FREE 10 Point Holiday Check for your car!

George Municipality Media
-
0
FREE 10 Point Holiday Check for your car!
The Vehicle Testing Station is again offering a FREE 10 Point Check for your vehicle on the 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2022 (08h30 -15h30). The George Municipal Vehicle Testing Station offered the free service on the 13th, 14th and 15th December and checked 8 vehicles before they departed on long trips. Bring your vehicle to our VTS on the corner of Hibernia Street on the dates listed above and please note the policy will be first come first served.The 10 Point inspection includes:
  • Identification of vehicle
  • Lights
  • Equipment and Body structure
  • Braking Systems 
  • Wheels and Tyres
  • Suspension and undercarriage 
  • Steering 
  • Oil leaks
  • Exhaust System
  • Transmission 
The full inspection will take approximately 10 minutes and you will be free to go with a clear bill of health – or know that something needs to be repaired before you leave for that long drive.Safety is our first priority – make use of the opportunity to ensure you and your family travel safely this festive season.SAFETY TIPS
  • Check that vehicle is roadworthy before you start your journey
  • Carry the necessary equipment and tools to assist you on the road in case of breakdown
  • Have enough rest before you start your journey and take a rest every 2 hours
  • Adhere to all road signs and rules of the road
  • Maintain a safe following distance
  • Adhere to and stay within the speed limits
  • Follow instructions that are given by Law enforcement or Traffic Officials
  • No overloading of passengers because it affects the braking system of the vehicle
  • Have the necessary contact numbers in case of emergency
  • Be patient towards other road users 
Issued George Mun, 28th December 2021

What does Blue Flag mean?

Herman Pienaar
-
0
What does Blue Flag mean?
The Blue Flag is one of the most recognizable beach flags in the world and equates to the confirmation of a clean coastline and transparent ocean water. Raising the Blue Flag means offering a higher level of standard when it comes to beach and saltwater quality. Wilderness beach is one of 48 locations in South Africa that has achieved Blue Flag Status for the 2021/22 season.George Municipality sees this award as a feather in its tourism cap, as the Blue Flag is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most coveted and respected international award that could be bestowed on top beaches. Blue Flag standards are only enforced at the participating beach’s stated season, which varies from just one month of a year to the full 12 months. The status is awarded one season at a time and municipality must apply annually to renew the status of their beaches. The Blue Flag reviewing panel reserves the right to accept or withdraw membership should the qualifying criteria not be fulfilled and impromptu inspections are carried out during the festive season with no prior warning.To achieve Blue Flag status, 33 main criteria have to be met, including:
  • Compliance with Blue Flag criteria
  • Information relating to local eco-systems
  • Environmental Management of beaches
  • Beach facilities such as parking, access points, public facilities, cleanliness
  • Access for the physically disabled.
  • Safety services provided on the beaches and enforcing of regulations such as no alcohol, no dogs etc.
The Blue Flag international award focuses on the environmental management of coastlines and coastal waters that aims to promote tourism and development, but is also a symbol for beach quality. WESSA rates Blue Flag status as one of the world’s most acknowledged eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. The programme provides an excellent international standard for municipalities and tour operators to strive toward.  Sites flying the Blue Flag are showing their commitment to conserving the fragile marine and coastal environment, raising environmental awareness and increasing sound environmental practices.Wilderness beach is managed as a collaborative effort by George Municipality with key stakeholders including South African National Parks,  National Sea Rescue Institute, and GRDM. Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay this year both gained Pilot status following application by the George Municipality.Acting Municipal Manager for George, Dr Michele Gratz said that Blue Flag status offered many benefits besides improved tourism facilities and that the resources allocated to maintaining daily compliance play an important role in job creation. George Municipality has established a festive monitoring committee which meets daily to review facilities, safety and cleanliness at all of the beaches across George, including Wilderness Salina’s, Wilderness Leentjiesklip, Herolds Bay, Victoria Bay and Gwaing River Mouth beach.The Blue Flag season runs from 1 December 2021 to 31 January 2022. Compliance includes high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well-maintained coastal amenities. South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001.Issued Monday 20th December 2021

