28th November, 2002
Notice
Board
NOTICE BOARD
CYCLISTS WANTED…VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
(Bicycles available for hire.)
CYCLE CORK HARBOUR for CHILDAID
Building schools for street children in Africa. Sponsored 25 Mile
Cycle Sunday 12thJanuary '03 ( or any day ) Beautiful Waterfront
Route. No Hills. For Details & Sponsor Cards Ph. 021-4534107
or Email Corkcycle@eircom.net. Childaid, Plunkett Chambers, 21
Oliver Plunkett St., Cork.
'Once A Catholic'
The Palace Players present 'Once A Catholic' by Mary O'Malley in
The Village Arts Theatre, Kilworth this Fri, Sat and Sun at 8.15pm.
Enquiries 025/24858
Table Quiz
The Parents Association:Ballygarvan National School present a
Table Quiz at Bridgie's Bar, Ballygarvan on Friday 29th of
November at 8.30pm. Tables €30 (Max 4, Min of 2 people per
table) Prizes, spots prizes and novelties Fun night - all are
welcome!
NOTICE BOARD
Cork Simon Community
Christmas Cards
Christmas Cards in aid of Cork Simon Community are now on sale at
the Simon Shop, North Main Street (opposite Dunnes Stores) and
are also available from the Simon Fundraising Office - 021
4321166 or fundraising@corksimoncommunity.ie All proceeds go
directly to supporting the cost of running our services for
homeless people. There are two very attractive designs available
and the cost is €4 per pack of 5 cards.
Douglas Library Presents
CONTEMPORARY CORK WRITERS
The Contemporary Cork Writers Series, which has been running in
the Douglas Library for the past two weeks, concludes this
Thursday night, 28th November. Writer Conal Creedon, poet
Rosemary Canavan and musician Niall Connolly will participate in
the final night of a very successful series. Conal Creedon is the
author of a number of a critically acclaimed novel and collection
of short stories centred on contemporary Cork life. He was also
the creator of the 'Goldie Fish' drama on Cork Radio.Rosemary
Canavan is a poet who has also published a number of books for
children in Irish. Niall Connolly works with Cork City Library
and is widely regarded as a musician and singer. The Running from
7 to 8 p.m. admission to the series is free
Club Nostalgia
This is a new record club with a difference; you will not hear
any highbrow music etc, just popular music and songs from the 40's
to the 70's including movie sound tracks of the period.
So if you are interested then come along, bring a friend or two,
and join the gang for an entertaining evening. Details of time
and venue call Michael 021- 4806602
Douglas Lions Club -
Christmas Food Appeal
Thursday 14th December, Friday 15th December, Saturday 16th
December, Sunday 17th December 2002.
The annual Lions Christmas Food Appeal begins on Thursday 14th
December and runs for four days at both shopping centres in
Douglas. Members of Douglas Lions Club and their many volunteers
will be collecting food, as they have done for the last 13 years,
and hope to distribute in excess of 280 substantial food hampers
to those in need in our area. The Douglas Lions Club wishes to
thank the managers of both Shopping Centres for their continued
co-operation and makes a special appeal to the public for their
support and generosity to make this Christmas a little easier for
the most vulnerable in this community.
Naval
vessel LE NIAMH celebrates launch of
'Asian Enterprise' book
Six months after the return of Irish Naval vessel
LE NIAMH from her historic 23,000 mile round trip to Asia, the
Navy and Enterprise Ireland have launched a unique book entitled
“Asian Enterprise LE NIAMH'S Goodwill Voyage to Asia”
to commemorate the voyage and associated trade mission.
Of interest to naval enthusiasts, state agency personnel and
business people interested in doing business in Asia as well as
the families and friends of the crew, Asian Enterprise is a
unique story presented through personal accounts and insights
from officers, crew and some of the business people who took part
in the trade mission.
Venturing further than any Irish naval vessel has ever been, LE
NIAMH became the first Irish naval vessel to travel east of the
Suez Canal and is also the first to have crossed the equator, an
event which the crew duly marked with relevant ceremony.
