January 18, 2010

200 Clamped Cars Abandoned… Anyone???

More than two hundred clamped cars were abandoned by their owners last year rather than paying the clampers fee.

It seems some drivers simply shrug and opt for one of the flood of cheap second-hand cars on the market when their trusty old vehicle is clamped.

Last year, more than 200 cars went unclaimed when they were taken off the streets of Dublin city after being clamped and towed away.

Amid plummeting car prices, a Dublin City Council spokeswoman said: “In most cases, the cost of reclaiming the vehicle would exceed the value of the vehicle.” If the vehicle is towed to the city car pound then the price starts to soar. The owner has to fork out €80 for clamp removal, a further €80 to cover the costs of towing and a storage charge of €35 for each day it is held.

Ok… So I get it why someone in desperate circumstances might not reclaim a vehicle or might not want to pay the fine… maybe a little, but I have still got to ask: Seriously… who are these people?

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT.IE

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January 8, 2010

Featured Video – “Long May You Reign” John Shelly & The Creatures

John Shelley & The Creatures release their new single Long May You Reign (RELEASED ONLINE via iTunes on Feb 5th 2010) , a song that proves that this band is quite simply “WOW!”.

If you know your music then you won’t take long to realise that musically this band are Northern Ireland’s answer to REM.

Long May You Reign has all the right innuendoes that indicate that John Shelly & The Creatures have plenty of talent in reserve to give them longevity in the Music – March 5th sees the release of the album “Dinosaur”

John Shelly and the Creatures on MUZU

Links To The Band:

Website: www.johnshellyandthecreatures.com

MUZU: www.muzu.tv/jsc

Myspace: www.myspace.com/jsatc

Bebo: www.bebo.com.wattswalter

Upcoming Shows: The Dinosaur Tour

8th February 10 – King Kong Club, Dublin

10th February 10 – The Old Oak, Cork

11th February 10 – Spirit Store, Dundalk

12th February 10 – Backroom Navan, Meath

13th February 10 – Whelan’s, Dublin

14th February 10 – Cuba, Galway

19th February 10 – The Stables, Mullingar

20th February 10 – Sandinos, Derry

25th February 10 – Dolans, Limerick

26th February 10 – The Sky & the Ground, Wexford

27th February 10 – Dew Drop Inn, Kill

4th March 10 – Auntie Annies, Belfast (Album Launch)

19th March 10 – An Grianan Theatre, Letterkenny

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January 6, 2010

A Question of Certainty – Stem Cell Research.

Certainty: Noun 1 Something that cannot be doubted or is bound to happen.
2 Freedom from doubt; the state of being sure. 3 The state of being bound
to happen.

One certainty in life is that one of the major downsides of being in good health is that all too often it makes it is very easy to forget that “Health” is an issue that affects everyone. It is always relevant – whether someone is well or unwell, young or old and no matter a person’s level of fitness. It’s the human condition, people are fragile – we age, while our bodies are prone to disease, injury and damage. Like so many, I’m guilty of only thinking about the issue of health when I become sick – and yet it is an issue that is all around us in everyday life from hospitals to headache tablets.

Yet, despite our frailties, people have always striven to overcome the things that threaten our well-being through science and medical research – medicine, new surgical and therapeutic techniques, vaccines and prosthetics have all gone a long way towards improving quality of life. Another is “Controversy” and throughout the history of the world there has always been debate surrounding “New Developments” and Medical Research is no exception.

One such area that has provoked much controversial scrutiny is Stem Cell Research. It’s also a subject that deserves careful consideration. The Harvard Stem Cell Institute conducts extensive research in the field of stem cells which form the foundation for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells may be able to repair or replace damaged tissue, thereby reversing diseases and injuries such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood diseases, to name but a few.

Equally as important, while the studies have shown enormous possibilities and potential the issue raises many ethical and moral questions for people. The controversy arises when we look at how Stem Cells are obtained. In short, there are several sources of cells used in research: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. The first, embryonic stem cells are obtained from a fertilized egg (generally taken from embryos created during in vitro fertilization but never implanted in a patient). The second is found in tissues and organs throughout the body (referred to as adult stem cells, or tissue-specific cells and in many cases are confirmed to help repair and maintain injured or damaged tissue).

The important question: Critics argue that life begins at conception and these human embryos should not be used for research. Proponents disagree that life begins at conception and explain that these frozen masses of cells are otherwise destined for destruction. Both sides of the discussion have valid concerns. In a world that sees people suffer with terrible illnesses, but has also seen ethics and morality ignored in the name of science, we must practice informed care. One final certainty is that while we seek ways of improving health, there must be certainty that what we do is right.

Further Information about stem cells

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December 24, 2009

Where’s Santa Claus Now – Follow His Journey on Norad Santa Tracker!

Santa Claus is coming to town!…

He’s made his list and he’s checked it twice and now he’s on his way!

Follow his journey as he makes his way around the world this Christmas!

Thanks to Norad (North American Aerospace Defense Command) everyone can follow Santa live on the internet, as he makes his way in his sleigh with Rudolph and the other reindeer, to the homes of all the little boys and girls!

(Click the link below to follow Santa!)

NORAD TRACKS SANTA CLAUS

You can also track Santa on Google Earth

Also Visit Santa’s Village to see what’s been going on, and join in on the fun!

