Do you like bullies? Well if you don't we have something in common,I really don’t. In fact I hate bullies even more that can use money and glitz to get their way. I think in Edmonton that is what almost what was the case.
I did a little test the other day, just because an issue was bugging me and I needed some answers. What I did was have my son and I walk from my offices in down town Edmonton to the city Centre, in all encompassing about four city blocks. The day was sunny and warm and people were out in droves to catch some of the few remaining hot days. What we did is, ask each of the people that could spare a minute if they could answer a few quick questions for a poll that we were doing. In all we talked to 62 people.
The first question was easy.
Have you ever used the Municipal Airport for anything?
Out of the number we asked that day and maybe it was coincidence only 2 had flown out of it but not since the Calgary flights were abandoned years ago. About 4 had been to the Indy races.
The next question was.
Do you think we should have a municipal airport?
About 20 said yes.
Then we tricked them and asked.
Why?
Well the answers I heard were not what I expected about an issue that seemed to be getting a ton of press. In fact the answers weren’t very original; almost all of them were based on the rhetoric we were hearing from the save the airport group.
You know the rhetoric, the lives that would be jeopardized by the loss of Medi –vac services. There would be massive job losses, the Indy races would be lost. (Now losing that money maker would be a real loss, yup)
My question was, why would we lose any of that, except maybe the races? Don’t we have another airport connected by a new freeway system that is just outside of town. So the Medi-vac question, hmmm let me see; how fast does a helicopter fly? To a helicopter that flies so much faster than a car can drive; the difference from the Muni to the International is what minutes at most? Just for the record I don’t think it will matter in the least. In fact why can’t the helicopters just land right at the hospitals? Silly me they do!
The argument is; we will lose the zillions of jobs lost by losing the gateway to the north! Why would that be? By losing the Muni airport is that mean we are going to move the whole city out of the way so that we won’t be the hub of transportation to the northern communities? So just from my perspective if I had to move my business out to a more modern sophisticated place like the International airport, will I still not need my staff? Why would there be any job loss?
The couple of answers I really enjoyed were interesting because of the two young gentlemen that didn’t want to lose the Indy races. They really liked them. When I asked if they had ever went, neither of them had. In fact they both said other than the races they have never even thought of using the airport and that they didn’t care about the rest of the issues.
My standard line to folks when I am asked is; look at the Edmonton down town, wouldn’t it be nice to not have our down town, squished against the river? Wouldn’t it be nice to eliminate that huge land locked tract of property and have it available to city for planners so they could plan our down town and maybe we could eliminate the traffic congestion the airport causes as all thoroughfares have to go around it? Wouldn’t it be nice to allow for development of some of the higher buildings that have been restricted for decades, because of an airport few of us ever use? Wouldn’t it be nice to spread some of the office towers out of the core without the fear of a Cessna crashing into the building? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a new fresh community just north of down town instead of a huge tract of land that very few of us ever use, in fact most will never use, turned into a vital part of our Edmonton landscape?
I was surprised that even in my own office the couple of young people that were recruited to get the petitions had never used the airport but had bought in to the nonsense about their freedom was being jeopardized by allowing elected members of council decide on the airports fate. They believed somehow that the airport issue was a slight against the voters of Edmonton. This issue more than ever has convinced me that with enough money you can bully just about anybody into anything. So congratulations city council and Mayor Mandel, tell the bullies to pack up their money bags and stop trying to flog this dead horse. I was really convinced of the power of money when they were even going to pay community leagues off, to get signatures... wow ... now that is democratic.
My grandparents, until they passed had a house in Sherbrook just north of the airport. I can’t begin to tell you the conversations that were interrupted, the TV shows that were drowned out and the telephone calls that you had to cover the receiver so the person on the other end wouldn’t hear the sound of the jets engines as it landed in the airport. The noise was incredible. My Grandparents were so excited when the big jets finally stopped landing at the airport.
I really am disgusted by the subtle and effective PR campaign of these rich bullies. I have to give them credit though; they had and have so many people confused as to what the real issue is. This is not about our civil liberties; this is not an issue of endangering Medi-Vac and human lives. This is about how many of us will ever have any real benefit from having that silly airport in our back yard, strangling our down town and using up huge vital tracts of land, subsidized by all of us for a few of us.
I wish they would be this passionate about the fact that half the real charities in this city aren’t making ends meet, because of huge government charities are swallowing up every available dollar. Maybe, they should have spent the enormous amount of cash they spent on this ridiculous cause, and instead probably supply a hot lunch programs for the inner city schools for about 20 years. No they want their way and they have money, and they want that airport. So no matter what; they will bully, push coerce and baffle with bull manure the people of this city until they get their way. Well Thank God our mayor and city council don’t like bullies either, at least that is how I see it.
A Cowboy Says...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
once upon a time............
..... in the far away land of Alberta, there was this cruel and nasty couple that abused horses, so as in all good faerie tales ... along came some towns people and reported them to the SPCA, well you know how these faerie tales go; the knight in shining armor (SPCA) showed up and stopped the evil couple... yup these people got showed real good by the SPCA. Yes sirree the SPCA gave these people heck! Not hell even but I think they maybe scolded them well not very hard or effective they didn't want to hurt feelings, even though these people are regulars in the complaint department of the SPCA' but they did not even get fines.... just heck. WOW. About as effective as a fly swatter against a bear.
Now back to the tale.....then because all the nasty caring and concerned people who wanted to help the horses put pressure on this couple, the couple decided to turn the horses out to pasture and let them run free with the rest of the herd. Now isn't this where I am supposed to say ... the story ends well and they lived happily ever after.... right?
No this is the twisted ending to keep us all in suspense. The stud horses they let out were so under weight they could barely keep alive... but now they have been turned into a herd of Mares open and willing.... and these poor studs will probably allow mother nature to take over and I expect these poor creatures to breed themselves to death.
