Shopping in Sandton – January 2015

Welcome to Megaplex's monthly newsletter alerting the up-market shopper to the new and interesting in northern Sandton and Bryanston.  Please feel free to support our advertisers!  To subscribe, see our subscription page.

Contents:
Welcome ~ New Shops
Restaurant Review ~ Closed
Green Tip ~ The Checkout

Practical Effective Self-Defence

KRAV MAGA Instructors:
Mike & Walter
SMS or phone 084 211 8888

Email: michael.kravmaga@gmail.com

Witkoppen Rd. Paulshof, above
Car Service City, near Cambridge Crossing.

Links to Other Pages:
Megaplex Home –  Shops, Facilities, and Accommodation in Sandton. All Newsletters.

Shopping Centres in and near Bryanston:
Nicolway Shopping Centre
Coachman's Crossing
Grosvenor Crossing
Hobart Grove Centre
Bryanston Shopping Centre
Riverside Shopping Centre
Hurlingham Pick 'n Pay Centre
Bryanpark Shopping Centre

Convenient Conference Café:
From a one-hour business meeting for 5, to a week-long indaba for 42 with all audio-visual aids, food and coffee.
5 Dunwoody Shopping Centre, 147 Western Service Road, Woodmead. www.gospresso.co.za

Shopping Centres and Shops in and near Rivonia:
Rivonia Village Shops
Rivonia Oriental City
Rivonia Junction
Mutual Mews
Early Dawn Mall
Shops in Central Rivonia
Shops in Northern Rivonia
Cambridge Crossing
Petervale Shopping Centre

Shopping Centres in
Greater Morningside:

Morningside Shopping Centre
The Wedge, Morningside
Morning Glen Mall
90 Degrees on Rivonia
Morning View
Sandton Court
Shops in the Morningside Area

Speak Well – Become a Leader!

Transformers Toastmasters meets 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at Morningside Country Club, de la Rey Road, at 18:45.  Future leaders are welcome!  Contact Judith Taylor on 082 389-3481 or speak@transformers.org.za

Shopping Centres in the Woodmead area:
Wendywood Centre
Woodmead Value Mart
Woodmead Super Value Centre
Woodmead Commercial Park
Woodmead Retail Park
Woodmead Square
Dunwoody Centre
Kelvin Village
The Bridge, Buccleuch
Other Shops in Woodmead

Shopping Centres in Central Sandton and Johannesburg:
Atholl Square
Grayston Shopping Centre
The Colony, Craighall Park

Almost all of us will one day need a blood transfusion

– Yet only 1% of people donate blood!

Make a difference to society!  Your nearest donor centre is at The Colony,  cor Jan Smuts & Rothesay Avenues, Craighall.  Phone:
011 447-6665
011 880-4994

Shopping Centres in Sunninghill:
The Square
Sunninghill Village
Sunhill Shopping Centre
Chilli Lane Shopping Centre
The Core

Restaurants::
Restaurants in Rivonia,
Codfather Village of Restaurants,
Restaurant reviews for Rivonia
Morningside Restaurant reviews

Other Places of Interest:
Sandspruit Hiking Trail,
Ernest Ullmann Park Recreation Centre,
Montrose Nursery Garden Centre and Gia's Coffee Shop

Pizza Perfect / Burger Perfect - Upper Level, Morning Glen Mall

The "Perfect" place for salads, subs, pasta, pizza, burgers, chips, soft drinks. Open 10:00-21:00 every day. Free delivery of orders R60 and up within 3 km. Nick: 011 656-0652, e-mail

Let There be Light!

We interrupt this month's shopping news to gripe about the Prince of Darkness.

First, some background:

Photovoltaic (PV) panels make electricity from sunshine.  The panels (often mounted on the roof) generate Direct Current (DC).  This can be stored in batteries.  DC from solar panels or batteries is fed through an "inverter", which converts it to 220-250 V Alternating Current (AC), the same current we get from the mains.

With sufficient batteries and solar panels, it is possible to be independent of the mains (the "grid"), to have an "off-grid system".

Batteries are expensive, and there may not be enough panels to go entirely off-grid.  The alternative is a "grid-tied system".  Here, there are no batteries.  The inverter supplies the building and is connected to the mains power supply. When the solar power is insufficient for the building (for example, at night), it draws its extra needs from the grid.  When the inverter is putting out more electricity than the building needs, the excess can be fed back into the grid. This can turn a rotary electricity meter backwards and reduce the electricity bill.

Inverters available now in South Africa synchronise the power exactly to the grid, matching voltage and phase frequency.  If the grid shuts down, the inverter switches off immediately: There is no chance of feeding power into a dead grid and harming staff working on the lines.

We now come to Eskom.

It is no secret that the company is deeply in crisis.  Having postponed maintenance in order to keep the lights on during the last election, they are now having to do emergency repairs as plants fail.  They have spent their year's budget running oil-fired power stations, intended for peak use only, at R3/kWh, which is double to triple what they sell the power for.  Eskom now needs a multi-million Rand bailout if it is not to go bankrupt.  It is so short of generating capacity that rolling blackouts, euphemistically called "load shedding", are being employed almost at random.  The damage that this is doing to our economy is immense, no matter the brave face that our out-of-touch President puts on it at Davos.