No booze on beaches

George Municipality Media
-
0
No booze on beaches
George Municipality Law Enforcement sends stern warning to beachgoers by showing them away from beach areas with liquor to the value of R10 000 in one dayGeorge Municipality has sent a stern warning to beachgoers yesterday by sending them away from beach areas with liquor to the value of more than R10 000, which people still tried to bring onto beaches, despite the ZERO TOLERANCE OF ALCOHOL ON OUR BEACHES.
Some of the liquor that beachgoers tried to smuggle onto the beach areas.
According to Richard von Willingh, Law Enforcement Chief, people tried to bring a total of 332.3 litres of various kinds of liquor to the approximate value of R10 129 onto the beaches yesterday, Sunday, 19 December 2021. Alcohol would have been confiscated if the offenders did not leave the beach area.Beachgoers should take note that NO DRINKING is allowed at beaches, any open space, car parks, in or outside vehicles at these places. Law Enforcement has NO TOLERANCE for any person who wants to enter the beach areas under the influence of alcohol, try to enter the beaches with liquor, or use alcohol at beaches.Von Willingh said, “We will not hesitate to prosecute people and or confiscate their liquor if they do not comply with the municipal by-laws.”George Municipality will strictly enforce its no alcohol allowed on our beaches policy. The Municipality appointed 30 Beach Monitors to assist with beach patrols and bag searches.We encourage all beachgoers to assist our officials in ensuring that their day at the beach is a safe and pleasant experience. Neighbourhood Watches, Community Police Forums, George Traffic Services, Provincial Traffic Services as well as SAPS also work closely with the Municipality with regards to Community Safety.Alcohol is strictly prohibited on all beach areas under the control of the George Municipality which include Herold’s Bay, Gwaiing River Mouth, Victoria Bay, Wilderness, and Leentjiesklip areas.

Dogs on beaches (sand area) detrimental to Blue Flag status

George Municipality Media
-
0
Dogs on beaches (sand area) detrimental to Blue Flag status
Issued by George Municipality 20 December 2021George Municipality wishes to inform all dog owners that for us to adhere to the Blue Flag international standards at all our beaches, it is imperative to enforce strict rules of NO DOGS ON BEACHES  (SAND AREAS) that is in line with the Municipality’s By-law, Keeping of dogs, cats and animals.Dog excrement can contaminate the water and jeopardise the Blue Flag status of our beaches-even if the dog poop is picked up.Dog owners are therefore warned to keep dogs on a leash and off the sandy areas at the beaches. Law Enforcement officers will not hesitate to act against those that do not adhere to the By-law.Wilderness Beach has full Blue Flag status and Victoria Bay and Herold’s Bay both gained Pilot status. Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. In South Africa the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).Blue Flag beaches promote tourism which stimulates the economy and assist with job creation. The status offers many benefits including improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities as well as carrying significant international merit.Further to this By-Law no dog or other animal may be in any public street or public space (any open public space the public has access to which falls under the George Municipal jurisdiction for example beachfronts, parks, sport fields and sidewalks) except on a leash and under control. This is unless the animal is in an area designated by the George Municipality as a free-running area. A person is not allowed to walk a dog other than a guide dog, ON A BEACHFRONT, a public street, public place, without carrying enough plastic or paper bags or wrappers, to place the excrement of the dog into, in the event of the dog defecating.Please note that dogs are allowed on the sidewalk areas, (tarred, brick-paved etc.) of beachfronts, if these conditions are adhered to. The beach areas under the control of the George Municipality includes Herold’s Bay, Gwaiing River Mouth, Victoria Bay and the Leentjiesklip areas.The public must also note that By-laws relating to dogs on a street or public place relate to the George Municipal jurisdiction and it might differ from other municipalities. The public is also requested to humanely muzzle and keep dogs under control, which could be considered dangerous, vicious or ferocious. No animals should be left in an unattended and or a closed vehicle or open bakkie in any public street or space. If this by-law is not adhered to, a fine of R1000 will be imposed.Mr Richard von Willingh, Manager Law Enforcement at George Municipality, requests that animal owners leaving on vacation have their animals cared for by a reliable person or at an animal boarding facility such as kennels or catteries.We ask dog owners to familiarise themselves with a map of Sanparks attached, to see where dogs are allowed on beaches and where not.