I guess it's better than dying in a 12 by 12 pen with no water at 30 degrees heat or freezing to death with no shelter, I am sure though the end will come. We know the Morgan association is aware of this couple through another concerned friend, and they have done as little as the SPCA they haven't even sanctioned the couple... I guess in this faerie tale everyone isn't happy ever after .. but the authorities are because they don't have to do anything and it will all blow away, they are just horses anyway right...
Well; that's not how all the people that have tried so hard to save these wonderful horses feel; but we do feel betrayed and let down, again, remember those poor souls The Rescue One Hundred Society had two years ago ... over 100 dead and dying horses and that's after the ones needed to got put down were taken care of. Well unlike good faerie tales these horses are doomed but I pray at least that these studs have a quick death... not a slow one.. at least that is what it seems from where this cowboy sits.
Friday, August 6, 2010
They are still there! No Help Hmmmmmm?
Well funny thing is I have been phoned by everyone, even got some emails, thank you. The problem is the abusers are still in control of these animals and they are mad as hornets at everyone who won't mind their own business.Get this straight; any abuse that goes unchecked slanders everyone in the horse business, these type of breeders should find a way to get into another business, not continue to brand all of us with these types of actions.
The owners of these horses are mad, so what.
The people who helped these so called breeders propagate this and let them continue to abuse them are mad, so what.
The enforcement agencies are upset we are making noise drawing attention to there inability to help these wretched, starved creatures, so what.
If you have a problem with me having my opinion about this shameful business, so what.
Then bloody well do something about these poor creatures then; and if you can't; don't take it out on those of us who are trying to help these animals, at least that's the way it looks from where this cowboy sits.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
horse cruelty picture
To get pictures of the poor emaciated creatures email me at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Horse Cruelty
I am sure there are a hundred versions of this old story but this is the way I was told the story. I hope I don’t weaken the integrity of it telling it from my sometimes not so perfect memory, or I hope I haven’t plagiarized someone's story and if I have, I apologize. I believe once a story is told though it is released from its story teller and takes on its own being. That’s the way it should be and I think stories should be ever evolving so that each time it is shared it takes on each teller's special attributes.
A young boy was walking along the beach in low tide after a great storm. The beach was covered in thousands of star fish and the sun was getting hot and the starfish were starting to dry up and die. The little boy would walk over to one star fish, and then another until his little arms couldn’t carry anymore. Once loaded up, this young boy would walk over to the tide some distance away and put the starfish in the tide and they would be drawn in and away out to the ocean. Then he would walk back to the beach and start all over one starfish at a time. Unknown to the boy he had an audience; the devil had come down to the beach and was watching him in his diligent tasks.
Well the little man was barely making a dent as the sun got hotter; he scooped up one starfish at a time and took his little armful to the water. Well on one of his trips back to the beach to save more starfish the Devil went up to him and asked, “That looks like hard work carrying those starfish.” The little boy said, “Yes a little, they get heavy but I don’t mind,” The Devil then said, “Well young man look around there are so many starfish and really wouldn’t you rather stop and have a soda and let nature take its course?” The little fella thought for a moment and said, “A soda would be nice, but I really want to do this.” The Devil getting frustrated at this purposeful child said, “Young man do you think this matters to anyone what you are doing, do you think anyone really cares?” The little fella stopped and thought; finally he answered, “Maybe not, maybe it doesn’t matter to anyone else.” The devil said, “Exactly then why would you waste your time doing such a thing then?” The boy thought then walked over to an exceptionally small starfish, picked it up and said, “You know you are right, it may not matter to anyone, but it means life and death to this little one,” and he began filling his arms again. The Devil walked away in disgust, but he hadn’t realized many people had been watching this child’s unselfish act of kindness and were so moved by this little man they had joined him in his attempt to pick up and save the starfish, and soon almost all were saved.
The reason I bring this up is that a few years ago I met these folks that had a horse breeding operation, and they were animal abusers. Pure and simple animal abusers! They bred beautiful Morgan horses, when I say they bred them, it is they ensured the fantastic lineage was being capitalized on. The mares were allowed to run in a reasonably ok pasture but the five stud horses were kept in 12 by 12 foot pens year round. When I first saw them they were standing on rounded hills inside these pens of their own frozen manure and urine. Their hooves were long and unkempt, even their legs were showing signs of malformation. On that occasion after commenting they had no water the owner said, “They were chewing snow and that we will water them later.” I guess the snow was along the pen she couldn’t have meant under the pile of feces. This breed of horse is magnificent; Morgan horses have big shoulders and thick necks with strong hind quarters something they are known for. Well these looked like an anorexic version of Morgan horse. Their ribs showed through and they looked emaciated.
My wife, at the time, was brought there under pretences by her friend who was hoping that she would do something to stop this and she did try. She filed complaints took pictures and even called everyone she knew to help and then the SPCA told her they would be taking care of it. They certainly did; they called the abuser up and told her they would be coming out and it gave her heads up and time to put water in the pens and throw some feed in as well. Sure enough the SPCA did its due diligence by warning her sternly, that there was another complaint and they would be watching. Oh this was probably the tenth complaint they had against her. They warned her they meant business, and to ensure she fed and watered those horses. When we talked to the lady who at that time had no idea it was our complaint, she said the SPCA couldn’t do anything because she had a Veterinarian on her side and that Vet said they were ok in their pens with no shelter, water and sparse food. She, the Vet; even went so far according to this woman as to give this abuser a letter saying she was monitoring the horses' care.
This matter got worse not better. The lady would leave those poor horses out in the sun with no water, too lazy to water them. She continued to starve them. I know a time my wife and friends of ours were finding buyers and even we had horses coming to be fattened up at our ranch and sold, all to protect them from these people. She even had ads and a site on the internet trying desperately to save as many as she could, not knowing these people were replenishing the pens with other horses as fast as they could. The battle continued and the SPCA kept saying they had their hands tied; there was nothing they could do and so these poor horses suffered. It is as though the farmer that dares run an old truck full of hay down a road and the government nearly fines him out of business, but they won’t stop those that are cruel and ridiculous to the animals that are their living and they give ranchers and farmers bad reputations.
