C ch@ october 2017

U Ch@

m m o C

FEATZ

y t i N

Magazine

October 2017

OSTEOPOROSIS Are You At Risk?

How to

SUCK LESS

at marriage

Reach for the Sky with

Sir Douglas Bader

Remembering

John Lennon Hydro Zone Your Garden

www.featzpublishing.com

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Editor’s Message Sitting in front of my laptop I am amazed when I look at the reading stats for the magazine. With every issue we put together, it seems we are rewarded with more readers.

I love what I do, and putting this magazine together every month has truly been the most rewarding job I have ever had.

The October issue is filled with all our usual bits and pieces that you have come to expect as well as some serious pieces in honour of some of this month’s awareness issues, like breast cancer awareness and world osteoporosis day.

On a lighter side we have included some very weird Halloween facts as well.

With our ever changing world and the consistent increase in our readers we are excited to keep bringing you something new and fresh to read every month. We welcome your input and invite you to send us your suggestions, or if you have a piece you would like to contribute to our next issue, please do not hesitate. It has always been about you, our readers and we love hearing from you. You can drop us an email at featzmags@gmail.com October is my daughter’s birth month and I would like to take a moment to wish Tristan (The T in Featz) a very happy 16th birthday, your smile always warms the room and we all wish you lots of happy smiles on your special day.

Until next month, keep those emails coming.

Happy Reading!

To advertise in the next issue Contact Zelda Tel: 012 348 3486 Cell: 084 041 3058 email: featzads@gmail.com Upcoming Submission Deadlines for Contributors & Advertisers November Issue 23 October 2017 December Issue 22 November 2017

Published by Featz Publishing (Pty) Ltd and distributed via email. No responsibility is accepted by Featz Publishing (Pty) Ltd for claims, errors or omissions made in advertisements appearing in this issue. All our advertisers are accepted in good faith and we are not responsible for views expressed by contributors or other sources. Reproduction of the content of this magazine is not permitted without the prior consent of the publisher.

October 2017

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October Facts

You May not have Known!

As the new month begins, we would like to Popcorn month, Pork month and Sausage share a few October facts you might not have month. known.

October is not mentioned in any Shakespeare The Anglo-Saxons called October play or sonnet.

Winterfylleth, meaning the fullness of winter.

October also has two The Welsh for October is Hydref, a word birthstones; Tourmaline and Opal. Tourmaline is signifying the lowing of cattle. a favourite gemstone for many because it’s available in a rainbow of beautiful The “October Revolution” in Russia in 1917 colours. Opal gemstones are truly unique took place in November, but at the time the because each individual gem is adorned with Russians had not yet changed from the Julian a one-of-a-kind colour combination. calendar.

People born in October are Libras. Libras are The Hunt for Red October, with Sean emotionally impulsive and just love being in Connery, is the only movie with ‘October’ in love. In fact, they can get quite depressed if the title ever to win an Oscar. (for best sound they feel unwanted. They’re also known as editing) ‘Lazy Libran’ because they don’t like to make decisions. They’re just happy to go with the More US presidents have been born in flow. They’re fantastically beautiful. People October than in any other month. will do anything for them. They’re affectionate October in South Africa is awareness month and sympathetic and intensely interested for breast cancer, social development, Mental in people. They love entertaining and lots Health Awareness and Marine month. of good food, which means they’re forever dieting. They’re also the world’s biggest In the US October is National Pizza month, spenders.

October 1st

World Vegetarian Day World Vegetarian Day encourages us all to eat our vegetables and fruits. Countless studies have proven that a diet filled with fruits and vegetables is good for our health.

Vegetarians, have taken this path either for their health, or from a conviction that they should not eat, and therefore, kill animals.

A vegetarian, by definition, eats no meat.

That includes fish and other forms of seafood.

Bottom line is, a vegetarian eats no animal.

Their diet consists of plants....fruits and vegetables. They are ethically and morally opposed to killing animals for food. They are

Community Ch@ Magazine

also against poor treatment of animals at farms and slaughterhouses.

There are plenty of groups and organizations that support the vegetarian effort. If you are considering becoming a vegetarian, a quick web search, or a look up in your local phone directory should produce a group near you.

While you are online, check out the wide range of sites offering vegetarian recipes.

This day is used to promote awareness of the issues, and encourages others to become vegetarians. Seeing as fruits and vegetables are very healthy for you, World Vegetarian Day is a good day to try a vegetarian diet.

You might just be surprised at how good it tastes, too.

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What’s inside...

4

Breast Cancer Update

26

Grace - Part 20

6

Guardian & Fierce Hunter

28

Hydro Zone Your Garden

10

Parsley Tree

32

Super Weird Halloween Facts

13

What is Osteoporosis

36

Reach for the Sky

16

The Thick-knee

40

Meet the Egyptian Mau

21

Recipe: Big Easy Gumbo

42

Remembering John Lennon

22

Suck less at Marriage

44

Dommestic Violence

24

Visit Zanzibar

46

Get Rid of those Dark Circles

October 1st

Homemade Cookies Day Let’s bake a lot of homemade cookies today, as it is Homemade Cookies Day. Baking any kind of cookie will do. Put on your apron and get baking. The more cookies you make, the better. You get extra points, if you are a mom. That’s because everybody knows that mom makes the best cookies!

What qualifies as “Homemade”: Making cookies from scratch is certainly homemade.

And, it’s the best way to celebrate this holiday. If you use a box mix, it still qualifies as homemade. There is some disagreement, as to whether using pre-packaged store bought cookie dough, where you slice the cookies and then bake them, is considered homemade. We will let you make that call.

It is okay to bake the cookies the night before this holiday....only if you bring them to work or a party on this holiday.

October 2017

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Breast Cancer

Being informed is half the battle won Women’s health and the types of cancers prevalent among women is the theme of CANSA’s Women’s Health campaign being held during October. The key message is for women to keep themselves informed about the dreaded disease so that they can recognise early warning signs and know how to reduce their risk.

See the signs Of all the gynaecologic cancers, only cervical has a screening test. The Pap smear can help detect cancer early when treatment can be the most effective. Since there is no simple and reliable way to screen for the other cancers prevalent in women, it’s especially important to recognise their warning signs and to learn about ways in which to reduce risk.

is the most common cancer in women of all races and ethnicities. It is the most prevalent cancer among white and Asian women and the second-most common cancer among black and coloured women.

Knowledge is power It was Lindiwe Ntuli-Tloubatla’s knowledge of cancer and how to fight it that helped her through her battle with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. The Nelspruit-based gender and human rights activist also had first-hand experience of the disease with several members of her family being cancer survivors, including her sister, as well has Lindiwe herself having had a brush with cancer a few years earlier.

“At first the prognosis was so bad, I was told to get my affairs in order,” she says.

The incidence of breast cancer among South But she persevered, got a second opinion African women is increasing. Apart from and embarked on a treatment regime which non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer she describes as “brutal”. “Throughout the

Community Ch@ Magazine

treatment and recovery processes, I kept myself informed and was very fortunate to be surrounded by people who helped me with my battle.”

One of those people was Sister Rhona from CANSA’s Care Centre in Nelspruit. “She was a Godsend,” says Lindiwe. “She advised me how to regain mobility, showing me which exercises would help; and she introduced me to the concept breast prostheses. I wouldn’t have known about them otherwise.”

Lindiwe was so impressed by the service offered by Sister Rhona and CANSA, she has since become a volunteer, doing what she can to raise funds for the association.

Reduce risk The overall goal of CANSA’s campaign is to improve women’s health and well-being by encouraging women to ensure they have the knowledge to put in place their own risk reduction measures. Through its campaign, CANSA is providing access to information that enables people to make healthy lifestyle choices. CANSA also encourages screening and early detection.

ABOUT CANSA

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CANSA offers a unique integrated service to the public and to all people affected by cancer. As leading roleplayer in cancer research (more than R12 million spent annually), the scientific findings and knowledge gained from our research are used to realign our health programmes as well as strengthen our watchdog role to the greater benefit of the public. Our health programmes comprises health and education campaigns, CANSA Care Centres that offer a wide range of care and support services to those affected by cancer, offer stoma and other clinical support and organisational management, medical equipment hire as well as a toll-free line to offer information and support. We also supply patient care and support in the form of 11 CANSA Care Homes in the main metropolitan areas for out-of-town cancer patients plus one hospitium based in Polokwane, as well as CANSA-TLC lodging for parents and guardians of children undergoing cancer treatment.

Throughout October, information will be disseminated through media, health talks, fund-raising events, including breast cancer walks; and screenings at CANSA Care Clinics and Mobile Health Clinics.

For more info visit www.cansa.org.za October 2017

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Rhodesian Ridgeback

Vital Stats: Average weight: 27 to 40kg Average height: 60 to 68.5cm Life span: 10 to 12 years

Guardian and Fierce Hunter The Ridgeback’s Beginnings The Rhodesian Ridgeback gets his name from the large ridge it has running down his spine and from where it originates from. It is a large purebred developed to be a hunting and guard dog. Its other names the African Lion Dog, or African Lion Hound refers to its ability to engage a lion until its human hunting companion arrives. While it has a fierce background today it is more likely to be a companion dog.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback

was bred by farmers in South Africa in the 1800s to be a working dog, one that could hunt, guard and also be a companion. The idea was to breed a dog who could also handle the extreme temperatures of the area and survive on low amounts of food and water. Originally they were bred to hunt small game or to help bring down wounded animals.

The farmers used imports of larger dogs like the great Dane, Mastiff and Bloodhound along with a local half wild dog called the Khoikhoi. It is from the Khoikhoi that the dog gets the distinctive ridge. In 1877 Reverend Helm came to

Community Ch@ Magazine

Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and brought with him two Ridgebacks. Hunters of big game realised if used in a pack they were very good at hunting lion too. Four to six ridgebacks could hold a lion until the hunter arrived on horseback to kill it. They were also used to hunt other larger game.

In 1922 the first Ridgeback club was formed and the original breed standard was drafted.

The Ridgeback Today The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog weighing 27 to 40 kilograms and stands 60 to 68.5cm tall. It is a strong

muscular dog with a broad head that is flat on top with a long muzzle. It has a liver, brown or black nose and can also sometimes have a black tongue. It has brown, round eyes and medium length ears that hang down, wider at the base and then tapering to a tip.

though can be. It is a sensitive dog so harsh treatment is not recommended.

It also does not like to be left alone for long periods of time and can suffer from separation anxiety.

Its chest is deep and it has a long tail that curves up a little.

