Changes, Changes...

It has been claimed that the unstated motto of cats is, "when in doubt, wash".  It could well be claimed that the motto of shopping centre owners is, "when in doubt, revamp".

At Cambridge Crossing, Paulshof, a major rebuilding exercise is getting started: All shops below Fishaways have closed (list below) and that lower section is being demolished: OTG Bar and Kitchen has moved from the now-stripped section to the top of the centre, next to Thai Café. A new entrance is being opened through the car park.  We await developments with interest.

The long-awaited changes to The Wedge, Morningside are finally underway with the boarding up of various areas, and the excavation of the upper level carpark.  You can no longer drive to the upper level to get to Piza e Vino Restaurant or Morningside Dispensary (who decided not to move to 90 Degrees on Rivonia), but have to walk up the stairs, or go the long way around using the lift on the north side.

Your choices of gym have narrowed, with the closure of SWEAT 1000 both in Nicolway Bryanston and Morningside Shopping Centre.

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Odd Jobs

The charity "Doctors Without Borders" needs your donations. Please donate one if you have a spare border (or even a shrubbery)...

New on the Block, Movers and Shakers  Back to top

• Off The Grid (OTG) Bar and Kitchen, has moved from the bottom to the top of the centre, now in Shop 03 in Cambridge Crossing – Lively pub and restaurant. Smoking area available.
• Desert Sands Persian Rugs has moved from Coachman's Crossing to Bryanston Organic Market (Michael Mount School), Culross Road, Bryanston: Open every Thursday & Saturday. Quality hand cleaning and repairs of all Persian carpets, unbeatable prices on all new Persian carpets.
• Goof Rivonia has changed hands and become a Haupt Swimming School, in Kinetic Sports Centre.
• Goof Bryanston has changed hands and become Quick Strokes Swimming School (256 Bryanston Drive) near Riverside Shopping Centre.
• We now list Social on Main near Nicolway Bryanston – Restaurant, bar, cocktail bar.
• We now list The Baron Bryanston (On Main) near Nicolway Bryanston – Craft beer on tap. Steak Tuesdays. Half Price Cocktails for ladies Friday until 5pm.
• Keedo Kids, Shop U31, Upper Level in Nicolway Bryanston – Girls', boys' and babies' clothing and accessories, made in South Africa.
• Woolworths Liquor, Ground in Cambridge Crossing – Liquor store.
• Biltong-R-Us, Ground in Cambridge Crossing – large variety of different flavours biltong, chilli bites, dry wors and cabanossi.
• Burgerack, Shop G05-06, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – Ribs, craft burgers (whatever they are), waffles. Catering for year-end parties.
• 3@1, Shop G03, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – Postal business communication: courier, rubber stamps, graphic design, photocopy & print, binding. Uber.
• The Firm (Suite 4), 1st Floor in Coachman's Crossing – Slimming and Health Clinic. Massage.
• Vibe @ Pick 'n Pay Coachmans, Ground in Coachman's Crossing – Light meals and snacks. Sandwiches, wraps, burgers, juices, cake, muffins, brownies, tarts (the sticky kind).
• Wash Zone & Dry Clean Zone, Ground in Cramerview Village.
• Pet Spa and Grooming, Ground in Cramerview Village – "Your pawfect pertner in grooming".
• 711 Supermarket has become Sablu Express Mart, Ground in Cramerview Village – Groceries, bread, tinned foods, snacks, more.
• Sandton Wound Clinic, Ground in Cramerview Village – In the little courtyard between French Corner and Build Aid.
• House of Envy, Shop 04, Ground in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – Ladies Clothing and Shoe Boutique, handbags.
• Continental Shoe and Bag Repairs, Ground in Bryanpark Shopping Centre alongside Cumberland Ave.
• Jo Mamma Diagnostic (Suite 129A), First Floor in Bryanpark Shopping Centre.
• Bub Hub & Company, Shop 23, First Floor in Riverside Shopping Centre – Kiddie nursery things, children's classes, baby massage courses and postnatal fitness for moms.
• Knead Bakery & Café Riverside, Ground in Riverside Shopping Centre – Artisan bakery: Bread, pastries and confectionery baked on site every day. Café food, artisan beer, selected wines.
• Splush Morningside, Shop L01, Lower Level in Morningside Shopping Centre – Hair salon.

