FYI January 31

PULL OUT AND KEEP! PENRITH’S NUMBER ONE ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

ISSUE 170 31.01.14

GIVEAWAY FABER-CASTELL PENS

WEEKLY WINE UNUSUAL BOTTLE SWAP

PUZZLES BRAIN TEASERS PAGE 13

STILL SEARCHING AUDIENCES STILL LOVE THEIR LIVERPOOL BANDS • Alternators & Starter Motors • Generators • Batteries (including dual systems) • Immobilisers • Lights • Regulators • Radio Installations

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Touring Australia with the ALLSTAR ORCHESTRA and

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Freshly crumbed Chicken or Veal 5 TOPPING TO CHOOSE FROM

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Complimentary Glass of House Wine or Middy of Beer or a Middy of Soft Drink

Valentine’s Day Dinner for two Hot & Cold Seafood Platter $75 Sydney Rock Oysters (½ Dozen) Freshly Cooked King Prawns (½ Dozen) Tasmanian Smoked Salmon New Zealand Half Shell Mussels Tempura Battered Flat Head Fillets Crumber Calamari Rings BBQ Moreton Bay Bugs

(for Two)

Including two glasses of House Sparkling Wine

Accompanied by Super Crunchy Chips & Tropical Fruits

Kemps Creek Sporting & Bowling Club Elizabeth Drive, Kemps Creek Ph: 9826 1375 info@kcsb.com.au | www.kcsb.com.au WW3808

Cover Story

SEARCHERS PIECE OF LIVERPOOL LIVES ON

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SHANNON COCHRANE speaks to Frank Allen, bassist for legendary band The Searchers, about making it to the big-time during the sixties...

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hey were part of the Liverpool scene that spawned The Beatles but The Searchers never succumbed to a rock and roll lifestyle, and now 50 years later have outlasted many of their contemporaries.

The band’s bassist, Frank Allen, believes that his group’s longevity can be at least partially attributed to their refusal to get involved in the seedy underworld of the entertainment industry.

“We were never very rock and roll… we lived a very, very moderate lifestyle, totally antidrugs and not that much drinking either. I met them [Allen’s bandmates] in Hamburg, which was pretty manic, and people were going crazy out there, people including The Beatles were going mad and popping all sorts of pills and fornicating all over the place,” he said.

“We were always the good guys, the clean-cut guys… because of the lifestyle we led, it meant that our health survived all these years and we were able to carry on for 50 years.”

Whatever the reason for The Searchers’ impressively long stint in show business, they are still maintaining a hectic touring schedule around the world.

They will perform at Rooty Hill RSL on Sunday, February 2 with a show that touches on all their greatest songs and also gives the audience an insight into the band’s history.

“It’s a bit mix and match but it’s carefully designed so that the content consists of songs that the audience are going to love. We’re a nostalgia act… but we also communicate with the audience as well – there’s a lot of interaction, stories about what’s happened through our career,” Allen said.

With plenty of popular hits in the 1960’s,

FYi Issue 170

Printed at Spot Press Pty Ltd

Editor Cassandra O’Connor Cassandra.OConnor@westernweekender.com.au

The Searchers are probably most famous for their versions of ‘Love Potion No. 9’ and ‘Needles and Pins’ but Allen said that modern audience preferences don’t always correspond to chart listings.

“Of the hits, most definitely I think ‘When You Walk in the Room’ is the one that I like most of all, it’s just an absolute classic pop song. It wasn’t actually quite the biggest hit but it’s been the longest lasting in audience terms, it gets the best reaction, even over and above slightly bigger hits,” he said.

Allen was a latecomer to The Searchers, who had formed “as a little skiffle group” in 1959 and only found professional success in the mid-1960’s.

He had befriended members of The Searchers and was asked to play bass for the group shortly after they began to get public prominence, leaving behind the band Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers.

“I was in a band that was very well known anyway throughout the country although we didn’t have any hits… but when I was offered the job with The Searchers, they’d already had some chart success and it was just something that was too good to turn down, they’d become my friends and they were also, by that time, international superstars,” Allen said.

Liverpool is famous for the innovative music scene it hosted in the 1960’s, with many of the world’s most popular, groundbreaking bands originating there, including The Searchers.

Allen believes that the success rate of Liverpool bands was high because the music was edgy compared to the bubblegum pop of the time.

“Mainly it was that pop music in Britain

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People were going mad and popping all sorts of pills and fornicating had become quite sanitised, in the early 60’s most of the mainstream pop in Britain was the silk-suited, pretty boy solo singer thing, bands really weren’t the flavour of the day anymore,” he said.

“Liverpool, for whatever reason, had its own little musical scene, it was very enclosed and it was a very thriving one. I’ve never known a city that had a music scene like that. The bands in Liverpool tended to play a heavier kind of music… when The Beatles got wellknown and people heard them play, that was the kind of edge they had.”

