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

www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

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.

Fidelity-ADT


www.harfield-village.co.za

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

www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

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


www.harfield-village.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! 


Kenilworth Veterinary Clinic
www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

DECEMBER IN THE GARDEN

It's already December - how did that happen!? Even though Spring has been hot-and-cold with us, temperatures are overall climbing, but it's not nearly as hot yet as it's been in previous years. It's a good time to plant, and the plant list is a long one this month.

December's plant list: 

Amaranth, Basil, Bush and Climbing beans, Beetroot, Butternut, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Chard, Cape Gooseberry, Celery, Chives, Chilli, Cucumber, Eggplant, Kale, Kohlrabi, Ginger, Globe Artichoke, Leek, Leaf Mustard, Lettuce, Jerusalem artichokes, Onion, Parsnip, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Rhubarb, Sweetcorn, Sweet pepper, Sweet potato, Turnip, Tomato, Watercress, Watermelon, Zucchini. Don't forget all the herbs, perfect for those Summer salads and Christmas meals!

Happy water saving, and happy planting – the two are not mutually exclusive, so it's about finding smart, fun, wise ways to do both sustainably.

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

www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

FESTIVE SEASON SAFETY ADVICE

The festive season has arrived, crime has shown various trends over the year, but the festive season almost always bring with it a rise in certain crimes. It is the time when the criminals want to do a little “Christmas Shopping” for themselves.               
                               
Consider the following safety tips over the festive season:

1.  Get to know all the neighbours around you: It is important to know when people are coming or going and if they are perhaps going on holiday. This will make it a lot easier to spot suspicious people and/or movement in your neighbourhood.

2.  Don’t advertise what you got for Christmas: There will be gift giving, which inevitably leads to packaging that ends up in the bins. These boxes give an indication to the criminal element out there of what is inside your house. Try and find some other way to get rid of these boxes.

3.  Vary your movement patterns: Don’t fall into too obvious routines. Vary the times when you leave home, and try never to create the impression that “no one is home”. This is where point number one comes into play again.

4.  Make sure all your security measures are working: Test your alarm regularly, ensure that we have your latest details, and please let us know if you have any special holiday instructions.

5.   Ensure the perimeter of your house is protected: Make sure that there are no weak spots in your fence and/or boundary wall. Check your roof to ensure that there are no easy access points.

When you are driving long distance this holiday, please make sure your car has been serviced and safety checked, buckle up, rest frequently during your trip, and most of all, enjoy your break and come back safely.

Fidelity ADT


www.harfield-village.co.za

BLACK FRIDAY

With the festive season comes Black Friday on 29th November, where shops offer huge discounts that send us into a spending frenzy.  But what can neuroscience tell us about the brain when we lose control?

 By Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.




Modern society immerses us in visions of continuous temptation (brain elixirs for eternal youth, longevity, power: food, sex, status symbols) that are difficult to ignore.  These temptations are even more alluring during the festive season, when we are all permitted – and even expected - to stop working and enjoy ourselves!  Shops fronts, billboards, newspapers, TV and the internet bombard us with enticing special offers and exciting rewards that grab our attention and make us forget about our more sensible long term goals.  We are easily tempted to forget that we don’t have endless amouts of money to spend, and we may easily swipe our credit card when we temporarily bond with the friendly, smiling check-out assistant who asks us to hand over our cash.  It is only later, when the exciting lights, music and bargains of the shopping mall have ceased - and we are back in the familiar surroundings of home - that we regain our sense of composure.  How does this acute loss of control over our spending behaviour happen so readily, and so quickly, to so many people, during the festive season?  And how can we try to improve our self-control, so that we don’t start the new year with heavy debts to pay off?



