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JUIY/AUGUST 2000
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Voluntary Smoking Ban Won't Work in Scotland
Dear Editor:
It was with mixed emotions that I read, "Charter to Stub Out Smoking in Bars" (June, 2000). While enjoying a beer in the "on again, off again" ("on" right now, thanks to Richmond City Council) smoke-free - and packed - Foggy Dew, I read the above-mentioned article.
While I'm always happy to hear about bans on smoking in indoor public places and workplaces, both locally and around the world, I was saddened to learn that the Scottish Health Minister is so naive as to believe that a "voluntary charter" will result in "smoke free zones" in pubs and restaurants.
First, although the article doesn't go into much detail, the Minister seems to imply that "no smoking" and "smoke free" zones are one and the same. Well, he's wrong.
Second, the Minister still seems to be treating smoking as if it's "the norm"....sort of like saying, "The majority of the premises will be 'smoker-friendly' - but because those dratted non-smokers are whining, we'll provide them with a token little 'non-smoking' area, which won't quite be 'smoke-free', but what the hell"?!?
And finally, the Minister has been smoking something a hell of a lot stronger than tobacco if he seriously believes that "the industry" (as has been clearly shown re-
cently, here in B.C., there's no need to distinguish between the so-called hospitality industry and the tobacco industry....for all intents and purposes, they're one and the same) can regulate itself and take any meaningful action whatsoever to protect workers and/or the general public from the established health hazards associated with second hand indoor tobacco smoke!
When the smoke clears, the Minister will recognize that good, strong, effective, enforceable - and enforced - legislation is, unfortunately, the one and only way to resolve the problem.
Sincerely. Errol E. Povah Delta. B.C.
Celtic Radio Show Now in Tofino
Dear Editor:
I thought I should let you know that way out here at the end of the road in Tofino [on Vancouver Island] , we have a radio station and I have a show based on Celtic music!
AnarCelt (with a hard "C") RadicalRadio can be heard on CHOO FM most Saturday afternoons from three o'clock until six. You're within range on a good radio when you reach the junction that takes you left to Ucluelet and right to Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park. It's 101.7 FM.
The original idea of the show was to blend modern Celtic music from Canada and Scotland along with modern and traditional Irish tunes. Yet AnarCelt moves in and out of the Celtic realm: a little punk rock (there's the anarchy), a little Monkees, a little Marilyn Monroe, a little medieval opera: unpredictability is often a goal!
Readings from groovy books about Celtic culture/Celtic concerns such as The Wicca Book of Days, Goddesses for Every Season, The Faeryland Companion, The Religion of the Ancient Celts and Trav-els in the Celtic World axe. common on the show.
The classic Nineteenth century Charlotte Bronte novel Jane Eyre is read most afternoons at 5:30. Poetry from just about any (usually Canadian) poet has been known to be recited.
All the pagan seasonal holy-days are observed. And I have been known to read The Celtic Connection on air.
Recently, I was at Celtic Creations at Lonsdale Quay and the nice lady there gave me a book, Celtic Wisdom, to use on the show as long as I mentioned her store. So I did. Many times!
AnarCelt explores issues as well, and there are plenty up here! Logging is only one of them. My favourite thing to do is to have theme shows. Like International Women's Day, celebrating diversity, St. Patrick's all-Irish equinox show, animal rights, liberation in the age of dietary fascism and tyrannical thinness - with special guest Sushil Saini of Victoria's Living Large.
So now you know! Remember to tune in when you're in Tough City on a Saturday afternoon. Thanks!
Christine Lowther Tofino, B.C.
THE MOTORIST'S PRAYER
Grant me, O Lord, a steady hand and a watchful eye, that no one shall be hurt as I pass by. Thou gavest life, I pray no act of mine may take away or mar that gift of Thine. Shelter those, dear Lord, who bear me company, from the evils of fire and all calamity. Teach me to use my car for other's need; nor miss through speed the beauty of the world; that thus I may with joy and courtesy go on my way. St. Christopher, holy patron of travellers, protect me and lead me safely to my destiny.
NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary (never known to fail). O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Holy Spirit, you who solve all problems, light all roads so that I can attain my goal. You gave me the Divine gift to forgive and forget all evil against me. This prayer must be said for three days, even after the request is granted and the favour received. It must be published.
- C&TB. M&PC. and MK
Did You Hear the One?
A few years ago, two Scottish tourists were travelling on the Canadian Pacific passenger rail car from Montreal to Vancouver.
Late in the evening the train stopped at a place on the CP. Rail line and the woman passenger said to her husband, "Ask the porter, where are we?"
The husband did as he was bid and returned with the information, "Saskatoon, Saskatchewan." Quite indignantly, the woman said, "Oh, for goodness sake, get someone who can speak English!"
THE CELTIC CONNECTION
ISSUE NUMBER 88 #741 -916 W. Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1K7 Tel: (604)434-3747 Fax: (604) 434-3749 Website: www.celtic-connection.com Maura McCay - Publisher E-Mail Address: celtic@istar.ca
Catholine Butler - Advertising E-Mail Address: cbutler@istar.ca Barbara Jessiman - Sales Representative Alberta Jack Wallace - Consulting EditorAndrea Law - Copy Editor Tara Graphics - Graphics and Ad Production Ann Marie Finnerty - Word Processing Colleen Carpenter & Ron Johnstone - Paste-up Distribution: Art Marshall • Kevin Boggan* Mike Paul* Kathy Griffin in Surrey • James Corbin in Mission • Jim Rochfort in Delta • Bill Carracher in White Rock • Finian Rowland in Seattle • Oliver Grealish in Edmonton. Published 10 times per year. Unsolicited submissions welcome but will not be returned. Please retain a copy for your files. Contents copyright 2000 The Celtic Connection. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the publisher but rather a reflection of voices within the community. All correspondence must include a name, address and telephone number.
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