DAUNTED BY HOSTING DINNER PARTIES?

Linda Barker answers your questions on matching the theme with the menu in this live webTV show 

Chat date: Tuesday 16th March

Chat time: 3:00pm

Top Celebrity Babysitters

The Spy Next Door got us thinking about which celebrity; if you had the choice, you would have wanted to babysit you were a kid! Or for that matter, who you would choose to babysit your kids now

Recycled Materials

We are getting better at recycling. Research shows the vast majority of us recycle items such as paper (89 per cent), glass bottles and jars (84 per cent).

FindAnyFilm.com

3D films are exploding onto screenings all across the UK, but where local to you can you see the masterpiece that is Alice in Wonderland on it’s opening weekend, or find where the monster of 3D Avatar is still available?

Brits keen for a slice of the farm life

Stressful city life is taking its toll on the nation with as many as one in four Brits prepared to take a pay cut to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in favour of a life in the countryside.

Ciao! Allo! Bonjour!

Why it’s best to learn a language at a young age. At times, grasping the fundamentals of a foreign language can be enough for an adult to throw their hands up and shout “Je ne comprend pas!

Don't Judge a Woman by Her Cover

It seems that young women weren’t listening when their mothers told them, “it’s what’s on the inside that counts”.

Cooking with French Cheeses

When we think about cooking with cheese we tend to think of using parmesan in our pasta, stirring in soft cheese into sauces or some mature cheddar topped on toast, but there is a wealth of ways to incorporate delicious cheese in our diets and similarly, there is a vast number of different cheeses for us to try.

14:37pm - it's when Britain feels great

Long gone is the post lunchtime slump. It’s now been discovered that 2.37 in the afternoon is the time when we’re feeling at our best and able to tackle even the most tedious of jobs, without a second thought.

Scouts get Cooking for Chef's Badge

For the second year running, Original Dutch Edam has teamed up with The Scout Association to put the fun in outdoor cooking at this year’s event, ‘The Big Adventure’ and sponsor the Chef’s Badge.

Mapping out the Future

Have you ever stopped to think about how important geographical information is to our everyday lives? It effects just about everything, from the daily commute to how our food gets to our plates to knowing what clothes to wear with the unpredictable weather outside.

North East family learns value of art

A north east family have endured a week without art as part of the Arts Council’s efforts to demonstrate that people take part in lots of art throughout their daily lives, sometimes without realising it – and just how important art is to a full life.

Corrie Actress Michelle Keegan Fires Up Girls to Join the Fire & Rescue Service

With women making up just 3.6% of firefighters in England, Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan is fronting the ‘Ordinary People, Extraordinary Careers’ campaign to raise awareness among young women that a career as a firefighter could be for them

How to Hula

Who better to teach you how to hula than Marawa the Amazing, star of the sensational cabaret and circus act, La Clique.

Learn How To Create The Perfect Dessert With Help From Celebrity Chef Phil Vickery

Everyone has their favourite pudding but not everyone knows how to make them!  However, help is here in the form of Celebrity Chef Phil Vickery. Phil is here to give easy step-by-step instructions to create 12 fantastic puddings, one pudcast a month

Brits see video wills as a must-have

Writing a will, like going to the dentist or arranging your pension, is something most people in the UK put off. Indeed, almost 170,000 Britons die every year without a will, with tens of millions of pounds going straight to the government’s coffers in the form of property and savings.

Saving Private Ryan or the Great Escape?

The film industry has thrown open its archives to create cinema history -  the first, definitive DVD of the greatest war movies ever made goes on sale on 25th January, with a groundbreaking minimum of £7 per copy going to the Help for Heroes charity.

Busiest year ever for RNLI’s lifeboats and lifeguards

For the first time in their 186 year history, The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched their lifeboats over 9,000 times last year.

Downhill until April

A third of people will take an average of four paycheques to clear the debt they chalked up in December, according to new research released today.

Let the train take the strain

Want a calmer less stressful journey? If so research dictates that in that case you shouldn’t go by car! With a serious lack of leg room, the children screaming in the back, the food supplies dried out, the tin can is likely to be the site of another family row

The True Cost of Loan Sharks

Over 100,000 UK families turned to loan sharks over the festive period to ensure they had enough cash to cover the costs of presents and all the trimmings, a new report claims.

WHY MAGIC MATTERS

With the past year being numerous stresses on parents the research has revealed that parents have tried to be more creative with their expenditure in order to ensure their children still experience magical moments – over a third of respondents believe that magical moments are most likely to happen during childhood.

ALL SYSTEMS GO AS THE FASTNET LINE’S M.V. JULIA

Excitement is building ashore and on board as the launch date (lst March 2010) of the inaugural sailing from Cork to Swansea aboard the impressive MV Julia approaches. 

Brits follow formula to make their own luck in 2010

Four out of five Brits will use the power of thought and a positive mental attitude to ensure 2010 is luckier than last year. That’s according to a new report from Galabingo.com which shows a full 84% say avoiding a negative outlook will improve their odds.

Sackboy from LittleBigPlanet is being brought to life

Earth calling all big fans of the much-loved PlayStation® game LittleBigPlanetTM.  For the very first time you can adopt your own SackboyTM as the iconic character springs into real life action with a super cool range of products available to buy and collect.

Victoria Pendleton inspires new generation of 'girls and boys on bikes'

Due to start six weeks of warm weather training in Perth before March’s World Championships in Copenhagen, Victoria Pendleton - Olympic cycling champion - is encouraging a new generation to get on their bikes.

What will you be doing in 10 years?

The start of the New Year is traditionally the time to take stock and review how our lives are going, but it is all too easy to have forgotten our resolutions by the time February comes.

Government campaign 'Alcohol It's No Joke'

In this exclusive, behind-the-scenes webvideo, comedy talent Russell Kane explains why he was interested in the ‘Alcohol. It’s No Joke campaign.

How to spot a top tradesman

Every year, cowboy builders and rogue traders clock up around £1.5 billion worth of problems for homeowners across the country. From shoddy kitchens, to improperly installed whitegoods, to leaky roofs, there are plenty of horror tales around.

Don’t hide your health in retirement

In many cases Britons can earn more by opening up about health conditions. A new study has found that many people are missing out on a better income in retirement by failing to shop around for an annuity and not declaring medical and lifestyle conditions.

Kids spending boosts economy by 5bn a year

Research published today by the London School of Economics (LSE) uncovers, for the first time, the spending power that Britain’s children and teenagers are wielding, even during times of recession. In total, young people are now worth £4.89 billion to the British economy each year. 

The benefits of dog agility for both you and your four-legged friend

Dogs have always been known as man’s best friend. With long walks in the park and nights cuddled up in front of the TV, the relationship we share with our canine companion is a special one.

Four Ways to Benefit your Health with Breakfast

With new health messages appearing by the day, there is one message that is consistent from all health professionals - start the day with a healthy, balanced breakfast.

Brits missing a trick by ordering expensive takeaways

Why is it we always feel that we have to go out to get a delicious, authentic-tasting curry? Whether it’s the neighbourhood Indian restaurant that knows your favourite dish by memory or the local curry house that you have on speed dial, there’s something that keeps you from trying to prepare the food yourself.

The Great British Steak Out

Clear some space in the freezer, dust off the fancy steak knives and clear your calendar for the rest of the week – it’s time for us to celebrate Beefeater’s National Steak Week.

Find out about: Gymnastics

Return to Work

How to age gracefully

Nanette Newman is one of Britain's most glamorous grannies, and her daughter Emma Forbes is following in her mother's pedicured footsteps - but how do they look so young at their respective ages? 

