Toyota Accelerator Recall

Toyota Motor Corp said Tuesday that it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, its largest U.S. recall ever, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to stick and lead to crashes. The recall involves popular models, including the top selling Camry and Prius. At this stage the floor mat in question is used only in cars sold in the U.S., but Toyota officials in Tokyo, Japan said the carmaker will launch an investigation to make sure there are no similar problems in Japan and around the world. The recall will affect 207-2010 model year Camrys, 2005-2010 Avalons, 2004-2009 Prius`, 2005-2010 Tacomas, 2007-2010 Tundras, 2007-2010 Lexus ES250s and 2006-2010 Lexus IS250s and IS 350s.

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Google Nexus One takes on the Apple iPhone

Google has taken on Apple`s iPhone with its impressive entry The Nexus One into the mobile-phone market. Google well established and known as the internet`s most popular search engine has now put on yet another hat; that of a mobile phone company that can package hardware and software together into a single sought after device. The Nexus One feels great in the hand and is thinner than the iPhone. It has a gorgeous 3.7 inch colour touchscreen with higher resolution (800x480) than the iPhone. Besides the mobile network it provides, there is wi-fi, Bluetooth and a GPS receiver with Google maps for spoken turn by turn directions. The Nexus One ships with a 4GB microSD card, but there is only 190MB of internal memory for storing apps. Considering this is Google`s first foray in to this market it is certainly an impressive effort.

New Apple Mac iPad tablet launched this week

Computer giant Apple is this week set to unveil its new iPad device that may revolutionise the way we read books, magazines, textbooks and newspapers. The slick Mac tablet, an electronic book reader, will be launched this Thursday in San Francisco, USA. Though shrouded in mystery, it is tipped to come with a touch screen keypad, a webcam that recognises its user and the ability to attach virtual sticky notes to eBook pages.

Australia Day January 26th at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Australia Day January 26th. Australia Day celebrations are traditionally a relaxed and personal occasion but several official engagements start the celebrations each year. The first official public event begins when doors open to the Melbourne Town Hall for the City of Melbourne Citizenship Ceremony at 8:15 am.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne (Cnr of Ballarto Rd and Botanic Drive Cranbourne off the South Gippsland Highway) have a special day organized for Australia Day, January 26th. Take an early morning bike ride before enjoying a bush breakfast. Bring your own bike and helmet and later, make a colourful Australian bird fridge magnet to take home. An Aussie barbecue will be held in the Australian Garden from 11am to 3pm.

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Mornington Peninsula Fresh Seafood

The Mornington Peninsula has some of the best fresh seafood in Australia.
Buy crays in season from Flinders Village Cafe (49 Cook St, Flinders) open daily from 8:30am to 4pm. Get fish from the 100 year old Hastings Jetty Fish Shed (2 Marine Pde, Hastings) open Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm and Sat-Sun from 9am to 4pm. In Blairgowrie, try Cornell`s Fresh Seafood (2961 Pt Nepean Rd, Blairgowrie) open daily from 9am to 5pm. Throughout summer, Mt Martha grown blue mussels from Bay Sea Farms are available at Mornington Pier based ship/shop Sabina II as well as oysters, prawns scallops and abalone. Open Sat-Sun and public holidays from 11:3am to 5pm. The Hutchins Brothers sell their daily catch through an old beach box near Mornington (94 Fishermans Beach). Open daily from 9am to 5pm.

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Mornington Peninsula Produce Outlets

Mornington Peninsula Produce Outlets

There is such a bounty of fresh local produce, a Mornington Peninsula Gourmet group has been set up to harness the wealth of farm-gate producers, makers of preserves, and restaurants that feature local produce, with a seasonal guide and map available at www.mpgourmet.com.au. Pick up a copy from the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Center (359B Pt Nepean Rd, Dromana. In summer look for cherries, berries, blackcurrents, strawberries and nectarines. In winter there are apples, pears, nashi pears, avocados, asparagus and quinces. Below are the best of the Mornington Peninsula Produce Outlets.

Red Hill Cheese
Red Hill Cheese located at 81 William Rd, Red Hill produces divine artisan cheeses handmade on the farm.
Gold award winning cheeses such as the delicate Misty Valley goats cheese, Mountain Goat Blue and semi-matured Paradigm Log. Open Sat-Sun and public holidays from 12:00pm to 5pm, daily from 27 Dec to 27 Jan.

Red Hill Brewery
Enjoy fine hand-crafted ales from Red Hill Brewery located at 88 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South. The cafe serves European dishes to match with beer friendly food or just drop by for a beer tasting. Open Thur-Sun and public holidays from 11am to 5pm.

