U3A

Monday  19th  May 2014
–  The  Ascent  of  Man  :  ( Part  2 of 13 )
The  Harvest  of  the  Seasons
Man now made the crucial decision to become a
villager who grew crops & kept domestic animals.
10H00  at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator:  Alain  Leger   044-533-2963

Tuesday  20th  May 2014
–  Italian Conversation
09H45  at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator:  Brenda Hardy  044-533-5489

Wednesday  21st  May 2014
– The  Island  of  St. Helena
Henri & Lynette Timme share their enthusiasm for the people,
history and beauty of this remote South Altlantic Island.
10H00  at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator:   Lynette Timme   044-535-9041

Wednesday  21st  May 2014
–  U3A Plett  Social Bridge Club
Supervised bridge in a friendly atmosphere
with tips for improving your play.
13H45  at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator:  Michael Webb  082-226-7280

Thursday  22nd  May 2014
– U3A Outing to Time Machine in Knysna
Limited Bookings with Brenda Hardy
Co-ordinator:  Brenda Hardy  044-533-5489

Friday  23rd  May 2014
–  French Conversation
10H00 at  7 Glennifer Street
Co-ordinator:  Merle Decot   044-533-5879

Friday  23rd  May 2014
–  Mah Jong
Learn and play this ancient and fascinating game.
14H00  at Formosa Garden Village Small Dining Room
Co-ordinator:   Amelia White  044-533-0113

Eden to Addo aims for a spot on “World’s Best Hikes” bucket list

The 400km ‘Eden to Addo Great Corridor Hike’ from Knysna to Addo Elephant National Park, is set to become one of the World’s iconic hikes if its founder Joan Berning has her way.  What started as a conservation project to raise money to connect three mega reserves – The Garden Route National Park, the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site and Addo Elephant National Park – has become a pilgrimage for conservationists, photographers, botanists and adventure enthusiasts.

“We have a national treasure that competes with the best hikes worldwide,” says Berning.

Besides spectacular mountain scenery, hikers experience five biomes (Fynbos, forest, thicket, succulent karoo and nama karoo) and some of the wildest areas in South Africa. In just one of the biomes,  the fynbos consists of 9000 species, of which 6192 are found nowhere else.

Richard Cowling, Professor of Botany and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, is thrilled by the diversity of the area: “Nowhere else in the world would you find such a diversity of biomes in such a small area, and nowhere would you find such high phylogenetic diversity of plants, crudely indicated by the large number of genera. In this spectacular area one can find growing side by side, a cycad – whose origin goes back hundreds of millions years – and a minute, succulent haworthia still in the throes of speciation. Yours is a truly remarkable and wholly irreplaceable corridor.”

The hike explores remote areas where the last truly free elephants, black rhino, buck, leopard and buffalo still roam without fences to hamper their movements.  The hike is establishing conservation corridors between the parks to enable the free migration of many species. “I have a dream that perhaps one day the secretive Garden of Eden elephant/s may once again connect with their kin in the Addo Elephant National Park, and our hikers are part of that dream, walking on paths where thousands of elephants once trod just 200 years ago. Man has destroyed large herds of not only elephants, but also buffalo, eland, zebra the cape lion and more in this special area and still continues to do so by slaughtering the leopard, jackal, black eagle and more. We are using the hike to raise awareness about conservation issues,” says Berning.

Since its inception, the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative has achieved incredible conservation milestones. Berning says: “ We are working with farmers and conservation bodies to create vital conservation corridors and we have fundraised to transform the Keurbooms River Catchment, within the Keurbooms Corridor, back to its natural state by clearing thousands of hectares of invasive alien plants.” All funds raised through the hikes go towards these crucial conservation projects.

Besides the 400km Eden to Addo Great Corridor Hike, there are several shorter 6-day hikes that cover part of the route. To find out more visit www.edentoaddo.co.za or email: admin@edentoaddo.co.za.

View our video on: https://vimeo.com/93256738

How (And Why) We Should Celebrate Mother’s Day

Raising children does funny things to your experience of time. Sometimes minutes ooze by with painful viscosity as you wait for the baby to (finally!) fall asleep, seek another way to entertain the (grumpy!) toddler or wait for the teenager to come home (past curfew!). But then you blink and the minutes have amassed into years: the baby’s walking, the toddler’s in high school, the teenager is engaged. This paradox of parental time perception is nicely captured by an aphorism of uncertain origin:

“The days are long, but the months are short.” Today felt like a century — you might think, as you finally crawl into bed — but it feels like only yesterday that you held a tiny newborn in your arms.

