The Turner's Cross Heat of the over 60s competition takes place tonight, Thursday 11 March in Christ the King Girls Primary School at 8pm. All residents are welcome to come along on the night to show support. A fun night guaranteed with special guests and raffle! For any enquires call Emmet on 087-7855241.

A new initiative aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour and shortening response times to these incidents has been launched in Cork. Three pubwatch schemes have been launched here in the Midleton, Carrigtwohill and Cloyne areas. The intention is to reduce drink and drug fuelled anti-social behaviour and to enable a quick response from both the vintners and Gardaí when incidents do occur in pubs.

Preparations are well underway for the Cork Independent's second first time buyers evening as the event was launched with representatives from the event sponsor, Bank of Ireland in the Douglas Branch this week. The information evening will take place in the Silver Springs Moran Hotel on Thursday 25 March at 6.30pm.

Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Derry Canty was on hand recently to re-open the Ballincollig YMCA Youth Centre in Innishmore. The original building was destroyed by fire in November 2007 and after extensive refurbishment the centre is back open for business to the delight of all connected.

Feed The Birds..... Sisters Mia and Ava Keane from Midleton, Co. Cork feeding the birds at the Lough, Cork.
Photo BIlly macGill

Big sister Iman Benhaffaf looking after her twin brothers Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf pictured at a charity motorcycle run yesterday in the aid of the twins, organised by the Rebel Riders MCC in Cork yesterday.
Photo Clare Keogh / Provision

Micheal Sheridan, Executive Director Mercy University Hospital Foundation, Ray Houghton, Former Republic of Ireland player and Frankie Sheahan, Former Irish International Rugby Player attending 'It's A Man's Thing', in aid of The Men's Health & Prostate Cancer Fund, Mercy University Hospital, Cork.
Photo Darragh Kane

A Cork mother whose son suffered a three-day psychotic episode after taking "legal highs" has offered her full support to a protest, which takes place outside a Cork City head shop this afternoon (Thursday). The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Cork Independent that she wants the shops closed. She was terrified by her 20-year-old son's behaviour just before Christmas when he took 'Blow', 'Charge' and 'Liquid Ecstasy', which he bought at a Cork City head shop.

Internet phenomenon Crystal Swing have continued to gain huge attention since one of their videos, 'He Drinks Tequila' went viral last week. Since the Cork Independent spoke to band leader Mary Burke last week, they have appeared on national radio, almost all the national papers and will soon appear on The Late Late Show.

The accolades keep rolling in for Cork as the city was this week listed by Yahoo China as one of the top ten tourist cities to visit globally in 2010. Cork came in third in the Yahoo China top 10 listing following Istanbul and Kyoto, and ahead of Vancouver and Singapore. The China accolade comes on foot of the Lonely Planet tourist guide listing earlier this year, when Cork was again named third in their league of World Cities to visit in 2010.