the independent

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40813717094706318192012-02-03T09:49:43.351+10:00the independentjohn garozzohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11205197622826118818noreply@blogger.comBlogger6381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-47663022591612894552012-02-03T09:36:00.006+10:002012-02-03T09:49:43.373+10:00Pandaws keep proud maritime history afloat

TRAVEL ... with David BrayUp the Irrawaddy, from Rangoon to Mandalay. It’s those names. Kipling started it for me a long lifetime ago, and the fascination is still there.This piece was supposed to be about cruising down another river altogether, in other countries, but the Mekong will have to wait until next time.Same shipping people though. Savour the title: The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company. Here

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-73349707458925216062012-01-25T13:01:00.011+10:002012-01-28T10:48:20.643+10:00Call for Walton's resumption

NEWSThe State Government and Brisbane City Council should join forces to resume the Walton's building in the heart of Fortitude Valley as a permanent solution to the closure of a crucial pedestrian walkway that is putting businesses at risk, long-term local councillor David Hinchliffe believes.Although the soon-to-retire Central Ward councillor is hopeful that agreement might soon be reached to

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29447136705948183382012-01-25T12:45:00.006+10:002012-01-28T11:02:28.243+10:00Delayed council poll 'disgraceful'

NEWSLord Mayor Graham Quirk has slammed Premier Anna Bligh’s decision to delay local government elections as "disgraceful".Cr Quirk (pictured) said local government had always had four-year fixed terms and there was no justifiable reason for this to be delayed.“To suit her own political agenda, the Premier has now disrupted the holding of 73 council elections,” he said.“It is also a signal of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-28433455091665362462012-01-25T12:26:00.006+10:002012-01-26T11:16:14.459+10:00Hunter offerings of medicinal quality

WINE ... with David BrayMedical people tend to like owning vineyards, partly I guess because they can afford to and partly because their training teaches them to be meticulous. So here is Mount Eyre Vineyards, a Hunter Valley operation combining, it says, a European family tradition of winemaking with a generation of experience in Australian viticulture.“From our roots in the tiny towns of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-66424662536604571522012-01-25T12:04:00.008+10:002012-01-28T10:54:35.409+10:00A few laughs at best

FILM .. with Tim MilfullA Few Best Men (MA15+)Director: Stephan ElliottStars: Xavier Samuel, Kris Marshall, Kevin Bishop, Tim DraxlRating: 2.5/597-minutes, screening from 26 January I had high hopes for Stephan Elliott’s new film, A Few Best Men, resolutely defending him against a fellow critic who had little time for the trailer. Yes, there was a vintage whiff of 1980’s smut franchise Porky’s,

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-56828422233634035762012-01-22T11:23:00.002+10:002012-01-22T11:25:24.304+10:00Charity the big winner from cocky races

PUB & CLUB NEWSThe children’s charity Variety will again be the biggest winner on the day when the Story Bridge Hotel holds its world-famous Australia Day Cockroach Races on Thursday 26 January. There’s a 14-race program once the gates open at 11am, with the gold coin entry (don’t be stingy, now!) price going to Variety for its great work with kids. So have you a race winner handy? Simply leave

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-4242680281845530302012-01-22T11:20:00.003+10:002012-01-22T11:22:41.195+10:00Valley businesses on the brink

NEWSMore than a month after a vital Fortitude Valley pedestrian walkway was closed abruptly for maintenance that has never taken place, desperate nearby businesses face the prospect of closing their doors for good. Hardest hit by the shock closure on Monday 12 December have been Cheung’s Cafe and Cakes and Loc Discounts in the Happy Valley building right beside the barricaded and locked walkway,

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-80259783926233685942012-01-22T11:16:00.005+10:002012-01-22T11:20:01.056+10:00McWhirters traders feel the pinch

NEWSGoodwill totally lackingCorey Hamilton, owner of the Autographed Memorabilia shop in McWhirters Centre, is doubtful the closed walkway is going to open any time soon – and points to a total lack of goodwill being shown by the owners of the Happy Valley and Walton’s buildings, not only to each other but to all the business people suffering as a result. “There’s no goodwill anymore. If they had

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-76430373547126912332012-01-22T11:12:00.002+10:002012-01-22T11:16:13.050+10:00Traders consider taking class action

NEWSA meeting of worried McWhirters Centre traders has voted to investigate the possibility of a class action law suit to try to recover their losses from the month-long Walton’s walkway closure. But the overriding messages from the 10 January meeting of several dozen business owners in the central Valley’s main retail precinct is that the doors have to be reopened ... and ownership of the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-12923995904129756622012-01-22T11:09:00.000+10:002012-01-22T11:11:50.223+10:00Special book praises Eddie’s role

NEWSThe “Father of Chinatown” Eddie Liu has been singled out for special mention in a book of photographs taken by long-serving and retiring councillor David Hinchliffe. The Central Ward councillor took the snaps for a special book Faces Of Chinatown to mark the 25th anniversary of the Chinatown mall. It will be launched at this month’s Chinese New Year’s Eve celebrations. In his foreword to the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-48731599015167310342012-01-22T11:07:00.001+10:002012-01-22T11:09:40.413+10:00It’s the Year of the Dragon!

