November 19 2008 - Low
Transcription
November 19 2008 - Low
Oshawa Generals next home game Sunday, Nov. 23 VS Ottawa 67s at GM Centre $1.00 www.oshawaexpress.ca Well Written, Well Read Vol 3 No 56 Wednesday, Nov 19 2008 No doc shortage but patients need doctors By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express The shortage of doctors in Oshawa is no longer an issue, but many residents report not having family physicians. According to the Oshawa Physician Recruitment Taskforce, there are 14 family doctors seeking patients in the city. Since the Task Force began recruiting they have added 37 more family physicians to Oshawa’s tally. Photos by Yinuo Zhang/The Oshawa Express Jingling into their hearts Mr Jingles, inset right, showed up at the Pfaff house when their cat, Toetoe brought home the fledgling mouse. Slightly injured and a little worse for wear, the sister, brother doctor team of 17 year-old Dillon and 9 year-old Sarah nursed the little guy back to health. The siblings taught Mr. Jingles how to drink milk from a plastic bag, mimicking mom. Mr. Jingles is alive and well and more than three days into becoming a member of the Pfaff family. 500 rally for lesbian couple By Cynthia McQueen The Oshawa Express Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou are not alone. At a rally held in their honour more than 500 people from Oshawa, Toronto, Sudbury, Calgary and Newfoundland came to support the couple and to speak out against crimes of hate. Children at Gordon B. Attersley Public School witnessed the lesbian couple being verbally and physically assaulted while picking up their children from school. Wayne Harrison, vice-president of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) travelled from New Brunswick to bring a message that they will be working to have this crime “upgraded to a hate crime to prevent the horrific and brutal assault of Anji and Jane” from ever happening again. Seconding that emotion, Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes who received the Order of Canada as a gay and lesbian, transsexual, transgender rights activist thanked Currie and Dimitriou. Dr. Hawkes praised Currie and Dimitriou for being open about their relationship saying, “It used to be that interracial couples used to have to hide their relationship. It used to be that Jewish people would change their last names in order to be accepted. And it used to be that gay and lesbian people would change the gender reference to our ‘partner’ at work. Those days for interracial couples are over. Those days where Jewish people had to change their last names are over. And those days where gays and lesbian had to hide there relationships, that day is over. Equality in law must now be made equality in practice.” See POSITIVE Page 8 However, two separate studies at two urgent care clinics show that more than 500 people do not have family physicians. “We certainly want to continue with physician recruitment in Oshawa, but we just don’t know if it’s necessary,” says Colin Sinclair, chairman of the Oshawa Physician Recruitment Taskforce. Councillor Louise Parkes says she is concerned with the See STUDY Page 7 The budget is in with less money for cops By Cynthia McQueen The Oshawa Express Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) and Durham Police Board have yet to reach an agreement over the new contract. However the board has approved a budget for 2009. The new budget is $137 million, which is $431,000 less than originally set by DRPS. Doug Cavanaugh, President DRPA While DRPS has never operated with a debt fund before, Police Chief Mike Ewles explained, “To get us over the next few years. We’re identifying $500,000 debt fund in ’09,” with an increase in that fund each year thereafter. “I have to have that flexibility in the budget to manoeuvre around. And I think that’s the challenge I have in assigning a Police Chief Mike Ewles See MORE Page 8 Terry Clayton, DRPS Board Chair 18-year-old grabbed in Oshawa Durham Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a male that inappropriately touched and assault a young woman on Halloween night. The victim, an 18-year-old Oshawa resident, was walking home by herself around 10 p.m. in the area of McMillan Dr. and Bond St. in Oshawa on Oct. 31, when a lone man approached her from behind. The suspect then grabbed the young girl and punched her in the face. The victim was able to fight off the male as he groped at her. She ran from the area after breaking free from his grip. The suspect was last seen running through Kinsmen Valley View Park. The victim arrived home and called the police. The teenager suffered a black eye and a swollen cheek. The suspect is described as white, 25-30 years old, thin build, unshaven face with dark short spiky hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt at the time of the attack. Charges after faulty electrical repairs Two men from Seagrave, Ontario are facing a whole slew of charges after the basement of a Whitby home was found to be incorrectly rewired. The home has a number of electrical, building and fire hazards according to the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). The Whitby homeowners called DRPS in Sept. after the contractors they hired failed to continue with work saying the dispute was regarding payment issues. The owners of the home in the Taunton Rd. E. and Garden St, were not happy with the work and refused to pay any more money. The police became involved with the fire and electrical safety officials, and inspected the basement renovation and found numerous building and electrical code violations, which included exposed live wires, overloaded receptacle boxes, and uncapped electrical wires. All these were considered safety violations. After a request by Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (OESA), the violations have since been repaired. The police are working with the OESA and the Whitby Fire Department in this investigation. This is a critical time to remind homeowners that anyone working with electricity and wiring must be licensed with the Electrical Safety Authority. You must also file an application for inspection with the same organization before proceeding with any repairs. Tainted candy continues to pop-up Two weeks after Halloween, Durham Region Police have been notified of two more cases of tainted candy in Pickering. On Nov. 12, more cold medication was found in what looked like two sealed smartie boxes. Police are reminding parents to triple check their children’s Halloween candy. There have now been seven reported cases where the pills have been found in Pickering. If ingested, the medication could have serious effects on a small child. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards. Page 2 Coho home in Lake Ontario once again By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express Coho salmon are known for making fast and furious sport fishing. The MNR have been Three years ago, Lake Ontario anglers learned fast and furious how collecting eggs since important re-stocking fish is for the Nov. of last year in order to re-stock the lake. love of their sport. According to Holden, Because natural reproduction among fish is so low in Lake Ontario, the fish were raised in the the coho salmon all but disappeared Ringwood hatchery until when the Ministry of Natural just weeks ago when they Resources (MNR) stopped restocking were released back into the Credit River, where the game fish in 2005. “The fishery is primarily depend- they will live over the Submitted photo ent on stocked fish as very little natu- winter months. Come spring they’ll The coho salmon is typically a silver-grey coloured fish, ral reproduction occurs,” explains Jeremy Holden, Fisheries Biologist move to the lake and con- but some have a reddish-tint. with the Ontario Federation of Anglers tinue to grow and develop for about two years before returning to the pier and stream fisherman. They and Hunters (OFAH). Fortunately, local Oshawa Creek, Credit River where they’ll spawn and stay silver and active much longer in the same stream than Chinooks, and die. Wilmot Creek and Lake Anglers are par- they are more eager to take baits while Ontario anglers will soon ticularly excited in the river,” says Glenn Anderson, welcome the popular “The fishery is about the re-stocking President of the MEA. game fish back to their Coho salmon usually live for three primarily dependent as coho salmon are waters. or four years. They are typically 18 to schooling fish, which “We are pleased to be on stocked fish as make them easier to 24 inches in length and can weigh in able to revive the coho excess of 20 pounds. very little catch. stocking program through A local from Pickering set the “Boat anglers our involvement with natural Ontario record for the largest coho appreciate the Ringwood,” says Mike reproduction schooling nature salmon caught in Pickering back in Reader, Executive making for fast and 1999. The salmon weighed 28.64 Director of the Ontario occurs,” furious action when a pounds. Federation of Anglers and -Jeremy Holden school is located,” “The Ontario Federation of Hunters. Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Fisheries Biologist says Holden. Ringwood is the fish They also spend Metro East Anglers (MEA) were able, culture station where the much more time in thanks to the support of the MNR and fish are hatched. “The partnership has been so suc- the river and are more active than the private industries … to revive the cessful that it has allowed us to over Chinook salmon, which they are often stocking program,” says Holden. deliver on the expectations set out for compared to. People often mistake Ringwood has already begun collection of coho salmon eggs for next us when we took on the hatchery,” them for rainbow trout as well. “Overall coho are great salmon for year’s stocking. adds Reader. Healthy start makes healthy homes From the time they’re born, your kids are your life. Now you can let someone share the task. Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) is a free voluntary program that promotes healthy child development for Ontario families. “As a single mom, it’s difficult when you have two very active boys,” says Danielle from Oshawa, a parent who has participated in the HBHC program. “My family visitor has been assisting us for almost two years and she has been very helpful. She has helped me to find community resources and has played a huge role in keeping me grounded. I feel very comfortable talking to her about my problems and I never worry that I’ll be judged,” adds Danielle. “The HBHC program works with the entire family to help determine the best supports and services for the child,” explains Tanis Mandzak, a public health nurse with the Health Department. “Depending on the needs of the family, public health nurses or family visitors will recommend various levels of community supports and provide help to families in accessing these supports and services,” says Mandzak. HBHC offers a province-wide prevention and early intervention strategy for children from birth to six-years old and also provides ongoing services to families who need additional supports. Through home visiting services provided by Durham Region Health Department public health nurses and family visitors, over the past 10 years in Durham Region, HBHC has assisted approximately 64,000 families with services ranging from postpartum follow-up telephone calls to home visits and prenatal screening. Many families have found that HBHC has been of great benefit to their children. Rhonda, another HBHC client indicates, “My family visitor has been a great support and has helped me get through rough times. She’s helped me find a place to live and has helped me get things for my children such as clothing and food, and services to help with their growth and development. I found it so helpful to talk to someone about the daily challenges in my life as well.” For more information ot to learn more about the Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program, please contact Durham Health Connection Line at 905-666-6241 or 1-800841-2729. NOV 19 2008 Green space or bush party central on Dean By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express Kelly James had lived happily beside an unused gated walkway leading to the creek behind Dean