6:58:24 PM: Welcome to the Devils v the Panthers live blog. Your commentators tonight are Tom Mooney and Scott D’Arcy.
7:01:07 PM: The atmosphere at the Tent is buzzing. A capacity 2500 crowd in tonight and it’s a sea of red. Face off any time now after an hour delay.
7:02:47 PM: Cardiff Devils are on a 6-game winning streak after last night’s OT win at the Panthers and are looking for their second Challeng Cup win.
7:04:34 PM: Panthers looking for a third CC win after taking home the trophy in 2004 …

Come rain, shine or even snow, there is one group in Cardiff who never fail to pull on their waterproofs, dig out their wellies and brave the elements in order to help those who need a little care.
Meals on Wheels, based in Fairwater, Cardiff, has been running since 1975, delivering piping hot meals to those who cannot cook for themselves. The service runs 52 weeks of the year and is thought of by many as “the Cinderella of day services.” For many it is not only a food service but …

It could be described as an own goal by Cardiff Council. Their flagship alley gating scheme, which this year had a £110,000 budget, has been widely praised by residents for its role in cutting crime. But the gates have another use, too – as playthings for youngsters.

Up to 8,000 new jobs for Cardiff could be at risk after inspectors blasted plans for an International Business Park next to the M4.

Welsh hurdling legend, Colin Jackson, launched the Welsh leg of The National Lottery’s Britain has Balls tour in Cardiff, yesterday.

The tour which celebrates all things ballsy Welsh people do with lottery funding, saw Jackson joined, in Queen Street, by a number of projects including drummers from Valley Kids, lifeguards from Aberavon Surf Lifeguard Club and the Construction Youth Trust.

The lottery has so far given more than 27,000 grants and pumped more than £1 billion into projects across Wales, since its launch in 1994.

TALKS between parents and councillors last night in Cardiff over controversial school plans led to Jonathan Morgan AM accusing the council of acting illegally.
The English-speaking junior school Eglwys Newydd, in Whitchurch, is at the heart of the issue and parents from this school and the Welsh speaking, Ysgol Melin Gruffydd primary school school have been embroiled in bitter arguments since October when the plans were first announced.
The plans involve the closure of the junior and primary schools sites of Eglwys Newydd and students from the school having to move to …

Cardiff City manager Dave Jones takes his team to Preston tomorrow, but he’s not looking for revenge for the Bluebirds’ 6-0 drubbing there last season.

Preston blew Cardiff away at Deepdale four games before the end of last season, a defeat that cost them a place in the play-offs and a shot at the Premier League.

But Jones insists his side are not thinking about revenge. He said: “It’s been well documented the hurt we suffered there last year and people say we should use that as a yardstick or as motivation to beat them. But it doesn’t work like that.

The name milling around music venues across the UK is Ellie Goulding.

After winning the BBC Sound of 2010 the young star-let has been propelled into the spot-light and endorsements from the likes of Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens, have helped boost records sales and led to a Critics Choice Award at the recent 2010 BRIT Awards.

Certificate: 15
Star Rating: 4/5
It is a brave idea to create a film based on one of the most renowned writers of all time and entirely overshadow him with his wife.  However it is a decision Michael Hoffman makes to his credit in The Last Station.
Without the hysterical, dramatic and tempestuous Sofya Tolstoy (Helen Mirren), The Last Station would be severely lacking the passion which Tolstoy himself conveyed in his world-famous literature.
The film suffers a slow beginning, with a disappointing performance by James McEvoy, whose attempt at shy secretary Valentin Bulgakov …

Cardiff is gearing up for a host of new challenges as the Six Nations rolls into town for Wales’s first Friday night home game, bringing with it an expected 100,000 supporters.
The police, trains, taxis and street pastors are all making plans for operations in the city before, during and after tonight’s clash with France at the Millenium Stadium.

A finalist in Miss University held a ladies night at a Cardiff exercise studio yesterday to help raise fund for a children’s charity.
Emma Peters, a masters student at University of Wales Institute Cardiff, is raising funds for The Joshua Foundation, a charity which creates life experiences for children suffering with terminal cancer.

South Wales’s independent lifeboat service’s are going orange today (Fri) in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of the open water.
The Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), which has operated on the rivers and estuaries of the River Severn for 35 years, is one of more than 150 independent lifeboat associations across the UK.

VULNERABLE residents of a Cardiff sheltered housing complex have spoken out following Cardiff Council’s decision to close their former day centre.

The decision to close the day centre at the Worcester Court complex in Holmesdale Street, Grangetown, was taken as part of a plan to centralise council services in 2006.

