If you’re in for a chuckle or two (or make that 119!) visit the Bunker Cartoon Gallery, where the finalists in the 20th annual Rotary Cartoon Awards are now on exhibition.

Year after year, Coffs Harbour’s Rotary Cartoon Awards attract submissions by the best cartoonists in Australia and beyond. In fact, cartoons, caricatures and comic strips were received from cartoonists in no fewer than 26 countries this year.

The Rotary Cartoon Awards competition recognises the best of Australian and international cartoons with prizes totalling more than $10,000.

Have a stroll around the historic bunker, which has been converted into a quirky art gallery, to view the 119 finalists in this year’s Award on the walls.

And if that shouldn’t be enough for you, you can see the rest of this year’s hundreds of entries in folders that are available for viewing. More folders can be found in the foyer where you can browse through the incredible number of cartoons that were entered in previous years.

The Bunker is a cool, fun and very affordable destination that’s perfect for a hot or rainy day!

On Friday 21 November, the winners are announced during a Gala Presentation at the Bunker Gallery.

Tickets to this entertaining evening are available at $25 from the gallery. The exhibition ends on 6 December.

The Bunker Cartoon Gallery, located on John Champion Way near the Hogbin Drive/Albany Street roundabout in Coffs Harbour, is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and entry is just $2 for adults and $1 for children.

For more information, call the Bunker Gallery on 6651 7343.

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On the weekend starting 21 November, the streets of Sawtell will come alive with the sounds of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – Elvis Presley.

The inaugural ‘Aloha Sawtell’ festival will feature four Elvis Tribute Artists, including a ‘Junior Elvis’ and three days chock-a-block with singing, dancing, karaoke and live shows in pubs, clubs and on the street.

The five Elvis look-alikes you may encounter wandering the streets of Sawtell that weekend are Tommy Memphis, who has just returned from a six-month residency performing Elvis tributes in Ibiza, Spain; Rod Toovey from Moruya on the NSW South Coast; our local Coffs Coast Elvis, Col Thompson (photo); and Junior Elvis, Lachie Morrison.

On Friday evening at 7.30pm, the festival opens with an ‘Elvis Smorgasbord’ at Sawtell Golf Club.

On Saturday, there will be street performances and karaoke, as well as Elvis Tribute Artists shows at the Sawtell RSL at 1pm and at the Sawtell RSL and Sawtell Hotel at 8pm.

The ‘Finale’ concert of the Elvis festival will take place at the Sawtell RSL on Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm.

Organisers are hoping people will come out in droves with their dancing shoes on and ready to sing along to all those classic Elvis songs, so this inaugural festival can be declared a success and planning can start for an even bigger ‘Aloha Sawtell’ festival next year.

For more information about the festival, contact organiser John Logan Entertainment on (02) 6652 8266.

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The fascinating story of family life at South Solitary Island Lighthouse is the subject of an exhibition titled ‘To the Lighthouse’ at the Coffs Harbour Regional Museum, opening on 25 November.

The Lighthouse is still standing proud on South Solitary Island, 18km off Coffs Harbour.

Lighthouse Keepers, who lived on the island with their families, used kerosene to operate the Lighthouse from its establishment in 1880 until 1975. Since then, the Lighthouse has been automatically operated using solar power, generating a white flash every five seconds.

The South Solitary Lighthouse was considered the most isolated lighthouse on the New South Wales coast and family life on the island was harsh.

‘To the Lighthouse' will showcase the large collection of artefacts, photographs, film and information that the Museum holds on the lives of the Lighthouse Keepers and their families who spent years at a time living a solitary existence on the island.

The collection includes many of the families' personal belongings such as clothing and toys, architectural plans of the Lighthouse and photographs and early images going right back to the 1900s.

There is also a 1950s film of the families unloading and loading the boat that was their lifeline to the mainland, plus photographs of the Lighthouse and the Keepers cottages as they are today.

The centrepiece of the exhibition will be the original Lighthouse lamp, which is permanently on display at the Museum. The lamp is the original four-metre, internal working light from the South Solitary Lighthouse.

The exhibition will remain on display throughout the summer holidays, ending on 30 January 2009. Other temporary exhibitions and the museum's permanent collection will also be on show at the same time, making a visit at any time worth everyone's while.

The Coffs Harbour Regional Museum is open from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday and entry is by gold coin donation.

For further information about the Museum or the exhibition, contact the Museum on (02) 6652 5794.

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The inaugural Open Arms Festival 2008 is a music, arts, lifestyle and youth culture event featuring a fantastic line up of top Australian acts and talents.

The festival will feature a range of musical genres, including rock, hip hop, metal, indie, roots, dance, street performances, art and culture.

Bringing together all cultural aspects of Coffs Coast and its surrounding communities, the festival hopes to encompass the relationship between the Australian youth of today and the traditional beliefs of the past.