Eva Ritvo M.D., writing for Psychology Today, coins the term ‘trifecta of neurotransmitters’ that infect the way our brain functions on Black Friday. These 3 neurotransmitters are: dopamine (reward/pleasure), serotonin (happiness) and oxytocin (bonding, social connection).  These neurotransmitters gain even further traction over our brain’s functioning if we are already in a state of mental overload and anxiety – so many things to buy, so many crowds, so little time and money left before the holidays!  When our prefrontal cortex is overloaded with thoughts in this way, the dopamine released in the middle part of the brain takes over our behaviour and increases our craving and impulsivity, and reducing our anxiety.  This is particularly true when we are anticipating buying something we like (it is no coincidence that shops start advertising their Black Friday deals early – to give the brain the expectation it craves).  What’s more, is that the dopamine build-up is especially sensitive if our peers and other people we value have – or want – these products too. Furthermore, our brains derive the most dopamine release from novelty – new bargains, new products, new stimulating advertisements.  And more interesting still – if something is novel and it’s high value has been temporarily slashed – which is what happens on Black Friday, then we don’t have to work so hard to obtain that valuable item!  And our brains are wired to find ways to get the most value for the least amount of work – and when Black Friday provides this for us, our brains become drenched in dopamine!

The second of the trifecta, serotonin, is associated with good mood and motivation – conversely people with low motivation and who feel depressed have diminished levels of serotonin in their brains.  Interestingly, the precursor to serotonin – tryptophan – is not produced by our bodies but from essential amino acids in our food.  So it is no coincidence that after a few hours of motivated, frenzied shopping on Black Friday, we might be left feeling tired and hungry!  Cue the takeaway outlets that offer enticing, cheap, fast meals while we shop!  And so keeping us motivated to seek bargains, to follow the advertising trails that lure us to various shops, maintains the surge of serotonin in our brain circuitry.

Finally, oxytocin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus – a brain area associated with  hunger
and stress, among other homeostatic (balancing) systems in the body and brain.  Oxytocin is released when we fall in love, when we have sex,  and in the baby and mother when a baby breastfeeds. It is often termed ‘the bonding hormone’, which connects us socially to others.  As such, it is interesting to consider that oxytocin is released into the brain when we impulsively search for bargains on Black Friday.  But this is partly due to oxytocin’s ability to make us feel calmer.  Buying a bargain is a form of ‘self-medicating’, especially if we were previously feeling stressed.  Oxytocin is an antidote to stress and anxiety – and could be one route into a sense of loss-of-control and craving the next spend.  Women in particular may gain a sense of providing for their loved ones when buying bargains over the festive period – a proxy bonding ritual for the modern age.

With knowledge of some of the brain processes underlying our impulsive spending during Black Friday – what can be done to help us improve our brain’s ability to foster self-control and will-power?  Some neuroscientists argue that it is possible to strengthen the neural pathways (white matter tracts) between the prefrontal cortex and the dopamine-releasing reward areas in the middle of the brain to improve our self-control.  It is possible to do this for example, by exercising one’s working memory – a process that involves repetitively keeping in mind some thoughts while avoiding stimulating distractions (there are many free online working memory games to play).  It is known that during periods of excessive spending and impulsive shopping, our working memory is hardly functioning at all.  And so by practising our working memory ability at home may well help us to make better choices in the shops on Black Friday.  And it may also help us to keep a few more Rands in our pockets for the New Year!

However long you spend in the shops this year, Harfielders, I hope you have a wonderful Festive Season!

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.



PROPERTY MARKET READY FOR TAKE-OFF AND BOND GRANTS RISE


Housing demand has continued to gain momentum since the start of the year and in the third quarter, the number of applications for home loans was at its highest level in more than three years, according to the latest statistics from BetterBond, SA’s foremost bond originator.

In addition, says CEO Carl Coetzee, the total number of bonds actually granted was a whopping 19,2% up in the 12 months to end-September compared to the previous 12 months.

And an increasing percentage of home loan grants are going to first-time buyers, which is an indication that the overall size of the real estate market in SA is growing. The BetterBond statistics* show that 38,3% of bond grants went to first-time buyers in the 12 months to end-September compared to 32,6% in the previous 12 months.

This aligns with figures that show significant increases in the percentages of bonds being granted in the lower price categories usually favoured by first time buyers, the most notable being a 6,3% increase year-on-year in the percentage of bonds granted for homes priced at between R1m and R1,5m.