What Is Light Pollution

LoveGeorge Contributor
-
0
What Is Light Pollution
Light pollution is a growing worldwide problem which affects vast areas of the earth. In a nutshell, Light Pollution is misdirected or misused light… generally resulting from an inappropriate application of outdoor lighting products. Light Pollution comes in several flavors… each with its own negative effects. These are…Sky Glow: light wastefully escaping into the night sky and causing a glow over urban/suburban areas.Glare: light shining dangerously out into people’s eyes as they walk or drive by.Light Trespass: unwanted light shining onto a neighbor’s property or into their home.Why should I care?Light pollution impacts us all… in many ways. Some of these are quite obvious, others are much less obvious. For starters….Light pollution wastes billions of dollars annually in the United States. 5 to 10 billion depending on whose numbers you want to use.Light pollution wastes incredible amounts of valuable natural resources. Hundreds of millions of barrels of oil… and hundreds of millions of tons of coal… just so people can light the bottoms of clouds?Light pollution pollutes the air we breath through needless generation of electricity (most of which comes from fossil fuels). See the previous comment about burning oil & coal. Air pollution is a serious problem that affects large segments of the population.Light pollution harms nocturnal wildlife. Many species won’t even go near an area that has bad lighting. Also, many species will simply stop reproducing if habitat destruction from overly bright lights becomes too severe. Light Pollution currently threatens all Florida Sea Turtles.Light pollution harms humankind, being linked to some serious ailments, including breast cancer. This is for real! This can be thought of as second hand smoke in the 1980’s. Researchers were just starting to look into the effects of second hand smoke back then. Many people laughed at the idea that one person could smoke… and another person could be harmed. Today, we know that this is in fact the case.Light pollution destroys the views of the heavens that man has enjoyed since the beginning of time. 90% of all American live under skies that are “affected” by light pollution… while roughly half can not see the Milky Way from their homes. This is a shame. Mankind has throughout history looked to the stars to try to understand events around them

5 Basic Copywriting Tips to Get More Readers

Herman Pienaar
-
0
5 Basic Copywriting Tips to Get More Readers
Research! The first thing you should do is do some research.You should know what kind of article you want to publish, what impact you want to achieve, how long it will take, and what kind of audience you will be targeting. You need to have an understanding of the basics of how to write an article. This will save you time and money and help you to write with confidence.Research is the absolute best thing you can do before writing. Depending on what your topic is, it can take up to half a day to research a topic, especially if you are trying to write about a wide variety of topics. The best way to learn everything you need to know about how to write is to read other successful writers, journos, marketers and business owners.Spend a lot of time watching what they do and try to model their approach. Use examples from your industry to see how you can apply things to your product or services. Look at successful writers and find out what they do to get the results they want.Once you have done the research, it is time to start planning. If you are targeting a local audience, then you need to come up with a unique selling story. Your article needs to tell the story so that you will be memorable to your reader. You should think about what kind of experiences your readers might have had with you and how you can impact their situation and help solve their problems.You should think about why your readers will remember your story over others. One example of this is how you can use interviews and testimonials. A good testimonial interview can be genuine and believable. You can also use a video or picture to reinforce the story. A great tip is to provide some links to some of the testimonials that people have left.When you are starting, remember that it takes more than just words to make a good article. It takes a plan to get started and you need to know how to create a plan before you ever begin. Keep these 5 basic copywriting rules in mind and you will soon be on your way to increasing your sales and profits.Remember to publish your story here!

