Welcome to May 2011
With wet, grey days starting to make a regular appearance, it's time to unpack your winter wardrobe and get kitted out for the cold weather with hearty fires, hot chocolate and big batches of soup.
Don't get too comfy though… there are lots of festivals and fun events coming up, so wrap yourself up warmly and make the most of what is on offer. Highlights include the Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town Festival, the Franschhoek Literary Festival and the Gugulethu Wine Festival. Read more in the events section.
It's also great weather for eating out. If you're in the mood for authentic Italian then Bacini's on Kloof Street is a great spot to try. Another one of our local favourites is Lazari in the Cape Quarter, which you can read more about in the review section below. If you've enjoyed an evening out in Oranje-Kloof or Green Point recently please submit a review on our website or post a comment on the OK CID or GP CID Facebook page to let us know, we'd love to hear from you. There are also three new developments to tell you about this month: the creation of the Table Mountain Forum; the introduction of the Outsurance Pointsmen to some of Cape Town's busiest intersections and the opening of new MiCiti bus routes.
That's it for now; stay warm and safe and enjoy autumn in Cape Town,
Best wishes,
Marc Truss
OK/GP CID CEO
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CRIME AND GRIME
Crime and Grime Update, April 2011
From a recent interview with GP/ OK CID Security Manager, Marius Swanepoel, it is clear that theft out of motor vehicles is still the most common crime taking place. He also mentioned that theft of motor vehicles has increased significantly too. On that note, please be sure that you do not leave anything of value in your car.
For the first time in a very long time there have been a number of house-break-in instances in Green Point and Oranje-Kloof over the past month. The CIDs want to bring general safety precautions to the attention of residents and business owners.
Read more
Safety tips:
- Do NOT think that if you are staying on any floor other than the ground floor that the burglar can't get in.
- Do not open the door to strangers, especially if you are alone in the house.
- Always lock your safety gates.
- Make sure all your windows, no matter the height, are closed when you leave the house.
- Report suspicious activities to the GP/ OK CID shift manager.
- Keep a list of important emergency numbers close by. Visit our website for a list of these numbers.
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CLEANSING
In March 2011, supplementary cleansing has resulted in the collection and removal of an estimated 8 400kgs (1 200bags) of waste from the Green Point CID area and 12 600kgs (1 800bags) from the Oranje-Kloof CID area.
Straatwerk also removed the following graffiti from the GP CID area in March 2011: 29 illegal posters, 1698 strings, 35 stickers and 14 sections of graffiti.
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Table Mountain Forum
The Table Mountain Forum was formed in March 2011 to ensure that there is a coordinated body to monitor and improve safety on the mountain at all times. To contact the TMF in an emergency please call 021 467 8001/2.
Marc Truss, GP/ OK CID CEO, was nominated as Chairman, with Melany Kühn from the Office of the MEC for Community Safety as deputy Chairperson. Other role players include SAPS Station Commissioners, the Minister Albert Fritz, Table Mountain National Parks, Cape Town Tourism and various volunteer groups. Read more
GP/ OK CID welcome the Outsurance Pointsmen to Cape Town
Capetonians and visitors driving in the city centre can look forward to free flowing traffic at busy intersections from now on, thanks to the newly appointed Outsurance pointsmen that started on 1 April 2011.
OUTsurance and 94.5 Kfm, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, are placing this team of 20 pointsmen at nine different intersections in the city centre. The City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said: "These pointsmen are City of Cape Town staff that have been trained up by the Traffic Department. They are fully qualified traffic wardens with powers to direct traffic and to issue fines to those who do not obey their instructions. Their main aim is to prevent back logs of traffic forming and to keep the yellow block in the intersection clear in order for traffic to flow at peak times." Look out for the list of intersections on our website. Read more
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More MiCiTi Bus Routes to launch in May
The City of Cape Town is planning a launch in late May for the first network of MyCiTi bus routes:
- A "trunk" or main route will run between Table View and Cape Town, with stops all along the R27.
- There will be an interim feeder, with a total of about 120 stops, which will move people between Parklands, Table View, Blaauwberg, Big Bay and the "Table View" trunk station.
- A temporary feeder route will operate in the central city linking the Civic Centre to the Waterfront, Loop and Long Streets, and Gardens.
