HV CID Notice of Road Closures - Harfield Carnival - 6 April 2019


Dear Residents

The Harfield Village Carnival will be held on Saturday, 6 April 2019 between 09h00 and 23h00.

Last year as a result of the carnival, R100 000 was raised and has been used to purchase security cameras, which have been installed at 7 sites in and around the Village. These cameras have already led to several arrests by SAPS.

On the day of Carnival, Second Avenue will be closed from Durham Street to Purley Street from 06h00 to 18h00. By 18h00 most of the road will be re-opened with only a portion of Second Avenue between Rutland Street and Cambridge Street remaining closed until 23h00.

The carnival organisers kindly request that all vehicles are removed from the identified area of Second Avenue before 06h00 on the day of carnival. It is suggested that residents living in Second Avenue who wish to utilise their vehicles during the day, park them in one of the side streets either on the Friday night or before 06h00.

A small portion of Wesley Street will also be closed from 07h00 to 17h00 for the kid’s area which will include a jumping castle and games. A small portion of Hereford St from Albert Road will be closed as well. Residents are kindly requested to move their vehicles from the road prior to this time.

Only residents will be able to access their roads from either First or Third Avenue on the day of the carnival. Vehicles wanting to move from the railway side of the Village to Rosmead Avenue or vice versa, should either travel via Imam Haron Road or Kenilworth Road [or] via Leicester Street and along Durham or Hampstead Road.

The organisers have put in place additional traffic and security measures as stipulated by the City of Cape Town.

The organisers understand that residents will experience a certain amount of disruption on the day of Carnival but we ask for your patience and tolerance and that you consider that it is one day of the year and that the funds generated will assist with making the Village more secure.

Please contact 081 412 6109 on the day of the carnival should you have any issues or queries and the organisers will do their best to resolve the situation.

Kind regards,
The HVCID team

APRIL IN THE GARDEN

It's April, and at last we had a bit of rain. Hoping that it's a rain-filled Autumn ahead, but in the meantime, the temperatures are cooling down gradually. A great time to get planting!

Here's our list for April:
Broad beans, Beetroot, Brocoli, Cabbage, Calendula, Carrot, Chard/Spinach, Celery, Chinese Cabbage, Chives, Chilli, Kale, Kohlrabi, Garlic, Globe Artichoke, Leek, Leaf Mustard, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Radish, Turnip

Happy growing!

CONDUCTING PROPERTY RENTAL INSPECTIONS


Conducting the Ingoing Inspection

Ingoing inspections need to be done by the landlord (or his/her agent) and the tenant on handover prior to occupation (while the property is empty), and signed by both parties. The tenant also has 7 days in which to record any extra findings which may have been missed. This signed Ingoing Inspection report which is then annexed to the Lease Agreement forms the official record of the condition of the property before the tenant took occupation, and is a requirement of the Rental Housing Act (RHA).

Be very thorough and specific in recording of damages, e.g. if there are marks on a wall don't simply say 'some marks on wall paint in main bed' - give detail and record e.g. '2 marks on wall just below window in main bedroom'. Thoroughly check the condition of everything the tenant is going to be responsible for maintaining during the tenancy.

Do I have to fix all defects recorded at the ingoing inspection?

It is important to note on your ingoing inspection that this checklist at commencement of lease serves purely to record the state of repair of the premises. Some tenants see these minor faults as 'snag list' of repairs to be done - this is generally not the case (unless there is damage which does actually need repair as it affects the tenant's use and enjoyment of a property).

What happens if no Ingoing inspection is done?

A signed ingoing inspection is required in terms of the RHA and the landlord will have little to no chance of claiming for damages caused by the tenant if there is no ingoing report proving the original state of the property.

OUTGOING PROPERTY RENTAL INSPECTIONS

What happens at the Outgoing Inspection?

On vacating the tenant is required to return the property in the same condition, fair wear and tear excepted, on termination of the Lease Agreement. And in terms of the RHA the outgoing inspection must be conducted within 3 days of expiry of lease (or as per lease agreement - LettingWorx lease specifies "The Agent/Landlord and the tenant shall on termination of the Agreement of Lease, for whatever reason, jointly inspect the Premises for any damages on the last day of the lease").

At this inspection you compare the current condition with that recorded on the signed Ingoing inspection report and record any further damage, excluding Fair Wear and Tear (Fair wear and tear being damage or loss to an item at the property which happens as a result of ordinary use and exposure over time). Again the outgoing report needs to be signed by both parties to avoid the tenant afterwards disputing what was agreed.

