No truth to the rumours that Mayfair Shopping Centre -- or Victoria for that matter -- is getting a Banana Republic outlet any time soon. Mayfair said last week it is not getting one of the popular clothing stores owned by Gap Inc., also parent company of Old Navy stores. Gap Inc. said it does not comment on new store openings before they happen. As for a Banana Republic possibly opening in the new Uptown development in Saanich, developer Morguard Investments isn't making any announcements on new tenants other than its main anchors until later in the new year.

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The Land Conservancy has hired a financial and organizational heavyweight to look after and build its bottom line. Lorelle Posten, a chartered accountant with senior management roles in business, education, government and non-profits in North America and Britain, was named chief financial officer this week. She has a masters degree from the London School of Economics and has worked for the International Institute for Child Rights and Development, Exploratorium in San Francisco, the San Francisco Council on Homelessness, University of British Columbia and Auditor General of Canada. Victoria-based TLC has 7,000 members and has protected more than 300 properties and 125,000 acres since 1997.

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DigitalPractices Media Inc., a Victoria company founded last year by Garth Buchholz, has inked a deal with the federal government to provide web and e-marketing services for the Public Health Agency of Canada. It's a three-year contract, with an option for another two years. Buchholz's firm does strategic web and social media services in both French and English. This coming year, DigitalPractices will be partnering with Winnipeg-based Cafesonique.com to create 3D web projects for international clients using Cafesonique's unique technology.

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Former Vancouver Sun reporter Jan O'Brien, currently an advocate in the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union, has been appointed provincial secretary for the provincial NDP and will begin the job early in the new year. O'Brien is succeeding Laura Nichols who has held the post since 2006. A director at Van City credit union, O'Brien is married to high-profile Vancouver city councillor Geoff Meggs.

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Coast Capital gave five United Way programs across British Columbia a surprise Christmas gift yesterday -- the $2.2 million that the credit union had left over from an overdraft class-action lawsuit settlement fund. The Greater Victoria United Way campaign's windfall was $674,000. "What a fantastic surprise," said Maureen Duncan of the local United Way. Campaigns in the Cowichan Valley and Central and North Vancouver Island also shared in the donation, which was split up based on memberships in the five markets.

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Colwood Mayor Dave Saunders and Cameron Muir, chief economist for the B.C. Real Estate Association, are among the featured gazers at the Canadian Homebuilders Association's annual Crystal Ball Session on Jan. 13. The panel for the 2010 Greater Victoria housing forecast also includes Randi Masters, incoming president of the Victoria Real Estate Board, and Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. executive Lee King and senior market analyst Travis Archibald. The reception and dinner event is being held at the Royal Colwood Golf Club, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Call 250-383-5044 or e-mail info@chbavictoria.com

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The Victoria Cool Aid Society is urging the public to make donations of used warm and waterproof coats at any Mark's Work Wearhouse store through to Dec. 24. The bonus here is that Mark's will give you 20 per cent on a new coat. For more information visit www.CoolAid.org or call 250-383-1977.

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Kool FM hopes to fill another five-tonne truck for local food banks this Christmas. The radio station has filled two of the big trucks and raised more than $20,000 in cash since it started the drive two years ago for the Mustard Seed, Westshore Christmas Hamper Fund, Sidney Lions Food Bank and Sooke Food Bank. KOOL FM will broadcast live from Thrifty Foods at Admirals Walk all week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and are encouraging shoppers to drop by with non-perishable items to fill the truck.

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The 49th Parallel Grocery in Ladysmith has donated $11,675 to the B.C. Cancer Agency's Inspire the World campaign to raise funds for equipment and research at the Vancouver Island Cancer Centre. Grocery owner Peter Richmond said the funds were generated from a portion of the sale of selected advertised items during October and November.

dkloster@tc.canwest.com