January 2019
www.featzpublishing.com
Editor’s Message As I send my daughter off on her first day of high school, I am reminded of the nervous excitement that comes along with starting a new chapter in life. The New Year is a new chapter in the book of our lives. My goal for 2019 is to remember that every single day presents a blank page in that book, a new opportunity to write the story of my life. I would like to wish all our readers and advertisers everything of the best for 2019. May you all remain a part of the Featz story as we write it together this year. Enjoy the first issue of Community Ch@, as always I look forward to receiving your suggestions, comments and contributions. Together, we will write an amazing story.
To advertise in the next issue contact Zelda Tel: 012 348 3486 Cell: 084 041 3058 email: featzads@gmail.com www.featzpublishing.com Upcoming Deadlines for Advertisers & Contributors February Issue 21 January 2019 March Issue 20 February 2019 April Issue 21 March 2019
Until next month, happy reading!
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.
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What’s Inside...
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Back to School Stress
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How to keep your New Years Resolutions
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Create an indoor jungle
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Are fireworks harming the environment?
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Grace part 35
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Remembering Nikola Tesla
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Exercise During Pregnancy
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January Gardening
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New years resolutions your Cat will Break
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January Music History
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Cairn Terrier Vital Stats: Height: 22 to 25 centimetres tall at the shoulder Weight: 5 to 6 kilograms Life Span: 12 to 15 years
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he Cairn Terrier dog breed is a small working terrier developed on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Farmers used him to rid their property of vermin, and they needed a dog with courage, tenacity, and intelligence — characteristics still found in today’s Cairn. He is a sensible, independent, and friendly dog who excels as a family companion.
Toward the end of the 19th century, Scottish Terrier breeders began to select for different characteristics, colour among them. The West Highland White Terrier became a separate breed in 1908.
In 1912, the Cairn Terrier was designated as a breed, taking its name from the piles of stones that marked ancient Scottish burial or memorial sites. These stone piles were often hideouts for the vermin If you’ve seen the movie The Wizard of Oz, sought by the terriers. you’ve seen one of the most famous Cairn Terriers ever. The dog who played Toto in The first Cairn Terriers were imported to the film was a female Cairn named Terry. the United States by Mrs. Henry F. Price Paid $125 per week for her role as Toto, and Mrs. Byron Rodgers in 1913. In both she was owned by trainer Carl Spitz, and the U.S. and in England, the Cairn and she had appeared in several movies prior the West Highland White were interbred to her famous role in Oz. She lived to be 11 until 1917, when the American Kennel Club years old. barred registration to any dog from such interbreeding. That same year, the Cairn Terrier Club of America was granted AKC membership.
The Cairn Terrier was developed more than 200 years ago on the Isle of Skye, where Captain Martin MacLeod is credited with developing one of the oldest strains The Cairn Terrier is a wonderfully friendly of the breed. dog. He’s happy and cheerful, and he seems to truly enjoy meeting people. All terrier breeds in Scotland were He’s also all terrier: independent, tough, originally classified as Scotch Terriers. In and alert. Like any dog of the breed, he 1873, a new system was implemented and places digging, barking, and chasing high Scotch Terriers were separated into two on his list of fun activities. He’ll chase any classes: Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Skye small animal, including the neighbour’s Terriers. cat, if given a chance. He’s a good watchdog, too, and will announce any visitor. The Skye Terrier classification included Cairns as well as dogs that are now known as Scottish Terriers, West Highland White Terriers. These breeds were distinguished only by colour, as all three could come from the same litter. A club for HardHaired Scotch Terriers was formed for the three breeds in 1881; a standard was approved in 1882.
Though independent, the Cairn is devoted to his family and is happiest when he’s part of his owners’ daily lives. He likes to be in the house, playing with the kids, following you room to room, joining you at the front door when you greet a friend. He’s also known for being sensitive. He
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doesn’t like to be scolded and is upset when you’re not happy with him. 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 Cairn needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young.
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Socialization helps ensure that your Cairn 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.
Back-to-school Stress How do we handle this?
Written by: Yolandi Singleton (Supervisor: Assessments and Therapy Unit at Child Welfare Tshwane)
Oh goodness! Her suitcase is broken (rapid heartbeat), he lost some of his stationary (heartbeat goes faster), the hem of my daughter’s school skirt is still loose (heartbeat raises more and more), my boy needs a new pair of pants and school starts tomorrow (heartbeat gets out of control), what will the teachers think of me as a parent if my child does not have everything he needs‌ Does this chaos sound familiar? I think each and every parent can to some extent relate to this huge amount of pressure when thinking about the Back-to-school scenario. The question is, can you afford this stress each and every year, always waiting until number 99 to get everything done, starting the year off on the perfect wrong note?
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Open and honest communication with any human being remains the best way to discuss and solve any kind of matter. That does not exclude your child. I have learned in my career that children have a great appreciation for when their parents or the significant adults in their lives talk to them and guide them through the different paths of life. Okay yes, some children are a bit stubborn to admit that you are right, but they most certainly absorb your words and actions as the default to their modus operandi. Firstly, it is important to realise that when one is emotional, to try to reason logically with anyone is simply a waste of time, in other words, it only really works to try to talk sense into someone’s mind if they are in a good emotional state of mind. A well-balanced state of mind also makes better decisions and think more rationally. Therefore, during the holiday season where you feel more relaxed
and is probably in a good state of mind (I know it takes some time to switch off from work things), it is definitely the best time to have conversations and get prepared for the new school year. You have probably picked up on topics and areas regarding the school environment and system that often bring about feelings of anxiety and stress within you and your children. If not, it is time to sit and think about it, because the most important aspect of tackling your stressors is to be able to identify them first – in other words, know your giant before facing it. These stressors could include, issues with a teacher, a bully, homework and choosing which extra-mural activities to pursue. Talk calmly about these issues during the holiday and place out what a possible plan of action would be. You and your child can then feel less stressed and more prepared to take on the new year. Try to find a mid-way with a teacher and strive towards finding solutions instead of creating more problems with them. Teach your child to stand boldly in front of a bully with confidence without showing any weakness, because we all know a bully loves the control and to witness the fear on his victim’s face. A bully is also a child in need of love. Teach your child to give the bully exactly what they do not expect – love. The bully will then not feel satisfied as he has not achieved what he wanted to. I am not talking about when your child gets beaten up by a bully – that should be reported immediately. Before school starts decide together on how and when homework and
assignments will be done. In general, put up a default list on the fridge with all the duties for the evening in a specific chronological order because that helps you and your child to follow a routine and it encourages predictability which brings about balanced children. This list can include things such as, play time (more on that later in the article), homework, bath, getting clothes and books ready for tomorrow, dinner and sleep time. Exposure to different types of extra-mural activities is a good idea as it, amongst other reasons, provides children with the opportunity to find their passion, but it is certainly not a good idea to bombard your child with too much where there is much lesser time for free play or spend time with family. Children might appear to cope with everything on their plate, but often at some point get overwhelmed, leading to anxiety and stress. Some children do not feel comfortable to tell their parents that they struggle to juggle everything as they want to avoid any disappointments. Therefore, choose their activities wisely and regularly monitor your child to see if they cope with all the different demands. The way we think remains our choice. When talking to your child about school, ask them to list at least two positive things about school. If they struggle to name any, make suggestions. It could also be beneficial to practice solving a problem from a high pathetically scenario. For example, what do we do when a frog enters the house. Encourage the child to think about possible solutions to get the frog out of the house without hurting it. Bring in your own suggestions. At
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the same time, make it humoristic and have a good laugh together. Remember to praise your child for their attempts in finding a solution. Thereafter, think about typical school-related challenges and discuss different possible solutions. Also, discuss and decide together on the time to get up in the morning for school and bedtime during the week and the consequences that will follow if this is not adhered to, but keep the conversation light.
