Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

By Bill Sones and Rich Sones, PhD

Q. The Greeks were enthralled by what they called "perfect" numbers. What are these?

A. Consider the number 6, whose divisors 1, 2 and 3 add together to equal 6 again, says Alex Bellos in "Here's Looking at Euclid." A perfect number is any number equal to the sum of its divisors. (Strictly speaking, 6 is also a divisor but generally only lesser ones are included.) The next perfect number after 6 is 28, with divisors 1, 2, 4, 7

and 14 equaling 28. Not just the Greeks but also Jews and Christians attached cosmological significance to such numerical perfection. Wrote the ninth-century Benedictine theologian Rabanus Maurus, "Six is not perfect because God has created the world in 6 days; rather, God has perfected the world in 6 days because the number was perfect."

A. You and

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Is Cardiovascular disease preventable?

"Hi John, I enjoy your feature in Waterford Today. My query is how can you prevent cardiovascular disease in a dog." from P.B. by e-mail.

Dear P.B.,

Cardiovascular disease is a relatively common condition which affects 15% of all dogs. It is divided into two categories: congenital, which animals are born with, and acquired, which accounts for the vast majority of cases (around 95%) of all heart disease and usually appears after middle age.

It is impossible to prevent all cases of heart disease as there is often a genetic factor which predisposes certain breeds, and some dogs will develop heart disease due to the normal "wear and tear" sustained during life as they age. However, similarly to humans, there are "lifestyle" factors which can help keep the heart and circulatory system as healthy as possible for as long as

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Aries: March 21 – April 20

Now and then we find ourselves in a situation where we have to put our own lives on hold, and wait for somebody else to either catch up, or pull their finger out so that things can continue on their merry way. That seems to be where you are and patience needs to be your watchword. But still and all, you are going in the right direction, and you will probably discover that September will clarify many issues for you.

Taurus: April 21 – May 21

You need to have apparently inexplicable situations cleared up prior to being able to re-take control of your affairs. Use your talents to the full to create the best outcome. Get the facts then, and be prepared to approach surprisingly helpful colleagues and friends. A time to put plans into action

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Waterford News 1946

Dakota crashes in the alps

Almost every Day when one picks up the daily papers we read about air crashes in various parts of the world, and I see that the Swiss people are having a quiet laugh at the "hustle" of the Americans in rushing troops, trains and aircraft from Italy to Switzerland to rescue the occupants of the huge Dakota, which last week crashed in the Alps. They say that the Swiss troops who eventually rescued the crashed fliers, would have accomplished the job without any help had they been allowed to do so. However, reading about the crashes beings to mind an aeroplane crash which occurred in a Waterford street this month twenty-six years ago and which a great many people appear to have forgotten. I happened to see the crash and it still remains one

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No school worries

Dear Breda,

My almost five year old daughter starts school in a few days. She is nervous, worried and has been sleeping badly. I am so worried for her. Is there anything you can recommend to help her? Ann.

Dear Ann,

This is the dilemma facing most parents: just wanting to keep their child happy! First, Ann, stop worrying about your daughter. Children pick up on their parents' subconscious worries and can mirror them. So every time you worry about her, just tell yourself "STOP!" and visualise her as being happy and settling well into school. Your intention may create the experience!

Talk to her about your own time at school. Bring out only the positives. Times have changed, so have schools, and now they are a pleasant and fun place to learn. You can also try the homeopathic remedies described below.

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The Tower Hotel Waterford Sunday September 18th 12 - 6pm. Information Stands, Talks, Presentations, Demonstrations on: General Wellness, Nutrition & Health, Exercise, Fitness & Health, Yoga, Pilates ,Massage ,Meditation, Healthy Cookery Demo, Sample Sessions, Free Hearing Tests, Fitness Checks, FootCare Zone Free Gait Analysis, Dental Health, Senior Care Section + much much more. Proceeds from raffles, talks, challenges to Arthritis Ireland who will also deliver a talk at the event "Living with Arthritis". Series of HealthWellness Talks & Presentations during event. Free Admission. All welcome. For more details contact Mary on 087 798 26 26 .

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On Thursday September 1st from 7 to 8.30 pm the next Alzheimer Carer's Support Group meeting will be held in the Pine Grove Day Centre, Passage Road, Waterford City and all are welcome especially those caring for family members or those that may need advice on the services available locally for people with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. Contact numbers for Alzheimer Society in Waterford are 051 850491 or 856831. Carer's meetings are held monthly at the Centre and coming up on Wednesday September 21st is World Alzheimer Day and the theme this year is "Faces of Dementia". Locally events will be coming up on that day more details next week

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The Health Service Executive has strongly advised parents to ensure their children have 2 doses of MMR Vaccine, as cases of measles begin to rise in Ireland and across Europe. The MMR vaccine is the only protection available from measles, which can be a very serious and sometimes fatal illness.

Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald, HSE Director of Public Health, explained that 'we have seen a rapid increase in numbers of measles cases recently, most of them centred in North Dublin City. Measles is a serious illness, and MMR vaccine is the only protection against it. In the year 2000, a serious outbreak in Dublin saw cases rise as high as 1600, and claimed the lives of 3 young children'.

'There have been 135 cases of measles in Ireland since the start of 2011, with over 70% arising in North Dublin City. Of the

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This September marks Heart Month and the Irish Heart Foundation is calling on Irish men to look after the most important motor they own, in a drive to reverse the worrying trend which sees five men under the age of 65 dying from heart attack every week. A new prevention campaign launched by the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke urges Irish men to take a different approach to their heart health. The campaign aims to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease, the number one killer among men, and to save some of the hundreds of male lives that are lost prematurely here to heart attack every year.

'A man's guide to heart health', a new manual published by the Irish Heart Foundation to

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A new brochure that offers nurses a comprehensive insight into working in a nursing home was launched recently at the NHI national recruitment seminar that focussed on the speciality of gerontological nursing.

With nursing employment opportunities available within the nursing home sector, Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), the representative organisation for private and voluntary nursing homes, has put together a brochure aimed at nursing graduates, nursing students, and experienced nurses seeking employment. Rewarding Career Opportunities for Nurses – Working in a Nursing Home discusses the challenging and rewarding career opportunities nursing homes offer nurses and confronts the myths associated with such employment. Information on skill requirements, the work involved, career opportunities, pay, nursing care within homes and the nursing home environment are all contained within the NHI brochure.

The brochure was launched at Nursing Homes: Rewarding Career Opportunities, a Nursing Homes Ireland national

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SunFX, the World famous ALL NATURAL Tan Range is now available in Sam McCauley Outlets in Dungarvan, Broad Street & Williamstown Waterford.

SunFX which is an Australian Brand, but now manufactured in Ireland, was the first Spray Tan launched in Ireland in 2002. It is currently taking the US by storm and has been awarded the 2010 American Spa Award for favourite Sunless Tanning line. The Professional SunFX Spray Tan is available in all the leading Spas in Las Vegas and Los Angeles and loved by Celebs such as Paris Hilton & Pussycat Dolls.

"We are thrilled to have partnered with the Sam McCauley group. We have just opened our manufacturing plant here in Ireland, for the European Market, and it's great to see the product on shelf in an Irish Pharmacy chain" says Andréa Ní Éalaithe of SunFX.

SunFX is an ALL

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Motivation Weight Management Clinics today confirmed that they will open 16 new clinics by 2013 creating up to 80 jobs as obesity in Ireland has reached epidemic proportions. Motivation Weight Management Clinics have confirmed that they will open 4 new clinics in the next 4 weeks and a further 12 clinics by 2013.

The 4 new clinics due to be opened shortly with an investment of €280,000 will be located in Ennis, Co. Clare; Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Wexford town, Co. Wexford and Tuam, Co. Galway and will create 20 new jobs bringing the total employed under the Motivation Weight Management Clinics franchise to 120. Furthermore, Motivation plan to open 12 further clinics by the end of 2013, bringing the total number to 40 clinics.

A Motivation Weight Management Clinic is based in Waterford in the following locations:

Waterford City Clinic, 1 Marine House

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CANNONBALL in aid of Barretstown is back and ready to roll on Friday September 9th 2011 with the thunderous roar of 150 super cars as An Taoiseach Enda Kenny drops the flag on Merrion Square at 10am. For the first time, Cannonball will stop at Waterford and fans will be able to view the magnificent convoy of gleaming supercars at the Mall which will be closed from 2.30pm welcomed by Miss Waterford Ciara McCarthy who represented Harvey's and Waterford in the recent Miss Ireland final. Car enthusiasts will be able to get up close to their favourite supercars totally free of charge in front of the new County Council Office, New Theatre and Waterford Crystal Buildings as Cannonballers enjoy a spot of lunch at

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Maurice Pratt, a name long associated with food retailing, will chair a strong line up of high profile food industry speakers at the Enterprising Foods Seminar on September 6th. Organised by the Waterford City Enterprise Board as part of the Waterford Harvest Festival, this seminar is aimed at small and medium sized businesses who want to increase their sales and build their brands. The seminar will take place on Tuesday, 6th September from 4pm to 8pm in Garter Lane Theatre.

"We want to make this a very practical and relevant seminar," says Ciaran Cullen, CEO of Waterford City Enterprise Board. "It is a great opportunity for local food producers to get the inside track from industry experts. You will find out how to pitch your brand to a multiple

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Back to school means back to making lunches! A daunting daily challenge for even the most organized and creative parent, it's no small task to create a lunch that is healthy, well-balanced and something your kids will eat and enjoy! It's important to remember that your kids will have a more successful day at school if their tummies are filled with fresh healthy food – so when it comes to fresh versus fast – do your best to choose fresh! Research has shown that 2/3 of Irish children do not meet their recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. This year Keelings, a wholly Irish family owned company specializing in producing fruit in the Irish market for three generations, has come up

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