February 2007 Archives

Have you ever spotted anyone famous – how did you react?
Did you play it cool? Or did you try to approach them and make a complete fool of yourself. Or perhaps you received a reaction you’ll never forget?

I met the Atomic Kittens once (sorry to name drop!) – they popped down to open a new cinema in Greenwich – I got along famously with them. That was just after Kerry Katona had left the band.

In fact, I think one of them might have even developed a soft spot for me (come on Jenny Frost admit it!) – I hasten to say that was several years ago. Unfortunately, my bumbling colleague who was stuffing himself with free canapés and trying to chat up the waitress at the event wrecked my chances. But nevertheless, it was a promising evening.

I’d like to hear from anyone who’s experienced a brush with fame – however briefly. And if you’ve got any pictures – even better.

Glad to see Monkey is back – he had a bit of a tough weekend by the sounds of it (comment to blog Stop A&E Abuse). Squirrell is proving to be a bit of a nuisance.

I’m celebrating today, as the Blog has reached its half a century in terms of comments received since its launch at the end of December – and that does not include the Polish ones (we don’t have translation facilities here at Ealing) or the more lewd comments. So many thanks and keep them coming.

Paper is shaping up nicely as we start approaching deadline.

Today I had a letter from Granada, Spain.

It was from an ex Ealing Common resident, Fatima Zaman.
She attended Harvington and St Anne’s Convent and then Thames Valley University. She is now running a very successful English language School.

After her father sold the Taj Mahal Restaurant in Ealing Common, she decided to move out and set up The English Chat Café, which combines Indian cuisine with English conversational classes.

Judging by the cuttings she’s sent me, she’s very much a local celebrity. She wants the Gazette to do a lifestyle feature on her and promote her business.

She’s one of the many who’ve moved abroad – and I would love to hear from any other ex Ealing residents. I’d like to know why they moved and how they are finding their new surroundings.

Today in the office, we’ve been looking at picture reproduction quality after a few mishaps last week It’s always interesting and entertaining listening to our chief photographer Stan James, who’s been with the paper for 27-years. He does have a wealth of experience not only in photography, but is also very knowledgeable about the area.

I was also chatting to the sports editor Yann – don’t forget you can send him your views about any of the matches you’ve attended. You can use the website, e mail or just send in a letter.

AS you know the Gazette has been campaigning against the abuse of the A&E department at Ealing Hospital.

We want to stop people rushing to the overworked department in Ealing. More than 103,000 people attended the department last year – more than four times what it was designed to cope with. It transpired that 30 per cent of these visits were unnecessary.

But abuse of the department comes in many form, including those who attack staff on duty.

Many who turn up to demand medical attention become irate for various reason (including often being under the influence of drink and drugs), lose control and attack those who are trying to help them.

Following the Gazette’s lead , both national newspapers and a BBC’s Panorama investigation, has given prominence to this issue today.

There can be no excuses for the perpetrators who commit such attacks on medical staff, and the courts must deal with them robustly.

As you know the future of the Dominion Arts Centre sparked strong feeling at a meeting last week resulting in a mass walkout.

Jagga, comments (see comment to Friday’s Dominion Arts Centre blog) blames the present political leadership, for the demise of Southall. Do you agree with him? He certainly has strong views on the subject.

THE Dominion Arts Centre, based in The Green, Southall, is an extremely valuable resource for that community.

The possible threat to its future, prompted a mass walkout after a meeting was organised by the council, to allay fears on Wednesday

The centre, was originally opened as an asylum to treat 10 wealthy women. It then became the Dominion Cinema, the legendary Gracie Fields was a regular visitor and performed the opening ceremony in 1935.

Now it’s a valuable meeting place, where community and youth programmes are also run from – whatever the decision on its future, it must be done in full consultation with the community.

Let me know what you think – remember you can use the message board on our website to express you views on any issue.

It’s been an odd day in the office, particularly as one of our ad reps was the victim of a trickster losing £20. Staff have been warned to be on their guard against this type of crime – particularly prevalent in our area.

