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Home My WebLink AboutNA2008_12_24PAID ADVERTISEMENT PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN INCOME TAX All-Canadian Tax Service $49.95*only * Most returns *GST extra 100 Westney Rd S (Ajax Go Station) (905) 426-4860 Ajax Nissan Parts/Service Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 8:00pm Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm 500 Bayly Street West, Ajax (Between Westney & Church) 1-800-565-6365 905-686-0555 The Pickering Get local 24/7 newsdurhamregion.com✦ 40 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 51,400 ✦ Optional delivery $6/Newsstand $1 ✦ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008 Dundee Private Investors Inc. 244 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax, L1Z 1G1 905-427-7000 Richard S. Price Senior Financial Advisor A DundeeWealth Inc. Company www.richardprice.cawww.richardprice.caRichard S. Price Senior Financial Advisor SEE US ABOUT CATASTROPHE PLANNING FOR YOUR INVESTMENTS PERSONAL INCOME TAX RETURN INCOME TAX All-Canadian Tax Service $49.95*only * Most returns *GST extra 100 Westney Rd S (Ajax Go Station) (905) 426-4860 Ajax Nissan Parts/Service Monday - Thursday 7:00am - 8:00pm Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 2:00pm 500 Bayly Street West, Ajax (Between Westney & Church) 1-800-565-6365 905-686-0555 The Pickering Get local 24/7 newsdurhamregion.com✦ 40 PAGES ✦ Pressrun 51,400 ✦ Optional delivery $6/Newsstand $1 ✦ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2008 Pickering tobogganers encouraged to be safe By Kristen Calis kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING — Elizabeth Jocic takes her kids tobogganing any day there’s snow on the ground, and has done so for the past 10 years. Thanks to a decision by the City, that won’t have to change. Recently, when she took her kids to the popular hill at Alex Robertson Park, she found a ‘No Tobogganing’ sign and was upset until the City changed its mind and removed it. “I think it’s totally wrong,” she said when she first saw the sign. “There’s not much for kids to do in the winter.” John Hannah, Pickering’s superintendent of operations, in an interview said insur- ance carriers advised the City to put up the notice since it’s nearly impossible to moni- tor the hill at all times. “We’d really have to make it a fully struc- tured activity,” he said, adding the City lacks the resources to do so. It’s unfortunate, he said, but there’s al- ways the possibility of getting sued in to- day’s world. Ms. Jocic thought parental supervision was sufficient since “there’s always parents on the hill.” When the News Advertiser went to the hill, there were about 15 kids and five par- ents watching them. The sign was gone and residents were hopeful the City had changed its mind. Charging down the hill was 11-year-old Liane Chretien. “I was just going to ignore it and keep to- bogganing because it’s the only hill around,” she said when asked what she thought of the sign. Long-time Pickering resident Patrick AJ Groen/ News Advertiser photo Kiah MacKay left, and her sister Layla have a blast sledding in Alex Robertson Park. The City had put up no tobogganing signs but later relented and removed them. Kids happy to dash through the snow ✦ See Residents, Page 5 durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 2 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Simulated driving lesson proof that any alcohol impairs your driving By Melissa Mancini mmancini@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Even a drink or two impairs your ability to drive. That was the message Durham Regional Police wanted to get out when they invited members of the media to have a few drinks, try a driving simulator and test blood alcohol levels. You might not blow over the limit in a Breathalyzer test after a few drinks but your ability to drive is already impaired. When news editor Ian McMillan tried the simulator after two beers he was hitting the brakes earlier and harder than when he drove the machine sober. “You’re trying to compensate by being over-cautious when you drive to the point of making yourself a hazard,” said DriveWise president Lesley de Repentigny. DriveWise runs state-of-the-art virtual reality driving simulators. So what is a safe amount to drink before you drive? Nothing. “We don’t really condone drinking any- thing and driving. What we do like to con- done is that they do make a plan and stick with the plan,” Sergeant Shaun Arnott said. Sobering lesson learned after a few pints To watch a video of the driving simulator test visit at newsdurhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.com Metroland news editor Ian McMillan tries his hand at driving after consuming two beers. Members of the media were involved in the drinking-and-driv- ing simulation sponsored by the Durham Police. By Ian McMillan imcmillan@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Pubs, cars and cops. The three are never a good mix. Yet there I was at EP Taylor’s Bar at Durham College last Thursday mixing all three and get- ting away with it, as Sergeant Shaun Arnott and Detective Constable David Ashfield looked on, encouraging me to drink more. The officers are part of the Festive RIDE team and so far they’re seeing more and more motorists drinking and driving this year. So why was I hoisting a few frosty pints and then jumping behind the wheel at their re- quest? It was all a part of a special media event set up to demonstrate to journalists the dangers any amount of alcohol in your system can cause your driving ability. The car they wanted me to drive was a simulated car inside the bar. It may not have been real, but the lesson it soon taught me was. I was put through the driving simulation as soon as I arrived at EP Taylor’s. Picture a coun- try setting, fields to the left and right, speed limit 80 kilometres an hour. No problem. Until, that is, I hit a deer. “You’re dead,” said Lesley de Repentigny, who was monitoring my progress. David Selby, director of corporate commu- nications with Durham Regional Police Ser- vice, told me not to feel bad. He apparently hit three deer when he was driving the simulator. Two beers later I was once again in the driver’s seat. This time, however, I was in a city setting where I was relieved to discover there were no deer. With a belly full of courage I set out for a drive and thought I was doing pretty well. Then Ms. de Repentigny pointed out I was only doing 20 km/hr. She also asked why I was gripping the steering wheel so hard. Good questions because, really, I felt fine. Before I could answer her, though, I’d hit an ambulance. I didn’t see it coming despite the siren and the flashing lights. Remember, this was after only two beers in my system. A breathalyzer indicated my blood- alcohol level was .025, well under the legal limit of .08. I didn’t get back in the simulator after that last test drive. Truth be told, I felt rather guilty getting in it after my first two beers. It was just an experiment, but on a conscious and even an unconscious level I knew it was wrong. I ended up drinking five beers before I blew a .086. That’s not to say everyone would register that level because we’re all different and react differ- ently to the effects of alcohol. I was lucky because this was a controlled experiment that taught me a very sobering lesson. Drive safely, drive sober this holiday season Ron Pietroniro/News Advertiser photo Metroland News Editor Ian McMillan takes a breathalyser test to check his alcohol level with Durham Regional Police Services Detective Con- stable David Ashfield. Ron Pietroniro/News Advertiser photo RIDE numbers going up More charges laid so far this year DURHAM — The number of people charged with drinking and driving offences continues to rise, with another 24 arrests last week by Durham cops working on this year’s Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) cam- paign. The number of people charged with drinking and driving during this year’s initiative now stands at 125; that’s 40 more than had been charged at this point last year. In week five of this year’s RIDE officers stopped 1,350 vehicles and demanded 86 roadside breath tests. In addition to those charged with impaired or driving over the legal limit, 21 motorists received 12- hour licence suspensions for regis- tering warning levels. And another six G1 and G2 drivers were charged for breaching their no-alcohol pro- hibition. RIDE continues throughout the holidays. Dr. Ralph Benson retained to help find causes f or $21-million deficit in past two years By Crystal Crimi ccrimi@durhamregion.com DURHAM — The Province is set to help Durham College get to the bottom of defi- cits it’s incurred over the past three years. The Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities has retained Dr. Ralph Ben- son to help Durham College address its financial and governance challenges fol- lowing deficits of more than $21 million over the past two years, with another defi- cit forecast for the current academic year. “We don’t have a handle on the cause of the deficit, the source of the deficit,” said John Milloy, minister of Training, Col- leges, and Universities. The school ran an $11.5-million deficit in 2006/2007, and another $9.9 million in 2007/2008, said Don Lovisa, Durham Col- lege president. “We asked for help,” Mr. Lovisa said. He began working with the ministry in May to attempt to sort out the school’s finances, after he was appointed interim president of the college. He officially became its president ear- lier this week. The financial situation is a complex piece of business he inherited, Mr. Lovisa said. “We’re not in trouble,” Mr. Lovisa said. “This has been requested to ensure we remain healthy as an institution.” Dr. Benson will work with the college and, where necessary, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology because of the shared financial structure the schools have. The college has an interconnected relationship with the university, which has created a complex bookkeeping sys- tem, Mr. Lovisa said. “The idea is for him to give a detailed overview of the state of the books at Dur- ham,” Mr. Milloy said. “Dr. Benson, he’s going to take a technical look and also look as an outsider at the books.” Having an unbiased, third-party view of how things can be improved can help Durham College ensure it’s in good shape for the future, Mr. Lovisa said. “He’s really going to provide advice and work with Durham College,” Mr. Lovisa said. “I’m optimistic they will give us some recommendations and strategies we can work with so we’re not posting deficits in the future.” As to what’s causing the deficits, Mr. Lovisa said he could speculate, but he’d rather let Dr. Benson’s team do its full review. Dr. Benson has been asked to report back by the end of March and will provide a snapshot of what the problems are, as well as work with Durham College on its next steps. The people of Durham should have con- fidence in Mr. Lovisa and his ability to get the situation resolved, Mr. Milloy said. “He’s as anxious as we are to get Dur- ham on a proper financial footing,” Mr. Milloy said. “I think the president and administra- tion are taking the right steps on working to resolve it.” FIND YOUR HOLIDAY HELP pickeringtowncentre.com Visit pickeringtowncentre.com for full details. Extended Hours Wednesday, December 24th Christmas Eve 8:30am to 5:00pm Thursday, December 25th Christmas Day Mall Closed Friday, December 26th Boxing Day 8:00am to 7:00pm PICKERING TOWN CENTRE • UPPER LEVEL • SEARS WING PREPAREPREPARE FORFOR WINTERWINTER Keep warm in fashion WE HAVE YOUR SIZE • MEN AND WOMENS CHEF TRAINING Largest Trainers of Chefs & Cooks in Ontario! www.liaisoncollegedurham.com Durham Region905-430-0400 IHIH Enroll Now! 6SWWPERH6H)EWX;LMXF]3202= Training Beginning Jan. 5 & Feb. 9, 2009Training Beginning Jan. 5 & Feb. 9, 2009 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 3 A/Pdurhamregion.com And go online for your daily news AJAX/PICKERING — The News Advertiser has altered its publishing schedule slightly over the upcoming holidays. We’ll be publishing on Boxing Day, Friday, Dec. 26; Wednesday, Dec. 31; and Friday, Jan. 2. Our of- fices will be closed Christ- mas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Our regular publishing schedule resumes with the Wednesday, Jan. 7 edition. Meanwhile, news re- ports from all over Dur- ham Region are published daily on our website at newsdurhamregion.com. The News Advertiser wishes all our readers a safe and happy holiday. newsdurhamregion.com Watch for your News Advertiser during the holidays Ministry looks into college’s finances ‘We’re not in trouble. This has been requested to ensure we remain healthy as an institution.’ -- DON LOVISA Exceptional Warranty Superior Construction Fast Delivery ONELOCATIO N ONLY OSHAWA 900 Champlain Ave., Oshawa 905-723-4561 Hours: Mon.• Tues.• Wed. 10-6, Thurs.• Fri. 10-9, Sat. 10-6, Sun.11-5 OSHAWA OSHAWA Reclining ChairsReclining Chairs Sofa BedsSofa Beds Sofas Sofas -or- DON’TDON’TPAY FOR PAY FOR 1 YEAR**1 YEAR** NO Wall ClocksWall ClocksBarsBars GST&PST*PST* Not valid on previous purchases or offers. Does not apply to Best Value items. *Credit equal to the value of the GST and PST. **Financing available O.A.C. $49.99 administration fee and taxes due at time of purchase. (See store for details) ClocksClocks Reclining SofasReclining Sofas durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 4 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Stores modify hours for Christmas DURHAM — The follow- ing is a list of what’s open and closed for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years. SUPERMARKETS: Closed. RETAIL: Closed. BEER/LIQUOR: Closed. VARIETY STORES: Most are open. BANKS: Closed. DURHAM REGION TRANSIT: Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and Clar- ington: Christmas Day - no service; Boxing Day - Sun- day service, but no service for route 950 Port Perry and UOIT service; New Year’s Day - holiday/Sunday ser- vice. Brock, Scugog, and Uxbridge: no service. Spe- cialized services: holiday service. GO TRANSIT: Dec. 25 - holiday schedule; Dec. 26 - Saturday schedule; Jan. 1 - holiday schedule. GARBAGE/GREEN BIN AND BLUE BOX PICK-UP: • Ajax, Brock, Scugog, Uxbridge, Pickering, and Clarington: Christmas Day collection is moved to Sat- urday, Boxing Day to Mon- day and New Year’s Day to Saturday. • Oshawa: Christmas Collection is moved to Box- ing Day and Boxing Day is moved to Saturday. News Year’s Day is shifted to Jan. 2, and Jan. 2 pickup to Jan. 3. • Whitby: visit www. whitby.ca or call 905-668- 3437 except for Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. LIBRARIES: Pickering, Ajax, Uxbridge, Scugog, Os- hawa, Whitby, Clarington closed. GOVERNMENT OFFIC- ES: Closed. THEATRES: Most are open. VIDEO RENTAL (Rogers and Blockbuster): Open. PHARMACIES: Some are open. MUNICIPALITIES: Closed. RECREATION: • Uxbridge arena closed. • Ajax community and McLean centres are closed. • Scugog: Blackstock recreation centre has holi- day public skating, Dec. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m., and Scu- gog recreational complex has some programs run- ning, but both are closed Christmas and New Year’s Day. • Pickering: Civic and recreation complexes are closed from noon Dec. 24 to Dec. 29 and Jan. 1, with the exception of a Mayor’s New Year’s Levee from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Pickering Civic Complex. • Oshawa: Legends Cen- tre Arena is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 and closed Christ- mas. • Whitby: Iroquois Park is closed Christmas, open Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Public skate schedules are avail- able at www.iroquoispark. com. McKinney Centre is open boxing day for skating, 1 to 3 p.m. and 4:15 to 6 p.m. Whitby Civic Recreation Centre is closed. • Clarington: recreation facilities are closed. 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PICKERING 905•837•9111 $150 FREE $200 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 5 Pdurhamregion.com Sheridan, who has tobog- ganed down the hill for the past 34 years, was there with his niece and daughter. “It’s a perfect hill,” he said. “There’s nothing to hit.” Although there are some trees at the bottom of the hill the kids use, the parents agreed it’s basically impos- sible for toboggans to reach that point. Mr. Sheridan thought the sign was ridiculous since the kids were being active in a society where obesity is on the rise. The next day, the City confirmed it removed the sign. In the new year, City staff will discuss a more ap- propriate notice, such as warning tobogganers to use the hill at their own risk, or one suggesting they wear proper protection, said Ev- erett Buntsma, director of operations and emergency services. “I mean, it’s Canada,” he said. “Where there’s kids and snow, kids are going to toboggan.” Mr. Buntsma encourages the kids that do toboggan to do so safely and says par- ents should watch them, especially with news of the 14-year-old Colborne boy who recently died hitting a tree. Ms. Jocic was relieved to hear the sign was down be- cause the kids were feeling intimidated, she said. What’s open and closed across Durham Region Residents happy ‘no tobogganing’ sign is gone ✦ Residents from page 1 We think... e-mail responses to mjohnston@durhamregion.com NEWS ADVERTISER 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5 newsdurhamregion.com newsroom@durhamregion.com The News Advertiser is a Metroland Media Group newspaper. The News Advertiser is a member of the Ajax & Pickering Board of Trade, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., and the Canadian Circulations Audit Board. Also a member of the Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1706, Toronto, M5B 1J3, an independent organization that addresses reader complaints about member newspapers.The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. Credit for advertisement limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the News Adver- tiser is copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 40052657 & Editorials Opinions Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Duncan Fletcher - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classified Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Office Manager Janice O’Neil, Cheryl Haines - Composing Managers News/Sales (905) 683-5110 Classifieds (905) 683-0707 Distribution (905) 683-5117 Fax (905) 683-7363 Dr. Weber a life-saver To the editor: Re: ‘Family doctor hangs up stethoscope’, Dec. 5, News Advertiser. Dr. Hans Weber was my doctor for the last 21 years. Not only was he a doctor, he was a psychiatrist, psychologist and social worker. He got me through some of the most dif- ficult times in my life. In 2002 I went for my physical and he found a cyst on my ovary. He sent me to a very wonderful gynecologist, Dr. Eltayeb. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I am now a six-year survivor and, thanks to their expertise, but for the grace of God go I. The statistics are extremely grim for this type of cancer. If it were not for Dr. Weber’s thoroughness as a general practitioner, I know in my heart I would not have sur- vived. So, to my dear Dr. Weber, I thank you for having saved my life. God bless you in your retirement. Georgia Colquhoun Pickering Can we go any lower than 18 new senators? To the editor: Do these people just not get it? At a time when our members of Parliament are held in total disrespect, the prime minister shut down Parliament to avoid being tossed out, the Governor General gave him some time to get his house in order and the country is going down the tubes, what is he going to do? Fill 18 vacant Senate seats, supposedly on the fear of them being filled with Bloc and NDP undesirables. Do these people really think the public is that stupid as to accept this kind of logic? Please don’t insult the people who pay your salary. I am sure the first thing on Canadi- ans’ minds right now is that we do not have enough senators. Had we only known that the reason we are in this economic doo- doo is because we were short of help in the upper house. Perhaps it may look good on Stephen Harper’s resume on Jan. 27 that our govern- ment has created jobs; yes, 18 of them, filled with like-minded party hacks and bagmen. Our tax money, well spent. Will someone please call me when this group reaches bottom, if there is a bottom. Norm Bear Oshawa Coalition part of our system of government To the editor: Re: ‘Liberal-led coalition would be a ‘betrayal’ of the electorate,’ Dec. 5 letter. Mr. Densham, in our parliamentary sys- tem we elect MPs to form a government - we don’t elect a government or a party. In a majority of seats (not votes), the party that won will form the government as they have a majority of seats in the House com- pared to all of the others combined. In a minority parliament, the government will be formed first by the party with more seats but, since they do not have a majority, they can be defeated and the others could, if they wish and find common ground, form the government. This is our system. Few choices are offered to you if you don’t like that system - accept it and its rules even if you don’t like them, fight to have the sys- tem change, or move to a country were the system is not like the one we have. As for the Liberals telling Canadians their votes mean nothing, let me remind you first that the coalition is not the Liberal Party; it is a group of MPs from the Liberals and the NDP. Secondly, these two par- ties and the Bloc received 62 per cent of the seats in the House - that’s what I call a majority! Finally, we might not agree with the Bloc Quebecois, but these MPs have been duly elected and they deserve the same respect - that’s what we call democracy. Accept the rules that govern this country since this is the trust you have granted the MP you have elected and which have come to power honestly! Sylvain Trépanier Pickering Changes need to be made for more conservation To the editor: Re: Region looks at 7.9 per cent hike for water and sewer in 2009, online story. The taxpayer should be rewarded for con- servation, not charged higher rates. Forget conservation based on this calculation. Regional Finance Commissioner Jim Clapp can encourage conservation all he wants, but he does not encourage me to conserve. Salary and utility costs must be stabilized if conservation by the public is to be real- ized. Increases in these tough times are not an option. Taxes have been raised and now this water and sewer increase. Money does not grow on trees. Stop this insanity! Gerald Wood Whitby e-mail letters to mjohnston@durhamregion.com / max. 200 words / please include your full first and last name, place of residence & daytime phone number / letters that do not appear in print may be published @ newsdurhamregion.com Our readers think... PAGE 6 ◆ NEWS ADVERTISER ◆ December 24, 2008P Online Poll Vote @ newsdurhamregion.com Let’s look for the best in each other ‘S pare a thought f or others who really have so little’ I t would be an understatement to say this has been a very tough year for many people in this region. Given the bad news with the economy, combined with the extra blow we feel due to our dependence on the auto industry -- not just General Motors but its suppliers and other feeder industries -- the headlines have often been down- right depressing. For many it will be hard indeed to have a Merry Christmas. Having said that, it’s also important to remember the good news stories we have to share, especially at this most wonderful time of the year. Take the outpouring of generosity so many local people have shown to those undergoing difficult times. Exhibit No. 1 would be the tremen- dous number of donations and offers of support provided from near and far in the wake of the devastating fire at the Durham Region Humane Society. Staff and volunteers were left shattered by the early morning Dec. 17 fire that killed more than 100 cats and several other animals and left several pets homeless. But, almost instantly, people offered money, supplies and homes for the sur- viving pets. Efforts to rebuild the shelter are in their infancy, but if the early out- pouring of assistance is anything to go on, don’t bet against a new, improved shelter going up some time in 2009. Exhibit No. 2 comes through the vari- ous charities and groups that receive donations of time and money from community-minded people at this time of year. Whether it means visiting a house-bound senior, delivering meals- on-wheels, dropping off a much-needed donation for a food or toy drive or giving to a charity providing service to some- one who really needs it, we show how much we care. It’s so important that, even when we might be feeling a little uncertain about our own future or struggling a little, to spare a thought for others who really have so little. That’s what the Christmas season is really all about and that’s why the people of this area prove time and again they have such big hearts when it really counts. Merry Christmas to all. This Week The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is looking for a new name. Which do you prefer? Ontario Central University McLaughlin University University of Oshawa Technology University of Ontario Ontario Lakeridge University None of the above Something else Leave it as it is Last Week U.S. President Barack Obama would like to concentrate more military might in Afghanistan. Should the Canadian mission there extend past 2011? Yes: 25% No: 75% Votes: 209 Senior abuse: a form of bullying By Jennifer Stone jstone@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Their stories are heartbreaking, says Tammy Rankin. Ms. Rankin, who is a mem- ber of the Durham Elder Abuse Network and works in long- term care, has heard it all when it comes to abuse of elders. “It’s shocking, what someone can do to an older adult,” she said. A caregiver is given a 95-year- old’s bank card to buy grocer- ies; the caregiver disappears and the senior’s bank account is cleaned out. Behaviour is managed through cigarette burns. A woman with dementia is duct-taped to a chair. Power of Attorney kits are used to allow a younger relative to have total access to a senior’s money. “There have even been cases of older people murdered in their own homes and kept there so (the caregiver or relative) can continue to collect their (pen- sion) cheques,” Ms. Rankin said. Ms. Rankin is also a member of the Coalition for Action Against Bullying-Durham (CAAB - D). The fledgling group has repre- sentatives from an array of orga- nizations dealing with violence in the community including the Children’s Aid Society, Bethes- da House, Durham Region and others. The idea for the coalition grew out of the idea that there was “a need for the communi- ty to tackle bullying as a soci- etal problem, not just a school problem,” said Debra Cocker- ton of the Red Cross. The power imbalance between a senior and their abuser is what makes it bullying, Ms. Rankin said. “It’s their vulnerability that puts them at risk,” Ms. Rankin said. “It’s almost like a crime of opportunity.” And that’s just wrong, said the social worker. “It’s this incredibly sacred trust for these frail people to entrust the ends of their lives to us,” she said. “It’s not just a crime. From that position of trust, it’s so painful.” There’s no question it’s a form of bullying, Ms. Rankin said. “Adults don’t call it bullying,” she said. “But if we don’t call it what it is, it diminishes it. Language is powerful so let’s call it what it is -- bullying.” The abuse can take an array of forms including physical, sexu- al, financial or psychological. It can also show itself as neglect. Wrongful use of power of attorney is something Ms. Rankin said she’s seen again and again. “With these Power of Attor- ney kits” currently available on the market, “if I had you sign it, I could go into your bank right now and take everything out,” she said. What’s necessary is an “inte- grated, collaborative commu- nity intervention plan,” Ms. Rankin said. Steps are being taken. For example, Durham Regional Police, effective January, will have an elder abuse co-ordina- tor to help deal with the issue. Given changing demographics, that type of service is likely to become more and more neces- sary. “There were more than 83,000 people over 60 (in Durham) in 2006,” Ms. Rankin said. “And we expect the population of older adults in Durham to just explode.” Care providers are also going to have to be accountable, Ms. Rankin said. “It’s the care providers who are being silent,” she said. For example, those running servic- es as businesses aren’t saying anything out of “concern about their professional reputation.” Not only that, but there is a lot of care being provided outside of formal settings. “The majority of care provid- ers are unregistered care pro- viders,” Ms. Rankin said. The matter can be complicat- ed. “Our interventions have to be respectful of the fact these are autonomous adults,” Ms. Rankin said. Beyond that, there needs to be even more awareness so people are less afraid to report such sit- uations. “It’s always been so under- reported,” Ms. Rankin said. “It was a hidden crime. There was a stigma attached to it.” That remains, to some extent. “To steal someone’s dignity and self-worth -- I think that’s worse than taking their money,” Ms. Rankin said. “It’s the lack of respect for older adults,” that’s especially troubling, she said. “When did we stop standing on the bus for older adults? “You’ve got these people who have worked their entire lives,” Ms. Rankin said. “They have paved out roads with their blood, sweat and tears.” This is Part 6 in a six-part series on bullying. To see the entire series, go to newsdurhamregion. com. BULLYING: BULLYING: ELDER ABUSE IStock photo illustration DURHAM -- Elder abuse can take many different forms. Here are some signs, from the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: Financial abuse: • large sums of money taken from a bank account • signatures on cheques or other papers look suspicious • the older person is in debt and does not know why • bank statements are no longer being sent to an older person’s home • the older person can- not buy food or personal care items • the older person’s will is unexpectedly changed • the older person’s home is unexpectedly sold • personal belongings, such as clothes or jewelry, are missing from an older person’s home or room in an institution • the older person is asked to sign legal papers without being able to under- stand what they mean • the older person can- not remember signing papers or making certain money trans- fers • the older person is not allowed to decide or speak for him or herself • the older person is isolated from friends and family • the older person feels afraid or worried when talking about money Physical abuse • Unexplained reason or explanation inconsistent with: bruises, welts, swelling, lac- erations, punctures, fractures, restricted movement, repeated falls, internal injuries. Other indicators may be rope burns, hypothermia or grip marks. Sexual abuse • Genital infections, pain, bruising, bleeding in the genital area, inappropriate sexual comments by care giver, rope marks or other signs of physical restraint. Psychological/Emotional abuse • Low self-esteem, agitation, difficulty sleeping or needs excessive sleep, withdrawal, passivity, resigna- tion, tearfulness, feelings of hopelessness/helplessness, unexplained fearfulness (par- ticularly in the presence of the caregiver), significant change in weight, no visitors/outings, deference to the caregiver. Neglect A senior may be suffer- ing from neglect if he or she appears: • emaciated • confused • inappropriately dressed • under- or over-medi- cated • unkempt appearance or personal surroundings (i.e. soiled clothes or linens) • has open sores Signs of neglect in a senior’s living environment include: • home is dirty or in a state of disrepair • smell of urine or feces in the home • lack of required safety features in the home Other possible indicators of neglect: • the senior is left alone without supervision or assis- tance when needed • medical appointments are cancelled on a regular basis or senior does not show up for the appointment. Signs of abuse ELDER ABUSE: CAREGIVER TO ELDER THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 7 A/Pdurhamregion.com PLUS GET: 50% off rate plans for 3 months3 $50 in-store credit on accessories4 3G HTC Touch DualTM $2995 with a min. $45 voice and data plan on a 3-yr. term1 ($399.95 no term) 3G HTC TouchTM $0 with a $100 Fun bundle discount on a 3-yr. term2 ($349.95 no term) LG RumourTM $0 on a 3-yr. term3 ($249.95 no term) 3G BlackBerry®CurveTM 8330 smartphone $49 95 with a min. $45 voice and data plan on a 3-yr. term1 ($549.95 no term) Enjoy Bell’s best offers of the year. Here for a limited time only. Priced like they fell off the back of a sleigh. Offer ends December 31, 2008. Available with compatible devices within Bell Mobility high speed mobile network coverage areas. Other monthly fees, i.e., e9-1-1 (75¢), system access (not a government fee) ($8.95), and one-time device activation ($35) apply. Long distance and roaming charges (including foreign taxes) may apply outside your local area. Upon early termination, price adjustment charges apply. Subject to change without notice; not combinable with other offers. Taxes extra. Other conditions apply. (1) With new activation on a monthly voice plan and a data feature with a total min. value of $45/mo. (2) With new activation on a monthly voice plan with a min. Fun 15 bundle. Rebate applies on device before taxes in-store, on the Web or on the account otherwise; allow 4 to 6 weeks. You must keep the Fun bundle for 12 months after activation, otherwise a one-time data service price adjustment of $99 will be charged on your account. (3) With new activation on a 3-yr. contract on a monthly voice plan. (4) With new activation on a 3-yr. contract on a monthly voice plan. Rebate applies on accessories before taxes in-store, on the Web or on the account otherwise; allow 4 to 6 weeks. 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Available at the following Bell stores: Whitby Whitby Mall 905 725-1212 Pickering Pickering Town Centre 905 837-1212 durhamregion.comP PAGE 8 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Customer Care Centre 905.683.7575 Direct Access 905.420.4660 TTY Access 905.420.1739 cityofpickering.com CIVIC COMPLEX (CITY HALL) 905.420.2222 Dec 24 8:30 am – 12 noon Dec 25 & 26 CLOSED Dec 31 8:30 am – 12 noon Jan 1 CLOSED Jan 1 2 pm – 4 pm Mayor’s New Year’s Day Levee RECREATION COMPLEX 905.683.6582 Dec 24 6 am – 12 noon Dec 25 & 26 CLOSED Dec 31 6 am – 5 pm Jan 1 CLOSED RECREATION COMPLEX POOL 905.831.6582 Dec 22 – 24, 29, 30, Call Rec Complex for swim times Jan 2 Dec 27, 28, Jan 3, 4 1 pm – 4 pm & 7 pm – 9 pm Dec 25, 26 CLOSED Dec 31 1 pm – 4 pm 7 pm – 9 pm New Year’s Eve Free Swim Jan 1 CLOSED DUNBARTON POOL 905.831.1260 CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS RECREATION COMPLEX ARENA PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE Dec 27, 28, Jan 2 – 4 1 pm – 3 pm Tim Horton’s Free Skate Dec 24 – 26 CLOSED Dec 31 7 pm – 9 pm Family New Year’s Eve Free Skate PICKERING PUBLIC LIBRARIES CENTRAL BRANCH & PETTICOAT CREEK Dec 24 9:30 am – 1 pm Dec 25, 26 CLOSED Dec 31 9:30 am – 1 pm Jan 1 CLOSED CLAREMONT, GREENWOOD, WHITEVALE Contact branch for Holiday Hours HOLIDAY OPERATING HOURS ATTEND PUBLIC MEETINGS AT CITY HALL DATE MEETING TIME All meetings are open to the public. For meeting details call 905.420.2222 or visit our website. Jan. 5 Planning & Development Committee 7:30 pm Jan. 8 Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity 7:00 pm Jan. 12 Executive Committee 7:30 pm Jan. 19 Council Meeting 7:30 pm Jan. 21 Committee of Adjustment 7:00 pm Whydoploughtrucksleavethatpile ofsnow? Our priority is your safety. We remove as much snow off of the street as we can, and alsoensure catchbasinsare clearedtothe bestofourabilitytopreventflooding. Snow ploughs always leave snow at the end of your driveway or on the boulevard. These piles are called windrows. We try our best to minimize this issue, and occasionally staff have to come by again with the plough which may leave another deposit of snow at the end of your driveway. This can be frustrating- but you are not alone. This practice is common in most municipalities. Unfortunately we do not have theresourcestoremovethesewindrows–butroad safetyisour priority. Please do not deposit the snow from your driveway onto the street. It is against the ProvincialHighwayTrafficActaswellastheCityofPickeringIceandSnowClearingBy- law#6650/06.Yourunderstandingandcooperationismostappreciated,and willhelp toensurea safe winter forall. CustomerCareCentre ServingOurCitizens T.905.683.7575 TTY.905.420.1739 email:customercare@cityofpickering.com cityofpickering.com PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE cityofpickering.com P ICKERING A NIMAL S ERVICES 2009 CALENDAR Call 905.683.7575 TTY 905.420.1739 animalservices@cityofpickering.com Give an animal a Christmas with your $6 donation. Proceeds will go directly to help sick and injured animals in Pickering. A VAILABLE H ERE Calendars available at the Civic Complex, Recreation Complex and Pickering PetSmart Did you know? Your car only needs 30 seconds to warm up. Warming up your car longer than that is not only bad for our environment, but you also run the risk of your car being stolen. Yes, getting into a warm car is nice - but the short-term gain is not worth the long-term consequences. For more information about the City’s Anti-Idling By-law (6297-04), visit cityofpickering.com We know it’s cold outside! After Hours / Emergency Line City of Pickering After Hours / Emergency Line 905.683.7575 A by-law to stop-up, close and sell those parts of Pickering Parkway being Parts 6 to 20, inclusive, Plan 40R-XXXX to the abutting owners, will be considered by the Planning & Development Committee on January 5, 2009 and by City Council on January 19, 2009. The plan showing the lands aff ected may be viewed in the offi ce of the City Clerk for the City of Pickering. Any person who claims his or her lands will be prejudicially aff ected by the by-law and who wishes to be heard, in person, or by his or her counsel, should contact the undersigned on or before noon on January 2, 2009. Debi A. Wilcox, City Clerk, Pickering Civic Complex, One The Esplanade, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 6K7, 905.420.4611 A by-law to stop-up, close and sell those parts of West Shore Boulevard (aka Fairport Road) being Parts 3 and 10, Plan 40R 25703 to the abutting owners will be considered by the Planning & Development Committee on January 5, 2009 and by City Council on January 19, 2009. The plan showing the lands aff ected may be viewed in the offi ce of the City Clerk for the City of Pickering. Any person who claims his or her lands will be prejudicially aff ected by the by-law and who wishes to be heard, in person, or by his or her counsel, should contact the undersigned on or before noon on January 2, 2009. Debi A. Wilcox, City Clerk, Pickering Civic Complex, One The Esplanade, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 6K7, 905.420.4611 Wednesday, December 31 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Pickering Recreation Complex Free Event! Join us for a family skate, family swim, face painters, crafts, popcorn and sno-kones. New this year, bring your sleeping bags and blankets to cozy up for the Pyjama Jam with the feature film: Horton Hears A Who! Plus, a countdown, prize-draw and balloon drop at 9 pm in the arena. Food Bank donations will be accepted at this event. Thursday, January 1, 2009 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Pickering Civic Complex Join Mayor David Ryan and Members of Pickering City Council at this free family event, designed to welcome the New Year with style. Entertainment by Spin Cycle, The Brian Rose Little Big Band, Refreshments and a chance to win great prizes! Go online for a full listof our 2008 CelebrateWinter Events cityofpickering.com/greatevents 905.683.2760 ext. 6100 cityofpickering.com/teen BALL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT Saturday, January 10 East Shore CC from 7 - 10 pm cityofpickering.com/recreation905.683.6582 1867 Valley Farm RoadCELEBRATING25YEARSOFFAMILY,F I T NESS ANDFUN! ci t y o f p ic k e ring.com/recreationOneDayOnly, FREE ACCESSto the future fitness expo including: the latest equipment & classes FREESpinning,Kickboxing, BodyPump, BOSU & More! Pick up your FREE 2-week SUPER HEALTH MEMBERSHIP availableSaturday, January 10th only. Best of all, vote to impact future fitness atPickeringRecreation Complex and enterfor a chanceto win great prizes! THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 9 Pdurhamregion.com NOW OPEN!!! A second hand store to benefi t the women & children served by Herizon House woman’s shelter. Gently used clothing & household goods New Starts From The Hearts 566 Kingston Road, Ajax • 905-683-4600 Visit us online at: www.newstarts.org Store Hours: Wed. - Sat. 10 am - 6pm durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 10 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo Shopping with a special Santa PICKERING — Durham Regional Police officer Will White shops with Scott Lalande for Christmas presents at West 49 in the Pickering Town Centre. The pair was out on a special buying spree as part of CopShop, a partnership between Durham Regional Police and deserving local children. SUDOKU Now online at 48 1 7 8 6 7 3 576 1 86 9 5 6 7 687 3 91 4 19 24 newsdurhamregion.com 48 1 7 8 6 7 3 576 1 86 9 5 6 7 687 3 91 4 19 24 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 11 A/Pdurhamregion.com Remember, all inserts, including those on glossy paper, can be recycled with the rest of your newspaper through your blue box Recycling program. SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY View Flyers/Coupons At Carrier of The Week Cassandra Today’s carriers of the week is Cassandra. Cassandra enjoys volleyball. Cassandra has received a gift card from Pickering Town Centre, and a dinner voucher from McDonald’s. Congratulations Cassandra for being our Carrier of the Week. * Delivered to selected households only WHOOO has FLYERS in Today’s If you did not receive your News Advertiser/fl yers OR you are interested in a paper route call Circulation at 905-683-5117. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 6:30 Sat. 9 - 1:00 Your Carrier will be around to collect an optional delivery charge of $6.00 every three weeks. * 2001 Audio Video Ajax/Pick. * A & P Ajax * Bass Pro Shops Ajax/Pick. * Bed Bath & Beyond Ajax/Pick. * Best Buy Ajax/Pick. * Black’s Photography Ajax/Pick. * Canadian Tire Ajax/Pick. * Danier Leather Ajax/Pick. * Easy Home Ajax/Pick. * EB Games Ajax/Pick. * Food Basics Ajax/Pick. * Future Shop Ajax/Pick. * Giant Tiger Ajax * JYSK Ajax * Loblaws Pick. * Maytag Ajax/Pick. * Metro Ajax/Pick. * Michaels Ajax/Pick. * National Sports Centre Ajax/Pick. * No Frills Ajax/Pick. * Personal Edge Ajax/Pick. * Pharma Plus Ajax/Pick. * Price Chopper Ajax/Pick. * Real Canadian Superstore Ajax/Pick. * Real Estate Ajax/Pick. * Rogers Retail Ajax/Pick. * Rona Ajax/Pick. * Sears Ajax/Pick. * Shoppers Drug Mart Ajax/Pick. * Sobey’s Ajax/Pick. * Sport Mart Ajax/Pick. * Staples Business Depot Ajax/Pick. * The Bay Ajax/Pick. * The Brick Ajax/Pick. * The Source by Circuit City Ajax/Pick. * Toys R Us Ajax/Pick. * United Furniture Warehouse Ajax * Vistek Ajax/Pick. * Walia Ajax/Pick. * Walmart Ajax/Pick. * Your Independent Grocer Pick. * Zellers Ajax/Pick.Ajax and Pickering Locations pickeringtowncentre.com Wednesday December 24, 2008 durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 12 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 More service, less lateness planned for GO Transit By Reka Szekely rszekely@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Faster and more frequent service is in the cards for Durham resi- dents under GO Transit’s plan through 2020. Called GO 2020, GO’s recently-released strategic plan contains expanded service into Durham as well as more frequent service along existing routes. “Our strategic plan is really good news for the Durham Region,” said GO spokes- woman Vanessa Thomas. “Customers in the Durham Region can look forward to faster trains, more frequent service, ex- panded bus rapid transit and this will af- fect communities in Pickering, Uxbridge, Bowmanville and beyond.” By 2020, there would be three lines running into Durham, with the Lakeshore East line extended into Bowmanville, the Stouffville line running to Uxbridge and a new Crosstown line running to Seaton in north Pickering. As well, an electrified Lakeshore East line would mean faster and more fre- quent service than the current diesel trains. GO did not set dates as to when each new service would come online, but Ms. Thomas said service will be increased incrementally. The speed of change hinges on funding from the federal and provincial govern- ments. However, Durham will see one new benefit early next year with a new express train starting Jan. 5. It will leave Union Station at 5:10 p.m. and run express to Pickering and then make all stops on the way to Oshawa. GO is also looking to improve perfor- mance by decreasing the percentage of trains running more than five minutes late. They’re aiming for 92 per cent on-time service. The most recent figures, for Octo- ber, showed 89 per cent of trains were on time or within five minutes of being on the time. On the other hand, 99.3 per cent of buses were on time during the same pe- riod. Ms. Thomas said the monthly fig- ures are generally worse during winter months and acknowledges that GO could aim higher in terms of timeliness. “We’re being conservative in our es- timates because we know there’s going to be a lot of construction happening around the trains,” she said. As well, GO aims to have a seat avail- able for every passenger on 95 per cent of bus and train trips. Currently on the Lakeshore East line, which sees an aver- age of 44,000 passengers on weekdays, about 85 per cent of trains have a seat for everyone, however those figures include off-peak trains. It’s a bold goal given that GO rider- ship to the Toronto core will double and ridership outside of the core will triple by 2020. In terms of fares, Ms. Thomas pointed out they went up in March for the first time in two years and there’s no current plans to increase them. Big plans on the GO GO 2020 plans for Durham GO Transit plans to incrementally increase service through 2020. There’s no timeline yet on exactly when each upgrade will come online. The GO 2020 plan aligns with the recently approved Metrolinx regional transportation plan (http://newsdurhamregion. com/article/115730). Lakeshore East Line - Will be electrified between Union Station and Oshawa - New GO Station in Bowmanville - 15 minute or better peak train service with selected trips to Bowmanville - Counter-peak service every 30 minutes or better - All-day service twice hourly between Union Station and Oshawa Seaton Line - New Crosstown line from Union Station to north Pickering - Peak service every 30 minutes to Seaton once the community is built - All-day bus service during off-peak times Stouffville Line - Line extended to Uxbridge - Selected train service to Uxbridge and Stouffville during peak times - Bus service to Uxbridge during off-peak Bus Rapid Transit - Frequent service on a bus rapid transit corridor from Oakville to Pickering via Hwys. 403, 407 and 401 Get Local 24/7 mobile.newsdurhamregion.com DECEMBER 27DECEMBER 27THTH TO DECEMBER 31 TO DECEMBER 31STST • GRAD PROGRAMS APPLY • DEALER INCENTIVES • MANUFACTURERS INCENTIVES PRE-OWNED FINANCE RATES AS LOW AS 1.9% • GREAT SELECTION OF INVENTORY • ONE PRICE • NO HAGGLING •ALL VEHICLES STICKER PRICED• ONE PRICE • NO HAGGLING •ALL VEHICLES STICKER PRICED Over 25 Million Dollars Inventory Price to Sell YEAR END CLEAROUT!!YEAR END CLEAROUT!! 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Includes awning, deluxe screen room, furnace, fridge, stove ,bbq, diamond plate front and rear, spare tire, propane tank. 2008 Beetle Was $26,370 Now $24,470 Air, power locks, power windows, heated seats, alloy wheels, sunroof, 4/yr. 80,000km warranty, roadside assistance. 2009 Routan 12 to choose from Price Starting from $27,975 Air, power locks, power windows, 7 passenger, 4yr./80,000km warranty, roadside assistance 2008 Touareg V6 Was $57,025 Now $49,025 Sport package, leather, sunroof, heated seats, power locks, power windows, 4/yr. 80,000km warranty, roadside assitance. THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 13 A/Pdurhamregion.com .( Toronto Store Location 416.481.2077 1966 Yonge Street, Toronto (1 Block N. of Davisville) Pickering Store Location 905.428.6317 The Shops at Pickering Ridge (Brock Rd. & 401 East) www.aspecialplace.ca BOXING WEEK SALE Sale on until January 3Sale on until January 3 60%Save up to on selected fl oor models 20% Save on all regularly priced merchandise and custom orders durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 14 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 astern avestroughing Ltd.EE SINCE 1980 Residential Commercial Industrial Seamless Eavestroughing Aluminum Soffi ts & Fascia and Siding “Year Round Service“ 905-686-4175 835 Westney Rd S U#8 EAVESTROUGHING & SIDING1 1550 BAYLY ST., #35, PICKERING 905.839.0574 www.aroundthehome.ca • KITCHENS • VANITIES KITCHEN RENOVATIONSKITCHEN RENOVATIONS3 MARSHA JONES DOOLEY CIP, CAIB, RIB (ONT.), EPC “Complete Insurance and Financial Solutions” Auto | Property | Commercial Life & Investments | Health & Travel RRSP | RESP | GIC 905 - 427 - 3595 JDInsurance.ca and FINANCIAL SERVICES JD INSURANCE endent Insurance Broker CoversYou Best ™ An Independent Insurance Broker Covers You Best JONES - DOOLEY INSURANCE BROKERS Buy from a Licensed Advisor! 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To advertise in this special feature from $80, call Donna McNally at 905-683-5110 ext. 241 or email dmcnally@durhamregion.com 1 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE FULLY INSURED FREE ESTIMATES (905) 706-7047 • (416) 702-4252 BARK TREE SERVICEBARK TREE SERVICEBARK TREE SERVICE SERVICES:SERVICES: • TREE REMOVAL • TOPPING• TREE REMOVAL • TOPPING • DEAD WOOD• DEAD WOOD • PRUNING • STUMP REMOVAL• PRUNING • STUMP REMOVAL • HEDGE TRIMMING• HEDGE TRIMMING Call RobCall Rob 5 TREE SERVICES 5 Bark Tree Service 4 Ajax Paint Centre (905)427-3337 12 Harwood S.Ajax Pickering Paint Centre (905)837-0317 1794 Liverpool, Pickering PAINT CENTRE4 Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo Balding teachers PICKERING — Pine Ridge Secondary School teachers braved the clippers and had their heads shaved for charity. Liz Gal and fellow teachers, Neil Craig, Oliver Moh, Dave Williams, Jody McKin- non and Ricky Przyklenk raised about $2,000. Money raised will go to three different charities: The Canadian Cancer Society, Sick Kids’ Hospital and the Fred Miller Family Fund. The event has raised more than $12,000 over the last five years. THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 15 A/Pdurhamregion.com durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 16 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 By Kristen Calis kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING — The public will have the next stab at addressing possible traffic calming measures on Fairport Road. Council supported in principle Monday the implementation of traffic-calming measures along Fairport Road from Kingston Road to Finch Avenue. Staff will now hold a community consultation process where the public and af- fected services can give their input, and will then present the plan and estimated construction costs for Council’s consideration. The Citizens Group for Traf- fic Calming on Fairport Road was formed early this year and has since made a number of pre- sentations to Council, suggesting measures such as installing stop signs, traffic islands and raised in- tersections and crosswalks. It has also worked with staff to create a plan that will work for both the group and the City. Despite the group and the City having some differing opinions, they worked well together, said group member Ian Cumming in a presentation to Council. “We had a good exchange of ideas,” Mr. Cumming said. “I think it was the City working at its best with the community.” The group estimates the proj- ect will cost about $250,000. City staff estimates it will cost about $225,000, but noted it could be an additional $200,000 for asphalt colourant and pattern imprint of the raised intersections, which are only optional. The group originally submit- ted a petition with 127 of the 144 homes in the neighbourhood in support of calming measures. The City later received 75 comments in support and 26 against from both people living inside and outside of the neighbourhood. One woman, Charlotte Shear- down, spoke out against the plan at past meetings, saying she saw problems on all Pickering streets and didn’t see why Fairport Road was an exception. The group hopes its plans will eventually be used throughout other Pickering neighbourhoods that need traffic to slow down. To register call 1-866-873-9945 www.welcomewagon.ca www.bridalshowcase.ca WELCOME WAGON Bridal Showcase Sunday, February 1, 2009 Carruthers Creek Golf Club Doors Open at 1 p.m. Showcase features: Industry Experts with advice & information • Display • Demos • Door Prizes • Fashion Shows • Gift Bags & More 3 LOCATIONS FOR QUALITY & CHOICE GLASSES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY 2 for 1 Bill direct to Most Insurances and Social Services 905 905 905 AJAX OPTICAL Heritage Market Square 145 Kingston Rd. E., Unit 7 AJAX OPTICAL 56 Harwood Ave. S. Ajax Plaza PICKERING OPTICAL 1360 Kingston Rd. Pickering (Hub Plaza) 683-7235 683-2888 839-9244 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 17 A/Pdurhamregion.com Traffic calming The City has installed the follow- ing traffic calming measures in the past: 1997: * Speed humps on Dalewood Drive and Brookridge Gate 2001: * Speed humps in the hamlets of Cherrywood and Whitevale * Speed humps and a traffic circle in Greenwood * Chicanes on Glendale Drive 2006: * Chicanes and median islands on Rougemount Drive Pickering traffic-calming plan moving along Hells Angels accused of murder plot By Jeff Mitchell jmitchell@durhamregion.com WHITBY — Jurors hearing testi- mony in the trial of two Hells Angels accused of plotting to kill an under- world rival have been sent home for a Christmas break. Superior Court Justice Bruce Glass excused the panel of 11 ju- rors Wednesday afternoon as Crown counsel John Scott concluded his four-day cross examination of de- fendant Remond (Ray) Akleh. The panel was reduced from the tradi- tional 12 just one day into the trial when one juror fell ill. In the two months since this trial began in Whitby jurors have been subjected to a fascinating and sometimes surprising look inside the world of outlaw bikers and their dealings with each other -- and the police. Mr. Akleh, a member of the No- mads wing, is charged along with Oshawa Hells Angels president Mark Stephenson with conspiracy to com- mit murder and counselling to com- mit murder. The Crown alleges the men conspired with another Hells Angel, Steven Gault, to murder Frank Lenti, a Woodbridge biker with ties to the rival Bandidos gang. It’s the Crown’s theory the accused men chose Mr. Gault, a ruthless thug with a reputation for extreme vio- lence, to eradicate a man who could revive the faltering Bandidos and pose a serious threat to the Angels’ grip on the lucrative drug trade. Mr. Scott has told the jury they didn’t know Mr. Gault was a paid police agent who had infiltrated the Angels to gather information on drug traf- ficking. The jury heard several days of evidence from Mr. Gault -- which included vigorous and sustained at- tacks on his character and credibility by defence lawyers Glen Orr, repre- senting Mr. Akleh, and Brian Grys for Mr. Stephenson -- and have lis- tened to tapes of conversations the star witness had with the two men while wearing a body pack supplied by police. Mr. Akleh was also on the stand for eight days, describing how he’d had a number of disputes with the Oshawa Angels that led him to fear for his life. Tensions were heightened when he began airing suspicions that Mr. Gault was work- ing for the police, an assertion the Oshawa chapter rejected. Mr. Akleh said it also led Mr. Gault to threaten him with death. And Mr. Akleh unleashed a bombshell when he revealed that he, too, had been providing police with information. Mr. Akleh talked a number of times between 2003 and 2005 with a Durham cop Mr. Gault had been convicted of threatening. He testified their mutual fear of Mr. Gault brought them together. He, too, was subjected to wither- ing cross-examination by Mr. Scott, who expressed doubts about Mr. Ak- leh’s fear of Mr. Gault and the Angels and tried to portray the defendant as a loyal soldier who would kill for the club. “You want it done because you want the glory,” Mr. Scott shouted at one point Wednesday. “You’re kidding me, sir,” Mr. Akleh shot back. Mr. Akleh’s defence, as guided by Mr. Orr, has been to pose a most sa- lient question to jurors: Why would Mr. Akleh enter into a murder con- spiracy with a man he had for years believed -- correctly, as it turned out -- to be a police informant? The trial resumes Jan. 5. *10% discount excludes: Women’s wear: ABS, Groupe JS Collection dresses & suits, Tahari suits, Andy Thê-Anh, Anne Klein New York, Ba&sh, By Malene Birger, Ça Va de Soi, Chaiken Profile, Dana Buchman, Ellen Tracy, Hoss, Laila, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Mint, Norma Kamali, Tavãn & Mitto, Three Quarter, Tara Jarmon, Walter, BAIA Black Label, DKNYC sportswear. Men’s wear: West End Shop/Boutique Le Président. Cosmetics & fragrances. Spanx hosiery, Dooney & Bourke handbags, Calvin Klein handbags, Treesje handbags, Kenneth Cole NY handbags. Swarovski crystal, Gucci watches, furniture, major appliances, home entertainment, mattresses, Hbc Gift Cards, pharmacy, licensed merchandise & licensed departments. CA Day discount cannot be combined with New Account Discount. Other exclusions may apply. † Registered trademark of Hudson’s Bay Company. ® Registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated. Used pursuant to license. Selection will vary by store. Savings are off our regular prices, unless otherwise specified. Everyday Bay Value, just-reduced, Power Buys, Manager’s Specials, licensed departments, Salviati, Vera Wang and Hbc Foundation charity merchandise are excluded. When you see “POWER BUY” or “MANAGER’S SPECIAL” you will know we have found an exceptional deal to pass on to you. We may tell you the COMPARABLE VALUE on the price ticket and/or a sign, so you will see the price another retailer in Canada charges or would likely charge for the same or a comparable value item. Quantities of our Power Buys and Manager’s Specials and items located in any “Style Outlet” in-store departments are limited and may vary from store to store – no rainchecks or substitutions. When we say “PRICE CUT”, we mean the existing everyday price is being lowered temporarily. See in-store for details. /::0/GAB=@3A=>3< &/;0=F7<52/G231 $ /::1:3/@/<13>@7132( ;S\¸aYWRa¸W\TO\ba¸TOaVW]\a E][S\¸aW\bW[ObSa ;S\¸ac\RS`eSO` E][S\¸a[S\¸aaZSS^eSO``]PSa E][S\aaSZSQbSRTOaVW]\a 0SRRW\U^WZZ]eaRcdSba[Obb`Saa^ORa B]eSZaPObVOQQSaa]`WSa 1caVW]\abV`]eaeW\R]eQ]dS`W\Ua 9WbQVS\bOPZSZW\S\aRSQ]`ObWdSOQQSaa]`WSa 4`O[SaQO\RZSa^V]b]OZPc[a =TT]c`ZOabbWQYSbSR^`WQSa /<3FB@/ "TT >:CA /<3FB@/#=44 %TT $TT #TT "TT E63<G=CCA3G=C@601;/AB3@1/@2=@G=C@6011@327B1/@2 A/BC@2/G2313;03@ %B6=<:G A][SSfQZcaW]\aO^^ZgASSPSZ]eT]`RSbOWZaA/D3 E][S\¸a4OZZEW\bS`acWbaR`SaaSaW\]c`acWbO\RR`SaaRS^ba 0g3D/<>71=<38=<3A<3EG=@9/<<39:37<:3AC7B<7<3E3AB /::E][S\¸a4OZZEW\bS`8=<3A<3EG=@9:CF3QOaV[S`S[S`W\] e]]ZaeSObS`a/ZZ]TbVSOP]dS]TTS`aSfQZcRS\SeA^`W\UO``WdOZaO\RWbS[aeWbV''^`WQSS\RW\Ua ;S\a;/<B:3AQOacOZaVW`baY\Wba^O\baaeSObS`a 1]]YeO`SaSba3fQZcRSa/ZZ1ZOR:S1`ScaSb1OZ^VOZ]\ >Zca!#]TT=^S\ab]QYQ]]YeO`S3fQZcRSa/ZZ1ZOR /::Yb"Yb&YbU]ZRXSeSZZS`g 3fQZcRSa;O\cTOQbc`S`¸aA^SQWOZaB`]caaSOc@SRBOU3dS`gROg0OgDOZcSWbS[a 3\bW`S1V`Wab[OaaSOa]\OZRS^O`b[S\b 7\QZcRSaOZZRSQ]`ObW]\ab`SSaZWUVbW\UQV`Wab[Oa`]ZZe`O^OQQSaa]`WSaP]fSRQO`Ra OZZ1V`Wab[OaAb`SSb2WabW\QbZg6][S3c`]^SO\1]ZZSQbW]\b]eSZa1V`Wab[OabOPZSZW\S\a 5ZcQYabSW\V][S4SbSRW\\S`eO`S;WYOaO1V`Wab[OaUWTbeO`S3fQZcRSaAeO`]daYW]`\O[S\ba 1V`Wab[OaQ]\TSQbW]\O`gUWTbPOaYSba \]dSZbWSaQO\RgQO\SaQOYSa >Zca #]TT0]fSRQV]Q]ZObSaQ]]YWSa3fQZcRSa5]RWdO bVWaE3393<2=<:G231 $231 & EObQVSa0g1/@27</:1/A7=17B7H3<:3D7¸A>3@@G3::7AB7;3FA379=E3<53@AE7AA 3fQZcRSaBW[Sf7`]\[O\3f^SRWbW]\=TT]c``SUcZO`^`WQSa>Zca #]TT2SaWU\S`P`O\ReObQVSa3fQZcRSa5cSaa5cSaa1]ZZSQbW]\ ;O`Q3QY]>c[O3a^`WbAYOUS\1OZdW\9ZSW\O\RAeObQV=TT]c``SUcZO`^`WQSa @SUcZO`%''''"%'''A=<G0@/D7/eWRSaQ`SS\62TZObaQ`SS\BD % ^62Q][^ObWPWZWbg 62;7Q][^]\S\baD3A/Q][^ZWO\Qg92:! :"?cO\bWbWSaO`SZW[WbSReVWZSac^^ZWSaZOab A6=>3/@:G4=@03ABA3:31B7=< 4`WROg2SQ $bVb]BVc`aROg8O\abEVS`S^S`[WbbSRPgZOe /::QZSO`O\QSeObQVSaabS`ZW\UaWZdS` abOW\ZSaaabSSZTW\STOaVW]\XSeSZZS`g 4W\SXSeSZZS`gW\QZcRSaU]ZRRWO[]\RUS[ab]\SQcPWQhW`Q]\WOQcZbc`SR ^SO`ZXSeSZZS`g=TT]c`ZOabbWQYSbSR^`WQSa 3fQS^b(=OYdWZZS]^S\'O[)5ObW\SOc]^S\O[ Trustee In Bankruptcy TrusteeTrustee In In BankruptcyBankruptcy James R. Yanch OSHAWA 215 Simcoe St. N. 905-721-7506 AJAX 50 Commercial Ave. 905-619-1473 Saturday & Evening Appt.’s Available FREE CONSULTATION www.jamesryanch.com Advice on Proposals, Bankruptcy & Alternatives “Lets fi nd solutions together!” Over 20 Years Experience BY APPT. ONLY Picture your child in the care of a compassionate person who has passed the most rigorous screening and training standards set by Legislation. She loves children and is focused on their growth and environment. Welcome to Wee Watch. Welcome to affordable, dependable, enriched home care. Exclusive “Wee Learn” Educational Program AJAX/PICKERING 1-866-333-3299 www.weewatch.com The Happiest Children The Happiest Providers durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 18 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Christmas break for jurors in biker trial Boxing Week Sale Friday, December 26 to Wednesday, December 31 December 26 to 27 9am to 6pm December 28 10am to 6pm December 29 to 30 9am to 9pm December 31 9am to 5pm January 1 Closed Every year, just like clockwork, our Boxing Week Sale brings you the best deals of the season. We’re even staying open longer so you can load up on your favourite things at over 200 stores and services. You’ve waited all year for these incredible prices so don’t get left out in the cold! LULULEMON ATHLETICA |TOWN SHOES |GUESS |MELANIE LYNE |SONY STYLE |DANIER LEATHER North of Hwy 401, intersection of Stevenson Road and Hwy 2 •905.728.6231 •oshawacentre.com $$ $$$$ $$ 95 Bayly St. W. Ajax 905-683-2212 (on Bayly West of Harwood) $5OFF AJAX LOCATION ONLY Purchase of $20 or greater. Excluding consignment items. Not valid with any other offer. BOXING WEEK 25% - 50% OFF!! SALE SALE • Video Games & Systems • Gold (any condition) • Musical Instruments • Receivers/Amplifi ers • Electronics • Power Tools • DVD’s CHEQUE CASHING NOW AVAILABLE THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 19 A/Pdurhamregion.com Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo Service with a smile PICKERING — Durham Police Deputy Chief Sherry Whiteway rushes her order to the table during the lunch hour at the Pickering Boston Pizza location recently. Members of the service waited tables and a portion of the daily sales has been donated to the annual Police Food and Toy Drive. Board of governors approves investment policy DURHAM — The University of Ontario Institute of Technology has almost $9 million in its en- dowment account, according to the school’s board of governors. The endowment