NEWSBrisbane’s Fortitude Valley will play host to the 2012 Valley Chinese New Year Festival from January 20 to 22. Presented by Brisbane City Council, the annual street festival of music, dance, song and cuisine is one of the most important celebrations in the Lunar Chinese calendar. In Asian culture, the Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year. It is the oldest and most important

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-37789031805320769802012-01-22T11:05:00.001+10:002012-01-22T11:07:11.020+10:00Scientifically speaking, whaling is simply woeful

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumLet’s be clear about one thing from the start: Japanese whaling is not only unnecessary and unpleasant; it is actually illegal. This is not simply because of the whaling ships’ blatant violation of declared marine sanctuaries and a Australian territorial waters. It is illegal at its very core because it is based on a brazen lie. The International Whaling

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-39038373898820141562012-01-22T11:03:00.002+10:002012-01-22T11:05:05.693+10:00Residents ready to tackle floods

NEWSMore suburban households than ever before are ready to take whatever Brisbane’s summer storms throw at them, thanks to Council’s Brisbane – Ready for Summer campaign. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk (pictured) said his $300,000 awareness campaign had already had a huge response from residents keen to do everything they could to protect their homes and families. “It’s been a rough few summers for

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-84613936423355956242012-01-22T10:57:00.003+10:002012-01-22T11:02:25.058+10:00Renovators beware: Archicentre

PropertyWith Australia’s housing market swinging in favour of buyers and auction clearance running in some states at under 50 per cent, the time is ripe to reenter the property market but with caution, Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, is warning. Archicentre General Manager David Hallett said home buyers and renovators entering the property

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-50057717119578204402012-01-12T13:30:00.003+10:002012-01-12T13:38:30.249+10:00You've got to give the swirl a whirl

WINE .... with David BrayIt’s what you like that counts, simple as that. But there are some things we can do to help us derive maximum pleasure from the wines we buy and drink. Look for colour, smell, taste and how the wine feels in the mouth.The last three involve some swirling and there has recently been significant scientific advice on the subject, some of which could well interest anyone who

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-83300109360236313412012-01-12T13:28:00.002+10:002012-01-12T13:30:23.795+10:00Better customer service in store?

FROM MY CORNER .... with Ann BrunswickWith the retail sector supposedly being squeezed at present, it occurs to me that some larger stores could do very simple things to make life easier for consumers and which maybe might also boost sales by increasing their number of repeat customers.A case in point is one particular branch of a national variety store chain which on occasions is the beneficiary

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-52954975580948274112012-01-12T13:10:00.004+10:002012-01-12T13:27:46.032+10:00Pitch-perfect spy thriller

FILM ... with Tim MilfullTinker Tailor Soldier Spy (MA15+)Director: Tomas AlfredsonStars: Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch. Rating: 5/5127-minutes, screening from 19 JanuaryI’m not ashamed to admit that until a screening at last year’s Brisbane International Film Festival, I was a Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy virgin. While I read the Cold War fiction of John le Carré as a

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-55255218524869050602012-01-01T13:44:00.005+10:002012-01-01T13:55:04.975+10:00Traders facing ruin over walkway closure

NEWSA number of inner-Valley traders have suffered huge pre-Christmas losses – and some face permanent closure – after an important pedestrian walkway was abruptly closed on Monday 12 December. The usual daily passing parade of thousands of would-be customers from the Fortitude Valley Railway Station through Valley Metro and across the Wickham Street airbridge to McWhirters was reduced to just

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-11299616694217782402012-01-01T13:42:00.001+10:002012-01-01T13:43:52.981+10:00New Year's focus on Chinatown

NEWSA Faces of Chinatown project early next year will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Chinatown and herald in the Chinese Year of the Dragon. Local councillor David Hinchliffe – a press photographer in an earlier life before almost his own quarter-century in local politics – and Chinatown Committee chairman Mr Chiu-Hing Chan will launch the Faces of China Town on 20 January. As the exhibition’s

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-72552240655797635412012-01-01T13:37:00.003+10:002012-01-01T13:41:45.466+10:00How local traders have been affected

NEWSCheung’s Cake and Cafe, Happy Valley: Co-owner Helen Moc says her 12-year-old business has lost about 80 per cent of its customers, including vital Xmas party catering. “On the second day [of the closure], we baked half our normal amount and threw half out. The next day we made half of that again and still threw half of that out. Every day we have lost thousands of dollars. We are now down to

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-51697356547551038872012-01-01T13:36:00.000+10:002012-01-01T13:37:54.022+10:00New classrooms for Holy Spirit School

NEWSThe students at Holy Spirit School in New Farm will soon benefit from new classrooms delivered with $468,000 of funding through the State Government Capital Assistance Scheme. Member for Brisbane Grace Grace said the primary school would receive the funding to build two new classrooms with adjoining pathways and storerooms. “These new buildings will further improve Holy Spirit School’s

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-20809677877435583172012-01-01T13:34:00.001+10:002012-01-01T13:36:08.835+10:00Warning issued over city parking

NEWSThe rapid expansion of residential projects in the inner-city means more and more people are coping parking fines for being unaware of Central Traffic Area parking restirctions. The warning comes from Central Ward councillor David Hinchliffe, who says the issue is a growing concern. “A lot of the fines that the council collects arise from that lack of awareness about the CTA. I have

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-67175790729936303222012-01-01T13:32:00.001+10:002012-01-01T13:34:20.686+10:00WHERE AM I?

This mural is just about slap-bang in the middle of the Indie’s circulation area. Tell us where it is for a chance to win a $60 voucher to enjoy some tucker and a glass of something nice at the Brunswick Hotel in New Farm. Email your answer to reach us no later than 5pm on Friday 6 January 2012. Or post your answer to us at PO Box 476 Fortitude Valley Q 4006 to reach us by the same deadline. All

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-68357978255401905622012-01-01T13:30:00.000+10:002012-01-01T13:31:52.191+10:00Look up and save

PROPERTY newsLook up or it could cost you thousands of dollars. This is the message from Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Archicentre, who said the vast majority of home buyers have little or no knowledge of the state of the roof of the home they are purchasing. According to Archicentre, research from its pre-purchase home inspections program has shown 42

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-18952151454055145842012-01-01T13:28:00.001+10:002012-01-01T13:30:02.170+10:00Time for ill-will and lack of charity to all

FROM MY CORNER .... with Ann BrunswickChristmas is supposed to be the time of goodwill towards all people, but scores of struggling Valley traders have been shown none of that in recent times. At a time of year when they badly needed sales to end a tough year in the best possible way, the owners of Walton’s abruptly scuttled those hopes by slamming shut the fire doors to their section of a

