Paul Liberatore

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It's last call for the Mountain Shadow Pub on March 28.

That's when the bartender will draw pints for the last time and owner Mike Anastasi will swing shut the heavy wooden front doors and lock them forever.

The venerable North Burnaby hangout that looks like a mountain ski chalet dropped into the middle of suburbia is making way for a new residential development.

Anastasi, the Mountain Shadow's owner for the past 11 years, says it's time to move on. As neighbouring commercial properties were transformed into townhouses and condos, the pub has become an uncomfortable fit in the area.



It was originally built in 1984 as a throwback to an old English neighbourhood pub with a West Coast twist.

That twist comes from the brick and dark wood beams, panels, and bannisters that define the pub's warren of private nooks and alcoves around a soaring three-storey open atrium.

The mouldings and brick were salvaged from the former residence of the Lieutenant Governor in Victoria that was damaged by fire in 1957. A solid brass chandelier once hung in the Colonial Theatre on Granville Street.

"It's a historically great pub," said Anastasi.

It's also a pub that's celebrated a lot of history. Countless sports championships were cheered and jeered by patrons on the pub's televisions and big screens. Members of the Vancouver Canucks used to drop by when the team was based at the Pacific Coliseum in nearby East Vancouver. Burnaby entertainer Michael Bublé visits with his grandfather when he's in town.

As the closest pub to Simon Fraser University, it was a renowned student destination as well as an employer for many of them trying to earn a few bucks to help pay for tuition or pay down their beer tab.

Anastasi himself was first introduced to the pub's unique charms by some SFU student buddies when he was 19. It quickly became a favourite haunt and the owner at the time used to joke he'd eventually return as an owner.

When he did, Anastasi couldn't believe his good fortune.

"It's a great feeling when this place is busy," said Anastasi. "It feels like a big house party."

With that party winding down, Anastasi figures there will be lots of current and former customers packing the place for one last trip down memory lane. Some have already put dibs on some of the pieces of decor, like the unique tabletops embedded with collections of holiday photos, bottle openers and fly fishing lures.

A couple of efforts to save the building and move it to a new home along Hastings Street or over to Vancouver Island fell through because it was prohibitively expensive.

Treasured items like framed hockey jerseys signed by Stan Smyl, Joe Sakic and Markus Naslund will go into storage for when Anastasi eventually resurrects his pub license at a new location. Other mementos such as the stained glass windows will probably be auctioned off.

When the wrecking crew finally moves in, a unique piece of Burnaby's history will be lost, said Anastasi.

"It was supposed to be the future of pubs," he said. "You can never duplicate this."

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North Burnaby where I grew up is changing, and 2015 is going to be a hige year for change. A lot of people ask me what's going on with that store that closed down that we used to go to as kids, or what are they going to build where, so I thought I would make it easy! Here is a breakdown of whats happening in 2015, and how far along they are in the works. You may be surprised of what long time stores are clolsing down to make way for condos. 

 

1. 4221 Hastings (Heights Barber shop, Express eyeware, laundry and dry cleaning)

Developer- Censorio Developments

Stage- Rezoning




2. 4295 Hastings Street (Arco Gas station)

Citimark Developments 

Stage- First Reading




3. 4354 Hastings Street (The Legion Hall)

Epta Properties

Stage- Second Reading 




4. 3951 Hastings Street (Scoffs Hockey Shop, Bella Idea)

Chris Dikeakos Architect

Stage- Third Reading



5. 4555 Hastings Street (Dolphin Movie Theatre)

Bosa Developments

Stage- Under Construction

 

Next year we lose a lot of landmarks in North Burnaby....

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Information courtesy of TorontoSun.com and DavidSuzuki.org

 

Above is a video of an obviously irate David Suzuki, who many believe to be the earths saviour but not me. I am all for saving the earth and am cognizant on the effects of fossil fuel energy BUT....is David Suzuki a hypocrite? Mr Suzuki is upset at the RCMP for arresting his grandson for 'crossing the line' on his Burnaby Mountain protest.....didn't he just answer his own concern? His Grandson illegally crossed a boundary of safe/peaceful picketing. What else do we know about Mr Suzuki from the Toronto Sun/ DavidSuzuki.org

 

His view on population

In David's autobiography he says "…there are too many of us; we consume too much; we pollute too much…" and goes on to critisize India for a child born every 1.2 seconds.

David Suzuki has 5 children


We burn too many fossil fuels

I typically take 1 plane ride a year to somewhere warm (to keep the girlfriend from chopping my head off) as a lot of other north americans so I do contribute to our carbon footprint as much as the next guy.....unless the next guy is David Suzuki who makes a LIVING taking planes trains and automobiles to educate us on how not to take trains planes and automobiles, makes sense right?

David Suzuki gets paid $30,000 per speech he gives plus expenses


Oil Companies are evil

What we know is that oil is essential, the computer I am typing this on, the car you drive, the coffee cup in your hand, all require oil. We cannon sustain a life without fossil fuel, not at this point, it is literally impossible. So if we need to rely on oil, why not transport it in a manner that is more effecient and creates more jobs, where Kinder (Devil) Morganis getting taxed heavily by Burnaby for this. The other methods would be via Train which is a heavy pollutant or tankers which also has a human error risk associated with it. Here is also a real fun fact. 

