Magazine of the FHA ● Issue 11 2014 www.featherbrooke-estate.co.za Election of New Directors at AGM • Christmas Carols at the Lapa • Recycling Campaign www.featherbrooke-estate.co.za • Magazine of the FHA • Issue 11 2014 FEATHERBROOKE NEWS ON THE COVER The very abstract close-up image of a Dandelion on our cover this month was taken by Chantel Bester. I love this story, adapted from "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley: IMPORTANT NUMBERS An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, as he looked along the shore, and saw a young woman reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean. Directors for 2014 Francois Froneman (chairman) - [email protected] Mike Pinnock (compliance) - [email protected] Johan Britz (finance) - [email protected] Piet Coetzer (strategic planning) - [email protected] Roelof Crous (aesthetics) - [email protected] Ian Davidson (parks) - [email protected] Michelle Neill (social) - [email protected] Peet Coertzen - Estate Manager (w) 011 662 2308 / (c) 082 412 1286 / (f) 011 662 1809 (e) [email protected] Aletta Slot - Admin / FHA (w) 011 662 1426 / (f) 011 662 1809 or 086 508 6089 Lynn Pinnock - Communications (e) [email protected] Jacques Mostert (w) 011 662 1426 (e) [email protected] Security Manager (w) 011 662 9100-9110 / (f) 011 662 2855 (e) [email protected] Shona Jönsson - Editor: Featherbrooke News (c) 082 332 7900 / (e) FB News: [email protected] Classifieds: [email protected] Levies - Charmaine de Villiers (w) 011 662 2644 / (e) [email protected] NB! For electronic transfers Featherbrooke Home Owners Association Bank acc: ABSA acc no. 407 716 6904 / Branch code: 632005 Reference: Stand number Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (t) 086 100 1278 Zoé Advertising - Publisher 082 455 9380 / [email protected] Jaco van Deventer - Advertising Sales 082 455 9380 / [email protected] LilyHouse Design Studio CC - Design & Layout Tessa Dreyer 083 456 7204 / [email protected] The opinions expressed in this publication are not those of the publisher or of the FHA. No responsibility will be taken for any decision made by the reader as a result of such opinions. EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Residents, While in my household, we are avid recyclers of paper, metal, plastic and glass, I realise more and more how we need to also be taking responsibility for our food wastes - see the worthwhile read about the Bokashi bucket. If each household recycled their own food waste, it would make a significant difference to our community, and environment. Now that’s green peace! In the craziness of this busy life, there is still an opportunity for you to get involved in the community. We have made every effort to feature in the pages of this issue, some significant ways of giving to others in various capacities. Lynn Pinnock gives a call to those who can positively contribute to this estate to nominating yourself to serve on the FHA Board of Directors. You can also enrich other’s lives by donating an unwanted item to various causes, wrapping an exciting shoebox gift for a child who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas, or simply collecting a few plastic bread tags for the sake of someone who needs a wheelchair but can’t afford one. Emergency only: 011 662 2030 Security: 011 662 9100/9110 "Young lady," he asked, "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" "The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die." "But young lady, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference." The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying: "It made a big difference to that one." I love seeing the heart of this amazing Featherbrooke community, and I can’t wait to see what a difference we can all make together. Be inspired, Shona Mogale City 086 166 4253 for water leaks, sewerage blockages, tax & acc enquiries etc. ON THE INSIDE Important Notice: Socialising ......................................................... 6 Featherbook ................................................. 