We know from experience (and research confirms) that a variety of factors can influence the perception of time, including emotion and attention. There’s also research suggesting that time seems to accelerate with age. But how can experience feel slow on one timescale, yet fast on another? And is there something about raising children that generates or exaggerates the mismatch?

Psychologist and Nobel-laureate Daniel Kahneman talks about two selves: the experiencing self, who lives in the present, and the remembering self, who reflects on the past. Your experiencing self wades through the days, but your remembering self sums up the months.

These two selves can disagree and for parents their divergence may be especially stark. To borrow the apt title of Jennifer Senior’s book on modern parenthood, raising children can be “all joy and no fun.” We rejoice perusing old photos as we remember the months; we weep with vexation as we experience the days.

Of course, not all parental memories are rosy, and not all parental experiences subpar. But the divergence between the joy and the fun, between the months and the days, gets something right about the experience of parenthood. In a review of Senior’s book at Slate.com, Aileen Gallagher explains how the parents that Senior interviewed railed against the challenges of parenthood, but without regretting the decision to have children:

They wished their days were different, but not their lives. If only we could fill our days as parents with the joys of parenthood. It’s this hope that brings me to Mother’s Day, the one day a year set aside to honor mothers. Instead of flowers and cards and other trappings of this highly commercialized fete, here’s what I want this year: a day that’s long with pleasure and short on vexation, a day to both experience and remember, a day with all the joy and all the fun.•

U3A

Monday  12th  May 2014
–  Shoreline  Series 2 :  Episode 1 of 13
Series Overview
Via the West Coast and south to Table Mountain.
This series reveals how natural wonders and historic
events shaped the lives of our coastal communities.
10H00  at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator:  Christo Vlok  044-533-5155

Tuesday  13th May 2014
–  Italian Conversation
09H45  at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator:  Brenda Hardy  044-533-5489

Wednesday  14th  May  2014
– Astronomy  for  the  Curious  Person ( Part  4 of 5 )
Cities of the Stars
In this session Case Rijsdijk talks of the Milky Way.
Galactic structure & galactic cannibalism lead to Dark Matter.
10H00  at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator:  Michael Lond  044-533-0018

Wednesday  14th  May  2014
–  U3A Plett  Social Bridge Club
General lessons for improving players, help
and supervised Bridge in a friendly atmosphere
13H45  at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator:  Michael Webb  082-226-7280

Friday  16th May  2014
–  French Conversation
10H00 at  7 Glennifer Street
Co-ordinator:  Merle Decot  044-533-5879

What is Hypnosis and How Can It Be Used Therapeutically?

Jonathan Livingstone

I first began hypnotising people when I was 11 years old – long before I knew how to use it.

The reason there are so many different attempts to explain hypnosis is that it is not really understood. This isn’t surprising, because it relates to the unconscious, which we can only have indirect knowledge about.

Hypnosis is a method that enables us to put aside the conscious mind to communicate directly with the unconscious. But what is the unconscious?

The distinction between being asleep (a non-conscious state) and being awake (a conscious state) is easy to understand and needs no explanation. But there is another non-conscious state that isn’t sleeping. In hypnosis we enter into such a non-conscious state, referred to as trance.

We experience elements of trance in everyday life too, when we are awake. The evidence that people are hypnotized include amnesia (forgetting something), analgesia (reduced pain), hallucination (seeing something that isn’t there), catalepsy (forgetting that my limb is frozen in an unusual position), and time distortion (time seemingly passing more slowly or quickly) are not unusual experiences in normal waking life. The unconscious is not something that only emerges when we are hypnotized; it’s there all the time. This makes it a difficult concept to grasp.

Without any understanding of what it is, hypnosis can look like magic, and this is how it is often presented in popular culture. It gives rise to myths about hypnosis: specifically, the notion that in hypnosis people can be made to do things against their will. In fact, any hypnotherapist will concede that it’s hard enough in hypnosis to get people to behave in the way they consciously desire.

It’s much easier to manipulate the conscious mind than the unconscious. The conscious mind is comparatively dull and simple. The unconscious is much, much more capable. You can’t make people do what they don’t want to do in hypnosis, so there’s nothing to fear about going into trance. When people appear to make a fool of themselves in stage hypnosis, they are happy and willing to do so.

