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Home My WebLink AboutNA2010_01_22_incomplete905-683-6074 Full & Partial Dentures BPS® Dentures Same Day Relines & Repairs Soft Liners Implant Dentures Complimentary Consultations DentureClinics we’ll give you a reason to smile... Deegan Michael Deegan DD 134 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax (In the Ajax Plaza in the corner by Home Hardware) FREE NUTRITION WORKSHOPS @ Pickering Recreation Complex Cancer Prevention Mon. Jan. 25th 7:30 - 8:30 pm Healthy Eating 101 Tues. Jan. 26th 7:00 - 8:00 pm REGISTRATION REQUIRED Call 905.420.4621 cityofpickering.com OPEN 24 HOURS Kingston Rd & Westney Rd, Ajax 905.426.3355 Pressrun 50,400 • 28 pages • Optional 3-week delivery $6/$1 newsstand PICKERING Friday, January 22, 2010 NNews ews AAddveverr titisseerrTHE REGION 2 Water bill woes Durham gives a little; Ajax family must pay a lot THEATRE 17 A thriller on stage ‘Dangerous Obsession’ now playing in Ajax SPORTS 20 Rock draft a dozen Ajax-Pickering team moving up to Major Series Will clicks on Facebookresult in feet on pavement? BY JENNIFER STONE AND JILLIAN FOLLERT newsroom@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- As of mid-morning Thursday, almost 208,000 Canadi- ans had clicked their displeasure over Prime Minister Stephen Harp- er’s decision to prorogue Parliament. But the Facebook page, created by an Alberta student, did not just call on people to mouse-click to show their disapproval. There was also a call to action: people were asked to get out from behind their monitors and put feet to pavement, demonstrating at the offices of MPs -- including Oshawa’s Colin Carrie and Whitby-Oshawa’s Jim Flaherty -- this Saturday. The intended message is simple: MPs should get to work, as they had been slated to do before Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to the prime minister’s request to prorogue, on Monday, Jan. 25. Some call it a litmus test: is social media-based political organizing a matter of real activism, or plain old slacktivism? It must be proven to be activism, urged those organizing the pro- tests. See WILL page 5 durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20102 AP Region trims total, but $1,400 remains BY KEITH GILLIGAN kgilligan@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- It’s taps for an Ajax family hoping Durham Region would waive a one-time $3,500 water bill. The DeBique family of Delaney Drive appealed to the Region, saying they would have a hard time paying the bill. The bill for the three months from Jan. 9 to April 9, 2009 totalled $3,529.14. And, while Durham staff investigated the matter and agreed the bill was a one- time incident, Regional policy doesn’t allow for the bill to be waived. The pol- icy only allows for up to $1,900 being waived, which was done in this case. Regional Council’s finance committee on Wednesday decided the remainder of the bill would have to be paid. The fam- ily was given 24 months to pay the bal- ance owed. To get a bill that high, the family would have used 1,980 cubic metres (435,600 gallons) of water over three months. A report to the committee noted that aside from the one period, water usage in the home had been consistent, hover- ing around 50 cubic metres (11,000 gal- lons) for a three-month billing period. A cubic metre equals 220 gallons. Jacqueline DeBique turned to the committee for assistance in October. She went back to the committee on Wednesday, again seeking help. If the bill couldn’t be waived, she asked the finance committee to “consent to reduce the bill further.” The total was “exorbitant. It’s four to five times over our average usual billing,” she stated. “We can only guess what caused the high billing.” She sought to have the bill reduced to between $150 and $550. Reducing the $3,500 by $1,900 meant the family owed about $1,600. They have paid $256.14, so they still owe $1,373. Cutting the amount of the bill even further would mean “a change in policy and a precedent-setting change,” Scugog Mayor and finance committee chair- woman Marilyn Pearce said. The cause of the high bill hasn’t been determined. The water meter was removed on April 14 and replaced with another. The meter removed was tested and found to be operating accurately. It was sent out for a second test, which confirmed the meter was working right. “The high consumption billed cannot be attributed to a meter accuracy prob- lem,” the report noted. Ajax Mayor Steve Parish said similar incidents have happened in the past. “A minor leak in a toilet tank can go through a tremendous amount of water in a day,” Mayor Parish stated. “Staff has taken this to the length it can.” That would add about $50 a month over a 24-month period, he added. “We have to make this as palatable as possible.” METROLAND FILE PHOTO AJAX -- Jacqueline DeBique got a water bill recently for $3,529.14 in October that worked out to using about 500,000 gallons over a three-month period. The Region has since shaved $1,900 off the total, still leaving the Ajax family with a $1,400 bill. PUBLIC WORKS Ajax family on hook for huge water bill durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20103 AP 2009Platinum • the credit can be claimed on one or more personal dwellings including houses, cottages & condominiums •  replaces, furnaces, air conditioners & hot water heaters are eligible Example A Example B Furnace (variable speed, high eff.) Furnace (modulating variable speed, high eff.) + + Air Conditioner (up to 14.5 Seer) Air Conditioner (up to 16 Seer) + + Tankless Water Heater Tankless Water Heater Cost: $8,500 Cost: $10,500 Rebates: $3,655 Rebates: $2,830 Total Investment: $4,845 or $63/mth Total Investment: $6,320 or $83/mth INSTANT HOT WATER HEATER TANKLESS SAVE UP TO 40% ENERGY GET UP TO $1200 CARRIER CASH BACK AND UP TO $1000 TRADE IN FOR YOUR OLD EQUIPMENT ** HURRY! IT ENDS JAN 31.10 Get Up To $5,000 Gov’t Rebate & $1,350 Tax Credit** PLEASE CALL TODAY FOR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION 110 HOPKINS ST. WHITBY (DUNDAS & HOPKINS) 905-430-2033 • 416-619-1251 • 1-866-286-1203 www.airsolutionsgroup.ca 71 January Sidewalk Sale Thursday, January 21st - Sunday, January 24th Our mall-wide sidewalk sale means amazing deals for you and your family. As an added surprise, spend $50 or more and we’ll give you a coupon for a *FREE Caryl Baker Visage Spa Gift Package! Over 200 Stores & Services H&M Gap La Senza Sirens ROOTS Zellers American Eagle Outfitters Urban Behavior Sears Holly’s Aéropostale La Vie en Rose Caryl Baker Visage boathouse Dynamite Nygård Reitman’s Payless ShoeSource Costa Blanca Tabi TRISTAN the Bay Bluenotes’Fairweather Garage Clothing Co.pickeringtowncentre.com finding low prices enjoying some “me time” getting a free gift!✓ My winter workout:My winter workout: finding low prices enjoying some “me time” getting a free gift! FREE Caryl Baker Visage Spa Gift Package: • 30 minute refreshing power facial • 30 minute make-up application • 14k gold dazzling 3mm crystal earrings * Simply spend $50.00 at Pickering Town Centre (same day sales, before taxes) and receive a coupon for a FREE Caryl Baker Visage Spa Gift Package! Receipts must be dated – Thursday, January 21st - Sunday, January 24th, 2010. While quantities last. See Guest Services for full details. Total Retail Value: $130.00 BRIEFS Ajax former Maple Leaf takes IQ test on TV program AJAX -- Ajax resident and retired Toronto Maple Leafs’ goal- tender Glenn Healy will be among those testing their intellect on live TV on CBC’s Test the Nation: IQ this weekend. Six different teams will compete on the show, including teams of politicians, twins and Mr. Healy’s team of athletes. Meanwhile, viewers can also take the IQ test at home and see how they stack up. The show airs on Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. on CBC. For more information: VISIT www.cbc.ca/testthenation Ajax residents invited to strategic plan update AJAX -- Ajax residents are invited to an open house on the status of Ajax’s strategic plan. On Feb. 4, residents can receive an update on the four- year plan, approved in 2007. The plan includes 102 initiatives involving arts and culture, community safety, growth, economic development, transportation, environmental responsibility and infrastructure. “The focus of this forum is to update residents on the key accomplishments and successes stemming from the strategic plan over the last three years, as well as outline the priority areas for 2010,” said Marilou Murray, assistant to Ajax’s chief administrative officer. “This will be the final strategic plan update of the 2007– 2010 council.” The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Ave. S., in the council chambers. Free