Latest news with #Wal
Vancouver Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
North Van development proposes towers four times higher than area plan allows
A massive development in the city of North Vancouver would have towers four higher than the area's height restrictions and double the allowable density. If approved by city hall, the project would significantly change the residential community to the east of Lower Lonsdale. The first two phases of Wall Financial Corporation's 'The Trails' project mostly include elevated townhomes, which are in compliance with the community plan for the Moodyville neighbourhood. But Wal has applied to the city to amend those rules for the next stage of its development to more than double the floor-space density and increase the maximum building height from 15 metres to 55 metres. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Melissa McConchie is raising two children in Moodyville, originally a single-family-home neighbourhood perched above Vancouver Harbour that is now the site of several large, multi-unit, mid-rise developmentss. 'It's the construction fatigue,' said McConchie, a member of the Moodyville Community Association. 'We support the need for more housing, but building a highrise in an area that's supposed to be a mid-rise community is not appropriate. 'And we don't have enough infrastructure to support this growth. Local school capacity is severely overstretched.' This is the latest proposal that could majorly transform Metro Vancouver's skyline. Several taller-than-usual skyscrapers have also been proposed in some Vancouver neighbourhoods, including in downtown , False Creek , and the Downtown Eastside . The Trails project would include nine buildings with a total of 926 units. The developer has applied for the smallest to be just 400 square feet (37 square metres) and the largest three-bedroom at 1,120 square feet (104 square metres). Wall's proposal argues the additional height and density would allow for 'a greater variety of open spaces,' as well as increase affordability by constructing more units in taller buildings, up to 17 storeys. It said the project would include a daycare, 62 below-market units, and an expansion of an existing park. On its website , North Vancouver City Hall said the project requires an amendment to the community plan for the height and density changes, and would therefore go through a 'thorough review,' including community feedback, before city council makes a final decision. Communications manager Lyndsey Barton said no one at the city would answer Postmedia's questions while the project is under review and before it is sent to city council. No one from Wall Financial responded to requests for comment. A large, six-storey development is under construction beside McConchie's home, and two 16-storey towers have been proposed for a former TransLink bus depot across the road — both projects that require permission to build in a neighbourhood zoned for only low-rise developments. McConchie raised concerns about the TransLink proposal in February, arguing it violates the city's policy to avoid 'zoning cliffs,' which the city says on its website 'can create inequalities in the community and impact sustainable strategies' by not better blending the transition between low-rise and high-rise buildings. Now The Trails's towers are being proposed three blocks south of her property, and she fears enduring years more of construction and losing more sunshine due to shadows cast by skyscrapers that her neighbourhood is not supposed to have. 'The idea was that we were going to have what they call 'gentle density.' But what we have is a very large change to the neighbourhood,' she said. 'My daughter's a pitcher and she has a net in the backyard … but she just doesn't want to go out there. It's constantly noisy, there's construction, there's dust everywhere.' Other North Shore residents expressed concerns about this project in comments on the website of the North Shore News, which first reported on the application for the height and density amendments. Many of the comments centred on traffic congestion that has become a major headache as the North Vancouver has grown over the past decade, routinely clogging the two bridges and the SeaBus route that link the area to Vancouver. 'One block away from the massive TransLink bus depot proposal on 3rd. Can we slow down a little? It's already difficult enough to get in and out of the area, but, sure, let's jam thousands more residents here,' wrote resident Chris Mizzoni. Others questioned why the towers were so tall and why a development is being proposed that doesn't conform with the city's plan. City hall's website says the developer is to hold public consultations this summer or fall. The city is to hold a public hearing three to six months later. lculbert@
The Age
13-05-2025
- The Age
The must-do highlights of Byron Bay in three days
DAY TWO Morning Begin the day with an al fresco brekky at the buzzing Bayleaf Cafe, which serves everything from poached eggs to Japanese savoury pancakes, before hitting the shops. Byron Bay's alternative and surf culture has led to an eclectic array of stores, from high-street surf shops to boho boutiques Spell, Kivari, Rowie the Label, and Arnhem Clothing. Pick up crystals, candles, pendulums, salt lamps and sun catchers at Soulife Byron Bay, tie-dye apparel from The Rainbow Shop and, of course, cookies from The Byron Bay Cookie Company, which started its life as a stall at the local markets in 1990 (the white choc macadamia nut, and tropical mango and passionfruit are still favourites). Less than 20 minutes' drive north of Byron, the laidback coastal town of Brunswick Heads is an entirely pleasant place to while away the afternoon – once you've found a parking spot, that