Nanaimo record store zine, rightly urging shoppers toward downtown. Nanaimo, as new resident Elvis Costello (engaged to homegirl Diana Krall, and spotted in the great "Fascinatin' Rhythm" record shop) would be the first to tell you, is a book and record shopping paradise. Yesterday in this store I scored the Capitol Masters Merle Haggard, and wistfully gazed at the new Lyrics Born 12". The day before Bob got me "The Encyclopedia of Literary Theory" (well marked up, but...) for 50 cents.: "Can you imagine a day when the Woodgrove food court is desolate, the sweet and sour pork congealed and and orange julius unwhipped, meantime people are sunning themselves on the waterfront enjoying an ice cream or sitting with their dog sipping a latte at bocca. It remains a dream because here in Nanaimo the urban sprawl continues northward, last time I motored through 'Waples' I saw that many chain restaraunts were making new homes in the Woodgrove pit.

The constant and consistent growth leads me to believe that business is booming up there, while grapes wilt on the vine in the sun soaked south. We are watching the face of our city being scarred irreversably by folks looking for the 'best deal' or shortest walk from SUV to store. "