The Searchers may have never been as wild as their fellow Liverpool musicians but they did experience the highs and lows expected in a 50-year career, which Allen

documented in two books.

He wrote the first, Travelling Man, as a light-hearted recount of The Searchers tours, and then set about writing a detailed biography of the band.

“It was a project that took me four years to do and I’m so proud of the two books but in particular the second one, which is called The Searchers and Me, it’s been one of the greatest achievements of my life,” Allen said.

The Searchers will perform at Rooty Hill RSL on Sunday, February 2 at 5pm. Tickets are $20. For bookings or more information, call 9625 5500 or visit www.rootyhillrsl.com.au.

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Live

PHARRELL WILLIAMS AT FUTURE

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ith his hit song ‘Happy’ still high on the charts, artist Pharrell Williams is enjoying a wave of success and coming to Australia to share his music with fans.

The American musician has been announced as part of the line-up for the Future Music Festival, with the Sydney show being held at the Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, March 8.

While he rose to fame as the lead singer of the band N*E*R*D, Williams has also created a successful solo career for himself as both an artist and a producer, with multiple hits on the charts last year.

His song ‘Happy’, released in November 2013, is still receiving extensive airplay, while two of last year’s biggest tracks were produced by Williams – Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’.

Williams also received seven nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards and a nomination for Best Original Song at the Oscars,

cementing his status as one of the music industry’s most acclaimed talents.

He plans on upholding his reputation as GQ Magazine’s ‘Hitmaker of the Year’ with his second solo album, which he is currently working on, as well as producing music from popular artists such as Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Hudson and Busta Rhymes.

Working alongside Chad Hugo, Williams is one half of production duo The Neptunes, who have collaborated with names such as Jay Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Britney Spears and No Doubt.

Beyond his musical endeavours, the performer has also had a stint designing jewellery for Louis Vuitton, collaborating on furniture, created bicycles and is a partner in Bionic Yarn, a textile firm that develops environmentally sustainable fabrics.

Despite his busy career, Williams said he was looking forward to visiting Australia in March 2014.

“Australia is such a fun place for music –

I’ve always had amazing experiences there.

Looking forward to seeing all the fans come out for Future Musical Festival – can’t wait to perform and show them my gratitude,” he said.

Pharrell Williams will perform at Future

Music Festival at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, March 8.

The event is for over 18s only. For bookings or more information, visit www. futuremusicfestival.com.au.

The trio is completed by Nicholas Brooks, whose performance as the legendary Sammy Davis Junior is so accurate that he has been referred to by critics as one of the world’s best.

His career began when he was recruited in 1998 to be a singer for the prestigious NIU Jazz Ensemble, and travelled internationally with the band, earning the acclaim of critics.

Since 2006, Brooks has been starring as Sammy Davis Junior in various Rat Pack

tribute shows.

Together, this group of tribute performers evoke the spirit of the Rat Pack and give modern audiences a chance to hear great swing music.

‘The Rat Pack from Vegas’ will be performed at Blacktown Workers Club on Saturday, February 8. For bookings or more information, call 9830 0600 or visit www. workersclub.com.au.

GLAMOUR AND CLASS FROM VEGAS

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xperience the glamour and classiness of swing music when a tribute show brings The Rat Pack to the stage.

Coming direct from the United States, ‘The Rat Pack from Vegas’ show stars three of the world’s most talented tribute performers in a homage to the old style jazz and swing of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr. After sell-out shows in both the USA and Britain, ‘The Rat Pack from Vegas’ will be touring Australia with a performance at Blacktown Workers Club on Saturday, February 8.

The show, which has not yet been seen in Australia, provides an experience that emulates the classy, sophisticated atmosphere of the original Rat Pack.

During the 1960’s, a group of prominent US performers including Sinatra, Martin, Davis Junior along with Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, were given the name ‘The Rat Pack’ due to their closeness.

When one member of the group was due to give a performance, the others would often show up as a surprise and delight audiences, creating a new and exciting entertainment experience based on the camaraderie of the group. Featuring talented performers who give an authentic tribute to their idols, ‘The Rat Pack from Vegas’ relives the era.

While the shoes of ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Frank Sinatra are undoubtedly hard to fill, performer David De Costa steps into the role comfortably, drawing on his long history playing Sinatra in Las Vegas tributes.

His deep, soulful voice and background in jazz music give De Costa the perfect sound for the part, but he also manages to capture the stage persona and phrasings of the star.

The role of Dean Martin will be performed by entertainer Johnny Edwards, who brings to life Martin’s humour and musical talent.

Edwards has been playing Dean Martin tributes for more than 20 years, both in the United States, and internationally.

