Dear NZOrgan.com newsletter subscriber,

Just a short one with some important news - and with the promise (or threat, depending how much you like these things, I 'spose) of an update in about a fortnight.

1. Calendars - ta-da! At last - now available, our stunning collection of organ calendars for 2008. All the previous calendars have been re-issued for 2008, and this year there are some welcome additions: two extra-sized wall calendars in an olde worlde style ("Looking Up" and, well, the other one doesn't have a name other than Just Pipe Organs") and a second vertical calendar. A normal sized one is in the pipeline and should hit the shop within the week, and a new wave of single print ones will also be added. Get in early and avoid the Christmas rush etc etc etc. These make superb gifts even if you haven't any wall-space left for calendars.

A full list of the organs and more information about the range, can be seen on our calendar pages here. To view the full 12-month views, click on the thumbnails of the covers.

2. Growing, growing, grone: The little papery things with dates and pretty pictures on them have got so out of control on our website that I've had to open a third gifty shop, called, for obvious reasons, "Organ Calendars" especially for the little dears. Even if you're not buying them, have a look and any feedback would be most helpful. You can still buy via the usual "Pipe Organ gifts and Goodies" shop, but sometimes it takes a lot longer to load. Very boring. So for those who want instant gratification, the new Organ Calendars site is the best option.

3. What is one the most common things said to an organist? - a moot point this, but the latest design in our music humour range of goodies is probably high on the list. The range is called "Funnily Enough" and the products (still being developed) come in four colours. And if anyone has any witty ripostes to this inevitable "joke", let us know!

4. Bonny Buxtehude: if you're in the vicinity of the University of Canterbury (the New Zealand one) this Thursday, September 21 at 1.10pm, there is a special celebration in room 205 of the School of Music. It's not only the 30th anniversary of the installation of the university's two-manual Bradshaw organ, but it marks 300 years since the death of Dietrich Buxtehude. Associate Professor Martin Setchell promises an exhilarating 40-minute all-Buxtehude programme. Entry is, oh joy, free.

5. Websites to Watch:

• For the real organophile, you may as well O.D. on this superbly rich collection of shots on Adrian Lucas's photo gallery which has four folders of things organic - First try the Worcester Cathedral - Organ Project 2006 one - these are pictures showing the removal of the old quire organ, the new open spaces left and some historical pictures. The photos of the roof spaces are fascinating too. Don't forget to breathe and eat sometime.
• The Mr Lee Cat Cam website is here because I was threatened with industrial action by the tigerlets if it wasn't included. They consider it the best way to describe the sorts of things they get up to in a day. For seasoned ailurophiles only.