Smell The Flowers

We walk almost every evening.  Our walk takes us one round Canal Gardens.  When we take our walk, we see residents like us walking or jogging, parents pushing toddlers in prams, seniors gathering to chit chat as well as children playing games or football.  We just walk taking in the sights and enjoying the activities like so many people do.  What we realise during one of these walks is that we have missed out on the flowers grown within Canal Gardens.  Honestly, how many of you noticed the vast array of colourful flowers in Canal Gardens?

Perhaps you have been too busy to notice or you are not a nature person.  The next time you get a chance, do slow down to admire the beautiful colours exhibited in the potpourri of flowers all around us.

We decided to go round Canal Gardens lugging our cameras along and start snapping all the flowers we come across to show what you have been missing.  One of our neighbours was driving pass and saw my posterior sticking out of a bush in one of those unnatural camera-focusing positions.  He could not see that it was me.  He commented to his wife of a crazy resident doing some unnatural act in the bush.  His wife took a long look back as the vehicle drove by and said, hey, it’s your friend, Vincent!  Later that night I got a call from him admonishing me in a bantering tone of my unnatural posture!  So these photographs were taken at a great sacrifice.  Enjoy them, but just do not look at them, go take a walk and enjoy the real thing.

Look at the orchids, the hibiscus and so many others whose names we do not have an inkling.  Marvel at how they grow into a spectacular display of colours.  Nature in all its glory has endowed them with a texture and a beauty nothing man can make or duplicate.  Be refreshed and inspired then by taking a slow walk to see, touch and smell the flowers!

Article contributed by  ~ Skunkworks@23 ~

A Typical Recycling Day

Between 9am - 3pm, 2 groups of volunteers will take turns to be at the Gazebo to assist in unloading and sorting the contributions from residents till pick-up by the Recycling Agent.

The Agent only collects 4 category of items, namely, Papers, Cardboards, Plastics and Metal Containers. Any other items not wanted by the Agent is still removed by them to be thrown away.

Perhaps it would be more beneficial if we sort out these unwanted items by the Agent and let the regular garbage truck collect them or donate the used items like clothes/shoes/toys/mattresses to charity.

A suggestion to lighten the work of the volunteers would be for contributors to go a step further by bundling and tying the papers to ease unloading and loading.

BUNDLING & TYING THE NEWSPAPERS

VOLUNTEERS HELPING TO UNLOAD PAPERS FROM CAR

VOLUNTEERS TAKING A QUICK BITE & CHATTING WHILE WAITING

Click Here To View More Pics

Barbed Wires Anyone?

Every morning at 6.30 am on my way to work, what do I see around Canal Gardens? I see a couple jogging, two uncles strolling, a young lady brisk walking, a maid walking a Labrador and the morning Tai Chi group exercising.

I find it so comforting and it really makes my day knowing that we, the residents of Canal Gardens have this privilege of being in the ‘open’ at anytime of the day even before the sun is up. Do we ever ask ourselves how we can continue to enjoy this privilege?

Every day in the newspapers, we read nothing but about the increasing crime rate in our country – burglaries are happening even as near as at Aranda and Oncidium. Over the past couple of months, there have been a spate of house break ins and the modus operandi is the burglars come well dressed and in big expensive cars. Lucky for us but sadly to mention, there have been thefts of shoes from Roads L and S.

For the interest of all residents, the CGRA committee has always regarded ‘SECURITY’ as our MAIN concern. In fact, at our recent committee meeting we had debated on whether to even install razor blade barbed wires on our perimeter walls. After much deliberation, we had decided to shelve the idea at the moment.

How Can We Help Ourselves?

1) Adhere to our security SOP (you may find a copy on the blog)
2) Get your visitors to register at all times
3) Why be harsh with the guards when they ask for this and that – they are just performing their duties? Put yourselves in their shoes
4) Lock your gates (I have seen gates wide open at night)
5) Lock your vehicles at all times – Smart Tags are a favourite
6) Keep expensive shoes/items in your house
7) If you know of teenagers doing a short cut by jumping down the walls, please advise them of the injuries which may befall them
8) If you see suspicious looking persons loitering around, contact the guard house at 03-51215076

We cannot do this alone – We need your cooperation to maintain Canal Gardens a Safe and Crime Free Community.

