Birds of Eden turning 10!

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Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay, FairTrade Accredited, bird sanctuary, PlettBirds of Eden, the only FairTrade Accredited bird sanctuary in the world is turning 10 on the 15th of December 2015!

Birds of Eden was created with the intention of re-homing a number of unwanted birds, giving them the opportunity to live in a more natural environment. We first opened our doors to the public on 15th December 2005 and is the world’s largest free-flight multi-species bird dome/aviary. There are roughly 3500 birds in the sanctuary, comprising of over 200 species.

The sanctuary covers an area that is about as big as 3 football fields. With the valleys and touring canopies we had to put up masts ranging in heights from 2 to 34 meters. Over 100km of cable and 8 tonnes of KnitMesh now cover the 3.2 hectare dome.

Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay, FairTrade Accredited, bird sanctuary, PlettBirds of Eden was built using unskilled labour from the neighbouring community of Kurland Village. The project took four and a half years to complete, without a single IOD (injury on duty) incurred in the building process.

Birds of Eden has a river that runs through the entire park in a closed system, which means no pollution of any other water source is possible, giving our animals clean water. An enjoyable part of our river is that you can walk behind our man made waterfall, this makes for excellent photos.

We reflect back on the last 10 years as we reach the date on which we will celebrate our 10th birthday!

Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay, FairTrade Accredited, bird sanctuary, PlettWe will be celebrating 1000’s of birds that are now living free from human interference, free to fly, free to be! We celebrate 10 years of training unskilled labourers and seeing them grow and move on to bigger things. We celebrate 10 years of our own growth as a sanctuary that first housed only birds and now is home to squirrels, blue duikers, giant fruit bats, fish and even a collection of primates.

We are delighted to inform everyone that the Mist that was once a much loved aspect of our sanctuary is currently being re-installed and will be up and running on our birthday.

Thus for an amazing visit, make sure to come and celebrate our birthday with us.•

8 GOLDEN RULES FOR SUMMER SUN PROTECTION

Summer is here, and it is going to be a hot one! Whether you’re off to the beach, the mountains or just planning a series of days chilling around the pool and the braai, you’re going to want to ensure that your and your family’s skins are thoroughly protected.

Go for double protection
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. These rays refer to the different wavelengths of sunlight. UVA is the longest (most prevalent but less intense) and penetrates the epidermis and dermis. These rays are responsible for making you tan and cause ageing. UVB rays are medium wavelength rays (less prevalent) that affect the skin surface, causing sunburn, which weakens your immune system and causes the release of skin-damaging enzymes. Note that UV rays can pass through glass and clouds, so always wear your sunscreen.

Reapply all the time
If you’re out in the sun all day, swimming, bronzing or just enjoying the outdoors, remember to reapply sunscreen at least every hour – whether it’s water-resistant or not. All sunscreens rub off or evaporate with time.

Apply a shot of sunscreen all over
It is important to use enough sunscreen and cover all the skin that will be exposed to the sun. Use a handful of sunscreen to cover your entire body. A good way to measure the correct amount is to use a standard shot glass (25 ml) filled with sunscreen. Apply it thickly and thoroughly.

Don’t forget the sensitive parts
Remember to apply sunscreen to all the sensitive parts of your body – the ears, around the hairline (both back and front), under the chin, the cleavage, backs of knees and arms, the hands and the feet. Take care when applying around the eyes.

No sun between 10:00 and 15:00
Seek a shady spot under a tree, umbrella or a verandah or retire indoors for a rest between the hours of 10:00 and 15:00 when the sun’s rays are at their highest and strongest.

Cover up and wear a hat
If you want to extend your time in the sun or stay outdoors during the hours when the sun is at its hottest, then make sure you wear loose-fitting, cool clothing that covers as much skin as possible. And always, always wear a hat, preferably one made of a tightly woven fabric such as canvas rather than of straw. Heavier and darker fabrics provide higher UV protection than lightweight fabrics like cotton. Go for sunglasses with orange and yellow lenses for better UV protection for your eyes.

Drink lots of water
As air temperatures increase and your core body temperature rises from being in the sun, your body releases water and essential body salts, such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate, and phosphate, which can result in dehydration or worse, heatstroke. Make sure you drink lots of water regularly to replace any fluid that is lost through sweating. Beware of beverages with lots of sugar or alcohol, they are likely to cause dehydration, best to keep it pure and drink only water.

