Pre-loved baby gear:The Irish Childbirth Trust, Cuidiú, is a voluntary support group whose twice-yearly sale has good-quality, second-hand baby kit.
Dublin North East branch's nearly-new sale has bargains in clothes, buggies, cots, nursery equipment, books and toys. Any stock that is not sold is sent to the Balseskin Reception Centre in north Dublin. The venue is St Brigid's Boys School, Howth Road, Killester, tomorrow, 1-3pm. Contact Tracy Carbery on 085-1572190 or see www.cuidiu-ict.ie Michael Kelly
Take a letter . . .
The country's top PAs will receive recognition for their central roles supporting Ireland's leading businesspeople at an awards ceremony on November 8th. That means the search is on to find the top PAs, secretaries and executive assistants in the areas of financial PA of the year; professionalservices PA of the year; medical and pharmaceutical PA of the year; sales-and-marketing PA of the year; training, education and HR PA of the year; and - the Oscar of the awards - overall PA of 2007. The 2006 winner, Alison Ladrigan of GE Money, has been described as a wonder woman. A mum to two small children, the PA to the chief executive of GE Money also recently walked 100km in Cambodia for charity. This year's top PA will receive a holiday in Sardinia, at a private villa with pool. To nominate your PA and see them reap the award they deserve, or to register to attend the awards ceremony, log on to www.pa-assist.ieor call 01-2070092. Kate Holmquist
The drama of breast cancer
Unravelling the Ribbon, a new play, tells the story of three women from generations and the effect that breast cancer had on their lives. Everything unravel: Rose's marriage falls apart, Lola gets arrested and Lyndsey hides ham in a thorn bush. Written by Mary Kelly and Maureen White, the play conversations with breast-cancer survivors around the country. At Project centre, Dublin, from next Wednesday until November 10th. In association Breast Cancer and sponsored by Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Tickets ¤20; concesssions. Bookings on 01-8819613/4. Kate Holmquist
Jamie's wine man
On one of the few occasions I've managed to eat at Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen in London, I was advised on wines by sommelier Matt Skinner, and his judgment was unerring. He has gone on to become one of the UK's most entertaining wine writers, and his latest book, The Juice 2008: 100 Wines You Should be Drinking (Mitchell Beazley, €11.99), is a very useful tool for anyone who wants to find wines with attitude. I particularly admire his objective approach, which gives equal credence to Old World classics and New World gems. The CD-shaped book is genuinely pocket-sized, and, although it is aimed essentially at customers of British multiples, it covers a lot of wines that are widely available in Ireland. It seems a bit trite to say that Skinner's style is down to earth - can anyone name a highfalutin wine writer currently in print? - but there is a pithy economy to his descriptions. He will be hosting a tasting at Fallon & Byrne's exceptional wine shop in Dublin at 6.30pm on Monday, October 29th. Tickets are a modest €5; to book, telephone 01-4721010. Tom Doorley
At swim brush strokes
It's what keeps the northside and southside apart, but is it a proud city landmark, a dirty disgrace or just plain water? For the artist Fergal McCarthy, the Liffey is a neglected Dublin resource. He set out to reclaim its presence by jumping in and swimming from Watling Street Bridge to the Custom House this summer. His lone swim was filmed and photographed; combined with his large, collage-based paintings, they make up a new Liffey-inspired exhibition in the stunning setting of Castletown House, in Celbridge, Co Kildare, which aptly overlooks the river. The Liffey Swim opens tomorrow and runs until November 3rd. Fiona McCann
A right carry-on
Hands up if you have ever eaten dinner with one hand while
balancing a baby on your hip. Or maybe you can't put your hand up
because your baby is on you right now. If so, perhaps it's time to
rediscover the ancient art of babywearing, or carrying an infant in
a sling. Studies show that babies cry up to 50 per cent less when
they are in a sling or in your arms, and it's particularly good for
babies with colic, says Kirstie Affleck, who recently opened Little
Acorns, a shop in Gorey, Co Wexford, that stocks
a wide range of baby slings. Carrying a baby means you also
avoid the frustration of buggy rage on busy streets, there's no
need to bypass steps, and babies get a good view of their
surroundings which helps them to learn, says Affleck, a mother of
two.
A "sling meet" is an opportunity to get together with other mothers and try out different types of baby carrier in an unbiased, friendly environment before you buy one from wherever you choose, explains Kildare-based organiser Kate Byrne of Attachment Parenting EU. Byrne discovered slings 17 years ago. "The last buggy I owned ended up as a coat holder," she says, as her seventh son, 14-month-old Tadhg, sits happily on her back in a wrap sling.
When Ray Liddy from Dublin was expecting her daughter, Philippa, she went online and found a Peanut Shell pouch that went with her image. "When I told people I was going to use a sling they were surprised. I think people have a stereotype of sandals and lentil-eating, and it didn't really fit in with my designer clothes. But when they saw the peanut shell they thought it was really cool," she says.
For information on sling meets, lessons and trying out slings, contact Byrne through www.attachmentparenting.eu/ireland. Slings are available from Little Acorns, which is on Main Street in Gorey, and through www.babyslingsandoutdoorthings.com. You can buy Peanut Shells through www.pipsqueak.ie, www.onceborn.ieand www.jellybeangroup.com. For product reviews see www.thebabywearer.com. Babywearing will feature at the Go-Mums parenting workshop today at Fitzgerald's Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire, Cork. Admission is €25. See www.go-mums.com. Claire O'Connell
Jet set
Should you feel the need for speed, then, as anyone who has seen Top Gun is aware, the only thing for it is a spin in a two-seater jet. At www.flyajetfighter.com, for a modest fee - OK, perhaps not so modest, at more than ¤2,000, but are you a risk-taking, dare-devilling fighter pilot or aren't you? - you can book a trip aboard a Fouga Magister, a French aircraft used by aerial-display teams. (The aircraft in the photograph is a MiG-29 - a little advanced, sadly, for beginners.) You'll experience five Gs in horizontal, vertical and oblique flight - that's serious, cheek-pulling, body-slamming G-force, so no lily-livers allowed. The flights take off from Beauvais and Le Touquet airports, near Paris, so future fighter pilots from this neutral land will have to make their own way there, in normal aircraft if necessary. It's a half-day experience, complete with the full Tom Cruise paraphernalia and a post-flight debriefing by Kelly McGillis. We may have made up that final detail, but the rest stands true. Now, who'll be our wingman? Fiona McCann
Sparkly teddies
Let's be honest: the prizes on offer from raffles at work can be a bit underwhelming - a hamper or a box of chocs is hardly going to entice you to hand over much cash. For its 10th annual Teddy Bear Appeal, Barnardos is laying on the bling, with a €10,000 diamond, generously donated by Appleby jewellers, up for grabs. Get out the wallet, quick. Pick up a bear by contacting Barnardos at 1850-222300 or visit www.barnardos.ie. Michael Kelly