Angel >> Local hero Marc Bardier, world champion oyster shucker Last January, the Mirror announced that Bardier would attempt to get his name in the Guinness Book of World Records for shucking oysters behind his back. Then, on February 10, 1998 at Maestro SVP on St-Laurent, Bardier succeeded in shucking 398 oysters clean out of their shell, all in exactly one hour--a rate of one oyster per nine seconds. But the Guinness people are meticulous and bureaucratic, and fact-checking these things takes time. Last week, Bardier finally got the congratulatory phone call: his name will be entered in the 1998 edition. Way to go, Marc. All Montrealers should have themselves an oyster shooter in your honour.

Insect >> Provincial energy conglomerate Hydro-Québec Their production costs are going down, but that may not be reason enough for Hydro-Québec to reduce your electricity bill. A recent study conducted by a group of consumers, unions, community organizations and environmentalists found that Hydro-Québec, at current pricing rates, will overcharge its customers (us) by a whopping $2.2 billion over the next four years. To avoid this colossal rip-off, about six weeks ago the Quebec Energy Board recommended that the provincial government make Hydro-Québec's production costs public knowledge before they set their new pricing rates. Unfortunately, the government, which has used last January's ice storm as an excuse to basically let Hydro do whatever it wants, has shown no interest in listening to the Energy Board.