8/10 Featherbrooke Communication.........................14 Bulletin Board: Recycling Initiative.....................18 Bulletin Board: Bokashi Recycling.....................16 Bulletin Board: Indigenious Bird Series.............20 Featherbrooke Parks..........................................22 Bulletin Board: Gardening / Charity project.......26 Resident Competition ........................................28 FB Kitchen / Suduko�����������������������������������������28 Bulletin Board: The Black Eagles of Roodekrans ...................................................30 Please see RULES for the Classifieds on our new seperate insert. All editorial and classifieds for the next issue of Featherbrooke News to be submitted by 10th November 2014: Featherbrooke News 11 2014 3 • Email articles letters and photographs to the Editor on [email protected]. • Email Classifieds to [email protected] Note: The Classifieds & Accredited Agents are now on a seperate insert. FB Socialising Brought to you by the Featherbrooke Social Committee. Michelle Neill - Social Director • (c) 082 678 0037 (e) [email protected] • (w) www.featherbrooke-estate.co.za Michelle Neill Facebook: Featherbrooke Estate Social Blood Drive: Dates to Diarise: Contributions for our Staff Christmas Party If you would like to show your appreciation to the staff who work so hard on our estate, please consider making a donation to this cause. They greatly appreciate their Christmas party and we would love to spoil them again this year. Time is of the essence - before 15 November 2014 please. This is the last drive for the year. Please make every effort to participate in this event. This is the time of the year when you are really needed to boost stocks Upcoming Blood Drive Date: 20.11.2014 16:30 to 19:30 @ Club House Contributions can be made in the following ways: 1. EFT: FHA, ABSA, Branch 632005, Account no: 407 716 6904, Ref: Xmas 2. Cash to Aletta, 3. Cash in envelope in box in front of Admin Office or in the post box at the Security Gate situated under the security window. SARDA are having their annual OPEN DAY on 1 November, and everyone is invited to join them from 9am till 3pm. There will be lots of stalls and activity throughout the day. Christmas Carols at the Lapa. Saturday, 29 November. By Origins Church. You are welcome to bring your own picnic baskets on this evening, or you may prefer to use the facility of our new restaurant, Dulce. Either way, we look forward to a spectacular evening! Chris Chameleon 28th November 2014 With a style all of his own, irresistible stage personality and a reputation for mesmerizing audiences with his four-octave voice and vocal acrobatics, this exceptionally talented singer is set to bring the stage on fire. The show starts at 20:00 and tickets cost R130.00pp. To book your ticket visit: www.silverstarcasino.co.za Featherbrooke News 11 2014 6 Also, if you think you could make a significant difference in the lives of some differently abled children, and would be able to volunteer a portion of your time, please be in touch with Petra at the Earth Centre. The EARTH Centre, Peter Rd, Ruimsig • Tel: 011 958 5044 Fax; 086 631 7999 [email protected] www.sarda.co.za If you have unwanted items, toys, clothes, books or odds and ends that you would like to donate to FOR A (Friends of Rescued Animals) then please contact Heather Clough in Featherbrooke on (011) 662 2345 or 083 416 8248 for collections and drop offs. She will gladly pick up your goods and deliver them to FOR A for you. Please send your letters, notes and photographs to the Editor, Shona Jönsson (anonymously or not) to [email protected]. Letters will however be published and answered at the discretion of the Editor. Your photos & stories ... Living close to nature ... Collage by resident Shane Wilken Featherbrooke News 11 2014 8 FB | Featherbook (continued) Your photos & stories ... Living close to nature ... Collage by resident Chantel Bester Note from a resident: Whenever praise is due, I believe it should most certainly be given. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is complaints that get voiced instead. After our river boundary fence was very badly damaged during a flash flood at the end of last year (2013), its sturdy reconstruction along a new route, has been completed. Hooray! What a major project this was, but all details big and small were so well planned and executed. I for one have watched the progress over the months with great interest, and wondered what the end result would eventually look like. Now we know and I feel certain that all of us residing on the estate are impressed with it. I venture to say that as fences go, the new fence has even enhanced the river area and given us a better view of the river. So, on behalf of the residents on our beautiful Featherbrooke Estate, may I say a very big thank you to our Estate Manager, Peet Coertzen and the team who made this project happen. Here I include all the security guards who patrolled 24 hour days for our safety, through some bitterly cold winter spells too. All your efforts are much appreciated. Mary Webb Top: Before / Above: After Featherbrooke News 11 2014 10 Featherbrooke Estate Featherbrooke Communications By Lynn Pinnock Rock Agama Lizard