The headline act of the night is a band that needs little introduction – Grinspoon, on the back of their hugely successful Alibis and Other Lies album. They will be supported by Aria award winning rock band Gyroscope, premier hard hitting live urban roots crew Blue King Brown and eccentric hip hop crew TZU.

Other performers will include; Mammal, Drapht, Dead Letter Circus, Young & Restless, Mind Electric, Whitt (Spiderbait), Thad Lester, Dubbly, Jungal, Beats Working, Cbd Dub Project, Lectro Static and DJ Different.

Open Arms Festival 2008 is a Waste Wise Event and focusing heavily upon being as environmentally friendly as possible. Organisers of the event have made every effort to consider the environmental impact that the Festival may have - from printing to waste management, green electricity to toilet paper the Open Arms Festival will maintain the highest standard in order to achieve an environmentally friendly festival. To demonstrate their commitment to the environment, the entire event will be carbon offset and has been registered with Climate Friendly™, an organisation dedicated to positive, meaningful and real action to address the global greenhouse problem.

All the performers appearing at the Festival have been specifically chosen because they too believe in a harmonious, friendly and respectful environment.

Open Arms Festival is an all ages licensed event which will be held at Coffs Harbour Showgrounds on Saturday 29th November. Gates will open at 11am.

Tickets are available now. Cost is $60 plus a small booking fee. Upon purchasing your ticket you will also have a ‘Green Option’ which will help to make your festival experience ‘Carbon Neutral’. Tickets can be purchased from various leading retail outlets in the region or online at the Open Arms Festival website.

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If you’re after a good show at the theatre, you’ll never have to wait long when you’re on Coffs Coast.

Although we're nearing the end of the 2008 Season Program of Coffs Harbour’s historic Jetty Memorial Theatre, there still are a number of great shows and performances to choose from until December.

The Jetty Theatre is located on Harbour Drive, close to many dining and accommodation options in Coffs Harbour’s popular Jetty area.

Here is what's coming up in the last few months of 2008 at the Jetty Memorial Theatre:

14-23 November - The Skin of Our Teeth
Local theatre production company CHATS Productions is presenting this comic book history of the human race, with one family running the gamut from mammoths to Mammon, from Ice Age to New Age, from the Flintstones to the future.

28-29 November - Chris Gudu
Chris Gudu returns to the Jetty Theatre with his new show "Exhilarating sounds of Zimbabwe". Expect a night of powerful southern African rhythms and dance with Chris Gudu and his highly charged and sensational seven-piece band.

2-5 December - The Narcissist
Brought to Coffs by La Boite Theatre, this is a deliciously scandalous comedy with a satirical sting in its tail - think Oscar Wilde meets Little Miss Sunshine. The Narcissist is a riotous and politically incorrect post-modern comedy of manners infused with the joy of popular culture.

For more information about each of these shows and to buy your tickets online, go to www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/jettytheatre, or contact the Jetty Theatre Box Office, in person or by phone on 6652 8088 between 10am and 4pm Monday-Friday.

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The 2008 Spring Discovery Program of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has come to an end, with only one activity left: Muttonbirds by Moonlight on 13 December.

Muttonbirds by Moonlight - Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve
Enjoy an enthralling night walk as we discover the significance and beauty of this wedge-tailed shearwater (‘Muttonbird’) rookery. At this time of the year the birds are digging out old burrows and romancing breeding partners in preparation for egg laying. Local Aboriginal Discovery Ranger Mark Flanders will welcome the group to Giidayn Miirral and interpret this cultural significance of the island to the Gumbaynggirr people. Bring: A small torch and a jumper.

• When: Sat 13 December 2008, 7.30-9.00pm
• Cost: $5 children, $10 adults, $25 family
• Limited numbers. Bookings essential (phone 02 6652 0900 to book)

The NPWS Discovery Program is generally run three times a year around the school holidays, featuring lots of fun and educational activities in Coffs Coast’s beautiful parks and reserves.

Keep an eye out for the Summer Discovery Program in mid/late December, which is likely to again feature activities ranging from nature strolls to canoe paddles, rainforest walks, birdwatching and night stalks.

For more information about the Discovery Program or National Parks on Coffs Coast, contact National Parks and Wildlife Service Coffs Coast office on (02) 6652 0900 or Dorrigo Rainforest Centre on (02) 6657 2309.

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December means summer and school holidays, but it also means Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Whether you live here or are visiting the Coffs Coast in December and early January, you can get into the spirit by attending one of the many special events and activities planned on the Coffs Coast this holiday season.

The fun starts as early as Thursday 4 December, with Santa's Arrival and a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Coffs Harbour's City Centre from 5.30pm to 8pm. Santa Claus will arrive in style in his sleigh pulled by real reindeer.