Ellisfield Farm
Pick seasonal cherries, plums and quinces at Ellisfield Farm located at 109 McIIroys Rd, Red Hill. Try the morello cherry balsamic-style vinegar, local olive oils and jams, and ice-cream. Open daily Dec-Jan 9am to 4pm subject to availability of fruit.

Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
In Main Ridge, pick strawberries, raspberries and cherries in season at Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm (cnr Mornington-Flinders and Shanks Rds). Savour fruit wines, ice-creams, jams and preserves. Open daily 9am to 5pm (until 4:30pm if picking).

Main Ridge Dairy
Located at 295 Main Creek Road, Main Ridge, this award winning cheesery is famous for its farmhouse goat cheeses and goat dairy tours. Open from 11am to 4pm Sat – Mon.

Flinders Farm
Flinders Farm located at 2071 Boneo Rd, Flinders offers tomatoes from the farm gate daily. Open from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

Mornington Peninsula Chocolates
Producers of exquisite handmade chocolates, using the finest Belgian & Swiss Couverture. If it is just a taste you are after try the Chocolate Tester for $2 where you can sample three of the divine chocolates. Located at 45 Cook St, Flinders. Open Wed-Mon from 11am to 5pm.

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Mornington Peninsula Winery Restaurants

Mornington Peninsula Winery Restaurants


Ten Minutes by Tractor
Curiously named Ten Minutes by Tractor at 1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge includes three vineyards and a wonderful restaurant with vineyard views. The award winning wine list also has International drops and the menu has the best of the regional produce. Open Wed-Sun for lunch (daily in Jan), Thur-Sat for dinner (Tue-Sat in Jan).

Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove
Overlooking 1500 olive trees and vineyards, Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove at 33 Shoreham, Rd, Red Hill South, has award winning wines, estate olive oil, and a French inspired menu with organic herbs and vegetables from the kitchen garden plus the best of the local ingredients. Open daily for lunch, Fri-Sat for dinner.

Foxey`s Hangout
Located at 795 White Hill Rd, Red Hill, Foxey`s Hangout cellar door doubles as an intimate cafe with a series of beautiful small dishes. Try the spiced meatballs, plump barbecued quail, mushrooms wrapped in vine leaves and its range of cheese. Open Sat-Sun for lunch daily from 26 Dec to mid Jan.

Paringa Estate Winery and Restuarant
Paringa Estate Winery and Restuarant at 44 Paringa Rd, Red Hill is one of the most awarded wineries in Australia. Acclaimed Danish chef Steffen Jensen`s menu highlights the local produce. Open Wed-Sun for lunch, Fri-Sat for dinner (longer hours in summer).

Stillwater at Crittenden
Drawing on International experience, Stillwater at Crittenden (25 Harrisons Rd, Dromana) serves modern Australian cuisine with free-range and regional produce to match terrific Crittenden Italian varietals under the Pinocchio and Geppetto labels. Open daily for lunch, Fri-Sat for dinner, closed Mon-Tue in winter.

Max`s at Red Hill Estate
The view from Max`s at Red Hill Estate is one of the best on the peninsula. Located at 53 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill. The menu changes seasonally and uses local produce and estate grown wines. Try the balsamic style vinegar. Open daily for lunch, Fri-Sat for dinner.

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Fantastic Food Stores on the Mornington Peninsula

Fantastic Food Stores on the Mornington Peninsula. The Mornington Peninsula is world known for its local produce including hearty pies,jams, chutneys, preserves, wine and olive oils.


Red Hill Kitchen
69 Prossors Lane, Red Hill has just baked goodies waiting to be eaten. Using local produce from the kitchen garden, the kitchen`s hearty pies - duck, chicken, rabbit or fish, savoury and sweet tarts, sausage rolls, pates, dips, biscuits, jams, chutneys and preserves are worth the detour. Red Hill Kitchen is open Wed-Sun from 10am to 4.30pm.

Red Hill Baker
Red Hill Baker at the Red Hill South shops uses traditional methods for all breads, including the signature wine bread. Try a Nepalese lamb curry, beef and shiraz or duck with five-spice pies, and the Cornish pasties. Red Hill Baker is open Sun-Thur from 8am to 6pm and Fri-Sat from 8am to 10pm.

The Tasting Station
Sample delicious local produce at The Tasting Station located at 1489 Pt Nepean Rd, Rosebud. Open daily from 10am to 5pm .

Stringers Stores of Sorrento
Stringers Stores of Sorrento located at 2-8 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, stocks local produce and wines, and serves coffee and food to go. Open Sun-Thur from 8am to 5.30pm and Fri-Sat from 8am to 6pm (later in the summer).

