Planet Gig Guide updates to provide festival safety tips!

Planet Gig Guide, a free app offering comprehensive, up to date listings of the all the festivals and events taking place in Ireland, recently updated its content to provide personal safety tips for concert and festival goers this summer.

The app now provides a list of festival “do’s and don’ts” to ensure festival goers are safe at all times, whether travelling to or at a festival event.

According to Richard Cahill, Business Manager with Planet Gig Guide, some highly publicised disorder at some recent events prompted Planet Gig Guide to promote and increase awareness of personal safety at festivals this summer.

“The majority of concert goers go to follow the music and have a good time, however, it is hard to legislate for the small minority intent on causing harm to themselves and others.”

“Although the new safety tab contains straightforward and sensible information, it is useful to have on hand when planning your festival visit.”

The app relays a host of useful tips such as ensuring your phone is fully charged before you go. If you get separated from your friends it is invaluable in making contact.  However, in cases where there is little or interrupted phone coverage, prearrange a meeting point with your friends, in case you get lost or separated from the group.

Drink plenty of water and try to avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol and sunshine can also maximize the effects of alcohol, so pace yourself, remember water is a must and wear sunscreen.

If you are driving to the concert make a note of where you left your car and the same applies if you are at a camping festival – you may think you can remember where you pitched your tent, but things look very different at night returning from a ten hour mosh!

Fr. Paul Murphy of Order of Malta Ireland also welcomed the personal safety tab to the Planet Gig Guide app.  He said “The Order of Malta is present at the majority of major sporting and music events throughout Ireland.  Whilst we always appeal to concert goers to act responsibly and be aware of first aid provisions at venues, this app will reinforce the precautions one should take when one is at an unfamiliar venue surrounded by thousands of people.”

“Most people go to concerts because they are genuine music fans.  Unfortunately, however we regularly witness scenarios where people jeopardise their own personal safety, even before the concert has started.  By following some straight forward safety tips and being responsible, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed.”

Richard added “There is a wealth of fantastic music, food and arts festivals taking place in this country over the coming months; all well – run festivals at which visitor safety is paramount.  However, by taking responsibility for your own safety and that of your friends and family you will ensure a memorable time.”

To keep up to date on all the live music events, festivals and concerts happening throughout Ireland and the “do’s and don’ts” for the festival season,  just download the free Planet Gig Guide app from the Apple and Android stores, or find out more on Facebook at www.facebook.com/planetgigguide.

Home Instead Senior Care recognised for highlighting senior matters

Home Instead Senior Care Waterford was recently recognised for the positive impact it has made on senior issues in Waterford City and County.

Kay Wasserman, Global Business Development Director, with Home Instead International, visited the Waterford branch as part of a European tour and was particularly impressed with the Waterford branch’s commitment and dedication to highlighting senior issues.

  

Danette Connolly, Director of Care at Home Instead Senior Care, Waterford, has been active in raising awareness about issues pertinent to seniors and regularly communicates to the public on a range of topics such as; Care Choices for Seniors, osteoporosis and fall prevention, positive ageing solutions; elder abuse awareness; raising public awareness about elder abuse; dementia and Alzheimer’s.

According to Kay Wasserman, the Waterford office provides a dedicated home care service, but is continually working to bring senior issues to the fore.  “The team at Home Instead has strived to offer the best level of care for its clients, but has also been instrumental in increasing public awareness about senior matters.”

“Danette and Michael Connolly have also been active in supporting Waterford City Library Service’s Bealtaine Festival, supporting the Golden Year’s Festival and lobbying for the regulation of care services for the 60,000 seniors throughout Ireland.”

Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s leading provider of non-medical, in-home services to seniors, with almost 1,000 branches throughout the world, opened its franchise office in Waterford in January 2009.  To date the Waterford branch has cared for over 600 clients, employs 70 CAREGivers along with an office support team of 7.

Home Instead Senior Care offers an array of senior care services such as light housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, transport and companionship, up to and including personal care, dementia care, post hospital care and disability care.

To find out more about the Home Instead Senior Care service visit www.homeinstead.ie or contact the Waterford office on 051 333966

Calling all hogs!