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-87684193005479922752012-01-01T13:19:00.004+10:002012-01-01T13:27:18.846+10:002011 a solid year at home and abroad

FILM ... with Tim Milfull2011 has been quite a good year for cinema, both internationally and at home, where at least one film featuring a dog made an absolute mint. Now, I’ll be howled down for saying this, but while Red Dog was a competently made film that pressed all the right buttons, more than $20-million in box office takings doesn’t necessarily mean Kriv Stenders’s film was the best

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-76828524338217728262012-01-01T13:15:00.003+10:002012-01-01T13:19:22.392+10:00Rose Revolution not before time

WINE ... with David BrayMy local Palais de Plonque is pretty big on rose. It tells me it stocks “a huge range of these pink delights, from the bone dry to the sweetest. Over 40 different roses”. There’s a name for what’s happening: The Rose Revolution, some people are calling it, and as could be said of many a revolutionary movement before it, about time too. Not all revolutions are justified nor

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-58327775696487601932012-01-01T13:13:00.002+10:002012-01-01T13:14:51.206+10:00Reshuffle doesn’t guarantee Gillard a winning hand

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumCommentary on Julia Gillard’s ministerial reshuffle has tended to concentrate on the negatives – not just from the Nomadic Noman, Tony Abbott, but from more serious pundits as well. And it is true that in the short term – from here to the next Newspoll, which is the attention span of most media these days – there is not too much to commend it. Gillard’s apparent

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-53742792293690110032012-01-01T12:23:00.003+10:002012-01-01T12:30:13.976+10:00Loathe the man but you’ve got to love his music

TRAVELBy travel editor David BrayThe Australian Opera plans to stage Wagner’s Ring cycle in Melbourne late in 2013, an enterprise that will draw hundreds of tourists, many of them from other countries. Your reporter hopes to be among them, for what would be his tenth encounter with one of the western world’s great artistic achievements. So far as can be discovered, there are as yet no plans for

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-27982522690097120062012-01-01T12:15:00.001+10:002012-01-01T12:17:40.195+10:00Quirk welcomes Walton’s work

NEWSLord Mayor Graham Quirk has welcomed the start of remedial work on the Walton’s building in Fortitude Valley several weeks after City Council issued its owners with a demand calling on 65 problem areas to be rectified. Cr Quirk in a media release said the work came after he had “intervened to end the 20-year issue” and followed his “stern talks with representatives for the old Walton’s

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-49743834206185993592012-01-01T12:14:00.000+10:002012-01-01T12:15:34.341+10:00Cycle war rolls on ... as helmets vanish

NEWSCity Council’s rollout of complimentary helmets as one of a number of initiatives to kickstart the wobbly CityCycle scheme has proved a resounding success – with thieves. Of 400 yellow helmets attached to the hire bikes several months ago in a bid to kickstart the faltering scheme, some 250 have been “misplaced”, in the words of Public and Active Transport Chairman Julian Simmonds. Despite

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-89383101503859463412012-01-01T12:12:00.005+10:002012-01-01T12:14:17.602+10:00Christmas surely a time for caring .. and sharing

NEWSTwo of inner-Brisbane’s most respected organisations that help others in need have come up with quite different but excellent ways you can help someone less fortunate this Christmas. One suits those with a little bit of spare cash to help others; the other asks simply that you support a garage sale with household items you no longer need. Brisbane Youth Service, the organisation in Berwick

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-36345657541642586692012-01-01T12:12:00.003+10:002012-01-01T12:12:49.871+10:00Council ‘uncaring’ over zone refusal

NEWSCity Council’s refusal of a Loading Zone outside St Vincent de Paul’s new base at 377 St Pauls Tce will significantly impact the charity’s operations, local Councillor, David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) says. Cr Hinchliffe was commenting on Council decision to reject St Vincent’s request for a loading zone in the off peak period (between 10am – 2pm) because the area is currently a clearway in

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-53443224585153387822012-01-01T12:12:00.001+10:002012-01-01T12:12:49.444+10:00Council ‘uncaring’ over zone refusal

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-15408318149223309042012-01-01T12:10:00.000+10:002012-01-01T12:11:51.691+10:00A slap in the face for council?

OUR SAYA couple of days’ work many years too late? A quick scrape and a slap of paint over the facade of Walton’s in the Valley looks very much a slap in the face for the City Council. We at The Independent applaud the fact that at long last something has been done with this eyesore. And we believe Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has every right to take credit for the action taken so far. There has

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29848689017431584752012-01-01T12:09:00.000+10:002012-01-01T12:10:07.270+10:00A slap in the face for council?

A SLAP IN FACE FOR COUNCIL?a ccouple of days’ work many years too late? A quick scrape and a slap of paint over the facade of Walton’s in the Valley looks very much a slap in the face for the City Council. We at The Independent applaud the fact that at long last something has been done with this eyesore. And we believe Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has every right to take credit for the action taken

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-50550254898717256232012-01-01T12:06:00.004+10:002012-01-01T12:09:26.527+10:00Centenary cast makes a killing

THEATREReview: Phillip Bate Cancel Christmas, there’s no ham left! The Centenary Playhouse Group at Chelmer has cornered the market for its end of year production Red White & Boogie (or It happened in Tanjablanca).Can anyone get away with murder? The cast of six actors certainly did as they followed orders from director Steve Peaton to have the ‘time of their lives’ with a story that has no deep

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-12023118735836071072012-01-01T12:02:00.002+10:002012-01-01T12:05:53.163+10:00Selection of reds are world class

WINE ... with David BrayJim Barry Wines is one of the long-standing, high-quality producers of the Australian industry, firmly based in the Clare Valley, but now with a substantial interest in the Coonawarra. Jim Barry (1925-2004) was the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley and with his wife, Nancy, built a successful wine business that has produced trophy-winning wines since it

