During lockdown I met lovely local Michelle McManus for the first time. On a weekend. On the corner. She admired our new pergola and we chatted about how people were really using the tables and chairs … and then she mentioned that she (and her band mate Johnny) would love to do some band practise on a weekend under our pergola when things opened up a bit … to casually share their music with the neighbourhood folk who are so often hanging out having coffees and chats in that area.

And I thought it sounded like a lovely neighbourhoodly idea. Even before I read their bio (below) and realised that their music would be just my cup of tea (I DO love Cowboy Junkies and missing their scheduled Melbourne concert this year due to the world pandemic and all was quite a letdown).

Anyway, with restrictions easing I contacted her again this week to discuss logistics.

So … if you are craving a coffee from the Alphington Foodstore or heading out to buy the paper from the Alphington Milkbar mid morning Saturday, you might like to keep an ear out for them! Or pause on our corner.

Here’s the bio …

Mich is a singer songwriter who honed her craft as a regular at the Troubadour in London (made infamous by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan etc.). Her passionate vocals and eclectic folk songs have touched the hearts of audiences around the globe, and now with her new partner Johnny D, they have created a UNIQUE SWAMPY SOUL sound. Mich McManus’ voice gives a unique honesty and vulnerability to her songs, and Johnny D’s harmonica grind brings their music to life. Influences: Melanie, Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny, Janis, Eva Cassidy, Mazzy Star and Cowboy Junkies.

This week the letter starting ‘Dear neighbour’ is from a journalist. Should be interesting. You can pick a copy up from the butcher shop window.

We’re hoping to have ‘Blind date with a Book’ back out on the street today (Friday).

On Station Street the lovely folks at Three Locals have volunteered to house the stand for us, so it will be out the front of their cafe once a week.

And … Lee has also made a second stand for ACC.

We’ve been super keen to get ‘Blind date with a Book’ back up and running as it only had one week of glory before we went into lockdown … and there was lots of public interest in it.

This project has come about through a grant from Darebin Council and is a partnership with Darebin Libraries. The broader goal is to help activate our streets and public places and make them feel neighbourhoodly and friendly, arty and interesting. If you are out and about, keep an eye out!

This week our neighbourhood roses post comes from Win’s garden. She hijacked the process and sent us an email with some photos of her stunning roses. I’m overlooking this breach of protocol because they really are beautiful aren’t they? Those dusky pink ones in particular are soooo spectacular.

I imagine that Win’s home not only looks wonderful but also smells heavenly with all these blooms on her table.

Thanks Win for sharing the results of all the love you put into your garden (and friends note that if you picked up a packet of silverbeet seeds from our seed library recently you can also thank Win for those).

The single bloom is “Fiona’s wish”. Named in honour of Fiona Coote and her tireless efforts to support the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.

Sunday’s Honestly letter to the neighbourhood is from a poet. Pop past the local shops and collect yours.