“I don’t recognise my child. Yesterday he was a sweet, polite boy who smiled a lot. Today he mumbles in monosyllables, shouts at his sister, and never comes out of his room except to raid the fridge.”

Think of a storm. Think how it builds – brooding slowly, dark with ominous clouds and flashes of lightning and rumbles of rolling thunder that may erupt at any minute. Then a torrent of rain, perhaps a few hailstones and finally, the sun comes out – as if the storm had never been.

Adolescence can be just like that: a powerfully disruptive, often chaotic and yet a wonderfully vivid and energetic time.

As parents, we can do a lot to manage the impact of this sometimes confusing and challenging time in a young person’s life. Standing firm and holding on to one’s values in the face of bombardment from adolescents, who in turn are facing their own pressures of identity and self doubt, requires a clear head, encouragement . . . and a handbook. The Adolescent Storm is that handbook.

Click here to preorder your copy today from Red Pepper Books for only R198.00

Penguin Books takes pleasure in inviting you to the launch of The Adolescent Storm: A Handbook for Parents by Meg Fargher and Helen Dooley.

Meet the authors and get great advice at the launch – see you there!

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, 29 April 2010
• Time: 6:00 PM for 6:30 PM
• Venue: The Ridge School, 26 Woolston Rd
  Westcliff, Johannesburg | Map
• RSVP: ellen.vanschalkwyk@za.penguingroup.com, 011 327 3550

•Hoekom wou Kurt Darren sy hare blou kleur?
•Wat het Steve Hofmeyr in Gobabis vir Juanita du Plessis gesê?
•Waar was Theuns Jordaan toe hy die eerste keer “Loslappie” gehoor het?
•Wat is die ooreenkoms tussen “Ou ryperd” en ABBA?
•Hoekom moes Carike Keuzenkamp klere by haar buurvrou leen? •Waar het Bles Bridges die eerste keer rose by sy konserte uitgedeel?
•Waar was David Kramer toe hy “Stoksielalleen” geskryf het?
•Hoekom is liedjies van Cora Marie en Groep Twee deur die SAUK verbied?
•Wat dink Koos Kombuis is sy grootste bydrae tot Afrikaanse musiek?
•Waar is die een plek waar Mimi Coertse nooit die kans gekry hetom op te tree nie?
•By wie het Rina Hugo klere geleen vir ’n internasionale sangkompetisie?
•Wat is die storie agter Amanda Strydom se “Ek loop die pad” en Chris •Chameleon se “Sterredank”?
•Wat het ’n selfoon-luitoon met Nicholis Louw se treffer “Rock daailyfie” te doen?

Hierdie is maar net ’n paar van die interessante vrae wat in 50 Stemme: Die grootste name in Afrikaanse musiek beantwoord word.

Die boek bestaan uit50 hoofstukke – van Amanda tot Valiant, van Die Briels tot Fokofpolisiekar.Daar is onderhoude met van die grootste rolspelers in Afrikaanse musiekasook kostelike staaltjies en pragfoto’s van toeka tot nou. 50 Stemme: Die grootste name in Afrikaanse musiek is ’n boek enig in sy soort en een waarvoor musiekliefhebbers van alle ouderdomme al lank wag.

“Bravo aan Ilza vir haar vernuftigheid om met noukeurige navorsing ’n fyn balans tussen die verskeie genres te bring en met styl die waarheid ágter die waarheid en die skerms in te kloof.” Tinus Esterhuizen, musiekregisseur: RSG

The artists include: •Amanda Strydom •André Schwartz •Anneli van Rooyen •Anton Goosen •Bles Bridges •Bok van Blerk •Brasse vannie Kaap •Carike Keuzenkamp •Chris Chameleon •Coenie de Villiers •Cora-Marie •Cutt Glas •Danie Niehaus •David Kramer •Die Briels •Dozi •Eden •Elzabé Zietsman •Fokofpolisiekar •Gé Korsten •Gert Vlok Nel •Gian Groen •Groep Twee •Jan Blohm •Jannie du Toit •Johannes Kerkorrel •Juanita du Plessis •Karen Zoid •Kobus •Koos du Plessis •Koos Kombuis •Kurt Darren •Lance James •Laurika Rauch •Leon Schuster •Lize Beekman •Lucas Maree •Mimi Coertse •Min Shaw •Mynie Grové •Nicholis Louw •Patricia Lewis •Piet Botha •Rina Hugo •Robbie Wessels •Ronéll Erasmus •Sonja Herholdt •Steve Hofmeyr •Theuns Jordaan •Valiant Swart

