Greenslopes Archives - Page 7 of 8

The Jam Pantry Reopens for Father’s Day, Entire Staff Negative for COVID-19

The popular Greenslopes cafe, The Jam Pantry, is resuming business in time for Father’s Day this September weekend after an unfortunate COVID-19 threat.

The new owner of the establishment, Victor Chan, immediately took action and made sure that the staff and customers are safe and healthy following reports that a woman positive for COVID-19 apparently dined at the eatery.

On 19 Aug 2020, The Jam Pantry owner confirmed shutting down the cafe temporarily for a full disinfectant clean and COVID-19 testing for the workers. Mr Chan also promised to work closely with the health department. Fortunately for all concerned, the entire team had negative results after testing two times.

With this good news, The Jam Pantry is ready to trade again by Friday, 4 Sept 2020.

“We are opening our doors on the 4th of September and we couldn’t be more excited,” Mr Chan wrote on Facebook. “We have just completed a deep clean of the cafe and are ready to get back in the kitchen. We know that you’ve all be eager for an update on how things are going so you’ll be pleased to hear that all of our wonderful staff have all taken a second test after being in quarantine for the last two weeks and the results are NEGATIVE. NO COVID!!!”

Regulars expressed their support for the cafe, especially after Mr Chan properly communicated the plan to temporarily close and get tested.

“Big thanks to Victor and his team for going above and beyond what is required. Their actions are keeping the community safe and although I haven’t been to the cafe for a while, I’ll definitely make a point of dropping in for a meal soon,” a customer wrote in support of the cafe.

Mr Chan took over the ownership of The Jam Pantry in the middle of the pandemic crisis. Previous owner Naomi “Nims” Zavackas sold the restaurant to concentrate on training at the South Bank culinary hub, Wandering Cooks.

Despite the wrong timing, Mr Chan is optimistic about the restaurant’s future. He brings that same positive spirit to the comforting cafe every day.

The Jam Pantry has retained most of Ms Zavackas menu. Before the chef left, she spent time training the kitchen crew to prepare the types of food the regulars love to order.

Popular Greenslopes Cafe To Close After 5 Years

The Jam Pantry, one of Greenslopes’ busiest cafe, is closing shop after five years of serving the locals. Owner and chef Naomi Zavackas confirmed the news in a video post on social media.

Naomi said that The Jam Pantry will be serving its last meals on Sunday, the 29th of March 2020. The decision to close has been bittersweet but she also revealed the exciting reason why she had to do it.

“I’ve accepted a position as Chef in Residence Wandering Cooks,” Naomi said. It’s an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up and so we decided to go for it.”

Naomi will be mentoring foodie entrepreneurs at Angela Hirst’s multi-kitchen space, some six kilometres away from her old restaurant. She and Hirst also have big plans to turn the venue into a large restaurant with a single curated menu from the different chefs.

Still, Naomi revealed there is sadness over the coming changes despite the excitement.

“We have the incredible support of our Family and our exceptional team in this and together, are determined to create the BEST exit, for all of us and you, together. We’ll be trading 7 days a week from Wednesday the 26th right through to our last service on the 29th of March.”

The chef and her husband Gideon are actually selling The Jam Pantry so that someone else may take over. The cafe will remain close if there are no buyers once she starts work in South Brisbane.

Meanwhile, to celebrate The Jam’s Pantry’s final days, Naomi will be whipping up old favourites from the last five years. The cafe is also operating seven days a week until it’s closing date.

Greenslopes Kerbside Collection: How To Dispose of Unacceptable Items

Greenslopes residents, take note! On Monday, the 24th of February 2020, items for kerbside collection will be picked up at 6:00 a.m. If you have stuff to dispose of, you must place these items on your kerb the weekend prior to collection time.

You also need to ensure that your kerbside collection pile is free of “unacceptable items.” Otherwise, the collectors will leave those out on your kerb and you could be fined for illegal dumping.

So, how do you dispose of unacceptable items? Below are some tips:

Bricks, concrete, dirt and stones, and commercial builders waste

Wastes after a building construction, renovation or demolition go to the landfill when at least 75 percent of these can be cleaned and reused, like concrete and bricks. You can sell or give these away to resource and recovery centres. Most of these businesses provide pick-up and drop-off services for an extra fee so you won’t have to worry about hauling stuff off your property.