Let’s say a big ‘NO’ to prison-like living and continue to enjoy our stay in Canal Gardens – Our Beloved Home.

No one can whistle a symphony.
It takes a whole orchestra to play it.
~H.E. Luccock

Article contributed by  ~ Sonia Tait ~

Recycling Programme at Canal Gardens

Looking for somewhere to discard your recycleables and keeping the environment green at the same time? Look no further as we have such a programme in our Gardens itself. When and Where?

WHEN    -   9 a.m. till 3 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month
WHERE -   Gazebo at the 2nd exit

We are appreciative of your contributions.
However, we shall be obliged if you could please refrain from sending us the following:

        clothes and shoes;  old and broken furniture;  aquariums and glass bottles;  
                                                 soft toys;  styrofoam

Our recycling programme has been ongoing for the past couple of years and the $ collected goes into our Canal Gardens Residents' Association (CGRA) fund. So far, the recycling $ has been the main source of income for the CGRA fund which we utilise for guardhouse decorations during festive occasions, printing of flyers, AGM expenses and last but not least, to subsidize the costs of the past three Family Nights.

We currently have around 25 volunteers consisting mainly of CGRA committee members, their spouses and lately a couple of new friends.

If you are looking at having just a good chat on the happenings in Canal Gardens or even the Bursa Malaysia, do drop by at our recycling venue. For those who are new to the recycling scene, please start now.

Syabas to Steven Lam (our own CGRA Head of Recycling) and his team of volunteers for an Unpaid Job Well Done. Keep It Up!

Article contributed by ~ Sonia Tait ~

Chairman's Message

Dear CG Residents,

Let's keep the blog interesting, beneficial and interesting by the continued support of contributions of comments, postings, ideas etc. to the blog administrators and team to make it a success.

Remember, the blog is yours and will be alive and interesting only if all residents make it happen.

For the info of all residents, HGD has, after discussion with the Committee, decided to proceed to award the following works:

1) Jogging Track

Extend and build a new jogging track and path from basketball court to Road P.

This, when completed, will join the missing track to cover the entire garden.

2) Metal Fencing at Road L

Due to recent spate of missing shoes, we shall be increasing spikes height on weak areas facing Road L identified as potential risk wall areas.

3) Door Excess (Front) and Additional Door Open (Rear)

Due to call by residents to open a bicycle and walking access door using existing "Access Cards" for entry/exit, we shall be building a new door opening at the rear entrance facing Gazebo and opening the side gate with a Touch and Go System for the front entrance.

This will benefit those residents who wish to walk and cycle to/from shops without compromising security and minimise distracting  the Ghurkha guards from their normal duties.

Please ensure that you bring along your resident’s access cards when using both the gates.

Additional cards can be purchased at HGD office should you need any.

4) Fertilisers
 
Have you noticed the new trees and plants at our beloved garden are getting healthier and looking great?

We wish to thank Peter and Mr Chua for arranging the purchase of a number of bags of quality "dungs" for our gardeners and landscape contractors to apply to the plants and trees. 

I look forward to speak to you again via this Chairman Corner blog.

Cheers!

Paul Leong
Chairman CGRA.
 +6012-6185757

Love Your Pets

Pets play an important role in the home and can be wonderful companions to kids, adults and seniors. The bond that forms between a family and their pet is sometimes difficult for non pet owners to understand, but for all of us who have or have had a pet in our home, we know the joy and pleasure these faithful companions can bring. Owning and caring for a family pet doesn't have to be a difficult or burdensome experience. 

DOGS

Dogs are great friends and very good companions.

They need good baths to keep them neat and clean. Keeping them clean will keep them from bacteria and from getting sick or getting diseases. It will help them not get fleas and ticks. Check their teeth and their ears occasionally.