childcare will be available with staff helping with crafts, activities or providing homework support. Advance registration is necessary, call 905-619-2529, ext. 3323. For more information: VISIT www.townofajax.com Sail squadron information in Pickering this weekend PICKERING -- The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons is hosting a mall display this weekend to inform residents on all the courses offered by CPS. It’ll take place this Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pickering Town Centre, 1355 Kingston Rd. A manned booth will offer pamphlets on its seamanship, navigating with GPS, electronic charting and boating and navi- gation courses. For more information: EMAIL rstorey@sympatico.ca durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20104 AP 905-723-0282905-723-0282 62 Russett Avenue, Oshawa, ON oshawalittletheatre@rogers.com www.oshawalittletheatre.com Celebrating 60 years of Playful Memories “The only thing little is the price” COMING SOON!COMING SOON! Running fromRunning from Jan. 28 ~ Feb. 13Jan. 28 ~ Feb. 13 Mini Subscriptions Available Until January 27/10 Call For Details! Reminiscent of the “Golden Girls”, three widows from Queens travel to the cemetery to visit their husbands’ graves. Each have mourned in different ways which creates a volatile dynamic between them. “It’s funny, sweet tempered, moving”. - Boston Globe. “Very touching and humourous. An evening of pure pleasure that will make you glad you went to the theatre”. -Washington Journal Newspapers. THETHEATREATRE ATAT ITITSS BEST! BEST! • Grease March 18 – April 10 • Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka May 27 – June 5 OSHAWA N Taunton Rd. Russett Ave.62 Somerville St.Simcoe St NorthLearn English. Start Today. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) LINC Day Classes: • All LINC levels run Monday to Friday • Childminding and transportation assistance available to those who qualify • Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering ESL Day Classes: • All levels at various locations LINC Evening Classes: • LINC Levels 1 – 6 run two nights a week • Transportation assistance available to those who qualify • Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering ESL Evening Classes: • Basic to advanced, TOEFL, Conversation at various locations Register now for day or night classes! Permanent Residents, Convention and Government Assisted Refugees are eligible for LINC. All residents are eligible for ESL. Learn English. Start Here. Call 1-866-550-5462 Visit www.DurhamLINC.ca Citizenship and Immigration Canada Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada Assessment and Classes provided byFunded by Durham committee hears funding freeze means $2.5 million in cuts BY KEITH GILLIGAN kgilligan@durhamregion.com DURHAM -- The Rouge Valley Health Sys- tem could be looking at $2.5 million in ser- vice cuts if its provincial funding is frozen. “We’ll be looking at 25 areas where those service cuts might occur,” Rouge Valley president and CEO Rik Ganderton said while addressing Durham Region Coun- cil’s health and social services committee on Jan. 14. The Province is dealing with an almost $25-billion deficit and hospitals don’t know if their annual funding will increase or remain the same, he noted. Health-care funding takes up 40 per cent of the provin- cial budget. Rouge Valley is in a good position, with its deficit elimination program, he said. A deficit of more than $5 million in the 2007- 08 fiscal year has been eliminated, with the hospital projecting a surplus of $2.6 million for 2009-10 and $5.2 million for 2010-11. “The issue we face is a two-per cent increase (in funding) is less than the infla- tion increase we face every year,” he said. If the hospital’s funding increases by two per cent, “we won’t have to make any ser- vice level changes,” he said. However, a freeze in its funding would mean having to make $2.5 million in ser- vice cuts, he noted, adding those cuts would equal 25 jobs. Rouge Valley includes the Ajax-Pickering hospital, and Centenary in Scarborough. It received $214 million for the 2009-10 fiscal year. “It’s not just Ajax and it’s not necessarily shared equally. It would be where the ser- vice cuts have the least impact on patient care,” Mr. Ganderton said. If there’s no funding increase, the hos- pital administration will make a decision, then notify the Central East Local Health Integration Network, he noted. “Then it will be open up for public debate.” Regional Chairman Roger Anderson said the public “would want to know what those 25 areas are.” “Those 25 may not result in the savings we need. We don’t know if there’s a value to the public knowing what those services are,” Mr. Ganderton said. “We’re reasonably confident” the 25 areas would “cause the least harm,” he added. Mr. Ganderton agreed when Mr. Ander- son said the tuberculosis clinic at the Ajax site is one of the 25 being looked at. “If we conclude closing the TB clinic has the least impact on patient community and helps cost decrease, we’ll have a discussion with affected individuals prior to the deci- sion,” Mr. Ganderton said. REGION Rouge Valley looking down barrel of 25 areas of service reductions METROLAND FILE PHOTO AJAX -- Rouge Valley Health System CEO Rik Ganderton acknowledged that, without increased provincial funding, Rouge Valley, which includes Ajax-Pickering hospital, will need to chop $2.5 million from hospital services. Mr. Ganderton addressed Durham Regional Council’s health and social services committee on Jan. 14. It would be where the service cuts have the least impact on patient care. Rik Ganderton, Rouge Valley president and CEO durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20105 P VIJAY BADHWAR, DMD Dental Care for Adults, Kids and Great Big Babies. • A Full Range of Dental Treatments - Bring the whole family. • Saturday & Evening Appointments - To serve you better. • Flexible Payment Options - Helping you get the treatment you want. • A Relaxing Atmosphere - Virtual vision glasses, stereo headphones to help ensure you have a pleasant visit. 905-683-1391 We keep our patients smiling by taking the time to understand their needs. Add our friendly, caring staff and state-of-the-art techniques and you’ve found a good dental home. “Rather than look to inept and non- committal politicians to make change, we need to build the momentum started with 200,000 allies and take the streets by storm this Saturday,” Canadians Against Pro- roguing Parliament Facebook page creator Christopher White wrote on rabble.ca this week. It’s a statement echoed by Whitby resi- dent Stacey Leadbetter, who is helping organize the local rallies. “I’m just an average Canadian who thinks the government is being disrespectful and arrogant,” she said. “They’re counting on apathy and I don’t want to just sit back and do nothing.” Local rally information can be found at www.noprorogue.ca. While some have dismissed the anti-pro- roguing movement on social media like Facebook as simply a click of the mouse, not to be taken particularly seriously, oth- ers say politicians disregard it at their own peril. “The fact of the matter is, the activity of clicking a mouse has become analogous to signing with a pen,” said Dr. Davide Pan- agia, Canadian Research Chair in Cultural Studies at Trent University. “It turns out, the mouse is now mightier than the sword.” Given the importance of recognition to politics, “it seems unwise to dismiss mouse-clicking as a passive enterprise,” Dr. Panagia said. Even if the Facebook movement doesn’t lead to feet on pavement in real-life protest, Dr. Panagia said politicians ought to heed the interest generated via social network- ing in this and other issues. It may just be the physical geography of the protest has changed. “What counts as a public space these days?” he asked, adding in many ways “public spaces have been virtualized. “Whether these forms of public space interaction are sufficient to enacting politi- cal change” becomes the question, he said. Pickering-Scarborough East Liberal MP Dan McTeague has witnessed a huge shift in the use of social media and networking since he was first elected in 1993, a time when the Internet was just gaining in popu- larity. Social networking now gives more people a stronger voice since it has both resonance and permanence, he said. While he has Facebook and Twitter accounts, he tries to keep sensitive issues out of it. He’s had a lock put onto his Wikipedia account, for example, after seeing racist remarks on his page relating to consular issues he’s dealt with. “It’s both a useful tool and one you have to use cautiously,” he said, adding he doesn’t want to facilitate opportunities for such behaviour. But he often sends e-mails from his Black- berry, finding it gives him a quicker and more personal relationship with his con- stituents, and keeps a blog on his website, www.tomorrowsgaspricetoday.com. He said the anti-prorogation Faceboook group must have given a clear message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper that thou- sands of Canadians are unhappy with the decision to delay Parliament. The Liberals got the message as well. “We’re going back to work on Monday with or without the government,” he said. Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland said he hasn’t checked how many people are cur- rently part of the group, but last time he looked it was more than 100,000 and that’s spectacular enough. “I think it’s pretty astounding and I think it shows how new media is evolving into a political force,” he said. He’s also been on Facebook for about a year and a half and he manages his account personally. Mr. Holland said he often gets comments and questions from his constit- uents via his account. “I think it’s important to manage person- ally ... to have a more direct connection to the people.” He uses Twitter for messages solely relat- ed to his role as public safety and nation- al security critic and posts Youtube videos occasionally. He said while it seemed that Facebook was initially used by a younger demograph- ic, it’s become a lot broader, as evidenced by the anti-proroguing group. “It’s changing the face of politics, it’s not just one group that’s able to mobilize on an issue, it’s across a broad demographic,” said Mr. Holland. And if he sees tens of thousands of Cana- dians are joining a group, he said he’s going to listen. “I think you have to look at it as being a good democratic tool regardless who it’s working for or against ... there could be an issue one day I’m on the wrong side of,” said Mr. Holland. Durham’s MP Bev Oda called prorogation of Parliament “routine,” and not near the top of issues for Canadians. “I think, for Canadians, the top issue is Canadians and the Canadian economy,” she said. The time between now and when Par- liament returns with a throne speech and budget in March will be spent working on that issue, and doing constituency and other work, she said. The social media-based protests are something of a concern, but people should recognize their MPs are still working, Ms. Oda said. “It’s always a concern when Canadians believe you are not going your job as gov- ernment and elected officials,” she said. But Canadians “should realize ... the gov- ernment continues even if the House isn’t sitting. We all have responsibilities and are carrying on with those responsibilities.” -- With files from Kristen Calis and Reka Szekely Page 6 - Today’s editorial For more information: VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/article/146223 VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/specialreports WILL from page 1 It turns out, the mouse is now mightier than the sword. Davide Panagia, Trent University SOCIAL MEDIA Will it be activism or ‘slacktivism’ in Durham Saturday? WE THINK... email responses to newsroom@durhamregion.com & A Metroland Media Group Ltd. Publication Tim Whittaker - Publisher Joanne Burghardt - Editor-in-Chief Mike Johnston - Managing Editor Duncan Fletcher - Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak - Classiﬁ ed Advertising Manager Abe Fakhourie - Distribution Manager Lillian Hook - Ofﬁ ce Manager Janice O’Neil, Cheryl Haines - Composing Managers News/Sales 905-683-5110 Fax 905-683-7363 Classiﬁ eds 905-683-0707 Distribution 905-683-5117 130 Commercial Ave., Ajax ON L1S 2H5. Publications Mail Sales Agreement Number 40052657 Member: Ontario Press Council, OCNA, CCNA, SNA. All content copyright Editorial Opinions HEALTH CARE OMA president says more than nurses needed to care for patients To the editor: Re: Oshawa has GTA’s first nurse-led clin- ic, Jan. 2. Ontario’s physicians wholeheartedly welcome the role of nurse practitioners in collaborative care settings. Physicians across the province are working in collaborative models with nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals to provide comprehensive care to patients. We firmly believe this collaboration between health-care professionals is the best way to strengthen and enhance the delivery of safe and high-quality care to patients. Ontario’s doctors support models of care that encourage health professionals to work together rather than models that create silos. The article goes on to suggest nurse practitioners can do many of the jobs doctors do, however this is simply not the case. According to a report by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Studies (ICES), not having a family doctor leads to more emergency room visits and hospital admissions for those who have chronic diseases in the province. While nurse practitioners can and do provide a wide variety of services, we believe every Ontarian deserves the care and expertise of a family doctor. Suzanne Strasberg, MD President Ontario Medical Association FEDERAL POLITICS We care that Parliament was prorogued To the editor: There is a groundswell of angry oppo- sition to Prime Minister Stephen Harp- er’s latest tactic to run and hide from the Canadian public. Stephen Harper’s ploy to padlock Par- liament is far from an isolated act. Last year, to escape a political crisis of his own making, Mr. Harper asked Gov- ernor General Michaelle Jean to pro- rogue parliament – before passing even a single bill. The government is trying to hide behind the Vancouver Olympics as an excuse for stifling dissent, even though other dem- ocratic host nations continued to have functioning Parliaments right up to or during their Games -- including Canada in 1988. Mr. Harper wrongly gambled that Cana- dians don’t care about the health of our democracy and the manner in which we are governed. I would like to let our Members of Par- liament know that we are not so easily duped. We care. Scott Maxwell Bowmanville MANNERS Time to put an end to bullying and show respect To the editor: Bullying is a huge problem for our youth and I think that it has to be stopped before more children commit suicide because of bullying. I have been a victim of bullying, but I have also been the bully, and I truly regret what I have done. If this problem doesn’t come to an end, what has this world come to? Cassandra Welsh Oshawa Is prorogue Facebook page activism or slacktivism? First big test of online group comes Saturday When Stephen Harper’s request that Parlia- ment be prorogued was granted by Governor- General Michaelle Jean on Dec. 30, the prime minister likely thought the move would gen- erate the usual howls of anguish from opposi- tion politicians and a day or two of fuss in the media. He surely could not have foreseen the fire- storm of public protest the decision has ignit- ed, especially the over 200,000 people who joined a Facebook page to criticize the move. Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament has not just made a statement, it has dropped a nuclear bomb on the national political land- scape. The Facebook site is attempting to take people out from behind their computer mon- itors and send them into the community with a nationwide protest organized for Saturday, Jan. 23. In Durham, the rallies are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the offices of Conservative MPs Colin Carrie and Jim Flaherty. But at last count, there were rallies planned for locations across Canada and at Canadian consulates in Dallas, New York and London. The challenge to take to the streets and get off your seats will determine whether the Facebook group is more about activism or slacktivism. Slacktivism can be defined as taking part in “feel-good” measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts also tend to require little personal effort from the slacktivist. It can be broken down to wanting to have an impact with no more than a click of the mouse rather than getting out of your house and taking the time for more involved forms of activism. Should large numbers show up tomor- row at these protests across the country, the Facebook group will appear to have made the jump to activism. A strong message will have been sent to the prime minister and his inner circle that the public is willing to show its dis- pleasure and come out in force to do so. Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament could well signal a move away from voter apathy, which has been a problem in recent elections. Should those who have joined the Facebook page get more involved in debat- ing and challenging politicians on the issues and take those concerns into the next elec- tion, it could truly make a difference in citizen involvement. We will see what percentage of those on the Facebook page are activists or slacktivists. For more information: VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/article/146223 VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/specialreports e-mail letters to newsroom@durhamregion.com / max. 200 words / letter writers are obliged to back up statements with verifiable facts / please include your full first and last name, city of residence & daytime phone number / letters that do not appear in print may be published @ newsdurhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20106 P durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20107 AP FIRST MONTESSORI SCHOOL IN PICKERING “Knowledge with Understanding” ~ Infants to 14 years. QUALITY EDUCATION IN ONE LOCATION ELEMENTARY INFORMATION MEETING Tuesday, January 26th, 7:00pm Topics include: General information, Question & Answer period, Real Life Experiences, Complimentary Babysitting 401 KINGSTON RD. PICKERING (South side of Hwy. #2, just West of library) P: 905-509-1722 • www.mlcp.ca source.comwedding Visit the show to see Durham’s leading wedding professionals Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010 11am - 5pm Ajax Convention Centre Sponsored bySpring2010 AJAX PICKERING NEWS ADVERTISER for show vendor info, please call 905-683-5110 ext 230 or email lmccaig@durhamregion.com Durham Region Media Group ETROLAND News AdvertiserTHE AJAX • PICKERING WHO’S RUNNING IN THE 2010 MUNICIPAL ELECTION Ajax nominated candidates Mayor - Steve Parish Ward 3 Local Councillor - Joanne Dies. Joanne Dies is the current Ward 3 councillor and is seeking another four years on the job. She was originally elected in 2003. She filed her nomination papers on Jan. 18. Ward 4 Local Councillor -Pat Brown. Pat Brown has been an Ajax councillor since 1991. She is the incumbent Ward 4 councillor and filed her nomination papers on Jan. 18. Durham Catholic District School Board Trustee -Scott Graham Pickering nominated candidates Mayor -Dave Ryan -Maurice Brenner Ward 1 Regional Councillor -Bonnie Littley -Jennifer O’Connell Ward 2 Regional Councillor -Bill McLean Ward 1 City Councillor -Kevin Ashe -Sherry Croteau Ward 3 City Councillor -David Pickles Durham District School Board Trustee -Chris Braney Durham Catholic District School Board Trustee -Paul Bannister -Jim McCafferty VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/article/146223 VISIT newsdurhamregion.com/specialreports durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20108 AP January 18 - February 22, 2010 Every Monday to Thursday Must be a Rapid Rewards Players Club member to qualify. 545 Slots • 60 Table Games We have a winner.We have a winner. Port Perry, ON www.greatblueheroncasino.com See complete rules for details at the Rapid Rewards Players Club Centre. Valid government issued photo identification is required. Must be 19 years of age or older. License # 10 BAAGWATING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Any All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Breakfast or Lunch. For more information on our clinic hours, appointment times or walk-in clinic hours call: 905-428-1212 360 Bayly Street West, Ajax A community health centre for youth. Accepting New Patients! Do you need a family doctor or primary health care provider? Doctors Nurse Practitioners Nurses Dietitian Social Workers For youth and young parents up to age 26, living in Ajax and Pickering. 3JUTPO3E4 0TIBXBtt50--'3&& )JHI&öDJFODZ'VSOBDF"JS$POEJUJPOFST s&2%%:FBST1BSUT-BCPVS &2%%YEARNOINTERESTNOPAYMENTS/!# #ALLFORDETAILS "MTP SFDFJWFVQUPJO(PWUSFCBUFT XIFOZPVQVSDIBTFBGVSOBDFBJSDPOEJUJPOFSDPNCP "OEIPNFPXOFSTSFOPUBYDSFEJU)633:FOET+BOTU )FBUJOH"JS$POEJUJPOJOH&45 XXXDVMMFOIFBUJOHBOEBJSDPN +"/6"3:4"-& 3FBEFST$IPJDF"XBSE8JOOJOH$PNQBOZ5IBOLZPVGPSOPNJOBUJOHVTBT #&45'*3&1-"$&#&45)&"5*/("*3$0/%*5*0/*/($0 Call /&8 8&)"7&"'6-- 3"/(&0'3&/5"- ("48"5&3)&"5&34 '3&& .0/5) 3&/5"- AJAX -- The Ajax Lions Club is among the local organizations acting quickly to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. The Ajax Lions Club is donating $1,000 to the Lions Club International Foundation. Lions worldwide have been supporting the relief efforts in Haiti and within 24 hours of the earthquake had pledged $350,000 (US) to the foundation. In addition to those donations, LCIF has donated $50,000 as part of a major catas- trophe grant for immediate help to victims including provisions such as water, food, medicine and tents. Over the years, the foundation has pro- vided more than $25 million (US) for disas- ter relief including during the South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and the earth- quake in China. Donors can assist Lions with a designat- ed donation to the LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Online, visit www.lcif.org/ donate and select Disaster and include LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief in the com- ments section. Cheques can be made pay- able to Lions Clubs International Founda- tion (noting LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief in the memo field) and mailed to LCIF 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services. For more information about the local Lions’ relief efforts: CALL 905-426-5937 (Don McGovern) DISASTER Ajax Lions donate to Haiti quake relief PICKERING -- A Pickering restaurant is doing its part to help the victims of Haiti. The Rougemount Grill and Espresso Cafe has started contributing $1 from each breakfast special to the Canadian Red Cross. A breakfast special costs $5.99, and the promotion is set to go for at least a cou- ple of weeks. The restaurant is at 375 Kingston Rd. at Rougemount Drive. PICKERING FUNDRAISER Have brekkie, help Haiti durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 20109 AP 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* Credit equal to the value of the PST and GST. Does not apply to best value items, see store for details. ONELOCATI O N ONLY OSHAW A INVENTORY CLEARANCE Pay NO GST and Pay NO PST* www.furnituregalleries.ca NONOGSTGST NONOPST*PST*&& To register call 1-866-873-9945 www.welcomewagon.ca www.bridalshowcase.ca WELCOME WAGON Bridal Showcase Sunday, February 7, 2010 Carruthers Creek Golf Club 650 Lakeridge Rd (at Bayly) Ajax Doors Open at 1 p.m. Showcase features: Industry Experts with advice & information • Display • Demos • Door Prizes • Fashion Shows • Gift Bags & More It’s Coming...It’s Coming... 1/2 PRICE DAY • SAT. JAN. 231/2 PRICE DAY • SAT. JAN. 23rdrd BY KRISTEN CALIS kcalis@durhamregion.com PICKERING -- Local generosity poured in at a fundraiser Wednesday night to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Al Dente Restaurant in Pickering donated its space for the event and provided food and drink to relief supporters throughout the evening. Mayor Dave Ryan, council and community members donated items to a silent auction and residents emptied their wallets to help the Canadian Red Cross provide food, water and other neces- sities to Haitian residents, and to help start rebuilding the devastated country. “It’s good for the collection of money and it’s great for awareness too,” said Michael Head, Pickering resident and partner in Walker Head Lawyers, an injury law firm based in Pickering, as he purchased a large block of raffle tickets. His wife Debbie Andersen said the event provided an outlet for people to get togeth- er and not only donate, but discuss the tragedy in Haiti, much more meaning- ful than the solitude of clicking a button online to donate. “It’s really nice to have something where people can come together,” she said. The evening saw more than $6,000 from ticket sales and donations, which the fed- eral government will match. That’s not including silent auction money and dona- tions promised from corporations. Politicians and community members worked quickly with Al Dente when restau- rant owners called to see how they could help Haiti. The Pickering Community for Haitian Relief Effort was then born. The committee’s ultimate goal is to raise $100,000, but more so to encourage other community organizations to do their own fundraising for Haiti. “A lot of people get frustrated because they don’t know how to (donate),” said mayoral candidate Maurice Brenner, relief effort co-chairman. Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O’Connell, also co-chairwoman, said councillors and politicians have a unique opportunity to help raise awareness on the issue through their wide range of contacts. The Pickering Carib-Canadian Cultur- al Association is a community partner in the effort and vice president Fred Gibson noted the quake hasn’t only hurt people in Haiti, but many in Pickering’s diverse com- munity. “You’ve got to get up and do something,” he said, adding the PCCCA will do what it can to help. President Susan Maturine, whose friends have lost people in the quake, mentioned the PCCCA sponsors a teenage girl in Haiti and has her fingers crossed she wasn’t one of the victims. To get involved: EMAIL maurice.brenner@rogers.com You’ve got to get up and do something. Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib-Canadian Cultural Association vice president HAITI AID Event raises $6,000 in Pickering for relief effort JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND PICKERING -- Fred Gibson and Susan Maturine, from the Pickering Carib-Canadian Culural Association, spoke about Haiti during a Haiti relief fundraiser at Al Dente res- taurant on Jan. 20. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201010 AP Career Exploration Employment Preparation For Durham Region Residents Learn what you’re good at. Target a suitable career! No Cost to You! Call Today! 905-420-7518 Employment Ontario Programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada NEED A NEW DIRECTION? It’s Coming...It’s Coming... 1/2 PRICE DAY • SAT. JAN. 231/2 PRICE DAY • SAT. JAN. 23rdrd DURHAM -- Nominations for the 2010 Environmental Achievement Awards are now being accepted by the Durham Environmental Advisory Com- mittee. The award is given to indi- viduals and organizations that dedicate their time to promote, preserve and enhance the natu- ral environment of the Durham Region. There are six categories, each named after past environ- mental leaders. Nomination forms must be submitted by March 1. Forms are available at the Regional Munic- ipality of Durham’s website, www.durham.ca/deac. Submis- sions can be sent to Jonah Kelly, MCIP, RPP Planning Depart- ment, Regional Municipality of Durham Box 623, 4th Floor, 605 Rossland Road East Whitby, Ontario, L1N 6A3. REGION Durham environmental award nominations being accepted LOCAL BREAKING NEWS, SPORTS, PHOTOS, VIDEO AND WEATHER: ALL DAY, EVERY DAY >>newsdurhamregion.com durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201011 P MINDBODYSPIRIT %80/$52(!- 8 % 4QFBLFST %FNPOTUSBUJPOT 'SFF4BNQMFT.PSF 0/&%":4)08 !JAX#ONVENTION#ENTRE 3UNDAY-ARCH 4RADITIONAL!LTERNATIVE (EALTH#ARE &ITNESS "EAUTY (EALTHY%ATING 9OGA -ASSAGE4HERAPY #HIROPRACTIC 0HYSIOTHERAPY &7&/51"35/&34 2%#2%!4)/.#5,452% &OREXHIBITORINFORMATION CALL#ORI !NN(ARNESS EXT durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201012 AP acces 4.12 5-YEAR FIXED/CLO S E D % MORTGAGE * LOW MORTGAGE RATES AND MORE *At October 28, 2009, the rate of 4.12% is available O.A.C. on a 5 year fixed/closed term. Applicable mortgages only and subject to Finder Financial Services Ltd. lending criteria for residential properties. Available only to members who purchase a home through an approved Sutton agent who is registered with the Sutton Member Program. Finder Financial Services Ltd. reserves the right to discontinue this offer at any time. Terms and conditions apply. ON and BC properties only. Mortgages facilitated by Finder Financial Services Ltd. FSCO# 10245. MORTGAGES FACILITATED BY Rosalind Menary Broker of Record Sutton Group-Heritage Realty Inc.,Brokerage (905)619-9500 www.suttonheritage.ca *Independently owned and operated. Call today to find out how you can gain access to this ultra-low mortgage rate.* SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 16 YEARS. 905.619.9500 www.suttonheritage.ca Sutton Group Heritage Realty Inc. Brok erage Michelle Makos* 416. 300.3004 www.homes4sale-durham.com John Crawford* 905. 831.9500 www.tinabowen.com Tina Bowan* 905. 619.9500 I will donate a portion of my earnings to the Wasdell Learning Academy on Kings Cres. in Ajax on any home bought or sold thru me. This innovative and much needed school helps our children that are in need of quality education that isn’t easily available at the public school level. They need our help. $1,297,300 www.angelopucci.com Angelo Pucci* 905. 831.9500 Magnifi cent Country Estate Nestled On 15.12 Acres Of Compl Privacy. Mins To Cherrydowns Golf Club,407Etr, Walking Trails & Trout Streams. Spectacular ‘Bellini’ Gourmet Kit W/ B/I Miele App’s, 4 Ovens, Subzero Fridge, W/Solis Stone Countertops & Limestone Flooring. Formal Din Rm W/Coff ered Ceiling & Hrdwd Flr, Elegant Liv Rm W/Wood Firepl. Library O/Looking The Serenity Of The Outdr Gardens. Multiple Walk-Outs To 1200’ Wraparound Decking ... call today to view your “Dream Home” Virtual tour www.angelopucci.com BANK SALE!! $380,900 STUNNING EXECUTIVE Execuitve Tormina built 4+1 bedroom home backs on pond. Walkout basement has sep. 1 bdrm. nanny suite with own entrance plus separate rec rm. & den. Inground pool - fully landscaped. Open concept fl oor plan - hardwood fl oors - allergy free - no broadloom. This house sparkles - fully loaded - too many upgrades to list. Call John Crawford 905-619-9500. Call John Today! Energy Star “ Churchill Model” semi in North Ajax. Great starter home - 1654 Sq Ft., 3 bdrm, 3 baths, eat-in kitchen w/o to backyard. Home being sold “AS IS” condition. For more information call Michelle Makos at 905-831-9500 or visit www.Homes4Sale-Durham.com. $669,900Tanya Tierney* & Rick Shea* 905. 831.9500 Open House: Sunday January 24, 2:00 PM To 4:00 PM 61 PORTELLI CRES., AJAX Wow This Diamond Shaped Lot Is The Biggest In The Area! It Boasts A New Pool 08 And 2000 Sq Ft Of Interlock. There Is Still A Massive Yard To Enjoy Soccer Games. The Home Is Close To 3900 Sq Ft And Is Full Of Both Structural And Cosmetic Upgrades. 9 Foot Ceilings On Main And Basement, Hardwood Stairs And Wrought Iron Spindles, Smooth Ceilings Throughout. Ss Appliances, Garage Access, 3Pc Rough In, 8Ft Sliders To Rear, Calif-Shutters And Hunter Douglas Blinds See More Pictures At www.tanyatierney.ca Call Tanya Today! HELP ME HELP KIDS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS Calendar JANUARY 22 SERENITY GROUP. 12-step recov- ery meeting. 8 p.m. Bayfair Baptist Church, 817 Kingston Rd., Pickering. JANUARY 23 PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE. Holy Family Catholic Women’s League holds a euchre card party at Holy Family Church, 91 Ribblesdale Dr., Whitby. D oors open 6:15 p.m., G ames begin at 7 p.m. Cost is $10. For more information, call Kelly at 905-571- 4331 or Mary at 905-666-4061. THAI PONGAL CELEBRATION. Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham. Ajax Community Centre. 75 Centennial Rd., Ajax. 6:30 p.m. JANUARY 27 NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING. 8 p.m. St. Bernadette’s Church, Ajax (Bayly and Harwood). All are wel- come. To register go to www.natu- ralfamilyplanning.ca/toronto. Click on “Where to learn the Method” and fol- low the prompts or call Rose at 905- 683-9055. THE DURHAM ORGANIC GARDENERS. Meetings take place the fourth Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., September to May exclud- ing December, in Room 2007, Dur- ham District School Board Building, 400 Taunton Rd. E,, Whitby. Every- one welcome. Annual seed exchange. For more information contact Dianne Pazaratz at 905-433-7875. BUSINESS AND PROFESSION- AL WOMEN’S MEETING. The New Globe Restaurant, 60 Athol St. E., Oshawa. 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and $30 for guests, which includes dinner. For reservations, contact Kim Beatty at 905-579-8184 or e-mail 2resrv@bpwdurham.com by Jan. 25. MACINTOSH USERS EAST MEETING. Whitby Central Library, Room 1. 405 Dundas St. W., Whitby. 7 p.m. Visitors are welcome. AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP. Dunbarton-Fairport United Church, 1066 Dunbarton Rd., Pickering. 7:30 p.m. One block north of Hwy. 2, west of Dixie Road. Everyone wel- come. For more information, call toll free at 1-866-495-4680 or e-mail durham@autismontario.com. HUNTINGTON SUPPORT/ DISCUSSION GROUP. Whitby Seniors’ Activity Centre. 801 Brock St. S. Whitby, 7 p.m. Call 1-877-246- 8612 for more information. WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL. 9 to 11 a.m. East Shore Community Cen- tre. Liverpool Road and Bayly Street. Pickering. For more information, call Dianne Greaves at 905-420-8025. No experience necessary, non-competi- tive environment. JANUARY 29 LE CERCLE FRANCOPHONE D’AJAX. Meets at 8 p.m. The club is for women from Ajax, Pickering and Whitby whose first language is French. For more information, call 905-839-0343. JANUARY 30 PROGRESSIVE EUCHRE TOUR- NAMENT. St. Francis of Assisi Par- ish H all, 214 K ing Ave., E ., Newcastle. 7 p.m. Admission is $10. The hall is wheelchair accessible. FEBRUARY 3 OSHAWA/WHITBY OLD TYME FIDDLE CLUB. Heydenshore Pavil- ion. Water Street. Whitby. 