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Saturday 1 February

THE PINK CHEVYS

with DJ Laurie “D” Legend in The Keller Lounge

411 Great Western Highway, ST MARYS, 9623 1211 www.stmarysbandclub.com.au WW3876

Live

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

NEARLY NEIL

Friday, January 31 Penrith Panthers Members free / visitors $25

HOLIDAY AND MEMORY EXHIBITION

Saturday, February 1 Penrith Regional Gallery Free entry

Nearly Neil Venue: Penrith Panthers Members free/visitors $25, 8pm 4720 5555 Friday Live Entertainment Venue: Wallacia Panthers Free entry, 7.30pm 4773 8417 Live Entertainment Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373 Something to Talk About Venue: Penrith Panthers Free entry, 8.30pm 4720 5555 Flying Emus Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $25, 8pm 9625 5500 Jalapeno Deluxe Venue: Rooty Hill RSL Free entry, 8.30pm 9625 5500 Lisa Crouch & Dig This Venue: St Marys Rugby League Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 Plai Station Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 8pm 4722 8180 The Head Liners

Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Ian Blakeney Venue: Kingswood Sports Club Free entry, 7.30pm 4737 4600 GrimSkunk Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1 The Zips Venue: Penrith Panthers $10 members/$20 visitors, 8pm 4720 5555 Rock n Roll Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 8.30pm 9623 1211 Trivia Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 3pm 9623 1211 Mama Mia - A Tribue to ABBA Venue: Blacktown Workers Club $7.50 members/$10.50 visitors, 8pm 9830 0600 Live Entertainment Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373 Chris Drummond Duo Venue: Blacktown Workers Club

Free entry, 8.30pm 9830 0600 Countdown Revival Venue: Blacktown Workers Club Free entry, 8pm 9830 0600 The Remixes Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 8pm 4722 8180 The Good Medicine Band Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Joeys & the Boy Duo Venue: Kingswood Sports Club Free entry, 8.30pm 4737 4600 The Getaway Plan Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 The Searchers Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $20, 5pm 9625 5500 Sunday Karaoke Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 6pm 9623 1211 Demons Duo Venue: Nepean Rowing Club Free entry, 4731 2255

BANDITS WILL STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT

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hey’ve been touring at Sydney clubs for over 20 years, but The Bandits still bring the same fresh enthusiasm and great music to the stage.

The band, which was formed in 1989, has built up a reputation for playing spot on covers of all your favourite songs, from the classics to recent hits.

They will be wowing audiences again when they play at Blacktown Workers Club on Saturday, February 8.

Founding member Paul Hakim is an experienced musician who began his professional career in the band The Beatboys in 1985, followed by a stint with The Echoes.

After learning the ropes in other bands, Paul decide to embark on creating his own group and recruited fellow musicians to create The Bandits.

On top of his work in cover bands, Paul has also performed in numerous tribute shows honouring a range of legends including Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, the Everly Brothers and

George Harrison.

He is joined by drummer Warwick Fraser, who began playing with The Bandits in 2005 after a long musical career performing in bands such as Feather, Black Feather and The Screaming Tribesmen.

Warwick has also appeared on television, showing off his classic rock drumming on the beloved ABC show ‘Countdown’.

Helping keep the rhythm is Gary Dixon, who brought his talent and passion for music to The Bandits in 2007 and has since taken their performances to a new level.

Better known for being a member of the Ted Mulry Gang, Gary has a wealth of experience in the music industry and has performed both in concerts and on television.

The most recent member of the band, Conrad, joined The Bandits on a permanent basis in 2008 after working in reception bands for years and playing in the Sydney-based group The Beatboys, as well as the show The Swinging Sixties.

Together, these veteran musicians combine their skills and experience to play a catchy repertoire of hits that will please all ages and tastes.

The Bandits will perform at Blacktown Workers Club on Saturday, February 8 at 8pm.

Entry is free. For more information, call 9830 0600 or visit www.workersclub.com.au.

Live FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

BOBBY RYDELL

Friday, February 7 Penrith Panthers $63

THE RAT PACK FROM VEGAS

Saturday, February 8 Blacktown Workers Club $35

Bobby Rydell Venue: Penrith Panthers $63, 8pm 4720 5555 Friday Live Entertainment Venue: Wallacia Panthers Free entry, 7.30pm 4773 8417 Live Entertainment Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373 The Frocks Venue: St Marys Rugby League Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 Chinese New Year Spectacular Venue: Blacktown Workers Club $28, 8pm 9830 0600 3 Rams Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 8pm 4722 8180 Super Massive Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Steppin’ Out Venue: Kingswood Sports Club Free entry, 7.30pm 4737 4600 Picture Perfect

Opening for Breakfast

Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373 80’s Flashback Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 9pm 4728 5200

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8 An Australian Comedy Festival Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $25, 8pm 9625 5500 Rock n Roll Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 8.30pm 9623 1211 Trivia Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 3pm 9623 1211 Live Entertainment Venue: Tattersalls Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4732 6373 Mad Cow the Band Venue: St Marys Rugby League Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 The Rat Pack from Vegas Venue: Blacktown Workers Club $35, 8pm 9830 0600 Take Two Venue: Blacktown Workers Club