Boobs and Balls Road Trip 2012 in aid of the South Eastern Cancer Foundation Solas Centre

 In August 2011, a large group of motorcycle enthusiasts from all over Ireland, and further afield, gathered at Athlone to begin a motorcycle road trip that took 270 KM to complete and raised over €23,000 for the Solas Centre, South Eastern Cancer Foundation.

The support, enthusiasm and awareness that the event raised has got them doing it again in 2012!

On Saturday morning, July 21^st 2012, the Boobs and Balls 2012 Road Trip will convene at Crookstown Service Station in Co. Kildare and over 1,000 motorcycle enthusiasts are expected to make the journey to John Roberts Square, Waterford City. 

The entourage is scheduled to reach Waterford by 2pm.  Their arrival will signal the start of the Waterford Motorcycle Festival & Custom Bike Show, where an action packed weekend is guaranteed with spectacular custom bikes, incredible free live bands and a dedicated pub trail, all packed into the historic city centre. On Saturday afternoon the main stage at John Roberts Square will host Unusual Suspects and at 5pm the custom bike show prize-giving will commence with a variety of top prizes on offer to the best custom motorcycles on display.

Each year 2000 people across the South East are diagnosed with cancer.  Regarded as one of the finest cancer support facilities in the country today, the Solas Centre provides a series of health and education initiatives, client programmes, art programmes, support groups, and counselling services for the region’s cancer patients and their families.

The philosophy of the Solas Centre is manifold; to provide cancer patients and their families with a safe place to talk things over and to help them cope with living with cancer.  It also continues to not only to educate people about cancer prevention, but also to change our mindset around cancer.

The drive and initiative of the Boobs and Balls committee, motorcycle enthusiasts and the generosity and goodwill of the general public has ensured that the cancer support services provided by the Solas Centre can continue to help those affected by cancer throughout the South East.

If you would like to register for the Boobs and Balls Roadtrip 2012 check out www.waterfordharleydavidson.com

Or for more information about the cancer support services at the Solas Centre call 051 304604, visit www.solascentre.ie or check out the Facebook page Solas Centre – South Eastern Cancer Foundation.

Bluegrass to deliver tourism boost to Dunmore East

With dates firmly fixed in the International Bluegrass calendar since 1995, the 18^th Guinness International Bluegrass Festival in Dunmore East is set to deliver a welcome economic boost to the local economy.

Taking place from August 23^rd to August 26^th, the festival organisers are anticipating an influx of music lovers to the village over the four day festival.

According the festival organiser, Mick Daly, last year’s event was well attended and delivered a huge economic boost to the local businesses.  “Over the three days of last year’s festival Dunmore East welcomed 20,000 visitors.  The spin off was that almost €1.2 million was generated for the local economy which provided a refreshing shot in the arm for the local businesses in the village”, he said.

Many of the local businesses in the scenic fishing village are looking forward to the return of the international music festival, which boasts a jam packed line-up of free gigs, headlined by New Yorker, Jack Grace and his Band.

Richie Roberts, Proprietor of Avonlodge B&B said, “Each year the festival gives Dunmore East a boost.  Dunmore’s Bluegrass has a very loyal following and over the last 17 years we have welcomed the same music lovers from Wales, Northern Ireland and further afield.  They return year after year for the great music, warm hospitality and stunning scenery.”

Elaine Power, proprietor of the village’s Centra, also endorsed the festival, “The Bluegrass is very beneficial to the village from an economic point of view.  With the Irish weather less and less dependable, the tourist season is more intermittent so it’s great to have a festival that helps to extend the tourist season and bring an influx of visitors to the village.”

This year’s festival, Ireland’s largest free bluegrass event, promises an exciting line-up of bluegrass, blues, rhythm and roots, including Jack Grace and his band (USA), Jeff and Vida (USA), Land’s End (UK) and a host of performers from Ireland.

The local pubs and hotels; the Strand Inn, The Haven Hotel, The Spinnaker, Powers Bar and Azzurro, will host dozens of free gigs throughout the weekend. The 18^th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, August 23rd at The Spinnaker Bar.

For more information about the 18^th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com

Solas Centre launches the 2012 South East Run for Life

It’s time to get active and run for life once more. That is the call from the organisers of the Solas Centre South East Run for Life this week as they announced details of the 2012 event which takes place on Sunday October 14th.

