I’m not sure that this qualifies as news but last night I had a really poor experience in a Turkish restaurant and I hope you forgive me for being self-indulgent and ranting.
Issues:
After 30 minutes seated in a fairly empty restaurant, we still had not been provided with menus. Went over and asked the bored-looking [...]

Dr Jan Spate is a local vet at Hall. The Vet Board is threatening to close her down because her premises apparently don’t come up to their “standards”. The fact she is a superb vet and offers a wonderful service that anyone can afford seems to be lost on them!! I wouldn’t take my pets [...]

Today I went to a Cafe which called My Bone Cafe with my little 4 legged friend. I had a sandwich and a cup of coffee which were very nice and my little friend had a little bowl of doggycinno and bowl chicken with rice. We both really enjoyed our afternoon there. You should have [...]

Snowy Hydro SouthCare’s Base Open Day will be held this Sunday, 24th February from 10am to 3pm.  Base Open Day is a FREE event with activities and fun for the whole family.  Come and see the Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter, enjoy live music, sample local food and learn more about this important life saving service.  [...]

The what you say? Well if you did you obviously are not a Catholic as the JCI is the Journey of the Cross and Icon, part of the Catholic Churches’ World Youth Day.
The Prime Minister held a welcome for the Micks on Monday at Parliament House and the big wooden thing that people get [...]

It’s very hard to find a good coffee in Canberra. Does anyone know where can I get a cup of good coffee in Canberra (North)?
[Ed (Kramer) - you could always search RiotACT for previous articles on coffee, like:
Coffee in Canberra
Passion of the Caff
...but, as I'm a huge caffiene addict, I'm not going to stand in [...]

Three media releases, all to do with Tuggeranong and the favourite pasttime of its residents, unbridled criminal behaviour.
1) A 27yo Gordon-based male was caught trafficking ecstasy in at an unnamed nightclub.
2) An alleged assault on a student in class at Calwell High:
…the victim was sitting in class with about 30 other students when three other [...]

ABC news reports that the ACT Govt is to spend $775 000 per year on a new youth mental health program for people aged between 14 and 18.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/18/2165759.htm
The 3 month program will be available for only 5 people at a time and will be run out of a unused Hostel in Watson.
In terms of the [...]

G’day
There is a new shop about to open at the North Lyneham Shops, It is called
Choku Bai Jo, the farmers outlet.
The store has been set up by the some of the same people that set up the Capital region Farmers (through the rotary club of HAll) and the Southside Farmers Market. The shop will have [...]

Noted on the weekend at the booze cellar at Belconnen Mall, (I think its Dan Murphys but I’m not 100% sure of their name):
 <b>New Zealand Tui – $11 a 1/2 dozen</b>
Tui is an East Indian Pale Ale, normal retail price should be around $16-18. Some say on the 7th day he rested, I say on [...]

In light of the recent revenue surplus for the ACT government, am I the only rate payer that is wondering what I am actually getting for my rate dollars, and how it compares with other areas around Australia?
My only comparison is relatives who own properties with land values around 8 times higher than mine [...]

Looks like this Sunday will be perfect weather for a late afternoon drink in the fresh air with friends…where would Riotacters recommend as the place to be for a glass of something nice to watch the day slip away…. 

Issues with men’s health, isolation, loneliness and depression are becoming significant health issues in Australia. Men’s Sheds are emerging as a community-driven way of providing significant and practical support for these and other men’s issues.
There are already Men’s Sheds in Canberra – the Majura Men’s Shed (Dickson) and the Lanyon Homestead Shed (Greenway). However, [...]

Bad Brother John Kostka Chute may not be the only one to face up to court in Canberra this year…… Following on from stories relating to Marist College Canberra, and the abuse (both sexual, physically and mental) felt by many boys at the hands of many Marist Brothers and some of their lay teachers….we bring [...]

Voting is now underway for places on the Monopoly World Edition board. Unfortunately Canberra did not get a first place position, however everyone can help by voting for Canberra to be selected as a possible wild card.
You can vote at
http://www.monopolyworldvote.com/en_AU/world

I’ll start this thread with a disclaimer – the worlds worst pie is not physically located in the ACT. It is located in the natural stopping place for those travelling from the ACT – Canberra to the ACT – Jervis Bay, at Kangaroo Valley.
Touting no less than 3 separate signs professing that the worlds best pie [...]

