The Brightside bubble bar (£4.25) is a bright and cheerful swirl of a bubble bar to give you a fresh and cheerful perspective. Scented with a trio of uplifting and invigorating oils, there’s: Sicilian mandarin, tangerine and bergamot oil and a squeeze of lemon. All are energising and also incredibly toning oils that will lift the spirits and clear the mind.

Crumble under the running taps and watch as the water turns into a hazy red and orange sunset with frothy white clouds of bubbles. Vegan.

The Brightside bubble bar is available in LUSH shops nationwide now for a limited time only. For shop details and LUSH Online contact 01202 668 545 or visit www.lush.co.uk

The Christmas Sermon

“’Twas the night before Christmas and…all through the house….’”  Yes, it was the night before Christmas (or actually three weeks before) but I was not thinking of Sugar Plums, nor St. Nick, not even any of the reindeer!  But near this night before Christmas I was envisioning preparing to speak as an Inspirational Speaker at a church in London — London, England.  I was so excited!

I had just read an e-mail from the church inviting me to speak on Christmas day as their guest speaker.  Reading the e-mail from the church, they apologized for the “late notice” but they stated that their original speaker had to cancel due to illness and they “hoped” (I thought possibly they meant to write “prayed” instead of “hoped”) my schedule would be clear to come to London.

So I was to be their “second choice”, but I did not care, as long as I got to speak in London (my first international speaking engagement) — to share my message of hope on Christmas day, one of the holiest days of the year for Christians.

I was so excited, so honored, and…so puzzled!  I quickly asked myself, “Why would a London church…any church…want to hear a Christmas sermon from Me?”  See, I am JEWISH!

Quickly, I rationalized, “Of course, of course…now I understand…JESUS WAS JEWISH, TOO!  They want a Jew to preach the sermon that was originally preached by a Jew.”

But a second problem came flashing through my mind: Shawn, my daughter, was coming to visit us for the holidays.  She works in L.A. and this would be her longest stay in Houston since her college graduation from U.S.C.  in California.  My time with her would be cut short.  But then I again quickly rationalized,” that will still give us plenty of time together.  I’ll only be gone for the three days.”

I quickly called my Speakers Bureau, leaving them a message with the exciting news, followed by a quick e-mail forwarding to them the church’s invitation.  I breathed in heavily and thought, “WOW, finally I’m going to be an International Speaker.”

So I began practicing my remarks to the church:  the importance of home, the importance of faith….

Meanwhile, my Speakers Bureau (as well as my daughter, to whom I had forwarded the invitation) had a few concerns, as there were several misspelled words in the church’s e-mail; however after my Bureau and the church had e-mailed each other my Bureau was less concerned and felt it was very likely a valid engagement.  But still, something did not feel “Kosher” to Shawn, to my Bureau, and to me (even though I so badly wanted it to be legit).

My Speakers Bureau “plugged” their phone number into Google.  Immediately, scores of fraud reports came across my agent’s computer screen.  My agent (who was on the phone with me) softly replied only five words:  “This does not look good.”

I was not going to London to speak at a church; nor was I going to speak at any other church on Christmas day.  That e-mail was a scam.

I was crushed.  I was so disappointed.  However, I felt (and feel) “that everyone has disappointments:  doing badly on a test when you’ve studied so hard; not making a sale you knew you were going to make; your sport’s team loses even though it was up by so much, with so little time left.  Nothing in life is guaranteed.

I feel a key to success is persevering and always “pushing on.”

A goal might not always be obtainable, but that does not mean that one should give up.  Yogi Berra once said, “If you come to a fork in the road…pick it up.”  I’m sure he was just kidding and meant to say, “If you come to a fork in the road and you choose the wrong one, try another path…and if that’s not successful, try another one….”

Disappointments are part of life.  My father tells a story about a high school graduation that actually occurred and that he experienced.  It was a “wild” example of a disappointment.

A very wealthy man’s son was graduating and the father purchased for his son a brand new, shiny, red Ford automobile.  However, the son was very disappointed with this gift, shouting at his father, “I wanted a Mercedes!  Every one of your salesmen you give a Ford, and me, you give the same thing.  I’m your son.  I deserve something better, something more expensive.”

