Kildare Today, 9am to 12pm: Sponsored by Supervalu, Sallins is Kfm’s daily flagship current affairs programme. Presented by Clem Ryan & Shane Beatty, Kildare Today covers a diverse range of topics mirroring daily life in County Kildare. The programme is a platform for listeners to air issues of concern. Regular features include Crime Time, each Wednesday. The Green Room gardening slot airs on Thursdays, while local and national sports issues come under the microscope after 11am each Monday and Friday.

Phone the studio at 1850 200 536 or text the show at 083-33 33 976 - you'll be glad you did!

Contact details for parents to apply for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance:

Text the words FORM BTSCFA to 51909 followed by your name and address

or

Download the form from www.welfare.ie or www.communitywelfareservice.ie

Lo Call: 1890 20 23 25

Return completed forms to: PO Box 16132, Dublin 7.

Poem requested by many listeners.  It comes from a book called "The Friendship Book" (2003) A Thought For Each Day by Francis Gay, published by D.C. Thompson, Glasgow, Manchester, Dundee.

Special Birthday: by Iris Hesselden.

SEVENTY -  I don't believe it!

Did someone chage the date?

It doesn't seem very long

Since I was forth eight.

What happened to my fifties?

They simply slipped away,

Then suddenly came sixty -

Another special day.

When I see the lines and wrinkles

I know it must be true,

And yet I'm twenty-one inside

With many things to do.

I'd like to be one hundred,

Feeling hale and hearty,

So make a date, in thirty years

You're welcome to my party!

Website address for new Guide to buying a house is www.nprsa.ie.

Free Legal Aid Centres offer legal aid, advice on social welfare law, credit & debt law and public interest law.

Phone 01 8745690 or www.flac.ie

St. Joseph's School for the Visually Impaired:  01 837 36 35.

Fear Of Flying:

Michael Comyn joined us on the show to discuss phobias.

He runs Mindful Ltd.

Listeners can get information on www.mindful.ie

or www.flyfearless.com

Part Time Graduate Third Level places for Unemployed:

For further information contact: www.hea.ie

Senior Helpline:

This is a confidential phone service for older people.

1850 440 444

Kildare's Everest Explorer:

Ian Taylor, from Leixlip, spoke to us about his experience of climbing Mount Everest.

If you wish to contact Ian, email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Amen - the organisation that helps men who suffer domestic violence by women.  "Declan" told his story, and that of many other men who suffer such violence in the home, on Kildare Today.

The full interview can be heard in the Podcast section of this website (Kildare Today section).

If you suffer from such violence, contact Amen 046 902 37 18; 086 794 1880; 086 194 7270; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; website: www.amen.ie.  The website offers full guidelines.

This poem was read on the Programme in response to a listener who was in despair because of yet another relationship breaking up!

Moving Forward

We must keep moving forward,

No time for standing still,

The past and present urge us on

Towards that distant hill

Towards that bright horizon

Where hopes and dreams come true,

Where joy and peace and happiness

All wait for me and you.

The past had much to offer,

And lessons we should learn,

But yesterday has slipped away

And never will return.

Tomorrow holds a promise,

Today’s for you and me,

So keep on moving forward,

The best is yet to be!

Iris Hesselden

Console- Suicide Bereavement Association:

Clem was joined on the show by Paul Kelly, the founder of Console.

Paul set up the organisation after his sister, Sharon, committed suicide 7 years ago.

They are currently looking for volunteers to assist with their National Bag Pack Day on August 29th.

They can be contacted on 1800 201 890, 01 610 2638, or at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tips for settling your child into Pre-School:

From the Irish Pre School Play Association

1. Talk to your child about what to expect - the toys, the children, the painting and activities you know will interest them but don’t hype it up too much.   

2.     Remember that this is not big school – it’s preschool and it’s a playgroup.  That means it is a gentle step from home – not a giant one. The children in preschool are younger and there are far more adults there to take care of them.  The teachers work hard to create a caring, loving environment.   

3.     Make sure you are organised in advance and avoid stress on the first day.  Make sure that their bag and lunch box are easy to open and close and clothes are suitable for play and easy to manage for the toilet. 

4.     If you are worried about the spread of swine flu talk to the preschool leader and try not to panic - children pick up on panic.  The health and safety of children is of the utmost importance to preschool teachers who will be on alert for symptoms of swine flu and already have a protocol for contacting parents if a child is ill.   

