< PreviousDecember 2017 The Meath Coaster30Christmas Buying OnlineI will continue on backups next month but as the Christmas season is upon us I thought I’d concentrate on issues that always arise around this time of high stress. Buying OnlineAs more and more presents are purchased on-line you should take some basic steps to avoid some criminal getting hold of your credit card details and or scamming you.1. Where possible use paypal when buying online.(www.paypal.com) If you don’t have paypal setup an account and en-sure the password is unique and complex enough to avoid pass-by hacker attacks. 2. Avoid using your regular credit cards for buying online. During the boom many of you got your credit card bumped up to thousands of euros. If a criminal gets hold of that card they will have a field day, not the mention the problems it will cause you getting a new card.3. Use a prepaid credit card(even with your paypal account). You can buy these at most retailers and top up the card when you need it. An Post now offers several different types of prepaid credit cards including cards in Sterling Canadian and American dollars. The cards work exactly like your regular credit card.4. Caveat Emptor (“Let the buyer beware”) applies when it comes to “great” deals like a 800 euro iphone 10. The scammers will be in full swing for Christmas. Be cautious about buying from unknown re-tailers or the “super deal” deals.DeliveriesAs you are no doubt aware you can use An Post and Addresspal to have an address in the UK (or USA), amd a range of similar ser-vices such as Parcel Wizard or Parcel Motel so when you buy, you are not charged heavy delivery charges. Deliveries last year were a nightmare so shop early and if you can find the product locally where the price is not too different I’d opt to buy locally and be sure you have it for Christ-mas. Technology PricesThe range of technology items available is staggering and frankly mind boggling. You must do your research up front before being able to compare models and brands no matter what “gizmo” you are buying. Wishing you all a very happy and safe Christmas. § Oliver Reidy is a computer technician and has been in the industry since 1981.You can contact him via email at help.desk@reidyonline.com or at the telephone num-bers listed on this page. This article, and all previous articles, are available to view online at http://reidyonline.blogspot.ie/ or www.reidyonline.com/blogspot.htm COMPUTER PROBLEM?Contact Oliver 041.988.7526 087.797.0740iPhones Smartphones RepairLaptop/Desktop Repair & UpgradesDecember 2017 The Meath Coaster31Drumgoole Financial Services is regulated by The Central Bank of IrelandYour Weight is GoldSurvey reveals more women (36%) than men (24%) think that personal responsibil-ity is at the core of overcoming the obesity epidemic ……A survey from a well known protection provider has revealed 48% of Irish peo-ple believe that the way to tackle the rising national obesity levels is through school-level education. A survey commissioned by the leading life assurance provider asked 1,000 people throughout the country their views on how they think Ireland’s expand-ing waist lines should be addressed. The survey found a split in opinions be-tween genders and age divides as to what is considered the most effective approach. More women than men, 36% as opposed to 24%, believe it’s up to each individual themselves to take personal responsibility if this is a health issue they face; with this view being most prevalent amongst those aged over 55 (46%). While the healthy living lifestyle trend ap-pears to be very popular in Ireland today, from the booming gym and personal train-ing industries to the popularity of ‘healthy living’ advocates, such as TV personalities and bloggers, it’s hard to believe that now only 40% of Irish people are at a healthy weight. Obesity and its impact on Life Assur-ance Life cover is different from most insurance products because it is priced based on a number of key criteria which take into ac-count the insured individual’s lifestyle. It is one of the few insurance products which is tailored specifically for the person insured.This usually means the healthier you are, the lower the cost of the cover. A person’s medi-cal history and lifestyle always comes into play when underwriting life assurance as the cost of cover is based not only on the sum assured and the length of the policy, but also on the individual’s age, state of health and certain lifestyle factors. So, if you smoke, drink a lot of alcohol or are obese, your pre-miums will be higher to reflect the increased risks to insure someone that has a greater chance of medical issues and shortened life expectancy associated with smoking, liver damage and