing way that the Tawa community works together."
- Carolyn Stuart, Tawa Intermediate principal, quite possibly summing up the feelings of most who attended Tawa's big night out in 2008.

"A wonderful community event which is always highly entertaining, skilful and professionally performed." - Hon Peter Dunne, MP for Ohariu

"I was very impressed with the performances by our talented children, young people and adults." - Hon Winnie Laban, MP for Mana.

It's an $80 show for only $28 for adults and $15 for children under 14. Tickets are available from Ticketek at: http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=TAWASCHO10

FAREWELL TO PETE REEVES .
Pete Reeves has done a great job as Tawa's Community Constable for the past three years. However several weeks ago he was offered a position in Porirua CIB and decided it was an opportunity he wanted to take up, meaning that he has now left his role in Tawa.

Pete has liaised well with people in Tawa and has had a particularly good rappoire with the likes of the College. His presence in this community will be missed (although perhaps not by the crims!). At this stage we're not sure who his replacement will be.

BE PREPARED!
With the events in Canterbury fresh in our minds, the meeting mentioned above is very timely! How well is your household prepared in the event of a similar or worse disaster? Would you know what to do in a civil emergency? Planning for this meeting actually started some time ago.

The presentation is specifically for Tawa people - well worth being at!

AN EVENING WITH SOPHIE GRAY
Stylish simple food that doesn't cost a fortune - come to an evening with Sophie Gray of destitute gourmet (dg), brought to you by Redwood School PFG. In the Redwood School Hall on Wednesday 22 September at 7pm.

Sophie will introduce you to her approach to food - stylish, simple food that doesn't cost a fortune and will be enjoyed by everyone from fussy children to your 'foodie' friends. Sophie has featured on TV1's 'Good Morning' and 'Sunday' as well as presenting at the Food Show. She also writes for several magazines. Tickets are $35 and available from the school office on 232 7704. Get in quickly as places are limited.

LOCAL BODY ELECTION
The next local body election - which includes electing members to the Tawa Community Board - takes place late September/early October. It's a postal vote over a 3-week period concluding on Saturday 9 October. If you value having a community board in Tawa - and there's no doubt we would be poorer without the board - please exercise your democratic right and VOTE!

P.S. You could cast your vote for Mayor and Northern Ward councillors, etc at the same time.

PHOTOS FROM THE CIVIC AWARDS CEREMONY
If you were one of the 40 or so illustrious individuals who was presented with a certificate by the Deputy Mayor of Wellington, Ian McKinnon, at the Tawa Community Civic Awards ceremony back in June, you will recall that photos were taken as each certificate was handed over. If you'd like a copy of your own photo, we'll be happy to email it to you. All you have to do is ask!

This particular shot features Tom Humphries, winner of the Arts & Culture category.

COMMUNITY VEGETABLE GARDENS
The idea of establishing community vegetable gardens in Tawa has been suggested. If this concept is of interest to you - as part of further improving the quality of life in Tawa by making free healthy vegetables available locally - please contact Andrew on andrew_mcl@hotmail.com. Of course there may be some physical effort required in order to gain the 'free lunch'.



Adios


Malcolm Sparrow
On behalf of TawaLink.com
info@tawalink.com
http://www.tawalink.com
232 5030 A/H or 027 232 2320


"Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one." - A J Liebling

"Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving."

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." - Anne Bradstreet



This page is emailed as a community newsletter to more than 900 Tawa households, businesses, schools, churches and clubs/groups (anyone who has an interest in the community of Tawa) every month or so. If there's anything you'd like to include in the next newsletter, please let us know. If you do not already receive the newsletter by email and would like to do so, please contact us at info@tawalink.com requesting that your name be added to our list.