Mama Mia ! Maria & The Mafia

She's our favourite Italian import - the mammary gifted songstress Maria Venuti . Maria hosted a charity fundraiser for the very worthy Variety Club at the Finger Wharf and told the Shuttle of her plans to take Sicily by storm. She was born there some 73 65 years ago and plans to return with a group of wide-eyed Aussies for a tour around the fascinating history packed Mediterranean island.

"No, I know nothing of the Mafia" says Maria." we'll be having too much fun doing other things to worry about stuff like that." She assures me the tour will be an unforgettable 14 days of  the finest restaurants, wineries, chefs, beaches, and historic sites. You can be sure with Maria in charge there won't be one boring moment to be had. .
And helping her is her gorgeous daughter Bianca, pictured right with her mom.

Venuti's Sicilia runs from Saturday 22 June – Thursday 4 July 2013

For more detailed information, enquiries and bookings please contact Caterina at ATI Tours on +61 9798 0588 or visit www.atitours.com.au

Maria & show-biz pals at the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo for the Variety Club

            

  Here is our snap of movie star Ewan McGregor at the harbour-side launch for the new LG television set last Wednesday, or as he calls it : "a fucking good telly".
Doesn't he look handsome !

Kevin Rudd's Wacky Cat Jasper

 Foreign Minister and former PM Kevin Rudd has another reason to celebrate following his successful heart operation two weeks ago, and the news that Colonel Gaddafi may be on the run (he was the only Australian politician to support the Libyan rebels when the coup began).

Kevin has won a competition to produce a unique Australian blend of Twinings afternoon tea. He knocked out 4 other challengers-shock jock Alan Jones, Kerri-Anne and John Kennerely , folk singer John Williamson and world surfing champ Layne Beachley. Proceeds from the sale of the tea go to the RSPCA.

Kev's recipe : smoky Russian Caravan with full bodied Irish Breakfast and then add light Ceylon Orange Pekoe. 
And to show how successful the blend is, we've unearthed a video of Kevin trying to coax his cat Jasper to taste the brew:

Russell Crowe Unhappy With Waiters

Word came at about Mid-day. Russell Crowe who occupies the penthouse at the end of the Finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo was unhappy with the noise.

Glen Wheeler & Maria Venuti

It was the annual Variety day when the kid's charity takes over seven iconic restaurants along the wharf for a long lunch while a number of local show biz stars entertain.
Russell wasn't unhappy for too long when he heard what the event was for and although invited to join the throng he declined but sent a very large cheque instead.

Over $200,000 was raised.

And that's what it's all about. Raising lots of money for kids. The theme was a Wharfies day and there was one special treat-The Singing Waiters.

If you haven't seen them check them out in our video. They are one of the most successful corporate acts of all time. Three opera singers pose as waiters at a party, serving drinks. Then they burst into opera favourites to the surprise of the party goers. So successful is the act that it has been franchised around the world-to the UK , USA , Asia and Europe.

Benny Elias, Sami Lukas

Country music star John Williamson & Meg Doyle