Sometimes, disappointments are part of life; lessons to make us try harder.  Yes, disappointments hurt, but like everything else in life one should always look on the bright side.

You might be asking, “What could possibly be the bright side to the ‘Christmas sermon that wasn’t?”  That answer is easy.  “I got to spend extra time with my daughter!”   And every father will tell you, “That’s no bah humbug!”

The Modern Choir Touch.

It wasn’t long ago that choir singing was strictly for church or possibly something you did a long time ago at school. But over the past couple of years the ‘choir trend’ has been gathering pace with figureheads such as Gareth Malone showing us in his television programmes how being part of a choir gives people much more other than singing.
So with the choir trend sweeping your area look no further than exciting local modern choir, The Sound Collective, and read on to find out how you can be part of something special.

Choir assistant Abbey explains, “When the hit US programme GLEE was added to the mix, choir singing became dare we say it, the “new cool”. The Sound Collective takes influences from all these shows but is proud to offer something different and is a choir for anyone aged 18 – 80 where at the same time everyone is the same.”

Now you are invited to free new member nights in either Maldon, Burnham-on-Crouch or Danbury to come and see what it’s all about and join this choir.

You don’t need to have had any experience of singing and there are no auditions, solos or sheet music. All are welcome and on these new nights everyone will be new together, on a level playing field and starting new songs just as nervously as the next man. It’s a great time to get on board!

The Sound Collective Chorus consists of Men and Women singing modern songs taught in a fresh modern way but it’s not only singing that is important to those who take part.
The choir’s director Emma explains, “We provide the platform, arena, occasion for people to make great things happen. Not only do they sound wonderful but we see the friendships formed, the achievements made and confidence gained and all these things are as much a part of being in The Sound Collective, if not more. People have their stories and some just come to sing or to get out but for others being part of this choir has far greater ripples through their lives.”

One member said “The best part of this whole experience has been the really lovely people I’ve met and the chance to do something I have always longed to do.It’s helped in so many ways. I needed something other than being mum to my 2yr old, to talk about something else, have something that belongs to just me, to look forward to and focus on. Being part of The Sound Collective has exceeded that and I’ve found myself to be more interesting and more confident. I tried other choirs but this is special.”

Emma continues, “We just teach people to sing our arrangements and delight in the harmonies and blend when the choir sing back at us however the truth is that through that process other magic happens.”

Members reference “The buzz”, “Belonging” and the “Opportunities” so get in touch and book your place on a new members night now!!

Want to be part of something in 2013 then contact The Sound Collective.

www.tsc-chorus.co.uk / email tsc.sound@gmail.com / Tel: 07889-248620
8.15-9.45pm (£5.50 pw) First visit FREE OF CHARGE.

Monday’s: BURNHAM,

Tuesday’s: MALDON,

Wednesday’s: DANBURY

It is naïve to think there is never a time when force will be required or when legitimate power has to exert itself. Parents sometimes have to use their authority in order to civilize and mentor unruly children. Bosses occasionally have to fire people who are working against the company’s policies and best interests.

Generally speaking, however, the power of human kindness is a superior form of power to brute force. An attempt to lead by persuasion should always go before the last-ditch requirement of confrontation and pulling rank.

Gail Halvorsen was taught these ideas about kindness, service to others, and the like back in Sunday School as a boy. Now a retired colonel of the U.S. Air Force, he never tires of telling about a situation where putting his convictions to work helped change the course of history. It helped turn an enemy into an ally.

Halvorsen was a pilot in Europe during and after World War II. In post-war Germany, he was on the ground in Berlin. Some of the many hungry children in the once-prosperous Germany that Adolf Hitler had reduced to penury flocked around him and his buddies to ask for food. They were hungry. They were begging for a scrap or bread or a handout from the soldiers’ rations.

Halvorsen didn’t have any food for the group of about 30 kids. He had two sticks of gum in his pocket. He handed them to a couple of the children – and had a bright idea. The next time he dropped food into the Soviet-blockaded area of Berlin, he dropped gum and candy out for the children as well. When word got back to his superiors of what he and now other pilots were doing, there was a chewing out for their “unauthorized activities.” But one general defended what the pilots were doing. He encouraged them to keep it up. And soon American candy companies were providing chocolate bars and chewing gum by the tons.

