A6 www.quesnelobserver.com
• Publisher Tracey Roberts • Editor Autumn MacDonald
OPINIONS
Friday, August 21, 2015
Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Published by Black Press Ltd. 188 Carson Avenue Quesnel, BC, V2J 2A8
Safety first We cannot live in fear – but we must be mindful of safety. The recent case of a 70-year-old woman who was confronted – and then assaulted – by an intruder in her South Surrey home is a disturbing reminder that, while we should not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by anxiety, we need to exercise vigilance. The woman in question has shown admirable courage and resilience following an ordeal that we wouldn’t wish on anyone. No doubt the support of her husband and family – and the understanding and consideration of police, fire and medical personnel – have been vital to her determination to recover and move on from the horrific incident. Her husband has also said that they are taking steps to increase security, acknowledging they were ‘complacent’ after eight years in the neighbourhood. In the past, he said, they didn’t even bother locking their doors. Historically, anyone could be forgiven for such ‘complacence.’ Sickening intrusions into personal space are unimaginable for most Semiahmoo Peninsula residents. But while this has been – generally – considered a safe area, it’s evident that we can’t count on that any more. It’s natural, too, that an incident of this kind triggers public anger. A lot of it, rightfully, is directed at the criminal who perpetrated this act. Some of it, inevitably, is directed at Surrey RCMP, who some residents feel haven’t been taking break-and-enter incidents in the area seriously enough. It is also evident that police continue to operate with limited resources, particularly given the geographic area and must prioritize their response to reported crimes. Statistically – in spite of anomalies and periodic spikes – crime rates are generally dropping in Canada, although this information is likely scant comfort to anyone who has been victimized. While we don’t need to feel like prisoners in our own homes, we do have a responsibility to ensure that we aren’t inadvertently contributing to ‘crimes of opportunity.’ It’s easy enough: lock doors and windows, take basic precautions to secure our homes and help police by reporting suspicious behaviour. By planning for the anomaly, rather than the norm, we can go a long way to restoring confidence that our homes, and personal safety, are still sacrosanct. –BP
Gone thrifting, finding a bargain M
y idea of shopping is making a list, going to a store that has everything I need, purchasing the items and then rushing home. My 12 year old daughter’s idea of shopping is going to a ton of different stores for hours on end and trying on clothes she neither needs nor has enough money to buy. Fortunately she has some good friends who love to participate in that all-day activity with her. They call it window shopping. The first time I heard that phrase I was probably about the same age Daisy is now and it was from an episode of my favourite TV show Mary Tyler Moore, in which Mary took her landlord’s young daughter out for a fun-filled day of looking at things while not spending a dime. That’s kind of what Daisy and her friends do as well, but they also try on clothes, take chelfies and text them to me. What are chelfies? They’re selfies from change rooms. “Do you love it?” she titled a recent picture of herself wearing an adorable dress I actually did love. “Yes,” I texted back, knowing she had some birthday money in her
Lori Welbourne
On A Brighter Note purse. “How much?” “Too much,” she said. “I’m not in the market to buy today anyway. We’re just looking and getting ideas.” Getting ideas for what I wasn’t sure, but Daisy’s always had a thing for fashion and has expressed her own sense of style since she was a toddler. For that reason I introduced her to thrift and consignment store shopping years ago. She wasn’t keen on the idea initially. “It smells weird in here,” she said the first time I took her in one of the bigger, busier second hand stores. “And there’s too much stuff.” I agreed. It was overwhelming. We stayed though, and I helped her browse through a rack of children’s clothes from which we found a brand name denim jacket that looked identical to the one she had her eye on
People from all walks of life and income levels buy from thrift shops, consignment stores, flea markets, auctions, yard sales or off the internet and not necessarily for the bargains. Sometimes they’re looking for a unique item or retro piece that’s not available new. Other times the eco-friendly aspect of buying recycled items is the appeal. And then there are the people who take great pleasure in the creativity and imagination it evokes. I like it for all those reasons, and while I may have learned about window shopping from Mary Tyler Moore, I definitely learned the art of second hand shopping from Mary Christina McSorley. She’s my artistic grandmother who has quite an eye for style, beauty, quality and value. Daisy and her friends love to buy new clothes too, and occasionally they will. But whether they’re retailing, window shopping or buying second hand, it’s likely they’re going to have a fabulous time. It’s also likely I’ll receive a few chelfies. Lori Welbourne is a syndicated columnist. She can be found at LoriWelbourne.com
BCYCNA
Your award winning community newspaper published Sunday & Wednesday The Quesnel Cariboo Observer was founded in August 1908. All material contained in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction of contents, either in whole or part are not permitted without prior consent. Publications Mail Registration No. 1001572. Member of BCYCNA - British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspaper Association, CCNA - Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the BC Press Council. Published by Black Press Ltd. at 188 Carson Ave., Quesnel, B.C. V2J 2A8. Phone 250-992-2121. Fax: 250-992-5229 email: advertising@quesnelobserver.com newsroom@quesnelobserver.com Website:www.quesnelobserver.com Quesnel Cariboo Observer is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, PO Box 1356, Ladysmith,B.C. V9G 1A9. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
at the mall a few months earlier. She was impressed. “This is only $3.99,” she said excitedly. “It’s supposed to be 50 bucks.” “See what I mean?” I asked. “Someone paid full price for this and didn’t want it anymore and donated it to the store. You could buy this and a dozen other things in here for what you would have paid for this jacket when it was new.” That one simple find inspired her to look through the cluttered assortment on the racks and see what other treasures she could discover. She collected a few more items that put a smile on her face and that had me grinning as well. Secondhand shopping is enjoyable when you have the time and you’re in the mood. It’s certainly not efficient or all that productive because you don’t always see anything you want or need. But if you think of it more like a leisure activity that may or may not result in stumbling upon a bargain that you love, it can be a delightful way to spend time together. The stigma that used to accompany this activity appears to have vanished.
2008 WINNER
Tracey Roberts Publisher/Adv. Mgr.
Autumn MacDonald Editor
Lorrie Milsom Production Mgr.
Advertising Consultants: Karen Powell Ad Designer: Lorrie Milsom Editorial Staff: Annie Gallant - Assistant Editor Front Office: Trina Wiebe