text:
quick contact
T + 27 (0) 21 761 email@example.com click here for a map
welcome to the warehouse!
The Warehouse was established in 2003 through the parish of St John's, and exists to serve the South African church network in its response to poverty, injustice and division. We work with local churches in all communities, helping them to implement sound, effective and practical acts and renewed attitudes, to see transformation in our communities.
Children are a heritage from God
A day does not pass without us reading about a child being abused, neglected, exploited, abandoned, raped and/or murdered. More than 33 children have gone missing and killed in the Western Cape since January 2017 and these are only some of the reported cases. It is said that more than 800 children have been harmed, maimed or murdered in South Africa in the last six months.
My heart cries out for these innocent victims. The perpetual trauma, pain and physical and emotional damage these young ones have to endure at the hands of adults – the very ones they trust and look to for care, protection and love. Look around – where is their protection from violence, cruelty, danger, hunger, exploitation and disrespect? Psalm 127:3 clearly says: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him."
Children across all spectrums are caught up in situations that affect their very being, and have long term consequences for living a full and fruitful life – a life that God intended for them to live. It is not only the atrocities of violence, rape and murder that have a devastating effect on children. They are exposed to situations that can negatively impact and influence their life on so many levels. Let us consider a few of these:
• Socio-economic situations forces children to join gangs, indulge in substance abuse, promiscuous behaviour leading to teenage pregnancy and early school dropouts.
• South Africa is listed as one of the top five countries with the highest divorce rates in the world. Children are caught up in the furore between mother and father, they feel they are to blame, and can often be used as a pawn to ease the conscience of the parent.
• Children who grow up without their fathers may experience problems in their school performance and behaviour. Low morals, low self-esteem, low self-love can all lead to bigger emotional and psychosocial adjustments and behaviours. Stephan Baskerville from Howard University says: "Violent crime, drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, suicide – all correlate more strongly to "fatherlessness" than to any other single factor."
"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." [Mal. 4:6].
• Unemployment further exacerbates the family finances and children are deprived of food, shelter, education and just the basic living commodities. Hunger and poverty can drive children to desperate measures by dabbling in things for extra cash that can lead to detrimental consequences. In some cases where parents do have jobs, it is the older siblings that have to take care of the younger ones. This means no schooling, and goes against the Children's Act in terms of child labour.
• Let us not forget that any disaster, like the recent floods and fires, which results in families losing their homes or where the death of family members happen can further increase the level of vulnerability that children experience.
• Domestic violence and conflict in communities also deprives children from having any psychological, social, economic or spiritual support.
In Matthew 19:13-15 Jesus says: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." In the preceding chapter the disciples question Jesus about who the greatest is in the kingdom of heaven. [Matt. 18:1-6]. He uses a little child to illustrate His point, that unless we become like a vulnerable little child, we will not inherit the kingdom of God. We learn from these two passages that children are treasures and not commodities for exploitation in His kingdom. They must be welcomed, protected and blessed.
So, what is the role of the church in ensuring that children are safe and protected? The church has always been involved in caring for, protecting and advocating for children. Sunday School, community camps, holiday clubs, homework clubs, child-and-youth-care centres, are some areas where children are vulnerable and in the care of the church premises. Both the children and the church are at risk. Those involved in working with children need to have an understanding of the Children's Act and its related laws and how this is relevant for the church.
The Warehouse has a resource available which describes the principles and provisions of the Children's Act and its relevance to churches in their work with children. These are some of the topics that are covered:
Background to the Children's Act, its aim and purpose
Biblical Principles
General Principles for children
Who can work with children
What to do when you suspect a child being abused or neglected
What to do if a child is injured or dies while in the care of the church
In the midst of continuous atrocities against children in our communities, The Warehouse will be hosting three events on 9 August (Women's Day) and Saturday 12 August, on the responsibility of the church towards children.
9 August 9h00 - 15h30: Presentation on the Children's Act and its application to churches
12 August 09h30 - 12h30: Gathering of church- and children's ministry leaders to share experiences and thoughts around the responsibility of the church in addressing this scourge
12 August 14h00 - 17h00 Repeat of the Children's Act workshop, but in a shortened form.
The book, Children, Church and the Law will be on sale at a cost of R300.
There is no charge for the workshops themselves, but donations will be much appreciated, both towards the cost of refreshments, and towards the cost of the book so that we can subsidise churches who cannot afford it.
Nehemiah and Social Change: Part Two
Taking Ownership
Nehemiah 1: 6-7
'Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.'
We, as human beings, are often very quick to pass the blame, and very slow to accept responsibility. This tendency is often multiplied in situations in which it is easy to see ourselves as the victim. Israel had been under attack and the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. From just about every angle, most would agree that the Israelites were the clear victims here. And yet, in this very moment, Nehemiah takes stock of his own life and the lives of his people, and takes responsibility for the areas in which they have not practised justice and righteousness.
I believe that the practice of this kind of ownership is in fact the thing that qualifies us to be part of the solution. And by solution I do not simply mean something that looks like a fix from the outside, but something that brings healing all the way to the problem's root. A radical restoration.
Nehemiah's legacy was not the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. That was merely part of it. His legacy was the rebuilding of the people, Israel. He recognised that if his work had ended as soon as the city walls had gone up, in all likelihood, those walls would have soon been in ruins once again. Instead, after Nehemiah's individual acceptance of, and owning up to, his own culpability in the circumstances of Israel's current state, he led his nation into a place of collective ownership of responsibility for where they were as a people (Nehemiah 9), and in so doing, brought them into a space of radical restoration.
There is something about the vulnerability of admitting that we are imperfect, that restores to us our humanity, and opens us up to healing. And our healing becomes a springboard for the healing of others. Defensiveness, while it may assume the guise of a friend, promising to keep us safe and unexposed, in reality is the greatest threat to our humanity, building higher and higher walls around our hearts, until even we lose sight of who we are. The ability to take ownership, to accept responsibility, is a gift. It allows us the chance to be absolved, to be forgiven. The chance to throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the solution. The chance to experience freedom.
It is time that we refuse to take the route that looks easy- that performance of absolving ourselves of guilt by pointing the finger at the person that appears the most culpable- and instead do the hard work of examining our own hearts, taking responsibility for our actions or inactions that have contributed to the state of affairs that we find ourselves in.
Instead of ending the conversation on corruption by placing the blame fully on the corrupt government, ask how you have contributed to its epidemic. Instead of blaming poverty on the state, ask how you have contributed to the economic inequality so rife in our country. Instead of finding someone else to blame for racism, ask how you have contributed to the upholding of the systemic racial injustice still so present in South Africa. All the while remembering that inaction is a contribution too.
And if, after a thorough examination- which should ideally include difficult conversations with other people too-, you find yourself guilt-free, then perhaps look to the example of Jesus. The one who, despite his absolute blamelessness, chose to take ownership of, and responsibility for, all the terrible things that humankind had done and would do, all so that the image of God that we bear could be restored completely.
I think that if we are seeking solutions that bring true healing and restoration, far deeper than the surface, we need to let go of our pride and defences, and humble ourselves by owning up to our responsibility. Then, and only then, we should take up the needle and thread to get to the work of mending what has been broken. That work for which our ownership has qualified us.
By Thandi Gamedze
Resources Available
This manual offers guidelines to the church in its response to people coming to the door for help, and the many challenges that this presents.
Part 1, for those at the front desk, discusses ways of exercising compassion, wisdom and discernment; how to say "yes" without being patronising or feeling manipulated, and how to say "no" without being dismissive or feeling guilty.
Part 2 assists church leaders with developing policies that offer a unified response to those in need, and with supporting the front-of-house staff as they implement these decisions.
Part 3 provides practical tools for record-keeping and setting up a data base of resource- and service providers. The book includes templates for developing these lists.
50-page A4, spiral bound booklet
Hard copy R100
Mailed copy R150
Pdf R50
Generosity Revolution is a month-long campaign for a church community. Its aim is to encourage mindset change around ownership, giving and receiving in a context of inequality.
Based on a study of the book of Ruth, this resource promotes a theology of generosity that gives birth to exciting and achievable ways of giving and receiving in a way that upholds dignity for all. The package includes the following:
• Material for sermons and liturgy
• Small-group Bible studies
• Resources for children
• Posters, bookmarks and ideas for "daily drip-feeds" to encourage interest and motivation that leads to action.
80-page A4 spiral-bound booklet, with resources that can be copied
Hard copy R150
Mailed R200
Pdf R50
A Practical Guide for Churches on the Children's Act and Other Laws Relating to Children
This practical guide offers an overview of the Children's Act and how it relates to churches and Children's institutions and ministries.
It enables leaders of churches and child-care institutions in South Africa to better understand and adhere to the Children's Act and other relevant legislation. Its purpose is to promote the protection and wellbeing of children in all aspects of church and community life. The book outlines general principles of the Act, and examines issues around the safety and well-being of children, issues such as rights and responsibilitites of both children and carers, and how to confront issues such as child labour, child trafficking and other abuses.
It's a very practical book, written in simple English in a question-and-answer format. Its full colour format allows for easy reference to the different sections. The book includes a glossary of terms used, real life examples of application of the different principles, and snippets that illustrate the principle being described.
200-page A4 full-colour book
Hard copy R300
Mailed R365
Pdf R150
A one-day process enabling the church to take concrete steps towards addressing the challenge of substance abuse.
Many in our churches and communities are concerned about the poverty, violence and social challenges that confront us, but feel crippled by fear, hopelessness or lack of ideas of what to do. Using the book of Joel as a text, this booklet offers a format for a series of conversations that move people from a position of stuckness and despair to being hopeful, energised and ready for action.
The focus of the book is substance abuse, but the methodology can be applied to any challenge facing your community.
