April 2019
Happy Easter How To Paint Your Own Easter Eggs Your Bodya Balloon
Autism & Neurodiversity
Easter Everything you need to know
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Editor’s Message Greetings readers, March is behind us and with its end, we say goodbye to the first quarter of 2019. The first school holiday for the year is behind us and we are fast rushing towards the end of yet another year. Time is flying by and we barely have time to touch sides. I have found the best way to keep a level head is to make sure you make time for yourself. It doesn’t need to be a lot, a few minutes every day of quiet time to just gather your thoughts and catch your breath. With that said, I am happy to bring you our April issue. Take a few quiet minutes, page through and breathe a little. This month we bring you some fun ways to entertain the kids with Easter egg painting and making a bunny planter in our monthly gardening activity. Our movie and book reviews provide good ideas for some much-needed downtime. As a parent of a matric student at Pretoria High School for Girls – I would like to thank the school for arranging their matric dance so early in the year. I used to think it was silly to have it so early, but after going through the process of getting my daughter ready for the big night and seeing first hand what a big distraction the event proves to be, I am only too happy that it is now behind us. To all the parents who must deal with this later in the year, please make sure your planning is in place to ensure the event does not interfere with study time. To the PHSG girls, you all looked stunning!
To advertise in the next issue Contact Zelda Cell: 084 041 3058 email: featzads@gmail.com www.featzpublishing.com UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR ADVERTISERS AND CONTRIBUTORS MAY ISSUE 22 April 2019 JUNE ISSUE 21 May 2019
I will leave you on that note, have an awesome Easter weekend and good luck to all the students starting to prepare for mid-year exams. Until next month, happy reading.
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What’s inside... 7
Autism and Neurodiversity
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Sow, Nurture and Reap
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Easter - Everything you need to know
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World Health Day
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Your Body is like a Balloon
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April in Your Garden
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The History of Earth Day
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How to paint Easter Eggs
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April gardening activity
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Book Reviews
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.
Autism and Neurodiversity
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eurodiversity is the idea that people have different brains – they think and process the world differently. Neurodiversity advocates for the idea that being neurodivergent does not mean something bad, and it is also not something good – rather it is just a difference.
Autism Spectrum Disorder currently affects about 2% of the world’s population, that’s about 140 million people. People with an autism spectrum disorder have difficulties with communication and socialising as well as a tendency for rigid thinking, added to this they often have sensory processing problems.
Some of the labels we see when talking about neurodiversity might include; ADHD, Autism, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Dyslexic and Typical. Many autistic activists will advocate for neurodiversity – a world where autism is accepted as a different way of thinking and isn’t seen to be a disorder.
Communication is a struggle and is often one of the first warning signs that a child is at risk for autism. Not speaking alone, does not necessarily mean the child has autism, rather there need to be other factors involved. These would include odd behaviours, odd or very little social interaction, a lack of typical play, and withdrawn behaviour, we also need to be aware of any odd sensory behaviours, amongst other characteristics. It is important to start realising that if we identify a child who may be at risk, we should start implementing autism specific methods to help them cope – we don’t need the diagnosis to start using these techniques. If the child is not diagnosed, we haven’t taken anything away from the child; rather we have added an additional learning method that may still help the child.
Just as we should embrace the diversity of race, religion, class and other human attributes, we should also embrace different ways of thinking. It is only through embracing the diversity that we can create acceptance, and make the world a better place – having people who think differently in our places of work, and social settings will only benefit all of society.
What is Autism and how to recognise Knowing how to identify a it? child who may have autism
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World Autism Awareness Month 2019
World Autism Awareness Month – April 2019 Embrace Neurodiversity
www.aut2know.co.za | 011 484 9909 | info@autismsouthafrica.org
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is important, because the earlier we can begin identification, the better the child is able to adapt to the typical world. We are able to help a child develop coping skills so they can function more independently, this may be as simple as providing them with techniques to help them calm down when there is too much sensory information around them, it may also be giving them a way to communicate – whether with technology, sign language or pictures. We can also help channel their special interests, and teach them vocational skills using these interests. But, we need to teach life skills, independence and those very important pre-requisite skills, as autistic children do not learn incidentally.
be a lot more difficult to stop. Not only is it inappropriate at that age, but even at a younger age, it leaves the child open to victimisation and abuse. Early identification and intervention are therefore incredibly important, we need to be on the lookout for the signs, and train ourselves and those in early childhood development careers to become autism detectives. For more information on the red flags of autism, you can visit Autism South Africa’s website at www. aut2know.co.za
The United Nations marked 2 April every year as World Autism Awareness Day, and South Africa uses the whole of April to create Together with learning these skills awareness of Autism in all of and coping mechanisms we can help our communities, with a specific the child with any behaviour that focus on rural and hard to reach may seem challenging. Behaviours communities. The quickest way to that challenge, challenge us in the spread the word is to use the word. typical world, for the child with The start of our celebrations in autism, they serve a function and 2019 was kicked off with our annual may not necessarily be challenging Jozi4Autism Zoo Trot! This annual to the child, but rather just to us. day enables families to connect With that in mind, these behaviours with one another in a fun and safe may become more problematic environment and is definitely a as the child grows up – they get favourite event on the calendar each bigger, while the child is smaller and year. younger it is a lot easier to manage. Not only this, but a behaviour at the This year Autism Walks will take place in East London, Durban age of three or four could be seen and Limpopo. Keep an eye on our as cute, e.g. hugging everybody calendar for events near you http:// they meet, because they require aut2know.co.za/calendar/ the sensory feedback that the deep pressure gives them, but at age 15 or 20 this is no longer cute, it may also
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Havanese The Havanese dog breed has won many admirers with his long, silky hair, expressive eyes, and cuddly size. Bred as a companion dog to the Cuban aristocracy in the 1800s, he’s earned the nickname “Velcro dog” because he sticks so closely to his owner’s side. But don’t write him off as just a lapdog; the Havanese is trainable and surprisingly energetic, and has excelled in dog sports and canine careers ranging from circus performer to assisting the handicapped.
that he’s good for much Vital Stats: more than warming laps. Height: 20 cm to 28cm tall at the shoulder Havanese dogs are quite Weight: 3 kgs to 5.9 kgs Life Span:12 to 15 years trainable, and they’ve worked as therapy and assistance dogs, sniffed out mould and termites, and shown off their clownish antics as performing dogs.
The Havanese shines his affectionate personality on everyone, including strangers, children, other dogs, and even cats. But his family will get the lion’s share of his love; given the choice, he’ll stick like glue to his owner’s side. The potential downside to all this devotion is that, when left alone, the Havanese can become anxious. This is definitely a housedog, and a Havanese who’s left in the backyard — or anywhere away from his family — is not a happy dog.
They’ve also got a surprising amount of energy for their size, and for the family looking to compete, the Havanese will happily tackle such sports as agility, freestyle, obedience, and fly ball.
His Velcro personality isn’t so surprising, considering he was bred to keep the wealthy families of his native island of Cuba company. Since then, however, the Havanese has proven
As with many small dogs, it’s common for adoring owners to overindulge their Havanese. They’ll probably regret it — bad habits, such as eating only people food, can form very quickly. This breed is a sharp con artist, and you may find that your Havanese is training you, rather than the other way around. In spite of his quirks, or maybe even because of them, the Havanese is a wonderful and
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versatile pet. The Havanese is a gentle and affectionate breed that thrives on human companionship. Your Havanese will often follow you from room to room throughout the day, and he can get very anxious when left alone. He’s intelligent as well and will enjoy making you laugh with goofy antics, or simply sitting on your lap watching the world go by. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who’s beating up his littermates or the one who’s hiding in the corner. Always meet at least one of the parents — usually, the mother is the one who’s available — to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you’re comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Like every dog, the Havanese needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young. Socialization helps ensure that your Havanese puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbours will also help him polish his social skills.
