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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 6, 2014 | 30 T It is time to worry about all of the world's worriers here's an old saying that researchers have repeatedly proven to be true and that psychologists often use as a salve on their anxious patients: "Most of what we worry about never happens." Of course, upon hearing this adage, the hardcore worrywart doubtlessly thinks: You see, all my worrying works. True confession -- I worry. I'm a Juniper. Worrying is what we do. And, not to boast, but we are darn good at it. We sweat the little things and we get all twisted in knots over the big things. We are That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor masters of anxious pacing, and the nervous hangnail chew (gnawed up to the knuckles), and we can get our stomachs churning at the drop of a hat. Union Gas Pipeline Project - Information Session Burlington Oakville Pipeline Project To secure the continued reliable and affordable transportation of natural gas for the communities of Milton, Oakville and Burlington, Union Gas is proposing to construct a new 11.7km natural gas pipeline and related pressure station facilities in the area. The proposed 20-inch diameter pipeline will connect the existing Dawn-Parkway Transmission System to the existing Burlington-Oakville Distribution System. An integral part of this project is an environmental study of the construction and operation of the natural gas pipeline which began in 2013. Based on feedback received to-date as part of the environmental study process, which included two previous information sessions, the study area has been expanded eastward to assess additional pipeline route options in the area of Ninth Line. A revised preliminary preferred route has also been identified. If approved by the Ontario Energy Board, construction would begin as early as 2016. Legend Study Area Parkway West Station Basically, we fret morning, noon and night and -- as is the case with all full-time worriers -- something small (and altogether illogical) inside us believes that our worrying actually helps keep the world spinning on its axis. Still, I can't help but fear, I can't help but worry, that the rest of the world is suddenly, speedily catching up to us. That we are becoming a society of Nervous Nellies. Or, worse, Anxious Andys. Seriously, worry levels of late are off the charts. Take Ebola. As Michael Specter recently wrote in The New Yorker: "Fear is not a weakness; it's how people respond to danger. Unless it is calibrated properly, however, fear quickly turns into panic, and panic moves faster than any virus." Which is to say that although it is impossible to understate the horri c nature of this disease, and the tragic toll it is taking in African countries, it is not a major threat to us in its current form. In fact, it is far less a health threat than, say, the run-of-the-mill u that runs through families each winter. So, why this sudden epidemic of fear and all this pervasive panic? In large part, the worry machine is driven by media and the urgency of 24/7 news cycles that must continually be ramped up to keep readers/viewers interested and engaged. Naturally, it becomes a matter of one-upmanship between news agencies. In no time at all, the story goes from an isolated case of Ebola to, goodness gracious, this disease is about to swallow us whole. Social media also feeds the beast. Honestly, the motto for all social media seems to be: Never let the facts get in the way of a good story. And, nally, all this anxiousness is perpetuated by people who seem to actually revel in foundationless fears. The bottom line is that people need to stop worrying. After all, most of what we worry about never happens. Besides, worrying won't get you anywhere. Oh, and you're starting to make the true worriers in this world -- like the Junipers -- look bad. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. Highway 401 For more news, visit www.oakvillebeaver.com. ! k j Bronte Station Preferred Route Revised Preliminary Preferred Route Burlington-Oakville Distribution System Dawn-Parkway Transmission System Highway Road Municipal Boundary Regional Road James Snow TOWN OF MILTON Derry Road CITY OF MISSISSAUGA Britannia Road Trafalgar Road Pkwy S ± 0 1 2 km 9th Line Base features produced under license with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2014. Eglinton Avenue West Highway 403 Burnhamthorpe Road E Neyagawa Bo 25 Tremaine Road Highway 407 Dundas Street W Dundas Street E ulevard CITY OF BURLINGTON Upper Middle Road W 8th Line ! k j Queen Elizabeth Way TOWN OF OAKVILLE An information session regarding the project and the revised preliminary preferred route will be held as follows: Thursday November 13, 2014 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Joshua's Creek Arenas (Second Floor) 1663 North Service Road East Oakville, ON The information session will be conducted as a drop-in centre, and representatives from both Union Gas and Stantec will be available to receive comments and answer questions. If you cannot attend but would like to learn more, please contact: Phone: 1-855-381-9138 Email: projects@uniongas.com Or visit our project webpage: uniongas.com/projects