Should we do a Pre-exit Inspection?

 It is a good idea to conduct a pre-exit inspection a couple of weeks, or even a month, before the date the tenant will be vacating so you can point out the areas that need attention, or repairs which will be required, in order to give them time to attend to them. And VIP to remind them that if they are taking out nails and touching up paint, that they will need to paint wall to wall as paint will never match a year or so later (this should also be recorded upfront if you have given them permission to put nails in walls).

VIP:

Must the Tenant sign the Ingoing & Outgoing Inspections, or can this be done by the Occupant?

The ingoing & outgoing inspections must be carried out with, and signed by, the legal tenant (the tenant who signed the lease), not just an occupant, unless you have written permission from the tenant to do so - e.g. in the case where a parent has signed a lease for their children. If that case if the parent (tenant) is not able to attend either the ingoing or outgoing inspection you need written permission from them for their representative (full name and preferably ID no.) to attend the inspection/s on their behalf. If you are aware upfront that the tenant can't attend the ingoing then preferably write into the lease agreement that the occupant will attend inspections on behalf of the tenant, and get the completed inspection report signed by both occupant and tenant.

Annie McLelland, LettingWorx Rentals

 The information contained in this article expresses our thoughts, views and understanding based on our experience and is not to be taken as legal advice. As such LettingWorx Rentals will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information.

LettingWorx Property Rentals
Southern Suburbs, Cape Town
property@lettingworx.co.za
Telephone:083 324 7401

NEUROSCIENCE ABOUT CELEBRATIONS



Easter and the Harfield Village Carnival is here again!  What can neuroscience tell us about the traditions and rituals of groups of people coming together to celebrate?

By Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.




The Easter story is perhaps the most important festival in the Christian calendar and celebrates the metaphor behind Jesus’s resurrection.  It celebrates those who loved him after his death. The story also involves the Supper at Emmaus – where Jesus appeared as an apparition during what is now Easter Sunday.  As the group sat down to enjoy the feast Jesus was not at first recognised by two of his disciples and the Innkeeper.  Soon into their supper however, with surprise and joy they realised whom this temporary visitor really was! Throughout the Easter story, while tragedy is of course central, there is also a lot of joy and remembrance of love, with people feasting together on good food after a period of abstinence (Lent).  Many religions follow similar practices – fasting, feasting and being together with friends, family and loved ones.  We are lucky in Harfield Village to live together in harmony with many people who hold different religious beliefs but who enjoy sharing that universal human joy of celebrating together. What can neuroscience tell us about the very human behaviour of feasting and celebrating together?

Neurotheology - or spiritual neuroscience - attempts to explain religious behaviour from a brain-based perspective.  Most famously, during the 1980s Michael Persinger stimulated the temporal lobes of human subjects with a weak magnetic field using an apparatus known as the "God helmet".  Persinger demonstrated that many of his subjects claimed to experience a "sensed presence" during stimulation.  However, subsequent studies found it difficult to replicate the findings that magnetic stimulation to the brain could evoke the personal feelings of the sense of a higher presence.  Rather, the collective personality characteristics of groups of people most likely contribute to suggestibility and religious experience.  Nevertheless, famous neuroscientists such as Vilayanur S. Ramachandran firmly believe that our religious beliefs are not formed from outside forces – but rather from within ourselves. 

Having our individual, subjective experiences verified by collective suggestion can be very powerful and self-affirming.  As such, neuroscientists suggest that this collective consciousness can hold us together and help to transfer memes – or ideas – about normality within groups.  The Harfield Village Carnival may not be a religious gathering per se – but the festival helps to solidify a sense of collective community and image about what it means to be a Harfielder.  Inviting outsiders from other Cape Town suburbs to join in our celebrations increases a sense of collective spirit.  The carnival – in common with most religious festivities – rewards our coming together with eating, drinking and making merry; all pastimes that help to reduce stress, increase dopamine and the bonding brain hormone oxytocin.  Is it any wonder then, that most religions – including Christianity at Easter – use food and drink and good company as focal points to reinforce beliefs?  Classical and operant conditioning – learning processes – involve the release of dopamine in the middle part of the brain (the basal ganglia), and enable us to associate our coming together to celebrate with pleasure.  And in the same way that Easter Eggs are a powerful reminder to us to celebrate an aspect of the Christian calendar, so too is the image of Lew Norgarb zipping around on his tuck-tuck during the wonderful Harfield Village Carnival!