portfolio should be invested in a way that provides a maximum return for moderate risk, states a manage- ment policy approved at the Dec. 11 UOIT board of governors’ meet- ing. Eric Dillane, a student repre- sentative on the board, asked what kind of investments can be made through the fund. “Is there going to be any kind of policy on that?” Mr. Dillane asked. “We do not currently (have one),” said Aileen Fletcher, chair- woman of the UOIT audit and finance committee. They’ll put that suggestion for- ward in a future meeting as part of their practises, she said. The asset mix of the endow- ment fund portfolio is to comprise about 70 per cent cash, equiva- lents and fixed-income invest- ments, and about 30 per cent of equities investments. A deviation of five per cent from the guidelines is permitted, the report said. Regarding the endowment, the UOIT intends to preserve the value against inflation of the funds designated endowed to ensure the principal continues to work to benefit recipients and the univer- sity, the report said. Equity investments for it can only be made on a major North American or international stock exchange. The investment fund’s distrib- utable earnings include interest, dividends and capital gains. The amount for distribution will be determined annually in April. The financial performance of the investment portfolio will be reviewed annually in April by the UOIT investment committee and include a report on its health and performance for the year. Brief reports on its performance will be presented quarterly to the committee. The policy will be reviewed at least every two years. A policy on signing authority for the endowment investment ac- count was also looked at by the board. Any transactions to deal with the account need updated sign- ing authorities, states the report, but the signatures are no longer of people employed at UOIT, Ms. Fletcher said. The board discussed and de- cided on new signing authorities. The endowment account is cur- rently managed by CIBC Wood Gundy. ‘Masterbedroom Is More Than Just The BEST Sleep Selection! www.masterbedroomstores.com Financing Available • Credit Cards Accepted668-4300 WHITBY 1540 Dundas Street East Northwest corner of Thickson & Dundas BUNKS, FUTONS & MOREBUNKS, FUTONS & MORE MAHOGAHNY OR BLACK ALL WOOD BEDSALL WOOD BEDS DoubleDouble $329$329 QUEENQUEEN $349$349 KINGKING $399$399 TEMPURPEDIC MATTRESS SETSMATTRESS SETS 25%25% OFF SOME MODELS OFF SOME MODELS PLUS NO TAXPLUS NO TAX CANADIAN BUILT CANADIAN BUILT PINE/BIRCH/KIDSPINE/BIRCH/KIDS BEDROOM FURNITUREBEDROOM FURNITURE COLLEGE WOODWORKINGCOLLEGE WOODWORKING BIRCH SUITEBIRCH SUITE ON SALE NOWON SALE NOW LIMITED STOCK - SOUTH SHORELIMITED STOCK - SOUTH SHORE DRESSER & MIRROR DRESSER & MIRROR $$199199 9595 5 DR. CHEST 5 DR. CHEST $$119119 95 95 NIGHT TABLENIGHT TABLE $$5959 9595 ONTARIO MADE PINE SUITESONTARIO MADE PINE SUITES *NO TAXES ON ANY ITEMS OVER $200*NO TAXES ON ANY ITEMS OVER $200 427-2047 PICKERING 1755 Pickering Parkway Northwest corner of Hwy 401 & Brock CANus CANus mademade - KIDS ZONE - KIDS ZONE NITE STAND, 5 DR CHEST, DESK & NITE STAND, 5 DR CHEST, DESK & HUTCH, DRESSER, PICK YOUR COLOUR HUTCH, DRESSER, PICK YOUR COLOUR CANADIANCANADIAN AMISCOAMISCO 10 fi nishes available TWIN BED & MATTRESSTWIN BED & MATTRESS FROM FROM $$2292299595 RTARTA CLEARANCE CLEARANCE ON SALE NOWON SALE NOW SALESALE $$899899 QUEEN SET Plush E/T w/Memory Foam Twin Set $69995 Double Set $83995 King Set $129995 NO GST NO PST KIDS MATTRESSKIDS MATTRESSMISMATCH BLOWOUT!MISMATCH BLOWOUT!$199*$199*$279$279 $299$299 DOUBLEDOUBLE QUEENQUEEN base available Full Mat $32995 Twin Mat $22995 King Mat $64995 $359* Pillow Top Mismatch Mattress base available $639 QUEEN SET Mismatch Plush Euro Top w/Memory Foam Twin Set $49995 Double Set $61995 King Set $105995 HUGE CLEARANCEHUGE CLEARANCE CANADIAN MADE BIRCH FURNITURE FLOOR MODELS 50% % OFFOFF UP TOUP TO KNOCK OUT PRICES!KNOCK OUT PRICES! NO G.S.T. *NO G.S.T. *NO P.S.T. *NO P.S.T. * TWIN/FULL/QUEEN BEDSTWIN/FULL/QUEEN BEDS FROMFROM $$19919995 95 PLUS NO TAXPLUS NO TAX SPECIAL SALESPECIAL SALE Chests & MoreChests & MoreNight TablesNight Tables Where your decor dreams come true. www.surefi t.ca The winners of the Dining Room Suite Contest HELD AT SURE FIT FACTORY OUTLET Winner He ather Trickey and her h u s b a n d A n d r e w Ashbee with Sharon Wright, General Manager - Surefi t Factory Out l e t LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION FOR NEWCOMERS TO CANADA THEDURHAMCA THO L I C DISTRICT SCHOOLBOARDCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL DURHAM CALL ROSE 1-866-550-5462 CHILDCARE AVAILABLE www.durhamLINC.ca durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 20 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 University has big plans for endowment funds THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 21 A/Pdurhamregion.com By Carola Vyhnak Special to the News Advertiser PICKERING — When the Williams family decorates for Christmas, there are no halfway measures. That’s why Michael Williams rented a crane to take lights right to the top of five 15-metre trees in the front yard. And, that’s why every bit of space, inside and out, is lit by the twinkling, flashing, kaleidoscopic trappings of the holiday season. “Each year it gets bigger and better,” said Mr. Wil- liams’s mother, Kathleen, whose husband Charles and daughter Samantha also pitch in to execute her ideas. “I just love Christmas. I’m a Christmas freak.” The spectacle has become so popular in the com- munity that people knock on their door to ask when they’re turning the lights on. So the family hosts a lights-on party heralding the start of drive-bys and tour buses filled with gawkers. This year, for the fourth time, they’ve won Pickering’s ‘best decorated home’ award. Michael, 38, lab manager for an eyeglass company, took a course in crane operation so he could rent the equipment needed to string 3,500 lights on the trees. There are so many lights covering the front yard, roof and walls that an electrician had to upgrade the house’s electrical system to handle the load. Now 16 breakers in the garage and basement do the job. Last year’s hydro bill was $1,000, said Charles, who’s retired and does the finicky task of testing bulbs and rewiring faulty sets. That was a big job after a rainy December last year, said Todd Tesolin, one of several friends who help build and set up the decorations. “Last year was a fiasco,” he recalled. “With all the rain it was difficult to keep it going.” This year’s display includes dozens of animated and still holiday icons like toy soldiers, angels, polar bears, snowmen, candy canes, snowflakes and miniature houses. Mr. Tesolin, a telecommunications specialist, fine-tuned a new toy train in the middle of the night with a flashlight strapped to his head. Many of the large pieces were created by neighbour Anson Austin, who joked he can barely keep up with Kathleen’s design ideas. It’s all for a good cause, said the family, who keep a bin at the curb for donations to a food bank. “It means giving people hope and cheerful times,” Michael said of the display. Inside the well-kept house at 1285 Ilona Park Rd. It’s the same story, with every room decked out in holiday fare down to a Santa face on the toilet seat cover. “When I’m finished, you can’t even walk, you have to turn sideways to get through,” laughed Kathleen, who likes to celebrate her late mother’s birthday on Dec. 25. “Mostly, it’s for the community,” she added. “And it makes me happy.” Photos by Pawel Dwulit Family friend Todd Tesolin helps put the final pieces of the Williams’ christmas decorations together at 1285 Ilona Park Rd. in Pickering. The Williams family has won Pickering’s ‘best decorated home’ award for three years for their Gris- wold-style display of lights and festive season icons that cover their home and front lawn. Pickering home a holiday spectacle The front lawn and home of the Williams’ family is seen at 1285 Ilona Park Rd. in Pickering. 4HIS0ASSPORTINCLUDES s &2%%,5.#("5&&%4 6ALID-ONDAYTHRU4HURSDAY3ATURDAYONLY s &2%%$)..%2"5&&%4 6ALID-ONDAYTO4HURSDAYONLY s "UY/NE'ET/NE&REE,UNCH"UFFETS 6ALID-ONDAYTO3ATURDAYONLY s "UY/NE'ET/NE&REE,UNCH"UFFETS 6ALID3ATURDAYAND3UNDAYONLY s "UY/NE'ET/NE&REE$INNER"UFFETS 6ALID-ONDAYTO4HURSDAYONLY s "UY/NE'ET/NE&REE$INNER"UFFETS 6ALID&RIDAYTO3UNDAYONLY 7HILESUPPLIESLAST,IMITEDNUMBERAVAILABLE 3EEDESCRIPTIONSANDTERMSCONDITIONSAT WWWPASSPORTTOSAVINGSCA '34 4HEæ.EWSæ!DVERTISERæHASæACQUIREDæTERRIlæCæDEALSæFROMæ LEADINGæLOCALæMERCHANTSæOFFERINGæDISCOUNTSæATæBETWEENææ ANDææTIMESæTHEæORIGINALæVALUEææ7EæPACKAGEæTHEMæINæAæ UNIQUEæFORMATæWEæCALLæTHEæ0ASSPORTæTOæ3AVINGSææ!æLIMITEDæ NUMBERæOFæ0ASSPORTSæAREæPRODUCEDæFORæEACHæMERCHANTæ 4HEYæAREæAVAILABLEæWHILEæSUPPLYæLASTS £°ÊÜÜÜ°«>ÃÃ«ÀÌÌÃ>Û}Ã°V> Ó°Ê >Êäx{ÓÈ{ÈÇÈÊiÝÌÊÓÓÓ Î°ÊÊÊ«iÀÃÉÀÊ>ÊÌ\Ê £ÎäÊ iÀV>ÊÛiÕi]Ê>ÝÊ" Ê£-ÊÓx VÉÊÕÀ>Ê*>ÃÃ«ÀÌÊÌÊ->Û}Ã ÎÊ -9Ê 79-Ê /"Ê 19 ,OCATEDAT +INGSTON2D0ICKERING 4HEAREASBESTVALUEBUFFET !LLYOUCANEAT "ARS^/VERFOODITEMS "ÛiÀÊfÎää°ääÊÊÛ>ÕiÊÓÎÊvÀiiÊ LÕvviÌÃ®Ê>ÊvÀÊÕÃÌÊfÓ{°Ê«ÕÃÊ}ÃÌ° Ê Ý«ÀiÃÊÕiÊÎä]ÊÓää ÌÊÛ>`ÊÌiÀ½ÃÊ>Þ]Ê>ÌiÀ½ÃÊ>ÞÊÀÊ6>iÌi½ÃÊ>Þ °° °"° 3OMEOF'REAT7ALLS&EATURE )TEMS)NCLUDE #RAB,EGS3USHI4EPPENYAKI3ASHIMI3HRIMPS 3TEAKS""12IBS0IZZA$ESSERTS)CE#REAMAND MUCHMUCHMORE /iÊ>Ài>½ Ã Ê L i Ã Ì Ê Û > Õ i Ê L Õ v v i Ì t ÊÞÕÊV>Êi>Ì Ê >ÀÃ"ÛiÀÊ£ääÊv`Ê Ì i ÃÊ À>LÊi} Ã ] Ê - 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>Ã]Ê -À«Ã]Ê - Ì i > Ã ] Ê ° °+°Ê,LÃ]Ê*ââ>]Ê iÃÃiÀÌÃ]ÊViÊ Ài> Ê>`Ê Õ V ÕVÊ À i t Ê >ÀÀÞÊÕÌ Ê L Õ v v i Ì Ê > ` Ê i Õ Ê > Û > > L i ° °° °"° Shelter officials planning memorial service for New Year By Jillian Follert jfollert@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Despite media reports that indicate mice could be to blame for the fire that gutted the Durham Region Humane Society earlier this week, one shelter official says it’s too early to point to a cause. “Nothing has been concluded yet,” said Debby Houghton, a longtime animal cruelty investigator with the local Humane Society. “We’re not going to jump to anything until we hear from the fire marshal.” The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office was called in to investigate the fire, which caused $250,000 in damage. Oshawa Fire Services has already wrapped up its work at the site. “We’ve concluded our investigation pur- poses at the building and turned it back over to the owner, but some testing is still being done and no definite cause has yet been determined,” said Susan King, chief fire pre- vention officer for Oshawa fire services, add- ing there’s no indication at this point that the fire was suspicious. Shelter manager Ruby Richards was quot- ed by various media Wednesday as saying preliminary reports indicate the blaze start- ed in the ceiling and may have been sparked by mice chewing through electrical wiring. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office could not be reached to confirm that theory. Shelter staff and volunteers are now turn- ing their attention to the daunting process of starting over and the heart-wrenching pros- pect of honouring the more than 100 cats, three dogs and several rabbits and rodents that died in the fire. “We’re planning a memorial service for some time in the new year,” Ms. Houghton said. “There are a lot of people looking for a way to remember these animals.” Ms. Houghton said support from the local community -- and from people across Cana- da and the U.S. -- has been overwhelming. Cash donations have been pouring in through the Humane Society’s website and there is a steady stream of people delivering money and pet supplies to the General Mo- tors Centre, which has opened its doors as a drop-off location. Of the animals that survived, several have already found new homes. Ms. Houghton said six dogs have gone to foster or perma- nent homes, while three more are still wait- ing for new owners. Operators of the General Motors Centre are doing their part to help those affected by the fire. Global Spectrum Facility Management is partnering with world famous canines, IAMS SuperDogs and IAMS, to help raise funds for the recent tragedy. Organizers will donate a portion of the proceeds from tickets sold for the event tak- ing place at the GM Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 2 p.m. IAMS Company will also con- tribute a portion to this donation as well. “These are extremely difficult times for those less fortunate and it’s important for all of us to assist and help,” said GM Centre general manager Vince Vella. “In this moment of tragedy and despair, the IAMS SuperDogs, the IAMS Company and Global Spectrum Facility Management will support the Durham Humane Society in their renewed efforts to care for homeless animals,” he said. To purchase tickets for the show, call 1-877-436-8811 or visit www.generalmo- torscentre.com. Enter promotion code GSHS to ensure your proceeds are donated. The Humane Society can be reached at its temporary phone numbers, 905-433-2022 or 905-436-5632, or by contacting the City’s call centre at 905-436-3311. All City Wide taxi drivers have offered to pick up donations of money and items to help the Humane Society, free of charge. Drivers will collect cheques -- no cash -- and deliver them to Humane Society officials. Items such as food and litter will be stored by City Wide until a drop-off location is determined. City Wide can be reached at 905-579-9393. -- With files from Parvaneh Pessian Find something unexpected.liquidationworld.comBoxing Weekend: Dec 26-27-28 Save anEXTRA20% With prices already up to 70% lower than department stores, an EXTRA 20% meansyou’ll save HUGE! Dec 26, 27 & 28 only Yes, we mean EVERYTHING! ON EVERYTHING 282 Monarch Ave., Ajax 905-427-7708 PRICES SLASHED! PRICES SLASHED! PRICES NOW EVEN LOWER! IN THE STORE!*EXCLUDING TOBACCO, GIFT CARDS & PHONE CARDS TOTOTOTO THIS LOCATION ONLY! 1355 Kingston Road in the Pickering Town Centre *Located by the Food Court STORE CLOSING! quality products. lowest prices. guaranteed. DON’T MISS OUT! FINAL DAYS ARE APPROACHING FAST! THIS LOCATION ONLY! SAVE FROM ON EVERYTHINGEVERYTHING* 80%10 % durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 22 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Still no word on fire cause at humane society ‘We’re planning a memorial service for some time in the new year. There are a lot of people looking for a way to remember these animals.’ -- DEBBY HOUGHTON Jingle SaleJingle Sale Pickering Volkswagen Inc. 503 Kingston Rd. Pickering 905-420-9700 HWY. 401PORT UNION RD.WHITES RD.HWY. 2 Full Inventory on www.pvw.com 2008Gold Jingle SaleJingle Sale The biggest event of the holiday season. Great dealer specials on all models. Offer ends December 31st, 2008 $0 fi rst monthly payment $1,000 $6,000 to cash price reduction** + OVER 50 CERTIFIED PRE LOVED VW’S TO CHOOSE FROM SALES, SERVICE AND PARTS @ *Limited time lease/fi nance offer available through Volkswagen Finance on approved credit for new and in stock 2008 and 2009 models. First monthly payment free up to a maximum of $250 for City Golf /City Jetta and Rabbit, $400 for GTI, Jetta 2.5 / Jetta Wagon / Jetta TDI / Jetta 2.0T models, New Beetle / New Beetle Convertible and Tiguan, $500 for Eos, all Passat models, Routan and Touareg (taxes included – no cash value). Lease/fi nance ex- ample: MSRP for 2008 Jetta 2.5 base model with manual transmission is $21,975 for a monthly payment of $259/$619 for 48/36 months based on 1.5%/0.9% lease/fi nance APR. Finance cost of borrowing is $306. Total lease/fi nance obligation is $14,899/$22,281. $2,467 down payment or equivalent trade-in and $310 security deposit due at lease inception. Freight and PDI of $1,335, PPSA, license, insurance, registration, dealer charges, options, and applicable taxes are extra. $0.12/km over 80,000 km charged at lease end. **Discounts offered on cash purchases for new and in stock 2008 models in the amount of $1,000 for GTI, $1,500 for Jetta Sedan 2.5L and all Passat models, $2,500 for New Beetle / New Beetle Convertible and Jetta A5 Sedan 2.0T, and $6,000 for Touareg V6 and V8. MSRP for models shown are: $65,475 for 2008 TouaregV6 Execline with optional sports package, $44,975 for 2008 Passat CC Highline V6, $39,975 for 2009 Routan Highline, $17,336 for 2009 City Golf with Bravo accessory wheels, and $24,970 for 2008 New Beetle Sedan with Mali accessory wheels. Freight, PDI, PPSA, license, insurance, registration, dealer charges, options and applicable taxes are extra. At participating Ontario Volkswagen dealerships only. Certain conditions apply. Offer ends December 31, 2008 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Supplies limited. See dealer or visit vw.ca for details. “Volkswagen”, the Volkswagen logo and all vehicle model names are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG, used under licence. © 2008 Volkswagen Canada. Lease and fi nance* on selected 2008 models THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 23 A/Pdurhamregion.com Jason Liebregts/ News Advertiser photo A Christmas package AJAX — Terence Boateng from Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School packs gifts for local families in need. Students at the school have been collecting food and gifts in their home rooms for 60 families in Ajax and Pickering. SUDOKU Now online at 48 1 7 8 6 7 3 576 1 86 9 5 6 7 687 3 91 4 19 24 newsdurhamregion.com 48 1 7 8 6 7 3 576 1 86 9 5 6 7 687 3 91 4 19 24 durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 24 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 By Jillian Follert jfollert@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Electronic holiday greetings may be gaining popularity but that doesn’t necessarily mean the death of the traditional Christmas card. For many people, there is simply no re- placement for the cozy ritual of writing out cards by hand and dropping a stack of enve- lopes in the mailbox. “I think everyone likes to get cards in the mail,” said Kathleen Mathur as she picked out a snowman card at the Hallmark store in the Oshawa Centre this week. The Oshawa resident has already sent out nearly 30 cards and received almost as many. “It’s nice to open the mailbox and have it not be bills or flyers. It’s a nice tradition.” Politicians are also big fans of the classic Christmas card, with most mayors, MPs and MPPs sending and receiving hundreds of cards during the holiday season. “When people send a paper card, it’s a little piece of themselves, it’s a very special way to communicate,” said Carlton Cards marketing director Jim Driscoll. While his company offers e-card options, Mr. Driscoll said paper card sales are not declining and have actually seen modest increases of one to two per cent in recent years. “If anything, e-cards are helping the paper card industry,” he said, noting that electronic communication helps people keep in touch, which in turn prompts them to send cards during the holidays. Hallmark Canada spokeswoman Jennifer Kinnon echoed those sentiments, saying e- card senders are twice as likely as others to send paper cards. “For every e-card sent, 20 paper cards are sent,” she said. “In some cases, cards are the only connection people have with each other over the year and they want it to be special.” Both companies indicated new card tech- nology has helped to keep customers loyal to paper cards. Cards that play music and videos, hold gift cards, have spaces for fam- ily photos and offer recording technology for voice messages are especially popular this year. Canada Post doesn’t keep statistics on the number of Christmas cards mailed, because it’s too difficult to differentiate them from other types of mail. But spokeswoman Nicole Lemire said 923 million pieces of mail were sent in 2007, in- cluding 1.2 million letters to Santa. She said the busiest mailing day of the year typically falls a week to 10 days before Christmas -- last year it was Dec. 13. This year, she estimated it would be Dec. 17 or 18. And despite the popularity of e-mail and e-cards, the amount of snail mail in the sys- tem isn’t taking a hit. “Mail volume is actually increasing,” Ms. Lemire said. “We’re adding 200,000 new ad- dresses to the network every year, so even though people might be mailing less, there are more people mailing.” Christmas card tradition alive and well Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo Joy Rhyndress, manager of the Hallmark store in the Oshawa Centre, refills the Christmas card racks. Traditional cards now have stiff competition from the very popular e-cards. 250 Westney Rd. S. phone: 905-428-8888 www.acuraeast.comwww.pickeringhonda.com Whites Rd. & 401Whites Rd. & 401 Tel:Tel:905905 831-5400831-5400 PICKERINGPICKERING The Holiday Season is a time to cherish with Friends and Family. Please DON’T Drink and Drive! 09 FIT IS HERE! Durham Regional Police Service Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year Emergency 911 www@drps.ca 1710 Kingston Rd. Pickering, Ontario 905-683-9100 ext. 2521 “Leaders in Community Safety” Make Your Most ImportantMake Your Most Important New Year’s Resolution ...New Year’s Resolution ... Slow DownSlow Down Drive SafeDrive Safe Arrive AliveArrive Alive DON’T DRINKDON’T DRINK AND DRIVEAND DRIVE Wayne Arthurs, MPP Pickering-Scarborogh East NEW LOCATION 300 Kingston Rd. Unit 13 • 905-509-0336 (Northeast corner of Altona Rd.) Have a safe and Happy Holiday. Please don’t drink and drive. www.arthurs.ca E: warthurs.