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Free entry, 8.30pm 9830 0600 The Bandits Venue: Blacktown Workers Club Free entry, 8pm 9830 0600 Bee Gees Show $15 members/$20 visitors, 8pm 4722 8180 Frank Sultana & the Sinister Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Recharge Venue: Kingswood Sports Club Free entry, 8.30pm 4737 4600 Jeff Martin and Sarah McLeod Venue: Tattersalls Hotel $40, 8.30pm 4732 6373

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Jamie Galea Duo Venue: Nepean Rowing Club Free entry 4731 2255 Sunday Karaoke Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 6pm 9623 1211 Live Music Venue: St Marys RSL Free entry, 4pm 9623 6555

Tattersalls Hotel Penrith Cnr Station St & Union Lane, Penrith Ph: (02) 4732 6373

from Monday 20th January 2014 7-10am (7 days a week)

www.tattersallshotelpenrith.com.au

Bacon & Egg Roll + Coffee 

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5

$

Valid until 28th Feb 2014

WW6546

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What’s On The...

BIG SCREEN

SMALL SCREEN

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his acclaimed film, which received plenty of nominations in this year’s award season, is both inspirational and educational, telling the true story of racism and slavery in the United States.

The script of ‘12 Years A Slave’ is based on the 1853 memoir written by Solomon Northup, an African American who was born free and lived in New York with his wife and children.

His world is shattered when two men offer him a seemingly legitimate job but end up drugging him and selling him into a life of slavery. He gets shipped to the South, given a fake identity and beaten regularly as he is sold between various slave masters and plantations.

While Solomon attempts to defend himself when a particularly nasty owner tries to lynch him, he is helpless and stuck in a world where slavery is accepted as normal. His only hope of escaping is to attempt to secretly get in contact with his friends and family back in New York. ‘12 Years A Slave’ has been almost universally praised by critics for its emotionally touching story.

12 YEARS A SLAVE

[ Rated MA15+] Starring: Chiwetel Ejiotor, Michael Fassbender & Brad Pitt

CONSOLE

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he Assassin’s Creed saga struck a chord with gamers when ‘Liberation’ was released in late 2012, and now the title has been revamped with high-definition graphics and improved gameplay.

Set in 1765, just prior to the American Revolution, ‘Assassin’s Creed Liberation’ focuses on Louisiana, where Spanish forces are plotting to take control of the area. The player steps into the role of Aveline, a deadly assassin with French and African heritage who is determined to fight for her home and freedom.

She has a number of tools and skills at her disposal to ward off her enemies – from assassination techniques to deadly traps, the game offers interesting combat scenes. Aveline ends up on a journey from the streets of New Orleans to eerie, abandoned Mayan ruins and haunted swamps, ultimately playing a part in a massive revolution.

The game’s settings are richly detailed, with beautiful, clear graphics and ground-breaking gaming technology that makes planning combat an easier

hile Justin Timberlake may be best known for his music, fans can also see him show off his acting skills in the crime thriller ‘Runner Runner’.

He stars as a former Wall Street mogul who is now short on cash and needs funding to complete his degree.

He turns to the immoral activity of referring young students to online gambling websites, taking the commission, but then tries to play himself. Despite being a decent poker player, Richie loses all of his savings to an opponent online and manages to prove that he lost to a cheater.

He embarks on a quest to get his money back, travelling to Costa Rica to confront Ivan Block, the owner of an online gambling empire, and together they discover that his employees have tweaked the software to allow cheating.

Ivan fires the workers involved and offers Richie a high-paying job, but after a few months at the dodgy company, he comes to the attention of an FBI agent who wants him to betray his boss and assist in convicting him of many crimes.

RUNNER RUNNER

[ Rated MA15+] Starring: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Arterton & Ben Affleck

STEREO experience. Missions have been overhauled since the original ‘Liberation’ release, delving deeper into Aveline’s background and story and updating the world design to create more options and choices.

ASSASSIN’S CREED LIBERATION HD [ Rated M ]

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etal legends, Within Temptation, bring a bit of romance and mysteriousness to the genre with their sixth studio album ‘Hydra’.

The album retains all of the stunning, symphonic metal sound that Within Temptation are renowned for, while also incorporating elements of other genres.

The result is a record that is unique, bound to become a classic metal album like the band’s previous records ‘The Silent Force’, ‘The Unforgiving’ and ‘The Heart of Everything’.

The album has been in the making since 2012, and has been highly anticipated among fans of the Dutch band. Produced by Daniel Gibson, ‘Hydra’ sees Within Temptation collaborate with a number of wellestablished and rising musicians.