In short, Eskom is terribly short of power. Everybody knows it, and any sane person would expect them to welcome contributions from all available sources, right?

–Including PV from houses and businesses, right?

Wrong...

DENTIST

Dr Riaz Wadvalla, Dr Nafeesah Wadvalla

The Bridge Shopping Centre, Gibson Drive, Buccleuch: 011 656-1090 dr_rwadvalla@hotmail.com Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm

With our January Eskom account, we got a "Customer Bulletin" that reads, in part:

"The Eskom framework for connecting small-scale generators (typically rooftop PV) to the low-voltage network is in the process of being developed. ... Until such time as the framework is in place, no small-scale generator connections will be allowed to be grid-tied to Eskom’s low-voltage networks ... Eskom will also not allow meters to turn backwards..."

We received the identical leaflet in October, November, and December 2014.

Clearly, some genius at Eskom is unconscious –and has been for four months!

Surely, Eskom should be fast-tracking its arrangements to allow houses and businesses to install PV and connect to the grid?

Even subsidising them, as they did with solar hot water?

With an investment of R100,000 to R200,000, a suburban house can supply between a third and 100% of its power requirements, depending on how carefully the inhabitants use electricity.  This is not a small investment, but it can be financed with a bank loan or a re-advance on an existing home loan.  It will pay for itself in 8-12 years; earlier if Eskom rates rise faster than hitherto.  The PV system can generate electricity for 20-25 years.  It is even possible to become a net supplier of power; many Germans now sell power to the electricity companies. The UK has 510,000 domestic small scale PV installations.

From the point of view of the ecology and slowing climate change, installing solar power is the responsible thing to do.  It allows a household or business to reduce its electricity bill and make a contribution to the country in the process.

Only the blind stupidity of Eskom stands in our way.  Write now to the newspapers, Eskom, and your municipality (Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni Electricity) and insist that Eskom should allow –and preferably subsidise– low-voltage PV generation connected to their grid!

Odd Jobs

"And who are you at this fancy-dress party?"

"They call me... 'The Prince of Darkness'."

"Funny, you don't look like Satan."

"I'm even more fiendish... I'm the CEO of Eskom."

NOW OPEN at 16 Waterval Crescent, Woodmead!

Over 8000 items to choose from: Toys, gifts, stationery, kitchenware, houseware, plasticware, multimedia, car sound and much more! Open Mon-Fri: 09:00-17:00 (Fri closed 12:00-14:00), Sat: 9:00-17:00, Sun: 10:00 - 14:00. Tel: 011 656 6068, email: saIes@osmans.co.za Group web site

New on the Block  Back to top

  • Kushido Karate-Do Martial Arts, 1st Floor in Petervale Shopping Centre – Self-defence - self-awareness - self-confidence. Okinawan style Karate. Classes Mondays and Thursdays, children 17:30-18:30, adults 18:00-19:30. Moved from Riverside Shops.
  • Rand Trust, Edenburg Terraces in Rivonia Area Shops – Finance, business cash flow solutions: Borrow against your debtors' book.
  • Biryani Hut, Shop 2, in Wendywood Shopping Centre – Authentic Indian Cuisine & Takeaway.
  • PizzaCassO Wendywood, in Wendywood Shopping Centre – Pizzas, regular or large, from R45 to R90. Salads, Foccacia, desserts. Free delivery of orders R60 and up within 3 km. Open 11:00-21:00 every day.
  • The Charity Box, Shop U05, Ground in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Donated clothing, books, furniture, silverware, brass and ceramic ornaments, DVD's, CD's, linen, curtains, glassware, paintings and crockery, etc. The shop generates income for Non-Profit Organisations which in the present economic conditions are finding things very difficult, e.g. Sunshine Nursery School (Alexandra), FWC Hospice, Sparrow Ministries. All donations gratefully accepted.
  • Juri Beauty Parlour, Shop L08C, Lower Level in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Facials, skin care, manicure, pedicure, head, scalp and body massage, finger and toe paint, eyelash extensions, waxing.
  • the show room, Shop R, Upper Level in Woodmead Value Mart – 30% off selected shoe styles: pierre cardin, FW, Rock, molongos, Malero, Orzata, Ipanema, rider, grendha.
  • Cotton On, Shop 31/32, Ground in Woodmead Retail Park – Discount clothing, up to 50% off. "Australia’s largest value fashion group, with eight brands in over 1,300 retail stores in 17 countries".

Commercial Fats-Oil-and-Grease Trap Cleaning and Installation

Commercial kitchens, restaurants, hospitals, clinics, offices, and residential complexes! Do you have a grease trap as required by the Municipal by-laws? Is your grease trap being maintained regularly?  We do installation, maintenance & cleaning. email: info@greasetrapcleaning.co.za, call Fabien 072 445 4560 / 087 802 6324. Web.

