One year since the City of Vancouver banned the sale of lockable butane torches, the devices are still being sold and causing fires in the city.

Once the design is finalized, the materials, usually high-strength steel, are cut into the necessary shapes using cutting tools such as plasma cutters or oxy-acetylene torches.

Now, after 30 years, Mitch Flynn will have another story to tell, about being chosen as this year's torch lighter. "I love the idea of the torch and all that it stands for.

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) has the backing of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. But that alone isn't a reason to buy a stock, particularly one that operates in an industry known for ...