IT was the end of an era as last drinks were served at All Bar Nun in O’Connor on Sunday. But “CC” can reveal two of the bar’s owners – the Kenny brothers – won’t be leaving the O’Connor shops anytime soon.

The boys acquired Marinetti’s (next to the IGA) in April and have been quietly transforming the little Italian restaurant into a hip and happening wine bar.

Drew Kenny says the fit out has a “real grunge feel which is more along the lines of all the little intimate bars popping up in Sydney and Melbourne and I think Canberra needs more of these kinds of places.”

But Marinetti’s isn’t the Kenny boys’ only business project. The pair has combined with Upmarket Constructions’ Mark Whithear to open “Gryphons” – a new bar at the Griffith shops.

“It’s a great site backing on to the parkland and we really excited about it… we can’t wait to open,” says Drew. “It will be a real lounge-about restaurant and bar serving breakfast right through to tapas and take-away pizza.

“It’s been a really emotional closing The Nun… it was our second home, but we’re excited about the future and about new opportunities,” he says.

All Bar Nun co-owners have been uncertain about their future since the lease came up for renewal in October last year. Failed lease negotiations with the new landlord required the co-owners to vacate the premises by Wednesday, February 1. All Bar Nun opened in 1996.

Spruiking the Stakes

WORD has it the Canberra Racing Club team was out in force at the 2012 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney last week.

“CC’s” heard Peter Stubbs, CEO of Thoroughbred Park, was in fine form hosting the club’s very own lavish marquee to promote the upcoming Kamberra Wine Company Black Opal Stakes.

Local owners and trainers were spotted; among them the likes of Barbara Joseph and her son Paul Jones, as well as Magic Millions winner Karuta Queen owner, Neville Layt.

Whispers about local stables suggest owners had their eyes on a few impressive yearlings ahead of our $250,000 feature race, Sunday 11 March.

Apparently Layt purchased five yearlings to add to his Queanbeyan stables, including a yearling by Not a Single Doubt, sire of Karuta Queen.

Rachael gets ahead

MEANWHILE, ladies gearing up for Myer Fashions on the Field at this year’s Black Opal Stakes will be excited to hear there’s a new milliner offering her services to women of all ages.

Rachael Henson is fast becoming the next big designer in town, after creating a hat for ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher to meet the Queen. The picture made papers around the country and Henson’s told “CC” she’s realised millinery is her calling.

“I was working full time as a public servant, but my dream is to be a milliner full time,” says Henson. “I love creating something beautiful that will make women feel good – like putting on a pair of shoes you love – you walk differently and you feel fantastic.”

Henson designs for women of all ages including brides, race-goers and diplomats. And she was commissioned to design a fascinator for an “unnamed” guest at the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.

For further details www.rachaelhensonmillinery.com.au

Blokes not rapt in gifts

THE Kambah Lions Club has been read the riot act!

Members worked tirelessly hosting a gift-wrapping service for Hyperdome shoppers in the lead-up to Christmas. But “CC’s” been told the blokes let the side down after failing to step up to the mark in wrapping and ribbon duties.

Sources close to club members say wives and partners picked up the slack with wrapping, cake sales and a trailer raffle – raising more than $17,000 for local causes.

Despite the mayhem, the club maintains its future gift wrapping services with the Hyperdome are certain, with plans already in place for December.

But “CC” can reveal the women have warned the men their blokey excuses won’t be tolerated. And they’re offering the slackers gift-wrapping workshops throughout the year, in a bid to teach them a valuable lesson.

No doubt the club’s official Tale Twister will have enough fodder to make this one last the whole year.

In 2011, the Kambah Lions Club gave thousands of dollars to various charities including the Olivia Lambert Foundation, the Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter and the Queensland Flood Appeal!

Crib finally arrives

IT’S been a long wait, but ERIC* the mobile Humidicrib, will soon be in action at the Canberra Hospital.

More than $180,000 was raised through the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation to purchase the life-saving equipment in 2009.

Peter Cursley, chairman of the Foundation, has told “CC” ERIC’s arrival will be an exciting day for everyone involved.

“It’s been a long wait because the crib had to be designed from scratch and we had to make sure it was right,” he says. “It’s currently undergoing the final stages of testing and certification and it will be here in February, almost three years since our community raised the money… it’s incredible and very emotional.”

Cursley has been instrumental in gathering support for Canberra Hospital’s Centre for Newborn Care after losing his baby daughter 20 years ago.

“Hannah was born blue… she had to be revived… with the help of all the doctors and nurses we had to make the very difficult decision to let nature take its course and turn off the equipment,” Cursley says. He pauses, apologises and takes a deep breath, “My baby girl died in my arms.”

Donations to www.newborn.org.au

*ERIC is short for emergency retrieval intensive care cot