Restaurant Review by Judith Back to top

*** Doppio Zero, Chilli Lane Shopping Centre, Sunninghill

We intended to go to Primi Piatti, but the lift was out of order, so they lost out.

Our waiter was Enos and the welcome was friendly. As it was Saturday lunchtime, the restaurant was buzzing and busy.  I ordered Durban Savignon Blanc and my partner Appletizer to drink.  For eats, we chose from the Tapas menu. Blue Bay Mussels in white wine and cream sauce and Salmon and Sweet Potato Fishcakes with a ginger and chilli sauce.  The latter was approached with caution!

Crusty bread was served promptly with plenty of butter.  I am puzzled about why restaurants are changing to Lurpak Danish butter.  What have our cows done to have their butter moved off the menu?

The mussels were very good and the sauce creamy. One oddity, which I gave feedback on, was the onion included in it.  The fishcakes, though more sweet potato than fish, also proved a good choice and the sauce proved very edible.

Altogether a great experience! The restaurant is also child friendly.

Contact Details for Doppio Zero.

Funny Language, English...

With good rains, dams are filling up.  But with floods, damns are increasing too!

Bloodless  Back to top

• Sandton Home Industry, Shop 06 in Parkmore Mews – Cakes, cookies, sweets, etc.
• NAZ Fashion & Accessories in Chilli Lane Shopping Centre Sunninghill – Ladies' clothing.
• Pimlico, Shop L44 in Nicolway Bryanston – Ornaments and furniture, pots, quirky interior décor.
• Sowearto, Shop U31 in Nicolway Bryanston – (So..Wear..To) Afro-chic designer clothing store, kids to adults.
• S.W.E.A.T. 1000, Shop LM52 in Nicolway Bryanston – Gym: Exercise and fitness. Was in Mezzanine.
• S.W.E.A.T. 1000 and S.W.E.A.T. Café, Shop L07a in Morningside Shopping Centre – Gym: Exercise and fitness. Café: Snacks and drinks.
• A Kitchen by Future Classics, Shop L01 in Morningside Shopping Centre – Kitchen design.
• Barberazzi Barbershop, Shop 16 in Cambridge Crossing – Men's hairdressers. Gents cut, brush cut, hot towel shave, nose/ear wax, threading.
• Rawson Properties in Cambridge Crossing – Real estate and rentals.
• Golden Rose Chinese Food and Sushi Bar, Shop 18 in Cambridge Crossing – Chicken, pork, beef, duck, vegetable, prawn, calamari, fish, noodles, noodles, rice, desserts, Sushi.
• Paulshof Liquors, Shop 19 in Cambridge Crossing – Liquor store. Replaced by Woolworths Liquor.
• Collection in Coachman's Crossing – Ladies dress shop has now closed.
• The Picture Frame Shop in Cramerview Village – Picture framing, art and mirrors.
• 711 Supermarket in Cramerview Village – Groceries, bread, tinned foods, snacks, more. ABSA ATM.
• Tealiscious in Cramerview Village – Tea garden.
• Polly Potters Toy Store, Shop 10 in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – a quality range of toys and gifts for babies, toddlers and young children, consolidated with Coachmans Crossing shop.
• Fashion Gallery, Shop 04 in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – Ladies Clothing and Shoe Boutique, handbags, Shoes. Still in Sunninghill Village and Glenvista Shopping Centre.
• I Quit Smoking (Suite 129) in Bryanpark Shopping Centre – May have had something to do with your stopping smoking, or possibly he was just bragging.
• Riverside Veterinary Clinic in Riverside Shopping Centre – Moved from 2 Cambridge Road, off Bryanston Drive, Bryanston, next to the Shell Garage, to the existing vets at 251 Bryanston Drive corner Mount St.
• Rivonia Village Craft Market, Shop 62 in Rivonia Village – Handmade crafts, gifts, scrapbooking, homeware, kids art, ceramics, jewellery, and more for all ages. Still in Chilli Lane and Athol Square.
• Traditional Chinese Health Therapy (Suite 4) in Coachman's Crossing – If you got headache, neck, shoulder, back pain, office stress, stroke, rheumatisms, nerves problem, pulled muscle… we no longer help you.
• Show on Stage - Fashion Design of China in Cambridge Crossing – Yet another Chinese dress shop, run by Chinese who wanted your money but couldn't be bothered to learn a local language.

