cktimes.ca Archives for Notes from a Garage


Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Diverse opinion is a big part of cktimes

Tuesday, January 7, 2003

I must tell you about something that happened over the Christmas break. I was watching a small bit of the national news one night (I usually avoid the news), when something caught my eye. It was cktimes columnist Derry McKeever up on Parliament Hill speaking out in favour of the federal government's gun registration program. In fact, during the clip, Derry was involved in a verbal exchange with a fellow in a Stetson who was, shall we say, very pro-gun. Now when Derry and I got together earlier this week, he expressed concern that cktimes and I might take some flak over his very public outpouring. He told me he's received angry phone calls from as far away as Alberta from people unhappy about his point of view. I told Derry that I was, in fact, proud of him for getting involved and speaking his mind on a very important national issue. Offering diverse points of view on the issues of the day is a huge part of the mandate of cktimes. Derry has joined our other social justice advocate Hank Bos (who has a new piece in this paper) and they are a powerful one-two punch. From the arts, culture and heritage with writers like Jim and Lisa Gilbert and Glen Turner, to environmental issues with Blake Mann, Kris Lee or Larry Cornelis, to the views of our youth and right across the spectrum, cktimes is there for you. This is your paper and if you have a point of view about anything, let us know. In fact, I'd like to try to offer a "Readers' Viewpoint" for you folks. Send me your opinions and I'll feature you as a columnist. Get involved in cktimes. We're your media alternative.

My wife and I spent a most enjoyable New Year's Eve in Blenheim last week, guests of the Blenheim Rotary Club at that group's dinner/dance in the Moose Lodge. It was a pleasant way to literally ring in the New Year. First, we enjoyed a great meal prepared by the Women of the Moose, then settled in for some dancing with Hippy's DJ Service. Now, I'm not much of a dancer, but the Hippy, Daryl DeRidder had me on my feet for most of the night. In addition, we enjoyed the fellowship of some fine Blenheimites and had a chance to say hello to the likes of Rotary President Bob Fox and Lynn Girty. Then, at about quarter to twelve, and with the big moment at hand, we headed off for downtown Blenheim for the traditional ringing of the Rotary Bell – an event that's been held annually since 1967, Canada's Centennial year. Blenheim Councillor Frank Vancauteren led the big countdown and about 200 people braved the cold, clear weather to welcome in the year. It was a real heartwarming gathering. Thanks so much to the people of Blenheim for making us feel welcome. You have a wonderful tradition going down there is south Kent.

A quick word about couple of guys from my youth and their sad demise. Joe Strummer of the 1970's rock giants, the Clash, and King Biscuit Boy, Richard Newell, one of the finest blues harp players on the planet, have died. I saw both these guys in concert and they were both music powerhouses in their day. The Biscuit comes from an era when raw creative energy abounded in the music business and Strummer was part of the last big gasp of rage against the machine (sorry about that) when punk tried to warn us about where we were headed. Alas, both were dinosaurs in the year 2003. Even though the Clash were talking about a reunion, there just wouldn't have been the energy. It's gone forever.

I want to congratulate Jim and Lisa Gilbert on the successful launch of their new book over the Christmas season. The book sold 1,000 copies in extremely short order and, in fact, even the authors were left without a copy. I say way to go to the Gilberts – it's absolutely great to see some local arts advocates having such great success. They do so much to help us appreciate who we are and where we come from – important stuff indeed.

Got to see the new Lord of the Rings flic over the Christmas break and it's very good. I've been a Rings' fan since I was in high school and have eagerly awaited a decent movie version of the greatest fantasy ever written. Now, though, I'm wondering. I can't believe the sheer scale of the movies and cringe when I think about the cost of producing them. I mean, children are starving while I'm filling my face with popcorn and watching a $200 million movie. Something ain't right there and that's for sure. I must be getting old or something.

Time to go for another week, Thanks again for supporting cktimes. Just got the hits numbers for December and we're doing really well – really well, indeed, and I owe that to you. Don't forget to let your friends and neighbours know you read it in cktimes. It's the only way we'll grow.

I hope everything is well with you and yours. Take care and remember..."Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may.






John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.