This year, celebrate New Year’s Eve weekend in Dublin City Centre with all the family with a host of FREE family events including outdoor markets, a big brunch and a kid’s rattle n’ roll disco as part of the NYE Dublin Festival, which runs from December 30^th 2011-1^st January 2012. The streets and historic buildings of the city will come alive as locals and visitors alike experience a jam packed programme with something for all ages.

Families can meander through the historic streets of the city centre and see what delights are on offer from the Seasonal Markets that will take over Dame Court, Wolfe Tone and Barnardo Squares.  Barnardo and Wolfe Tone Squares will feature an array of market stalls offering everything from handcrafted gifts to a delicious selection of artisan food. Dame Court will be transformed into a vintage shopping district featuring a flea market, vintage record stalls and clothes swap sessions in over 20 venues, the perfect location to pick up a vintage bargain.   

Each day an array of colourful characters will descend on the markets to add an extra bit of fun to the day, expect face painters, magicians, balloon modellers and puppeteers. Get your ice skates on and enjoy the open air ice skating rink at Wolfe Tone Square. The markets are open daily from 11am to 7pm on the 30^th, 31^st of December and the 1^st of January. The Ice skating rink at Wolfe Tone Square is open from 10am – 10pm and costs €10 (children) and €12 (adults)

On December 30^th and 31^st from 1pm -4pm kids  of all ages can hit the dance floor and boogie the day away in the majestic surroundings of City Hall at the Free  Rattle n’ Roll Disco. A dance extravaganza for all ages, hit the dance floor for the hottest tunes around, think Jackson 5 to Lady GaGa.

Celebrate the first day of 2012 with all the family at the Big Brunch in Meeting House Square.  On New Year’s Day, Meeting House Square complete with new retractable rain cover, will be transformed into a fun filled venue for all the family. The square will host a children’s entertainment zone with balloon modelling, face painting, puppet and magic shows. A Mini Market area will offer the freshest local food. You will be able to meet the farmers, chefs, growers and bakers and enjoy your tasty treats in the picnic area.

New Year’s Day would not be complete without the making of a resolution for the new year.  As part of the festivities, groups, families or individuals will have the opportunity to write their resolution down for 2012 and hang them from the ‘Resolution Trees’ that will be positioned on the square, some resolutions will be broadcast on the big screen.  A full programme of musical entertainment will keep families entertained throughout the day expect a vintage tea dance with dancers in vintage costume, dancing  everything from the Charleston to the Lindy Hop, a traditional Irish Ceili with a performance by Electric Ceili and a performance by the Fingal County Youth Orchestra. The Big Brunch, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, 1^st January 2012, 11am to 4pm, admission free.

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On Sunday, 4^th December at 2pm on Dublin’s South King Street, cheesy Christmas jumper lovers nationwide will have their moment as Dublin City BID hold their first ever Christmas jumper world record attempt. Aptly named ‘Geansaí Nollaig Day’, the event will see Christmas jumper wearers of all ages, shapes and sizes gather en masse to set the world record for the highest number of Christmas jumpers in the same place at the same time in aid of Barretstown.    

The process is simple. People from all over the land are invited to take part by donning their most festive jumper creations alongside fellow Christmas fanatics on South King Street. There they will be invited to sing along to some classic Christmas carols, enjoy some great on street entertainment for all the family and soak up the atmosphere at this altogether alternative Christmas celebration.

For updates and information on the Christmas jumper world record and other great things to do over the Christmas period in the city check out Dublin City BID’s newly launched Christmas website www.dublinatchristmas.ie.

Getting your nanny off to a good start largely depends upon how well you have done your job screening, hiring, and then preparing your nanny.  Your work is not done when you offer them the job and they show up, it’s your responsibility to make sure they know everything you want them to know as quickly as possible to keep everyone on the same page and to enable them to be successful in their new role.

The common conditions of heartburn and indigestion can be painful and cause discomfort to sufferers. Indigestion is caused by excess stomach acid. The burning sensation caused by the flow of acid is called heartburn, and this occurs when acid from the stomach leaks into the oesophagus (food pipe) and rises up the throat.     

Symptoms of heartburn and indigestion vary from person to person and can range from feeling uncomfortably full or belching after eating, to feeling bloated, or having a burning sensation in the abdomen or pain in the chest. Heartburn and indigestion are generally caused by consuming food and drink too quickly, overeating, drinking alcohol or fizzy drinks, or smoking, but can also be caused by stress or anxiety. Nearly half of those surveyed (47%) said that white bread is the most difficult to digest, with alcohol second (30%) and then hot peppers (29%).

Commenting on the launch, Sergio Schuler, Country Division Head, Bayer Ltd said, “We are delighted to launch Rennie Ice, a great new addition to our Rennie range. Heartburn and indigestion are irritating conditions and can cause discomfort and pain to sufferers. The new coolmint flavour gives an instantly refreshing sensation, and Rennie Ice starts to relieve heartburn in just two minutes, tackling these conditions as quickly as possible”.