Hypnosis is a way of communicating with the unconscious part of us. The unconscious won’t agree to anything that isn’t supportive of the person. But if we can find ways of working with the unconscious to benefit the whole person, hypnosis is a powerful therapeutic tool.

Jonathan Livingstone is an emotional trauma therapist using hypnosis, kinesiology and EMDR. Experience hypnosis workshop, 10 May. Contact: 079 0199 449     www.therapycoaching.co

How Often Should I Feed My Dog?

This is a question I see often from new dog owners. In fact, I see plenty of longtime dog owners either not heeding or not knowing its answer. However, most veterinarians and experts will say that for optimal health and behavior, it is best to feed your dog just once a day. And if there is any debate at all, it is between once or twice a day. Free-feeding is never encouraged.

“What is free-feeding and why is it bad?”

Free-feeding is basically keeping your dog’s food dish filled, letting your canine eat when he is hungry or bored. Not only will this cause physical health problems in your dog, including but not exclusive to doggy obesity, but the dog will also develop poor behavior problems.

Dogs do not have jobs. They do not earn paychecks and they do not look forward to spending their non-existent paychecks on the weekends. They live simply lives and have very few motivators. Squirrels, walks, treats, belly-rubs, playing, and meals are about all life boils down to for dogs, with naps in between. And food is no doubt the biggest motivator of the bunch (except maybe squirrels!), but free-feeding will all but remove this motivation from your dog’s life. Your dog will grow lazy and lethargic and will have no reason to obey your commands. He is fat and happy—why listen to you? What’s to be gained? Most dogs can handle some severer ‘bad-dogging’ when they have all the food they’ll ever need.

“Twice a day or once a day? And why?”

Most people are surprised to discover that only one feeding per day is the commonly accepted recommendation. This is because it is difficult to see past our own eating habits as humans. We eat three times a day (at least) and grow incredibly hungry if we miss a meal.

However, you have to realize that humans and dogs have completely different digestive systems and metabolic rates. Dogs are much more accustomed to longer breaks between meals. In fact, not giving enough time in between meals can disrupt the natural process of a dog’s digestive track and result in severe health problems. Feeding the dog once per day is not neglectful, it’s healthy!

The dog food you buy for your fury friend might have recommendations on the amount of food and the number of times to feed him, but this should not be followed religiously. After all, the more your dog eats, the more money you will spend (and the more money the dog food company makes). Many brands will recommend free-feeding, but this is not correct. We recommend doing once a day or possibly twice a day depending on your personal situation.

Feeding twice a day OK if your dog is especially needy and obsessive about food. As long as you keep to a consistent schedule, two smaller feedings per day should not be an issue. However, once per day is still your best bet.

Also, keep in mind that you are also probably giving your dog a few treats during the day—be it milk bones, pig ears, or rawhide bones. These are a great way to train your dog and to keep him happy and active in between meals.

“When Should I Feed My Dog?”

So now that you understand the importance of not free-feeding, and you’ve decided to feed either once (best) or twice (OK) a day, it is time to discuss WHEN to feed your dog. And the answer is, it doesn’t matter—as long as you keep to a fairly rigid schedule. Personally, I feed my dog in the evenings when I eat dinner, but as long as you stick to roughly the same time every day then it shouldn’t really matter.

Bon Appetit!•

Lifestyle & Type-2 Diabetes

We’ve heard for years that many of the factors leading to type 2 diabetes are lifestyle related, 
so why aren’t we listening? Type 2 diabetes 
occurs when the body either does not produce enough insulin or the cells don’t use the insulin effectively. Anyone can get type 2 diabetes but its highest incidence is in people over 45 years of age. It is also more common among people who 
are overweight. There is also a condition known as pre-diabetes, which occurs when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. If left untreated, pre-diabetes may develop into type 2 diabetes within five to 10 years. In addition to the risk of developing diabetes, people with pre-diabetes have 
an increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

