Dormehl Howick has moved into lovely new offices in the White House Centre, in a prime position, where all the agents are accommodated in individual offices. We are very excited to be here, with plenty of parking, and lots more space.

Now we have the best of everything! The best residential agent for Howick, Jennifer Gordon, the most professional rental agent in Pippa Griffin, as well as Merrivale area specialist Heather Tarboton. In Howick West, Mpophomeni & Imbali we have Petros Ngcobo and a wealth of knowledge across all spheres in Bill Comrie & Lyn dewing. Liane Aadnesgaard, Edwin Taylor and Zara Bisschoff specialize in commercial farms and lifestyle properties, and are very experienced in agricultural transactions, including those involving Land Affairs and the relocation of farm occupiers. Together with our branches in Richmond and Greytown

DPG Howick believes particularly in the referral system, and actively encourage relationships with other Dormehl franchises, and agents from other franchises who have a similar value system. With the professionalization of the real estate industry, we firmly believe that clients should only deal with registered agents who are in possession of current Fidelity Fund Certificates.

We are delighted with the support & encouragement we have had from so very many of our colleagues and friends, as well as people we didn't know before. We would like to especially thank Derek Fourie, Ryan Hogarty, Simon Spencer, Jacques Theron, Richard Baehr, Christa Lubbe, and AAM, who helped us move and get back to business in double quick time.

Our plan for the future is to increase our market share in the rental and residential segments – but also, of course, to be recognised as the best, most preferred and ethical property agents in the Midlands.

Contact DPG on 033 330 3865 or 330 8066 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

An update on the Jackal situation in Howick.

The Jackal was sighted late yesterday afternoon on the corner of Symmonds Lane and Andrew Street. Unfortunately we were only informed of this sighting this morning.

PLEASE report any sighting IMMEDIATELY to Ginette Mitchell on +27 (0)82 566 9673 or contact Knight Security Solutions on +27 (0)33 330 5911.

This animal is posing a serious safety and health concern for Howick residents and their pets. It needs to be caught so we can confirm if it is rabid or not. Its behaviour indicates that it is rabid and if this is the case then it may well die in the next few days. This means that ANY sighting of a DEAD or ALIVE jackal needs to be report IMMEDIATELY.

Please also note that Ginette Mitchell posted the following on Facebook yesterday.

"In regard to the recent rabies scare in Howick, there will be a free rabies vaccination clinic in Howick on Thursday, 2nd April, from 8am – 12pm. The clinic will be in the park outside the Howick Community Church. Please share this post with as many Howick residents as possible".

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Turn off electricity. Turn on life and sustainability this EARTH HOUR, Saturday 28 March 2015.

Earth hour is a global movement whereby homes and businesses turn off electricity for one hour. Earth hour began in 2007 and has grown tremendously throughout the world and this year you can be a part of this movement in an attempt to curb Global warming. If you have ever wanted to help the Earth now is your chance to do so. Your sacrifice for one hour could have a positive effect on the Earth that we live in.

Our reliance on coal, oil and natural gas is polluting the air with greenhouse gases. Thus causing climate change. The consequences of climate change are devastating to nature, mankind and every other living creature on the Earth. Fortunately there are ways and means to curb global warming. Make a change, make a start this Earth Hour, Saturday 28th March 2015 from 20:30pm until 21:30pm.

Remember to reuse, reduce and recycle.

Gosh, almost a quarter of the year has gone by!! The great thing though is that it's time to celebrate Easter!!

And..The lovely Karkloof Market will open it's "doors" to some crafters for the 4 Saturdays in April, as they do in December..so please come by between 7.30 - 11am and say "Hi" to me, I would love to see you and have a chat!

I have been very busy after a bumper Christmas and have replenished my stocks, and started on a new Bridal range and doing more with fresh water and shell pearls, which I'm finding very rewarding.

I am having more people popping in at my house to get last minute presents or for me to design something for them which I am thoroughly enjoying. I just need a call beforehand to see if I'm in.

News from Moira of MoiraLaine Exquisite Jewellery

In business - and in your personal life for that matter - you must know your numbers, bottom-line. However, don't let numbers be scary or repel you. Even though the mind set that many of us grew up with was 'numbers are no fun', 'numbers are hard', 'dry', 'not creative'... Whatever the misconception you were given about numbers when you were young, quite the opposite is true. Numbers tell a story, numbers help you forecast (your own personal crystal ball), numbers are creative, and when you get right down to it, numbers make up the universe - think music, chemistry, cooking, dance, architecture, and so on.

And the wonderful thing about business maths, which is all that is needed in general commerce, is that it's really simple, there's no rocket science here. All you need to do is basic adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, with fractions, decimals, and percentages thrown in for good measure.

Another simple truth about numbers; if you don't watch them - testing, measuring, and tracking what they're telling you - then numbers won't play a role in helping you succeed.