Hazardous wastes (e.g. asbestos, chemicals and oil)

It is very important to handle and dispose of hazardous wastes carefully because these items may bring a serious impact on the environment if mishandled. It is never safe to put this for recycling because these are “flammable, corrosive, explosive or toxic.”

The Brisbane City Council has free drop off days in its four resource recovery centres so take note of the dates.

Asbestos disposal, however, is handled by contractors. Better yet, call the Council 07 3403 8888 for questions about proper hazardous waste disposal.

General household wastes

Bin collection day for general household wastes is scheduled weekly and fortnightly. Download the Brisbane bin and recycling app to receive reminders of these schedules so you won’t have to miss the pickup.

Comic Empire Logan Road to Close Indefinitely After Fire Damage

Fire broke out at Comic Empire, a popular rare comic store on Logan Road, a few hours before it was set to open for its first day of business this year, leaving considerable damage to property and its extensive comics and games library. Tony Nasser, store manager, has announced a temporary shutdown.

Comic Empire, will still need time to assess the extent of the damage. Fortunately, no one was injured from the fire and the damage did not spread to the other commercial establishments in the building as firefighters were able to contain the blaze by 12:30 a.m.

According to Mr Nasser, some pretty rare and valuable items, such as the first appearance comics of characters like Wolverine and Venom, were among those that burned. Most of Comic Empire’s stocks were set in the middle of the store. Per reports, investigators determined that this was where the fire broke out.

“We understand that there are going to be lots of questions and we will answer what we can when we are able,” Tony wrote in his Facebook message.

“We thank you for your understanding during this trying time.”

Mr Nasser said that the fire investigators are sure that the fire was accidental. However, further investigations will be underway this week to confirm how the fire started.

Comic Empire has been in operation for three years and Mr Nasser has been with the comic industry for over two decades. The store has insurance but Mr Nasser admitted this incident is not a great start to 2020.

Following the news, expression of support and sympathy poured for Mr Nasser and Comic Empire on social media.

“Tony’s such a great supporter of our local community, generously donating prizes to schools and patiently waiting while children (and adults!) spend hours checking out his memorabilia and comics,” Sally Dillon of Greens for Coorparoo said.

“The fire has caused extended damage to the shop and the merchandise — Tony has lost thousands of dollars worth of rare comics. All the best Tony over the coming days. Please let us know if the community can give you a hand in any way.”

Why Lady Marmalade Cafe and Bar is a Favourite Hangout in Greenslopes and Stones Corner

Nearly a decade ago, Lady Marmalade Cafe and Bar opened its doors at 299 Logan Road, Stones Corner, amidst a row of offices. The cafe, which was once a record store and a canary house, initially seemed out of place but the fact that it’s still thriving since 2010 is proof of its success and popularity in the Stones Corner and Greenslopes area.

Lady Marmalade Cafe and Bar is packed with people most days that its owners, Howard and Sonja Searle, decided to renovate and expand the once small corner cafe into 110-seating capacity. Still, the restaurant can get pretty busy because it has become a favourite Greenslopes hangout.

Locals are drawn to the home-cooked goodness of its food choices. The menu changes every season to keep the selection fresh and interesting.

The current menu (Winter 2019) is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds with beautifully-prepared meals like Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes, Confit Duck on Chilli Corn Bread Waffle, Herb and Garlic Roasted Cauliflower “Steak,” and The LM Gringo Waffle.

*Photo Credit: Lady Marmalade Cafe and Bar/Facebook*

The drink list has an extensive collection of wine, cocktails and mocktails, spirits, beers and bubbles, juices, milkshakes and smoothies, as well as coffee. The Saigon Coffee has been a top choice to pair with a good breakfast since the restaurant opened.

Lady Marmalade has a hip and rustic interior that appeals to the regulars’ comfort. It also has good outdoor seating if you’re looking for a place to chill and relax on a beautiful day.

