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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 200€ EDITORIAL Weather or Not? The electronic media warned for days last week that we could expect the biggest snow storm of the winter before the weekend. Work crews were alerted, people stocked up on groceries, skiers and snowmobilers rubbed their hands in glee, commuters shivered and shook with apprehension. But, lo and behold, when the week had elapsed only a few flakes fell. About enough to blanket the ground with three or four centimetres, just deep enough to make the roads slippery. The weather people acknowledged, or perhaps a better word admitted, they had been wrong. The storm they tracked from the western United States failed to follow the path they projected. Instead, it stayed south of the Great Lakes. We escaped relatively unscathed. Surely we should have all rejoiced. But no, some people admitted they felt disappointed, even frustrated, but the lack ofa with Hartley Coles BROWSING FOR BOOKS: Carleigh Lewis, 8, and her sister Paige, 10, checked out some of the hundreds of books that were for sale at the Upper Credit Humane Society Book Sale this past Saturday at the Arena. -- Angela Tyler photo good old-fashioned snowstorm. They envisioned hibernating with a good book before a roaring fire while the elements raged outside. Others dreamed of stopping the world for a couple of The rich guy and Cinderella everyone he was embarrassed by the too good to be true. ' : ; BY ANGELA TYLER days while they recharged their batteries. The New Tanner By Friday their hopes had evaporated. The world just kept ------ turing on its axis. Most ofus, I'm sure, breathed a sigh of relief that we could let the snow shovels stand idle for a while. there's already a foot or so (30 centimetres) of the white stuffin my in yours, too. Who needs more? The Ford Motor Co. has the answer to those who were unnecessarily alarmed by the foul weather warming. They splashed a large advt. in the dailies for the Explorer SUVs, proclaiming, "Look Forward to Weather Warnings" with their splendid products. Just merrily bounce over the drifts, I guess. The lesson in all this, however, has to go to the alarmists who predicted we'd be buried in snow. Surely they'll be more cautious from now on, exercising some restraint when they predict so far ahead. yard, and probably Once upon a time, in a land not so far away lived a multi-millionaire. One day after this mysterious man was served a restraining order by his former fiancé, he decided it was time to finda different bride. Being no stranger to bizarre stunts like holding the Guinness Book record for longest stand up comedy routine, the rich and Fox Television de- cided to hold a search for his Cinderella. They searched all over the not so far away land and in Canada too. Fi- nally, 50 women decided to publicly humiliate and degrade themselves in front of 22.8 million people to become the bride or trophy wife of a man they never met (yes, it is the year 2000). These beautiful and apparently intelligent women agreed to divulge personal information and beliefs, suc- cumb to health and psychological tests, were ranked by the rich ry along with his friends and family then around in evening wear, bath- ing suits and the ever so embarrass- ing Bridal Gown Parade in hopes of being chosen Mrs. Rich Guy. When it was narrowed down to the Fab Five, they had a mere 30 sec- onds to win over Prince Charming's heart. With a promise to enjoy the quiet times together, to be his friend. lover and partner and wanting him to enjoy her passion for travel the Prince had found his trophy. After telling whole thing, a 34-year old ER nurse and Gulf War Vet was chosen. She was a blonde who enjoys rainy days and hockey but hates spiders. Then in the o-so romantic setting of a television sound stage with a Vegas judge, they became husband and wife...after signing a prenuptial agreement during the commercial break. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes. We have all learned from this tel- evision show. Television can be edu- cational. Fox Television has learned that need to check their million- aires a little more thoroughly. In the aftermath of the information about the rich guy, Rick Rockwell, Fox has Consequently cancelled this week's airing on the behind the scenes for Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire. 1 believe the term would be public rela- tions nightmare. The other a, we have learned is some women will do anything in attempt to snag a guy with a few bucks. Now let's get back to this clown...sorry, rich guy. During the broadcast he said he was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and at- tended Penn State University. He graduated first in his class. He trav- elled to Hollywood to seek his fame. then ventured into real estate where half of his wealth collected, He de- velops ocean view estate homes, flies small planes, and owns part of a golf course. I'm guessing his part is the thing that washes the golf balls. On top of this all he was single. Sounds He changed his name from Rich- ard Balkey to Rick Rockwell. Accord- ing to his mother, he hasn't been home for 20 years. She, along with other family members had no idea he was a multi-millionaire. He once biked 480 kilometers between comedy clubs to get attention and has dab- bled in exotic dancing, It is unclear if he was the dancer or the promoter. He drives a Volkswagen and has at least $600,000 in debt. In May, he bought a condo in San Diego for $45,000 then two months later took out a loan for $337,000. Al- though he sold two homes last year for $723,000 his mortgage for a condo in Vancouver lists his occupation as 'writer'. He also co-ownsa company called Rockwell and Myers Corp. but who knows what this business does? Maybe it has something to do with the exotic dancing? Well Darva Conger, I hope you enjoy your rich guy. You received a large diamond ring, a cruise honey- moon with a separate cabin from your husband, an Isuzu Trooper, a hus- band with a $600,000 debt and a pren- uptial that allows you both to annual the marriage at ime. The marriage that you vowed to endure 'for richer : poorer, as long as you both shall ves. For my chance ata million, I'll stick with buying Super 7 tickets from Herb Dodds. He doesn't make you Partici- pate in a Bridal Gown Parade: it only Costs $2 and I still have my dignity. EDUCATION 1¢ IF You Cant |lYoun HAVE TS eT EVERYTHING, Scour SIGN MAREE PAY CASH ° fy |S BALE FA Snow I love it! Kodi, a Siberian Husky doesn't worry about storms. The more snow the more he likes it. - Angela Tyler photo "ae JjJacy c. Publisher : Ted Tyler Editorial Hartley Coles Frances Niblock Mike O'Leary Ellen Pieh! 59 Willow Street North Maggie Petrushevsky Angela Tyler Acton, Ontario Advertising and Circulation L7J 128 Marie Shadbolt Composing Karen Coleman Penny Zurbrigg Distributed to every home in Acton and area as well as adjoining communities. ADVERTISING POLICY Every effort will be made to see advertising copy, neatly presented, is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omis- sions in advertising, but will gladly reprint without charge that part of an advertisement in which an error may occur provided a claim is made within five days of publication.