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-64102003446339272792012-01-01T12:00:00.001+10:002012-01-01T12:02:23.078+10:00Will Slipper’s rattery prove to be a Colston rerun

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumThere is an old political saying: A man who will rat once will rat twice. Obviously it has escaped Tony Abbott, or if he has heard it he assumed it only applied to Labor renegades; because Peter Slipper has form. Originally elected as a member of the National Party in 1984 he lost his seat in 1987 and defected to the Liberals, who were at that time in Queensland

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-32863034144235828642012-01-01T11:58:00.001+10:002012-01-01T11:59:46.105+10:00Free tips on how to funnel into a tunnel

FROM MY CORNER ... with Ann BrunswickTook the trusty LandRover down to the Gold Coast the other day for a much -needed servicing. It’s amazing what a good grease and oil change can do, because I was humming merrily all the way back to Brisbane. The car was purring along fine as well. But now to the point of this column. As mentioned, maybe I was in a little bit of a restive reverie and not

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-58698341849236033292012-01-01T11:48:00.005+10:002012-01-01T11:56:35.537+10:00Unfilm exposes Iranian repression

FILM ... with Tim MilfullThis is Not a Film (G) Rating: 4/5 75-minutes, now screeningAsk your average punter to name an Iranian film director, and chances are you’ll receive a blank stare in return. If you’re lucky, someone might mangle the pronunciation of the grand old men of Iranian cinema, Abbas Kiarostami or Mohsen Makhmalbaf, or even the latter’s beautiful protégé daughter, Samira. But

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-88723834453928740522011-11-21T16:11:00.002+10:002011-11-21T16:12:48.865+10:00Council mute on Walton's deadline

NEWSBrisbane City Council has sidestepped questions on how long the owners of the eyesore Walton’s building in Fortitude Valley will be given to rectify 65 defects outlined in a show-cause notice issued late last month – or what action council intends to take if such a deadline passes without substantial remedial work being undertaken. The Independent put both questions to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-15370914201067610212011-11-21T16:08:00.004+10:002011-11-21T16:11:06.538+10:00Vision improves in CBD

NEWSBrisbane City’s biggest eyesore is to be turned into the city’s tallest building after council recently approved developer Billbergia’s application for a 90-storey hotel and residential building and a 34-storey commercial building in the CBD.The two-tower project will be built on the old Vision site between Mary and Margaret streets, which has remained an eight-storey hole in the ground since

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-39494927770270627822011-11-21T16:07:00.000+10:002011-11-21T16:08:00.374+10:00Much-needed help for homeless

NEWSBrisbane City Council reached out to more than 1000 homeless people when it hosted its 12th Homeless Connect event at the RNA Showgrounds recently. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the important bi-annual event continued to help homeless people and people at risk of homelessness in Brisbane access vital support services. “This is Council’s 11th Homeless Connect event and it continues to link

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-82778917831040212722011-11-21T16:05:00.003+10:002011-11-21T16:06:57.811+10:00Exhibition gets inside an age-old problem

ON SHOWTime is running out to see Prisoners of Age, a series of photographs and interviews with elderly inmates and corrections personnel conducted in prisons both in the United States and Canada from 1996 to 2004. Presented by Brisbane Powerhouse and Ron Levine Photography, Prisoners of Age presents the stories of some of the most marginalised members of our society in their own words, revealing

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-37592259105871519072011-11-21T16:02:00.002+10:002011-11-21T16:05:03.158+10:00Show cause but to what real effect?

OUR SAYThere’s no doubt that the eyesore that is the Walton’s building stops some people from coming to the Valley. If its owners are made to fix the 65 problems identified in a recent City Council show-cause notice to the building’s owners, then that will go some of the way to improving the precinct’s tarnished image. But this newspaper notes that the two main risks to the health and safety of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-53921895041051222352011-11-21T16:00:00.001+10:002011-11-21T16:02:25.005+10:00Prague hits right notes, time after time

TRAVEL ... with DAVID BRAYNo matter what the people of Salzburg, Vienna or Dresden tell you, it’s Prague that seems to have given Mozart his most deserved recognition during his short, sometimes troubled and brilliantly unmatched creative life. Prague is a city of survivors, its history defined by invasion, cruelty and revolution. But it is also a music-lover’s dream destination. Not only for the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-43606623626113370632011-11-21T15:56:00.003+10:002011-11-21T15:59:42.966+10:00Preston Peak worth a visit

WINE ... with David BrayAshley Smith and Kym Thumpkin are successful dentists, international class small-boat sailors and have built from scratch a thriving winery-tourism business. Their professional practice is in Toowoomba, the Preston Peak cellar door complex is 10 minutes out of town and their various Flying 15 class boats have been raced impressively around the country and overseas. One of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-8173938584140364692011-11-21T15:53:00.001+10:002011-11-21T15:55:46.877+10:00From the left, Gillard marches to Uncle Sam’s beat

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumThe political transformation, or at least tergiversation, of Julia Gillard in now complete. From being an avowed lefty, the chair of the Socialist Forum at Melbourne University, she has morphed into the most pro-American Australian Prime Minister since .... well, since the last one. And he, of course, was the most pro-American Australian Prime Minister since ...

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-21751028604442742502011-11-21T15:50:00.000+10:002011-11-21T15:52:55.452+10:00Less spin and more substance, perhaps?