Celebrating this historic voyage to China, Japan, Malaysia,
Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong, LE NIAMH travelled 23,000 miles
in 100 days, visited 14 ports and hosted over 10,000 visitors. In
this book, the Captain, Gerard O' Flynn, the crew, and the other
organisations involved, tell the story of a diplomatic, business
and logistical success story.
Full of photographs, personal accounts and naval detail, the book
is a fascinating account of a unique and historic goodwill and
trade mission.
Asian Enterprise LE NIAMH'S Goodwill Voyage to Asia 2002, is
edited by Brian O' Kane, published by Oak Tree Press and
available from all good bookshops.
HOME DESIGN & WEDDING EXHIBITION 2003
This year’s Home Design Exhibition in the
Rochestown Park Hotel will include for the first time a wedding
feature. Details of the Home Design & Wedding Exhibition 2003
were announced at a press reception in the Rochestown Park Hotel
this week. The Evening Echo is the main sponsor of the event. The
show will host over 90 exhibitors with everything for the home,
garden and wedding all in the comfort of the conference centre.
This is the sixth year of the Home Design to be hosted in the
prestigious Rochestown Park Hotel Exhibition centre on Friday
January 17th – Sunday 19th 2003. Their previous shows have
proven to be a huge success for both exhibitors and the visiting
public. The 2003 exhibition promises to be the biggest ever with
many new features and innovative ideas.
The exhibition will be complimented with an exclusive wedding
exhibition. This professional wedding feature is designed to take
the hassle out of organising a wedding. You will be welcomed by a
string quartet to get you in the atmosphere of the event.
A couple can for example meet all the necessary wedding
specialists including jewellers, marquee hire, caterers, wine
merchants, bridal wear designers, florists, stationers, travel
agents, photographers, video, beauty products/services and more.
To add to that a couple can visit the many exhibitors to design
their dream home all within the comfort of the conference centre
at the Rochestown Park Hotel.
Customers will be in with a chance to win one of the many prizes
worth up to €10,000 including a fantastic prize of a string
quartet to play at a wedding or function of your choice kindly
sponsored by Key Entertainment. To add to that customers will
also be able to benefit from some fantastic exhibition offers
available only during the show.
If you’re getting married in 2003/2004, designing your dream
home or revamping your existing home the Home Design &
Wedding Exhibition 2003 is the place to be.
Finbarr Sheehan of Sheehan Marketing Services is marketing and
promoting the exhibition, which is already sold out. The 2003
exhibition promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting
events in Munster in 2003.
LOCAL ISSUES by Cllr. Deirdre Forde
By Deirdre Forde MCC
I have made representations to the Area Engineer regarding the
ongoing traffic problems on Donnybrook Hill which has been a
cause for concern for residents in the area for years now and who
have to endure long delays particularly during rush hours. I have
asked that the Board of Works road which links the Main and Back
Carrigaline Roads be seriously looked at as a means of easing
traffic congestion in the Donnybrook area and that it be up
graded to a standard where it can cope with the levels of traffic.
Also on Donnybrook Hill, the residents of Cherrygarth and
Montpellier Road have asked for the trees to be topped in their
area and that a mirror be placed on the exit to Donnybrook Hill
making it less dangerous for motorists to exit these estates on
to the Hill, again I have brought these matters to the attention
of the area engineer.
This time of year can be a particularly lonely and harrowing time
for the elderly. I have the highest admiration and praise for all
of the voluntary groups who look after the aged in our community
but, I would urge neighbours of elderly residents to have a look
in just to say hello and make sure all is OK. A trip to the shop
can be very stressing for an elderly person what with traffic etc.,
so do the neighbourly thing – a little means a lot.
More next week.....meantime if any constituent has any query on
any local issues I can be contacted on 021-4363318 or 087-2837780.
DOUGLAS TIDY TOWNS
The Committee is at present preparing its Work
Plans and Financial Budget for 2003. We are lucky that members
are prepared to give of their time and own resources to bear the
cost of administration, post and other overheads and that we have
the use of the facilities at the Community Centre. Further many
of the members have friends who can be asked - and are very
willing to give - some time to undertake physical work at no cost
or very reduced charges.
However, there are still substantial costs. Flowers and Shrubs,
Tubs and Hanging Baskets, must be bought. Publicity has to be got
through paid advertisements and flyers, Hotel Meeting Rooms must
be paid for. And now we are undertaking more work with more cost.
