Thursday 6th March

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Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: A Canberra Day Carnival + Sumo Wrestling.

🌤️ Weather: 28° and mostly sunny.

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Coming Up: 🍺 Canberra Beer and Cider Festival

The Canberra Beer and Cider Festival is happening next weekend. Try up to 250 craft beers, ciders, spirits and wines, gourmet food stalls and trucks while enjoying the live music, festival games and giveaways. Details here.

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Coming Up: 🚂 Canberra Day Carnival at Cockington Green

Cockington Green is hosting a Canberra Day Carnival on Monday, with entry for just $5—all proceeds going to local charity The Humour Foundation. Train rides will be a gold coin donation, supporting the Children's Medical Research Institute. To complete the carnival atmosphere, Warehouse Circus will provide roving entertainment, run workshops, and sell popcorn and fairy floss. Details here.

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Nightlife: 🥟 Tokyo Throwdown at Hopscotch

Every Friday in March, Hopscotch on Lonsdale Street is hosting a Tokyo Throwdown. Expect sumo suit wrestling, a karaoke machine, and Japanese-inspired cocktails and food specials. Details here.

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Something to do: 🪐 Mount Stromlo Astronomy Nights

Mount Stromlo Observatory, in partnership with the Canberra Astronomical Society, is hosting a series of astronomy nights this year. Peer through powerful telescopes to see the craters of the moon, distant planets, and stunning star clusters and nebulae. There will also be talks inside the Visitor Centre, plus warm drinks and food available at the café. Best of all, the sessions are free! Details here.

Looking for an astronomy event on the southside? Lanyon Homestead is running stargazing nights in April and May. Details here.

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📰 Tidbits and News:

Dickson Taskforce: Yesterday, as I entered through the security gate at Dickson Woolies, I unwittingly let a thief escape—trapped until that moment by store staff, he rushed past me with a trolley. What are you supposed to do in a situation like that? It's fitting, then, that I have news of the Chief Minister forming a cross-directorate task force to tackle some of the issues facing Dickson. Whether it will make a real impact remains to be seen, but the good news is that construction on the Dickson Shops Upgrade, featuring more CCTV and better lighting, is set to begin in 2025.

Hawker Development Knocked Back: The ACT Government has told Woolworths that its proposed two-storey redevelopment of the Hawker shops must include housing to align with mixed-use planning goals. The current plan—featuring a larger supermarket, shops, offices, and parking—doesn't meet government expectations. Woolworths has been invited to revise its proposal.

Electrifying Apartments: The ACT Government is seeking seven apartment complexes to join a pilot program that will assess the feasibility of transitioning from gas to electricity. Most apartment buildings still rely on gas for hot water heating. Details here.

Brindabella College in Administration: Troubled private school Brindabella Christian College has gone into voluntary administration. More.

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Something to do: 🐸 Frog Watch Workshops

ACT and Region FrogWatch are hosting a series of hands-on workshops on creating a frog-friendly pond in your backyard. By the end of the workshop, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to build your own pond or bog, attracting frogs and other wildlife to your space. Details here.

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Cause: 🏷️ Vinnies 50% Sale

Vinnies stores are holding a March Madness sale from March 6-10 with 50% off clothing. Details here.