Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

With the success of Barack Obama in the Iowa caucasus' last week it looks like the American Presidential election is now as wide open as it ever was. Before this Obama was always an interesting candidate but no more than that. It is an indicator of how much America has grown in so far as it might even accept a black man as a serious candidate for President. Now it looks as if all that has changed. The elections have been blown wide open and there is serious talk that there could be a black man in the White House this year. Of course the whole process is still at a very early stage. This is just the first election that has been held in a process that will take months to complete and will see a lot more competition

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Waterford Wildfowl

The wildfowl of Waterford fall into three distinct groups, Swans, Geese and Ducks. The Swans are the largest birds in Ireland and three commonly occur in Waterford. Six species of Geese have been recorded here but of these, only two may be commonly seen at wintertime. The Ducks are the most numerous and twenty-six species have now been recorded in Waterford. All have one thing in common; they are always associated with either fresh or salt water.

The true Irish swans are the Whooper and Bewick's Swans. These are the swans of our folklore and may only be seen during the winter months when their breeding range in the Arctic becomes too frozen for them to feed. They may often be seen in family parties on farmland, feeding in stubble fields or on grassland. They sometimes associate with gaggles

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Dear Editor,

Waterfordians to feature on new RTE Radio 1 Series: Experience

A new eight part series, entitled Experience, will be broadcast on Tuesday 8 January at 10.02pm on RTÉ Radio 1. This series will focus on so-called ordinary people telling their life stories.

The first programme in the series will feature an interview with Michael "Bruno" Brown, a married father of two from Waterford City who speaks about his life battling with illness and the future.

Bruno is the son of a very highly regarded local journalist for the Munster Express, Michael Brown. He has worked in the music industry for many years and was instrumental in bringing the Fleadh Mór festival to Tramore, where Bob Dylan headlined. In more recent times he and his wife Kay have been managing their alternative clothing story "Beyond Therapy" in Waterford City Centre. In February 2006

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"When I was in my teens and contracted bacterial meningitis, my family was aware of the symptoms of the disease. Their swift action almost certainly saved my life. I am urging everyone, and especially parents, to be armed with knowledge about how to spot the early signs meningitis and septicaemia this winter."

- Claire Byrne Broadcaster & Journalist

With the highest number of cases of meningitis and septicaemia - the blood poisoning form of the disease - occurring in December, January and February, recognising the symptoms at this time of the year could save lives.

Meningitis and septicaemia can develop very quickly and can kill in hours. Therefore, it is vital to be aware of the symptoms and to get medical help immediately if a case is suspected. Call Meningitis Research Foundation's Freefone 24 hour helpline - 1800 41 33 44 -

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Dublin Marathon Succes

Philip & Eimear Power of Congress Place, Waterford would like to extend their thanks to all their family, friends, neighbours and colleagues who supported them for the Dublin Marathon last October, they raised €2,617 which went to the Friends of St. Patricks.

Baby Boy

Congratulations to Dawn O'Halloran from Lisdugggan on the birth of a new baby boy. Best wishes to her and her son from all her family and friends.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Joseph O'Donoghue of 66 Larchville who celebrates his 73rd birthday on the 9th January.

Stay at home partners/spouses are being discriminated against

Waterford's high profile dairy farmer and Author Michael Flynn from Rathgormack claims working stay at home partners are being discriminated against because their work in not being recognised by our current system. He said his own wife works full time and that he should be

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Early childcare supplement

Question: At the time of the Budget, I heard that a payment called the Early Childcare Supplement was being increased. What is this payment and who is able to receive it?

Answer: The Early Childcare Supplement is a State payment to families with children under six years of age. It is intended to help families with the cost of raising children, providing childcare, etc.

The payment was increased in the Budget for 2008 to €1,100 per child, per year. It is paid every three months as a payment of €275. The first payment in 2008 will be in April and this will cover the period January to March.

If you are receiving Child Benefit for a child under six years, then you will automatically also be paid the Early Childcare Supplement; you do not apply for it separately.

If you are applying

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Marketing was the theme of the new year networking session by the South East Business Innovation Centre's (SEBIC) Coffee Club morning last week with start-ups, SME practitioners and groups attending the event to learn from presentations and the open forum for 2008.

Much of the representation at the informal setting in the IDA centre was from start-up SME's but there was representation from the South East Enterprise Platform Programme (SEEPP) and the New Ross Chamber of Commerce.

Among the sectors represented were the Agri-business and thorough-bred industry, the support systems industry and the energy sector with many of the businesses in an early stage.

After an introduction by SEBIC Chief Executive Michael Maddock, the central presentation was given by the Centre's Client Account Executive in Marketing, Rosemary Ward on

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The designation of Waterford Institute of Technology as the University of the South East has been identified as the No.1 Economic Priority for the region, according to Cllr. Jack Walsh of the Labour Party.

Given the high level of job losses we are experiencing at present Cllr. Walsh believes that University Status is crucial if we are to be able to compete with the other regions in attracting high-tech, high-value jobs.

"The Government must take account of current OECD research and thinking on the importance of Higher Education in regional development and not be slaves to old thinking at the expense of the people of the South East" Cllr. Walsh stated.

"There is no point in beating around the bush" Cllr. Walsh said "Low -tech jobs are going to low cost countries, we have to compete for the high-tech industries". Not everyone

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At the launch of the IDA's End of Year Statement for 2007, CEO, Barry O' Leary said "Ireland is very well positioned to win further leading Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2008".