The news editor is back after his trip to Barcelona to watch his beloved Liverpool triumph. Thought I’d mention it as Monkey was asking about him the other day.

Have a good weekend.

I’ve got some good news to report.

At last there’s some good news on the transport front – the number of attacks at trains stations in Ealing, are significantly down this year.

But we must never get complacent, because even one attack is too many.
However, credit where credit is due, so a big well done to all involved in helping to bring the figures down.

Also a big well done to Gerry Curran, the headteacher of Featherstone Primary School, in Southall, whose 25 year campaign to get a new school was finally realised with the unveiling of an £8m building.

And even Ealing Council has got on to the good news act, they were awarded three out of four stars in the Comperehensive Performance Assessment by the Audit Commission. This represent a significant improvement from last year. So well done to them too.

The reason why I’m going big on good news, is that everytime I attend a function, I’m always asked, why there’s no good news being reported. Well hopefully this will keep you going for a while. I hasten to say the paper is usually well balanced when it comes to good news.

I told you in my last blog, (sorry too busy news editing yesterday), I was off to the West London Business 9th Annual Dinner on Tuesday. Well, it was a most enjoyable evening. I met several very interesting people who make a major contribution to Ealing life and also play a wider role across West London. I must thank my hosts, Thames Valley University for their kind invitation.

The highlight of the evening was listening to Lord Karan of Bilimoria of Chelsea, who’s the founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer. To many of those young entrepreneurs present, he must have been an inspiration, as to how he started his Indian beer business from a cellar in West London.

Yes, I even managed to get a peek at Chelsea’s football ground which was very impressive. One day I might get the chance to see the team play.

So there you go, good news all round. Monkey, however, is having trouble with his obesity campaign. His monkey nuts have been stolen.

I’M off to Stamford Bridge tonight – no , not to watch football, but attend the West London Business Chamber of Commerce 9th Annual Dinner.

I’ve got to put on my glad rags (dress code is black tie), and wind my way down to Fulham Broadway from Ealing on the Underground. That won’t be fun as I’ll be looking like a right penguin.

Anyway I’m looking forward to getting to know some of our business fraternity.

Today’s been a busy day, I’m standing in for the news editor, he’s flown off to Barcelona to watch his beloved Liverpool play tomorrow night in a crunch match.

So it’s been interesting listening to the moans and groans of the reporters and photographers as they go about their business. I always find it much more fun being amongst them.

The paper’s shaping up nicely – although we’re still looking for that all important front page story.

Don’t forget we’re still looking for the Gazette vendor of the week, so get nominating.

Monkey’s been up to his naughty business again and as for Sten 14103 – please can someone inspire him to make a more lively comment. He’s always in a fog.

BEST GAZETTE VENDOR

I want to find the best Ealing Gazette vendor each week.

It'll be the person who sells you a copy of your favourite paper with a smile and a welcoming chat.

Someone, who is both polite and caring, and generally offers you a warm welcome when you step into their shop/store.

If you e mail me and tell me who deserves recognition, then I'll put their name and shop on the Gazette website/paper honouring them as the star vendor of the week.

There must be hundreds out there, so just e mail or post their details to edit@ealinggazette.co.uk or pop it in the post to Ealing Gazette and Leader Series. 134-136 Broadway, West Ealing, London, W13 OTL.

Just write: "I bought my Gazette from....... I nominate him/her as vendor of the week because she/he is........."

And if the vendor has a special story to tell we’re more than happy to listen.

So start nominating.

Each Friday with 12 other members of staff, I offer up £1.50 to our office Lottery – with the feint hope that by Monday we’ll all be millionaires.

Recently, we have been having a particularly lean period, not even winning the customary odd few quid.

Last year between the lot of us we won a grand total of £120, if my my maths is correct, that is a tenner each. The cash went towards the Christmas booze.

That was after a total office contribution of £900 (we calculated that figure taking into consideration holidays etc).