The lead single ‘Paradise (What About Us?)’ features Finnish metal artist Tarja Turunen, who was previously in the band Nightwish and is well-known in the symphonic metal genre.

American hip-hop artist Xzibit raps on the track ‘And We Run’, while

‘Dangerous’ was recorded with ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones.

Founding member and guitarist Robert Westerholt referred to ‘Hydra’ as being, “the most powerful album we’ve ever made, and it has some amazing and totally unexpected collaborations”. His assessment has been backed up by the European music press, with very positive reactions to the album in music magazines and online.

WITHIN TEMPTATION HYDRA

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Paperbark Restaurant From 6:00pm Canapés on Arrival 4-Course Sharing Style Dinner Coffee, Tea & Chocolates With Live Music $65.00 per person Bookings Essential Contact the Paperbark Restaurant on

Specialising in kids parties, fetes, community events and corporate events at your location.

www w.mobileslotc cars.c com KIDS PARTIES • FUNCTIONS CORPORATE EVENTS

WW6812

T: 02 9670 8888 (option 2)

2-8 Twin Creeks Drive | Luddenham NSW 2748 www.twincreeksgolf.com.au

WW6792

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Wine and Dine

EAT OUT THIS WEEKEND

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OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

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ou certainly won’t leave Outback Steakhouse with an empty stomach that is for certain! The meals are of a generous portion, and taste brilliant!

Why not try some cheesy fries or a famous Bloomin’ Onion for a starter, and then move on to one of the delicious steaks – we love the Victoria’s Fillet the best! It’s not only steak they do well here, either. The Alice Springs Chicken is one of the best items on the menu and a must try dish for any occasion. Make sure you book as it’s one of Penrith’s most popular restaurants.

Panthers complex, Mulgoa Road, Penrith.

Phone 4732 2577.

f you’re after a quick meal, or a bite to eat with friends over a few drinks, you can’t go past the Peachtree Hotel. You’ll find one of the best club bistros in Penrith! Why not try the delicious chicken breast, marinated in garlic and herbs. Or if you love your steak, challenge yourself and take on the 1KG grain fed rump. There’s of course plenty of schnitzel on the menu and seafood options as well. But perhaps the best of the best is the awesome burgers… all for a fantastic, low price. If the bistro doesn’t suit you, check out the awesome pizzas – best in town, some say!

PEACHTREE HOTEL

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stablished in 1984, Happy Inn is the most well known Chinese restaurant in Penrith. It seats up to 120 people and even has a private function room (no hire charge), offering excellent Chinese cuisine.

Specialists in seafood, Happy Inn caters for all functions and is open seven days for lunch and dinner, with a discount on take-away and home delivery (limited area). Happy Inn is considered Penrith’s number one Chinese restaurant, and is a favourite for business people across the area! Call them today to book a table or find out more.

HAPPY INN

401 High Street, Penrith. Phone 4731 5355.

THE FIFTH LEG WINE SWAP THAT IS CAUSING A STIR

by David Ellis

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n certainly one of the more quirky industry promotions Western Australia maker The Fifth Leg is offering to swap that dodgy red or white that’s been gathering dust in the back of the kitchen cupboard for years, for a new-release $16.99 The Fifth Leg red, white or rosé… for absolutely free.

Saying that life’s too short to drink bad wine, from 1pm to 5pm on Saturday, February 15, The Fifth Leg’s inviting anyone with a bottle of “suspect inferior plonk” (for whatever reason) to take it along to a First Choice liquor outlet anywhere in Australia, and swap it for a free bottle of The Fifth Leg – with a choice from their Crisp Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot, Rosé or Shiraz.

For our part, red devotees shouldn’t look past swapping that dusty sus bottle with The Fifth Leg’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot; a soft, fresh and supple wine, whose nice juicy red and black fruit flavours make it a great match with red meat dishes.

There’s a limit of one swap per person under the amusingly-named The Fifth Leg Bad Taste Amnesty. For more information, and the address of your nearest First Choice liquor outlet check out www.fifthleg.com.au.

One to note: Katnook Estate have released a Founder’s Block Chardonnay from the excellent 2012 vintage in Coonawarra, one that had slightly warmer conditions than usual, below average rainfall, and was one of the region’s earliest on record.

Winemaker Wayne Stehbens has created in this a wine that’s designed for enjoyment now, while also showing wonderful potential to reward buyers happy to tuck it away to mature nicely for anything up to six years.

With white peach, pear and citrus flavours and a rich and creamy mouth-feel, Wayne says to consider matching it with pan fried chicken breasts stuffed with finely sliced mushrooms and chorizo, and served with accompanying asparagus. At $18, it’s certainly a good suggestion.

54 Peachtree Road, Penrith. Phone 4731 3444. on’t be turned off by the stereotype – Hooters is a great place to eat and you’re guaranteed to have a fun time.