6:30 p.m. Donation of $3 at the door. For more information call 905-728-6646. FEBRUARY 6 2010 BRIDAL FAIR. McLaugh- lin branch Auditorium, Oshawa Pub- lic Library, 65 Bagot St., Oshawa. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free registration at any library branch. For more information, contact www.oshawalibrary.on.ca or call 905-579-6111. FEBRUARY 7 CHRISTOPHER LEADERSHIP COURSE. 11-week course for those 16 and over to improve communica- tion skills, build confidence, control stage fright and develop leadership potential. Classes run three hours per week. St. Therese Church on Cour- tice Rd. For information, or to reg- ister, call toll-free 1-800-418-8925 or visit www.CLCTorontoEast.com. FAMILY SNOWSHOE DAY. Spring Creek Golf Course in Clare- mont. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 905-428- 9370 to book your trek. Hosted by the Duffins Creek Health Centre. Send your upcoming events to newsroom@durhamregion.com. At least 14 days notice is required for consideration of their inclusion. BRING IN THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE MOVIE RENTAL* VALID JANUARY 25 TO 31, 2010 *ONE COUPON PER PERSON. SOME CONDITIONS APPLY ADULT MOVIE WAREHOUSE SALE JAN 22, 23 & 24 BUY ANY 2 ITEMS & RECEIVE THE 3rd ITEM FREE* (YOUR CHOICE) 27 HARWOOD AVE SOUTH, AJAX • 905.426.6434 DVD’s from as low as $8.33 MIX AND MATCH ITEMS: TOYS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES FROM THE LARGEST SELECTION IN DURHAM * SOME CONDITIONS APPLY durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201017 AP Mike Ruta Entertainment Editor mruta@durhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.comEntertainment THEATRE Thriller comes to Ajax stage BY MIKE RUTA mruta@durhamregion.com AJAX -- A knock on the door sets in motion a tale full of intrigue, thrills and confusion. Director Shari Thorne says Dan- gerous Obsession, by playwright N. J. Crisp, is generally considered his best. It’s at the Ajax Community Theatre Jan. 21 to 30. “A man arrives at the front door of an apparently happily married couple and suddenly their lives are changed as they find them- selves at the mercy of a dangerous- ly obsessed man,” she says. “It’s a thriller so it’s one of those thinker plays where the audience will have to decide who this man is and what his motives are.” Thorne says the work revolves around three characters, the wealthy Sally and Mark Driscoll and the visitor, John Barrett. The main themes are responsi- bility and the consequences of our actions. “It examines human emotions, the results of choices we make, how far reaching those consequences can be and how they can irrevers- ibly change so many other unsus- pecting lives,” Thorne says. “It also showcases how, when conflict is introduced into a situation, one’s true character comes to light.” The Ajax resident says she “jumped at the chance” to direct Dangerous Obsession when she was approached to direct one of the plays in ACT’s first season. “I had read the script a few years ago and loved it so was thrilled to have the opportunity to finally direct it,” she says. A theatre veteran, Thorne’s been acting since she was a child and says over the last four decades she has taken many theatrical courses and workshops. But for the most part, her work has been as an actor on stages in Durham, east Toronto and Markham. She has won two Association of Community The- atres-Central Ontario, Theatre Festival Gala Awards (THEAs), for Lead Female in a Drama as Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Lead Female in a Comedy as Charlotte Hay in Moon Over Buf- falo. Broadening her horizons, Thorne discovered a love of direct- ing. “I love to watch actors; I think they’re brilliant,” she says. Thorne says the Dangerous Obses- sion cast is comprised of three sea- soned actors. Ajax’s Kate Arms-Roberts is Sally Driscoll. An actor and director who moved to Ajax three years ago, Thorne says she has three decades of experience in theatre in the San Francisco Bay area and in other parts of the U.S. Whitby actors Bill Baker and Daniel Wyse play John Barrett and Mark Driscoll, respectively. Both have performed in theatre, film and television and often tread the boards at Class Act Dinner Theatre in Whitby. Wyse is a frequent per- former at Pickering’s Herongate Barn Theatre as well. SABRINA BYRNES / METROLAND AJAX -- Ajax Community Theatre presents Dangerous Obsession at the Village Community Centre Theatre. Kate Arms-Roberts plays Sally Driscoll while Daniel Wyse is her husband, Mark Driscoll. In the background is Bill Baker as John Barrett. LIVE MUSIC Barenaked Ladies to play General Motors Centre May 1 concert date announced OSHAWA -- The ladies are com- ing to Oshawa. Barenaked Ladies will play an 8 p.m. show on May 1 at the General Motors Centre, it was announced Thursday morning. The alt/rock band, known for its light-hearted antics, is touring behind its ninth studio release, All in Good Time, to be released in Canada on March 23. Barenaked Ladies are Ed Rob- ertson (vocals, guitar), Kevin Hearn (vocals, keyboard, accor- dion, guitar), Jim Creeggan (vocals, bass) and Tyler Stewart (drums, vocals). All in Good Time is the first album released since found- ing member Steven Page, who handled the lion’s share of the vocals, left the band roughly a year ago. Popular singles from the Juno- Award-winning band include One Week, The Old Apartment, Pinch Me, If I Had $1,000,000 and Brian Wilson. Tickets go on sale on Jan. 26 for members of the new Ladies Room fan club and on Jan. 29 for the general public. Tickets are $50.50 plus appli- cable fees. A three-course din- ner package is available. Tickets can be purchased at the General Motors Cen- tre box office, by calling 1-877- 436-8811, at www.generalmo- torscentre.com or at the United Way Information Services kiosk in the Oshawa Centre. Every online ticket order includes one download of All In Good Time, plus an exclusive limited bonus track. WWW.BARENAKEDLADIES.COM DURHAM -- Canada’s own Barenaked Ladies, shown performing in Biloxi, Miss. last month, are coming to Oshawa on May 1. About the event: DATE to January 30 ADDRESS 22 Sherwood Rd. W. PHONE 289-892-4132 EMAIL info@ajaxcommunityth eatre.com WEB www.ajaxcommunitythe- atre.com durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201018 AP PICKERING TOWN CENTRE • UPPER LEVEL • SEARS WING IT’S SALE TIME! We Have Your Size ANTISTRESS Friday January 22, 2010 Ajax & Pickering Locations Flyers in Today’s Paper 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. Carrier of The Week 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 * Delivered to selected households only Today’s carrier of the week is Ryan. Ryan enjoys reading & snowboarding. Ryan has received a dinner voucher from Boston Pizza as well as Subway and McDonalds. Congratulations Ryan for being our Carrier of the Week. 8 Salem Rd South Ajax, ON L1S 7T7 *2001 AUDIO AJAX PICKERING *BAD BOY FURNITURE AJAX *BULK BARN AJAX PICKERING *D.O.T. PATIO AJAX *FM WINDOWS AJAX *LEON’S AJAX PICKERING *LIFESTYLE SUNROOMS AJAX PICKERING *LITTLE CAESARS AJAX PICKERING *NEW HOMES AJAX PICKERING *ONTARIO LOTTERY CORPORATION AJAX PICKERING *PHARMA PLUS AJAX PICKERING *PIZZA DEPOT AJAX *PIZZA HUT AJAX PICKERING *SEARS AJAX PICKERING *SHOPPERS DRUG MART AJAX PICKERING *SLEEP COUNTRY AJAX PICKERING *SMART SOURCE AJAX PICKERING *SOLUTIONS AJAX PICKERING 279 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax 260 Kingston Rd. E. Ajax (in Home Depot) 1105 Kingston Rd. Pickering (in Home Depot) 255 Salem Rd. S. D#1 42 Old Kingston Rd., Ajax 465 Bayly St. W. #5, Ajax 1889 Brock Rd., Pickering 300 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax 6 Harwood Ave. S., Ajax JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND Jazzed to help others PICKERING -- Garret Horton, left, Kirk Brown and Allison Murell were among a num- ber of jazz groups from Dunbarton High School entertaining in a fundraiser for the Lu Xin orphanage in Cuba, held at Heights City Church earlier this month. The event raised $5,300 and the class thanked everybody for their support and jazz teacher Jennifer Galberg. BOOKS AND AUTHORS Wicked winners announced by Writers’ Circle Ajax author Heather Tucker impresses DURHAM -- A Toronto author took the top prize but an Ajax writer made a big impression as the winners of a writing contest were announced recently. The Writers’ Circle of Durham Region’s Wicked Words prose competition attracted entries from across Durham, Canada and the world. Fiction and non-fiction submissions, 1,500 words or less, were received until midnight last Halloween and each had to stem from the meanings of the word ‘wicked’. Ajax author Rabindra- nath Maharaj judged the contest. Dorothy Sjoholm, of Toronto, a longtime member of the WCDR, took first place for her story The Plan. She won $500 and her work will be published in Surfacing magazine and the Wicked Words anthology. Second place and $250 went to Winnipeg’s Mary Cundy for What It Can Do To You, which will also be published in the anthology and in the WCDR’s Word Weaver. Ajax writer Heather Tucker’s name appears three times on the list of recognized authors. She received honourable mention with distinction for Dirty Scrab- ble and Animating Daisy and honourable mention for Beyond Ideas. Toronto author Neil Naft, for On the Corner, also received honour- able mention with distinction. Oshawa’s Kevin Craig (Rabach- eeko), Pickering’s Fred Ford (The Downfall of Little Johnny) and Patrick Ladisa (The Only Loveless Face in the Room) and Victoria’s Garth Holder (Hampton Street under God’s Antenna) also made the honourable mention list. All the writers who received honourable mention will have their work published in the Wick- ed Words anthology. Plans are already in the works to have a 2010 themed prose con- test. To learn more about the group, visit www.wcdr.org. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 2010Call today Buy Factory Direct & SAVE! SALE STARTS TODAY!Delivered to Selected Areas!IN TODAY’SIN TODAY’SPAPER!PAPER!Visit our factory & showroomVisit our factory & showroom 239 Station St., Ajax239 Station St., Ajax or call 905-686-9607or call 905-686-9607 www.lifestyleproducts.cawww.lifestyleproducts.ca LOOK INSIDE THIS FLYER FOR DETAILS ORDER BEFORE JANUARY 30TH AND SAVE! HOME PRODUCTS /2$%2./7 MELT YOUR ENERGY COSTS WITH LIFESTYLE HOME PRODUCTS ,UCKY Buy 7 enviro-Pro Window Systems & Lifestyle will give you the next Window FREE! 7).4%2 "//+). ' ++))++ .))SALE! 19 AP THEATRE Classic play in Oshawa BY MIKE RUTA mruta@durhamregion.com OSHAWA -- As in the TV show Seinfeld, not much of consequence happens in an Anton Chekhov play. But where Seinfeld is full of laughs and regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of our time, the Rus- sian playwright’s work is full of penetrating psychological insight and he is considered among the theatre’s very best writers. “Chekhov, he kind of writes plays about nothing, really, because nothing really happens in his plays,” says Judith Edmond- son, describing his characters as “listless. Things happen to them and they just seem to drift along.” She is directing Chekhov’s Three Sisters, presented by Durham Shoestring Perform- ers at the Arts Resource Centre, Jan. 22 to 30. “I consider it one of the classics of the early 20th century,” says Edmondson, who counts herself a Chekhov fan. Three Sisters is about the lives of three sis- ters and their brother, whose father died a year ago when the play opens. Into their lives comes the brother’s wife, who gradu- ally takes over the household. Raised in the rare air of Moscow, the sisters are living in a remote provincial town and long to return to Moscow. “They don’t do anything to make it a pos- sibility; they’re sort of lost in the dream,” Edmondson notes. The play’s themes include dreams and desires, and what stops us from pursuing them, and, a preoccupation in 19th cen- tury Russian literature, the question of how one is to live a meaningful life that has pur- pose. The sisters are played by Oshawa’s Rais- sa Chernushenko (Olga), Tracy Rankin, of Toronto (Masha), and Pickering’s Holly Bunting (Irina). Kyle Robertson, of Ajax, is their brother, Andrey, and his wife, Natasha, is played by Dahlia Rhoden, of Oshawa. Tickets are $12 and available from the United Way Information Services kiosk in the Oshawa Centre or by e-mailing dsp@durhamshoestring.org. The Arts Resource Centre is at 45 Queen St. (near City Hall at King and Centre streets). LIVE COMEDY Participate in a funny fundraiser AJAX -- Laugh it up at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Ajax on Jan. 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. to support The Participation House in Oshawa, which for more than 30 years has helped young people and adults with dis- abilities. Tickets are $22.50 each and available at www.phdurham.com. The club is at 235 Bayly St. W. For more information, contact Sandra Aldcroft at 905-579-5267, ext. 240. JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND OSHAWA -- Holly Bunting, left, Raissa Chernushenko and Tracy Rankin are featured in Three Sisters at the Arts Resource Centre in Oshawa. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201020 AP Sports Brad Kelly Sports Editor bkelly@durhamregion.com newsdurhamregion.com Pickering resident productive in wins over Western, Guelph BY SHAWN CAYLEY scayley@durhamregion.com OSHAWA -- Despite the absence of sever- al key players due to injury and suspension, the UOIT Ridgebacks are coming off per- haps their best weekend ever. With Derrick Bagshaw, Steve Spade, Jere- my Whalen and Josh Vatri not in the lineup, the Ridgebacks men’s hockey team shocked many with a 6-4 victory over Canada’s third- ranked team, the Western Mustangs, and followed that up with another victory, 3-2 in a shootout over the Guelph Gryphons. The best part of it all for head coach Mar- lin Muylaert wasn’t so much the first win of the weekend, but the way the team followed up against Guelph. “You know, I’ve got to be honest, we’ve had some wins like that before. We’ve beat Lakehead, we’ve beat Waterloo and we’ve beat ranked teams. We’ve never duplicat- ed it with another solid effort after that,” he began. “There has always been that emo- tional letdown. That was my worry against Guelph. Finally, after three years, that didn’t happen.” Mike Noyes potted the game winner, scor- ing in the fifth round of the shootout. Regu- lation goals came from Vatri and Pickering’s Kyle Wetering, with Noyes drawing assists on both, while Whitby’s Jason Guy made 23 saves. A night earlier, on the road and missing the aforementioned four regulars, Jeff Daw- son made 29 saves and UOIT received goals from Dustin Turner, Tony Rizzi, Nathan Spaling, Oshawa’s Brent Varty and two from Wetering in shocking the Mustangs, which have now only lost three times in 20 games this season. “Good people respond to adversity in the best way,” Muylaert said of his team. “The guys found that strength within themselves to put forth their best performance on the ice and steal us a win.” At 8-11-1 and sitting in a three-way tie for seventh in the conference standings, Muy- laert’s crew is going to have to make their playoff push without three of the four that missed the Western game. Vatri returned Saturday following a one-game suspension, however, Bagshaw, the Oshawa resident and team captain, Spade and Whalen, of Pickering, are slated to miss the remainder of the season due to injury. Bagshaw is recovering from a severe cut to his hand suffered when he fell at home. He needed some 30 stitches to close the wound, and is apparently suffering some nerve damage, according to Muylaert. Spade, meanwhile, will undergo surgery in the next week or so to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, while Whalen is out with a dislocated shoulder. UNIVERSITY HOCKEY Wetering leads Ridgebacks PHOTO BY IAN GOODALL OSHAWA -- Pickering’s Kyle Wetering helped lead the UOIT Ridgebacks’ men’s hockey team to a pair of weekend wins over Western and Guelph. BASKETBALL Pascal receives basketball honour MASSACHUSETTS -- Sophomore forward Rhea Pascal, of Pickering, was named to the Northeast-10 women’s basketball weekly honour toll after aver- aging 16.5 points and seven rebounds in two games last week with the American International College Yellow Jackets. Pascal posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards against Bentley, and netted 16 points with four boards at UMass Lowell. She is averaging 9.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season and has averaged 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds the last five games. The Notre Dame Catholic Second- ary School graduate played in all 34 games off the bench for the Yellow Jack- ets last season, averaging 3.