Lastly, do not hesitate to get your child a probiotic and also fill up on the vitamin B and C on a daily basis. Encourage exercise, even if it is done during their free play time. Do not be too hard on yourself or your child. Be there for them through the good and bad times, because they will certainly remember your presence way more than your presents.
Enjoy the school years with your child and embrace every phase of Never ever underestimate the power development! It goes by very quickly! and necessity of free play time for your child. Children develop many skills out of just playing and having fun. It is good For more information about for them as it helps them to relax, but child care issues, effective simultaneously helping with problemparenting, helping your child solving skills, social skills, creativeness and activating all their senses. Sensory cope with stress and other awareness is important for a child to issues please call Child Welfare build a good sense of self and develop Tshwane on 012-4609236 or emotional awareness, which in the long run helps them to become mature and send an email to: emotionally intelligent adults one day. info@childwelfare.co.za It goes without saying that as an adult and parent, stress is a given in this hasty life of ours. It is however important to try to limit your own stress levels, for your child’s sake. Exercise, a good diet, good friends, meditation and a healthy hobby can reduce those high amounts of stress. Remember, your child will only flourish if they get sufficient support from you, so do not allow your cup to run completely empty. It is not a sin to invest proper time in yourself, in fact your children will benefit from a parent who feels fulfilled.
10 Sure Ways to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions Another year ended and many of us gathered up our willpower for a brand new set of New Year’s resolutions. But have we learned from past experience? A large number, if not the majority, of previous resolutions were probably broken in weeks, days, or even hours. So, how to make this time round more successful? Well it’s not as hard as you might think — there are some really easy ways to set yourself on the path to success, and the first is:
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Keep your resolutions simple. Sometimes people find themselves aiming for an overhaul of their entire lifestyle, and this is simply
a recipe for disappointment and guilt. It may be understandable at this time of year when selfimprovement is on your mind, but experience shows these things can’t all be achieved at once. The best approach is to focus clearly on one or two of your most important goals.
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Choose carefully. But which to choose? Well, you might like to concentrate on those that will have the greatest impact on your happiness, health and fulfilment. For example, giving up smoking will obviously improve your health, but it will also give you a sense of pride and will make you happy (but perhaps not immediately!)
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Be realistic. Don’t aim too high and ignore reality – consider your previous experience with resolutions. What led to failure then? It may be that you resolved to lose too much weight or save an unrealistic amount of money. Remember, there will always be more opportunities to start on the next phase, so set realistic goals. Or if you don’t want to hold back, set clear short-term goals on your way to a big achievement. Which leads to tip number four.
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Create bite-sized portions. Break goals down to manageable chunks. This is perhaps the most essential ingredient for success, as the more planning you do now, the more likely you are to get there in the end. The planning process is when you build up that all-important willpower which you will undoubtedly need to fall back on along the way. Set clear, realistic goals such as losing 5 pounds, saving $30 a month, or going for a run once a week. Decide exactly how you will make this happen.
motivations. You could keep a scrapbook for this purpose, and fill it with photos of your slimmer self, pictures of sporting or hobby equipment you are saving for, or even a shocking credit card statement to spur you into action! If your resolution will directly benefit your partner, children, colleagues or friends then add their photos too – anything to remind you of your initial motivation.
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Treat yourself. When making your plan, a vital feature should be the rewards and treats you Plan a time-frame. In fact, will give yourself at those allthe time-frame is vital important milestones. But be for motivation. It is your warned, don’t fall into the trap of barometer for success, the putting your goal in danger – it’s way you assess your short-term too easy for a dieter to say “I’ve progress towards the ultimate been so good, I deserve a few long-term goal. Buy a calendar or candy bars”, or a saver to throw diary so you can plan your actions caution to the wind with a new for the coming weeks or months, purchase. One slip and it could all and decide when and how often be over. to evaluate. Receive support. It is at Make notes. Having such times when you’ve made a note of your timetemporarily fallen off the frame, you will have a wagon, that your support physical reminder of what network is crucial. Carefully you’re aiming for. Now go further choose those people around you and write down the details of who have shown themselves your resolutions in a notebook, to be trustworthy, supportive remembering to add your friends and explain your plans. Let
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them know of ways they can help when the going gets tough, and if they’re truly caring they’ll know the right things to say during the hard times.
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Put yourself in charge. These achievements are under your control – other people can advise and support you but it’s your actions Don’t give up! Do bear which need to change to see the in mind that a slip-up is results you want. Having a strong almost inevitable at some sense of control over your life is point, and you must not necessary to stick with your plans. let this become an excuse to give Those who blame everyone and up. When it happens, you will everything apart from themselves need to draw on your reserves of will not have the resources self-belief and strength, so build needed to change. Yes, it’s scary these qualities as often as you to take responsibility for your can. Really feel proud of your past future, but surely it’s better than achievements and don’t become the alternative? critical of yourself. People with higher self-esteem and confidence Now you’ve read these tips, you are in a much better position to are in a great position to consider succeed, so immediately forgive the best ways to improve your life yourself and say “I’m starting this New Year. Your happiness is again now!” worth the time and effort, so get started, and good luck!
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Create an indoor jungle paradise - with a lovely
delicious monster (Monstera deliciosa) The new style everyone loves for their interiors is a show of exciting jungle leaves. The refreshing greens are eyecatching and uplifting - the perfect way to start the new year. Green is also an easy colour to decorate with, it goes with any other palette. It’s no wonder this new fashion has taken the world by storm! Jungles galore decorate the walls, the shelves, the bathrooms, even
the gardens of the trendiest homes and offices. The lush greens and bright leaves are irresistible - perhaps it’s some instinctual recognition of our ancient humanoid roots and recognition of our early habitats. Perhaps it’s just a modern-day style winner. Either way, ‘jungling’ your indoor space is the hottest decor trend. The ultimate ingredient to put that forest fun into your decor is the delicious monster (also known as the Swiss cheese plant).
How to incorporate the delicious monster into your decor There are different ways to incorporate the delicious monster into your decor. You could make it super real with actual plants, use pictures, or other delicious monster-related merchandise. The actual plants
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will require a little ongoing work, they’re easy to grow and assist in air purification in the home. You can even use the leaves in a vase, as part of a floral decoration, or on its own for the gorgeous green jungalow look.
Life is a Garden
How to grow delicious monsters indoors
to picture frames. If you want effect work without using any emblems. Avoid purchasing to in the same room. It won’t ha it will tend towards a deliciou
Can’t find the delicious mons it!