Avenue for more than 20 years. Recently, the gate was re-opened and James feels her home’s security has been compromised. “A lot of us in the area have been burglarized because (the walkway) makes for such an easy access for (the burglars) to escape police,” explains James. But it’s not only the fact that she feels unsafe, James’ is concerned about the loud, sometimes out of control parties, the littered garbage and unkept grass. According to James, the creek also poses a risk for young children, as it tends to rise quite high throughout storm season. Generally, other than the odd resident walking their dog in the back area, it remains a dead-zone says James. That is until the warm weather comes around and teenagers come out at midnight. “I have never called the police because I think it’s a waste of taxpayer’s money to do so for such an issue,” explains James after the city stated they could not find any police reports on parties taking place in the area. “My concern is garbage, neighbourhood parties and loud music (in the walkway),” adds James NOV 19 2008 referring to teenagers who hold weekend bush parties in the park. “It’s quite bushy in the area so it’s a great place for parties. Teenagers love to party in bushes,” explains James. The walkway running off Emerson Court leading to Kingside Park ends at a greenbelt area filled with bushes and trees and a small creek that stretches behind about 20 homes on Dean Avenue. James’ home is situated directly in front of this greenbelt area. After vacant lands were purchased by the city and given to Habitat for Humanity to build a home for the Nolan family, the gate was re-opened. “I love the idea of the Habitat for Humanity home, I think it’s a great organization,” says James. “City maintenance staff had keys to get in and out easily to take care of it (before that),” says James. The long time resident does not understand why the city did not consult residents before proceeding to open the walkway. At a recent Community Services Committee meeting, James expressed her feelings to council members. Mayor John Gray suggested locking the gate for good and offering the land to existing residents to purchase in order to extend their backyards. This would take the land off the city’s hands, which would halt any maintenance fees and keep residents happy. “I think it’s a win win situation. Property taxes would go up, which benefits the city of Oshawa and we would get more land to enjoy,” adds James. The committee voted in favour of tabling the motion so staff can look into proper procedures, which means James’ will have to wait a little longer to know whether the gate will close. “I’m happy so far. I’ll have to wait till the recommendation comes through though. It’s worth it,” says James. Page 3 Doctors aplenty in Oshawa? A special recruitment group that was formed a few years ago to draw more doctors to the area seems to have being doing its job. According to the Oshawa Physician Recruitment Taskforce, a total of 37 more physicians have opened up their practices in the city of Oshawa and there are currently 14 doctors who are actively seeking new patients. Well, that’s certainly good news, but it may not be the full story. The recruitment group is considering whether to continue with its efforts to draw new doctors to the area, in light of the latest statistics. However, some politicians and community groups say that things aren’t as rosy as the recruitment group lets on. Some Oshawa politicians say they have heard that some doctors don’t want to take on patients who represent more of a workload, say the elderly, who may need more visits to a doctor than someone who is younger and healthier. And local studies show that medical clinics are as busy as ever, with people showing up to be seen by the doctor on call. Surveys have indicated that some of those people are indicating when they check in that they don’t have a family doctor. So, there seems to be some confusion in the community over whether the area has enough physicians or is underserved. Says recruitment group chairman Colin Sinclair: “We certainly want to continue with physician recruitment in Oshawa, but we just don’t know if it’s necessary.” The local Chamber of Commerce is urging the city of Oshawa to do a study to find out what is really going on in the community. The business association is also urging the recruitment group to keep up with their efforts, so that those who show up at urgent care facilities can instead find a family doctor to visit for non-emergency care. Recent provincial studies have shown that quite a few doctors are nearing retirement age, like the rest of the population bubble known as the baby boomers. There may be a flood of retirements in the next decade, exacerbating a physician shortage everywhere. Oshawa has it a bit easier than other areas in terms of recruitment, being close to Toronto and with a stable and growing population and modern hospitals. Rural areas don’t have it so easy when it comes to recruitment. Now is probably not the time to ease up on recruitment, although a study would discover how many doctors are nearing retirement and how many of those who visit the medical clinics are really without a family doctor. It sounds like more study is needed. Page 4 600 Thornton Rd. S. Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 news@oshawaexpress.ca phone: (905) 571-7 7334 fax: (905) 571-0 0255 NOV 19 2008 Volume 3, Number 56 Publisher Greg McDowell Advertising Director Kim Boatman Sports Editor Wally Donaldson sports@oshawaexpress.ca Contributors Bill Fox Jennifer Weymark Glen Goodhand Reporters Cynthia McQueen cmcqueen@oshawaexpress.ca Katie Strachan kstrachan@oshawaexpress.ca Letters to the Editor A tail of two kitties Dear Editor, When two different witnesses in Pickering report seeing a Mountain Lion/Cougar on the loose in the same park area, I don’t think it is a fanciful tail (er’ tale). A big dog moves quite differently than a big cat. 14 years ago a mountain lion was sighted by a fairport Rd., Pickering resident in their backyard and this was confirmed apparently by Ministry of Natural Resources due to tracks left at the scene. I’m not sure if that “cougar of Pickering” was ever apprehended in 1994. Listen, if you’re brain-dead enough to own (illegally at that) a kitty whose got too big for the litterpan or beyond lap size (or starts looking at you like dinner) I think I’d call the zoo for a pick-up regard- less of the legality situation. Better than cutting it loose where there’s no mountains. The Toronto Sun also reported on these latest October sightings and quoted a Ministry of Natural resources spokesperson, John Cooper, who suggested that the general public not hike around dusk and dawn and carry a whistle. I’d suggest instead to hike in a group, with a Doberman, Rotty or Sheppard canine escort (or any fun-sized dog if you have one) and carry an air horn. If you don’t have access to those, a couple of large raw steaks, a good “Frisbee” throwing arm and a really fast pair of Nikes might be in order until this kitty is caught. R.M.J. Hues Oshawa resident Why didn’t they tell us? Dear Editor, With the ongoing saga of the ethanol problem on the waterfront, more information comes to light. For those that read the Nov.12 National Post, (PM warned of biofuel problems), they would have found that Environment Canada warned the government 2 years ago that ethanol from corn could cause more problems than benefits. Disregarding the warnings, the government "plowed", ahead with 1.5 billion in subsidies which was more of a farm subsidy than, "save the environment". The fact that this came to light under the access to information act by a request from Canwest News Service, makes you feel warm and fuzzy confirming that we have an open, accessible government. I would suggest that there are one or two members of Oshawa City Council, particularly the one with blinders on, that would benefit from reading the article. I doubt if there would be any benefit from Mr. Flaherty or Mr. Carrie reading the article, as they have likely known that the public has been misled for at least two years. Am I surprised---No So, our federal government will have its first day back to work or so they call it. Now is the time for all you so-called Canadians. I say that because so many of you bark, belch, run off at the mouth about our government but fail to take positive action. Challenge your member of parliament, in print. Demand what you believe in. Demand action. Before their first meeting, without authority or con- The Oshawa Express is a publication of Dowellman Publishing Corp which is located at 600 Thornton Rd. S., Oshawa, ON, L1J 6W7 (905) 571-7334, Fax (905) 5710255, E-mail:sails@istar.ca. All advertising and editorial material published by The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp is for exclusive use of this publication and cannot be reproduced elsewhere without prior permission. Advertising Policy: Advertisers must check immediately after first insertion of their retail or classified advertisement to ensure there are no errors in the advertisement. The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp are not responsible for second or further insertions of the incorrect advertisement. Further, The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp are not responsible for costs or damages for a non insertion of an agreed upon advertisement. The editor has the right to edit, change in any way, or classify an advertisement. The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp are only responsible for the cost of the advertisement space that is taken up by an incorrect insertion, except in the case of failure to notify The Oshawa Express of any errors after the first insertion and then there would be no responsibility on the part of The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp. Norm Bear Oshawa resident "Canadian Ten Year Survival Program" Dear Editor, Publications Mail Agreement 41268024 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: The Oshawa Express 600 Thornton Rd. S. Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 ISSN 1715-9 9253 sultation with all members of parliament, happy Harper has spent $4 million we cannot afford to spend. If he cannot administer our country's affairs with the elected people he has, the opposition with the help of unhappy members whom you elected must defeat the first item of business. And, let's go to the polls again, for less than the $4 million. Do it now before he has something to brag about. William "Sam" Magee Oshawa Resident Letters to the Editor The Oshawa Express publishes every Wednesday in the City of Oshawa. Send us your comments, letters to the editor, suggestions. We’d like to hear from you. Please write to: The Oshawa Express, 600 Thornton Rd. S., Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 or email: news@oshawaexpress.ca NOV 19 2008 Making a house more like a home with Community Living Oshawa By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express Everyone deserves a place to call home. However, providing housing for people with intellectual disabilities is not a simple task. And making a house a home for those with special requirements for in home care is even harder. Community Living Oshawa/Clarington, an organization that builds homes for those with intellectual disabilities, has officially launched their Steven Make a House a Home campaign. “As you can imagine, each home that Community Living Oshawa/Clarington owns requires ongoing repairs, maintenance and upgrades to ensure safety and a quality standard of life for those they support,” says Joe Tilley, Chair of the campaign. The campaign launched recently is looking for funds in the area of $350,000 to repair, renovate and modernize 22 homes in the Durham Region. “While limited funding is provided by the Ontario government, increased costs, special needs and an aging population have put a significant strain on their budget. They are no longer able to ensure a quality of life for the residents of these homes that most of us take for granted,” explains Tilley. To illustrate the need for those Community Living supports, Steve Finlay, There will also be comfort improveexecutive director of Community Living ments, including upgrades to home heating notes March 2009 will mark the closure of and