The SPCA seems unwilling to take action and I think these folks should be forced to find a different way to make a living. I don’t think any of God’s creatures deserve a slow agonizing painful death in a 12 by 12 foot square cell. This is just plain wrong and as long as the Veterinarian and the SPCA let this go on they share in the shame. These people seem to be Teflon and nothing sticks to them especially not morals. The SPCA was brought up to speed again and you won’t believe it, they phoned the lady in advance and upon their arrival they warned her again. They are just so concerned it makes me want to vomit. These studs would be better off euthanized than subjected to this living hell.
So here are these once majestic, proud animals and they are unable to move confined to their small feces filled prison. On a sidebar a couple of years back the ladies husband took a fall from his tractor and since because of the head injury he sustained has lost his mobility and is confined to a small wheeled prison, unable to get around. You think he would have found a new empathy for these that he and his wife imprisoned so cruelly. It’s funny how that Karma stuff works... or what you give is what you get... or in another way to say it is sow what you reap, reap what you sow. The choice we all have I guess is the same as faced the little boy: does one star fish matter, do we sit back drink a soda and let cruelty carry on? Maybe we allow those that commit atrocities and cruelty against animals just go on unchecked. Worse we could be the Veterinarian backing these abusers, while of all people, you think she would protect those poor horses. Even worse, mishandle the situation from an enforcement position and let the poor animals you swear to protect go on suffering in a horrible Auschwitz-type environment, at least that’s what it looks like from where this cowboy sits.
Douglas Stacey is a public speaker, humorist and a writer. He can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
A young boy was walking along the beach in low tide after a great storm. The beach was covered in thousands of star fish and the sun was getting hot and the starfish were starting to dry up and die. The little boy would walk over to one star fish, and then another until his little arms couldn’t carry anymore. Once loaded up, this young boy would walk over to the tide some distance away and put the starfish in the tide and they would be drawn in and away out to the ocean. Then he would walk back to the beach and start all over one starfish at a time. Unknown to the boy he had an audience; the devil had come down to the beach and was watching him in his diligent tasks.
Well the little man was barely making a dent as the sun got hotter; he scooped up one starfish at a time and took his little armful to the water. Well on one of his trips back to the beach to save more starfish the Devil went up to him and asked, “That looks like hard work carrying those starfish.” The little boy said, “Yes a little, they get heavy but I don’t mind,” The Devil then said, “Well young man look around there are so many starfish and really wouldn’t you rather stop and have a soda and let nature take its course?” The little fella thought for a moment and said, “A soda would be nice, but I really want to do this.” The Devil getting frustrated at this purposeful child said, “Young man do you think this matters to anyone what you are doing, do you think anyone really cares?” The little fella stopped and thought; finally he answered, “Maybe not, maybe it doesn’t matter to anyone else.” The devil said, “Exactly then why would you waste your time doing such a thing then?” The boy thought then walked over to an exceptionally small starfish, picked it up and said, “You know you are right, it may not matter to anyone, but it means life and death to this little one,” and he began filling his arms again. The Devil walked away in disgust, but he hadn’t realized many people had been watching this child’s unselfish act of kindness and were so moved by this little man they had joined him in his attempt to pick up and save the starfish, and soon almost all were saved.
The reason I bring this up is that a few years ago I met these folks that had a horse breeding operation, and they were animal abusers. Pure and simple animal abusers! They bred beautiful Morgan horses, when I say they bred them, it is they ensured the fantastic lineage was being capitalized on. The mares were allowed to run in a reasonably ok pasture but the five stud horses were kept in 12 by 12 foot pens year round. When I first saw them they were standing on rounded hills inside these pens of their own frozen manure and urine. Their hooves were long and unkempt, even their legs were showing signs of malformation. On that occasion after commenting they had no water the owner said, “They were chewing snow and that we will water them later.” I guess the snow was along the pen she couldn’t have meant under the pile of feces. This breed of horse is magnificent; Morgan horses have big shoulders and thick necks with strong hind quarters something they are known for. Well these looked like an anorexic version of Morgan horse. Their ribs showed through and they looked emaciated.
My wife, at the time, was brought there under pretences by her friend who was hoping that she would do something to stop this and she did try. She filed complaints took pictures and even called everyone she knew to help and then the SPCA told her they would be taking care of it. They certainly did; they called the abuser up and told her they would be coming out and it gave her heads up and time to put water in the pens and throw some feed in as well. Sure enough the SPCA did its due diligence by warning her sternly, that there was another complaint and they would be watching. Oh this was probably the tenth complaint they had against her. They warned her they meant business, and to ensure she fed and watered those horses. When we talked to the lady who at that time had no idea it was our complaint, she said the SPCA couldn’t do anything because she had a Veterinarian on her side and that Vet said they were ok in their pens with no shelter, water and sparse food. She, the Vet; even went so far according to this woman as to give this abuser a letter saying she was monitoring the horses' care.
This matter got worse not better. The lady would leave those poor horses out in the sun with no water, too lazy to water them. She continued to starve them. I know a time my wife and friends of ours were finding buyers and even we had horses coming to be fattened up at our ranch and sold, all to protect them from these people. She even had ads and a site on the internet trying desperately to save as many as she could, not knowing these people were replenishing the pens with other horses as fast as they could. The battle continued and the SPCA kept saying they had their hands tied; there was nothing they could do and so these poor horses suffered. It is as though the farmer that dares run an old truck full of hay down a road and the government nearly fines him out of business, but they won’t stop those that are cruel and ridiculous to the animals that are their living and they give ranchers and farmers bad reputations.
