WHAT'S ON: Plan your weekend

 FRIDAY 1
 Strange Resting Places, drama, comedy, song in a play about a Maori soldier and an Italian deserter in WWII. Old Library, Friday, July 1, 7.30pm, $20.
 Mad Hatters Ball, fundraiser Special Olympics Whangarei, band Str8 Up, Forum North from 7.30pm, $35, Ticketek or box office.
 Miss Saigon, by Whangarei Theatre Company, director Lachie McLean, Forum North. Whangarei, until July 9. Bookings Ticketek or Forum North box office.
 Tartan Week, Waipu, begins today - kilts, flings, free shortbread, haggis, pipers, parties, busking, whiskey tasting, ArtnTartan Wearable Art Awards, Kirkin o the Tartan, Men in Kilts rugby. For information, timetable: www.waipu-tartan.co.nz.
 SATURDAY 2
 Waipu Saturday Market, 9am-1pm Coronation Hall, stallholders welcome, ph Sue 0274 586 144, toriamartin@hotmail.com
 Certified Builders Building Expo the Thirty3 Event Centre, Porowini Ave, Whangarei, 10am to 4pm.
 Presentation about the Palestine situation, 7.30pm, Eymard House, corner of Park Ave and Kamo Rd (beside Catholic Church).
 SUNDAY 3
 Queen of the Sun, a film about bees, their struggle with environmental change, and their future. Tutukaka Oceans Resort, 2.30pm, hosted by GE Free Northland and Whangarei Green Party. Entry by koha (donation).
 Ruakaka Races - galloping action "where the surf meets the turf". Free entry and parking. Free return buses from Kamo, Kensington and Whangarei Central. www.ruakakaracing.co.nz
 Carters Mangawhai Heads Two Harbour Run/Walk, run, walk or pram stroll the 8.5km course starting Mangawhai Heads and ending near the harbour, fun family event, spot prizes. www.runwalkseries.co.nz
 Jam with local musicians, Cafe Mozart, Cameron St, Whangarei, 4pm-8pm.
 MONDAY 4
 Whangarei Choral Society meets Monday nights at St Johns Church, Kamo Road 7.30pm contact Phyl 09 435 5445
 TUESDAY 5
 Believe it or Not - quiz night is back at Salut. 7pm start, eat, drink. and exercise your brain.  Free to enter. for teams of two or more.
WEDNESDAY 6
 Midday Madness, entertainment, noon, gold coin entry, Old Library.
 Contemporary dance class for adults of all levels and abilities, 7-8pm, Kamo Intermediate School, Dare to Dream Dance space. Come along or call Alys, ph 021 203 0359 or 459 7904.
ONGOING AND UPCOMING
 Vive la France! by Operatunity, Friday July 8, 11am, Central Baptist Church, Bank St.
 Northland Sinfonia presents a Concert of Composers - Home and Away, 3pm, Sunday July 10, Anglican Church, Regent, tickets Whangarei Suit Hire or at door on the day, adults $20; 16yrs and under free
 Whangarei Youth Music mid year 'Winter Escape', music from the theatre, Beethoven and Brahms, movie themes and much more. Saturday July 16, 6.30pm, Forum North, $5.
 
 Zonta Club of Whangarei meets 1st Tuesday each month, 5.30pm for business and professional women, for more info ph Val, 435 6762 after 6pm.
 Tikipunga Market -food, arts and crafts stalls, each Sunday, Tikipunga Tavern carpark, 7am-midday.
 Second-hand Market, Saturdays, corner John and Robert St, Whangarei. Stalls $10, Nickie Muir 021 2085 201. nickie.muir@clear.net.au
 Flax weaving classes - 6pm-9pm on Fridays, Old Library, $10, Cassandra ph 4308137
 Yoga Classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Old Library Whangarei, 5.30-7pm and 7.15 - 8.45pm Ph Fiona 021 222 604
 Whangarei Rock-n-Roll Club, Monday: children's lessons 5.45pm-6.45pm; adults beginners 7pm-8pm, advanced lessons 8.15pm-9.15pm; Tuesday Rockers: 5.30pm-6.30pm, RnR for Special Needs.
 Whatitiri Clay Target Club meets on the 3rd and 5th Sunday each month, McBeth Road Poroti. Shooting begins 9:30a.m. Sausage sizzle lunch.
 Whangarei Probus Club meets fourth Monday every month, Kamo Club, 10am. Regular speakers, new members welcome. Contact 436 2494 or 435 7154
 Genealogy / Family history, Whangarei Family History Computer Group helps people use computers to research family history. 3rd Saturday of month, May Bain Room, Whangarei Library, 9.30am, also last Thursday evening of month. Ph: 4372881 or email: wayne@bydand.co.nz
 Whangarei Lesbian Wahine Takataapui Bisexual Queer Womyn's Circle meets first Thursday of the month. Enquiries phone Denise 021-182-3926 or Heather (09) 459-4547.
 Onerahi Resource Centre open days Tues and Thurs 9am - 3pm, contact Lois 4363203 or 0274294315.
 Senior Net Whangarei For over 50 yr-olds having trouble with their computers, tutors willing to assist. Open Day, 1st Friday every month 1-3pm in rooms above Orr's Pharmacy. Access from James' Street arcade (lift available). Also a meeting on 1st Thursday of the month at Kamo Club 1.30pm with speakers and demonstrations. For further information contact Alice (09) 459-5133 or Joe (09) 435-5954.
 Steam train rides, Kawakawa. 50 min round trip, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.45am, 12pm, 1.15pm, 2.30pm. Adults $18, children aged 5-12 $7, under 5s, free. Contact Mike Bradshaw 0211 712 697, mikethesteam@hotmail.com, www.bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz
 Hikurangi Country Market, 2nd Saturday every month. Stall fees $8.
 Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House. Open every day.
 Business and Professional Women, Whangarei, fourth Wednesday of the month, A'Fare Restaurant, 5.30pm. $25 includes meal and guest speaker.