The Lynda Parcells Blog - 660News Calgary

I’m thinking it might be time for a new vehicle. I’m one of those crazy people that’s still driving around in a huge truck. The rising gas prices are starting to kill me though. I decided to stop in the rain yesterday to fill up the tank, and thank goodness I did. I had to fork over $129.00 (no, you’re not seeing things!), but if I had waited until today, it would have cost me even more, thanks to gas prices jumping again. I have a bit of a dilemma though. I like the thoughts of driving an economical vehicle, but I have no idea what exactly I’d replace my truck with. My husband and I travel almost every weekend to our family cabin and when we leave the city, we are packed to the hilt. We have everything from two dogs, to golf clubs and luggage, not to mention two dirt bikes. So, what’s a girl to do? I’d appreciate any suggestions at lynda.parcells@rci.rogers.com. And just for the record…..I don’t do minivans!

Once again, it’s a few idiots that are ruining it for everyone. Over the long weekend, the McLean Creek area, west of Bragg Creek, was totally trashed by off-road vehicles. Wildlife Officers say the recreational area was ripped to shreds with unprecedented damage. Campers left mounds of beer cans and garbage in the bush, and turned a grassy meadow into a mud pit. Let’s be clear about one thing though - I can almost guarantee you the damage wasn’t done by regular, responsible users of the area. It was most likely done by a bunch of rowdy campers that had one intention…..to party their faces off, whatever the cost. Now it’s inevitable changes will be made and off-road users will likely be severely restricted. Some are calling for a ban on alcohol, or a complete ban on off-road vehicles. One thing I don’t understand; if everyone is so concerned about what might happen at McLean Creek over the long weekends - why don’t they have security making sure everyone is well behaved? Yes, I know that costs money, but think about how much money it already costs to clean up the area every single year.

The Calgary Health Region only publishes its health inspection reports for restaurants where “critical” violations have been found, but that’s all about to change. Starting July 1st, the CHR will be publishing all, not just some, but ALL of its health inspection reports. That means you’ll be able to check on how clean your favourite restaurant really is. My question is: do I really want to know?

I am furious. Shaw TV, which owns Star-Choice Satellite, has decided to take four stations off the air; CBC Regina, Sun TV, City Winnipeg, and Global Maritimes. The company tried to remove CTV Calgary, but there was so much opposition, Shaw backed off on that decision. I decided to sign-up with Star-Choice thinking it would help me see my favourite programs because of the wacky hours I work. I also thought it was a good idea because I work in news and I like to see what’s happening around the country. But now, I’m seriously considering switching back to basic cable and buying a PVR after this latest move by Shaw. I feel like every time I turn around, something is changing with Star-Choice. For example, a few stations that were included with my package, I now have to pay for! I called Star-Choice about the four stations being removed and was told the decision was made because there is a lot “repetition”. In other words, if you watch CBC Regina, you should be able to find the same programming on CBC Calgary. Well, what if I want CBC Regina? When I posed that question I was asked “why would you want it?” I couldn’t believe it! How does he know that I’m not from Regina (which I’m not) and maybe I want to watch the local news? As I continued chatting with the fellow, he mentioned Shaw is also trying to make more room for HD channels…..ah-ha! Let me guess, more HD channels will be added, but I can almost guess, if I want them….I’ll have to pay.

Why do they make the poor contestants on American Idol sing *after* they’ve been told they’re getting the boot from the show? Isn’t it just plain cruel to make them belt it out after their dreams have been crushed? On Wednesday night, Brooke was told she was gettting the hook. She immediately burst into tears when she received the death blow, so you can imagine what her departing song sounded like. The poor girl could hardly keep it together, not to mention she couldn’t remember the lyrics. I think it’s time for a change. Wouldn’t it be much easier to have the person who receives the most votes sing their heart out?

What the heck is with people not picking up after their dogs?? Listen, if you want to own a dog, be prepared to stoop and scoop. I own two dogs and can honestly say, pretty much every jacket I own has pockets full of poop bags. It makes me very angry when I’m out for a walk and I feel like I’m walking through an obstacle course. It’s disgusting. I don’t know if these people realize, they’re going to ruin it for everyone. We should consider ourselves very lucky to be living in a city with off-leash dog parks (a lot of cities don’t have dog parks). This past weekend hundreds of people helped out with the Calgary’s fourth-annual Scoopy Doo Day happening at several parks throughout the city. Last year scoopers collected more than 100 lbs of poop and organizers are expecting even more poop this year! By the way, the fine for not picking up your dog’s poop is $250.

