JANUARY IN THE GARDEN



Temperatures have definitely increased - Summer is here! This is great for growing food. Make sure your beds are mulched, so that precious water doesn't evaporate and can still nourish the plants.

The plant list for January is:

Amaranth, Climbing beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Butternut, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard/Spinach, Chinese cabbage, Chives, Chilli pepper, Cucumber, Kale, Kholrabi, Ginger, Globe artichoke, Leek, Lettuce, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Rhubarb, Tomato, Watercress, Zucchini

Wishing you a safe, merry festive season to those who celebrate and a happy new year to all!

Patchwork Group
Gabriella Garnett
076 2199 849 | gabriella.garnett@gmail.com

HOW THE BRAIN BELIEVES IN THINGS THAT CAN'T BE SEEN

The festive season is upon us again, where people demonstrate their faith.  But what can neuroscience tell us about how the brain believes in things that cannot be seen?

By Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.

Christmas is a time for faith in hope and love among family and friends. We adorn our houses with beautiful lights and decorations at this time of year to remind us that life is a celebration and not all darkness and gloom! Christmastime in the Southern Hemisphere is significantly milder, warmer and lighter than in the North, but there is still darkness to be aware of, in the form of mass inequality, crime and hardship. However, during a Capetonian Christmastime, we witness many people’s faith in what can be achieved to make others’ lives better, for example with food and clothing banks in supermarkets and people making friends with strangers. And while auld acquaintaince may be forgot and never brought to mind,  we need not forget that it pays to have faith in people doing good things for others. Yet, having faith in the intrinsic goodness of human nature is not so easy to do, because it cannot be seen or proven, and belief in the goodness of humans is in contrast to the many stories of tragedy and corruption that bombard us in mass media. So, with all these things considered, how do our brains allow faith in being good and doing good for others, and faith in other intangible things at Christmastime?



Thankfully, the brain functions as a Bayesian probability-testing machine – according to neuroscientists - which means that it uses memory, the brain’s hardware, to collect information about events in one’s life over time. By collecting such information from the past we can build a picture – or make a prediction - of what will probably happen in the future.  And as our brains collect more detailed information, we form a picture in our mind, which allows us to make decisions for our life and the future that has not yet happened.   In other words, having faith in things we cannot perceive, like the future, or things that don’t seem to physically exist, is built on the fact that our brains create stories from common human events that guide our present actions. This could be why faith in deities, such as those described in Islam, Judaism and Christianity, have stood the test of testing times over the centuries.  This faith is built on a common story collected from many past generations – that are stored in our memories and celebrated traditionally in a similar way year on year.

According to Steven Johnson, in a highly recommended New York Times article about Artificial Intelligence entitled ‘The Human Brain is a Time Traveler’, the brain “left to its own devices … resorts to one of its most emblematic tricks, maybe one that helped make us human in the first place. It time travels.” By this, Johnson means that we often alternate between thinking about our past and what we would like to happen in the future - during resting state periods in our brain’s functioning.  These resting state periods are driven by past, common events, and allow our brain to conceptualise future plans that effectively strengthen our faith in things that we cannot perceive. Resting state networks include the default mode (‘day-dreaming’) and the executive control network (‘goal-setting/planning ahead’). Interestingly, most of our brain function is engaged in factors that we cannot consciously perceive – for example, regulating our internal bodily systems that keep us biologically balanced, or being able to imagine things that don’t exist physically – like Father Christmas’s resting state (does he ever rest?!)!

So it’s not actually surprising that we are able to have faith in the supernatural and things that we can’t easily see at Christmastime, given the way our brain functions at rest.  And neurotheology (first coined by Aldous Huxley in his novel the Island) is a branch of neuroscience that aims to examine the neural processes of those who have relgious experiences.  For example, religious or spiritual people who have faith in the consciously unperceivable sometimes experience a dissolution of time, spiritual awe, oneness with the universe, ecstatic trance, enlightenment and altered states of consciousness – all factors that can be related to differences in brain function. It is unlikely that one particular brain region is the God Spot, but it is rather more likely that with enough previous exposure to stories from various religious texts, or other festive stories, our brain function is better able to imagine such religious factors that we cannot physically see. Many of us were taught about the stories of Christmas at school and so our brains can easily predict what is going to happen at this time of the year. And for people who have faith in God at Christmastime, the brain is re-telling a story about the predicted goodness of the human spirit. So with all this in mind, while we are resting this Christmas, let’s all have faith in making the state of the Nation a little more merry and bright!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Harfielders!