photographed by Shane Wilken. This 'n That By Lynn Pinnock, Communications It is that time of the year again....no, not Christmas, though that is a blink of an eye away! No, it is time to elect Directors to the Board. I am quite sure that I have already lost your interest, but this matter is so critical to the values of our properties, good governance of our financial affairs, and the well-being of our community that I have concerned myself with the mechanics of the Board and the impact the Board has on our lives. There are 7 characteristics of good corporate governance as it applies to a Board of Directors in a Residential Estate, and in themselves are quite obvious. The information comes from the ARC newsletter, issue 44. (Association of Residential Communities) and is therefore particularly relevant to ourselves in Featherbrooke. Quite frankly, discipline, transparency, independence, accountability, responsibility, fairness and social responsibility might in themselves not mean much, but taken one at a time, they become more meaningful. I really don’t want to bore you with all of them, but the following stand out for me, particularly in light of my having been on the Board previously: Of course, this is not general behaviour, but it leads me to think a little further into our own community and our Social Responsibility, which is the last point I would like to deal with. "A well-managed Board will be aware of, and respond to, social issues, placing a high priority on ethical standards”. Board members come from our community, along with the ethos of responding to social issues and high priority on ethical standards. It is here in this discussion with myself that I question the good mental health of our community, and our responses to either being called to act on the Board, or support our Board in their continued efforts of managing our Estate for our benefit, and for the increased value of our properties. Listening to Redi Tlavi on the radio recently, I found my thoughts reinforced as to how ethical we ourselves are within our Estate. We don’t stop at stop streets; we allow our animals off their leashes (a friend once walked his dog on the beach. No dogs were allowed on the beach. He said the sign said only green dogs weren’t allowed on the beach, and his was brown so it was ok!), we park in the parklands, because we have an important function, or there is shade, or it is simply convenient, we own more than the two regulation dogs permitted per property, we access parkland property for the benefit of increasing the size of our own property, or we confront Board members in a completely unacceptable and rude manner, without thought as to the fact that resignation of the Board member is a loss to the good governance of our Estate! And the consequence is an ongoing search for residents who are prepared to commit their time and efforts to our Estate. "Transparency, is the ease with which a member is able to make meaningful analysis of a Board’s actions, its economic fundamentals and the non-financial aspects pertinent to that business”. We need a good Board, the Board needs our support, and we need to give some thought to our own good mental health in our community. My three years on the Board taught me the value of time committed by willing and able members, and the vital importance of involvement of the community in supporting all members in their commitment to us, to our well-being, and to the good reputation of our Estate. Our Board invites members to meetings, documentation is available at all times, there is ongoing communication by way of sms’s, mails, and our Featherbrooke News. Fairness. “The systems that exist within the Board must be balanced in taking into account all those that have an interest in the Board and its future”. The community generally I think, is only too grateful to leave the management of the Estate to the Board Members, trusting in this fairness, and it is only when it appears that decision-making isn’t fair that we as a community get involved, sadly sometimes critically, without being fully informed. In my own experience, wanting ‘fairness’ can lead to a somewhat aggressive approach, bearing in mind Board members are not remunerated for their time. The MOI (Memorandum of Incorporation) requires a minimum of 6 Directors to be elected to the FHA, and this will take place at the AGM on 18 November in the Lapa at 19:00. If you feel that you can positively contribute by serving on our Board, may I strongly encourage you to nominate yourself. Your community needs you. Sign in Las Vegas: “You have to be present to win!” Lynn Featherbrooke News 11 2014 14 FB | On