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Over recent months we have been amused and edified by literary quotations on the A-board of Broughton Street's Villeneuve Wines.

Staff have selflessly distilled the reading of a dozen lifetimes to share concise wit and wisdom from across the ages on the subject of alcohol. Admittedly, the words they've chosen have all been unquestioningly positive about the qualities and associations of booze, but many of us these days welcome a little optimism in the face of so much unremitting negativity concerning all things pleasurable.

A man was robbed at knifepoint this morning close to the Warriston entrance of St Mark's Park.

The 42-year old was walking at around 7.30am when two men approached him – one on a red Vespa scooter and the other on foot. The latter produced a knife and both demanded he hand over his valuables.

The victim fled after offering up his mobile phone.

It's being dismantled now, but while it lasted the Big Wheel in Princes Street Gardens afforded spectacular and unusual views over the city.

We have no idea what goes on in the private, top-floor fortalice above Jenners (right), but would quite like it as a personal, city-centre pied-à-ciel of our own.

Police are concerned for the safety of Sanjay Dhital, a 23-year-old Nepalese student at Telford College.

He disappeared from his Elm Row flat on 26 December and has not been heard of since by family or friends.

This behaviour is said to be 'extremely out of character'.

He is described as 5’ 6” tall, of slim build with unkempt black hair and a stubbly complexion. He may now have some facial hair or a beard. 

In Issue 214, published yesterday, we drew attention to a wonderful picture of Greenside and Broughton by the Scottish photographer George Washington Wilson (right): 'Edinburgh from the Calton Hill Looking to Granton'.

Many rarely seen glimpses of north Edinburgh can be picked out in the zoomable image, and we hope fresh interest in the artist may trigger a revival of ginger sideburns in the city.

Unfortunately, some readers are encountering problems with the printed hyperlink to Aberdeen University's online copy of the plate.

The temporary traffic lights installed at the junction of Broughton and Albany Streets are to be removed on Friday. In their stead will be the former layout, comprising a standard give-way junction at Albany Street and all movements available on Broughton Street.

Planning consent is sought to convert a basement suite of 4 offices into a 2-bedroom dwelling at 12 Cumberland Street North East Lane (Ref. 12/04564/FUL). 

The proposals, drawn up by Leith Walk-based architects Smith Scott Mullen Associates, are described with admirable understatement as requiring 'some internal renovation with the removal of a number of walls to create a contemporary open plan interior'.

Happy 2013! The first issue of the year is now hurtling off the presses like a speeding cork shot from the bore of a champagne bottle smack into the gaping hyperlocal Nostril of Curiosity.

This month's Spurtle carries news of tough questions for a local business, furious locals and a vast plouk, dangerous improvements, welcome downgrades, an unwelcome squeeze and an overgrown triangle.

Residents in Hillside Crescent at the eastern junction with London Road have appealed directly to black cabs, private hire cars, coaches and other commercial vehicles to stop laying up at all hours of the day and especially through the night.

Residents contacted the cab companies through the dedicated police Cab Inspector to remind them of their social and environmental responsibilities (these are often listed on the companies' own websites), and that designated laying-up areas for taxis and other commercial vehicles are available nearby.

Planning consent has been granted for the erection of two new mews flats in the gardens of Nos 60 and 62 Great King Street (Ref. 12/03869/FUL). The properties will be accessed from S.W. Cumberland Street Lane.