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- The Havanese is a companion dog that thrives on being with his family. He can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone and does best when someone is home during the day to keep him company. - Although they generally outgrow this, it’s quite common for Havanese puppies (among other breeds) to eat their own stools. Scoop your puppy’s poop right away so he can’t indulge in this icky habit. - The long, silky coat of the Havanese is beautiful but requires regular brushing and care. Many owners prefer to clip it short, but if you want to show your dog, you’ll have to let it grow long and invest a good amount of time in grooming, or money in paying a groomer. Another reason to keep it long: If you live in a warm climate, the long coat helps keep your dog cool. - The Havanese does well in all types of housing, from apartments to homes with large yards. But he’ll probably bark when he sees someone passing by the house or when he hears a strange noise. The good news is that he doesn’t bark just for the sake of hearing his own voice. - The Havanese loves to watch the world from up high and will find his way onto the backs of sofas and tables to watch the day pass by. - Paper is a favourite toy for the Havanese, and this clever little breed will go out of his way to find it, even sniffing through the jackets of your guests. Toilet paper, which can give him hours of shredding pleasure, is a special treat. Toss him a roll, and your house will soon look like it’s been hit by Halloween pranksters. - The Havanese needs as much exercise as a larger dog. A long walk or an active game each day should do it. - To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from an irresponsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they’re free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies, and that they have sound temperaments.
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SOW, NURTURE AND REAP Hanlie Delport (Income Development & Marketing Consultant – Child Welfare Tshwane)
tho to it – ev see
Dur is h you you and see on pos ind
Recently, while reading the book WINK & GROW RICH by Roger Hamilton, the concept of sow, nurture and reap was something I picked up. And, although the book is about growing your financial stability, it can also be applied to our families.
And you hav balanced and nice young ad welcome into your home, w their own and with a value sy in (and a system you can t reaping the result of all the all the money you have inves before your eyes will be a sol about his/her place in society and joy!
When our children are born, we have a parenting plan in our minds – how we will stimulate this child to develop basic motor skills. For each phase of their early childhood years we research, we consult experts and educate ourselves about the best ways to be effective During April I am always mo because we spend more tim parents. We sow seeds during these years. April than during many oth When children reach the teenage years, it may time for many. April is also sometimes be hard to be parents as we feel they rebel Freedom Day and Worker’s D against everything we have taught them. They test every have a few nice long weeken boundary and they question everything we do or say. a road trip, go camping or j These years are difficult times for the whole family: not home. When we spend suc only does it place a strain on marriage (as one parent people in the same area, we r will always try to be the peacemaker), but also causes I challenge you to make this great unhappiness for the teenager, who feels that the world is against him or her. Stressful times, indeed. Get to know your children by The best during this time, a friend always says, – ask them specific question is not to try and understand them but just to love like” or “what are the words y them! And also, to continue sowing the seeds…. now”. You will be amazed by 14
because the young mind is still keen to learn and absorb information. They still copy our actions, ough they will never admit t. They look and they learn ven though it is not clear to e at this stage.
and visit with your children. Play games, drink tea or just spend time in a park. A photo shoot for the family may be created a wonderful bonding experience!
And with load shedding being so much a part of our lives, think of fun activities to do – like playing charades – to also get to know them. Because you need to see that the hard work you have put in, is ready with wonderful rewards! The trees you have pruned and shaped for many years are carrying the most beautiful flowers. And ring times when parenting what a wonderful feeling it is to realise that your efforts hard and you often question were not in vain – your children are actually alright! ur decision to have a family, u have to keep the faith As parents, we stress and we wonder how we are doing d keep on watering the as parents. Some people want to be the same as their eds you have sown. Keep parents, others prefer to be the opposite of their parents. nurturing good behaviour, But we all have one thing in common: we want our sitive actions and encourage children to develop to their potential and to become decent adults. You should know that no one book and dividualism. rule or guideline works for everyone. Each child and d then, suddenly one day each family are different so do not measure yourself u realise that your children against other people all the time. Do what feels right. ve matured to being Act in a way that keeps you true to yourself. And then dults. People you want to everything will be alright. with a mind and opinion of ystem they feel comfortable Unfortunately, there are so many children who do not trust). And then you start have the privilege of parents to guide them. In Foster Care hours, all the lessons and and the Child & Youth Care Centre we have many children sted in this child – because who, like a prepared flower bed, lies waiting for the seeds lid person, who is confident of personal growth to be sown. But their parents have y and who is still your pride taken a different decision on parenting. Therefore, it is important for us, who have ore aware of this, probably seen our own me with our families during children grow her months. It is holiday into healthy Easter time and then with individuals, to Day in close succession, we try and uplift nds. And often we will take a child in just spend time relaxing at need. Spread ch an amount of time with the love! Sow really get to know them and the seeds time a time of exploration. that you have l ef t … m a y b e y playing “twenty questions” you will be ns like “what colour do you instrumental you would love to hear right in the personal y their responses. Sit down development
of someone else as well! There are currently 46 children in Bramley Child & Youth Care Centre, between the ages of 6 and 20, who have been placed in the care of Child Welfare Tshwane and who resides in Bramley. These children need love, guidance, role models, tutors and friends – because they also need nurturing to develop into young, independent adults. We need community involvement and should you be interested to help the children, please contact us on 012-4609236. You need to have SAPS Clearance when you apply and we then match volunteers with a child that suits your personality. Tutoring is an afternoon session between 15:30 and 16:30 but Big Brothers and Big Sisters can visit the children on Fridays or weekends. This contact with people outside our Organisation is so valuable and teaches the children such wonderful skills. Bramley Child & Youth Care Centre is a registered residential care facility in Groenkloof, Pretoria, and it is part of Child Welfare Tshwane. Bramley was established in 1923 but moved to its current premises in the 1960s. It was after Mr Charles Bramley, donor of the property.
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Recipe
Bacon Macaroni Casserole Ingredients
Method:
250 grams Macaroni
Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions and drain well.
1 can Evaporated Milk 1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup (or Cream of Chicken) 200 grams grated cheese 1tsp Mustard (or ½ tsp mustard powder) 4 Rashers Bacon or ham
In a saucepan combine the tin of evaporated milk, ½ cup of water, soup, grated cheese and mustard. Cook over medium heat until smooth and heated through. Chop the bacon into small bite size pieces and fry until cooked well and starting to crisp. Mix together the macaroni, soupy mixture and the bacon and pour into a casserole dish. Bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes and serve hot and bubbling.
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E
ast tha res the the thr cru in concludes the “Passi and holidays that be period of fasting, pr with Holy Week, wh (the celebration of Je Apostles), Good Frid is observed), and Ea of high religious sign many traditions asso pre-Christian, pagan When Is Easter?
Easter 2019 occurs o Easter falls on a diff
Easter Sunday and r as Ash Wednesday a considered “moveab western Christianity calendar, Easter alw March 22nd and Apr
In Eastern Orthodox to the Julian calenda between April 4th an
In some denominati Easter Sunday mark the Easter Season. E after Easter, which i
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In Eastern Orthodox Easter Sunday serve Pascha (Greek for “E
ter is a Christian holiday at celebrates the belief in the surrection of Jesus Christ. In e New Testament of the Bible, e event is said to have occurred ree days after Jesus was ucified by the Romans and died roughly 30 A.D. The holiday ion of Christ,” a series of events egins with Lent—a 40-day rayer and sacrifice—and ends hich includes Holy Thursday esus’ Last Supper with his 12 day (on which Jesus’ crucifixion aster Sunday. Although a holiday nificance in the Christian faith, ociated with Easter date back to n times.
on Sunday, April 21. However, fferent date each year.
related celebrations, such and Palm Sunday, are ble feasts,” although, in y, which follows the Gregorian ways falls on a Sunday between ril 25th.
x Christianity, which adheres ar, Easter falls on a Sunday nd May 8th each year.
later with the holiday known as the Feast of the Ascension. Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations—particularly the pagan goddess Eostre (or Ostara), the ancient Germanic goddess of spring—and in the Jewish holiday of Passover. Religious Tradition of Easter The resurrection of Jesus, as described in the New Testament of the Bible, is essentially the foundation upon which the Christian religions are built. Hence, Easter is a very significant date on the Christian calendar. According to the New Testament, Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities, essentially because he claimed to be the “Son of God,” although historians question this motive, with some saying that the Romans may have viewed him as a threat to the empire. He was sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect in the province of Judea from 26 to 36 A.D. Jesus’ death by crucifixion, marked by the Christian holiday Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), and subsequent resurrection three days later is said, by the authors of the gospels, to prove that he was the living son of God.