13-page A4 soft cover booklet
Hard copy R50
Mailed R80
Pdf R50
Exercises and techniques for managing stress
Using a hands-on, popular education approach, this booklet describes simple exercises for relieving stress, managing emotions and living with bal¬ance in the midst of the challenges of life. It is especially effective in communi¬ties affected by violence, poverty and trauma.
16-page soft cover A5 booklet
16-page spiral-bound booklet
Hard copy A4: R50, A5: R30
Mailed R80
Pdf R50
Towards Sanitation Justice
The Praxis Cycle as a tool for the building of a movement towards sanitation justice:
We are looking to run all the stages of the Praxis cycle as a means to communicating an ongoing truth about the sanitation issue in South Africa and more specifically in Khayelitsha.
We are looking to launch our four-month intensive on the 15th of June with an introduction and grounding for the next four months. This will take place at the Warehouse from 12:00-13:00.
The praxis cycle as a tool is effective in its ability to communicate simple truths and allow for an ongoing revisit of the various stages, both cyclically and then interchangeably.
Stage 1 Immersion: (July 20)
As a first place of immersion, we will draw on the biblical tradition of liberation and freedom. We'll begin to immerse ourselves in the context of sanitation in Cape Town, from a walk in an area with informal toilets to a walk in the mall to grasp the complexities of what it means to talk sanitation in the City; a pilgrimage that will seek to open eyes and hearts with a theological framework. We are also seeking to move people from charity to justice, the question cannot be about fixing the present toilets or what type of toilet we use but the human element of what it truly looks like to be present within this situation, the ongoing lifestyle trauma and the risk to women, children and the LGBT.
Stage 2 Social analysis: (August 17)
The opportunity for each person to undertake a social analysis of the area that they live in. This includes a brief understanding of the sanitation in your own community and understanding who the power players are. The overview will then look at how you are able to find out and make contact with these power players. Each community has the obvious players like ward counsellors etc. and the less obvious like block managers, neighbourhood watches, private business people who have government contracts, etc. Social analysis will also be used as a tool to recognise and understand who has power, and how this power is used, moving people to understand both their own power and the power of structures and institutions.
Stage 3 Prophetic Imagination / Theological Reflection: (September 21)
Each individual is given the opportunity to freely dream and imagine what a better future for the City would look like, a freedom to use the imagination in such a way as to look beyond what seems impossible into a God-dreamed future. We'll be focussing on advocacy and creative protest, using various models from both within South Africa – Reclaim the City, SJC, the Poo Protests at UCT and the Airport – to examples of creative change in Medellin in Colombia. We will also take this time to walk through some spiritual formation practices to help keep people both focussed and strong during what can be a very trying and difficult time. Prayers and readings will be used that both form and reform us, how to use centering prayer, the prayer of examen and the use of community life as means of learning, unlearning and relearning together.
The opening of one's eyes to the spatial injustice can be jarring.
Stage 4 Pastoral Action: (October 19)
The process then moves us on to action. The action stage begins to ask how then now do we live and respond. A call to simplicity for the wealthier contexts is tempered by the realisation that simplicity and responsible use of water etc. is not going to build infrastructure.
Cities are not built off the back of national governments, in main the data points us towards the reality that the City scape is sculpted and built by local government working hand in hand with other role players both private and public.
The action stage allows us to sculpt a working pattern with an overarching narrative but deeply embedded in each person's context.
The action will include making available contextual bible studies and offering to host and facilitate these within specific churches / NGOs / concern group settings.
Prophetic Image-nation
"God, the justice and mercy You speak to me about in your word, are so unfamiliar, I don't see it anywhere around me. Yho! I'm so tired of trying to live my life as a voice for this thing that all these people don't even acknowledge!"
These words are from a journal entry I wrote while I was attending a predominantly white Christian Conference which led me to once again confront the ongoing internal conflict of being a black woman, passionate about godly justice, while existing in church spaces where the topic seemed close to taboo. As most of my journal entries go, I had written it as a way to help me process what I was experiencing- not at all mindful of the possibility that the God I was writing to could actually read it and do something about it!
Well, He did just that. The very next day Valerie (a stranger up to this point) sent me a Facebook message inviting me to join the team behind the Conference. After meeting Val and the team of amazing people who spoke of godly justice as anything but taboo, I began to realise that this conference, these people were an answer to my unspoken prayer. I was stunned by their relentless quest to create a space for prophetic imagination around the event, disrupting the injustices we have come to accept as the 'norm'.
One of the decisions reflecting prophetic imagination that had a significant impact on my life was around the conference clean-up. I volunteered to oversee the cleaning team for the event. I must confess I chose that mostly because I felt immensely under-qualified to handle anything else, so I figured cleaning would be my safest bet. That's until we had a conversation about seeing cleaning as a justice issue. In South Africa, cleaning at an event like this is often a woman's job, and all too often a black woman's job. We wanted to create a space where this was disrupted, which meant having white people, white males in particular, volunteering to do the 'dirty work'.
I could have never imagined how God would use this aspect of conference organising to lead me to confront an old grim race-gender-inferiority complex ghost. In the build up to the event, I was thoroughly freaked out by the prospect of having to instruct white men to clean up toilets and trash cans, and I found myself feeling under-qualified yet again. But after meeting the crew, my fears were eased by their incredible humility and gentleness. Words cannot fully explain how this seemingly simple act of cleaning up after hundreds of people left me with an unshakable feeling of acceptance, belonging and empowerment.
This feeling would be further entrenched by the powerful expressions of diversity throughout the event. As a black woman, painfully aware of the battle against inferiority complexes, I was most encouraged by the expressions of black voices. One of my closest friends got emotional as she remarked on how listening to Adam Thomason's talk was the first time she had seen a black man, in a position of leadership, speaking on a Christian stage in front of white people. The same friend went on to express that she was struck by the fact that there were no 'reserved' seats at the event. We shared this moment, realising that we had both been to enough Christian events to be able to recognise that this too, was an intentional prophetic imagination decision.
One of my desires for the conference was for it to be a space where people who felt dejected and alone in their quest for justice in South Africa would meet like-minded people with whom they could share frustrations and encouragement. I wanted "justice orphans" who felt like I had when I wrote that journal entry to find a "tribe" of co-labourers, like I had found in Valerie and the team. I was encouraged by eavesdropping on people congregating around coffee stalls (as Capetonians do), sharing stories of what had brought them to the conference.
Prophetic image-nation
Imagine a day
where a voiceless woman
loses her muzzle
learning a new language of expression
empowered by others who were once muzzled
liberated by the One who created vocal chords
Imagine a nation
plagued by poverty and greed
nightmares of murder and rape
shadows of depression and dispossession
learning to imagine
gazing at the stars to see a brighter future
illuminated by the One who Created the stars.
By Lindiwe Mpofu
Nehemiah and Social Change
Delving into disequilibrium
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, "The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire." As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:1-5
Thus begins the book of Nehemiah. He learns that his people, with their turbulent history of being enslaved, forced into exile, and oppressed, are once again in a very precarious position. The wall of Jerusalem is in ruins- clearly the result of an ill-intentioned attack - leaving an already vulnerable people group completely defenseless and prey to the whims of a very real enemy.
This was gut-wrenching news for Nehemiah. These were his people. This attack on Jerusalem and its people was personal. And so, he sat down and wept and mourned for days.
As human beings, I think that it is in our nature to want to fix things, and often that desire leads us into bringing band aid solutions that address the problem's symptoms, and in so doing, address our own symptom; the discomfort of disequilibrium.
This is a trap. It is the same trap that we fell into when the laws of apartheid were abolished in South Africa and we placed over the gaping wound that remained, a band aid called the Rainbow Nation.
These symptom-alleviation techniques do not fix the problem. Instead, they cover it up, providing the perfect environment for it to fester and rot, eating through even the flesh that was once healthy.
Nehemiah did not rush in with a band aid. He refused to buy in to a symptomatic cure to propel him out of his pain, but instead chose to remain in it. To be affected by it. To be inconvenienced by it.
He wept and mourned for days, allowing the extent of Jerusalem's reality to penetrate into every aspect of his being, while praying and fasting before the God of heaven. Nehemiah went on to lead a movement that resulted in the rebuilding of the city walls, and the re-establishment of an entire people.
I believe that our ability to enact real change - change that is not merely symptomatic but that gets right to the root system- corresponds to the extent to which we are willing to be affected by that which we wish to change. Our authority is directly connected to our engagement. Before Jesus performed many of his miracles- of healing, of liberating, of supernaturally feeding thousands- the bible says that he was moved with compassion. I don't think that is a coincidence. I believe that the healing that he brought was intractably intertwined with the choice that he made to allow himself to be affected by those who sought healing.
Important also, is our ability, in the midst of our pain, to connect to this being that is higher than we. A being who is woven from love, goodness and justice. Who freely pours out comfort, solutions and hope to those who will sit at his feet and ask.
Nehemiah prayed and fasted before the God of heaven.
There are times when things just seem too big and too impossible for us to change. Not so for the God of heaven- who is also incidentally the God who is deeply invested into each life on earth, and the God who loves with reckless abandon, and the God for whom injustice pierces like the sharpest of knives.
This God has gone to great lengths to make himself fully present and available in the times where we are just too aware of our own limitations. There is hope in the midst of chaos, for he resides there, speaking peace to the storms. Because of this, we do not have to shy away from opening ourselves up to be affected by pain and injustice, and from remaining in that uncomfortable disequilibrium for as long as necessary.
This is the place from which real change is birthed.
By Thandi Gamedze
Part 1 of a series
Have you given money to The Warehouse this past year?
Thank you so much for your ongoing support of the work we do in South Africa at this time.