The run looks set to be bigger and better than ever, with a new route for those taking part this time round.  Every year across Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow and Kilkenny 2000 people will be diagnosed with cancer. That is why the organisers are hoping to garner the support of 2,000 participants to take part in aid of the Solas Centre.

The centre moved to its new state of the art facility in Ardkeen eighteen months ago and is now regarded as the leading cancer support facilities in the country. The centre is a haven for those affected by cancer (including those diagnosed with cancer, family members, carers and friends) who wish to avail of confidential informal support services such as counselling, art psychotherapy therapy, message, reflexology, support groups provided by highly trained individuals in a professional manner.

A staggering €265,000 was raised from last year’s South East Run for Life but the work must go on and organisers appealed this week for people to get active and get involved. Brian Creedon, SECF Chairman, said “The Solas Centre wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the generosity of the local community. But it is a work in progress. We must keep fundraising to ensure that the highest quality cancer support services are available to those affected by cancer in the South East.”

Do your bit and take part in this year’s South East Run For Life. Sponsorship cards are available from the Solas Centre, on our website www.solascentre.ie, Beat 102 103 studios, Sam McCauleys and AIB branches. For further information contact the Solas Centre on 051 304604 or check out the ‘Solas Centre South East Run for Life’ Facebook page.

18th year for Dunmore Bluegrass!

Jeff and Vida return to Dunmore Bluegrass

What began in 1995, as a small intimate music session, bringing together an eclectic group of bluegrass musicians, has grown and flourished and this year sees the Guinness International Bluegrass Festival return to Dunmore East, Co. Waterford for its 18^th year.

The festival will take place in the picturesque fishing village from August 23^rd to August 26^th and the festival organisers are delighted to welcome back perennial bluegrass favourite, Jack Grace, aka The Martini Cowboy.

Jack Grace and his band will headline an enviable line up of bluegrass artists for Ireland’s only free bluegrass music festival and fans of bluegrass, country, rhythm, roots, new grass and blues are expected to descend on the picturesque fishing village to enjoy free music events played throughout the village’s pubs and hotels.

The Strand Inn, The Haven Hotel, The Spinnaker, Powers Bar and Azzurro, will play host to dozens of free gigs throughout the weekend with local, national and international bluegrass names playing a variety of traditional and contemporary bluegrass music.

According to Mick Daly, Festival Founder and Organiser, this years festival promises something for all music lovers.  “Headline act Jack Grace brings his own unique urban style to bluegrass, while there will be the more traditional bluegrass names featuring at the festival, such as The Cotton Pickin’ Rodeo Clowns, the Mons Wheeler Band, Land’s End and The Jeff and Vida Band.”

“The Jeff and Vida Band from New Orleans went down a storm when they performed at the festival back in 2009.  We are looking forward to this New Orleans acoustic roots band performing a repertoire of original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country.”

“Visitors can also expect some high energy performances from Galway band Mikey and the Scallywags, returning for their second year and bringing with them a variety of entertainment that ranges from gypsy to bluegrass to folk to storytelling”, he added.

The 18^th International Bluegrass Festival will also provide a welcome economic boost for the local economy.  Last year there were almost 20,000 visitors to the village over the three day festival.

The 18^th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival kicks off at 7pm on Thursday, August 23rd at The Spinnaker Bar and Restaurant and will feature bluegrass and blues bands, playing free gigs in the villages’ pubs, restaurants and hotels.

For more information about the 18^th Guinness International Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Co. Waterford visit www.discoverdunmore.com

Waterford Rotary Club welcomes new President

Waterford Rotary Club is proud to announce Kjell Nolke as its new President, taking the reigns from Kathleen Fitzgerald.

Kjell has been an active member of Rotary for six years. Originally from Killarney, with German parents, Kjell's commitment to the club has earned the respect of fellow members who voted him in as their new president for the forthcoming year.

Mr. Nolke expressed how much he is looking forward to the coming year, "It is a huge honour for me to become President of Waterford Rotary Club. I still feel very much a newcomer to Waterford, but have made so many good friends in the club. The sense of family amongst members and achievement in all the events run by the club makes it very much a part of members’ lives.”

