Hi there,

 Believe it or not, I used to be a high school English teacher!
 When I left after four years of service to South African teens,
 it was with the promise that I would use my new salary increase
 to DO more. I would go to gym, I would finally start those
 mosaic classes I had been hankering after, I would go on a
 garden design course, learn to re-upholster furniture . in short,
 I would live life to the full.

 Well, things didn't exactly turn out the way I planned! And four
 years later, my to-do list is almost as full! This year, though, I
 am determined to find the time to do at least ONE new thing!
 Hopefully, this week's edition inspires you to try something a
 little different too!

 And just a quick Heads-Up - if you look under the "Interest
 Areas" on the top left-hand side of our website homepage - the
 navigation works in the same way as it does in Outlook. Click
 on the "+" symbol and a drop-down box will appear with loads
 of sub-headings and categories. Also watch out for "Show All"
 or "More" buttons. And if you don't find what you are looking
 for, our "Search" button is the way to go!

 As for me, I am off to "Paint the Town Red", which is happening  this weekend - I can't wait! Hope to see you there!

 Have a great weekend!

 Hit the dirt

 African Outdoor Experience offers a wide range of on/off-road tuition.
 It includes a mix of concrete obstacles and a variety of tracks in the
 foothills of the Magaliesberg, depending on your skill levels and type of  vehicle. Whether you are looking for advanced inner-city driving skills,
 anti-hijack protection, or the incredible thrill of difficult 4x4 trails - this is
 the place to go!

 Contact Details

 When coffee is good for you

 The Mugg & Bean has launched The Mugg Club - a non-competitive social,
 cycling and lifestyle club. Cycle routes for the 'coffee riders' will start and
 finish at Mugg & Bean outlets, after which friends and families can settle
 down to a hearty breakfast. For a nominal fee, members receive benefits
 such as fortnightly email newsletters with training tips and advice from
 leading experts, access to bicycle routes throughout South Africa, as well
 as Mugg & Bean bottomless coffee cup vouchers.

 Contact Details

 Something's fishy

 If you are stuck in a bit of a rut and feel the need to head out of the city
 for a while, you might want to consider some serious fishing!
 SportFishAfrica is South Africa's only tour operator specializing in sport  fishing tours to a wide variety of fresh and salt water destinations, both  within Africa and to Indian Ocean or Atlantic Ocean island resorts.

 Contact Details

 This is on my definite to-do list for the year! There are many places that  offer courses - but Dish in Parkhurst offers one of the finest courses  available. Beginners' Saturday Workshops cost around R600, which
 includes tuition, grout, glue, templates, tiles and mosaics. You can make  anything from mirrors and house numbers to picture frames and dustbins!
 If you consider what you would PAY for any one of these mosaic items,
 the cost is nominal. Advanced and half-day courses are also available.

 Contact Details

 Not for the faint-hearted! Bikram is hailed for its therapeutic benefits, both  inside and out. Started by 58-year-old Calcutta, India-born Yogiraj Bikram  Choudhury, the yoga is designed to work inner organs such as lungs and  glands while toning and strengthening muscles and increasing flexibility.  Then there's the heat - Bikram is conducted in a 40 degree room in order
 to prevent injuries, relax muscles and detoxify the body! Bikram Yoga in  Illovo is offering a special for newcomers - pay R70 for unlimited access
 to their classes for 10 days!

 Contact Details

 Hit the slopes
 
 Learn to ski on a magnificent 40m indoor slope right here in Joburg! The  Snowscape Indoor Slope in Fourways offers professional instruction
 with personal attention while focussing on both safety and the latest  instruction methods. There are a variety of well-priced courses available.  This would also be the perfect location for kiddies birthday parties  (bumboarding) and corporate team-building events.

 Contact Details

 The Castle, Kyalami has put together an amazing Easter
 Extravaganza for for the Easter weekend! Our favourite is the Easter
 Sunday Picnic on the lawn. The only thing you need to bring is a picnic
 blanket as The Castle will provide an awesome buffet on the lawn area,
 as well as a jumping castle, face painter, animal farm, swing carousel
 and Easter Egg  hunt for the kids.

 The prices are incredibly reasonable - R100 per adult and R50 for
 children under the age of 12. The Castle will also be serving an Easter
 Sunday Lunch with live entertainment, as well as a Se food Extravaganza
 Buffet  Dinner. For those wishing to spend a night or theweekend, there
 are unbelievable special rates on accommodation for this weekend only.
 Our advice - have a look at their website before making a decision!
 Booking for all events is essential!

 Contact Details

 The Rand Show

 Easter would not be Easter without the Rand Show. From Friday 18 March
 to Sunday 3 April, the Rand Show will be in full swing at its usual venue at  Nasrec. The gates at the show will be open from 10am to 8pm daily, and  there will be over 700 exhibitors, music shows and family entertainment.  Tickets cost R40 for adults and R20 for children under the age of 12.
 Secure parking is available at a cost of R10 per car.

 Contact Details

 If you loved "Meet The Parents", then you will love its sequel where Pam  (Teri Polo) and Greg (Ben Stiller) are getting their parents together for the  first time, a few months before their wedding. When they finally arrive at  the Fockers' house, Greg's parents, Bernie and Roz (Dustin Hoffman and  Barbra Streisand), turn out to be sex-addicted hippies and not at all what  the Byrnes had expected...

 And if you want to make the  Joburg site your home page -
 log on to www.joburg.co.za,
 click on the little white house to  the left of today's date,
 and it will be done for you. That  way, you will always be  up- to- date!