The Crowsnest Pass has suffered its share of human tragedies over the years as a result of avalanches and ridge snow slides.

   Occasionally Mother Nature demonstrates her ability to provide both enjoyable and potentially dangerous winter sports activities.

   As we celebrate our passing birthdays, growing older and mature, we tend to be more cautious, taking fewer risks when enjoying Mother Nature's outdoor activities.

   It's our understanding that warmer weather creates conditions conclusive to avalanches when the top layers of snow become more condense and heavy over lower layers of lighter powdered snow.

   May we caution all snowmobile operators, skiers and those enjoying the outdoors that when temperatures rise Mother Nature can and has proved to be extremely dangerous.

   At least that's the way I see it.

Wal-mart survey

   It seems that Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in North America, has problems just like everyone else in the retail business.

   Apparently a survey indicated that they are far from the top when it comes to customer satisfaction. It was also suggested that customers feel they are getting less value for their dollar at the retail level. Surveys are often inaccurate, but they do indicate that no matter how big a company is, they must keep on your toes when dealing with the public.

   As an example, failure to pay attention to the whims of the public and customers and other internal problems can result in the disappearance of even large well-known national retailers such as Eaton's of Canada.

   In the business world no one is invincible.