While our thoughts are with the communities on the mid-north coast and the Hunter Valley following their natural disaster this week, Lismore and the Northern Rivers have cause to celebrate: the sun will shine this weekend.

Hopefully, sporting fields will have dried enough to allow some play, and many sports will start their seasons that should have begun five or six weeks ago. Golfers may be able to take to the course once again, and gardeners can get hedges and lawns cut.

Saturday is the pick of the days, with sunny skies and a top temperature of 23 degrees, while Sunday is partly cloudy and a top temperature of 24 degrees. As you would expect, as the skies clear, the mercury drops at night, and minimum temperatures should drop to 11 or 12 degrees.

The 2025 Casino Beef Week officially opens tomorrow with the Opening Ball at the Casino RSL Club, with the crowning of the Beef Week Queen announced.

There will be busking competitions, window dress-up's, a courtyard BBQ, youth cattle program and more during the week before the massive CBD Super Street Festival next Saturday (May 31).

You can check out the program of events through the Lismore App button Casino Beef Week or through the website.

The Lismore Farmers Markets welcome you from 7:30am tomorrow at the Lismore Showgrounds. Fresh fruit and veg, hot breakfast, coffee/tea, are all available, plus this week Koala Gardens will have a stall, and Phil Bromley will entertain you between 8am and 11am.

The wet weather has caused a market casualty, with Pimlico Organic Produce are forced to take a break because the Richmond flats are too wet for planting or harvesting.

The Nimbin Markets are on this Sunday on Cullen Street between 9am and 3pm. Check out the many stalls with unique products that only a town like Nimbin can create.

The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Open Day will occur this year under perfect conditions on Sunday (May 25) between 9:30am and 1:30pm at 313 Wyrallah Road, Monaltrie. Head to the Lismore tip and look for the turn to the right soon after entering the gates.

The schedule for the day is outlined below:

• 9.30am Useful Plants Garden - Andreas                       
• 10.00am Uncommon Plants 1 - Peter
• 11.00am Megafauna to Microplastics - Richard Session 1                                   
• 11.00am Wilsons Park Species Garden - Tim
• 11.00am Attracting native Bee Pollinators - Graeme                                  
• 11.30am Uncommon Plants 2 - Peter
• 11.30am Hoop Pine Forest - Trudi
• 11:30am Pines to Palms - Phil 
• 12.00pm Commercial Uses of Rainforest Plants - Ken
• 12:30pm Megafauna to Microplastics - Richard Session 2

Meet at Visitor’s Centre 10 minutes before the walks. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat. 

Bookings are essential by emailing membership@friendslrbg.com.au (Please give a contact number and say which walk and time you’d like). Each walk time takes one hour (NB Some walk times overlap).

Numbers are limited. The cost $5 per person, with children free. 

As well as the guided walks, there will be a cake and coffee stall, card and book sales, educational displays, children's activities and self-guided walks.

The native plant nursery is open from 9.30am with great advice and sales of healthy local rainforest plants.

The North Lismore Plateau Protection Association Inc. is holding a fundraising concert 'Songs for the Sleeping Goanna 2025' at the Lismore City Bowling Club this Sunday at 2pm.

Blakboi, Mitch King, Isabella A Cappella, Monkey and The Fish and more will perform. Tickets are $20 at the door or $10 for mob and pensioners.

On Monday (May 26), the Lismore CWA are holding a National Sorry Day event at the CWA rooms at Spinks Park on Molesworth Street, Lismore CBD between 11am and 12noon.

They invite everyone to come together in a spirit of reflection, respect and unity for National Sorry Day and share a morning tea and coffee.

Live music this week includes Dan Grace at the Northern Rivers Hotel in North Lismore tomorrow (Saturday) from 6pm and Jason Ayala for the Sunday Session from 1pm.

The Lismore Workers Club has:

• Who's Bad - a tribute to Michael Jackson on Friday, May 30.
• Kevin Bloody Wilson on Wednesday, June 25
• Dorothy the Dinosaur on Sunday, July 27 at 10am and 12noon.

Check out the rest of the year's live music by clicking here.

The major events to write on your calendar or put into your mobile are:

• Lismore Lantern Parade: Saturday, June 21, and
• LisAmore! 2025: Saturday and Sunday, July 5 & 6.

Fuel prices were stable this week, although Ballina had a slight price reduction in some fuel types. Take a look at E10 at 157.5 versus Lismore at 175.9!

Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:

• E10 is 175.9 across Lismore, 172.4 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 157.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.
• Unleaded 91 is 169.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road near the Workers Club in Lismore, 174.4 at The United and the NightOwl Puma on Johnston Street in Casino, and 161.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.
• U95 is 185.5 at the two Independents (Brad and Sharon) on Terania Street, North Lismore, 193.9 at the EG Ampol on Canterbury Street, and 173.9 at The Shell at 273 River Street, Ballina.
• U98 is 193.9 at the Astron and the Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore, and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 193.5 at the Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street, and the United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 182.5 at The Mobil and Metro on River Street in Ballina.
• Diesel is 174.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road and the Caltex on Leycester Street in Lismore, 177.4 at The United and NightOwl Puma in Casino, and 182.5 at The Mobil and The Metro on River Street in Ballina.

Have a great weekend!

Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....