Waterford Today | Waterford's free weekly newspaper

In early October Audi delivered the 10 millionth A4 model to a customer in Germany cementing its position as Audis most popular model. Since its Irish launch back in February 2008, the 8th generation the A4, has topped the highly competitive premium B segment sales table in Ireland for each of the past four years. Its domination of this segment is now set to continue into 2012 due to an extensive mid life refresh. Due with their first Irish customers in mid February 2012, the new generation A4 ranges will carry broadly similar price tags as their outgoing equivalents, despite significant styling enhancements, equipment upgrades and efficiency gains of up to 21 per cent. Prices will start at €33,040* OTR, and orders can be taken from today (December 8th)

The new A4's drive system sets new standards. The consumption levels have

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Cranes again common crane

The majority of people in Waterford and Ireland refer to the Grey Heron as the Crane and this is not so surprising as the same confusion has existed throughout the centuries. The Crane is now extinct as an Irish species but once it was a common and widespread bird of bogs and wet areas. Crane bones were found in the Neolithic - Bronze Age strata during excavations at sites as far afield as Limerick, Cork, Meath and Clare as well as in the Waterford bone caves near Dungarvan. Excavated remains in Dublin, Wexford and Tipperary show that the bird was common enough to be trapped and eaten up to the 5th century and Smith, writing of Waterford in the mid 18th century states that "In the great frost of

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Biblical perspectives for living

THE CROSS - SIGN OR POWER?

Regular readers of this column know that we often write about the cross of Jesus Christ. In a country where the landscape is dotted with ancient stone crosses, where crucifixes and Stations of the Cross adorn Church buildings in every village, town and city, is it really necessary to place so much emphasis on the cross? While almost everyone in Ireland understands the facts recorded in scripture about the cross how many have really understood what God accomplished there?

Could it be that we have sanitised the cross so that it has become unrecognisable? Have we forgotten that the cross was a barbaric form of execution, a slow, excruciatingly painful, torturous death? Do we ask why it happened and what it has to do with us? Have we domesticated the cross so that

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Thinking of a puppy for Christmas?

We are all well familiar with the slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas." Although Christmas is not always the ideal time to buy a pup, I would advise those who choose to go this route to exercise caution, and to think carefully about the practical demands of a new pup. Puppies are definitely not appropriate "surprise gifts", and the cuteness factor must be counterbalanced by the reality of house-training and the potential for chewed furniture, knocked over bins and whining at night-time.

A new arrival places demands on your time, and at holiday time, people may not want to be tied down to caring for the pup 24/7. There is also the problem that when the holidays are over, the novelty value may wear off and when the puppy grows into an

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Aries: March 21 - April 20

There could well be a sense of real pride about you, as either you, or somebody very close to you has arrived at a special place in life, perhaps having completed some project along the way, and maybe contemplating going for another. There is also the feeling of travel in the air, perhaps thinking of doing something different for Christmas? Be alert and maybe hear some some good news about a work project.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

If you have truly learned the lessons of life as you have travelled through it, then you will be more than capable of rising to any new challenge that lies in wait for you as we pass through this more than uncertain time in history. Encourage others who are also experiencing trying times, but avoid envy of them

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UP TO 30% of the population suffers with insomnia during the course of a year, and the (often addictive) sedative hypnotic drugs are some of the most heavily prescribed. As well as making you feel dreadful, not getting enough sleep can have a detrimental effect on your mental and physical health, making it harder for you to function properly. We find our brains struggling to cope, memory slipping, concentration below par - even our skin can look dull and lacklustre. The longer this goes on the harder it is for the body to go about its daily routine; it doesn't have the time to carry out important repairs or flush out its toxins and eventually it breaks down. So, it really is important you get enough rest.

Relaxation techniques, stress management courses, acupuncture and counselling have all been used successfully to

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We are all healers

Traditional, complementary and alternative healers come in many forms. The masseuses, hypnotherapists, medical doctors, herbalists, homeopaths and so on each have a touch of healing to bring at just the right time. But the power to transmit healing energy is not just limited to those who work in the healing profession. We each have the ability to awaken that power and use it in the world around us through our everyday living. We can use that power to help heal ourselves and also those around us, making everyone, including ourselves, feel better.

Examples of this healing power are to be found everywhere. The bartender knows his customers on a first name basis, knows intimate details of their lives, chats to them and makes them feel welcome. The hairdresser offers a sympathetic ear and provides sound advice and reassurance.

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Pharmacists give tips on how to stay healthy over Christmas

With Christmas just a couple of weeks away, pharmacists have prepared some top tips to stay healthy this Christmas.

Pharmacist Kathy Maher says "Christmas may be a time of good cheer but it can have its own inevitable hazards. Minor ailments, as well as cold and flu, are common over the festive season, so it's wise for people to be prepared in advance. We recommend that people consult their local pharmacist to get advice on what essentials to have in the medicines cabinet in the run up to Christmas."

Pharmacists also want to ensure patients are not left without their medicines during the Christmas period, as last year's bad weather left patients unable to visit their pharmacist.