In varying ways, all four of the gospels in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) ions of Protestant Christianity, state that those who believe in Jesus’ death and ks the beginning of Eastertide or resurrection are given “the gift of eternal life,” Eastertide ends on the 50th day meaning that those of faith will be welcomed into is known as Pentecost Sunday. the “Kingdom of Heaven” upon their earthly death.
x branches of Christianity, es as the start of the season of Easter”), which ends 40 days
Passover and Easter Notably, Easter is also associated with the
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Jewish holiday of Passover, as well as the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, as described in the Old Testament. These links are clearly seen in the Last Supper, which occurred the night before Jesus’ arrest and the sufferings Jesus endured following his arrest.
the period prior to Easter holds special significance.
The Last Supper was essentially a Passover feast. However, the New Testament describes it as being given new significance by Jesus: He identified the matzah (or bread) he shared with his 12 apostles as his “body” and the cup of wine they drank as his “blood.”
The Sunday immediately prior to Easter is called Palm Sunday, and it commemorates Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem when followers laid palm leaves across the road to greet him.
These rituals would come to symbolize the sacrifice he was about to make in death and became the basis for the Christian ritual of Holy Communion, which remains a fundamental part of Christian religious services. As Jesus’ arrest and execution were said to have occurred during the Jewish observance of Passover, the Easter holiday is often close to the former celebration on the Judeo-Christian calendar. Easter Traditions
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In western Christianity, including Roman Catholicism and Protestant denominations,
This period of fasting and penitence is called Lent. It begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days (not including Sundays).
Many churches begin the Easter observance in the late hours of the day before (Holy Saturday) in a religious service called the Easter Vigil. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Easter rituals start with the Great Lent, which begins on Clean Monday (40 days prior to Easter, not including Sundays). The last week of Great Lent is referred to as Palm Week, and it ends with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which ends on Easter. Easter Eggs Irrespective of denomination, there are many Easter-time traditions with roots
that can be traced to non-Christian and even pagan or non-religious celebrations. Many non-Christians choose to observe these traditions while essentially ignoring the religious aspects of the celebration.
historians believe it arrived in America with German immigrants in the 1700s. Rabbits are, in many cultures, known as enthusiastic procreators, so the arrival of baby bunnies in springtime meadows became associated with birth and renewal.
Examples of non-religious Easter traditions include Easter eggs and Notably, several Protestant Christian related games such as egg rolling and egg denominations, including Lutherans decorating. and Quakers, have opted to formally abandon many Easter traditions, deeming them too pagan. However, It’s believed that eggs represented many religious observers of Easter also fertility and birth in certain pagan include them in their celebrations. traditions that pre-date Christianity. Egg decorating may have become part of the Easter celebration in a nod to An Easter dinner of lamb also has the religious significance of Easter, i.e., historical roots, since a lamb was often Jesus’ resurrection or re-birth. used as a sacrificial animal in Jewish traditions, and lamb is frequently served during Passover. The phrase “lamb of Many people—mostly children—also God” is sometimes used to refer to Jesus participate in Easter egg “hunts,” in and the sacrificial nature of his death. which decorated eggs are hidden. Easter Bunny In some households, a character known as the Easter Bunny delivers candy and chocolate eggs to children on Easter Sunday morning. These candies often arrive in an Easter basket. The exact origins of the Easter Bunny tradition are unknown, although some
Today, Easter is a commercial event as well as a religious holiday, marked by high sales for greeting cards, candies (such as Peeps, chocolate eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies) and other gifts.
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Village Weaver The Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) - also known as the Spotted-backed Weaver or Black-headed Weaver - is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are found from Mauritania to Ethiopia south to southern Africa. In this range, it is common from Zimbabwe and Mozambique to the eastern half of South Africa. Localized populations live in northern Botswana and north-eastern Namibia.
T
hey generally prefer open or semi-open habitats, woodland or forest along rivers, thornveld, particularly near water. They have also established themselves in towns and villages, where they inhabit parks and gardens.
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They have been
introduced to islands in the Caribbean (i.e. Hispaniola), and the Indian Ocean (i.e. Mauritius and RĂŠunion); where they are considered agricultural pests and a threat to native bird species in Haiti and Mauritius. Escapees from the bird trade have recently
been sighted in the wild in North and South America and Europe. These are large, noisy, gregarious birds that are typically found in large colonies. The Village Weaver measures about 15-17cm in length (including its tail). It has a strong conical
bill.
palm blades and once completed is a kidney-shaped structure with a large entrance on the underside.
The breeding male has a black head and bill and chestnut nape. The upper plumage and wings are yellow and black, and the under plumage is After completion of the nests, the male will defend his small territory yellow. around his nests, displaying to the The non-breeding male has a yellow females, attracting their attention to head with an olive crown, grey his nests. If accepted by the female, upper plumage and whitish under he will add a short entrance tunnel, plumage. The wings remain yellow while the female lines the interior and black. with soft grass heads and feathers. The female usually lays between 2-5 The adult female has streaked eggs, which are incubated only by olive upper plumage, yellow and the female for about 12 days. The black wings, and pale yellow under male assists in feeding the chicks. plumage. The young fledge the nest when they Juveniles look like females but are are about 17 to 21 days old. browner on the back. Village Weavers can raise several broods per season The breeding season usually stretches from September through Village Weavers mostly eat insects, October and from January through such as Coleoptera (beetles) termite February. alates, ants and locusts (Orthoptera), gleaning them from the ground and Village or Spotted Back Weavers are foliage and catching termite alates in territorial colonial nesters, with mid-air (“hawking”). The percentage colonies of about 10-300 breeding of insects in their diet increases males. Males will mate with up to during the breeding season, 5 females (average 2) per breeding especially when feeding young. season. The males are responsible for building the nests, which are never used more than once. Each male builds 3 to 5 nests and it takes him about 9 to 14 hours to complete one. Nests are typically attached to the thin branches of free-standing trees. The nest is usually woven from green strips of reeds, grass leaves or
They also feed on nectar, from plants such as Aloe barberae (Eastern tree aloe), Aloe ferox (Bitter aloe), Erythrina caffra (Coast coral-tree), Erythrina latissima (Broad-leaved coral-tree) and Schotia (Boer-beans). Village Weaver also feeds on seeds and grain, and in some areas are considered crop pests. They will also take advantage 25
of human offerings, readily accepting picnic table scraps. The calls of this bird include harsh buzzes and chattering. Village Weavers are preyed upon by various birds of prey, such as Little Sparrowhawks, African Harrierhawks, Gabar Goshawks; as well as Purple Herons and Pied Crows. Snakes, such as Dispholidus typus (Boomslang) and the Python sebae (African rock python) will mostly prey on their eggs and the young, but will also take adults roosting in their nests.
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World Health Day April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day. From its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 and since taking effect in 1950, the celebration has aimed to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. Â Over the past 50 years, this has brought to light important health issues such as mental health, maternal and child care, and climate change. The celebration is marked by activities which extend beyond the day itself and serves as an opportunity to focus worldwide attention on these important aspects of global health. 28
rehabilitation, and pallia based on a strong primar
Over the past decade, cou Western Pacific Region h health gains and increase advance UHC. The Regio Western Pacific has agree develop UHC roadmaps b of high-performing healt efficiency, equity, accoun and resilience.