Its coat is dense and short and comes in colours such as different shades of red, wheat, white, grey and golden. It of course has its ridge that runs along the spine. On top of that the hair runs in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat.

This is a dog that can be very good with children with socialisation and training. It can be affectionate and playful with them and is especially good with children it has been raised with and feels protective over. Small ones can get knocked over by accident sometimes though so supervision is a good idea.

This is a fairly intelligent dog, it is reserved around strangers but is very loyal to its owners and family. They can be mischievous and will be affectionate and good-natured.

He is very alert and makes a great watchdog and guard dog as he is very protective. He is brave and will act to defend you if needed.

With other animals it can vary as it does have a high prey drive, with socialisation it can be fine with pets in the home, but with strange cats or small animals in the yard, they are not safe. It can also have dominant issues with dogs of This not a dog for new owners, the same sex – it needs experienced people especial males to deal with it and give it the with other right training and handling. non-neutered It is a confident dog and can males. be independent and even The Rhodesian territorial. It is an obedient Ridgeback is a dog with the right owners strong-willed but is energetic and can be dog who needs destructive if it does not get assertive enough exercise. owners to In general, a well-raised handle it. It can Ridgeback should not be be a stable, aggressive and is not likely to loyal and great challenge others. One who companion is not socialised and trained when it is

7

properly raised, but it does need training and socialisation.

Without the right care, this dog will be aggressive and destructive. If you are committed and able to be active with him, the Ridgeback will be a loyal, affectionate and loving pet. Just remember to watch him around same-sex dogs and any strange animals.

October 2017

We call it “The Selling Season” If you are planning to move or sell ANYTIME soon, NOW is the time to do it.

Every year, as the weather starts to warm up, genuine buyer enquiries increase.

Catch the fresh wave of buyers while the market is still strong.

GARSFONTEIN ELNA BOSMAN

082 341 4750

elna.bosman51@gmail.com

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Heteromorpha Arborescens The parsley tree has several distinctive features. The bark is smooth and shiny and peels off in horizontal flakes.

The leaves are variable in size and shape and may be simple to variously compound. They are light green to grey-green and may turn yellow and red before falling in autumn.

When crushed they smell of parsley or parsnips, hence the common name.

Common names:Â Parsley Tree (Eng.); Wildepietersielie (Afr.)

The small green or yellow flowers are strong-smelling, inconspicuous and arranged in umbels, i.e. all the stalks arise from the same point.

Flowering times are December-January. The small, winged fruits have two wings on the one side and three wings on the other side and they are creamy brown and form from April onwards.

This small to medium-sized, deciduous tree or straggly shrub is suitable for a small maintenance-free garden. The bark often helps to distinguish it from other species, for it is papery and smooth, peeling off horizontally and leaving ring-like scars below.

It occurs in wooded grassland, bushveld and When new, these have a surface like the on forest margins. It is fairly widespread in finest satin. the eastern regions of South Africa, from the

Community Ch@ Magazine

Pitman 1973). In the Cape many wild parsley trees have simple leaves, whereas those to the north tend to have pinnate leaves with three, five or seven leaflets. The leaves are also very variable in size and shape.

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The main use of the plant is to treat abdominal pains and intestinal worms in children with an infusion of leaves used as an enema (Palmer & Pitman 1973). It is also used to treat nervous and mental disorders.

A decoction of the root is used to treat shortness of breath, coughs and dysentery.

Smoke from the burning plant is inhaled to treat headaches. It is also planted in the southern Cape up through Eastern Cape and kraals of chiefs in Lesotho to ensure the eastern Free State, Kwazulu-Natal, Swaziland loyalty of the people. into Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It The timber is very soft and decays so rapidly also occurs further north in Africa. that it is poor fuel. The Xhosas make musical bows of it (Pooley 1993). In the Okavango There are few species of trees that bear sometimes simple and sometimes compound territory, Africans use the roots as an aphrodisiac. leaves, and this is one of them (Palmer &

October 2nd - Name Your Car Day Name Your Car Day is today. Does your car have a name? Lots of people name their cars. People with big boats, name their boat, and we think nothing of it. So, why not name your car or truck!?

Every car has character and personality. We spend a lot of time in our cars, and caring for them. So, it’s only fitting that each car gets its own name.

Selecting a name should be made with care and consideration.

Give your car a name that properly reflects its character. What you name your car should be a proper reflection of its character and performance, and your desires for your car. In general, guys’ names are for guys’ cars, and girl names are for the cars that you ladies drive. Aside from that, selection of a name is wide open.

But, be careful....cars have feelings, too.

October 2017

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Community Ch@ Magazine

What is osteoporosis?

osteoporosis occur most commonly

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Osteoporosis is a systemic disease which at sites such as the wrist, upper arm, gradually weakens bones, leading to painful and pelvis, hip and spine, and can result in debilitating fragility fractures (broken bones). severe pain, significant disability, and e v e n These can occur after a minor fall from standing death. height, as a result of a bump, sneeze, or even Since there are often no outward symptoms of from bending over to tie a shoelace. Any bone osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a can break due to osteoporosis, but some of the bone mineral density (BMD) also called a DXA most serious and common fractures are those of test depending on your age and if you have risk the spine and hip.

Our bones are living tissue and constantly

factors for the disease.

Risk factors for osteoporosis changing. From the moment of birth until young adulthood, bones are developing and A risk factor can be defined as anything that strengthening. Our bones are at their most dense increases your chance of getting a disease. in our early to mid- 20s. This is called peak bone Remember - an individual may have one or many of these risk factors and not develop osteoporosis. mass age.

For people with osteoporosis, bone loss outpaces

Conversely, many people may have no apparent risk factors and develop osteoporotic fractures.

the growth of new bone. Bones become porous, Below is a list of potential risk factors for brittle and prone to fracture. developing osteoporosis.

Who gets osteoporosis?

Understanding the answers Osteoporosis is a serious, common, and costly disease and it is estimated that worldwide, an If you answered “yes� to any of these questions, it osteoporotic fracture occurs every three seconds. does not necessarily mean you have osteoporosis, One in three women and one in five men at the but that you have clinically proven risk factors that age of 50 will suffer a fracture in their remaining may lead to osteoporosis and fractures. Discuss lifetimes.

In women over 45 years of age, fractures due to

these with your doctor who may recommend

that you have a bone density test (DXA) and will also advise on lifestyle interventions and possible

osteoporosis result in more days spent in hospital treatment options. than many other diseases, including diabetes, Also remember that even with no risk factors heart attacks, stroke and breast cancer.

present, your bone health should remain a priority and you should monitor your risk factors in future Osteoporosis is called the Silent Disease because as they may change. Some people with no risk there are usually no symptoms to indicate that factors may also develop osteoporosis.

Symptoms of osteoporosis

your bones are becoming thinner. This makes the Diagnosing Osteoporosis diagnosis of osteoporosis rather difficult because the loss of bone density is usually not noticed Men and women over 60-years-old are at

until someone breaks a bone. Fractures due to higher risk of osteoporosis than younger

October 2017

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people. Nevertheless, it is possible to probably the most important bone building mineral. It have osteopenia (low bone mass) or is a well-known fact that the diet of most individuals

osteoporosis at a much earlier age. As in western countries like South Africa, contain osteoporosis has no obvious symptoms, insufficient calcium to maintain a positive calcium balance. it’s important to go to your doctor if any of the above mentioned risk factors apply to you.

Your doctor will take a thorough medical history that includes information on any recent fractures, current risk factors and may determine the next step is to have a bone mineral density (BMD) or DXA test.

What is a BMD test?

Traditional X-rays can’t measure bone density, but they can identify spine fractures. Bone mineral density (BMD) has to be measured by more specialised techniques. A number of different types of BMD tests are available, but the most commonly used is DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) Preventing osteoporosis Preventive measures aim to ensure maximum accumulation of bone tissue during skeletal growth and maturation as well as reducing bone loss after the skeleton matures.

Approaches therefore differ during each life stage.

Adolescence and young adulthood are the times to build skeletal reserve; midlife provides the opportunity to preserve bone mass and assure bone health in future years. In later life, those who may already have developed osteoporosis can take measures to prevent further bone loss and fractures.

Certain risk factors which predispose to the developing of osteoporosis cannot be altered- you cannot change your gender, race or age. You can still however do much to prevent further bone loss.

Lifestyle Changes Diet A balanced diet containing adequate calories, minerals and vitamins is required to maintain bone health. Sufficient calories, protein, and vitamin C will ensure normal collagen synthesis.

An adequate Calcium intake (+/- 1000mg/day) is

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Vitamin D Vitamin D plays two major roles in the development and maintenance of healthy bones. It aids in calcium absorption from the intestine and also ensures correct renewal and mineralization of bone. It is also essential for muscle health. A daily intake of 400-800 IU is recommended or 15-20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen at the non- dangerous times (before 11h00 and after 15h00).

Exercise Regular (3-4 times/week) weight-bearing exercise (e.g. brisk walking, stair climbing, jogging or dancing) is important at all ages as it is the only physiological way to stimulate bone formation. Individuals who exercise regularly tend to have higher peak bone mass and it also seems to slow down age-related bone loss.

Stop smoking, limit alcohol intake and avoid bone toxic drugs The detrimental effects of tobacco and alcohol abuse on bone tissue and your body are well documented.

If you are serious about your health and want to prevent osteoporosis – don’t abuse these bone toxic substances.

Treating osteoporosis If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, never accept the incorrect and uninformed advice that “osteoporosis is a normal part of ageing” or that “nothing can be done”.

There are many treatment options available to reduce bone loss. Many of these potent drugs are capable of reducing the rate of osteoporotic fractures by 70% or more.

For more information visit our web site www. osteoporosis.org.za or the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) at www.iofbonehealth.org

19 easy questions to help you understand the status of your bone health

Your non-modifiable risk factors - what you cannot change!

These are risk factor that one is born with or cannot alter. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of risk factors you can not change so that steps can be taken to reduce loss of bone mineral.

1. Have either of your parents been diagnosed with 9. Have you ever been diagnosed with rheumatoid osteoporosis or broken a bone after a minor fall (a arthritis?

Yes No fall from standing height or less)?

Yes No 10. Have you been diagnosed with an overactive 2.Did either of your parents have a stooped back thyroid, over-active parathyroid glands, type 1 (dowager’s hump)? diabetes or a nutritials/gastrointestinal disorder Yes No such as Crohn’s pr celiac disease?

Yes No 3. Are you 40 years old or older?