Finding God in the Suffering
Where is God in the suffering? A blogpost by Nkosivumile Gola
Life is a constant response to the plight of the suffering God and the suffering God is constantly responding to the plight of the suffering humanity. If this was the view we had concerning life then the view we have of the cross would be radically transformed, because then the cross does not just become a historical 'salvific' event, but the very present suffering and saving act of the God-forsaken God in the midst of the least of these which requires an urgent response.
It has to be made clear that if God is not the victim of suffering in the world today then God is the cause of suffering in the world today and if God is the cause of suffering in the world today then God is unable to save and to end human suffering. If we see God as the victim of suffering in the world today, then God can and will save and rescue the suffering. This is in line with Bonhoeffer's statement when he argues that, "only the suffering God can help us".
There is no father who can be nonchalant in the face of pain and suffering of their offspring, the pain that affects the offspring of the father cuts deeper into the heart of the father – a true father is personally affected by the suffering of his children.
Why then has God been given a spectator role in the face of the suffering of His own children? Why then has God been sidelined in the matters that affects His own? Why has God been made worse than broken and evil human beings in compassion with His own children? It has to be made known there is nothing of God that happens to God without God, and everything that happens to humanity is directly happening to God.
If God created social beings then God has to be affected by and respond to social ills as all these are suffered by Him. That is the reason why Song (An Asian Amerikan Theologian) argues that "the history of God is the history of Jesus and the history of Jesus is the history of humanity". Therefore the very pain as experienced by the image and the likeness of God in history is the very pain that has directly affected God in history. God is in the midst of the least of these suffering the worse forms of all oppression as suffered by the least of these.
We need to see the picture of a creator subjected (as the face of the least of these) by his own creation to perpetual oppression. We must view our lives as a response to a plight of the suffering God. How we then respond to this plight whether we ignore it or we intentionally act to end it is dependent on whether or not we see Jesus in the face of the least of these. Love must be understood as all the radical, intentional actions as extended in responding to end human pain which in actuality is the end to God pain. We locate God pain in the world today by looking at the pain and suffering as experienced by the least of these.
Nkosivumile Gola
Nkosivumile, theologian and activist, works for The Warehouse, is founder of the Food is Free campaign, and longs to see the Church responding to the suffering of God's children in more tangible, liberating ways.
What about Schools?
From a pedagogy of the oppressed to a pedagogy of liberation
"It is probably cultural inertia which still makes us see education in terms of the ideology of the school as a liberating force and as a means of increasing social mobility, even when the indications tend to be that it is in fact one of the most effective means of perpetuating the existing social pattern, as it both provides and apparent justification for the social inequalities and gives recognition to the cultural heritage, that is, to a social gift treated as a natural one" (Pierre Bourdieu, The School as a Conservative Force)
If the kingdom of God is one of freedom, liberation and justice, then as the church we have a moral responsibility to participate in calling into question the powers, systems and institutions which reinforce the status quo of inequality by privileging some and oppressing others. Education is one such site, a site of struggle and a primary site where inequality is presently being reproduced.
Inasmuch as South Africans can celebrate the changes of 1994, a closer look at schools in South Africa may leave one wondering about what actually changed? Despite the sloganism of a "rainbow nation" and the chanting of "Simunye, we are one", very little seems to have shifted with regard to the transformation of schooling. While the opening up of schools formerly reserved for Whites has enabled a movement of middle-class Black (Black, Coloured, Indian) families into the old Model-C schooling environment, the majority of Black South Africans remain in schools that were grossly under-funded during Apartheid and remain under-resourced, overcrowded and ill-equipped even today. The patterns of academic achievement produced today still mirror past (and contemporary) inequalities. Life has not changed very much for the majority of the South African population. In the words of Lefebvre "a revolution that does not produce a new space has not realised its full potential".
If we want to encourage diversity and equal education then we must interrogate those aspects of educational policy which are preventing racial and economic integration, the remnants of apartheid-era thinking that have not yet been effectively dealt with in the South African Schools Act.
Educational Inequality is a problem of access, integration and economics.
In 2016, Gauteng MEC Panyaza Lesufi was engaged with FEDSAS in a landmark case surrounding the constitutional right of schools to determine feeder zones of a 5km radius surrounding a school. This results of this particular case may well be what is necessary to encourage schools to change their admissions policy but it remains shocking that in 2017 we still have schools with exclusionary admissions policies. Implementing a feeder zone policy within a country that is not yet spatially integrated and in many ways still resembles the design of apartheid urban spatial planning means that many learners in disadvantaged communities are excluded from the possibility of applying to previously (and presently) advantaged schools. In addition to the implementation of feeder zones, the ability of schools to implement their own fee structures has created public schools that effectively operate as private entities, using the fee control mechanism as a means to filter out learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. At present there is too much space left between the Constitution, the South African Schools Act and provincial level policy for schools to continue operating the way they do currently. Instead of facilitating access, we have a situation of strict access control which is little different from physically erecting a sign outside a school that reads "Whites Only".
A twin problem within an access controlled environment is the problem of integration. In some ways the game has shifted from race to economics where former model C schools and private schools are arguably more racially diverse than the average township school. This is not genuine integration though, it is simply the assimilation of a Black and Coloured middle class into middle class schools. The real win would be to see middle class White parents placing their children in township schools but this goal seem almost unattainable within the present structuring of South Africa's education system. The very existence of the private schooling industry undermines the goals of racial, cultural and economic diversity in our schools by providing a haven for middle class and elite families to shift their children (and of course their economic resources) to when the culture shock becomes too much to bear. At the risk of jumping too quickly to solutions, it may be worthwhile to consider alternative models such as mixed-income schooling, more pro-active affirmative action policies in the education sector and the winding down of private education in SA. Of course, as pro-active as these suggestions may be they mask the underlying issue, our communities remain segregated because they reflect the economic inequality and segregation that plagues South Africa, and in fact education cannot be viewed apart from the broader macroeconomic issues which plague our nation.
Something more to watch on the education front in relation to integration is the new proposal for a three-stream education system (academic stream, technical-vocational stream and technical-occupational stream). Attempting to layer a three-stream education system similar to that in Germany, within a racially and economically stratified society would be almost a throwback to Apartheid era politics. Inevitably, the poor would end up filtered into technical streams where they may aspire to be no more than labourers for their wealthier and supposedly more academic counterparts… "a social gift, treated as a natural one" (Pierre Bourdieu, The School as a Conservative Force).
Finally, whilst schooling has the potential to be a liberating force we cannot treat it as an institution that is divorced from the rest of society. There is far more evidence to demonstrate that out-of-school factors (Coleman, 1966), and that socio-economic factors can negatively influence a learners schooling achievement than there is to show that schools transform communities.
"…Broader social inequalities ripple through schools in complex ways – inequalities of poverty, class, race, gender and region – and schooling tends to perpetuate both forms of injustice if they are features of the broader society. In fact, the most effective way for schooling to do this is to act as if these injustices did not exist by treating everyone the same." (Pam Christie, Opening the Doors of Learning, p. 172)
This does not mean we should resign ourselves from righting the wrongs in the education system and fighting for equal education and quality education that takes into account every learner. Rather, it means that in our fight for equal education we need to also be conversant about economic issues, land issues and health issues, as all of these weigh in very heavily upon the task of schooling. This calls for an alliance across the sectors, and the working together of activists who are fighting the battle on different fronts. It implies that that we need to educate ourselves about how economic policy and land issues intersect with issue of education and schooling and vice versa.
In closing, I am hopeful that in the present moment we are experiencing an awakening of individuals and communities who recognise the political dimensions of kingdom work and who are motivated to genuinely make a difference. If we should give the revolution a name, let it be a revolution of love, for it is God's love that draws all near and ushers us all into the place of shalom. If such a revolution must produce a new space, let it be a space where peace, love and justice prevails.
A final quote:
"We need to ask not whether it is realistic or practical or viable but whether it is imaginable. We need to ask if our consciousness and imagination have been so assaulted and co-opted by the royal consciousness that we have been robbed of the courage or power to think an alternative thought." (Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination, p. 39)
Ashley Visagie
More than the Minimum
Why the Living Wage matters
Many years ago Dan Ndzuzo and I managed a small employment/job-readiness project through our church (Khanyisa Community Church) in Gugulethu. We had the privilege of walking alongside people who were seeking work and connecting these job-seekers with opportunities. One of the painful aspects of the work that changed my life was listening to men and women sharing stories of exploitation and racism, sometimes covert and other times overt, stories that opened my eyes to the ongoing suffering and immoral treatment of domestic staff in South Africa. Some of the stories were from homes that were clearly Christian in their beliefs. We reflected on homes that had 'missions jars' for children to give some of their pocket money to foreign missionaries, while domestic staff were being paid just enough to pay for transport, food and the most basic of shelter, and were clearly struggling to make ends meet.
I started to ask questions like, "If we truly believe all people are equal, surely how we treat staff should reflect that?" and "How can Jesus followers who are called and motivated by the call to love our neighbours, be a part of a system that is clearly exploiting others?" and "If the Bible is so clear on its command not to exploit others, why is it so rife amongst Christians in South Africa today?" and "What is lacking in our theology that allows for seeing people struggle and suffer under the burden of poverty and inequality within our immediate sphere of influence?" and "If I truly saw my staff as equal human beings, would I be able to watch them leave work in the pouring rain knowing they would arrive home drenched a few hours later?"
My questions remain, because the status quo remains largely the same 15 years later.
And as we face a growing hopelessness, anger and discontent amongst young people, I think about how many young South Africans have seen their parents come home after a long tiring day, and hours in public transport, without much to show for it; young people who have seen the 'junk' passed on by their parent's employers; who have not had their parents at home because they work long hours and then make the long journey home; who have heard story after story, as Dan and I did with Jobnet, of racism, be it of the 'polite' kind or of the more obvious kind, from their parents, or who have seen the effects of the status quo and system that does not honour their parents. I think of James 4 which says, "The wages you failed to pay the men who mowed your fields, is crying out against you."