Nevertheless, he notes, the biggest percentage (44%) of bonds granted in the 12 months to end-September was for homes priced at between R500 000 and R1m. By contrast, only 4% of bonds granted were for homes costing more than R3m.

“The lower end of the market is definitely where most of the action is at the moment, and this is confirmed by the latest figures from the Reserve Bank, which show that despite the significant increase in the number of bonds granted, the overall value of outstanding mortgages has only risen by some 4,9% in the past year.”

There are two main reasons for the recent surge in home buying activity, says Coetzee, the first of which is the increase in affordability due to the glacial pace of property price growth compared to that of income growth, especially in the past 12 months.

According to the BankservAfrica Take-Home Pay Index (BTPI), which tracks trends in SA salaries derived from the salary payments made to around 3-million employees, the average take home pay amount has shown a year-on-year increase every month since the start of 2018, and these increases have often exceeded the rate of inflation. In July, for example, the average take home pay was R15 630, which was 5,3% up on July 2018, while the year-on-year increase in inflation was only 4%.

“Meanwhile, home prices have been growing at a much slower rate than inflation, and in the 12 months to end-September were only 2,24% higher, on average, than in the previous 12 months.”

The second positive factor for the market, he says, has been the banks’ recognition of this increase in affordability and strong competition to gain new home loan business. “This has led to them being willing to lower the deposit percentages required to qualify for home loans, and to grant loans at much more favourable interest rates – especially to borrowers applying through reputable originators like BetterBond.”

The BetterBond statistics (see Mortgage Monitor attached) show a 3,6% increase in the average size of bond granted – and a 5,9% increase in the average size of bond granted to first-time buyers.

“The size of deposits as a percentage of home purchase price has declined accordingly,” says Coetzee, “and at the same time we have seen an increased variance in the interest rates that banks are willing to offer, with the average now being at least 0,5% per application.

“This can make a significant further difference to the affordability of the property, with a 0,5% concession on a home loan of R1m, for example, translating into annual savings of almost R4000 off the buyer’s bond repayments, and more than R80 000 in interest over the 20-year life of the loan.”

Affordability will be further boosted, he says, if here is another interest rate decrease in November or early next year, “and we anticipate that this will consolidate the market turnaround that has already begun and lead to higher home price increases over the next 18 to 24 months.”

(To see the potential savings on different size bonds, borrowers can use the Better Rate Calculator.

*BetterBond is SA’s biggest bond originator, accounting for 28% of all new mortgage bonds registered in the Deeds Office annually, so its statistics are a reliable indicator of real estate market trends.


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









www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

GREEN PEPPERCORN SAUCE FOR PASTA

This recipe comes from an old recipe book of mine by Pam Hirschsohn.

She enjoyed this sauce with spaghetti at an outdoor restaurant in Florence.  Something different and only takes a few minutes.

GREEN PEPPERCORN SAUCE FOR PASTA

 Ingredients:

  • 250mls (1 cup) chicken stock
  • 250mls (1 cup) cream
  • 60mls (4 Tablespoons) flour
  • 10mls (2 teas) green peppercorns
  • Grated Parmesan cheese.

Method: 

Put chicken stock, cream, flour and green peppercorns in a liquidiser and process for a few seconds.  Pour sauce into a saucepan and bring to the boil to thicken, stirring all the time (add more cream if you like a richer sauce).  Serve with pasta, topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Lyn Staples, Norgarb Properties Estate Agent
Cell: +27 (0)82 846 0739 | Office: +27 (0)21 674 1120 | Fax: +27 (0)21 774 4927
Email: lyn@norgarbproperties.co.za
Focus Areas: Kenilworth & Claremont Village

SPIKE IN CRIME

Every year during October and November there is a definite spike in crime with house break and theft, theft out of motor vehicle; theft from motor vehicle and common robberies dominating across all regions.

Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity ADT National Marketing and Communications Manager says much of the crime seems opportunistic at this time of year. “Suspects are aware residents are starting to shop for the festive season and to entertain. There’s no particular pattern in terms of times of the day these crimes are taking place but we can see that in a number of instances people have forgotten to arm their systems, or put on their beams. There is also a worrying trend of gates being left open. That is a problem as it is a home owner’s first line of defencee. In other instances we have found that criminals find a weak point in the perimeter security where they the electric fence is not working or the gates are not locked for example.

