New column: Don't worry, be happy
Friday, November 16, 2007 9:09 AM PST
By Cal FitzSimmons
Printable version
E-mail this articleTurn that frown upside down. Stop and smell the roses. Put on a happy face. Today’s column is a celebration of the good in our community. It’s a wonderful opportunity to step back and admire and appreciate what we have in the Lower Columbia.
There is no room for negativity here. I have been accused of writing these columns simply as a means of agitating you, of trying to get your collective danders up, or to put your panties in a bunch.
Though deeply offended and wounded by such accusations or insinuations, I will, nonetheless, take them to heart.
I shall now prove that I have changed my ways (without acknowledging that my ways needed changing) with a heavy dose of pumpkin pie wrapped up in a cinnamon shell. Should anything I write even give the faintest odor of cynicism, sarcasm or surliness, I vow to STOP immediately.
The Nov. 6 elections: Let’s give a big round of applause to all those well-intentioned candidates who presented themselves for public scrutiny, then watched it all conclude with a simple thumb up or down from voters.
As always, no matter conventional wisdom, editorial endorsements or pundit prognostications, it was the voters who had the final say.
That simplicity of that process is the beauty of our democracy. We all should rejoice in that.
Yes, you can find yourself looking at some of those local results and wondering what the ... STOP.
Soak in that scenery: Look around you. You see trees, rivers, mountains and other natural beauty. We live in a wonderful area of the country. It’s a quick trip to the beach or the mountains. Mighty rivers cut through our towns offering a tangible feeling of grandeur that can be overwhelming to the senses. And those senses can be especially overwhelmed if you happen to be downwind of ... STOP.
Rainier is cool: It’s like an old-fashioned fishing village with the homes on the hills and quaint businesses. And what a fantastic park they’ve built on the river. Sure the city government and school district ... STOP.
Brick and mortar: Whether historic or eclectic, we have some awesome buildings and businesses in our area. Look at the Columbia Theatre, the post office, the Longview Library, the Monticello Hotel, the Kelso Theatre Pub, Bob’s, the Hilander, Kalama’s antique stores and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Though, if you’re taking a tour you may want to avoid … STOP.
Play ball: We love our sports. Look at all the kids on our wonderful assortment of playing fields each day enjoying the camaraderie that comes with teamwork and good-spirited competition. Parents and friends cheer polite support. We watch these young athletes grow up, some taking their athletics to higher levels, others simply taking great childhood memories along on their life journey. We care deeply about our sports. Now, if we only cared half as much about … STOP.
Community events: To name just a few, Go Fourth, the Christmas parade, Unique Tin, Relay for Life, Planters’ Days, the county fair, community theater productions, parks programs and farmers markets are events that give us opportunities to come together as a community. People turn out in droves for the festivities and fun. There’s plenty to do, unless you’re … STOP.
Our small towns: Most of us wouldn’t live here if we didn’t want and appreciate small-town life. You get to know the people in line with you at the store. And they’re friendly folks who care about each other and their community. We watch out for each other. Of course, the reason we need to watch so closely … STOP.
Let the sun shine: Is there anywhere that has summers as beautiful as we enjoy here? Blue skies, warm temperatures that rarely become oppressively hot and hardly a hint of humidity make this the summertime place to be. For three-plus months, the weather’s as good as it gets. Then, the rest of the year … STOP.
Ahh, gosh: This area has a great local newspaper. Of course, you know that already, but it’s worth saying again. The Daily News was judged the best paper in our five-state region this year, but you’ve come to expect that sort of excellence. Now, if only we could fix those … STOP.
Neighborhoods: We have beautiful homes high on our hills served by winding streets that give you a feeling of country isolation yet still within city limits. We have the Lake Sacajawea area with an impressive array of architectural styles tucked within tree-lined streets. We have some very impressive neighborhoods throughout our cities. Just stay away from … STOP.
Take a bow: This goes out to you, The Daily News online community. You are engaged in local issues and show it here with your insightful and often witty comments on our stories. There’s also a community of local people at Town Square discussing tons of things. It’s fantastic to see this dialogue. And most of what is said is very … STOP.
There, I’ve done it. It’s all good and I’ve got a warm, fuzzy feeling. Of course I left plenty of good things for the rest of you to add, so please feel free to join this group hug. Just remember, happy, happy happy.
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