This restaurant is open weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trading hours extend from 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“This funky little cafe is always packed and with good reason! The food is always fresh and delicious and the meals are interesting, incentive and very reasonably priced. A breakfast for six with two drinks each and some french toast to share only came to $120, which is 20 bucks a head. The service is five star and the noise levels and decor are both good quality. Fully deserving of a full five stars.”
~ Declan D.B. Winterton, Google Reviews

“Great place for a weekend brunch. The ambiance is great, good service and the options on the menu are great. We had the Lm gringo waffle, which was really good, as well as the confit duck which was amazing, the duck was really well cooked and came off the bone easily. Also, the Korean chicken burger was really good. Can’t wait to get back and try all the other things on the menu. The coffee was amazing too!!”
~ Harshit Jain, Zomato

“After reading and hearing so great things about this place we finally got to try it out. Dinner was really lovely. Sonya and her crew are really friendly and welcoming and the food is top-notch. Can’t wait to try breakfast and lunch.”
~ Maryanne Q, Trip Advisor

Newtons Home Appliances in Greenslopes to Host a Smeg Cooking Demonstration

You might have spotted those sleek Italian Smeg ovens at Newtons Home Appliances in Greenslopes. If you plan to own one but you’re intimidated by its features, then perhaps a cooking demonstration of the Smeg Appliance Range may help seal the deal.

On Thursday, the 22nd of Aug 2019, Newtons Home Appliances will host a Smeg Cooking Class at Logan Road. From 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., discover what this appliance innovation can do to help you become a pro in the kitchen.

The cooking class is designed to be a fun and interactive session that will help you maximise the functions of the oven. Best of all, it’s a free event but you’ll need to sign up as slots are limited. The next Smeg cooking demonstration at the store will take place on Saturday, the 7th of Sept 2019.

*Photo Credit: Newton Home Appliances/Facebook*

When it comes to kitchen and laundry, Brisbane families have relied on Newtons Home Appliances since the 1930s. Holding cooking demonstrations has been a long-enduring practice for the company and generations of homemakers have gained from these classes.

Aside from the cooking classes, Newtons Home Appliances has kitchen design seminars. The company is also planning to offer bathroom design and renovation services seminars in the future.

Smeg is just one of the premier kitchen products the store carries. It has seen through 70 years of technological innovation and still remains the market leader when it comes to trendy designs and features.

The Smeg showroom in Queensland is at 46 Northlink Place in Virginia.

Stephens Mountain in Greenslopes Gets BCC Budget, Neighbourhood Plan Protection

Following clamour from locals, Stephens Mountain Reserve in Greenslopes is due to get the protection it deserves as well as some funding boost from Brisbane City Council.

The council is earmarking $200,000 to construct a lookout and walking trails at Stephens Mountain. The plan is in line with the recent amendments to the Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan, which is rezoning 5.8 hectares of Stephens Mountain to the conservation zone.

Conservation Zone

The Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan also provides that ecological, landscape and visual values of Stephens Mountain be retained and that remnant vegetation on the area be protected.

Amendments to the neighbourhood plan aims to ensure protection for the conservation zone precinct of Stephens Mountain. This means that any development in the area should keep intact the landscape, habitat and ecological values in the area.

Developments for consideration should also respect the natural topography and should complement the scenic landscape. The neighbourhood plan encourages passive recreation developments such as the planned walking trails.

The protection for part of Stephens Mountain is a result of public insistence to keep the mountain reserve lush and free from high-rise residential developments. The reserve located behind Greenslopes Hospital was previously considered utility services. However, the council gave in to public demand and moved the area to the conservation zone.

Emerging Community Zone

Not all parts of Stephens Mountain will be zoned under conservation. Whilst the reserve will be rezoned to conservation zone, the quarry site and the adjoining Energex depot will be considered as “Emerging Community.” As such, this sub-precinct could allow residential developments fronting the Greenslopes Busway station and plaza.

*Photo credit:* *www.norman-creek-catchment.org.au*

The neighbourhood plan states that any development in the Emerging community zone should not adversely affect the character or environmental value of the land.

Mondays are for ‘Mums n’ Bubs Pilates in the Park’ at Greenslopes

Photo Credit: neildodhia/Pixabay

New mums planning to get back in shape or improve their health after giving birth may take advantage of a free Pilates class at the Thompson Estate Reserve in Greenslopes.

Held every Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the workout routines at the Mums n’ Bubs Pilates in the Park are especially customised for new mothers and their babies.

Pilates is a great way for new mums to regain their core muscle strength and firm up their abdominal area after being stretched for nine months. It can also prepare their upper back and chest for nursing and carrying their little one.

Pilates may help new mothers gain hip and pelvis support to reduce pelvic floor discomfort after pregnancy. The stretches will also help tight muscles around the legs that may have not been used a lot during the pregnancy’s last trimester.