As gorgeous and jungle-like as they are, Put the forest on your wall, n delicious monsters need a fairly constant delightfully insect-free. You ca indoor temperature, ideally around 23 or 24 these simple steps: degrees during the day. Ensure they have a 1. Find high-resolution ima spot that will give them those conditions. 6000 x 4000 pixels). Yo Delicious monsters also enjoy areas with images by including the lots of light, although direct sunlight is your search. You can als not necessary. During spring and summer, you want in Google’s im they enjoy liberal water once a week, 2. Download your images. thereafter, you can halve their watering. To prevent waterlogging their roots, check the soil before you water them. If the soil is dry 2cm beneath the soil, you can add a little water. Add a dash of quality indoor plant feed every two months for the best growth. Keep an eye on your delicious monster plant as it grows, and repot when necessary. Also bear in mind that it’s a climber, and may need some type of support as it grows. Try a wooden trellis this will add to the earthy, jungalow feel. For that foresty gleam, clean their leaves with an approved leaf shine. This will help to keep the dust off and keep them looking glossy and fresh. Visit your local GCA Garden Centre for advice on this product. Delicious monster merchandise decor Colourful rugs, fake plants, wallpaper, and framed pictures all invite the trendsetter’s eyes closer. Delicious monster plants have become such a style icon, they’re used in every manner of decor - from candles
t to make the jungle y real plants, opt for large oo many and placing them ave that natural forest feel, us monster gift shop.
ster decor you want? Make
neatly framed and an DIY this at home! Follow
ages on Google (around ou can source high-res e term “high resolution” in so specify the size images mage tools.
. You might need to
purchase the images, this is a step-by-step process you will be guided through if you are on a website that allows for purchasing. Once you have made the purchase (if you selected a paid image), you can download it. 3. Email your image to your local printing store. Ensure you tell them to print the image in a high resolution, and be clear about the size paper you want. A1 is lovely and bold if you have a large space, alternative, A2 works perfectly too. It’s about finding the size that works for your space. 4. Once your printing is done, you’re off to the framing store. The end result can be hung over a small bookcase or above a shelf. Accessorise with one or two small items to perfect the picture.
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.
Cape White-
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here are seven subspecies eyes. The nominate weste sometimes split as the Ora eye, Zosterops pallidus, le races as Cape White-eye, Z Orange River White-eye prefers drie woodland than the eastern forms, a two populations do not overlap. The to South Africa.
The Cape White-eye is very common Africa. This species is endemic to So which means it only exists in that co White-eye also depends upon a part survival. Destroy that habitat and th be lost forever. The preferred habita White-eye are forests, woodlands, s and riverine areas. Yet, this species i wetlands and bushveld or scrub area gardens.
This is a sociable species forming lar the breeding season, when it is gene It is seldom seen as a single individu migratory, with some seasonal mov
The Cape White-eye feeds mainly on spiders and their eggs, soft fleshy flo fruit, pollen, and small grains. It read feeders. This bird mostly feeds on th foliage, and not so much on the win
The Cape White-eye is monogamous a new partner if the first one dies. Th season is September to December. T eye builds a cup nest in the branche
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-Eye
s of Cape Whiteern subspecies is ange River Whiteeaving the eastern Z. capensis . The er, more open and the ranges of the ey are both endemic
n throughout South outh Africa, though, ountry. The Cape ticular habitat for he bird will possibly ats for the Cape savanna, grasslands is also at home in as, and even in
shrub. There are usually 2 or 3 eggs in a clutch. They are pale blue and unspotted and hatch in 11-12 days. The chicks fledge after 12 to 13 days. The Cape White-eye’s contact call is a sweet “twee tuuu twee twee” , higher pitched and more trilled in the Orange River White-eye subspecie. The territorial call is surprisingly loud for a small bird. This species is a small bird, about the size of a house sparrow. It measures about 12 or 13 cm and weighs hardly 13 grams. Male and female look alike. They have rounded wings, strong legs, and a conspicuous ring of white feathers round the eyes. The upperparts plumage is green, and the throat and vent are bright yellow. The Orange River White-eye has a pale yellow central belly with peach coloured flanks, whereas the Cape subspecies has a grey breast and belly. However, the subspecies from Mpumalanga has a green-washed breast and belly.
rge flocks outside erally seen in pairs. ual. It is partially vements.
n insects, but also owers, nectar, dily comes to bird he ground or in the ng.
s and only seeks he peak breeding The Cape Whitees of a tree or
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Recipe
Spaghetti & Meatball Cups INGREDIENTS: 500g lean ground beef • ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs • 1 large egg • 1 tablespoon skim milk • 200g wheat spaghetti (I used thin spaghetti), broken into 2-3” pieces • 3 egg whites • 25g Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded (I used the smallest •
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holes on a box grater to shred mine) • ¼ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese • 1 ½ cups + 3 T marinara sauce, divided • Parsley or chopped fresh basil (optional garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180oC. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil then lightly mist it with cooking spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, egg and skim milk and stir until mixed. Add the ground beef and stir in until thoroughly combined. Split the meat mixture into 12 equal pieces and roll them into balls. Set the balls on the prepared baking sheet and put them in the over to bake for 25 minutes at 180oC. 3. While the meatballs bake, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the broken spaghetti pieces according to package directions. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside to cool (I actually stuck mine in the fridge for a few minutes. It doesn’t need to be cold, but you don’t want it to be too hot to handle when you press it into the cups). 4. When the meatballs are done, remove them from the oven and place them in a saucepot with 1 ½ cups of marinara sauce. Bring the meatballs and sauce over low heat on the stovetop, just to keep it all warm. Stir occasionally. Turn the heat on the oven up to 200oC. 5. When the pasta is cooled enough to handle, whisk the egg whites together in a large bowl and then add the pasta. Stir to combine and then add the Parmesan, Mozzarella, and 3 tablespoons of the marinara sauce. Mix together until thoroughly combined. 6. Lightly mist a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray. Place about 1/3 cup of the spaghetti mixture into each cup in the muffin tin. Using your fingers, press down on the centre and up the sides of the spaghetti, forming cups. Slide the tin into the pre-heated oven and bake for 15 minutes at 200. 7. When the spaghetti cups are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a moment before removing them from the tin. When ready to serve, pour a tablespoon of marinara sauce from the pot into the centre of a spaghetti cup, top it with a meatball, and follow it with another tablespoon of marinara. If you are planning to have leftovers, I suggest storing the sauce & meatballs in one container and the spaghetti cups in another and assembling them right before eating.
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Are fireworks harming the environment?
n some countries like Germany, it’s not New Year’s Eve without a night sky full of fireworks. But how bad are these colourful explosions for our environment? And what are the health effects? Starting a new year can be costly. Germans, for instance, send €100 to 200 million ($240 million) up in smoke every New Year’s Eve, as spectacular fireworks display light up the sky above villages and cities across the country. But the annual tradition also has an environmental cost, with each rocket releasing a toxic mix of chemicals and particulates into the air. What’s actually hidden inside fireworks?
