Thank-you for your participation in the Scott Tournament of Hearts Window Display Contest. The response to this initiative was tremendous and there was an outstanding effort put forth by all who participated.

Scott officials had a difficult time choosing a winner from all the incredible entries. As a result the judges decided to offer runner-up and consolation prizes to reward all of the hard work.

The following are the winners as chosen by Scott Judges:

1st Prize - 3 ticket packages

Awarded to: The Downhomer

The Grand Opener – All five draws on opening weekend, including the Ford Hot Shots Skill Competition, and opening ceremonies.

The Early Riser - Take in the morning and afternoon draws on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A total of 6 draws.

The Night Owl – Experience all the fun of the afternoon and evening draws on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A total of 6 draws.

Runners-Up - The Night Owl Ticket Package

Awarded to: Contemporary Florist and Vogue Optical

The Night Owl – Experience all the fun of the afternoon and evening draws on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A total of 6 draws.

Consolation Prize - The Early Riser Ticket Package

Awarded to: Melendy’s and Woof Designs

The Early Riser - Take in the morning and afternoon draws on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A total of 6 draws.

Thank you all for your great cooperation and competitive spirit. Enjoy you prizes.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is issuing a caution to area business, investigators with the Economic Crime Unit have recently received a number of complaints regarding credit card fraud.

It appears that there is a fairly wide spread problem, where individuals after coming into receipt of credit card numbers have been placing fraudulent orders with local business establishments. Goods purchased range from fast food delivery orders, to high ticket items such as furniture, and building supplies.

Investigators have learned that the contract under which many credit card companies accept charges is dependant on the retailer having been presented with the credit card. That in instances where a telephone order is taken, which is later determined to be fraudulent, there is no obligation on the credit card company to reimburse the retailer. Unfortunately a number of local business= have been defrauded in this manner.

The RNC is recommending retailers review their practice of accepting credit card orders without being presented with the card. Those who choose to continue to do so are advised that they are providing thieves with an opportunity to steal from them.

Further to this the police is once again reminding credit card holders to check credit card statements immediately after receiving them to determine if all charges are legitimate. Credit card fraud is not dependant on the thief having the card itself, in many instances it is the number which is compromised. To reduce the opportunity available for thieves to access credit card numbers it is recommended that all financial documents be shredded before being discarded.

The latest edition of the Downtown Welcome Signs is now available. The new signs feature artwork by local artist Sylvia Benzsa entitled " Floating Free of the Cove". The signs are currently being distributed within the BIA and cover all events and conventions from February to June 2005.

The Welcome Sign program is coordianted by the City of St. John's and the Downtown Development Commission. The City of St. John's and the DDC supports the incredible talent of our local artists.

For more information on the program please contact the DDC at 709 579 4139 or the City of St. John's at 709 576 8538.

Downtown business owners are getting ready to “party hearty” as the City’s oldest district becomes center stage for The Scott Tournament of Hearts February 19th –27th. . Attracting numerous visitors from across the country and around the world, the event is expected to contribute significantly to the business community in the capital City with approximately $ 1 million per day injected in to the local economy for the duration of the tournament

With all the curling and social events taking place at Mile One Stadium and the adjacent Convention Centre, Downtown stands poised to capitalize on this economic boost. Downtown hotels, restaurants, bars, retailers, taxis, caterers, entertainers etc. are expected to see plenty of activity over these nine days in February.

To show support for this major event, The Scott Tournament of Hearts organizing committee and the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) have invited Downtown business owners to participate in a window display contest. Gaylynne Lambert, DDC Marketing and Special Events Coordinator, says that “ the idea behind the contest is to welcome tournament players, fans, officials, staff as well as family and friends to the City and to Downtown”.

Downtown retailers were encouraged to extend their Valentine’s Day window displays and incorporate The Scott Tournament of Hearts into their themes. Ms. Lambert says that, “The timing was great! The tournament logo has hearts in it which coincides perfectly with Valentines Day”

Response to the contest has been good with over twenty retailers participating. Judging for the contest will be conducted by Scott Tournament organizers and will take place on February 17th. The winner will receive free event tickets and will be featured on the ‘News Page’ of the DDC website.

The public is invited to come Downtown and view these store windows which will be on display until the end of the tournament.

Valentine's Day means love, affection and – for retailers, at least – a boost during the slow post-Christmas season.

"We are sold out. We've been sold out now for about a week and a half now," says Jason Hickey, who manages Blue, a restaurant on Water Street in St. John's.

Many people who do not eat out often will make an exception on Valentine's Day, Hickey says.

"I guess where Valentines Day falls on a Monday this year, we're booked up Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday," he says.

On Saturday, under warm, blue skies, shoppers flocked to shops in downtown St. John's, looking for the perfect gift for a loved one.

At Coffee & Company, high-end Godiva chocolates were flying off the shelves.

"Chocolates mean love, maybe, and they're kind of sexy, you know," says the shop's Emily Bridger.

Robert Mills picked up a couple of boxes of chocolates for the women in his life.

"I got one for my wife, one for my mother – I'm all set," Mills says.

Gail French of Contemporary Florists says while the last few days have been busy, most men wait until the last minute before buying flowers.

French says Valentine's Day is crucial for staying in business.

"It just gets us over the hump of winter," she says.

"It really gives us a little boost to get us through to the spring of the year."

CBC Radio, Monday, February 14, 2005

Motorists are advised that snow removal and/or street widening operations are in effect tonight. Beginning at 1:00 am and continuing until 7:00 am, Tuesday, February 2, 2005 snow will be removed or plowed on the following 7 streets.

1. Duckworth Street
2. New Gower Street
3. Pilot's Hill
4. Holloway Street (Between Duckworth Street and Gower Street)
5. Bulger's Lane
6. Hanley Place
7. Gill Place

All vehicles must be removed from the streets noted during this time period. Any vehicles impeding the operation will be removed and impounded at the owner's expense. The impounding fee is $109.25 plus $3.00 for each day the vehicle is held in storage.