So have a wonderful time during this year’s festivities Harfielders, whatever religion you follow, and make sure to enjoy the feelings our brains allow us to have when sharing our celebrations!



Dr Samantha Brooks is a UK neuroscientist working with the University of Cape Town, specialising in the neural correlates of impulse control from eating disorders to addiction.  For more information on neuroscience at UCT and to contact Samantha, see www.drsamanthabrooks.com.

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








YOU NEED A 'BIG PICTURE' BUDGET FOR HOME OWNERSHIP


How much the bank will lend you is not the only thing to consider when you’re applying for a home loan.

As a home buyer, says Rudi Botha, CEO of BetterBond, SA’s biggest bond originator*, you also need to budget for the ongoing costs of property ownership, and ensure that you will be able to afford these as well as your monthly bond repayment.

“For example, once you take occupation of the property, you will be liable to pay for services like water and electricity, and once the property has been transferred into your name, you will also have to pay municipal rates.

“Failure to pay these amounts could lead to legal action and even to the property being sold to clear the debt. So before you commit to a property purchase, you should find out what the seller has been paying for municipal services and rates for the past year, and build this cost into your monthly budget.”

In addition, he says, you should budget a monthly amount to maintain your home and garden if you have one. “Many people don’t know this but keeping the property in a reasonable state of repair is actually a condition of most home loan agreements. And in any case, the long-term financial consequences of neglect are usually greater than the costs of regular maintenance.”

There can also be substantial insurance costs associated with home ownership, notes Botha. “Financial institutions usually insist, for example, that the property itself is insured at replacement value - that is the amount it would cost to rebuild should it be destroyed by fire, flood or other disaster.

“This is known as homeowners' insurance (HOC) and most buyers just allow the premium to be debited annually to their bond account. However, paying the premium separately when it falls due can save thousands on the eventual purchase price of a home and buyers should also consider setting aside a monthly amount towards this.”

Your lender may also insist, he says, that you take out life insurance to cover the balance owing on your bond in the event of death or permanent disability. This is known as bond insurance and premiums are generally payable monthly.

“And finally, it is advisable as a home owner to have short-term insurance that covers you for the loss of any of the contents of your home due to disaster or crime. Many people also elect to pay monthly for the services of a security company or make a monthly contribution to a neighbourhood watch programme.”
         
Taken all together, these additional costs of home ownership can amount to almost as much as your monthly bond repayment, says Botha, and may in fact mean that you have to revise your ideas about what sort of property to buy.

“However, as a responsible originator, we strongly believe in prospective buyers applying for loans that they will be able to afford without financial strain - and buying a less expensive home is certainly a lot less difficult than losing a more expensive one – as well as one's credit rating - for the lack of proper budgeting at the time of purchase.”

Issued by BetterBond


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

AIRBnB PROS & CONS



Airbnb has taken the world by storm, with every second person now renting out their house (or parts of it) to keen travelers at a fraction of the price of other accommodation options. It has become particularly popular in Cape Town and so we did a bit of digging to find out how to start, if it’s worth it, and why so many young couples stay with the in-laws during peak season.

Image from marketing-interactive.com

How to Start

Airbnb provides a platform for you, as a host, to advertise a hospitality service or experience in your very own home, making some extra money on the side and offering affordable accommodation to those who are on a budget. It is a privately held global company which acts as a broker, and makes it very easy for you to register your home on their website. Once you have registered, the company then handles all the advertising. Basically, all you need is a home with a spare space to rent out – it can be anything from a shared room to a garden cottage. Airbnb also handles all payments once a booking has been made, so all you have to worry about is making sure your guests find your address and that they are happy and settled in.

Rental Earning Potential

Part of why it has become so popular is because Airbnb provides hosts with a good earning potential with little outlay. However, potential hosts need to bear in mind that this depends on mainly two factors:

Firstly, demand always plays a major influence in hospitality. Some months of the year will have you wondering if you made a huge mistake, but other months will have you employing a "first come first serve" system.

The other factor that will play a role in the earning potential is the Airbnb rating system. After a stay, a host is required to rate the guest according to a list and the guest can rate the host on the experience they had. In other words, good ratings equal more business.

A typical host on Airbnb in South Africa can earn around R28 000 a year by sharing their home for a mere 16 days a year. A pretty decent deal if you ask me.