Bookings now open to see Best-selling Mars/Venus author LIVE at lifestyle expo Dr John Gray, the man who brought the battle of the sexes into the mainstream with his best-selling book Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, will be sharing his insights during the Look and Feel Good Expo at Johannesburg’s Coca Cola dome from 9 to 11 October 2009. The expo focuses on ways to maintain and enhance health, beauty, fitness, well-being, the environment and happiness in today’s high-pressure society. John Gray, PhD, described as the top-selling relationship author of all time, will be giving three talks during this lifestyle and healthy living expo. Among his 16 best-sellers, the American self-help expert is credited with producing one of the most popular books of recent years: some 40 million Mars/Venus books have been sold in more than 45 languages throughout the world. An expert in the field of communication and a certified family therapist, Dr Gray helps men and women understand, respect and appreciate their differences in both personal and professional relationships. It is fair to say that his Mars/Venus theory revolutionised the way in which the sexes viewed relationships. Far from accepting that the divide between male and female gender stereotypes could never be bridged, Dr Gray’s groundbreaking 1992 book explored the essence of the sexes and advocated acknowledgement and understanding of their differences as a path to harmony between men and women. In his many books, CDs, DVDs, workshops and seminars, he provides practical tools and insights to effectively manage stress and improve relationships. During the Look and Feel Good Expo, Dr Gray will be discussing his most notable works. His talk on Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus – a practical guide for improving communication and getting what you want from your relationships – will take place on Saturday, 10 October at 10am. He will be suggesting positive parenting skills for raising co-operative children during his Children are from Heaven talk on 10 October at 2pm. His latest book, Why Mars and Venus Collide, will be the subject of his final talk, on Sunday, 11 October at 10am. Here, Dr Gray will give advice on how to improve relationships by understanding how men and women deal differently with stress. Book online for these talks during the Look and Feel Good Expo by visiting www.lookandfeelgoodexpo.co.za.

Editors note: Recognising that in today’s fast-paced and highly pressured society many South Africans’ health and wellness has been compromised by a time-starved lifestyle, the Look & Feel Good Expo is an all encompassing event that will reflect the global move towards health, wellness, longevity, positivity, vitality, environmental awareness and sustainability. The expo will reflect the most up to date information on wellness and healthy living. Tickets to the expo are: R60 general admission, R30 for pensioners and students, and free for U12’s. More info: http://www.lookandfeelgoodexpo.co.za

The countdown to the 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival has begun following a media launch on August 12th at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Attended by many of the performers who will be taking to stages throughout Johannesburg in September, including the legendary Dorothy Masuku, the event saw Steven Sack, Joburg’s Director of Arts, Culture and Heritage, outline a jam-packed programme of events that covers 50 venues and 63 stages during its 30-day run.

“Joburg Arts Alive is a very important event on the City’s calendar,” said Mr Sack. “It remains our flagship cultural product illustrating that, as a City, we truly value the arts sector. It is, after all, the artists who record our history. It is to them that we turn to feel the emotion and the heart beat of times past and times present.”

Nomahlubi Simamane, MD of Zanusi Brand Solutions which has been contracted to run Arts Alive for the next three years, echoed Sack’s words, revealing that 2009 will see the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival “Switched On’ with a bang on Thursday September 3rd when the 17th annual festival officially gets underway with an opening night in Newtown’s Mary Fitzgerald Square. Hosted by the Executive Mayor Masondo, Joburg Arts Alive’s opening event will feature a stunning mix of music – from a massed children’s choir to the delights of a percussion and winds ensemble and a moving tribute to iconic singer Dorothy Masuku, one of Johannesburg’s most treasured residents who turns 74 on that day.

One of the key partners for the 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival is the SABC. Nisha Jones, SABC Sales Director and Acting Marketing Director, told the press conference that the Arts Alive’s programme was a perfect fit for the national broadcaster’s mandate to “inform, educate and entertain” and partner with programmes that directly impact citizen empowerment.

Also at the launch was Navdeep Suri, India’s Consul General based in Johannesburg. “I like to think that we put much of the international into the Joburg Arts Alive International Festival,” Mr Suri told the gathering in reference to the three-year-long partnership between Arts Alive and the Indian ‘Shared Histories’ Festival. The latter is one of the many “festivals-within-the-festival” that is taking place at the 2009 Joburg Arts Alive International Festival and is set to deliver a dazzling diversity of dance, literature, spirituality and more to the festival over 10 different events.

With 35 music performances, 11 dance shows, 10 theatre pieces, 17 visual arts events and 5 film elements among the many other arts events taking place during September, this year’s Joburg Arts Alive International Festival delivers something for everyone living in, working in or visiting the world-class city of Joburg!

Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 August 2009, University of South Africa Main Campus, Pretoria

Presented by the Department of Information Science and the Children’s Literature Research Unit of the Department of Information Science of the University of South Africa 

The conference will address particular issues regarding reading promotion for children and storytelling to children. Although storytelling can also be seen as a means to promote reading, the two issues will be addressed on two consecutive days. Click here for more information…

The University of Johannesburg Library and Information Centre and the Conference Planning Committee are pleased to announce that a conference on the impact of new technologies on the roles and partnerships for academic libraries will take place from 16-18 May 2010 at the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

Date                                           Venue
16 – 18 May 2010                 University of Johannesburg, Council Chambers
                                                    Kingsway campus, Auckland Park,Johannesburg

Click here for more information

First Call for Papers:

The future is now: new roles and relationships for academic libraries

University of Johannesburg, Library and Information Centre, Johannesburg

16-18 May 2010

The University of Johannesburg Library and Information Centre and the Conference Planning Committee have great pleasure in inviting you to submit a paper for the Conference to be held in Johannesburg at the University of Johannesburg on 17-18 May 2010. We welcome dynamic speakers willing to share their knowledge and experience about the impact of new technologies on the changing roles, partnerships and challenges for academic libraries.