obesity.Life companies follow a matrix compiled by reinsurers which give ratings for spe-cific lifestyle factors which are analysed to determine pricing. It’s important to note that if someone is about 5kg (10 lbs) over their ‘ideal’ weight, the cost of their life cover should not be affected. If an indi-vidual is looking for life cover and would like to know more about how their weight or lifestyle may affect it, why not contact a Financial Broker. A Financial Broker will be happy to provide expert guidance around the available options based on individual needs.We would like to wish all Meath Coaster readers a very Merry Christmas and a hap-py, healthy New Year! §December 2017 The Meath Coaster32Council Update by Cllr Sharon TolanAn Bord Pleanala Hearing for Irish Cement An oral hearing for Irish Ce-ment’s application for “fur-ther replacement of fossil fuels with alternative fuels and raw materials’ at their plant in Platin was held in the Citynorth Hotel 21st and 22nd November. Comprehensive presen-tations from many experts were given on behalf of Irish Cement which gave many reassurances that moving away from the burning of fossil fuels is to be welcomed, however, I was delighted to be there and take the opportunity to question some of their experts, particularly in relation to their Traffic and Transportation evidence. It is crucial that we, as public representa-tives, do all we can to protect our com-munities, particularly Julianstown and Duleek who will suffer the consequences of the extra 76 trucks that will undoubt-edly prefer to use those routes to get to Platin instead of the toll on the M1 mo-torway. I asked the Inspector to insist that avoiding Julianstown and Duleek be made a condition of any planning so that the council would at least have powers of enforcement. We await the outcome!Municipal District 16th NovemberExecutive Engineers Report This month I requested street sweeping be carried out twice a month instead of once. Weather etc is resulting in mucky streets. I have requested a number of extra bins in a number of areas. The annual gully cleaning programme has started now that most of the leaves have fallen, and have been carried out on the main routes. If you notice a problem area where you feel gully cleaning should be carried out please drop me a text, email or call and I will highlight it with the Area Engineer. An inspection of all play-grounds was carried out and tenders for remedial work advertised. It is hoped to have all repairs complete in the coming weeks.Coast Road FootpathAlmost complete, with some traffic calm-ing measures to be installed. Thank you for your patience throughout this work, I hope most are pleased with the end re-sult. It was a top priority for me to see this footpath and traffic calming delivered on the Coast Rd. There are a number of other areas that are also a priority for me, particularly Donacarney, Mornington and Laytown, and I will continue to work hard to secure the funding to complete these! Ongoing footpath repairs are also wel-comed, and an audit is being undertaken of each District.Coastview Cottages, Laytown Taken in ChargeI was delighted to support the taking in charge of this. Footpath works, road re-pairs, installation of fire hydrant and road signage are just some of the important works needed to be completed and will be carried out in due course. Beach ManagementWe received a full briefing on the Archi-tectural Competition for the development of a Seafront Building and Civic Space at Seaview Terrace in Bettystown. The Architectural Dept of Fingal CoCo are December 2017 The Meath Coaster33assisting with advice on this project, as they have experience of development of a similar nature. It will take 2-3 weeks to review Phase 1 submissions. We are hoping to get out to visit some similar type beach buildings in other lo-cations to give us an idea of what works and doesn’t work. Second Phase tenders should be advertised before Christmas, with a Preliminary Design taking 3-4 weeks. It is hoped that by March we will be in a position to announce the successful Architect and Design Team so that we can proceed with this development as soon as possible. Exciting times ahead! Notice of Questions“To ask the Transportation Section what progress has been made in relation to parking solutions and/or pay parking scheme for Laytown-Bettystown, in order to improve parking availability for cus-tomers of local businesses?” submitted by Cllr Sharon Tolan. I continue to seek solutions to our parking problems. Businesses are suffering, with customers finding it impossible at times to get parking. If you are commuting, please try to leave the car at home or park in an area not needed by local businesses. I have been assured that parking is