Everyone Active Swimming

For a healthy life the news is that kids should be doing 60 minutes activity 7 days a week and swimming is seen as the perfect solution. But what happens if “Your child is afraid of the water & can’t swim?” Don’t panic!

Mums, Family and Business

Is your work taking over, leaving you short of time for your family and yourself. Or would you love to work but can’t find an opportunity with the right hours to fit with the kids? Antonia Chitty has some ideas to help you find the right work life balance.

The Good Pet Food Guide

Millions of pet owners across the UK could be putting their pets at risk because they don’t know what to feed them, when to feed them or how much to feed them.

ALVIN HALL GIVES ADVICE ON HOW TO SURVIVE UNIVERSITY

Independent Financial Expert, Alvin Hall answers a students’ questions on how to survive the financial pressures of university life as new research reveals that today’s undergrads are most financially disadvantaged in history.

R.I.P SKIPPING ROPE?

As a child was there anything better then varnishing a conker in the hope of beating your pal, the rush and excitement of British Bulldog or the elation of skipping?

Create a Cornish pasty with a twist

Lesley Waters shows you how to make a lighter snack for your kids this summer. With a little imagination the best of British cooking can be brought up to date, using little variations that make them not only easier to make but more healthy too.

New wave of cash to get kids in the swim

A major new £3 million sponsorship deal for British Swimming aims to get thousands of kids and parents in the pool and learning to swim

Brits Ignorant of Home History

Over half of us are planning to take short breaks here in the UK this year, with more than four in ten more likely to holiday in Britain this year than previously. While this is potentially great news for British tourism, new research has revealed some serious knowledge gaps about precisely what is on offer, right here on our doorstep

Food Glorious Food

A new National Trust campaign, Food Glorious Food, launched in May, aims to inspire children of five to twelve years old to plant, nurture, grow, harvest and eat their own food. The National Trust will give away over 170 million free seeds and advice to children on growing vegetables at events up and down the country from May till October.

It's a Wild Life

It’s not hard to see why children love the wild, wondrous world of birds, bugs and mini beasties.  Within easy reach, an endless and fascinating voyage of discovery takes young nature sleuths into unknown territory as they explore back gardens and parks to find a whole collection of wildlife on their doorstep. 

Find Out About Tennis

It is the quintessential British summer sport that dominates the headlines during the last two weeks of June. Known for its social yet competitive affiliation, research has shown that tennis is one of the healthiest and least injurious sports children can partake in.

Delicious Celebrity Recipes... Without The Guilt!

Dietician Sian Porter from The Fat Panel shows you how to follow your favourite chef's meal the healthy way. With the vast array of celebrity chefs offering their mouth-watering recipes for us to follow, cooking restaurant quality food in our own kitchen has never been easier.

Life’s One Big Adventure

If, in this mass wave of financial uncertainty, predictions are correct, many British families will stay on home soil this year, as high transport costs and the weak pound persuade people to put their passports away.

History on your Doorstep

Fascinating lives, intriguing stories and life-changing events from bygone years fill our communities and have moulded our environment to what it is today. With so much local history surrounding them, children are sure to enjoy an influential journey of discovery as they explore in more depth the lives of people and places of past years.

New Online Business Support Network

The brainchild of successful entrepreneur Sháá Wasmund, the venture will offer practical advice on getting business ideas off the ground, free legal and financial advice, and allow people of all experiences and backgrounds to network with other business owners and entrepreneurs to share ideas, tips and knowledge.

Money Matters

THE FORMULA FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY PETS

The UK’s leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has devised a simple computer-based formula, ‘Your Right Pet’, to ensure the health and happiness of pets. The four-step ‘PETS’ formula, launched online today (Thursday, 15 January) is designed to help every prospective pet owner consider the main issues before taking on any companion animal, from rats to retrievers

Changing Face of the Nation’s Youth

A new survey sheds light on the differences between today’s teens and those of preceding generations. Teen TV has certainly changed dramatically over the past few decades – the edgy cast from Skins are a far cry from key 80’s characters such as Adrian Mole and the Grange Hill gang. Is this shift in media diet a reflection of teens today or in spite of them? And what about the rising role the internet now plays in the life of a teenager?