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org DON’T DRINK & DRIVE The Durham Regional Police Service is committed to providing quality service in partnership with the community. This column is made possible through the support of a network of individuals and organizations that share a common goal; creating a safer environment to live, work and play in. Help us obtain that goal, think safety fi rst! Some sobering information is available on the Durham Regional Police Service and the Ontario Government websites regarding this year’s Festive R.I.D.E. campaign and your privilege to drive. Information can be found at www.drps.ca, under “What’s New”, and the government website is http://www.mto.gov. on.ca/english/safety/impaired/breaklaw/breaklaw. shtml. Durham Regional Police report that after the fi rst month of their annual campaign, the number of arrests, charges and license suspensions have increased from last year’s campaign. What is even more disturbing is the trend. For several consecutive years, these numbers continue to increase in spite of on-going education and well-publicized information campaigns. Despite the many options available, such as public transit, taxis, and designated driver services, such as Keys to Us, some individuals still choose to not plan ahead or drink in excess of moderation. Simply stated, it takes the average adult in an evening, more than a drink or two, to blow over. Having a glass of wine during dinner will not normally cause impairment and will not result in a charge of exceeding the legal limit. The consequences of driving while over the legal limit or refusing to provide a sample of your breath are considerable. Your vehicle is towed at your cost; your license is automatically suspended by the province for 90 days, with an attached reinstatement fee of $150. Your name, and the fact that you were charged becomes a matter of public record, and if you are a fi rst-time offender, upon conviction, you face a minimum fi ne of $600 plus a further one-year driving prohibition, followed by a year with an ignition interlock device attached to your vehicle. The installment and service fees for this device are your responsibility. You are also required to attend a Drive Safe Course at your cost. Your insurance premiums will triple not for one year but three and many companies will decline your business because of the risk you now pose. If you’re involved in a collision, any costs related to your vehicle are your responsibility, not your insurer. Most of us have planned on socializing this coming Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but have you planned an alternative to driving home while under the infl uence of alcohol? Make it a safe holiday and a pleasant start to the New Year. Don’t become a statistic, and in doing so, the life you save may be your own! A reminder that you can have your child’s car seat checked for safety and proper installation by trained volunteers. The inspection is free but requires an appointment. Contact the Health Department at 905-668-7711 ext. 3366. Sergeant Kennaley has been a member of the Police Service for the past 18 years. If you have any questions or require more information, e-mail him at bkennaley@drps.ca Driving under the influence this holiday seasonDriving under the infl uence this holiday season Drink Responsibly Your City ... Your Taxi 54 Taxis in Pickering16 Taxis in Ajax Durham Rapid TaxiDurham Rapid Taxi GPS NOW ON ALL VEHICLES 2007Diamond 24 hr. Computerized Dispatch Anywhere/Anytime24 hr. Computerized Dispatch Anywhere/Anytime rrs TM Interac available in some vehicles 905-831-2345905-831-2345 COVENTRY LANE JAGUAR • LAND ROVER D2SETIH7D2LOOPREVI,(WY #OVENTRY ,ANE984 Kingston Road, Pickering 905.250.9595 www.coventrylane.ca COVENTRY LANE JAGUAR • LAND ROVER Reminding you to enjoy the holidays and drink responsibly. From the staff at Coventry Lane Advertising Feature THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 25 A/Pdurhamregion.com Durham cops patrol parking lots in major shopping areas By Stefanie Swinson sswinson@durhamregion.com DURHAM — Tuesday at 9 a.m. is not usu- ally the busiest time of day at the Oshawa Centre, but with the holiday season under- way, the mall was packed and so was the parking lot. It wasn’t hard to find unlocked cars filled with recently purchased Christmas gifts. That’s why the Durham Regional Police Ser- vice is enforcing Operation Merry Christmas; a project to help shoppers have a safe holiday season. “Why give thieves an easy Christmas when you’ve had to work so hard for it?” asked Con- stable Mike Richardson. Const. Richardson and his partner, Con- stable Matt Forget, were patrolling parking lots in shopping areas in Oshawa like the mall and Wal-Mart plazas, to show shoppers how to stay safe. “Hide everything in your car or, better yet, leave it at home,” Const. Richardson said. “If you have packages, put them in the trunk. Anything that has your name on it -- bank cards, bank statements -- as far as identity theft, lock it in your glove box and please re- member to lock your car doors.” The pair looked in cars and pointed out items that any thief would like to take, including IPods and a printer. “If you can see it, they can take it,” Const. Forget said. They say calls about car break-ins are high this time of year and so are the reports of col- lisions surrounding malls and plazas. Const. Richardson said there are a lot of collisions involving pedestrian safety. “You’ve got to be cognizant of when you’re backing up, leaving the shopping mall,” he said. “There could be people behind you.” Police will be watching for aggressive driv- ing, unsafe manoeuvres and speeding on roadways and intersections leading to major shopping areas, as well as parking lots. Stefanie Swinson/ News Advertiser photo Constable Mike Richardson of the Durham Regional Police Services looks inside the window of a car parked at the Oshawa Centre, pointing out things inside that a thief could steal. If you don’t want it stolen lock your car doors newsdurhamregion.com Watch a video interview at newsdurhamregion.com 1800 Kingston. Rd., Pickering Tel: 905-619-5177 or 905-683-9333 www.sheridanchev.com Wishing you a safe andWishing you a safe and happy holiday fromhappy holiday from all the staff atall the staff at SheridanSheridan CHEVROLET CADILLAC LTD.CHEVROLET CADILLAC LTD.2008 Award WinnerAJAX-PICKERING ROAD WATCH Help Make OurHelp Make Our Roads Safe Roads Safe REPORT UNSAFE &REPORT UNSAFE & AGGRESSIVE DRIVERSAGGRESSIVE DRIVERS www.ajaxpickeringroadwatch.comwww.ajaxpickeringroadwatch.com Durham Regional Police ServicesDurham Regional Police Services 905-683-9100 ext# 1921905-683-9100 ext# 1921 105 BAYLY ST. AJAX 905-686-1440 BETWEEN HARWOOD & MONARCH TAXI PEOPLE’SPEOPLE’S 711 Finley Ave., Ajax 905.427.7770905.427.7770 24 hr. Dispatch Anywhere rrs TM 13 Taxis13 Taxis Since 1985 “Zero Tolerance” Don’t Drink and Drive www.madd-durham.com • 905-576-7473 Wishing you and yours a safe holiday season. PLEASE plan ahead and arrive home safely after any celebration. Call 911 if you suspect an impaired driver. Durham Region Chapter Please Drive Sober! DON’T DRINK & DRIVE Drink Responsibly December 18, 2008 – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) wants Canadians to remember that ‘if it’s your party, it’s your liability.’ How can a host reduce the risks of an ugly incident like an impaired driving fatality? MADD Canada suggests that no single measure will eliminate all the risks. However, with some planning, common sense and basic precautions, a host can dramatically reduce your chances of being sued. Planning • Do not sponsor, organize, supervise or allow on your property, any inherently dangerous events or activities, such as underaged drinking parties, drinking contests, or all-you-can-drink stags or similar events. • If there have been previous problems with a particular event, group or person, take steps to avoid a recurrence. • Consider hiring trained servers and staff to help run large events, such as family weddings or major service club socials. • Do not combine alcohol and potentially dangerous activities, such as boating, snowmobiling, skiing, or hunting. • Check your property and guard against potential hazards. Even minor measures, such as locking the gate to the pool, can signifi cantly reduce your risks. • Have a plan in advance to ensure that guests who become intoxicated can be taken home safely. Serving • Do not serve, provide or make alcohol available to any person who is or may be under the legal drinking age. • Do not permit drinking to be the focus of the event. • Make food and non-alcoholic beverages available. People who have eaten absorb alcohol more slowly than those who have not, thereby lowering their peak level of intoxication. • If you are providing alcohol, serve drinks rather than having a self-serve bar. A self- serve bar encourages some people to drink excessively. Moreover, if you are serving the drinks, it will be easier to monitor your guest’s consumption and behaviour. • Do not encourage intoxication by serving extra strong drinks, double shots or high alcohol content beer. • Stop serving alcohol long before you expect the event to break up. It is simply not smart to serve people alcohol just before they drive or otherwise try to get home. Supervising • Refrain from drinking or drink moderately. The more you drink, the more diffi cult it will be for you to anticipate problems, supervise the event and intervene to avoid potential risks. • Be attentive to your guests’ behaviour and appearance. Be prepared to have a friendly word with a person who is becoming intoxicated. • Do not provide alcohol to a guest who is or may be intoxicated. Such conduct only increases the risks of a mishap and your chances of being sued. • If gentle persuasion fails, you may have to verbally insist that an intoxicated guest not attempt to drive home. • Arrange for a guest who may be intoxicated to be taken home safely or stay the night. To learn more about your liability when serving or providing alcohol, visit the MADD Canada website (www.madd.ca <http:// www.madd.ca> ) and read “Your Party – Your Liability”, or call for a year-end interview: Margaret Miller, MADD Canada’s National President @ (902) 758-5328. Host tips for parties‘withoutHost tips for parties ‘without incident’incident’ Advertising Feature durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 26 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Business plan flexible for circumstances that could arrive By Crystal Crimi ccrimi@durhamregion.com DURHAM — No matter what happens with the economy, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Beacon Project should be safe, says the school’s president. Although he can’t speculate on the future of General Motors, UOIT president Ronald Bordessa is confident the demand for its Automotive Centre of Excellence’s testing capabilities will still exist, particularly for its wind tunnel. The centre is to be used as part of GM’s Beacon Project. “This wind tunnel we believe is a facility that will be in tremendous demand under any circumstances we can think of,” Dr. Bordessa said. The Beacon Project is intended to support new vehicle and engine programs, employ- ment and skills training and automotive engineering, research and development and manufacturing in Canada. The joint project involves GM and the federal and provincial governments. Funding is already in place for the ACE’s construction, and the university has a busi- ness plan for the facility it’s comfortable with, he said. It’s flexible for circumstances that could arrive in the future, he added. Dr. Bordessa said it’s still unknown what the federal and provincial governments are going to do for GM, or what the company’s plans are going forward. “Until all of that plays out, we just have to wait and see.” Work on the ACE continues on campus, as does the university’s close contact with GM as things proceed with the wind tunnel. It’s anticipated to be ready for research by late 2009 and GM will be its major user. Of the three shifts available on the all-day, all-week wind tunnel, GM will have one of the three shifts available each day. The GM logo will also be on the ACE. The other two shifts are intended for UOIT use and for business to rent time from, he said. Manufacturers will be charged by the hour if they need it for testing things such as airplane wings, railway cars, transport trucks and even sports equipment. In sports such as downhill skiing, the dif- ference of a millisecond added by the wind can be a deciding factor. The majority of the money for the project is provincial, but the government made it clear UOIT will be working with GM through it when it was granted, he said. “We have to recognize the wind tunnel is here because GM is here,” Dr. Bordessa said. Regardless of what happens with GM, auto- motive engineering and the Beacon Project will still have a future at the UOIT. “What I can say is this facility we are build- ing here is a remarkable facility and there will be a huge demand to use this facility,” Dr. Bordessa said. Automotive engineering will be attractive for students in the future as the automotive industry changes, he said. “It’s all about the technical engineering aspect but also about design,” Dr. Bordessa said. University’s Beacon Project will survive News Advertiser file photo Former Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello speaks at the press conference announcing the new GMCL Automotive Centre of Excellence. Education Advertising Feature Results Today Skills for Tomorrow www.gradeexpectations.cawww.gradeexpectations.ca • Diagnostic assessments • Individualized programs • Ontario Certifi ed Teachers • Grades 1 and up Reading • Writing • Math • Study Skills ® AJAX/PICKERING 905-420-9930 I got my first A! FIRST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN PICKERING “Knowledge with Understanding” ~ Infants to 14 years. montessorilearningcentre.com 401 KINGSTON RD. PICKERING P: 905-509-1722 ¤ Are they working at their potential? ¤ Are you happy with the ratios? ¤ Are their days full of worthwhile, varied activities? ¤ Is their comprehension a solid foundation on which they can continue to build? ¤ Is their environment respectful and individualized? Your children are completing the fi rst term. (NC)-Canada enjoys one of the highest literacy rates in the world, and yet, according to Human Resources and Social Development Canada, at least 40 per cent of Canadian adults do not meet the minimum level required to succeed in the knowledge-based economy. Literacy - the ability to read and write, and also to understand and use language - takes root in early childhood. Studies have shown that chil- dren who are read to by their parents develop stronger language and listening skills, vocabulary, and creativity. In addition, toddlers aged two to three who are read to several times a day do signifi cantly better in kindergarten than those who are only read to a few times a week or less, according to ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. “Literacy is about brain development, education, and creativ- ity, but it is also about fun,” says Brad Martin, president of the Canadian Publishers’ Council (CPC). “Whether being read to by a caregiver, for a school assignment or for leisure, there is a lot of power in each and every book, not to mention important childhood memories of curling up with a parent or grandparent to read a favourite story.” Encouraging literacy at a young age isn’t just the responsibility of children and their family - community support is also im- portant. Libraries, book stores and schools all play important roles in fostering the love of reading. And Canadian publish- ers are also doing their part by supporting numerous literacy initiatives. In the past fi ve years, members of CPC have donated millions of books and more than $1.2 million in funding to special literacy initiatives. In ad- dition to providing resources to hospitals, hospices, and schools, pub- lishers have also created book fairs and sponsored fundraising events and various national charitable organizations, including ABC Canada. “For members of CPC, it’s not just about the book - it’s also about the value of the story. We want to ensure that every child has the opportu- nity to be exposed to literature and the lifelong benefi ts that come with it,” says Martin. Literacy, like math and science, has helped defi ne and shape our cul- ture. Ensuring that our children can learn and grow through reading will ensure that our culture, too, can learn and continue to grow. The sooner children are exposed to reading, the sooner they will benefi t both mentally and educationally. It’s never too early for a child to develop a passion for books. Visit www.pubcouncil.ca for more information about the Canadian Pub- lishers’ Council. Building literacy skills one word at a time School’s role is in retraining for new careers By Crystal Crimi ccrimi@durhamregion.com DURHAM — With Oshawa’s current eco- nomic state, the community’s college is keeping a close eye on how it can help. Along with introducing more one-year certificate and e-learning programs, Dur- ham College is trying to pool the demand on re-training and what opportunities it can assist with. “The community college sees itself as part of the community and this is the time we need to respond and think about how we can help people through our programs,” said Don Lovisa, Durham College’s president. Durham College (DC) has a new e-learn- ing lab available, which can help students access programs electronically, including ones at other schools. It’s looking at new strategies, too, and working with colleges across the province to share curriculum. If DC can’t respond to a need, it will try to send students somewhere that can, Mr. Lovisa said. More one-year certificate programs are being offered, all which provide a well- defined bridge to diploma programs, he added. So far, DC has had more than 800 inqui- ries about the Ontario Second Career Pro- gram — intended to help laid-off employees attend post-secondary school. About 140 people have stopped by the school to look at Second Career packages, he said. Mr. Lovisa suspects the numbers will grow as people become more aware of the re-training op- portunity, and as the situation continues to unfold in Oshawa. The Second Career program’s applica- tion process was recently revised, a good move by the government, Mr. Lovisa said. Its modifications make it easier to apply for and more accessible. Durham College is tracking its Second Ca- reer inquiries to see what programs people are interested in taking. It’s also working with agencies that work with laid-off work- ers. Even without Second Career, people can go back to school. They can use their sav- ings, apply for OSAP or for a bank student loan, Mr. Lovisa said. There’s an anticipated need of 1,300 work- ers to build and work at the Darlington nuclear expansion, he said. Those facing job losses can go back to col- lege and re-tool their existing skill set and expand their current trade for new things, he said. A millwright at GM knows how to do his job in the manufacturing sector, but can be retrained for the energy sector, Mr. Lovisa said. While there’s always a risk when it comes to finding work after graduation, the school prepares students with a skill set and offers job services. It also watches marketplace trends when introducing its programs. “We need to do our homework and make sure our programs are the right programs. “But there’s always risks,” Mr. Lovisa said. There are some fields people can be pretty sure will always be in demand, such as in health care, policing and security programs. Policing can lead into different areas, so graduates aren’t just limited to one sector, he said. There’s a fear factor that comes with being a mature student, but there are lots of ma- ture students at Durham College, he said. Most discover they can succeed. “For the most part, it all works out,” he said. Right now, the area is seeing significant layoffs, Mr. Lovisa said. If demand for post-secondary education grows at the same rate, the college could require more resources and capacity, but it takes time for people to decide what they want to do, Mr. Lovisa said. “The numbers are relatively small right now,” he said. Add another 200 to 300 stu- dents to the campus however, and it will require more capacity. “But we’ll cross that bridge as we ap- proach it,” Mr. Lovisa said. For those looking at embarking on a new career, he suggested asking for help, advice and lots of questions. Some good places to start are Employ- ment Ontario, the local college and local university, Mr. Lovisa said. Mississauga: Whitby: 2185 Dundas St. W. Workshop & Showroom: 111 Dunlop St. W. at Brock St. 2 Blocks W. of Erin Mills Pkwy. 370 Denison St. E., Markham (905) 668-2770 (905) 607-2247 (905) 475-2488 *One FREE accent rug per customer per purchase. Prior orders exempt from this promotion. Installed prices refer to basic installation on flat surfaces; additional costs may apply. Financing O.A.C., minimum purchase $899. Same as Cash option, financed amount 12 months from date of purchase. Interest accrues from date of purchase and will be waived if purchase amount is paid in full by the plan expiration date. If not, interest will be charged at a rate of 28.9% per annum as per agreement. $55 processing fee due at time of purchase. 