In our unequal society with our history, I believe it is very important to continue to employ people, although some would argue it perpetuates the current system. Many people have few employment choices due to our past. But as we seek to bring about structural change and ensure that fellow citizens have greater options as they consider life and vocational choices, there are things we can do immediately to limit the daily damage. I believe it is imperative that Christians act immediately on the call of God to not exploit, to serve those who have been treated as 'lower than' in ways that show they are truly equal, and this requires going above and beyond what is comfortable as the scales have been tipped immorally for so long. It is imperative that workers (whether permanent or ad hoc) are paid a living wage, which is more than double the minimum wage, and are paid for leave to rest well, or paid if the weather is bad (many men who work in the garden on an ad hoc basis are not paid if it is raining and they are unable to work).
For many privileged South Africans, treating domestic staff with the dignity every human being deserves, in a way that promotes economic freedom and sustainability, is the first stage in the cycle of practising justice and righting the wrongs of the past.
Five basic first steps:
1. Have a conversation with your staff member/s around how you address each other. Ask if the name you are calling them is their mother-tongue/preferred name. If not, find out what their preferred name is, learn it, and call people by their first-choice name, regardless of the language (or whether you find it easy to say). We have a history where South Africans were given English names that were easier to say, regardless of mother tongue, and reversing this is one of the first steps in restoring dignity.
2. Increase your staff's wages with immediate effect. Cut out other things in your lifestyle that would open up money for a more just wage. Decide which sacrifice you and your family will make together, if that is what it will take. If you are truly unable to pay a living wage after adjusting your budget and making necessary sacrifices, then cut down the staff members' hours so that they can be at home or working elsewhere, for the same wage you were paying before. For example, if you cannot pay a living wage for 5 days, then hire someone for 2 days, at the same rate, and adjust the work load accordingly.
3. When adjusting the wages, don't use the 'going rate' as a yardstick as the going rate is way too low and based on people's desperation and our history of exploitation, and not a just and fair system. Use the baseline of around R6000 minimum per month as a yardstick for the first steps towards a living wage, anything below that is a diluted form of slavery, which we, as privileged South Africans, have grown accustomed to, but which is alien in more just and equal societies. We need to spread the burden that people are carrying, and it is often the vulnerable who pay the price.
4. If you don't have one already, write up an agreement of leave (annual, sick and family) and draft a pay slip so that the person can use it in processes that require proof of earning and also create the sense of security of employment. Ensure that you are registered with UIF and have the right basic labour practices in place. Click here for basic information.
5. Speak with your employee about what their vocational dreams and aspirations are, and then work on a plan together to help ensure they reach their dream - with your assistance of resource, support, information and flexibility. I know many people who have walked alongside their domestic staff until they find and are equipped to move on to the work they would love to do.
When in doubt about the nitty-gritty, spend time with God and ask what 'Loving your Neighbour' looks like when it comes to your domestic staff. Can you share their load or burden in more meaningful ways? If this was a loved one, what would my desires for them be? What role can I play in their life in reversing the impact of our history on their lives and family and future generations?
The joy of doing the righteous thing and following the Jesus way in this, will be rewarding for you and your family, and your domestic staff and their family. Let us start a Living Wage revolution today. The impact will literally be felt for generations to come.
Linda Martindale
To go through a 7-day devotional process that speaks to this, see below:
Common Ground has done some work around the Church and the Living Wage. To read more click here.
Make your year-end giving go a long way
On a trip through the USA I was asked whether The Warehouse is able to receive donations that qualify for tax deductions within the USA. In partnership with the National Christian Foundation we are able to do so and we'd like to make sure that you know this is possible as you consider your year-end giving.
Twenty years prior to the end of apartheid we could scarcely conceive of a different South Africa, but in 1994 we experienced the miracle of apartheid falling away and the birth of the rainbow nation. The role of the church and God's intervention in this is well documented, however, twenty years later we are living both with the disappointment of the failed potential of our nation and the apparent lack of capacity within the church to truly impact society over this time. The law of apartheid died in 1994 yet its spirit is still well and truly alive.
It doesn't have to be this way! The Warehouse believes that the next twenty years could see a new, more sustainable miracle happen as the church lives up to its calling from Jesus to transform society as part of declaring the good news of His Kingdom.
Please would you consider investing in this for your year end giving. Your gift goes a long way in South Africa as the exchange rate is very favourable at the moment. Over 70% of our funding is locally sourced which ensures that we can use gifts from the USA for catalyse new programs and initiatives. Just to give you an idea of what it costs to do some of our work:
- $30 a month helps us accompany a church leader who is leading their church in being a transformative presence.
- $300 covers the cost of a customized workshop or training event for a church leadership team helping them discern and plan how to be a transforming presence in their community
- $3000 funds a 3 day retreat and capacity building conference for 20 church leaders
If you are from the United States and would like to donate as part of your Year-end Giving, please do so through our NCF partnership here:
Craig Stewart
Cape Town's Sanitation Problem
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself." (Luke 10:27 NRSV)
Cape Town has a sanitation problem, we cannot hide from this fact, one home has 10 toilets, yet in some informal settlements, 10 people have access to one toilet. We need to begin to ask ourselves, serious questions, around our theology, ethics and our ecology. Steve De Gruchy said at a conference in 2009: "that sewage is the place where economics and ecology collide … Outside of our ability to deal with our s**t, there can be no real talk of sustainability." We have to start asking, what is preventing the roll out of more toilets? What can we do as the church to facilitate this situation? It starts with awareness and education.
The South African Human Rights Commission released a report on water and sanitation in 2014 which included the following findings:
• Approximately 11% (1.4 million) of households (formal and informal) still have to be provided with sanitation services (these households have never had a government supported sanitation intervention);
• At least 26% (3.8 million) of households within formal areas have sanitation services which do not meet the required standards due to the deterioration of infrastructure caused by lack of technical capacity to ensure effective operation, timeous maintenance, refurbishment and/or upgrading, pit emptying services and/or insufficient water resources.
• Although the un-served population is 11% of the national total, their predominance is in the widely dispersed rural settlements of KwaZulu-Natal, North West and the Eastern Cape. The areas with high levels of infrastructure maintenance needs are located within Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and the Eastern Cape.
• Based on an assessment of the provision of water services, 23 municipalities (9% of the total) were in a crisis state, with an acute risk of disease outbreak.
• A further 38% were at high risk, with the potential to deteriorate into a state of crisis.
• See link below for the full report.
We need to begin to answer the question of who is my neighbour, and how and why this matters in how we live our lives daily. This is why we do our sanitation campaigns, we believe in the power of the Gospel, to transform communities, to be the agents of change, and in the Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We invite you to walk with us, to ask questions with us, to challenge the idea of what a just Cape Town looks like. Leading up to World Toilet Day we will be running a number of events, to raise awareness of the issues facing a great many of our brothers and sisters, sign up, together we can learn, teach others and make a lasting difference across the City and beyond.
connect with us
"Easter is a joyful festival! It is a celebration because it is indeed a festival of hope! Easter marks the renewal life! The triumph of the light of truth over the darkness of falsehood! Easter is a festival of human solidarity, because it celebrates the fulfilment of the Good News! The Good News borne by our risen Messiah who chose not one race, who chose not one country, who chose not one language, who chose not one tribe, who chose all of humankind!"


text:
View many of my models in 360:
I create 3D Assets for games. I have over 3 years experience with 3DS Max and Photoshop
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
Can get this model here:
My other 3D models:

subset: commoncrawl


text:
CoreSite: Connectivity Impacts Deal Pricing
CoreSite was among the first wholesale providers to strike interconnectivity deals with European exchanges, and sees network exchange access as a key factor in pricing.
"We believe that the performance requirements of many workloads continue to benefit from the differentiated value of data center platforms offering robust, low-latency network solutions and valuable customer communities," said Thomas Ray, CEO of CoreSite. "The market opportunity related to performance-sensitive requirements remains attractive. Overall demand in edge markets continues to accelerate, largely driven by mobility growth and cloud adoption."
Ray says a facility's level of interconnectivity is being reflected in pricing for data center space.
"We've seen pressure on rents, interconnection services and power margins in the undifferentiated colocation segment as wholesalers seek to gain market share," said Ray. "However, we see market dynamics for undifferentiated colocation as having been poor for some time. We believe those dynamics are distinct from the dynamics associated with the performance-sensitive colocation segment."
Is Open-IX A Game-Changer?
That's one reason why the interconnection landscape in the U.S. may soon be changing. One of the 2013's big stories in interconnection was the emergence of Open-IX, which seeks to create a new network of member-governed Internet exchange points (IXPs) that allow participants to trade traffic. The group is embracing a non-profit model that is widely used in Europe and spreads exchange operations across multiple data centers in a market. In the U.S. these exchanges are typically hosted by commercial providers (most prominently Equinix), with interconnections focused in a single facility or campus operated by that provider.
The Open-IX movement is especially attractive for wholesale data center operators, who would benefit from the more distributed interconnection system. The London Internet Exchange (LINX), Amsterdam's AMS-IX and Frankfurt-based DE-CIX have all announced plans to enter the U.S. market in either northern Virginia or New York.
"We are now seeing new leasing opportunities with specific network requirements that Open-IX allows us to solve for our customers," said Digital Realty CEO Michael Foust. "It's too early to quantify the near-term financial impact from these initiatives, but we believe they will significantly enhance the appeal of our properties to a wider range of tenants."