Just Fine Food
Just Fine Food opposite Stringers Stores of Sorrento at 23 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento, sells the most beautiful vanilla slices and other goodies. Open Mon-Fri from 9am to 4pm and Sat-Sun from 9am to 5pm.

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Victorian Golf PGA Championship in Frankston City

The 2010 Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship from 11 o 14 February at the Sandhurst Club is the place to see some of Australia`s best golfers. The event will feature defending champion, Andre Stolz who has won on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour in the USA, as well as stars like Michael Clayton, Mike Harwood, Scott Laycock, and New Zealander David Smail and Michael Long. Visit the website below for further information.

The Ultimate Guide To Golf.

Twilight Jazz at Cruden Farm Langwarrin

Twilight Jazz Festival, Saturday 6th of February from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Dame Elizabeth Murdoch`s Cruden Farm, Corner Cranhaven Road, Langwarrin, Victoria (Melways Ref 103 G6). This event is a McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park fundraiser with fabulous music by The Jazz Doctors, The Frankston High School Senior Stage Band and The Hottentots with special guest Bob Sedergreen. This is a BYO picnic, chairs and/or rugs. Wine and soft drink available to purchase. Tickets purchased before 1st February are $15 or $20 at the gate. Children under 12 are FREE.

Mornington Peninsula Festivals & Events

Mornington Peninsula Festivals and Events

The following is some of the major festivals and events on the Mornington Peninsula.

Peninsula Piers and Pinots Festival, Flinders, 7 March 2010
www.mpva.com.au

Heronswood Harvest Festival, Dromana, 20-21 March 2010

June Winter Wine Weekend, 5-7 June 2010
www.mpva.com.au

October Art Food Wine Festival, October 2010
www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Mornington Peninsula October Pinot Week, 4-12 October 2010
www.mpva.com.au

Mornington Peninsula International Pinot Noir Celebration, 28-29 January 2011
www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org

Japanese Food Stores in Melbourne Australia

The best and cheapest Japanese food store that I have found in Melbourne, Australia is called the Hong Kong Supermarket. The Hong Kong Supermarket located at 367 Clayton Road, Clayton VIC 3168 has a big range of Japanese food products as well as the usual Asian food products from China, Korea, etc. We usually buy our Japanese staples there such as soy sauce, mirin, Japanese sake cooking wine, nori, tofu, age, miso, and furikake (rice seasoning). They also stock a range of Asian snacks and sweets which are real tasty. Please see map below for more details.

Google Map

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Frankston Waterfront Festival January 16-17 2010 Pier Promenade, Frankston Waterfront

Frankston Waterfront Festival January 16-17 2010, opens 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday. This major summer event offers residents and visitors a weekend filled with some not-to-be-missed sporting competitions, as well as an electric mix of free entertainment, activities and demonstrations, plus an awesome fireworks display over Port Phillip Bay.

The RACV Great Australian Rally Sunday January 17

The RACV Great Australian Rally has become a tradition each January at the Mornington racecourse, bringing together almost 800 classic, touring, racing and sports cars from the early years of motoring to the present. The event raises money for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center. This year`s rally celebrates the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo and the 75th anniversary of Jaguar.

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Mornington Peninsula Festivals & Events

Mornington Peninsula Markets

The Mornington Peninsula has some of the best local produce and markets in all of Australia. The following is a list and details of the major markets on the Mornington Peninsula.


Red Hill Community Market
First Saturday of the month from Sept – May, 8am to 1pm

Mornington Racecourse Market
Second Sunday of the month from 9am to 2pm

Boneo Community Market
Third Saturday of the month from 8am to 12pm

Balnarring Racecourse Market
Third Saturday of the month from Nov-Apr, 8am to 1pm

Pearcedale Farmer`s Market
Third Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm

Seaford Farmer`s Market
Third Sunday of the month from 8am to 1pm
Next to Seaford Community Center, Station Street, Seaford. A diverse range of seasonal produce and freshly made goodies. Entry is a $2 donation per adult with the money going to local charities supported by Rotary.

Mornington Farmer`s Market

Fourth Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm

Sorrento Seaside Market
Fourth Saturday of the month from Sept-Apr, 8am to 1pm

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Mornington Peninsula Packs a Punch

Mornington Peninsula Packs a Punch. The Mornington Peninsula has the lot: beautiful surf and bay beaches, undulating vine and orchard covered hills, comfortable beach shacks and exclusive Portsea and Sorrento cliff top mansions, plus old fashioned bathing boxes and thriving towns with village atmospheres. Add vineyard restaurants, excellent local produce including wine, beer, olives and seafood, impressive wineries, championship golf courses, pastoral landscapes and dramatic seascapes, and the region is all about an hour by car from the center of Melbourne. The Mornington Peninsula is the place to indulge.

