PERTH thrift shops are getting creative to attract new shoppers and keep up with mainstream retailers. Staff at Vinnies’ retro stores—in Northbridge and Fremantle—are buying in second-hand stock such as scarves from Italy to add to their in-store collections of used and donated items. WA Vinnies society spokesperson Carl Prowse says a shortage of ”quality”…

BAYSWATER train station is unlikely to get a substantial upgrade as part of the $2 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link because the local council failed to get its act together, says WA transport minister Dean Nalder. The minister criticised Bayswater council for failing to develop a town centre vision in time for its ideas to be considered.…

AFTER riding his bike 4000km to Melbourne for charity, Warren Hepworth returned to Perth — only to have it stolen. There are fears thefts are organised, with speciality bikes stolen across Perth being sent east for sale. Nicked from Carr Street in West Perth a few months after arriving home, Mr Hepworth’s steel frame “Specialized…

PERTH’S strangest, rarest and most beautiful buildings will be opened to the public this weekend for the third Open House Perth. The project was a massive hit in its first two years, with many tours packed out and nearly 50,000 visits across the 56 locations in the first year. Lisa and Clem Tay are opening…

BAYSWATER council is again discussing the possible sale of its Mertome retirement village. New mayor Barry McKenna says with four new councillors — one-third of the council — it’s important to revisit the issue. Mertome needs revamping and the council’s choices are essentially to stump up $170 million for a proper facelift, do something cheaper,…

ANY ideas for what to call the 12 unnamed laneways running off Beaufort Street? The Beaufort Street Network and Vincent city council are looking to name them to help build a bit more identity around the area as part of their “placemaking” projects, and it’s a globally recognised technique for creating a sense of place.…

IT’S happened again: blockheads have busted the giant Scrabble-like sculpture at Ellesmere Reserve in North Perth. It’s the third time the artwork imag_ne by Emma Anna has been vandalised since its installation a few years back. Sturdily reinforced since the last bout of idiocy, a hammer or something similar was taken to it on October…

LOVE being charitable in November but can’t grow a moustache? The friends of Perth writer and artist Kate-Anna St Valentine are continuing the tradition she started with “Meowvember” to raise money for the animal shelter charity SAFE (who don’t just do cats: They’ll even keep guinea pigs safe). Ms St Valentine had cancer and died…

AT her first meeting back in the seat as lord mayor an unfazed Lisa Scaffidi swatted aside a barrage of questions, including whether an alternative should step into her seat while the WA local government department continues to investigate the CCC’s findings of “serious misconduct” against her. Ms Scaffidi has hunkered down and maintained media…

IF our recent reports on Hyde Park’s troubled turtle population got you wanting to do more for the scaley pond puppies, Western Sydney uni scientists are asking for your help to keep them safe. November is turtle month and it’s a dangerous time for the shelled shufflers because they leave the safety of the water…