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Ol' Sleuth hates to say 'I told ya so', but didn't he predict a major concert announcement involving a certain 'Rocket Man' would be made this week?

Sure enough, Sir Elton John will indeed grace the stage at the Moncton Coliseum on Sept. 28. Of course, if you are reading this news for the first time, it's probably already too late to get tickets to the big show.

Tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. this morning and Sleuth's inside sources say if you aren't "in the queue" to purchase tickets online within the first 30 seconds or so, you might as well be blowing like a candle in the wind.

The demand for Elton tickets is expected to be so high that city officials feel the show will be sold out in less than 30 minutes. And in case you are reading this early Saturday morning, online is definitely your best bet to grab two or four of the prized tickets.

Calling the ticket hotline is your second-best bet and you can pretty much forget about lining up at the Coliseum to get tickets. Sleuth hears unless you are in the first 10 or 15 people in line, you might just be singing . . . "I'm still standing . . ."

Good luck!

***

Federal Liberal Leader Stephane Dion blew into town in a carbon-free vehicle last week. Well, we're not sure but we assume he wasn't blowing any extra tax out of his exhaust.

After an interview at the ol' T&T, Dion and local MPs Brian Murphy and Dominic LeBlanc were next to the Transcript building on Bonaccord Street when they were spotted by a woman crossing the street.

"Oh my goodness, isn't it wonderful to meet Brian Murphy and George LeBlanc at the same time," she gushed.

Um, this isn't Moncton's new mayor, Smilin' Brian politely corrected her. "It's our federal Liberal leader, Stephane Dion."

The woman looked puzzled for a moment, said 'Oh', and moved on.

Perhaps Dion should take that as a sign of his popularity now that he has donned the armour of 'Carbon Tax Man'.

Meanwhile, Dion received a much better reception Wednesday night at an ultra-private soiree hosted by Dandy Dominic at his grand digs in Grande Digue.

Sleuth hears the place was hopping with a who's-who guest list that included several area business and political bigwigs. These guys have deep pockets, or at least it looked that way from Sleuth's hiding place in Dom's lovely hedge.

Those attending the party ponied up $1,000 each toward Dion's election campaign debt. With about 80 people showing up, that's a cool $80,000 evening.

***

News that Hudson's Bay Co. has been sold to a U.S. firm that runs the classy Lord & Taylor department store chain must have rattled a few dishes at The Bay store in Moncton.

The local outlet must be hanging on for dear life with the lack of support from Highfield Square. Now that a new owner is riding into town, Sleuth has to wonder how much longer they will put up with the revenue generated by the Moncton outlet.

***

The Moncton contingent to the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships in Bydgozcz, Poland is back in town, filled up with good Polish sausages and information on how to host the major event.

The local delegation, which included city officials, reps from Athletics Canada and members of the local organizing committee, wanted to see first-hand how an event with more than 130 countries went off.

Sleuth's sources say they were impressed by the Polish organization and hospitality. This old gumshoe also hears that we can expect an announcement within a week on who will be the chairman of the 2010 Moncton Games.

If the whispers planted in Sleuth's eager ears are correct, expect the lead person for the Games to be a very well-respected local businessman who is known for both his community involvement and for knowing how to get things done.

***

After what seems like an eternity, Metro should also finally get all the inside dope this week on what's going to take shape at the corner of Mapleton Road and Wheeler Boulevard.

The land has been cleared for development since last year and Sleuth was starting to get questions on whether anything was going to be built on the prime corner land. Fear not, Metro shoppers!

Sleuth hears the next phase of retail development will include some stores that have not yet appeared anywhere in New Brunswick. Expect a mix of fashion, home and electronics, service outlets and restaurants.

And sticking with the hot Mapleton corridor for just a second, Sleuth also hears the long-established Day & Ross terminal at the corner of Mapleton and the Trans-Canada Highway may soon be on the move.

Sources say the trucking firm has its eye on land in the Caledonia Industrial Park for a new home. Of course, the trucking folks also know their property is now among the most sought-after in the entire city as Mapleton is widened and becomes a key retail corridor for the entire region.

So, what's planned for that corner? Another hotel? A factory outlet village? . . .

***

Now that the exact location of Moncton's new $90 million casino has been revealed, expect to see some hot real estate action near the southwest corner of Mountain Road and the Trans-Canada Highway.

The casino is actually tucked in off Mountain Road, between the Sunshine Estates subdivision and the Petro-Canada gas station. There's still a large hunk of land available between the casino and the TCH.

Sleuth would love to know who owns that property. Speaking of a casino, anyone want to place bets before that prime property gets scooped up by someone with plans for another hotel or retail space?

Meanwhile, Sleuth's phone is starting to ring with parents just a bit concerned with the proximity of the casino to the new north-end school on Ryan Road.

The gambling spot will be just a good soccer kick from the school. Let's see, just imagine the school's curriculum now . . . OK class, after recess, we will begin our lesson on blackjack dealing followed by some high-stakes poker!

* Have you heard the latest gossip? Send your information to sleuth@timestranscript.com or fax it to (506) 859-4904.