Festive greetings!

100 days until the globe switches off for WWF’s Earth Hour 2013

Exactly 100 days from now, homes, businesses, community groups, schools, iconic landmarks and cities across the planet will take part in the world’s largest public action for the environment – WWF’s Earth Hour. This global mass participation movement encourages people all over the world to turn off their lights for one hour in a symbolic gesture to pledge their commitment to doing something positive for the planet.

“There is special power in Earth Hour’s bold simplicity, a moment shared in darkness,” says Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa. “Many people care about our environment, but feel overwhelmed by the enormity of what we can do. Earth Hour is not about saving electricity for an hour. It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together to celebrate, reflect on our actions and impact, and make a renewed commitment to preserving our planet. We are all connected, and we must remember that our individual actions make a collective difference!”

At 8:30pm local time on Saturday, 23 March 2013, Earth Hour  will see hundreds of millions of people around the world unite as the planet plunges in to darkness when lights are switched off in a moment of contemplation for the planet and celebration of their year-round commitment to protect it.

The iconic ‘lights out’ event has seen some of the most recognised buildings and landmarks switch off in celebration of the one thing that unites us all – the planet. These include Table Mountain in Cape Town to the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, the Sydney Opera House in Australia to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Forbidden City in China to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Buckingham Palace in London.

More than 7,000 cities in 152 countries took part in 2012, growing exponentially since 2011 when over 5,000 cities in 135 countries engaged in the power of Earth Hour. This year, Earth Hour again challenged people to go beyond the hour with a new campaign called I Will If You Will (IWIYW). Based on a social contract between parties, the online video platform inspired individuals and organisations to share their personal dare with the world by asking, “What are you willing to do to save the planet?” 

The IWIYW campaign continues in 2013 and WWF calls on everyone to create their own challenge for the betterment of our planet and the protection of the environment, to declare and share our commitment to action beyond the hour.

Over the years South Africans have embraced the spirit of Earth Hour to unite and celebrate with global citizens of the earth, and WWF South Africa (WWF-SA) will continue to spread a message of engagement and active citizenship. “We encourage the public to share their stories, create their own challenges as well as host their own events, to participate in whatever ways they feel best honour our earth,” explains du Plessis.

Du Plessis concludes, “As we head towards the end of 2012, and a new year ahead, consider your wish for the earth when making your own new year’s resolutions. Whether investing in a solar geyser or energy-saving light bulbs, unplugging unused appliances or recycling, our small actions can have great combined impact”.

WWF-SA wishes to collect stories from everyday South Africans about how they have celebrated Earth Hour over the years as well as discover the beyond the hour commitments to honour and care for our earth. Stories can be sent to earthhour@wwf.org.za.

Earth Hour listing:

WWF’s Earth Hour 2013

At 8:30pm local time on Saturday, 23 March 2013, unite with hundreds of millions of people around the world for WWF’s Earth Hour 2013 as the planet goes dark when lights are switched off in a symbolic gesture to pledge their commitment to doing something positive for the planet. 

When:            Saturday, 23 March 2013, 8:30 – 9:30pm local time

Where:            Across the globe, in your city, in your home

Why:               Celebrate your commitment to the planet, in unity with fellow citizens of the planet.

How:               Switch off your non-essential lights, organise a local get together or participate in 

                        whatever way you choose. WWF South Africa would also love to hear stories of your   

                        celebrations and commitment beyond the hour. Send them to earthhour@wwf.org.za.

Website:         www.earthhour.org.za to find out how you can sign up, share your stories, challenge

                        others, celebrate and switch over to more sustainable ways of preserving our planet.

Supernova magazine team members have already signed up! 

Have you?

December madness: Part 2

The second part to your complimentary holiday guide:

16. Star gaze

Whether you believe in aliens or not, keep an eye on the night sky this month. The Geminid meteor shower is also a main attraction from the 13^th to 14^th of December and will be seen all across the globe. If that doesn’t really tickle your fancy, you can go to the Planetarium.

17. Visit uShaka Marine World

From penguins to sharks, uShaka has it all! Take the day (and some very comfortable shoes) to explore all they have to offer when it comes to sea life.

18. Have a sleepover

Invite a few of your child’s friends over and let them watch movies or just try out the fun activities in Supernova.

19. Build-a-Bear

For our Christian readers, this will make a great Christmas present. The children will love ‘designing’ their own teddy bears with their very own birth certificates.

20. Go green

Make the effort these holidays to make your home a little greener. Many hardware stores stock environmentally friendlier paints and light bulbs.

21. Have a Hanukkah/ Christmas party

Have friends and family over to celebrate the festive season. It might be a good time to try out Supernova’s Inklings' hot chocolate and microwave cake.

22. Start a band

Have fun by just getting your child’s friends over for a musical meeting.

23. Go to Gold Reef City or Ratanga Junction

Scream your lungs out on all the rides that these amusement parks have to offer. Keep some brown bags in the car just in case for when you go home…

24. Garden

Get your child interested in creepy crawlies and plants by letting them help you in the garden. Starting your own vegetable garden is a good idea.

25. Painting

Finger painting is wonderfully relaxing. Make sure you have enough newspaper out so that the paint does not stain any furniture or clothes.

26. Boksburg Wild Waters

Boksburg Wild Waters is fantastic for the entire family. If you don’t have New Years plans yet, give them a call for a wild time.

27. Learn a new language

You can never know enough languages. Grab the language of your choice’s dictionary and get practising your pronunciation!

28. Learn to play an instrument

This might come in handy if your child decided to go with activity number 22. Music lessons may be necessary if it really catches on or if you can’t handle the noise anymore...

29. Botanical gardens

Get enthusiastic about plant life! The whole family can enjoy the beautiful views and hiking trails at the Botanical Gardens. Visit http://www.sanbi.org/ for more information.

30. Learn to meditate

In today’s society, stress is very much part of everyone’s lives. Learning to meditate might be more of an activity for mom, but the kids may also benefit from this skill when they do go back to school.

31. Go fishing

Our marketing and sales intern, Helga Odendaal, will be able to tell you all about fishing and its relaxing qualities. Make sure to not hurt the fish when you do catch one and to throw it back into the water.

And a bonus:

32. Read Supernova magazine!

Don’t forget to take a copy of Supernova with you these hols! Keep your child’s brain muscles flexed with our Inklings page and the fact-stuffed articles.

Whatever you decide to do this December, be safe! If you've tried out any of our listed activities, please send us pictures! We would love to see!

By Carina Vermooten

December madness: Part 1

The December holidays are finally upon us and after such a hectic year, a break is definitely in order. If you have children, it can be a nightmare to try and keep the little rascals constructively occupied during the next four to five weeks. Don’t know how? Supernova magazine and BK Publishing are here to help!

31 activities for 31 days

1. Go to the zoo

Not only will your children be able to run around like mad things without getting into trouble, everyone in the family will get to see some exotic animals while being outdoors and spending quality time together. Visit http://www.nzg.ac.za/ to find your nearest zoo.

2. Have a picnic

A good way to spend time together as a family these holidays and for the kids to get rid of excess energy is to have a picnic. Pack some healthy treats and a blanket, and head for the great outdoors! Remember to also pack in the Frisbee or a ball to play with after lunch.

3. Go for a hike

When you are going hiking, fill your backpack with the following essentials:

• A water bottle
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Energy bars
• Your camera
• A compass

Wear comfortable shoes. 

All good hikers know never to go hiking alone so make sure everyone stays together in a group.

4. Build a fort

Let your kids take over the living room and build a fort. Some of our best childhood memories here at BK Publishing involve us building forts out of blankets and pillows.

5. Bake something delicious

Keep an eye out for the next issue of Supernova magazine for two extremely delectable recipes for microwave cake and hot chocolate. The recipes are fun, easy and quick to make.

6. Play some putt-putt

Try your hand at mini golf this December by taking the family out. The games don’t last as long as a proper golf game does, but it lasts long enough to keep the entire family entertained for a few hours.

7. Ice skating

Ice skating makes for hours of fun! Take something warm to wear with or just drop the kids off while you go do shopping.

8. Go look at the Christmas lights in Lawley street, Waterkloof, Pretoria.

During the festive time, Lawley street is wonderful to go to at night. The residents decorate their houses with fairy lights and many people go at night time to look at the beautiful little lights.

9. Go to the museum

Look what museums are in your area and pay them a visit. Museums often have great interactive displays that will engage your child’s mind.

10. Go camping

Spend time in the great outdoors by planning a camping trip. Get the marshmallows and ghost stories ready! Plus, it’s also a great way to get the children away from the television.

11. Volunteer at a charity

Charities always need support and volunteers. Find out which charities are in your area and offer your support. It may also just teach the kids to appreciate what they have.

12. Puzzles

Whether it’s a crossword or a jigsaw, puzzles are a great way to keep the brain juices flowing.

13. Go bowling

Improve hand-eye coordination with this activity. Think of it as an investment for all the future driving lessons…

14. Play board games

Monopoly, Cluedo, 30 Seconds and Scrabble are awesome games to get everyone amped up!

15. Recycle

Keep the planet clean by recycling and making it a habit for 2013.

Look out for December madness: Part 2 tomorrow!

By Carina Vermooten

Holiday fun time for the kids!

Tanya Brown will be running another Amuse programme from the 10-13 December (Monday-Thursday) in these upcoming school holidays. Amuse is an arts and music programme that was founded by Tanya in 2007. The mission of Amuse is as follows:

“To provide children with an experiential, creative and fun encounter with the arts (including music, drama, dance and visual art) through hands-on, practical activities, facilitated by trained professionals and arts enthusiasts.” 

Amuse caters for children from ages four to ten, and works on a daily rotational programme, where the children move between various fun and age-appropriate activities. Some of these activities include: guitar, keyboard, and drumming skills; musical baking; movement and dance; visual arts and crafts; music appreciation; and drama skills. Every day, the Amusers are exposed to a new, interesting instrument. In the past, Amuse has explored, experienced, played and listened to the electric guitar, the saxophone, a drum kit, the trombone, the violin, and many other interesting instruments.

Please see the flyer below for more details regarding this amazing holiday programme:

Amazinging holiday reads!

Congratulations class of 2012!

BK Publishing interns: Helga Odendaal and Charné Oosthuysen

For us here at BK Publishing, we had the joy of experiencing the enthusiasm that comes with graduating. Two of our interns, Charné and Helga, found out yesterday that they passed all their modules at the University of Pretoria, without getting any rewrites. We celebrated accordingly – sitting around our publisher’s computer screen, our mouths stuffed with red velvet cupcakes and champagne, looking for errors on a layout. Have no fear, it was a quarter of a tiny glass of champagne each!

For many of our Supernova readers, next year will be a year of new beginnings and a lot of change. ‘Graduating’ primary school and moving on to high school is either a dream come true or a worst nightmare.

Here is our totally rad guide to making a smooth transition from primary school to high school:

1. Be friendly – Regardless of teenagers all being notoriously famous for being grumpy, moody and sometimes just down right nasty, they are still human. Everyone prefers a smile to a huge scowl.
2. Be yourself – Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. You are unique and people will love you for it.
3. Don’t take initiation too seriously – The older kids will initially find you to be very strange and amusing, but they’ll get over it soon enough. If you do feel that you are being bullied, speak to a teacher.
4. Work hard – High school is the place where you start paving the way for your future for when you leave school. Work as hard as you possibly can so that you can achieve your goals and make your dreams come true, whatever they might be.
5. Be strong – Don’t give in to peer pressure. It’s not worth the trouble you’ll be getting into if you do make a very bad decision.
6. Read Supernova – Always keep your brain muscles flexed and knowledge sharp!

However great or bad high school ends up being, it won’t last forever!

To all our Supernova readers going to high school, we wish you the best of luck and we hope that the experience is a ton of fun!

By Carina Vermooten