Dr Samantha Brooks is a UK neuroscientist in Harfield Village, specialising in the neural correlates of impulse control from eating disorders to addiction.  For more information you can contact Samantha at: www.drsamanthabrooks.com.

Click to read all previous articles by Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.






CHILDREN SAFETY DURING THE HOLIDAY


What should parents do if they aren’t able to get time off work, and their children are potentially alone at home during the holidays?

Many parents work through the school holidays so kids are looked after by a family member or domestic worker or simply stay at home by themselves. Whatever your situation is, kids can have a great holiday while staying safe by following simple advice.

Here are some pointers:

  • Keep doors locked and don’t let anybody in through the gate without checking with their parents.
  • If there is an alarm system, teach them how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use panic buttons.
  • Show them where the list of emergency contacts is – including the 10111 SAPS number as well as a nearby neighbour and any community safety organizations or neighbourhood watch organizations  – and explain when and how to use it.
  • If your children have access to the internet and social media while alone at home, make sure that they keep privacy settings as high as possible.
  • Don’t befriend people you don’t know. Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Your child should always tell you if an online contact they have never met suggests they meet up. Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
  • If a child sees something online that makes them feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: they should leave the website, turn off their computer and tell someone immediately.

If you’ve arranged an outing for your kids, make sure that they are prepared and understand what they are and aren’t allowed to do.

  • If they are heading to malls or restaurants, they need to look after their belongings and to look out for each other.
  • They also need to be clear on the transport arrangements and never go anywhere with a stranger. Tell them to find a security guard in the mall if they are scared or unsure of what to do.
  • If you get separated from your parents or guardians in the shops or mall, go to the nearest sales person or uniformed security officer and ask for help.
  • Always walk or play with at least one other person.
  • Always walk along streets you know.
  • Never take shortcuts through bushes or empty areas.

In conclusion, the key thing to remember is to make sure everyone is prepared and that they know exactly what to do in a case of an emergency.

It doesn’t matter if you are relaxing at home or next to the ocean these holidays. If something were to happen to you or a loved one, do you know who to contact for emergency assistance? If your children are unattended, do they know how to look out for themselves? And, is your home security system working properly?

If you are able to answer these questions, you will be well on your way towards enjoying a safe and relaxing festive season holiday.


THINKING ABOUT A HOLIDAY HOME?


Thinking about a holiday home? Here’s what you need to know.

If you’re going away at the end of the year, chances are that you will dream about what it would be like to live in your favourite holiday town full-time – or at least think about the possibility of buying a property there that you could let out most of the time and also use as your vacation home.

“People who are enjoying a perfect getaway often start to think like this,” says Carl Coetzee, CEO of SA’s foremost home loan originator BetterBond, “which is why the  July and December holiday seasons in South Africa's coastal and country resort areas are generally boom times for local estate agents.

“And buy-to-let investments in holiday homes can indeed be very rewarding. But as with any other property, buyers should avoid making decisions in haste and do some proper research before they commit to relocation or the purchase of a second home.”

For example, he says, holidaymakers keen to relocate should bear in mind that they probably always see their favourite area at its best - when it is full of other happy visitors and when the best weather can be expected.

“Out of season, the area could be wet and windy, for example, or too hot for comfort. It will most likely also offer fewer employment opportunities and much lower prospects of establishing and sustaining a new business. It thus makes sense to delay your decision until you are back in ‘work mode’ - and until you have visited the area at different times of the year to ensure that it really offers the lifestyle you envisage. Prices are also likely to be more negotiable if you buy in the off-season.”

Coetzee says that if your plan is to buy a second home that you can use for your own holidays and let out on a short-term basis for the rest of the year, you will also need to check the demand for holiday accommodation outside of peak periods – and be prepared to take your own holidays in off-peak times to ensure the best return on your investment.