Theft out of motor vehicle also seems to be higher at shopping centres or linked to cases where people park their vehicles on the street when visiting, instead of inside the property,” she says.

Hattingh says common robberies and robbery with a firearm happen randomly on the street because victims often unwittingly expose their possessions, e.g. cell phones while waiting for an Uber, going to restaurants and shops or by wearing earphones and not being fully aware of their surroundings.

She says it is so key to remain alert and vigilant at all times.

Here are some security tips to keep in mind:

• Gates – make sure that your gate opens and closes as quickly as possible. This means less time sitting in your driveway or the road where you are a vulnerable target to hijackers. Also ensure that the motor has a locked box covering it to stop any attempts at tampering.  Remember to keep your gates closed at all times.

• Be aware of your surroundings – Be alert for being followed home or of any suspicious cars or people in your neighbourhood.  Remember to be an active participant in your neighbourhood watch WhatsApp group if you have a suburb or road grouping. Neighbours need to look out for one another.

• Bushes and trees – make sure that bushes and trees on your property are checked regularly to ensure they are not affecting your perimeter security. Branches should be cut back to prevent blocking or impeding the effective functioning of your perimeter security, or where they may be used to climb into and access your property.

• Beams – make sure that beams are installed correctly and at the most optimal angle to increase their range and effectiveness. It is also important to make sure that these beams are not obscured by shrubbery, or near reflective surfaces to prevent excessive false alarm activations.

• Carry remote panics with you at all times at home and equip your domestic staff with remote panics.

• Be sure your alarm is armed at all times and that everyone within the household - including domestic staff - know when and how to use the alarm system and panic buttons if these are installed. They should also know who to call in an emergency - make a list of contact numbers and post them on or near a phone. If you have not been informed of the arrival of delivery people or service providers, do not open the door, even if they insist that they have an appointment.

• Make sure you are not distracted when out on the street or in a shopping centre. Do not use ear phones or text on your phone in full view of passersby.  Crime is opportunistic and happens quickly when you are distracted.

• Keep your boot locked at all times and don’t drive with valuables in your car that can be seen through the window. Rather lock these items in the boot. Perhaps consider putting a polycarb film on the windows to assist in the event of a smash and grab incident. These can be tinted so that no one can see into the car, while also preventing the windows from shattering.

“We are living in a tough economy and crime is definitely on the increase. Be aware of the heightened risks during this period and in the unfortunate event you and your family are a victim of crime please remember counselling is important. Certainly Fidelity ADT will be increasing patrols and visibility over the next couple of weeks,” concludes Hattingh.

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


www.harfield-village.co.za

THE PRE-LAUNCH OF FRIENDS OF HARFIELD PARKS


A bit of FOHP legacy! Above is the very first picture of the Councillor Kinehan and members of the Harfield community planting a thorn tree in Princes Park. This event was the very start of the process that led to the legal formation of the FOHP after several public meetings.

Thanks to HVA Chairperson James Fernie for suggesting the picture, and for the generous donation the HVA made to the FOHP to continue our operations.

Request for donations

The Friends of Harfield Park are funded primarily through donations, and the money we are able to raise at the Harfield Village Carnival. While we did indeed raise a lot of money at this year's Carnival, we do have a lot of ongoing projects that require funding and resources. If you are able to donate to us, your money will go to the following:

• Picking up litter and dog waste
• Acquiring new plants and trees for the parks
• Maintaining and improving the pathways
• New large-scale projects, such as purchasing a water tank for additional irrigation during the summer months, and possible water-permeable pathways for the parks

Please consider contributing to our efforts to keep our parks clean and thriving by setting up a monthly donation or donating once-off via the Snapscan below.