Family Friendly Cocktails

The end of the summer term is in sight and British parents are looking forward to spending time with their kids over the summer holidays. We all enjoy having the kids around the house during the hotter months, the big question is how do you keep them entertained? 

Unemployment Doesn’t Have To Be All Doom and Gloom

Responding to the announcement that the number of people out of work in the UK has jumped by 140,000 to 1.82 million, the highest in 11 years, Karen Darby of SimplySwitch fame says it is not all ‘doom and gloom’ and gives her suggestions for beating unemployment and finding the right job

Master Multiple Meals

Are you are a parent that boasts at least ten tried and trusted dishes in your culinary portfolio? Well consider yourself part of a new generation of mums and dads dubbed ‘Repertoire Cooks’ that is emerging onto the parenting scene.

BDF Newlife becomes Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children

Three quarters of a million disabled children could soon be about to benefit following the announcement that leading charity BDF Newlife has changed its name to Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and widened its scope so that all disabled and terminally ill children in the UK can take advantage of its services.

How to make the Perfect Lasagne

Are you one of those people who love the idea of homemade food but find the concept a little daunting?  Well don’t be scared! Homemade food doesn't have to be a chore to taste delicious. 

Brits ignore the secret of happiness

A third of Brits confess to being unhappy with their lives. Yet there seems to be little excuse - as a nation we have identified the top three things that are central to happiness: family, good health and a close group of friends.

As Credit Crunch Hits Home More Parents  Want Home Work

The current economic climate is creating worry for many hard working parents who fear redundancies, yet some families are successfully negotiating their way through the squeeze with remote working and home working employment options.

Dancing Tips from the expert

Trained or not, everyone loves to dance and with the sudden surge in performing arts, due to reality TV programmes as Strictly Come Dancing, Britain's got Talent and films like High School Musical, dancing has never been more popular.

Encourage young people to take action in your community

Do you know an 11 - 18 year old who has an idea or is already creating change?  If so, boost their confidence and life skills and help your local community at the same time: Nominate them for a CHANGEit award. Whether it's a scheme for reducing litter, making a dent in street crime or setting up an after school club, CHANGEit encourages young people to take their ideas and make them happen.

Women, get confident!

With our magazines constantly displaying images of skinny celebs, quick diets and the latest technology to turn-back-the-clock, it’s easy for women to feel pressurised into looking good and as a result, having  low self confidence. But apparently it isn’t wrinkles or body shape issues that women are most worried about but hair loss.

Make a Splash....

Sitting poolside, it’s fascinating to see how different children approach the water. The fearless ones bomb into the pool and create a large ripple of waves, much to their parents’ disapproval. At the shallow end, other armband-clad youngsters pace the perimeter, gazing at the wet, wavy stuff, sniffing that alien chlorine, trying to look brave, and fearful of taking the plunge

Celebrating lives in a virtual world

www.lastingtribute.co.uk, the leading UK website of its kind, has teamed up with two national charities to create a virtual daffodil field and an online night sky so that loved ones can be remembered in an innovative way

Get Hooked

Encompassing the peacefulness of the countryside and its total harmony with nature it’s easy to see why so  many people get hooked on fishing. For many, including children, it provides the perfect escape route away from the daily grind towards a mini waterside haven of tranquillity. And, for a child, the excitement of the first bite from a fish can leave such a lasting impression the foundations of a lifelong passion begin to settle in.

Get On Your Bike

Remember those first moments. After hours tirelessly
wobbling on two wheels with your feet firmly planted on
the ground, you took that first tentative move, balancing on two thin tyres, desperately hoping not to fall sideways in a scrambled heap. Then, all of a sudden, surprisingly, you realised that you were pedalling, moving without the aid of a parent or stabilisers holding you up, releasing a great sense of freedom.