Achieving UHC is one of 2030 Agenda for Sustaina is the focus of World Hea
Universal health coverage
Universal health coverage (UHC) is about ensuring all people and communities have access to quality health services where and when they need them, without suffering financial hardship. It includes the full spectrum of services needed throughout life—from health promotion to prevention, treatment, ative care—and is best ry health care system.
untries in the WHO have made significant ed commitments to onal Committee of the ed that countries should based on 5 attributes th systems: quality, ntability, sustainability
What we aim to achieve through the campaign This campaign aims to help people better understand what universal health coverage means – what services and support should be available and where. We will provide visual material that helps people who have access to quality, affordable health care to understand what life is like for people without it and to advocate for equal access to care, everywhere. Health workers will have an important role to play in the campaign, helping decision-makers for health recognize what people need in terms of care, particularly at the primary care level. The campaign also presents an opportunity for ministers of health and other government decision-makers to commit to taking action to address gaps in universal health coverage in their countries, as well as to highlight the progress that has already been made. Universal health coverage – the bigger picture
World Health Day 2019 falls midway between the Global Conference on Primary Health Care held in Astana, Kazakhstan in October 2018 and the High-level Meeting on universal health coverage to be held at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019. The Day is one of many opportunities to communicate about the the key targets of the able Development, and it importance of equity in health-care services, for not only the health of individuals but also alth Day in 2019. for the health of economies and society at large.
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Your body is like a balloon. Imagine you have a balloon around a tap and you are filling it, can you remember the last time you did that? Inevitably what happens is that you fill it too much and the balloon bursts or you fill it just enough and the balloon is nice and ready to squirt at someone or to be tied and thrown around. Fun memories aside, your body is that balloon!
If you fill your body constantly, without taking out enough water (food/calories) your body will stay round. Yes! It is that simple! Every day we spend hundreds of calories just being alive; for our brain to function normally we need calories for us to be able to breathe, walk, talk, drive and run we need calories so that our body can have the petrol (food) to be
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difference with this petrol every day and you can also you can fill it too much an
The next question is why th do I not lose weight? This i problem we face, people ch do not lose weight and the has made your body a surv is not getting enough food possible, and subsequently food you give it each day. M overweight and suddenly d eating, you will lose weigh loss will plateau and then sense but this is the reality will make most people feel correct amount of calories your weight won’t change m much your weight will inc your weight will drop. The dangerous, too little food a damage to your system and loss going forward, too mu
able to stay alive and functioning. Add to your daily requirements some physical activity outside of the norm, such as a long walk or gym or a class and you suddenly increase your daily caloric expenditure. Basically, you use more petrol (calories/food).
There are a few analogies running here so stick with me. Your body is a balloon, food is just like petrol. The is that you must fill up o fill it up every day, but nd you can fill it to death.
hen if I eat so very little is the most common chronically under eat and e reason is simple. Nature vival tool. If your body it will store as much as y, learn to live off of the Meaning if you are 15kg drastically start under ht initially and your weight stop. It might not make y, we see it daily and it l dejected. If you eat the s for weight maintenance much, if you eat too crease and if you eat less e extremes are however and you will cause d struggle with weight uch and get ready to pick
up weight quickly. To lose weight you must eat! Eating enough, not too much and not too little is easy and that is the key. Here is a typical example of what we mean: Brain function takes up about 20% of your RESTING METABOLIC RATE (Basal Metabolic Rate). This means that you need a minimum of 300 calories for only your brain function. Daily life, including heart beating, talking, eating and digestion anything you do every day without thinking about it is the other 80%, which means 1000 calories!
Simply put your daily RESTING METABOLIC RATE (BMR) will be around 1300-1400 calories in the normal sized woman and 1600 calories in the normal sized man. This does not include anything out of the ordinary. If you do tasks that are tiring, take effort and energy you are burning more calories. The calories burnt outside of your daily resting metabolic rate are very important and need to be taken into account. These calories that come from exercise or activity are used to factor into your total (Total Daily Energy Expenditure or TDEE). It’s not complicated it’s your health so please focus!
The final factor to take into account is how much activity you do in a day. If you do very little and it is only walking around for short stints, driving, standing you will still be burning an extra few hundred calories! This takes your TDEE to 2000-2200 calories for the average lady, and around 2500-2800 calories for the average man. If you do exercise, anything from a long walk to a gym class or regular gym, running or anything that is sustained for over 30min this will increase your daily expenditure by a further 200-700 calories depending on the training in question. 31
Our foolproof list to weight maintenance is as follows: 1. Write down every food item you eat and drink for 10 days, or even longer. Be sure to take note of how much (quantity in grams or cups) of each food item you consume or take in. 2. Google the calories in each item on your menu. 3. Google your daily calorie requirements for your goal 4. Calculate how much of your regular diet you need to be eating, how often and how to put all of this into your life. A conservative estimate is that after your 10-day food diary, it would take 1 hour or less to have all of this vital information at your disposal. The use of this information will change your life, reading this far and doing nothing to help yourself is pure negligence. Go ahead and take control. If you have any questions contact us!
Life is a Garden
April in your garden
many other bird species centrepieces should be trees. The coastal coral caffra) is a large tree, pr magnificent flowers sm nectar. The smaller, com (E. lysistemon) is equal spectacular flowers but smaller gardens. The br tree (E. latissima) will p blooms from late winte frost-free garden should one of these species. Fo there is the local mount brush (Greyia sutherlan bottlebrush (Greyia rad and showy for small gar drained soil.
Folks in South Africa, are lucky to have two ‘spring’ seasons every year – the traditional spring in September when plants from the Northern hemisphere flower, and another one in April when many of our own flowers abound. Now is the time to spend long hours in our gardens, planting and sowing with abandon! On the menu for sunbirds Keeping the theme for Earth Day on 22 April 2019 in mind, which is to “protect our species”, we give you an annual menu to encourage sunbirds to your garden all year long. The plants suggested are naturally indigenous and April is a perfect time to plant them: For summer: Plant a dwarf coral tree (Erythrina humeana) which covers itself with scarlet red “pokers” drenched in nectar. Also go for summer flowering aloes like the very pretty Aloe cooperi, with apricot flowers with green tips. For autumn: Wild dagga (Leonotus leonurus) – the velvety bright orange flowers resemble huge rain spiders sitting at the ends of each stem. Their rich nectar is irresistible to butterflies, bees and sunbirds. This large shrub will supply colour throughout autumn. There is also a form with creamy white flowers, which is well worth planting. For winter: Any winter-flowering aloe species or hybrid will do to attract
Note that planting these sp only attract sunbirds all ye other nectar-loving birds a bees, butterflies and even In flower now
April is the best month to e bounty of many well-know grow African plants. •
Bush violet (Barleria spreading little shru the light shade and c other plants, remain other months of the out in colour in Marc with masses of mauv flowers. Always wort even if the flowering short.
•
Egyptian star cluster lanceolata) – a handy to fill open spaces in the light shade of oth trees. It has minty gr
s as well, but the the other coral tree (Erythrina roducing mothered in mmon coral tree lly generous with t more suitable to road-leaved coral produce its pretty er to spring. Every d at least have or colder gardens, tain bottle ndii) and woolly dlkoferi) – perfect rdens with well-
pecies will not ear long but also and critters like bats.
flat inflorescences made up of masses of small star-shaped flowers in spring and these appear again in autumn. Ideal for mass planting. •
Fynbos like ericas, acmadenias and buchus (Agathosma) are easy to grow and lots of species flower in April. As their root systems are very fine, they should never be allowed to dry out completely if growing in containers or newly planted in the garden, until well established.
•
Fill up garden beds with lots of lasting and tough golden daisies (Euryops pectinatus).
