Bored? There are still lots to do, places to go

• Car Show in aid of Cast Aways Animal Sanctuary
Come and join in the fun and support the Cast Aways Animal Sanctuary’s Car Show at 26 Johanna Street in Wilbotsdal from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, November 13. The entry fee at the gate is dog/ cat food or toys for the furry friends, while the competition entry fee is R150 per category. There will be a sound competition, SPl and Bass boxing, classic cars, live entertainment, show and shine, night glow, stalls and jumping castles. Contact 066 232 9612 for more information.

• Beauty on the Greens Golf Day in Krugersdorp
It’s that time of the year again to support the Beauty on the Greens Golf Day for charity at the Krugersdorp Golf Club on Thursday, November 18. Like in 2020, golfers will have the chance to win a brand-new Toyota Starlet 1.4 Xi MT. Contact Adele on 081 379 3903 or Janine on 071 536 5757 for more information.

• RandWest SPCA Christmas Market
RandWest SPCA will be hosting a Christmas Market with food, drinks and entertainment on the main rugby field at the Greenhills Sports Stadium from 09:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, December 11. They are looking for interested vendors to show off their stalls. Contact Brenda on 084 505 0613 or Ansie on 082 614 8643 for more information. Food stalls are R200 and other stalls R100. One can make a financial donation to the RandWest SPCA. The banking details are: SPCA Westonaria, Standard Bank (Cheque account), Account number: 22070109 and branch 051001.

• Garden World’s Summer Festival
If you have a green thumb, then Garden World’s Summer Festival will be right up your alley to get heaps of gardening insights. The theme is Gardens for the soul and you can expect to see designer gardens, the latest garden trends and get clever solutions for small outdoor spaces. There will also be talks and workshops hosted by gardening pro’s, so keep an eye out on their Facebook page @GardenWorldNurserySA. Pencil October 22 to December 5 in your diary, it’s so worth the drive. Entry fee is R20 per person. Garden World is situated on Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift. Details: Contact 011 957 2545.

• Pencil in your diary … The Brauhaus Afrika Christmas Market
The Brauhaus Afrika Christmas Market taking place on December 18 is not to be missed. Think unique hand-made items ranging from baby accessories, clay earrings, woodwork, sourdough, bread, sweet and savoury bakes and much more. The stalls are hand-picked, the entertainment is superb, the food is fresh and the German beer is cold. Bring the children (and their swimsuits) there will be lots of fun activities. Details: Contact Ring Laoni on 076 018 5848 or email laonihill@icloud.com.

• Cedar Tree Craft market
Gather your family and friends and head to the Cedar Tree Craft market on October 31 from 10:00 to 15:00. Apart from live entertainment by Peter B, Danie & Barney and Ben Piet van Zyl, you can expect an array of excellent stalls ranging from mouth-watering food and drinks to custom made baby accessories, jewellery, leather products, delicacies, needlework and unique clothes, just to mention a few. Do not forget your mask! Venue: Khosa Sports Club at the corner of Shannon Road and Frederick Cooper Drive, Krugersdorp. Details: Contact Chanelle on 081 500 6884.

• Silverstar Mountain Bike Challenge
The Silverstar MTB Challenge is back, offering its traditional 20km and 40km route options on the Krugersdorp Ridge in the West Rand. The event starts and finishes at Silverstar. The route offers participants spectacular 360-degree views from the Krugersdorp Ridge as well as varied terrain challenges and flowing single track. The 40km route features 700 metres of climbing and the 20km 400 metres. Registration date and times are: Friday November 5 from 14:00 to 19:00 and Saturday, November 6 from 06:00 to 07:45. Entries closed October 28, 2021.

• Mellville Koppies a place to satisfy every need
It’s not often that one place can satisfy many diverse needs. Melville Koppies Central tries to do that. For the fitness fanatics, its 5km trail takes visitors through its varied vegetation types: in and out of grassland and forested areas, down to the river and up to quartzite ridges with views right across Johannesburg. Or the heritage trail that can give you insights into very early Johannesburg. Kids just a little taller than their parent’s knees become explorers as they dart along, spotting shongololos, unearthing scorpions under rocks (not to be recommended!) and trying their hand at grinding on the grinding stones near the lecture hut. It’s a perfect place for all manner of students, sometimes to study, other times just to chill. On October 10 an architecture student wandered the Koppies to find a spot where she could situate an imagined, sustainable cabin that would be protected from the harsh summer sun and the bitter winds of winter. And then there’s the regulars who with a season ticket can visit the Koppies every Sunday for just R10 a visit. Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday only in 2021 from 8am to 11.30am. No need to pre-book. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• The bird migrants are back at Melville Koppies
Birds that migrate to the northern hemisphere for our winter are just beginning to come back to Melville Koppies. It’s another reminder that our winter is over for another year. If you’re lucky you’ll spot the European bee-eaters with their distinctive staccato flight, catching the breeze with the swallows high up in the sky. Or you could hear a Diederik Cuckoo making its persistent high-pitched dee-dee-deederik whistle or its less common, mournful-sounding cousin, Klaas’ Cuckoo. Melville Koppies is a perfect place for beginner birders. Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday only in 2021 from 8am to 11.30am. No need to pre-book. Adults R80, children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• Getting the elderly fit every Wednesday
Is your grandpa or grandma living in the Klein Helderkruin retirement village? Super Boxing Fitness is introducing Super Senior fitness classes (60+) exclusive to Klein Helderkruin retirement village residents every Wednesday at 10:00. There is one 30-minute class per week which focuses on mobility, flexibility and balance in a safe and supportive environment, launching October 6. Please come join them in keeping their elderly healthy and active. Contact Raz on 084 990 8357 for more information.