downtown
December 20, 2012 Volume 11 • Number 51 50¢ Newsstand Price
INSIDe
Health leadership – page 2
Downtown Gift CertifiCates Perfect for all gift giving and redeemable anywhere downtown!
also
2013 Charity Calendar – page 5
for info go to www.kcbia.com
Proud sponsor of laughing stock theatre
Stories from the back and front of a taxi It’s incredible how much information a person can pack into fifteen minutes while driving. It’s true that when you call a taxi, you never really know who you’re going to find behind the wheel. Some cabbies are super friendly, while others want nothing to do with you. Sometimes, mostly when you just want to get somewhere fast, the driver will insist on telling you about their more interesting life other than just driving a taxi. Many taxi drivers are smalltalkers needing something to make the time go by. Ready for his 12-hour shift to begin, Marc Ross is giving his taxi cab the once over. The interior of the taxi is clean. It won’t be by the end of the night but at least it is starting out that way. Marc’s afternoon was spent running errands, cleaning up his house, hitting the gym and studying for an exam so he can earn his degree. It’s a fact, most taxi drivers have a background with post secondary background. Money is one of the main reasons Marc got into driving taxis. The job offered a solution when flexibility was needed in his work schedule. It’s often a job for students with loans, single parents and those with second jobs. It is also a fact that driving a taxi is one of the more stressful vocations out there. These lords of the
ANAVETS ON THE RIVER
ANAVETS ON THE RIVER
ENJOY THE VIEW FROM OUR 3 BEAUTIFUL RIVERSIDE PATIOS
road and princes of the night are same. You get to know every side might well fill a book. vulnerable targets for abuse and street in town and meet a slew The holiday scene can definitely assault, back problems, crummy of unique characters,” Marc de- help beef up a taxi driver’s bank • Non members welcome • Military experience not required weather, traffic, fare evasion, pas- scribes. account, and we all know people 5 minute • Licensed Premisesthemselves. senger threats and marathon hours With•such longdrive hoursfrom in aDowntown ve- shouldn’t be driving • Book your corporate parties, BBQ’s, birthday parties andthe weddings of driving to make ends meet. They hicle transporting precious cargo, Call volume during Christmas • Accepting bookings tend to carry a lot of cash, which it’s not surprising thatChristmas taxi drivers partyBOOK seasonEARLY! can make catching a would make one think twice about experiences rival those of psychia- taxi difficult however, having to 177 Tranquille Road Beach House) some of the more shifty-eyed pas- trists. They are quite often called to (the waitOld is never a reason to drink and sengers. Most passengers are no minister250-554-1345 to their passengers as they drive. | www.anavets.ca trouble and a few might even be climb into a enclosed space and, Jump on in to a rolling confesa bit famous. Of course there are in total anonymity, sit behind the sional. Let a stranger into your life. also those who throw up on the8.indddriver and reveal many intimacies If they do a good job show your KCBIA earlug GC Dec 1 back seat or have a baby. of their lives. Drivers are never appreciation with a nice tip! “No two days are exactly the short on stories and a single night Jody Tippett
NOW OPEN!
NOW OPEN!
ENJOY THE VIEW FROM OUR 3 BEAUTIFUL RIVERSIDE PATIOS • Non members welcome • Military experience not required • 5 minute drive from Downtown • Licensed Premises • Book your corporate parties, BBQ’s, birthday parties and weddings • Accepting Christmas bookings BOOK EARLY!
177 Tranquille Road (the Old Beach House) 250-554-1345 | www.anavets.ca