Vancouver-based Glacier Media Inc. is buying the Vancouver Courier from Postmedia Network Inc. On Tuesday, Postmedia announced a definitive agreement to sell daily newspapers the Times Colonist, Nanaimo Daily News and Alberni Valley Times and its B.C. community newspaper properties-including the Courier-to Glacier Media Inc. for $86.5 million. "We are pleased to announce a transaction that realizes the value of the community newspaper groups in Western Canada along with the Times Colonist, a newspaper with a proud 153-year history," said Paul Godfrey, Postmedia president and CEO. The acquisition was the result of an unsolicited offer for the Vancouver Island newspapers and Lower Mainland B.C. community newspaper properties. Included in the transaction are three daily newspapers and 20 weekly and biweekly community publications including the North Shore News, Burnaby Now and Richmond News. The deal does not include Postmedia's Vancouver daily newspapers: the Vancouver Sun and The Province. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close on or about Nov. 30. The Courier was purchased by Postmedia in 2010 as part of the sale of bankrupt Canwest's newspaper assets.
SUN YAT-SEN SPOOKS
"The storm outside is the heaviest in years. Your cart winds along a steep mountain road. With a roar of thunder the axel breaks. With a flash of lightening, you glance at the surrounding hillside. It looks like you'll have to spend the night in the old Monastery where three women mysteriously died last year. Will you make it our alive?" For the first time, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is being transformed into a terrifying haunted house. Featuring almost 30 actors, dancers and musicians, this scary experience is inspired by Robert van Gulik's classic Judge Dee murder mysteries. Brave the garden's haunted pathways, uncover clues and then warm your bones at the old Tea House as you piece the crime together. But watch out. You never know what may be lurking around the next corner. Seven Tyrants Theatre presents Judge Dee & the Haunted Garden from Oct. 26 to 31 every 10 minutes between 7 and 10 p.m. at the garden, 578 Carrall St. at Pender. For ticket information, call 604662-3207.
FIREWORKS PERMITS
Permits are required for anyone planning to buy and discharge fireworks on Halloween in Vancouver, according to Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services. Individuals must be 19 years or older. Permits are free, but applicants must successfully complete a fireworks safety test to acquire one. To write the test, go to vancouver.ca/fire and follow the directions or call 604-873-7593. Identification and a permit are required to both purchase and discharge fireworks. They may only be purchased in the City of Vancouver between Oct. 25 and Oct. 31, and they can only be discharged in Vancouver on Oct. 31. Fireworks can only be discharged on private property.
