WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 51

Baking Fish

A little girl was helping her mother prepare a fish for dinner. She laid the fish carefully into the baking pan.

“No, no,” her mother said removing the fish from the pan “We have to cut off the head and tail first.”

She duly chopped them off before replacing the fish back into the dish.

The little girl thought for a moment then turned to her mother asking,
“Why do we do it like that mammy,”

Her mother thought for a while and then said, "I've always done it that way - that's how babicka (Czech for grandma) did it."

Not satisfied with the answer, the little girl went to visit her grandma to find out why she cut the head and tail off the fish before baking it.

Grandma thought for a while and replied, "I don't know. My mother always did it that way."
So the little girl and the grandma went to visit great grandma to find ask if she knew the answer.
Great grandma thought for a while and said, “Because my baking pan was too small to fit in the whole fish”.

5 MINUTES WITH - JAMES LAVELLE

James is originally from Trim in County Meath and has recently set up his popular new business JR Motors on the Elaghbeg Industrial Estate in Bridgend. He has been involved with all things mechanical for years and has had experience in plant machinery as well as cars. His garage does complete NCT/MOT and diagnostics and is well situated for customers both sides of the border. He also does 24 hour breakdown and recovery service.

James is also involved with a health product company called Synergy Worldwide. This company offers three top products that have been proved to offer health benefits like aiding digestive systems, improving blood circulation, boosting vitality and increasing sexual performance……If you would like more information on either of James’s businesses, you can contact him on 086 8894290


What music are you listening to at the moment?
I like to listen to happy music, no gloomy stuff. I listen to Hector and Tommy Tiernan, I am not sure what radio station they are. The radio was tuned into the station when I took over the workshop.

What book are you reading?
How to win the Lotto……not really. Most of my reading is on dockets and bills.

What was your favourite childhood game?
Hide and seek. I always preferred to hide…and they still haven’t found me.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
Slumdog Millionaire. It’s about a Mumbai teenager who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers. It’s very good.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I go straight to the horoscopes. I take an interest in them because my father was the seventh son of the seventh son. He could cure migraines and ringworm. They were his specialities. I didn’t find this out until after he died.

What would you never throw away?
My knowledge and my hiding place… maybe that should read, “Give away.”

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
I was in a film, shot in Trim, called Fatal Deviation. It has the dubious honour of being Ireland’s first full-length martial arts film starring James Bennett who is now Jean Claude Van Damme’s stunt double. None of us had names. Mike Graham from Boyzone was in it too. It was put straight to video and the full-length film is now on Youtube. It’s so bad it’s becoming a bit of a cult film.

Favourite TV programme?
Mega Machines on the Discovery channel.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be President at one stage but then fancied being a mechanic instead.

Where was your best holiday and what made it special?
I was in Australia a few years ago, it’s the best place in the world “There’s no stress in Auz mate.” My sister got married there and I went over for a three-week holiday. I stayed for over a year. I travelled all over and made loads of friends. I also met Steve Irwin, which was a big thrill.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The Irish Rugby Team… They did us proud.

What would you do for a special treat?
I would get on a plane and go to somewhere hot.

Favourite animal?
A Golden Retriever dog. I have always wanted one but they take a lot of looking after.

Biggest thrill?
Working with Mel Gibson in Braveheart. We were filming around Trim castle in Meath. I gave up my job in the fire service to be Mel’s security man. There were four of us with him at all times and we more or less saw the whole film being made. The Irish, English and Scottish armies were all the same blokes and everyone in Trim were in the film somewhere as extras. It put the castle on the map and is now a great tourist attraction.

Biggest Challenge?
To win the Lotto…

What was the best present you ever got?
My laptop, I couldn’t be without it for diagnosing engine problems in the garage.

What was the last thing you bought just for yourself?
A casual jacket. I just needed one.

What charity would you support?
Cancer research and the guide dogs as well as anything local.

The world’s most useful invention?
The mobile phone. I use it for everything.

Best birthday present?
When I was with the fire service I went on a trip to New York on my birthday for the St Patrick’s Day celebrations. It was magical.

Favourite past-time?
Having a few pints and I still go to the odd club.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
Around the 1100-1200 AD period when Trim castle was at it’s height.

What do you have for breakfast?
I start with coffee and toast, then get out the Synergy products. I have small measures of the Chlorophyll liquid then take some ProArgi 9 and then a small glass of Boost, which is packed full of Brazilian Acai berries. The products are proven to build immune systems and give me energy for the day ahead.

Do you have a favourite cartoon character?
Daffy Duck. "you’re despicable."

What was your first paid job?
I earned £100 a week as a digger driver. I worked for nothing on the farm for years before that. I started aged around 7 cutting silage.

Best/worst household chore?
They are not chores… they are all good.

What is the worst piece of advice you have been given?
Treat them mean and keep them keen……It doesn’t work ……

Personal philosophy?
If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.