Whether it be their famous chicken wings or one of their great burgers, the Hooters menu has something for everyone – and there’s a great range of drinks, too. They have a great, upbeat atmosphere and if you’re a sports fan, you’ll love the atmosphere with multiple big screen TVs to watch plenty of live sport every single weekend. With excellent service and reasonable prices, give Hooters a try today.

HOOTERS

261 Mulgoa Road, Penrith. Phone 4733 5428.

11

Vicary’s Famous Woolshed Sing & dance the night away with our Famous Bush Band including a Delicious 3 Course Dinner & FREE Wine Tasting!

- Bookings Essential Northern Road, LUDDENHAM

15 mins South of Penrith

4773 4161

WW6818

LOCAL RADIO

WW6473

WW6538

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Tickets $15 members $20 non-members.

Tickets available at reception

BEE GEES TRIBUTE Saturday 8th Feb 8pm

FREE Entertainment

Friday January 31st- 8pm

Saturday February 1st- 7pm

PLAI STATION

THE REMIXES

Friday February 7th- 8pm

3 RAMS

FULL $10 LUNCH MENU Complimentary beer, wine or soft drink (members only).

7 to choose from.

Schmidy's catering - the Best Food in Penrith Schmidy’s have introduced a stylish, contemporary menu, delivering a high standard using fresh produce.

Taste the difference, open daily for Lunch 12noon – 2.30pm and dinner from 5.30pm

Monday-Friday Only

SUNDAY MONSTER RAFFLE

Starts at 6.30pm Tickets on Sale from 5pm A variety of prizes

Cnr Glebe Pl & Richmond Rd Kingswood phone 4722 8180 www.penrithgaels.com.au

WW6776

Relax ACROSS

Fill in all squares so each row, column and each of the nine 3 x 3 squares contain all digits from one to nine.

Solution to last week’s mind benders

1. Food canisters 4. Revealed secret 8. Perfumed powder 11. D umbfound 13. Implant 15. Great happiness 17. Crab’s pinch 18. Crave, ... for 20. A fflict 21. Pivot 24. Of the ear 27. Domestic animal 28. Pallid 30. Be real 31. Witches’ nose lumps 33. On dry land 34. Drinking tubes 35. Consumer 36. Public houses 39. 100 cents 42. Formed a curve 44. Assistant 45. Social misfits 46. Arrests 48. Bull-riding show 49. Renowned 50. Sedative or antibiotic 52. Economised 54. Sole 55. Large black bird 56. Baton races 57. Bear in mind 60. Frog-like amphibian 62. Poked 65. Nimble elf 67. Flavouring herb 69. Xmas song 70. Ladle out 72. Plant (seed) 73. Bumps into 75. Folk tales 77. Make slip-up 79. Conscious 81. Focal point 82. Open pies

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Half-diameters Yawning gulf Titled woman Most orderly Exercise, ... fit

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Brass instrument Carpentry spikes Phone text (1,1,1) Visited, ... to Side building Avoid Beloved Golf driving area Adjust Is unable to (3’1) Blaze’s remnants Local authority statute Perjurers Tree ooze Draw breath Berlin language Speaks Emerge from sleep More robust Keyboard operator’s complaint (1,1,1) Falsehood Disagreeable Examined closely Stench Screened (movie) again Viper Actor, ... DeVito Muddle Reinforce Jumble (message) Hand-pick Profoundly Boorish Jostle with arm Disc jockeys (1,2) Warn Intended Hurried

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Cheerless Crabby Medal Ballad part Boat’s wind-catcher Radiate Which Invitation footnote

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(1,1,1,1) 80. Beam of light 83. Inquire

years, was dramatically demoted to two nights a week (Friday and Saturday) to make way for regular fill-in Mark Ferguson. The network is still undecided about which direction to take their news bulletin this year. The choice – axe ‘Today Tonight’ and make way for a one-hour bulletin like the other stations or keep ‘TT’ to create a point of difference with the other networks for viewers. My choice – stick to 30 minutes and figure out something new for that 6.30pm slot.

CHATTER ON THE BOX with Nathan Taylor

I

must say I was in two minds about the return episode of my favourite show ‘Home and Away’ this week. All summer the show had been hyping up a main cast member dying in the cliffhanger bomb blast, instead when the dust (and smoke) settled the only character to die had a minor role in the show and was never part of line-up who producers teased would “die”. All in all I can’t complain too much, Irene lived and Alf was there to save the day yet again.

Huge news earlier this week over the apparent “dumping” of Channel Seven newsreader Chris Bath from the coveted 6pm bulletin. Bath, who had been in the role for five

Still with Seven, and former newsreader (whom Bath took over from in 2009) Ian Ross has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given just five months to live. Roscoe is a legend in the news biz and it’s really sad seeing all these legendary newsmen struck down with such terrible diseases of late. I wish him all the best in his quest in finding alternative therapies to treat the cancer.