FROM MY CORNER .. with Ann BrunswickMany respected and influential media organisation, such as The Indie, regularly complain about the “spin” politicians put on the facts in an effort to ensure stories are published that cast them, their party or government in a favourable light. But is the practice confined only to our pollies? Of course not. Take for instance a story that appeared recently in

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-65740843386856363262011-11-21T14:11:00.004+10:002011-11-21T14:19:17.176+10:00Death of Doomadgee continues to divide

FILMS ... with Tim MilfullThe Tall Man (M) Rating: 4/580-minutes, screening from 17 NovemberBound to polarise audiences with its controversial examination of the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee on Queensland’s Palm Island in 2004, writer-director Tony Krawitz’s adaptation of Chloe Hooper’s award-winning book The Tall Man will surprise some viewers. The film recently screened to sold-out

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29899258988449553512011-11-21T13:48:00.006+10:002011-11-21T14:06:56.166+10:00Edgerton's career far from on the ropes

FILMS ... with Tim MilfullWarrior (M)Rating: 4/5140-minutes, screening from 27 OctoberAdding to the spate of martial arts films that have emerged over recent years — think The Wrestler and The Fighter — director Gavin O’Connor successfully brings cage fighting to mainstream audiences with Warrior.In the process he helps add another string to the bow of Australian actor Joel Edgerton, who is

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-17412289297538340352011-10-28T09:29:00.004+10:002011-10-28T09:41:53.697+10:00Cyclists face uphill battle

NEWSResidents of New Farm and neighbouring suburbs wanting to access the city by bike now face an even bigger uphill battle following the loss of RiverWalk in January's floods.They had relied on the walkway under the Story Bridge to get to the CBD but that has now been closed off due to the risk of falling rocks. And their plight may be prolonged by a stoush over who should make it safe.Local

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-37721854525820895342011-10-27T10:50:00.002+10:002011-10-27T10:53:03.199+10:00Good at disasters? Then your help is needed

NEWSReckon you’re pretty adept when it comes to disasters? Not starting them. We mean dealing with them once they occur?City councillor David Hinchliffe (Central Ward) says that as the storm and potential flood season approaches, thoughts do turn naturally to disasters such as those last summer, so so he has called for those people who are interested in helping out in emergency situations to

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-69590028002728487332011-10-25T14:09:00.005+10:002011-11-01T11:27:51.198+10:00Hypocrite claim draws fire

NEWSAn LNP candidate has labelled inner-Brisbane Labor politicians hypocrites over their opposition to drug injecting rooms for Fortitude Valley – but they in turn have accused him of being “hopelessly misguided or deliberately misleading” and “shooting himself in the foot” over the issue. Candidate for the state seat of Brisbane Central Robert Cavallucci contacted The Independent after our

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-67383061862177247572011-10-25T11:58:00.000+10:002011-10-25T12:00:04.809+10:00Burgermen bow to ‘needle’ points

NEWSThe owners of two burger outlets who had planned to letterbox 20,000 promotional pens that resemble a blood-filled drug syringe have abandoned the idea in the face of growing criticism. Burger Urge has outlets in New Farm and West End, and co-owner Sean Carthew has advised a shelter close to the New Farm store that helps recovering drug addicts that the pens would now only be handed out to

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-70035486265592619152011-10-25T11:55:00.003+10:002011-10-25T11:58:32.216+10:00Job losses in store with online trend

NEWSHis loyal staff have nicknamed him the Doc Father. At work they affectionately call him Dad. Yet Valley businessman Barry Toombes’ days as a much-loved employer may be numbered as his Ann Street shoe store battles the growing trend towards online sales. Shoes have been sold from his store for over a century, and Barry has retailed new shoes there and repaired old ones since he bought Downes

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-78107539474916749212011-10-25T11:54:00.002+10:002011-10-25T11:55:41.511+10:00War of words as cycle scheme turns one

NEWSPointscoring across the City Council political divide marked the recent first birthday of the much-maligned CityCycle bike hire scheme. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that given time, the scheme would prove a success – and revenue neutral – while and the man who wants his job calls it “a complete waste of ratepayers’ money” and has vowed to rein it in. Cr Quirk argues that the scheme is not

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-40668771064423271632011-10-25T11:50:00.002+10:002011-10-25T11:54:02.602+10:00I’ll wield stick if need be, says Lord Mayor

NEWSLord Mayor Graham Quirk is confident that “steely” discussions with the owners of some of Fortitude Valley’s eyesore buildings will bear fruit soon. But he is warning that he’ll force action – with fresh legislation if need be – to make recalcitrant owners bring their buildings up to a suitable standard – both inside and out. Cr Quirk said that while he acknowledged Walton’s (pictured) and

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-41111128096580915362011-10-25T11:49:00.002+10:002011-10-25T11:50:37.214+10:00Can you help? Sure can!

NEWSIf you think you’re going through hard times at the moment, spare a thought for our city’s homeless or troubled youth. Their plight is on the increase, if referrals to the Fortitude Valley-based Brisbane Youth Service are any indication. “The number of people seeking access to our services has increased by 15 per cent over the last year,” says BYS fundraising and marketing manager Richard

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-64627082100679709642011-10-25T11:17:00.002+10:002011-10-25T11:18:55.183+10:00Where am I?

Our last one proved too hard for many, so here’s an easy one. Tell us where this is for a chance to win a $60 food and drink voucher at the Brunswick Hotel, New Farm. Email editor@theindependent.com.au to reach us no later than 5pm on Friday 28 October 2011. Or drop us the answer in the post by the same deadline to PO Box 476 Valley Q 4006. Please include a mailing address. All correct entries

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-81081158170196322282011-10-25T11:15:00.000+10:002011-10-25T11:17:14.217+10:00A bad marketing idea all round

OUR SAYThe adage that there’s no such thing as bad publicity will surely be put to the test over Burger Urge’s “taste addiction” promotion campaign. A photo and some pars in the mainstream media, a mention on ABC’s popular Gruen Planet – indeed, the coverage in this edition of The Independent – would on the surface seem like rolled-gold exposure that would take a lot of money to buy. But the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-47694229748250372022011-10-25T11:13:00.001+10:002011-10-25T11:14:59.958+10:00Music and murder on the menu

THEATREA sure-fire hit featuring 30 sure-fire hits! – that’s the boast from Stage Door Dinner Theatre about its next production Rock n Roll Inferno that plays up at Bowen Hills from 22 October to 24 December. Damien Lee and his merry band ramp up the jukebox full of classic rock ‘n’ roll that pays homage to the hits of the biggest names of the 50s, including Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Dianna