David Suzuki is Co-Owner of a property in Nelson Island with (drum roll please) Kootenay Oil Distributers

I guess oil companies are only sometimes bad? Mostly when you dont share a land title with them probably

 

Use only what we need

I am a fan of using only what I need, probably because that is all I can afford. David Suzuki is a big supporter of not being glutonous at the expense of the environment. That is great advice for us!! Unfortunately David Suzuki doesn't really believe this.

David Suzuki owns 3 properties in BC alone, valued at over $10 Million dollars.

That's a lot of heaters, lights, furnaces etc etc etc going. # is better than 1 I guess? 

 

This is my personal opinion on David Suzuki's rant at the police doing their job. I know I may get a lot of comments supporting him, and your feedback is always welcome and I am looking forward to hearing your constructive thoughts!

 

 

Paul

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VANCOUVER, B.C. – November 4, 2014 – Home sales in the Metro Vancouver* housing
market continue to outpace long-term averages for this time of year.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in
Greater Vancouver reached 3,057 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October 2014.
This represents a 14.9 per cent increase compared to the 2,661 sales in October 2013, and a 4.6
per cent increase over the 2,922 sales in September 2014.
Last month’s sales were 16.6 per cent above the 10-year sales average for October.
“We’ve seen strong and consistent demand from home buyers in Metro Vancouver throughout
this year. This has led to steady increases in home prices of between four and eight per cent
depending on the property,” said REBGV president Ray Harris.
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Metro Vancouver totalled 4,487
in October. This represents a four per cent increase compared to the 4,315 new listings in
October 2013 and a 14.7 per cent decline from the 5,259 new listings in September.
The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver
is 13,851, a 9.2 per cent decline compared to October 2013 and a 6.6 per cent decrease compared
to September 2014.
The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro
Vancouver is currently $637,000. This represents a six per cent increase compared to October
2013.
“Detached homes continue to increase in price more than condominium and townhome
properties. This is largely a function of supply and demand as the supply of condominium and
townhome properties are more abundant than detached homes in our region,” Harris said.
Sales of detached properties in October 2014 reached 1,271, an increase of 19.1 per cent from
the 1,067 detached sales recorded in October 2013, and a 60.9 per cent increase from the 790
units sold in October 2012. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 7.9 per cent
from October 2013 to $995,100.Sales of apartment properties reached 1,268 in October 2014, an increase of 15.5 per cent
compared to the 1,098 sales in October 2013, and a 57.9 per cent increase compared to the 803
sales in October 2012. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased four per cent
from October 2013 to $380,200.
Attached property sales in October 2014 totalled 518, a 4.4 per cent increase compared to the
496 sales in October 2013, and an 53.3 per cent increase over the 338 attached properties sold in
October 2012. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 4.7 per cent between October
2013 and 2014 to $479,500.

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News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Steady trends continue in the Greater Vancouver housing

market

VANCOUVER, B.C. – February 4, 2014 – The first month of 2014 saw home sale and listing

totals outpace historical averages in the Greater Vancouver housing market.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales in

Greater Vancouver reached 1,760 on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January 2014.

This represents a 30.3 per cent increase compared to the 1,351 sales recorded in January 2013,

and a 9.9 per cent decline compared to the 1,953 sales in December 2013.

Last month’s sales were 7.2 per cent above the 10-year sales average for the month.

“The Greater Vancouver housing market has been in a balanced market for nearly a year. This

has meant steady home sale and listing activity accompanied by stable home prices,” Sandra

Wyant, REBGV president said.

New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 5,345

in January. This represents a 4.2 per cent increase compared to the 5,128 new listings reported in

January 2013.

Last month’s new listing count was 17.7 per cent higher than the region’s 10-year new listing

average for the month.

The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the Greater Vancouver MLS® is

12,602, a 4.9 per cent decline compared to January 2013 and a nine per cent increase compared

to December 2013.

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro

Vancouver is currently $606,800. This represents a 3.2 per cent increase compared to January

2013.

With the sales-to-active-listings ratio at 14 per cent, the region remains in balanced market

territory.

“If you’re looking to sell your home in a balanced market, it’s critical that your list price is

reflective of current market conditions,” Wyant said.

Sales of detached properties in January 2014 reached 728, an increase of 34.3 per cent from the

542 detached sales recorded in January 2013, and a 10.5 per cent increase from the 659 units

sold in January 2012. The benchmark price for a detached property in Greater Vancouver

increased 3.2 per cent from January 2013 to $929,700.

Sales of apartment properties reached 753 in January 2014, an increase of 30.7 per cent

compared to the 576 sales in January 2013, and an increase of 14.6 per cent compared to the 657

sales in January 2012. The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 3.7 per cent from

January 2013 to $371,500.

Attached property sales in January 2014 totalled 279, an increase of 19.7 per cent compared to

the 233 sales in January 2013, and a 6.9 per cent increase from the 261 attached properties sold

in January 2012. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 1.7 per cent between January

2013 and 2014 to $457,700.

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The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB.