This week we’re looking forward to:

• Our ukulele friends returning, and

• Another book club finally meeting up in person again!

We run 5 book clubs in partnership with Darebin Libraries here at ACC and Kalimna and Jodie (from the library) do an amazing behind the scenes logistical juggle to ensure books arrive on time and return on time and that all the groups get the books they want to read etc. They are just in the process of organising everything for next year. If you are part of one of our book clubs already and want to return but haven’t yet signed up for next year … please do! Kalimna has contacted everyone now (I think).

If you would like to be part of a local book club of up to 10 people that meets once a month here at ACC please let us know (give us a call or send us an email). Kalimna will let you know if there are spots available for next year in the existing groups … or put you on a list to create a new group if demand is strong.

Happy days! I picked up a new (to me) Kate Atkinson book from our street library today. The library is nice and full again, including a good selection of books for children - could be perfect on a rainy weekend.

Thanks whoever dropped this book off - I am looking forward to reading it this weekend.

The Melbourne International Film Festival is back streaming online. Find out more and book your front row tickets today.

Excitingly (given the latest lockdown and all) we have ANOTHER community review for a show that is accessible to all via the Kanopy App (it really does have great movies and as previously discussed is accessible for free. You can download it on your phone, tablet or computer using your local library card. Just log on to your library and follow the instructions - you might like to also download Cloudlibrary, Borrowbox and Libby so you read your favourite magazines, listen to audio books and read books online for free while you are there!!).

Anyway … Annie has been part of the ACC family for a couple of years now. Her first introduction being the Alphington Show (in which she entered a shroud made of coffee sacks - you might remember it if you came along). More recently she participated in Women in the Shed.

Anyway, here’s what she wrote! Thanks Annie. This sounds really interesting.

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306 Hollywood

This gorgeous documentary is about stuff … so much stuff. It’s a houseful of things left behind. And every bit of it carries a memory. This movie is for anyone who’s ever had to deal with stuff. It’s for anyone who’s ever had a relative and the house they’ve lived in forever to sort through.

When she's alive, the adored grandma remarks to her granddaughter that she does clutter big time. With no shame. Just a remark.

Do you know Marie Condo? Her method and its concepts had its time in the sun.

Spark joy by tidying up. It will get worse before it gets better. Give thanks to the house and express gratitude to the items’ service to you. Put it all in one big pile.

Every single one of her rules seems to figure in some way in this tale of love for the grandma, the house (306 Hollywood) and what the eclectic stuff tells us.

It is very time-consuming taking care of what grandma left behind, the siblings Elan and Jonathan Bogarin find. And instead of rushing it they savour what’s there. They curate an amazing honouring of one woman’s ordinary life.

I loved this movie and getting to know the family stories across older and younger generations. 

Lockdown telly … are we back to that again? Perhaps, perhaps not. We don’t really know yet do we? In any case I have been discussing TV etc. with my family and colleagues more than usual lately and I thought I could share some recommendations.

My partner Clive raved about It’s A Sin (along with everyone else on Twitter a month or so ago) - it’s on Stan.

Also on Stan, my sister Elise noted that Paperback Hero is up … for a cheesy, nostalgic Hugh Jackman/ Claudia Karvan hit.

Mum just watched A Very English Scandal on Netflix (with Hugh Grant) and recommended it to me.

Jill at work went to the cinema and mentioned that Nomadland was great a few weeks ago … and I meant to see it at the movies. I notice you can now rent it from Optus Movie Box (and presumably elsewhere).

I have been recommending the first series of Lupin (watch it in French with subtitles, not the dubbed version) which is on Netflix to everyone because it is easy viewing, and I see that the second series will be released on 11 June … that will be fun.

If you have a recommendation or two you can add them to the comments below or send us an email.

And settle in … maybe? I’m writing this on Tuesday 1 June and a lot can change quickly …