Restaurant Reviews by Judith Back to top

**** Caffe Della Salute, 17 Autumn Road, off Rivonia Road, Rivonia (Revisit)

As promised, we went back for lunch, this time on a really perfect day!  The greeting was professional and welcoming.  The restaurant was not particularly busy and we were able to find a table by the window and keep cool.  We ordered an Appletiser and their Protea Sauvingon Blanc.  The latter proved to be a very pleasant wine indeed and was served with plenty of ice.

To eat, I chose the Sailor's Curry, replete with prawns, and my companion the Snob pasta.  Both were excellent and very filling.  Altogether a very enjoyable lunch with excellent service.  Will definitely return!

Contact Details for Caffe Della Salute.

Funny Language, English...

You have a better chance of dying at age 80 than at 20.

What's "better" about that?

Office Space Available in Dunwoody Shopping Centre, 147 Western Service Road, Woodmead. Contact Ben Fourie: 072 344 6416 or email.

Gone, All Gone! Back to top

  • In Memoriam:  Our condolences to family, staff and customers of Roberto of Polpetta Restaurant in 90° on Rivonia. Roberto was murdered by hijackers at his home in Kensington in early December, which is why the restaurant closed earlier than usual in December. The surviving partner is continuing to run the business..

  • Scrappy Paper-Dolz Scrapbooking Shop in Petervale Shopping Centre – Classes and sales.
  • StatSoft Southern Africa - Research (Pty) Ltd. in Petervale Shopping Centre – STATISTICA Statistics Software Distributors. Sales, Training, Consulting Services.
  • Royal India, Shop 4 in Wendywood Shopping Centre – North Indian restaurant, take-away and catering kitchen.
  • KwikSpar in Wendywood Shopping Centre – Convenience store: Groceries, household items, cigarettes. It looks like Spar Tops Liquor has closed too.
  • Belfry Café in Wendywood Shopping Centre – in the entrance to, and part of, the Kwik Spar.
  • Cocos Fashion Store, Shop 2 in Wendywood Shopping Centre – Ladies and men's fashion. Ladies' underwear, handbags, jewellery, watches.
  • Cocos Fashion Store, Shop U08B in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Chinese ladies fashion, luggage, clothing.
  • DIY Depot, Shop U05 in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – industrial, hardware, electrical, tools, measurement equipment, soldering equipment, paint, wheelbarrows, keys cut, pool requirements, DIY, tools, much more. Opened October 2012.
  • Ancient Health Care Therapy, Shop L08 in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – "divinely gifted" "holistic" health care but apparently not divinely blessed.
  • Look & Listen, Shop 31/32 in Woodmead Retail Park – Music & Video. Music CDs, DVDs, Digital equipment, Blu-ray, Music DVDs. Playstation games, music software.
  • New Balance Outlet Store, Shop R in Woodmead Value Mart – NB Sporting gear and running shoes..
  • Furniture City Woodmead, Shop P in Woodmead Value Mart – Furniture.
  • Boss Furniture, Shop U08B, Ground in Kelvin Village Shopping Centre – Moving to Midrand end January.

Unquestionable

Julius says you can't refute his policy if you've never futed it before.

The Favourite Accounting Program of Non-Accountants

QuickBooks uses everyday terms like "invoice a customer", "enter bills", "receive payments".  None of that technical "Debtors" and "Creditors" stuff!  Easy to install, easy to use.  Bank accounts, bills, invoices, customer and supplier lists, useful graphs, VAT, all in one place.  Premier version R4399, Pro R3299, from Software Africa: e-mail or call 011 802 2685.

Green Tip   Back to top

Right, so if you are fed up with load-shedding and would like to do something while the lights are off, join the Democratic Alliance in picketing outside Eskom's Megawatt Park head office.  Provisionally scheduled for 09:00 on Wednesday, 4 February: Please get confirmation here first.  Bring your own water-cannon.

Security Tips from Sandton Community Police Forum   Back to top

Have you really locked your car? Criminals loiter in parking lots or sit in vehicles and over-ride your ‘remote’ signal as you ‘click’ and casually walk away. You may think you’ve locked your car, but it is still open. When you’re away, items of value are swiftly removed. No broken glass, no forced entry –and no insurance payout.

Store all items in your boot, but don’t pack away in full view of the criminals lurking in the parking lots. Lock your car with your key or, if you use electronic means, physically check the doors before leaving.

Prevent “Smash & Grabs” by keeping seats and floor clear of valuables when driving and by keeping all doors locked. Keep your windows closed at intersections. Continually check that you are not being followed.

Be aware – be safe.

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Overheard at the Checkout:

"Hi Sally!"

"Hello Cindy!  How's your engagement to that twin going?"

"Unfortunately it isn't.  I found out that he had an artificial leg, so I broke it off."

Your name in print!  Would you like to contribute a shop- or restaurant review, a better joke than ours, an event, or something else for this Newsletter?  Please e-mail us.  You will get full credit (unless you want anonymity).  Reach (a new milestone!) 6105 shoppers and shop-owners: Advertise in this newsletter!  Editor: Rick Raubenheimer.


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Newsletter Issued 30 January 2015 – Page Last Updated: 22 December 2022. – Contact us.