ASPIRE, the Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland, is holding its First Annual Short Story Competition. A first prize of £250, a second prize of £100 and third prize of £50 will be awarded. The short stories will be adjudicated by John Quinn, broadcaster and author and Anne Dempsey, writer and journalist.
Asperger Syndrome is a form of autism.
Entrants may submit as many entries as they want but each story must be accompanied by an entry fee of £3. Entries should be sent to James Toner, Aspire, PO Box 40, Greystones, Co Wicklow and the closing date is January 31st, 1997. Cheques or postal orders should be made out to Aspire; do not send cash.
Entrants must be over 18 years of age. Entries must be previously unpublished original stories, in English. Entrants should include their name, address and title of the story on a separate sheet.
It will not be possible to return manuscripts, copyright rests with the author or authors and winners will be announced in May of this year. It is hoped to publish the winning stories; together with a selection of runners up.
STUCK in the same old rut? Are you one of the many people who can't say what they are really thinking and feeling either in work or in your personal life? An eight week assertiveness training course run by the education department off the Well Women Centres is designed to help people communicate their needs and wants more effectively, handle conflict and generally build self confidence.
The Dublin based evening courses begin at the end of January for both first time participants and those at advanced level, are limited to 12 participants each, and cost £115. Details from Margaret or Terry at 101-6621497.
WHAT is love? A series of five sessions looking at the stages of love and the meaning of relationships will take place on Monday evenings from January 20th in Killiney, Co Dublin. People are used to thinking of love in one way, usually the romantic variety, and when that aspect of love inevitably wanes and dies, people are often devastated and confused and relationships and marriages suffer. The course looks at the many stages of love and their implications for how we relate to each other and to ourselves, within marriage and outside marriage.
Places are limited and the cost is £145. All inquiries to Think Positive, 01-2822310.
THE Irish Eating Disorder Association support group is meeting tomorrow in the Henry Grattan Building, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, at 8 p.m.
THE Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin was established in 1897 and to celebrate its centenary 1997 will be marked by many scientific and social events. The opening meeting for the centenary year scientific programme Challenges Of Ocular Melanoma will take place on Friday, January 31st.