air conditioning systems. The organithe last provincial institution, which had zation also has hopes of updating some of historically supported people with intellec- the plumbing in the older homes. tual disabilities. To ensure they accomplish Such is the state their goal of raising $350,000 of the government. through the Make a House a Home “Our goal campaign, Tilley, along with other through this event volunteers and campaign memand campaign is not bers, will host an event, Mr./Ms. only to raise the Community Living Comedy much needed funds Auction. to renovate and Ten leaders from within the update the homes, community have been nominated but also to increase to become Mr./Ms. Community Finlay Community Living Living. The nominees must Joe Tilley Oshawa/Clarington’s approach organizations and busiprofile within the community and aware- nesses to obtain live and silent auction ness of the abilities that people with intel- items. lectual disabilities have to offer,” says At the event in May, the nominee whose Rocky Varcoe, event chair. auction items raise the most money will The work of Community Living has win the title of Mr./Ms. Community gone unnoticed for many years. Living. “It might surprise people to learn that “The real winner in all of this though is we have been helping people for over 50 Community Living,” adds Tilley. years. It’s one of the best kept secrets,” Community Living currently supports explains Finlay. over 450 children and adults in the commuThe money raised through the campaign nity through a number of support services, will focus on three key areas to meet the which include, respite, employment and needs of the aging and physically chal- housing. lenged residents: accessibility, construcThe non-profit organization stands by tion and renovations. their vision, which was created by the peoThese key areas include renovating ple they support, “to promote a community bathrooms so that they are wheelchair where everyone belongs, is listened to, is accessible, widening doorways and treated fairly, and has an opportunity to installing elevators. make informed choices.” For more information on how you can help Community Living deliver on the promise of their vision, visit www.communitylivingoc.ca or call 905-576-3011. Photo by Yinuo Zhang/The Oshawa Express Participants, organizers and supporters of the “Help Make a House a Home” campaign help to kick off the event. The City: Briefly speaking More changes for builders The general fee for sign variances, which is the application you need to fill out in order to erect a sign, has been changed from $250 to $450 for residential buildings and from $450 to $750 for all other applications. The previous fee had been in place for six years. Most of the variance applications are for commercial buildings and the city has deemed the fee outdated. The increase is due to a rise in costs. This cost will increase by 3 percent per annum. Builders get a break, finally The city has made changes to the general fees and charges bylaw for Oak Ridges Moraine. The current fee for site plan approval is $2,500 plus 25 cents per square metre. A fee of $1,000 is also needed for the agreement. The bylaw applies to single detached dwellings, two-unit dwellings, related accessory structures and farm buildings in the Oak Ridges Moraine. The city has deemed these fees to be out of line with other municipalities. The fee have been reduced to $250. City gets insurance rate break for low claims The city of Oshawa needs to renew its insurance, which expires Dec. 31 this year. In 2008, the city’s insurance was $775, 920 plus taxes for the entire year. However, the insurance company that covers the city has decreased its rates to $751,349 for 2009. The city will save $24,571 or 3.17 perNOV 19 2008 cent compared to this year’s rate. The premium drop is because of soft pricing in the insurance market and from the city’s claims remaining low over the years. The city’s contract with their current insurer is up in 2010 however; they plan on sticking with them. Page 5 Green chairs sold with CDs in air McLaughlin Chair’ity Auction seating success By Cynthia McQueen The Oshawa Express The environment was the theme of the evening and everything down to the bidding paddles were recycled at Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s Chair’ity Auction. The crowd of art enthusiasts and environmentalists were told in the spirit of all things green that the compact disc bidding paddles will be reused as ornaments on the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Christmas tree. Lisa Weiss, president of the gallery, informed guests of the gallery’s many green initiatives and of one chair that makes a special kind of difference. In promotion of fair trade, the chair provided by Isabella’s Chocolate Café was adorned with coffee bean bags. “For every 150 pound bag of fair trade coffee, one child is taken out of the field and put into school,” said Weiss. “It’s all part of our growing smaller world,” said Wiess. In our small world and our community here in Oshawa, Mayor John Gray had nothing but praise for the many talented hands that created all the chairs for auction. Speaking to the recent renovations of city hall, in an attempt to beautify the city, like the artists did with the chairs, Gray mentioned, “We took city hall down so you could see this beautiful building (the gallery) that’s 20 years old now. We’re proud of that.” “It’s important for the community and for the art community that we have these events to showcase the talent in Oshawa,” said David Aurandt, Executive Director of the gallery. The talented hands of more than 60 artists from Oshawa and the area created chairs, many of which ranged in size, spoke to our Page 6 Tom Rashott and wife had the winning bid on Emily Naccarato’s group of seven chair. growing world in various ways and through multiple media. Some incorporated wrappers, plastic, kitschy seashells, lacquer, or glaciers, as in one Emily Naccarato’s chair. The 18 year-old artist is in her first year at Durham College’s Foundations of Arts and Design Program however from the studied brush strokes on her group of seven influenced lounger, you would never know it. Naccarato’s proud mother, Donna came to the event with her to “see how much one of these chairs might go for.” Her daughter’s chair went for the lofty sum of $50 to Tom Rashott whose only response to learning the artist was a youth was, “Remarkable.” While there were few bidding wars at the auction, Louise Parkes and Mayor John Gray both had their eyes on a sleek black elliptical rocking chair. “I hope I don’t get into a bidding war with the Mayor,” joked Parkes. In seemingly direct response to a pre-established joke, Mayor Gray said, “Let’s not bid against each other,” during his speech. The auctioneer, Mike McGregor volunteered his time for the event and kept things interesting telling people “that’d look better in your house.” “We rented the usual number of chairs and there was standing room only inspite of the rain and other functions that were happening at the time and we were a total sellout. As well as every single chair was sold. And most artists requested that we repeat it again. The winner of Bill Fitches chair was Linda Perry, an artist herself who was incredibly thrilled to win this chair,” said Weiss. “That’s the kind of mayor we have. He’s kind and he cares,” said Weiss. All funds from the Chairity ‘Plus’ Auction at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery go back into supporting the gallery and its many and various installations. For more information about the gallery visit, www.rmg.on.ca or call 905576-3000. Plastic wrappers hang as leaves from the tree of this environmentally inspired chair at the auction. NOV 19 2008 Study says, 500 without doctors From NO DR. Page 1 the number of doctors not accepting patients because they have multi-diagnoses or are seniors. “I see them urgent care hopping,” adds Parkes. Parkes was assured that the taskforce is working with doctors to prevent and stop patient discrimination. “If you’re looking for a physician you should be able to find one,” says Sinclair. Mayor John Gray stated he had not received any calls from residents in need of a doctor. Likewise, Bob Malcolmson, C.E.O. and general manager of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce says he has only had about one call in the last six months from a resident in search of medical care. Regardless, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce wants the city to conduct a survey or analysis to determine if they should continue their recruitment efforts. It would cost the city approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the survey. The city has paid $520,000 for the work the taskforce has done thus far. “We only have room for nine more family physicians,” says Kevin Mara, president of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. Since 2005, 37 family physicians have successfully been recruited to the city as a result of the work of the Oshawa Physician Recruitment Taskforce. A study conducted through the Physician Task Force over approximately two months in Oshawa clinics report that 1,615 people were seen at an urgent care clinic and out of those people, 169 did not have family physicians. At a second clinic, 2,213 people were seen at urgent care clinics and 390 people did not have a family doctor. The studies were carried out by the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Physician Taskforce. There are also 32 graduates that are interested in setting up shop in Oshawa within the next three years, which is great news according to the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce. When a doctor is interested in working in Oshawa, they are given tours of the hospitals and clinics within the city. According to the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, the Taunton Rd. clinic is very popular as it has the newest facility. The Glazier clinic only has room for one more physician. However, the Simcoe Rd. and Adelaide Rd. Clinic needs about four or five more. The Taskforce is hoping they can step back until the study is complete, but they do not plan on stopping their recruitment efforts. Two year wait for license By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express When Rick Maeder started his business, he had every hope of making it a unique gem in the heart of Oshawa. Finally, after a two-year discussion over fences and flowerbeds with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), he has made his used-car dealership just that. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as easy as just adding some light landscaping. The main issue Maeder faced was that he couldn’t get his Oshawa business license without a site plan agreement, and the city had to approve the same. When the building was purchased he made an agreement with the MTO, who owns the lot, and the city of Oshawa to add some landscaping out front and flowerbeds in an effort to beautify the space. “I made a commitment with the city that I would clean up this corner,” says Maeder, general manager of Durham Auto group. In order to do so, he worked with a landscaping company and drew up plans and presented them to the MTO. “I spent thousands and thousands of dollars just to get these plans drawn up,” says Maeder. The plans cost about $5,000. It took about a year and a half for them to make up their minds regarding the flowerbeds. “The MTO is a very slow moving ship,” explains Maeder, who went ahead with the landscaping and the installation of a fence. The MTO requested that a fence be installed to separate the property used for commuters from the car dealership. “I went out with my can of spray paint and drew the line where the fence would go,” explains Maeder. Now the MTO is requesting that the dealer extend the fence for safety purposes. NOV 19 2008 Their concern is that if a child were to run across the lot, an oncoming car may not see them. Maeder suggested a chain link fence as a compromise that he hoped would satisfy the MTO, but would still allow his cars to be seen from the street. Maeder has not heard from MTO on the chain link fencing idea yet. In working with city staff on this issue, Maeder has gotten word that he will be able to get his business license finally regardless of the MTO’s concerns. “I was quite pleased with the proactive thinking of Louise Parkes and members of council. They could see that I was stuck between a rock and a hard place,” says Maeder. “I’m quite appreciative,” although unsure what’s next. Page 7 Photos by Yinuo Zhang/The Oshawa Express Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou were beaten while their son and countless other children watched in horror in front of Gordon B. Attersley Public School. The couple are fighting to have the assault charge raised to hate crime and more than 500 people came to support them at a a rally on the weekend. Positive response to hate inspires From 500 Page 1 “There are voices of hate in all of our cities and there are voices of hate in all of our religions and those voices of hate sometimes incite violence or sanction violence. We can disagree with each other without being hateful … So we want to hear from the voices of inclusion and we invite religious leaders in particular to speak out for inclusion.” An emotional Currie faced the crowd. “Eleven days ago, my life, our lives, your lives were forever changed. Now is the time for change. No more fear. No more anger. No more hate. I don’t want our children, anybody’s children, to be scared of who they are or what they are, regardless.” Both her and Dimitriou said they weren’t going to cry, but when they looked out over the crowd of support they were overwhelmed. “I want to thank each and every one of you beautiful people that are here this evening. The people in front of me and the people behind me, you’re all fantastic and you have no idea how much your gestures have not gone unnoticed,” said Currie. And the support doesn’t end in Canada, “I don’t know if you guys know that this has gone worldwide. It’s not just here. It’s gone to the (United) States, Australia, Turkey, Scotland, England, Costa Rica even Madrid. And everybody knows what happened, but now it’s time to stop it from happening again to anybody. You guys showing up here just prove that we can change and we will change. We want to change all hate laws. We’re talking about everybody. We don’t care what race, what religion, what gender, it doesn’t matter, hate is hate. Thank you very much and thanks for showing up and you know what we will make a change – absolutely,” said Dimitriou. One of those supporters, also a rally organizer and a women working to make change is Udana Muldoon, local organizer of Durham Queer Parenting. Muldoon and her partner were bashed on so many occasions that they moved out of their Oshawa home the same day of the rally. For Muldoon and her partner, the attacks never caused them physical harm, but they did include name- Anie and Christina held their sign with pride at the rally in support of peaceful communities in honour of the brutal beating of lesbian couple Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou. calling like Currie and Dimiritou experienced, defacing their pride flag and their home, animal feces thrown on their property and more. Like Currie and Dimitriou, “we thought this was unbelievable,” said Muldoon. In response to these acts of hatred, Mayor John Gray said, “We have and can overcome hatred in the past, because hatred does not define who we are. We, the members of the Oshawa council will not sit back and allow anyone to sully the name of our city and our people.” “An attack motivated by hatred to gays and lesbians sends a message of hate and fear to gay and lesbian people and our families and our friends. Because of this, our laws need to be strengthened to send a clear message that such attacks will not be tolerated,” said Gray. “You are going to make a difference. This event has changed us. It’s shaken our community and robbed us part of our innocence,” said Mike Shields, president of Canadian Auto Workers. Repeating the sentiments of Currie and Dimitriou whose son witnessed the event, Shields went on to say, “Children should never bear witness to the horrors like those at Attersley (school).” To cheers from the crowd, Shields rallied the crowd into frenzy by saying, “We will not tolerate hate in any form. Equal is equal.” Supporters rallied in the rain to stand in solidarity with the couple and in support of all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and transgender people, their families and their friends. Jayme Harper, local PFLAG representative and one of many organizers of the rally said, “I think it’s the largest gathering (for gay and lesbian, transsexual and transgender people) ever in our community.” The Rally in Support of Peaceful Communities was held in front of city hall in Oshawa this past Friday. To support Currie and Dimitriou join the Facebook page “We Stand in Solidarity with Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou.” More cops in 2009 budget for DRPS From THE BUDGET Page 1 specific amount of $500,000 to debt service,” explained Ewles. In addition to the new debt fund, based on funds received from the provincial government, DRPS will receive funding for seven additional officers. This number accounts for the region’s share of a $156 million influx from the Ontario government for police services. President of the Durham Regional Police Association (DRPA) Doug Cavanaugh and DRPS were looking for more officers in the new year and Ewles says those positions still exist. In regards to the 19 officers and the 5 civilians, Ewles says, “I’ve managed to find those efficiencies elsewhere and squeeze those other accounts.” Speaking to the satisfaction of hiring demands, Cavanaugh said, “Well the chief was under a lot of pressure. I’m sure the chief had his difficulties. I’m glad he can meet his needs and he’ll be ready for next year. But we’ll need more than that in the future.” With 83 per cent of the budget being allocated to wages, salaries and staffing, “there’s not a Page 8 whole lot of room to negotiate, to move”, said Terry Clayton, chair of the DRPS Board. “And they see those figures and obviously if (DRPA) were to take those increases, the board would have to reconsider the budget or the allocation and maybe not as many officers would be hired.” Ewles explained that to manage “we’re squeezing on the admin. side”. The remainder of the budget after wages and salaries includes operating costs, capital acquisitions and capital items. “The primary mover in our budget right now, where we’ve made probably the most tenuous assumption right now, is in fuel,” offered Ewles. DRPS has based their fuel budget on spending $1.13 per litre and with gas prices well under a dollar, the gamble is profitable however “the volatility of fuel is a big risk to take,” recognizes Ewles. The police chief’s biggest concern is with this squeezing of the fuel account, if there are “4 or 5 major investigations that take officers travelling all across the province to investigate, all of those associated costs go up. If we have a year like 1992 where we had 12 homicides, and all of those staff are running around all over the province, there’s a lot of costs associated with that,” he said. In line with Ewles concerns, Clayton noted, “We’re trying to maintain the best support for the residents of Durham region. And we’re going to continue to do so but we only have so much money to work with.” “The cost of policing is almost to the limit. It is at this economic climate. But we have to still maintain the best police service that we can. And the 9.6 per cent increase over the next three years (the amount DRPA is asking for) is fairly substantial in my mind,” said Clayton. While the budget is now out and up for approval by regional council, Cavanaugh had this to say: “You go to arbitration and you’re in the hands of a third party. I don’t think we’re asking for any more or any less than our comparators and I think any arbitrator is going to take that into consideration. They have in the past. We had a two year arbitration in ‘06-’07. Obviously the arbitrator ruled and we’re using our comparators again. The board’s offer does not come up to snuff with where our comparators are.” Regardless of what the police association is asking for police services has completed their financing for the year ahead. Now, Cavanaugh has taken the concerns of the police association to a different level of government. “We are talking to other local politicians for their support and advice and where their thoughts are on community safety and policing staffing levels and service to the public. And people think there’s a big problem there.” “The offer that came back from conciliation, quite frankly, was a waste of time, an exercise in futility. I’m quite surprised that (regional chairman) Roger Anderson and the board don’t understand that or accept that.” “It’s not just about a paycheck,” says Cavanaugh. The DRPS board passed the budget Monday. The DRPA and the DRPS board will enter into arbitration over the next weeks. NOV 19 2008 Bruises heal, memories will not By Cynthia McQueen The Oshawa Express “I’m more angry about the fact that the kids had to see it. Our kids. His kids. All the kids at the school,” said Anji Dimitriou. Dimitriou and her partner Jane Currie were brutally assaulted and called “F------ dykes!” while their son and crowds of other school children watched. “That was our first priority. You know what the swelling’s going to come down, the stitches are going to fall out, but you know what, we’ve got two six-year-olds and a seven-year-old that are going to live the rest of their life knowing that that happened, because they won’t forget. Maybe the other kids will forget, but our kids live with it,” said Currie. It’s been just over two weeks since the attack and Currie’s stitches and swelling on her left cheek have begun to heal, but Dimitriou, who broke her back in a car-accident almost 10 years ago is walking with her cane again. “I was so proud. I was off the meds and I was trying to do good,” Dimitriou says. Mark Scott, the Oshawa man charged with assaulting the couple, threw Dimitriou against her truck after spitting in her face and punching her. Doctors have told Dimitriou that her muscles, still sensitive from damage caused when an 18-wheeler hit her car on Hwy. 404 in 1999, have seized from the jarring trauma of the assault. Currie explains what happened that day. “Between seven and 11 seconds is what it took for this guy’s fuse to get lit and to blow. That was it. I have no frame of reference for that much venom, dirt and filth,” said Currie. Currie says Dimitriou was still sliding down the front of the truck when she came around the corner. And when she did, Scott hit Currie with enough force to split her skin. “I have no frame of reference. None whatsoever,” says Currie. Unfortunately for their children and the school children at Gordon B. Attersley Public School, they now have a frame of reference for witnessing violence and hate. Even worse still, the couple’s children continue to be affected by the emotional trauma of the event. “The only thing that still kind of clings to them is the fear. Especially at night time,” offered Dimitriou, speaking of the children’s lack of sleep. Currie spoke of her son and his reaction to the assault. He told Currie “Mommy if I had have been a man I would have hit him.” Currie reassured her son, “I know you would have, but then that makes you no better than he is and you are by far leaps and bounds a much better man, boy, man, going to be man than he ever will be.” As a testament to the positive and loving response the cou- ple has had to the event, they have made certain their children and Scott’s will remain friendly at school. Speaking of Scott’s son, who is in the same class as Currie’s, Currie said, “Don’t go to school and be mad at him because he’s just a six year-old boy. He’s a little boy and so are you. That’s all. He didn’t do this.” Despite their children still dealing with the fears of what they witnessed and have seen of their mothers injuries since the event, Currie said, “I didn’t live in fear before I’m not going to live in fear now because of that incident.” “Absolutely,” seconded Dimitriou. “I will tell you that anybody and everybody that has a gay, a lesbian, a transgender, a bisexual, a transsexual, anything in their family that beautiful diversity should never have to worry about them living looking over their shoulder wondering who’s coming up behind them. Because