Good morning, steadfast SunLive readers, and welcome to the last day of 2017.

It's a time of reflection for many, with some hopeful, and others feeling bittersweet.

Tauranga will be brimming with optimistic party-goers this evening, however, and the weather looks to be good. There will be some high cloud increasing in the evening, but no rain is forecast. The high is 26 degrees, with an expected low of 17.

Once again, there will be no planned events for Mount Maunganui. Instead, Tauranga City Council is putting on family-friendly New Year's Eve celebrations on The Strand and in Papamoa, at Gordon Spratt Reserve. Entertainment will be on offer in the CBD including a free Mayoral BBQ, roving performers, samba, games and more.

Food stalls will be offering a great variety of dinner options complementing the many restaurants on The Strand. The celebration starts at 6pm, finishing at 9.30pm with fireworks off a barge.

Wellington-based band Trinity Roots is also returning to the Bay of Plenty for another New Year's Eve gig, this time at the Papamoa Beach Tavern in Beach Road.

And of course, most of the city's bars will be open until late.

Remember to stay safe, and may 2018 be everything you want it to be.

WHAT'S ON – Sunday, December 31:

Computer Help for Individuals

Need help to use your computer, iPad, tablet, eReader, phone or other device. Contact the Library to book a lesson with one of our tutors. Phone 577 7177

Maketu Market

3rd & 5th Sundays 7am-12pm at Maketu Village Green. Ph Pat 533 2687 or Fennis 0274 282 862

NZDA BOP Range Day

NZDA BOP branch run public open days last Sunday each month at their 300m range in TECT All Terrain Park. 9am-3pm $20 bring firearms licence.

Papamoa Outdoor Bowls

All welcome to our Roll Up's. Sun & Wed. Register at 12:30, commences 1pm. Come & experience OUTDOOR BOWLS Gordon Spratt Reserve. Ph 574 0177 anytime.

Radio Controlled Model Yachts

Sundays 1:30pm & Thursdays 5:30pm, in pond behind 24 Montego Drive Papamoa, sailing Electron Yachts for fun. Adult beginners welcome. Graham 572 5419

Sequence Dance

New Years Eve, Sunday December 31. Greerton Hall, Cameron Rd, 8pm till midnight. Entrance $8pp. Supper provided. Excellent programme and music. Prizes, raffles. Goodbye 2017, welcome 2018.

Sport BOP Bike Month

From group rides and bike maintenance to mountain biking, there's something for everyone in our Bike Month calendars. Plus prizes to be won! www.sportbop.co.nz/bike-month

Tauranga Rotary Easter Booksale

Please donate books, records, Cds, Dvds, Jigsaws & Sheet music for next Rotary Charity Book sale. Ph Anne 543 5350 or Ross 544 0817