News for Youse: Save On Meats renos, Victoria’s Secret opening, and the NDP takes on the Senate

Save On Meats closing for renovations  Save On Meats will be temporarily closing its doors. The historic Downtown Eastside diner announced yesterday (August 26) that the closure is for renovations and will happen on September 2. You can read more about this story here.

Victoria’s Secret opening downtown  Vancouver’s first Victoria’s Secret shop is scheduled to open its doors today (August 27) at 10 a.m. The U.S. lingerie retailer is taking over the 35,000 square-foot HMV location at the corner of Burrard and Robson streets. Victoria’s Secret “Angel” Lindsay Ellingson will be on hand for the opening.

Free entry to the PNE today  There’s free admission for the Pacific National Exhibition today. “As a thank you to those affected by Saturday’s power failure, all guests who arrive by 1pm on Tuesday, August 27 will receive FREE Gate admission!” reads a message posted on the PNE’s website.

Environmentalists share tanker concerns  Activists have said they are not surprised by B.C. Ministry of Environment internal memos warning that the province is poorly equipped to deal with oil spills. You can read more about this story here.

Policing investigating two escort deaths A second online-based sex worker was found dead yesterday in an apartment complex in New Westminster. Police have said that Jill Lyons, 45, and Karen Nabors, 48, knew each other and suspect foul play in the women’s deaths.

Vancouver Island gold mine opposed  The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation has expressed frustration that plans for a gold mine proposed for Clayoquot Sound are moving forward. In a media release, the band claims it has not been adequately consulted on the project, which is owned by Vancouver-based Selkirk Metals.

NDP vows to end the Senate Yesterday, federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair announced he’s on a mission to abolish Canada’s senate. “We're here to mark the beginning of the end of a discredited, outdated and undemocratic institution,” Mulcair said at the inauguration of a cross-country tour.

Mac Harb resigns from Senate  Liberal senator Mac Harb is the latest career casualty in the ongoing senate spending scandal. Harb announced yesterday that he is leaving politics and will repay $180,000. He had already returned more than $51,000 owed for questionable expense claims. Harb will retire with a full parliamentary pension.

NHL players speak on anti-gay laws  Several NHL players, including Team Canada star Sidney Crosby, have joined the many international voices that have spoken out against Russia's homophobic legislation. You can read more about this story here.

Western nations move to attack Syria  The United States and United Kingdom are expected to launch military strikes on Syria “within days”, al Jazeera English reports. Western governments intensified rhetoric about an attack against the regime of president Bashir al-Assad after a suspected chemical weapons attack on a Damascus suburb killed hundreds of innocent civilians.

Doggy food truck for Vancouver  Real Housewives of Vancouver star Mary Zilba has announced she is launching Vancouver’s first food truck for dogs. With the help of her pet, George, the former pop singer and mother of three teenage boys will work her reality star magic on the SO GOOD! Doggie Café.