The SPCA seems unwilling to take action and I think these folks should be forced to find a different way to make a living. I don’t think any of God’s creatures deserve a slow agonizing painful death in a 12 by 12 foot square cell. This is just plain wrong and as long as the Veterinarian and the SPCA let this go on they share in the shame. These people seem to be Teflon and nothing sticks to them especially not morals. The SPCA was brought up to speed again and you won’t believe it, they phoned the lady in advance and upon their arrival they warned her again. They are just so concerned it makes me want to vomit. These studs would be better off euthanized than subjected to this living hell.
So here are these once majestic, proud animals and they are unable to move confined to their small feces filled prison. On a sidebar a couple of years back the ladies husband took a fall from his tractor and since because of the head injury he sustained has lost his mobility and is confined to a small wheeled prison, unable to get around. You think he would have found a new empathy for these that he and his wife imprisoned so cruelly. It’s funny how that Karma stuff works... or what you give is what you get... or in another way to say it is sow what you reap, reap what you sow. The choice we all have I guess is the same as faced the little boy: does one star fish matter, do we sit back drink a soda and let cruelty carry on? Maybe we allow those that commit atrocities and cruelty against animals just go on unchecked. Worse we could be the Veterinarian backing these abusers, while of all people, you think she would protect those poor horses. Even worse, mishandle the situation from an enforcement position and let the poor animals you swear to protect go on suffering in a horrible Auschwitz-type environment, at least that’s what it looks like from where this cowboy sits.
Douglas Stacey is a public speaker, humorist and a writer. He can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Thursday, July 29, 2010
I want to share some information that I think is important. Some people know I have committed my professional and business background to help an amazing society as its Funds Development Manager. No; it is not one of those Government owned facilities that also has a foundation and pretends to be a charity. No - my work is humble and more vital in nature, and it is for one of those charities you don’t hear about a lot, but we fill an absolute vital need. We, serve adults with disabilities, and we try to help these individuals obtain the skills necessary to get employment. We help bring them and employers together so that both the employee and employer win. I think it is a basic and real right for everyone to have the opportunity to employment, and the ability to work towards the realization of their dreams.
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is, for years the culture of giving is: a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was.
Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait - we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio station's audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site.
I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts.
Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our government funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed $5000 in advertising they would not sponsor these charities anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer.
This method the radio station and many donors seem to be using to insure business, is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest, and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation, is the word partnership. I hope we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that when we have resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to a potential audience or customer of the donor, that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers.
“It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley used to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities' good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence. At least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is, for years the culture of giving is: a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was.
Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait - we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio station's audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site.
I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts.
Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our government funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed $5000 in advertising they would not sponsor these charities anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer.
This method the radio station and many donors seem to be using to insure business, is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest, and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation, is the word partnership. I hope we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that when we have resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to a potential audience or customer of the donor, that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers.
“It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley used to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities' good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence. At least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
Bullying charities, why
I want to share some information that I think is important. Some people know I have committed my professional and business background to help an amazing society as its Funds Development Manager. No; it is not one of those Government owned facilities that also has a foundation and pretends to be a charity. No my work is humble and more vital in nature, and it is for one of those charities you don’t hear about a lot, but we fill an absolute vital need. We, at EmployAbilities Society serve adults with disabilities, and we try to help these individuals obtain the skills necessary to get employment. We help bring them and employers together so that both the employee and employer win. I think it is a basic and real right for everyone to have the opportunity to employment, and the ability to work towards the realization of their dreams.
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is for years the culture of giving is; a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was. Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait; we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio stations audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site. I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts. Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our governmental funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed 5000 dollars in advertising they would not sponsor them anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer. The method this station and many donors seem to be going this way are using to insure business is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I just think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation is the word partnership. I hope that we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that should we have allocated resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to potential audience or customer of the donor that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs if that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers. “It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley use to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence, at least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer.
He can be reached @crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
In this capacity I facilitate many special events in my attempts to raise both awareness for our work and much needed funds. I partner with caring individuals and companies and find innovative ways to make giving fun and rewarding. The problem is for years the culture of giving is; a charity asks, and then the company or individual gives, and the good feeling of benevolence is what the expected payback was. Along came some tougher economic times and companies started saying wait; we want more for that ever competitive donation. More competitive and sought after, including a huge portion of donated or fund raised dollars are going through the back door into the coffers of the government via their institutions fronted as foundations. Usually these same foundations have multimillion dollar fundraising budgets. Lately because of the economics being as it is; some businesses and the media picked up on this and figured, hey we will give but we expect business out of it.
Recently I was negotiating a deal with a radio station to support an up and coming event, one that matched the radio stations audience perfectly. In the past this station gave me some support in as much as they mentioned an event we held. They supported us as they do many charities in the way of PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) and after some work they even featured a link to my event on their web site. I was thrilled, and to pay them back for their kindness and give them the recognition they deserved I made sure all our literature prominently featured their logo. Even the two half page advertisements so kindly donated to us by the Edmonton Sun had their logo featured. We did a couple of advertising mailers and ensured they were featured on 5000 of these mailers. At the event we had banners printed and prominently featured them as a sponsor. Even during the announcements I asked the 250 odd people to give the station a listen and featured them in our handouts. Afterwards we insured the station was featured in our multimedia sign board at our training facility to show all that came they had sponsored us. I thought it was pretty good return for their investment in kindness. One of our governmental funders during this period also asked us to announce an awareness program for business and this station was given that business. I was building a relationship based on mutual give and take and hoped the station felt it was treated very good for their benevolence.