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DOOR CRASHER! 8mm Glueless Click Laminate 3 wood decors • 25 year warranty 97 ¢97 ¢ Regular $2.49 WHILE QUANTITIES LAS T ! SQ. FT. HURRY IN & SAVE BIG! HURRY IN & SAVE BIG! 2’x3’ Accent Rug FREEFREE 2’x3’ Accent Rug READERS CHOICE WINNER DIAMOND WINNER • HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING 2008 Diamond THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 27 A/Pdurhamregion.com College ready to help pick up the pieces durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 28 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 ENTERTAINMENT ✦ E-mail information to Mike Ruta, mruta@durhamregion.com ✦ Get local 24/7 newsdurhamregion.com Merry Christmas from land of the kiwis Sunscreen and jandals the order of the day for Durham woman By Sarah Ferencz Special to the News Advertiser NEW PLYMOUTH, NEW ZEALAND -- With only a day or two until Christmas, it isn’t out of the ordinary in Durham to see snow on the ground or cars with trees tied to the roof. Shopping malls are decorated with fes- tive ornaments and the Christmas music has been playing on a loop for well over a month. Nights seem lighter as the moonlight reflects the fluffy, white ground cover and the twin- kling multi-coloured lights that adorn the eves of many houses shine well into the night. My own house has a few presents under the tree and Mom has meticulously set out her own decorations, along with her treasured mini-ceramic tree that belonged to her moth- er. This year, however, the holiday season is different for me. Instead of snow, the streets are covered with the red stamens of the Po- hutukawa. Instead of scarves, mittens and thick winter coats, the most popular item of clothing at this time of year is jandals (flip flops). And instead of reindeer, elves or angel tree ornaments, stores sell kiwis wear- ing Santa hats. Christmas in New Zealand certainly crept up on me. There’s something particularly unChristmasy about applying SPF 45 in late December just to walk to the grocery store. Last weekend I attended Christmas at the Bowl, New Plymouth’s much celebrated Christmas concert held in the natural amphi- theatre of the beautiful Pukekura Park, which is also the hub of the city’s Festival of Lights. Carols were sung, candles were held high and fun was had, but it just didn’t feel like Christ- mas without the snow. I went to the mall to finish up my Christ- mas shopping and instead of walking past Santa’s village full of crying children who won’t sit still for a photograph with the man in red, there was no Santa, no decorations and none of the popular Christmas carols playing from the speakers. Furthermore, the mall, which closes at 5 p.m. (8 on Thursdays), was relatively empty. While it is hard to imagine a Christmas without the familiar sights, sounds, and faces, I will remember Christmas of 2008 as the one I spent in shorts and jandals. I will forever re- member the kind and generous people who have welcomed a temporarily family-less Ca- nadian into their homes as one of their own. As the ghost of Christmas Present sings in A Muppet’s Christmas Carol, “wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas.” And that is the true meaning of the season. Sarah Ferencz, an Oshawa resident, recently graduated from the University of Western Ontario with her MA in public history. She is currently working at Puke Ariki, a museum and library in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on a six-month internship. Photos by Sarah Ferencz Sarah Ferencz, above, is pictured in front of New Plymouth, New Zealand’s famous sculpture, the Wind Wand, located on the shore of the Tasman Sea. Below left, the waters of the Tasman Sea close to New Plymouth. While we celebrate Christmas in winter with plenty of snow, residents of New Zealand celebrate in summer with plenty of sun. Bottom left, Mount Taranak, on the north island of New Zealand, dominates the area surrounding it, including the town of New Plymouth. Art to start the new year Galleries get ready with new exhibits in January DURHAM — Local art galleries will start the new year with new exhibits. At Station Gallery in Whitby, the new exhibit presents works by Bowmanville artist, Todd Tremeer. A Past Again opens Jan. 10 and runs through Feb. 22. Tremeer, who has done a series of wall murals in downtown Bowmanville depicting the town’s past, explores the past in his works. He’s exhibited throughout the area. Until Jan. 4, you can check out FRESH, the annual members’ juried art exhibit. Awards were handed out in three catego- ries: children, youth and adult. The top three children’s awards went to Ariana O’Neill, third, Mateo Contreras, second, and Madelaine Frank, first. Youth awards went to Emily Trendos, third, Al- annah Kemp, second, and Taylor Gundry, first. Adult awards went to Anne Leon, third, Ann Cowman, second, Derek Wuen- schirs, first. Best in show went to Anne Jackson. The gallery is located at Henry and Vic- toria streets. www.whitbystationgallery. com. At the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, the new year starts off with work by local high school students. Art from the High Schools runs from Jan. 18 to Feb. 8, with an opening reception Jan. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. The gallery is located at 143 Simpson Ave., Bowmanville. www.vac.ca. At the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, there are several new exhibits. Local artist Gary Greenwood will have his work featured in Gary Greenwood: Tourist from Jan. 10 to March 8. There’s an open- ing reception Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. He’s not the typical tourist, taking pictures of scenic spots and monuments on holidays. In- stead, he creates visual non-linear stories, asking viewers to slow down and find the connections in his works. It’s a look at how we move through our world by solving riddles and visual clues. On Jan. 17, Diane Landry: The Defibril- lators opens. There’s a reception Jan. 22. Landry, based in Quebec, constructs de- fibrillators, out of ordinary items, meant to shock us from our everyday life into a parallel enchanted world. Her works are a magical version of the everyday, accord- ing to the gallery. The gallery pays tribute to Oshawa’s cultural, social and architectural history in Theatrical Oshawa, with photos from the Thomas Bouckley Collection. The Jan. 21 to April 30 exhibit celebrates the restoration of the Regent Theatre with a collection of vintage photographs of Oshawa’s theatres. You can also see 100 Years on Wheels from the Bouckley Collection through Jan. 19, Nina Levitt: Relay through Jan. 4, and Nubuo Kubota: Hokusai Revisited through Jan. 11. The gallery is located on Queen Street, at Centre and Bagot streets in downtown Oshawa. www.rmg.on.ca. ‘This is one of the best films of the year’ Frost/Nixon Directed by Ron Howard in theatres **** By now, it is no secret that I am a fan of former American President Rich- ard Nixon, believing him to be a great statesman and one of the great presidents of the 20th century. History has been kind to Nixon and brutal with his critics, some- thing he himself said would hap- pen. Nixon opened China and Rus- sia, both communist countries. He was contradictory, capable of great things but his own worst enemy. It was Nixon who ended Viet- nam, a war he inherited and es- calated, but had the good sense to bring to a bitter end, knowing it would make him unpopular. And it was Nixon who or- dered the goings on in the White House, best known as Watergate, that became his undoing. When he resigned in the 1970s, he did so disgraced, yet in the years to follow, every single American president to follow him sought his advice on mat- ters of foreign policy. By the time of his death in 2003, he was no longer disgraced, but a well-thought of president, a statesman and a patriot. I think the reason I like Nixon is because he was so flawed, so incredibly human, and did not even understand how his flaws would become his undoing. Peter Morgan’s play of the same name explores what hap- pened when Nixon agreed to sit down with TV personality David Frost for a series of interviews, three years after his resignation. It is 1977 and Frost arranges for Nixon to be paid $600,000 for a series of interviews that will be broadcast over three nights. Nixon (Frank Langella) longs to return to the inner power in Washington, but knows he can no longer do that. Driven by sheer greed, he works to achieve this deal and makes the decision to go on net- work television to tell his side of the story. Brilliant, devious, controlling and intimidating towards Frost, the former president is a tow- ering figure whom Frost fears. Knowing all too well Nixon’s ability to be vicious (as any world leader), Frost knows it is up to him to guide the interview in the right directions. The verbal sparring back and forth is thrilling cinema, with strong performances from the two lead actors and those around them in support. Watching the two actors play off one another reminds me why I am forever fascinated with the art of acting; at its best it is mi- raculous, life unfolding in front of our eyes. The challenge for director Ron Howard, a lightweight filmmak- er at best, is bringing tension to events when we know what happened, something he did rather brilliantly with ‘Apollo 13’ (1995). But that film had Tom Hanks and a group of heroes and here we have a disgraced president believing that he was wronged when he knows in his heart he was wrong, and a talk show host who wants more than anything to break through in New York and Los Angeles. Both men are doing the inter- view for all the wrong reasons, and yet it was thrilling televi- sion, humanizing Nixon for the American people, and solidi- fying Frost’s reputation in the business With a camera that is always on the move, Howard gives the film an urgency, an inner life almost, as though we had stepped back in time to watch these events as they were happening. It might be the greatest ac- complishment of his career since ‘Apollo 13’. Langella is a revelation as Nixon. Six inches too tall to play the part and looking really nothing like him, he goes the Anthony Hopkins route and suggests Nixon, capturing his wounded soul, caustic wit, pettiness, cru- elty, utter humanity, flaws, the very things that brought him down. A long-respected character actor who had some success in the late 1970s on Broadway as Dracula, Langella has enjoyed some success recently as a sup- porting actor, but this is leading material and should land him an Oscar nomination for best actor. Michael Sheen might be famil- iar to audiences as the man who so brilliantly portrayed Tony Blair in ‘The Queen’ (2006) and he does an admirable job here as David Frost. But there are is something vaguely familiar about the per- formance. It is not that he is doing Frost but more that he is still doing Tony Blair as David Frost. No matter, Langella dominates the film like a hurricane. A brilliant film. Howard lacked the edge I thought for this film, but he had the courage to turn his lead loose and, in doing so, nails this story. This is one of the best films of the year. John Foote, director of the To- ronto Film School, is a nationally known film historian/critic and a Port Perry resident. Get more reviews at www.footeonfilm.com. Contact him at jfoote@IAOD.com. TV interviews make for a great movie Durham’s leading wedding professionals are at the Ajax Pickering News Advertiser Spring 2009 Sunday, February 22, 2009 11am - 5pm Ajax Convention Centre 500 Beck Cres., Ajax 2 fashion shows 12 Noon and 3pm show guide Wednesday, Feb. 18th in your News Advertiser visit us online at: durhamweddingsource.com for vendor info call 905.683.5110 ext.230 or email lmccaig@durhamregion.com THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 29 A/Pdurhamregion.com durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 30 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 SPORTS ✦ E-mail game scores to Al Rivett, arivett@durhamregion.com ANNANDALEANNANDALE Call 905-683-3210 Deluxe Buff et Dinner including red/white vintners delight plus Bubbly @ Midnight starring RON MOORE and his band Geri and the Koasters $$6565 per person & party favours includes taxes & gratuity Tribute to Elvis New Years Eve GalaNew Years Eve Gala Ron Pietroniro/ News Advertiser photo The big throwdown PICKERING — Linden Latanville from Dunbarton High School throws Pine Ridge’s Shane Ples to the mat. Pine Ridge hosted the recent Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics wrestling event, which featured male and female grapplers in all weight classes. Defenceman to wear red and white proudly at Spengler Cup By Al Rivett arivett@durhamregion.com PICKERING — For Pickering’s TJ Kemp, being named to Can- ada’s Spengler Cup roster is the highest compliment he’s been paid in his professional hockey career. “It’s very special,” said Kemp, a defenceman signed by the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and as- signed to the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Penn) Penguins on a one-year deal. “I’ve never really played for anything at this high a level in my life. My friends and family wanted me home for Christmas, but they’ll still be able to watch me play over there. “I’m really excited. I’m defi- nitely surprised to get picked. It’s very exciting and I can’t wait to get over there.” The defending champion Ca- nadians — consisting of former pro players, current AHL players and Canadians playing on Euro- pean club teams — will compete against Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), ERC Ingol- stadt (Germany), Dynamo Mos- cow (Russia) and host HC Davos (Switzerland) in the 2008 edition of the Spengler Cup. Canada begins its title defence against the Czech Republic team on Boxing Day. The Canadians play round- robin games against each of the four other teams, culminating in the gold-medal game between the first- and second-place teams on Dec. 31. Kemp, 27, received the invi- tation to play for Canada after friend Danny Syvret, a de- fenceman for the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms, had played for Canada at the Spengler for the past two years. This year, however, Syvret was denied the opportu- nity to play in the tournament by the Phantoms, so he passed along Kemp’s name to be consid- ered for the squad. “They were looking for a left- handed defenceman and he recommended me. The coached liked the way I played and thought I would be a good fit,” said Kemp, who played with his hometown Pickering Panthers in tier II junior hockey in the late ’90s. The 5-foot, 11-inch-197-pound rearguard, who’s played the past seven years in the AHL, says the Canadians are definitely going for gold once again this year. “I’m definitely excited to make the team and myself and the guys over there are going there to win gold. It looks like the Rus- sians are really good. All the best players in Europe will be there, so it’s going to be great competi- tion. We’re going to have to take it game by game when we’re over there.” Kemp and goaltender Daren Machesney flew to Switzerland on Monday, with the remainder of the team expected to arrive in Davos on Christmas Eve. “We’ll get in a few practices and get used to the bigger ice and meet the guys,” he said. This is Kemp’s first season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pickering’s Kemp suits up for Canada TJ Kemp Fast facts The Spengler Cup is the second oldest international ice hockey club team tournament in the world after the Stanley Cup play- offs, starting in 1923...From its inception until 1978, the tourna- ment was played on an outdoor rink....Team Canada won the Cup last year with a 2-1 win over HC Salavat Yulaev Ufa from Russia... Canada has won the Spengler 11 times, including a run of four consecutive titles between 1995 and 1998... Sports briefs DECEMBER 24, 2008 Manos the man for P, H and N AJAX — Phillips, Hager and North retained first place in the league standings with a 51-46 vic- tory over Michael’s Eatery in Ajax Men’s Basketball League action last Wednesday. Bill Manos was solid at both ends of the court, knocking down 25 points and making several key defensive plays. Clayton Gall added some additional firepower, scoring 14 points for P, H and N. Derek Kent led the way for Michael’s scoring 18 points. He was assisted by Calvin Smith with 11. ESN Packaging prevailed 44-36 over Top Shelf in the second game. Big man David Jackson had a solid game for ESN, sinking 22 points while dominating the boards. Tim Lane added 10 points for the pack- agers. Mike Gordensky led the charge for Top Shelf with 10 points, while Wes Houston chipped in nine. Dickson Printing won the battle of the printers, defeating North Alliance Press 55-37 in the final game of the evening. Ryan Quinlan had another outstanding effort, scoring 24 points and set- ting the tone for the contest. Sher- win James was also very solid for Dickson, scoring 14 points, while Stephen Johnston added 11. Raymond Hartley had the hot hand for NAP, scoring 13 points be- fore getting into foul trouble. Bob Hunt added nine. Pickering athletes bounce, tumble PICKERING — Pickering Athletic Centre (PAC) power tumblers and trampolinists com- peted against many of the best in the province at the Tour Select competition in Burlington last weekend. PAC sent seven athletes to the first meet of the season for the PAC contingent. In the Provincial ‘B’ power tumbling event, Jamie Stipetic finished ninth and Lindsay Qual- trough placed 22nd in a field of 24 athletes. Meanwhile, in the trampo- line competition, Aislinn Gallivan placed 19th in the Provincial ‘B’ event. She was followed by Kayla Harsch who was 24th, Sidney Allen-Ash who was 26th, and Riana Shaw who was 30th. A total of 45 athletes participated. In the Provincial ‘A’ trampo- line event, Alexandra Large was 20th out of 24 athletes who com- peted. Meaghan Millar and Sarah Nicholson serve as coaches at the PAC for power tumbling and trampoline. ✦ See Kemp, Page 31 Give your vehicle a Christmas present this year! Keep your vehicle looking like new all year with the Fine Detailsʼ complete cleaning Passport. Just in time for the holidays! Valid for new customers only. One card per family. Dirty Car? $14.99 4!8 1SPVE4Q POTPS #OME Shine WITHUS #OME Shine WITHUS The News Advertiser has acquired terrifi c deals from leading local merchants offering discounts at between 10 and 20 times the original value. We package them in a unique format we call the Passport to Savings. A limited number of Passports are produced for one merchant every three weeks. Passports are available while supply lasts. See terms and conditions online at www.passporttosavings.ca Other great passports available at: www.passporttosavings.ca 4 Free Hand Car Washes or 3 Free Hand Van, Truck, SUV Washes (Value: 4 x $15 = $60) Buy 1 Get 1 Free Wash and Vac Supreme (Value: $59) Larger vehicles add $20 50% off the ʻCompleteʼ Rust Cure™ package (18 months of protection) (Value: $65) Larger vehicles add $20 50% off Gem Coat Paint Protection (Value: $60) 50% off High Speed Polishing and a FREE wax (Value: $229) Buy 1 Get 1 Free Fabric Protection (Value: $89) Buy 1 Get 1 Free Leather Treatment (Value: $89) FINE DETAILS passport offers: 1. ONLINE: www.passporttosavings.ca 2. CALL: 905-426-4676 ext 222 3. IN PERSON: 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax All offers expire on November 30, 2009 3 EASY WAYS TO BUY $2499 ONLY Over $600 in savings from the WESTNEY ROAD, AJAX plus GST THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 PAGE 31 A/Pdurhamregion.com Penguins and he’s admittedly off to a slow start with the Pittsburgh farm team, with one goal and seven assists in 20 games this season. Kemp hopes his experience at the Spengler will jump-start his play for the rest of the AHL sea- son. “Things are OK, but I started off a little slow, which is my normal self and I was struggling a little bit,” said Kemp. “Hopefully (the Spengler Cup) will help my confi- dence, so I can come back a better player.” Kemp notes the Spengler Cup is a definite showcase event for him, as playing in one of the European pro hockey leagues could be in his future. “After this year, I’m getting to the age that if I can’t make the NHL I’ll definitely head over to Europe next year or two years from now. This is definitely an opportunity to show- case myself over there. To have a good tournament hopefully things will fall into place for me.” ✦ Kemp from page 30 Kemp may man the blue line in Europe in the future Knights peewees lend a helping hand, show spirit of the season AJAX — The Ajax Knights Pee- wee ‘AA’ rep hockey team gave a little something back to the community earlier this month. The team, enjoying a very successful year on the ice, vol- unteered an evening’s worth of work away from the rink to help those in the Ajax community who are less fortunate. The group of young hockey players wore their Ajax Knights’ hockey jerseys proudly when they attended a large warehouse operated by the 42nd annual CP24/CHUM Christmas Wish. The annual charity distrib- utes more than 259,000 toys at Christmas to families in need. The toy drive is in constant need of volunteers to help give a kid a Christmas. The