Brits urge Government to make us greener

One in five would fine those who 'don't do green'. The future of the planet is a major concern for people in the UK - but many feel they are not well enough informed to do their bit for the environment.

Take a Bow

The performing arts, be they singing, dancing, acting or playing a musical instrument, generally attract two different types of character. One type includes the natural performers who were simply born to entertain. We all know who they are! The other type of child wants to follow a voyage of discovery that leads them to develop imagination, gain expressive qualities and grow in confidence.

Parents struggling to cook from scratch

Parents may claim to be providing their children with healthy, home-cooked meals, but research into kids’ eating habits tells a different story.  New research by The Honey Association shows that 86% of parents claim to cook entirely, or mostly from scratch every evening, but when children were polled about the foods they are actually eating, processed foods with poor nutritional value came at the top of the list. 

Let’s hear it for the trees

Sometimes it’s the things that are everywhere that we take for granted. Take trees for example. You can find them in the city and the country, in parks and even at the bottom of your garden. We all have our favourite -  the Oak tops the nation’s list-- a tree long revered and so common on our shores that at one time it could be found on both a six pence piece and a shilling coin

Simply Fostering

Across the UK there is an urgent need for around 10,000 more foster carers. This shortage means that children are being moved around from home to home, they have to be split up from their brothers and sisters, and have to live a long way from their family and friends.

Feed your Food Fascination

Britain’s interest in good food has certainly come a long way in recent years and the popularity of celebrity chefs is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact British foodies are more curious about food than ever before with two-thirds of us eager to learn more about taste and how our taste buds, flavours and food combinations work.

Dodgy downloads is child's play

Looking at adult websites, gambling and shopping fraudulently are just some of the things kids have been caught doing online. The potential for children to misuse the internet, and risk their own safety in the process, is huge as new research shows that a third of parents are leaving their children online unsupervised for at least 4 hours a week.

Disposing of your rubbish thoughtfully can save lives

Household waste can be deadly when it ends-up on a rubbish tip where wild animals search for food and hundreds of creatures die miserable deaths or suffer because of thoughtless disposal of rubbish. You can help by disposing of your rubbish safely and securely. Rubbish that you put in a litter bin or secure dustbin will probably end up on an open rubbish tip where it can be deadly to animals.

Road Safety

Whatever the season, every week we read about tragic stories of children who are killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads. As the stories unfold, even as we force ourselves to watch those gruesomely graphic adverts on the TV, the stark reality settles in: our children remain awfully vulnerable when they are on a pavement or on a road

Children & Climate Change

British weather has always been erratic, but what a wet summer! We’ve been given the firmest of nudges from Mother Nature about the impact our collective carbon footprint has on the environment. Worryingly, no-one will be more affected by its effects than will our children.  Yet, should they wish, youngsters can storm ahead and learn more about climate change by getting actively involved in events and activities that support the preservation of nature.

The changing face of the family - One parent can do just as good a job as two

The traditional image of the family as mum, dad and 2.4 kids no longer reflects reality. Ground-breaking new research shows that in modern Britain it's time to accept that successful families come in all shapes
and sizes.

Fun Outdoors

Cast your mind back to when you were a child. Can you recall those long lazy, summer days outside, basking in the garden and playing in the park?

It may be responsible for countless sleepless nights, but personal debt has been a waking nightmare for many families who now find themselves struggling to keep their finances afloat.

Depending on your outlook, this small area of land can been seen as a mini haven – an oasis of calm, filled with flourishing plants - or a place simply to  stick the goalposts or dump the trampoline.

Orienteering for Children

In an era where chilling out is regarded as ‘crucial’ and
comfort is the key, where food is plentiful and where more and more people are following sedentary lifestyles, how can we help ourselves?

Puppy Love

Emer Halpenny offers some tips on welcoming a new addition to the family.