is. Grab a burger from Old Maids, some sushi or sashimi from Trouble San or fish and chips from Starfish Takeaway, and find a spot on the grass besides Simpsons Creek that runs off the Brunswick River. There's a modern playground for kids to play, and you can hire a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or motorised boat from Brunswick Buccaneers to explore the emerald-green waterway. Wander over the bridge – where local kids can often be seen taking death-defying leaps – and go for a dip at Main Beach, or in the calm waters off Torakina Beach. Afterwards, pop into Hotel Brunswick to enjoy a cold beverage in the beer garden, or try a tropical treat from Wal from Natural Ice-Cream Australia, whose van is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Evening On the way back to town, stop off at The Farm, which aims to educate young and old about where food comes from. Located on a 32-hectare property at Ewingsdale, around 10 minutes' drive north of Byron Bay, The Farm is home to several micro-businesses. Watch the pigs rolling in the mud and crush some macadamia nuts in the orchard before sitting down for dinner on the verandah at the rustic, sustainably focused Three Blue Ducks restaurant. The menu changes with the seasons, but Thursday is generally mussel night, with such delights as mussels with yellow curry sauce, lemongrass and kaffir lime, while on Sundays you can indulge in a roast dinner with pepper-crusted slow-cooked beef brisket, mustard, horseradish, jus and Yorkshire pudding served alongside garlic and rosemary potatoes and vegetables dug fresh from a nearby patch. DAY THREE Morning Today is all about exploring the hinterland, starting in the historic town of Bangalow, a scenic 20-minute drive south-west of Byron Bay. Enjoy breakfast in the courtyard at WOODS café, hidden away in the arts precinct, or at Bangalow Bread Co. or Butcher Baker in the main street, which is lined with art galleries, luxury boutiques and homewares stores. Stock up on such products as locally-grown olives, goat cheese and wild-caught smoked fish at the Bangalow Farmers' Market, held every Saturday morning, or wander amidst the camphor laurel and fig trees at Bangalow Market in the nearby showground on the fourth Sunday of the month. History buffs can follow the self-guided Bangalow Heritage Walk, where plaques featuring old black and white photos reveal the past lives of the town's Federation-style buildings, including a bootmaker shop once owned by the great-grandfather of cricketing legends Steve and Mark Waugh. Afternoon Continue your journey along the winding country roads before settling in for lunch at one of the many acclaimed eateries hidden in the hills beyond Byron Bay. For a classic Aussie pub, you can't go past the beautifully restored Eltham Hotel, which was built in the former railway town in 1902. Alternatively, indulge a long lunch at Mediterranean restaurant The Hut, which is located in an old schoolhouse at Possum Creek, farm-to-table restaurant Frida's Field at Nashua, or the Japanese-inspired Doma Cafe in the sleepy village of Federal. After lunch, make your way to Cape Byron Distillery at McLeod's Shoot for its Brookie's Rainforest and Gin Tasting tour to learn about how the rundown dairy farm was transformed into a sub-tropical paradise bursting with ingredients such as native raspberry, cinnamon myrtle and Davidson plum, which are used to help create the distillery's award-winning tipples. Evening Return to Bangalow for dinner at You Beauty, which was crowned Regional Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 Good Food Guide Awards. True to its name, the venue channels the spirit of a classic Aussie pub — an ethos shared by its owners, who also helm the aforementioned Eltham Hotel and neighbouring Ciao, Mate! pizzeria. But with its timber-clad interiors, high bar stools and intimate ambience, it leans more toward a chic inner-city hotel than a country watering hole. At the helm is sustainable chef Matt Stone, who champions local farmers and producers with a rotating seasonal menu. Expect standout dishes like roo skewers, salted snapper with fried potato, and the unforgettable crocodile toast with sesame seed, all perfectly paired with natural wines.
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rhodes holds nerve to win Joburg Open
Joburg Ladies Open, final leaderboard-14 M Rhodes (Eng); -13 C Alexander (SA); -11 H Briem (Ger); -10 L Walsh (Ire)Selected others: -5 S Byrne (Ire); -4 C Williams (Wal); -3 K Henry (Sco)Full leaderboard England's Mimi Rhodes kept her composure as she won the Joburg Ladies Open in South Africa by one stroke for her second consecutive Ladies European Tour 23-year-old had started the day with a three-shot cushion and made three birdies as she carded a two-under round of 71 to finish top of the leaderboard at 14 Africa's Casandra Alexander made a final-round 69 as she took Rhodes all the way to the final hole of the LET event."The nerves were really getting to me in the last couple of holes. We both hit birdies on 17 and walking down 18, I wanted to make sure I just didn't think ahead," Rhodes told the LET website, external."I just kept my focus out there and the play just went my way so really happy. Casandra did really well and kept the pressure on."Rhodes' victory at the Modderfontein Golf Club in Johannesburg was the LET rookie's second consecutive title after victory in the Women's NSW Open in Australia last month."It's amazing to win in another country and for it to be my second in a row," Rhodes added."It's given me a huge amount of confidence for the rest of the season and my pro career."It's honestly a dream come true - and to be playing so well so early in my career, I'm lost for words. It's just amazing and I can't wait for the rest of the season."
