Spaying for females and neutering for males is a routine procedure. Cats that are treated live longer and have a lower chance of developing cancer and are less likely to get infectious diseases. The risks of pregnancy are also avoided.

For more information on spaying and neutering visit Grove Vets website and read the frequently asked questions. There you can read what is involved and to determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance with neutering.

For advice on neutering your cat or to book an appointment contact Grove Vets Ballymena.

Neuter Spay Cat – Grove Vets – Ballymena

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“Despite your instincts, almost all big change, almost all important organizations, almost all the stuff that matters doesn’t get launched big, from the loud place, on the front page of the paper or on the Super Bowl or on a popular blog.

No, the stuff that changes everything starts on the fringe, captures the imagination of a dozen, who bring along colleagues or friends, and then it’s a hundred and then…

Make whatever list you want: Twitter, Kiva, 500px, Pure Food and Wine, Jiro… They all became hits without being anointed by the loud folks first.

Instead of cajoling your way into the spotlight, consider investing in the experience first.”

[Seth Godin - source]

It remains to be seen how big a change we can/might/will make around us but we have captured the imaginations of a few……..we are not ‘cajoling’ our way into the ‘spotlight’……….that’s not our style!!

‘Make an impact on just one person’ - remember when we [Seth] said that here

We are building real community, a few people at a time!

We don’t want to be loud…..

The event is being held this Saturday 22nd June 2013, anytime from 11am to 2pm.

In Ballymena cyclists can enjoy the 5K route which is safely located within the park grounds. Bike Safety checks are available for free on site.

This Bike Week event at the Ecos Centre aims to encourage cyclists of all ages and abilities to get involved and get active. Grab you bike and join in with Bike Week at the Ecos Centre with the Pedal in the Park.

Ingredients:
200g Softened butter/margarine
200g Caster Sugar
4x Eggs, beaten
200g Self-raising flour, sifted
1x tsp baking Powder
1x 125g pack of Smarties, crushed [or M&M's]
other sweets such as dolly mixture and jelly babies to decorate

Buttercream
400g Butter, at room temp, diced
560g Icing sugar
or you can buy pre-made buttercream – a quick alternative to making your own!

1/ Pre-heat your oven to 180°c fan/ 160°c gas mark 4. Grease and line two 20cm round sandwich tins.

2/ Beat the butter and sugar using a wooden spoon or electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and add a tablespoon of flour with your last egg to prevent curdling. Fold in the remaining flour and baking powder. Stir in enough milk as you need to reach a soft dripping consistency. Mix the smarties/M&M’s until well combined.

3/ Divide the mixture between the tins, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden on the top and the top of the cake springs back when gently pressed. Turn out on to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

4/ To make the buttercream, beat the butter to soften it then sift in the icing sugar, a little at a time, mixing well. Or you can buy some of that pre-made buttercream!!

5/ Once the sponges are cool, transfer your buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large star-shaped nozzle. Pipe half the mix onto the bottom layer in swirls about 2cm wide and 2cm tall starting at the outside and working inwards to the centre. This will give the second sponge some lift when it is placed on top.

6/ Use the remaining buttercream to pipe a circle of swirls around the outside edge of the top of the cake, then decorate with your jelly babies, dolly mixture or whatever sweets you have chosen. Hey presto…..an awesome retro tuck shop cake!! Doesn’t it look awesome!!

A huge thanks to Victoria for sharing this recipe with us……

Remember you can share you recipes/ideas with us and we will post them on our blog – do get in touch by leaving a comment, on Facebook or Twitter. All we need is a list of ingredients and a description of how to make the recipe and a few pictures! Easy!

Stompa furniture has been designed to grow with your children from their first bed through their teenage years and beyond. The Stompa bed collection It is a range of versatile products that can be extended as space allows and needs change.

Stompa Beds are great for families that are limited to space however want to make the most out of the space they do have. This collection of childrens beds / sleeper come in a number of different styles and colours to suit both boys and girls. The Stompa sleepers can also be accessorize to the needs for the child / family as they can have pull out desks, extra shevles, pull out beds and many more combinations. So whether this is for a small child or teenager the Stompa bed collection is a great choice!

