It's also 50 years since Calder Park raceway opened.

The Essendon Croquet Club has even more reason to celebrate - it's a centenary for the group which still calls Windy Hill home.

1962 was the year the Essendon YMCA opened in Cooper Street, though the Y's involvement is now limited to running the gym. And 1962 was memorable for another Bombers 10th VFL premiership, guided by the legendary John Coleman. This year could be an even better year for champagne sales - at least in Essendon.

It's a wonderful world

Just be patient, says council as it prepares to launch our new branding during the next few weeks after a soft launch to over 4000 businesses.

'World class. locally' is the new branding for our city and next month's Moonee Valley Festival will be the principal promotion vehicle in the next few weeks.

The council wants residents to nominate what they think is world-class in our city, whether it be a cafe, a special place, a particular shop, a piece of art or even quality customer service of an international standard.

Just complete the sentence: ... is world-class in Moonee Valley.

Lore nominates the beautiful cakes at the French Patisserie in Keilor Road and the Garden Tuscany cafeteria tucked away off Young Street behind Puckle Street.

And both Queens and Maribyrnong Park are right up there by international standards.

Email what you think is world class-locally to business@mvcc.vic.gov.au for a chance to win theatre tickets and dinner at Clocktower.

Pennisi best on the block

Essendon Lions Club again raised the Australian flag at the traditional breakfast last Thursday.

There was a capacity attendance at Windy Hill to acknowledge Pennisi Real Estate, winners of the Stan Morrison industry award.

Founder Sam Pennisi is one of our most respected real estate agents, having worked out of his Keilor Road offices since 1973, and is a strong supporter of community life locally.

The final word ...

You know you're getting old when your bank sends you a free calendar but it's mailed one month at a time.