CAUSES Glucose, which comes from the carbohydrate-based foods we eat, is the main source of energy for the body. If the body is working as it should, your digestive system will break down the carbohydrates to glucose, which then enters the bloodstream. The pancreas then releases the hormone insulin, which is responsible for moving 
the glucose from the bloodstream into the cells so it can be converted to energy. With type 1 diabetes, though the cause is not yet known, it is thought that something like a viral infection triggers the immune system to destroy the insulin-making cells. People with type 2 diabetes are usually insulin resistant. This means their body makes insulin but the insulin is not working as well as it should, so the body must make more. Eventually it can’t make enough to keep the glucose balance correct. Type 2 diabetes is usually lifestyle related and is caused by factors such as: Poor diet, including low protein and fibre intake and 
high intake of refined products 
and sugar. Obesity and fat distribution, where fat is mostly located in the abdominal region in men and the lower body in women. Sedentary lifestyle, particularly exercising less than three times a week. Stress, from either a physical injury or emotional disturbance. Other causes include some infections, hypertension, hereditary predisposition and some drugs.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Approximately 50 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes are unaware they have it. People can go for years not realising they have the disease, their health slowly deteriorating. Some of the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: increased thirst frequent urination extreme hunger weight loss fatigue blurred vision slow-healing sores frequent infections.

DIAGNOSIS Various blood tests can be used to screen for diabetes, so ask your doctor for more details. The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening for type 2 diabetes beginning at age 45, especially if you’re overweight. If the results are normal, repeat the test every three years. If the results are borderline, repeat the test every year.

TREATMENTS AND PREVENTION Unfortunately there is no cure 
for diabetes, so prevention is the ideal. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity and having healthy eating patterns. Living with diabetes is a matter of managing the disease and preventing complications. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is a lifelong commitment of blood sugar monitoring, healthy eating, regular exercise and sometimes medication. Studies indicate that tight control of blood sugar levels can reduce the risk of diabetes-related heart attack and stroke by more than 50 per cent.

HEALTHY EATING Whether you are living with diabetes or trying to avoid it, the key is good nutrition. This simply means making sure your diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, legumes and whole grains.Various dietitians also recommend leaning towards 
low-GI foods, which are foods that are slower to digest and therefore create more stable blood sugar levels. Examples of low-GI foods include rolled oats, brown rice, wholegrain bread, broccoli, raw carrot, tomatoes, hummus, walnuts, peaches, apples, legumes and whole milk. A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help you put together a meal plan that fits 
your health goals, food preferences and lifestyle. To keep your blood sugar levels balanced, it is recommended that you eat the same amount of food, with the same proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, at a similar time each day. A good breakfast is also extremely important for dealing with insulin resistence as prolonged fasting can cause your blood glucose levels to rise. 
Good options are wholegrain 
toast with an egg, porridge (made 
with rolled oats) or plain yoghurt with almonds.

EXERCISE When it comes to exercise, what’s most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine. Take the stairs and walk instead of driving whenever possible. Opt for active leisure time; for example, head to the park instead of the movies. Aim to do at least 
30 minutes of aerobic exercise on most days of the week. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. If you haven’t been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually. Be aware that physical activity lowers blood sugar, so if you have diabetes, check your blood sugar level before any activity. You might need to have a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar.

Researched By : Kátia C. Rowlands – Pilates Instructor & Personal Trainer – 082 513 4256 •

Fisherman undertakes 1800km Redemption Run for his children

Maruis

 

“Through personal experience I believe that fatherless and neglected children are more susceptible to crime and other social problems than those in stable homes,” said Marius Brown.

“Fathers need to take responsibility for their children and strive to keep their families together on a solid foundation of love.”

A recovered alcoholic, who himself grew up without a father and become estranged from his children following his own divorce, Brown was determined to redeem himself and rebuild his relationship with his son and daughter, whom he had abandoned. The Redemption Run represents the healing process between Brown and his children.

“Our society has become dysfunctional and communities have been taken hostage by young people who are looking for a sense of belonging in gangs,” comments Brown.

Brown is being supported and encouraged on his journey by extreme adventurer, Braam Malherbe, who ran the coastline of South Africa and the Great Wall of China, to raise money for Operation Smile.

Malherbe says, “The challenge Marius has undertaken is of such symbolic importance – our youth represent the future of this country, and strong moral values and leadership start at home through effective parenting.”

Brown plans to run from Cape Town to Durban and then to complete his journey by running the Comrades Ultra Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday 1 June 2014. Along the way he plans to hold public meetings in selected towns about ‘Active Fatherhood’, and to present a ‘Children’s Charter’ to mayors in selected towns that outlines a set of rights protecting children.