the Bulletin Board Living responsibly Recycling Initiative HOW CAN YOU RECYCLE at your home in Featherbrooke? Each and every household can make a significant difference in an effort to be a community that supports “green peace”. Recycling should be an ingrained habit, one that you must teach your children for the sake of their children. What is RECYCLING? Recycling involves separating and/or reusable waste products and then putting them into different recycling bags and bins provided at the recycle station. These recovered materials are then used to make new products that can be used again. This stops usable waste ending up in landfill sites. It also helps reduce the use of raw materials, reduce energy usage and reduce air and water pollution. • All paper & cardboard boxes (flattened) are collected by Mondi on a Thursday. Use a black bag for the first time and thereafter Mondi will supply an orange or green canvas bag to be used thereafter. • Tin, glass and hard plastics are collected on a Friday. Mix items together in a plastic garbage bag and it will be collected from your sidewalk. As an added bonus, if all residents participate in our recycling initiative, the refuse to be collected by Rassies waste removal can be kept to the minimum which will help to keep our expense within budget. DID YOU KNOW? • If you recycle your daily newspaper every day for one year, you will save 7 trees? • Recycling saves enough energy to give electricity to 18 million homes for a year. FACTS about Recycling in South Africa: Ref: Consolidated Waste (Pty) Ltd t/a SKIPWASTE 1. In Johannesburg 1.8 million tonnes of waste per year end up in landfills (250,000 tonnes of this is illegal dumping) 2. Our landfills have an expected remaining life span of 7 years. 3. In South Africa 9.4 million tonnes of food is wasted every year. 22% of our population are classified as poor and 48% are malnourished. Some of those who are malnourished go without food on an average of 3 days in every month. 4. We now recycle one million tonnes of glass per annum in South Africa. 40% of all bottles come from recycled glass, which is diverting 2.4 million tones from landfill sites per annum. The Bread Tag Initiative The bread tag initiative was started by Mary Honeybun. She founded the organization in 2006 in Cape Town and they provide 2 to 3 wheelchairs, to South African adults and children who cannot otherwise afford one, every month. They now manage to donate nearly 75 wheelchairs annually. Having a wheelchair gives the recipient independence and mobility and this makes a big difference to their families as well. Collecting plastic bread tags, even broken ones, also helps our environment as they are recycled into seedling trays, picture frames, coat hangers and other items. Bread tags (the little plastic bit on the end of a packet of bread, rolls, tomatoes etc.) are collected and are then sold to a recycler. The money from that is used to purchase wheelchairs for the needy. She needs 200kg or 10 Black Bags full of tags for each wheelchair. That’s a lot of tags, but every single one counts! We have started 2 convenient collection points in Featherbrooke Estate for this purpose. You can place your tags into an envelope or ziplock and slot them into the Estate manager’s post box outside the admin office or at the exit security gate under the window. Ed’s note: I have a drawer in my kitchen with a small Ziploc packet that we seamlessly pop each tag into. My children enjoy taking responsibility for making sure all our tags get into the bag. They watch the packet filling up like it’s a piggy bank. It’s so easy to make a difference in someone’s life. I just love this initiative and I can’t wait to see what Featherbrooke residents can do with this. Featherbrooke News 11 2014 16 FB | On the Bulletin Board Living responsibly Recycling Initiative (continued) Bokashi recycling By Bronwyn Jones • 082 456 9225 • Email: [email protected] In excess of 9 million tons of food waste was disposed of in South Africa in 2013 – and all this waste went to landfill sites. The food waste, when not treated, generates methane and leachate in landfills. Leachates contaminate the ground water, while methane is a greenhouse gas which is 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, contributing significantly to global warming. But there is a solution to this food waste dumping dilemma – a solution that is growing in popularity due to its effectiveness in disposing of food waste. According to Bronwyn Jones, a spokesperson for Bokashi Bran, food waste can be reduced “significantly” by using the Bokashi system. Bokashi is a Japanese term that means “fermented