Buzz Feed
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
"A Birthday Cake Is A Luxury?": The Internet Is Getting Heated Over A Viral Walmart Cake, And There's A WHOLE Lot To Unpack
If you're over on CakeTok, chances are you haven't been able to escape the vintage heart cake trend. The intricately piped Victorian-esque layer cakes have certainly taken over my feed, with bakers garnering millions of views on their satisfying decorating videos. From birthdays to engagements to graduations — it seems that lately, if someone wants to celebrate an occasion with cake, it will be heart-shaped. Unfortunately, these cakes aren't cheap. They're usually custom-made by small bakeries or independent bakers, some of whom have achieved such high levels of TikTok fame that their waitlists are neverending. Wisconsin-based baker @savsgotcake often gives her almost two million followers a heads up when she's accepting orders and starts her pricing at $135 for a 6-inch heart cake. Similar ornate-style cakes at New York City bakeries will also run you about $100. Ordering from popular independent bakers usually entails filling out detailed order forms and waiting to hear back, which is why many encourage ordering weeks or months before your event. So you can imagine my shock when I began stumbling across videos of Walmart selling this style of cake for the small price of $25. Videos of Walmart's cakes began circling around January of this year in anticipation of Valentine's Day. Their website lets you customize the 10-inch two-layer heart cakes by choosing the cake flavor (chocolate or white), filling (Bavarian creme or strawberry), and type of frosting (buttercream or whipped). Options in the store might be slightly different, but unfortunately, I don't have access to a Walmart near me to confirm. Walmart's cakes also drew criticism from home bakers, who claimed that the price point of the cakes reflected the quality and even alleged that Walmart is underpaying the bakers who make them, to which the company did not respond. In her video, Wisconsin-based baker and creator MK Drayna commented that we shouldn't be surprised by the price of this cake made by a big corporation. "Yes, of course, the Walmart cakes are cheaper, and yes, of course, the quality is not as high because Walmart's goal is to fill the demand for heart-shaped cakes in the cheapest way possible," she says. She clarifies that the bone she has to pick is with Walmart itself, not the bakers, who she believes are "extremely underpaid" and "should demand more." Although Walmart did not get back to us when asked to comment, baker positions on the company's Indeed page show a salary range of about $17–$30 an hour, depending on the location. Walmart bakers over on TikTok have also anecdotally mentioned getting paid fairly. One baker, @addisoncassel, said that she "gets paid very well" at her store when responding to a commenter under one of her decorating videos. Another viral baker, Nia Moss (@nia2016 on TikTok), also told Today that Walmart pays her more than some other bakeries in her area, "I've actually applied to other bakeries, and they want to pay me like $10 less than what Walmart offers." MK goes on to say that bakers who are selling a high-quality product "shouldn't be worried" and believes that what she charges is worth the quality of her work. For reference, MK's 8-inch heart cakes start at $120. Another video discussing Walmart's dip into the heart cake trend sparked a lot of backlash from a creator known as @birdysbakery on TikTok, whose account has since been made private. In it, she decorates what is presumably a client's cake while defending home bakers' prices. She mentions that she's glad Walmart has an affordable option for people but that "what is actually grinding my gears here are the people in the comments under videos advertising the cake complaining about what home bakers are charging." She called the comments "disrespectful" to bakers who put a lot of "time and effort into their cakes." The home baker then sparked controversy by calling birthday cakes a "luxury, not a need" and proceeded to critique the quality of Walmart's ingredients and "attention to detail." According to her, Walmart cakes use "shortening and artificial flavoring and ingredients" and are "shipped from some warehouse" and "slapped together." Walmart did not respond to the assumptions about how its cakes are made. However, the fact that they use "creme" on their cake customization options rather than "cream" likely implies that they're using some sort of non-dairy product on their cakes. A few comments have also claimed that their cakes are shipped frozen to their bakeries, which we can't confirm or deny. The comments from @birdysbakery opened the floodgates of cake discourse, with hundreds of people enraged at the thought of birthday cakes being considered a "luxury." "Everyone should have a birthday cake period," one person wrote. The confusion over the backlash also came from home bakers, who found the whole thing blown out of proportion. "Grocery stores have always sold cheaper cakes than an independent bakery or a home baker has sold