It’s hard to believe it’s April 22nd, considering there’s a pile of snow on the ground, not to mention the temperature is about 15 degrees below average. I’ve noticed the nasty weather is starting to take a toll on everyone, including me, but I’ve decided I need an attitude change. You’re probably wondering what spurred this sunnier outlook…it was a girl named Stella. Stella is the latest addition to the Parcells’ household. She’s about 7 weeks old, she’s furry, and cute as all get out. Stella is our new black lab puppy. My husband and I were a little worried when we picked our new baby up last Friday because the weather was changing for the worse and we didn’t know how her little body could handle it. We did all that worrying for nothing. She took to the snow like a duck to water. As a matter of fact, Stella absolutely LOVES the snow. It’s so much fun watching her run around outside, diving her nose into the snow and then rolling around. She literally looks like she’s smiling. Yesterday, after watching Stella enjoying herself, I decided that was it - if a seven week old puppy can have fun in the snow, so can I. So, instead of counting down the days until spring actually returns, I’ve decided to make the most of it and do what I can to enjoy the frigid weather. I can’t lie though….I am looking very forward to seeing the sun again - hopefully later today.

Forgive me if I’m not making sense when you tune into the morning show, but being the Flames fan that I am, I just can’t make myself go to bed on time! An 8 o’clock start against the San Jose Sharks might not sound like a late start, but believe me, when the alarm starts ringing at 2:15 (that’s a.m.), 8 o’clock is like midnight to the average person. After watching what went down on the ice during game 3 - the huge hit by Sarich and the sea of red erupting, spurring the Flames on to an an improbable comeback, it’s utterly impossible for me to even think about going to bed. I certainly don’t want to make the same mistake a lot of people did when they turned off their t-v’s thinking the Flames would never win. I’m confident the Flames will beat the Sharks and make it into the second round, and when they do, I’m crossing my fingers they’ll be playing a team from the East because a 5 o’clock start would be a lot easier on my body!

Okay, so it’s about a month late, but I knew we’d be seeing another huge storm before winter says goodbye. I thought maybe we had lucked out this year, considering St. Patrick’s Day passed us by with nothing major happening (that’s usually when we get hit with a big snowfall) but, unfortunately, I was wrong. Here we sit, on April 10th, and there’s a heavy snowfall warning. Our Meterologist David Spence thinks we might even break a record….great! Just remember if you’re new to Calgary, this weather supposedly makes us “hardy”, not to mention it could be sunny and 10 degrees by this afternoon. Did I mention by the way, the forecast is calling for sunny and a high of 20 on Sunday.

We now know who will be playing the Virgin Festival in Calgary June 21st and 22nd. We were told we’d be blown away by the line-up for the two day music fest, but I find myself still standing. Toronto gets Oasis and the Foo Fighters. Baltimore has Nine Inch Nails, Jack Johnson and Kanye West. Here in Calgary we get the Tragically Hip. Yes, we do get The Stone Temple Pilots as well, but the Tragically Hip, Matthew Good and Corb Lund?? - what is this - the Juno’s all over again?

It’s not just me thinking this way either…..enter morning show editor, Radana Suk….
“Dear Sir Richard Branson,
Last year, when you stormed into our city on a chuckwagon, you promised us the musical world.
Instead, you were too busy balancing that 10-gallon hat on your head, and avoiding horse patties with your shiny new boots, to actually gauge the musical temperature of our fair city. Sure we love our Canadian “rock icons”, but now that we’re a city of more than a million people I think we’re ready to spread our wings, raise our devil horns and rock out to more than New Orleans is Sinking.
I’ll be staying tuned as “more stellar A-list stars” are announced.
But if I hear any combination of the the words 54 and 40, I’m tuning right out.
Sincerely,
Radana Suk”

Okay….so maybe I don’t feel quite as strongly about the lack of A-listers as Radana does, but I will say I am disappointed. I love the Tragically Hip, but when I think of the Virgin Music Festival, I tend to think of bands like Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and U2….not The Tragically Hip. I, like Radana, will also be waiting for more A-list stars to be announced.