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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

In the Doug House

By: Doug Speirs

Posted: 07/28/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Good morning, my friends. Is there something I can help you with on this beautiful morning?

What? You're in the market for a weather forecast? Well, you've definitely come to the right place. I've got just what you're looking for.

Now, if you're looking for a slightly used forecast, I've got a real beauty here from December 2003: Only 32 centimetres of snow and it purrs like a kitten. Just one owner and they never took it out of the garage. Whadda ya say?

OK, I get it; you're looking for a slightly newer model. Well, my friends, you are in luck. We just got a brand-new shipment of forecasts in today and they are loaded with sunshine.

Let's roll out Saturday's forecast and you can kick the tires. We're talking sunshine and a high of 30 C. That's a full four degrees above the normal high of 26 C at this time of year. Not too shabby, eh?

Sorry? What do those cute little cartoon-style clouds mean? I can tell you are an educated shopper. Those symbols denote extra features. For instance, along with sunshine, on Saturday we'll throw in clouds, a 30 per cent chance of showers and, at no extra charge, a risk of a thunderstorm late in the afternoon.

Now the question is: What's it gonna take to get you into one of our forecasts? Tell you what: Since you're here, why don't I show you something in a Sunday outlook. This baby is one of a kind. Not only is the mix of sun and clouds standard, but she's packing a 30 per cent chance of showers and, without putting the pedal to the metal, she'll hit a high of 31 C. That's serious heat, my friends.

You want sun? We got sun. We got forecasts right through Thursday without a cloud in the sky. And because I like your face, we'll even translate the speedometers from Celsius to Fahrenheit if you plan on heading to the U.S.

I don't want to seem pushy, but if you want to have a good time this weekend, you need a good forecast. Take one of these beauties out for a test drive and enjoy the final weekend of the fringe festival, with 172 shows in 31 venues. Swing by the Free Press News Café for the fringe talk show.

These forecasts are even sweeter if you're thinking about heading out on the highway.

Imagine how sweet you'll look pulling into Gimli today and Sunday for the 12th annual film festival. Festival passes are only $45 and there are free screenings on the beach. That's a sweet deal, my friends.

Our Saturday outlook would be perfect for the fifth biennial Cooks Creek Medieval Festival from noon to 6 p.m. on the grounds of The Church of the Immaculate Conception, or Cathedral of the Prairies, as we locals like to call it. We're talking knights, fair maidens, the whole shebang. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12. Get info at www.immaculate.ca .

Which brings us to the issue of price, my friends. What would you expect to pay for lovely weekend forecasts like the ones were' talking about today?

Tell you what: I'm gonna work it out on my calculator and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

doug.speirs@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 28, 2012 A2

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