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Filed under Something Else

December 23, 2009

Christmas Songs / Videos: Remembering My 10 Best Festive Tunes!

Below is a list of my Top Ten favourite Christmas Songs. While it counts down to what is simply my own personal Number 1 favourite, I felt it would be nice to wrap up what has been a wonderful year of reviewing several musician acts, with something a little festive… and a couple of Youtube Christmas Videos to boot! Just my way of wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

10. Every Year, Every Christmas – Luther Vandross

9. Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie and Bing Crosby

8. Cool Yule! – Bette Midler!

7. What if – Kate Kinslet.

6. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Andrea Bocelli

5. Let it Snow! – Dean Martin

4. Christmas Shoes – New Song

3. Driving Home For Christmas – Chris Rea

2. Fairytale Of New York – The Pogues & Kirsty McColl

1. A Christmas to Remember – Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers (This Week’s Featured Video!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY YEAR EVERYONE !

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November 27, 2009

Featured Video – “Wanna Healing Music” Hitman Lord

Hitman Lord makes this weeks featured video with Wanna Healing Music, the evocative and melodious diamond of Rocktronic pop with Sprur-burning accoustic rythm blended through a superbly crafted musical works. The video really makes the grade too with a Wild At Heart feel that would do David Lynch proud!

Hitman Lord has preformed with a wide variety of artists including: Boss Volenti, Glen Hansard, Jinx Lennon, The Minutes & Damien Dempsey. He has also performed as part of the “Phantom Live Friday” gigs, by invitation. His live performances have been described as “spiritual”, and his distinctive voice and sound has seen him win over audiences in some of the most prestigious venues in both Ireland and overseas in the UK.

Taking influences from ol’ school classic song writing values as much as future music sonic-visionists. Hitman Lord believes that “however much you push with technology to find new sonic territory there must be the beating heart of a true blood and guts song for music to have genuine gravity and purpose”, so craft and storytelling mean as much to him as discovering a brand new noise, he wants to find his own musical landscape and says that people are more than welcome to come and take a visit.

The Sunday Independant declare that “Hitman Lord’s sound will make people sit up and take notice”.

HOTPRESS say he is “The genuine article, making the most delicious pop music from this island at the moment or anywhere for that matter”.

Hitman Lords New Single “Wanna Healing Music” Out Now!!
Hitman Lord on Itunes:

Hitman Lord on Amazon:

downloadmusic.ie/hitmanlord

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November 17, 2009

Foinse – From Demise to Reincarnation – Relaunched 18th November

Foinse, in a strange twist to an ongoing story of demise and reicarnation, Ireland’s biggest Irish language newspaper has announced that the newly reborn Foinse newspaper will be distributed free every Wednesday, starting 18 November with the Irish Independent, the largest selling national daily in Ireland.

Back in June I asked all you to join me in signing my “Petition To Save Foinse” – Ireland’s then, Last Irish Language Newspaper. The response was amazing with thousands of signatures which were sent to Pádraig Ó Ceidigh, owner of Foinse at the time, Brian Cowen, Éamon Ó Cúiv and Foras na Gaeilge – Sadly, back then the Irish newspaper would not be saved and was let to perish leaving a cultural void in Ireland.

NOW IT’s BACK!

The newly revitalised Irish language newspaper, will now have a weekly circulation of 152,204 through the Irish Independent promoting and encouraging the Irish language and culture on a truly nationwide scale. Foinse will also feature seven pages of attractively presented learning tools and texts for all ages and levels of knowledge.

Source: The Irish Independent

Related Posts.

Foinse

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November 13, 2009

Musical Youth Foundation (CHY#18624) Charity Launch Party Fundraiser – November 26th

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Musical Youth Foundation (CHY#18624) ‘Launch Party’ Fundraiser

On Thursday November 26th The Village Venue on Wexford Street will play host to the Musical Youth Foundation’s (CHY18624) launch party fundraiser.

Entertainment will be provided by five of Ireland’s most promising emerging artists including; Fiach, Carosel, Iseult Sheehy, the River Valley Band and winners of Rising Stars 2009, Mob Fandango!

Venue: The Village Venue, Wexford Street
Doors: 8pm / Show 8.30pm

Tickets for this exclusive show are just €5. + booking fees and are available from www.wavtickets.com & www.tickets.ie . All proceeds will go directly to the Musical Youth Foundation which will shortly be making a donation to a Dublin City community centre. The donated funds will be used to establish a music education programme for underprivileged children.

The ‘Musical Youth Foundation’ (CHY#18624) was established by Dublin City Soul Festival as part of our desire to effect positive change on the local community.

Aside from independent fund raising initiatives the MYF will benefit, in part from the future financial success of the Dublin City Soul Festival with a percentage of ticket sales revenue going directly to the MYF in due course. Furthermore it is hoped that the MYF can encourage Irish concert promoters to follow suit and make an annual contribution to the foundation for the benefit of the local and wider community.

Long term plans for the Musical Youth Foundation include the establishment of satellite groups in major cities across Ireland. Furthermore the MYF aim to establish a Music Academy in Dublin City, where children under 18 can go to practise their instruments, establish bands and benefit from mentoring from industry experts including high profile artists in a safe and secure environment.

Donations to the Musical Youth Foundation can be made via their official website Please think kindly of helping out; www.musicalyouthfoundation.com (new site launches very soon!!!)

Musical Youth Foundation (CHY#18624) Charity Launch Party