Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

Question: I have recently lost my job and am really struggling to pay my mortgage. I'm worried that I will lose my tracker rate. What help can I get, if any?

Answer: You should talk to your mortgage lender as soon as possible. Don't delay and allow arrears to build up.

The Central Bank's Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears sets out procedures that your lender must follow. Under the Code lenders must treat borrowers fairly and help them to meet their mortgage obligations. This means, among other things, providing you with the information you need promptly, and ensuring that this information is easy to understand. The Code also specifies that you cannot be asked to change from an existing tracker mortgage against your wishes.

Your lender must explore all options for alternative repayment arrangements with you. These can include paying interest only

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Q. In a world that gets drunk on euphemisms, what are a few of the favorites?

A. The thousands of synonyms for drinking and drunkenness range from the mundane ("tipsy") to the arcane ("all geezed up") and the colorful ("at peace with the floor,") says Ralph Keyes in his book "Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms." With elaborate decorum, drinkers "lift an elbow" to down a libation as an "eye-opener" to start the day or a "nightcap" to end it. In between, they might enjoy a "pick-me-up," a "nip," a "little snort," a "wee drop." At best, all of this may lead to having "a glow on," at worst, to being "smashed," "schnozzled," "under the table," "pie-eyed," "stewed to the gills."

During Prohibition, some feared that the colorful drinking euphemisms might disappear, one newspaper even fretting that "Hereafter Only Prunes will be

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The dangers of cat bites

A very common problem which appears in every veterinary practice, especially at this time of the year, is abscesses which are the result of infected cat bite wounds. The typical presentation is of a cat that is brought in because it is very quiet and lethargic at home, not eating or drinking and not interested in going outdoors. Other signs include stiffness, lameness and showing signs of pain when being stroked or groomed. Normally friendly and placid cats will often react aggressively to their owners touch. This is due to painful swellings which can present anywhere on the body, but are often on the legs, head, on the thighs or around the tailhead. These swellings are abscesses, which are full of infected material (pus), which may cause a foul-smelling discharge (if the abscess bursts) or may

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Aries: March 21 – April 20

After some of the fun and games you might have been experiencing over the last few weeks it could be time now, to re-focus your energies on what is the real priority in your life at the moment – and that is work, either developing it, or possibly obtaining it by looking perhaps, in a different area. Perhaps accepting something that you might not have previously contemplated, just for now, you understand.

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

We recently had a celebration in Waterford to commemorate the first raising of the Irish Tricolour, right here, in this town in 1848. A wonderful moment in which I was reminded that Waterford does have something going for it. Maybe you will find something this week that will change your mind, and possibly alter plans you have made regarding

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Waterford news 1969

The Mall in 1842 - an interesting sketch

Mr. William Furniss (member of the Borough Treasurer's staff), one of our leading local amateur artists, showed me today a most interesting pencil perspective drawing of the Mall, 1842, which came into his possession recently. The initials or name of the artist is not appended. A footnote states that the sketch was made from the Hotel door, July 26th 1842. I presume the artist took up position at the window of The Imperial.

It is a perfect perspective drawing showing Reginald's Tower on the left and the Adelphi Hotel on the right. There is a verandah (supported by stately pillars shown at the entrance to the Adelphi. A large lamp like the old gas lamps used for street lighting is fixed up to the portico. The lamp (whether gas or paraffin oil)

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The Splashworld 10K

The Splashworld 10k, promoted by Balance fitness, is on this Sunday March 27th at 12.30pm. (Registration opens from 11am) This is the third year of this event and it promises to be a great day again this year. You can check out the course at http://www.balance.ie and you can enter now at Splashworld to guarantee your place. There will be limited entries on the day. Aswell as the main event, the 10k run, there are also plenty of other reasons to come along to Splashworld on Sunday. There will be music from The Waterford Academy of music and Arts who will be setting the pre-race rhythm with their fantastic drummers. RunaMuck will add plenty of colour to the event with face painting for the kids and the Tramore Brigins will be at the finish again this year

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A Waterford's teenager's green fingers saw him receive a top award at Barnardos annual Volunteer Awards ceremony in Dublin recently. John D'Arcy, a sixth year student at St Augustine's College in Dungarvan, won the Barnardos Helping Hands Award for his work in re-opening the enchanting Littlewood garden in Stradbally, Co Waterford in a drive to fundraise for Waterford Cheshire charity. The Barnardos award ceremony recognises the hard work and commitment of volunteers both young and old.

John took it upon himself last summer to re-open the old world gardens of Beatrice Norris to the public in order to raise money for the Waterford Cheshire, a charity for people with disabilities. The well-known Littlewood garden had been closed to the public for more than eight years and was in need of some attention. John called in the support of friends, neighbours and

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Send love to your muscles!

You may be carrying tension in your body right now without realising it. Some people feel the weight of their problems in their shoulders or in the muscles attached to their spine. So – just take a moment, and scan your body for any areas of tension or strain. Just ask, and see what your muscles are trying to tell you. Listen to them! You may hear, feel or think a response. Take another few seconds to have a conversation with your muscles as to why they are tense. Now take a deep breath inhaling inwards, and as you slowly exhale, imagine that you are sending your breath to all your muscles, telling them to relax, relax, relax.