Breakfast guru Adam Boland resigned from his post at Channel Ten last week.

Boland, who had been going through some well publicised personal problems, decided to give his rather stressful lifestyle up to focus on getting better. I hope he returns to what he does best one day.

Still on Ten, former Seven and Nine newsman Mike Munro has joined Ten’s Eyewitness News for their national weekend bulletins. The ex ‘This is your Life’ host begins on February 9.

The Comedy Channel will air the new ‘Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’ from

Tuesday, February 25. Fallon replaces the legendary Jay Leno as host of the iconic show.

The Winter Olympics wouldn’t be the same without funnymen Roy and H.G. and thankfully we’ll get a huge dose of the comic duo once again from February 7. The pair will return with their hilarious antics in a new nightly show titled ‘Roy and H.G’s Russian Revolution’.

Lastly, great news for paranormal lovers with ‘Haunting: Australia’ set to premiere this Monday, February 3 on SyFy at 8.30pm.

An all new local production, ‘Haunting: Australia’ follows a group of global ghost grabbing experts as they investigate some of Australia’s most haunted locations. As a fan of ghosthunting shows, I’ll be watching this one with keen interest.

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Relax

AN ADVENTURE WORTHY OF ROBINSON CRUSOE

by David Ellis

T

he “real” Robinson Crusoe had a unique way to stop himself going whacko during his years marooned on an island in the South Pacific.

He taught feral cats to dance on two legs, parrots to sing questionable sea shanties, and himself to slay wild goats on the run for food and clothing.

And while there’s conjecture about his supposed pal Man Friday, it’s possible to take a holiday on his remote island home, today named Robinson Crusoe Island. You just need to be a bit adventurous.

Originally named Mas a Tierra and the largest of Chile’s Juan Fernandez Islands 700km out in the Pacific, its name was changed some years ago in a bid to encourage tourists to the area.

It hardly attracted the hordes, as getting there is just about as problematic today as it was in 1704 for Robinson Crusoe, actually a Scotsman named Alexander Selkirk who was Mate aboard the British privateer Cinque Ports, that had been enjoying some plundering

around South America until developing an unhealthy leak.

Selkirk demanded the Captain beach the galleon for repairs, and when rebuffed asked to be let off at the next sighting of land.

When he realised this was to be the miniscule and then-uninhabited Mas a Tierra he pleaded remorse, but nonetheless found himself alone on a beach with a hammock, hatchet, muzzle-loader, knife, kettle, matches and Bible.

Chortling, his Captain sailed off for Cape Horn, never to be heard of again... the Cinque Ports sank from the leaks Selkirk had complained about.

Today small planes fly to Robinson Crusoe Island from Santiago, with no guarantee you’ll get there quite on the advertised hour.

It depends on the weather conditions of over 700km of open ocean, the island’s notorious mists, and how rough the seas are for the ‘water taxi’ transfer to town.

Camped on a beach with rain, sea lions bellowing night-long, and rats nibbling at him,

Selkirk slept fitfully before finding a dry inland cave to call home. He kept a fire going there 24-hours a day for cooking and to keep wild animals at bay when his matches ran out, made clothes from the skins of goats he ran down and slew with his knife, and built a hilltop look-out with a goat-skin cover to keep watch daily for passing ships.

And he supplemented his goat meat diet with fish and lobsters he caught with his bare hands, plus wild turnips and native cabbages.

In between he taught the local wildlife tricks including those cats to dance on their hind legs, parrots to sing those rude songs, and told a London newspaper after his rescue how he would “spend hours singing and dancing with them”.

For today’s visitors there are several small hotels that are basic, clean and comfortable in the only town, San Juan Bautista, and which offer bountiful fresh seafood meals including Selkirk’s favourite plump lobsters.

But don’t expect too many CBD facilities: under 800 people live here and visitors are

counted in the few hundreds each year.

You can trek to Selkirk’s cave, walk the rainforests, swim with sea lions (if that’s your go) and climb to the hilltop from which Selkirk spied the arrival of the British privateer Duke, aboard which William Dampier helped rescue him in 1709.

You can also study the many native plants endemic to the island, and from the 800 locals get nearly as many versions of Man Friday. Most agree though, that Daniel Defoe who wrote the book The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe in 1719 after hearing of Selkirk’s talks in British pubs to earn drinking money, penned Friday into the yarn from a totally separate incident in which a black seaman named Wills found himself on Mas a Tierra after his ship sank.

And Defoe had Robinson Crusoe on his island for 28 years, 2 months and 19 days – not Selkirk’s 4 years and 4 months.

To find out more, search Robinson Crusoe Island on Google – but don’t confuse it with the one in Fiji.

15

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S

Relax

GIVEAWAY: FABER CASTELL

chool holidays are finally over but while kids may not want to head back to class, the right equipment can fuel their creativity and desire to learn.