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Ribbon bushes (Hypoestes aristata) will start flowering now. Plant masses of them around shade trees and expect a cloud of mauve flowers.
enjoy the flower wn and easy to
Bedding besties
r (Pentas dy little perennial n full sun or in her shrubs and reen leaves and
Plant the four ‘P’s’ this month - your four ‘P’s include:
Spend the Easter weekend planting dozens of spring and winter flowering annuals - available in a obtusa) – this ub which thrives in numbers and variety at all GCA climbs gently over Garden Centres. Remember to give them the best chance to n unobtrusive in create clouds of winter and spring year, but bursts colour - do this by preparing your ch and April, garden beds with ample amounts ve, pink or white of compost, bonemeal and seedling th waiting for, fertiliser. g phase is a bit
•
Fairy primulas (Primula malacoides) - the stalwarts of
the shady winter garden •
Petunias are perfect for full sun in summer rainfall areas and can be used to fill up beds, pots, window boxes and hanging baskets. Rejoice in all the colour and shape options available!
•
Iceland poppies love the cold, full sun, and well-drained alkaline soil.
•
As soon as germination takes place, remove the covering.
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Plant out the seedlings as soon as they have grown about four leaves, into small pots or seedling trays and harden off in morning sun to make them strong enough for the garden.
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Feed regularly with a growth stimulant - find the best option at your local GCA Garden Centre.
Pansies will enjoy full to morning sun and will fill your pots and Prepare for healthy lunch boxes window boxes with their happy Take the kiddies off junk food by faces. Use them as colourful border plants in shrubs beds too. sowing ‘Darling’ carrots and ‘Sugar Queen’ peas – both are sweet and April is sowing month crunchy. April is also strawberry planting month. They will over-winter You need to shop for: Seasonal, and by spring the kids can harvest their fresh seed (the seed packet shelves own lunch. are frequently changed according to sowing seasons), seedling trays, Direct sowing seedling medium, vermiculite to cover the sown seed, and a watering can with Flowering annuals like Namaqualand daisies, bokbaaivygies, lobularias a fine rose spray. (alyssum) cornflowers, toadflax, • Simply fill up your seed tray up Virginian stocks and Queen Anne’s lace to about two thirds with seedling can be sown directly into well-prepared medium and lightly tamp down beds. with a piece of wood. Remember that seeds sown directly • Sow your seed evenly (if they are should be watered every day (if the very small, mix with a little river weather is still temperate, even twice sand or mealie meal to help this a day in the early morning and late along). afternoon) until germination. Use a soft sprayer and take care not to create • Cover with a thin layer of muddy pools which will wash your vermiculite and tamp down seeds away. lightly again. •
•
Water gently with your watering can.
•
Cover the tray with a sheet of plastic or an old glass pane and place in a shady but light spot.
For more information on br visit our website www.lifei conversation on our Faceboo lifeisaga
The tall and the graceful… Plant out seedlings of Larkspurs, Delphiniums and foxgloves into wellprepared beds. They enjoy deep, rich and well-drained soil in a sunny to lightly shaded spot. Tall bi-annuals like these will need staking and this is best done when planting them out. Never water these plants from the top – wet foliage can encourage disease. Rather soak the soil at the base of the plants. These plants are gross feeders - fertilise them every two weeks with a watersoluble fertiliser or once a month with a granular product. Roses in April - fill in the gaps As roses are deciduous, their bottom leaves will soon turn brown and start dropping off. Planting cool-season annuals in front of them will screen the bare stems at the base of the bush. Choose sun lovers like sweet alyssum, Calendulas, dwarf snapdragons, Lobelias, Namaqualand daisies, Phlox and Pansies.
Bulb-growing tips • Friable soil and good drainage are essential. Dig in lots of compost and rake smooth before planting. • Plant all bulbs with the pointed side up, except Anenomes, which should be planted with the pointed side down. Bulbs with fingers or claws like Ranunculi should be planted with the fingers pointing downwards. Small bulbs like Anemone, Leucojum, Muscari, Lachenalia, Tritonia and Ranunculus should be planted 5cm deep and larger ones like Hyacinth, Freesia and Dutch iris should be planted 10cm deep. Use a dibber or bulb planter to do the job. Bugs, pests and problems
Clear away fallen leaves and rotten fruit under fruit trees. This will prevent rose beetles and fruit fly from breeding and overwintering there. You can also dig around the base of the trees and lay down a fresh layer of organic mulch. While grafting away, also fix the walls of the earth basins that should be around their main stems – a great way Bulbs - plant them now! to get to most value out of watering Start planting spring flowering bulbs as sessions as you simply have to fill up soon as the soil and night temperatures the ‘wells’ when watering. have cooled down. Do it in batches Turn the compost heap over regularly from now to the end of May, to stagger to check for larvae and pupae of fruit the flowering period from early spring fly and rose beetle. into early summer.
ringing Life to your Garden, isagarden.co.za or join the ok page: www.facebook.com/ ardensa.
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commonly accepted as “Environment” was a w often in spelling bees th
Although mainstream A oblivious to environme had been set for change Rachel Carson’s New Yo Spring in 1962. The boo moment, selling more t 24 countries, and begin awareness and concern environment and links public health.
Earth Day 1970 gave voi consciousness, channe war protest movement concerns on the front p
The Idea for th
The idea for a national environment came to E Nelson, then a U.S. Senator f witnessing the ravages of the Santa Barbara, California. In war movement, he realized t energy with an emerging pu Each year, Earth Day—April 22—marks the anniversary air and water pollution, it w of the birth of the modern environmental movement in protection onto the national 1970. Nelson announced the idea the environment” to the nati Setting the stage for the first earth day Pete McCloskey, a conservat The height of counterculture in the United States, 1970 Congressman, to serve as hi Denis Hayes from Harvard a brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Hayes built a national staff o Water.” War raged in Vietnam and students nationwide across the land. April 22, fal and Final Exams, was select overwhelmingly opposed it.
THE HISTORY OF EARTH DAY
At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was
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On April 22, 1970, 20 million streets, parks, and auditoriu healthy, sustainable environ coast rallies. Thousands of c
the smell of prosperity. word that appeared more han on the evening news.
America largely remained ental concerns, the stage e by the publication of ork Times bestseller Silent ok represented a watershed than 500,000 copies in nning to raise public n for living organisms, the between pollution and
ice to that emerging elling the energy of the antiand putting environmental page.
he first Earth Day
day to focus on the Earth Day founder Gaylord from Wisconsin, after e 1969 massive oil spill in nspired by the student antithat if he could infuse that ublic consciousness about would force environmental l political agenda. Senator for a “national teach-in on ional media; persuaded tion-minded Republican is co-chair; and recruited as national coordinator. of 85 to promote events lling between Spring Break ted as the date.
n Americans took to the ums to demonstrate for a nment in massive coast-tocolleges and universities
organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values. Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labour leaders. By the end of that year, the first Earth Day had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. “It was a gamble,” Gaylord recalled, “but it worked.” As 1990 approached, a group of environmental leaders asked Denis Hayes to organize another big campaign. This time, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also prompted President Bill Clinton to award Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1995)—the highest honour given to civilians in the United States—for his role as Earth Day founder.
Earth Day Today As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. With 5,000 environmental groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people, Earth Day 2000 combined the big-picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990. Earth Day 2000 used the power of the Internet to organize activists, but also featured a drum chain that travelled from village to village in Gabon, Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in
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Washington, DC for a First Amendment Rally. Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders the loud and clear message that citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on global warming and clean energy. Much like 1970, Earth Day 2010 came at a time of great challenge for the environmental community. Climate change deniers, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public, and a divided environmental community all contributed to the narrative—cynicism versus activism. Despite these challenges, Earth Day prevailed and Earth Day Network reestablished Earth Day as a relevant, powerful focal point. Earth Day Network brought 250,000 people to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, launched the world’s largest environmental service project—A Billion Acts of Green®–introduced a global tree planting initiative that has since grown into The Canopy Project, and engaged 22,000 partners in 192 countries in observing Earth Day. Earth Day had reached into its current status as the largest secular observance in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year, and a day of action that changes human behaviour and provokes policy changes. Today, the fight for a clean environment continues with increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more manifest every day. We invite you to be a part of Earth Day and help write many more chapters—struggles and victories—into the Earth Day book.