As Halvorsen puts it, “It wasn’t the chocolate. It was hope!” Little children and their beleaguered parents were encouraged to believe that things would someday be better for them. Historians of the period have credited the candy drops for helping change the attitudes of the German people toward their recent enemies in war. The same non-government program is also credited with altering American attitudes toward the German people.

Maybe there are children for you to help in your neighborhood, through your company’s involvement in the larger community, or in some ministry of your church. Maybe the people to think about aren’t even children. Maybe there is just someone who needs an act of positive kindness that you can provide. There are certainly no guaranteed outcomes, but it probably won’t do harm to be gracious.

Better yet, it could give hope or might even turn an enemy into a friend.

Rubel Shelly

If you are hungrey, you eat, yes? So why can’t babies have the same right?

Paula Stock, 24, of Letzen Road, Canvey, is a Mum to a 5 month old baby boy called Sydney and was left upset and angry when a shop owner refused her permission to breastfeed him when he woke up crying and needed feeding.

Miss Stock was out shopping with her Sister and her Mother and went into the Wedding dress shop to to pick up Sister Rochelle’s £900 wedding dress. She said that when they entered the shop, Sydney was asleep which meant that the young Mum could watch her Sister try on the dress.

But then her baby woke up for a feed and when he became so upset, she asked the staff if it would be OK to breastfeed him. But a member of staff said, “I can’t let you do that, as we have dresses in here that were worth thousands of pounds and you would have to go outside.”

Paula said, “He was absolutely screaming and I needed to get him fed as quickly as I could, so I went back to the car. I was really upset and angry. I felt guilty as well, as I felt I had ruined what should have been something enjoyable for my sister. I would understand the if I had a toddler running around with sticky fingers but breastfeeding is a completely natural thing for women to do. It was a really disgusting way to be treated. There were no other customers in the shop, so it wouldn’t have made other people feel awkward.”

The Equality Act 2010, which covers breastfeeding in public, says it is unlawful for a business to discriminate against a woman because she is breastfeeding.

The shop, in Broomfield Road,Chelmsford, has apologised to Miss Stock and pledged to set aside a suitable area for use by breastfeeding mums.

Lyn Bird is the manager of Bird’s Bridal shop in Chelmsford and has said: “We sincerely apologise for any upset caused. It was totally unintentional to upset Miss Stock. We felt we didn’t have a suitable area due to the lack of space and our own reservations with stock. This certainly will not happen again, because we have given a lot of thought to a suitable area for future use.”

Chelmsford Council are are planning on saving almost £1million over the next 12 months after they have agreed the budget. They plan to cut back on play schemes for the Easter and summer holidays by 25 per cent and will also be reducing the resources for waste collection, parks and green space management. This will be a saving of £970,000.

The members of the Lib Dem group were not in favour of the cut backs. The shadow cabinet member for finance, Mr Andrew Sosin said, “The 25 per cent decrease in the play scheme budget we feel will lead to disappointment to children and families who use the services. We are also concerned about the park services reductions which could lead to rubbish and dog fouling not being cleaned up quickly.”

The Councillors met at Central Baptist Church in Chelmsford, where they voted through the 2013/14 budget proposal that was put forward to them by the authority’s cabinet.

The Government grant is now £685,000 lower than in 2012/13. The finance bosses who work at the council, have be planning major service savings, which will be made during this year.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, Mr John Galley, said, “This council has been continuing to make savings where possible. This council has developed a reputation of living within its means which I want to see continue. We are in a stronger financial position than many other local authority’s and I strongly believe that our taking in of this budget will keep us prudent.”

The budget has included a council tax rise of £3.32 over the year for the residents of Chelmsford and staff at the Council will also be receiving a one-off pay rise of 1.25 per cent.

Money has been allocated for improvements to me made at the Chelmsford Athletics Centre, Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, Hylands House and the South Woodham Information Centre.

