Gareth's question 2. Does charging women considerable amounts to attend a function while letting men in for free (or cheaply) amount to selling women's services to men? This seems like a vile suggestion but there are several points here worth noting. One is that for men it can amount to a cheap score. Another is that if there is a need for two different entry costs, isn't it a good question precisely what is on offer to whom?

Some types of function may attract more of one sex than the other but with a big-dollar function sold as an opportunity for people to meet members of the opposite sex, how on earth does an event organiser land in such a pickle that they need to offer free entry to men just to get them to attend? Numerous singles event organisers have done this is the past. If their charging practices are reasonable it should never come to that point. Having reached it once, it would be unforgivable to do the same thing again because the organiser knows that there is a problem.

Gareth's question 1. Does higher attendance charges in order to keep the 'riff-raff' out of singles groups actually filter out 'down-market' people or rather does it tend to filter 'suckers' in? What exactly is 'riff-raff'?

The Celtic Music Cruises along the Port River have always been a magic experience. The next one is on Sunday 12th February 2006 from 2.30 PM to 5 PM on the new 'Explorer' cruise boat. If you are interested in attending let Gareth know ASAP. Tickets have sold out in advance on each of these trips. Musicians from the Celtic Music Association will be playing on board. You can attend for the musical atmosphere or just for a pleasant cruise to help support a worthwhile cause.

The cost is $10 ($9 conc.). Money raised will go towards completion of the new P.A. system in the Irish Hall, Carrington St, Adelaide where so many fabulous events take place, including the monthly Irish Bush Dances.

The last trip was on a beautiful afternoon in June this year when the boat had a maximum capacity of 400 people during it's fitting out. It is now licensed for 500 passengers and features a much more extensive fit-out including restaurant, bar and coffee/cake shop. The 38m vessel has 3 levels with the top-level being a sun-deck. It is moored at Port Adelaide near the lighthouse at the end of Port Road.

Please note that tickets booked will definitely need to be paid for well in advance, preferably upon booking. They will not be held for payment on the day. Also, attendees must present their tickets upon boarding. In line with government regulations the operators of the boat will not allow anyone on board without physically presenting a ticket. Please do not leave your ticket at home.

A while ago I asked for people to relate their horror dating experiences for inclusion in a new web project. That project had to be shelved for a short time but has now been resurrected and should proceed within a few days.

I would again like people to relate their dating experiences whether bad or good, funny or just worth telling about. Those instances which might identify other people personally will be either discarded or edited.

One of our regular attendees, Claire Colbey-Probert is holding another art exhibition following her previous success. She is exhibiting her contemporary, traditional and just-for-fun paintings. Its on Sundays from Dec 18 to Jan 29 (except Dec 25th) 11 AM to 4 PM at the Black Diamond Gallery, 66 Commercial road, Port Adelaide.

This type of event will soon be featured on a community notice-board page which will be created in the near future.