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10 THINGS ABOUT
ALBERT EINSTEIN YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Wednesday, November 25th is a big day for fans of scientific breakthroughs that re-shape our understanding of how the universe operates. One hundred years ago, Albert Einstein discovered the general theory of relativity.
1. SPEECH Einstein was supposedly slow to talk— the man himself told his biographer he didn’t start speaking until at least age three. Stanford economist Dr Thomas Sowell even coined the controversial term “Einstein Syndrome” to describe exceptionally bright people whose speech is delayed.
2. THE COMPASS
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When Albert Einstein was five years old his father showed him
a simple pocket compass. Einstein was mesmerized. What force exerted itself on the little needle to make it point in a single direction? This question stayed with Einstein for many years and has been noted as the beginning of his fascination with science.
3. THE VIOLIN Einstein’s mother, Pauline, was an accomplished pianist and wanted her son to love music too, so she started him on violin lessons. At first, Einstein hated playing the violin. When Einstein was 13-years old, he quickly changed his mind about the violin when he heard the music of Mozart. With a new passion for playing, Einstein continued to play the violin until the last few years of his life.
4. PRESIDENT EINSTEIN? A few days after Zionist leader and first President of Israel Chaim Weizmann died on November 9, 1952, Einstein was asked if he would accept the position of
being the second president of Israel. Einstein, age 73, declined the offer. In his official letter of refusal, Einstein stated that he lacked the “natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people.”
5. CAPTAIN EINSTEIN Einstein loved sailing, even though he wasn’t very good at it—his neighbours on Long Island frequently had to help him right his capsized boat Tinef (Yiddish for “worthless”). And even though Einstein never learned to swim, he kept sailing as a hobby throughout his life.
6. NO SOCKS Part of Einstein’s charm was his dishevelled look. In addition to his uncombed hair, one of Einstein’s peculiar habits was to never wear socks. To Einstein, socks were a pain because they often would get holes in them.
7. SMOKING Einstein loved to smoke. In 1950, after accepting a life membership in the Montreal Pipe Smokers Club, Einstein said he believed “that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs.”
(with his former student Leo Szilard) that operated on compressed gases. Einstein was moved to create the device after reading about a Berlin family killed by toxic fumes from their fridge. The Einstein-Szilard refrigerator was patented in 1930 but was soon overshadowed by Freonbased compressors that were more efficient, but more damaging to the environment.
9. LETTERS Einstein himself did not create the atomic bomb or even work on the Manhattan Project (he was denied the security clearance by the U.S. Army, which looked askance at his leftleaning politics). But both Einstein’s letters to then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlining the theory of a uranium fission bomb and his famous formula, E=mc², linking mass and energy, helped spur the development of nuclear weapons. Einstein later regretted his involvement, telling Newsweek that “had I known that the Germans would not succeed in developing an atomic bomb, I would have done nothing.”
10. ANAGRAM ‘Albert Einstein’ is an anagram of ‘Ten elite brains’.
8. INVENTOR More than two decades after publishing his Special Theory of Relativity, Albert Einstein co-invented a refrigerator
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Oriental
Life Span:
Orientals are extremely fond of their people and will tell you exactly what they think, in a loud, raspy voice.
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T
he Siamese and the Oriental might differ in colour, but beneath the skin they are identical. The Oriental is talkative and opinionated. He will tell you exactly what he thinks, in a loud, raspy voice, and he expects you to pay attention and act on his advice. Orientals are extremely fond of their people. They like to be “helpful” and will follow you around and supervise your every move. When you are sitting down, an Oriental will be in your lap, and at night he will be in bed with you, probably under the covers with his head on the pillow. Do not get an Oriental if living with a chatty busybody would drive you insane. On the other hand, if you enjoy having someone to talk to throughout the day, an Oriental can be your best friend. Just be sure you have time to spend with this demanding and social cat. Orientals do not like being left alone for long periods, and if you work during the day it can be smart to get two of them so they can keep each other company. The Oriental is highly intelligent, agile and athletic, and loves to play. Keep his busy brain active with puzzle toys and his body exercised with teaser toys that he can chase and a big cat tree he can climb. He is fully capable of opening doors and drawers or rifling through your purse in search of something interesting or shiny to play with. Never leave him without any form of entertainment, or you will likely come home to find that he has reprogrammed your DVR to record only nature shows or at the
very least decided that your toilet paper rolls and tissue boxes look better empty. Choose an Oriental if you look forward to spending time with and interacting with your cat. This is a loyal and loving feline who will pout and pine if given little or no attention. In the right home, however, he thrives for years. Except for colour, the Siamese and the Oriental are indistinguishable, having a svelte but muscular body with long lines and a wedge-shaped head that is long and tapering from the narrow point of the nose outward to the tips of the ears, forming a triangle. The unusually large ears are wide at the base and pointed at the tip, giving them the same triangular shape as the head. Medium-size eyes are almond-shaped. The body is often described as tubular and is supported by long, slim legs, with the hind legs higher than the front legs. The Oriental walks on small, dainty, oval paws and swishes a long, thin tail that tapers to a fine point. Oriental Longhairs have a mediumlength coat that is fine and silky. It is longest on the plumed tail. Often nicknamed “Ornamentals” because of their extensive colour palette, Orientals come in more colours and patterns than any other breed, including solid, shaded, smoke, particoloured, bi-colour and tabby. Depending on the coat colour, the eyes may be blue, green, or odd (one blue and one green).
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How to Paint Easter Eggs?
Easter is coming, which means lots of chocolate, crafting and Easter activities - like decorating your very own Easter eggs! Painting Easter eggs is a great way to celebrate the spring season, whether you do it with your whole class or at home with friends and family. Find out how to paint Easter eggs! How to Paint Easter Eggs? Eggs-ellent Art! Painting Easter eggs are fun and easy to do, lots of people buy egg decorating kits, but what most people don’t know is that you can make beautiful Easter eggs with supplies out of your own cupboard. Take a look!
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What You’ll Need: • White eggs
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Saucepan
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Food Colouring
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Vinegar
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Tape or rubber bands
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Tongs or a slotted spoon
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Empty egg carton
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Old clothes or an apron
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Newspapers
Optional: • White wax crayon •
Stickers
Turn your usual breakfast food into a beautiful work of Easter art! Get Cracking Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to get cracking making your own beautifully designed Easter eggs. But before you can start dipping, you’ll
need to start by prepping: Step 1: Fill a saucepan with water, place on the stove and add your eggs. Bring water to a boil and then reduce the heat and let the eggs simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add cold water to stop the eggs from cooking - you may need to ask your parents or teacher to help with this part. Step 2: Make sure you›re wearing an apron or old clothes, because this is one Easter activity that can get messy. Also, place old newspapers over the area you’ll painting on. Step 3: Fill cups halfway with hot water, add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and one teaspoon of food colouring, one for each colour you want to use. Design and Dip Here comes the fun part! Once your eggs and dye are ready, you can simply place the egg in the colour you want, leave it for 5 minutes and when you lift it out with your tongs you will have a perfectly dyed egg! But that’s not all before you start dipping, there are lots of different ways to create different patterns with your eggs, here are just a few ideas that you can mix and match!
it - when it comes out of the dye the wax will remain white, highlighting the design against the coloured background. •
You can create stripy designs on your egg by placing rubber bands or tape around your egg before dipping when you raise it from the dye and remove the bands your egg will have stripes where the bands were!
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If you place a sticker on the egg before dipping and remove it once it comes out, the shape of the sticker will stand out against the background, try using a star, a fruit or heart if you have it.