“Each rocket consists of about 75 percent potassium nitrate, 15 percent charcoal and 10 percent sulfur,” said Günter Klein-Sommer, a chemist and pyrotechnist, speaking at a recent lecture on the chemistry of pyrotechnics at the University of Cologne. Depending on the desired effects, other components might be added, including copper, barium or strontium compounds. These end up colouring the fireworks blue, green or red. All of these chemicals require high amounts of energy to be produced, only to fizzle out in a few short seconds, critics have argued. Toxic trace In 2016, fireworks produced
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up areas such as cities. Th are invisible to the naked warned these small parti harmful to health.
The fireworks industry, fo to maintain that it’s not a Keller, an environmental German Association of th (VPI), said particulate po sector can’t be lumped to caused by fireworks.
Most of the particulate m from diesel vehicles, for e sooty carcinogenic partic effect on soil and plants
“In fireworks, on the con matter consists mainly of completely different in te said.
For instance, when black carbonate remains — ba past, people used potass and protect crops from f
5,000 tons of particulate matter (PM10 — particles measuring less than 10 microns in diameter) in Germany alone, according to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). This amount corresponds to about 17 percent of the annual vehicle particulate emissions. Most of this fine toxic dust is produced in the span of one or two hours during New Year’s Eve fireworks displays, especially in large built-
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Nevertheless, health exp directly inhaling the smo display, with research oft cause respiratory problem Short-term burden
The amount of time particu the air after a fireworks dis factors. Strong wind, for in the pollution rather quickly difference a windy day can between New Year’s celebr Rain can also have an effec
he tiny dust particles d eye, and the UBA has icles are particularly
or its part, continues as bad as it seems. Fritz l consultant with the he Pyrotechnic Industry ollution from the traffic ogether with the pollution
Chemist Klein-Sommer also pointed out that although the concentration of particulate matter on New Year’s Eve is much higher, levels are usually quick to drop back to normal on January 2. “Considering that every German contributes around 25 grams of CO2 through fireworks, but as much as 33,000 grams of CO2 through driving and heating, New Year’s Eve hardly matters,” he said. What about garbage and noise?
The passion for fireworks on New Year’s Eve doesn’t only leave a trace of toxic dust. After the fun is over, matter released component parts and packaging are left behind, example, consists of often scattered on the street, in gardens, in water cles, which have a negative and on roofs. — and human health. Rocket shells and packaging make up around 60 ntrary, particulate to 75 percent of a firework, and usually consist of f salts. That’s something cardboard, wood, clay and plastic. erms of chemistry,” Keller “We really try to take care of the environment,” said Klaus Gotzen, head of the VPI. “But our efforts are k powder burns, potassium often limited by legal requirements.” He points out, asically a white salt. In the for example, that blister packs and rocket lids are a sium carbonate to fertilize must, for safety reasons. “These are guidelines that frost damage. are supposed to prevent the accidental ignition of perts have advised against several items at once,” he said. oke left after a fireworks Gotzen believes the most eco-friendly alternative is ten showing that it can battery fireworks, a set of rockets strung together ms and aggravate asthma. which produces less waste and is safer.
ulate matter remains in splay depends on several nstance, helps disperse y. The UBA highlighted the make in a comparison rations in 2009 and 2013. ct.
“With those, you have all the fireworks in one package,” he said, pointing out that the set only needs to be ignited once to set off a chain reaction that lights the rest. That means less waste — and above all, it’s safer.
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By: Johan Jordaan
Grace
What followed was a period of about eight years of utmost frustration while I tried to get my life in order so that He could use me. My wife and kids suffered Part 35 terribly as I started this frustrating road of religious striving. Eventually I could take it no more. One morning I got out of bed, closed the door to my study and made out with God. I was done. He called me and I hese articles are simply too dedicated my life and family to Him. short to explain the gospel How could He simply disappear from of grace in real depth. the scene and desert us? How many I tried to give as good times have I not prayed for Him to a summary of this vast help me change my ways? But He subject as possible but if you want stayed aloof and I cracked. to know more, then please read the books and download the sermons At that stage I was reading the below. Many of the sermons are free Bible 2-3 times (out of religiosity) and can be downloaded from the from cover to cover every year but internet without any restrictions. profited very little. Others are paid for resources where the preacher depends on the income Then a few weeks later my wife for his livelihood. Remember that Ansie (my angel of a wife) told me Paul advises us to support those who teach us (Gal 6:6) so do not shy that God told her (in a voice nogal!) that God called us to Sierra Leone. I away from downloading paid for teachings. Some are just so good as was really shaken because I thought that our relationship (me and God’s) to be worth it. was over. After all I broke it off. But it seemed like He did not get my This story as you’ve probably letter of resignation. realised is a love story. It started for me when I was in a motorcycle After a few weeks I went back to accident. Shortly after that a Him and very arrogantly (because prophet told me that God allowed this to happen because He had plans I had the high ground now – He was the one who did not produce!) for my life but I was not in a place accepted the assignment but made where He could execute them. He wanted to get my attention. Well He it very clear that I would only do it if He met certain conditions: certainly did! He had to make sure that the
Where can I find out more?
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mission would be a success. He had to look after our kids, parents, finances etc. He apparently accepted and at that point I decided to leave it all to Him; He knew what I required of Him and I could not do it myself anyway as I found out after eight years of frustration. (Yes, I did apologise for my arrogance later.) Not long after that a prophet told me that God was about to teach me stuff that would blow my mind. His last words were: “God is going to teach you about grace.” I did not think much of this because I knew the Bible inside out! What could He teach me that was so profound? Then about three months later I received a CD from someone. I listened to it and immediately it resonated in my spirit like nothing before. I, together with my dear friend Anton van der Merwe visited the website of the preacher (John Sheasby) and started downloading more of his teachings. From that day I learned more about the Bible (without reading it much) than from all the previous effort I put in. We are still in South Africa (2016) as God is still working in the background to prepare us and also the people that we have to touch. The day will come when we will see Jesus working in Sierra Leone and that day we will join Him. In the meantime though, He has much to do in our lives. He decided to teach us about grace as the foundation for what He wants
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to achieve through us. I consider grace as the foundation for any Christian’s life it’s not the goal; it’s the starting point. From this knowledge we can start to pursue a relationship with Him and from there He can accomplish His purposes in and through us – whatever they are.
You cannot build a noteworthy building on a crooked foundation and therefore He started in us with the gospel of grace. I made much of the fact that I do not want to go and waste our time; if w were to go, it had to be a success. That’ why He decided to give us the gospel of grace because without it we are almost guaranteed to fail since we would rely on our own abilities.
In conclusion I include a list of resources that He used to teach us the true gospe There are many more, but these I can recommend: Books:
At Home in the Father’s house – John Sheasby (Available on Kindle). Destined to Reign – Joseph Prince (Available on Kindle). Unmerited Favour – Joseph Prince (Available on Kindle). Grace Walk – Steve McVey (Available on Kindle).
e;
m n
g
God without Religion – Andrew Farley (Available on Kindle). Grace, the forbidden Gospel – Andre van der Merwe. Sanctification by Grace – Ryan Rufus (Available on Kindle). The Grace of God – Andy Stanley (Available on Kindle).
o we On John’s website (www.liberatedliving. ’s com) there are many hours of free f teachings on the subject of grace – from the covenants to sonship; from the Holy Spirit to anointing. Almost everything that I teach is there; and more. I learned much from him and can recommend his s teachings. Joseph Prince’s teachings are el. also excellent and his CDs and DVDs are available at stores like CUM Books. He is more palatable than John who is more hardcore.
n
I downloaded most of the books to my phone from the Kindle store. It’s cheaper, quicker and you always have access to them. I hope that I’ve made the road ahead a little easier and may God bless you on this road.
