Shaggy Dog Comments...
One of Shaggy's favourite parts of the warmer weather, mango season, will begin soon. Actually it began last Thursday when the first tray of Kensington
Pride mangoes from Pine Creek in the Northern Territory was auctioned at the Sydney markets. But for now, the prices are a little out of our league. Joe
Logozzo from a Sydney greengrocer paid $36,000 for the tray - that's $3000 each. But there's a good reason - the money raised from the
auction went to the Children's Hospital at Westmead. Joe sent some of the fruit to the kids in hospital and cut the rest up for his customers to try.
Around 10,000 quality used books will go on sale for 50 cents each at the Ballina Friends of the Library annual book sale next Friday, October 4. The
sale runs from 9am to 3pm in the Richmond Room behind the Ballina library. It marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Friends, who've raised
more than $100,000 for the library to spend on new books, and it's their 19th consecutive book sale. Because Ballina is part of the regional library,
those books also circulate to all libraries in the Richmond-Tweed region. There will be books to suit every taste, from mysteries to cook books , from children's
books to history, and even a first edition of a TS Eliot play - for just 50 cents.
The aviation industry has been particularly cruel to a number of people over the past year, but the new regional carrier, Rex (nee Hazelton and Kendell)
was keen to put on a good show this week when the airline's top brass arrived in town to officially launch Rex. Assorted dignitaries gathered at Lismore
airport, and it was discovered that the flight was running late. So everyone hung around for 25 minutes to see the plane, featuring the Rex livery, land.
The speeches were timed to finish just before the Rex flight arrived from Sydney and at just the right moment, a plane appeared. But instead of the new
Rex colours, it was sporting the old Kendell livery. There were a few chuckles - or red faces, depending on your view. Despite the SNAFU, as a regular
flyer Shaggy thinks they're doing a top job and heartily endorses the good people at Rex. May they have the wind behind them from now on.
Our quote of the week comes from a Rous Water email which included this comment from ABC journalist Ticky Fullerton: "There is something very Imelda-like
about having 100 per cent of our water pure enough to drink and only actually using 1 per cent [of it for drinking]."
Over in Mullumbimby on Sunday, around 2200 people held on to each other in an attempt to break the world record for the world's biggest hug. Alas
they missed their target by around 700 people. But knowing that Mullumbimby is the Nimbin of Byron shire, Shaggy couldn't help thinking that maybe
Mullum's next challenge should be the World Record for the Biggest Attack of the Munchies.
Remember the recent ChemCollect hazardous waste collection organised by local councils? Well here's some figures for trivia buffs. More than 20,000kg
of material came from 273 drop offs during the three days in the Lismore City Council area - the highest amount in the north coast region. Large quantities
of paints and varnishes, pesticides and batteries were registered, along with smaller quantities of such things as oils and grease and compressed gases.
For more details on disposing hazardous waste, contact the North East Waste Forum co-ordinator on 6685 5866.
 When the
time comes to go to war with Iraq, we hope the Aussie troops get their before it's all over... Shaggy turned up at Lismore airport on Saturday morning,
like a number of families, to see an Air Force Hercules plane (pictured) pick up local reservists for exercises. The military brass sent a press release
to The Echo announcing that the plane would land at 9.30am as part of a very tight schedule. The sky was blue and clear. Airport manager Colin Forte, having
had previous experiences, thought he'd better check. Sure enough, the plane was still on the ground at Richmond Air Base - and thus at least three
hours away. Disappointed families who got up early headed for home. So when did it arrive? Just as the Rex passenger flight was due, which at least added
some interest for passengers and made things a little hectic for a while.
 After
coming up winners at last year's Lismore Cup competition with their window display, the team at Southern Cross Credit Union - Barbara Moston,
Dianne Arnett, Letitia McCann, Jenni Green and Di Browne (pictured) - were hot favourites with the judges. But they were pipped at the post by the
staff at Westpac Bank, where the teller counters became stalls and the one of the staff spent the day giving kids horse rides (without fees). For their
troubles the Westpac team will enjoy this afternoon at the races with a hospitality tent and $500 worth of food and drinks.
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