Well in the past few weeks the station announced a policy that unless charities committed 5000 dollars in advertising they would not sponsor them anymore. That is nothing for the multimillion dollar so called foundations and such, but for real charities struggling to maintain services it is a hell of a hit. This station should know that it could be sure in the future that no matter what; if we had need of an advertising a program this station supporting us would be certain to get the dollars allocated. That is a no brainer. The method this station and many donors seem to be going this way are using to insure business is maybe not the far sighted marketing tool they expect it to be. I understand why they are taking these steps, especially watching the huge dollars thrown around to the media by some of these multimillion dollar foundations. I am also convinced this type of knee jerk reaction is compounded by the fact that many charities forget to support and ask their friends to support donors. I just think the donors can find another way to feel they are getting something back for their kindness and their commitment to a charity.
What I suggest and it should be talked about by the charity asking for the donation is the word partnership. I hope that we are establishing partnerships with all those that support our society. I want those that support us to know that should we have allocated resources to buy their particular product or service that we will be sure to look at their business first. The charity should let the sponsor or donor know what media campaigns they are planning, and be sure that if the campaign is to potential audience or customer of the donor that they will be featured prominently to these individuals. The donor should have the ability to offer a tag along advertisement in mail outs if that would be beneficial and not compromise the charities campaign. The sponsors should be featured in posters and billboards if those are used in the campaigns. Most of all they should be presented in such a way at the event that they can capitalize on the opportunity to earn new customers. “It doesn’t hurt anyone to help his friend, when both can benefit from the others help, what do you have to lose” is what my Grandmother Adele Hadley use to say to me, and it makes sense. I think instead of pushing small charities into uncomfortable positions in order to insure payback, maybe businesses can find a way to still be benevolent and get payback for their efforts. I think the community we live in will be a better place and the businesses can feel a real partnership in the charities good works and benefit at the same time without compromising the benevolence, at least that’s what it seems from where I sit.
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer.
He can be reached @crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
selective law enforcement...
I can’t be that bright, no I must in fact be stupid, and I am sure that’s it. Let me tell you, I don’t even want to start in on the big brother nonsense that is photo radar. I can’t stand listening to the feeble at best; reasons that they spout and the diatribe they give as the reasons behind that so called law enforcement. I will save that for another day, but the thing I can’t understand and has me in a foul mood is dark limousine tinted drivers and passenger windows in vehicles. I don't care about the back windows of the vehicle, because many of those come directly from the factory. What we are talking about is the front windows next to the driver and passenger in the front seat. Now please tell me if I am wrong, but I thought they were illegal. I thought that there were actual laws on the books against it.
I think it’s funny that it seems the City, Province and every other political organization is going about shoving those ridiculous Big Brother red light cameras and red light with speed control cameras, even everywhere you turn someone is sitting behind the wheel of one of those vans taking your picture all in a so called speed deterrent campaign. I am sure they wouldn’t be bull manure when they say it is not an easy money maker for the coffers and is not attempt to pick Albertan’s pockets just one more time. If you believe that then you also believe there is not enough revenue in our coffers to properly support our health care, seniors or education system. So my question is, why then is it ok for those individuals that have their windows tinted in obvious violation to the laws aloud to flaunt it and the laws are not actively enforced? I wonder how hard it is to really enforce them.
Let me see; usually one would just have to listen for the amazing loud base, feel your windows vibrate then look over and there will be tinted windows. You could also listen for the rumble of some small cars mufflers, that sound more like an old Mercury outboard fishing motor than a customized sports car, and you look over and there will be the dark windows. Or you see someone my age trying to be young and cool and you will see that ridiculous tint. What are they trying to hide? Why hasn’t someone told our police officers in this city to enforce those laws? I don’t really care but something brought this to my attention that made me cringe. My son announced he was going to school to be a police officer. I am proud he wants to take on this noble occupation, but am also scared of the risks the police have to live with as an occupational hazard. So when I was driving by this loud base car with a whole bunch of young tough looking men piled in it and it had the dark tinted limousine windows. I started to think, that maybe these weren’t the bad guys but what if they were? How could the policeman coming up to the car on a routine or other stop know what was going on inside? What if that Policeman was my son?
I am praying I will never have to open up the paper to hear that an officer was shot in a routine traffic stop. I hope and pray that we will never have to bury one of those gallant people because they couldn’t see the driver or passenger was loaded and ready to kill. So I am mystified to understand why we allow people to go around in their automobiles where any illegal activities could be disguised behind limousine glass. It can’t be safe; it can’t even be safe for the driver as we are lowering their visibility. Have you ever tried driving with your sunglasses at night, who are we fooling? I am not saying those driving with the limousine tint are doing anything illegal. I just am saying driving with limousine tint is illegal so if they flaunt that law, then what other laws are they ignoring behind their tinted glass?
I know in some places officers carry scrapers and remove tint right at the scene of the traffic stop. I even know that in some places they seize the vehicle and won’t release it until the tint is removed; now there is a money maker. Heck that might be as good a money maker as photo radar and redlght cameras. No don’t be silly that money making scam can only be matched by lotteries and such. Anyway we could issue a ticket, charge for the towing and even make money on the vehicles storage. What a great idea the economy gets a boost and the tint shops can make back the lost revenue they would receive from tinting, in the removal end of the business, this has got to be a win for everybody. Then as a dad of a future police officer I can sleep a little better at night. I can’t even feel sorry for those with the tint, they know it is illegal and they continue to flaunt the law. If they can afford the expensive tint, they probably can afford the tickets, towing, and storage. I have friends in the automotive business and I am sure they that would love the extra business the removal of the tint would bring.
So why are we not enforcing this law, but are so excited about automated law enforcement, and photo radar. I don’t want to be the profit of what might happen; but I want the police to enforce the tint violation before something does happen. I want there to be some real concerned effort on stopping this stupidity before my son or anyone’s son has to pull over another of those silly vehicles. I think it is ridiculous to ignore them when it is just a matter of time before something terrible happens, at least that what it seems from where I sit.