arrival of the Ajax peewee team players was greeted warm- ly by organizers of a worthwhile cause. The boys, along with their coaching staff, donned Santa hats as they worked together w ith other volunteers to sort and pack toys. The team members were humbled by the amount of chil- dren in need of assistance. The Ajax Knights’ Santa help- ers, led by coach Mike Fowler, were Tristan van der Groef, Isiah Lebel, Shane McRae, Tommy Kemp, Derrick Den- nis, Josh Hansen, Bailey Pet- sinis, Jordan Gardner, Riley Vandevinne, Chanse Desroches, Darrin Shore, Zack Hope, Adam Nishino, Dylan Kingdon, Mitch- ell Fowler, Adam Gardner and Daniel Taylor. Submitted photo The Ajax Knights peewee ‘AA’ rep hockey team pose with their Santa hats after the players got into the Christmas spirit by volunteering for a charity that helps the less fortunate at Christmas. durhamregion.comP PAGE 32 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008 Relax. It’s Done.SM 905-426-2120 New Customers Only Not Valid with other Offers SAVE $3000 OFF Your first cleaning with Merry Maids Relax. It’s Done. SM ■ 100% satisfaction ■ Bonding (criminal background checks on all staff) ■ Insurance coverage ■ W.S.I.B. coverage ■ All equipment/supplies ■ Trained, uniformed employees ■ Bring own equipment We provide:711 Krosno Blvd., Pickering 905-837-9332 Th e Original Homemade Hamburger PlusTed’s Famous Steak on a Kaiser & Onion Rings The Big “M” Drive In The Best in Take-Out Since 1965 Thank you for Readers Choice Award for Th e Original Homemade Hamburger PlusTed’s Famous Steak on a Kaiser & Onion Rings Now Offering Fish & Chips too! 2008Diamond INTERIOR CONTRACTING Finished Basements • In-law Apartments • Home Offices Complete Interior Improvements 416.801.2945FREE ESTIMATES FREE ESTIMATES G.T.A. 416-886-8702 DURHAM 905-999-2176 FAX 905-683-7713 E-MAIL s1500@sympatico.ca MODERN LIMOUSINE AIRPORT ¤ BUSINESS ¤ PERSONAL Specializing in “Executive Transportation Services” LETZ-DANCELETZ-DANCE GET HEALTHY! GET HAPPY! GET DANCING! Salsa, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Merangue, Jive, Tango, Foxtrot, Waltz & more Adult & Children Classes Practice & Fun Nights Come with a Partner...Come with a Friend • Come Alone...But Come Have Fun! A great way to get exercise! • Learn to dance like the stars 1884 Altona Rd. Pickering 647-724-5089 / 647-883-2232 www.letz-dance.com ONE FREE SESSION WITH THIS AD Bead Rock beadrock@rogers.com www.beadrock.ca 43 station St. Ajax 905-683-9900 BEAD AND JEWELLERY SUPPLY STORE Semi-precious stones Natural stones Resins BIRTHDAY PARTIES SpotlightSpotlight on Businesson Business ADVERTISING FEATURE For more information on advertising call Christian-Ann Goulet at 905-683-5110 ext. 289 or email cgoulet@durhamregion.com Originally opened in 1965, Chris reopened the drive-up style joint about four years ago, and is proud to be continuing his father Ted’s tradition of offering delicious original recipe homemade hamburgers, their famous steak on a kaiser, homemade onion rings, French fries, and thick milkshakes - all in a fun and original 60s drive-in environment. “We pride ourselves on our great 40-year tradition of serving the Bay Ridges area, which is why we’ve gone back the restaurant’s original feel,” he says. “We offer high quality food and a good time - plus, you can’t get a better burger or steak on a kaiser anywhere else.” This year, The Big M has added homemade Chicken Souvlaki and a Veal Parmesan sandwich to its menu. Don’t forget about the Big M Fish and Chips either! Also on hand is the new Big M Chicken Ceasar Salad as well as the tasty Greek Salad - offering a healthy choice for your Big M dining experi- ence. Drop by, or drive up to The Big M at 711 Krosno Blvd. (at Liverpool Rd. South) in Pickering for a trip back in time. The Big M also hosts “Bike Nite” for motorcycles every Thursday evening and Classic Car Cruise on Friday Nights. “The Big M” - The Best in Homemade Hamburgers Minor hockey team sponsors family for second year in a row PICKERING — A Pickering minor hockey team is making the Christmas season a little brighter for a local family. The Pickering Panthers minor bantam ‘A’ rep hockey team dis- covered the true meaning of Christmas, as it’s giving back to the community by sponsoring a Durham family, ensuring it has a happy holiday season. It’s the second year in a row that the Pickering squad has sponsored a family at Christmas time. Last Monday, the players spent two hours at the Pickering Town Centre, where they went shop- ping for the family. The players split into two groups in order to accomplish the task. Pickering Panthers bantam team members are Joshua Nat, Brett Hall, Andrew Synowicki, Eric Finnegan, Karlo Cvetkovic- Rozas, Aidan Koke, Connor Page, Brandon Shoniker, Austin Mar- chese, Aaron White, Grant Starr, Stephen Mintsopoulos, Jonathan MacMillan, Ben DeVries, Tony Gionfriddo, Graham Reid and Justin Gideon. Pickering minor bantams make season brighter Submitted photo Pickering Panthers minor bantam ‘A’ rep hockey team players took time out with Santa recently before shopping for an area family for Christmas. It’s the second consecutive year that the team has sponsored a local family. Pickering Panthers get a lump of coal in their stockings Junior squad drops two more on weekend, including an OT loss to Mississauga PICKERING — The Pickering Panthers ended league play before the Christmas break with another loss, albeit a close one, to Missis- sauga on Sunday. Playing at the Pickering Recreation Complex, the Panthers dropped a 4- 3 overtime decision to the MacKin- non Division’s Mississauga Chargers in Ontario Junior Hockey League ac- tion. Adam Ancona scored an unas- sisted marker just 51 seconds into the five-minute extra frame. The OT loss was disheartening, considering the Panthers erased a two-goal, third-period deficit, scor- ing twice in the final nine minutes of the frame, including Kyle Ramsey’s power-play goal with 1:31 to go, to knot the score at 4-4. Connor Ste. Marie and Broeke- ma scored the other Panther goals against Mississauga, which recorded only its fifth win of the season. A day earlier at Peterborough’s Evinrude Centre, the Panthers were hammered 7-1 by the Liftlock Stars. After battling Peterborough to a 1-1 draw through the first period, the Panthers became unglued the rest of the way as the Stars capitalized for two goals in the second and four more in the third period. Ste. Marie scored a first-period power-play marker for the Panthers against Peterborough. The Panthers also hosted the Oakville Blades on Wednesday, Dec. 17, dropping a lopsided 9-3 deci- sion. Tyler von Engelbrechten, Cole Watkins and Broekema scored for Pickering. One other league game, last Fri- day at Pickering against the Port Hope Predators, was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be re- scheduled in the new year. The Panthers open 2009 on Fri- day, Jan. 2 at the complex when they host the Dixie Beehives at 7:30 p.m. Although the Panthers (7-21, 2 OT wins, 2 OT losses, 1 shootout loss) continue to lose, and continue to dwell in the basement of the Ruddock Division, the good news is they’re far from being an after-thought in terms of a playoff berth. The eighth and final playoff spot in the division cur- rently belongs to the Whitby Fury, which are only one point ahead of Pickering in the standings. More- over, the Panthers have two games in hand on the Fury. 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Please call Mary Gaine, 905-427-1400 Re- Max Rouge River Rlty Ltd. INDUSTRIAL BAY walking distance Walmart, Oshawa Centre, Stevenson/401 exit. High roll-up door, air compressor, $915/mo. in- cludes all utilities, parking. Auto repairs machining, hobbies and other uses (light industrial). month- by-month available. Also Storage Container available. 905-576-2982 or 905-626-6619. PARK/BLOOR OSHAWA, INDUSTRIAL UNIT, available immediately. 1,425sq.ft. Call 905-579- 5077 or 905-571-3281. FULLY EQUIPPED former Quizinos for lease, in busy shopping plaza, open your own restaurant and make use of state of the art equipment and outfi tted premises. (416) 638-9666 ext. 221 Cut Your DebtCut Your Debt FREE CONSULT Call Doug Heard Whitby/Brooklin Ajax/Pickering 905-404-4442 1-866-690-3328 www.cutyourdebt.ca4 PILLARSCONSULTING GROUP AVOID BANKRUPTCY! Payments you can afford @ 0% interest by up to 70%by up to 70% PRIVATE FUNDS- 1st, 2nd mortgages. Consoli- date bills, low rates. No ap- praisal needed. Bad credit okay. Save money. No ob- ligation. No fees OAC. Call Peter 1-877-777-7308, Mortgage Leaders 1-BEDROOM APTS for rent, North Oshawa, Sim- coe/Taunton. Completely renovated, $650 includes hydro & $720 +hydro, $750 + hydro, available Dec 1st. ALSO 1-866-339- 8781 or (416)881-5544. 1011 SIMCOE ST. N., Oshawa. Large 3-bedroom townhome suites with full basements, available for rent. Private fenced yards with mature trees. Close to all amenities. $925/month plus utilities. Call (905)579- 7649 for an appointment. 110 PARK ROAD North. Enjoyable Senior Living. 2 Bedroom Suites. Starting at $960. Elegant seniors residence. Controlled apartment heating. Near Laundry facilities on every fl oor. Elevator access to your unit. Bus stop located in front of building. Close to Oshawa Centre & down- town. Toll Free 1-800-800- RENT (7368). www.sky- lineonline.ca 2 BEDROOM NORTH OSHAWA bright quiet apartment, Simcoe North at Russett. New applianc- es, hardwood fl oors, well- maintained 12-plex, newly renovated, near bus/shop- ping. cable/heat/wa- ter/parking included. Laun- dry, No dogs. Jan 1. 905- 576-2982, 905-626-6619 2-BEDROOM APT, $825 all inclusive. No dogs. Oshawa, Bloor St. E area. Working adults preferred. Call Matt 289-240-4447 3-BEDROOM apartment in modern building, down- town Whitby, fridge, stove, $1,076/month inclusive, parking extra. Available January 1st. Call (905)430- 6511. 3-BEDROOM SPACIOUS apartments, Oshawa. Clean, professionally man- aged. Large back- yard/deck. Near Lakeview Park. Includes parking, utilities, laundry facilities. No pets/smoking. $1250 main fl oor. $950 lower lev- el. First/last. 905-431- 1552. 50 ADELAIDE ST. 290 & 300 Mary St. Adult Life- style Buildings. Bachelor, 1 & 2 Bedrooms. From $825, $1125, $1325 to $1575. Elevator access. Within walking distance to downtown. Bus stop locat- ed in front of building. Lo- cated near the Oshawa Hospital. Toll Free 1-800- 800-RENT (7368) www.skylineonline.ca Condominium Suites in Oshawa 2 & 3 Bdrm's Free Utilities, Parking. Senior's, Retiree's & GM Discounts 905-728-4993 AJAX, Harwood/Kingston Rd. 2-bdrm bright spa- cious apartment, parking, separate entrance, liv- ing/dining separate areas. First/last, no smoking/pets $850/month, inclusive. References. Available Jan/Feb. 1st. Call 905- 619-0392 or 416-414- 4221. AJAX, SALEM/BAYLY, le- gal 2-bedroom basement apartment. Available im- mediately. Separate en- trance, 2-parking, ensuite laundry, laminate fl ooring, eat-in kitchen, new paint, no smoking/pets. $750/month, plus. (905)470-1867. AJAX- OXFORD Towers. Spacious apartments, quiet bldg, near shopping, GO. Pool. 3-bedroom $1139/mo. Plus parking. Available Jan. 1st & Feb. 1st. 905-683-8571. BOWMANVILLE immacu- late 1 bedroom apt. Avail immediately. secured en- trance very quiet building $929 includes appliance, utilities, parking and laun- dry facilities. 905-666-1074 HWY. 2 & VALLEY FARM, 1-bdrm walk- in basement, split level, sep. entrance, bright, spacious, windows, A/C. $800/inclusive. Avail. im mediately No pets. (905)831-0415. LARGE 2-BEDROOM bungalow basement apt, downtown Bowmanville. Includes large kitchen, huge livingroom/rec-room, laundry room, storage. Oversize windows, share backyard, parking. Jan 1. $900-inclusive (905)447- 2990; (905)442-6339 LUXURY APARTMENTS. Enjoyable, Upscale Living. 333 Simcoe St N, Oshawa. 2 Bedroom Suites From $1535. Frequent social events held in common room. In suite laundry in every unit. Elevator ac- cess to your unit. Bus stop located in front of building. Located across the street from the hospital. Toll Free 1-800-800-RENT (7368) www.skylineonline.ca NEW 1-BEDROOM base- ment apartment, Westney/HWY 2, Ajax. $875/month, all inclusive. Parking, laundry, large bathroom, superb kitchen, access to backyard. No pets/smoking. (416)876- 3227 or (905)428-9422. NORTH OSHAWA 1 & 2 bedroom Jan. Feb. and Mar. lst. Clean, family building. Heat, hydro and two appliances included. Pay cable, parking, laundry facilities. (905) 723-2094 OSHAWA - Nicely deco- rated 2-bedroom apt., in clean well-maintained building. Heat, water, park- ing included, on-site laun- dry, near schools, shop- ping, transit. Available Jan lst. $725/mo.+hydro. 905-721-2534 to view. OSHAWA, Newly Reno- vated Bachelor, 1, 2 & 3 bdrm & Penthouse apts. Adult & Senior lifestyle bldgs. Large units, near bus stop. Call 1-866-601- 3083, 905-723-1009, 905- 432-6912. www.apart mentsinontario.com OSHAWA, very clean, spacious, 2-bdrm apt in duplex. Laundryroom w/hook-ups, parking, fenced yard. $800/mo+ utilities. Avail. immediately. First/last req'd. (905)420- 1846 OSHAWA, Wilson/Olive area, bright 2-bedroom in 6-plex. Laundry, parking, kitchen. $860/month inclu- sive. First/last/references. No big dogs. Working couple preferred. (905)576-3840, leave mes- sage, (905)429-0539-cell PICKERING ALTONA/ TWYN RIVERS area. Clean, 1-bdrm bsmt apart- ment. sep. entrance, A/C, parking, cable, no smok- ing/pets, suit single per- son. $695/mo. 1st/last. ref- erences. (905)509-8339. PORT WHITBY 1722/1724 Dufferin St. Newly renovat- ed spacious 2-bedrooms $835. Available immediate- ly/Jan. 1st. Laundry/park- ing, walk to GO, 401/Brock St. Near sports arena/shopping. 1-800- 693-2778 SPACIOUS, BRIGHT 2- BDRM bsmt apt, includes everything but telephone. Westshore/Bayly. Cable/utilities included. Separate entrance, laun- dry, patio, parking, close to bus stop. 416-505-7389 TESTA HEIGHTS 1, 2 & 3 bed. w/upgraded fi nishes. Util. incl. Security & park- ing. Landscaped grounds, private patios & balco- nies. 2 Testa Rd., Ux- bridge. 905-852-2534 www.realstar.ca WHITBY BACHELOR separate eat-in kitchen. bright, large, clean, in small building. No smok- ers/pets. Dundas/Brock. $695-inclusive, parking, Avail immediately/Jan 1. Call 416-438-4895. WHITBY PLACE 1 & 2 bed. Landscaped grounds. Balconies, laundry & park- ing. Access to Hwy. 401 & public transit. Near shop- ping & schools. 900 Dun- das St. E. (Dundas St. & Garden St) 905-430-5420 www.realstar.ca WHITBY, 2 bedrooms from $950 - $970 all inclusive Close to all amenities. Of- fi ce hours 9-5, Monday - Friday. (905)430-1877 WHITBY, Cochrane/HWY #2, 3-bedroom main fl oor, walk out to deck. Applianc- es, laundry on site, 2-park- ing. $1100/month, all inclu- sive, available immediate- ly. First/last. Dave (905)925-9110. Career Training General Help Career Training General Help Career Training General Help Skilled & Technical Help Career Training Skilled & Technical Help Sales Help & Agents Hospital/Medical /Dental Career Training Houses for Sale $ Industrial/ Commercial SpaceI Career Training Business OpportunitiesB Mortgages, LoansM Mortgages, LoansM Apartments & Flats for RentA Apartments & Flats for RentA Apartments & Flats for RentA Apartments & Flats for RentA Classifi edsLocal Marketplace To Place an Ad Call 905-683-0707 Q Or Toronto line 416-798-7259 Q Email: classifi eds@durhamregion.com Q localmarketplace.ca NEWS ADVERTISER, WEDNESDAY EDITION, December 24, 2008, PAGE 33 A/Pnewsdurhamregion.com Limit of 50 words. Please send Milestones submissions to milestones durhamregion.com by Tuesdays at 4 p.m. for Thursday publication. For$29plus GST you can have any birth notice, birthday, wedding, anniversary or engagement notice published. Prepayment is required.For information call This Week classiﬁ ed department Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 905-683-5110. Milestones is now a fee-for-service feature. 2 & 3 bedroom apartments Close to school, shopping, hospital On-site superintendent & security. Rental Offi ce Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (905)686-0845 or (905)686-0841 Eve. viewing by appt. www.ajaxapartments.com Safe HavenSafe Haven Worship CentreWorship Centre WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24THTH - 7:00 - 8:15 P.M. - 7:00 - 8:15 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICECHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE SUNDAY, DEC. 28SUNDAY, DEC. 28THTH - 10:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. FAMILY PRAISE SERVICEFAMILY PRAISE SERVICE pecial Guest Leonard Noel on his Steel DrumSpecial Guest Leonard Noel on his Steel Drum EDNESDAY, DEC. 31WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31STST - 7:00-8:15 P.M. - 7:00-8:15 P.M. NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICENEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE pecial Guest Soloist Marlene O’NeillSpecial Guest Soloist Marlene O’Neill 1084 Salk Road,1084 Salk Road, PickeringPickering (off Brock Rd., just S. of 401)(off Brock Rd., just S. of 401) Senior Pastor DR. SAM MARTIN and Associate Pastor MIKE MURPHY ST A NDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 35 Church St. N., 905-683-7311 www.standrewsajax.ca EVERYONE WELCOME December 24th “…but the people wouldn’t listen” Carols 6:50 p.m. Family Service - 7 p.m. Service of Lessons & Carols with Communion – 10:30 p.m. December 28th Sunday Family Worship – 10:30 a.m. New Year’s Eve – December 31 Worship – 10:30 p.m. Followed by food and games to ring in the New Year CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS CELEBRATIONS at The Gathering Place 1920 Bayly Street, Pickering, ON (the meeting place for Pickering Pentecostal Church) Wednesday, December 24 (Two Services) Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service 6:30 PM & 8:00 PM Sunday, December 28 10:00 AM Worship Service Wednesday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Celebration 9:30 PM - 12:15 AM You will always be welcome at PPC “a safe place for people - on their way back to God” WORD OF TRUTHWORD OF TRUTH CHRISTIANCHRISTIAN CENTRECENTRE 1527 Bayly St., Pickering 905-839-0333 Senior Pastor Joseph Fisher Wed. Dec. 24 @ 10pm Christmas Eve Service Sun. Dec. 28 @ 11am Sunday Morning Service Sun. Dec. 28 @ 7:30pm Musical Variety Show Wed. Dec. 31 @ 9pm New Year’s Eve Service We extend to the community our best wishes for a “Blessed and Peaceful Christmas” WorshipWorship DirectoryDirectory For Further Worship Directory Information Call Erin Jackson at 905-683-5110 or Fax 905-683-7363 Email: ejackson@durhamregion.com BOWMANVILLE LUXURY Condos. Available Immedi- ately. All 5 Appliances In- cluded. Call Today to View (905) 697-8261 NEW UNITS IN LUXURY Oshawa condo. Down- town location. Ensuite laundry, gym, sauna, balconies, etc. 1-bed- rooms from $950, 1-bed- room+dens from $1100, 2-bedrooms from $1200. Available immediately. Matthew 416-723-0847. 3 BEDROOM, OSHAWA, main and upper level home, features hardwood fl oors, laundry, dishwash- er, 3 car parking, large landscaped backyard. Per- fect home for kids. $1,150 ALL INCLUSIVE. Feb. lst, (905) 436-7411 3-BEDROOM MAIN fl oor of house, Oshawa, $850/month plus utilities., Available immediately. For more info call (905)263- 8129. 4-BEDROOM, BRAND new home. 2-bath, garage, No pets/smoking. $1300/ month, plus utilities. Refer- ences, fi rst/last. Available immediately. Call (905)850-7220, ask for Sheila. triumph.trim@bell- net.ca (Attention: Rental) CENTRAL OSHAWA, Near Oshawa Centre. 3- bdrm house. Avail immedi- ately. ALSO 1-BEDROOM apt., available immediately. Near all amenities. Call (905)728-7361 CENTRAL WHITBY 3- bedroom detached house, close to Go transit and shopping. First/last, refer- ences. $1150/month plus utilities. Call (647)321- 5989 COURTICE, 3 bedroom ranch bungalow, large lot, new fl oors and furnace. Large storage garage No pets/smoking. January lst. $1100 plus utilities, (905)436-0518 OSHAWA Rossland/Ste- venson! Updated 4+2 Bed- room home! Finished Basement with 2nd kitch- en! Separate entry! Large Updated Kitchen! Schools, Shopping & Transit! Call King (905)655-1144 $2000/month 3-BEDROOM townhouse, Courtice, 3-bath, garage, gas heat. Available Febru- ary 1st. $1250/month, plus utilities. No pets/smoking. (905)263-4631, leave mes- sage. NORTHVIEW MEADOW Co-op currently has 2/3/4 bedroom units available. Please call 905 721 8370 or come to 1252 Pentland St, Oshawa to pick up an application. OPEN HOUSE CAR- RIAGE HILL 2 & 3 bed. townhouses. In-suite laun- dry, util. incl., Balconies, patios, courtyard. Pking. avail. Near DT, shopping, restaurants, schools, parks. 122 Colborne St. E. (Simcoe N., Colborne E) 905-434-3972 www.real- star.ca WAVERLY/ROSSLAND- 3 & 4 bedrooms, 1-1/2 bath- room townhomes, renovat- ed interior & exterior, available in friendly family- oriented complex. Immedi- ate. $1095-$1295+utilities. 