SO Prey OPINION PWEDNESDAY, Auvust 17,1998 6AM The — \ 10a Coun hve, Canton, SOR CN in ea the Staring News Gerdes, ar Sun Of queens and games and cynicism In the interest of to a minimum, bird ed to leave the car at home on Nowpestors eager oe ne.©. heen Pree Coe Established Bars 4 pre = 10 cn editorial comment Seniors My hunch turned out to be right, and leaving the car at home years of bad-mouthing by the media. I thought it might be pru- dent for me to stay out of that Zealand saying at the club. I never asked him whether he caught the spirit, but hell, as a working reporter you don’t sneeze at a job that lets you go half-way around the world to cover the also gave me an opp to nip over for a brew or two to the Union Club, that former bastion of male supremacy which only recently decided to get with it and allow women to be members. Stay with me. I promise this yarn is going somewhere. After a couple of hours and half a dozen beer or so at the bar with four equally thirsty fellow club members, a new face joined our group. He turned out to be from New Zealand was in Victoria for the Commonwealth Games. In the course of the conversa- tion, he wanted to know whether the people of Victoria had gotten behind the Games, caught the spir- it, as the slogan goes. My fellow club members thought they had, despite the eight Ith Games. As for icipenerrahe the Games, I've got to admit my friends were right. Ever since Victoria was chosen as the site for the 1994 Common- wealth Games, eight years ago, the local media have left no stone unturned to find things to criticize about the Games. At one point, the negative cov- erage actually created the impres- sion in other countries that Victoria wouldn't be able to deliver, resulting in offers to change the venue. Call me naive, but I have sup- ported the Commonwealth Games from day one. I happen to like the very concept of the Common- economic interest as by a common heritage — the British parliamen- system. I see the Commonwealth Games as a gathering of family members, and like any host, I am proud to welcome our cousins from around the world. And I’m particularly happy.that South Africa has ineicrsee the family after a long exile. When I left the Union Club that afternoon, I arrived back at the Par- liament beter just in time to the C go near Charles Merritt and Ernest Smith. They are the last two sur- viving Canadians awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War, They met the Queen that after- noon, chatted with her, and were thrilled. And then there were the scores of American tourists who just hap- pened to be in town the day the Queen visited, and once again, their reaction confirmed my long- held suspicion that many Ameri- cans secretly wish they had a queen as head or state. Tim Mazur of Louisiana had waited for three hours to see Elizabeth. “I was real close and it was great. Everyone needs to see a queen once in their life,” he said. Well, you blew your chance to have a queen when you had your see the wealth family ecg More than the views held by so many of my colleagues whose cynicism regard- ing such events is legendary. The crowd was anything by cynical. They roared and cheered when the Queen passed by during her walkabout. I'd also advise any cynic not to We decided to wait a little longer, and in the end became just as free and indepen- dent as our former cousins in America, all without a revolution. And as the Commonwealth Games are about to be officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I for one offer my thanks to all the volunteers, some of whom have worked hard for eight years to make these Games a success. Don't ever let a cyni- cal media deter you from your beware Imagine beciaagig tnd Yaving for over SO yors 'o and pleas- mone perpen eos iccigh prem agai rfl to take with spouse was put on hold for your golden Years. Instead of buying the shirt you chose instead to get the $19.99 special. Packing lunches to work, instead of eating out at lunch time, was the standard. After all, the money saved would a ela amin was part of your everyday life organ ce Knowing that relocation would cost you money, you for anyone but themselves he tee grows ft fom money that rightfully belongs to the If you think you have been scammed, don’t let embar- Yassment stop you from reporting the incident to the RCMP. If someone offers you a deal that seems too good become the deal ask for references, or extra time to think about the offer. If they really want your business, and are legiti- mate, they will gladly honor to your wishes. If it can happen in the big city, it can happen in Castlegar or Grand Forks or Trail. Hopefully, it won't happen to you. LESC PRESSURE!...LEGS STRECS!.. iM CANADIAN WHO'D WELCOME T = ONE AUNTY TO WORK FOUR sete, So...it’s my turn. The folks here at The Castlegar Sun have allowed me the opportunity to express my By the time you read this the World Champi- onship of Basketball will have finished up and barring an act of nature, the U.S. Dream Team II will have come away with the gold. Now, there's been some ings from members of Dream II about who is the better team...Dream 1 or Dream II? Since it's my tum, heze’s my opinion: THE ORIGINAL DREAM TEAM IN A WALK!!!!!! Dream II has some pretty awesome play- ers...The Shaq, ‘Zo, Thunder Dan, LJ, KJ...and a guy in desparate need of a nick- name...Shawn Kemp. But let's look at the iginal Dream Team | line-up; Air Jordan, Magic Johnson, The Admiral, Sir Charles, The Mailman, Clyde the Glyde...folks... THESE are well earned nick-names!!!! I mean would you go and pay 30 bucks to see LJ and KJ square off