Frankston Waterfront Sand Sculpting Exhibition Australia

Frankston Waterfront Sand Sculpting Exhibition Australia.
Sand artists from all around the world have returned to the Frankston foreshore for the annual Frankston Waterfront Sand Sculpting Exhibition. This year`s theme is Great Moments in History. A spectacular exhibition of sand sculpting depicting unforgettable places, people and events from the past. See sand shapes ranging from man`s first walk on the moon to Michael Jackson. The event started on 26 Dec 2009 and runs until 25 April 2010.

Open daily from 10:00am to 9:00pm during January. Located at the Frankston Waterfront (Melway Ref: 100A A8). Tickets available at the gate (cash only) or prepay with card at the Frankston Visitor Information Center, Pier Promenade.

See the link below for further information.

http://www.visitvictoria.com/displayobject.cfm/objectid.42A3E66F-A67D-4843-9FA8F80F87210E44/

Inuyama Ukai Cormorant Fishing

Inuyama Ukai Cormorant Fishing takes place close to Inuyama-yuen station at Inuyama-bashi. Tickets for the boats cost 2800 yen during the peak July/August period and 2500 yen during June and September. Sailings are generally at 7 pm nightly.

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Inuyama-jo Castle

Inuyama-jo Castle dates from 1440 and is Japan`s oldest castle. The castle is extremely important as it is preserved in its original state and hasn`t been rebuild like other castles destroyed during war which is a rarity in Japan. The castle costs 400 yen to enter and is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm. The castle is recommended for its beautiful view across the Kiso-gawa river from the top storey. The castle is a 15 minute walk west of Inuyama-yuen station.

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Atsuta Jingu Shrine

Atsuta Jingu Shrine is one of the most important in Japan and dates from the 3rd century. The shrine is said to house the kusanagi-no-tsurugi (the sacred sword), one of the three imperial regalia of the imperial family. There is a small museum 300 yen open from 9 am to 4.30 pm, closed the last Wednesday and Thursday of every month. The shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day.

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Miley`s Love Getaway Down-Under in Australia

Miley`s Love Getaway Down-Under in Australia. One of Hollywood`s hottest young couple, teen idol Miley Cyrus and Aussie heart-throb Liam Hemsworth have been spotted taking romantic walks on the beach on Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia. The couple have been rockin along at the Phillip Island Music Festival. Phillip Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Victoria, and is well known for its penguin parade, animal wild-life and coastal beaches. Miley flew in from London to Melbourne on New Year`s Eve after finishing her world tour.

Nagoya-jo Castle

Nagoya-jo Castle

Nagoya-jo Castle was built by Tokugawa Iyasu on the site of an older castle from 1610-14. The castle is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm and costs 500 yen to enter. The original castle was destroyed during World War 2 and replaced in 1959 with the current replica. The castle is a 5 minute walk from Shiyakusho station on the Meijo subway line. The castle is famous for its 3m long shachi-hoko, a dolphin-like sea creatures that stand at either end of the roof. The interior houses a museum with armour and family treasures.

Australian model Jennifer Hawkins strips naked to promote positive body image.

Australian supermodel, Jennifer Hawkins 26, has stripped naked in a magazine to promote positive body image. The nude pictures will appear in this month`s Marie Claire Magazine. Hawkins is using the pictures to send the message that women should be comfortable with the way they look, and the images will be used to raise money for eating disorders support group the Butterfly Foundation.

Japanese Shoppers in rush for Lucky Bags

Japanese Shoppers in rush for Lucky Bags. Major department stores across Japan kicked off business for 2010 on Saturday by offering “lucky bags” at low prices to entice customers. These have been gaining in popularity as consumers search for bargains amid the global economic downtown. Department stores such as Mitsukoshi, and Takashimaya prepared various lucky bags with most selling out straight away in the morning. A lot of the customers had been lining up before dawn and rushed as soon as the doors opened to grab a bargain.

Gifu Prefecture and Gifu City

Gifu is the gateway to the beautiful and superb mountain scenery and hiking trails of Nagano. Gifu City is a lovely small city overlooked by mountains. Recommended sights in Gifu City include Kinka-zan Mountain located near Gifu koen Park and topped by Gifu-jo castle and accessible via the cable car that runs from Gifu koen Park to the top of the mountains. In the summertime Gifu City is famous for its ukai cormorant fishing and fireworks.
Visit Takayama, a small beautiful city known for its traditional architecture and crafts. Takayama lies in the ancient Hida district tucked away between the mountains of the Japan Alps. I would allow 1-2 days to enjoy the place and a few more if you plan to use it as a base to visit the mountains or surrounding onsens hot springs.

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