organic matter”. Jones said Bokashi is a pleasant smelling product made using bran that has been infused with effective micro-organisms. The Bokashi Bran digester bucket is a practical and convenient way to collect kitchen food waste and ferment it before transforming it into nutrient rich compost. This composting system uses Bokashi to create the ideal conditions for airtight (anaerobic) composting. The ecofriendly digester, made from recycled plastic, and Bokashi, eliminates the odours and unpleasantness associated with putrefaction and decay as with traditional composting. Easy Steps: • Keep a vegetable bowl on your counter when preparing your meals to collect all the peels and left over plate scrapings. You want to open your bin as few times as possible. • After the meal, place your waste into the bin and push it down with a potato masher. • Sprinkle about half a cup of Bokashi Bran over the waste. • Repeat this layering process until the bin is full. • Drain off liquid (Bokashi juice) as necessary. This will only occur after a few weeks. You can compost all kitchen food waste in your bucket including fruit and vegetables, cooked foods, fish and chicken bones, cheese, egg shells, bread, coffee grinds and peels. No excessive oil or liquids should go in the bucket. We all know that recycling helps with the challenge we face to save our natural environment by reducing the amount of waste that gets dumped in landfills - and reusing what we can in order to save resources. “Imagine how efficient recycling would be if the food waste was removed from all garbage bins? It’s the food waste that causes all the environmental damage,” said Jones When food rots, it smells bad, attracts diseases and vermin- and nobody particularly wants to handle it. It’s just easier to dump it in landfills. But, naturally, that’s very bad for the environment. But Bokashi gets rid of all food waste, including cooked food, protein, egg shells; in fact, anything organic. With the food waste out of the bins, recycling is easy. Tins, glass, plastic, paper etc. can be separated and recycled with great financial benefits. Featherbrooke Estate already has such an efficient recycling programme where different recyclables are collected on different days. The Bokashi system will reduce our “landfill” waste even more and our gardens will benefit from the added nutrients of the bokashi. The system is available for both domestic and commercial kitchens. For more information see www.bokashibran.co.za Featherbrooke News 11 2014 18 RESIDENT SPECIAL For the month of November – Special to Featherbrooke Residents Starter Kit – 2 buckets + 2 x 1kg bags of Bokashi Normal price: R460 Special price: R370 FB | On the Bulletin Board Our Indigenous Birds Red-Chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitaries / Piet-my-vrou By Shane Wilken Distribution and habitat Cape rock-thrush Occurs throughout Africa south of the Sahara, but avoids arid regions. It is common in eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and eastern and southern South Africa. It generally prefers forest, woodland and open savanna thickets as well as stands of trees in human settlements, mature gardens and parks. Boulder chat Kurrichane thrush White-browed robin-chat, Heuglins robin White-browed scrub-robin Olive thrush Food Feeds mainly on invertebrates, especially hairy caterpillars, doing most of its foraging in the tree canopy. It occasionally goes down to the lower branches to pick up a scrap of food. The following food items have also been recorded in its diet: Invertebrates such as: beetles, grasshoppers, termite, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, snails and slugs in addition to this list the cuckoo also eats small frogs, lizards, eggs of host, berries on plants Breeding It is a brood parasite, meaning that it lays its eggs in other bird nests. The host, thinking that the egg is its own, incubates the egg and cares for the chick. The following bird species have been recorded as host of the Red-chested cuckoo: Cape robin-chat, Cape robin (most common host) White-throated robin-chat, Whitethroated robin (3rd most common host) Bearded scrub-robin African dusky flycatcher Red-capped robin-chat, Natal robin Chorister robin-chat, Chorister robin African stonechat Cape wagtail (2nd most common host) Egg-laying season is from October-January The female often has a hard time getting into the host's nest, as it is constantly mobbed and attacked. Amazingly, once it has got into the nest it can remove the host's egg and lay one of its own in less than 5 seconds! In one observation, the female laid 20 eggs in one breeding season. Once