Ireland's future e-Economy needs all citizens to prepare

Earlier today the EU's E-skills week was brought to a close with the message that citizens need to prepare for the future jobs market and engagement in society through enhanced web-skills.

Protecting your Family's Future

The correct life cover does more than just insure your family against the loss of your income; it is also there to protect your children against any debts you might have incurred during the economic downturn.

WATERFORD LIFEGUARDS COMPETE AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lifesaving teams from Waterford competed on Sat 20th Feb 2010 in Irish Water Safety’s National Irish Pool Lifesaving Championships. An action-filled day of events saw 173 of Ireland’s fittest Lifesavers compete at the University of Limerick’s 50-metre pool complex

National Stillwater Lifesaving Championships 2010

Competition was intense in the University of Limerick Pool for the National Stillwater Lifesaving Championships, where almost 200 of Ireland's top lifeguards guaranteed exciting competition throughout the day.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: MAKE THE BIG SWAP

‘THE BIG SWAP’ is the theme for Fairtrade Fortnight 2010, which will also highlight the continued growth in Fairtrade sales and support in Ireland.

LONELY PLANET, THE WORLD’S LEADING TRAVEL GUIDES, SERVE UP A GLOWING REVIEW OF GALWAY!

Having recently named Cork as one of their Top 10 Cities for 2010, Lonely Planet gave Galway city and county a glowing review in their latest edition.

New Lyons Tea Research Reveals Cork People Are Considered The Biggest Talkers in The Republic of Ireland

To celebrate the launch of its new advertising campaign, Lyons Tea commissioned research into what Irish people talk about over a cup of tea, and who they like to have their tea with.

KERRY BUSINESSES COME TOGETHER TO HOST THE FIRST “KERRY HOMES & BUSINESS EXPO” IN KILLARNEY

An innovative group of Kerry businesses have come together to host the first Kerry Homes & Business Expo in association with the Killarney BNI Chapter and Killarney Outlet Centre.

New €4 million Face Lift for Fota Wildlife Park

Following a very successful 2009 where visitor figures grew by 5%, Fota Wildlife Park have started work on a brand new €4 million entrance development which includes an exciting new macaque exhibit.

Fairtrade Fortnight and The Big Swap

This year Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 runs from Monday 22nd February to Sunday 7th March. Visit our website to find out about the Big Swap. You will be able to find out about: the guests visiting Ireland, ideas for Big Swap events, resources available and about events happening around the country

Memorial Committee for survivors of abuse

As part of the Government’s implementation of the recommendations of the Ryan Report, the first meeting of the Committee to oversee the design and commissioning of a memorial for victims of institutional abuse recently took place.

Kit Kat to go Fairtrade

Fairtrade Mark Ireland welcomes the announcement on that Kit Kat is going Fairtrade as a breakthrough for cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

Bereavement

For many children their first real experience with loss happens when a pet dies. There are many ways you can tell your child that a pet has died from using a soothing voice or finding a comfortable and familiar place to tell them, but the most important thing is to be honest.

Cyberbullying

Bullying is not a new phenomenon. However the ways in which it happens is changing. The ease of access to powerful communication tools such as social networking websites, video and photograph sharing sites, and internet enabled camera-phones means that, all over the world, people are saying new things in new ways to new audiences

Press Release Sean Haughey T.D.Minister for Lifelong Learning

Dublin Northside Central T.D., Minister for Lifelong Learning, Seán Haughey has expressed his relief on the release of Irish Aid Worker Sharon Cummins and her Ugandan colleague, Hilda Kuwuki.

Irish Rugby Team bestowed with People of the Year Award

The Irish Rugby team represented by Brian O’Driscoll, Jerry Flannery and Luke Fitzgerald, and actor David Kelly were amongst those honoured this evening with a People of the Year Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.