I think it’s funny that it seems the City, Province and every other political organization is going about shoving those ridiculous Big Brother red light cameras and red light with speed control cameras, even everywhere you turn someone is sitting behind the wheel of one of those vans taking your picture all in a so called speed deterrent campaign. I am sure they wouldn’t be bull manure when they say it is not an easy money maker for the coffers and is not attempt to pick Albertan’s pockets just one more time. If you believe that then you also believe there is not enough revenue in our coffers to properly support our health care, seniors or education system. So my question is, why then is it ok for those individuals that have their windows tinted in obvious violation to the laws aloud to flaunt it and the laws are not actively enforced? I wonder how hard it is to really enforce them.
Let me see; usually one would just have to listen for the amazing loud base, feel your windows vibrate then look over and there will be tinted windows. You could also listen for the rumble of some small cars mufflers, that sound more like an old Mercury outboard fishing motor than a customized sports car, and you look over and there will be the dark windows. Or you see someone my age trying to be young and cool and you will see that ridiculous tint. What are they trying to hide? Why hasn’t someone told our police officers in this city to enforce those laws? I don’t really care but something brought this to my attention that made me cringe. My son announced he was going to school to be a police officer. I am proud he wants to take on this noble occupation, but am also scared of the risks the police have to live with as an occupational hazard. So when I was driving by this loud base car with a whole bunch of young tough looking men piled in it and it had the dark tinted limousine windows. I started to think, that maybe these weren’t the bad guys but what if they were? How could the policeman coming up to the car on a routine or other stop know what was going on inside? What if that Policeman was my son?
I am praying I will never have to open up the paper to hear that an officer was shot in a routine traffic stop. I hope and pray that we will never have to bury one of those gallant people because they couldn’t see the driver or passenger was loaded and ready to kill. So I am mystified to understand why we allow people to go around in their automobiles where any illegal activities could be disguised behind limousine glass. It can’t be safe; it can’t even be safe for the driver as we are lowering their visibility. Have you ever tried driving with your sunglasses at night, who are we fooling? I am not saying those driving with the limousine tint are doing anything illegal. I just am saying driving with limousine tint is illegal so if they flaunt that law, then what other laws are they ignoring behind their tinted glass?
I know in some places officers carry scrapers and remove tint right at the scene of the traffic stop. I even know that in some places they seize the vehicle and won’t release it until the tint is removed; now there is a money maker. Heck that might be as good a money maker as photo radar and redlght cameras. No don’t be silly that money making scam can only be matched by lotteries and such. Anyway we could issue a ticket, charge for the towing and even make money on the vehicles storage. What a great idea the economy gets a boost and the tint shops can make back the lost revenue they would receive from tinting, in the removal end of the business, this has got to be a win for everybody. Then as a dad of a future police officer I can sleep a little better at night. I can’t even feel sorry for those with the tint, they know it is illegal and they continue to flaunt the law. If they can afford the expensive tint, they probably can afford the tickets, towing, and storage. I have friends in the automotive business and I am sure they that would love the extra business the removal of the tint would bring.
So why are we not enforcing this law, but are so excited about automated law enforcement, and photo radar. I don’t want to be the profit of what might happen; but I want the police to enforce the tint violation before something does happen. I want there to be some real concerned effort on stopping this stupidity before my son or anyone’s son has to pull over another of those silly vehicles. I think it is ridiculous to ignore them when it is just a matter of time before something terrible happens, at least that what it seems from where I sit.
Monday, July 26, 2010
I think somethings get out of control
I met a Lady and shook her hand yesterday, visited for a few minutes and shared a couple of stories and laughs. Now that in and of itself is no big deal, in fact this wonderful Lady was polite and even put up with my humour; and God knows that would try anyone’s patience but she was an amazing Lady. The interesting sidebar to this is that the Lady is a hundred and four today, Happy Birthday. Wow to live that long is amazing, I know that unless there is some new miracle drug I won’t be around nearly that long, and with that my ex wives are sighing a collective sigh of relief.
Meeting this Lady got me to thinking what was the world like when she was a teen? Well I have adopted an eighty two year old as a surrogate mom, and she says “today is like living on another planet” from when she was growing up. Can you imagine from the time when cars were a novelty, and electricity in homes was for the rich and my goodness no phones to speak of. Can you even imagine the world without cell phones and instant everything? The world seems to be changing so very fast can you imagine watching this from one hundred and four year old eyes?
In this new and I guess exciting age I like to think that for the most part I embrace the changing world. I like to think I am up on the latest gadgets maybe not as a user but a passive observer. Maybe I do question the pace at which the changes are taking place but I am ok if people around me are excited about the newest techno toy. There is a side effect of this new technological world I am not sure is a positive thing though. As I look out my window there is a noticeable and peculiar change happening to the shape of human beings that I am certain it is caused by the new advances in technology. Yes I am sure there is a metamorphosis happening, and the human form is changing.
It was not that long ago that I remember when humans used to walk we were relatively upright eyes ahead scanning for danger or to browse the opposite sex. The arms swung freely at the sides, or in the rare instance tucked in the pockets for those wanting to be cool. In some cases especially in new love situations the arms were wrapped usually uncomfortably around the shoulders or the waste of the new acquisition. I always remembered how hard it was to walk in that position, because the girls pace and hips never moved in the same motion as mine and it was weird, but you hung on for dear life. It didn’t even matter if you were losing the feeling in your arm or your hand was going to sleep, you hung on to your prize, awe to be young.