It was classified as a “luncheon club”, which are designed to be open to anybody who wants to attend.

But resident Chris Lomax, 66, said while the status had changed, the way it was run had not.

A blur of vibrant colour meets the eye and the sound of thumping feet and pumping music mingles in the air outside the doors of studio one.For 34-years dancers young and old, novice and professional, have sprung, leapt, shimmied and side stepped their way through the doors of Rubicon Dance Cardiff.

Independent businesses in Cardiff are fearing for the future after the closure of a number of restaurants and bars in recent weeks, despite the Welsh Assembly claiming it has taking steps to reduce business rates to help retailers in the area.
Two businesses in the heart of Cardiff Bay have been forced to close their doors in the last few weeks, along with the closure of The Point, a popular music venue, before Christmas, and there is fear among the local community that more will follow.

AN ORGANISATION responsible for running community projects throughout Cardiff has been heavily condemned by a Government committee, even though local people have called it a success.

The Communites First project, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, has spent £214million of tax payers’ money since its launch in 2001, and a report published yesterday suggests, after severe managerial failures, there is no justification for its existence.

An interview with Simon Hoare, the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Cardiff South and Penarth, at his home in Atlantic Wharf, Butetown.
Mr Hoare spoke about MPs’ expenses, his experiences of campaigning against Alun Michael, devolution in Wales, public sector cuts and the future of South Wales’s economy, among other topics.

CARDIFF’S driving test centre is to perform a basic manoeuvre as it relocates just around the corner.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) confirmed they will be relocating from their current location at Norbury Road, Fairwater, to another site they have already identified within the Fairwater area.
Pamela Matthews of the DSA said: “We have not submitted a planning application to the Council, but we are currently in negotiations with the landlord.”
She said there will be no redundancies as a consequence of the move, nor will there be any new positions created. She …

A Cardiff community centre played host to breaker dancers from across the UK as the third “B-Boy jam”, run by Cardiff City Kings, break-dancing competition took place on Saturday.
The event saw 16 groups from across the UK compete for the champion title through knock-out rounds throughout the day. Teams travelled from as far away as Valencia and Barcelona to compete at the packed out community centre in Cathays.

Madame Fromage is the kind of restaurant a small, malicious part of you doesn’t want to live up to the hype. Homemade pies, locally-sourced food, a deli you can drool over as you wait for your lunch to be prepared – it ticks too many boxes.

Cardiff children were given a free soccer school and then taken on a tour of a Premier League stadium to help promote healthy living and community spirit.
The event took place on Wednesday evening at Llanrumney High School. It was organised by the Communities’ First Programme, a Welsh Assembly funded initiative.
Over 50 children aged between 4-12 years-old turned out to receive training provided by Total Technique. The Cardiff based company specialise in teaching young people footballing skills, promoting healthy living and encouraging regular exercise.
Yesterday the children who attended the coaching day …

BRINGING back the revival of Michael Blakemore’s period-set production of the pulsating thriller Tosca for a second year, Welsh National Opera could be accused of short-changing the audience. But no one will feel out-of-pocket after this faithful and traditional staging of Puccini’s popular opera.
Blakemore’s production is still enthralling almost 20 years after it was first staged. One wonders how musicologist Joseph Kerman could have dismissed one of the world’s most popular operas as a “shabby little shocker”. This little gem in WNO’s repertoire is a veritable treat.
Celebrated prima donna Tosca …

As the use of the legal high, mephedrone, causes increasing concern in Cardiff, Professor David Nutt last night professed his concern at the consequences of its criminalistion.
Professor Nutt was dismissed in October for his controversial comparison between the risks associated with horse riding and of taking ecstasy. He told a packed lecture hall at Cardiff University last night why he thought mephedrone should not be made illegal as he speculated the Government would begin criminalisation proceedings on Monday.
He said: “On Monday the Government is going to try, I …

CARDIFF Council has issued a plea for bidders which could give the capital its long-awaited Snow Dome, a permanent ice rink and a city-centre conference centre – but still no housing.

The property slump and the recession still threaten deals at the International Sports Village (ISV) in Cardiff Bay. One company has already gone bust and another lost its original contract with Cardiff Council.

Housing firm City Lofts bought an area of land at the site which the council sold to raise money for the ISV. They were supposed to build up to 40% affordable housing on the site, but they went into administration in 2008 and the land remains barren having changed hands several times.

