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Funny guys have more comic timing than Chuckle Brothers 
Marie Louise McCrory 20/11/09I think I’ve found the solution to Northern Ireland’s problems – two in fact. With all the stresses and worries about the recession, the security situation, the hole in the road (bored) and the financial strains of Christmas, many of us have forgotten how to enjoy life.
Going potty for Belleek
Marie Louise McCrory 20/11/09WITH Christmas fast approaching, we’re all busy trying to find gifts for the special people in our lives so how about something sparkly that’s homegrown? We all know our famous Belleek Pottery but did you know they’ve launched a beautiful range of jewellery?
What’s hot... So not...
Marie Louise McCrory 20/11/09What’s Hot?
Matt Damon
The Talented Mr Ripley star is back on the big screen today playing a top employee who suddenly turns whistleblower. Damon piled on the beef for this role in the Informant, but we think it suits him. Still lovely.
Women prove themselves in ‘non-traditional’ jobs
LifeTime - Anne Hailes 19/11/09EVER heard of Charlie Mullins? Raised in a council flat in London’s East End, he started work at nine years of age and has ended up being Britain’s richest plumber. His company Pimlico Plumbers has a celebrity customer base – Gordon Ramsay, Hugh Grant, Dame Helen...
Schoolchildren’s singing contest knows no borders
Ask Anne 18/11/09DID you hear that roar about 7.30pm last Sunday? It was Methodist College supporters going wild when their choir won the first ever Cooperation Ireland School Choir competition. The grand final was held in the beautiful Ulster Hall, which was packed with schoolchildren, parents, the public and politicians.
The Bridge Column
The Bridge Column 16/11/09BRIDGE QUIZ
Partner opens 1H and RHO also passes. Holding S:AK8762 H:4 D: 63 C: K1092, you respond 1S. LHO passes and partner rebids 2C. RHO passes. What do you rebid now?
Vegetarian vampire has teenage girls distracted
Maeve Connolly 16/11/09Have you ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t? The kind of person your friends just don’t ‘get’ and who won’t go out for dinner with you let alone on a beach holiday. Vampires, eh. They don’t make the best boyfriends but that hasn’t stopped...
Turned on... Switched off...
Maeve Connolly 16/11/09TURNED ON...
Monopoly the movie
How? who? where? Ridley Scott has confirmed he’s making a film based on the game. This I have to see.
Sometimes all you need is a wee kick to gain perspective
Marie Louise McCrory 13/11/09I got kicked this week – and it was great. I know it sounds bizarre, but it was probably one of the most moving moments of my life and it made me well up a bit – ok, a lot.
MAN FRIDAY
Maeve Connolly 13/11/09When I think back to my school days I don’t ever remember them looking as good as this week’s Man Friday, who is a PE teacher at Ashfield Boys High School.
Classic comedy to be won
Marie Louise McCrory 13/11/09He’s one of the funniest men in movie land and this week I’m giving all you lovely readers a chance to snuggle up on the sofa with Ben Stiller and laugh your comfy slipper-socks off.
What's hot... So not...
Marie Louise McCrory 13/11/09What’s Hot?
Reese Witherspoon
Four Chrismases is released on DVD on Monday giving us all the opportunity to get cosy on our sofas and welcome Chritmas into our homes.
Novelist protective of his detective creations
LifeTime - Anne Hailes 12/11/09IT’S 9.30am. A wet, dreary car park in Belfast. Dreich as they’d say in Scotland. I’m off on a blind date. I want to look reasonably smooth but the wind and rain dictate otherwise. I arrive at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, windblown. I am apprehensive.
The man I’m meeting is Mr Big. I take a seat in the lobby. People come and go.
Young entrepreneurs working to strengths to be congratulated
Ask Anne 11/11/09AN urgent message from the Ulster Cancer Foundation. Staff there have voiced their disappointment that the bowel screening programme, due to be introduced next month by the Department of Health, has been postponed until April 2010.
The Bridge Column
The Bridge Column 09/11/09BRIDGE QUIZ
Partner and RHO both pass’ Holding S:AJ9753 H:53 DK C:AQJ7 you open 1S. LHO bids 2D and partner doubles. RHO passes. What do you rebid ?
Love, lies and jealousy – it’s all going on at the X Factor
Maeve Connolly 09/11/09Don’t ask me how but I’ve managed to intercept email correspondence emanating from the X Factor house in the past couple of weeks. It’s enlightening stuff – have a read:
Turned on... Switched off...
Maeve Connolly 09/11/09TURNED ON...
• Gentry Morris
He’s my new favourite singer/songwriter after hearing him play at Common Grounds coffee shop in Belfast on Friday...
Cynical approach rewards
Newton Emerson - Weekend 07/11/09Sinn Fein is most upset with the DUP for cynically dragging out the issue of policing and justice to extract concessions from the British government and position itself with unionist voters.