Read more
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Riebeek Valley Olive Festival
On 7 and 8 May 2011, the end of a successful harvest in the Swartland will be celebrated with wine, food, music and art at the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival.
Not only will visitors be able to sample Allesverloren Wine Estate's renowned port and its selection of red wines, but they can also roam among food and wine stalls, taste and buy top wines such Tukulu, Theuniskraal, Le Bonheur and Org de Rac.
The food stalls will be offering a wide range of products, from Mediterranean delicacies and homemade breads to olives and olive oils, country cheeses, biltong and jams. Local musicians such as Waldo Lotz, Nadia Louw, Joe Nichol, Desmond Wells, Vos Reyneke, violinist Madel and others will keep you on your feet in the festival tent with their renderings of traditional hits. Read more
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Lazari, Cape Quarter
Everything about Lazari is fresh and vibrant from the minute you walk in the door. The décor is bold and bright, with checked tiles on the floor, various shades of pink splashed around the room and crisp white tables, crockery and coffee cups to house the delicious treats on offer. One of their famous pink cupcakes coupled with a steaming cup of coffee is a must-try.
Another one of my personal favourites is the french toast croissant, served with a seasonal fruit salad, crispy bacon and honey. This combination of flavours is hard to beat, and the chef gets it spot on every time.
As well as a range of other breakfast options to try, you can look forward to sampling a selection of light meals and salads with a cocktail or glass of wine at lunchtime. There are also a couple of pastas, wraps and burgers on offer if you want a hearty meal later in the day. It is great value for money and prices range from R30 - R80.
For more information please visit www.lazari.co.za or call 021 419 9555. Opening hours: Mon - Tues: 07h30 - 17h00, Wed - Sun: 08h00 - 22h00. Don't miss out on the half price cocktails from 17h00 - 19h00. Read more
Baccini's
Baccini's is the place where you watch the game on a Saturday afternoon, the place where you take your kids and where you have a good time with your friends and enjoy good, honest, tasty food. Yes, Baccini's is indeed one of our favourites and it is situated at the very top of Kloof Street.
In its 17 years of existence, Baccini's has become a landmark for Capetonians. This Italian neighbourhood restaurant has a wide variety of pizzas and pastas and a large selection of wines to accompany your chosen meal. Read more
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The Wine Affair
03 - 06 May 2011. Participating wine estates will be represented and supported by a uniquely tailored menu from a variety of the award-winning V&A Waterfront restaurants. Read more
Mass Appeal, Theatre on the Bay
04 - 21 May 2011. A story of the clash of ideology and personality between an older entrenched priest, Father Farley, who accommodates to survive, and a scorching young seminarian, Mark Dolson, who attacks to force salvation. Read more
Meet the Author: Michael Stanley, Bay Bookshop, Cape Quarter
5 May 2011. Michael Stanley is launching the third novel in the fantastic Detective 'Kubu' Bengu crime series, set in the southern Kalahari area of Botswana - a place full of buried lost cities, incredible hidden wealth, ancient gods and, for thousands of years, home to the nomadic Bushmen. He will discuss the book with Mike Nicol at 17h30 for 18h00. Read more
The Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town Festival
05 - 08 May 2011. Celebrate the good life! Eat, drink and chill with family and friends at the Pick n Pay Taste of Cape Town Festival once again this year. Read more
Roxette
08 - 11 May 2011. One of the world most succesfull international bands will be performing in Cape Town this winter season. Read more
Franschhoek Literary Festival
13 - 15 May 2011. The Festival will feature over 90 authors, poets, editors, illustrators and chair people taking part in 70 events. Read more
Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival
19 - 21 May 2011. This festival is a community outreach programme in support of music education in big band jazz for school and college students. Read more
The Luxlife Red Carpet Fashion Show
20 May 2011. This show aims to offer Capetonians and visitors an unforgettable, world class experience, showcasing the best of South African art, music, gastronomy, and haute couture. Read more
Gugulethu Wine Festival
27 - 28 May 2011. Popular businessmen, Mzoli Ngcawuzele and Lungile Mbalo of Mzoli's Place will be hosting the Gugulethu Wine Festival on the roof-top of the Gugulethu Square Mall. The festival will offer everyone a taste of great wine and township life. Read more
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"If you want happiness for a lifetime - help the next generation." - Chinese Proverb
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