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6 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 EDITORIAL Distributed to every home in Acton and area as well as adjoining communities. 373 Queen Street East, Unit 1 Acton, Ontario L7J 2N2 email: thenewtanner@on.aibn.com Mike OLeary Angela Tyler Matthew Reid Rebecca Ring Gord Dowling Publisher Editorial Ted Tyler Hartley Coles Editorial Contributors Advertising and Circulation Composing Marie Shadbolt Bruce Cargill The New Tanner By Angela Tyler with Hartley Coles (519) 853-0051 Fax: (519) 853-0052 Every effort will be made to see advertising copy, neatly presented, is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omissions 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. All articles, advertisements and graphic artwork appearing in The New Tanner is copyrighted. Any usage, reproduction or publication of these items, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher of The New Tanner is a copyright infringement and subject to legal action. Turning 40 no big deal Ten years ago, my friends young daughter asked her mom how old I was going to be on my birthday because she wanted to make me a card. Her mom responded 29, which I was going to be. The next year, she asked her mom again how old I was going to be. Her mom responded again, 29. We would often wonder how long it would take for her to realize that every year I was the same age. Monday was my birthday. I was 29 againfor the tenth time. Age is an odd thing. When you are really young, old seems to be anything over 20 years old. Then, as you reach that old age of 20, old seems to be anything around 40. A few years ago, my sister was reaching that ancient age of 40. I de- cided, since I was the younger sister who was and can be a thorn in her side, it was time to torment the old crock. After all, being 40 was really old. I had already started the festivi- ties a few years prior with giving her Happy 40th Birthday cards long before her actual birthday Perhaps my reporter instincts kicked in, or maybe I had watched to many crime shows on televi- sion, somehow, I managed to find out where she kept her spare house keys at my parents home and also got her to divulge where she kept spare car keys. I snuck over to her house when she was out and confiscated the car keys. I had a brilliant plan. I would decorate her double driveway in sidewalk chalk proclaiming to the world she was 40. I would then fill her car, which is not a large car, with 40 balloons. She had warned me for the year prior to her birthday not to put anything in the newspaper. I promised I wouldnt, but being the thorn, she knew I would do something. As I pondered my plan, I thought sidewalk chalking her driveway would be very time consuming and even though in the dark of night, I maybe caught by her neighbours or herself. That is when I remembered I had access to a ball diamond chalk machine. That would be much easi- er. I could decorate her driveway in no time and wait for her reaction. Early in the morning with the moon still shining and dressed in criminal black, I headed to her home with my balloons, her car keys and chalk. It was a master plan. I did my sisterly best decorating her drive- way in giant 40s. She might not like it at first, but I was sure she would appreciate my effort to remember her special day. I couldnt wait any longer. It was after 8 a.m. and I needed to get her response so I called her and made subtle hints for her to notice my artwork. When she did she was shocked to say the least. My mission was complete. It was even more en- hanced when one of her neighbours when walking by took a moment at the end of her driveway and laughed until he was almost in tears. She was now old and she told me that my turn was coming. I responded with it maybe, however, that would be not for another seven years and by that time, I would be preparing for her 50th. That was when the worst hap- pened. The day after her birthday, it rained. I then learned that ball diamond chalk was not actually chalk and composed of lime. Lime, asphalt and rain just dont get along too well, and I almost destroyed her driveway. Now, being 39, I realize two im- portant things. First, I turn 40 next year and really, 40 is not old. The other thing is, that I turn 40 next year and as my sister told me eight years ago, my turn was coming. Carefree students from schools in Actons east end are again giving motorists along Queen St. heart palpitations with their derring-do cross- ing the highway. Instead of using pedestrian crossings along Queen St some of the students choose to take short cuts by crossing anywhere along the busy highways. They use the middle lane of three to stop before darting across the south lane to the curb. Stores in Sobeys Plaza are the main draw but there are other attractions on the south side of Queen St. as well So far there havent been any casualties but there have been many close calls and drivers must use extreme caution during school breaks to ensure the students safety There are easily accessible safe pedestrian crossings on the corners of Churchill Rd. and Acton Boulevard with lights to ensure safe passage across Queen St. All students should use them. Jaywalking is too risky. Carefree kids dont seem to realize the hazards associated with it. Risky Behavior Staff of the New Tanner gets requests for gobs of free publicity weekly from a variety of sources and an incredible assortment of causes. Theres a desire to help them all, especially the local and semi-local causes, but theres neither the space, nor the time to deal with them all. Staff manages to help with campaigns we know directly affect readers, but not all can be accommodated. If an event charges admission then its an advertisement, not news. Unless theres a sizeable charitable commitment it will likely be passed over. The best way to make sure your message gets out is to place an adver- tisement. Ads pay the freight for newspapers and ensure your message is delivered to the public with your wording. Circulation of the New Tanner is nearly 9,000. The circulation covers Acton, Rockwood, Eden Mills, Limehouse, Speyside, Ballinafad, Ospringe and surrounding areas like a blanket. Message Insurance BIRTHDAY TEA: At the Birthday tea at the Acton Seniors Centre on Tuesday, Sept 11 Loretta Ivanyshyn, Eileen Dix, Heinz Rusche, Ron Saunders, Donna Rowley, Dobbie Frizzell, Joanne Bissonnette, Irene Richardson, Joan Bateman, Ann Drysdale, Pauline Barlow, Carol Onion, Pat Patterson, Lloyd Broostad, Stella Brunelle, Shirley Broostad, and Ian McAlister enjoyed the cake and ice cream with their guests. - Julie Conroy photo Problems Solved For the first time in almost 10 years of existence The New Tanner missed its publication date last week by a complete day. Problems in the compos- ing room where computers had to be reset, all contributed to the problems, exacerbated by illness to another staff member. Since some carriers could not accommodate the new time a few people were missed. Dozens of them descended on The New Tanner office where were able to get one. Eventually the size of the paper had to be reduced. Acton Fall Fair photos and the other news had to consigned to the next week The publisher and staff of The New Tanner apologize for the delay in publishing last week. This week, hopefully, were on time and everyone should get their New Tanner. One thing was apparent from last weeks dilemma. Scores of phone calls and visits confirmed The New Tanner is welcomed into almost 9,000 homes every week - Ted Tyler