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Once you’ve lifted your eggs from the dye, place them gently in the empty egg carton to dry. Once they’re dry you can hide them for a hunt, place them in a decorative basket, or if you’re really hungry, eat them!
Pick your favourite colour and dye the eggs!
Easter Egg kits come with dye tablets, but you can use plain old food colouring •
Using a white crayon, write a message or draw a design on the egg before you dip
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Pretoria High
Matric Dance The long-awaited Matric Dance took place on Saturday 9 March. The Matrics looked stunning and their partners equally striking. The wonderful evening was held at Casa Social da Madeira and the venue was decorated beautifully and elegantly in the theme “Under the Stars – The Little Prince”. Parents gathered to watch the attendees show off their outfits on the catwalk before entering the hall. Thank you to by Mrs Gemeliaris and all those involved in making this a superb and unforgettable evening.
h School for Girls House Play Festival The fabulous and well-attended House Play Festival took place during March and if you didn’t attend you missed out! The witty playwrights ensured that their respective plays had excellent plots and entertained the audience with the following titles: Aitken - Exam Aid, Athlone - Not-sosweet Sixteen, Buxton - Sipho, The Gift, Clarendon - Case 100, Connaught - The Elevator, Duncan - A Fairytale Romance, Gladstone - The “Perfect” Neighbour, McWilliam - Whatever Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong, Selborne - Trapschool Musical and Van Zyl - Just when I thought I was getting married. Of course, we held our very own “Oscars” and the highly coveted awards went to (… drum roll…): Best Set - Clarendon Best Incorporation of Tech - McWilliam Best Use of Space - Aitken Best Prop - Van Zyl (for the Home Affairs sign) Best Sound & Lighting - Connaught Best Concept - Aitken Best Costumes - Selborne Best Backstage Crew - Van Zyl Best Make-up - McWilliam Best Production Secretary - Kumi
Makhubele (Van Zyl) Best Cameo - Uthimna Nape (Connaught) Best Comedy Performance - Galaletsang Galane (Gladstone) Best Ensemble - Clarendon (the McLaren children) Best One-Liner - Buhle Mvemba “Any opening is a door for me” (Buxton) Best Comic Moment - Busi Mathe and the hat/hair fiasco (Connaught) Best Supporting Actor - Oratile Mokgoko (Buxton) Best Supporting Actress - Krisi Chapanov (Connaught) Best Actor in a Lead Role - Michelle Cazalet (Gladstone) Best Actress in a Lead Role - Kayla Geel (Clarendon) Honourable Mentions go to - Cecile Fraser (Gladstone), Jaudyn Denton (Selborne), Elke du Toit (Aitken), Ann Lee (Connaught) and Cayley Sampson (Clarendon) Best Cast - Selborne Best Directors - Bonolo Moikanyane & Modiegi Motsoaledi (Clarendon) Best Script - Trapschool Musical, written by Daniella Yav (Selborne) Best House Play of 2019 - The “Perfect” Neighbour”, directed by Jo-anne Mahlobo & Kendra Wilkinson (Gladstone)
Pretoria High Charity Day In an effort to raise social awareness and help those less fortunate, each year PHSG holds a charity day in which the different houses compete in a variety of fun activities. The Grade 8s held a Charity Walk, the Grade 9s a Codesa Dance, the Grade 10s put on a spectacular Dance-a-Thon, the Grade 11s held their Valentine’s Dance and the Matrics all tried their hand (or feet) at Soccer. Thank you to all parents who contributed R50 and helped  make a difference!
AVO String Quartet By Jasmine Beeforth (Grade 9) On 28 February the girls from the PHSG String Ensemble and Cello Ensemble were invited to the UP Lunch Hour Concert. AVO String Quartet is a Pretoria-based string quartet. The quartet has two violins, a viola and a cello. The quartet played two string quartets: String Quartet No 3, Opus 18 by Beethoven and String Quartet No 1, Opus 11 by Tchaikovsky. The first string quartet opens with a clear and simple melody played on the violin and is then repeated by the viola a few bars later. This sets the mood for a calm yet eventful movement to follow, filled with beautiful countermelodies and new material rhythmically and harmonically. The second string quartet is opened by a striking rhythm and is followed by a rhythmically intricate second theme introduced by the viola. The final movement opens with a simple but sprightly theme of great energy. The viola again, introduces the second theme, which is Russian in character and very noble.
h School for Girls Inter-House Gala The much-anticipated Pretoria High School for Girls Inter-House Gala took place on Thursday 14 March. Van Zyl won the overall event and proudly boasts bragging rights to having the best swimmers with Connaught and Aitken coming second and third respectively. Selborne took the Spirit Trophy, just beating McWilliam and Aitken once again in third place. Well done to the following swimmers in the Individual Medleys: JUNIOR INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1. Emma Nunn 2. Frankie Spies 3. Taylin Alberts SENIOR INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY: 1. Stephanie Houtman 2. Rachel-Ann van Biljon 3. Nicola Sequeira
Life is a Garden
Keep the children busy - make a bunny planter for Easter
“H
Th
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he rabbit small,
ith soft white fur
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aster is coming and with it comes e joy of coloured eggs, treasure unts, hot cross buns and long
weekends. Keeping the children busy will help to channel that energy into creativity, leaving a lasting memento. Here’s how to make a gorgeous bunny planter - just in time for Easter! What you will need: - 2 cleaned and dried tin cans, with drainage holes made - 2 sheets of white felt - 2 sheets of pink felt - 4 large googly eyes - 2 large white or pink pom poms - 2 small plants (We used petunias) - 2 small pots that fit into the can, to house the small plants - Fabric glue - Scissors - Permanent marker - Cardboard (optional) How the activity works: Step 1: Prepare the can Ensure the can is clean and dry. There should be no sharp edges sticking up, if there are, press them down into the can using a blunt object. Make sure there is nothing that could snag or cut your skin. Get an adult to make some drainage holes in the bottom of the can, with a sharpened screwdriver, or a nail and hammer. Step 2: Add colour Measure and cut some white felt to fit around the can. Apply some glue to the can and fit the felt securely.
Step 3: Add bunny ears Trace the shape you would like your bunny ears to be, onto cardboard and then use the template to cut the felt. Trace the inside of the bunny ears onto the cardboard pink felt - they should be the same shape but smaller in size - and repeat the process. Fold the felt to ensure you are cutting two ears out at once. You can now glue the pink ears onto the centre of the white ears. Step 4: Add bunny feet Cut out bunny feet using the cardboard and white felt. Make the top of the feet rounded and bring the bottom inwards, or you can make the bottom flat, as we did in the picture. Feel free to choose the size of your bunny as you wish - larger is cuter. Step 5: Add toes to the feet Cut little toes and soles out, using the pink felt. There should be three toes and one sole per foot. Your little bunny nose will also come from this pink felt. A triangle with rounded edges is perfect.
Step 6: Attach the bunny’s features Once the glue has dried a bit, you can attach the bunny’s features. The pompom will be the tail, so stick it at the back using the fabric glue. Assemble all the various bits as necessary - the ears, the eyes, the nose, and you can also draw a little mouth neatly below the nose. Step 7: Planting The glue will need a few hours to dry properly. While that is happening, add some drainage stones to the cans and plant the small plants into the pots. Be sure to water thoroughly and allow the water to drain over the sink or outside. When the glue is dry, you can place your newly potted plants into the bunny planter and voila! Happy Easter!
For more information on bringing Life to your Garden, visit our website www.lifeisagarden.co.za or join the conversation on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ lifeisagardensa.
April Music History April 1
April 4
• 1984: Marvin Gaye is shot to death by his father during an argument, one day before his 45th birthday.