More On Mangosteens

We found mangosteens in the supermarket today! I recognized them from the Yihai market, but I really didn’t expect to find them in such close proximity to drive-thru hush puppies.

Via Mangosteen Disconnect on Simpson's Paradox.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 50

The Butterfly’s Struggle

A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared stuck.

The man decided to help the butterfly and with a pair of scissors he cut open the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shrivelled wings. The man watched the butterfly expecting it to take on its correct proportions. But nothing changed.

The butterfly stayed the same. It was never able to fly. In his kindness and haste the man did not realise that the butterfly's struggle to get through the small opening of the cocoon is nature's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight.

Like the sapling, which grows strong from being buffeted by the wind, in life we all need to struggle sometimes to make us strong.

When we are coaching and teaching others it is helpful to recognise that people need to do things for themselves.

BUSINESS PROFILE - PAUL MCGUIGAN

Buncrana Chamber of Commerce member Paul McGuigan is originally from Strabane. He opened the doors to his optician’s practice in Buncrana in 2007 and last May opened his second practice on Butchers Street in Strabane. He has 2 members of staff working with him, Louise and Gemma.

Paul decided on a career in optometry and in 1999 embarked on a four year Optometry degree course at the University of Ulster, Coleraine. He studied hard and came out with his degree (Bsc Hons MCOptom).

“After finishing at University, I took a year out to catch up with myself.” He tells the Inishowen Independent. My partner Heidi and I travelled extensively around South East Asia, Australia, Fiji, Canada and America. This gave me time to reflect on my studies and give me more of a focus to what I really wanted to do with my career. And get a tan of course….”

BRANCHING OUT
Paul enjoyed his time off and after coming back refreshed worked for 4 years in the UK, working for Specsavers, the Optician branch in Tesco and was also involved in hospital clinic work. Here he picked up a lot of experience along the way. “After working for the larger companies and the health service gaining experience, I realised that in the optometry industry there is a strong emphasis on self-employment. “There was a very high percentage of people in my University class that had gone on to be self employed and I though it was about time that I did the same.

The time had come for Paul to return back to Ireland and he travelled back at the weekends to look for suitable premises. His research was to draw a circle from Strabane on the map to find somewhere not too far away that he could commute to easily. Eventually his pin fell on Buncrana and he and his father came over to see for themselves the fabulous new Ardaravan area of the town. It was in its infancy and building work was just finishing. They felt that there was an opportunity to set up a much-needed optician in the town and the perfect premises was just down from the Ulster Bank “The shop was just the right size,” says Paul. “The area was new and we could see the potential, even though there were not many shops open at the time on the street.”


EARLY INSPIRATION
Paul’s father was an early inspiration. “ My father has run his own successful business for years and I value his input. I worked for him when I was younger and this gave me a good grounding for my own work discipline. I realise that you have to keep moving with the times and make your business attractive. His influence rubbed off on my brother too, he went to study and is a dentist in Omagh.”


GROUNDWORK
Paul thinks that groundwork, and lots of it is the key to successful decision making about the right premises. “We looked at a lot of different places but saw loads of potential in Ardaravan for both passing trade and the area is so handy for parking if you are coming by car.” He says. “We felt that all of the hard work looking for the suitable premises paid off when we got to Buncrana.

Because of the location of his two shops, he is able to test people on both sides of the border. “The two premises are ideally located and give the customers the “best of both worlds,” he tell us.

Paul took six months to plan his solo career and looked closely at the location and anticipated any hidden traps or costs. “ I can be very cautious, which isn’t a bad thing in business. Forward planning and thorough research is essential when setting up and you need money set aside as a contingency plan should you incur any hidden costs, and there are bound to be some. Initially I was only going to take three weeks to set up but that turned into three months.” Paul thinks that getting a mentor to help and advise you set up your own business is a great idea. “A good mentor can see all of the pitfalls before they happen, I was lucky that I had my father to advise me.” He says.


SATISFACTION
Paul loves to see customers returning to his relaxed practice, “It’s a really big thrill.” He is seeing a 90% return on customers coming back for their two year check ups. “It’s mostly two years in between an appointment but if we need to keep a closer watch on people it can be every 6 months. We also get referrals from GP’s and we have the added protection of emergency back up in Sligo and Letterkenny should the need arise.” He says reassuringly.

Paul loves working for himself and the freedom it gives him. One key thing about working for myself is that I have full control over the eye test procedure. The girls do a fabulous job at the front desk so I can concentrate on the different stages of the eye test so the customer doesn’t feel that they are on a production line. It’s all about customer care and satisfaction.”

FREE EYE TESTS
Paul likes to keep his customers happy and has introduced some great initiatives for new and existing customers. “We always have a two for one offer on glasses and also offer free eye tests… That’s free eye tests for everyone. We accept medical cards, but you don’t need one for a free eye test.”

