Issue number one hundred and eighteen (October 2010) in a series of Signposts from WorldU3A International, sent once a month to U3A members anywhere in the world.

Please send snippets of possible interest to the editor, Tom Holloway.
Feel free to copy any or all of this information in your newsletters.


THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
WILL TAKE PLACE ON AUGUST 8TH AND 9TH 2011

Please look at our website http://u3a-singaporeinternationalconference2011.org

 
Quackwatch - http://www.quackwatch.com/ - is an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere.
Chess Groups: The author of The Chess Website says "We are now brand new and better than ever. After tons of feedback, I decided to rebuild the site to make it better for everyone. Hopefully you will find this to be the most comprehensive chess website out there. The site will continue to grow based on your suggestions so feel free to give feedback."
The Book Fair Calendar is the UK's only guide to secondhand and antiquarian book fairs, ephemera and collectors fairs, charity and library book sales. UK book fairs range from the splendour of the ABA's London June fair and the size of the PBFA's York fair in September, to the more sober (but often rewarding) monthly fairs.

History Groups: Email Course - Introduction to Troy. Find out about Homer, Helen, the apple of discord, the heroes of the Trojan War, and the role of the gods and goddesses in this ancient legendary battle. You will receive one lesson a week.

You can also get downloadable summaries for all 24 books of the Iliad if you click here.

Health: Two popular supplements taken to combat joint pain do not work, a study says. The review of 10 previous trials by Bern University in Switzerland found glucosamine and chondroitin did not have any beneficial effect on osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

The supplements are not normally given on the NHS, although they are bought over the counter in UK pharmacies. But the researchers said they did no harm so if people wanted to continue taking them they could. This is because of the so-called placebo effect, where symptoms improve because a patients feels better psychologically for taking a substance. See http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c4675.full

Gardeners: October 9th is Tulip Day for Guerrilla Gardeners. Never heard of them? They encourage growing plants of all kinds, be they beautiful or tasty or both, in public spaces in an attempt to combat the shameful neglect of our common environment. To learn more click-on http://guerrillagardening.org

Sci/Tech Groups: Technical Visit to JCB World Headquarters, Rocester, Staffordshire, ST14 5JP, 21 October 2010 organised by I.MechE. Midlands Automotobile Division. All are welcome, non members as well as members. Free of charge.

12:45 for 13:00 start, 17:00 finish. For more information and registration click-on http://www.theiet.org/local/uk/westmids/warks/jcb.cfm
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