Jeremy Bath is taking a break from the city council hot-seat. He's on holiday in the US, where he found a different kind of seat.
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As you can see from this photo, the City of Newcastle chief paid a visit to the set of the TV show Friends at Warner Brothers Studio in Hollywood.
Ever the parochial Novocastrian, Jeremy took along his Newcastle "keep cup" and rocked a "Dream Big" T-shirt that carries the phrase "London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and ... Newy".
Sometimes city-council life can feel like a bit of a sitcom, so Jeremy probably doesn't feel too out of place on the Friends set.
Looking at him sitting on the famous Friends couch at Central Perk cafe, sporting his Newy shirt, he does seem to have found a moment of joy.
There's one thing, though, we're not too sure about. We're still trying to work out if he's more of a Joey, Chandler or Ross.
Pet-friendly cabins
You know when you go away on holiday and have to leave your pet behind?
Well, now you don't. That is, if you stay at a Lake Macquarie holiday park.
Specially-equipped accommodation - with safety fencing, dog beds, pet-food stations and covered furniture - has been established at Blacksmiths Beachside and Belmont Lakeside holiday parks.
Caroline Affleck, of the Blacksmiths Beachside park, said daily requests were received for pet-friendly accommodation over the past few years.
Pets were part of the family, especially for older people whose four-legged friends might be their greatest companion, Mrs Affleck said.
"Another factor is the price of pet resorts and boarding kennels. These put greater financial strain on families going on holiday.
"By offering these new accommodation options, they can bypass this additional cost."
People can already camp with their pets at the two holiday parks. The cabins provide another option.
Pet owner Joelle Brockman's dog Brixton, an English bulldog, checked out the Blacksmiths site.
"It's great to see more of these pet-friendly places emerging," Ms Brockman said.
"It really reflects the role our pets play as part of the family and it means we can get away without having to leave Brixton behind."
Town of the Year
The Shit Towns of Australia Facebook page posted this yesterday: "Just 16 towns remain in the battle to be crowned Shit Town of the Year 2019. Here's a recap of the Round 2 winners and who they're facing next.
"Round 3 fixtures: Nimbin v Armidale; Dubbo v Maitland; Wagga Wagga v Shepparton; Ballarat v Mount Gambier; Mandurah v Kalgoorlie; Port Pirie v Tennant Creek; Mount Isa v Gladstone; Caboolture v Logan."
Come on Maitland, you can win this thing. Hey, hang on a sec ...