Yes No For Women: 4. Have you ever broken a bone after a minor fall, as 11. For women over 45: Did your menopause occur an adult? before the age of 45?

Yes No Yes No 5. Do you fall frequently (more than once in the last 12. Hav your periods ever stopped for 12 consequtive year) or do you have a fear of falling because you months or more (other rhan because of pregnancy, are frail? menopause or hystorectpmy?

Yes No Yes No 6. After the age of 40, have you lost more than 3cm 13. Were your ovaries removed before age 50, in height (just over 1 inch)? without you taking Hormone Replacement Yes No Therapy?

Yes 7. Are you underweight (is you body mass index less than 19 kg/m2)?

Yes No For Men: 14. Have you ever suffered from impotence, lack 8. Have you ever taken corticosteroid tablets of libido or other symptoms related to low (cortisone, prednisone, etc.) for more than 3 testosterone levels?

Yes consecutive months (corticosteroids are often prescribed for conditions like asthima, theumatoid, arthritis, and some inflammatory diseases)?

Yes No

No

No

Your lifestyle risk factors - what you can change!

These are modifiable risk factors which primarily arise because of diet or lifestyle choices.

15. Do you regulary drink alcohol in excess of safe 18. Do you avoid, or are you allergic to milk or dairy drinking limits (more than 2 units a day)? products, without taking any calcium supplements?

Yes No Yes No 16. Do you currently or have you ever smoked cigarettes?

Yes

19. Do you spend less than 10 minutes per day outdoors (with part of your body exposed to No sunlight), without taking vitamin D supplements?

17. Is your daily level of physical activity less than 30 Yes No minutes per day (housework, gardening, walking, running etc.)?

Yes No Tel: 021 976 4995 - Fax: 021 976 4999 - Help line: 0861102265 E-mail: info@osteoporosis.org.za - Web-site: www.osteoporosis.org.za Facebook: @osteosouthafrica - Twitter: @osteoporosisSA

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The Spotted Thick-knee The Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) is known by various names, including Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, or Gewone Dikkop (in Afrikaans).

Distribution / Range Its natural range stretches throughout central and western sub-Sahara Africa where they usually occur in grasslands, semi-deserts and urban areas.

They are well camouflaged due to their brown black and white plumage that blends well into its environment. This species relies on this camouflage to protect themselves from predators.

They are usually seen singly or in pairs.

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Description This bird stands about 34 - 43 cm tall and weighs between 365 - 450 grams. It averages 7.2cm in length and its wing span is from 200-245 mm.

They have brown heads The special characteristics of this species include large yellow eyes and its long greenish-grey / yellowish-tinged legs that appear to have thick knees.

It has a short, plover-like, yellow-brown beak. The arrow-shaped head and part of the back are covered with brownish black streaks. A dark brown streak stretches from under the eye to the ear feathers and a white streak can be seen below the eye to the cheek. There are white feathers

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rapid.

Their expected life span is about fifteen years.

Calls / Vocalizations They are usually quiet during the daytime, but tend to get noisy after sundown as this is the time when they are most active.

They repertoire includes several calls, including tche-uuu , pi pi pi pipi, whee-yuee. Sometimes they croak.

Diet / Feeding They feed on grass seeds, insects (butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants), small lizards, rodents, snails and crabs. They usually forage for food on the ground.

Breeding

around its eyes.

The upper parts of the body and wings have brown, white and black splotches. A white bar of plumage separates the wing into sections. Wings are brown and grey, tipped with black and have white edges surrounding them. The throat is white and the breast is light brown with black streaks.

The wedged-shaped tail is tipped in black with some white markings.

Males and females look alike. Juveniles look like adults except they have grey freckled wing feathers.

These birds are capable of flying but prefer walking. When they do fly, they are usually high up and their wing beats are strong and

Spotted Thicknees are usually monogamous (have only one mate) and outside the mating season, they tend to be quite mellow.

However, males can become aggressive and territorial when they are protecting or defending the young.

They typically nest in spring or early summer. They build nests on the ground with twigs, straws and leaves. They are usually lined with small stones and dry plants. The nest is placed under a bush to protect the eggs and the young from predators.

The hen will lay one to three brown and speckled oval-shaped eggs in each clutch.

Both parents take turns in incubating the eggs until they hatch (about 26-27 days of incubation).

October 2017

Advertorial FLOSSNet CC (2008/081085/27) is a registered South African company based in Alberton, Johannesburg which provides education, training and consultancy services for free/libre and open source software (FLOSS).

The mission of FLOSSNet is to unlock the potential of free/libre and open source software (FLOSS) through education, training and consultancy services for the benefit of individuals, NGOs, CBOs, and small businesses in Africa.

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19 requiring programming, HTML or CSS knowledge.

You will receive the Joomla software on the course.

You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to improve your Google page ranking.

VirtueMart, which is free, is an e-commerce component for Joomla and is used to sell goods or generate orders online by setting up shopping carts and catalogues. Joomla! (www.joomla.org) is the most world’s most popular open source Content Management System for the development of dynamic websites. Thus, you need to have a website which is built in Joomla or you should have knowledge of Joomla. Thus, VirtueMart is installed inside of Joomla.

The WordPress training course is a practical hands-on course with participants developing a fully-fledged website. The course also demystifies the WordPress terminology and will show you how the different pieces of WordPress fits together.

At the end of the course, participants will receive all the tools they need to develop their websites. Participants will leave the course with the skills and knowledge to build or maintain their WordPress websites.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) refers to techniques that help your website rank higher in organic (or “natural”) search results, thus making your website more visible to people who are looking for your product or service via search engines.

Our WordPress SEO training course will equip you with knowledge and skills to improve your Google page ranking over time. Joomla is the world’s most popular open source Content Management System for the rapid development of professional and dynamic websites. Joomla makes it easy for non-technical people to develop and maintain websites without

October 2017

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“Big Easy” Gumbo

October 12th is Gumbo Day, so we went looking for an authentic Gumbo recipe for you to try out on your family this month. Remember to visit our website to download a copy of this recipe. If your family is anything like mine, they will love the idea of trying something new.

Step 1

Ingredients •

1/2 cup peanut oil

•

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

•

1 cup chopped sweet onion

•

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

•

1 cup chopped celery

•

2 teaspoons Creole seasoning

•

2 teaspoons minced garlic

•

3 cans low-sodium chicken broth

•

4 cups shredded cooked chicken

•

1/2 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

•

1 1/2 cups frozen black-eyed peas, thawed

•

450g peeled, large raw shrimp

Heat oil in a large cast-iron pot over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 to 7 minutes or until flour is chocolate coloured. (Do not burn mixture.)

Step 2 Reduce heat to medium. Stir in onion and next 4 ingredients, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Gradually stir in chicken broth; add chicken and next 2 ingredients. Increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes.

Add shrimp, and cook 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.

Serve with a creamy Gumbo Potato Salad (we included a recipe for this on the website)

Visit the Website Print a Copy

October 2017

By: Stephen van Basten

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5 ways to suck less at marriage

We generally suck at relationships, take that into our marriages and then actually expect them to last!

eye and said, “Thank you but we know what we are doing”. I just nodded sagely. In my mind they are unconsciously incompetent.

While relationships are actually paramount in our lives, the truth is we suck at them.

When you look at how many relationships we have it dawns on us that they are actually rather important. We have relationships with our maker, our parents, our siblings, our teachers, fellow students, our ministers, our aunts and uncles, our grandparents, our bosses, our colleagues at work, our customers, our children and a myriad of other permutations of the above.

When one looks at successful people, especially in business (and yes, success is different to everyone), the most successful people have a few things in common:

Now consider this. We leave our parents and our kids leave us. Our siblings usually are not our closest friends as life progresses. Remember all your friends from matric? How you promised to stay in touch? Did you? You probably don’t even really keep in touch with your best friend from school anymore. Now look at all of your ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends. How many times have you left someone or had someone leave you? How many jobs have you had? How many of them started off well and then ended with you leaving? How many friends have you lost? How many deals have you lost because you messed up a business relationship?

We all know that the divorce statistics are around 50%. Half of the people who marry leave each other, and that’s after promising GOD they would stay together for better or worse, in good times and bad!

I met a couple last week to discuss marrying them. This was her 2nd marriage and his 3rd. I asked what they felt about marriage coaching and he looked me in the

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1. They have a vision and a mission a. What is your vision for your marriage? b. What is your mission for your marriage? c. What are your long, mid and short term goals for your marriage?

2. They do what they love, and love what they do 3. They do what it takes no matter what, especially the uncomfortable stuff 4. They are committed to continuous learning and improvement a. The most successful people on earth never stop learning b. They invest in themselves 5. THEY HAVE COACHES a. The best sportsmen in the world all have coaches (Tiger woods has a coach) b. The best speakers in the world all have coaches c. The richest people in the world can all tell you who it was that mentored them d. I know one millionaire who has a health coach, a business coach, stock trading coach, a spiritual guru, a personal development

coach and a relationship coach.

AND HE IS A COACH (and a millionaire).

So how does one move from unconsciously incompetent (which most of us are in our relationships) to unconsciously competent or at the very least, consciously competent (which most of us are not)?

1. Realise you could do with some help a. I believe that even the best relationship can be improved b. I have a great marriage but am always looking for ways to improve it 2. Look into the future and see the benefits of an extraordinary marriage a. Improved physical health b. Improved mental health c. Improved emotional well being d. Lots of yummy sex e. A happy home for your children f. Better friendships g. More effective at work (more promotions, opportunities and money) 3. Get some help

a. Go to personal development classes together

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b. Develop Spiritually together c. Marriage is like a well-run business i. You have to manage it properly ii. You actually have to be there to make it work iii. It needs constant focus iv. You need to re-invest in it constantly (money, emotion, time, thought) v. It is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling 5. Committing to enjoying the good times together, to working through the bad times, to courageously having the difficult conversations and holding each other accountable, to seeing marriage as an equal partnership and to completing the journey together.

Where are you on the marriage competency grid? Email me for a copy of my marriage competency exercise at: stephen@stephenvanbasten.co.za

a. Getting help does not mean that your marriage is in trouble or failing b. Working on your marriage is the greatest gift you can give each other c. Find someone you relate to, who is making it work and who can teach you something d. My “Building Blocks to an extraordinary Marriage” comes highly recommended  4. Agree to working on improving your marriage for ever

Visit the Website October 2017

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Visit Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the number one beach location in East Africa. It is a wonderful island, with classic tropical beaches, lush plantations, an incredible history and a fascinating culture.

