#Roadworks on #AclandStreet, #StKilda

There are some works going on at the corner of #ShakespeareGrove and Acland St in St Kilda (right in front of the #Vineyard) that might cause a few minor traffic headaches. Apparently they are fixing the gas mains under the road and will be there for a few days, so be aware!

Roadworks corner Acland St & Shakespeare Grove, St Kilda.

#FeastOnCarlisle Sign

With all the elaborate #artwork around #StKilda, sometimes a simple sign is all you need. Like this one at the rear of a #café called "Feast" on #CarlisleStreet, #Balaclava.

Messy Construction @ #MiddleParkBeach, #Melbourne.

This section of beach at Middle Park (between #StKilda and #SouthMelbourne) is looking like a complete mess at the moment due to the works to replace the #sand. The #dredging is taking place in #PortPhillipBay just off the shore and when this is all finished, the beach will look great.

Let's hope they finish it as soon as possible because #Summer is only a couple of weeks away!

 

 

Here is a short 15 second video of the works from yesterday afternoon.

 



#RememberanceDay2015 in #StKilda

#RedPoppy displays were being put up along the #UpperEsplanade yesterday evening in preparation for Rememberance Day today.

Details for the ceremony in St Kilda as on the City Of Port Phillip's website are below:

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY

DATE: 11/11/2015

Time: 10:30:00 TO 11:05:00

Venue: Cenotaph, Alfred Square Gardens, St Kilda

Free event: Yes

On the 11th November 2015, the St KildaRSL Sub-Branch Inc. will commemorate Remembrance Day starting at 10.30am.

 

 

 

 

Wall Two 80 Cafe's new paint job.

Recently the #WallTwo80 café in #Balaclava / #EastStKilda had a little makeover. Gone is that mural artwork on the external brick wall facing Nelson Street. This is what it looks like now.

Are we fans?

The Wall cafe's new paint job on the outside wall.

#Term3 Begins in #Melbourne.

Just wanted to wish everyone who is starting Term 3 of #school today the very best of luck.

 

We are now in the tail end of the year so not long to go now. Best of luck to all our friends and their parents doing their Year 12 #VCE too!!

"Fresh is Best" for #FruitAndVegetables?

Supporting local businesses and buying fresh #fruit and #vegetables are always high on the agenda, but this concerned my friends and I while walking along #CarlisleStreet, #Balaclava the other night.

 

This long standing Green Grocer is a family business with competitive prices, and the staff are always really friendly. But it is a bit of a worry that they leave their stock outside in the little arcade over night (See photo below).

 

This arcade, that is a walk-through between Carlisle Street and the #Coles car park, is locked at night at both ends and has a roof to protect from rain.  However, the metal gates that close each end of the arcade only stop people from getting in. 

 

Surely the uncovered fruit and vegetables are still exposed to wind, dust, traffic pollutants, as well as the strong possibility of bugs and small animals, and cannot be good for the "freshness" of the produce. 

 

Yes, the weather is cooler at the moment due to Winter, but this questionable practice is not very appealing for consumers. Our own experience of buying a bag of Navel oranges was disappointing after having to throw away many of them because they were rotten on the inside, and we weren't able to determine this until cutting each one in half for juicing.  At the time we just assumed it was bad luck that we got a bad bag, but after seeing the same table of oranges left outside overnight, we now have doubts.

 

We took the night photo on a Saturday night and the day time photo was taken on the following Monday. It seems that the tables of produce that normally are on display out front on the Carlisle Street footpath were merely just wheeled into the arcade so they could be locked up. 

 

It is such a shame that they did this because unfortunately my friends and I will now shop elsewhere for our produce for the time being.  It's also ironic that their little signs have headings saying, "Fresh is Best".  Sadly, that has now come into question. 

 

Fruit and Vegetables left outside in arcade overnight.

During a normal trading day, the arcade is open.

 

#StKildaTownHall Lights Up at Night

If you have gone past the St Kilda Town Hall at night in the past week or so, you would have noticed that it is colourfully lit up and displaying large banner photos of different women on its exterior, as part of an exhibition called "The Furies".