"It is important that if you are on medication, that you have enough to last over Christmas.

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Lose weight for good and not just for Christmas Week 9

Are you feeling miserable? Is life getting you down so that food is the only thing that gives you a feeling of comfort and security? As a result of having spoken to so many people lately who feel stuck and unable to move forward, I have decided to look deeper into it today to help you change your life, because taking any action can be difficult when you feel miserable about your life and suffer from low self-esteem and confidence.

Do you feel helpless and hopeless and unable to shake yourself out of it? Have you learned to numb out your painful feelings because everything is too much of an effort? Do you feel a low sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach; with thoughts like I couldn't be bothered

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Tips for Healthy Eating this Festive Season (Part 1) by Grace Fields, Motivation Weight Management Clinic, 10 Ormonde Street, Kilkenny

A trip to the shops this Christmas need not be something to be feared by the calorie-conscious reader. Grace gives you her top tips for low calorie tasty food this Christmas. Follow these tips and you like the Motivation Weight Management Clinic clients can enjoy food but have a smaller waistline heading into 2012:

1. Plan ahead with the Christmas food shopping. How many of you will be at home to actually share the food or will you still be eating Christmas pudding in February just to use it up?!

2. Make a list and check it twice! Have a think about who will be eating what and when and then prepare your list. There's no point in you buying lots of tempting biscuits and

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Food Bloggers get a Taste of Waterford Two of the world's top food bloggers were in Waterford at the weekend paying a visit to Waterford's Cliff House Hotel, pictured were (l. to r.): Tara Kerry, Failte Ireland; Siobhan Ryan, Deputy Manager, The Cliff House Hotel; Maurice Keller, Arlington Lodge Country House Hotel, Waterford; Amy Cao, US Food Blogger; Margaret Jeffares, Good Food Ireland; and Christopher Connolly from US based food blogging site Foodspotting.com. Photo Leo Murphy

Two of the world's top food bloggers were in Waterford to see and taste all that is good about food in Ireland. Christopher Connolly and Amy Cao, from US based food blogging site Foodspotting.com, visited Waterford and spent an enjoyable evening at the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, as part of their week

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Bord Bia delivers a range of party bites for the Festive Season

At Christmas, we pride ourselves in providing the best for our family and that includes creating delicious Christmas meals with trusted ingredients. By choosing food with the Bord Bia Quality Mark this Christmas, you can be proud to know you are giving your family the best.

The Bord Bia Quality Mark means that you can trust that your food has been produced with the great care and attention along the way and you can trace these wholesome, natural ingredients back to the farm they came from.

The following recipes have been brought to you by Bord Bia's Quality Mark this Christmas - Party Bites

Skewered Duck with Chilli and Scallions

2 duck breasts, cut into thin slices, about 4cm long

18 wooden skewers

100ml light soy sauce

2 teasp. sesame oil

2-3 scallions, finely sliced

1 red chilli,

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On Thursday 15th December on RTE One at 8.30p.m., local food company Comeragh Mountain Lamb will feature on Rachel Allen's new series 'Easy Meals'.

In the programme, Rachel visits the farm of Willie Drohan in the Comeragh Mountains. She chats with Willie about the unique qualities of his lamb and is very impressed with the idyllic surroundings. She also cooks an appetising lamb and sweet potato curry which she recommends as a great dish for entertaining.

Recently Comeragh Mountain Lamb received the EirGrid Euro Toques Food Awards 2011, championed by Michael Quinn Executive Head Chef at Waterford Castle. These awards honour food producers or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Irish Food.

Rachel and Darina Allen continue to be a great support to local producers as well as being involved in Slow Food Ireland. Comeragh Mountain Lamb has supplied Ballymaloe Cookery

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Mulled wine and Brussel Sprouts galore - nope just good old fashioned trad and folk with a twist starts Wednesday 9pm 'til all hours. Thursday we throw away the mikes for a instrumental night with Wicklow band Rocket Scientists, Micheal Flatley would be proud of these guys with the foot work they preform. Local support to be announced.

Have yourself a very Van Basten on Friday is the message from Heno and the lads. Hard hitting rock and driving lyrics should make for a swell night. Support Mother MOoch, Murphy's favourite rock blues band paint the place any colour they want on Saturday 10pm Crowblack Chicken blues/hard straight up they way we like it. Slumber Sunday has us dreading Monday but the fire will be lit and well have a few cosy ones.

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2 gigs stick out as highlights from a jam-packed schedule at The Forum for the Christmas period. And So I Watch You From Afar and O Emperor are two very different bands from opposite ends of the island (Belfast and Waterford). Both excel on their own original music paths and had similar journeys this year as they played at prestigious music festivals like Benicassim (Spain), London Feis, Reading/Leeds and Electric Picnic. Both bands were given a brief to curate their own "mini-festivals" at The Forum and what a line up they have come up with. On 28th December, O Emperor play a headline set, supported by Solar Taxi and Katie Kim, during which they will premiere much of their brand new material as well as highlights from their highly successful debut Hither Thither, which was released in late 2010 and

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