We need to screen off and hedge an ugly site, we need to buy
Tufwood Tubs and plant climbers to cover unattractive walls. And
of course V.A.T. (non-recoverable) must be paid on all our
purchases. Even with voluntary labour and a prudent eye on costs
the Budget for 2003 is almost 25,000 Euros. And there are many
more projects, particularly in Douglas Woods (the Mangla), and
Douglas Estuary that we would love to undertake.
We are now earnestly soliciting contributions from Businesses in
Douglas. In the past we have had excellent support from some
businesses . We have circulated a copy of the Judges' Tidy Towns
Report and a request for financial support and we strongly ask
you to respond positively so that we can improve Douglas further.
Our meetings continue on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings at
the Community Centre and we can be contacted at 021-4894955.
John FitzGerald, Secretary
A CD REVIEW by Michelle Moore
Robbie Williams "Escapology" - Am I the
only person in the world that thinks Robbie Williams can do no
wrong musically?!! He never fails to disappoint me. I've been a
BIG fan of his for years and anyone who knows me will know this.
He's definitely a firm favourite of mine and hopefully always
will be. If Robbie continues to produce music like the music on
this new album, he'll be one of the greatest entertainers ever.
"Escapology" is his new album (out in shops now).
Robbie took a break from show business for the last year and came
back with this fantastic album. "Escapology" is a mix
of pop, rock and soul and to your amazement you'll find a Latino
twist in there too. In songs such as "How Peculiar",
"Monsoon", "Come Undone" and "Song 3"
you may think that you're listening to an Oasis or Charlatans or
even Blur track, but you're not. These songs were influenced by
the rock style of music. My favourite songs (so far..) are the
positively generating tune "Something Beautiful", this
song makes me feel good about myself when it is played because
it's a positive, uplifting song. Also "Me And My Monkey"
is a favourite. This is the song that has the Latino sound in it.
It is trumpet heavy and sounds very western.
Other songs such as "Revolution", "Sexed Up",
"Cursed" and "Hot Fudge" are very catchy and
speak of his experiences with ex girlfriends and moving to L.A..
And then songs such as "Love Somebody", "Nan's
Song" and his new single "Feel" are all very
personal. They suggest that Robbie craves love and support from
important people in his life. "Handsome Man", however,
is an egotistical masterpiece. When you hear this song you'll
definitely think of Robbie's cheeky stage acts and how he is
portrayed through the media. But as he sings in this song, "I'm
gonna milk it til I turn it to cheese", and why not? He has
the talent to get away with it!
Yet again, an absolutely magnificent, entertaining album from the
man himself, ROBBIE WILLIAMS!!
Get the Issues out of your Tissues
Are you fatigued, suffering from low energy
levels, sleepless nights, recurring illnesses? Are you stuck in
life, have relationship problems, money worries? Then perhaps you
have "issues in your tissues".
The cells of the brain store our past memories, some of which we
can remember and most of which we cannot. The cells of our body
are identical to those of our brain, and it is believed that the
cells of our body store past emotions. Stored negative emotions
from traumatic events in our past can cause blockages in our
energy field, which are reflected in how we feel and how we are
progressing in life.
Integrated Energy Therapy is a powerful energy therapy, which can
help the body to release these negative emotions. Nine energy
centres on the body are treated, and emotional blockages such as
guilt, fear, heartache, anger and stress are worked on. Clearing
these blockages can have a very positive effect on your health
and life. It is an ideal therapy for regular use on yourself and
your family and is easy to learn.
For more information on Integrated Energy Therapy courses,
contact Angela at Touch for Health, Church Rd, Carrigaline 021
4372926
ORCHARD HOUSE - "Little Women"
By Sheila Fitzgerald
The film "Little Women" has been in the news recently
because of Winona Ryder's trial for shoplifting. She played
"Jo" in what was the third film version of the famous
book written by Louisa May Alcott. In October, I visited Orchard
House in Concord, Mass., where Louisa wrote the book in 1868.
Concord was the home of many famous people including Emerson
& Thoreau who were her friends. Louisa May Alcott had three
sisters just like her fictional heroine "Jo March".