Apart from historic Stone Town, with its labyrinth of narrow streets, Zanzibar is known for its beautiful palm-fringed beaches and pristine coral reefs.

HISTORY The monsoons that blow across the Indian Ocean have allowed contact between Persia, Arabia, India and the coast of east Africa (including the islands of Zanzibar) for over 2,000 years. The first European arrivals were Portuguese navigators looking for a trade route to India. They reached Zanzibar at the end of the 15th century and established a trading station here and at other points on the East African coast. At the end of the 17th century the Portuguese were ousted by the Omani Arabs. During this period, Zanzibar became a major slaving centre. In 1840, the Omani Sultan Said moved his court from Muscat to Zanzibar, and the island became an Arab state and an important centre of trade and politics in the region. Many European explorers, including Livingstone and Stanley, began their expeditions into the interior of Africa

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from Zanzibar during the second half of the 19th century. Zanzibar was a British protectorate from 1890 until 1963, when the state gained independence. In 1964, the sultan and the government were overthrown in a revolution. In the same year, Zanzibar and the newly independent country of Tanganyika combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania.

LANGUAGE The indigenous language spoken throughout Zanzibar is Swahili (called Kiswahili locally).

This language is also spoken as a first language by Swahili people along the east African coast, particularly in Kenya and mainland Tanzania. English is widely spoken and understood.

CULTURE Most of the people in Zanzibar are Muslim and all towns and villages on Zanzibar Island have mosques. Visitors to Zanzibar Town (Stone Town) cannot fail to hear the evocative sound of the muezzins calling people to prayer from the minarets, especially for the evening session at sunset. There are also small populations of

Christians and Hindus.

your physician on the correct preventative medication required before you travel.

CURRENCY Cash (US Dollars) and credit cards are accepted at hotels and at any Bureau de Change.

We recommend that passengers take USD cash in small denominations for incidental purchases, tips etc. or exchange funds on arrival at the airport ATM.

MALARIA As Zanzibar is situated in a malaria zone, it is recommended that you consult

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VISA South African Passport holders do not require a visa.

Whether you spend your days lazing by the pool, sipping cocktails on the beach at sunset, diving in warm waters with excellent visibility or enjoying a Dhow cruise around small islands, your Zanzibar holiday will be a memorable experience.

Book with us today!

Our Office is situated at the Blue Diamond Hotel Natrix Travel, 751 Rubenstein Drive, Cnr Rubenstein & Wekker Street, Moreletta Park

Tel: 012 004 0174 / email: info@natrix.co.za

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Part 20 By: Johan Jordaan

Two Natures?

W hat is your nature? It is your ‘essential character or disposition’ (Webster).

I have often heard this story told in sermons of the white dog (representing evil) fighting the grey dog (representing good). The white dog always won. How can you change that?

By feeding the grey dog better and starving the white dog. That, according to this teaching is how it works in us; we have an ‘old nature’ and a ‘new nature’ and they are always in conflict.

Paul calls our old (sinful, fleshly) nature ‘the old man’. That is who we were. But he also talks about our new nature called ‘the new man’. So far so good; Paul also recognises two natures (the two dogs). According to the teaching above you must feed the ‘new man’ better and starve the ‘old man’ if you want the new nature to win i.e. you become more Christ-like and have victory in your life.

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But does this theology hold any water? Do we have two natures that are in constant conflict? I believe not. It is a lie that will enslave you if you believe it. Why is it a lie?

Because the white dog is dead. (Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

(NET)) That’s right, the white dog is dead. It was crucified at the cross. It is a past event. I died with Christ about 2000 years ago. It’s a fact – if you can believe Paul. The old man was crucified and is not going to be resurrected.

Something was resurrected though – the new man! In Rom 6:2-8 Paul explains the process further:

Rom 6:2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we have been buried with him

through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. 6 We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.) 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (NET)

27 The problem is that the ‘old man’ does not feel dead (see Rom 7).

It still feels like I’m a slave to sin.

Seemingly nothing has changed.

These are the hard-hitting facts. (Rom 7 by the way is a reference to Paul’s old man.

Don’t be mislead into believing that our life now looks like that, we live in victory but he refers to himself as a wretch. That is not what we are in Christ!)

It might not feel that way, but God says we are renewed. What are you going to believe; your feelings or God’s word? Feelings can be Note how many times Paul says that we died. so strong that it is difficult to believe the truth It is clear that our ‘old man’ died with Christ that tells you otherwise. But the Biblical truth but even better; we were also raised with is that the ‘old man’ died with Jesus on the Him and now live with Him in a new life. cross. He no longer controls you. You are a ‘new man’ who died to sin. You are a partaker Things that were not bothering you before of the divine nature. You have God’s DNA ‘the old man died’ are now a serious matter in you. He is your Dad. Satan has nothing to you. That is because your ‘essential on you. God does not change your life, He character’ has changed. You are a new exchanges it for His own! person that wants to do what God wants.

Your new nature is not comfortable with the There will always be a conflict between your old fleshly things – they bother you now. Your flesh and your spirit, but you can have victory old man was completely comfortable with by the ‘renewing of your mind’ (Rom 12:2). them. Sin now leaves you feeling empty and After some time while walking with Jesus unfulfilled. We have only one nature – the this will become a reality in your life. You will nature of Christ. 2Pet 1:4 tells us that we are experience the victorious life more and more. ‘partakers of the divine nature’.

Christ is your life now (Col 3:4).

Let’s look at a verse that we’ve covered Next month we examine the most excellent previously: 2Cor 5:17 So then, if anyone is in gift of the Spirit: love. But we look at it from a Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has New Covenantal perspective. passed away - look, what is new has come!

(NET) The old (man) has ‘passed away’. This is really good news; we do not have to crucify the ‘old man’ – he is dead already. We do not have to ‘die to ourselves’. The old man is dead. All we need to do is to live in the ‘new man’. Accept your new nature and live in that identity without trying – when your mind is renewed your will live according to your new nature. The Bible NEVER tells us to kill our old nature. Why? Because it is already dead. The white dog is dead. Sinning is not in accordance with your new nature. It is unnatural now.

Write to me, engage me, I will try to answer any questions that you might have. email: featzmags@gmail.com Subject: Grace

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Hydro Zone your Garden How to zone your garden into The High Water Usage Plant Zone different hydro zones.

Keep this hydro zone as small as possible.

The main design principle of a Water Wise garden is to group plants with similar water requirements in the same bed. A garden can have four hydro zones: A high water usage zone, a moderate water usage zone, a low water usage zone and a no water usage zone.

This approach allows any gardener to have an area for high water consumption plants but at the same time results in water saving of between 30% and 80%.

The idea is that the high water usage and medium water usage zones are small, with most of the garden comprising of low water usage and no water usage zones.

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These plants need frequent watering throughout the year. Examples of plants with high water needs are lawn, bog or wetland plants, exotic plants, vegetables, annuals and spring flowering bulbs.

Plant annuals and spring flowering bulbs in containers. Position them in a group near the house to make hand watering easier. A group of containers makes a colourful focal point.

Spreading annuals and bulbs throughout the garden is not water efficient.

Moderate Water Usage Plant Zone Keep this hydro zone relatively small. The plants for this area are those that need more

water than that which is provided by rainfall in your area. Many exotic plants that are popular South African garden plants fall into this category.

Low Water Usage Plant Zones

Hydro zoning design tips:

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• Place high water usage zones close to the house.

• Place low water usage zones around the perimeter.

• If you have an irrigation system have Make this hydro zone as big as possible. The different programmes or valves for the plants in this zone thrive mainly on the rainfall different zones. in summer and only need a little, if any, watering during the winter months. They tend to be local indigenous plants that are resistant Low Water Usage Plants to pests and diseases and therefore require Here is a list of some indigenous plants, make very little maintenance. sure you select plants that tolerate the frost levels in your area.

No Water Usage Zone

Make this hydro zone as large as possible.

Areas of the garden with hard landscaping – patios, paved areas and driveways – need no water. Plants for this zone area are established local indigenous trees and shrubs and many succulents. Permeable paving is preferable to impermeable paving.

Whether you have an established garden or are planning a new one, the more water wise you make it, the easier and cheaper it will be to maintain.

With a bit of thought an existing garden can be changed into a Water Wise hydro zone garden.

• Draw up a rough plan of the garden on graph paper.

• Map out hydro zones taking into account the needs of existing trees and large shrubs. Make the no water usage and low water usage zone large, the medium water usage zone medium to small, and the high water usage zones small.

• Reduce lawn areas – use permeable paving, gravel or water wise ground covers instead.

• Move small shrubs and perennials into their appropriate hydro zones.

• Trees: Indigenous acacias, Agonis flexuosa, tree aloe (alow barberae), red ivory (Berchemia zeyberi), tree wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus), False olive (Bussleja saligma), sage wood ( Buddleja salviifolia), white stink wood, bushwillows (Combretum spp), Pompon tree (Dais continifolia), wild pear, coral tree (Erythrina lysistemon), Lavender tree, wild peach (Kiggelaria Africana), wild olive, weeping wattle, Searsia spp, weeping boerbean (Schotia brachypetala) buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata). We have featured quite a few of these in previous issues of Community Ch@ magazine.

• Shrubs: Aloe spp, indigenous bauhinias, Carissa spp, coleonema, euryops, ribbon bush, cape plumbago, blue freylinia, wild gardenia, September bells, Cape honeysuckle, lion’s ear, all helichrysums, polygala, balloon pea (Sutherlandia frutescens).

• Perennials & Bulbs: Agapanthus, Asparagus spp, Barbrton daisy, Diascia integerrima, blue Felicia, carpet geraniums, Gazania krebsianam lion;s ear, Osteopermum spp, ivy leaf pelargonium (Pelargonium peltatum), Plectranthus neochilus, century plant (boophone disticha), clivia, pineapple flower (Eucomis autumnalis), summer-flowering chincherinchee

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(Ornithogalum thysoides), Scilla natalensis (now Merwilla plumbea), Scabiosa Africana, scadoxus, wild garlic (Tulbaghia violacea).

• Ground Covers: Aptenia, Arctotis factuosa, stalked bulbine (Bulbine frutescens) Osteospermum jucundum, Osteospermum barberae, Gazania krebsiana, sour fig (Carpobrotus deliciousus) vygies and other low growing succulents such as stapelia and soap aloe (Aloe maculate)

Containers grouped together have impact and make a colourful focal point.

water deeply, so that the water runs out of the draining holes.

• A layer of mulch on the soil surface reduces water loss.