Well what I noticed looking out my fourth floor office window; and I even phoned the university and offered the Anthropologists an opportunity to use it for capturing this event in some new digital format because I think this is that big of deal. The basic form has changed, a huge percentage of the human beings are reshaping into a newer version of biped. The head has started to droop slightly and the eyes are no longer scanning the objects in front of them. In fact instead of looking forward there are only a few quick darting looks then the eyes retreat to looking less than twenty inches in front of the human. The arms no longer swing, embrace, scratch or even point they have instead begun to curl inward and the hands almost clasp together. This position must throw off balance and perception of one’s environment as the humans that have taken on this form are constantly running into others, are far behind the crowd at walk lights and are constantly stumbling or tripping. The worse thing yet, and this scares this cowboy, is I that see these same creatures looking the same way about twenty inches in front of them an in the same position in moving vehicles, and not just cars, huge trucks and busses. I wonder if the one hundred and four year old Lady would find this change as scary as I do, I think she would?
So after I phoned the university, and I want to tell you they think you are a little off if you happen to be as observant as I was, they even went as far as to call me crazy. I think they are in denial or maybe the person I spoke to has got this infliction and was covering her tracks. Anyway the not so nice lady Anthropologist told me I was ridiculous she pointed out that the people I observed were not changing into an unrecognizable creature but were simply “texting”. She even suggested I should get into the twenty first century, and told me it was the newest way to communicate. Well so that solves that mystery. Texting not walking, not observing the world around you, not taking in the sights or sounds of your environment, just texting. This texting seems to be so vital and important that you could possibly put your life at risk or those around you because you are busy. Well she told me!
I don’t know though; as I look out and watch those zombies so tuned out and only tuned into their texting, nothing else seems to matter. I guess it’s hard for me to imagine that this texting is good for the human race collectively. To be so consumed with messaging that you can’t focus on your surroundings just doesn’t seem right. I know that I personally would rather do anything other than walking down a street oblivious to the world and be consumed with texting. I certainly would rather have a pretty girl with her arm wrapped around my waste or I would even like to be the cool one with his hands in his pockets as long as I got to notice all the pretty girls along with the interesting people and sights. I think that maybe, just maybe we have let technology run amok and we are becoming its slave and that can’t make us better people in the process, at least that’s the way it looks from where I sit.
Meeting this Lady got me to thinking what was the world like when she was a teen? Well I have adopted an eighty two year old as a surrogate mom, and she says “today is like living on another planet” from when she was growing up. Can you imagine from the time when cars were a novelty, and electricity in homes was for the rich and my goodness no phones to speak of. Can you even imagine the world without cell phones and instant everything? The world seems to be changing so very fast can you imagine watching this from one hundred and four year old eyes?
In this new and I guess exciting age I like to think that for the most part I embrace the changing world. I like to think I am up on the latest gadgets maybe not as a user but a passive observer. Maybe I do question the pace at which the changes are taking place but I am ok if people around me are excited about the newest techno toy. There is a side effect of this new technological world I am not sure is a positive thing though. As I look out my window there is a noticeable and peculiar change happening to the shape of human beings that I am certain it is caused by the new advances in technology. Yes I am sure there is a metamorphosis happening, and the human form is changing.
It was not that long ago that I remember when humans used to walk we were relatively upright eyes ahead scanning for danger or to browse the opposite sex. The arms swung freely at the sides, or in the rare instance tucked in the pockets for those wanting to be cool. In some cases especially in new love situations the arms were wrapped usually uncomfortably around the shoulders or the waste of the new acquisition. I always remembered how hard it was to walk in that position, because the girls pace and hips never moved in the same motion as mine and it was weird, but you hung on for dear life. It didn’t even matter if you were losing the feeling in your arm or your hand was going to sleep, you hung on to your prize, awe to be young.
Well what I noticed looking out my fourth floor office window; and I even phoned the university and offered the Anthropologists an opportunity to use it for capturing this event in some new digital format because I think this is that big of deal. The basic form has changed, a huge percentage of the human beings are reshaping into a newer version of biped. The head has started to droop slightly and the eyes are no longer scanning the objects in front of them. In fact instead of looking forward there are only a few quick darting looks then the eyes retreat to looking less than twenty inches in front of the human. The arms no longer swing, embrace, scratch or even point they have instead begun to curl inward and the hands almost clasp together. This position must throw off balance and perception of one’s environment as the humans that have taken on this form are constantly running into others, are far behind the crowd at walk lights and are constantly stumbling or tripping. The worse thing yet, and this scares this cowboy, is I that see these same creatures looking the same way about twenty inches in front of them an in the same position in moving vehicles, and not just cars, huge trucks and busses. I wonder if the one hundred and four year old Lady would find this change as scary as I do, I think she would?
So after I phoned the university, and I want to tell you they think you are a little off if you happen to be as observant as I was, they even went as far as to call me crazy. I think they are in denial or maybe the person I spoke to has got this infliction and was covering her tracks. Anyway the not so nice lady Anthropologist told me I was ridiculous she pointed out that the people I observed were not changing into an unrecognizable creature but were simply “texting”. She even suggested I should get into the twenty first century, and told me it was the newest way to communicate. Well so that solves that mystery. Texting not walking, not observing the world around you, not taking in the sights or sounds of your environment, just texting. This texting seems to be so vital and important that you could possibly put your life at risk or those around you because you are busy. Well she told me!
I don’t know though; as I look out and watch those zombies so tuned out and only tuned into their texting, nothing else seems to matter. I guess it’s hard for me to imagine that this texting is good for the human race collectively. To be so consumed with messaging that you can’t focus on your surroundings just doesn’t seem right. I know that I personally would rather do anything other than walking down a street oblivious to the world and be consumed with texting. I certainly would rather have a pretty girl with her arm wrapped around my waste or I would even like to be the cool one with his hands in his pockets as long as I got to notice all the pretty girls along with the interesting people and sights. I think that maybe, just maybe we have let technology run amok and we are becoming its slave and that can’t make us better people in the process, at least that’s the way it looks from where I sit.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Capital Ex
Every once in awhile I wonder about stupidity, and just to be sure I was not contributing to stupidity I looked up the word. First, I was surprised not to see my picture or those of some of my old friends. The Webster’s online dictionary’s first definition was “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” Man sounds like my life or maybe my lifestyle from time to time. For example my sons and many of those that care about me, think I am too old to break colts that buck. I despite the rods pins and various staples and surgeries continue to break colts that like to buck, so I guess I can fall into the stupidity category.