Save money by propagating
The Casual Gardener 07/11/09It’s said that by this time next year we’ll be out of economic recession, so perhaps the current fashion for being thrifty may soon begin to wane. For gardeners, however, I believe the desire to save resources and get value for money will continue, as it’s part of our nature.
This week’s chores
The Casual Gardener 07/11/09Cut the lawn for the last time this year and clean and store the lawnmower.
Prune wisteria to increase flowering next year.
Lift begonia tubers, dry them and store in a cool, frost-free place.
The most wonderful time of the year
Marie Louise McCrory 06/11/09I adore Christmas. I love how it smells. I love how is feels and I love how it tastes (a little too much sometimes), but above all else, I love the magic.
MAN FRIDAY
Marie Louise McCrory 06/11/09I like a man who can flex his muscles so this week’s Man Friday has floored me. Professional heavyweight boxer David Hanna, who trains at Holy Trinity Boxing Club, is all man with biceps and triceps galore.
What's hot... So not...
Marie Louise McCrory 06/11/09What’s Hot?
Ewan McGregor
The Scottish honey is back on the big screen this weekend along with my ex-boyfriend George Clooney...
Party season sparkle
Marie Louise McCrory 06/11/09Ladies, if the recession blues have dulled your search for the perfect bling to sex-up your favourite Christmas party dress then how about some designer jewellery as a gift from me to you?
Enthusiastic naturalist had a hoot on the radio
LifeTime - Anne Hailes 05/11/09WHEN Arnold Benington visited Broadcasting House in Belfast, the engineers did not know that they might be faced with some small insect, maybe a large animal but most often a bird of some description.
Happy days well reflected in UTV anniversary shows
Ask Anne 04/11/09THERE has been much written about Ulster Television celebrating 50 years broadcasting to the people of Ireland, parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man.
The Bridge Column
The Bridge Column 02/11/09BRIDGE QUIZ
LHO and partner both pass. RHO opens 3H. Holding S:KQ10 H:-- D:AJ854 C:AQJ64 you double. LHO passes and partner responds 3S. RHO passes. What do you rebid ?
Council’s rejection of pool plans a blessing in disguise
Maeve Connolly 02/11/09Cheryl and Ashley Cole’s marriage has been rocked by another disaster. Their plans for an underground health and fitness suite at their Surrey home have been blocked so it’s the local leisure centre for them.
Turned on... Switched off...
Maeve Connolly 02/11/09TURNED ON...
Dumb criminals
Police in Iowa arrested two would-be thieves who thought it would be a good idea to ‘disguise’ themselves by drawing on their faces. With permanent marker.
‘Resolve’ parades issue
Newton Emerson - Weekend 31/10/09THE DUP has stuck a last-minute spanner in the devolution of policing and justice by demanding that the parades issue be “resolved”.
It could be a clever move by Peter Robinson but only if he has thought the move through.
Making up with a fat tulip
The Casual Gardener 31/10/09Not so long ago, I wouldn’t have had a tulip about the place. In fact back in 2005, on these very pages, I confessed that I found them “too fragile, too feminine and too phallic” – if that isn’t a contradiction.
Learn more about organic gardening
The Casual Gardener 31/10/09Would you like to learn about organic principles and how to grow plants organically?
Would you like to do this at a time to suit yourself, in your own home?
Ch-ch-changes... pretty soon you’re gonna get a little older
Marie Louise McCrory 30/10/09I’m not a big fan of change. I like things to stay as they are, for as long as they can (except the skinny jeans fad), but alas, that’s simply not possible.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently, mostly about my childhood, because it has suddenly...
What’s hot... So not...
Marie Louise McCrory 30/10/09What’s Hot?
Daniel Eric Gold The rather handsome young actor is brightening up our dark winter nights playing Matt, the new on-screen love interest for lovely Ugly Betty. He is so sweet and they are just so cute...
MAN FRIDAY
Marie Louise McCrory 30/10/09I’ve never really been a fan of rugby but if it meant a roll around in the mud with this week’s Man Friday, then I’d give it a try.
Ulster Rugby fly half Ian Humphreys appears to have won the hearts of some very smitten ladies and who could blame them?
Jacko tickets giveaway
Marie Louise McCrory 30/10/09It was the concert that never happened – but how do you fancy seeing music legend Michael Jackson
preparing for what would have been his last ever big gig?
Blind water-skiing champ tells her courageous tale
LifeTime - Anne Hailes 29/10/09JANET Gray must be fed up being told how wonderful she is. Special, brave, attractive, funny, talented.
Well, get used to it, Janet – it’s true. Even if you weren’t four times world disabled water-ski champion you’d be special.
‘Testimonies’ may bring hope to those affected by suicide
Ask Anne 28/10/09SMASHING Times are here again bringing their production Testimonies to Northern Ireland next week.