• Group patio container plants together so that the foliage creates a canopy to help shade the soil and keep it cooler. This reduces water loss. Also, keep containers sheltered from the wind to reduce water loss to evaporation.

Tips for Containers: • Select non-porous containers large enough for the mature roots of shrubs.

• Use a specifically formulated container potting soil high in organic matter that drains well. Put small stones or potting shards at the bottom of the container.

Blue Felicia

• Add water retaining granules to the potting soil as per instructions to help hold water around the roots.

• Water containers in full sun on a patio at least once a day, and more during very hot weather. Check the soil to see if it is damp or dry beneath the surface. Once a week

Agapanthus

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Gazania

Clivia

October 3rd Techies Day Techies Day is your chance to give your friendly technician(s) some well-deserved appreciation.

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technicians, not just computer techies. There are many highly skilled technical jobs out there that demand high quality. Let’s give a big hand and a thanks to all techies, from all fields, on this special day.

Make sure that your techie knows that The office technician may be a geek or a he, or she is appreciated. Give them a big nerd. But, when your PC goes down, or gets HUG. Maybe a token gift, or just send an a virus, that geek is invaluable. He’s on top ecard. Taking good care of your Techie will of his trade, and can get your system back reap you dividends when you need him. up and running faster than you can say Here’s wishing my Techie a very “gigabyte”.

Happy Techies Day. You’re the Best!

Not to be left out..... This day is for all

October 5th - Do Something Nice Day Today is Do Something Nice Day. Go ahead, do something nice, anything nice. And, do it to, or for, another individual. It won’t hurt......we promise.

Doing something nice for someone almost always evokes a very pleasant response. At the very least, it results in a smile. More likely, that person will do something nice to, or for you. And, best of all, doing something nice just might be contagious.

In keeping with the spirit of this day, set a goal to do something nice for someone. Perhaps, you can do this for several people. Then, sit back and watch the results!

October 5th - World Teacher Day Teachers deserve a little recognition, and some thanks and appreciation. Aside from parents and direct family, who else has as much influence on the hearts and minds of a child... your child? Teachers not only educate, but they help to shape and frame your child’s beliefs, values, and behaviours.

Parents and students are encouraged to offer thanks and recognition today. A simple “thanks”, or an ecard is sufficient.

BTW: An apple a day may keep the doctor away. But, teachers love to get apples. If you are a teacher, Happy World Teacher Day!

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9

Super Weird Things You Didn’ Know About Halloween

This weird Halloween trivia isn’t boo-gus.

celebration could inspire both a Sexy Olaf costume and spooky drones? That said, sexy snowmen can’t hold a candle to Halloween’s Halloween is a time for candy, costumes and truly bizarre origins (even if that’s just the Charlie Brown cartoon special, but how because a snowman would melt if it held did it become this way? Why are children a candle). Chances are you really have no and teens encouraged to run around the idea just how weird Halloween truly is, so neighbourhood threatening tricks? Jack-o’- here are nine facts to fix that... lanterns are a pretty strange concept, but 1. Originally, you had to dance for your historically, strangers giving you candy was “treat.” supposed to be a bad thing.

Most experts trace trick-or-treating to the European practice of “mumming,” You may already think that Halloween or “guysing,” in which costumeis a pretty bizarre holiday: What other

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’t

wearing participants would go door-to-door performing choreographed dances, songs and plays in exchange for treats In some early versions of trick-or-treating, men paraded door-to-door, and boys often followed, begging for coins.

Most of these early trick-ortreaters were poor and actually needed the money, but wealthy children also joined in the fun.

2. Halloween is more Irish than St. Patrick’s Day. Halloween’s origins come from a Celtic festival for the dead called “Samhain.” Celts believed the ghosts of the dead roamed Earth on this holiday, so people would dress in costumes and leave “treats” out on their front doors to appease the roaming spirits. Granted, the Celts were not solely based in Ireland when these customs started taking shape around the first century B.C., the Irish Celts were the ones who invented the jack-o’-lantern. This Halloween prototype was eventually disrupted and adapted by Christian missionaries into celebrations closer to what we celebrate today.

33 and France traditionally wore costumes of animal heads and skins to connect to spirits of the dead. This tradition continued into modern day celebrations of Samhain, the Celtic holiday that inspired Halloween in America. On this day, merry-makers often dressed as evil spirits simply by blackening their faces.

The leader of the Samhain parades wore a white sheet and carried a wooden horse head or a decorated horse skull 4. Jack-o’-lanterns were once made out of turnips, beets and potatoes -- not pumpkins. The jack-o’-lantern comes from an old Irish tale about a man named Stingy Jack. According to

3. If you’d been around for the earliest Halloween celebrations, you might have worn animal skins and heads.

According to ancient Roman records, tribes located in today’s Germany

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folklore, Stingy Jack was out getting sloshed with the Devil when Jack convinced his drinking partner to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks without spending money. Jack then put the Devil, shaped like a coin, into his pocket, which also contained a silver cross that kept the Devil from transforming back.

Jack promised to free the Devil as long as the Devil wouldn’t bother him for a year, and if he died, the Devil could never claim his soul. Jack tricked the Devil again later, getting him to pick a piece of fruit out of a tree and then carving a cross into the bark

when the Devil was in the branches. This trick bought Jack another 10 years of devil-free living.

When Jack finally died, God decided he wasn’t fit for heaven, but the Devil had promised never to claim his soul for hell.

So Jack was sent off to roam Earth with only a burning coal for light. He put the coal into a turnip as a lantern, and Stingy Jack became “Jack of the Lantern” or “Jack o’ Lantern.” Based on this myth, the Irish carved scary faces into turnips, beets and potatoes to scare away Stingy Jack or any other spirits of the night.

5. Halloween used to be

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a great day to find your soulmate.

In some parts of Ireland, people celebrated Halloween by playing romantic fortune-telling games, according to Nicholas Rogers’ “Halloween: From Pagan Ritual To Party Night.” These games allegedly predicted who they’d marry, and when.

Since Halloween, like Valentine’s Day, was one of the main celebrations of the year where young people could mingle with the opposite sex, it was also considered a good day to scope out a sweetheart.

6. In a few American

towns, Halloween was originally referred to as “Cabbage Night.”

This came from a Scottish fortunetelling game, where girls used cabbage stumps to predict information about their future husbands 7. Some animal shelters won’t allow the adoption of black cats around Halloween for fear they’ll be sacrificed.

It’s unclear whether black cats are actually sacrificed around Halloween, but various animal shelters refuse to let people adopt these cats in the leadup to the holiday.

8. Studies have shown that Halloween actually makes kids act more evil.

Putting costume-wearing kids into groups and introducing a clear object

35 of desire, such as candy, has been shown to lead to “deindividuation.” This psychological term explains what happens when a group of maturing young minds begins to care less about the consequences of their individual actions, leading them to do things that they might not do alone.

9. A full moon on Halloween is extremely rare.

Though a common trope in horror movies and Halloween decorations with witches flying across the full moon, the next full moon on Halloween won’t occur until 2020.

The most recent Halloween full moon was back in 2001, and before that, it was in 1955.

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Community Ch@ Magazine

Reach For The Sky

Sir Douglas Robert Steuart Bader was born on the 21st of February 1910 in London. From a very young age Bader displayed an aggressive and competitive nature, which brought him into constant trouble, but made him excel in many sports especially rugby and cricket.

In 1928 Bader joined the RAF as a cadet, however his interest was still in sports and he started playing hockey and boxing. On the 13th of September 1928, Bader took his first flying lesson in an Avro 504 and after just 11 hours and 15 mins of flight time; he went solo on the 19th of February 1929.

Once he received his flying wings, Bader very soon got the reputation for being a daredevil by often flying illegal and dangerous stunts.

He faced many warnings and even a court martial, but still he continued breaking the rules.

On the 14 of December 1931, Bader reacted to a dare and performed low-level aerobatics in a Bristol Bulldog. He crashed when the tip of the left wing touched the ground. He was rushed to hospital where the surgeons amputated both his legs – one above the knee and the other just bellow the knee. He made an entry into his logbook that day saying “Crashed slow-rolling near ground. Bad show.” th

37 his full flying medical in 1939. Bader was posted to 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford where he first started flying Spitfire’s. Due to the fact that he had no legs, Bader could perform maneuvers that pulled higher G-forces for longer as the blood could not drain into his legs. This became a huge advantage to him as a fighter pilot.

During the war he excelled with many kills to his name and was soon promoted to the rank of wing commander. On the 9th of August 1941 Bader had a mid air collision with a BF 109 over the French coast, he managed to bail out but was taken as prisoner of war in Germany, where he remained for 3 years.

During the war Bader scored more than 20 confirmed kills and received many awards including DSO, DFC and of course Knighthood.

Douglas died from a heart attack in 1982 at the age of 72.

After much pain and therapy, he received a pair of artificial legs and slowly began getting his life back together. He drove his car, played golf and even learnt to dance! It was during this time that he met the love of his life Thelma Edwards whom he married in 1933.

All this time Bader was trying to get back into the air, but the air force classified him as an invalid.

With increasing tensions in Europe in 1939, Bader did not give up and eventually received

October 2017

Pretoria High School for Girls Model United Nations Annual Johannesburg MUN On Saturday 16 September the South African Institute of International Affairs hosted the annual Johannesburg MUN event at the Wits University – the biggest MUN event of the year. PHSG entered three teams, representing Germany in a futuristic Security Council, Zimbabwe in the United Nations Water Committee and Canada in the International Organisation of Migration.

While all our girls did an outstanding job, we would like to congratulate the delegation of Zimbabwe (Omolemo Matseke, Hawa Ibrahim, Jo-Anne Mahlobo) for receiving an Honourable Mention Award, and also Bonolo Moikanyane from the delegation of Canada who walked away with a gold trophy for 1st Best Speaker in the IOM. We are also exceptionally proud to say that two of our Old Girls (Joyce Bongongo and Morategi Kale) were seen filling very important positions of Chair and Co-chair for the UNSC Committee.

Congratulations to all these girls for their inspiring accomplishments.

German Delights On 19 September, Grade 10 German girls enjoyed another visit to die Brotstube in Rossouw Street. The queue stood still for nearly 30 minutes as they battled to choose from the intimidating variety of pastries. Time and time again this is proven to be the hardest part of having German as a subject. #Schwierige Entscheidungen

Art Exhibition and awards ceremony On Monday 4 September PHSG held its annual Art Exhibition and Awards Ceremony, the exhibit on display was open for all to come and view. Judging the pieces was Lothar Bõttchar, a renowned glass artist.