Irish Red Cross

A new report which calls for free and compulsory First Aid training across Europe, shows that Ireland is among the lowest European countries for First Aid knowledge

Practical Demonstrations

For parents, the website contains practical demonstrations on how to use the web applications that our children are using. The idea is that you can use these demos to get the skills to talk authoritatively with your children about their use of the Internet. Further Internet Safety information is available at: http://www.webwise.ie

Baked Stuffed Mushrooms topped with Eggs on the menu for Tasty Great Value

Regina Murphy from Cork has won a national search to find Ireland’s Best ‘Cracking Great Value Egg Recipe’.  The competition was organised by Bord Bia as part of the campaign to promote eggs as a great value, versatile and nutritious option at meal times. Entrants submitted their recipe using eggs as the main ingredient to feed a family of four for €10 or less.

mycharity.ie smashes through the €4Million to charities barrier

Mycharity.ie the Irish charity fundraising website has smashed through the €4 million barrier this month. In total €4.3 million euro has been raised for Irish charities through the website since its inception 3 years ago.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Commits to Fairtrade

Cadbury and Fairtrade Mark Ireland today announced plans to achieve Fairtrade certification for  Cadbury Dairy Milk, the country’s top selling chocolate bar by the end of Summer 2009. The same commitment is being made for Britain.

Top Tips for Young Writers

Writer, Sarah Webb shares some of her writing tips. Sarah worked as a children’s bookseller for many years and now writes full time. Her books for children include Kids Can Cook and the Amy Green series.

Pass the Presents

Mother-of-three, Rosemary Lafferty had this conversation with other parents many times but it was only when the eldest of her three children was inundated with  presents on her first big school party (some of which were never  played with), that she felt she could no longer sit back and do nothing.

Ten Top Tips for Parents of Primary School Children

by Patience Thomson, author of 101 Ways to get your Child to Read .  This article has some great ideas on how to do it and make it fun, so get reading this yourself.

Learn to grow your own Produce

Learn to grow your own produce with founder of the Waterford Food Producer’s Network, and author Michael Kelly. A new drive to help people grow their own food and eat their way to at healthier and more low-cost lifestyle is planned for the south-east.

Give Us a Smile!

The main cause of tooth decay is not the amount of sugar in the diet, but how often it is eaten or drunk. Every time children eat or drink anything sugary, their teeth are under attack from the plaque acids for up to one hour.

IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM!

With the recession on, sales of new cars are falling as drivers hold onto their existing cars for longer. However it's not all doom and gloom as Halfords have some top money saving tips on maintaining your existing car and saving on fuel.

Shopping Survey Results

Research carried out by Amárach Research on behalf of the National Consumer Agency shows that over half of grocery shoppers are now making their decision on where to shop based on price. The research showed that 56% of grocery shoppers are shopping in a particular store based on price. A survey carried out earlier this year by the NCA showed that only 31% were influenced by price.

Planning a Party

Children’s parties can seem like a scary prospect! Trying to go one better than the last or keeping up to date with the latest must-go places may seem like a daunting prospect.  But it’s not necessarily how grand the party is, but how much the children enjoy themselves...a thought quite often overlooked!

Dublin After School Activities

To keep children occupied, entertained and cared for (sometimes all at the same time). Can be challenging both in fulfilling their interests and choice of creative pursuits and your pocket! Remember Prioritise. Sit down with each of your children to identify what clubs or activities they enjoy most. The novelty of some after-school activities can wear off pretty quickly and it will not only save you money but also will boost your child’s confidence if you include them in the decision-making process.

Leinster After School Activities

After-school activities benefit your child in ways that might surprise you. According to a recent study, children who participate in extra curricular activities are more engaged in and have a better attitude about learning, perform better academically, and enjoy an increased sense of accomplishment, competence, and self-esteem.