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29379470602832382222011-10-25T11:11:00.001+10:002011-10-25T11:13:25.390+10:00Ambos need crash course in manners

FROM MY CORNER .. with Ann BrunswickFar be it from me to be critical of the fine men and women who serve in the Queensland Ambulance Service. But this column has from time to time had cause to get a tad grumpy with those who wear the .., er, ... whatever that funny bluish greeny colour of their uniforms is called.Most particularly it has fallen to me to wag a finger at QAS staff who have been

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-85638340035633311962011-10-25T11:09:00.001+10:002011-10-25T11:11:05.661+10:00Passing a law’s one thing: now for the taxing bit

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumSo, amid cheers and jeers and tears and sneers the Clean Energy Australia legislation is finally through the House of Representatives, on its way to a rubber stamp from the Senate. It is a genuine achievement – almost a deliverance. But it’s also the easy bit. The scenes at Parliament House last week were rather reminiscent of the climax of the 1998

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-46686055715553498582011-10-25T11:01:00.004+10:002011-10-25T11:07:50.286+10:00Smith refinds his touch

FILM ... with Tim MilfullRed State (MA15+) Director: Kevin Smith Stars: Michael Parks, John Goodman Rating: 4.5/5 110-minutes, screening from 13 OctoberNew Jersey-based writer-director Kevin Smith has a very solid reputation for slacker comedies like Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy, and the clever and iconoclastic excoriation of Catholicism in Dogma. Last year, however, he almost ruined

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-10977434667486665992011-10-25T10:58:00.004+10:002011-10-25T11:01:16.161+10:00Feeling swamped by savvy?

WINE ... with David BrayIf you think we are being overwhelmed by sauvignon blanc you are surely on the right track. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing. The books will tell you that it is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The name probably comes from sauvage (“wild”") and blanc (“white”) and it is possibly a descendant of savagnin. Sauvignon

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29162888031357758222011-10-08T13:37:00.003+10:002011-10-08T13:43:09.203+10:00A wee piece of nonsense

OUR SAYBy Don Gordon-BrownWe mere mortals would see them only as CityCycle advertising signs and nothing else. But insightful people – the true visionaries among us – see them doubling as urinals. A classic case of lavateral thinking, if you will. Besides, not too many people are using the CityCycle stations around town much for hiring bikes anyway, so it’s really a stroke of genius to turn a

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-88865358969271824172011-10-08T13:35:00.001+10:002011-10-08T13:36:58.196+10:00Plight of homeless continues to grow

NEWSBy Susannah Thomsett The plight of the homeless keeps growing in Brisbane, according to 139 Club general manager Rod Kelly. He says more than 200 people visit his Fortitude Valley premises daily seeking help, and it’s why the 139 Club is seeking government funding to expand its “Safe Sleeping Strategy” pilot program. Each Wednesday the 139 Club provides eleven beds to women referred by

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-34895186508915968282011-10-08T13:29:00.005+10:002011-10-08T13:35:32.233+10:00Owner defends flats ‘demolition’ bid

NEWSA property owner seeking a demolition order on his heritage-listed New Farm block of flats in Maxwell Street has told a public meeting he will not demolish the flats even if his bid succeeds. Mr Chris Elliot, who lives in one of the nine units that make up Maxwell Place, told a meeting last Saturday week outside his property: “I have no intention of demolishing it.” Mr Elliot is seeking

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-52812426554200282932011-10-08T13:27:00.002+10:002011-10-08T13:28:49.494+10:00‘Stop buckpassing’

NEWSLocal council candidate Paul Crowther has called on the City Council to stop “the buck passing” and get on with cleaning up the Valley. He says his call follows advice received from the State Director-General of Local Government. In a letter from Jack Noye, Queensland Government Director General of Local Government and Planning to Colin Jensen CEO of Brisbane City Council, Mr Noye says the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-59676050856040678932011-10-08T13:24:00.003+10:002011-10-08T13:27:00.232+10:00Emma goes solo with blaze of color

EXHIBITIONNew Farm artist Emma Weis will hold her first solo exhibition at The Artists Gallery in Newstead from 8 to 29 October 8. Ms Weis said the exhibition would feature a range of her recent oil-on-canvas paintings including landscapes, urban scenes and still life. The common thread in all the works is the play of colours on a variety of subjects. “I love, love, love colour. The way the warm

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-26030656969362848222011-10-08T13:22:00.002+10:002011-10-08T13:24:37.913+10:00Meet Popeye, the Scooter Man

NEWSPopeye – or Sarge – has lived in the Warry Street social housing complex since the place opened five years ago. He was born in Christchurch, New Zealand 70 years ago, and if you’re wondering why he’s called Popeye, it’s because in a mugging in Newstead 10 years ago he lost his right eye. And after a bad fall six months ago he has back and leg trouble – hence the scooter he bought and now

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-16923780891043849822011-10-08T13:20:00.001+10:002011-10-08T13:22:35.156+10:00Offer to hold cleaner Valley talks

LETTERDear Editor I refer to the articles in The Independent on 20 July “Give Valley a Giulliani makeover: Hinchliffe” and 14 September “Pressure now mounting on Valley eyesores”. It is refreshing to see the urgent call to action to refurbish dilapidated buildings. As some of you are already aware, Winning Appliances and Bathrooms has recently purchased the 2200 sq/metre building at 201-211

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-6369388280644469352011-10-08T13:19:00.002+10:002011-10-08T13:20:08.404+10:00It’s that time of the year to go batty

Wildlife Queensland is now taking bookings for the summer season of its popular Brisbane’s Batty Boat Cruises, where you can find out all about flying-foxes. The cruises run up the Brisbane River on a classic timber cruiser where a history talk about the river is followed by a bat commentary as thousands of flying-foxes spectacularly take to the skies above Indooroopilly Island. Our community is