“This is an extraordinary effort of Marius Brown to commence on his redemption run. This initiative demonstrates his commitment to his family and his responsibility towards them. I trust that other fathers, especially those whom are absent, by choice, from playing an active role in the lives of their children, will understand the importance of their responsibilities trust that these absent fathers will learn from Marius’ journey,” says Councillor Raelene Arendse, Portfolio Chairperson for Social Development & Early Childhood Development.

About Marius Brown: Marius Brown is a 43 year old fisherman and father of three from Lamberts Bay along the West Coast of South Africa. On 13 January 1986, 15 year old Marius watched his only brother drown, helplessly, in front of his own eyes. As the years passed by, Marius struggled to accept his brother’s death and had a tremendous sense of guilt in his heart for not being able to save his brother.

Later in Marius’ life, he and his wife divorced – for Marius, his only escape was through alcohol. This was a dark time for Marius as he watched his entire life fall apart.

 

During the lowest point in his life in 2008, something miraculous happened in Marius’ life, which he saw as a turning point and is entirely grateful for. When returning to Lambert’s Bay Ian Roberts, a well-known South African actor and Barbara Snell, award winning producer and founder of Portal Films, offered him a role in their movie, “EVERYMAN’S TAXI’’. During this time, Marius realized how he has deserted his own children and how he has not fulfilled all the promises he had made to them. It was during this time that Marius knew he had to break out of his state of self-pity and addiction to alcohol and turn his life around for the better.

 

 

PHOTO CAPTION

1. Lambert’s Bay fisherman Marius Brown (second from left) sets off on a 1800km Redemption Run  from Cape Town to Durban, cheered on by his son Jason, his nephew, extreme adventurer Braam Malherbe and his daughter Manina.

 

Issued on behalf of Marius Brown by:

Kelly Thuynsma. 073 897 0012, kelly@catalystcommunications.co.za

Contact Marius on: 0717975866

U3A

Monday  5th May 2014
–  The  Ascent  of  Man  :  ( Part 1 of 13 )
Lower than the Angels
Evolution of man from proto-ape to the modern
form  400,000 years ago
10H00 at Formosa Garden Village Lounge
Co-ordinator:  Alain  Leger   044-533-2963

Tuesday  6th May 2014
–  Italian Conversation
09H45  at 12 Challenge Drive
Co-ordinator:  Brenda Hardy  044-533-5489

Wednesday  7th May 2014
– Public  Holiday  due to Election Day
There will be no U3A program
Please make effort to go and vote

Wednesday  7th May 2014
–  U3A Plett  Social Bridge Club
Supervised bridge in a friendly atmosphere
with tips for improving your play.
13H45  at the Angling Club
Co-ordinator:  Michael Webb  082-226-7280

Friday  9th May 2014
–  French Conversation
10H00 at  7 Glennifer Street
Co-ordinator:  Merle Decot   044-533-5879

Friday  9th May 2014
–  Mah Jong
Learn and play this ancient and fascinating game.
14H00  at Formosa Garden Village Small Dining Room
Co-ordinator:  Amelia White  044-533-0113

How Important Is Dog Liability Insurance?

 

Dog bites has been consistently at the top of the list for insurance claims worldwide. This would mean that it is really important for you to get liability insurance for your dog. You may think that your dog will not harm anyone but the fact is that dogs are unpredictable and no matter how well trained they can be there will be a time that their behaviour cab become aggressive. This will often result in injury to someone and will cost you.

It is very important to be prepared for these times. Some dog owners often realize the importance of having liability dog insurance when it’s already too late. The cost of these claims can be very heavy financially on your part. This can sometimes drain what little money you have saved and can lead to financial debt. By preparing yourself for this situation, you will be assured of having the finances to be able to pay for the expenses associated with your dog’s actions.

This kind of insurance will also ensure that the victim is well compensated. This can be very useful to pay for the cost of hospitalization and other medical procedures associated with the treatment of the victim. There are some that will also compensate for the days that the victim was not able to work due to the injuries obtained. Having liability insurance is a really good investment for all dog owners to protect themselves financially.

There are many companies that offer this kind of insurance. These can come packaged with the pet insurance that you have for your dog or you can have it separately based on the plan you want. These can vary depending on the type of breed of your dog. The more aggressive dog breeds can have a more expensive premium than other breeds. There are other companies that won’t accept for liability insurance the dog breeds that have been categorized as more aggressive or dangerous in nature. It is best to research on the best provider. Dog liability insurance.•