Congratulations to all Participants.

SACEE Nine schools in Pretoria entered the 2017 South African Council for English Education (SACEE) writing competition. The standard was very high and we are very proud of the following learners who have been invited to the SACEE prize giving ceremony: Christy du Preez Junior Writing Distinguished Performance Grace Mngadi Senior Poetry 3rd Place; Stacey Sapsford Senior Writing 1st Place

CHOIR The PHSG Senior choir are hitting all the right notes. On Saturday 2 September they stole the show at the “Life is a Song- Sing it” Choir Finals held at the State Theatre.

This took place following the Choir’s success at the Irene Village Mall Choir Competition on 29 July where they walked away the winners. They were also invited to perform at the SheEO Sleepout at the Women’s Day event at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on 8 August.

The Choir, alongside conductor Stephen Gericke, accompanist Tessa Olivier, and with support from Ms Dugmore and Ms Mangena, took on the best as they competed in the “Sing in Harmonie” competition on 23 September at the Silver Star Casino complex in Krugersdorp where they made the top 9 (finalists) out of 104. The show will be broadcast on Kyknet later this year.

The Choir and the School Orchestra have also been featured in the Four Schools Concerts which took place 24 to 26 September.

40 Life Span:12 to 15 years The Mau is a medium sized cat of 2.7 to 6.35kg

Egyptian Mau The Mau’s most striking characteristic is his spotted coat in silver, bronze or smoke (pale silver fur tipped in black), closely followed by his large gooseberry-green eyes.

Whether the Mau is a product of thousands of years of Egyptian culture is a matter of debate, but if fanciers of the strikingly spotted cats wish to claim that they date to the times of the pharaohs, well, who knows? It could be true. The Egyptian Mau (Mau being the Egyptian word for cat) is notable for being the only naturally spotted domesticated cat. In other words, the spotting pattern was not created by

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human manipulation of feline genes. The cats were known in Europe before World War II, but the devastation of the war left the breed in a perilous state.

The breed as it is known today dates to a silver female kitten given to Russian princess Natalie Troubetskoy when she was living in Rome.

Depending on the story, the kitten was given to her by a young boy who had been keeping it in a shoebox or she acquired one from the Egyptian ambassador to Italy. Troubetskoy named the kitten Baba. When she moved to the United States in 1956, Baba and two of her offspring came with her. Troubetskoy wanted to ensure that the Mau survived as a breed, so

she wrote a breed standard and began breeding the cats under the cattery name Fatima.

splashing water out of your pool — or his water dish.

the end.

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The medium-length The Egyptian Mau prefers coat has a silky, fine texture family members to anyone in the smoke coloration and a The breed was recognized else. When he’s not playing dense, resilient texture in the in 1968 by the Cat Fanciers fetch, he enjoys sitting on a lap silver and bronze colours. The Federation, followed in 1977 by and being worshipped, just as body is covered randomly with the Cat Fanciers’ Association. his ancestors may have been. distinct spots that can be small Importation of more Maus or large, and round, oblong or in the 1980s and again in other shapes. The forehead The Mau has the distinction 1991 increased the breed’s bears an M shape, the cheeks of being the fastest domestic gene pool. Today the breed are adorned with “mascara” housecat, as she can run at is recognized by most cat lines, and the tail is banded, speeds of up to 30 mph. associations. ending with a dark tip. On the pale belly are dark spots that Both pedigreed cats resemble “vest buttons.”

When the Egyptian Mau and mixed-breed cats have is happy, you know it. varying incidences of health He vocalizes (called chortling) problems that may be genetic In addition to the silver, bronze in a quiet, pleasant voice, and smoke colours, Maus can in nature. Egyptian Maus are swishes his tail rapidly, and come in solid black, blue silver, generally healthy, but be sure kneads with his front paws. blue spotted (a dilute version to ask a breeder about the What makes him happy is of bronze), blue smoke and incidence of health problems being with his family, to solid blue, but these colours in her lines and what testing whom he is fiercely devoted, has been done for any that are are not permitted in the or showing off his hunting show ring. These cats of a genetic in nature. prowess by chasing and different colour make fine pets, retrieving a tossed toy or however, sharing all the other The Mau’s most striking stalking and pouncing on a characteristics of the Mau. characteristic is his spotted wriggling lure at the end of a coat in silver, bronze or smoke fishing pole toy. (pale silver fur tipped in black), closely followed This is a moderately to by his large gooseberryhighly active cat. He likes green eyes. He is a to jump and climb and will medium-size cat with appreciate a tall cat tree, a a muscular body and a window perch or two, and a slightly rounded wedgesturdy scratching post that shaped head topped with allows him to stretch out to full medium-size to large ears. height. The Mau also enjoys With hind legs slightly longer playing in water. Don’t be than the front legs, he gives surprised to find him dipping the appearance of standing a paw into your koi pond or on tiptoe on his small, dainty aquarium, turning on the tap feet. A medium-long tail is thick in the bathroom or kitchen, or at the base, tapering slightly at

October 2017

42

Fascinating People

John Lennon

founding members of the ro Beatles, was a legendary m songwriter. Hailing from Liv he went on to achieve great success not just in his nativ throughout the world. The B also had Paul McCartney, G and Ringo Starr in its line-u greatest and most influentia rock era, and also the most successful one. Already a w musician by the time he form Lennon was catapulted to e heights of stardom as a mem band. To become a famous a dream Lennon held close from his childhood which w domestic instabilities. His pa up when he was very young his mother as a teenager. T experiences of his early life into his poignant and evoca have entertained generation lovers. He found great succ Beatles and after its disband enjoy a thriving solo career. nature, he was a pacifist at also actively involved in poli activism. His life was tragic by a deranged man who sho when he was just 40.

Career

Co-founder of ‘The Beatles’

John Lennon

09 October 1940 - 08 December 1980 Community Ch@ Magazine

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Lennon along with McCa recruited other aspiring like George Harrison, St and Paul Best to join the which became known as Beatles’ in 1960. A coup later Best was replaced Ringo Starr.

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During the early 1960s t became very popular in hits like ‘Please Please M Loves You’ and ‘I Want T Hand.’ The band becam popular, achieving even popularity than artists li Roe, Chris Montez and R

n, one of the

ock band, The musician and verpool, England, t fame and ve country, but Beatles, which George Harrison up, became the al band of the commercially well-known med the Beatles, even greater mber of this musician was to his heart was marred by arents broke g and he lost The painful e made their way ative lyrics which ns of music cess with The ding went on to . Rebellious by heart and was itical and peace cally cut short ot him to death

This frenzy was given the name “Beatlemania”, and the four young men became superstars.

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artney g musicians tuart Sutcliffe, eir band s ‘The ple of years d by drummer

the Beatles Britain with Me’, ‘She To Hold Your me enormously more ike Tommy Roy Orbison.

Their fame spread to the United States and the Beatles became the first British band to achieve a breakthrough in the country, surpassing the success of the US rock bands.

After having tasted success as musicians, the Beatles decided to try their hand at acting and starred in the 1964 film, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ which became both a commercial and critical success.

Over the next few years the Beatles enjoyed great success and gained much in fame and popularity.

However, the unexpected death of their manager, Brian Epstein, in 1967 triggered a series of events that ultimately led to the Beatles’ disbanding.

Lennon left the band in 1969 and soon launched his solo career. His debut solo album ‘John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band’ was released in 1970 and received much critical acclaim and commercial success.

During the mid 1970s he took a break from music to focus on his family life and helped to raise his son. He was also making the headlines during this period for his alcoholism and related problems. He came out of his retirement with the album ‘Double Fantasy’ in October 1980.

Major Works •

He is best remembered as the co-founder of the phenomenally successful rock band, The Beatles, which is the best-selling band in history, with estimated sales of over 600 million records worldwide. The

band has been awarded six Diamond albums, as well as 24 Multi-Platinum albums, 39 Platinum albums and 45 Gold albums in the United States.

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Awards & Achievements •

He along with Paul McCartney was awarded he Grammy Award for Song of the Year for ‘Michelle’ in 1967. The Beatles also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2014.

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The Beatles won the Academy Award for Best Music (Original Song Score) for the documentary film ‘Let It Be’ in 1970.

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In 1977 the Beatles won The Brit Award for the Best British Group.

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As performer, writer or co-writer Lennon has had 25 number one singles on the US Hot 100 chart

Personal Life & Legacy •

He married Cynthia Powell, a fellow student at the Liverpool College of Art, in 1962. They couple had a son soon after. However, problems crept into the marriage within a few years and they divorced in 1968.

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He married Yoko Ono, a multimedia artist, singer, and peace activist in 1969. The couple had one son.

Yoko played a very influential role in shaping his career after the breaking up of the Beatles.

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He was returning home with his wife on 8 December 1980 when Mark David Chapman shot him in the back four times. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York and his ashes scattered in New York’s Central Park.

October 2017

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS Compiled by: Lt Col Gerber (Police Social Work Services) Human rights are regarded so significant that 21 March is annually observed as Human Rights Day. The day is declared a public holiday, confirming that the issue of human rights are important to all.

of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom”.

The question then, when coming to the issue of domestic violence: Is that not a direct violation of a person’s human right to dignity, equality and freedom? People Protests are the “in thing” when it comes have, inter alia, the right to: to the violation of people’s rights. Nothing wrong with it and, with good reason, one 1. Human dignity (Section 10) should demand that one’s democratic “Everyone has inherent dignity and the rights are met. right to have their dignity respected and protected”. Emotional abuse is about ripping a person from his/her dignity The Constitution of the Republic of and pride.

South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution) is the highest law of the country and any conduct inconsistent with it is illegal. 2. Life (Section 11) The Bill of Rights (the Bill), Chapter 2 of the Constitution protects “the rights “Everyone has the right to life”.

Community Ch@ Magazine

45 Physical abuse could lead to murder, taking away a person’s life.

7. Health care, food, water and 3. Freedom and security of the person social security (Section 27) (Section 12) “(1) Everyone has the right to have “Everyone has the right to freedom and access to- (a) health care services… security of the person, which includes (b) sufficient food and water; and social the rights…(c) to be free from all forms security…”. Symptoms of physical of violence from either public or private abuse is the depriving of medical care sources; (d) not to be tortured; (e) not when needed, lack of food and water. to be treated or punished in a cruel, Economical abuse’s purpose is to make inhuman or degrading way…” Is that the victim financially dependent on the not what domestic violence entails of? abuser.

