4 - Friday, August 8, 1986 - North Shore News

Bob Hunter

®@ strictly personal ®

THEY CAN start privatiz-
ing the liquor stores any

time, thank you.

Generally speaking, clerks at
the government booze stores per-
form about as well as unionized
government clerks anywhere.
Fair enough?

Everybody knows that sooner
or later they’re going to be

automated, but in the meantime

as long as they don’t slow things
down any more than the situation
dictates, 1 don’t feel too much
hostility toward them.

I mean, it’s not their fault that

A MAN was taken to Lions Gate
Hospital Wednesday night after his
motorcycle collided with a car at
the intersection of 2ist Street and
Lonsdale Avenue.

Patrick Gowan is reported to be
in satisfactory, but stable condi-
tion.

The nature of his injuries have
not been released.

The driver of the vehicle was
unharmed in the accident that oc-
curred at around 9 p.m.

North Vancouver RCMP say the
driver of the car was turning west-
bound when the motorcycle slam-
med into the side of the car.

The accident caused extensive
damage to the automobile and the
motorcycle, but the exact damage
costs are unknown.

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f can only go and buy a bottle of
hootch at inconvenient times and
inconvenient places and that they
ALL shut down on the same day,
namely the day when everybody's
off work and could use a drink.

I find it cute the way the liquor
store clerks have to stuff the bot-
tles you buy into brown bays.
And if you buy two bottles, one
goes into one bag, then it goes
inside another bag, with the extra
bottle being stuffed in beside.

I guess the sight of a naked
bottle of plonk or gin or rum
would cause kiddies to go mad in
the parking lot or little old ladies
to faint.

Minor stuff. But then every
once in a while, something hap-

pens that reminds me qust how
awful government liquor stores
really are.

A true tale:

My wile and | oare on our way
home from a party. Yes. | have
had a couple of drinks. But note:
she’s driving. And she has NOT
been drinking. Very eood.

We stop ata liquor store fo get
some wine for when we get home
and she can Joosen up.

Because there are so few Hguor
stores und they are soe inconve-
niently located, and we never
know for sure whether they're
going to be open or closed, we
have to go out of our way to
make sure we hit one we're pasi-
tive is Open.

Tt is. But there are huge Jine-
ups at every cash register.

Unhappy already, | plunge into
the crowd while my wife hunts
for a parking spot in the jammed
fot, with dozens of cars rumbling
confusedly about.

Inside, | quickly pick out the
wine I want, and then because |
don’t want to stand in another
line-up any sooner than 1? have
to, | grab another.

Head for line-up. It takes five
to seven minutes to get to the ca-

ust 90 minutes away at Whistler
#3 Resort, you'll find a network of happy
trails. Some are naturai, some are paved. They
wind through alpine peaks, green forests, valleys,
and our village. Name your pleasure and choose your
trail. You can jog, cycle, ride a horse, or take

a leisurely stroll.

In Fact, everything at Whistler Resort is
designed for your choice of relaxation, whatever you
like to do. We've got 5 beautiful lakes, perfect for
swimming, fishing, or canoeing. Maybe you'd like
a thrill on our waterslide, or a challenging game

of golf on our championship 18-hole course designed

by Amold Palmer.

When it comes to dining, we satisfy all
appetites from fast food to haute cuisine. At night,

shier. T have picked a loser. She's
moving at absolutely the mini-
inum speed and fooking
flustered. Bad news. But it's too
late to switch into another line-
up. I'd fall back four positions,

Thinking how much more fun
it would be to be at home with
ny wife. who T can see out the
window is sull driving araund in
circles, looking for a place to
park, fo grind my teeth as the
line-up slowly dissolves.

fhe cashier’s mood and mine
are about the same by the time |
reach her side and plunk my two
bottles down on the counter. We
avoid eye contact.

My bill comes to $17.50. 1
give her $20. She gives me back
a two-dollar bill and says, lecving
the all open:

“Q’m sorry, sir, I’m out of
change. You'll have to wait while
f get some brought out.”*

“Never mind,”’’ | say wearily.
“Keep it."" | extend my hands
toward the booze.

She shakes her head and
speaks into a microphone.

“Cash attendant to Counter
No.2,"" she says. It echoes all
over the store. [ look around
desperately, but don’t see any

Happy trails.

cash atrendant charging toward
us,

“Where is he? bask,

She neds toward an office at
the far end of the store ht has a
glass partition. T can see inte it.

“Fhere’s no one there,’ 1
observe.

She shrugs and says again into
the mike: ‘Cush attendant to
No.2."

Sill, nobody appears.

“Took. | croak, ‘th don't
NEED the 50 cents. It’s okay. J
just wanna go."

“Pino sorry,’’ she
“We're not allowed
lips. Regulations.”

“Give me my booze!" |
scream. ‘‘Stuff your money!"’

“Watch it!’ she shrieks. “1
can have your right to purchase
liquor cut of f!"*

“Oh yeh?’” E howl. That does
it. Grabbing my wine, I stalk
out of the store, waving my fist
and screaming opinions.

My wife, watching the tittle
drama unfold, zips forward,
throws open the passenger's
door, yells, *‘Hop in!’ and off
we roar into the night.

Privatize. Privatize.
Privatize.

snaps.
to accept

we've got music, dancing, and good times. Then
when it’s the moment to lay down your head, your
accommodation can range from modest to luxurious,
and all for surprisingly low summer rates.

Even the drive to Whistler Resort is a beautiful
experience. A scenic trip on Highway #99, the
“Sea to Sky” highway, and you're here, ready to
relax for a day, a weekend, or longer.

Our trails will be happy to see you.

For reservations call 685-3650 toll free.

Average room rate single or double