Stock up on antioxidants
One of the meanest realities of life on earth is that sun exposure causes free radicals to form in your body. It’s when sunlight and the oxygen in your body mix, and it’s almost like when the combination of sunlight and water cause a car to rust or make an apple turn brown. Oxidation is like biological rust in your body, and it causes ageing and illnesses like cancer, To beat oxidation, your body needs antioxidants. As much as possible! Active forms of antioxidants can be found in some foods or in supplements and include, among others, certain vitamins (A, B3, C and D), carotenoids such as beta-carotene and lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, co-enzyme Q10, and polyphenols.

But possibly the best oral antioxidant in the world is Pycnogenol® an all-natural plant extract derived from the bark of the French Maritime Pine Tree. One of the only places in South Africa to get hold of this powerful antioxidant is through Lamelle Research Laboratories’ Ovelle D3. Made with Pycnogenol®, Ovelle D3 protects collagen and elastin, increases skin’s resistance to the sun and helps combat hyperpigmentation.•

WAT SE DIE WET : Wanneer jou beskerming se byt jou kan kos!

Die stygende misdaadsyfer in Suid-Afrika is vir niemand “nuwe” nuus nie. Wat wel nuuswaardig is, is die toename in honde wat mense aanval. Verskeie faktore kan aanleiding tot dié stygende syfers gee. Van die redes wat voorgehou word vir die toenemende voorkoms van aanvalle deur honde is die verhoogde misdaadsyfer en die aankoop van groter en kwaaier honderasse as gevolg daarvan, asook die groeiende belangstelling in sekere gemeenskappe in onwettige hondegevegte.

Wanneer ? individu deur ? hond gebyt word kan dit tot groot emosionele-, fisiese- en eiendomskade lei. Wat staan u (die publiek) egter te doen indien u deur ? hond gebyt word? Wat is u regte? Is daar bepaalde stappe wat u kan volg indien u deur ? hond gebyt is? Hierdie artikel het ten doel om as ? informatiewe leesstuk te dien, om u in te lig rakende die verskillende regsaspekte wanneer u die onverwagte slagoffer van ? hondbyt is.

Die slagoffer van ? hondbyt kan aanspraak maak op die gemeenregtelike aksie bekend as die actio de pauperie. Hierdie gemeenregtelike aksie is gebaseer op die eienaar se skuldlose aanspreeklikheid vir sy/haar hond se optrede. Vir die aksie om suksesvol te wees moet die slagoffer (hierna na verwys as die Eiser) egter verskeie dinge bewys. Die belangrikste sluit in:

1. Eienaarskap van die hond.
2. Dat die hond in stryd met sy natuur opgetree het. In hierdie verband moet die Eiser en die Eienaar (verweerder ) kennis neem daarvan dat ? mak huisdier, in dié geval die hond, teen sy natuur sou optree indien die huisdier iemand byt.
3.Dat die hond ? mak huisdier is.
4.Dat die hondbyt die Eiser skade berokken het.

Daar is egter ook ? aantal verwere wat geopper kan word teen die bogenoemde aksie, naamlik:
1.Indien die hond sy eienaar, en/of eiendom sou verdedig teen onwettige betreding/inbraak.
2.Waar uittarting aanleiding daartoe gee dat die hond reageer op die stimuli en daarvolgens optree teenoor die persoon wat die handeling uitvoer.

Daar rus geen onus op die beseerde Eiser om die vreemde optrede van die hond te verduidelik nie.

Wanneer hierdie tipe eise egter ingestel word is dit raadsaam om nie net met die hoofaksie (actio de pauperie) alleen te volstaan nie, maar om ook ‘n alternatiewe eis, gebaseer op ? tweede gemeenregtelike aksie, in te stel. Hierdie gemeenregtelike aksie staan bekend as die actio legis aquiliae. Laasgenoemde aksie word ingestel waar die Eiser nie kan bewys dat ? bepaalde persoon die eienaar van die hond is nie, of indien daar nie bewyse gelewer kan word dat die hond teen sy natuur opgetree het nie. Actio legis aquiliae stel die Eiser daartoe in staat om ? eis van nalatigheid teen die persoon wat ten tye van die voorval in beheer van die hond was, in te stel. Die eis sal egter slegs suksesvol wees indien nalatigheid bewys kan word.