 

According to the City Of Port Phillip's Magazine, "Divercity", these depict 12 local women who are survivors of violence and you will be able to see these for the whole month of June!

 

St Kilda Town Hall is on the corner of Carlisle Street and Brighton Rd, St Kilda.



St Kilda Town Hall lights up at night to display "The Furies".

#BikeShare #StKilda Locations

#Melbourne Bike Share is becoming more and more popular with #tourists and residents, with bike stations popping up all over the city. In St Kilda there are now three locations where you can pick up or drop off a bike. One location is right in front of #LunaPark.  See the map below for the other locations.

 

Wearing a bike helmets is law in #Australia and even though some of these blue #bikes come with courtesy helmets that are passed on by previous users, so if you get a bike that comes with a helmet, then you just leave this helmet with the bike for the next user to use.  Alternatively, you can buy your own blue helmet from selected 7-11 and various retail stores across Melbourne for only $5! For tourists, these are fantastic souvenirs as well!

 

These are such a great way to see the city as well as being a cheap mode of transport.  For more information, check out their website http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/

#2XU #Sale at #StKildaTownHall

It's their yearly clearance. This Sunday 19 April 2015 is the final day to get some bargains on 2XU Sportswear. For all those fitness buffs, this is a great opportunity to stock up on things like #CompressionTights which are on sale for $80 each. These normally sell for $139.99 in stores like Rebel sports, so it's a good discount.

 

The only criticism, which has been mentioned by friends and work colleagues, is that they DO NOT give you a proper tax receipt.  Not sure if this is legal or ethical, so it is very disappointing for such a well-known company to do this.  They also have A4 printed signs all around the room stating that all sales are final, and that there are no exchanges or refunds.

 

For many people this probably isn't a big deal because there are fitting rooms setup inside, so you can try things on before you buy them.  If you are buying items for a friend or partner, for example, just make sure you know their exact size. 

 

Still, the very least that 2XU could do is give customers a legitimate receipt. Some of our friends work in the fitness industry and want to claim some of the apparel on their tax, but without a receipt this is difficult.  It is really odd for them not to give customers a receipt, especially when people are spending hundreds of dollars in one transaction. This is nothing to sneeze at. People work hard for their money, and it is only fair to get some sort of itemized proof of purchase. This is probably something to ask Consumer Affairs or the ACCC (The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) about, for those who are concerned.

 

Overall, some of the discounts are worth checking out. Today is the last day of the sale for this year so get on down to the St Kilda Town Hall, on the corner of Carlisle Street and Brighton Rd, in St Kilda between 9am - 5pm.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

It's #StKildaFestival Today!

Hope you're all ready for it! It's going to be a fun day.

#StKilda Twilight Market

If you haven't checked out the #StKildaTwilightMarkets, then you should get yourself down there during #Summer. They are held every Thursday from 5pm-10pm, until 26 February 2015, in O'Donnell Gardens which is right next to Luna Park.

 

It's a great vibe right in the heart of #StKilda.

For more information check out their website: http://stkildatwilightmarket.com/ or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stkildatwilightmarket 

Photo: St Kilda Twilight Markets

After the #Rain

The rainy #weather of last week has subsided and we can look forward to some proper sunny #Summer weather this week!

 

As much as we need the rain, nobody can deny that we love the sunshine a little bit more. However, there are some that really enjoy the rain and what it leaves behind. Nobody could sit on the grass the days after the downpour of heavy rain because it took a little bit of time for all the water to drain away, but the birds loved it.

 

The unevenness of this area  and poor drainage is a common occurrence and is highlighted during wet weather. Hopefully the council can take this on board for future improvements to the already beautiful foreshore.This grass area of #StKilda Foreshore has since dried up and people are able to once again sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Photo: Birds enjoying the water on St Kilda Foreshore the day after the downpour.

Saving the Trees

It's such a shame that some of the #trees along our #StKilda streets are being stolen or vandalised. Why would people do this? However, it's great that something is being done about it by the council, and by the looks of these trees on Alma Road it is working. This looks like a good choice of tree too.

 

Well done to the City of Port Phillip for being proactive.

Photo: Protecting the street trees on Alma Road.

