An event of the magnitude of the Ironman does not run properly without a mass of volunteers and logistics - some are paid, some volunteer and all are enthusiastic and dedicated. Having myself been involved in many sailing events (pop down to Hobie Beach from 27 to 30 April to see the Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals) I am intimately aware of the precious value of volunteers. Often we will see Captains of Industry giving up holiday time to assist at Sailing Regattas and their only form of payment? … [Read more...] about 2012 Ironman Swim Support Personnel
metronews
My Ironman Lump in the Throat Moment
The Longhair and I were up at 4:00 am on Sunday morning in preparation to accompany Morven Maclean out to the start of the Specsavers Ironman swim (give his guest house, Barnacle Bed and Breakfast, a bash). Morven formed part of the large volunteer force providing support for the almost 1 800 swimmers for the first leg of the 2012 Specsavers Ironman. We gathered at the harbour and waited for the rain to abate before motoring out at 6:30 am - two 140 horsepower motors ensured that we were at … [Read more...] about My Ironman Lump in the Throat Moment
MyPE Down
My apologies if you arrived at MyPE during the last half hour and found it to be down. One of the wages of successful web sites is that one needs to occasionally allocate more and more resources to the server that it resides upon. Today was the day that I had had enough of those OOM (Out of Memory) messages and bit the bullet to double the size of the memory available. Let's hope that all will be smooth sailing for the next couple of months until the next growth spurt necessitates … [Read more...] about MyPE Down
Maritburg United Receive Stadium Blessing
Just before the kick off of the Maritzburg United Mamelodi Sundowns clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this past Saturday, 21 April, the field sprinklers turned on in merry celebration of the last game for the Team of Choice in our fair city of Port Elizabeth. The stadium announcer after a small moment of panic remarked that the pseudo rain was an African blessing. He did not know just how right he was! A substantial crowd attended the game - my estimate of the visible crowd is around … [Read more...] about Maritburg United Receive Stadium Blessing
Our Mayor – A True Patriot
People who know me are well aware of my aversion to wasting time on Facebook so forgive me if you have seen this already. I happen to notice that the Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Zanoxolo Wayile, has three Facebook accounts - one with 1 163 friends, one with 113 friends and one with 84 friends. The most active Facebook account is the one with 1 163 friends and we presume that that is the 'official' one. Go on make friends with Zanoxolo, you know you want to. Whilst you are there … [Read more...] about Our Mayor – A True Patriot
MyPE Client of the Year
There is always one client that you continually cock things up for every year, and, despite your ineptitude, they pay on time and smile indulgently whilst you look like a total idiot. For MyPE that client is Beauty Connection. For her patience and quiet indulgence we have given Brigit the Client of the Year Award. Brigit has now renewed her premium link and category banner for the 3rd year in a row. Plus she has also taken a banner ad on the MyPE Search Results page. So, Brigit - thanks … [Read more...] about MyPE Client of the Year
Our Local News Media are Advised to Take a Leaf out of Sport24’s Book
At the press conference to announce the appointment of Matt Sexton as Head Coach for EP Rugby and Brad Mooar as Specialist Skills Coach yesterday, the EP Director of Rugby, Alan Solomons, told the local media that in recognition of their loyal support and favoured standing he would ensure that all major news would be broken to them first. As a local boy, Alan understands the need to promote our region and for this we thank him. Okay so what has Sport24 vs our Local News Media have to do … [Read more...] about Our Local News Media are Advised to Take a Leaf out of Sport24’s Book
South African Legislated Employment Practices Through the Ages
Employment Practices under the National Party Government: Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for appointment to the under-mentioned position. If your application is successful please don't think that you were necessarily the best candidate as our company/municipality/government department is committed to employment practices that redress past imbalances in respect of race, sex and language, and as such the relevant policy will be considered during selection and … [Read more...] about South African Legislated Employment Practices Through the Ages
Thanks for the Money Ratepayers, This is how we waste it!
Trying to get straight and quick answers out of most of the people involved in the Splash Festival is frustrating to say the least. The Splash Festival event is 'owned' by the Municipality and funded by around R2 million from the ratepayers. Every year the Municipality uses ratepayer money to choose an events company to provide entertainment. 2012's chosen events company was Go Big. Despite my personal relationships with previous organisers I was pleased to see that the Municipality was … [Read more...] about Thanks for the Money Ratepayers, This is how we waste it!
Splash Festival offers no significant ‘Foreign’ Money flow into Port Elizabeth
Events like the Splash Festival, Specsavers Ironman, International Rugby, International Cricket, Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals, Weekend Post Ocean Racing Series and The Herald VW Cycle Tour are held not only to raise the profile of our city but also to attract 'foreign' money into our economy. The ONE way that we are going to grow our local economy is by attracting money from outside of our municipal boundaries into Port Elizabeth. Just stirring the dwindling available money around in the pot … [Read more...] about Splash Festival offers no significant ‘Foreign’ Money flow into Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth Splash Festival Accommodation Question
The Port Elizabeth Splash Festival is probably our largest community driven event of the year. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality uses ratepayer money to kickstart the funding of the event and every year we have the same old question coming up; "What is the tangible and measurable benefit that accrues to the city as a result of the Splash Festival"? One of the measurable benefits to the city is the number of tourists that that visit our neck of the woods as a direct result of the Splash … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth Splash Festival Accommodation Question
Project Glass – Creating a Further Disconnect?
You see them sitting at work, the dinner table or in a pub - beavering away on their mobile devices and not taking note of the social happenings in their immediate surroundings. I predict that the next scarce employable skill will be face to face conversation. Fighter pilots have heads up displays so Google reckoned; "Why not develop heads up displays for the masses and wire them into the internet on a 24/7 basis". Google Project Glass's prototype version look like a very polished and … [Read more...] about Project Glass – Creating a Further Disconnect?
If we share our view will you keep quiet?
Staying where we do we have a magnificent view of the bay and the Nelson Mandela Bay Soccer Stadium. Combine this with a park and wide verges across the road and we often see people stopping to admire the view. Along with those that admire the view we also get to see what we presume are dangerous liaisons, cheating spouses and even wedding parties having photographs taken. So long as these happen quietly and during the day I am a happy little camper. BUT, when drunken or drugged idiots … [Read more...] about If we share our view will you keep quiet?
The Guy With the Dreads and his Madcap Female Partner are WALKING to Cairo
Amy Russell and Aaron Tharp are are walking 11 000 kilometres across Africa from Cape Town to Cairo to raise awareness and funds for clean water projects because they recognize that bringing safe water to everyone is the first step toward eliminating extreme poverty worldwide. Primary support is being given by driver, Marty Yoder who drives behind and alongside them. This intrepid team are are raising funds for charity:water, which uses 100% of the money for clean water projects, working with … [Read more...] about The Guy With the Dreads and his Madcap Female Partner are WALKING to Cairo
Massive Rain Forecast – Don’t be fooled by the sunny day today
Isn't it strange how easily we become complacent? The Port Elizabeth Weather Guru is presently (08h30 on 25 March 2012) forecasting a massive deluge of rain between 17h00 and 23h00 of 15.1 millimetres. The forecast changes three hourly as more information comes in so you may see different numbers to ours. We forget to check the weather forecast and then bam get hit by some really inclement weather and then look for someone to blame for our lack of foresight? Here is one number that you … [Read more...] about Massive Rain Forecast – Don’t be fooled by the sunny day today