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. She is a communications major. HOCKEY Ajax Minor Hockey accepting coaching applications AJAX -- The Ajax Minor Hockey Asso- ciation is taking applications for coaching positions for the rep teams from Mites to Juveniles for the 2010-11 season. If you are looking to give back to your community and to the 1,500 or so children who play minor hockey, you can fill out an application, available on the association’s website at www.ajaxmi- norhockey.org. Requirements for coaching posi- tions are noted on the application and a police check will also be required if you are accepted. Deadline for applications is mid- night, Feb. 7, and can be mailed or dropped off at the hockey office to the attention of the director of coaching. MAJOR SERIES LACROSSE Ajax-Pickering Rock selects 12 in expansion draft Major Series Lacrosse team taking shape BY BRAD KELLY bkelly@durhamregion.com AJAX -- The Ajax-Pickering Rock have some names and faces for their Major Series Lacrosse team. The league held its expansion draft at the beginning of this week and the league’s new- est entry, the Rock, plucked 12 players from the other six teams in the league. “We’re quite excited by the players we were able to draft,” said Rock GM Paul St. John. “There is some good talent in there.” The Rock selected Jordan Coffey, from Brampton, first overall. Coffey was a late cut of the Buffalo Bandits of the NLL, and is described by St. John as a “terrific kid who has a great attitude and is a hard worker. He’s a guy coaches love to have on their team.” The Rock selected two players from each team. “It’s exciting,” said St. John of building a ros- ter. “You always wonder what you are going to get in an expansion draft. Out of 12 play- ers, if we have all 12 play, it would be unbe- lievable. If we were able to get at least half of those guys in a Rock uniform and they can produce for us, we’re going to be a little bit more successful than the other teams are going to realize.” The next phase to joining the league comes Sunday, when a couple of more drafts are planned. There will be a dispersal draft of players from the St. Regis tea, which has ceased operations. St. John said that how those players will be drafted and the order in which teams will pick is still undecided. The other draft will be the junior draft of overage players. St. John also hinted that a blockbuster deal is in the works with the Brooklin Redmen. He expects that trade to be finalized prior to Sunday’s drafts. EXPANSION DRAFT -- The following players were selected by the Ajax-Pickering Rock in the Major Series Lacrosse expansion draft: Barrie -- Neil Mayerhofer, Glenn Clark Brampton -- Jordan Coffey, Sean Holmes Brooklin -- Jason Mainer, Jon Niziol Kitchener -- Mike Flemming, Alan Downey Peterborough -- Alex Henderson, Jason Clark Six Nations -- Cory Bomberry, Cal Smith. durhamregion.comNews Advertiser • January 22, 201021 AP AJAX/PICKERINGSUMMER MINOR HOCKEY LEAGUE A J A X C OMMUNITY CENTRE Boys & Girls Welcome Ages 4-18 years old Final In-Person Registration... Ajax Community Centre Rink #4 Saturday, January 23rd at 9:30 am to 11:00 am For more information visit www.ajaxpickeringsummerhockey.com or call 905-649-6803 • Games start May 19th Non-Contact, Once a week Weeknights Only For House League and “AE” Level Players Ages 4-18 years old May to August Season 12 Week Schedule • Primetime Games (weeknight games only) • Jerseys • Awards Find your NEW home in our OPEN HOUSE SECTION 905.683.5110 OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING, SO OPEN THE DOOR TO THESE BEAUTIFUL AREA HOMES THIS WEEKEND! Marilyn Brophy 905.683.5110 ext.233 • mbrophy@durhamregion.com Barb Buchan 905.683.5110 ext. 292 • bbuchan@durhamregion.com Featured in today’s News Advertiser Ajax-Pickering Lacrosse Registration 2010 Registration! Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st, 2010 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Don Beer Arena – Main Lobby 940 Dillingham Rd., Pickering Never played? Enhance your hockey skills! Develop your co-ordination and speed! Make life long friends! Visit us on-line at: www.westdurhamlacrosse.com - Contact us at: 905-999-ROCK (7625) NEW PLAYERS Please bring a copy of your Birth Certifi cate to Registration. ALL PLAYERS A Parent or Guardian must be present to sign registration card. Register for Tryouts on Representative Teams During Registration for House League and Field. Instructional Practice plus Games – Players are taught the skills, rules and strategies of Box Lacrosse at the House League level, and then have an opportunity to further develop those skills at the Rep level. Player age groups are as follows: (as of December 31st in year of play) Peanut ............ 4, 5 & 6 year olds .......................2004 to 2006 Tyke ................ 7-8 year olds ..............................2002 to 2003 Novice ............. 9-10 year olds ............................2000 to 2001 Pee-Wee ......... 11-12 year olds ..........................1998 to 1999 Bantam ........... 13-14 year olds ..........................1996 to 1997 Midget ............. 15-16 year olds ..........................1994 to 1995 Intermediate ... 17-21 year olds ..........................1989 to 1993 $130–Peanut; $165–Tyke & Up; $120–Field. AGE GROUPS Finals Feb. 3-6 in Gananoque BY JIM EASSON On Jan. 10, at the OCA bantam zone playdown, the Annandale team of Ben Bevan, Carter Adair, Jake McGhee and Corey Gaudette, with Jennifer McGhee coaching, won the A side. They advanced to the Weston Golf and Country Club, Jan. 16-17, and also won the A side of the bantam regional. The team now heads to the provincial final, which goes Feb. 3-6 at the Ganan- oque Curling Club. The annual Robbie Burns Funspiel runs again at Annandale on Satur- day, Jan. 23. It is almost full with 30 teams entered. The bonspiel consists of two 6-end games, dinner and dance. A bagpiper will lead all the players onto the ice and there are prizes for all. A little bit about the his- tory of Annandale Golf and Country Club. The club was completed in 1964 and we are told about 500 guests attended the formal opening. It is not known if there were fully organized curling leagues that year or not. However, on an inside wall are the photos, mine included, of all the presi- dent’s. The oldest is photo is that of Peter Decker, who was recognized for the 1965-1966 curling season. There will be an annu- al curling general meet- ing on Wednesday, Feb. 3, and the new club own- ers representing Bruce’s Golf Rewards are expect- ed to attend. Bruce’s Golf Rewards now owns and operates Annandale Golf and Curling Club. The organization also owns Lakeridge Links, Whisper- ing Ridge, Pickering, Eldo- rado, Winchester, River- side and Stonehenge golf clubs. In the TCA Men’s Gold- line curling bonspiel which ran Jan. 9-16, the Annan- dale entry of Wil MacFa- dyen, Dale Patterson, Jim Barrett and John Mills won the main event senior con- solation final held Jan. 16 at the Thornhill Golf and Country Club. The Dominion senior men’s Ontario champi- onship is being held Jan. 19-24, at the Orillia Curl- ing Club. Ajax resident Bob Turcotte, playing out of Scarborough Country Club, will compete. Tur- cotte has won the provin- cial many times and won the Canadian senior men’s championship three times, in 1996, 1997 and 2000. Team Howard, with Pickering resident Rich- ard Hart at vice, and the front end of Brent Laing and Craig Savill, competed in the Curling Skins Game at Casino Rama on Jan. 16. They won $7,000, but did not win enough to go to the final. Their next chal- lenge is the BDO Classic Canadian Open in Winni- peg, Manitoba. Scheduled to take place in the MTS Centre from Jan. 20-24, the event is an international 18-team tournament fea- turing the world’s top curl- ing teams. COLUMN Annandale Bantam team qualifies for provincials GUELPH -- The Durham West Novice B Lightning brought home a medal after reaching the finals in the Guelph Thunder Tourna- ment. The Lightning won their opener 3-1 over the Oakville Hornets. Mackenna Chokelal scored, with other mark- ers by Mackenzie Simpson, assisted by Jordan Haywood and Megan McFadden, and Claire Michalicka, assisted by Jordynn Hall and Sydney Wilson. The Lightning then bat- tled the hometown Guelph Thunder and came away with a 0-0 tie. The third game saw the Lightning take on the Kitchener Lady Rang- ers. Despite dominating the play, the Lightning lost 2-1. The lone Lightning goal was scored by Sydney Wilson, assisted by Mackenzie Simp- son. The Lightning took on the Lady Rangers once again in the final but were unable to score resulting in a 1-0 loss and a silver-medal finish. Another strong effort was seen by Lightning goal- tender, Katie Gibson, who recorded her sixth shutout of the season. DURHAM WEST LIGHTNING Second medal for Novice B team SUBMITTED PHOTO GUELPH -- It was a silver medal for the Durham West Novice B Lightning at a Guelph tournament. Team members include, front row, from left: Katie Gibson; second row: Jordynn Hall, Lauren Miller, Ciera Donnelly, Sara Rawji, Jordan Haywood; third row: Lindsay Hargreaves, Makenna Chokelal, Anna Spiro, Mackenzie Simpson, Megan McFadden, Claire Michalicka, Kaitlyn Bain, Sydney Wilson, Bryana Lennox; back row: John Haywood (head coach), Nick Spiro (assistant coach), Andrew Miller (assistant coach), Liz Hall (trainer), Brent Wilson (assistant coach). The team is managed by Michelle Gibson, team treasurer is Stephanie Wilson.