| MCP: CONVERGENCE
It's far from a new argument, but its current relevence makes it worth noting, as does the fact that Hocking's argument is largely well-written and reasoned. What fascinates me about Hocking's observations is that any touted convergence by either the film or game industry originates in marketing, promotion, and sales, rather than in any of the creative endeavors. Narrative games and narrative films will always share a surface comparison, because storytelling, no matter the form, enters the same part of the audience's brain; but I agree with Hocking that it's worth remembering the disparate foundations on which the stories are built. Check out Hocking's article and forgive him for the gradually developed martyr complex; he's got a couple of worthy ideas. Discuss this sucker on our MESSAGE BOARDS.
Fire In Shop Causes Shopping Mall Evacuation
Hundreds of people were evacuated from Milford shopping mall on the North Shore after a fire broke out in the $2 Shop. Twelve fire engines were called around 3.30pm from across the region, along with police and ambulance, for what was feared to be a major incident. Paul Turner, deputy chief fire officer, confirmed the fire started in the store room of the $2 Shop. "The whole mall was smoke-logged which hampered operations," he said. However the blaze was controlled quickly, aided by the sprinkler system in the shop, Turner added. Traffic is now gridlocked all round the Milford area and the backlog is affecting rush hour traffic over the Harbour Bridge. One person has been taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and another elderly woman was treated at the scene for the effects of breathing smoke.
Showdown ahead for Slidell outlet mall
When it opened in 1989, Slidell Factory Outlets touted a concept unique to the region: numerous stores offering brand-name clothing and goods at factory prices. The venture was an immediate success, drawing shoppers not only from St. Tammany Parish but from across the metro area and other states. But the one-time regional shopping destination and economic blessing for Slidell and St. Tammany has fallen on the hardest of times. Although in a state of decline for several years before Hurricane Katrina flooded the property with 5 feet of storm surge, the catastrophe chased off the site's few tenants, leaving only a handful of commercial condominium owners to rebuild. Today, more than a year-and-a-half after Katrina, the shopping center complex that once attracted thousands of bargain-hungry shoppers each weekend, sits forlorn at Interstate 10 and Old Spanish Trail, a blighted eyesore with an uncertain future.
Big changes in store for Northumberland Mall; Plan will bring new ...
New retail life is being breathed into Cobourg's Northumberland Mall. With it come 150 new full- and part-time jobs. The present anchor grocery store, A&P, is expanding by 5,500 square feet.
National big box sporting goods retailer SportChek is checking into the mall by year's end in what is currently the food court.
Stitches is setting up near the east end entrance to meet the growing teen market.
Upgrades are underway at Bell World and Something About Her, while St. Cinnamon's is expanding with a new concept and greater food choices.
The changes are Phase 1, with more to come. Within a "few months," more announcements will be made, High Peak Leasehold Limited president Luc Corneli promised those gathered in centre court of the mall Tuesday.
Authorities searching for engineer after out-of-control train ...
TRAIL, B.C. (CP) - Authorities searched for a train engineer Tuesday, hoping the man managed to jump off an out-of-control locomotive along with two colleagues after the train charged over a trestle, missed a sharp curve and crashed down an embankment. A spokesman for Canadian Pacific Railway said investigators are uncertain whether the engineer stayed with the locomotives or tried to escape. "Our thoughts are very much with his family at this point and his colleagues who were with him," said Mark Seland. The other two crew members were treated in hospital and are OK. At the Coffee Coop Tuesday morning, David Palmer worried about the people involved in the wreck. "It's upsetting," he said. "You worry because I know everybody in Trail.
Seasons of fun: April - October
Bluegrass Returns to its Roots Festival, Owensboro, Executive Inn Rivermont, One Executive Blvd. Bluegrass jam sessions around the clock in the hotel's tower section, plus a trade show. Battle of the bands (7 p.m. Thursday). Performers include J.D. Crowe and The New South, The Isaacs, Michael Cleveland and Steep Canyon Rangers. (800) 626-1936. April 14-15 .
• Cleveland to celebrate its cameo in 'Spider-Man 3'
Clevelanders can celebrate the city's role in the filming of "Spider-Man 3" with special events planned for the summer block buster's opening in May. There will be free screenings at the new Cinemark Strongsville Theater and at Tower City Cinemas, but only for contest win ners and invitees. No tickets have been set aside for the hundreds of extras who worked on the movie, which filmed action scenes on Euclid Avenue last year. Organizers said it would be difficult to accommodate so many people. Promotional preview screenings will be Thursday, May 3, as part of the new Cinemark Strongsville Theater's opening at Westfield SouthPark shopping center, said Dan Thompson, marketing coordinator for Cinemark Theaters. The 14-screen theater is part of a $60 million expan sion and renovation at SouthPark.
State, producers divided on gas line economics
The trend in the pipeline industry today, Scott said, is for pipeline companies to assume more financial responsibility for the projects. "At the end of the day, independent pipeline companies are fully capable of handling the non-completion risk associated with the project," Scott told the Senate Judiciary Committee. The producers disputed this, too. Daren Beaudo, spokesman for BP, said there may be cases of pipeline companies sharing risks with shippers in the Lower 48. However, the sheer scale of the Alaska gas pipeline, which is several times the size of any pipeline built or being built elsewhere in North America, makes it doubtful any of the major pipeline companies could handle a cost overrun of any size. King, of ConocoPhillips, and Van Tuyl, of BP, also disputed Scott's argument that project financing would lessen the financial effects of the long-term commitments on the producing companies.
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