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What exactly is a snow storm? I just got back from filling my F150 with $75 worth of gas. And the only reason I coughed up $75 to fill the truck with $1.13 gas, was 'cuz a weatherman said we might have snow. And the F150 was running on fumes. Now I generally drive the SUV to work, but when we have a heavy snowfall, I usually turn the keys to the four-wheel-drive SUV over to The Sidekick and I drive the F150, which is also a four-wheeler. Walking to the truck after the fill-up, I returned my wounded debit card to my wallet and wondered-- what exactly is a `snow storm' these days? Weather people have preached so much doom and gloom about snowfall, that it's to the point where people now consider 5 to 10 centimetres of snow a major blizzard. Hello! That's only 2 to 4 inches folks! Deep down, we all know it, yet still fall victim to those who forecast the roads will be socked-in, the freeways will be a mess, and the entire Canadian workforce will be late for work. We've become a nation of wimps! A mere dusting of snow causes school boards to cancel their buses. Thousands of people call their doctors, dentists and other professional people to cancel appointments, 'cuz it's going to storm tomorrow.' I really don't think our weather prognosticators realize how much influence they have on people, through their inaccurate weather forecasts. A case in point. Decades ago, the local Rebecca Lodge held a fashion show which was their sole fund raiser for an annual scholarship trip to Washington D.C., for a student from Georgetown High District High School. The day of the fashion show, the radio reports were filled with doom and 7 VISION 2000 EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Pinnacle Grill dinner for 2 & 3 bottles of wine per stateroom Independent & Free Press, Thursday, January 13, 2011 CRUISE EXOTIC POLYNESIA Ted Brown gloom, saying THE biggest snow storm of the century was on its way, and suggested people stay inside, batten down the hatches, and do whatever it took to survive this so-called killer storm. Assigned to cover the fashion show that evening, I arrived at the assigned time. The show did go on, with a full lineup of models, showing off the fashions of the day. And the crowd, maybe a dozen ladies, did their best to raise funds to send a student on a trip. It was sad. The Rebeccas sole fundraiser was a bust, because everyone stayed home, fearing the `storm'. After the show, I walked out to the parking lot, peered up into the heavens, and gazed at all those sparkling little stars in a perfectly clear sky. No snow at all, not even a dusting. The next day, the weather forecasters had their story prepared. "We were lucky-- it went around us..." Yup, it missed the entire Great Lakes system... yeah, right. From that day on, I've taken all forecasts with a grain of salt. I deal with inclement weather when it actually gets here-- not when forecasters say it's coming. But I still fill the F150 gas tank-- just on the off-chance they're right. 34 Day Circle Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas Islands Cruise Sept. 25, 2011 Vancouver to San Diego aboard the ms Westerdam Reserve your cabin now at our special group pricing! Inside stateroom $3,899 p.p. Verandah stateroom $5,899 p.p. Taxes of $160.27 p.p. are additional Georgetown All fares are in US dollars, per person, cruise only and based on double occupancy. Fares are subject to availability at time of booking and can be withdrawn by cruise line without prior notice. Ships Registry: The Netherlands. 905-873-2000 328 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON TICO Reg #50018501 Open Saturdays 9am - 4pm w w w. v i s i o n 2 0 0 0 t r a v e l . c o m Look for Halton Region Chair Gary Carr's column on line at www.independentfreepress.com Gary Carr WEEKEND SPECIAL STRICTLY FISH & REPTILES · BEARDED DRAGONS · GECKOS ·CRICKETS · FULL ACCESSORIES valid for 128 Guelph St., Georgetown Coupon January 15 & 16 Heat Lamps Bearded Dragons $ 905· 905 ·877 877· ·3474 and must be presented upon purchase. 50% Off 4599 "Spaces live. Let me help you live well in yours." Catherine Brazeau, Interior style consultant 905.877.0296 www.haughtonbrazeau.com Complete renovation management, colour harmonizing, furniture & accessories selection, lighting advice... and much more! Let's start creating your dream!