permit-ted at the back of the Anchorage without the danger of clamping.Notice of Motions“To call on Meath County Council to in-clude a Shopfront Improvement Scheme in the Budget for 2018 for the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District.” Submitted by Cllr Sharon Tolan. I think it’s very important for us to support local businesses, our rate payers. They are al-ways the ones called on for raffle prizes and sponsorship, and all of our local busi-nesses here in the area are always so gen-erous. Some assistance with improving shopfronts would be of benefit to every-one. “In light of the recent violent incidents in East Meath, this Municipal District calls on the Chief Superintendent of the Meath Division of An Garda Síochana, to imple-ment a Community Policing Plan for the Laytown Garda Station and the environs it serves, as a matter of urgency.” Submitted as an Emergency Motion by Cllr Sharon Tolan. I would like to start by commending the swift action and hard work of our local Gardaí in recent events, but I think more resources and a Commu-nity Policing Plan, which has worked very well in other locations, need to be imple-mented to ensure a constant and secure policing service for the East Meath area. I will be pursuing this as a member of the Joint Policing Committee also.Have a safe and happy Christmas!SharonDiscussing Brexit issues live on RTE at the Fine Gael National Conference recentlyDecember 2017 The Meath Coaster34Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsTHE VIEW FROM THE KITCHEN TABLE, By Geraldine HughesThe winter of 2010 stands alone as be-ing one of the coldest on record and not one we’ll forget in a hurry here in this house as the gas boiler decided it was time to check out and leave us to freeze when the temperature hit about -18. We spent 5 days of wearing all of our clothes at once before, the new boiler arrived, but lesson learned, I had my gas fire removed, and returned my fireplace to an open fire. We always had a real coal fire when we were kids. Even young as we were, we were given the job of keeping it lit (this phrase has taken on a whole new mean-ing, and it’s not referring to a fireplace) It was a responsibility that we didn’t take very seriously as kids. One of my brothers was only happy when he was setting fire to things and one of my sisters was obsessed with just how big she could get the fire before it was time to ring the fire bri-gade for help, and we had no phone so it would’ve been a frantic run around the neighbourhood to find one while the house blazed away. She had her curiosity sat-isfied one day when she threw an entire candle into the fire and the 9ft flames licked the ceiling briefly before retreating back into the hearth. The rest of us, fearing for our safety, stood near the door for a quick Oasis Childcare Centre Mornington, Co. Meath Crèche, ECCE, Montessori Playgroup, After School Contact: 041-9888135 Now enrolling for JANUARY 2017 Early booking advisable! DO NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED East Meath’s Leading Childcare Provider for 12 Years www.oasischildcarecentre.com ONE CHILD ONE LIFE ONE PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Since 2005 our loyal repeat customers & 100% occupancy tells you that we deliver the highest quality, affordable childcare in the East Meath area. We are family run and not part of a chain. Enrol with us and make sure your precious child gets the best! getaway, but with a good view of how impressive the display was, both appalled by and in awe of her nerve. I should say that my parents weren’t there while all of this pyromaniac carry on was happening, but we were on a learning curve all of our own and thankfully we all survived, bar a few singed fingers from trying to shrink crisp packets down to a tiny cute-as-a-button size. And the time I melted my rubber wellies by drying them right beside the fire. My mother made me wear them anyway, the red rubber all dribbled down the boot. They were a talking point that’s for sure. Along with misbehaving with the fire we also had to clean it out every day, a job which my kids would have no notion where to start. Open fires create a work-load all of their own, cleaning out and re-setting, not to mention the dust but there is nothing like a roaring open fire when its damp and dreary out. It’s the law in our house that it must be blazing on Christ-mas day –recent years have been so mild I had the win-dows open too, but there is just something about a fire that draws you in. Last year we all ended up sitting on the floor in front of the fire – no TV’s, no laptops, no phones. Just us, the kids, the dinner guests and the cat, basking in the glow of the fire, chatting and dozing. A perfect Christmas