No fireworks

Herman Pienaar
-
0
No fireworks
Issued George Mun, 6th December 2021Due to its associated fire risks the private use of fireworks, pyrotechnics and crackers are not allowed anywhere in the George Municipal Area at any time.Trading in fireworks is illegal and will be confiscated. Fines may apply.Please report the illegal setting off of fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300. Please report the illegal trade in fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

NSRI’s safety tips

Herman Pienaar
-
0
NSRI’s safety tips
It is summer holiday and time for everybody to flock to the sea again. Here is an article by the NSRI on safety while enjoying the sea. The NSRI wishes everyone a safe summer holiday and we urge the public to adopt a water safety mindset around coastal and inland waters. Our rule number one, for a safe experience at the beach, is to choose a beach that has lifeguards on duty and to swim between their flags. If you do that, you don’t need to worry about rip currents, or suddenly getting out of your depth. Putting an arm in the air and waving for help will get a rapid response from the lifeguards on duty. Unfortunately, for various reasons, people regularly swim where there are no lifeguards on duty. This may be on a beach before or after the lifeguard’s duty for the day or at a beach that does not have Lifeguards. This is when things can go wrong. In a typical scenario Sea Rescue gets an emergency call for a swimmer in difficulty and, when we get there, we find two or more people in danger of drowning. Tragically, sometimes we are not able to get there in time and someone drowns. Often the person who does not survive is the kind person who went into the water to try and help a person who was in difficulty. Because this happens so frequently, Sea Rescue launched our Pink Rescue Buoy project in November 2017.  These bright Pink Rescue Buoys are hung on strategically placed signs and we hope that they will remind people to take care when entering water – and not to swim if lifeguards are not on duty at that stretch of the beach. If there is an incident and someone needs help these buoys can be thrown to the person in trouble in the water, providing them with emergency flotation.  There are clear graphics on the sign which explain how to use the Rescue Buoy. And most importantly, the emergency number for the closest Sea Rescue station is printed on the sign. If anyone decides, against advice, to enter the water to try to rescue someone in trouble first call Sea Rescue and then use the Pink Rescue Buoy to provide flotation for that good Samaritan as well as for the casualty. Have a plan in place in the event of an emergency to prevent panic:
  • Make sure you have emergency numbers that you may need saved in your cell phone. Dial 112 from any cell phone in any emergency. Or simply Google Sea Rescue or NSRI for the closest Sea Rescue station’s telephone number.
  • Check the wind, weather and tides before going to the beach, fishing or boating.
  • Tell someone where you are going and when you are due back, and make sure that they know your route, your intentions and who to call if you are overdue.
  • When climbing on rocks or fishing from rocks – never ever turn your back on the sea and we strongly advise rock anglers to wear a life-jacket and know when spring high tide is.
  • If you are paddling or if you are on a boat, before you launch, download and always use NSRI’s free SafeTrx app – http://www.nsri.org.za/safetrx
Here are some safety tips to bear in mind this summer:
  1. Swim at beaches where and when lifeguards are on duty.Lifeguards are on duty at selected beaches between 10am and 6pm on weekends and during the week during summer school holidays. Listen to their advice and talk to them about safety on the beach that you are visiting. They are the experts on that beach. If lifeguards are not on duty do not swim.
  2. Swim between the lifeguard’s flags.Teach children that if they swim between the lifeguards flags the lifeguards will be watching them and can help if there is a problem. Lifeguards watch swimmers very carefully between the flags – just wave an arm if you need help.
  3. Don’t drink alcohol and then swim.
  4. Don’t swim alone. Always swim with a buddy.If you are with a buddy while swimming there is someone who can call for help if you need it and you can’t wave to the lifeguards or call for help yourself.
  5. Adult supervision and barriers to water are vital.Adults who are supervising children in or near water must be able to swim. This is vital if it is at a water body that does not have lifeguards on duty. It is extremely dangerous to get into the water to rescue someone so rather throw something that floats to the person in difficulty and call for help (112 from a cell phone and check for the nearest Sea Rescue station telephone number before you visit a beach – put that number into your cell phone). Children should not be able to get through or over barriers such as pool fences to water. Only use child safe pool fences and child safe pool covers or nets.
  6. Know how to survive rip currents.If you swim between the lifeguard flags they will make sure that you are safe and well away from rip currents. If for some reason this is not possible do not swim. Educate yourself about rip currents, there is plenty of educational material here http://www.nsri.org.za/2017/01/beware-of-rip-currents/ including videos of what rip currents look like.
  7. Don’t attempt a rescue yourself. Call a lifeguard or the NSRI by dialling 112 from your cell phone for help. If you see someone in difficulty call a lifeguard at once or dial the nearest Sea Rescue station from your cell phone. You should put this number into your phone before you go to the beach – get the emergency numbers for NSRI here http://www.nsri.org.za/emergency-numbers/ or you can Google for the closest NSRI station emergency number. 112 is a good emergency number – for any emergency – to dial from your cell phone. After calling for help try and throw something that floats to the person in difficulty. A ball, a foam surf board and so on.
  8. Watch children who are using floating objects, toys or tire tubes at the beach or on dams very carefully. Never use these if the wind may blow them away from the shallow water.You can very quickly get blown away from the shore and as much fun as tubes and Styrofoam are it is easy to fall off them. If a child can’t swim and falls off in deep water they will drown.
  9. Do not be distracted by your cell phone or social media.While you are looking after children in or near water you need to focus on them and nothing else. Adults who are supervising children should not be distracted or use their cell phone. It is not possible to concentrate on children in the water and be on your phone at the same time.
  10. Learn how to do CPR. Have the emergency numbers saved in your phone.
  The original article can be found here. 