DuPont Fabros Technology has already struck deals for LINX to have a presence in its Ashburn, Virginia campus, and AMS-IX to host a node in its NY-area data center in Piscataway, N.J.
"We certainly believe that it's the right thing for the U.S. market to endorse some form of Open-IX," said Hossein Fateh, President and CEO of DuPont Fabros. "It makes a lot of sense. Many of the customers are demanding it. If you look at the Board of Open-IX it's really who's who of the Internet. We are working to try and get some of the European exchanges and some of our data centers."
CyrusOne is also embracing Open-IX. "OIX is not competition to CyrusOne, it is actually a tremendous benefit to our Fortune 1000 client base," said CEO Wojtaszek. "As our data center and exchange points become certified, the OIX will bring in more content, cloud providers and networks for our ecosystem."
Equinix: We're Staying Focused
Equinix, for its part, says the emergence of Open-IX doesn't represent a major threat to its prominence in the interconnection business.
"There's always been competition," said Jason Starr, the Director of Analyst Relations at Equinix. "That's nothing new. There's been a lot of change in the business in the last 15 years, and we've focused on our core business.
"In many markets, we're the de facto Internet exchange point," said Starr. "It's really about the ecosystem. Networks and service providers invest their capital to be in Equinix data centers. These networks also become magnetic, and bring in other customers."
Those "magnetic" customers are among the reasons Equinix has launched business suites, offering dedicated, fully-demised data rooms instead of cages. Equinix says that this isn't a wholesale offering, but rather a custom solution for key existing customers that need both connectivity and a significant footprint.
Requirements larger than 250 kW "have never been our sweet spot," said Starr. "We'll get them if they're strategic customers."
Compass Datacenters' Crosby, who recently provided an overview of industry providers, products and pricing at the Gartner Data Center conference, said uptime remains the coin of the realm and the most important differentiator.
"We still make glorified power outlets," said Crosby. "It's what we do."
Pages: 1 2


text:
Illustration Magazine: Great Resource and Inspiration
Covers of Illustration magazine. Their website has 28 complete issues available in digital format. Left: Illustration by McClelland Barclay. RIght: Illustration by Robert Maguire.
Illustration magazine editor/publisher/designer Dan Zimmer covers illustration from 1900-1970 in extensive detail. Left: Barbara Bradley. Right: Al Parker.
There's a heavy emphasis on book, magazine, and pulp cover illustration. Left: Robert Maguire. Right: Eugene Iverd.
Left: William Andrew Loomis. Right: WIllard Mullin.
Related stories:


text:
Hello! Welcome to Seminyak Villas Cheap
We are specializing in renting seminyak villas cheap and vacation private holiday villas which offering more space, more comfort, more privacy and personal service than staying at a hotel. The area includes Seminyak villas and surrounding
All properties are closely monitored to ensure that standards are constantly maintained; cleanness, safety, comfortable. All at affordable prices. All Seminyak villas and surrounding villas on our portfolio are self contained, having its own private swimming pools, fully staffed including 24 hours security, cooks and in house maids. With our personal service combined with a close relationship to many of holiday home's owners we are ready to make your holiday an enjoyable and a memorable one.
Seminyak Villas Cheap Listing:
We do have over 100 villas listed in this website which located in Seminyak and surrounding. Should you have difficult time to search any villas in our website or you need more information's, please visit our sitemap page
or you can visit contact page to get in touch directly with our reservations team which are always
ready to serve you.
Villa Tangram, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Tangram is situated within one of the most stunning enclave at the heart of the hip Seminyak area. This superb villa Bali ideally combines luxury and privacy and warmly welcomes its guests with convenient hospitality service. Giving some space to family or friends, this six bedroom villa has been a rare option for large group staying together in Bali's most sophisticated area.
Eshara Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|2, 3, 5, 8
Villa Eshara is an collection three chic interconnecting villas, ideally located in central Seminyak, just a stroll away from first class eateries, designer boutiques, white sand beaches and some of the best surf spots in the world. The three stylish villas, Eshara I, Eshara II and Eshara III, can be booked either independently or combined. Huge heavy screens slide away to offer the flexibility of 2- to 8-bedroom combinations or individual privacy.
Villa Alabali, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Alabali is a luxurious fully air-conditioned 4 bedroom villa in a secluded tranquil heaven in the center of Seminyak. Each room has an ensuite marble bathroom, walk in closet, TV and high speed internet; all rooms are overlooking the swimming pool and garden area. The villa was completed in 2014 and is designed in pure balinese style whilst providing a modern, comfortable and totally relaxing style of living.
Villa Maria, Legian
|Bedroom :
In the beating heart Legian, nestled up a humble lane, lies the newly built splendour of Villa Maria. This luxury 4 bedroom villa is spread over two floors and has been stylishly finished to the highest specifications. Once inside the tranquil confines of its walls, it's hard to believe the vital life blood of Bali's of market shops, cafes, spas and bars flows thick and fast so nearby.
Villa Varuna, Legian
|Bedroom :
Villa Varuna is a newly built 4 bedrooms villa, nestled in one of the most sought after tourism areas in Legian - Bali. It is named after Hindu's Sea God, boasting its prime location that is close to the sea shore. Villa Varuna houses 4 comfortable suites cooled with air-conditioners and each of them has a sleek ensuite bathroom with bathtubs, rain showers, and washbasins.
Villa Namira, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Namira with private pool that is located in Jalan Petitenget Gg.Orchid a quiet residential part of Seminyak where the villa is well appointed design concept to a comforts of a modern home, away from the crowds. The villa is only a few minutes away from unique Bali gift shops ,Potatoes Head and W hotel Petitenget- Seminyak, 20 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, 5 minutes driving to the closest Seminyak beach, 10 minutes to Kuta-Legian area.
Villa Puteri, Umalas
|Bedroom :
Villa Puteri is a modern villa built to provide comfort and luxury for all the guests who are looking to an unforgettable vacation in Bali. It is a3-bedrooms villa with all the facilities and services that you need. Each bedroom is air conditioned, with en-suite bathroom and private closet. The villa has private swimming pool, sun-tanning deck, gardens and ponds, private garage for a car and a few motorcycles, staff quarter, security guards and butler service.
Villa Seni, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
If you are looking for the perfect place for an idyllic holiday in Bali, your search is over. Villa Seni is the paradise you've been looking for. Located a short walk from the beach, restaurants and bars, Villa Seni is a relaxing hideaway that proves you really can have it all. Step inside the luxurious Villa Seni and relax in your own personal paradise, complete with tropical gardens, a stunning landscaped pool, comfortable living areas and large double bedrooms.
Villa Aquila, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Aquila is a newly built, modern style private luxury villa situated in the heart of the popular area ofSeminyak. Walking distance to a vast array of restaurants, bars, shopping and nightlife. Only 40 minutes drive to the airport and a 15 minute walk toSeminyak beach. Villa Aquilahas used the finest materials featuring three air-conditioned and fan-cooled bedrooms each with its own private bathroom en-suite.
Villa Baliana, Legian
|Bedroom :
A centrally located two story solid brick, three bedroom home set on a 1,000 m2 block with around 150 m2 of living space. One of very few homes of this standard in such close proximity to 'Legian Beach' Legian, 25 minutes from Bali's Airport, walking distance to shops, restaurants and about 5 minute walk to the beach. Fully furnished 3 air-conditioned bedroom villa (2 dbl and 1 twin beds), 2 bathrooms, well maintained lush tropical garden and private swimming pool. Sleeps maximum 6 adults....
Villa White, Petitengat
|Bedroom :
If you looking for a simple and nice place to spend your holiday in Bali we have the perfect place for you, located in Petitenget area, the hip and modern corner of Bali that famous with its "food street" you will find the charming Villa White nestling in 180 m2 of land, this villa offer you a nice and simple design for your hideaway.
Villa Theo, Umalas
|Bedroom :
Bordering a river, in a very calm and genuine area next to the village of Umalas, in south-west Bali, Villa Theo is a beautiful, exclusively decorated five-bedroom holiday home with a vast garden and a beautiful 20 meter swimming pool as its centrepiece. Villa Theo is composed of two authentic Joglos as living area and the five air-conditioned ensuite bedrooms of modern construction.
Villa Rosita, Seminyak - Bali
Villa Rosita, a holiday rental villa for up to 4 people. This luxurious two bedroom on 350 m2 land is still situated in peaceful setting, although the location is in the heart of fashionable Seminyak. The private villa is located on walking distance from Jalan Laksmana, well known for its many international restaurants and trendy boutiques.
Samuan Villas, Oberoi
|Bedroom :
|2, 3, 5
Villa Samuan is a unique retreat that combines a serene atmosphere with a sense of proper indulgence. The villa offers a stylish and inspirational setting, backed-up by a team of excellent staff who will make you experience genuine Balinese hospitality. A stay in Villa Samuan will help you rest your mind and soul in an effortless and comfortable manner. The villa is decorated in a distinctive East-meets-West style.
Villa Amalia, Legian
|Bedroom :
This quiet and peaceful private 4 bedroom villa is located in the heart of Legian. Only steps away from the beach, shops and fabulous restaurants. Whether it is shopping, dining or sunset drinks at the beach it is never more than a few minute walk away. Villa Amalia is surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden and a spacious 12 meter swimming pool. The villa has an unique look & feel and is furnished to the highest quality.
Villa Reflection, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
We are delighted to present for the first time an opportunity to rent a landmark property and to experience the Bali lifestyle and dream shared by millions. Villa Reflection is located at the end of a quiet cul de sac of a well paved and well maintained private street in the centrally located, highly desirable, and ever fashionable Seminyak area of Bali.