the chick is about two days old, it evicts the host's eggs and nestlings. It stays in the nest for 17-21 days, becoming fully independent 20-25 days later. The hatchling is adopted and taken care of by the bird that built the nest. • Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Roberts - Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town. • Compiled by S. Wilken White-starred robin, Starred robin Featherbrooke News 11 2014 20 Featherbrooke Estate Featherbrooke Parks Ian Davidson - Parks Director (e) [email protected] Well spotted! The Black Eagle photographed by Riaan van Ryssen News from the parks Well, the first rains still have not come, so any messages to Modjadji obviously did not get through; and still the long-term forecast looks a bit bleak, although as I write the skies look vaguely promising. We would like to thank Peter Burger at Stand 61 La Maison for donation of aloes and succulents for our aloe and succulent garden that is being developed in Park 4 (Gans se Nes). We congratulate and look forward to a continued good working relationship with Four Seasons. They were the successful tenderer for the garden maintenance contract beginning October 2014 for at least the next two years. Our river pumps have been overhauled and our water pressure is now substantially better than it was in certain areas. As you know water is paramount to our existence and as our population increases and our economy develops, so does our demand for water. Water will become a limiting factor in our lives and we all need to look at how we can use water more carefully. Our municipalities are already struggling with our demands, coupled with a deteriorating infrastructure, contamination in our water catchment areas; and we need to be prepared for future shortages. In the home, the largest expenditure of water is used in the bathroom, primarily the toilet whereas outside our gardens are the culprits. Most of us overwater our gardens; especially lawns and quite often I see automated irrigation systems spraying valuable water during a heavy thunderstorm – that is a waste of a valuable resource; another is washing down ones pathways, driveways and even the streets with a hosepipe – use a broom! We need to realise that water is a finite commodity and manage better how we use this resource. Economically it makes sense to look at how you can use less water as financially in years to come the cost of water will “make your eyes water”. For our gardens at Featherbrooke, because we (FHA) have historical right of river access we take water out of the Crocodile river and from five boreholes scattered about the estate as well as some municipal water. We have also appointed an irrigation specialist to help manage our garden water usage more effectively. Lets hope that by the time it comes for me to write again we will have had some worthwhile rains and that our lawns and beds will be beginning to look less sad than they are today. Featherbrooke News 11 2014 22 FB | On the Bulletin Board Gardening: The family that plays together stays together Let’s go outside Four Seasons Gardens • 011 763 2925 • [email protected] It’s time to put down the remote control, step away from the touchscreens and swap the glare of technology for some good ‘ol fashioned fresh air and sunshine. Wondering why? Check your weather app – summer is here. Remember being told as a kid to ‘go play outside’? Well, it was good advice then and it’s good advice now – not just for growing kids but for grown-ups too. So, before you default to quality time with the family on the couch (with the curtains closed and a movie on), consider giving quality time, and your family, a healthy dose of Vitamin D with these top tips… Don’t have a swimming pool? No problem. Get the lawn watered and your heart rate up by using your hosepipe with a sprinkler attachment to create an instant obstacle course. Whether the challenge is to jump over the spray or to get from one end of the garden to the other without getting wet, it’s good clean fun. Take the family out to lunch Packing a picnic and enjoying it in your garden is a great alternative to Sunday lunch in another restaurant that overlooks another parking lot. Plus, few things are as rewarding as picking the ingredients for your salad from your own veggie garden. And – bonus! – you never need to make a reservation. Give everyone a pet project Whether it’s making bird feeders from pinecones, digging for earthworms, picking mulberry leaves for a silkworm’s supper or teaching the new puppy to fetch a tennis ball, spending time with creepy crawlies, feathered friends and domestic animals teaches children all