Don't Hurt 'Em, Barry

Australians upset over loud Manilow music

AP


It could be magic for some, but the use of loud Barry Manilow music to drive away late-night revelers from a suburban Sydney park is getting on the nerves of nearby residents.

In a move reminiscent of U.S. efforts to drive former Panama strongman Manuel Noriega from the Vatican Embassy where he took refuge in 1989, the local council in Rockdale, in Sydney's southern suburbs, started a six-month trial of high-volume hits by Manilow and Doris Day to chase away car enthusiasts who were gathering on weekend nights at Cook Park Reserve.

"Barry's our secret weapon," Rockdale Deputy Mayor Bill Saravinovski told The Daily Telegraph newspaper, four weeks after the start of the effort. "It seems to be working."

But some people living near the park are less than enthralled. They say the barrage of "Copacabana," "Could It Be Magic" and "Que Sera Sera," blasting from 9 p.m. to midnight every Friday, Saturday and Sunday is driving them crazy.

"I don't know how I will cope," said Moya Dunn, describing how the songs have invaded her house. "I just can't sleep when it's on, and to think there's going to be another six months of this."


Holy Shit! I'd rather they shot at me (were I a late night reveller).




So today was hot. And I mean FUCKING HOT! Al K. and I got to pedalling at about 9. By 9:30 it was over 90. We called it quits with 15 miles and headed for the bay. Al K.'s dad was kind enough to lend us the runabout, and we anchored and swam a nice open water course on the Great South Bay. We probably did about 3/4 of a mile. And damn was it refreshing.