Feel and send compassionate understanding to all your muscles, and thank them for the excellent job that they are

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"38% of Irish Adults are overweight and 23% are obese, while 25% of Irish Children are overweight and 7% obese. Ireland is one of the heaviest nations in Europe and 43% of adults are concerned about their weight. We must convince people of the need to be healthy rather than focus on dieting", television personality Dr Nina Byrnes told the Kellogg's Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (INDI) symposium which was held in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin on Thursday 3rd March. The event was attended by almost 100 INDI members who gathered to discuss topics ranging from motivating patients to enable them battle obesity, to innovative therapies for irritable bowel syndrome.

Dr Nina Byrnes focused on the motivational and behavioural side of treatment rather than the

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Supports Organ Donor Awareness Week

RTE TV and radio presenter, Joe Duffy, has pledged his support to this year's Organ Donor Awareness Week campaign. The life saving awareness campaign which is organised by the Irish Kidney Association and supported by the Irish Donor Network will take place from 2nd - 9th April, 2011. Joe Duffy's radio show, 'Liveline', generated a massive public response in September 2009, when Joe interviewed his personal friend, Emmy award screenwriter Frank Deasy, on the subject just days before his death from liver cancer. Poignantly, in the same week as the interview Frank, the father of three died whilst undergoing his urgent liver transplant operation. His remarkable legacy was a surge in organ donor cards requests by the public which remains unprecedented with over 16,000 requests in just one week. (Since then), Joe Duffy has continued to

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Aware, the national organisation providing information and emotional support to individuals and families affected by depression, has announced details of a new support group in Waterford City. The group will meet in the Edmund Rice Centre, Barrack Street, Waterford every Tuesday at 7.30pm. For further information contact Katy on 087 646 2079.

More than 400,000 people in Ireland experience depression at any one time, and many family members and friends are also impacted as they try to support their loved one through what can be a difficult journey. The condition impacts thoughts, feelings, behaviour, energy, and in some cases the will to live. Depression is a very treatable condition however, so getting help and support as soon as possible is important, particularly at this time when there are so many pressures and stresses in everyone's life. All of Aware's support services,

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Over half of all Irish drinkers have harmful pattern of drinking

A practical step by step guide for those recovering from alcohol addiction, written by consultant addiction psychiatrist Dr Conor Farren, has been launched.

The book, 'Overcoming Alcohol Misuse – a 28-Day Guide', is based on the author's experience as an addiction psychiatrist and on the best and most up-to-date treatment research. The author estimates that he has seen upwards of 10,000 people with addictive problems over the last 20 years and this experience fuelled his desire to reach out to the estimated 250,000 people in Ireland with alcohol misuse, and to their loved ones.

Written with the aim of demystifying the disease of alcoholism and the recovery process, the book shows how loved ones and professional therapists can work to increase a person's insight and help them to overcome obstacles to recovery.

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Bord Bia has just completed its ninth annual 'Pork Experience – from Farm to Fork' programme. Over the past few weeks in excess of 250 catering students from ten Institute of Technology Colleges nationwide participated in 'pork' training days which started in IT Tralee and was followed by Athlone IT and Bord Bia's Foodcentre, Dublin last week.

Neven Maguire, award winning chef and owner of MacNean House and Restaurant, Blacklion, Co. Cavan, was on hand at each of the sessions to demonstrate the versatility, value and quality of Irish pork. The programme, organized and sponsored by Bord Bia in conjunction with the IFA, aims to further educate catering students on the benefits of using pork in the foodservice sector.

Last month, broadcast personality and champion of all things Irish, Hector

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Dr. Marian Faughnan, nutritionist with safefood has some advice for stressed parents

Picky or fussy eating is a common problem all parents face at some point, often making mealtimes a misery. In most cases it's just a phase – but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with and many parents become stressed when food is refused. Dr. Marian Faughnan, nutritionist with safefood has some advice for stressed parents.

At times, children might not take anything at all but don't panic - this is actually quite a normal process in a child's development. If your child seems healthy and is reaching their weight and height goals then there's probably nothing to worry about. Some of the reasons behind healthy toddlers refusing food are looking for attention, trying to show their independence or they may be just trying to feed themselves.

Some key

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One man, one bike, 1,000 miles and 52 coastguard stations to raise funds for national organisation, Anam Cara.

On Wednesday 23 March, Stephen Mullaly, a volunteer Irish Coast Guard in Tramore, will start a 1,000 mile cycle around Ireland, calling into 52 Irish Coast Guard stations en route.  Stephen is undertaking this inspiring challenge, which will take 12 days to complete, in aid of the Irish charity Anam Cara http://www.anamcara.ie , which offers bereavement services and support to families following the death of a child.

Stephen will start his 'Beacon of Hope' cycle in his home town of Tramore, Co. Waterford and his route will take him up the east coast, through Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin and Louth.  From there he will travel by bus across to Greencastle in Donegal and cycle along the coasts of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry

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