THE HOOPOE May 14, 2015 Autumn is almost over and winter is just around the corner, well what we call winter, anyway. We can whinge and complain about all sorts of things in our city, but not about the weather, that’s for sure. So those nice people at Eskom want another 12.6% tariff increase to take their increase for the 2015/16 year to 25.3%. Can you imagine trying that with one of your own clients? They’d call Tara and book you a room, along with one of those snazzy straight-jackets to wear. By the way, you can make a submission to Nersa (the energy regulator) about why you think “Eishkom” should not fleece us for more bucks – decision is due at end of June. As you must know by now, LOL now stands for Lots Of Loadshedding. Don’t you just love the Santam TV advert about why SA is such a special place – car guards, chop en dop, bakuzzi, and loadshedding in a Japanese accent! Lekker man, lekker! We won’t mention the Sharks who this season have about as much bite as a toothless pensioner who’s misplaced his false teeth. The Lions are certainly doing us proud and the Bulls and the Stormers are also right up there. An interesting end to the Super 15 is coming – to be sure, to be sure (in an Irish accent). RESULTS OF MAY 8 MONTHLY DRAW You have to be in it to win it – and it’s also best if you are there on the night. Kelvin Theunis won the main prize of R750, but did not pick up the extra bonus, as he wasn’t present when the draw was done. Alas for Brian and Cathy Boyce they weren’t there when their names were called out for the rollover attendance prize – this now jackpots to R2,500 for next month. There were also some donated prizes on the night – Nandos vouchers from Geoff Whyte, some beer from Rob van der Schyff and a last will & testament from Dolf Buys (Davis Steele nabbed this one – hope you don’t have to use it for a while, Dave) GOOD LUCK TO OUR BOWLERS Good luck to all of our bowlers playing in the nationals over the next week or so – the men on the East Rand and the ladies down in the windy city of Port Elizabeth. Do us proud! INTRODUCING SOME RUGBY “GEES” (flashback to when some U11 rugby) With the Super 15 getting towards the sharp end, we’re keen to attract members and their guests to watch some games at the club, chow some grub, have a few drinks, maybe a bit of music – you know the drill! This Saturday, May 16, will be the first “try” (pun intended) – if it works well, we’ll continue for the next few Saturdays as the competition goes into the finals.   17h05 Lions vs Brumbies 19h10 Cheetahs vs Highlanders 15h30 - Background music, braais cooking outside, smell atmosphere!!!!!! 15h30 to 17h00 - Guess the score sheets - R20 per entry per game (Winner takes the pot) 16h00 to 17h00 - Happy hour, warm-up music 17h05 – Match 1, followed by Match 2 The aim is to attract potential members in 25-40 age group to see the facilities and enjoy the rugby great central location; catering, good booze prices; secure parking; music and rugby! MEET MICHAEL COPELAND – OUR RISING TENNIS STAR Michael Copeland, a junior member of our club for the past three years, recently won the boys’ U18 singles event at the tennis nationals played in Bloemfontein. This is a brilliant achievement – well done Michael. A Grade 11 pupil (I will never say learner) at St Johns, he is ranked in the top 10 in the country in the U18 category and plays for the men’s first team at our club. Michael has been selected to the SA U19 team that will tour the UK later this year. His dad, Andrew, is also an accomplished squash player at our club. IMPROVED PERIMETERS Have you noticed how much better our perimeters are looking – Main and Grosvenor and Grosvenor and William Nicol? Clean and tidy, so much better than before. The Loffelstein bricks retaining wall on Main/Grosvenor looks great. So does the Grosvenor/William Nicol corner with the neatly placed rocks in front of the fence and wall. If anyone has some plants that would be suitable for the Main/Grosvenor area, please contact the office. We will show some before and after photos in the next edition of The Hoopoe! Until next time, Keep warm, stay safe and enjoy! Angus Macmillan