Uit die bogemelde is dit dus duidelik dat ? Eiser twee duidelike aksies het indien hy/sy deur ? hond gebyt word, naamlik die actio de pauperie en actio legis aquiliae. Daar is egter (soos genoem in die artikel) verskeie vereistes waaraan hierdie aksie moet voldoen. Om skade te voorkom is dit egter ook belangrik dat ‘n honde-eienaar voorsiening moet maak vir publieke aanspreeklikheidsversekering om sy/haar boedel teen skadevergoedingsaksies te beskerm. Dit sal raadsaam wees om in geval van ‘n hondbytvoorval, ‘n prokureur te raadpleeg wat spesialiseer in liggaamlike beseringseise om die eiser van advies te voorsien en die aksie namens die eiser in te stel.

Kurland Summer Trail Run

The Pennypinchers Adventure Racing Team brings you the Kurland Summer Trail Run this December in Plett.

Date: 13 December 2015
Time: Registration from 7:30am
Start: From 8:30am
Venue: The Pavilion at Kurland Hotel

Distances:
18.5 km (limited to 100 runners R150-00 (R180-00 late entry) (mountains, Jeep track, single track)
11.5 km (12 years and upwards) R70-00 (R80-00 late) (jeep track, some climbing)
5.5 km (fun run for all, prizes for U12 only) R50-00
Kiddies forest and field adventure trail R20-00 (1- 1,5km kids & Parents, self guided throughout the morning)

Venue:
The Pavilion at Kurland Hotel is 15km East of Plettenberg Bay, on N2 33 55 50.43 S 23 29 04.24 E

Entries:
Enter online at entrytickets.co.za from 15 November 2015
Contact:
James 082 925 7885
jlettuce@lincx.co.za

4 Killer Workouts for While You’re on Holiday or Vacation

So you’ve decided to still exercise to help stave off the vacation excess that always seems to creep onto your thighs and arse (if you’re a female) or your gut (if you’re a guy). Below are four effective, and time efficient, ways to make sure your jeans don’t become skinny jeans upon your return to real life:

1. Density Circuit
Select four compound exercises (that either target all the same muscle or a plethora of different ones), a rep scheme, and a time limit. Density circuits work great when you only have bodyweight to work with. Aim to have the most metabolically challenging and technical exercise as the first in the circuit.
For example:
Bodyweight Squats x 25
Push Ups x 20
Single Leg Hip Thrusts x 15 (per leg)
Pike Pushups x 10

Repeat for 10 minutes, resting as necessary.
2. Super Sets
If you’ve stepped into the gym, you’ve used these before. Pair two exercises together, rest minimally between sets and repeat.
For example:
A1) DB Bench Press
A2) Pull Ups
B1) Incline Bench Press
B2) Seated Row

3. Giant Sets
On my last trip to Singapore and Thailand I fell in love with giant sets, which are essentially super setting two or more exercises of the same muscle group. However, my version was slightly different. Considering I was pressed for time, yet still wanted to cram in more volume than a grandmother does food, I worked with descending sets.
For example:
A1) DB Bench Press – 4 x 10
A2) DB Incline Press – 3 x 10
A3) Cable Press – 2 x 15
A4) Push Ups – 1 x 20

Rest 30 seconds between exercises and repeat until all prescribed sets have been completed. What I found is that I was able to get a nifty little metabolic training effect whilst also getting that ever-precious pump.