Remembering...
Nikola Tesla
Tesla was working for the Ce in Budapest when the idea fo field flashed through his mind to turn his idea into a reality b backing for the project in Bud to New York in 1884 and intro Edison through a letter of rec
Edison, the creator of the inc and the world’s first electric l commercial blocks of lower M $14 per week plus a $50,000 b Edison’s electric lighting syst coal-burning electric generat supplying electricity to about time.
July 10, 1856 - January 7, 1943
Nikola Tesla who was a trained electrical and mechanical engineer, was one of the most influential inventors of the 20th century. Eventually holding over 700 patents, Tesla worked in a number of fields, including electricity, robotics, radar, and wireless transmission of energy. Tesla’s discoveries laid the groundwork for many of the 20th century’s technological advances.
Although Tesla and Edison sh one another, at least at first, claim that current could only direct current). Tesla claimed could change direction (AC, a would increase voltage levels than Edison had pioneered.
Since Edison didn’t like Tesla’ current, which would impose own system, Edison refused t Edison said the offer of a bon Tesla didn’t understand Amer insulted, Tesla quit working f
Seeing an opportunity, Georg Nikola Tesla’s life played out like a science fiction movie. American industrialist, invent and a rival of Thomas Edison He often had flashes of light in his mind that revealed the design of innovative machinery, which he committed Tesla’s 40 U.S. patents for the current system of generators to paper, constructed, tested, and perfected. But all was not easy. The race to light up the world was
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a
fraught with rancor and animosity.
In 1882, 24-year-old entral Telephone Exchange or a rotating magnetic d. Tesla was determined but he was unable to find dapest; thus, Tesla moved oduced himself to Thomas commendation.
In 1888, Tesla went to work for Westinghouse in order to develop the alternating current system. At this time, electricity was still new and feared by the public due to fires and electric shocks. Edison fed that fear by using smear tactics against alternating current, even stooping to the electrocution of animals to scare the community into believing that alternating current was much more dangerous than direct current.
In 1893, Westinghouse outbid Edison in lighting up candescent light bulb the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, which allowed lighting system in the Westinghouse and Tesla to show the public the marvels Manhattan, hired Tesla at and advantages of electric light and appliances via bonus if Tesla could improve alternating current. tem. Edison’s system, a This demonstration of alternating current convinced J.P. ting station, was limited to Morgan, an American investor who had originally t a one-mile radius at the financed Edison, to back Westinghouse and Tesla in their design for the first hydroelectric power plant in Niagara hared a mutual respect for Falls. Tesla challenged Edison’s Built in 1895, the new hydroelectric power plant y flow in one direction (DC, d that energy was cyclic and transmitted an amazing twenty miles away. Large AC generating stations (using dams on large rivers and alternating current), which power lines) would eventually link across the nation and s across greater distances become the type of power supplied to homes today.
’s idea of alternating e a radical departure from his to award Tesla the bonus. nus had been a joke and that rican humour. Betrayed and for Thomas Edison.
On January 7, 1943, Tesla died at the age of 86 of coronary thrombosis in his bed at the Hotel New Yorker where he resided. Tesla, who had never married, had spent his life creating, inventing, and discovering.
Upon his death, he held over 700 patents, which included the modern electric motor, remote control, wireless transmission of energy, basic laser and radar ge Westinghouse (an tor, corporate entrepreneur, technology, the first neon and fluorescent illumination, the first X-ray photographs, the wireless vacuum tube, in his own right) bought the air-friction speedometer for automobiles, and the e polyphase alternating s, motors, and transformers. Tesla coil (widely used in radio, television sets, and other electronic equipment).
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By Chanel Serfontein
Exercise during pregnancy
F
alling pregnant is one of the biggest changes that can happen in a woman’s life. Suddenly, you go from having just yourself to worry about, to having a little human growing in you. With this realization comes the natural nervousness about doing anything to harm your unborn child. For many years women were told not
to exercise during pregnancy, not to let their heart rate get above 140 beats per minute, and a myriad of other things that have since been proven not only safe during pregnancy, but actually beneficial. As long as you follow your doctor’s advice, listen to your body, and follow the revised guidelines, exercising whilst pregnant holds many benefits for both you and your baby. It has been shown to reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, swelling, weight gain, risk of
gestational diabetes, nausea, and prenatal depression. You’ll likely also sleep better, have better self-esteem, experience easier labour and delivery, have more energy, improve your chances of having a natural birth, be able to recover faster after delivery, feel more in control of your body, and keep your immune system strong. As a personal trainer, I have trained many clients through their pregnancies. All have delivered happy, healthy babies; and they’ve all said that they are eternally grateful that they maintained their active lives throughout. That being said, there are some guidelines to follow, which I have outlined below:
heart rate during pregnancy. • Hydrate! Drink tons of water and make sure you’re eating properly. • Listen to your body. If something feels painful or wrong, stop. Now is not the time to turn yourself into Wonder Woman. Your body is incredibly intuitive, listen to it. Exercise during the first trimester: During this period you will not yet be noticing massive physical changes. The most common complaint in the first 3 months of pregnancy is decreased energy. Ensure that you are eating and sleeping properly, and do only what your body is capable of.
General rules to follow when exercising Even if you are in the early stages of pregnancy, please inform your trainer! pregnant: We need to know what is happening to • First and foremost, follow your your body in order to take care of it. doctor’s advice. There are some You should develop the habit of conditions that may restrict or avoiding exercises that twist your even contra-indicate exercise entirely. Always be sure to go for torso, require inversion (yogis, we’re looking at you), exercise that could regular check-ups. dehydrate you (long hikes in the sun • As a general rule, if you have or hot yoga) and backbends. It is also been exercising for an extended advisable to avoid exercises which period of time before your pose the risk of hard falls or injury. pregnancy, you should be fine Exercise during the second trimester: to carry on as you were. Don’t suddenly up your intensity Good news! After the decreased drastically. energy most women feel in the first • A common myth is that it’s dangerous to get your heart rate above 140 beats per minute during pregnancy. This is not based on any solid fact. Use your rate of perceived exertion (how tired you are) and your doctor’s advice to determine your ideal
trimester, the second trimester usually brings a surge of energy. This obviously makes working out easier and more enjoyable! During your pregnancy, your body will release an increased amount of relaxin (the hormone responsible for loosening and softening ligaments).