In order to avoid heartburn and indigestion, people can eat slowly, avoid trigger foods and alcohol and have meals at least two hours before bedtime to allow time to digest before lying down. Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed said they drink water to combat heartburn / indigestion, over a third (39%) take an antacid product, while 33% just wait it out.

Rennie Ice is available nationwide in packs of 24 (RSP €3.29) and 48 (RSP €5.69).

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking Rennie while pregnant or breast-feeding

What is a helicopter parent, you ask? These are the parents that won’t let their kid out in the front yard to play without constant supervision. They won’t take a nap and risk their twelve year old being home ‘alone’. They are constantly hovering over their children and micromanaging their every move. How can you tell if you’re a helicopter parent? Read More here ….

Ireland has a strong history of implementing tobacco control legislation and running campaigns to encourage smokers to quit but we need more.

In June 2011, the EU launched a three year campaign called ‘Ex Smokers are Unstoppable.’ The campaign, which has been launched today in Ireland, aims to provide smokers, especially aged 25 – 34 years, with motivation to quit and with practical help through an on-line tool called iCoach (please see www.exsmokers.eu) This campaign celebrates ex-smokers and portrays them as inspiring role models to encourage smokers to quit.

To date 500,000 Europeans have demonstrated their support for the campaign by accessing its social pages and 20,000 smokers across Europe are currently using the iCoach method to quit. In Ireland, over 430 people have already signed up to the iCoach tool on their pursuit to become smoke free. Please see more in the press release below.

The Irish pro-health and anti-tobacco lobby hopes that this new EU Ex Smokers are Unstoppable campaign will, in combination with on-going campaigns in Ireland, help to reduce our dangerously high smoking rates and reduce avoidable deaths from tobacco related illnesses. A pan European advertising campaign has gone live from today (Friday 16th October) until Monday 31st October to encourage those who want to quit or are already trying to, to sign up to the  iCoach tool. Advertising across TV, print and digital channels has also started today in Ireland. Those interested in the new quitting tool and the campaign can find out more information on Ireland’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Unstoppable.ireland – where over 1,300 Irish people to date are supporting Ireland’s ‘Ex Smokers are Unstoppable’ champion, Edel Boyd, on her quitting journey.

For more information please visit:

www.exsmokers.eu

The Public Health Portal of the European Union

http://health.europa.eu

The Public Health website of the European Commission

http://ec.europa.eu/health/tobacco/policy/index_en.htm

No stranger to the spotlight, Romey Farrelly, 9, made it to the final of the ‘All Ireland Talent Show’ in 2010 while Gary Farrelly, 10, has featured in the Irish restaurant drama ‘Raw’. These local superstars are now set to conquer the fashion industry and show us they can own the runway, as well as the nation’s television sets.

Not only will Jervis Shopping Centre have the cutest kids on the block striking a pose but every Saturday fashion master Brendan Courtney will make guest appearances at the centre.

He’ll be there giving snippets of advice, his top tips and tricks for styling and if you’re lucky enough, he’ll be carrying out mini style makeovers on some unsuspecting shoppers! So mammies, whether it’s a trip to the Nail Bar for a French polish, a stop off at ‘Inglot’ make-up counter for a little touch up, or a visit to the ‘Jean-ius Jean’ style station for a personal jeans fitting, Jervis Shopping Centre has bundles of fun for all the family.     

The Fashion Movement @ Jervis Shopping Centre will run for four fashion filled weeks. Each Saturday there will be four fashion shows throughout the day showcasing the hottest trends from stores in the centre including Forever 21, New Look and Topshop. These will take place at 12pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm and 4:30pm and will set you up with all the fashion know-how you need to get this season’s look.

Here are some facts to take the fear out of head lice :

• Headlice are small, wingless insects who cannot fly or jump from head to head. Instead they cling to hair to keep warm as they cannot survive the cold.
• Headlice are harmless but can cause your child’s head to itch.
• Another misconception is that head lice only live on clean hair.  Unfortunately they are not fussy as to where they live.  The hair can be clean or dirty, they will attack!

How to Detect Them
Comb through dry hair to remove any tangles.  If the hair is long, separate into four sections to make detection easier.
Take a detection comb (will be included in any treatment pack you buy) and start combing the hair from scalp through to the tips of the hair.
Check the comb to see if there are any lice present.  They should be visible on the teeth of the comb if they are present.
Continue combing the whole head of hair under good lighting.

If you do discover your child has head lice, don’t panic!  It’s very common and very treatable.   It’s a good idea to contact anyone who your child’s been perhaps playing with so that they too can check for lice.

There are lots of treatments you can buy over the counter for head lice.  Remember to re-treat after 7 days in order to fully eliminate these little unwanted visitors.