Gajah Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
GAJAH BALI VILLAS are a complex of two separated twin villas with 2 (two) bedrooms facilities with its own private tropical swimming pool overlooking to the rice field view and gardens. It is the only villas in SEMINYAK area having the exclusive advantage to be able to enjoy the stunning RICE FIELD VIEW surrounding the pool side. Located minutes from Seminyak's Sunset Beach, with plenty of high fashion boutiques selections, art galleries, and world class dining venues within walking distance
Villa Banyu, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Banyu is a heavenly 4 bedroom villa perfectly located within Seminyak, just a few hundred meters from the heart of the famous Oberoi area. Sleeping 8, guests will enjoy open living areas, games/bar room, luxury ensuite bedrooms. 'Banyu' is the Javanese word for 'Water' and this is the perfect name for Villa Banyu. The moment you step through the front door you are greeted by the amazing private pool and hugh fish ponds that surround the villa.
Villa des Sens, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
An oasis of calm in bustling Seminyak, Villa des Sens is a spacious experience of Balinese luxury and the owners have created an extremely comfortable environment in which to relax and feel truly 'at home'. This contemporary villa is built in a 'U' shape around a tall traditional Balinese 'Joglo' and faces a sparkling 4m x 20m swimming pool.
Villa Tiga Puluh, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|5, 6, 7
This remarkable family villa consisted of 7 bedrooms located by walking distance to famous Eat street, Laksmana/Kayu Aya. Luxury exquisite fully serviced villa located in the exclusive area of Seminyak, minutes away from the sea and the most famous bars and restaurants. Tiga Puluh 7 bedrooms offer luxury and comfort with fittings reflecting the style and elegance of Balinese culture and features providing a perfect balance between Indonesian architectural beauty and Western standards.
Villa Putih Sekali, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Putih Sekali is a charming four bedroom private pool villa sitting on spacious land with tropical gardens giving a real relaxed Balinese feeling! It comfortably sleeps 8 adults and is centrally located in a quiet street, and short walk to shops, cafes, restaurants and bars.
Villa Amaya, Legian
|Bedroom :
In the central area of Legian on Bali's West Coast, Villa Amaya is conveniently located near some of the best restaurants, bars and shopping areas as well as only a 500m walk to the beach. With 5 spacious bedrooms, a swimming pool, large outdoor dining area, indoor lounge room and luscious gardens, Villa Amaya is ideal for families and large groups wanting to have a memorable time in a superbly comfortable villa.
Villa Anggrek 66, Legian
|Bedroom :
|2, 4, 6
Villa Anggrek 66 is a compilation of 3 luxury villas set within tranquil, lush tropical gardens in the vibrant tourism district of Legian/Seminyak. Creative architecture and native landscaping create a sanctuary where guests can relax and escape the pressures of daily living. It is an intimate retreat designed for the ultimate Bali relaxation experience
Villa Chloe, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Chloe is a complex made up of three 2 bedroom villas in the Seminyak, Villa Tranquility, Villa Safari and Villa Sunrise. The Chloe complex provides a comfortable holiday setting for guests wishing to enjoy a Bali holiday in their private villa. If your coming with a friends, the villas provide a great group escape.
Staman Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|3, 6
taman villas offers you 3 distinctly different, peaceful and quite private villas each with uniqueness, yet still a few steps away from the beach and the The villas are located very close to the beach, shops and great restaurants but hidden away in pease and quiet KU DE TA, Potato Head, W Hotel are some of the well-known places that you can easily reach within walking distance. We are adjacent to the Oberoi Hotel at the seaward end of Oberoi Street in Seminyak
Villa Bibi, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|3, 4, 5
Villa Bibi is a beautiful luxury Balinese-style villa home ideally located in Seminyak/Kerobokan area, close to everything. Up to 10 guests can stay and luxuriate in fine details custom fit for the villa, like individually styled ensuite bedrooms, teak solid wood furnitures, personalized amenities, pool table, large private pool, and full size kitchen. When you enter this very private estate, open living areas and lush tropical landscaping provide a sense of total seclusion.
Villa Basilio, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|6 + 1
Villa Basilio in Seminyak has been extensively renovated and redecorated recently. It reflects the high standards of its owners, the people who created, designed and developed the world-renownedPantai Lima Estate. It is one of the most spacious villas in Seminyak. This is their house and it is where they live when they are in Bali.
Villa Jazz II, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|3, 4
Villa Jazz II is a modern two level villa located in the absolute heart of the Petitenget area in fashionable Seminyak. This stylish and chic 4 Bedroom villa will suit large families or groups of friends with two separate and spacious living areas, large bedrooms all with own bathroom, and tropical garden with private pool.
Villa Suliac, Legian
|Bedroom :
Villa Suliac is superbly located in Legian area which is one of Bali's most popular tourist locations with a fantastic offering quality restaurants, cafes, bars, spas, local market shopping as well as an ever increasing number of fashionable boutiques. The atmosphere in Legian is nice and laid-back, making it perfect for families.
Villa Plawa, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Plawa is a classic Bali luxury villa providing a taste of authenticity and charm and a tranquil haven right in the heart of Seminyak. Spacious old-growth gardens make it a perfect place to relax, in an oasis of flower-filled calm, amidst the hustle and bustle of Bali's most chic shopping, dining and nightlife district. Newly renovated in late 2013, Plawa combines classic Balinese "kampung" architecture with modern-day convenience. This very substantial Bali villa property offers 4 full bedrooms and is on an unusually large piece of land for a Seminyak villa - over a quarter of an acre in size.
Villa Michelina, Legian
|Bedroom :
Villa Michelina is a stunningly fully remodeled single level 3 bedroom villa located within one of Seminyak's most highly sought after locations. The property is superbly positioned within easy walking distance of all that Seminyak has to offer; including, shopping, restaurants, beach, and nightlife. The centre piece of the villa is the ultra-modern fully equipped kitchen which overlooks the both the casual indoor/outdoor inner courtyard with casual dining plus the living area and formal dining.
Villa Alma, Legian
|Bedroom :
This amazingly quiet and peaceful private 3 bedroom villa is located in the heart of Legian. Only steps away from the beach, shops and fabulous restaurants. Whether it is shopping, dining or sunset drinks at the beach it is never more than a few minutes walking away. Villa Alma is surrounded by a beautiful tropical garden and a spacious 40m2 meter swimming pool. The villa is beautifully designed and furnished to the highest quality.
Villa Rama Sita, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Rama Sita is a beautifully renovated three bedroom pool villa quietly nestled just a short easy stroll from Bali's most famous street, Jalan Oberoi (otherwise know as 'Eat Street') which is the heart of Seminyak with it's world-renown restaurants and boutiques. The location offers up the best of Seminyak shopping, dining and night life. The architecture style is a fusion of a modern chic style within a Bali bungalow. Villa Rama Sita is tasteful decorating with stylish furniture and accessories that perfectly fit the island vibe.
Villa Mata Hari, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Journey up the two-way stairs case to the second level of the villa and you will find a second living area with own balcony and 2 spacious bedrooms with combined ensuite bathroom. All bedrooms are fully enclosed and air conditioned and come equipped with flat screen TV's and DVD player. Travelers seeking to be close to the epicenter of Seminyak need look no further than Villa Mata HariLiterally just meters from Jl Oberoi (Eat Street) just an easy level walk from the best shopping, restaurants, cafes and bars in Bali.
Villa Minggu, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Featuring four individually styled bedrooms, each with ensuite, Villa Minggu takes into consideration the active vacationist with healthy mind and body attributes. Including a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, two Jacuzzis – indoor and outdoor – and swimming pool with vibrant LED coloured lighting, along with inclusions of yoga mats for Pilates and yoga workouts programmed on the Nintendo WII, also offering a variety of games suitable for adults and children alike.
Villa Cendrawasih, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|4, 5
Modern 5-bedroom Villa Cendrawasih is perfect for guests who appreciate the privacy of a luxury villa but also like to be near Seminyak's beach, famous restaurants, lavish spas, chic lounges and other trendy nightspots. This villa is complete with the 18 x 5 meter private swimming pool, air-conditioned living area, gym & spa room, rooftop terrace and fully equipped kitchen with in-house chef provide guests with the ultimate dream holiday experience.
Nikaya Villas, Legian
|Bedroom :
Nikaya Villas are our newest addition to the holiday villa rental market in Legian and offer compact designs with spacious interiors built over two levels with a master size bedroom and en-suite bathroom located on each floor. Each villa is designed around their own private courtyard with plunge pool and adjoining deck area. A generous size kitchen with adjoining dining is located on the ground level of the villa with an open air living area located upstairs.
Villa Belong Batu, Batubelig
|Bedroom :
Villa Belong Batu is 5 minutes from the wide sand and clean surf of Batu Belig beach. Several of Bali's most fashionable bars and restaurants such as Potato Head, La Lucciola, and Ku De Ta, are 15 minutes stroll south along the beach. The sands run uninterrupted for miles to the north, taking you to fishing villages and some of Bali's best surf breaks (Echo Beach).
Villa Simpatico, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|5, 6, 7
Villa Simpatico is situated in the heart of Seminyak. It is a sanctuary where you will feel like you're in your own world, so it's perfect if you want to have a private party or simply take time out from a busy life. It's close to Bali's best restaurants, supermarket and art shops, only minutes away, and the closest Seminyak beaches, either double six beach or gado-gado beach, can be reached in a ten minute walk.
Villa Raffaela, Legian
|Bedroom :
This brand new 4 bedroom villa in superbly located in Jalan Werkudara, Legian, Bali. Just 30m from the entry to Kumala Pantai Hotel. This smartly designed and stylishly presented Villa Raffaela is superbly located for those seeking a holiday location which is just 400 meters from the famous double six beach, and surrounded by many popular and well known restaurants, cafes, shopping and nightlife.