4. Tabata Rounds

I’ve heard rumours that Tabata is used in some political prisons to torture inmates. Select an exercise, preferably a bodyweight one, and perform 20 seconds of ball-busting, hyped up on three scoops of illegal DMAA fueled pre-workout, adrenalin surging reps. Rest for ten seconds and then repeat for 8 total rounds (4 minutes of total time).

travel workouts, working out while traveling, holiday workouts, vacation workoutExercise is not something that is confined to four walls, grunting men, or even deafening thunderous thuds as plate-filled barbells smack against the floor and life, being what it is, has a nasty habit of throwing curveballs at you. Nobody wants to be that person who turns to his or her friend or loved one and says, “Sorry, I can’t visit X with you because I’ve got a leg day scheduled and, well, I can’t miss that – not even for an all expense paid trip to (insert dream destination here).” What truly defines someone who loves fitness, exercise, and by extension themselves, is the ability to adapt to different surrounds and circumstances and still get in the necessary work to grow and progress as a person.
-breakingmuscle.com•

QUICKLAW GUIDES – Retrenchment

What is retrenchment? Retrenchment is a form of dismissal due to no fault of the employee, it is a process whereby the employer reviews its business needs in order to increase profits or limit losses, which leads to reducing its employees.
The employer must give fair reasons for making the decision to retrench and follow a fair procedure when making such a decision or the retrenchment may be considered unfair.

When may employees be retrenched?
An employer may retrench employees for “operational requirements”.
Operational requirements means requirements based on the economic, technological, structural or similar needs of an employer, in other words, the business needs of the employer:
An example of economic needs would include a drop in sales or services of the employer, or closure of business.
An example of technological needs would include new technology developed that can replace some employees.
An example of structural needs would include restructuring the business.
When the court has to decide whether or not the employer’s decision to retrench was fair it looks at:
whether the reasons for retrenchment were genuine;
whether the retrenchment was unavoidable.

What is considered to be a fair procedure for retrenchment?
The employer must consult with the employees who are likely to be affected by the retrenchment, or their workplace forum, registered trade union or elected representatives, or any person elected in terms of a collective agreement (“consulting employees”).
The employer must issue a written notice inviting the consulting employees to consult and disclosing all the necessary information for such consultation.
The employer and consulting employees must engage in a consensus-seeking process on certain matters contained in the notice.
The employer must allow the consulting employees to make representations about the matters contained in the notice and other matters relating to the proposed retrenchment.
The employer must respond to the consulting employees’ representations. If the employer disagrees with the consulting employees, it must state the reasons for disagreeing with them.
The employer must select the employees to be dismissed based on a selection criteria agreed with the consulting employees or a selection criteria that is fair and objective.
After the consultation process has been exhausted, the employer may make its decision to retrench, and then issue a notice of retrenchment to the affected employees.
The law provides for additional procedures that the employer, employing more than 50 employees, must follow when making a decision to retrench.

What should the notice to consult look like?
The employer must give notice to the affected employees of the need for the proposed retrenchment.
This notice should be in writing and contain the necessary information for the consulting employees to make representations at the consultation.
The necessary information includes, but is not limited to:
the reasons for the proposed retrenchment;
options considered by the employer to avoid the proposed retrenchment and the reasons for rejecting these options;
the number of employees likely to be affected and their positions;
the proposed selection criteria for selecting employees for retrenchment;
the time when the retrenchment is likely to take effect;
the proposed severance pay;
any assistance that the employer proposes to offer the employees who are retrenched;
the possibility of future employment of the employees who may be retrenched;
the number of employees of the employer; and/or
the number of employees that have been retrenched for the last 12 months.
If the information on the notice is not sufficient, the consulting employees may request the employer to disclose more information. For example, the employees may request the employer’s audited financial statements, where the reason for the proposed retrenchment is for cutting costs.

What does it mean to consult?
Consultation is a joint consensus-seeking process between the employer and the consulting employees. This means that the consulting employees have to come up with suggestions in respect of the proposed retrenchments, and the employer has to respond.
During the consultation there are certain matters that should be discussed, such as:
suggestions to:
avoid retrenchment, for example, no new appointments, early retirements, voluntary retrenchment, adjusting work hours or no overtime;
decrease the number of employees to be retrenched;
change the timing of the retrenchment, for example, the time needed to understand the information, make representations, and contribute in a meaningful way;
mitigate effects of retrenchment, for example, when the employer decides to retrench the employees, the employer may provide time off to attend interviews, training, or issuance of reference letters;
the selection criteria of which employees are to be retrenched, for example, the principle of “last in, first out” (“LIFO”), length of service, skills, qualifications and/or experience can be used;
severance pay for the retrenched employees. The employees may suggest a bigger amount, than the amount specified by law. Legalwise.co.za•