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-12532655305151669562011-10-08T13:16:00.001+10:002011-10-08T13:18:44.717+10:00Rudd’s return a rather scary idea all round

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumLet’s be absolutely clear about why the opposition is currently obsessed with the prospect of a Kevin Rudd comeback: they – and especially Tony Abbott — are seriously scared that it might happen. Therefore logic dictates that they bring it to a climax, one way or another, before either the ALP or the general public is ready for it. The ideal result would be to

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-38544066250710141082011-10-08T13:14:00.001+10:002011-10-08T13:16:25.721+10:00Are we being served by our ABC

FROM MY CORNER ... with Ann BrunswickIt is not often that your columnist agrees with anything any politician on any side of politics utters at any time on any subject. But there was a nod of agreement from me when news recently came over the wireless that a number of federal Coalition MPs had criticised the storyline of ABC TV’s comedy mini-series At Home With Julia. If you haven’t seen the show,

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-462811075445850852011-10-08T13:11:00.003+10:002011-10-08T13:13:52.563+10:00This Aussie Mick is well worth a sip

WINE ... with David BraySay G’Day to Mr Mick. Reckon you’ll like him because he has a good Aussie story behind him and good people running him. Mr Mick is a very interesting new wine brand created by Tim Adams out of what was the sad financial shipwreck of the once-great Leasingham winery in the Clare Valley. The name honours Mick Knappstein who gave Tim Adams his first job as a cellar rat at

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-69877751505422035042011-10-08T13:04:00.004+10:002011-10-10T09:42:51.006+10:00Noisy, angst-ridden and rather beautiful

FILM .... with Tim MilfullNorwegian Wood (MA15+) Director: Ang Hung Tran Rating: 4.5/5 114-minutes, now screeningSome find the writing of Japanese author Haruki Murakami something of an acquired taste, even if just for his habit of segueing off into magic realist tangents, or obsessing about jazz. Mind you, this is exactly why many others love reading his novels and short stories. But Norwegian

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-76179603144812339252011-09-22T14:20:00.001+10:002011-09-22T14:22:04.013+10:00Pressure now mounting on Valley eyesores

NEWSThe argument about whether the state or local governments have existing powers to force recalcitrant property owners to refurbish their dilapidated buildings is a “Mexican stand-off” where the image of Fortitude Valley continues to suffer, according to local long-term councillor David Hinchliffe. In an email last Friday to local community and business leaders and The Independent, Cr

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-65960544797637325222011-09-22T14:16:00.004+10:002011-09-22T14:20:11.827+10:00Give us back our river!

An Independent CampaignWell, this is it. Your view of your river from the so-called RiverWalk at Mirvac’s Waterfront project down at Newstead. Sorry, what’s that. You can’t see it? There it is, over on the right of this four-shot composite picture. A sliver of your river, so soak it up, take it in, enjoy it because it’s rightly yours.Of course at the moment, what you’re mainly seeing is Mirvac’s

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-17388700280507777372011-09-22T14:13:00.002+10:002011-09-22T14:15:37.636+10:00Smith unveils Valley vision

NEWSLabor’s Lord Mayoral candidate Ray Smith has outlined a series of initiatives that he says will revitalise the Valley as the city’s second CBD. Mr Smith told a recent Valley Chamber of Commerce luncheon that if elected, he would: • Establish a Valley Renewal Authority • Create a special planning and assessment unit within council to support the authority’s work • For the first four years of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-40968737855054374562011-09-22T14:10:00.001+10:002011-09-22T14:11:38.045+10:00Be summer storm ready, urges Quirk

NEWSLord Mayor Graham Quirk is reminding Brisbane residents to prepare their homes and businesses for the upcoming summer storm season as part of the launch of council’s Ready for Summer campaign. Cr Quirk said the $300,000 campaign would include information about flooding this year in response to recommendations by the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry and council’s own independent flood

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-87758634612862495282011-09-22T14:03:00.002+10:002011-09-22T14:06:37.864+10:00Corey snares Gladiators in a rugby league coup

NEWSThey are known as The Gladiators. Their famous embrace adorns the NRL Champions Trophy and they are true icons of rugby league. And through a marketing coup by Valley businessman Corey Hamilton, Norm Provan and Arthur Summons are going to make a rare appearance in Queensland together. Corey, who runs his Autographed Memorabilia shop in the McWhirters Building, has secured the appearance of

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-69515151363252262572011-09-22T13:53:00.002+10:002011-09-22T13:55:55.299+10:00Valley right move: retailer

PROPERTY CommercialA major appliance retailer’s decision to site the nation’s biggest kitchen laundry and bathroom showroom in the heart of Fortitude Valley has been vindicated with strong customer interest and sales. After three weeks of trading, Winning Appliances and Bathrooms has already surpassed its expectations “not only for people coming to see what the hype is all about but also sales”,

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-52665616689788287652011-09-22T13:51:00.001+10:002011-09-22T13:53:11.416+10:00House still king of the castle: survey

PROPERTY NewsA poll released by PRDnationwide shows a house within 15 kilometres of the CBD is on top of the agenda for house hunters. More than a third of respondents (37 per cent) considered a detached house on a 600sq/m block within the inner 15km-ring of a CBD as the most preferable type of home. The PRDnationwide survey found 33 per cent considered a coastal or regional property the most

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-29680563878804205792011-09-22T13:47:00.002+10:002011-09-22T13:51:23.050+10:00Just sexted ... and feeling dirty

FROM MY CORNER ... with Ann BrunswickYour favourite columnist has become the unwitting victim of a sordid sexting – and I want to tell you how it happened. Well, within reason, seeing this is a family newspaper and there are standards of common decency to maintain. It all began this Monday past, when I was making my way back into Brisbane by CityRail after servicing a client on the northside the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-25051064186789004132011-09-22T13:26:00.003+10:002011-09-22T13:45:44.170+10:00Building a better mousetrap