Aramanis Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|2, 3, 4
Villa Aramanis is a gorgeous enclave in Bali's hip Seminyak, combining the luxury and privacy of two 3-bedroom and two 4-bedroom modern family pool villas.These beautifully-appointed villas blend traditional Balinese design with super modern elegance, each with a large private swimming pool set in professionally landscaped and totally private gardens.The villas are ideal for families and large groups, as each villa maximizes on indoor and outdoor relaxation, with ultra-modern entertainment systems, kitchen and living spaces.
Villa Bebek, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
This smartly designed and stylishly presented Villa is superbly located for those seeking a holiday location which is literally just meters from all Seminyak's trendy café's, shopping, nightlife, and restaurants. The moment you step through the entry you will feel you have entered your own little tropical paradise. You will be greeted by the generous size pool deck with sun lounges, tropical 8m x 4m pool with water feature and lush green garden.
Villa Bersantai, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Bersantai is a stunning remodeled single level 3 bedroom villa located within one of Seminyak's most highly sought after locations. The property is superbly positioned within easy walking distance of all that Seminyak has to offer; including, shopping, restaurants, beach, and nightlife. The centre piece of the villa is the ultra-modern fully equipped kitchen which overlooks the casual indoor/outdoor inner courtyard with casual dining plus the living area and formal dining. The inner courtyard is covered by a glass- top roof and features a built-in BBQ plus Frangipani trees.
Villa Star, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Star offers a modern style both in its architecture and interior design, simple and charming. It is featuring a two level building, dominated with soft tone of white color. In addition, the seamless style of the living room creates a sense of openness. In the center of Seminyak, Star Villa is secluded within a small villa complex, behind the famous Seminyak Street where all vibrant boutique, art galleries, and restaurants are only within walks away.
Villa Vie, Batubelig
|Bedroom :
|4 & 5
Nestled in a very private setting 250m from the beach in northern Seminyak, Villa Vie is a brand new Villa Boasting 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a media room, 2 pools, a massive lounge opening onto the deck and garden. Whilst built in a traditional Balinese style externally, Villa Vie is furnished in modern style and equipped with air conditioning in every room, cable television, wi-fi and all you need to stay in touch with the world if that is your wish. The Villa is the perfect alternative to busy hotels, which do not offer the privacy which most people want when they visit Bali
The Orchard House, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Located in downtown Seminyak, The Orchard House is an elegant five-bedroom character home set amongst stunning tropical gardens. Unique in appearance and style, this delightful residence can best be described as "British India meets Out of Africa", lovingly created by the villa's owners, Luli and Charles Orchard, renowned in Bali for high-end furniture design.
Villa E, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|2, 3, 5
Located at the heart of trendy Seminyak, The place to be for the ones that enjoy a combination of beautiful sunsets at the beach, the best restaurants in any culinary style, a unique selection of boutiques offering the hottest fashion and design, and the most exiting nightlife. These 2 traditional Balinese luxury villas, offer absolute privacy, yet are on walking distance of all these attractions
Villa Kim, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
A brand new two storey 4 bedroom villa located in a quiet residential part of Seminyak where the villa is well appointed design concept to a comforts of a modern home, away from the crowds. The villa is only a few minutes away from unique Bali gift shops along Seminyak Street, Bali Deli and famous Sunset Road, 20 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, 5 minutes driving to the closest Seminyak beach, 10 minutes to Kuta-Legian area. The villa feature a huge open living room overlooking to the pool with plenty of natural light, surrounded by tropical gardens and stone fixtures bringing a tranquil ambiance, luxurious en-suite bathroom with exclusive granite floor.
Villa Bali Asri, Batubelig
|Bedroom :
|1, 2, 3 , 4
Villa Bali Asri Seminyak is now launching an innovative concept with it's newly-opened Villa Bali Asri Batubelig.
Villa Dani, Umalas
|Bedroom :
Whether you have just tied the knot, celebrating a special anniversary or perhaps seeking a quiet, romantic getaway for two, Villa Dani is one of Bali very special treasures. Tucked away amongthe rice paddy fields and swaying palm trees of Umulas, Villa Dani offers a unique experience for newly weds and couples alike. An experience we are sure you will savor for a lifetime. Located within the Arwana Estate, this one bedroom property can be rented alone. Or together with any or all of the other three villas if you have larger groups and families traveling together.
Villa Kim, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Kim 3 BR is a private 3 bedroom villa that is located in a quiet residential part of Seminyak where the villa is well appointed design concept to a comforts of a modern home, away from the crowds. The villa is only a few minutes away from unique Bali gift shops along Seminyak Street, Bali Deli and famous Sunset Road, 20 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport, 5 minutes driving to the closest Seminyak beach, 10 minutes to Kuta-Legian area.
Villa Massilia, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Massilia is a fresh, 4-bedroom Bali holiday rental villa, located in central Seminyak, 15 minutes walk to the famous Kudeta beach restaurants and Seminyak beach has to offer. Accommodation and facilities include four air-conditioned fully aircondinioned bedrooms, complete with audio and visual facilities and ensuite bathrooms, an open-plan living and dining area, and fully-equipped kitchen. This brand new fully staffed holiday villa in Bali is complemented by a 13-metre swimming pool, and poolside bale-style relaxation pavilion.
Villa Pulu, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Pulu was completed in November 2010. It has been built to an exceptionally high standard having Granite Flooring in all Living areas and Bedrooms. Outdoor showers in the ensuites with small gardens surrounding. The Bedrooms are all individual and can accommodate 3 couples or a large family. Extra mattresses on request. Villa Pulu will not disappoint with it's many extras.
Villa Sahana, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
Villa Sahana is a six-star retreat focused on meeting all guest holiday needs. As its name implies, Villa Sahana creates a magical, almost supernatural environment for peaceful relaxation and rejuvenation. The Sahana Villas offers 3 units of three private bedrooms in three main buildings, all with en-suite bathrooms. All bedrooms are fully air conditioned although each room can be opened to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living.
Villa Eden, Batubelig
|Bedroom :
|3, 4 & 5
EDEN reflects this purity and innocence and takes guests to a place of serenity, peace and luxury in an estate comprising 14 stunning modern-designed, state-of-the-art residences fashioned in pure white, appropriately situated next to a tree-lined river and lagoon just a short 50 m stroll from the sea.
Seven Garden Villas, Oberoi
|Bedroom :
|2 & 3
The Seven Garden Villas are located in the most sought after area in Bali, in Seminyak Oberoi. Just around the corner are some 20 popular restaurants such as Rumours, La Trattoria, Soho and Mykonos, in addition to galleries, spas and boutique shops. And the beach and the famous KuDeTa restaurant is 10 minutes stroll away. With a private security controlled access road, the villas are very quiet and peaceful and from the balcony they enjoy a great view over a rice field.
Villa Asih, Legian
|Bedroom :
The private "Villa Asih" (which translates to VILLA LOVE), is a very rare oasis in the middle of Legian, the heart of Kuta. You are only steps away from the famous Jalan Legian (Legian Road) with its hundreds of shops, restaurants and bars. The famous Legian and Kuta beach's are only 900 meters away making the Villa Asih an absolute unique sparkling jewel in the middle of the pulsating life of Kuta
Kanishka Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|1 or 2
Kanishka Villas, a collection of 15 brand new luxury pool villas, is superbly located in the heart of Bali's vibrant Seminyak. Just 15 minutes drive from the Bali international airport, there is direct access from both the Sunset and Legian Roads, where Kanishka Villas are nestled down a quiet lane. The popular Bali Deli and the legendary Made's Warung restaurant are within a minute's walk. Seminyak's most exciting designer boutiques, spas, dining venues and nightlife are all in the immediate neighbourhood.
Villa Intan, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|3 & 4
The location is between the Dhyana Pura Street and the Oberoi Street (Eat Street) and walking distance to the beach. Within 20-40 minute drive is the airport, the challenging surf beaches in Canggu, the picturesque temple site of Tanah Lot and the acclaimed Nirwana golf course. Ubud can be reached in 50 minutes.
Villa Tenang, Batubelig
|Bedroom :
|4 & 5
Designed in a traditional spacious Balinese pavilion style, by one of Bali's most well known and respected architects, whose many other works include Bali's world renown lounge bar Ku De Ta, Villa Tenang's sleek contemporary layout features luxurious finishes and quality modern appointments which enhance the irresistible Balinese charm.
Chandra Villas, Seminyak
|Bedroom :
|2, 3
Chandra Villas Seminyak s ituated in the Oberoi area of Seminyak, north of Legian, our two and three-bedroom villas represent the very best in luxury holiday accommodation. You'll enjoy the independence of your own exquisitely decorated home and the easy-living convenience of maid service, with chef on demand. Relax by your private pool or stroll to any of the local beaches – Seminyak, Petitenget, Gado-Gado or Kudeta.
Villa Sam, Umalas
|Bedroom :
Villa Sam is fully staffed and efficiently run by a House Manager with support from a Housekeeper, Gardener/Pool Attendant and a Security team to safeguard the property around the clock. A well trained Cook is also available for the preparation of local and international cuisine. A choice of menus is provided and this service is inclusive of all grocery shopping. All food preparation is done in a separate wet kitchen and meals can be served in several spots throughout the property.
See All private cheap villas in Seminyak
For further information and bookings, please use the enquiry or booking related links above. For an urgent matters, you may contact the reservation office below:


text:
The recent removal of 40 sickly sycamores and pines along north Francisco Drive evokes an old arboreal adage: "Losing a tree is like losing a friend."
That boulevard has a lot of friends. It anchors the Lakehills, Marina, Marina Woods, Rolling Hills, Green Valley Hills, Waterford, Winterhaven and Summit neighborhoods.