George Municipality still removing debris and logs from after flash floods Monday, 22 November 2021

Herman Pienaar
-
0
George Municipality still removing debris and logs from after flash floods Monday, 22 November 2021
Issued by George Municipality on 3 December 2021George Municipality has asked bathers to be vigilant when swimming in the sea along our coast as debris and logs are still washing up following the flash floods of Monday 22 November 2021. Large piles of debris and logs are still in the process of being removed from the beaches by our Community  Services personnel. According to Allen Paulse, Director of Community Services, personnel  and Working for the Coast workers have been clearing Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Ballot’s Bay, Wilderness beach from Leentjiesklip to Selena’s beach, Gwaiing Beach and Kaaimans mouth on a daily basis.
A team of Community Services workers and workers from Working for the Coast after a cleanup at Wilderness Beach.
Due to the tides, there is still debris washing up and because of high tides, certain areas can only be reached when it is low tide. During last week, 269 bags of debris was picked up at Ballot’s Bay. This week the crews collected to date,  62 bags of debris on Herold’s Bay beach and had to cut up huge logs that washed up as well.
Herold’s Bay: A worker from Community Services cuts a log into smaller pieces with a chainsaw.
On 23 and 24 November the teams respectively picked up 211 and 220 bags at Herold’s Bay. At Gwaiing beach a total of 80 bags of debris were collected today, Friday, 3 December 2021 during low tide. The crews also walk up the river during low tide to clean up debris. At Wilderness the teams have picked up 320 bags of debris at Selena’s beachside on 1 December and another 215 bags at Leentjiesklip.
Bags and bags of debris picked up from Victoria Bay beach.
The beach looks spotless after the crews cleaned all the washed-up debris
Debra Sauer George Municipality Communications Officer 044 801 9181

Walk in your calling

LoveGeorge Contributor
-
0
Walk in your calling
I have discovered that one of the best ways to remain full of joy and peace, is to do what God has called me to do. Doing the purpose of God for my own life keeps me so occupied, I don’t have time to compare, judge, meddle in, analyze, or compete, with someone else’s life.
  • Run your own race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
  • Confess your own sins (James 5:16)
  • Love your own neighbor (Mark 12:31)
  • Mind your own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
  • Guard your own heart (Proverbs 4:23)
  • Build your own house (Matthew 7:24-27)
  • Renew your own mind (Roman’s 12:2)
  • Discipline your own body (1 Corinthians 9:27)
  • Tame your own tongue (James 3:8)
  • Plough your own field (Proverbs 20:4)
  • Protect your own eyes (Matthew 6:22)
  • Do your own good works (Ephesians 2:10)
  • Work out your own salvation (Philippians 2:12)
  • Dig your own well (Genesis 26:23-25)
  • Manage your own household (1 Timothy 3:4-5)
  • Pay attention to your own doctrine(l Tim 4:16)
by anonymous
1...232425...68Page 24 of 68