This means that you need to be a little more careful of injury, as joints that are too lax and flexible may get injured more easily. Depending on your body, you may start to seriously show around this time. This increase in your bump size leads to a change in your centre of gravity, which may make you more prone to falls. Avoid any exercise that poses a risk of falling or that makes you feel unsafe/ unstable. At this point, it is advisable to avoid exercises which require you to lie on your back. Lastly, avoid exercises that are very strenuous on your abdominal muscles, as the risk of diastasis recti (when your abdominal muscles separate due to the pressure of your growing uterus) increases when performing them. Exercise during the third trimester: This is where it really comes down to listening to your body. This stage of pregnancy is defined by constant changes. If you are feeling tired on a day, take it easy. If you have a sudden surge of energy, use it. Do what is comfortable and enjoyable for you. What should I look out for? If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop exercising immediately and consult your doctor. (Note: experiencing any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean anything is wrong or you will not be able to exercise for the rest of your pregnancy.) • Decreased foetal movement
• Dizziness or a feeling of faintness • Headache • Heart palpitations • Calf pain or swelling (which could indicate a blood clot) • Vaginal bleeding • Chest pain • Recurring abdominal pain or contractions • Fluid leaking (or gushing) from your vagina • Shortness of breath (This is common during pregnancy but can sometimes signal a problem such as asthma or fluid in the lungs.) Exercise during pregnancy is not only safe; it’s extremely beneficial to both you and your baby (and anyone at the mercy of your raging hormones). Find something you enjoy doing, look after yourself, and you should have an amazing, exciting and healthy pregnancy!
Life is a Garden
January 2019 in your gard Another new year, and there are 365 gardening days ahead so let’s get to it, and get up and garden! Smart planting GCA nurseries all over the country recommend the following allrounders as their best sellers for smart planting in January: ‘Kaleidoscope’ is a dwarf Abelia grandiflora hybrid (70 x 90cm) with ever-changing foliage. The new growth in spring is bright yellow around the edges with light green in the centre of the leaves. In summer, the bright yellow changes to golden yellow, and the centre of the leaf turns deep green. In autumn, the yellow turns bright orange, and by winter it burns a fiery red. With its compact growth, ‘Kaleidoscope’ is the perfect feature plant for small gardens and is guaranteed to give you years of joy. Abelias are frost and cold hardy, fairly wind resistant, and they grow well in coastal gardens. Little leaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla ‘Faulkner’) is a tough, evergreen shrub. This compact, upright growing plant with its dense coat of oval-shaped, bright
green leaves (which sometimes have a sheen) is a much-loved container, hed topiary plant. It likes full sun to light sh regular water and will flourish in cold, gardens, as well as the hottest and wi gardens at the coast.
‘Little Ruby’ (Alternanthera dentata LR is a perfect, mounding ground cover w compact habit and trendy deep burgu foliage with ruby red reverse. This plan humidity, but can also tolerate frost b than other Alternantheras. Plant it in s areas if there is a danger. Good for ful light shade. Mature plant size ± 35 x 6 Along cool waters…
As January is a hot month, we keep clo our cooling ponds and water features water element is a bit sparse on the ve side, consider the following plants to a pizzazz:
Paper Reed ‘Little Giant’ is a new and form of Egyptian papyrus with sturdy stems that are topped with large tufte heads” making it ideally suited to sma gardens. It is more shade tolerant tha Cyperus papyrus. Plant it next to, or in water feature.
‘Tea Cups’ (Colocasia esculenta) is a magnificent elephant ear with dark gr upturned leaves which form a cup. Th petioles are dark, purplish-black which a striking contrast in the pond or gard in part shade to full sun in moist soil, o water about 15cm deep.
Common rush (Juncus effusus) is a ree which produces multiple culms arrang dense tufts which grow about 1 metre The narrow, smooth stems are rounde
den
pointed tips and no obvious leaves. a coppery These lustrous green culms are strong but flexible. dge or hade, In the summertime, unobtrusive , frosty coppery inflorescences appear indiest along the side of the culms. This
RU30) with a undy nt loves better sheltered ll sun and 60cm.
ornamental rush adapts to a wide variety of growing conditions but is found most often in sunny wetlands or water gardens. It performs well in full sun to part shade, planted in standing water to 15cm deep or moist soil. The common rush provides cover and nesting sites for wetland birds and other wildlife, so definitely a must-have in your garden.
ose to s. If your egetative Ravishing rose: This month, try Rosa add some x Clocolan KORcloco(N). This is fastgrowing rose, which will form a neat compact shrub, reaching about hip height. green It’s clothed with glossy, green leaves ed “mop that are impervious to diseases and aller it keeps on producing large apricot an regular blooms deep into winter. Apart nto, the from watering, fertilising and winter pruning, it is maintenance free. A winner on all accounts. reen he leafMost unwelcome…Flies! h creates den. Grow One of summer’s least or in welcome critters is flies which can spread dreadful diseases far and wide. ed Consider the following ideas ged in to curb the problem: e tall. Home hygiene – the rotting ed with
fruit bowl, uncovered cooked food and dirty dishes in the kitchen will attract them. So will overflowing garbage bins with lids which do not close tightly. Keep a neat kitchen and wash all fresh produce properly before eating. Empty garbage bins regularly, and wash them every time with a strong disinfectant to kill off lurking fly maggots.
Other plants which are perfe quite willing to grow indoors which are grown for their loo
herbs like rosemary, lavender, mint, lemongrass and basil. Flies do not like them. You can also buy essential oils extracted from these herbs. Mix with a little water in a spray bottle and spritz your rooms frequently.
Some quick water-saving tips
Bedding bestie
The Vinca ‘Pacifica’ series is a uniformly growing range of a foliage. It has bright flowers Garden hygiene – regularly remove rotting fruit and varieties, and can be found in vegetables lying on the ground and pick up dog poop on apricot, blush, cherry, orange the lawn every day. Consider a commercial composter white, white with a red eye a to turn garden waste into compost, a worm farm to grows up to 20-35cm high an recycle things like vegetable peels into worm tea, and Easy to grow and an excellen a tight-sealing bokashi bin to ferment all material like choice. cooked food, safely and without emanating odours. Clear out anything that can hold standing water like the New Year resolutions to kee wheelbarrow. Leaving standing water around can also Harvest and recycle every dr invite mosquitoes to breed. rainwater harvesting tanks, t water and even garden pond Use repellent herbs – fill up pots on your patio, at the backdoor, and even on a sunny kitchen windowsill with water source.
Use pyrethrin based insecticides as fly repellents. Pyrethrin originates from chrysanthemum flowers and is biodegradable - it breaks down on exposure to light or oxygen. Trending: From table to garden If you are planning to hold a summer fiesta and need something bright to decorate your table, pick up some floriferous specimens out of the bright ‘Conga’ range of mini petunias (Calibrachoa), with a naturally compact habit which is perfect for pots. Visit your local GCA Garden Centre for top quality seedlings. The flowers surround the plants to such an extent that one can hardly see the foliage. Keep them in bright light and when the festivities are over, pop them in a hanging basket or another container, for a long-lasting and rewarding display.
● Repair leaking taps a
● Fix your borehole an irrigation system
● Replace damaged ho don’t cost much!)