that’s bullsh--!” offered Currie. Since the assault, Scott, whose lawyer has instructed the charged man not to communicate with the media, has pleaded innocent to the charges, accused Currie and Dimitriou of assaulting him on CTV news and mentioned that the couple instigated the assault by using racial slurs against him and his son on CTV. Scott was not available for comment at the time of this publication. Local raises $.5 m for Sick Kids George’s Sick Kids hangs proudly as the name the hospital and the kids gave to him. “I feel like a million bucks,” says Lee who gives one cheque yearly to the hospital, usually around Christmas time. Lee does get a lot of help to collect all those pennies. There is a committee of about seven people that help each year. George’s Sick Kids has a golf tournament, 50/50 draws, coin collection boxes, a spring dance and a Christmas dance every year. Not to mention, if a member of the committee has their own fundraising idea, Lee says, “They can do whatever they want.” Betty Cook is one Photos by Cynthia McQueen/The Oshawa Express of those committee George Lee just wants to be a teddy bear for the patients at Sick Kids hospi- members and she’s tal. For the past 20 years, Lee has raised more than $500,000 for the hospi- been on board since tal. the beginning. “I thought it was about time someone said something (about By Cynthia McQueen Lee’s efforts),” says Cook. The Oshawa Express When asked what she does for George’s It may not be written all over his face, but it Sick Kids, Lee says, “Everything and anything.” sure is written on his arm. Cook and her daughter just finished picking George Lee is so devoted to raising funds for Sick Kids Hospital, he has the teddy bear up furniture to auction for the cause, and Cook spokes model for the hospital tattooed on his plans to “let more people know that this is out there so we can do a good job and raise more arm. The first year Lee raised $2,000 for sick money.” About four years ago, George’s Sick Kids kids he got the tattoo. Since then, the local auto industry labourer sent a boy and his family from Oshawa to has raised over $500,000 for Sick Kids in Florida. “A friend that was helping me out, their Toronto. His sole motivation is the goodness of his grandson was going blind and wanted to see Disneyland” before he lost his sight, said Lee. heart and his love of children. “We were told it’s easier to do it on your An intense love of pennies helped him raise own than to do it through the Wish Foundation. over $5,000 in the first year. “This year we just took them a cheque for We went to a travel bureau, we told them what we’re doing, we got a deal on the trip and we over $45,000,” says Lee. Lee doesn’t have an official organization, sent him and his grandparents down to but on the hospital’s corporate sponsor board, Disneyland,” says Lee. NOV 19 2008 “Since then that little boy’s got everybody saving pennies for me,” says Lee who is a convincing fundraising recruiter. The one message that Lee wanted to send people was, “I love pennies.” “In the year 2000, when I was working in the motors. A fellow come up to me and said, George you love pennies, why don’t we try and raise $2,000 in pennies this year? I said that sounds good. We ended up with $2,600 in pennies just in that year,” explains Lee. “I’m up to $14,000 dollars in pennies this year alone,” says Lee. The magic potion for all that generosity is word of mouth, according to Lee. In order to ensure the money raised is allocated to the specific needs of the children, Lee only donates the funds with the express instructions that the go only to programs that will benefit the kids and not to administration. Locally, Lee has bought supplies for the Oshawa Hospital including blood monitors, baby seats for transporting sick kids, bedding and clothes for the kids. This year’s Christmas dance, Nov. 22, is at the Canadian Auto Workers hall and will feature Ron Moore, the Elvis impersonator and a large toy drive. Moore helped sell out the spring dance for George’s Sick Kids in April at the Moose Lodge, when over 180 people showed up to help the food bank. “See I try to help everybody,” says Lee. Lee started raising money for Sick Kids Hospital more than 20 years ago. For more information about George’s Sick Kids, call George Lee himself at 905-4394218. Page 9 Boundaries excluded some kids By Cynthia McQueen The Oshawa Express Check The Oshawa Express website for more on news and events in your area. www.oshawaexpress.ca Page 10 “Sending our kids that far is an accident waiting to happen,” says Jane Norris. Norris is concerned about sending her children from Kedron Public School six kilometres to O’Neal High School when the new high school in Oshawa is only three kilometres away. And she’s not alone. Approximately 30-50 parents of students from Kedron Public School have come together to challenge the proposed boundaries of the new north Oshawa high school. “My concern is that we’re the most northerly school and they’ve excluded us. That means that our kids will have to be shipped to O’Neal. O’Neal is six kms and it’s three kms to the new school,” clarifies Lesley Long. Currently, the newly proposed boundaries, as set by the superintendent, the city’s planning department and the city’s transportation department, exclude Kedron Public School. Two other public schools, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Public School and Gordon B. Attersley, are the same distance from O’Neal as they are from the new highschool. However, both Trudeau and Attersley have been included in the boundaries for the new school. Ralph Hoffman’s children attend Kedron and he is unsure what the think, “The problem right now is that we don’t know if there’s a fight or if there isn’t. If this is a reasonable part of the process or if this is that we’re really being excluded unfairly. What’s supposed to be public information seems to conflict.” Initial proposed boundary looked at Sherwood Powers Attersley and Trudeau – as being part of boundaries Natalie Hempstead, principal for the new highschool explained the process and the reasoning behind the boundaries. “The boundaries for Eastdale deal with the students north of them and were set and predetermined by the board.” According to Hempstead, the new school was built to eliminate pressure on Eastdale Collegiate, which currently operates with just over 1600 students in a school that has the capacity for 1050 students. At a meeting on the subject at the Durham District School Board (DDSB), the initial proposal was presented to the parents giving them an opportunity to bring forth their questions and concerns. After parents from Kedron brought forth their concerns, the superintendent of facilities and David Viscer the superintendent of Oshawa agreed to survey the Kedron community for further input. According to Long and the concerned group of parents, those surveys are misleading. A key question asks if graduating grade 8 Kedron students would like to attend the new high school. However, that excludes parents of students who will graduate in the future from voicing their concerns. “Parents that have grade eights are going to circle yes (in response to that question), but we’re worried about parents of younger children, because their children will not be attend- ing high school in 2009,” said Long “It could skew results,” Long explained. As a way to debrief from the meeting at DDSB, Long and five other concerned parents met and decided, the superintendent justified the reasons for picking the four feeder schools. However in response to the 12 questions posed by the group, as to why they were excluded, some responses were unsatisfactory. Viscer did say Kedron is a vast area, meaning it has a lot of acreage, but not a lot of population density, according to Long. “We have mainly farmland and 407 and hydro lines that go through that area,” explained Long. “Once it’s developed you’re going to have more density,” said Long. “It’s not zoned for development yet. It’s still agricultural,” clarified Kathy Langlois. Councillor John Neal attended the meeting last night, “I’d really like Kedron community to be part of that new high school because they lobbied to get the new school built.” Neal included Winfield community as part of the new high school as well. “Hopefully the school board will make the right decision and include these residents into the boundaries of the new school,” says Neal. “That’s what I’m trying to do for them,” says the concerned councillor. The next step for the DDSB is to look at the surveys. The most recent meeting of the DDSB was Monday Nov 17. The schools whose parents were surveyed about the boundaries include: Norman G. Powers Public School, Sherwood Public School, Gordon B Attersley Public School, Pierre E. Trudeau Public School, Kedron Public School and Eastdale Collegiate. NOV 19 2008 NOV 19 2008 Page 11 Award winner to help aspiring novelists By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express She was an only child raised by a single mother. She moved homes over 40 times as a child, Award-winning novelist, Elizabeth living in Canada, Colombia and Ruth was a Jill of all trades until she masthe United States of America. tered one – writing. Finally, as a young woman, she Oshawa library’s newest writer-in-resmoved herself to France but soon idence, Ruth, sure has a lot of experience returned to Canada. behind her. Ruth attended eight schools She will take on her position with the before settling into the University Oshawa Public Libraries in the new year. of Toronto where she obtained her “This will be the first time the Oshawa Bachelor of Arts in English Public Library has offered such a Literature and her Masters in residency and I’m looking forward to counseling psychology. She spent meeting people from the community and 11 years working in women’s reading their creative writing,” says shelters and community-based Ruth. mental health centres. “I also hope to gain a better sense of The writer has always been the work the librarians in the region are intrigued by what society defines doing. It’s been my experience that as “normal” and why. librarians are among the most well-read Many of her fictions have booklovers in the country, and they are underlying themes of sanity and the link between writers and new generamadness and the role the outcast tions of readers.” plays throughout. Before settling Ruth has written two short fiction into her writing career, Ruth novels that have been widely published explored many options. in literary journals and anthologies. She began working at the age She enjoys writing book reviews as of 14 serving doughnuts, books, well. acting as a bilingual tour guide, The writer-in-residence position cleaning offices, dishwashing and Submitted photo involves a great deal of work on Ruth’s Award-winning novelist Elizabeth Ruth will join the Oshawa more. part. She previously held the same posiIn fact, she was going to purLibrary team as the writer-in-residence in January. Ruth will be tion with the Kitchener Public Library. on hand to provide advice and critique to aspiring novelists in sue her PhD after graduation, but “The writer-in-residence meets one- the city. decided to turn her attention on-one with aspiring writers from the towards her writing career community at large, to offer feedback on instead, which she has had great The first class is called Narrative Voice: their work, and answer questions,” explains what is it & how do I develop mine? success with. Ruth. Two of her novels are critically The next is Character Building & She will hold the position only until Creating Conflict: key elements in success- acclaimed. Smoke was published in 2005 Feb. 1, so writer’s that want suggestions ful fiction writing. and again in 2007 in Germany. from the expert must get their subHer debut novel, Ten Good Seconds of The final class missions in by Dec. 1. Silence, was published in 2001. offered by the writer in “I will read all of the submisIt was named as a finalist for residence is the sions ahead of time, and come to the Rogers’ Writer’s Trust of Writer’s Life & All my Saturday one-on-one meetings Canada Fiction prize, the Things Industrywith considered substantive editoAmazon Books in Canada First Related. rial comments for each writer. That Novel Award and the City of “I’m