16 May: Registration

17-18 May: Conference

Themes

Within the field of library and information science, the issues of rapidly changing technology and the need to adapt and align services and relationships accordingly, are a constant concern and challenge. Apart from the continued focus on technology, academic librarians are increasingly aware that the needs of their clients are also changing and that they must move from understanding technology to understanding end-user needs and behavior in the context of the technology. Libraries are at a cross road where they need to embrace new technology and at the same time give more attention to clients than to developing their infrastructure. Many of the predictions about the role of technology in academic libraries are coming true – the future is now!

Papers and posters on, but not limited to, the following topics are invited:

1. New models for publishing and the implications for libraries

Alternative publishing and online funding models

National and international collaborative projects

Open Access initiatives

Defining the roles of the library and the publisher

Making the library part of the publishing supply chain

2. Mobile technology and academic libraries

Cool tools and gadgets

Adapting to the needs and expectations of the net generation students, and technology savvy lecturers

Emerging competencies for library staff

Web 2.0 and the road to Web 3.0

Impact of embracing new roles and forging new relationships on the image of the academic library

Customized/personalized services

3. Managing copyright and intellectual property related to the use of new technologies in academic libraries

Intellectual property and economic sustainability/viability

The library’s relationship with and joint ventures between research libraries and publishers

Target audience

Academics, librarians, information scientists, information practitioners, publishers, open access champions, copyright and intellectual property specialists

Deadlines for submission of proposals for posters and papers 

Papers: Research papers as well as papers based on practical experiences and examples of best practices are welcome.

31 August 2009: Extended abstract (500 to 800 words) sent to Dr. Anette Janse van Vuren at anettej@uj.ac.za

9 October 2009: Notification of acceptance/rejection of the submitted abstracts

16 April 2010: Final copy of the paper submitted

Publication of the papers is being investigated and presenters will be notified in due course.

Guidelines for papers

All papers submitted for presentation at the conference must contain original research or unique content that has not been previously presented or scheduled for presentation or publication.

Abstracts should be a minimum of 500 and no more than 800 words including up to five keywords. Abstracts must include the proposed title for the paper, the full names (first name and surname); postal addresses and email addresses of all authors and a telephone number for at least one contact author.

Abstracts should include a clear statement of the topic of the paper, the research question and research method used. It should describe the work to be discussed in the paper and give a concise summary of the findings. References are not required in the Abstract. Abstracts should market the proposed paper.

Abstracts should be submitted as a MS Word or pdf file by e-mail to anettej@uj.ac.za.

Abstracts should be in English. All papers will be presented in English.

The abstracts will be double-blind reviewed by members of the Program Committee.

On acceptance of the abstracts, author guidelines for papers will be sent to presenters.

Guidelines for posters

Poster presentations provide the opportunity for the presenter and the audience to talk to each other about either work practices or research projects started or done. A physical arrangement similar to an exhibit area will be used for this interaction. Two poster sessions (one on the publishing side and one on mobile technology) can be arranged depending on how many applications are received.

Poster presentation recommendations:

Abstracts should be a minimum of 300 and no more than 500 words including up to five keywords. Abstracts must include the proposed title for the poster, the full names (first name and surname); postal addresses and email addresses of all authors and a telephone number for at least one contact author.

Abstracts should include a clear statement of the topic of the poster, the research question and research method used. It should describe the work to be discussed in the poster and give a concise summary of the findings. References are not required in the Abstract. Abstracts should market the proposed poster.

Abstracts should be submitted as a MS Word or pdf file by e-mail to anettej@uj.ac.za.

Abstracts should be in English. All posters will be presented in English.

Posters will be double-blind reviewed by members of the Program Committee.

Be prepared to hand out a printed version of your poster with the details of the research.

On acceptance of the abstracts, author guidelines for posters will be sent to presenters.

For more information please check the web site http://www.uj.ac.za/Default.aspx?TabId=15656 which will be updated regularly or contact Rae Israel at +27 11 559 2181 (risrael@uj.ac.za)

The organizers cannot be responsible for speakers’ registration, travel and accommodation costs.

A preliminary conference programme and registration form will be available by 15 November 2009.

The registration fee is:

Early bird registration: 28 February 2010 R1500

After February 2010 : R1800

Registration closes at the end of March 2010

Organizing Committee Chair: Dr Anette Janse van Vuren (anettej@uj.ac.za)

Conference Administrator: Rae Israel (risrael@uj.ac.za) tel: +27 11 559 2181 fax: +27 11 726 7723

Seating is limited to 100 delegates