sorts of useful stuff and is a great way for parents to engage and bond with their children. For a life lesson, just add dirt Want to teach your children patience, responsibility and an appreciation of nature? Gardening together as a family creates an unexpected but effective classroom. “Children learn about nurturing a life and what it takes to keep something alive,” says Amy Gifford, an education associate for the National Gardening Association. “And, families learn to work together and share.” Before you get to work, do your homework You need to figure out where and what your kids will be gardening and then be prepared to tailor your garden, or at least a section of it, to them. Think clear paths, narrow beds (that kids can reach across) and edible plants. This summer, water balloons trump wi-fi. Christmas Shoebox Project The aim of the project is to pack and wrap a shoebox of Christmas goodies for each of the little children at the Orient Hills Day Care. This crèche is situated in an informal settlement near Magaliesburg, where the residents are very poor. It is a wonderful opportunity to teach your children about sharing the Christmas cheer with those who would otherwise receive nothing for Christmas. If you wish to take part, we will assign you the name of a child and tell you their age (2 to 6 years). Alternatively you can pack a box and label it with whatever age and gender the contents are specific to. Wrap a shoebox so that it looks exciting for a child to receive. These boxes are treasured by the children, as much as the actual gift, so we ask that it is a sturdy box where the lid can be lifted off. We suggest the items to go inside the box so that each box is similar. Inside should go: • • • • • • An age appropriate book Toothbrush and toothpaste Soap and face cloth Wax crayons and paper/colouring book/notebook A small toy Something sweet to eat Tie the box with a ribbon and a note with the name of the child to whom the box is for, and who it is from. For more info on Orient Hills Day Care visit www.orienthills.org Contact Andrea Smith on 079 388 9507, stand 164 for more info. Featherbrooke News 11 2014 26 In the Featherbrooke Kitchen Our Resident COMPETITION 2014 By the Chapat family Quick and easy Two Categories: Your Story and Cover Photograph Peaches Poached in Sparkling Wine We are calling for entries from residents for your stories as well as photographs related to the Estate. , First prize for the winner of best photo and for the winner of best editorial is a R2500 Clearwater Mall voucher each. This dessert is quick and easy combining light beautiful flavours for summer. For each of our second prize winners, a R1500 voucher for a pair of sunglasses of your choice from South African designer David Green. For the under 18 photo participants, there are 3 X R500 Clearwater Mall vouchers. This can be either a photo that a child has taken themselves or with a bit of adult assistance, or it can be a photo of your child/ren that you would like to show off. Stories or articles should not exceed 450 words. You are welcome to submit 2-3 photographs with your story. Entries for the Cover Photograph competition should be unedited large format photographs saved directly from a digital camera e.g. no photographs from cellphones can be submitted because it won’t be in print format. Emailed photographs should not be compressed. T&Cs Apply. Sponsored by: Ingredients Peaches ripe (preferably white flesh) 4 Sparkling Wine Dry 500ml (Drink the balance) 350ml Vanilla Pod 1 pod Strawberries (ripe and red) 250gr Sugar150gr Cream250ml Lemon Juice from ½ a lemon Mint for decoration Place strawberries in a blender and add sugar – Blend until a puree. Method In a separate bowl beat the cream until it forms ribbons – add the strawberry puree with lemon juice. Cut very lightly through the skin of the peaches all over the peach. Plunge the peaches into boiling water for just a minute and then directly Pour some of the strawberry cream into each of the beautiful individual dessert bowls you have selected and place a peach in each. into ice cold water. Garnish with a mint leaf. Remove from the cold water and gently peel off the skins. Serve the chilled poaching liquid separately and add as desired. Place peaches into a shallow saucepan – Pour over the sparkling wine, syrup and Enjoy with ice cold Champagne of a good Cap Classique add the vanilla pod. Syrup for poaching (Sorbet Syrup) Very gently bring to a simmer until the peaches are soft but not falling apart approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Sugar Water Set aside (don’t refrigerate) Reduce the poaching liquid by half and chill in the fridge in a sauce bowl. Tel: 011 288 5260 www.clearwatermall.co.za Cnr. Hendrik Potgieter & Christiaan de Wet, Strubens Valley, Johannesburg Clean the strawberries. When cleaning strawberries place in cold water to wash and then take off the stalk with a sharp knife. Do not place back in water as the water will enter the strawberry and the berry will have no taste. 