Francisco Drive also has a lot of trees. Its entire 1.8 mile length is landscaped, with the Lake Forest Owners Association dedicated to its maintenance. Waterford resident Ray Myers is board president and spokesman.
He explained that 40 trees were removed, and will be replaced with 57 better suited to life on a boulevard. The list includes chestnut, flowering plum, Crepe Myrtle and others, many of which provide excellent fall color.
Most of the replacements are between the curb and sidewalk on the east side of the street at Francisco Drive's south end.
Ron Allison is the corridor's current landscape architect. On the association website, lakeforestemaster.org, he explains that the original plans called for extensive use of native plant species, some of which are poor choices when sidewalks and roads are in close proximity.
Allison outlined the problem with the native London Plane Sycamore. "While picturesque in its native habitat, gnarled and twisted from decades drought and disease," it suffers periodic leaf drop, misshapen branches and gnarly growth, "all fine traits in an individual lawn specimen, but in the broad avenue setting, detract from the stately effect generally desired."
Disease resistant varieties of both sycamore and pine have been developed and are much less expensive to maintain. The Blood Good Sycamores that remain standing on the west side of the boulevard are one example. They look similar to their native cousins, but are disease resistant and provide a more balanced, uniform canopy.
The most notable and expensive diseases that afflict the London Plane Sycamore are Anthracnose and Powdery Mildew, according to Arborist Greg Rogers, of Arborwell in Rancho Cordova.
Capital Landscape's Paul Miller explained that Powdery Mildew results in periodic leaf drop, which is messy, unattractive, and deprives walkers and joggers of shade.
Estimates for treating the diseases came in at $12,000 to $13,000 per year, assuming no unexpected rain occurred after a fungicide spraying, which can drift onto pedestrians and adjacent properties, and was another factor in the decision to remove the trees, said Myers.
Sycamore roots tend to spread out on the surface, and shouldn't have been planted adjacent to curbs or sidewalks without a root barrier to contain horizontal root growth he added, explaining that damage to corridor sidewalks, curbs and irrigation system has cost $4,000 so far this year. The costs would increase annually had the trees remained, Myers said.
Several Black Pines had Pine Beetle and Pitch Moth infestations, and were also removed. Annual treatment cost was about $100 per tree.
The replacements will be 15 gallon trees, which outperform the other alternative, 24-inch boxes, over time, and are far less expensive, said Myers. Root barriers will be installed in soil areas less than 8 feet wide.
Myers concluded, "The removal was a difficult decision but is best for the corridor over time."


text:
The Gaussian strategy (left) is intended to place milestones mostly near the obstacle boundary. The Bridge test (center) is aimed at producing a higher density of milestones in narrow passages. The visibility-based connection strategy (two figures on the right) is aimed at building coarser roadmaps, still with good coverage and connectivity properties.
o Paper 1
o Paper 2


text:
July 24, 2013
Tamsui and Fisherman's Wharf
One of the easiest trips that one can take to get out of Taipei City proper is to Tamsui (the area formerly known as Danshuei). Situated on the northwest coast where the Tamsui River meets the sea, this historic town has undergone and continues to undergo radical transformation.
The origins of this transformation can perhaps be attributed to the MRT, which has been responsible for the rapid development of the greater Taipei area. Where it could take several hours to reach by bus on a weekend pre-MRT era, the MRT takes 45 minutes or so.
The MRT follows the Tamsui River for the last few stations until you reach the Tamsui station. From there, you can follow the river or head to the right and visit the "old street". I'll quickly explain that "old streets" are becoming more popular (well the renovation and promotion of these existing old streets is gaining popularity) in Taiwan. Typically they are old eating and shopping areas which have been spruced up, and this is true in Tamsui. Lot's of tempting snacks can be found with some local produce and lots of little bits and bobs which may or may not be suitable gifts to take home.
If you take the river path though, you will also find places to eat, but in a much more relaxed setting with river views. I personally prefer this option, and despite the popular location you can get a feast for a very reasonable price at a proper sit down restaurant. There is of course a focus on seafood, but that's no bad thing in my opinion! If you're not hungry, you can also grab a coffee and enjoy the views and breeze.
There a number of shops/stalls along the section of the river path near the MRT station with old style games which seem to keep children occupied. It seems as though the level of noise that used to be associated with this area has been toned down somewhat in recent years, which is also a good thing in my opinion. In general the path along the river has also been considerably improved, and for the most part it is child friendly.
Several ferries run from this area (at time of writing, although more routes may be added), one to Bali (not that one) and the other to Fisherman's Wharf. You can walk to Fisherman's Wharf, but it is a reasonable walk (especially with young children), and the ferry is kind of fun and cheap. In fact you can use an Easy card (the same card you can use on the MRT and local busses), and both take around 10 minutes.
Fisherman's Wharf has developed at a rate of knots (sorry about that, couldn't resist the nautical reference), with a huge new hotel and various places of entertainment. Don't expect to find jetties with lots of people fishing as the "wharf" is surrounded by the walls necessary for protection against the sizeable storms that beset the country. However, it is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. There is enough space for the children to run around, plenty of snack and tea/coffee shops to keep you refreshed, and a large UFO tower type thing (a rotating tower with an observation deck).
I mentioned above that there more be more ferry routes coming soon, and at least one was certainly signposted. The "blue highway" as it's being touted as an extension to the public transport system in Taipei would be a great way to get around, and I'll post again if more routes are added. There are a number of pleasure cruise type boats in the wharf as well, although they seemed to be for private hire rather than scheduled cruises. If you don't want to take the ferry back to the MRT station there are plenty of busses from just behind the hotel.
I've written before about Fort San Domingo, and that is a must see if you come to Tamsui I think. I will also be looking into the history of the area in future posts, as Tamsui was one of the first places in Taipei where foreign residents lived. In the meantime though, hop on the MRT and enjoy a day by the sea.
•Categories: Travel
•Previous article: Shopping for Cameras
•Next article: Stir Fried Restaurants


text:
Let us know when your receive great advice so we can thank our lawyers and point others with similar questions in the right direction.Got it!
My Dad passed away in 2001 & my Mom in 2004. About a year ago my Dad was a class action member in a pension plan lawsuit which was court approved. I have the legal documentation (Short Certificate & Letters of Administration naming me as administrator of the estate. I have already gotten a new EIN for my Dad. The following are my questions: When I received the settlement chk-they had already taken out the State & Fed Taxes. I still have to pay the Inheritance Tax. Do I pay the Inheritance Tax on the amount of the check or before the State & Fed Taxes were taken. Also, is there a special form I have to fill out or the REV-1500 (Pennsylvania). I have no money for a lawyer. Is this something I can do myself? Is there someone who can help me? Thank you for your time & help. Evelyn S.
You really need an attorney or at least a qualified accountant who knows how to deal with inheritance tax returns. It appears that also an income tax return needs to be prepared for the lawsuit year. You could do it yourself, but you probably will run into issues that will cost more later to fix.
This is not legal advice nor intended to create an attorney-client relationship. The information provided here is informational in nature only. This attorney may not be licensed in the jurisdiction which you have a question about so the answer could be only general in nature. Visit Steve Zelinger's website: http://www.stevenzelinger.com/Ask a similar question
Yes REV form 1500 is correct form. Because the proceed are entitled Pension funds they are still subject to PA Inheritancre tax. Depending on the amount and your financial ability there may be Pro Bono groups that can assist youAsk a similar question
Post a free question on our public forum.Ask a Question
- or -
Search for lawyers by reviews and ratings.Find a Lawyer


text:
Let us know when your receive great advice so we can thank our lawyers and point others with similar questions in the right direction.Got it!
Shot a few points off of expert with the M-14, got sharpshooter medal, so they did that to discipline me? Witnessed a lot more when put on medical hold due to my injuries....Honorable Discharge with three years left on my enlistment...fought the V.A. for years, and Just received a 70% Disability rating by their V.A. Doctors...Put a claim in with the D.A. V. back in 1969...V.A. Ignored me as they were doing with most of us back then...30+ years of surpressed trauma surfaced and nearly killed me? Received a certificate from the D.A.V. Commander and Adjudant from 1969...put in another claim in 2002 when the homeless coalition took me to the D.A.V. for help, since I had lost everything and everyone who ever meant anything too me. Unreal how they try to put EPTE Conditions on you!
Is there a question here?
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. I am only licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and I am not providing you with specific legal advice. The law changes frequently and varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Being general in nature, the information provided may not apply to any specific factual and/or legal set of circumstances and/or the jurisdiction where you reside. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be implied. The information provided is of a general nature is not intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney, especially an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Your question, although you may believe is simple, it is not simple. You require legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.Ask a similar question
What is your question?
In no way am I offering you legal advice, and in no way has my comment created an attorney-client relationship. You are not to rely upon my note above in any way, but insted need to sit down with counsel and share all relevant facts before receiving fully-informed legal advice. If you want to be completely sure of your rights, you must sit down with an experienced criminal defense attorney to be fully aware of your rights.Ask a similar question
Sounds terrible. However, we don't know what you are trying to accomplish
The information provided in this answer does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not considered to be legal advice.Ask a similar question
I have to agree with Mr. Laasen. I went through Parris Island for Boot Camp and Camp Lejeune for Advanced Infantry Training in 1970. Never heard of anyone being punished for making Sharpshooter on the rifle range.
The above is general advice regarding applicable state law. It does not create an attorney-client relationship in any specific case.Ask a similar question
Perhaps try getting counseling through the VA. I always feel appreciative and thankful for all who serve this country but I am unable to assist you on the information you provided.Ask a similar question
Sign up to receive a 3-part series of useful information and advice about personal injury law.
Post a free question on our public forum.Ask a Question
- or -
Search for lawyers by reviews and ratings.Find a Lawyer