Jan. 10: a cop in Kelowna rang in the new year in a fight with a Hells Angels’ member and a government vehicle was struck by a drunk driver.
Feb. 21: LCLB got headsup that the government would try to privatize the Liquor Distribution Branch’s warehousing and distribution.
March 6: A promoter was giving away beer in Vancouver streets, called Beer in a Bag. (Hey, why didn’t anybody tell me about this?)
April 6: Cash used by undercover teens in the Minors as Agents Program was going missing and LCLB was seeking a “petty cash alternative following problems with the issuance and tracing of petty cash for minor agent purchases.”
May 15: LCLB ordered 60 coffee mugs, ostensibly for coffee (not “special” coffee) and an application for a 500-person beer garden at the Vancouver Festival of Lights (Celebration of Light fireworks) was denied.
July 10: a ubrew/uvin was selling 40% alcohol and testing found it was actually 43.2%.
Aug. 21: increased gang activity was noted in Gastown, a possible spillover from the Granville Mall (aka entertainment district) and LCLB investigators were granted access to the Canadian Police Information Centre database.
Sept. 4: Three of seven private liquor stores in North Vancouver contravened liquor laws according to the undercover teens from the MAP program who tried to buy booze.
Nov. 13: gang activity was noted in the Okanagan.
News and views on Vancouver 2010 (and beyond) from Bob Mackin.