We were having a debate at the newspaper office. Dyan—from the advertising desk—is getting ready to run a special feature for Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-12) that will give well-deserved recognition to our neighbours who serve the West Boundary as emergency service workers.
She gave me the heads-up that I’d be responsible for supplying mugs shots of all the members of the fire and ambulance in both Midway and Greenwood, as well as those who turn out for West Boundary Highway Rescue.
I figured that one of the best things I could do to accomplish the task was to appeal that we shove the deadline back.
She told me it would be published in the Oct. 3 paper—with the theme being, “next week is Fire Prevention Week”.
I argued (unsuccessfully) that we should aim for Oct. 10th and just word it to say, “this is Fire Prevention Week”.
I tried to convince her that there was absolutely no difference – and you can easily prove it by looking at the word “is”.
You see—next week is and this week is both fall into the same category. If we ran it in the Oct. 17th issue then we would have to write, “last week was”—an obvious difference.
She finally just told me that she wasn’t changing her mind because she’d been told that it was to run on the third of the month—so that was the end of the conversation.
I didn’t quite understand her logic there though. If somebody told her it should be that date and she just went ahead with it—why wouldn’t she just cave in to whatever I suggested?
So I am behind the eight ball again here. Also I’m looking for a good sketch artist who is willing to work really, really cheap and on a tight timeline—just in case I can’t chase down all these emergency service people to put them in front of the camera.
Meanwhile—back to the point I was trying to make with Dyan.
She might be able to trump me on some things around here but when it comes to my column I get to call the shots.
So it’s time to tell everyone that this week is National Forest Week. The Nature Conservancy of Canada issued a press release to remind us of the event.
It pointed out the appreciation that Canadian’s have for “our country’s picturesque natural landscapes and rich biodiversity. The beaver on our nickel, the maple leaf in our flag; Canada’s national identity has always reflected a meaningful connection to nature.”
So there you go—here is an opportunity to feel good about being you—you cute little Canadian you.
The release says that National Forest Week is from September 22 to 28. So, in my mind this is a perfect time to quickly review the press release and pass the relevant info on to you Boundary Creek Times subscribers (and to try to make my point with Dyan).
The document waxes eloquent with the usual catch phrases such as rich diversity of plant and animal life, healthy ecosystem and habitat.
But then it goes on to explain a five-year program by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and TD Bank Group to help protect important tracts of forests for threatened species across Canada.
It then mentions a live-streaming online event on National Tree Day. Unfortunately that date was one day before this story hit the streets—so you missed it.
Dyan may have a point —but she’s seen mine too. After proofreading this copy she let me know the emergency services photos will be run on the 10th.