 Friends of Harfield Parks

www.harfield-village.co.za
www.facebook.com/harfield.village.community

SECTIONAL TITLE TRUSTEES: MONITOR YOUR MANAGING AGENT


If a body corporate member suffers a financial loss due to, for example, an averaged or refuted claim as a result of under-insurance of the buildings in the scheme, the owner is likely to seek alternative ways to recover the shortfall.
 
By law, trustees are the elected representatives of the body of owners in a sectional title scheme and they are entrusted to attend to the scheme’s financial and maintenance management, setting up funds for upkeep, record-keeping, and promoting an understanding of the rules amongst owners, in good faith and with the scheme’s best interest in mind. The duties they perform are prescribed by law and binding on them to the extent that they are placed in a fiduciary position vis-à-vis the body of owners. This implies a high level of responsibility and accountability. In the above scenario, it might open trustees to claims if they did not perform their duties in the way required.

Does this change when the trustees appoint a managing agent to assist in the performance of their management and administrative tasks? No! The primary fiduciary responsibility remains with the trustees.

The duties of the managing agent is generally set out in a service agreement entered between the trustees and the managing agent and any duty not tasked to the managing agent remains with the trustees. In addition, whilst the managing agent must act in good faith at all times, it remains the trustees’ responsibility to liaise closely with the managing agent to make sure all tasks are properly attended to.
 
For assistance in your sectional title management, contact us on info@stbb.co.za.

BOARDING KENNELS AND CATTERIES – TIPS




The summer / Christmas holidays are fast approaching and many of you will be setting off for the annual family break, which sadly may not include your pet. This is often a time when you have to say goodbye and leave them behind in a boarding facility. But how do you know they will enjoy their break as much as you do ?!

Here are some tips to help you and your pet prepare for the kennels!

BOOK TIMEOUSLY 

As far as possible book your pet into the boarding facility as soon as you know the dates you will be away. Especially if you are planning to go away over a popular time i.e.; Easter/Christmas . There is nothing worse than panicking at the last minute, trying to find a suitable spot in a reliable kennel or cattery and maybe ending up with second rate accommodation.





1. GO AND TAKE A LOOK

It is always a good idea to get references from friends who have successfully used a kennel or cattery, but everyone’s expectations are different. The best thing to do is go and have a look around. Most respectable kennels/ catteries will be more than happy for you to do so. It will put your mind at rest that your pet will be happy in the environment, and you won’t have any last-minute surprises!

2. VACCINATION TIME!

Most facilities will insist that your pet is fully up to date with its vaccines and will commonly ask for your dog to be vaccinated against Bordetella Bronchiseptica or Kennel cough as well. Kennel cough is a bit like the common cold, it spreads easily and although we can only vaccinate against the worst strains it is well worth it, particularly for those vulnerable youngsters and older dogs.  Unfortunately, keeping lots of dogs or cats in one place means that, if there are any bugs around, the chances of them spreading will be good. Your pet maybe stressed in its new environment and be more susceptible to disease. Therefore, making sure your pet is fully vaccinated is important.


3. DEWORM AND TREAT TO PREVENT  TICKS  AND FLEAS

Make sure you treat your pet with a good flea/tick treatment before they head off to the kennels. This should keep them free of any possible parasites they may encounter whilst they are boarding. You don’t want to risk your pet getting sick or you  taking home any unwanted guests  when your holiday is over.







4. DISCUSS FOOD AND MEDICATION

Discuss your pets food, preferred diet and frequency of feeding  with the kennel staff.  Most kennels are pretty good about catering to their ‘clients’ needs within reason. You may need to supply food if they can’t accommodate you. You don’t want your pet to develop diarrhoea or any other problems whilst you are away.
The same applies to any medications your pet may need to take. Be sure the staff are well informed as to when, what and how the medication should be administered.

5. HOME COMFORTS

Take something from home that your pet is fond of, whether it is a bed, box , basket, blanket , toy or all of the above! It will help them settle in and feel a little more secure.

6. CONTACT DETAILS

Always leave your contact details with the kennels and the name your  veterinarian.  You obviously don’t want anything to go wrong whilst you are away but if it does you will need to be contactable.

If you can’t be contacted leave details of someone you trust who can be called upon to make important decisions.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

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