Continued from last week: More crap on the road out of 2011:

7) Extra Foods employees are entering their fourth year on strike, in what has to be a record for endurance. One wonders if the company hasn't just forgotten all about them like those Japanese soldiers from the Second World War who were discovered years later, hiding in the bushes.

8) The municipality finally bought and razed those dilapidated houses between the two malls more than 20 years after a study recommended same. It'll probably be another 20 before we see any construction; so in the meantime, wouldn't it be a good idea to fence the whole area off and put some cattle in there. I find the sight of livestock out in a pasture kind of soothing and it would certainly keep the farmland preservation folks happy for a while.

9) Community Living BC, formerly part of the Ministry of Children and Families, Christy Clark's old portfolio, announced that they would end funding to the local recycling society, putting my son and several others out of work; one of the dumbest political moves that I've ever seen. After a great deal of backlash, CLBC granted a one-year extension - during which time they will talk and talk and talk and then try to make the cuts again.

10) TransLink announced that they are carrying about $4 million in unpaid bills owed by people using the new Golden Ears Bridge. This money ends up being tacked on to the motorists' ICBC bill when they renew their insurance once a year with a monthly two per cent interest added, something motorists are apparently willing to do. It's like shopping at any of several of the big furniture and appliance stores where you buy now and don't pay for a year. Maybe they should have called it the Golden Sears Bridge.

11) Can you get a flak jacket on under that bikini? Five Canadians were killed in Mexico last year while on vacation, 10 in the last six years. Now the guy didn't say whether these folks were all victims of crime or accidents, but it seems to me potential tourists to that country might be experiencing a bit of a chill. Already this year two people from this province have been killed down there. The Mexicans and persons of my acquaintance who like Mexico for the sand and surf and cheap accommodation don't hesitate to tell me that you're more likely to be struck by lightning than killed on vacation, which means that Mexican golfer Lee Trevino who was struck on the golf course some years ago can rest easy when he's back home. Me, I'll stay put and take my chances with the local banditos.

12) On the other hand, er, paw, if you're a bear, you'd be well advised to steer clear of this community where nine bears were killed in 2011 and 500 others were the objects of complaints by residents who in most cases don't dispose of their garbage properly or leave food out after the Sunday barbecue or have apple trees and berry bushes in the backyard. Apparently not all of us have fond memories of Yogi, Boo-Boo, and Winnie the Poo.

13) She's still there and she's still bare: I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my old friend Linda Meyer who's still hanging out at the local pool and holding court in the steam room on any number if issues. Gravity has taken its toll on the twins but Linda is still as feisty and confrontational as ever and I have to give her points for, well, hanging in there!

14) Both the Stanley Cup and the Grey Cup made an appearance in Maple Ridge last year with Cam Neely and BC Lions' coach Travis Moore respectively.

If anyone else but home boy Neely had showed up with the trophy there could have been another riot.

t3atyler@shaw.ca