But as one of the reporters said, once you’re in it you daren’t leave . In case the big one comes up.

Apparently we play the European Lottery game (don’t know why), although Rick who organises it, says he’s willing to change the game. The fear factor has certainly kicked in.

Talking about fear, Monkey is getting worried as he now has a rival, in the guise of Mole. Monkey has already commented saying that I was building up a proper old zoo. But he shouldn’t worry because he was the original.

Today’s Gazette is packed with excellent content – ourfeature on the staggering amount of cash collected by Ealing Council through parking charges, the latest on the A&E campaign, drugs usage by our kids, political fury over the all women’s shortlist in Southall, the dramatic Greenford fire and the first royal visit to Ealing Hospital are some of the highlights.

So make sure you pick up a copy.

MY eye lit up, when I was asked to attend a prestigious event at Chelsea Football Ground.

Smelling the possibility of a freebie top Premiership match with the likes of Drogba and Shevchenko on display, I asked who Chelsea was playing. However, I was told very nicely there was no football match on that evening...but the key speaker would be the guy who founded Cobra Beer.

Disappointment apart about the football, I am actually looking forward to attending the West London Business 9th Annual Dinner (honest).
And I extend my sincere thanks to Thames Valley University for their kind invitation.

The Cobra guy, is actually Lord Karan Bilimoria of Chelsea, CBE DL, founder and chief executive of Cobra Beer. He is one of the youngest members of the House of Lords; his focus is on entrepreneurship, enterprise, business, trade and investment, higher education and India.

I suppose if you can’t have football then beer is not a bad substitute (that’s if you like Cobra, off course).

Deadline went fairly smoothly and tomorrow’s Gazette is an impressive read dealing with some real weighty issues.

Even Mole, thanks for your comment re: parking charges, will not be disappointed.

Well, it St Valentine's Day - the day for the romantics.

Here in the newsroom they're a sceptical bunch, and most are pretending to ignore it - although I did spy one or two looking eagerly at their phones.

Off course we get all sorts of press releases linked to this day of lurve.

Here's a few which I've edited down:

HANDSOME HUGHIE LOOKING FOR LOVE THIS VALENTINES DAY
He may be missing a leg but heís certainly not missing a heart

Meet Hughie, a three year old black and white Collie who is desperate to find a new home. Hughie arrived at Dogs Trust West London Rehoming Centre shortly before Christmas and the staff soon noticed that he had something wrong with his leg as he’d often hold it up at an angle. A visit to the vet confirmed some nerve damage which may have been the result of a road traffic accident but the staff at the Centre can’t be sure.
On 10 January Hughie had his injured leg amputated and has been safely tucked up in recovery since, getting lots of TLC.

The food of love
Not only are avocados loaded with vitamins (A, B, C, E, folate) and minerals (potassium, magnesium), they also provide dietary fibre, omega 3 and monounsaturated fats, all of which promote healthy cholesterol levels and heart health. What's more, they are the richest source of beta-sitosterol, which also has an anti-cholesterol action. Although high in calories, avocados are very filling and just half an avocado counts as one of your five-a-day.

1929 : St. Valentine's Day Massacre

In Chicago, gunmen in the suspected employment of organized-crime boss
Al Capone murder seven members of the George "Bugs" Moran North Siders
gang in a garage on North Clark Street. The so-called St. Valentine's
Day Massacre stirred a media storm centered on Capone and his illegal
Prohibition-era activities and motivated federal authorities to
redouble their efforts to find evidence incriminating enough to take
him off the streets.

Alphonse Capone was born in Brooklyn in 1899, the son of Italian
immigrants from Naples. The fourth of nine children, he quit school
after the sixth grade and joined a street gang. He became acquainted
with Johnny Torrio, a crime boss who operated in Chicago and New York,
and at the age of 18 Capone was employed at a Coney Island club owned
by gangster Frankie Yale. It was while working there that his face was
slashed in a brawl, earning him the nickname "Scarface."