Every once in awhile and not often enough to be of note; the wheels and gears get stuck in my head. Usually they get stuck on things that I find fall into the stupidity category. One such thing that has been rattling around up there for years and kind of eating away at my cranium, is the destruction of Klondike days and it’s replacement event the big nothing, or should we say Capital X.
The other day I was sitting in my office on the corner of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street when all of a sudden three fighter jets flew over, very impressive. Then it hit me; Edmonton’s non event was beginning. The Capital Zero, no sorry the Capital X had started with the parade. Despite the millions spent by the Northlands folks to promote the event, when you ask anybody they say if they are being kind , that it is an absolute dud. Kids relate it to the midway, but beyond that ask anyone and you will get the same answer, “I don’t Know” sometimes added by it’s the fair. So what the heck happened?
In my opinion it was one of those classic control and greed stories. Growing up before the Klondike days was systematically dismantled, it was a well talked about and exciting event. I remember my Mom, Aunts and Grandmother working and planning for months as to their costumes and what events they would take in. As a kid there was always something to do, from the local malls, pancake breakfasts and all sorts of small events all over the city. The Sour Dough Raft Race was so exciting and was coupled with events like the Lumber Jack competition, and the Promenade all off the midway site. Now understand if a hotel has a daylong event in its parking lot, or a raft race is along a river and draws thousands of people picnicking and watching, or my goodness people are just milling about at a local cafe featuring honky-tonk music how are we ever going to get those people to our precious grounds so we can pick their pockets. It’s important for them to come to the grounds so we can sell them on our ten dollar beer, and eight dollar hot dogs, not to mention the gate charge.
I remember the Klondike days dismantling began by some key people saying the event isn’t a true to life event, we weren’t the gold rush. Maybe not but am I wrong the theme was fun and I thought all those people on route to the gold rush came through Edmonton, as gateway to north. Then the Klondike Association was scooped up and Northlands took over. I remember a fellow involved in one of the off midway events telling me that since the K-Days association was eliminated his hotel was discouraged from having an event. He said it was not seen as community spirited to promote what he had for years promoted which was a pancake breakfast and day long activities at his hotel.
Getting back to the stupid part; I believe the organizers of this nothing event have failed, and they have “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” So, unless you really like midways and Carnies and noise and all that, you probably won’t like the Capital X. The Northlands group are very much about control, they want everyone to be at that ridiculous fair ground. In my humble opinion they really should be removed of the control on the event, and new vibrant organizers should be installed for perhaps the rebirth of Klondike days. Makes me cringe when Calgary makes us look silly by the city wide involvement they get for the Stampede. We should never have let a facilities organization destroy a fun city wide event and all I want to know is; What the Heck is Capital X. At least that’s what it looks like from where I sit
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer. And can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
Every once in awhile and not often enough to be of note; the wheels and gears get stuck in my head. Usually they get stuck on things that I find fall into the stupidity category. One such thing that has been rattling around up there for years and kind of eating away at my cranium, is the destruction of Klondike days and it’s replacement event the big nothing, or should we say Capital X.
The other day I was sitting in my office on the corner of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street when all of a sudden three fighter jets flew over, very impressive. Then it hit me; Edmonton’s non event was beginning. The Capital Zero, no sorry the Capital X had started with the parade. Despite the millions spent by the Northlands folks to promote the event, when you ask anybody they say if they are being kind , that it is an absolute dud. Kids relate it to the midway, but beyond that ask anyone and you will get the same answer, “I don’t Know” sometimes added by it’s the fair. So what the heck happened?
In my opinion it was one of those classic control and greed stories. Growing up before the Klondike days was systematically dismantled, it was a well talked about and exciting event. I remember my Mom, Aunts and Grandmother working and planning for months as to their costumes and what events they would take in. As a kid there was always something to do, from the local malls, pancake breakfasts and all sorts of small events all over the city. The Sour Dough Raft Race was so exciting and was coupled with events like the Lumber Jack competition, and the Promenade all off the midway site. Now understand if a hotel has a daylong event in its parking lot, or a raft race is along a river and draws thousands of people picnicking and watching, or my goodness people are just milling about at a local cafe featuring honky-tonk music how are we ever going to get those people to our precious grounds so we can pick their pockets. It’s important for them to come to the grounds so we can sell them on our ten dollar beer, and eight dollar hot dogs, not to mention the gate charge.
I remember the Klondike days dismantling began by some key people saying the event isn’t a true to life event, we weren’t the gold rush. Maybe not but am I wrong the theme was fun and I thought all those people on route to the gold rush came through Edmonton, as gateway to north. Then the Klondike Association was scooped up and Northlands took over. I remember a fellow involved in one of the off midway events telling me that since the K-Days association was eliminated his hotel was discouraged from having an event. He said it was not seen as community spirited to promote what he had for years promoted which was a pancake breakfast and day long activities at his hotel.
Getting back to the stupid part; I believe the organizers of this nothing event have failed, and they have “A poor ability to understand or to profit from experience.” So, unless you really like midways and Carnies and noise and all that, you probably won’t like the Capital X. The Northlands group are very much about control, they want everyone to be at that ridiculous fair ground. In my humble opinion they really should be removed of the control on the event, and new vibrant organizers should be installed for perhaps the rebirth of Klondike days. Makes me cringe when Calgary makes us look silly by the city wide involvement they get for the Stampede. We should never have let a facilities organization destroy a fun city wide event and all I want to know is; What the Heck is Capital X. At least that’s what it looks like from where I sit
Douglas Stacey is a humorist and a writer. And can be reached at crossingrafterranch@yahoo.ca
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