Potholes are the bane of drivers lives, and now Essex County Council are angering road users by not repairing the numerous potholes that are appering on our roads. Vehicles are being damaged and the Council are refusing to pay out.

It was reported in the Essex Chronicle newspaper, how a student, called Emily Wakeling, had her car damaged, after going down a pothole, but the Council are not willing to pay compensation.

Steve Rogers, who lives in South Hanningfield Road, Rettendon Common, says that he has been pleading with the county council’s highways department to fix a pothole on since June of last year. He said, “If you leave it like this there are going to be accidents. Two cars ended  up in a ditch last week and there’s a hole in the hedge”. Mr Rodgers claims to have called the council twice every day last week in a bid to get action. He said, “The highways department said they were going to come and inspect the road on  Monday and promised they would get in touch with me to give me an update, but I  heard nothing from them. I have had references from this, references from last  year and it is still not sorted.”

Mr Kevin Stemp is another angry resident who has damaged his tyre on the same pothole that was featured in the Essex Chronicle paper – minutes after Emily had her accident in Lodge Road, Writtle, last November.

Mr Stemp received a letter from the Council last Wednesday, refusing compensation, and is now seeking damages in the small claims court, and said: “So the battle will commence.”

The 51-year-old, who lives in Writtle, was travelling down the road at around 8.30am when he drove into the pothole, which was in the middle of the road. He said: “The car shuddered and there was a horrible grinding sound. The tracking was out of place, the suspension had gone and there was general  wear and tear which cost me over £300. I rely on my car for my living and I cannot afford for my car not to work – and I missed an important meeting that morning where I was a key person. They did fix the pothole that day – about six hours later. But the problem is that they are saying it is not their fault, but if they are going out straightaway and fixing it, it indicates that it is a danger. Poor Emily is a student and does not have the money to be paying for the costs. Luckily, I do have the money and the acumen to take this to court, and I am  going to take Emily with me.”

Whilst oriental and floral fabrics grace this summers fashion scene Blue is gracing the beauty pages. Here at Lush, we have a vegan make-up range that goes beyond the realms of being just a hot new colour – make-up that is also a form of colour therapy…

COLOUR THERAPY at LUSH

EMOTIONAL BRILLIANCE is a range of vegan lip and eye colours developed by LUSH Co-Founder, Rowena Bird and Harley Street behavioural therapist, Lady Helen Kennedy. Choose the colours that appeal to your subconscious and find out what this reveals about your state of mind. Each colour has a positive affirmation to help you feel the power of the word.

CALM liquid eyeliner (£14.50) is a pastel, baby blue colour made with a base of soothing rose petal infusion and skin-softening almond and jojoba oils, ensuring the delicate skin around your eye will be truly looked after. There’s also glycerine to help carry the colour over the eye, should you wish to blend into an eyeshadow, and capuacu butter to help set the colour pigment nicely so it lasts and lasts. This peaceful yet beautiful blue will help you feel confidently Quiet.

IN CHARGE liquid eyeliner (£14.50)

Make a royal like statement with this cobalt blue liquid eyeliner this spring summer. Apply and blend for a full, dramatic lid or create an equally striking look with just a flash of colour. This shade will certainly stand out and show you can Take Control this season.

How to wear: Draw the eyeliner close to the lashes. Start at the inner corner of the eyelid and draw across. A fine line will give discreet colour and a thicker line will give boldness to the eye.

For a softer look, draw a thick line and blend onto the eyelid with your finger or a brush.

The colour bases are formulated to blend well onto the skin. If you go wrong – just blend in.

To pick up these and many more ethical, cruelty free cosmetics visit Lush shops nationwide. For shop details and Lush Online please call 01202 668 545, or order at www.lush.co.uk.

Warning to anyone using cash point machines.

On the 2nd of February 2013, a man was using the cash point machine outside the newsagents called McColls, in Watchouse Road, Chelmsford, at 8.20pm, when two men approached him and he was then beaten up and robbed.

The man was dragged to the ground and assaulted by the two men, when a third man arrived and took the £30 from the machine and the three men then ran away. The victim suffered some cuts and grazes, but luckily didn’t need hospital treatment.

Essex Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the attack to come forward with any information by contacting Chelmsford CID on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111