Late Night Non-Alcohol Venues in Perth?

For those here for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), you may be wondering whether the city that sleeps has any places for a non alcoholic drink on a Friday night. San Churros in Northbridge will be open till 2am serving coffee and Spanish donuts into the wee hours of the morning. Location is at the big screen on the corner of Lake and James Street, Northbridge here. There will also be plenty of restaurants around James Street that will remain open but just stay safe :)

Fast Eddy's in Perth City should also be open. This is at the corner of Murray Street and Milligan Street here

CHOGM Perth Security Areas

Signs have gone up in the area around the Hyatt and Pan Pacific Hotels in Perth as it gears up for the CHOGM meeting in which the Queen will be paying a royal visit. WA Police have taken pre-emptive steps to discourage protesters from claiming they were not warned about the special police powers that have been granted them for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Signs like the ones below leave no doubt that necessary measures will be taken to secure the areas where dignitaries will be staying and moving around. CHOGM goes from 28th-30th October, and Perth's Queens Birthday holiday has been moved to coincide with the massive disruptions caused by the CBD lockdown for the event.

From Twitter @toddynho1982

From Twitter @Thirdrysch

Road closures for the event have been listed here.

Perth Entertainment Book Restaurants that Closed

I'm not sure how many people realise that the Entertainment book vouchers can sometimes "disappear" during the year as companies pack up or change hands. There is a section on the Entertainment Book website which lists the restaurants that have closed this year. I've placed them below in case it is of some help to everyone.

The following businesses from your 2011-2012 Entertainment™ Book have closed:

• Barista Cafe Cottesloe (Voucher C11)
• Bensons Bar Café Restaurant (Page A32)
• Cape Lavender (Page A152)
• Deevine Café (Voucher B92)
• The Chimney (Page A140)
• The Essex (Page A24)
• Fast Eddys Café (Voucher C4) Rockingham location
• Gigi's on George (Page A82)
• House of Pasta (Voucher D52 and D53) All locations
  
• La Paris Brest Patisserie & Café (Page A101)
• Lilac Restaurant (Voucher B66)
• Platform Restaurant & Bar (Page A110)
• Pretzo's (Voucher D66) is closed EXCEPT the following locations - Mirrabooka, Morley and Rockingham.
• Outback Jacks (Voucher C3) in Northbridge has temporarily closed for renovations.
• Q-Zar (Voucher E18)
• Samari's Café (Voucher B87)
• Spicy South Indian Cuisine (Voucher C69)
• Tandoor on Oxford (Voucher B95)
• Theory for Hair (Voucher E120) Joondalup location
• Viet Corner (Page A159)
• Villa Italia (Voucher B26)

A Glimpse at the Northbridge Link Project

The Northbridge Link project will close the gap between Perth and Northbridge with a diverse mix of different zones. Check out the picture below, click on it to enlarge and see what is planned for Perth. 

Here's a few things to look forward to from the project:

City Square – Multi functional public space to accommodate up to 6,000 people for major events and public gatherings. City Square will feature alfresco dining, landscaping, water features, dramatic lighting, public art and street stalls.

Queens Square – The area will provide all the convenience of a local shopping centre in the middle of the city, catering to the daily needs of local residents.

Kings Square – The new street connection will emphasise the pedestrian friendly character of the area, with bars, restaurants and late-closing shops dotted around.

Milligan Plaza – A pedestrian land bridge will provide an elevated view to Russell Square, the Perth Arena and Wellington Street, featuring elegant landscaping with trees, gardens and water features.

Perth Arena – Under construction by the WA State Government  the $500 million, 15,500 seat multi-purpose venue will cater to concerts, sporting and special events. A generous external plaza will accommodate other outdoor public events.

Today we asked Premier Colin Barnett whether anything is happening with the redevelopment of the East Perth Power Station and he said, "No. It continues to be a problem, there have been some informal discussions with private interests to make use of it. But, nothing has come to fruition yet."

Excited? Read more here

Mobiles FINALLY get free 1800 & fixed charge 1300 calls

Do you have a landline? According to the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA), one in seven households don't have one and this rising number has caused the regulator to force reform in the way we are billed by mobile operators. 

Currently if you use a mobile phone to call a 13 or 1300 number, you are charged for how long you are on the call, or on hold. The proposal will make all of these calls charged at a fixed price like calls from a home line. 1800 numbers which are supposed to be free will also be free on your mobile phones! More details can be found here 

Free Marriott Rewards Silver Membership

Recently the hotel wars have heated up with some chains offering free internet, an area hotels colluded to never give for free. Now, Marriott has offered free silver membership which normally takes 10 nights staying at Marriott to achieve. This Silver Membership will be valid until 2013. All you need to do is head over to this page and register.

If you are an existing member of Marriott Rewards, just add your member number and they will attach your new membership level to your ID.

So what do you get? This is from the Silver Members website..

Before Your Stay

Elite Reservation Line

As a Silver Elite member, you can make reservations or request redemption stays and reward certificates through an exclusive toll-free reservations number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 800-228-2100 in the U.S. and Canada.

Exclusive Guest Services Line

Guest Services representatives are ready to assist you with all of your membership needs. Call your exclusive Elite Guest Services toll-free number, 800-321-7396, between 8:15 a.m. and
9 p.m., EST.

Ultimate Reservation Guarantee

If for some reason we are unable to honor your reservation, we’ll pay for your accommodations that night at a nearby hotel and compensate you for the inconvenience. To be eligible, you must provide your Marriott Rewards membership number when making a reservation. Compensation varies by hotel brand. 

Exclusive Elite Offers

Exclusive Elite-member savings and offers are sent to you throughout the year.

During Your Stay

20% Bonus on Marriott Rewards Points

Silver Elite members who choose to earn points are credited with a 20% bonus on base points earned during stays at 3,500+ hotels in the Marriott family of brands. Stays at participating The Ritz-Carlton locations are also eligible.  

Free Internet Access at participating brands in Asia Pacific

Get free Internet access at participating hotels, including JW Marriott®, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and Courtyard® by Marriott hotels across Asia Pacific*. Just check in and log on from the comfort of your guest room or from the lobby and other public spaces (except meeting rooms and Business Centers).

*Available in Australia, China (and Hong Kong), Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.  

Priority Late Checkout

Travel schedules can be unpredictable, so we offer you priority late checkout. Simply call the front desk the morning of your check out, and let us know your planned departure time. Late checkout is based on availability and offered at all participating Marriott hotels, except resorts and Marriott Vacation Club®.  

Marriott Gift Shop Discount

Your Elite membership lets you give–and receive–great gifts. Simply present your Elite membership card at participating Marriott-operated and managed gift shops, and get a 10% discount. (At participating EDITION^SM and The Ritz-Carlton hotels, discount applies to logo-merchandise only.)

Weekend Discount

Getting away for the weekend gets you more than just an escape. Enjoy a 10% discount on regular rates for your Friday and Saturday night stays at participating Courtyard and SpringHill Suites® locations.

After Your Stay

Elite-Only Rewards

Elite members enjoy exclusive reward redemption options. Sign in to view and book your Elite-only rewards.  

Customized Rewards

The sky’s the limit when it comes to using your Marriott Rewards points. Whether it’s custom merchandise or access to special events, we’ll help you make the most of your points.