They were called Anna, Elizabeth and May who appear in Little
Women as Meg, Beth and Amy. But when Louisa moved into Orchard
House her sister Elizabeth had died of scarlet fever only a few
months before which probably influenced her characterisation of
Beth's scarlet fever in Little Women.
Orchard House is a delight to visit, a 2 storey timber framed
house. It is easy to visualise how the Alcott family lived there
from 1858 to 1877. The rooms are beautifully preserved with May's
artwork adorning the walls. You can see the simple wooden desk
built by Louisa's father between two windows in her bedroom,
where she wrote Little Women, Little Men and many more stories.
The flowers, mythological figures and angels May painted on the
wall can still be seen. Many of the original Alcott family
objects are on view in the dining room, drawing room, library and
give an intimate glimpse into this very talented family's life.
As well as visiting Orchard House, one can see in the grounds the
one-room School house designed by Mr. Alcott, built in 1880, and
used as a summer school for adults (1880-1888), the first of its
kind to encourage the study of philosophy. By then, the family
lived elsewhere and Louisa died in 1888 at 56 years of age, only
2 days after the death of her father.
RONNIE McGINN'S POETRY CORNER
Sponsored by O’Flaherty’s of Parnell
Place. It’s open to everyone and if you haven’t already
done so send your entries straight away. The closing date is
December 16th, you still have time!
Great to see so many new poems being sent in. We will eventually
publish every one of the them, so if your poem is not in this
week don’t worry, we’ll get to you as soon as possible.
Maybe Michael can be persuaded to let us have some more space (Hint
Hint!).
Here’s one from our old friend Kelly Burke ,it would be out
of date next week so it’s getting in ahead Helen Dennehy,
Neil O’Donoghue, Mark Stout, John Coughlan, Michelle Bouse,
and Chris Drummond
Black November
When I was a young turkey, new to the coop, My big brother Mike
took me out on the stoop, Then he sat me down, and he spoke real
slow, And he told me there was something that I had to know; His
look and his tone I will always remember, When he told me of the
horrors of... Black November;
"Come about August, now listen to me, Each day you'll get
six meals instead of just three, "And soon you'll be thick,
where once you were thin, And you'll grow a big rubbery thing
under your chin; "And then one morning, when you're warm in
your bed, In'll burst the farmer's wife, and hack off your head;
"Then she'll pluck out all your feathers so you're bald 'n
pink, And scoop out all your insides and leave ya lyin' in the
sink; "And then comes the worst part" he said not
bluffing, "She'll spread your cheeks and pack your rear with
stuffing".
Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat, I sat on the
stoop like a winged piece of meat, And decided on the spot that
to avoid being cooked, I'd have to lay low and remain overlooked;
I began a new diet of nuts and granola, High-roughage salads,
juice and diet cola; And as they ate pastries, chocolates and
crepes, I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes;
I maintained my weight of two pounds and a half, And tried not to
notice when the bigger birds laughed; But 'twas I who was
laughing, under my breath, As they chomped and they chewed, ever
closer to death; And sure enough when Black November rolled
around, I was the last turkey left in the entire compound;
So now I'm a pet in the farmer's wife's lap; I haven't a worry,
so I eat and I nap; She held me today, while sewing and humming,
And smiled at me and said "Christmas is coming..."
Kelly Burke
Send your poem or your Christmas Poem to The Poetry Corner / The
Douglas Weekly. Or you can email it to; ronniemcginn@eircom.net
If possible keep your poem to 20 lines. Choose any subject you
like, in any form you like. We look forward to hearing from you.
Ronnie McGinn
BUSINESS WEEKLY
Dell
Dell Computer announced a 31% rise in quarterly profits ,with net
profits for the 3 months ending November 1st up to $561m from $429m
a year ago. Revenues also increased by 22%. This is good news
indeed for the PC Manufacturer which employs over 5,700 people in
Ireland and they also expect growth to continue in the next
quarter.
Economic Growth Forecast
A new report from Davy Stockbrokers downgrades it's forecasts for
economic growth in Ireland to 0.7% this year and 1.1% in 2003.
Its previous prediction was 1.2% and 2.7%,while government
forecasts were for 3% in 2002,and the Central Bank Of Ireland
suggests a figure of 3.5% next year. These figures seem much more
realistic and reflect the constraints placed on Ireland's
economic growth by the global slowdown.