“Being self employed, membership of the club is the best way to get me out into my community and become involved in the clubs local, regional as well as international fund raising events. This year will be very exciting for the club, most notably with the advent of the new Waterford Christmas Winterval Festival. This exciting festival will be a wonderful stage for our Rotary Christmas tree".

Kjell is an optometrist, running Nolke opticians in Ardkeen and Tramore together with his wife Yvonne. They have two children Ewan (10) and Katie (8).

Is Pain Affecting Your Game?

 
What do Graeme McDowell, Tiger Woods and more than 75% of the golfers in the PGA have in common? They receive regular chiropractic care. Amateur golfers can also reap the performance-boosting rewards of regular care. 

John Dineen of Dynamic Chiropractic in Waterford in conjunction with Ryan Hunt PGA Golf Manager at Faithlegg Golf Club is launching a golfers health initiative this July.  Both are offering expert consultations at Sienna Home Furnishings in the city (opposite John Mitchell’s golf) as part of their ‘Is pain affecting your game?’ afternoon on Saturday July 14^th from 2pm to 5pm.

Proper posture - both on and off the course - is key to avoiding golf-related injuries and improving your game. For instance a level back swing is dependent on proper posture. A back swing is actually two motions in one: the up-down movement of the arms and the rotation of the body - both directly dependent on spinal health. That is why a healthy spine is so vital to a golfers’ game. If the spine is restricted the swing will be restricted. 

If we tend to sit, sleep and lift in the incorrect positions during the week, we tend to accumulate tightness in our bodies. Then when we unleash all on the 1^st tee problems can quickly follow, as well as compromised performance. While the correct clubs appropriate to your height are very important, equally important could be your armchair chair, if it leaves you slouched and strains your spine.

Warming up is essential.  However, despite overwhelming evidence supporting the need to warm up, most golfers remain cold to the idea.  An integrated and complete approach is often best when succeeding in any sport.  So perhaps next time you are trying to scrape a shot or two off your round remember the importance of all that happens to your body before you even place your tee.

Dynamic Chiropractic is an established Waterford city centre practice that specialises in the manual care of pain and injury. Computerised gait analysis is also used at the clinic to diagnose incorrect biomechanics of the foot. Effective treatment can help optimise performance in all of life’s activities, including golf. 

Ryan Hunt PGA Golf Manager at Faithlegg Golf Club in Waterford agrees, “In general the back is such an important part of the body no matter what physical activity you are carrying out.  And when it comes to the golf swing this is very true! In an ideal set up position the spine needs to be kept relatively straight as the body bends forward at waist level, this position needs to be maintained for the majority of the swing up until the finishing position.

The source of golfers back pain can originate from lack of flexibility, faulty swing mechanics and lack of physical ability to name but a few. These problems can ease overtime through exercise or other assistance such as providing your back with proper support when resting or sleeping. If the golfer gives his/her back the attention it deserves, overtime the golfer will reap the benefits resulting in improved strength/stability, correct swing mechanics and more importantly a true, powerful golf swing.”

For back-care while you are sleeping, Sienna has the most comprehensive collection of high quality beds, mattresses and pillows available in the South East. The latest innovations in bed and mattress technology, including memory foam, latex and gel beds are all available from Sienna who also exclusively stock the Bed Tailor® Collection which offer as selection of natural fillings such as cotton, wool, mohair, cashmere and silk.  These naturally breathable filling provide a cooler sleep surface, and combined with the most advance spring technologies, to provide the ultimate support for the natural curvature of the spine.   
  
Sienna has a number of exclusive seating products that are specifically suited to assist individuals with back problems, products such as Zerostress®, a collection of reclining armchairs and sofas which are specifically designed to promote good sitting posture. The fully trained and certified team at Sienna are on hand to help you make the bed or seating choice that is right for you. 

For more information on back care for golfers avail of your free expert assessment and consultation with John Dineen of Dynamic Chiropractic and Ryan Hunt PGA Golf Manager at Faithlegg Golf Club at the Sleep Room in Sienna Home Furnishings at the Tramore Road Business Park in Waterford City, anytime from 2pm to 5pm this Saturday July 14^th. 

And the good news is, anyone who attends the assessment at Sienna on the 14^th is entered into a draw for a €200 voucher from John Mitchell’s Golf, which is located opposite Sienna Home Furnishings.