Second Property Taxes

If you already own, or are considering owning, a second property to use as an Airbnb space, don't forget the tax implications. In South Africa (besides the transfer duty upon purchase) if the owner wishes to sell the property, they would have to pay capital gains tax. Capital gains tax basically is determined by SARS on the net profit made from the property once the cost of the property is subtracted from the selling price. Also keep in mind that a property which earns a rental income is subject to being taxed. The rental income will need to be added to any other taxable income you may have.

Moving in with Your In-laws during Season to Let Out your House

Yes, you read right! Turns out this has become a trend in Cape Town - people actually go and live with their in-laws during peak season and rent out their spaces. Whilst this may seem like a good idea, it is actually a little bit…illegal. By law, it is not permitted to rent out an entire house or apartment on a short-term basis.” This law doesn’t apply to normal BnB’s and guesthouses because they provide accommodation within a house or a second house on the property and are correctly zoned. In terms of municipal planning by-laws, holiday letting is not allowed, for instance, in a block of flats. If the owner of a flat wants to use it for short term-letting, the space actually needs to be appropriately zoned and consent is needed from the city’s development management department.

With these facts and figures in mind, hopefully you will be able to decide if being an Airbnb host is for you. At the end of the day it comes down to you offering up a homely space or an experience for guests to enjoy, whether in your spare room, flat, house, mansion, or even your own room!

Norgarb Properties Agent Andre Ter Moshuizen who specialises in the Claremont area, shares some household tips and handy home hints with you every month. Read more of his articles here.

Andre Ter Moshuizen: 082 602 1367 | andre@norgarb.co.za | www.norgarbproperties.co.za

BUTTERNUT SALAD


BUTTERNUT SALAD
Easy, refreshing and delicious.

Image from NYT Cooking


Ingredients:
2 cups grated butternut
1 cup crushed pineapple
Handful raisins
½ peach jelly crystals (or orange jelly)

Method:
Mix all the ingredients together.

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

RAILWAY CLEAN UP & MORE


FOHP stand at the Harfield Village Carnival
FOHP will be running a stall at the Harfield Village Carnival on 6 April, directly outside Oggi, on the corner of Bell Road and 2nd Avenue. We’ll be selling a range of succulents, herbs and flowers and raffling off one of Ingrid’s succulent masterpieces, as well as providing seating and some refreshments.

If anyone would like to contribute with a pair of hands on the day, or bringing some fruit, muffins or cupcakes to share, please let us know at harfield.parks@gmail.com.

Plant propagation
Autumn is the perfect time to plant indigenous fynbos just as the rains start rolling in. If anyone has fynbos plants in their garden coming into seed, or would like to contribute cuttings, please feel free to bring them along to the Prince Park plant mapping activity, drop them off at the FOHP stall outside Oggi during the carnival, or bring them along to the railway cleanup.

Railway cleanup first Sunday in May
One more reminder of the Railway Cleanup on the first Sunday of May (the 5th). Hope to see you there!

Plants from the Parks - Hibiscus 


Thanks to Ruth for her lovely picture of the hibiscus flowers in Purley Park! To see her other photos, please visit the Friends of Harfield Parks Facebook page.

CHILL OUT – IT'S JUST EASTER!