Embrace numbers. Ignore them at your peril.

Use the following tools to help you with keeping track:
• ActionCOACH 5 Ways:
1) number of leads generated (marketing)
2) conversion rate (leads to sales)
3) number of transactions for each buyer
4) amount of average rand sale for each buyer
5) profit margins on your revenue
• balance sheet
• break even
• cash flow with cash-gap breakdown
• income statement (P&L)
• marketing campaigns (always testing & measuring)

Any ActionCOACH coach, around the globe, will have stories about clients who, over the years, spent literally thousands of dollars on ad campaigns, just because that's what they'd always done, when those campaigns were actually costing them money in the end. Or, those clients who were focusing their sales efforts on inventory items with the lowest possible profit margins, while their higher profit-margin items sat languishing on the shelf. And there are those business owners who never increased their prices, as business expenses continually crept up year after year, so they ended up taking less money home at the end of their efforts each year.

There are so many ways money can slip through business owners' hands. If you just systemise and embrace your numbers, that won't happen. Start tracking and having fun with your numbers today.

News supplied by ActionCOACH Business Coaching.

Megan Caldecott, a Grade 8 student at Howick High school took part in the KZN Track cycling championships held at Sax Young Cycling track in Pietermaritzburg last weekend.

Megan achieved 5 Gold medals in the various disciplines for U14 girls as well as setting a new record.

'KZN Track Cycling would like to congratulate you for breaking the current 1500m u14 Girls record at the 2015 KZN Track Championships, Sax Young Cycling Track Pietermaritzburg. Your performance is a fantastic achievement and a testament to your hard work and dedication to the sport.

We wish you all the best for the remainder of the year.' said Greg Albert of KZN Track Cycling Commission.

News and photo supplied by Kevin Caldecott.

Second Hand Furniture finds new homes as what was someone's "old and unloved" becomes someone's "new and improved".

With varieties of paints, paint techniques and equipment available to revamp, remodel and re-love furniture - the possibilities are endless..

This table needs a little love and attention and is the perfect candidate for someone looking for a DIY or Home Furniture project

Give it a try and who knows what you will be looking for next for the project to follow...

New supplied by Andy's Mart.

For several years after the Karkloof Conservation Centre opened I had the mutters because I had only once seen a Giant Kingfisher and when I did it was so camera shy I couldn't get a good picture. A much braver bird put in an appearance and gave me the chance to take too many shots – that's the problem with digital photography!

Twané was lucky to get this shot of a male Diderick Cuckoo feeding a female – the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach. The male fed her 3 juicy caterpillars and offered them to her with a gentle bobbing motion. They flew off into the sunset after the third one.

Black Comedy is a one-act farce by Peter Shaffer, first performed in 1965. The play is written to be staged under a reversed lighting scheme: the play opens on a darkened stage. A few minutes into the show there is a short circuit, and the stage is illuminated to reveal the characters in a "blackout." On the few occasions when matches, lighters, or torches are lit, the lights grow dimmer. The title of the play is a pun.

Brindsley Miller, a young sculptor, and his debutante fiancée Carol Melkett have borrowed some expensive, antique furniture from his neighbor Harold's flat without his permission in order to impress Carol's father, Colonel Melkett, an elderly millionaire art collector coming to view Brindsley's work. When the power fails, things slide into disaster for him as Harold returns early, and Brindsley's ex-mistress Clea shows up unexpectedly.

Howick High School will be performing this 'enlightening' farce on 18, 19 and 20 March 2015 at 19h00 in the High School Hall.

Tickets are R40 each and can be purchased from Mrs Henderson at the School Office. Telephone 033 330 2858 for further information.

This has been a relatively busy, yet enjoyable week at Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club. The first event of the week was a sponsored competition held on Wednesday,25 March. The worthy winners of the prizes sponsored by J Leslie Smith Inc were Eddie Speed, May Blackford and Barry Fairbrother. Piet van Rensburg, Ray Bester and Mike Caine, as runners-up, went home with vouchers sponsored by The Health Nut.

The second event was the most successful tournament sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick. Sunday turned out to be a perfect day in many respects. The tournament was well-organised, the greens were in an excellent condition, food was good, and drinks were cold. Grateful thanks is extended to all players who joined us on our greens and to everyone who assisted in any way. Thank you, too, to those who expressed their enjoyment and appreciation to the organisers. It is good to know that hard work is appreciated.

Winners were: First prize - Brian Ellison, Piet van Rensburg, Ray Bester and Margie Holl (Umgeni Waterfall). Second prize – Rose Varty, Rob Buchanan, Lorna Allen and Dave Pechey (Lynwood and Hilton). Third Prize – Marinda Opperman, Rene Mycklebust, Dawn Easthorpe and Percy Rogers (Maritzburg West).