Physical and emotional abuse…

4. Privacy (Section 14) “Everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have… their possessions seized (economic abuse); or the privacy of their communications infringed” - which could include the opening of mail and listening of phone calls that is emotional abuse / stalking).

5. Freedom of association (Section 18) “Everyone has the right to freedom of association”. Isolation of the victim is one tactic to ensure that the victim has no support system, complicating the possibility to leave the abuse relationship.

6. Environment (Section 24) “Everyone has the right - (a) to a healthy environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being”. Domestic violence impacts greatly on the victim’s health and well-being, physically as well as mentally.

8. Children (Section 28) “Every child has the right- … (d) to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation…”. Physical abuse includes the acting out on children to get to the victim. Witnessing the abuse causes trauma to the child and also impacts severely on the social and emotional development of the child.

Linking the rights included in the Bill and characteristics of domestic violence and the question whether domestic violence is a violation of human rights?

The answer should be, A DEFINITE YES! We all demand that our human rights are met – in so, it is also time to demand that domestic violence stops! Talk about it, report it, expose abusers and support victims… We all have the right to human dignity, respect and freedom.

October 2017

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10 Tips to Get Rid of Dark Circles under Your Eyes

If you are wondering how to get rid of dark circles under your eyes, well, you are not alone. It is a very common problem, sending both women and men into a tizzy. The frustration of having dark circles under your eyes will make you want to run for your make-up kit.

But, dark circles under your eyes shouldn’t be swept under the rug, instead, you should look for alternatives to correct them. Here are ten natural ways and home remedies to get rid of those dark circles.

1. Make use of potatoes. Yes, remember when everybody said in science class that potatoes can “bleach”, well then, what are you waiting for? This is one of the most effective home remedies for those bags, and it’s all natural. Rest assured they wil diminish in size.

Community Ch@ Magazine

2. Try the Milky Way. Chilled milk can work wonders. Take two cotton balls, dip it into cold milk and apply to your eyes (Remember to keep your eyes closed) Wash off after 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold milk will refresh the under eye area, deflate puffy eyes and help water

retention.

3. Who knew oil could help? It does sound odd, but Vitamin E in its oily form can be placed on your eyes for reducing that swelling. Vitamin E can soothe your eyes and gives a refreshed feeling.

(Make sure you are not allergic to it.)

4. Grandma’s Favourite – Cucumber.

Grandma always said: “If you have dark Circles under your eyes, get a cucumber and slice circles and apply them to your eyes.” Off course Grandma is always right. The cucumber’s anti-inflammatory action makes your eyes look less puffy.

5. Tea anyone? Tea bags are also very effective for your eyes. Cooled down, moistened tea bags can be placed onto your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. Relax, while they do their thing. Once you are done splash your face with cold water and pat dry. You will see the difference, just give it a go.

6. How to get rid of dark circles under your eyes? Use a spoon! Did you know that a simple spoon from your kitchen can also help in soothing those dark circles? Put two teaspoons in the fridge for an hour and then, gently apply onto your eyes. You will gradually start seeing improvement.

47 7. The white of an egg. Take the egg white and gently pat it onto your under eye area, avoiding your lids. Let this sit there for 5 to 10 minutes and then, rinse with cold water and pat dry. You can also mix egg white with a little olive oil and apply it onto your under eye area for the same amount of time. Try to rinse your face with cold water, as it will be more refreshing.

8. Make use of sunscreen. Many of us think that sunscreen is not of great use, but the truth is that your under eye area keeps getting darker as you age, so you need to be very careful about it. Pigmentation can be stopped, if you start using an SPF30 based sunscreen to protect the under eye area and prevent the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.

9. Drink water and lots of it! Eight glasses of water a day is enough to ensure that your body stays hydrated.

10. Get yourself some proper sleep. A good sleep is an obvious necessity, but many people don’t sleep properly. If your eyes aren’t well rested, the after effect can clearly show in under eye dark circles and bags.

Dark circles under the eyes are something we all face, but by using the right remedies we can “cure” this problem or prevent it from appearing. Stay beautiful!

October 2017

Movie Trailer

It - You’ll float, too.

When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.

Starring: Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgård Director:Andy Muschietti Music: Benjamin Wallfisch

Based on a book by Stephen King

Movie Trailer

Friendship comes in many colours. A new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6—Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity— embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home.

Visit the Featz Website for some fun activity pages

Here

Days of Interest in

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October

October 6th Mad Hatter Day

Mad Hatter Day is a great day to be silly and celebrate silliness.

The Mad Hatter is a fictional cartoon character depicted in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter is always acting silly. So, on Mad Hatter Day, it is only fair and fitting to act a little silly yourself.

Despite being a silly day, the selection of the date was actually quite logical.

The Mad Hatter wears a top hat. On the front of the hat is a slip of paper with “10/6” written on it. The paper is believed to be an order to make the hat, and that it costs ten shillings sixpence.

Grab yourself a top hat, and have a very silly Mad Hatter’s Day!

The intent of World Smile Day is to do an act of kindness, or help one person to smile. Why not do both!?

The yellow smiley stands brightly smiling upon this day, offering it’s stamp of approval.

October 9th Curious Events Day Curious Events Day kinda peaks one’s curiosity. Why does this day exist? Who created it? What curious events are held today? The questions go on, and on, and on......

If you have a questioning and curious mind, this is your day. It encourages you to hold some kind of event that peak’s one’s curiosity. The topics are broad and seemingly endless, from philosophical subjects, to the existence of aliens. The only requirement is that the event must tantalize, and cater to our curiosity.

Did You Know? In the 8th Century, mercury was used in hat making in We are wondering if you will have a a process called “carroting”. Mercury poisoning drove some hatters crazy (mad). happy Curious Events Day. We think you will!

World Smile Day The first Friday in October

October 12th Gumbo Day

World Smile Day celebrates the ever popular yellow smiley. It also offers us an opportunity to do an act of kindness.

According to the World Smile Day website, a proclamation of this day was made by the U.S. Congress. Now that should put a smiley on your face.

Gumbo Day is today. It’s a great opportunity, to enjoy a little Louisiana Cajun cooking. It is easy to participate in this special day. Simply eat some Gumbo.

You may want to look for a Gumbo recipe online, or tried the one we included.

The smiley face became so popular, that the U.S. Post Office issued a stamp with the smiley face.

October 2017

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Gumbo is a thick stew, with chicken, beef, or seafood. It is heavily seasoned with cajun spices. And, it absolutely must contain Okra.

Did You Know? Gumbo is the African word for Okra

•

2020: March, November

Are you superstitious? Then, Friday the 13th is a day you may look forward to with fear! Friday the 13th, is an unlucky day, a day when bad things can happen. Whatever you do, don’t walk under a ladder, and don’t let a black cat cross your path on this day.

To celebrate Gumbo Day, just have a dish of it. The day is extra special, if you Throughout most of recorded history, make it yourself. the number 13 has been seen as an unlucky number. If you live in fear Have a happy Gumbo Day. of the number 13, you suffer from Triskaidekaphobia.

October 11th

Historically, and perhaps a bit oddly in today’s world, Friday has been viewed It’s My Party Day as an unlucky day of the week. We find It’s My Party Day is today. Let’s have a this hard to fathom. After all, Friday party and celebrate. Do you really need is TGIF!! However, in days gone by, when you put the unlucky day of Friday, a reason to have a party? Me neither, together with the unlucky #13, many so let’s get this party started! people believe only bad things can What a great opportunity to have some happen. fun. It’s a party day. You can make it Interestingly, there is a sizable number simple, or elaborate. Invite family and of optimists, who embrace Friday the friends. Being mid-October, a Fall or 13th and the number 13. They shrug Halloween theme is in order. off the superstition and go buy lottery Did you Know? Teen star Lesley Gore tickets with the number 13 in it. sang #1 pop music song It’s My Party in May, 1963. At the time, Lesley was just For many who never gave it a thought, Jason in the movie “Friday, the 13th” 16.

(1980) made believers in the fearfulness Life is too short. Today is It’s My Party of this day.

Day. So, let’s party on into the night!

Friday the 13th Trivia:

Friday the 13th Occurs one to three times a year, when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday •

2017: January, October

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2018: April, July

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2019: September, December

Community Ch@ Magazine

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Many buildings and skyscrapers do not have a 13th floor.

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Many people will not allow 13 people at the table. If there is exactly 13 people present, a second table is set up.

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Skippers would not go out to sea with a crew of 12. Including the captain, that made 13 people.

53 What’s all the chatter about over this special day? Well, on Babbling Day, we celebrate those of us with a glib tongue. You know them when you hear them. They’re Like any other special or wacky day, we talking gibberish. They never stop talking. encourage you to fully embrace the day They babble on and on. They can turn a and have fun with it. But, don’t cower in simple one sentence statement into an your room in fear of this day. You’d miss all endless dissertation. of the fun and excitement!

Spend this day babbling like a baby, if you must. As for me, I will spend it by a babbling brook. th •

Ancient Mayans of Central America were the most advanced culture in all of the Americas. They considered the number 13 sacred.

October 16 - Boss’s Day

Now here is a day that gives you a chance to both tell and show the boss what you really think of him or her. And, it is an opportunity to give your boss the appreciation that he or she truely deserves. So go right ahead and give it to him.....give it to him good! After all, it only comes around once a year.

October 18th - No Beard Day

BTW: In case you didn’t know, a “Blatherskite “ is a person who babbles.

October 25th - World Pasta Day World Pasta Day is today. It should come as no surprise to discover that this special day promotes the consumption of pasta around the world. It seeks to increase awareness of the benefits of pasta.

Each year on World Pasta Day, events are held to help spread the world about pasta and its nutritional value. The National Pasta Association and pasta You’ve had a beard so long, that you don’t manufacturers sponsor these events and know what you’d look like without one. activities.

And, your lady friend isn’t so fond of it.

Today brings the extra incentive you need, On World Pasta Day, pile up your plate, to shave it off and go without a beard for with a big dish of pasta and your favourite the first time in who knows when. sauce!

No Beard Day exists so you have a good reason to shave your beard.

So, bare it all and show off your chin. If you don’t like it, you can always grow it back.

October 29th - Hermit Day Hermit Day is today. It’s a quiet day to spend quietly in seclusion, all by yourself.

Have a happy and clean-shaven No Beard Day !!

For some people, being a recluse is a way of life. They spend every day by st October 21 - Babbling Day themselves, in peaceful seclusion. For whatever reason, Hermits prefer living Blatherskites, mark this day on your away from the crowds and the sea of calendar. For today is Babbling Day. This humanity. For many of us who lead isn’t a day to remain silent. Tell everyone an increasingly busy lifestyle, the idea you know about this special day. of being a “Hermit for a Day” is very

October 2017

tempting. The thought of getting away from it all, even if for just one day, is very appealing.