It's an event not to be missed, with live music and entertainment for the whole family, including funky music by 'Coastal Soul' in the City Square from 6pm and christmas carols with the Coffs City Choir.

For the kiddies, there will be balloons, face painting, a jumping castle, airbrush tattoos and free fairy floss. And the South Sydney Rabbitohs themselves will be there to meet and greet their fans and sign autographs from 6pm!

The next day, Friday 5 December, come on down to Coffs Harbour's City Centre to see and pat Santa's reindeer, who will spend the day lounging around the City Square from 10am to 4pm, or take your kids to Palms Shopping between 9am and 3pm on Saturday 6 December to have their photo taken with Santa. There will be face painting until 1pm and even the reindeer will be upstairs in the Palms Shopping Centre!

For a real local souvenir, why not have your kids' or your family Christmas photos taken with Benny Banana and Santa Claus? The Big Banana mascot Benny and Santa are available for free photos between 10am and 2pm every weekend from 6 to 21 December and daily from 18 to 23 December.

If you enjoy the warm and inspiring atmosphere of Christmas carolling, you’re in luck. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, there are numerous Carols by Candlelight events to choose from.

On Saturday 13 December, the annual Coffs Harbour Carols by Candlelight event is the first of many Coffs Coast Christmas carolling event. It's held at the Coffs Harbour Showground this year, right in the heart of Coffs Harbour.

To secure a good spot, why not get there early with a rug and picnic basket. Light refreshments will be available. In addition to the sing-along carolling by choirs and bands, starting at 6pm, there will be entertainment for the kids and a special appearance by Santa at 7.15pm. The evening with finish with a spectacular fireworks show around 9pm.

A week later, on Saturday 20 December, there are two carolling locations to choose from, in Nana Glen and Woolgoolga.

The ‘country’ event, Carols in the Glen will be held at the Nana Glen Equestrian Centre in Nana Glen in Coffs Harbour’s beautiful hinterland (30 minutes west of the city). There will be Christmas carols and other suitable music and entertainment, plus a visit from Santa. Bring a rug and a picnic, or purchase some of the refreshments available on the night. The evening starts at 6.30pm.

Or make your way up north where the Woolgoolga Carols by Candlelight are held at the Woolgoolga Beach Reserve, overlooking the ocean. Woolgoolga is just 25 minutes north of Coffs Harbour. Sing your heart out along with the All Nations Community Choir and local schools choirs. Of course, Santa will drop by as well and there will be food and other refreshments. This evening also starts at 6.30pm.

Urunga Carols by Candlelight will be taking place on Sunday 21 December from 5.30pm, at the performance stage in Morgo Street Reserve at the mouth of the Kalang River in Urunga (30 minutes south of Coffs Harbour). Santa will be there as well as music, variety, food and fun for all. The evening will finish with spectacular fireworks over the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers at around 9pm. Come on down to this free event and bring a rug or chairs to sit on.

On Monday 22 December, it’s time for the Sawtell Carols by Candlelight. Make your way to the Sawtell Golf Club from 6pm for an evening of Christmas Carols under the stars on the 9th fairway. There will be carols, a visit by Santa, plus plenty of entertainment and activities for the kids, including a jumping castle. Light refreshments will be available, or bring your own picnic basket.

A special Christmas themed Growers Market will be held in Coffs Harbour's City Square on Tuesday 23 December. Expect lots of goodies, fun stuff and giveaways.

At Coffs Harbour’s Jetty Foreshores, the annual March’s Carnival will provide lots of fun and entertainment nightly from mid December until the end of January. On the night of 31 December, there will be New Year’s Eve Fireworks from the Coffs Harbour Jetty (time to be confirmed).

On New Year’s Day, Thursday 1 January, from about 9am to 5pm, the popular Sawtell Fun Day is on again in sunny Sawtell, 10 minutes south of Coffs Harbour.

On Saturday morning 3 January, go north for the relaxing Woolgoolga Breakfast by the Sea Markets at Woolgoolga Beach Reserve from 8am.

There will be more fireworks on Saturday 3 January at Jetty Beach from 7pm, celebrating the annual Festival of Sail. The fireworks follow Movies on the Beach featuring “Alvin and the Chipmunks”. The following day, Sunday 4 January, there will be a Sandmodelling Competition from 1pm, also on Jetty Beach and as part of the same festival. Festival of Sail is held to welcome the yachts taking part of the annual Pittwater to Coffs race.

Throughout the Coffs Coast, pubs, clubs, cafés and restaurants will also be holding special New Year’s Eve celebrations. Check the local papers for details.

For up to date information on events and activities on the Coffs Coast, contact the Coffs Coast Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 070 or email tourism@coffscoast.com.au

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