Although many young people are increasingly turning to flashy tablets and smartphones for entertainment, good old-fashioned pens and pencils are still the best way to inspire students’ flair in the classroom.

“Although technology is being used increasingly as a method to communicate and express creativity, people are still more likely to use a pen or pencil due to its ease, accessibility and simplicity. The demand for our high-class writing and drawing implements has never been higher,” said Count Andreas von Faber-Castell, Regional Director for the brand.

As one of the world’s most renowned and beloved craft manufacturers, Faber-Castell has been supplying countless Australian school children with the tools to learn and 2014 is no different.

Little hands can learn how to draw with the Junior Triangular Grip Colour Pencils, which have a super thick colour rich lead guaranteed to help create masterpieces in art class while also encouraging

correct hand position.

The graphite Junior Grip pencil has a similar design, giving users great control, performance and enjoyment with a thick triangular shape that fits easily into the hand.

You will be astounded by what can be created with the right support and equipment.

With a funky design and bright, beautiful colouring, the Grip Scissors are sure to stand out from the crowd and can suit either left or right handers, with rounded blades to ensure safety and prevent accidents.

Older kids will love the Classic Watercolour Pencils and Connectable Twist Crayons, which have both long been a mainstay in art classes across the country.

For high school students, a range of trendy yet functional pencils are ideal for homework while the LOOM Ballpoint Metallic Silver pen is designed to get through long exam periods.

Faber-Castell is sold in all good stationery stores and newsagents. For more information about the Faber-Castell product range, visit www.faber-castell. com.au.

FYI has two Faber-Castell Back to School prize packs to give away, valued at over $50.00 each. For your chance to win, email the code word ‘SCHOOL’ to competitions@westernweekender.com.au with your name and contact details. Entries close Wednesday, February 5. Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPM/14/00047. Terms and conditions at www.westernweekender.com.au.

THE VISIONIST

By Rachel Urquhart

A

uthor Rachel Urquhart makes a stunning debut in fiction with her historical novel The Visionist, which presents the mysterious tale of a young woman living in the highly religious Shaker community.

Set in the puritanical backdrop of 1840’s New England, The Visionist focuses on 15-year-old Polly Kimball, who escapes her horribly abusive home life by setting fire to her family farm and subsequently killing her father.

With her tragic past threatening to destroy her life, Polly flees with her younger brother and the siblings stumble upon a Shaker community, taking refuge and believing themselves to be safe at last.

The settlement, nicknamed ‘The City of Hope’, is an unusual community where everyone is subjected to a rigid social system of rules and religion is paramount, with believers showing their faith through bizarre worship rituals.

While any citizen in the city is forced to abide by the religion’s tenets, Polly is under extra judgment when the townspeople mistakenly believe her to a ‘visionist’ – a holy messenger in the Shaker world.

Polly is both admired by her new neighbours and deeply scrutinised, making her fearful as she tries to cover the secrets of her former life and assimilate into the alien community she now calls home.

Charity, a young Shaker sister who has grown up in the

settlement since birth, befriends Polly and gambles her faith on the honesty and purity of her new companion.

To add to the drama, Simon Pryor, a local fire inspector and private detective, is called upon to investigate the fire that destroyed Polly’s home and quickly begins to piece together facts about the crime.

With Pryor and the authorities on the chase from the outside, and her devoutly spiritual Shaker friends prying with judgment, Polly is forced to keep her composure and sanity and protect her brother.

While many historical novels can fall flat for modern readers, The Visionist is a strongly written, well-paced novel that has plenty of drama and suspense to keep readers enthralled right until the last page.

Author Rachel Urquhart manages to present a fascinating picture of 1840’s religious America while also creating a protagonist who is relatable and realistic for the historical period.

Urquhart’s grandfather Sidney Howard (the playwright behind classic film ‘Gone With the Wind’) purchased a historic Shaker meeting house in the 1920’s, and the author spent many weekends in the building, inspiring her book.

The Visionist is Urquhart’s first fiction novel, although she has previously worked at Vogue for nine years and her writing has been published in The New Yorker and Vanity Fair.

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Social Scene

AUSTRALIA DAY AT THE LAKES

P

enrith City Council’s popular ‘Australia Day at the Lakes’ event saw plenty of local residents head down to the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith Lakes to celebrate.

The event featured three hours of free entertainment, with kids thrilled by the appearance of characters from the movie ‘Despicable Me 2’ and former yellow Wiggle Greg Page.

Australian rock classics were performed live on stage by musicians such as Mark Travers, Zoe Badwi, Rose Carleo and former ‘The Voice’ contestant Simon Meli.

An amazing fireworks display ended the evening, along with an appearance by charttopping DJ Havana Brown who entertained the crowd all night.

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Social Scene

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