Alcohol advertising code introduced

New restrictions aimed at reducing the exposure of children to alcohol advertising come into effect from today. The Codes on Alcohol Advertising, Placement and Sponsorship have been agreed between the drinks industry and the Department of Health

Fotocube

If you have any photos that you would like to present in a different way, then why not think about getting them printed directly onto acrylic freestanding blocks or wall-hanging panels?  These could look great for displaying in your schools, either on the wall or for presentations or open days.  More>> http://www.fotocube.co.uk/(website presently being updated but you can still email

info@fotocube.co.uk)

NCTE: BROADBAND - CONTENT FILTERING

NCTE have an Adult Content Filtering Level which can be switched on for a couple of hours to facilitate Adult classes especially those educating parents on social networking sites such as Bebo. The following content categories will of course still be blocked during these periods: ‘Pornography’, ‘Adult Materials’ and ‘Malware’. NCTE reserves the right to block other content as required. The www.ncte.ie/Broadband/TheServiceDesk will provide a form, which must be filled in and returned a week in advance of the class.

Playing Games

In the same few weeks as we see the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV", and a press event during which details of the forthcoming "Gears of War 2" are given, we can reflect a little on how gaming might have taken over much or some of our lives. This is the focus of the recent Insafe Newsletter. For more information click here

How Do I ....?

This part of the webwise website contains practical demonstrations on how to use the web applications that our children our using. The idea is that you can use these demos to get the skills to talk authoritatively with your children about their use of the Internet. By watching the demos you will also pick up tips on how to configure their favourite web tools so that they can use them more safely. More: www.webwise.ie/article.aspx?id=7902

File Sharing

A popular use of the Internet is called “peer-to-peer” file swapping, sometimes called filesharing. These programmes allow you to swap or share files from your own computer to another over the Internet.  Parents should be aware that if their children are misusing these peer-to-peer programmes and downloading copyrighted works like music or films, that they are in fact breaking the law. For more information click here

Internet Safety - Life Skills

As the Internet and related technologies are now enmeshed in children's lives Barnardos in its 2008 Childlinks issue sets out to explore both the benefits and the dangers to children because of the Internet.

More>> www.webwise.ie/article.aspx?id=9314

Site of the Week - Watch Your Space

With cyber-bullying making the news headlines this site is certainly relevant today. Presents information for children and teenagers about how to stay safe and in control when using technology such as mobile phones and social networking sites. To read the Review click here

Make a Splash!

Sitting poolside, it’s fascinating to see how different children approach the water. The fearless ones bomb into the pool and create a large ripple of waves, much to their parents’ disapproval.  At the shallow end, other armband-clad youngsters pace the perimeter, gazing at the wet, wavy stuff, sniffing that alien chlorine, trying to look brave, and fearful of taking the plunge.

Get Hooked

Encompassing the peacefulness of the countryside and its total harmony with nature it’s easy to see why so many people get hooked on fishing.  For many, including children, it provides the perfect escape route away from the daily grind towards a mini waterside haven of tranquillity.

Choosing Childcare

Choosing suitable childcare is a very important decision for all parents. As parents, you know more about your child than any other person, and when choosing a child care service, you will want a service which will meet your child's individual needs.

Cherish the Children: Who will look after them when I am at work?

It is now estimated that around one fifth of all Irish children under the age of nine are in some form of paid childcare. Interestingly enough approximately 73,000 families, or 42.5% of all families in Ireland with pre-school children, regularly rely on non-parental childcare arrangements for minding their children during normal working hours

Responsible Pet Ownership

Petmania have recently started to visit various primary schools with a selection of animals and educate the children on how important it is to research all about pet’s if they are planning to own one. Our Team will then get all the children to do a work sheet on a day in the life of my pet. In this work sheet the children must put in how to feed, exercise and clean a pet.

'Stuck on You' Labels

Clonakilty mother of 2, Teresa McShane, has become the sole agent in Ireland of the personalised label company 'Stuck On You’ with the simple message, Label it, Own it, Keep it. Carrie's labels are as individual as your child.

Free Resources for Childminders

Beautifully presented in a folder, this simple and easy to use resource is ideal for all Childminders who care for children in their own home