With the Tour de France under way, plenty of attention is focused on cycling - one of the fastest-growing sports in the Illawarra.
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Its growth has seen cycling groups form and friendships grow. Among them are the Pina Boys, who also want to use their shared passion for the sport to do good in the community.
A recent example of that was when Brian Cvetkoski and his friends took part in the Paddle Like an Angel event.
More than 20 riders turned up on the Warilla side of the bridge at dawn in their Pina Boys attire wearing angel wings and turning many heads as the sun came up over Windang.
Mr Cvetkoski said all members of the Pina Boys also raised funds to help the Leukaemia Foundation during Angels at Work in May and collected close to $500.
They also hoped it would send another positive message that cyclists like them were trying to do the right thing by motorists.
With so many people now cycling and sharing the road with motorists, they encouraged everyone to be understanding and respectful of each other.
Most of their riding was done early in the morning, around sunrise, when they hoped to cause as little inconvenience to traffic as possible.
Brewing success
The partners of KPMG Wollongong are hosting Glenn Cooper, of Coopers Brewery, at an exclusive dinner at City Beach Function Centre.
Mr Cooper represents the fifth generation involved in the famous business but he also set up his own business in computer sales and services that is turning over in excess of $3.5 million.
In 1990, he joined the family brewery and today is chairman and marketing director.
Network launch
A new organisation providing a unified voice for women in the region has been launched, called the Illawarra Shoalhaven Women's Services Network.
Representatives from organisations providing health, housing and social support to the women of the Illawarra Shoalhaven met for the second time in Nowra recently where they established the new women's network in response to clear evidence about the health-related challenges experienced by local women from all social and cultural backgrounds.
GM moves on
Adrian Teh is about to leave Wollongong after four years as the general manager of the Chifley Hotel.
Hotel staff are preparing a farewell for him later this month.
Wedding generosity
Illawarra businesses have teamed up to provide a wedding gift to family affected by cancer.
More than 20 have come on board after Donna Leak, of De'vine Wedding Events, was inspired by a recent talk by Maralyn Young, of Casa Mia.
Mrs Leak was overwhelmed by the response and within six weeks put together a wedding extravaganza for the bride and groom valued at more than $22,000. Panorama House offered the ceremony location and reception venue with a meal and drinks package for 50 guests.
Comedy Club act
Matty B is the headline act at the Wollongong Comedy Club this Saturday night.
And, in a coup for the Illawarra, he is using the show to launch his debut album, Philosophical Bogan.
The Comedy Club runs twice a month in the basement at The Builders Club. Tickets are $15 and the audience generally gets to see at least three different acts.
Markets to begin
The Foragers Markets launch this Sunday at the Bulli Showground.
The weekly event will boast food, produce and monthly artisans' markets.
ICT strategies
RDA Illawarra and Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils are bringing together ICT stakeholders in both government and business next week to discuss the key ICT priorities for the Illawarra.
The event will take place at Wollongong City Council's committee rooms on July 18. Further information on 4227 4500.
Travel packing tips
If you're someone who over-packs or would like to know how to create a capsule of clothes, then an interactive Travel Packing Workshop in Wollongong this Saturday might interest you.
It is being run by Julie Rollinson, of Drab2Fab, who will share her tips on how to pack light, dress appropriately and travel in style. Further information on 0407 965 984.
Trainee of the year
City Diggers Wollongong general manager Phil Ryan was delighted club employee Jason Clay was awarded the 2014 Illawarra and South East region Hospitality Trainee of the Year at the regional level of the NSW State Training Awards last Friday.
Judging under way
The judging process for the 2014 Illawarra and South Coast Local Business Awards is under way with businesses being judged on their service experience.
The winners will be announced on August 6.
Cloud patent
Illawarra based-company Serenus has won an Australian patent for innovative Cloud Computing technology.