after-noon. Have a happy and peaceful one.. . §A Happy Halloween to all our children & their parents from all at Oasis Childcare CentreHOUSEHOLD SERVICESBG PAINTING & DECORATINGInterIor & exterIor25 YEARS EXPERIENCE REFERENCES AVAILABLEFREE CONSULTATIONS & ESTIMATESWALLPAPER ALSO AVAILABLEContact Brian 086 7308449Call Nicky - 041 9887128 087 7734344 A Local BusinessCosmic Cleanwww.cosmicclean.ieT&Cs & Minimum Charge appliesMAJOR DISCOUNTS for Multiple RoomsRug Collection & Delivery Service AvailableProfessional Carpet & Upholstery CleaningSPECIAL OFFER!Noel SavageElectrical Services20 Years Experience • Security LightingFuseboard Upgrades • Rewires, Extra Sockets • Lights, Fully Insured and RegisteredNo Job Too SmallBettystown, Co. MeathMobile: 086 2518898Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisements www.crumbs.eu.com CrumbsCakesForOccasions Call Lee between 9am & 6pm, 087 918 6854STAMULLENDON’T MISS OUT - BOOK EARLY!Stamullen, Co. Meathwww.mammydaycare.comCrèche, Montessori & After schoolPhone:01 6905333 Purpose Built Fully Insured Experienced staff Fire Certified Intercom Entry Private car park Enclosed safety tiled play area Nutritious meals cooked in houseWe wish all our Families a Very Happy Christmas Bettystown AlterationsWedding Alterations and Evening WearPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day ServiceMoloney Boiler MaintenanceBarry Moloney - Heating Engineer• Oil Boilers Services and Repairs• Aga Cookers• Central Heating Power Flush• Installation of Central Heating Filters• All Aspects of Heating & Plumbing - Commercial / ResidentialFree Quotations, All Work GuaranteedMobile: 087 3337488barry@moloneyboilermaintenance.ie Grant Electrical96 Betaghstown Wood, BettystownPhone: 041 988 6908Mobile: 087 275 4057• Electrical Installation and Maintenance• Extra Sockets & Lighting• Electrical Shower Installed & Repairs• Immersion Heater Installed & Fitted• Free Estimates NO JOB TOO SMALL!December 2017 The Meath Coaster36Laytown Tidy TownsOur new planters are in place ready to be planted with bulbs next week. The planters are made by Jamell Wood Recy-cled Products and look very well. One of them will be sponsored by Laytown Unit-ed who will cover the cost of the plants. We would like to thank Meath Co. Coun-cil for funding these planters under the Tidy Towns Community Grant fund, and Laytown United for their sponsorship. Laytown UnitedLaytown United is a local soccer club comprising of 13 Teams and 30 Coaches and competing with the top North Dublin Teams in the NDSL League. They have turned the old dilapidated changing rooms in Seafield into a vibrant Clubhouse complete with small shop serving hot beverages with tea and coffee. All the above is run by volunteers such is their commitment to our local Community and our children. They have also started to litter pick up at Seafield which is really great!We came across this scene highlighted in yellow in the photo opposite on Saturday 25th No-vember beside the bottle banks....Someone went to the trouble of bagging their bottles, brought them this far and just dumped them beside the banks. Hopefully the CCTV camera, which we are delighted to report is back in place, caught the offender.And two hours later we came across this in the same location......BE WARNED, the camera is back in action!The switching on of the Christmas Tree lights in Laytown will take place on Sat-urday 9th December at 7pm. This will be followed by a mulled wine reception in Gilna’s Cottage Inn.All are welcome!Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of Laytown Tidy Towns group! See you in 2018! §Stamullen, Co. Meathwww.mammydaycare.comCrèche, Montessori & After schoolPhone:01 6905333 Purpose Built Fully Insured Experienced staff Fire Certified Intercom Entry Enclosed safety tiled play area Private car park Nutritious meals cooked in houseClasses Available InPiano, Keyboard, Ukuele, Guitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And Electric, Violin - Traditional / Classical, Piano Accordion, Viola, Drums, Singing - Voice Coaching - Classical And Musical TheatreJunior And Leaving Cert Music.Private one to one classes also availableTel Olive On 087 2603079 For DetailsEstablished Since 1990.