33°C in St Kilda today.

 

It's a balmy 33°C in #StKilda today and the #StKildaBeach Foreshore is packed with people! It's a great vibe with the majority of people behaving and enjoying the #beach. Some may regret their new shade of red skin tomorrow, but there was definitely the smell of coconut oil in the air!

 

It was sad to see one dog owner with his dog on the sand, which was lying down on its side panting in the direct sun.  We were actually concerned for the dog, despite the fact that #dogs are not allowed on the beach at this time of year. We can only hope that he took his dog to some shade and gave it some water. 

 

It was great to see the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club set up and keeping an eye out on everyone. They do a great job and we are grateful.

 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday folks!

Photo: St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club set up their Beach Patrol today.

 
 

 


 

Glass Merchants

#Sunday afternoons in #StKilda are now becoming a social event during the warm #Summer months. There are many places throughout the suburb where you can catch up with friends and chill out over a latte or a lager.

 

#GlassMerchants in #Balaclava / #EastStKilda had their #fans going blowing a light spray of water throughout the venue [Video: http://youtu.be/41llep8vhKk]. 

This is reminiscent of cafes in parts of tropical Asia where they do this to help cool the place down.  That as well as the brightly coloured #umbrellas hanging upside down over the bar, created a fun vibe, however, but perhaps be sure you put your phones, keys, etc. in your bag under the table if unsure whether these will be effected by any mist.

 

Photo: Colourful umbrellas hang over the bar



Photo: Glass Merchants, Nelson St, Balaclava / East St Kilda



Photo: Fans spray a light mist throughout the venue







Burst Water Main on Carlisle Street

#CarlisleStreet, #Balaclava / #EastStKilda is looking a little wet this afternoon due to what seems a burst water main. This has occurred between Balaclava Train Station and Chapel Street.

 

South East Water has arrived at the location to hopefully rectify this problem as soon as possible. It appears that in one section closer to the train station, the footpath has lifted up and water is gushing out into the gutter, and there is another spot a little further along toward Chapel Street where water is leaking as well.

 

Fingers crossed that this can be fixed quickly so no more water is wasted.

Photo: Carlisle Street looking a little wet due to burst water main.

Photo: Burst water main on Carlisle Street, Balaclava / East St Kilda

 

Las Chicas All Day Breakfast

The #café called #LasChicas on #CarlisleStreet, right at #BalaclavaTrainStation is one place along this strip to get an All Day Breakfast.

 

Today's order was Poached #Eggs with #SmokedSalmon. It was nice enough even though the eggs were a tad on the small side. The service was good though. All the guys were really friendly which made for a pleasant experience overall. 

Photo: Poached Eggs & Smoked Salmon at Las Chicas Café.

Carlisle Street #Christmas Window

Some of the shops along #CarlisleStreet, #Balaclava / #EastStKilda have gotten into the #Christmas spirit.  Yes, OK it's a retail thing but there's just something about seeing a whole bunch of colourful lights and Christmas decorations that make people smile. This little discount gift shop called #Staor, along the strip is one colourful sight at night, on what is normally quite a dark and dull street once the sun goes down. 

 

There's no real theme to the window display, but it's very bright and colourful. Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, you can't not smile when you walk passed this display (even if it's to have a little giggle!).

 

Enjoy the Holiday Season, everyone.  

Photo: Staor Gifts on Carlisle Street, Balaclava / East St Kilda

No Cuts. No Butts. The Message is Clear.

Despite the minor #vandalism to this #sign on #StKilda Foreshore, the message is still clear that glass (such as #bottles and #glasses, etc.) are not permitted on St Kilda #beach. This is a great rule that just makes our beaches much safer for everyone. There's nothing worse than walking on the sand and cutting your foot on a broken bottle!

 

#Smoking is also not allowed which would make the beaches a more enjoyable experience for many people too! It also means no cigarette butts littering the ground and the sand, and then they won't make their way into the water to pollute our beautiful Port Phillip Bay.

 

"No Cuts. No Butts"  (@cityportphillip)

 

Let's take care of our beaches, folks!

Photo: "No Glass & No Smoking on Beach" sign