Unique Learning
Unique Learning is an e-Learning company based in the Centre Park
Road that provides engaging multimedia solutions for corporate,
government and individual client. The company was formed in 2000
,with 10 employees and launched the current e-Learning solution
in July 2001. The organisation focuses on anytime, anywhere
learning. It is committed to providing timely information
delivered in a way that is convenient, engaging and fun with no
high-speed connection required. They provide over 1200 off-the -shelf
courses available on line or in CD format.
Unlike many of their competitors Unique Learning have placed less
emphasis on the corporate customer and focused on the Training
and Educational institutions,providing a service which has entry
costs as low as 30 Euros for a single user wanting a single topic
course. According to Director and COO,Frank Coughlan "Unique
Learning want to develop their brand to be equivalent to the Mc
Donald's of e-learning'
As a special for Douglas Weekly Readers (please quote ref DW1000)
Frank is offering the 5 step EVOLVE programme which includes
getting started with PC's, European Computer Driving Licence and
Microsoft Office programmes .
This would normally retail at over 1000 euros but is being
offered for just 89 euros (Incl VAT and postage)
If you would like to discuss this in more detail, Unique Learning
can be contacted at 1800 200 761 or by E-Mail info@uniquelearning.com
Quiz Time
This is the first of our monthly quizzes. The overall winner will
receive a prize from the Douglas Weekly and will also be
photographed receiving the prize. The questions are general
knowledge and shouldn't pose any great problems to people of your
superior intellect!
What dance is named from a German word meaning 'to revolve' ?
Who assassinated Abraham Lincoln?
There are four elements, air and fire are two of them, what are
the other 2?
Who was the mistress and betrayer of Samson?
In which city is the Prado Art Gallery?
Vilnius is the capital of which country?
The river Amazon is mainly in which country?
What device is also known as a Polygraph?
What is the capital of New Zealand?
What is the World's most spoken language?
Which record company was formed by the Beatles?
Who wrote 'Treasure Island'?
The city of Budapest is divided by which river?
In what season is the sun closest to the earth?
Where were the 1986 Olympic Games held?
In which vessel did the Pilgrim Fathers sail to America?
Who was the first man to travel in space?
Which US President invented the folding bed and swivel chair?
Who, in Greek Mythology, was the supreme God?
What is the art of Japanese paper folding called?
Answers can be E-Mailed to the address at the end of this column
or you can post or drop in to the Douglas Weekly Office. The
closing date is Friday 6th December.
Life Balancing
There are many pressures on people today and it can be difficult
at times to achieve that life balance between work, family and
our own personal aspirations.
For the next few weeks I will bring you some anecdotes which may
help us to reflect upon this.
A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items
in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a large empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about 5cm in
diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full?
They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them
into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course,
rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the
students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and
poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything
else. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to
recognise that this is your life. The rocks are the important
things - your family, your partner, your health, your children -
things that if everything else was lost and only they remained,
your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your
house, your car. The sand is everything else. The small stuff."
"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room
for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you
spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never
have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take
your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to
work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the dryer."
"Take care of the rocks first - the things that really
matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
Life is a short journey, it is even shorter with our children,
step off the roller-coaster now and then to reflect on life and
pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Humour
Frank took a job working alone in Canada's far frozen north.
'Here's your emergency survival kit', said his boss. 'It contains
a box of flares,a radio and a deck of cards'
'What are the cards for?' Frank asked.
'In case the flares don't work and the radio freezes up',replied
the boss. "Just take out the cards and play solitaire. In
about 10 seconds someone will tap you on the shoulder and say,
'Put the red 9 on the black 10'
Words of Wisdom
You can't always go by expert opinion. A turkey, if you ask a
turkey, should be stuffed with grasshoppers, grit and worms.
We would be delighted to hear from our readers at any stage in
relation to any comments, inputs or queries they may have.
Bill Daly works as part of a group of Independent Business
Consultants and specialises in Materials, Operations Management
and Executive Mentoring. Bill can be contacted at
E-Mail: bdaly@tornaservices.com
Web: www.tornaservices.com
Mob: 085 7233362