RESIDENTS in a Cardiff community are terrified to speak up about anti-social behaviour, despite police increasing measures for them to do so.
Residents in lower Llanrumney have recently been besieged by children’s stone throwing and, despite police organising a special street meeting in the problem area this evening, people are still afraid to speak out for fear of being targeted in the future.
One group in a Llanrumney cafe said they understood why people would not want to go to either Police and Communities Together meetings, or any specially-organised street forums.
One …

An interview with Alun Michael, the MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, at his constituency office in Cathedral Road, Riverside.
Topics included the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, a hung parliament and working with Plaid Cymru, whether he has been damaged by the expenses scandal, devolution, fighting a general election through social media, and banning khat.

Hispanic nu-gypsy rock isn’t the most well known genre in the musical world but Alejandro and the Magic Tombelinos provide such a performance you can hardly fail to get swept away.
Alejandro has toured with the famous Fanfare Ciocarlia and on Thursday February 18 he brought his eccentric style and unruly backing band to St David’s Hall, Cardiff.
They didn’t have the most auspicious of starts. When we arrived, the band were still huddled in a corner behind the speakers, busy drinking beer rather than tuning up. But a heavily accented apology …

The usual subtlety of Oscar Wilde’s watertight script is executed with zestful aplomb but a pantomime villain and a village idiot detract somewhat from the play’s antiquated magic.

The student produced play opens in the charmingly understated set of Algernon’s front room. The two self-styled Earnests comfortably settle into musings on marriage and the delights and dreadful duties of a life of leisure as they bicker to the backdrop of austere bookcases and grand chaise longues.

“Progressive” is not a term often applied to religion, but it is the cornerstone of belief for Cardiff’s Bahá’í community.
Bahá’ísm is one of the world’s youngest faiths, and its message is simple: all the world’s transcendent figures – such as Jesus, the Prophet Muhammad, Krishna, and Buddha – are true messengers from God, and are part of a recurring phenomenon of leaders sent to earth to spread His word.
In other words, Bahá’ísm is interfaith because it integrates the key figures of all religions, believing they are all sent by the …

CARDIFF theatre mini-troupe Dirty Protest are all about being spontaneous. Tonight’s show at Cardiff Arts Institute, Out With the Old, saw them reading from their scripts on stage after only two nights’ practice.

Cardiff residents face a council tax hike after South Wales Police approved a five per cent rise in the amount they request for their annual budget. The decision to endorse the £257 million budget will add more than £7 to the annual council tax bill of the average home in the city.
The rise is a pre-emptive move to bolster the police’s resources after Chief Constable Peter Vaughan warned the force could be “facing a financial black hole in the next few years” with significant cuts expected from 2011. Addressing South …

Cardiff Devils did their talking on-the-ice tonight, producing a masterful display to beat Belfast Giants 4-0 in their Elite League showdown at the Cardiff Bay Arena.

Goals from Ryan Finnerty, Brad Voth, Phil Hill and Mark Smith did the job for the Devils against a lacklustre Giants side.

The win makes it three-in-a-row for the Devils after the double over Hull Stingrays at the weekend, and keeps them in with a sniff of second place, while the Giants chances of making a charge for the title seem to have disappeared.

7:21:02 PM: New post: Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants live text http://www.capturecardiff.com/?p=879
7:26:59 PM: #devils Cardiff look to maintain momentum after a good weekend but off the ice turmoil could derail their playoff hopes
7:29:18 PM: #devils Belfast looking for a return to the form they showed against Coventry on Saturday as they push for top spot
7:34:08 PM: #devils Big half-term crowd in for tonight’s game. Drummers are in an enthusiastic mood as usual.
7:41:21 PM: Nothing telling between the two sides yet. Belfast slapshot from the blueline saved low to Stevie …

The dragon writhed and roared destroying the offerings placed before its voracious maw. Well, almost. Chinese new year celebrations kicked into full swing this weekend as members of the Cardiff Chinese Cultural Association organised and performed the Dragon Dance on Cardiff’s Tudor Street.

The regeneration of a Cardiff community will begin within three months after a construction contractor was appointed, it was announced yesterday.

Cardiff Community Health Council also announced its provision for healthcare services within the development.

Leadbitter have been confirmed as the contractors for the Loudoun Square regeneration, in Butetown, and work is scheduled to start in May.

Progenteq, a sister company of Cardiff University’s commercial partner Fusion IP, has taken significant steps towards a “miracle cure” for acute knee injuries.

Based on the research of Charlie Archer’s connective tissue research group at The Cardiff School of Biosciences, Progenteq is developing a novel method for replacing knee cartilage.