● Water deeply and le
● Schedule watering t morning or in the ev
● Override computeris and during rains
● For specific areas pla shrubs and roses, us a sprinkler. Less wat water is concentrate roots and there is le
ect for festive occasions and s, are ornamental chillies oks rather than their flavour.
a mounded but compact and annuals with shiny, green which are larger than other n a wide array of colours: e, deep orchid, pink, red, and mixed colours. The plant nd spreads to 15-20cm wide. nt, low water, heat tolerant
Rose care for January
ep
Keep them foliated as densely as you can, to keep the inside of the plants shaded. Do this by spraying regularly rop of water. This means and preventatively against black spot, rust, mildew and the use of bath and washing red spider mites. ds, to use as an auxiliary If your roses have become oversized - too tall and wide attend to a summer pruning or grooming. s include: Study your roses. If the leaves are a bleak light green and hose-pipes colour, they need rose fertiliser. Bad performance can mean that the roots are too dry, or robbed of food and nd install a water wise water by other plants’ roots.
ose fittings (they really
ess frequently
to take place in the early vening
sed sprinkler systems after
anted up with perennials, se a soaker hose rather than ter is required because the ed on the soil nearer the ess evaporation.
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.
5 New Year’s Resolutions Cats Will Absolutely Break The New Year is here, which traditionally means we all come up with a list of virtuous and wholesome resolutions to keep throughout the year in a bid to better ourselves. Well, that’s the idea. Usually, we keep to the resolutions for a few weeks before we discover that our old habits were, admittedly, far more fun. As you’d imagine, this idea of skipping out on resolutions is something that cats are all about, too. Here are five new year’s resolutions that cats are guaranteed to break within minutes.
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1
Snack Responsibly. We all know that it can be hard to keep our cat’s weight in check and at a healthy level, especially when we’re talking about indoor cats. So an obvious new year’s resolution would be to cut down on all those tasty treat times. Yeah, right. At the first sound of the treat bag being shaken, your feline will awaken from their nap and dart straight to the source to snack with gusto.
2
Nap Less, Exercise More. Most of us humans will be vowing to stick to some form of a resolution that involves getting up off the couch,
delaying the latest must watch binge show, and exercising more, whether it’s taking up a new class or upping our daily steps. This is not a line of thinking that your cat will be getting on board with, as the expression on your feline’s face will tell you if you dare waking them up from a nap.
3
Let Your Human Sleep More. Conversely, while cats are determined to sleep just as much as ever during 2019, they’re also apparently just as determined to keep on waking their humans up as frequently as possible, whether it’s for 3am play sessions or 5am demands to be fed.
4
prominently stuck all over your clothing. Naturally, cats are determined to do absolutely nothing about this in 2019. They will continue to shed all over your clothes and furniture in the most conspicuous way possible.
5
Respect Your Human’s Property. Whether furniture or consumer electronics, there’s a 99 percent chance that when you bring something new into your home, your cat is going to automatically assume that it is theirs. Usually, claiming this new property involves napping on it. This will definitely not be changing in 2019. Do you have any new year’s resolutions in mind for your own cat? Share them in the comments below!
Shed Less. There’s nothing like leaving your home for an important work meeting or social soiree, then realizing that you have cat hair
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5 Exotic Facts About Havana Brown Cats
T
he Havana Brown is one of several ancient cat breeds, including the Siamese and the Burmese, that’s said to have ties to Siam (today known as Thailand). Get to know the glossy, brown kitty with the sleek body and big green eyes.
1. THE BREED IS A 20TH CENTURY RECREATION. Nobody quite knows when cats resembling today’s Havana Brown first developed, but historic records indicate that it was likely centuries ago. Produced sometime between the 14th and 18th centuries, a Thai manuscript called the Tamra Maew, or “The Cat Book Poems,” provides an early depiction of the country’s cats—including a feline that’s said to resemble today’s Havana Brown.
popularity peaked, enthusiasm for its brown cousin waned. Thanks in part to new standards imposed by the Siamese Cat Club of Britain— who preferred cats with pointed coats and blue eyes—breeders stopped trying to continue the brown cat’s bloodline. By the end of World War II, very few, if any, of these brown cats still existed in Europe.
In the early 1950s, English breeders became interested in recreating the long-lost brown cat. They joined The cat first left its native shores forces to develop a feline with a when it was shipped to Britain solid-coloured body that matched in the late 19th century. Records the shade of a Siamese kitty’s describing the kitty’s appearance chocolate brown points. By crossing reportedly referred to it as a seal point Siamese cats, chocolate “Siamese, with coats of burnished point Siamese, domestic black chestnut and greeny-blue eyes,” and shorthairs, and a little Russian Blue, cat fanciers reportedly nicknamed the breeders eventually achieved the brown kitty the “Swiss Mountain their goal of producing a darkCat.” (It’s unclear whether they coloured feline that resembled its thought it actually hailed from ancient ancestors. Switzerland or not.) By the 1950s, the British Governing The “Swiss Mountain cats” were Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) exhibited in early cat shows across had accepted the glossy, dark cat Europe, but as the Siamese cat’s for championship status. Around
the same time, the first Havana Brown—a female cat named Roofspringer Mahogany Quinn— arrived in the United States. Today, most Havana Brown owners in the U.S. can trace their cat’s lineage back to her. In 1964, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) officially recognized the Havana Brown for championship status.
2. IT’S UNCLEAR WHERE THE HAVANA BROWN GETS ITS NAME. “Havana Brown” sounds less like a cat breed name and more like a trendy Pantone colour. No one actually knows where the sleek kitty got this unusual moniker— and in fact, it was originally called the Chestnut Foreign Shorthair before its name was changed to the Havana Brown in 1970. (According to some sources, the cat was also called the Chestnut Brown, or the Chestnut Brown Oriental.) Cat aficionados typically explain its origin with two stories: Some people say the feline was named after the Havana rabbit, a bunny that first appeared in the Netherlands in the late 19th century. It comes in several different shades, including a rich brown that some people say is similar to the Havana Brown cat’s colouring. Meanwhile, others say the Havana Brown was named after the rich, lustrous colour of fine Cuban cigars. Both stories might be fictional—but they’re certainly fun to recount to other cat lovers.
3. THE HAVANA BROWN IS SUBTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE SIAMESE. Early breeders used Siamese cats to create today’s Havana Brown, so the kitty is naturally compared to its sleek, pale relatives. The two have plenty in common: They’re both slender, medium-sized cats with short fur that have heads longer than they are wide. But if you look closely, you’ll see there are differences between the two felines. Aside from its darker fur and brilliant green eyes (the Siamese typically has pure blue eyes), the Havana Brown is a tad stockier than its lithe cousin, and its ears—which are large, round-tipped, and forward slanting—are subtly distinct from the Siamese cat’s “bat-like” flared ears. Its muzzle is rounder than the Siamese’s triangular one, and the Havana Brown is required to have brown whiskers.
4. THE HAVANA BROWN IS A RARE BREED. Even though the Havana Brown came to the U.S. in the late 1950s, it’s still very rare in the U.S. According to the CFA’s 2014 registration statistics, the kitty was only the 36th most popular cat out of the organization’s 43 listed types. One article estimates that fewer than 1000 Havana Browns exist in the world—and while we don’t have any data to support this claim, Nancy Robbins’s book Domestic Cats: Their History, Breeds and Other Facts (2012)
says that by the late 1990s, there were only 12 CFA-registered Havana Brown catteries, and only 130 unaltered pedigreed cats, left in the U.S.