them for," Bri, an independent baker selling her baked goods through Sweet Bri's Bakery, says in her video as she decorates a Dr. Pepper-themed heart cake. "So why are we so upset over the $25 heart cake?" Bri has been running her Texas-based home bakery since 2021, and while she understands why independent bakers have to charge higher prices, she was surprised to see all the videos bashing Walmart's affordable cake. "It doesn't matter if you want a cake, and the cake you can afford comes from a grocery store," she told BuzzFeed. "It's okay if that person wants to go buy that cheaper cake and not go buy a more expensive cake because I get it. It's a strain on the wallet." She added that people shouldn't be shocked that a big box store hopped on this trend. Bri also doesn't view big stores like Walmart as her competition. "I'll never be able to price anything at the same price that they do," she said. Once selling cakes to merely break even on ingredient costs, Bri now has a spreadsheet where she calculates the cost of everything from ingredients to the electricity and gas used during baking to her labor. "It's more than just flour and sugar that goes into pricing," she clarified for those who believe smaller bakers overcharge. Bri told us she often has her oven on for 12 hours a day, and it takes her about four hours to decorate a layer cake. Once the labor is taken into account, she said that her cakes are not even her most profitable item. It's clear that both home bakers and customers are feeling the stress of costs these days. Since independent bakers aren't able to buy in bulk the way companies like Walmart do, they're subject to the same price increases we all are subject to. As Bri puts it, she's buying the same eggs at the same price as everyone else. It's also why many bakers like her understand the need to make these cakes more accessible right now. Even with all the costs that go into her business, Bri still doesn't consider cakes to be a "luxury." "Telling a stranger you don't deserve a cake because you can't afford at least a $100 cake. Like, are you kidding me right now?" Custom bakery owner Abi Caswell, who runs Batter in Louisiana, also addressed the "luxury" comment in her video: "There are luxury cakes, but having a cake for your birthday should not be a luxury." Like Bri, she doesn't have any fears about losing her customer base over Walmart's decision to offer a more affordable option. It has also started a discourse on how we view service work and how we often undervalue the effort it takes. As a former grocery store baker, Bri told us that the job can be exhausting, from the time crunch to customer expectations. "You're stressing out because [the customer is] waiting on you to fix something in like 30 seconds when it literally needs, like, 20 minutes." @addisoncassel / Via But as Nia pointed out, CakeGate has allowed these bakers to showcase the effort and skill that is going on behind the scenes. It's far from the assumption that these cakes are merely "slapped together," even if they are sold by a big corporation. @nia2016 / Via So, what do you think of the Walmart CakeGate? Are home bakers rightfully angry, or was the whole thing blown out of proportion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. BuzzFeed reached out to Walmart for comment but didn't hear back from them at the time this was published. Hungry for more? Download the award-winning Tasty app for iOS and Android for 7,500+ free recipes — from one-pot meals to budget-friendly dinners. BuzzFeed
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Naidoo beats England's Canter in SA Open play-off
South Africa Open final standings -14 D Naidoo (SA), L Canter (Eng) Naidoo wins after first play-off hole -13 M Penge (Eng); -12 D Fichardt (SA), B Grace (SA), C Maas (SA); -11 A Pavan (Ita), D Whitnell (Eng). Selected others: -10 S Jamieson (Sco); -9 S Bairstow (Eng), R Mansell (Eng), -8 T Clements (Eng), N Kimsey (Eng); -7 R Ramsey (Sco), -6 J Donaldson (Wal) Full leaderboard Home favourite Dylan Naidoo claimed a dramatic play-off win over England's Laurie Canter after Sunday's final round at the South African Open was washed out because of rain. The pair shared the lead on 14 under after both round two and three needed to be completed on Saturday, but the continuing inclement weather in Durban meant the fourth round was abandoned and the tournament went straight to a hole-by-hole play-off between them at the 18th. Naidoo, 27, played a delightful pitched second shot which left him with a four-foot birdie putt, while Canter chipped beyond the pin. The Englishman, who won in Bahrain last month, then saw his birdie putt veer beyond the hole, but Naidoo held his nerve to claim a first DP Tour victory. It also secured his place at July's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. "I was relaxed before my chip to the green, but there were nerves ahead of the birdie putt," said Naidoo, the world number 466. "Chipping is part of my DNA, I spend so many hours practising it "This is a special moment in my career. I am overwhelmed by the victory. Winning the South African Open feels like a dream."