Easter time is a time where we get to chill out a little. For most it is the first time we get a little down time after the beginning of the year madness. As we tend to be a little more relaxed… things can get out of hand.. 
Here are my top three tips to help you through the chocolate mine-field and the too big plates of food. 
Chill out – it's just Easter happens every year! 
Easter comes around year after year. Chocolate bunnies, come out each year. Those chocolate marshmallows, also come out each year. My point. Easter is an annual thing which means that we don't have to overindulge in chocolate and over-the -top portions just because it is Easter. If you want to live a healthy life – it is important to learn how to deal with any holiday 🙂 One can do so by remembering why it is a holiday to begin with… 
Easter should  rather be a time where we CHILL hard and focus on getting some rest after a hectic 3 months of non-stop madness. It is also a time where we should be focused on spending some quality time with the family. Going for walks, going on that hike you always wanted to do and yes enjoying meals together BUT this doesn't have to be over the top just because it is Easter. There are other holidays and even days (birthdays) where we may "celebrate" with chocolate. Chocolate doesn't only come out or exist over Easter time. My advice – pick your favourite Easter treat – enjoy it – savour it and move on. Don't fret and just focus on what Easter is really about (especially if it is a religious holiday for you).
Chill out – don't let this time of the year cause unnecessary anxiety around food. 
For some who have lost weight in the first 3 months – Holidays can be very difficult as it comes along with MANY temptations. Don't let Easter time BREAK you. BE STRONG by remembering how well you have done and how hard you have worked and then chill out a little. My advice – plan ahead. Pick your favourite treat be it a chocolate or a bigger plate of food- enjoy it – savour it – and most importantly move on. Getting back to healthy eating and healthy living is what counts most. Don't allow yourself to get into that rut of negative thinking. The worst thing you can do at any point is throw in the towel. If you messed up – acknowledge it and move on. Food is meant to be a joyous part of life. 
3. Chill out – don't overdo it by having unrealistic expectations and too many unbalanced meals. 
Planning your meals makes all the difference. If you are hosting family at home – have healthy options available and the usual maybe less healthy favourites. This allows you to have some of the less healthy favourites but in small portions (sometimes just a taste is all you need) as well as bulking up your plate with plenty of vegetables and salads (hold the dressing to the side). This makes it easier to achieve balance over the Easter period and allows you to balance your meals. Remember food feeds the body and not the emotional side of us. Family, love and support feeds the emotional side of you. So load up on that! 
Then plan ahead when it comes to your weight loss goals. If you have unrealistic expectations of yourself then when those expectations are not met – it leaves you feeling CRUSHED. This starts the negative thinking and self-talk (something like, oh dear I stuffed it up, oh well, may as well continue and I will address it after Easter). The subconscious guilt that this way of thinking instils in one is eventually what will break you.  So positive thoughts. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself.
So maybe, over Easter, the best you can expect from yourself is weight maintenance. Just chill a little. Just a thought. 
Have a wonderful and happy Easter! 

Article written by Cath Day from Nourish Dieticians

Kim Hofmann RD(SA)
Phone: 021 674 4666
Cell: 084 206 2715
E-mail: kimh.rd@mweb.co.za
Website: www.nourishdieticians.co.za


FIRST AID: CUTS, BITES AND WOUNDS.

MINOR AND MAJOR LACERATIONS 

Minor cuts are quite common in both the dog and the cat.  A simple trip to the park may result in a cut pad from a piece of glass or a minor tear on the lower limb or body from being snagged on a branch in the forest. Wounds in cats are often caused from a misjudged encounter with someone’s security razor wire or spike.

Regardless of how large or small the wound appears to be it is a good idea to get your vet to check it out. Wounds are often deceiving, especially bite wounds and there may be damage to tissues below the skin. Your vet will assess the wound, clean and dress or even stitch the wound which it enable it to heal much faster. Antibiotics may be necessary and in cases of severe bite wounds your pet may need systemic support too.

Even superficial injuries usually benefit from a trip to the vet, but you can help.
What to do…

BLEEDING: Some areas bleed profusely such as the paw and the ear and look much worse than they are. If your dog has a bleeding wound the best thing to do is to apply pressure using a clean dressing. Most wounds benefit from being covered as it prevents further contamination of the tissue.


1. Ask someone to hold your dog gently but firmly
2. Do not try to clean a bleeding wound
3. Apply pressure to the wound using a gauze swab or clean cloth
4. If possible, apply a firm bandage to the area.
5. A clean sock secured over a paw can be useful
6. Call your vet and let them know you are on your way.



7. Cats do not tolerate dressings easily, if your cat comes home with a bleeding wound try to apply pressure with a gauze swab or a clean cloth and get to your vet!

BITES…

These can be nasty wounds to deal with and often there is more to them than meets the eye. When your pet is bitten by another animal there is often only a small puncture wound visible.

In cats, these puncture wounds heal quickly but by doing so close off the skin allowing bacteria to grow underneath. These bacteria are usually pus producing and the result is often a huge abscess that ruptures several days after the original bite.  The pressure of the abscess can cause tissue death and the result is a gaping wound that can take a while to heal. (see pic above)

Dog bites are also serious as a dog will often shake its ‘victim’ causing bruising and damage to underlying tissue. If a dog is severely bitten it may go into shock.

There is no real first aid that can be given to your pet after a bite apart from calming and reassuring it if you are present at the time.

A trip to the vet is the best thing you can do.

* PET INSURANCE- MAKES A TRIP TO YOUR VET FAR LESS PAINFUL! *

                                                                                                                                     
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