The Monday morning routine is also a great way for new mums to bond with their bub. But if you don’t want to bring your baby along then that’s fine too, as you can use this session for your much-needed ME-time.

Participants at the Mums n Bubs Pilates in the Park may set their own pace during the workouts. The professional instructors are trained to recognize what you need and gently guide you accordingly.

Mums n Bubs Pilates in the Park is endorsed by the Brisbane City Council’s Active & Healthy Program at Active Parks.

Development of Greenslopes Energex Depot Office Approved; Buffer Trees to be Protected

Brisbane City Council has approved the construction of an Energex depot office in Greenslopes after its developers revised the original plan. The amended proposal now involves selective tree removal and substantial vegetation retention.

A number of Greenslopes residents opposed the said Energex depot office development during the submission period in 2018. The main contention was that the development would cut trees that form a natural corridor linking Greenslopes Park and Stephen’s Hill.

The Council received 75 submissions from residents who did not support the construction of the Energex depot office.

Energex, however, made significant changes to the plans, enough to convince the council to approve the development application.

Under the new plans, the “green corridor” between the said road and the adjacent areas on Garden Street which links to the Stephen Mountains will be protected. The green corridor leads to a nearby reserve which is home to a vast list of wildlife species as recorded by a PhD student.

According to DA documents, the developer has been required to retain, protect and maintain the existing trees based on Australian Standard – AS4970 Protection Of Trees On Development Sites, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Development Services.

The approved revised plans will build a new building of up to four storeys, inclusive of car parking levels. The new building will replace the existing single-storey offices fronting Barnsdale Place.

See details of the Development Application (A004866778)

Greenslopes among Brisbane’s Most Dangerous Walking and Cycling Suburbs

According to Brisbane City Council’s Move Safe Brisbane Citywide Pedestrian Safety Review, Greenslopes is one of the top 10 most dangerous suburbs for walking and cycling.

In a move to keep Brisbane roads safer, BCC conducted a citywide pedestrian safety review to identify programs and projects that will help improve safety for pedestrians. As part of the review, the Council held a public consultation from 31 July 2018 to 28 August 2018 where they gathered feedback from the community concerning road safety issues.

Brisbane pedestrians identified the following road safety issues during the consultation:

No safe place to cross
Cars travel too fast
Drivers turn across the crossing
Waiting too long for green walk signal
Should be separate path from bicycles
Don’t feel safe walking here after dark
Too many drivers on mobile phones
No street lighting

On the other hand, cyclists have identified the following concerns:

Cars travel too close or fast
No safe cycle facilities
Path should be separate from cars
No safe and convenient crossing facilities
Bike facility is too narrow
Path should be separate from pedestrians
No bikeway lighting
No safe place to leave my bike

Based on the feedback that BCC received, the following suburbs had the most number of negative responses:

Pedestrian Top 10	Cycling Top 10
Brisbane City (CBD)	Brisbane City (CBD)
South Brisbane	South Brisbane
Woolloongabba	Toowong
Greenslopes	Woolloongabba
Indooroopilly	Dutton Park
Fortitude Valley	Indooroopilly
Graceville	Greenslopes
West End	West End
Annerley	Bowen Hills
Morningside	St Lucia

Final Report Outcomes and Recommendations

BCC recommends reducing speed limits at Old Cleveland Road and Logan Road, Stones Corner (between Montague Street and the O’Keefe Street roundabout). Photo credit: Google Maps

Apart from the results of the public notification, BCC also gathered input from the Queensland Police Service’s crash data, pedestrian and traffic counts, and traffic speed data.

According to the final report, there is an alarming increase in the rate of pedestrian fatalities in Queensland. From 1 January 2018 to 18 November 2018, there were 28 pedestrian fatalities which are significantly higher when compared with fatalities of 18 (in 2013), 19 (in 2014), and 18 (in 2015) at the same time of year.

For Brisbane LGA alone, seven people were killed in pedestrian crashes from 1 January to 20 November 2018. Prompted by these road safety data trends, the Council came up with nine pedestrian safety outcomes and 31 recommended projects.

As included in their recommendations, Council will be investigating speed limit reduction at Old Cleveland Road and Logan Road, Stones Corner (between Montague Street and the O’Keefe Street roundabout) by early 2019.

They will also investigate the Senior Citizens’ Safety Zone at Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner by mid-2019.

Read more outcomes and recommendations on the Move Safe Brisbane – Pedestrian Safety Review page.