The winners of the Plate Event were Alan Willey, Glyn Evans, Droughty Hartley and Sharon Willey (Mooi River).

Session prizes were won by teams from Richmond, Howick and a team from Estcourt, skipped by a member of Umgeni Waterfall. The three bowlers from Estcourt included ten year old Khanyiso who is to be admired for his concentration and skill.
The raffle was won by Graeme Cameron.

The "Spider" raised an amount of R 548.75. This amount will be donated to Howick Hospice.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Easter Monday: Tabs In by 09h45 for play at 10h00 followed by a braai. BYO meats and salads Dress: Casual. Visitors welcome.
Wednesday, 08 April: Tabs In Competition sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick. Tabs-In by 13h15 for play at 13h30. Visitors welcome.

NB Members kindly note that, due to popular request, tabs-in times will revert to winter times with effect from Wednesday, 01 April.
Morning tabs-in times are 08h45; afternoon tabs-in times are 13h15
Please check notice boards for club duties.

Howick Covered 2015/16 is an annual business directory focused on Howick and surrounds. Be in the first edition of this full colour, coffee table business directory.

This publication has been successfully produced for Hilton since 2012. View online version of Hilton Covered.

Bookings are open until mid-April 2015. Book your space online or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

A blistering hot day with temperatures soaring over 34 degrees did not deter great competition in the Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern legs of the 2015 SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournaments on Saturday 21 March.

Fourteen teams participated in these two regionals hosted by Howick High at the UKZN PMB Hockey grounds and by Treverton at Epworth respectively. A total of 138 goals were scored in 42 games. The tournament was played in round robin format with each team playing six games.

Teams that participated in the North Regionals were Grace College; St Anne's College; The Wykeham Collegiate; Carter High School; Howick High School; Voortrekker High School and Linpark High School. In the Central Regional the teams are Epworth Independent High School for Girls; Alexandra High School; St John's DSG; Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School; Maritzburg Christian School; Treverton College; Russell High School.

MD for SPAR, Rob Philipson said "The dedication of these teams was impressive. In spite of the oppressive heat, they played like young stars, giving their all to their games and using the opportunity to grow their games. Well done to all."

This tournament also creates opportunities for umpires to develop and hone their skills by giving an award to the Most Promising Umpire at each regional. Treverton's Craig Warren and Grace College Bryn Merton were both acknowledged for their sterling job with the whistle.

Results
Pietermartizburg Central Regional
1 Pietermaritzburg Girls' High School, 2 Treverton College, 3 Epworth Independent High School, 4 St John's DSG, 5 Russell High School, 6 Maritzburg Christian School, 7 Alexandra High School

Pietermaritzburg North Regional
1 St Anne's College, 2 The Wykeham Collegiate, 3 Howick High School, 4 Voortrekker High School, 5 Grace College, 6 Carter High School, 7 Linpark High School

Pic by Sophie Thompson: Attempting to control the aerial ball, Howick High School’s Christina Rencken and The Wykeham Collegiate’s Megan Attwood keep their eyes on the ball. Howick High finished in third place out of the seven schools that participated, winning four out of their six games played.

The Herts Nomads began their tour of KZN at Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club where they played bowls against members of Hilton, Howick and Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Clubs. They also enjoyed brief visits to the Mandela Monument and to Howick Falls.

Their bowls matches continued at The Nest where they played against teams from KZN Country District. From The Nest, the Nomads also enjoyed a tour of the Battlefields and a visit to the Drakensberg Boys'Choir. They then had a respite from bowls while enjoying a short break on the shores of Jozini Dam with safaris to Mkuze, Hluhluwe and Umfolozi Game Reserves.
Their bowls matches in KZN ended with a match at Northlands Bowling Club where the substantial amount raised for two charities in the Howick area was revealed.

On the last day of their stay in KZN, they were offered the hospitality of Durban City Tour Experience by Durban Tourism. This included an informative tour of Durban in the converted double decker bus now known as the Durban Ricksha Bus, a stop at the Victoria Market and a visit to uShaka Marine World with free entry to the aquarium. A fair reward for their generosity.

CLUB NEWS
Colin Burden and Clark Logan lost their semi-final of the NIBA Men's Open Pairs at Lynnwood on Saturday, 21 March to Lester Coleman and Clive Wills of Lynnwood.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 25 March: A Tabs-in Competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith Inc and The Health Nut will be held. Prizes for winners and runners-up. Tabs-In by 13h45 for play at 14h00.
Sunday, 29 March:

Entries are invited for our mixed/open fours competition sponsored by: Halfway Toyota Howick to be held on Sunday, 29 March 2015 – 08h30 for 09h00. Entrance fee : R320-00 per Team - Includes morning tea and lunch

Telephone contacts: Colin: 079 530 2438 (sms) / Bernice 071 164 3162 (sms or leave a message)
Extension of closing date for entries: Wednesday, 25 March by 19h30.