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda.Toccata House Music School, Drogheda.LOCAL SERVICESCranio-sacral ReflexologyKinetic Chain ReleaseIndian Head MassageTreatment by appointment Ph: 0868984627Email: happytoes031@gmail.comWeb: www.sharontaylorreflexology.comUpstairs@Riverside Home &Gift, Coast Rd., Mornington.Sharon Taylor ReflexologyGift Voucher AvailableChristmas Workshops Children’s ClassesAdult Classes Children’s Birthdays Contact Gill McCulloch 087-2260376 Email gill@art-house.ieArt HouseMornington,Co. MeathTHE DISH DOLLYParty Hire & StylingGlass & crockery hire for parties and eventsContact Aine Hussey 086 1726309info@thedishdolly.com Is there a decision in life you need help with? Are you seeking peace and balance in all areas of your life? Life Coaching with me can support you in a confidential and nurturing way. For more info log onto: www.oraclelifecoaching.ie Or email me at catherine@oraclelifecoaching.ie Fully Qualified & Accredited Life Coach December 2017 The Meath Coaster38Gormanston CollegeScience WeekStudents were involved in various activi-ties during National Science Week. Our 1st Year students formed the periodic table while our 1st year and T.Y students partici-pated in a “Fun with science workshop”. There was also a Physics talk for our senior students. Thanks to the science teachers for helping to organise all the events.awareness week. There were talks, compe-titions, daffodil bulb sowing - to name but a few! We were delighted to end the week with a whole school assembly where we listened to our fabulous junior and senior choirs as well as students reading their own poems. Their message that “It’s ok not to feel ok and it’s absolutely ok to talk about it” was well conveyed throughout.RugbyCongratulations to the junior rugby team on winning their Duff Cup first round match. There were some fine performanc-es from Aitzol King, Daniel Guerini, Sean Garland and James Downes.Bullying Awareness WeekThere were many activities organised by staff, students and parents for bullying Super RuthRuth Flanagan in TY has successfully se-cured a place on the NIBRT ( National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) TY Program. Only 5 stu-dents were chosen out of 500 applicants and Gormanston College would like to say “Congratulations Ruth” and we hope you have a fantastic week there. TY Work ExperienceOur TY students are currently partaking in their first week of work experience. We wish them well and would like to thank all the employers who look after our students so well during this time. §December 2017 The Meath Coaster39Dealing With Your Christmas Grinch The narcissist will always be the Grinch that steals your Christmas. With that said, I bet I could leave the rest of the page blank, letting you fill in the blanks! Yes, it’s that time of year again, friends! Christmas comes but once a year…you’d think even a narcissist could manage to be pleasant for those few days. It’s not in their nature. Why do they have to be so miserable and spend Christmas in the Silent Treatment mode, sulk or just not be involved thus leaving YOU to do EVERYTHING . • No narcissist wants personal responsi-bility, least of all at Christmas. If you have children all the more reason for him to run for the hills or become sul-len. The festivity of the season is sim-ply too much and, besides, it’s not all about him. A narcissist knows that with celebratory events come expectations – expectations that he has no intention of filling. So, rather than wing it like a normal guy, a narcissist acts like an idiot so no one has a good time OR re-moves himself from the situation com-pletely. Their only concern is that they can resurface with no repercussions fully expecting a post-Xmas pass for their bad behavior • Narcissists keep you busy with one crisis/ sulk after another…and it’s all about them No matter what you gotta be thinking of just them. Negatively or positively both are fine. Negative will keep you hurt longer and for them that is best. The focus of Christmas be-ing family and friends, gifts and parties, trees and children is a source of angst for every nar-cissist on the planet. For this reason your Narc will start an argument or give the Si-lent treatment, detests shopping for presents, hates assembling the presents Santa brings, disappears when dinner is just ready, drinks too much, sleeps lots or just grunts or sulks all day. • The truth is your narcissist is a year-long Grinch… the Grinch who steals birthdays and holidays and anything that takes the focus off them. A celebra-tory buzz kill who plans all year to be the best buzz kill possible. Mask your hurt or anger for you children though. Finally, remember you get a new year, a fresh start and an empty canvas upon which to paint any picture you please. Make it good, my friends, because life is short. For 2018, paint yourself a master-piece. Keep your Grinch off your Christ-mas List for 2018 . To check the criteria to see if YOU are living with a Narcissist write privately to me at bernicemckenna@hotmail.com and I will forward you a FREE assessment or phone or text me on 085 8126677 for the help YOU need to get your narcissist out of your life today . Much Love…Bernice Mc Kenna Psycho-therapy and Life Coaching . Next >