• 1996: Half of the late Jerry Garcia’s ashes are scattered in the Ganges River in India
• 1948: Jimmy Cliff is born
• 1968: Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Buddy Guy meet up for an allnight blues session after hearing the news of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
April 2 • 1947: Emmylou Harris is born • 1939: Marvin Gaye is born
April 3 • 1996: MC Hammer files for bankruptcy • 1969: Jim Morrison turns himself over to the FBI in Los Angeles and is charged with six counts of lewd behaviour and public exposure at a concert in Miami
56
April 5 • 1994: Kurt Cobain, 27, commits suicide • 1985: At 3:50 p.m. GMT, an estimated 5,000 radio stations around the globe simultaneously play “We Are the World”
April 6 • 1968: Pink Floyd announces that Syd Barrett has officially left the group
April 7
April 23
• 1998: George Michael is arrested in a Beverly Hills bathroom for “engaging in a lewd act”
• 1988: Whitney Houston becomes the first artist to hit No. one on the U.S. Hot 100 chart with seven consecutive singles
April 10 • 1970: Paul McCartney announces he quit The Beatles.
April 11 • 1970: The single “Let It Be” by The Beatles hits number one.
April 24 • 1975: SNL producer Lorne Michaels makes on-air offer to pay $3000 for a Beatles reunion on the show.
April 12
• 1968: During a birthday celebration The Who’s Keith Moon drives his Lincoln into a Holiday Inn swimming pool.
• 2000: Napster Inc. is sued by Metallica
April 25
April 15
• 1990: Jimi Hendrix’s Woodstock Fender Stratocaster fetches $295,000 at auction
• 1996: Half of the late Jerry Garcia’s ashes are scattered by the Golden Gate Bridge
April 28
April 18
• 1987: For the first time a CD is released before its vinyl version
• 1970: Johnny Cash plays for President Nixon at the White House
April 30
• 1993: Police arrest David Lee Roth in New York City for buying a $10 bag of marijuana
April 22 • 1950: Peter Frampton is born, or “comes alive,” if you will • 1969: The Who give their first complete live performance of the rock opera “Tommy”
• 1983: Blues legend Muddy Waters dies of a heart attack at the age of 68 • 2005: The Dave Matthews Band pays $200,000 in damages after their tour bus dumped human waste onto a boatload of tourists in Chicago in August of 2004.
57
Shazam!
A Dog’s Way Home
Action, Superhero, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Adventure Just say the word.
Family, Adventure, Drama There are some bonds no distance can break. A dog travels 650 km in search of her owner.
Young Billy Batson finds himself gifted with the power of the wizard, Shazam, to fight against the forces of evil. With the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and speed of Mercury, he is the holder of the power of S.H.A.Z.A.M.; he is Captain Marvel. Cast Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ron Cephas Jones, Grace Fulton, Asher Angel, Marta Milans, Cooper Andrews, Faithe Herman Directed by David F. Sandberg This title releases 05 April 2019
Cast Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King, Edward James Olmos, Alexandra Shipp, Wes Studi, Bryce Dallas Howard Directed by Charles Martin Smith This title releases 12 April 2019
The Queen’s Corgi
Galveston
Adventure, Animated, Children’s, Family
Crime, Thriller, Noir Roy is a heavy-drinking criminal enforcer and mob hit-man whose boss set him up in a double-cross For dog’s sake! scheme. After killing his would-be assassins before they kill him, Roy This is the adventure of Rex, the discovers Rocky, a beguiling young British monarch’s most beloved dog, woman being held captive, and who loses track of his mistress and stumbles across a clan with dogs of all reluctantly takes her with him on his escape. Determined to find safety kinds confronting each other. During his epic journey to return to the queen, and sanctuary in Galveston, Roy Rex falls in love and discovers his true must find a way to stop his boss from pursuing them while trying to outrun self. the demons from both his and Rocky’s Cast pasts. Tom Courtenay, Jon Culshaw, Jamal Cast Fahim, Matt Lucas, Nina Wadia Ben Foster, Elle Fanning, Lili Reinhart, Directed by Adepero Oduye, Robert Aramayo, Ben Stassen María Valverde, CK McFarland, Beau Bridges This title releases 18 April 2019 Directed by Mélanie Laurent This title releases 05 April 2019
Book Reviews
Star-Crossed
A Gift for Dying
MINNIE DRAKE
M.J. ARLIDGE
ISBN 9781787631083
ISBN 9780718187897
A gloriously feel-good romantic comedy about good friends, true love and all the signs of the zodiac, perfect for anyone who loves David Nicholls, Marian Keyes and Jojo Moyes.
The new haunting standalone thriller from the bestselling author of the DI Helen Grace series.
Destiny doesn’t happen by accident . When Justine Carmichael (Sagittarius, aspiring journalist and sceptic) bumps into her teenage crush Nick Jordan (Aquarius, struggling actor and true believer) it could be by chance. Or it could be written in the stars. Justine works at the Alexandria Park Star - and Nick, she now learns, relies on the magazine’s astrology column to guide him in life. Looking for a way to get Nick’s attention, Justine has the idea of making a few small alterations to the horoscope for Aquarius before it goes to print. After all, it’s only the stars. What could possibly go wrong?
Could you live with knowing how you’ll die? Adam Brandt is used to dealing with all kinds of people - as a consulting psychologist with the Chicago Police Department he has faced his share of criminals. But Kassie Wojcek is like no one else he’s encountered, fifteenyears-old and burdened, she says, with a terrible gift: she knows how and when you will die. After claiming to ‘feel’ the horrific murder of the first victim, Kassie is caught up in the hunt for a sadistic serial killer terrorising Chicago, frightened that people will die without her help. Kassie pulls Adam into the investigation, determined to stop the torture she sees coming. But as the body count rises, Adam must ask himself if her gift is real or if he is putting his faith in someone far more dangerous than he realised. Events soon spiral out of control as the case and their personal lives intertwine. The boundaries of right and wrong shift, the lines between the hunter and the hunted blur, and one thing becomes clear: Kassie is in the sights of a killer...
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Miracle at St Andrews
BEN, HARLAN
PATTERSON, JAMES
9781780894263
ISBN 9781780899954
OST YOUR DAUGHTER.
ed to drugs and to an abud. You haven’t seen her in six months.
find her busking in New k’s Central Park.
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SHE RUNS.
What choice do you have? escend into the dark, dand she’s lost herself in, you ourself out of your depths. no-one is safe – and now might never make it out alive…
Seasoned pro golfer Travis McKinley is cruising toward a new season when he misses a putt on the 18th green. Just like that, he’s down and out and off the Senior Tour, his career all but dead. Then Travis is visited by a mysterious stranger whose vision is clear. Go back to the beginning. The very beginning. Taking his advice both literally and to heart, Travis and his family travel to their ancestral home – Scotland. In the place where golf was born, he’s able to look beyond getting the round ball in the round hole. And when Travis steps onto the Old Course at St. Andrews, the magic of the game takes over...
My Lovely Wife SAMANTHA DOWNING ISBN 9780241368497 Every marriage has secrets. Everyone has flaws. Your wife isn’t perfect - you know that - but then again nor are you. But now a serial killer is on the loose in your small town, preying on young women. Fear is driving your well-behaved young daughter off the rails, and you find yourself in bed late at night, looking at the woman who lies asleep beside you. Because you thought you knew the worst about her. The truth is you know nothing at all.
Publisher: Penguin Random House
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To print a copy, or to find help visit: www.featzpublishing.com
April 2019 Monday April Fool's Day
1
Tuesday Back to School
2
Wednesday
3
World Autism Day
Zoo Lover's Day
8
9
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15
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Bat 17 Appreciation Day
23
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Titanic Remembrance Day
Family Day / Easter Monday
Greenery Day
22
29
Take a Chance Day
Honesty Day
Thursday
4
Walk Around Things Day
Friday Go for Broke Day
11
Submarine Day
18
World Penguin Day
25
Good Friday
5
Saturday
6
Sunday World Health Day
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Freedom Day
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Contact Us: 0861 938 567 wetnose@absamail.co.za www.wetnose.org.za