750gr 650gr Bring to the boil and boil gently for 5 minutes This syrup can be used for the recipe above and also for soaking sponge cakes and biscuits for use in other desserts. Featherbrooke News 11 2014 28 www.greeneyewear.co.za Sudoku 1 8 Medium 5 8 3 2 4 6 5 8 2 9 6 4 6 5 1 2 6 8 3 9 3 1 9 8 9 1 7 2 3 5 Ref:www.brainbashers.com Sorbet Syrup (see below) FB | On the Bulletin Board From above left: Adults & juvenile (M&S Junnah); Jono - Black Eagle juvenile (M&S Jinnah); Jono - Black Eagle juvenile (M&S Jinnah). Below: Scruffy adult female Peregrine - Ernest Porter; Speedy sub-adult male Peregrine - Ernest Porter. The Black Eagles of Roodekrans By Boudewijn van der Lecq • 079 505 6419 [email protected] Black Eagle photos by M & S Jinnah and Peregrine Falcon photos by Ernest Porter The Verreaux (Black) Eagle juvenile already fledged a month ago...and during this first month off the nest he will hone his flight, landing, perching and take off skills. From what I have heard, he has certainly found himself in some precarious positions and on a number of occasions was seen hanging upside down, which is typical in youngsters that haven’t yet mastered the fine art of landing on a branch perch while managing to remain upright. I can only imagine: “Oh my gosh...I am flying for the first time and oh yeah...ma and pa never told me how I should fly...let alone land...and I thought my feet were only used to grapple with a prey carcass... and before I am able to count to three...the densely treed forest below approaches at break-neck speed and I crash into the branches and foliage...holding on for dear life...I’m upside down looking at the nest and waterfall from a ridiculous angle...and I don’t know if this is supposed to be an upside down world??!” One can relate to this as it sounds all too familiar and I would guess that by now the juvenile is by far a more “relaxed” eagle than what he was on the his maiden flightday on 10th September. By now he is able to fly...land...take off with the greatest of ease and polished skills. A month is all he requires to practice and get it right as during the following two months there is a different set of skills that await him. Everything is taught extremely rapidly and if the juvenile is to survive his first year, he has to pass all his subjects – cum laude – in other words, he has to have every aspect of survival under control, however, the only aspect he may not have any experience in is having to hunt his own prey...this is his greatest test of all! Reports have been received of the juvenile roosting (sleeping) on the nest, which is deemed normal behaviour during its first month after fledging. This has also been observed at our Klipriviersberg Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle project near Alberton where the fledged juvenile prefers to roost and be fed on the nest...makes them feel secure. Not a scenario that is practised by all juveniles as it varies from area to area and the mood of the young eagle. The sporadic nest refurbishment that was noted during the three-month nesting period of the juvenile, has ceased and we are extremely grateful for small mercies! Unlike 1996 when the eagle pair had two breeding seasons in one year – both seasons failed dismally – nobody on the BEPR was up for a repetitive and prolonged breeding season. Of interest, the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens have gained another breeding pair of raptors in the form of Peregrine Falcons aptly named Scruffy & Speedy by Ernest Porter and myself. Scruffy is currently moulting and has a few primaries disarranged and Speedy is just incredibly fast...too fast to get a decent photo! Usually these little birds of prey migrate before the onset of our winter to breed elsewhere, but for some reason they have decided to remain within the garden. A number of people have seen them mating, which is positive news, but also a nuisance to the adult and juvenile eagles alike as they are continuously harassed by the fastest flying birds in the world...they are capable of achieving flight speeds in excess of 300km/h, which phenomenal and indicative that the larger eagles will never be able to catch them. Featherbrooke News 11 2014 30
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