against the Lithuani- ans in a spelling bee or would you rather see alley-oop lob from Magic Johnson ? (never mind the fact that the alley-oop lob pass is wane aad t's NOT the Mounted No offense to Canada’s finest in red serge but when I think etball I do not think (Of course, don't think of bears cither but have you seem the Grizzlies’ logo...IT’S PRETTY DAMN COOL! “[ Wouldn't want to wear a cop on my bead!” as I heard one souvenir-buying teenager explain. “nuff said. Sticking with basketball but still moving ‘Where can a person go and shoot baskets in Castlegar? All the schools are closed and there might be thinking. A converted tennis court with roots sticking thru and a bent hoop? OK, sure I go there once in a while....But ‘WHERE ELSE?! Maybe I'm not looking hard enough but it would seem to me there are only three outdoor courts in ALL OF CASTLE- GAR! And two of them are for midgets! Don’t get me wrong. My 5 foot 7 inch frame welcomes the chance to throw down a monster jam on a7 and a half-foot rim, but it’s not all that fun when you barely have to jump!. leg heneoy preceeding nae Soe ot pape ns veer gras ea And if I wanted to throw paper in my garbage can I would just stay home! Can't wait til the College re-opens for business. “Nuff said. Onto fhe world of show biz (because according. to Ethel Merman: “There's no business like show business, like no business I know!” ) Michael Jackson marries Lisa Marie Presley. (Can you hear a dull whirring sound off in the distance? That's Elvis spinning in his grave) There are about a million theories and reasons on why the King of Pop married the King of Rock n° Roll's daughter. I can tell you one ~neither married the other for the money. Here's a thought...maybe they're in love. “Love?! In Hollywood?! Get outta here!!!!" : And now there's the rumour that Lisa Marie is pregnant! Imagine that child! The genes of Elvis Presley... .the King of Rock and Roll mixed in with the genes of Michael Jackson...the King of ; That's one hefty DNA milkshake! In a word...SUPERSTAR! The kid would be able to sing a telephone book and go platinum. | kinda feel sorry for the kid .-imagine up and not being able to figure out which is your dad and which ‘is Auntie Peter Ng is an announcer Sunshine Radi: in Castlegar. for = SOO RASS Wednesday, August 17, 1994 The Castlegar Sun Letters to the Editor When it comes to land claims, educate yourself Dear Editor: In my view, British Columbians should be made As you may know, some 40 First Nations have aware of that fact and the ratification process that filed Statements of Intent with the BC Treaty Com- the Harcourt government intends to agree to on their mission to negotiate land claims. The ratification behalf. If you care to discuss this column with me, or any related issues, I can be reached at my constituency office in Dawson Creek. nts with First Nations that will deter- the ratification process will be for any Jack Welagerber B.C. Reform Ougetiton Members of the Countrymen Band from Neleon entertained country and western fans last Friday night with their toe-tapping songs at the Railway Museum. Enter- tainment at the Railway Museum will be ongoing all summer. NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING ‘The Kootenay Hunter Opportunity Committee (KHOC) invites interested to attend their next scheduled meeting. This meeting will be held at the Sandman Inn in Castlegar on Saturday, August 20, beginning at 10 a.m. For further information contact Rick Fillmore at 367-9834. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Please recycle The Castlegar Sun Let me show you how to get more mileage out of your advertising dollar. ly 465 Columbia Ave., The G gar Sun Castlegar ste ‘S 365-2278 COMING | SOON UNITE! & District UNITED WAY KICK-OFF DAY Sat. Sept. 172 Community Complex Includes ke Breakfast « Ountoot Flea Market Line Dancers * Legion Bingo Plan to attend! For more info call 365-7331 You are cordially invited to attend THE CASTLEGAR & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE'S F 32D ANNUAL - GOLF TOURNAMENT SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1994 at Birchbank Golf Course BEST BALL SCRAMBLE - 4 person teams MAKE UP YOUR OWN OR LET US $50.00/person - chamb bers, spouses and $60.00/person - non chamber members $25.00/person - steak dinner & fun (sorry no golf} PRICES INCLUDE 18 holes of golf, steak BBQ dinner, prizes and ENTER TO WIN a fly-in fishing trip courtesy of Highland Helicopters. 1 Pry REGISTRATION DE ADUING 12 n, Monday, August 22 at the — ‘Office. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU JOIN US ON AUGUST 27TH HIGHER INTEREST GOVERNMENPE GUARANTEED T-Bill Bond 6.85% 9.09% 16 Hair Care & More. FEATURING BURNS FRY umn For detatis catt 1-800-416-2882 WORDSREE 365-2260 365-6739 “REBELS JR. B TRAINING CAMP September 1 - 3 Castlegar Community Complex OPEN TO ALL PLAYERS For more info. contact Garry Sauer 365-6309 REISMART. Built for a New Era. CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS by O BEAM DON’T LUG A VACUUM, PLUG IN A BEAM! Package includes: ° 5 gallon capacity ¢ 3 stage motor ° 1 power unit ¢ 1 current hose ¢ 2 sets of wands «accessory kit ¢ 2 inlet installation kits ° effective to 3500 sq. ft. AG Tel: 693-2227 Genelle $699" HOME GOODS ®= Furniture Warehouse Floor Covering Centre Located Halfwa) Between Trail Castlegar 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Fax: 693-2388 Tuesday through Saturday Where 9 to 5 Doesn't Mean Work. Whether NELSON Lord Nelson Hotel O16 Vernon Street, Nels: play favourites or long- shots its all good fun m. Bd You'll Come Away A Winner.