5. THE HAVANA BROWN IS SIMPLY CALLED THE HAVANA (OR THE ORIENTAL) IN EUROPE. The Havana Brown breed changed dramatically when it left England and came to America during the 1950s. UK breeders continued to further the Havana Brown bloodline by mating the kitty with Siamese cats, but in North America breeders did not use the Siamese. Today, there are two different-looking versions of the cat—one that’s European, and another that’s allAmerican. The European cat is more angular, like the Siamese, and has a wedgeshaped head, straight profile, large ears, and an elongated body. From there on, things get a bit confusing: The International Cat Association (TICA) calls the cat the Havana, and accepts a version of the cat in lilac, or pinkish-grey. Meanwhile, other cat registries refer to this type of feline as a variant of another breed, the Oriental Shorthair.
This Month in Music History January 3
1945: Steven Stills of Crosby, Stills and Nash is born
1946: John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin is born 1953: Hank Williams dies at 29 years’ old
January 2
January 6
1975: The Allman Brothers Band are named “Outstanding Community Organization” by the Georgia Department of Corrections
January 3
1957: Elvis Presley makes his third and final appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” but is only shown from the waist up 1958: Gibson patents the Flying V guitar
January 8
1925: Russian composer Igor Stravinsky appears in his first American concert 1935: Elvis Presley is born
January 9
1944: Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin is born
1964: The Beatles make their first appearance on U.S. January 11 television in a clip shown on the “Jack Paar Show” 1964: Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire becomes the first country January 4 album to top the U.S. pop 1950: RCA Victor announces album chart that it will begin manufacturing 1967: Jimi Hendrix records long-playing (LP) records “Purple Haze” 1964: Leo Fender sells the 1992: Paul Simon begins a Fender Guitar Company to CBS concert tour of South for $13 million
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Africa. Simon is the first death of vinyl international performer to play 1943: Janis Lynn Joplin is born in the country following the end of the U.N. Cultural boycott January 20 January 12
1969: Led Zeppelin’s debut album is released in the U.S.
January 15
1967: The Rolling Stones appear on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and, at Sullivan’s request, change the lyrics from “Let’s spend the night together” to “Let’s spend some time together”
1973: Pink Floyd begins recording Dark Side of the Moon 1991: Three people are killed at a Salt Lake City AC/DC concert when the audience rushes the stage
January 19
1984: Michael Jackson suffers second and third degree burns to his head and neck after his hair catches fire from sparks from pyrotechnic effects during the filming of a Pepsi commercial
1996: Jamaican authorities 1968: Six weeks after his death open fire on a seaplane carrying in a plane crash, Otis Redding’s Jimmy Buffet and Bono, after “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the mistaking the aircraft for a drug Bay” is released trafficker’s plane. No injuries are reported January 28
January 18
1982: Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off of a live bat
January 27
January 16
1964: Meet The Beatles, the group’s U.S. debut, is released
1981: Chris Wright, the chairman of the British Phonograph Industry, predicts the new cassette format will cause the
1985: “We Are The World” is recorded
January 30
1969: The Beatles perform together for the last time atop the roof of Apple Records’ headquarters in London
January 31
1979: The Clash begin their first U.S. Tour with Bo Diddley as their opening act
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Book Reviews
The House Next Door
My Name is Anna
James Patterson
Lizzy Barber
From the world’s bestselling thriller writer – three chilling stories in print for the first time! The House Next Door (with Susan DiLallo): Married mother of four Laura Sherman was thrilled when her new neighbour invited her on some errands. But a few quick tasks became a long lunch – and now things could go too far with a man who isn’t what he seems... The Killer’s Wife (with Max DiLallo): Six girls have gone missing. Detective McGrath knows the only way to find them is to get close to the suspect’s wife... maybe too close. The Witnesses (with Brendan DuBois): The Sanderson family has been forced into hiding after one of them stumbled upon a criminal plot. Or so they think. No one will answer their questions. And the terrifying truth may come too late...
Two women –desperate to unlock truth. How far will they go to lay t past to rest?
ANNA has been taught that virtu is the path to God. But on her eighteenth birthday she defies he Mamma’s rules and visits Florida biggest theme park. She has neve been allowed to go –so why, whe she arrives, does everything seem familiar? And is there a connectio to the mysterious letter she receiv on the same day? ROSIE has grow up in the shadow of the missing sister she barely remembers, he family fractured by years of search without leads. Now, on the fifteen anniversary of her sister’s
disappearance, the media circus resumes in full flow, and Rosie vow to uncover the truth. But will she fi the answer before it tears her fam apart?
ue
er a’s er en m so on ves wn g er hing nth
s ws find mily
The Winters
Jessica Barry
Lisa Gabriele
Surviving the plane crash is only the beginning for Allison. The life that she’s built for herself –her perfect fiancé, their world of luxury –has disappeared in the blink of an eye. Now she must run, not only to escape the dark secrets in her past, but to outwit the man who is stalking her every move. On the other side of the country, Allison’s mother is desperate for news of her daughter, who is missing, presumed dead. Maggie refuses to accept that she could have lost her only child and sets out to discover the truth.
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded mansion of
Mother and daughter must fight –for survival and to find their way through a dark web of lies and back to one another, before it’s too late…
her new fiancé Max Winter -a wealthy senator and recent widower -and a life of luxury she’s never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max’s beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman’s imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family’s dark secrets -the kind of secrets that could kill her, too.
Publisher: Penguin Random House
the the
Freefall
Book Reviews
Mary Poppins Returns Disney An early reader retelling of the Walt Disney Studios film, “Mary Poppins Returns,” illustrated with film stills. In this all new sequel with a fresh sensibility that celebrates the spirit of the original, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives
The Fork, the
Christ
It’s been a year Alagaësia in searc train a new generat he is struggling wit constructing a vast d suppliers, guarding with belligerent Urga vision from the Eldun an exciting Urgal le distraction and a ne features three origi interspersed with s unfolding adventu from the memoir of t fortune-teller Ange Angela Paolini, the in herself! Relish the in Christopher Paolini in of stories based in th
topher Paolini
since Eragon departed ch of the perfect home to tion of Dragon Riders. Now th an endless sea of tasks: dragonhold, wrangling with g dragon eggs and dealing alsand haughty elves. Then a narí, unexpected visitors and egend offer a much-needed ew perspective. This volume inal stories set in Alagaësia, scenes from Eragon’s own ure. Included is an excerpt the unforgettable witch and ela the herbalist, penned by nspiration for the character, ncomparable imagination of n this thrilling new collection he world of the Inheritance Cycle.
Seafire Natalie C. Parker After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric and his men. The crew has one mission: stay alive, and take down Aric’s armed and armored fleet. But when Caledonia’s best friend and second-in-command barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric Athair once and for all… or will he threaten everything the women of the Mors Navis have worked for? The first in a heart-stopping trilogy that recalls the undeniable feminine power of Wonder Woman and the powder-keg action of Mad Max: Fury Road, Seafire reminds us of the importance of sisterhood and unity in the face of oppression and tyranny.
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Witch, and the Worm
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