thrilled I was way, we make best use of our hour Toronto Book Award. asked to launch this together. She currently lives in Toronto program, which will In addition to those individual where she works as a creative hopefully continue into feedback sessions, I like to offer writing teacher at the University the future. I particularthree classes/workshops during my of Toronto and the Humber ly love working with tenure,” says Ruth. School for Writers. the libraries because they are able to offer The classes and workshops Ruth plans resources to aspiring writers that are free,” Ruth will join the team at the Oshawa on hosting will take place on Sundays at says Ruth. Public Libraries formally on Jan. 10. the Library. They’ll explore three key Ruth was born in Windsor, Ontario. areas. Parade brings road closures The jolly big man in red will ring in the Christmas season with the annual evening parade down Oshawa streets this weekend. Santa’s annual parade of lights will cause some shut downs of major roads this Saturday. The parade begins at the parking lot of the Oshawa Centre at King Street West and Stevenson Road South. The parade takes to the streets at 6 p.m. Santa’s sleigh will go east along King Street to Centre Street, then south on Centre Street to John Street. The glow from the parade will then head west on John Street to Elmgrove Avenue and then march back into the Oshawa Centre parking lot. Floats will be decorated in festive bright lights and bands, groups and special guests will walk the streets in celebration of Christmas. Post office letter carriers will also be on hand to collect all the children’s letters from Santa as they do every year. So make sure your child has their’s ready. Roads will be off-limits for cars from about 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday night. There will be free parking that evening though in the McMillan and Bond Street parking garage which is only a short distance from the parade. Happy holidays! The man in red keeps eye out for good girls and boys My dear children and their parents, I know many of you write to me around this time of year but Santa felt that I needed to write to you before you send me your “wish lists”. First of all I want you to know that times are tough up here in the North Pole. It seems to me that there are too many greedy people not looking out for their fellow man! When it comes to the gas companies and other greedy companies, I know HO HO HO who has been naughty and nice. I know when a company disrupts families by laying off workers to make a larger Page 12 profit. Managers of those kinds of companies and the greedy oil barons cannot expect a visit from Santa this year! NO NO NO! Our friends the polar bears have been suffering too because of global warming. I know that many children are aware of energy issues, but maybe you could help your parents to conserve electricity and energy. My reindeer really enjoy the cold weather, and while they all wintered well, some of them like my new reindeer, Wishy, have not summered well. Mrs. Claus and I are worried about the increase of certain types of gangs in your area. Now there are good gangs and bad gangs. Our gang of elves do a great job. There are bands of people like Habitat for Humanity that are making homes and trying to make life better in ways that Santa just cannot tackle by himself. There are bands of people like the girl guides and boy scouts that like to help out in our communities. Santa loves those types of gangs. And HO HO HO, Santa hopes those are the only types of gangs you join! Santa is not big on bringing my children video games, cell phones or iPods. That is not to say that some of you may not get them, but Santa knows that too many people are spending too much time with these toys. NO NO NO The problem, as Santa sees it, is that some toys provide an unhealthy escape from the real world. There are too many good things in nature that Santa wants us to experience. When was the last time you listened to the birds? HO HO HO When was the last time you saw a sunrise or a sunset? When was the last time you visited a forest? Did you notice the changing of the leaves this year? Did you watch and listen as some of those leaves came down from the trees? Have you noticed the shapes of clouds recently, or HO HO HO, the endless number of stars on a clear night? Some doctors have told Santa that too much cell phone use for children may contribute to brain cancer and Santa knows that music played too loudly can affect your hearing. Do you think Santa wants bad things to happen to good people? NO NO NO. So if you are good, Santa will do his best to give you everything you NEED, but HO HO HO, NOT everything you WANT. In our world, a child dies every second. Santa cannot help many of these children by himself. Some of these children have no access to safe drinking water. In many of our communities, we use drinking water to flush our toilets, and wash our clothes and cars. We even put drinking water onto our lawns! What a waste of good water. Hopefully you children will realize that poverty is caused by adults not willing to share. That is why a small number of your moms and dads will not be getting a visit from Santa this year. Our creator, created our beautiful Earth for all of us to share, and for all of us to be happy in. Santa is doing his share, and HO, HO, HO, I will be visiting all those boys and girls that try to do their share as well. NOV 19 2008 kstrachan@oshawaexpress.ca This pretty kitty loves lying on her owner’s bed baking in the hot summer sun. Too bad winter’s almost here and she’ll have to resort to lying on the heat register for warmth. The Oshawa Express would like to remind its readers to still send in Echo Baby pictures to run bi-weekly to the Express Perfect Pet feature. ARIES March 20 to April 19 Extremely enthusiastic, you will enjoy promoting your own ideas. Travel is on your mind. If you cannot take a vacation, you will travel in your mind. Seek expert advice on a legal matter. TAURUS April 19 to May 20 You and your partner could be at cross purposes about finances. Sit down, have a heart to heart talk, and work out any differences. This is not a good time to take out a loan or to rely on anyone for financial support. GEMINI May 20 to June 21 Family relationships are the main focus now. Bring problems between you and your partner to the surface and get them resolved. Work out mutual goals. Go out for brunch on Sunday. CANCER June 21 to July 22 At work, preserve team spirit. Share the credit for a job well done. However, do not overdo it at work, take time to recharge your batteries. Since you are a couch potato, make an effort to get regular daily exercise. LEO July 22 to August 22 You want to do what you want to do, regardless of what others think. Participate in an energetic activity, like dancing or some type of sport. Enjoy recreational activities with children. VIRGOAugust 22 to Sept 22 Focus your energy on making your home more comfortable. Freshen up the house with paint or do that repair job you have been putting off. Try to find a proper balance. LIBRA Sept 22 to Oct 23 Your negotiation skills are at an all time high and you easily grasp new concepts. You are in a strong position to incite others to action. Take your car in to have it winterized and drive with care on the road. SCORPIO Oct 23 to Nov 22 Over the next few, your energy will be focused on financial affairs. Do not spend more than you can afford on Christmas gifts. Turn a hobby into a business or begin a new project that will pay off in the future. SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 to Dec 21 More assertive, you are ready to stand up for your own rights, but should not run roughshod over others. Channel your new energy into a fitness program or a new project. Reorganize your priorities. CAPRICORN Dec 21 to Jan 19 Until late December, you will be working behind the scenes and may not get recogizition for your efforts. An excellent period to do research or investigative work, you might enjoy doing charitable work. AQUARIUS Jan 19 to Feb 19 You are not in the mood to take a backseat, so why not volunteer for a leadership role in a group or organization? Seek out friends with common interest and shared goals. Lucky financial day Nov. 21. PISCES Feb 19 to March 20 Your career takes center stage over the next few weeks, so make sure your goals are not in conflict with your superiors. You enjoy working on your own. Nov. 12 Word Game answers The Stars Say is provided by Joan Ann of Oshawa. For personal readings, call 905-725-9179 or visit her website at www.astroconsultation.com PRIZE: Bring in your completed and correct Express Crossword puzzle before the answers run in the following Wednesday edition and you will receive an Express T-shirt. Limit is one t-shirt per person for the year. NOV 19 2008 Page 13 The Oshawa Express would like to remind readers to send in their jokes and interesting quotes. Please send them to The Oshawa Express 600 Thornton Rd. S, Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 or e-mail them to news@oshawaexpress.ca. Thurs. Nov. 20 Celebrate 100 years of Anne of Green Gables with the granddaughter of the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. A double treat for Anne fans, Montgomery’s granddaughter, Kate Macdonald Butler talks of the characters we have all come to love. Also, Dr. Elizabeth Epperly, author of six Anne books, articles, and exhibitions, takes us through many revealing details in Imagining Anne. $10 ($8 each for groups of 20) The discussion begins at 7 p.m. at Simcoe Street United Church 66 Simcoe St. S. in Oshawa. Contact Alice Sheffield 905 723 3183 for more information. Sat. Nov. 22 Hebron Christian Reformed Church will host the opera Faust by Gounod at 7:30 p.m.. The church is located at 4240 Anderson St, Whitby. Tickets: $20 for Adults and $15 for Seniors/Students. For more information call Kristine Dandavino 905-725-9115 Craft Show at Bowmanville High School from 10am -4pm. Browse through Artisan One of a Kind Treasures just in time for the holidays. Admission: $3 or $2 with a canned good for the local foodbank. Location: Bowmanville High School, 49 Liberty Street North, Bowmanville. Sat & Sun. Sun. Nov. 23 Oshawa Little Theatre invites you to a new fundraising event, Nun “Sackers”. The Matinee is available now as a package with a seasonal lunch, some light entertainment and a 50/50 draw, all starting at 12 p.m./noon. The cost is $30 per person and existing subscribers and ticket holders may upgrade their tickets for an additional $5. Purchase online by clicking “Buy OLT tickets now” on the website, www.oshawalittletheatre.com. Call 905-723-0282 for more info or email boxoffice@oshawalittletheatre.com Mon. Nov. 24 Bring your friends and join the ladies of the Oshawa Senior Citizen’s Centres for a delicious lunch then partake in the ancient art of drumming. Hand drums will be provided. For more info call 905-576-6712 ext. 2864. The event starts at noon at Northview Branch, 150 Beatrice St. E. The cost is $9. A woman awakes in the middle of the night to find her husband not in bed. She puts on her nightgown to go down the stairs to look for him. She finds him sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee in front of him. He appears to be deep in thought, just staring at the wall. She watches him take a sip of his coffee and wipe a tear from his cheek. “What’s the matter dear” she whispers as she walks into the room. “Why are you down here at this time of night?” The husband looks up from his coffee “Do you remember when we first started dating. You were only 16 years old. Do you remember back then?” he asks solemnly. Granddaughter of historic Anne hosts celebration Wed. Nov. 26 Got Game? Bring it on! We will be featuring a Mario Kart Wii Tournament for ages 12 – 19. Snacks and water will be available throughout the tournament. Mario Kart Tournament at the Jess Hann Branch at 7 P.M. Space is limited. Registration is free at any branch. Fri. Nov. 28 Celebrate Christmas magic with the Northminister United Church. There will be stories featuring storyteller Dianne Chandler and harpist/pianist Debra Northey. Refreshments will be served at 7 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. For more info please call 905-725-4133. Sat. Nov. 29 Create some craft magic with an old pair of jeans and celebrate sisterhood! Bring a pair of jeans or anything denim to decorate. We will meet at 1:00 PM to decorate our own traveling pants in the Children’s studio and will have a viewing of the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants at 2:15 in the auditorium. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Party at the McLaughlin Children’s Studio at 1 p.m. For ages 12 – 19. Registration is free at any branch. Nov. 12 Crossword answers By Katie Strachan The Oshawa Express Cineplex Odeon (905) 432- 3486 www.cineplex.com Highschool Musical 3wed-thurs wed-thurs 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10 p.m. Saw Vwed-thurs 7:20 p.m., 10:10 p.m. 7:05 p.m., 9:50 p.m. Role Modelswed-thurs 6:50 p.m., 9:25 p.m. Twilightthurs- 10 p.m. friMadagascar: Escape 2 Africawed-thurs 6:35 p.m, 7:15 p.m, 9 p.m, 9:45 p.m. Changelingwed-thurs 6:40 p.m., 10:05 p.m. 3:45 p.m, 6:45 p.m., 9:45 p.m. sat6:45 p.m., 9:45 p.m. Boltfri4:50 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 9:50 p.m. sat- sun Zack and Miri make a pornowed-thurs 12 p.m., 2:25 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:20 p.m. 9:50 p.m. 6:55 p.m., 9:55 p.m. Tues. Dec. 2 Get your passport ready as we play the library version of the Amazing Race! Participate in Road Blocks and Detours by completing some puzzling and crazy challenges. The Amazing Race Northview Edition at the Branch from 7:00 - 8:00 PM For tweens ages 1015. Registration is free at any branch. Page 14 The wife is touched to tears thinking her husband is so caring and sensitive. “Yes I do” she replies. “Do you remember when your father caught us in the back seat of my car?” he asks. “Yes I remember” she says as she sits down beside him He continues, “Do you remember when he held the shotgun to my face and said either I marry you or he’ll put me in jail for 20 years?” “I remember that too,” she says. He wipes another tear from his cheek and says. “I would have been released today....” Quantam of Solice- WWE survivor seriessun- 8 p.m. Best-selling novel Anne of Green Gables has captivated audiences worldwide for more than 100 years. And what better way to celebrate the occasion than a visit by the author’s granddaughter Kate Macdonald Butler. The Simcoe Street United Church will host Macdonald Butler on Nov. 20 to commemorate the anniversary and also talk about a book she cowrote called Remembering Anne. This book tells the story of Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud Montgomery and the characters in her books. As a child, Butler knew the inspirations for her grandmother’s characters as her friends and family. Anne of Green Gables was penned by Montgomery in 1908 and is the story of a young orphan, Anne Shirley, who is adopted by a couple living in Prince Edward Island. “It’s just a wonderful story altogether,” says Alice Shefield, event organizer and fan of the book. The night of entertainment will also feature author Elizabeth Epperly, who wrote Before Green Gables, which tells the story of Anne Shirley’s life and who she was before becoming Anne of Green Gables. Epperly, author of six books and dozens of articles, and has curated four Montgomery exhibitions. Macdonald Butler is the spokesperson for the Montgomery heirs. Montgomery wrote 17 out of her 22 books right in our backyard. She moved to Leaskdale, near Uxbridge, after she was married. The residents of Leaskdale have since dedicated a museum to her writings. A slew of Anne items, some of which will be for sale, will be on display. The three books will also be for sale and can be personally autographed. A reception and light snack will follow. “We can’t guarantee there will be any raspberry cordial,” jokes Shefield, noting that anyone that has read the novel will know what she means. “We are looking forward to a very nice and special night.” The Nov. 22 event starts at 7 p.m. at Simcoe Street United Church, 66 Simcoe St. S. in Oshawa. Tickets, at $10 per person or $8 per person for groups of 20 more, are available by calling 905-728-8143. NOV 19 2008 Koko B Ware puts on a show By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express Birdman hasn’t lost a step best opportunity any wrestler could have in front of a crowd that big.” The man inside the wrestling ring comKoko, who appeared each monly known as Birdman has earned his outing in bright garb and colwings through 28 years of throwing oppoorful sunglasses, did have a nents to the canvas while sporting a huge bird friend with him whenevgrin, flapping his arms and sounding off with er he stepped into a ring, a a loud, gravely singing voice, “Oh, yeah!” macaw known as Frankie. And if there is one attribute Koko B Ware Alas, Frankie perished in a does enjoy performing regularly as his signahouse fire in 2001 while the ture move, it’s his version of the bird dance, Koko family was attending shared by many of his faithful before and church. after each bout. His 10 years in the World “McMahon liked the bird Wrestling Federation (WWF), today known gimmick,” Koko smiles. “He as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), said, ‘Great, first we have a vaulted this highly likeable individual to the snake (Jack The Snake high echelons within the wrestling industry, Roberts) and a bulldog darn close to the likings of Hulk Hogan and (British Bulldogs). Now, Brett “Hitman” Hart. we’ve got a bird. But it took And though some wrestlers of that era are off like a rocket.” critical of today’s escapades with so many And a footnote to Koko’s foreign objects being used, many times as history in the ring: he became weapons outside the ring, and sometimes the first wrestler to fall victim bizarre storylines, Birdman chooses to take a to the Undertaker’s much softer approach to the point of not bitTombstone Piledriver in his ing the hand that feeds you. debut match, this occurring “Yah, I hear some of the wrestlers saying during the 1990 Survivor how bad the sport is today, but you won’t Series. hear it from me,” he says. “The fact is, Vince Koko went on to form a McMahon gave me and every other wrestler tag team match with the late an opportunity to perform and make a good Owen Hart, known as High living while doing it. Energy. The team was dis“Sure, wrestling has changed. But that’s banded in 1993 following a like anything else over time, isn’t it? knee injury to Hart. Wrestling has been good to all of us.” While wrestling does And Birdman has been good, right back. prove to be a viable tool for His performance with the Great Canadian the ardent fans, Koko does Photo by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express Wrestling (GCW) card last Thursday night at Darko puts a big hold on Crazzy Steve during a Great Canadian harken to the realities of life the Oshawa Legion Hall was one piece of a Wrestling (GCW) show at the Oshawa Legion Hall. The evening was high- and, in fact, does have one highly-entertaining evening put on by per- lighted by highly-regarded Koko B Ware. regret that has nothing to do haps lesser lights in this profession, but very with entertainment. Born as James Ware in June of 1957, the much as determined to put on a show for the “I wasn’t there for Chris Benoit at a time Birdman took to the sport in his hometown of when he needed to talk to somebody. God gave paying customer. “That’s why I like it here so much,” Birdman Union City, Tennessee when a group of his 16- me the ability to wrestle, but I only wish I was lets out a huge smile. “The wrestlers really put year-old friends began training. there for him to discuss what he was going “I peeked through a door and saw them train- through,” he observes. on a good show for the fans and I am very humbled at how many of these fans remember the ing and the first thing I thought was, ‘Hey, I want Benoit, at the top of his wrestling profession, Birdman. I get them flapping their arms and to do that.’” killed his wife and seven-year-old son in June of He presented a release form signed by his 2007 before committing suicide. dancing and you can tell they’re having a good parents and the budding star gained his interntime.” “When that happened, it seriously hurt our Koko got his wings tarnished during a bout ship. wrestling family and most definitely the fans. I In search of a monicker, Birdman relates, “I mean, we were with RJ City and Asylym on this night. You just knew who would prevail in the bout, especially remember one of the players on my high school in shock. Chris when Koko didn’t like the idea of being blind- football team saying to me, “You are my cocoa. was going And I thought, ‘Hey, why not the Cocoa Kid? sided by City. through person“I stuck with that name for a number of years al problems, but Asylym won his earlier bout in a table match against the good guy, Rico Montana. Darka and but, sooner or later, I wasn’t a kid any more. nobody could I saw a sign in Jamaica that said Koko. I liked have foreseen Crazzy Steve also put on an entertaining show, along with Cody Deanear, Griswald Liverpool, it so I went from Cocoa to Koko and later Jim this happening. Ross said if Koko is in the ring, the opponents Atlas, Otis Idol and Tyler Tirva. I only wish I And when the GCW returns to the Legion better beware. had the opportu“And that was it, Koko B Ware.” hall for a matinee show on Nov. 30, Brutus “The nity to talk to Undoubtedly his shining moment was at the him. Pray for Barber” Beefcake, another popular former wrestler out of the WWF stable, will highlight dome in Pontiac, Michigan before more than him. It hurt us this show. He will be joined by the popular 93,000 wrestling fans in 1987. Although Koko all.” did lose to The Natural, Butch Reed, “It was the Tammy Sytch, known as “Sunny.” NOV 19 2008 Page 15 Blue Knights win Turkey Shoot The Oshawa Blue Knights U-19 team took home the Varsity Division 1 top honours in the annual Turkey Shoot Fall Classic field lacrosse tournament in Rochester, New York on Sunday. The Blue Knights kicked off the tournament by easily handling Newark, New Jersey by a score of 18-3. Twelve different Blue Knights scored with Brendan Fox and Todd Nakasuji leading the way with four goals and three goals, respectively. Next the Knights dominated Brockport, New York by a score of 15-2 with Fox, Davin Lindsay, Shane Morlock and Sam Powless scoring a pair each. The toughest competition of the tournament was provided by the Barrie Tornado. The Blue Knights took an early lead but ran into penalty trouble and held on for a 7-5 win with seven different players scoring. The opposition in the final game was a rep squad from Chicago, Illinois. Three goals by Fox powered the Blue Knights to a 6-2 victory and the tournament championship. The Blue Knights benefited from exceptional goal tending from Alexis Buque and Jason Armstrong with Buque being named the MVP of the championship game. Blue Knights attack men included Fox, Lindsay, Morlock, Nakasuji, Joe Kozovsky and Matt Hurren. Middies included Mitch Robertson, Mitch De Snoo, Jake Powless, Sam Powless, Jordan Passfield, Mitch Wilde, Connor Latimer, Easton McDonald and Curtis Knight. Long poles included Travis Johnstone, Stu McIlhone, Matt Chamois, Dylan Johnston, Sheldon Burns and Matt Hammond. The Blue Knights staff includ coaches Rick Phillips and John Phillips, trainer Harry Merzbacher and manager Paul Chamois. Impressive record for the Gen’s Kory Nagy had two assists against Kingston…Michael Del Zotto added the other tally to complement Brett Parnham’s three goals against the Sting. John Tavares chipped in three assists. Generals have recorded an impressive seven wins in 10 outings at the GM Centre this season and their win against Kingston was their fourth in five outings…Generals, since their humiliating 10-2 loss to the Petes earlier this month, have allowed just seven goals in the last five outings. Credit this to defence, especially the welcoming goaltending performance of Neil Conway. The Oshawa Blue Knights team celebrates after winning the Turkey Shoot Fall Classic field lacrosse tournament over the weekend. The tournament took place in Rochestor, New York. The team took home the Varsity Division 1 top honours. Durham College adds to its growing hall of fame list The Department of Athletics at Durham College and the Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee are adding an impressive pair to an already list