If you are a Hermit, celebrate your lifestyle today. If you’re one of the many, who yearn for a break from your hectic lifestyle, be a Hermit on this day. Chill out by yourself where no one can find you.

Spend this day in a secluded area or environment. May we suggest you do so with a good reading book. We hope that no one interrupts your calm and serenity.

Have a happy, secluded, quiet, and peaceful Hermit Day.

October 30th - Mischief Night Mischief Night is today, errrr tonight! It is an evening when people traditionally participated in harmless (please) mischief.

We stress harmless or innocent mischief.

Other forms of mischief can lead to big trouble. Even seemingly harmless mischief can be the source of problems.

This night is discouraged by law enforcement organizations. The mischief is sometimes less than funny, and can even lead to vandalism or destructive.

Important: We neither encourage, nor endorse participation in this day. Why risk getting in trouble??

Historically, some common forms of mischief on this has included: •

Soaping windows

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Egging houses and cars

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Tossing a few rotten tomatoes

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Toilet papering house trees, etc.

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Knocking on doors, then running away

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Have a happy, safe, and harmless Mischief Night.

October 31st - It’s absolutely Halloween. And, Halloween is absolutely the best holiday of the year. It is the favourite for many of us, as there is no stress, no overload, and no “Holiday Depression”. It’s just absolutely fun.

You will absolutely find the best of the net here. Seen a neat one? Seen a scary one? Seen a fun one? Email it to us to share with others.

Bats, the Bizarre, Dracula, Ghosts, Witches, Graveyards, Ghouls, Haunted Houses, Halloween Movies, Paranormal, Halloween Parties, Pumpkins, Skeletons, Scarecrows, Vampires....... You name it, we’ll take you to it.

Quote for the Day: “Home is where the haunt is!”

Did you know? Kids beware!

About 9 out of 10 parents admit to sneaking a treat from their kids treat bag.

October 2017

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If you need a little help, visit the Featz Website for the solution www.featzpublishing.com

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8

book review The Store

Then She Was Gone

James Patterson

Lisa Jewell

A stunning stand-alone thriller from the world’s bestselling thriller writer

A Missing Girl. A Buried Secret.

A Compulsively twisty psychological thriller that will keep your gripped to the very last page!

The Store doesn’t just want your money – it wants your soul.

Imagine a future of unparalleled convenience.

A powerful retailer, The Store, can deliver anything to your door, anticipating the needs and desires you didn’t even know you had.

She was fifteen, her mother’s golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of hear. And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.

Publisher: Penguin Random House

FEATZ RATING:

Ten years on, Laurel has never given up hope Most people are fine with that, but not Jacob of finding Ellie. And the she meets a charming and Megan Brandeis. New York writers whose and charismatic stranger who sweeps her off livelihood is on the brink of extinction, Jacob her feet. But what really takes her breath away and Megan are going undercover to dig up The is when she meets his nine-year-old daughter.

Store’s secrets in a book that could change the Because his daughter is the image of Ellie. entire American way of life. But after a series of unsettling discoveries, Jacob and Megan’s worst Now all those unanswered questions that have fears about The Store seem like just the begin- haunted Laurel come flooding back. What really happened to Ellie? And who still has secrets ning. to hide?

Harbouring a secret that could get him killed, Publisher: Penguin Random House Jacob has to find a way to escape The Store’s watchful eye and publish his expose – before ISBN: 9781780896427 the truth dies with him.

ISBN: 9781780895345 FEATZ RATING:

Diving in Mozambique Robynne & Ross Hofmeyr

key information:

The first guide to dives and diving in Mozambique that describes the best dive centres and resorts in the region and that details the following

A book by divers for divers

• • • • • • • •

Facilities and equipment available Size of dive groups Length of dives Who leads the dives Distance to the launch site The best time of year for diving What there is to see What health and safety precautions to take

Publisher: Penguin Random House – ISBN: 9781775845256 FEATZ RATING:

Ideal diving trip planner

58

Famous Birthdays

The month of October is ruled by the planet of Venus and the zodiac sign of Libra. Individuals born in the month of October are either born under the zodiac sign of Libra or on the Libra-Scorpio cusp. The individuals influenced by the sun sign of Libra are blessed with inner beauty as well as outer charm. These people are extremely motivated and achieve great heights in their career, owing to their beguiling personality and sense of diplomacy.

Particularly firm and decisive, they are kind-hearted and are attracted to competitive individuals. However, being easily influenced by others is one of their negative traits. Known for their suave and charming personality, individuals born in the month of October make a lot of friends and love to chat.

5th October 1975

Kate Elizabeth Winslet Countless people around the world will never be able to erase the memories of her performance as ‘Hanna Schmitz’ in the spine-tingling Academy Award-winning movie, ‘The Reader’ or as the delicate upper-class beauty, torn in love, in one of the highest-grossing films of all time, ‘Titanic’. One of the most popular actresses in Hollywood, Kate Winslet achieved colossal success in less than a decade with her entry in Hollywood; a feat that most accomplished actresses, look to achieve in a lifetime. She has won

a number of awards and distinguished honors for her extensive contributions to world cinema and has managed to incessantly draw positive comments from critics and audiences for her performances and choice of films, globally. Some of her memorable roles were in the films, ‘Titanic’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, ‘Finding Neverland’, ‘The Reader’, ‘Quills, ‘Iris’, ‘The Holiday’ and ‘Flushed Away’ to name a few. Apart from her acting career, she has also achieved international recognition for her ‘mezzo-soprano’ voice, which she used for the movie, ‘Christmas Carol: The Movie’.

Although many link Winslet with her unforgettable roles in movies, she has also been in the limelight for relationships with Jim Thereapleton, Sam Mendes and Ned Rocknroll.

Community Ch@ Magazine

8th October 1970

Matt Damon is a

renowned actor of the American film industry who rose to success slowly and cemented his position in the international cinematic scenario. He had an affinity to acting and used to forgo classes in high school for his involvement in plays. He performed well as an actor and had many plays to his credit even when he was a student. His passion for acting made him drop out from the university and follow his dream of being an actor.

He had to struggle initially when he could only manage to get small roles in some

films. His major breakthrough was the movie ‘Good Will Hunting’ which became a huge hit. This movie not only had Damon as the protagonist but the screenplay of the movie was also co-written by him and his childhood mate and actor Ben Affleck. This movie was highly acclaimed and his acting too received appreciation from the masses as well as the critics. He even won the ‘Oscar’ along with Affleck for the screenplay of the same movie. The success of the movie ushered him into the film industry and proved that he is here to stay. Ever since he has worked in many high grossing movies, and also turned into a producer. The talented actor also contributes much to philanthropic causes.

13th October 1925

Margaret Thatcher ‘I fight on, I fight to win’ asserted Britain’s first female Prime Minister and leader of the British Conservative Party; and win she did. She won three consecutive terms of office in two decades and became the only British Prime Minister in the twentieth

century to do so. One of the most influential Prime Ministers of Britain, she was also the most debated stateswomen of the century, earning both respect and hatred from the public, particularly for her treatment of trade unions. She transformed the Conservative Party from just another participant in the lowest common denominator politics of Britain into a national champion. She earned the nickname ‘Iron Lady’ because of her leadership style and radical ideologies, which came to be known as ‘Thatcherism’. Her journey from a humble grocer’s daughter to Secretary of State for Education and Science was one of steely perseverance. Following her appointment as Prime Minister, she introduced a new wave of economic initiatives to reverse what she perceived as a national decline. Margaret Thatcher was a woman of staunch values and brought about radical changes even though her ideas were under siege.

She strode British politics with great astuteness and had the knack of making the most of opportunities, a trait which made her the most admired, yet controversial leader of the UK.

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16th October 1854

Oscar Wilde was a

noted Irish playwright, novelist, poet and essayist, born in the middle of the nineteenth century into an intellectual family. While studying in Trinity, Dublin, he was influenced by the aesthetic movement, which advocated that art must be practiced only for the sake of art and soon became one of its ardent followers.

Although his very first book, ‘Poems’ established him as an upcoming poet, he tasted real success only in the last decade of his relatively short life. But by then, despite being married with two sons, he had become entangled in a homosexual relationship and when that came into light, he was sentenced to two-year rigorous imprisonment. On coming out of prison, he went to France, where he spent the last years of his life, cut off from his family and shunned by most of his friends. By then, his books had also stopped selling and his plays were closed down. Thus he lived in poverty and ill-health till he died aged just forty-six.

October 2017

28th October 1955

28th October 1967

Bill Gates is an American business

Julia Roberts is a renowned and

magnate and computer programmer who is the co-founder of Microsoft, the world’s largest PC software company. Since the company’s formation in 1975, Gates has held several positions including those of the chairman, CEO and chief software architect.

One of the most famous entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution, he has been consistently ranked among the world’s wealthiest people starting from 1987. Born as the son of a successful lawyer, Bill Gates was encouraged from a young age to be competitive. Bright and curious, he developed an interest in computers while in school and wrote his first computer program as a young teenager. After completing his schooling, he enrolled at the prestigious Harvard College though he did not stay there long enough to complete his studies. He dropped out to pursue his passion in computers and teamed up with Paul Allen, a former schoolmate, to form Microsoft. The company proved to be highly successful and within years Gates became an internationally known entrepreneur. Currently the wealthiest person in the world, he is a renowned philanthropist who along with his wife has created the charity organization “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation”. He has also authored and coauthored several books.

acclaimed actress of recent times and well-known for her roles in movies such as ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Steel Magnolias’ and ‘Erin Brockovich’. She had dreams of taking up many professions as a child but not one of an actress. However, as she grew up, she realised her true calling and embarked on her journey to become an actress. She even left her studies half-way in order to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. Julia landed in New York, where she took acting training and simultaneously did modelling assignments to support herself financially.

Gradually, she got her first break in television and then owing to her acting potential, she made it to the big screen. She did not get full length roles initially, but with even her trifle roles she performed well enough to be recognized. The film which became a milestone in her career was ‘Steel Magnolias’ which earned her the ‘Golden Globe Award’ for the first time. Her first major leading role was in the film ‘Pretty Woman’ which earned her immense fame and made it evident that she is here to stay. She then further cemented her position in the industry with her role in ‘Erin Brockovich’ and even today, she has a huge fan following

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