5.     Explain to your child that you or another loved one will drop and collect them and how that will work.  Give your child a sense of the time involved by describing what you will do while they are at preschool – like preparing lunch, walking to the bank.  Make sure to return for pick up on time as children can fret when they see other children leave. 

6.     Smile and treat teacher like a friend.  Let your child know that you are confident that they can manage. Don’t cry (if possible) as this is a happy day and your child is alert to all the emotional messages you send out. 

7.     If your child is fine going in on the first day, just walk away.  Don’t look for problems where there are none.  The majority of children will sail in, no problem.   

8.     If your child does cry going in, follow the lead of the teacher.  Often children who come in the door crying are okay and laughing five minutes later.  Rest assured that if your child is not settling the teacher will contact you.   

9.     Afterwards, ask your child about the toys, sand, books, the other children and the teachers.  If your questions are specific, you’ll get more information.  However, don’t expect the teacher to give you detailed feedback in the first week when the group is settling in.  If there is any problem teacher will let you know, otherwise no news is good news. 

10.  Children often throw wobblers in the first few days and teachers expect that.  So be patient and supportive. Make sure you are not under time constraints in the first week of preschool.  You’ve got to be prepared to stay and help them settle in.  By making this a good experience, you are laying the foundations for courage and confidence in future years. 

Gamblers Anonymous:

Clem was joined by Paul, a man who is recovering from a gambling addiction.

If you would like help and information please phone Gamblers Anonymous on 01 872 1133.

Also visit: www.gamblersanonymous.ie

Support meetings take place in Newbridge and Athy:

Newbridge: Parish Church on Tuesday's at 8 O' Clock and Friday's at 7 O' Clock.

Athy: Cuan Mhuire on Wednesday's at 8 o' Clock.

Friends of the Elderly:

The search is on for Kildare's best grandparents.

Friends of the Elderly have launched a nationwide campaign to find Grandparents of the Year.

For more information on how to nominate your grandparent, please visit www.friendsoftheelderly.ie

Or write to: Friends of the Elderly, 25 Bolton Street, Dublin 1.

Aware- Support for those suffering with Depression

Helpline 1890 303 302

Aware is also looking for volunteers for the upcoming "Daisy Days" fundraiser. If you think you could help, please phone 01 661 7211

Kildare Carer's Association:

Nomination forms for Carer of the Year are available from:

The Carer's Association, 4 New Row, Naas

1800 24 07 24

Or 045 889 513

Samaritans:

To speak to someone in cofidence you can call The Samaritans, based at 3 McElwain Terrace, Newbridge.

Phone: 045 435 299/ 1850 60 90 90

Prayer from Kildare Today's Show on 09.09.09

Hello God

Hello God, I called tonight
To talk a little while…
I need a friend who’ll listen
To my anxiety and trial.

You see, I can’t quite make it
Through a day just on my own,
I need your love to guide me,
So I’ll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please, to keep,
My family safe and sound,
Come and fill their lives with confidence,
For whatever fate they’re bound.

Give me faith, dear God to face,
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things,
I can’t change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home,
And listening to my call,
For giving me such a good advice,
When I stumble and fall.

You number, God, is the only one,
That answers every time,
I never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God for listening,
To my troubles and my sorrow,
Good night, God, I love you, too,
And I’ll call again tomorrow! 

Kildare Suicide Bereavement Support:

If you would like support please phone either of the following numbers:

Mary 086 103 7397

Robbie 045 433 563

Kildare Down Syndrome:

For information/ assistance in Kildare please phone 045 487 584

To Russia With Love:

If you would like to donate to the children's charity, you can give €5 by texting the word "CHILD" to 57800

Choices Programme:

To find out more about Kildare's Choices Programme for those recovering from mental illness, you can call 045- 988 400

Threshold- National Housing Agency

If you would like advice on housing/rental issues, Threshold can be contacted on 01 678 6096

Goal:

If you would like to find out more information about the aid agency, or to donate, you can phone:

01 280 9779

H.O.P.E. HELP OTHER PEOPLE ENDURE DEPRESSION

Is anybody happier, because you passed this way?

Does anyone remember that you spoke to them today?

The day is almost over and it’s toiling time is through:

Is a single heart rejoicing, over what you did or said?

Did you leave a trail of kindness?

Sallins Flooding Information:

For further information on flooding relief in Sallins, you can visit either of the following websites:

www.jameslawless.ie

www.sallins.org