FREE PRIZE DRAW

The other incentive is for a lucky couple to have a bit of time in the sun, topping up their tans. “I have a free prize draw for customers and the lucky winner and a partner will get to go to Barcelona for a city break. It is a prize worth a minimum of €500 and it can be at a time to suit the winner.” Says Paul enthusiastically,

Paul feels that it pays to focus on one thing. “Being a specialist is a key factor in today’s present economic climate.” He concludes.

If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment you can contact Paul on 074 9322035 or call into his practice at 10a Ardaravan Square in Buncrana.

COLLABORATION

Innovative New Day Care Centre to Open in Wain’sWorld

An exciting new collaboration between Wain’sWorld in Buncrana and Amanda’s Cots N Tots in Clonmany will create new jobs in the local area, as well as peace of mind for parents and a wonderful learning environment for children. Brian Makowski of WainsWorld and Amanda Kelly from Cots N Tots are establishing a new day care service (times from 9am –5pm) for children from the ages of two up in the WainsWorld premises in Milltown Business Park.

The new business venture will have fully qualified staff, healthy meals and all sorts of scheduled activities including arts and crafts. Amanda Kelly has been providing a high quality childcare service caring for and stimulating children in line with the national curriculum for the past eleven years. Co-operation and partnership with the parent or guardian, as well as supporting the individual needs of the child is also part of the ethos she brings to her business.

Brian Makowski is looking forward to the new venture. “I love this business,” he says looking relaxed and at home in the bright child friendly activity centre. “I have seen children change and develop over the years using the equipment here. They develop confidence, social skills, independence and of course being able to have active play leads to good health,” he says with a smile.

“I am delighted with this new joint venture,” he continues, “It is a creative way to meet the needs of the community and of the business – a positive initiative during all the bad news of the recession.”

Looking round, it is clear that it is a fantastic environment for children to learn, grow and develop and with Amanda’s expertise and experience, the business looks set to grow quickly.

Enquiries and bookings can be made by contacting Brian on 074 9322450 or Amanda on 074 9378737. Places are limited so phone early to secure a place.

WIND TURBINES - MDC

Our Mission
The MDC Group based in Malin Head offer a complete package from planning to installing and maintaining wind turbines throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland for residential and commercial customers. Here in Ireland we have one of the best wind resources in Europe and wind power is a clean, environmentally friendly and a never-ending FREE energy resource. With the cost of energy starting to rise again and people looking to reduce their carbon footprint, installing a turbine is becoming a more economically viable option.

Co-owner Garvan Meehan commented that, “We all like the thought of "being green", but it still has to make economic sense. It is our aim to show clients how a system can pay for itself in the shortest time possible (as low as 2 years depending on use and type of system installed.)”
Introduction of ‘Feed-in’ Tariff The MDC Group are an authorised agent of the WES wind turbines in Ireland and their expertise and experience will make the whole process of choosing the best turbine for your needs very easy.

You can now sell any electricity you generate back to the ESB. The introduction of a ‘feed-in’ tariff means that for every kilowatt hour of electricity that you generate, you can now export this to the grid. ESB will pay 19c for the first 3000 kWh’s exported and 9c for every kilowatt hour over the 3000 limit. This, together with savings you make by using your own electricity too, means there has never been a better time to start generating your own electricity on your farm; or indeed in individual homes, small businesses, and communities.

With the assistance of the MDC Group, you can begin harnessing the wind to meet your own needs while also getting paid for any surplus electricity that you generate on your site. The use of Dutch-built Wind Energy Solutions (WES) wind turbines which are very reliable and affordable means years of trouble free operation. When you think about it wind turbines are installed in fairly inaccessible locations so the reliability has to be paramount. In any event, the MDC group carries a stock of spares for every turbine we install. We also service and maintain the units giving the customer peace of mind with the knowledge that a local company is always there. The medium sized turbine supplied by the MDC Group, the WES18 starts producing electricity at wind speed of 3 m/s and is already economically feasible with an average wind speed of 5 m/s. At an average wind speed of 7 m/s (moderate breeze), a WES18 wind turbine can produce up to 200,000 kWh per year. (The average four bedroom home uses about 5,000 kWh of electricity per year).

The MDC Group is now providing a full service from planning to commissioning, including wind feasibility studies and grant applications.

Business Owners
For as little as 10% down, we can show you how a system can save you money and give you years of free energy. In times when energy costs are hurting business's profits it just makes good business sense to talk to us and like the wind it's free !

Dragon Boiler Systems We have also secured the agency for Dragonheat Boilers Systems. The sheer simplicity of the Dragon is what makes this boiler attractive and payback of these systems can be as low as 2 years. These boilers are fully automatic and are easily retro-fitted to an existing installation. Grant assistance is also available and the boilers are carbon neutral.Contact the MDC Group on 086- 824-7271 or check out their new web page http://www.mdcgroup.biz/