Do not starve them or they could die. You should take them for annual medical check ups at the veterinarians. If they don't get good attention or good care or if they are hurt or sick they might try to run away or won't come when you call for them.

You need not cage them up or they might start biting you for not playing with them. They might also feel neglected or think that they did something very bad if they don't come out of the cage or where they are kept.  If neglected the dog may bite or attack some of the people in your neighborhood and then you could get sued and your dog could get put to sleep. If you don't watch your dog when you take it outside it could run away. When you bring your dogs for walks, please bring along paper and plastic bags for picking up their ‘poo’ and discard them at nearby trash bins. Be considerate to your neighbours and keep the surroundings clean.

Here are some signs and symptoms that we see in animals which are not taken care of:
- Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal’s death
- Wounds on the body
- Patches of missing fur
- Extremely thin, starving animals
- Limping
- An owner striking or physically abusing an animal
- Dogs which are repeatedly left alone without food and water or often chained up in a yard
- Dogs which have been hit by cars or are showing any signs listed above and have not been taken to a veterinarian
- Dogs which are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions
- Animals which cower in fear or act aggresively when approached by their owners

CATS

Cats are very good on their feet. If they are neglected they will bite, hiss or claw.

You will need to give them a manicure or trim their nails or a scratching post will help keep their nails trimmed. They love lots of toys like toy mice and a ball.  Cats love you when you pet them nicely. 

You need a litter box so they don't make a mess on the floor, a scoop by the box will help keep it clean.

Cats of all ages, shapes, and sizes have made their way into the homes and hearts of millions.

RABBITS

Rabbits are nice if you can take care of them well. If you don’t, you will have a very naughty Bunny.

Rabbits can have a heart attack if something scares them.

Rabbits need food like hay, pellets and vegetables and they also need water everyday. You need to love them by playing with them. They do growl and bite you when they are mad. Their nails should be occasionally clipped.

You can build hutches for them outside so that they have a good shelter. Rabbits are playful so ensure you keep them exercised or they will start chewing on your stuff.


Let’s end with two quotations -

Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.

The ABCs Of Recycling.....(for Dummies)

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

Recycling refers to the process of collecting used materials which is usually considered as ‘waste’ and reprocessing them. In this process, these used materials are sorted and processed to be used as ‘raw materials’ for the production of new products. Recycling varies from ‘reuse’ in the sense that while reuse just means using old products repeatedly, recycling means using the core elements of an old product as raw materials to manufacture new products.

Process of Recycling

The recycling process involves three stages. In the first stage, the old products are collected and processed, where they are sorted, cleaned and made ready for recycling or manufacturing new products. The second stage involves the manufacturing of new products from the raw materials obtained by the processing of the old products. Finally, the process ends with the purchasing of recycled goods by the consumers.

The more people step forward to buy recycled products the better the success of the recycling process can be ensured. Buying recycled products will only increase when every individual will develop an awareness of the difference that can be made by utilizing their old household objects as raw materials to produce new goods and help the environment by recycling.

7 Good Reasons to Recycle

­    Financial Income
­    Recycling helps conserve limited resources
­    Recycling is energy efficient
­    Recycling builds community
­    Recycling creates jobs
­    Recycling builds a strong economy
­    Recycling is earth-friendly

Recyclable Items

1.     Plastic
2.     Steel and aluminum cans
3.     Aseptic Packaging (drink boxes, soy bean containers)
4.     Car batteries
5.     Computer printers
6.     Paper
        - White office paper
        - Corrugated cardboard
        - Newspaper
        - Phone books
        - Waxed cartons
        - Mixed paper

Other Things You Can Do

- Favour products with a high recycled content, even if they cost a little more
- Reduce the volume of packaging you buy, reuse what you can’t recycle and recycle the rest
- Tell the cashier ‘I don’t need a bag’
- Use your own reusable canvas bag or backpack at the store
- Buy quality products and keep them for a lifetime