Algram currently stock two different types of Stompa Beds including the Casa High Sleeper and the Ronda Mid Sleeper. Check online or in store for Stompa Beds from Algram Northern Ireland.

Algram – Stompa Beds – Northern Ireland

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To compliment your colour scheme, our chair covers are dressed with beautiful organza or satin sashes.

Tables can be dressed with beautiful runners and overlays in a wide range of colours.

Fairy light backdrop, drapes and top table fairy light skirting all add that extra little sparkle to your day.

From chair designs to fresh flowers Leaf Designs are an award winning florist with 20 years of experience. Leaf Designs work with you to create a custom wedding package to suit your exact needs and budget, or for details of the packages that are available visit the Leaf Designs website.

Leaf Designs is happy to provide Chair Covers throughout Northern Ireland.

Wedding Chair Covers – Leaf Designs – Northern Ireland

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via Ballymena Runners

An especially big well done to all who joined together for the Fairhill 5 mile Road Race and Fun Run! Last Wednesday runners of all ages and abilities joined together to raise the heart rate and raise money for their favourite charities.

Organised by Ballymena Town Centre Development in partnership with Ballymena Runners the event was well attended and all who took part did an excellent job. Many runners who enjoy the Park Run at Ecos joined the road race while families took part in the 2.5 mile fun run.

Ballee also hosted Ballymena Carfest 2013 in glorious sunshine. Cars, truck, tractors and more attracted lots of visiters and locals to enjoy the festival which has been growing over the past few years.

The good weather also encouraged us all out to enjoy our local parks. We shared some pictures of the Ballymena Memorial park earlier this year. The Peoples Park was also jam packed with folks enjoying picnics, tennis matches, football, feeding the ducks and having bags of fun in the play area. Fortunately the Ice cream van was there to stop anyone from getting overheated.

Whatever the weather Ballymena folks can join in with local events and enjoy all the town has on offer.

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Kathy Kernohan sell a range of Dermalogica products and recommend the Skinperfect Primer spf30 at this time of the year as it incorporates skincare and sunscreen into one great product. The Primer from Dermalogica is formulated with a sunscreen (SPF) but without artificial fragrances and colours.

Why is it important to use SFP makeup?

Dermatologists warn that unprotected sun exposure can cause visible skin ageing and even precancerous and cancerous cellular activity in the skin. SPF makeup is one of the most effective anti-ageing products for daily use.

Sun exposure can lead to an uneven pigmentation and wrinkles. Fine lines and wrinkles naturally occur in aging skin but will appear prematurely if you enjoy the sun without using a product which contains SPF.

Using Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer spf30 as part of your makeup routine not only helps smooth away fine lines, brighten and prime for flawless skin, and to prep for make-up application. Dermalogica’s website says;

“Velvety silicones create an instantly smooth surface. Pearl powder and natural earth minerals provide a neutral tint to help balance tone and enhance luminosity. Peptides and AGE Smart® actives help firm and shield against MMP and free radical damage, as sunscreens shield against sun damage.” 

Get you Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer spf30 from Kathy Kernohan Beauty Clinic enjoy a 25% discount.

T:028 2564 0466

Demalogica Skinperfect Primer - Kathy Kernohan Beauty Clinic - Ballymena

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1/ We loved hearing about these 16 year old schoolboys who designed a simple game using recycled plastic bottles. ‘Squeazy’ is a game of dexterity and skill, using recycled plastic bottles filled with water, a nifty little floating hook device called Drop and colourful targets called Drip which lie at the bottom of the bottle. The guys set up a company and soon started selling them here.

The three boys have decided to use the money they make to sponsor a child through Christian child sponsorship programme Compassion. Each box that contains Squeazy has the Compassion logo printed on it, along with the words: Compassion is a charity whose aim is to get children out of poverty and a donation will be made towards William’s sponsorship in Ecuador.

Read more about this great idea here.

2/ Big Tetris, I mean BIG tetris.

3/ This Tear off Wallpaper which is perfect for folks who are continually picking at thing. Just stick it up and then pick it off bit by bit. Your walls will literally never be the same again. (via digdigs)