“In addition, you should be prepared for the fact that it is usually tougher to obtain a bond for a second home than your primary residence, even if it will be bringing in rental income. Most lenders will be looking for you to pay a sizeable deposit on any buy-to-let property and will still probably only offer you a home loan at a higher rate of interest than on your primary property.

“However, you can ensure that you get the best possible financing deal by applying through a reputable originator like BetterBond. Our multi-lender application process ensures that the banks know they are competing for your home loan business. This not only speeds up the response time, but also ensures that lenders immediately make their ‘best offers’ applicable to your financial circumstances.

“You get to choose the best terms and interest rate available, and this can make a significant difference to the affordability and long-term cost of your property – and thus the profitability of your investment. On a R1m home loan taken over 20 years, for example, a 0,5% lower interest rate translates into savings of around R4000 a year and almost R80 000 on the cumulative cost of the property.” Click here to check how much you could save by getting a better interest rate through BetterBond.

When it comes to finances, he says, prospective buyers of second homes or holiday properties also need to consider transfer costs, ongoing municipal rates and levies and any Capital Gains Tax implications should they later decide to sell.

“If your favourite holiday haunt is at the coast, you will also need to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of buying a property close to the beach. Beachfront properties will be the most sought-after by other holidaymakers and command the highest rentals, but they also cost more to own.

“The municipal rates on these properties are usually higher and they are also more subject to weathering that can mean much higher maintenance costs than anyone used to living inland might expect.”

If you are planning to buy a holiday home that is exclusively for your own use, you may well be attracted to one of the many security developments that have sprung up around coastal towns and villages to meet the rising demand for lock-up-and-leave ‘weekend’ homes, Coetzee says.

“But here, too, you need to keep a cool head. Buying anything off-plan calls for special efforts to ensure that the completed development will meet your expectations, while even if you are buying a completed home it is important to ensure that it is close to the amenities or activities you want to enjoy in your leisure time – whether that is shopping, night life, or recreational and sporting facilities. You don’t want to spend your holiday commuting.”


Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.

Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.
Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za

HOME SECURITY TIPS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON


The South African Police Service and Business Against Crime offer some tips on how to keep your home safe while you are away on holiday this festive season:

  • Check that your alarm system is working properly before you go on holiday.
  • Close and lock all windows and doors and ensure all windows have burglar guards.
  • Fit suitable locks and bolts to all sliding doors as a means to prevent burglars from lifting the glass off its tracks - the most common method for break-ins.
  • Do not leave an out-of-town message on your answering machine..
  • Ask someone to clear your post box every few days while you are away or alternatively get a house sitter.
  • Cancel newspaper deliveries for the period you are away.
  • Do not leave keys on the inside of doors or hidden under doormats, in flower pots, etc.
  • Never leave tools in your garden or an unlocked garden shed that would help intruders break into your home. 

If you are staying home this festive season:

  • Make provision for good outside lighting, but switch the lights off during the day. Outside lights that are on during the day are signs that no one is home.
  • Never open the door automatically when the bell rings or if someone knocks. Make completely sure the person wanting to enter is expected. 
  • At night, if your house alarm goes off, you hear strange noises, or the dogs bark - switch on the outside lights.
  • When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.
  • If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags - a branded box is a telltale sign of what thieves could find in your house. 

The police have also urged holidaymakers not to drink and drive and adhere to the rules of the road.

JENNI COLEMAN
Manager - Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID)
Cel: 081 412 6109   E-mail: admin@hvcid.co.za

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

As another year draws to a close we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued support.

2019 has been a difficult year for many as we continue to feel the impact of the country’s economic difficulties. Despite this, we continually strive to bring you not only the best veterinary services possible but with the integrity, empathy and understanding that you have come to expect from us over the last thirty three years.

We have sadly had to say goodbye to some dear old patients, whose lives we have followed from beginning to end but we have also welcomed many new babies into the Kenilworth Vet family (Including Dr Pickard’s new son!)




We hope that you have a wonderful, peaceful time over the festive season!

                And look forward to seeing you all again in 2020!