4-appliances, hardwood fl ooring, backs onto ravine. Near schools, park, transit, shopping. Contact Bob at 905-240-4942. WHITBY, 2 Brand New 3- bedroom townhouses, Winchester/Baldwin, 3 bathrooms, hardwood fl oors, fi replace. Near shopping, transit, ravine backyard, walkout base- ment. $1300/month. Call 1- 416-826-1919. BROCK RD/FINCH Pick- ering, clean, quiet, large furnished bedsitting room. Private bathroom, shared kitchen. Must love animals! Parking, cable/internet in- cluded, $550/mo. Available immediately. No smoking. (905)426-8525. SELL/RENT YOUR TIME- SHARE NOW!!! Mainte- nance fees too high? Need Cash? Sell your unused timeshare today. No com- missions or Broker Fees. Free Consultation. www.sellatimeshare.com 1-866-708-3690 30 days after Decem- ber 24 2008 Ajax Mini Storage will sell by Pub- lic Auction the following accounts that are delin- quent to cover the rent and expenses. Any of the tenants may pay amount owing in Cash, Credit card or Debit Card& redeem their merchandise any time prior to the auction Jackie Hill 82 Admiral Road Ajax Ontario Eric Purdy 6087 Kingston Road Scarborough Ontario Patrick Moore 7 Southam Street Ajax Ontario Ryan Boucher 1871 Una Pickering Ontario Corey Wylie L1 323 Harwood Ave S. Ajax Ontario Roxanne Totaro 1384 Tatra Drive Pickering Ontario Michael Sutton 51 Hulley Cres Ajax Ontario Andrew Rusu 39 Woolf Cres Ajax Ontario Laurie Claus 735 Aspen Street Pickering Ontario Dated in the Town of Ajax in the Province of Ontario December 24 2009, Ajax Mini Storage 180 Station Street Ajax Ontario L1S 1R9 905-427-5211 LOST 1 YR OLD white Shih Tzu. Named Shadow. Brock & Mary St. Whitby. Tag info wrong - we've moved. Call 905-922-2051, 905-665-6366, 905-720- 0640 or 905-430-5986 HUGS 'N' TUGS Home Daycare, Dixie/Finch area, $26/day. Smoke/pet free environment. Lots of fun & educational activities. Spaces available for Janu- ary 2009. 416-854-3584 1/2 PRICE LEATHER JACKETS purses from $9.99; luggage from $19.99; wallets from $9.99. Everything must Go! Family Leather, 5 Points Mall, Oshawa (905)728- 9830, Scarborough (416)439-1177, (416)335- 7007. 2006 KUBOTA LAWN TRACTOR 17hp, gasoline engine. 48" cut, hydrastatic drive, power steering, dou- ble bagger, dial in cutting height. Like new $4500. Call 905-436-1823, 905- 924-4022 65 GALLON FISH AQUARIUM, up & running, paid $1100 plus, asking $700 obo. Call 905-579- 6731 AFFORDABLE Applianc- es, HANKS Appliances, PARTS/SALES/SERVICE 310 Bloor St.W. Stoves $175/up, Fridges $175/up, Washers $175/up, Dryers $149/up. All warranty up to 15 months. Don't know what to get your loved ones?... Get a Gift Certifi - cate and they can pick! Durham's largest selection of Reconditioned Applianc- es. Showroom Sales Per- son- salary+ comm. Ser- vice Technician required. (905)728-4043. ANTIQUE WEBER dining room set, table with two leaves, buffet, china cabi- net, 6 upholstered chairs, $1,500. Variety of depres- sion glass, best offer. (905)725-4714. APPLIANCES, refrigera- tor, stove, heavy duty Ken- more washer & dryer, apartment size washer & dryer. Mint condition. Will sell separately, can deliver. Call (905)903-4997 ICEMAN COLD therapy unit, model #1100. Used only 4 times. $350 or best offer. Call (905)436-3936 2009 EXHIBITORS WANTED Saturday April 25, 10 am - 5 pm Sunday April 26, 10 am - 4 pm BALTIMORE COMMUNITY CENTRE Call CHANTELLE AT 905-373-7355 email: cmcbridennews@gmail.com EXHIBITORS WANTED Saturday, April 11, 2009 Ajax Convention Centre 550 Beck Crescent, Ajax For more info call Audrey (905) 426-4676 x 257 www.showsdurhamregion.com Friday, March 27th - Sunday, March 29th, 2009 Pickering Markets Trade Centre, Pickering For more info call Audrey (905) 426-4676 x 257 www.showsdurhamregion.com EXHIBITORS WANTED EXHIBITORS WANTED If it races, this is the show for you! FAST AND FURIOUS NORTHUMBERLAND MOTOR SPORTS SHOW 2009 APRIL 4th & 5th Cars, Bikes, Boats ATV's Call CHANTELLE 905-373-7355 or email cmcbridennews@gmail.com BED, ALL new Queen or- thopedic, mattress, box spring in plastic, cost $900, selling $275. Call (416)779-0563 CRAFTSMAN RADIAL arm saw $450 (paid $1000); Craftex 6" jointer $200 (paid $550); 6" belt and disc sander $100. (905)686-9720 GREAT HOLIDAY Sav- ings! #1 ONLINE SHOP- PING MALL. One Stop Shopping: Wal-Mart, Pet- Smart, Footlocker, i-Tunes, Macy's, Dicks, NBA Store, Toys-R-Us, 1-800-Flowers, Hallmark, Overstock, Lil- lian Vernon, choose from over 50 stores!! Visit www.savedirectbuy.com HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS Best Price, Best Quality. All Shapes & Colours. Call 1-866-585-0056 www.thecoverguy.ca HOT TUB COVERS Custom covers, all sizes and shapes, $425 tax and delivery included. Pool safety covers. We will not be beat on price and quality. Guaranteed. 905- 259-4514. www.durhamcovers.com HOT TUBS, 2008 models, fully loaded, full warranty, new in plastic, cost $8000, sacrifi ce $3,900. 416-779- 0563. NINTENDO Wii XBOX 360 PS2. Make backup copies usable with the in- stallation of a modchip. Supplied/installed/warrant- ed from $75. Call Mike at 905-626-0542 (north end Oshawa) or check www.durhammods.com PIANO AND BENCH, Heintzman, Gerhard, good condition, $900. (905)683- 4563. PIANO TECHNICIAN available for tuning, repairs & pre-purchase consulta- tion. Used upright or grand acoustic pianos for sale. Moving, rentals available. Call 905-427-7631 or visit: www.barbhall.com POOL TABLE, profession- al series 1" slate, new in box with accessories, cost $4500, selling $1395. 416- 779-0563 RENT TO OWN - New and reconditioned appliances, new TV's, Stereos, Com- puters, DVD Players, Fur- niture, Bedding, Patio Fur- niture, Barbecues & More! Fast delivery. No credit application refused. Pad- dy's Market, 905-263- 8369 or 1-800-798- 5502. SOLID OAK TABLE, with pedestal legs, medium stain, excellent condition. 72-length x 42.5 wide, w/leaf it is 90x42.5. 8- chairs with upholstery seats. Was $4,850, asking $2,500. (905)723-7782. TEAK WALLUNIT $450, wrought iron table 2-chairs $125. Chesterfi eld chairs, endtable, coffee table $350. Rosewood bedroom queen 2-dressers, $250. Pictures. Air conditioner, $75. Persian rug, $400, Double teak headboard, $50. Call (905)725-6423. Apartments & Flats for RentA Condominiums for RentC Houses for Rent Townhouses for RentT Apartments & Flats for RentA Townhouses for RentT Rooms for Rent & WantedR Vacation Properties Legal Notices Lost & FoundL Daycare Available Articles for SaleA Vendors WantedV Vendors WantedV Articles for SaleA Vendors WantedV Places of Worship Vendors WantedV Places of Worship Articles for SaleA TRUCKLOADS OF NEW SCRATCH & DENT AP- PLIANCES new coin washers $699 and new coin dryers $599., also reconditioned coin washer and dryers available, new Danby apt-size freezers $209, new 24" and 30" ranges $399., wide selection of new and reconditioned appliances available. Call us today, Stephenson's Appliances, Sales, Service, Parts. 154 Bruce St. Oshawa. (905)576-7448 Places of Worship Vendors WantedV VENDORS WANTED for the Oshawa Spring Home Show March 14, 15, 16 Call 905-579-4400 Ask for Devon or Wendy Pets, Supplies, Boarding A&R COUNTRY KENNEL Licensed/health guarantee, golden doodles, shih-poos, peekapoos, bichon-poos. www.arcountrykennel.com (613)332-6232. Places of Worship Pets, Supplies, Boarding ADOPT A HOMELESS PET This holiday season, give the ultimate gift- save a life. Find 1000's of adoptable dogs, cats near you at Petfi nder.com Call Dan for a FREE Estimate 905.436.9823 or Cell: 905.243.1459 Interiors / Exterior • Commercial / Residential Over 25 Years Experience • Competitive Prices ADORABLE GOLDEN RETRIEVER pups, family raised, vet-checked, 1st shots & dewormed. Paper trained, beautiful hair. Both parents on site. Ready to go, $400. Call 905-352- 2753. BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN re- triever puppies. Experi- enced breeder since 1967. First shots, dewormed, vet checked. 5 yr. guarantee. Supplier of service dogs. $500. Judy (905)576-3303 Need a Handyman? Full basement renos starting at $8500 (lab/mat based on 900sq.ft.) Complete in 2 weeks Bathrooms, Kitchens Framing, Drywall, Painting Some plumbing, basic electrical 22 yrs experience Fire & Water Technician Mould Specialist Guaranteed Work (905)442-0068 A1 1/2 PRICE JUNK REMOVAL!! All Junk Removed. Homes, Yards, Businesses, etc. We do all the loading. Seniors Discounts. Cheap and fast Service! In Service for 25yrs. John (Local) 310-5865 A1 1/2 PRICE JUNK REMOVAL!! All Junk Removed. Homes, Yards, Businesses, etc. We do all the loading. Seniors Discounts. Cheap and fast Service! In Service for 25yrs. John (Local) 310-5865 NEED A FRIEND WITH A TRUCK? ● Snow Removal ● Junk Removal ● Light Hauling ● Odd Jobs ● General Deliveries Reasonable Rates Call Hans anytime (905)706-6776 ALL PRO PAINTING AND WALLPAPERING Repair & Stucco ceilings Decorative fi nishes & General repairs 20% off for seniors (905)404-9669 Tor. Line 647-868-9669 TMS PAINTING & DECOR Interior & Exterior European Workmanship Fast, clean, reliable service (905)428-0081 Apple Moving Dependable & Reliable Good Rates 24-hour Service Licenced/Insured (416)532-9056 (416)533-4162 (905)239-1263 Painting & Decorating Home Improvement Garbage Removal/Hauling Painting & Decorating Garbage Removal/Hauling HandymanH Painting & Decorating Moving & Storage A/P PAGE 34 NEWS ADVERTISER, WEDNESDAY EDITION, December 24, 2008 newsdurhamregion.com Service Directory PSYCHIC READINGS Over 25 yrs experience. Personal Readings, Psychometry, Tarot Cards & Past Life Readings. House parties available. For appt call (905)683-9900 Sunday, December 28 Preview 9:30 A.M. Auction 1100 A.M. A Special Year End Estate Auction Items from a large quality Toronto Estate to include fi ne Antiques & Quality Contemporary Items. Large Boulle Cabinet, Large Pine Corner Cup- board, Set of Carved Victorian Diners, Small Georgian Chest of Drawers, Pair of Chinese Commodes, Large Set of Custom Made Iron Bookshelves, Teak Garden Bench, Gilt Over Mantel Mirror, Dining Room Suite, Marble Top Commode, Burled Walnut Armoire, Large Wal- nut Offi ce Desk, Empire Style Chest of Draw- ers, Pair of French Arm Chairs, Oriental Car- pets, Mirrors, Lighting, Large Selection of Prints, Watercolours & Oils. Large Selection of Glass, China & Sterling, Signed Moser Crystal, Doulton Figures, Jewel- lery & Books. A Large & Interesting Auction. For Full Details Watch Web Site for Up-Dates Indoor Yard Sale: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. For details and photo gallery go to www.waddingtons.ca/brighton Phone 1-613-475-6223 EXCEPTIONAL BOXING DAY SALE AT WARNER'S AUCTION HALL 12931 Hwy. #2, just west of Colborne Auction Sat. Dec 27th, 10:00 a.m. Antiques, Collectables, Household Furnishings. 9’ Kayak, 20’ ext. ladder, quantity of restaurant equipment on behalf of the Trustee in Bankruptcy, plus much more. Exceptional 1/4 cut antique oak hall seat with beveled mirror and original cast hooks in excellent condition. Excellent antique dresser with beveled mirror, exceptional cherry curio cabinet with double glass doors, mirrored back and lights like new, antique solid walnut Gibbard tea wagon a collectable. Also exceptional set of Gibbard nesting tables with Barley twist legs in excellent condition also a very collectable set of Gibbard tables. Antique oak rocking chair, excellent apt. size piano and bench in new condition, nice 10 piece signed dining room suite, Victorian wash-stand with teardrop pulls, antique walnut cedar chest, nice Dunken Phyfe double pedestal extension leaf table with 6 chairs, in excellent condition, nearly new maple harvest type table with 6 chairs. Antique oak china cabinet, plus more. Leather sofa, and more. Rest of the articles from bankruptcy include nice double sliding glass door cooler, 2-24” gas grills, one only 6 months old. Bagel toaster - conveyor type, plus quality of small supplies. collectables include glass, china, cranberry lamp with prism’s. 4 sterling candle sticks, chest fl at- ware, collection signed glass pieces, collection Fenton glass, Llardo fi gurines, Majolica compote, fancy hand made linen pieces, French statue clock, English bracket clock, plus count- less other pieces still to be unwrapped. Note this will be a large sale for our fi nal sale of the year. Best wishes to all! Gary E. Warner, Auctioneer 905-355-2106 Check Website www.warnersauction.com BOXING DAY ESTATE AUCTION Stapleton Auctions, Newtonville Friday, Dec. 26, 5:00 p.m. Selling the personal collections of the late Rob- ert Long, Courtice, including old radios and early broadcasting and recording equipment, as well as a wide selection of antiques, furniture, washstands, chests, tables, chairs, collectibles , numerous rare and unique items, toys, games, quilts, steins, decanters, chinaware, clocks, col- lector's reference books, replica edison cylinder horn, early advertising, prints, pictures, art- work, oil lamps, fl oor lamps, over 500 quality lots. Check out the website for continuing up- dates; Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year Preview after 2:00 p.m. No pets please Terms: Cash, App. Cheques, Visa, Interac, M/C 10% buyers premium applies AUCTIONEERS Frank & Steve Stapleton, 905.786.2244, 1.800.23.9886 www.stapletonauctions.com 'estate specialist since 1971' CORNEIL'S AUCTION BARN Special Holiday Sale, Sunday Dec. 28th at 11am located 3 miles East of Little Britain on Kawartha Lakes Rd. 4. to include large selection of quality antique furniture, glass- ware, Royal Doutlon fi gurines, Qty of china, glass household and collectable items. For listing see last weeks newspaper of go to www.corneil.theauctionadvertiser.com for listing and pictures. Don & Greg Corneil Auctioneers 1241 Salem Rd., Little Britain (705) 786-2183 Open for viewing Saturday from 9:00am to 3pm and Sunday morning at 9am CLASSIFIED HOLIDAY DEADLINES: Publishing: Deadline: Wednesday Dec. 31st Monday Dec. 29th 3pm Friday Jan. 2nd Tuesday Dec. 30th 3pm Business Services/ PersonalsB Pets, Supplies, Boarding BEAUTIFUL SHIH TZUs for sale, affordable, non al- lergic, no shedding, vacci- nated, dewormed, vet checked $450 each. Call 905-260-8855. GOLDENDOODLE 1st & 2nd generations. Beautiful coat from low to non shed, great colour and tempera- ments. Ready for Christ- mas, 705-437-2790, www.doodletreasures.com POODLE puppies, small miniature, Christmas Spe- cial, vet checked and ap- proved, home raised, many colors. Parents on site. Call 705-277-3013. SHIH TZU AND SHIH TZU cross, pups, experienced breeder, home raised, fi rst shots, puppy starter kit, 1-year money back genetic health guarantee. $500. (905)786-3183 TRADITIONAL DOG TRAINING CLASSES starting January, Visit our web site at www.tsurodogtraining.com 905-797-2855. Cars for Sale 1995 OLDSMOBILE Auro- ra, V8, Auto, leather heat- ed seats, sun roof, black, in good condition, $2,500. Call 905-213-9108 Zack. 1997 GRAND PRIX SE V6 4dr, automatic, green exte- rior, grey interior. pw/pdl/tilt/cruise, power side mirrors, trunk release, Pioneer CD, traction con- trol, fog lamps, air works awesome, rust protected yearly. 173,000-kms. Certi- fi ed/e-tested. Excellent condition, extremely clean $2495. (905)579-3322 1998 CAVALIER 20-dr Blue, 200,000 km. Engine mint, runs like new, no rust, minor body work. Well maintained. $3200-obo. (905)706-3517 Mike NEED A CAR? 100% Credit Guaranteed, Your job is your credit, some down payment may be re- quired. 200 cars in stock Call 877-743-9292 or apply online at www.needacartoday.ca Cars WantedC ! ! ! A - ALL SCRAP CARS, old cars & trucks wanted. Cash paid. Free pickup. Call Bob anytime (905)431-0407. ! ! $ $ ADAM & RON'S SCRAP cars, trucks, vans. Pay cash, free pick up 7 days/week (anytime) 905- 424-3508 ! A ABLE TO PAY up to $10,000 on scrap cars & trucks running or not. Free Towing 24 hours, 7 days. (905)686-1899 (Picker- ing/Ajax) or (905)665-9279 (Oshawa/Whitby). $$$$$ JOHNNY JUNKER Always the best cash deal - up to $300 for your good scrap cars, trucks and vans. Speedy service. (905) 655-4609 or (416) 286-6156. Announcements Business Services/ PersonalsB Cars WantedC CASH FOR CARS! We buy used vehicles. Vehi- cles must be in running condition. Call (905)427- 2415 or come to 479 Bayly St. East, Ajax at MURAD AUTO SALES Trucks for SaleT 1988 GMC 22 ft. moving truck, low mileage, great condition, $6,500. (905)579-3148 Adult Entertainment ALL ASIAN LADIES Chinese Japanese Korean 24/7 Out Calls Only www.cuteorientals.ca 905-706-8808 ASIAN BEAUTIES Best service in town. Great deals. 24/ 7. Out calls only 416-273-0254 647-339-1800 BLONDE BEAUTY Hour Glass Figure Pretty & Sexy 905-999-6203 7a.m. - 11 p.m. MassagesM ATTENTION U Need a Great Massage! #1 Choice Special 2 for 1 Super Friendly Oriental (905)720-2958 1427 King St. E., Courtice (beside Swiss Chalet) AAA PICKERING ANGELS ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Relaxing Massage VIP Rooms & Jacuzzi 905 Dillingham Rd. (905)420-0320 pickeringangels.com OSHAWA The Holistic $35 you want Ritson Rd. / Bloor 905-576-3456 Announcements Auctions Auctions MassagesM Sun Valley Spa OPEN REALLY LATE Incredible massages 4630 Kingston Rd. Unit#8 (E. of Morningside) 7 days a week (416)284-7679 WALKER, Danny - Passed away on December 21, 2008 surrounded by his loving family. Danny was a loving husband, son and brother. He will be forever remembered by his loving wife Colleen, sons Kyle and Sean, mother and father Florence and Bill, brothers John, Neil and Jim, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Danny was a long time member of I.A.T.S.E and will be missed by many of his friends and associates in the business. The family will receive friends at the McEACHNIE FUNERAL HOME, 28 Old Kingston Road, Pickering Village (Ajax) 905-428-8488 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Tuesday. Memorial service in the chapel on Wednesday December 24, 2008 at 11:00 am. Should family and friends so desire donations to Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated. A special thanks to the staff in ICU Rouge Valley Health System for their thoughtful and special care, and Susan Crockett RN, and Dr. Tanious. A book of condolences may be signed at www.mceachnie-funeral.ca NEWS ADVERTISER, WEDNESDAY EDITION, December 24, 2008, PAGE 35 A/Pnewsdurhamregion.com Death Notices DEATH NOTICE LISTINGS For Audio on current deaths, call 905-683-3005 From Clarington, Port Perry or Uxbridge, please call 1-905-683-3005. Visit us online: communitynotices.ca or Daily Death Notices Brought to you by the following funeral homes: Accettone, Armstrong, Courtice Funeral Chapel Limited, Low & Low, The Simple Alternative, McEachnie, McIntosh-Anderson, Morris, Newcastle Funeral Home, Northcutt-Elliott, Oshawa Funeral Service, Wagg, W.C. Town, Memorial Chapel. Step 1. Simply dial the number on a touch tone phone only. 2. Listen for the name you are looking for. The listings are recorded by surname fi rst. 3. When you hear the name you want, press 1 to hear details of the funeral arrangements. 4. If you miss any information, press 1 to replay the details. 5. If you want to go back to the main directory of names, press 2 and repeat from Step 2. mobile.newsdurhamregion.commobile.newsdurhamregion.com Be the fi rst to know movie listings movie listings weather weather top storiestop stories and moreand more We’reOuttogetYourBusiness!We’re Out to get Your Business! Makeusanoffer...youwon’tberefusedMake us an offer...you won’t be refused WE WANT YOUR TRADE, ALL MAKES, ALL MODELS, ALL YEARS! NOW AT 201 BAYLY ST. W.1-888-527-4929 << SALES HOTLINE www.villagechrysler.ca VILLAGE CHRYSLER CHRYSLER • DODGE • JEEP “Thinking like a customer” BAD CREDIT? NO CREDIT? CALL MIKE / ASHLEY 1-888-565-0555 NO FEAR RON IS HERE • NO CREDIT? SLOW CREDIT? BAD CREDIT? CALL RON 1-888-542-5829 (AT MONARCH AVE.) FREEFREE Rust ProofingRust Proofing or Undercoatingor Undercoating ‘08 Ford F-150 4x4 $34,888 Fully Loaded, 7,000 km only! Stk# V447 $29,,888 NOW!!! ‘08 Pontiac Torrent $19,588 Power Group, Auto, A/C, Low km Stk# T9228A $17,888 NOW!!! ‘01 Pontiac Aztek AWD $8,988 Auto, A/C, Power Group Stk# T9528A $5,988 NOW!!! ‘05 Chysler Sebring $11,988 Auto, A/C, Power Group. Stk# P351A $7,888 NOW!!! ‘05 Jeep Liberty 4x4 $14,988 A/C, Auto, Fully Loaded, Low Low km Stk# P385 $12,988 NOW!!! ‘08 Dodge PT Cruiser $18,888 Auto, A/C, Power Group. Stk# P427 $12,888 NOW!!! ‘07 Chyrsler Pacifica Touring $21,888 Auto, A/C, 6 passenger, low low km Stk# 49831 $17,888 NOW!!! ‘07 Dodge Grand Caravan $17,888 Stow N’ Go, Auto, A/C Stk# V289 $12,888 NOW!!! ‘06 Hyundai Sante Fe GLS AWD $19,885 Auto, A/C, Power Group, Low Low km Stk# V8825A $15,888 NOW!!!$19,888 Auto, A/C, Power Group Stk# P452 $15,988 NOW!!! ‘05 Chyrsler Crossfire $21,888 2 Door Coupe, Fully Loaded. Stk# V380 $18,888 NOW!!! ‘07 Dodge Sprinter 2500 $45,988 Deisel Stk# U310 $39,888 NOW!!! ‘06 Chevrolet Uplander EXT* $14,888 Auto, A/C, Alum. Wheels, Low Km Stk# J9208A $10,888 NOW!!! ‘04 Chevrolet Epica $9,888 Auto, A/C, Power Group. Stk# V118B $6,788 NOW!!! ‘06 Honda Civic EX $18,488 2 door coupe, fully loaded. Stk# V370 $15,,488 NOW!!! $$750 off750 off ExtendedExtended WarrantyWarranty 2 YEAR2 YEAR MaintenanceMaintenance PackagePackage 00%% InterestInterest OAC NO PAYMENTSNO PAYMENTS for 6for 6 MonthsMonths oror Sale prices are plus gst, pst, etching, safety, admin., e-test, lock wheels and pde. 0% fi nancing for 12 months based on regular selling price OAC. Bank fi nancing interest applicable on 6 months no payment offer. See us for details. oror oror oror Don’tBuyUntilYou S e e O u r F r i d a y A d ! Don’t Buy Until You S e e O u r F r i d a y A d ! Don’tBuy UntilYou SeeOur FridayAd! ‘08 Dodge Charger SXTDON’TBU Y A C A R O R V A N Y E T ! DON’T BU Y A C A R O R V A N Y E T ! WEARECL O S E D D E C . 2 5 - 2 6 . WE ARE CL O S E D D E C . 2 5 - 2 6 . HAPPYHO L I D A Y S T O Y O U A N D Y O U R S HAPPY HO L I D A Y S T O Y O U A N D Y O U R S SEE Y O U O N D E C . 2 7 ! SEE YOU O N D E C . 2 7 ! durhamregion.comA/P PAGE 36 THE NEWS ADVERTISER, December 24, 2008