THEATREReview: Phillip Bate In faithful compliance with the conspiracy of silence entered into by everyone who has seen Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, I have agreed to continue this silence by promising not to reveal any of the secrets relating to its climax, therefore letting people enjoy discovering for themselves ‘whodunnit’. Normally it’s a safe assumption to believe ‘the butler did it’

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-85088214795012695112011-09-22T13:25:00.000+10:002011-09-22T13:26:43.284+10:00Rudd a risky life raft if good ship Gillard sinks

POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallumSo you’ve got a leader who is an almost certain loser on a catastrophic scale and a contender who looks like a probable winner; what do you do? Obviously it’s a no brainer, and if we were talking about any leader but Julia Gillard and any contender but Kevin Rudd – and perhaps any context but the Australian Labor Party – there would be little hesitation. The

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-35471033962993775412011-09-22T13:20:00.003+10:002011-09-22T13:24:45.053+10:00Time to come clean

WINE ... with David BrayThere are cleanskins and cleanskins, or perhaps slightly less cleanskins. We are all looking for good ones. A particular friend, a man who knows his wines and is a very long way from being impoverished, makes major forays into the local cleanskin racks.There is a huge range of barely labelled, carrying minimum legal information, almost anonymous bottles out there. But now

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-33732786955558256162011-09-22T13:05:00.007+10:002011-09-22T13:20:19.192+10:00Top cast gets this classic just White.

FILMS ... with Tim MilfullThe Eye of the Storm (MA15+)Director: Fred SchepisiStars: Geoffrey Rush, Charlotte Rampling, Judy Davis.Rating: 4.5/5114-minutes, now screening Let me assure you that you’ll not be at a disadvantage heading into Fred Schepisi’s film The Eye of the Storm without having reading its inspiration: the novel of the same name by Patrick White. The Nobel Prize winner set

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-82742840805809219412011-09-03T10:07:00.005+10:002011-09-03T10:16:41.475+10:00A decade of service to our city

NEWS By Don Gordon-Brown Ten long years, eh? I’m a decade older, my knees are dodgy from carting bundles of Indies about. The paper’s bank balance is woeful. We owe our printers too much, and I ask myself the question regularly: why bother? Probably the simplest answer is that I’ve done nothing else in a four-decade career in journalism that has made me prouder. I know The Indie is well

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-21135444425462634622011-09-03T10:04:00.002+10:002011-09-03T10:07:05.239+10:00Injecting room call needles pollies, traders

NEWS Politicians at state and local level have strongly rejected the basis of a lead story in last week’s City News that street drug injecting in the Valley precinct had reached such an level that safe injecting rooms were needed. And local traders have reacted in dismay to the thrust of the article, with one who has just spent around $70,000 on a fitout to his new business venture in

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-8234416227063478272011-09-03T10:01:00.002+10:002011-09-03T10:04:21.593+10:00Will free helmets save bike scheme?

NEWS The City Council has rolled out hundreds of free helmets in a bid to get the wobbly CityCycle scheme back on a steady course – and it's one of a handful of initiatives that the councill opposition claims is simply pouring good money after bad. Cr Quirk believes the 400 free helmets now attached to bicycles as part of a three month trial will be made it easier for people to access the

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-90318728544919912162011-09-03T09:58:00.004+10:002011-09-03T10:01:34.240+10:00Bye, bye Barry ... for now

NEWS Barry the Butt ... look, we got to know him so well over many weeks that we gave him a name, okay! – finally disappeared from the dirty Walton’s walkthrough to Valley Metro as our 3 August issue was due to hit the streets. We at The Independent are still not sure who did the right thing and gave the 10-metre stretch of public walkway the much-needed sweepout that claimed Barry – but a

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-38636749467572069072011-09-03T09:56:00.001+10:002011-09-03T09:58:22.375+10:00Anger lingers over child centre axing

NEWS Families in New Farm and surrounding inner-city areas now face an even tougher time finding child care following the announcement by provider C&K it plans to sell its Fortitude Valley centre to property developers. If the sale proceeds, it will mean inner-city families have lost two C&K centres in less than three years with the community-based association providing no convenient nearby

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-19936826298372012262011-09-03T09:49:00.003+10:002011-09-03T09:54:20.876+10:00Heritage listing for Valley historic building

PROPERTY News One of Queensland's first child health clinics, located in the Fortitude Valley, has become the first building of its type to be entered in the Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council (QHC) Deputy Chair Chris Buckley said the Fortitude Valley Child Health Centre was constructed on Alfred Street in 1923 as a baby clinic and maternity and infant nurse training

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-79161246320892030142011-09-03T09:48:00.000+10:002011-09-03T09:49:15.761+10:00Views sought on backflow devices

NEWS City council will hold a series of public meetings to discuss whether backflow devices are needed to help prevent a repeat of January’s damaging floods. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the sessions were being run as part of an investigation into the feasibility of backflow devices in flood-affected areas of Brisbane being undertaken for council by engineering firm Max Winders & Associates.

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-40734725530079193572011-09-03T09:44:00.002+10:002011-09-03T09:47:32.279+10:00Give our Valley a break!

OUR SAY Fortitude Valley is home of a number of organisations that help the homeless, the needy and indeed the afflicted, and there’s nothing wrong in that at all. They are services the precinct should be proud of. But it’s also a vital part of town trying its hardest to develop a strong day-time retail economy to go with its image as a fun destination for music lovers at nights and weekends.

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4081371709470631819.post-35610364474610977822011-09-03T09:42:00.000+10:002011-09-03T09:44:28.775+10:00Not the messiah; she’s just a naughty girl

FEDERAL POLITICS ... with Mungo MacCallum Two weeks of parliamentary recess, and the general view is that the government must be pitifully grateful for the relief. But this is not necessarily the case. Despite Tony Abbott’s assurance that the row over Craig Thomson (for which the Opposition is almost entirely responsible) has paralysed the government, in fact the legislation has been getting

The Independenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17960494000403748877noreply@blogger.com