I dont drink coffee.
I’ve never really aquired a taste for it and am always amused when i get invited out for a coffee as inevtiably i’ll order a hot chocolate instead. Lucky for me that most coffee shops also sell hot chocolates (funny how we call them that, coffee shops almost invariably sell far [...]

I’m often (like now) looking for a place to meet a friend or two after work over a coffee or two and pre-dinner snacks.  Not a restaurant or cafe where you’re expected to buy a meal, not a bar (although being able to get a beer would be OK) and not a grotty take-away.  Most of [...]

This Sunday CORC will be running it’s first Super D event, as a fundraiser for injured mountain bike rider Tara Llanes, who suffered spinal injuries after crashing in a race last year. Tara is a US racer who has strong links with the Canberra mountain bike community, and all money raised from this event goes [...]

Sunday 24 February is the return of the AAMI Black Opal Stakes Day at Thoroughbred Park.   Enter this years Canberra Centre Fashions on the Field Competition.  Classic Ladies Racewear prizes include return flights for two to Los Angeles courtesy of STA Travel, $1500 MYER gift voucher and Canberra Centre gift voucher.  Prizes awarded to Couples Racewear [...]

Research by the ANU has shown no improvement in Australian literacy and numeracy standards since the 1960s.
The researchers say “”I feel Australian society has come a long way in that time we’re a lot richer our education attainment is a lot higher. I think we should have expected a lot more out of our [...]

I think that the national capital authority pplz (the ones that are left) should set up a treasure map style course for tourists between the major attractions in Canberra. Each tourist could have a map which gets stamped at each attraction and once complete drop it off, at the inaccessible, tourist centre on northbourne avenue [...]

For those familiar with my rating style, I choose a dish that I personally think is exquisite, and then rate subsequent dishes on a sliding scale from that point.
Unfortunately I have not found anything similar to this commercially, so no rating scale – here’s a plug for a local dish that is absolutely superb !
The [...]

The multicultural festival kicked off last night with the launch & fringe festival in Civic. Today the festival continues with my favourite event: the food & dance spectacular in Garema place. From 11am delicious foods and drinks from all around the world will be on offer, and while you imbibe you can watch dancing displays [...]

Tonight I had dinner out at Kingsleys Steak and Crab house on Bunda Street in the city. While Kingsleys have a good reputation, I was particulary taken with the food and wine/beer combos on offer. We started with the Alaskan King Crab, matched with a very nice Reisling recommended by the manager, then we had [...]

Eating Disorder Forum
 
Dispelling the Myths
  Has your life been touched by an eating disorder?
Do you have a loved one struggling with an eating disorder?
Join us for a discussion forum and hear from local eating disorder survivors and mental health professional Cate Clark. Hosted by Mrs Jacqui Burke MLAShadow Minister for Health When:
Thursday 21st February 2008
 6:00pm – 7:30pmLight refreshments Where:ACT [...]

Federal Labor seems to have come up with a compromise to allow gay unions in the ACT, but they are attempting to mollify the anti-poofta brigade by cutting ceremonies out of the process.
Of course it’s a meaningless restriction since there’s nothing to stop Adam and Steve holding their own mini Mardi Gras outside the ACT [...]

As a way of celebrating the achievements that community groups have made in taking action on environmental and social issues, like climate change, SEE-Change is holding an “Eco Picnic by the Lake”.
The picnic will kick off on Sunday the 10th of February at 4pm, in Weston Park (Pescott Lane, Yarralumla, ACT). There will be information [...]

ABC Online have this article this morning on a new initiative to help out mums returning to the workforce after caring for children. The scheme launched by minister for women (is there a minister for men?) will give up to $1000 to 200 women per year to help out with the cost associated with returning [...]

Some time ago i came up with a loose theory that weddings are more for women than men. Its something girls dream of from childhood while young boys are more interested in playing sport or the playstation.
The last couple of weeks have done nothing to disprove my theory as i have (including my sister) 4 [...]

What is it with Canberra women? However hot or cold the weather you see women in ‘serious’ trouser suits and their toes peeking out of sandals. This seems to be a Canberra thing – I have never seen it elsewhere.

My Fiancé and I have recently been having a discussion over whether to have a band or a DJ at our wedding.
I want a band as I think they provide a better atmosphere and entertainment + I really don’t see the value in paying someone $650+ to bring in a glorified iPod and play selected [...]