Loonie-Dollar makes for fun commentary

Seattle Times reporter Jack Broom wrote a very funny piece in the Nov. 2, 2007 Travel & Outdoors section of the paper.

Here it is for both Americans and Canadians to enjoy.

It's just the start of loonie-ness
By Jack Broom
Seattle Times staff reporter

O Canada!

It's official: The Canadian dollar is now worth more than the U.S. greenback — closing in on $1.05 a few days ago.

Maybe you think that's financial-page trivia, but experts say it's a very big deal. In fact, they've told us 10 things to watch for as the "loonie" becomes stronger:

1) Canadian weekenders won't just visit Leavenworth; they'll buy it.

2) The Miss Budweiser hydro will become Miss Molson.

3) Maple Valley will be renamed Maple Leaf Valley.

4) Having a night on the town will be called going "oot and aboot."

5) The Mariner Moose will be freed from captivity and turned loose in Saskatchewan.

6) The Edmonds-Kingston ferry will make a stop in Tsawwassen.

7) Half of Whatcom County will become French-speaking.

8) Whistler Blackcomb lift tickets will cost the same as a down payment on a Belltown condo.

9) New opening line of The Star-Spangled Banner: "Oh, say can you see, 'eh?"

10) 2008 Academy Awards will be co-hosted by Canadian celebs Jim Carrey, Avril Lavigne, William Shatner and Pamela Anderson.

This is not the Mariner Moose but it is Mac the Moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It's the world's largest moose statue, weighing about 10 tons and standing around 32 ft. tall. I read that his jaw fell off recently and it's now in the Moose Jaw Visitor Information Centre where they're selling tee-shirts to raise money to restore and replace it. Sue Frause photo.