UWBC Members are requested to provide eats for morning tea.

Club Duties: Please check the notice board in the clubhouse.

Please note: Tabs In times will change after Easter. Check outdoor notice board and next week's press report.

As part of the Integration Program this year, each Howick High School Grade 8 pupil was asked to bring a can of pet food to be donated to the SPCA, reinforcing our school's value of Charity. 

Prefects Rebecca Collins, Tave Verhoef and Christina Rencken visited the uMngeni SPCA yesterday to deliver our donation to Dudu Abraham and Charlie the Cat.  

Two sponsored bowls competitions were held over the past week. On Wednesday,11 March, Tim Waring stepped in and organised the competition sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick in the absence of the Competition Secretary and President who were at The Nest enjoying the week with the touring Herts Nomads. Winners of the competition were Piet van Rensburg, Ray Bester and Petra Stubbs. Runners-up were Ian Andrews, Margie Holl and Eunice Gage. Thank you, Tim for standing in and thank you, Halfway Toyota Howick for your sponsorship.

On Saturday, 14 March, a competition with a difference sponsored by The Lawnmower Shop, Giovision and Greendale Spar was organised by the Competition Secretary who had returned from his week of R & R. Most players enjoyed the different format despite the confusion caused by some Thirds, Seconds and Leads being asked to change rinks every six ends. The players with the best individual scores were John Withers (Skip), Clark Logan (Third), Averil Kriedemann (Second) and Colin Joosten (Lead) all of whom went home with chickens sponsored by Greendale Spar.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, 25 March: A Tabs-in Competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith Inc and The Health Nut will be held. Tabs In by 13h45 for play at 14h00.
Sunday, 29 March:

Entries are invited for our mixed/open fours competition to be held on Sunday 29 March 2015 - 8.30 am for 9.00 am sponsored by: Halfway Toyota Howick

Morning sessions - 2 games of 12 ends
Afternoon session - 1 game of 14 ends
Excellent prizes

Telephone contacts: Colin: 079 530 2438 (sms) / Bernice 071 164 3162 (sms or leave a message)
E-MAIL: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Closing date for entries: Monday, 23 March
Entrance fee : R 320-00 per Team - Includes morning tea and lunch

NB Bowlers who may be involved in NIBA Playoffs on the same day are invited to send provisional entries to the tournament.

Club Duties: Members are requested to check the notice board.

Community Bobbies Patrol is a crime prevention initiative for the Howick Community driven by Howick Community.

Crime is on the rise and is becoming part of daily living and so the aim of this project is to have more eyes and ears to curb crime in our Communities.

Residents of Howick North//Eridene, Greendale and Lakeview area, Knight Security Solutions client or not may join and benefit from this initiative for as little as R100 a month.

Please contact Sonja on +27 (0)82 613 2995 or +27 (0)33 330 5911 or email  marketing@knightsecuritysolutions  to join as a member.

By joining Community Bobbies Patrol as a member you are helping to sustain this community project and making our community safer.

A great day was enjoyed by everyone who played at Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club on Sunday, 08 March. The Herts Nomads, the group of touring bowlers, together with bowlers from Hilton, Howick and Umgeni Waterfall enjoyed a day of sunshine, fun, bowls and camaraderie. The British players enjoyed our fine weather, our good greens, South African hospitality and a good fare.

The spider was well-supported and raised a substantial amount which will be added to funds being collected for two charities in Howick and Lidgetton.

Grateful thanks must be extended to everyone who helped to make this day such a success – Marriott, who sponsored the day, the barmen, the ladies who helped in the kitchen, the men who helped set up the outdoor seating, all the members who supplied delectable eats and all those who stayed after the visitors had left and helped to clean up the clubhouse. Your assistance was invaluable.

Thanks is also extended to the players from both Hilton and Howick who helped to swell the numbers of local bowlers and helped to make the day a success. It was wonderful to see you all on our greens.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday,11 March 13h45 for 14h00: Tabs-In Comp sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick
Saturday, 14 March 13h45 for 14h00: Tabs-In Comp sponsored by The Lawn Mower Shop, Giovision and Greendale Spar.
Visitors welcome to join in.

All bowlers are invited to play in an all-day Competition to be held on Sunday, 29 March sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick.

Club Duties: Members are requested to check the notice board.

Howick Prep School hosted their Championship Gala on Saturday morning, 28 February. The Guests of Honour at the Championship Gala were Tracy Pike and Jennifer Stevenson, mothers of the School's Swimming Captains Craig Pike and Keara Stevenson.

Pictured: Craig Pike and Keara Stevenson with their mothers Tracy Pike and Jennifer Stevenson