Family day event: Jozi at the Farm, 26 March

At Riversands Farm Village, Bizlink's Jozi at the Farm is a great day out for the family with events such as 4 x 4 Experience, Fun runs, Cycle rides, and Dog trail. Entrance is free! Attractions include cars, from classic to super, canoeing, kids play areas, crafts and more. With live music, craft beer, the Tin Kitchen, The German Kitchen, Pancake Corner and other quality food vendors there is something for everyone. Don't forget the zip line, paintball, Playscapes supervised play area, animal farm yard, tractor rides... It's on the last Sunday of the month, 26 March, 09:00-16:00. email for more Info.

Ernest Ullmann Park Open Day, 25 March 09:00-15:00

On Saturday 25th March the Friends of Ernest Ullmann are holding a wonderful Open Day for the whole family. Socialized dogs on a leash are welcome. Boere Rolls, Chicken Prego’s and Tuck Shop Goodies on sale! Bring your blankets and chairs to relax and enjoy the show: Music and Live Entertainment by Jericho. Kiddies craft sales, popcorn, face painting, fun interactive games, jumping castle, pony cart rides, cake sale, yummy raffles, ski boat club display, gymnastics display, jewellery, pottery with clay table, Ajay’s art display, piano, dance displays including Celtic, Indian, and Zulu dancing. They want to make people aware of the park and the activities available. email for more Info or phone Jenna Beulich (Kids Town Pre-Primary) at 082 498 8507.

Reminder: New Business Newsletter

In the latter half of the month, as a public service to help our readers, we will issue the third edition of our new newsletter: "Doing Business in Sandton". It will have internet and other tips and tricks to help your shop or other business grow and prosper, and be useful if you are thinking of starting a small business or creating an extra online income.  Subscribe here.

Rosettening Elsewhere   Back to top

Julius says that, following the attacks in the south of Johannesburg, that suburb is now know as "Resentonville".

Civic: Home Preparation for a Person with a Visual Impairment, Part 2

This is the second of four Home Preparation Tips to Accommodate a Person with a Visual Impairment, by Jackie Waters of Toastmasters and hyper-tidy.com: Her home preparation tips will help you make your loved one with a visual impairment feel more confident and independent (some are applicable to the totally blind).

Tip 11 (the Kitchen) was in February.

Tip 2: Modify the Bathroom

The bathroom presents hazards for a person with a visual impairment. Slippery floors and bathtubs, towel racks, and rugs can cause falls or bumps and bruises. If you have a rug in your bathroom, make sure that it is nonskid to prevent tripping and falling. Use towels, washcloths, and rugs that contrast with floor, wall, and bathtub colours so the person can easily locate them.

Getting into and out of the bathtub or shower can be a dangerous situation for someone with a visual impairment, so install grab bars inside the shower and on the wall beside it to aid the person and prevent him from slipping and falling. Additional lighting in the shower stall also helps prevent slips and falls. It’s also a good idea to install non-slip strips or non-skid mats to the floor of the shower or bottom of the tub; it’s an even better idea to make sure their colours contrast with the surface of the shower or tub.

Tip 3 next month...

Overheard at the Checkout:

"Hi, how have you been?"
"I was in hospital for surgery, but I'm better now."
"Nothing serious, I hope?"
"No, just female problems."
"Really? Surgery can fix that? You mean you can now parallel park?"