In an upbeat assessment based on the agencies first-rate performance in 2007, he further commented "The excellent investment achievements accomplished in 2007 in conjunction with a cohesive national strategy of collaboration among all stakeholders, continue the economic transformation of Ireland into a leading 21st century knowledge economy and so I am confident we can look forward to securing new projects, investments, R&D operations and some broader research collaborations for Ireland again in 2008."

Based on a healthy pipeline of prospective new projects, IDA has a sense of optimism and confidence that Ireland is well placed to secure significant investment during 2008, from key target sectors such as Pharmaceuticals, Biopharmaceuticals,

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IFA President Padraig Walshe said farmers are not prepared to sell cattle without a very substantial price increase and that finished cattle supplies are extremely tight and factory procurement managers and agents are finding it impossible to get stock at current price levels ranging from €2.97/kg (106p/lb) to €3.14/kg (112p/lb).

Mr. Walshe added that some small numbers of stock had moved at pre-Christmas price deals of €3.14 - 3.17/kg (112 - 113p/lb).

Padraig Walshe said "finished cattle supplies are extremely scarce and farmers with cattle to sell have something factories desperately need. There was a full sell out of beef in both the UK and domestic markets over the Christmas period and there is nothing left in stock. Brazil is now out of the picture and retailers cannot plan for

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Q. Are you Web-wise enough to know about "typosquatters"? Doubtless you've had occasion to visit their handiwork, however inadvertent.

A. Typosquatting means registering web addresses that differ from popular sites by just single-letter errors or transpositions--"typos" in editors' jargon, says "New Scientist" magazine. One example is www.goole.com, obviously designed to snare surfers misspellingwww.google.com. The popular search engine even anticipated this blunder and tried to buy up the address but was too late, though they did get gooogle.com, gooooogle.com, and goooooooooooogle.com. "But in a veritable domain-name bunfight, typosquatters somehow got the four, nine and 20- 'o' versions. Where does it all end?"

Certainly not at the White House, because if you type in www.whitehouse.org, you won't get the official site - it's at www.whitehouse.go - but rather a political spoofing instead. So, why bother? Dough-re-mi naturally, since many sites pay a small fee

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Waterford News

1939 - 1946

appointed to High Commissioner's Office

Heartiest congratulations are exteded to Mr. Jack Young, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Young, Poleberry, Waterford, on his well-merited preferment. Mr. Young, who had been attached to a Government Department in Dublin, has the "News" learns, been now transferred on promotion to an appointment in the London office of Mr. Dulanty, High Commissioner for Eire. He is a brother of Mr. Paul Young (Customs and Excise), a former secretary (and one of the most enthusiastic and energetic) of the Waterford C.Y.M.S., who was recently transferred to Dublin; of Mr. Jas. Young, Inspector of Taxes and of Mrs. C. Murphy, Bridge Street, Waterford.

Business transfer

As will be seen in the announcment in our advertising column. Mr. P. Aylward, formerly of Arundel Square is transferring his business of wholesale merchant to 13

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Masai walking: The complete health and fitness programme for 2008

Masai Walking, the complete health and fitness programme for 2008, was launched recently in St Stephen's Green. The programme consists of 200 different exercises that promote co-ordination and

stability, and work the muscles of the lower body. It was inspired by the Masai tribe of East Africa who are renowned for walking long distances and for their upright posture. MBT footwear can be worn to perform the exercises, and this enhances their effects as well as helping to prevent injury, and speed recovery and rehabilitation.

"MBT would like to help people all over the world lead a healthier life," says MBT Ireland Managing Director Noel May. " We support this vision by raising awareness of healthy walking and standing on hard, flat surfaces. We would like to achieve this through introducing

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"As 2008 gets into full swing, we would encourage people to become more drinkaware and adopt resolutions that are sustainable", commented MEAS Chief Executive, Fionnuala Sheehan. Practical New Year's resolutions that will help you moderate your alcohol intake, and adopt sensible drinking habits are available at drinkaware.ie.

Here are some timely tips to bolster and sustain those resolutions:

Know the reasons behind the resolution

There are many incentives for drinking responsibly. You may be concerned about health problems, perhaps you want to lose weight or improve family relationships. Keep these reasons in mind to maintain your motivation.

Get real

While it's great to make a resolution, it's even better to keep them realistic. Try 'I'm going to stick to the low risk drinking guidelines' instead of 'I'm going to give up booze for ever and ever'. The Department of Health and Children advises that low

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Powersfield House Announces Exciting New Cookery Schedule for Spring 2008

After the Christmas leftover-fest, super Chef Eunice Power of Powersfield House is already taken up with planning a delicious schedule of Spring cookery classes that don't include Brussels sprouts.

It's all things Mediterranean on January 26th, when the schedule kicks off with a wonderful "Italian Feast for Vegetarians". Recipes that are bound to warm the blood during the darkest of months are promised in abundance with a firm guarantee from Eunice that this course will encourage even the most consummate non-Chef into the kitchen.

Ever wondered what happens behind the swing doors of your favourite restaurant - well, wonder no more by attending the "Secrets from a Caterer's Kitchen" course which takes place on the 23rd February. All trade secrets will be shared including how to plan the perfect menu, prepare ahead of

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