The women who are waiting for Jeff Boucher to come home seem as decent and good as any man might wish. Boucher’s wife, Kirsten, says of him that he is a good husband and good father. She knows that her husband’s age, 52, represents a kind of statistical red flag in the life of many males. And she is able to understand. His daughter Bettina, 17, seems like a dutiful child who is deeply concerned for her dad. And his mother Mary has spoken compassionately about her son and her hope that he has just chosen to seek a little distance from everyday life. And there seems nothing seriously awry. This tall, fine-looking and athletic man would seem to have everything. Many would trade places with him in a flash. But the workings of the middle age mind and inevitable mortality can invade the most secure corners of paradise. There was money ($3,500) found in his filing cabinet at school but there is no reason to think there was the slightest impropriety. It was collected for a student ski trip yet to come and that bond of trust with the kids is fully in place. Indeed it is the perception of such an apparently satisfying life that makes the story of Jeffrey Boucher’a  disappearance so painful.  CBC

The Town Crier online contains a profile of a Lawrence Park couple, Mark and Virginia Wells, who live a refined life as reported by Brian Baker. They are both accomplished violinists and proprietors of the landmark Briton House Retirement Centre on Mt. Pleasant Road at Soudan Ave. They live in the beautiful neighborhood south of Blythwood Rd. where, Mr Baker reports, they are socially much in demand. Brian Baker MyTown Crier 

It’s been announced that Nortstrom Inc will take the large north-end premises now being vacated by Sears at the Toronto Eaton Centre. This store was the original home of Eaton’s from the time TEC was built to the company’s bankruptcy in the late 1990s. Construction will begin on the new three-floor Nordstrom store in March. Seattle-based Nordstrom had already acquired several department store spaces vacated by Sears. Cadillac Fairview manages the Toronto Eaton Centre as well as prominent malls in Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa that will have Nordstrom stores. This announcement was perhaps the most poorly-held secret in retailing since Sears said it was leaving downtown Toronto earlier this year. Many concluded then that the deal had already been done. “Our properties were the first to welcome Nordstrom to Canada, and we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Nordstrom,” said John Sullivan, Cadillac Fairview’s president and chief executive.

The comments are frequently the most interesting part of a story. Here some people who read the 680 News site say what they think of a cable car to the Brick Works. First fellow, Peter, dreams it will be free. How charming. We like Frances comment to the effect that cable cars should go somewhere.