Cardiff Devils enter a new era in Wednesday’s Elite League clash against Belfast Giants, after the appointment of Mark Richardson as team captain.

Great Britain international Richardson was handed the captaincy to take the pressure off under-fire Brad Voth.

Fans of TV show Torchwood, who set up a shrine to one of its lead characters, have unveiled two plaques to thank people for the support of their campaign.

Joanna Bibey presents a plaque to Lee Simmonds, of Mermaid Quay
A group of fans began an internet campaign to reinstate character Ianto Jones, played by Welsh actor Gareth David-Lloyd, after he was killed-off during season four by writer Russell T Davies.

“Line your pockets with regrets like dark pennies, but trade in the currency of the body”.

Whether these words, spray-painted onto a wall of a Cardiff Post Office, are aimed at the postal establishment or not is unclear. But one thing is certain – the “currency of the body” is not available at this branch’s bureau de change.

A cat lover from Llandaff today urged the owners of a stray half-Persian cat to come forward before she is forced to give him away to a cats’ home.
Ann*, who regularly takes in stray cats, has been looking after the pedigree animal for a fortnight, after he first appeared outside her home around six weeks ago.
She already has five rescue cats of her own, so she cannot afford to keep him much longer. She has contacted all her neighbours, placed adverts in the press and intends to ring round local …

Welsh rugby ace, Andy Powell has been arrested following an incident involving a golf buggy near the M4.

It is believed, Powell and another unknown male took the golf cart from the teams’ base at the Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, Golf and Spa resort and drove it to a service station on junction 33 of the M4.

Cardiff University student, Nathan Cleverly has vowed to smash Italian Antonio Brancalion and win the vacant European light-heavyweight belt when the pair go toe-to-toe tonight.
The undefeated 22-year-old, who has vacated his Commonwealth crown to take up the fight, will face the 34-year-old Italian in a top-of-the-bill bout, at Wembley Arena.
And the Cefn Fforest fighter, who has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Joe Calzaghe, is in confident mood:  “I’m really looking forward to the fight and I’m getting really excited.  It will be great to get back in …

From the midst of the smoke in front of us emerged a lone figure standing strong as the music slowly built to a crescendo. Through the clearing smoke, a spotlight followed the figure as they glided forwards , effortlessly moving across the ice as if they were one.
They came to a halt and suddenly, with a bang, the rink was flooded with light and the figure multiplied as the daring and visually spectacular show Holiday on Ice kicked off at Cardiff International Arena on Tuesday.

A football match at Cardiff International Sports Stadium is one of many events being held to support the rehabilitation costs for a Cardiff teenager told there were no suitable aftercare facilities in Wales after he suffering a brain hemorrhage.

Celebrity musicians have been flocking to a drum shop in north Cardiff.

Work is due to begin on a new school “safety zone” to stop speeding drivers and make the roads around a Cardiff primary school safer.
The construction of a zebra crossing and the narrowing of several junctions on Pen y Wain Road is due to start next week and is scheduled to last around six weeks.
Roath Park Primary School headteacher, Colin Skinner, was delighted with the plan and said the children had been involved in pushing for the changes.
He said: “It’s amazing, it’s the result of a lot of hard work …

A Cardiff community centre has received exactly the same grant money for over a decade even though the real value of the sum has decreased dramatically.

The core grant funding from Cardiff City Council for South Riverside community centre has stayed at £28,035 since 2000 when they received additional funding. The sum in 2000 would now be worth more than £7000 more in real value yet the grant has remained the same.

The Schiavo family are offering home made Sicilian food at great prices. Inside, there are a handful of solid wooden tables, a bar along the window for Sunday’s peoplewatchers and Italian music playing.

Cardiff hotels are booked out as early as June as rugby fans save their places in the city for a boisterous celtic Six Nation match weekend.
Hotels and bars across the city are squashing in the last few customers today as the city fills with Welsh and Scottish supporters preparing for tomorrow’s match.
At the Cardiff Marriott in Mill Lane, where all 184 rooms are full, they received bookings as early as June when the preliminary fixtures were released. Other hotels said customers had made a blanket booking for the whole of …

Wind-lashed and stormy, Flat Holm island, just five miles from Cardiff,  is a popular destination for day trippers who clamber aboard the Lewis Alexander boat for the sometimes choppy 45 minute trip from the Bay.
However for Matt Lipton, the warden of Flat Holm, it’s much more than a day trip destination; it’s home. Since March last year, Matt, 25, has spent three weeks out of every four on the island, living in a beautiful 16th century farmhouse and disturbed only by the gulls and sheep with whom he shares the …