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Focus on the World Climate MarchOn 30 November, world leaders meet in Paris to start negotiating the next global climate deal. Previous meetings have produced very modest results. Meanwhile, climate change intensifies: It now seem unlikely that the world can avoid a 2°C rise in temperature. Africa looks to be more severely affected than other areas. We are already seeing a drought, with water restrictions here in Johannesburg. Our leaders need to get a clear and loud message that it is time for brave action to limit carbon emissions and climate change. Demonstrations in Paris itself have been restricted due to the recent terror attacks. So, in the days before, people elsewhere around the world will take to the streets and push leaders at every level of government to commit to 100% clean energy. Together, we can move the world towards a climate deal that gets us off dirty energy and unleashes clean energy for all. Let's make history -- sign up for a Global Climate March event! There are two events in Johannesburg this weekend: EarthLife Climate March: Saturday 28th November, 10:00 till 13:00, sarting at West Gate Taxi Rank, Marshalltown, Johannesburg. Hosted by Africa's oldest environmental justice NGO, Earthlife Africa. Sign up here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/Jozi_Climate_March Walk for Water, Sunday 29 November, 11:00 till 13:00 in Oriel Park, Kloof Rd, Bedfordview. Water expert Dr Anthony Turton will deliver a speech. We hope that someone from WaterWise or Rand Water will also be there. Then we plan to form a stream of people walking together to the river in Morninghill. We need sponsors for blue T-shirts to convey the image of a stream of water. Wear hats, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and bring water to drink. We are looking for volunteers to help with this programme including a company to sponsor the shirts, a photographer, and knowledgeable speakers to address the crowd. Sign up here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/Walk_for_Water To look for an event in your area, go to https://secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch and enter your city or region. Odd JobsNew extra-loud rave venues have opened in Kramerville.
Business is booming...
New on the Block, Movers and Shakers Back to top
Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top***** Piza e Vino, The Wedge, MorningsideThis is becoming a favourite venue for light and very different lunches. Their Carpaccio is particularly good and they still do very reasonably priced medium Regina Pizzas. They also do a very good Squid head special. The outside deck gives you a wonderful view across Morningside and Gallo Manor –wish more restaurants could boast such views. Altogether, a lovely place for a quiet lunch with good food and good service. Contact Details for Piza e Vino Restaurant. **** Pizza Luna, Rivonia Village, Rivonia BoulevardAfter a long time away, we returned and were greeted like old friends! I decided to indulge in Lambrusco, an Italian sparkling wine that I had not had for many years. It was beautiful. Rick chose to have mango juice. My starter calamari were overcooked and quickly replaced, without batter as well. This time they were perfect although the side salad was more than I could manage! Rick's Alfredo was pronounced good. Again a restaurant with a view, albeit of Rivonia Boulevard. It is pleasant to dine outside and enjoy our wonderful climate. Funny Language, Franglish..."I have said all my goodbyes. I will now leave without further adieu." Returned to Sender: Back to top
The Dog Also PaddlesJulius's cat thinks he is a canoe --she likes to paddle him. Shopping Tip Back to topVarious shops are trying to import the US shopping institution of "Black Friday", and are having sales today, Friday 27 November. Pick 'n Pay supermarkets and hypermarkets are having one-day cut-price sales linked to Black Friday, while Spar and Shoprite are just holding "Sales". Why "black" Friday? No, it's not a day when only blacks are allowed in the shops! Some sources (including Wikipedia and the popular hoax-debunking site Snopes) say that the term originated in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, used by the Philadelphia Police Department's traffic squad to describe the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the day after their holiday of Thanksgiving. An alternative (possibly made-up?) explanation is that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss ("in the red") from January through November, and "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or "in the black". Contrary to some claims, Black Friday did not originate from the sales of slaves on the day after Thanksgiving: It arose long after slavery was outlawed in the US.
Talk or Die! Back to topIt is said that many people would rather die than speak in public –though that might depend on the manner of death on offer! At least, for many, their worst fear is that of public speaking! Yet every one of us, at some time in our lives, has to address a group; be it a book club, a committee, a board meeting, a group of protesters, a Residents Association, a wedding (your own or a friend's), a funeral (not your own!), a town or city council, Parliament, or the entire country. Speaking eloquently can get the proposal accepted, can make the wedding a high point rather than a cringe-worthy disaster, can bring applause, can mean a promotion or a raise in salary, can mean that a politician wins the election. The good news is that public speaking is a skill that can be learned, even by the shyest of us. Moreover, it can be done in a supportive, friendly, and fun environment, at moderate cost. A systematic programme leads you in easy steps from your first hesitant words, through tools like speech planning, impromptu speaking, vocal variety, gestures, visual aids, and self-expression, to mastery of the inspiring speech and beyond. This programme is called "Toastmasters". Not-for-profit Toastmasters Clubs exist around the world. Locally, several Clubs meet at the Morningside Country Club, including Transformers Toastmasters. To visit free of charge as a guest, call Judith Taylor on 082 389-3481 or email speak@transformers.org.za
Overheard at the Checkout:"I see the Evian is 'Still' Water." "Of course it's still water! Did you think it had turned into wine?" |
Your name in print! Would you like to contribute a shop- or restaurant review, a better joke than ours, an event, or something else for this Newsletter? Please e-mail us. You will get full credit (unless you want anonymity). Reach 6471 shoppers and shop-owners: Advertise in this newsletter! Editor: Rick Raubenheimer.