20 DEC 2011:

IRELAND...
Dublin...

Santa's visit to town the highlight of Christmas Fair

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By JOHN MANNING

Tuesday December 06 2011

THE MALAHIDE Christmas Fair came to town last weekend and so did Santa as the town threw itself into the festive spirit. Organised by Malahide Chamber of Commerce, the Christmas Fair culminated with the arrival of the bearded man from the North Pole laden down with gifts. New Street was pedestrianised for the day and all the entertainment and music was provided by local community organisations. Some of the local business community used the opportunity to promote their goods and services by taking up stalls on the street to kick off what traders hope will be a busy and profitable Christmas for the town. This was a Malahide Chamber of Commerce event so the theme was very much about getting the message across to the good citizens of the town how important it is to shop local this Christmas. It all came to a head when at 6.15pm sharp, Santa arrived on cue by horse and carriage, giving the Reindeer a little rest for the day. He took to the stage in front of a crowd full of the spirit of the season and performed the honour of turning on Malahide's spectacular Christmas lights display. For the third year in a three year project, Gerry Walsh of the chamber has lead the Christmas lights project. Over these past three years the chamber has replaced all the lights with a low energy system and extended lighting to new areas. The cost has been over €35,000 paid for through the funding raising efforts of the chamber. The chamber has not asked businesses to contribute directly for these three years but rely on its members to support it in other ways by joining in January each year and participating in activities throughout the year. Malahide United and Malahide Forum have also made donations each year towards the lights in a gesture of great community spirit. The chamber also appreciate the continuing support of Fingal County Council who have provided €2,500 each year towards the lights display. While this is an expensive project, it could not have been completed without the voluntary work of Gerry and his team. In particular, Rodney Moore of IT Rollout (www.itrollout.ie) has contributed people, professional knowledge and endless encouragement to the project.

- JOHN MANNING

UNITED STATES...
Indiana...

The Taylor University Silent Night Game — now with Justin Bieber flash mob (video)

Rick Chandler

Dec 15, 2011, 2:36 PM EST

1 Comment

If you’re a regular ESPN viewer or just a big fan of college basketball, most likely you’ve heard of Taylor University’s Silent Night Game — a relatively new, once-a-year tradition at the tiny NAIA school in Upland, Indiana. The gist of it is that the crowd remains completely silent in the early portion of the game, but when the 10th point is scored, they erupt in bedlam.

Also featured: the capacity crowd at 2,265-seat Odle Arena sings Silent Night, everyone is dressed in wacky costumes (seen this year: penguin, Cindy-Lou Who, Batman, several gorillas), and afterward there’s a university-sponsored “Habecker’s Holipalooza” Christmas party. Featured activity there: the school president reads A Christmas Story to students.

From CBS Sports:

The patient tradition isn’t even two decades old; it began in the early ‘90s when longtime Taylor coach Paul Patterson got the suggestion from an assistant on staff. It’s a blend of basketball and Christmas cheer, sort of an initiation into the holiday season that comes before cramming for the end-of-semester blitz.

“It’s so bizarre, that first 10 points. You can’t speak. You can encourage the guys, but you can’t do anything,” Patterson said Friday night, referring to typical coach gyrations and screams. “Then it (the 10th point) comes and the game gets to be a really high intensity.”

Halftime entertainment? Oh yes … this year about 100 girls stormed the court and danced to Justin Bieber’s Little Drummer Boy, prompting Bieber himself to forward a tweet about it. This is all just stupid enough to be completely awesome. We approve: Carry on, Taylor University.

PHILIPPINES...

Manila...

HSBC Run raises P2 million for reading program

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• Published : Sunday, December 18, 2011 00:00
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Driven by the desire to help build a nation of readers, close to 3,500 runners joined HSBC’s 136th Anniversary Fun Run that sought to raise funds for the Sa Aklat Sisikat (SAS) foundation.

The SAS is a non-profit professional Philippine organization that promotes the love and habit of reading in Filipino children. The foundation works with public schools all over the country, providing the resources for implementing a Reading Program designed to motivate Grade 4 students–many of whom are at risk of dropping out of school before high school–to make reading a part of their daily lives.

HSBC President and CEO Tony Cripps said they were extremely pleased with the turnout and proudly announced that the event has raised P2 million in funds. “We are extremely pleased with the turnout of this year’s Fun Run as we were able to reach our maximum capacity. It’s been a wonderful year for us here in the Philippines, and this event is our way to celebrate that, as well as to give back to the community which makes our success possible. All of the proceeds will go to SAS, because we believe that there is no better investment in the future than investing in the education of our children.”

Over the past eight years, HSBC and SAS initiatives have benefited over 650,000 students; 9,000 teachers; and 285 principals all over the country through their reading programs and pioneering workshops for principals and teachers.

The HSBC Fun Run featured 3k, 5k and 10k categories for adults, as well as sprint challenges for children 12 and below. “Seeing thousands of people first stretching and then running in those stunning Natori singlets was an unforgettable experience,” said Johanna Garcia, HSBC’s head of Communications and Corporate Sustainability. “It really brought home to us how powerful and meaningful a partnership could be that brings together Josie Natori’s creativity, SAS’s commitment, HSBC’s support and finally, the enthusiasm and passion of all our stakeholders.”

Top finishers in the 3k, 5k and 10k categories were awarded a non-transferable round-trip ticket to Hong Kong, while Erlina Gelaya bagged the grand raffle prize: round-trip tickets for two to London via Cathay Pacific.

ENGLAND...

Halifax...

Sisters in a tribute to their dear old grandad

Published on Tuesday 20 December 2011 13:00

FOUR sisters have fought back their tears to organise a fund-raising night in memory of their much-loved grandad.

Peter de Lacy, 81, of Norton Tower, Halifax, died in Overgate Hospice in August.

Now four of his grandaughters – Emma, Lucy, Katie and Sophie Wisniewski – are planning a race night to thank the nurses who looked after him in his last days.

The three oldest sisters all go to Crossley Heath and Sophie is a pupil at Sacred Heart Primary, Sowerby Bridge.

Emma, 16, said: “We just wanted to give something back. The nurses were so supportive and made grandad so comfortable.”

Katie, 14, said: “He was so caring, affectionate and did anything for us, even when he was poorly. We miss him being around.”

Youngest sister Sophie, 10, said: “Every time we saw him he always said ‘It makes my day when I see you’.” Lucy, 12, said: “This is a fitting way to remember him.”

Their mum. Julie, said: “When he went in they were just nurses – but now they’re more like friends.”

Peter was heavily involved with St Columba’s Church, Pellon and was treasurer of Halifax Catholic Club for more than 40 years. His wife Rita was also a patient at the Elland hospice before her death in 2001 and the girls’ paternal grandmother, Edna Wisnewska, died there in 1999.

The family took part in the Midnight Walk for the last two years, raising £250 for the hospice and are now appealing for raffle prizes for the race night at Halifax Catholic Club on January 7. It starts at 5.30pm and tickets cost £3 for adults, £2 for children.

They have already had donations from Combserve in Elland and prizes include Camelot tickets and a voucher from Anon Lingerie in Elland.

To donate prizes e-mail julie@student-properties.co.uk.