of achievers. The class of 2008 will feature former student athletes Mario Bruno and Ron Winterink, both of who are Oshawa natives. The 13th annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is by invitation only and is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, November 26 on campus at the Upper Gallery of the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, starting at 7 o’clock.. “We are very excited to welcome both Mario and Ron into the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame,” commented Athletic Director Ken Babcock. “They were outstand- ing student-athletes and are very deserving of this honour. On November 26th, we are going to look back and celebrate two great collegiate careers at Durham College!” Ron Winterink, a graduate of Paul Dwyer was an outstanding two sport student-athlete during his time at Durham College, playing for both the men’s basketball and Men’s Soccer teams from 1979-82. Winterink was a key contributor in the 1980 soccer season, as the Lords went on to win the school’s first OCAA gold medal in men’s soccer. That season, Winterink was an OCAA AllStar, leading the team in scoring as well as being was named Durham’s Most Valuable Player. Overall, he scored 21 goals in his OCAA career and averaged 1.11 goals per game. On the hard court, Winterink led the Durham College Men’s Basketball team in scoring in 1979-80 and was an OCAA Men’s Basketball League All-Star in 1981-82. He sits 16th all-time on the DC scoring list, while playing in just 39 games. He was named Durham College’s Athlete of the Year in 1981-82. Mario Bruno, who joined Durham after a great high school career at Central Collegiate played on the Men’s Soccer team from 198487. The Lords won three consecutive OCAA East Region Championships while going on to win an OCAA silver medal in 1984 and two OCAA bronze medals in 1985 and 1986. Bruno led the Lords in scoring every year he played and was the OCAA Scoring Champion in 1986-87, scoring 17 goals in 10 games for an average of 1.70 goals per game. Bruno was also the Most Valuable Player for Durham College in his last year of play. In his career, Bruno tallied a remarkable 32 career goals during the regular season ranking number one all-time in Durham College Men’s Soccer history and fifth in OCAA scoring. “ONE, TWO, THREE…..SCORE!” in top ten The last time one NHL team had three players in the “Top Ten” of the scoring race was 2003-04. Tampa Bay posted Martin St. Louis, Cory Stillman, and Brad Richards in the first, eighth, and tenth positions. Previous to that, in 2000-01, Pittsburgh’s Jaromir Jagr, Alexi Kovalev, and Martin Straka, placed first, fourth, and sixth in the regular season points parade. But that doesn’t quite measure up to a feat accomplished only three times in the league’s history. I’m speaking of a forward line that finished first, second and third in competition. In 1939-40, the trio of Milt Page 16 Schmidt, Bobby Bauer, and “Woody” Dumart turned the trick as members of the Boston Bruins. All from Kitchener, they apprenticed with the Providence Reds of the AHL. Because of their German ancestry they were tagged the “Sauerkraut Line” by their coach, Al Leduc. By the time they were promoted to the parent club it had been shortened to simply the “Kraut Line”. However, because of the Nazi overtones, for the duration of WW II they were renamed “The Kitchener Kids.” Dumart skated for the Beantowners for one match in ’35’36. Bauer did the same the next campaign. But in 1937-38 they sported the colours of the Bruins, as did their younger partner, Mr. Schmidt. It took them three full schedules to reach these lofty heights. They stayed together during the aforementioned conflict, even as members of the Royal Canadian Air Force flyers while they were in the service. They returned to the hub in ’45’46. Bauer packed it in after the 194647 season and Dumart stayed on for 7 years, while Schmidt hung in for 9 campaigns. Appropriately, they are all members of the Hall of Fame! In 1943-44, the wily bench boss of the Montreal Canadiens, Dick Irvin, experimented with a new forward line. It included “Toe” Blake, who had already been in the loop 10 years, Elmer Lach, a three-year veteran, and the bombastic “Rocket” Richard, who very nearly fizzled out because, at first, he was injury-prone. The combination was referred to as a “canny gamble,” but proved to be the perfect combination of fire, speed, and savvy. Lach, from Nokomis, Saskatchewan, offered playmaking expertise at centre. Blake from Victoria Mines, Ontario, provided experience and steadiness and Richard, who tallied 50 goals in 50 games that season, contributed excitement with his dynamic rushes toward the opposition net. It was during the next campaign that they held the first three positions on the scoring derby. Between the three of them they totaled 24 All-Star selections and seven trophies. Five years later, the third set of hockey triplets duplicated this accomplishment. Once again they represented a diversified combo. Syd Abel, the pivot, was a grizzled veteran, who was called “Bootnose” — a result of his reckless play. Ted Lindsay, at left wing had a fiery temper and a passion to win. Gordie Howe, who came to be known as “Mr. Hockey,” patrolled the right side, potting goals from his ambidextrous stance. They were nicknamed the “Production Line.” Each was either point-leader or goal-getting leader during their five years together. They totaled 905 points. In 1954-55, Montreal’s Richard, Beliveau, and Geoffrion placed first, second and third in the points parade, and Orr, Esposito, and Bucyk of Boston did the same in 1971-72. But they never played on the same forward line. NOV 19 2008 Lords to move on after court forfeitures The Durham College Lords women's volleyball team has accepted its penalty after unintentionally using an ineligible player earlier this season. The result was the forfeiture of three Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) league victories. The team, led by first year head coach Shane Christopher and captained by veteran Amada Doris understands their situation and have dealt with it as a team. The Lords are now determined to work hard and play themselves back into play-off contention. The good news is there are still sixteen league matches remaining in the season over the next four months. "This is a great group of student-athletes who are committed to overcoming this setback and adversity," stated Ken Babcock, Director of Athletics. "They are committed to work Lady Lords sweep on volleyball court London, Ont. – Durham Lady Lords turned in an impressive display in their opening match of a showcase series here last Saturday, defeating the Fanshawe Falcons 3-0 to earn a second straight sweep against Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) opposition. Durham led from start to finish in the match, outscoring the Falcons 25-17, 25-21 and 25-12. On the score sheet, it was the team veterans leading the way as Kristen Conner led all scorers with 12 kills in the match while Amanda Falzon had 11 points and Mandi Doris racked up seven points. Falzon also had a great defensive game picking up 14 digs in the win. The Lords will challenge the fourth ranked Mohawk Mountaineers on Sunday afternoon at noon. Durham's next home action will be on Thursday when the Loyalist Lancers pay a visit to the CRWC with first serve at 6 p.m. hard as a team and quickly get back into contention and challenge for a play-off spot and ultimately a position in the OCAA Final Four, which we are hosting this February 27-28, 2009." Under the OCAA transfer rules, the player in question, will be able to rejoin and compete for the Lords starting in January should she continue to record passing grades and post a minimum 2.0 GPA this semester. The Lords will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night at home when they host the Georgian College Grizzlies at 6 p.m. It will also be the first night of the DC volleyball holiday food drive where spectators receive free admission if they bring a non-perishable food item. The Brother Andre Catholic School choir will also be performing the national anthem and songs during set breaks. Cerebral palsy participants compete By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express The pace may be a tad slower than usual, but for many enthused participants, their sport is very much as prevalent as gaining a berth in a Stanley Cup final. The sport is boccia ball and for some 26 enthused players, their performance last weekend at Durham College dictated their positioning as potential members of a select provincial squad to compete at the Cerebral Palsy Boccia Championship next March in Vancouver. “They’re here giving it their best,” beams Dave Greig of Windsor, the Development Coordinator for the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association. “They’re showing us their ability and from this, we will select 11 players for the nationals.” Some participants, such as Brock Richardson of Brampton, competed in the Paralympics in Beijing. “We did quite well there,” adds Greig. “We never had thoughts of shooting for the stars. We knew what to expect. But the experience they gained was valuable.” Ironically, there were no participants from the Durham Region, despite the event being staged in Oshawa. A local organization recently disbanded. Ontario is considered the strongest province in boccia. However, competitors from British Columbia are high on making some noise at the forthcoming nationals with quality athletes. The sport of boccia unfolded in 1984 within the Cerebral Palsy family, the first of the Ontario Regional Games taking place in 1978. The first Provincial Games to recognize competition for athletes within four disability groups also took place in ’78, one of them Ontario athletes with cerebral palsy. A steering committee developed the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Photo by Wally Donaldson Brock Richardson of Brampton competed at the recent Paralympics in Beijing. He is seen here hoping to earn a berth on the provincial cerebral palsy boccia ball squad during tryouts last weekend at Durham College. Sports Association and became a registered charity one year later with the Ministry of Tourism and recreation recognizing the association to be an amateur provincial sports organization. Generals sweep a pair of contests By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express The magic John Tavares has weaved with a hockey stick in his fourth season virtually assures this highly-regarded Oshawa Generals scoring machine a home in the National Hockey League in the very near future. As for his free time away from the ice? Perhaps a demonstration of his musical expertise is in order. Maybe pickin’ a country tune or stepping into a cool Jimi Hendrix masterpiece is to his liking. Whether it is a little bit country or heavy death metal, the musical foray of Tavares with a guitar just might one day excel in harmony with his hockey agenda. One step at a time, of course! “I’m still working on the simple steps, three to four chords,” laughs the skilled 18-year-old forward who last July decided to take up the guitar at Henry Street High School in Whitby. “My tutor told me that if I had good hands with a hockey stick, I would probably be pretty good with a guitar. So, I thought I’d give it a try.” Riding the bus with the Generals last season, Tavares noted how former players’ Patrick Asselin and Eric Regan were capable of strumming a few tunes on an acoustic guitar. “Actually, I admired the way they played and I got interested,” he said. Tavares continued to showcase his hockey expertise last Sunday evening, scoring a goal, his 17th of the young season, and adding a helper to vault the Generals past the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1 before 3,918 patrons at the GM Centre. Larry Maverty was relieved of his coaching following the game, but will stay on as the General Manager. NOV 19 2008 Photo by Wally Donaldson Oshawa Generals return to the ice at the GM Centre on Grey Cup Sunday. Game time is at 2:05 p.m. Former NHL star, Doug Gilmour, has taken over the coaching reins for Kingston. Two nights earlier, it was the Brett Parnham show. He fired three goals to spark the Generals past the Sarnia Sting 4-1, also in Oshawa. Tavares, meanwhile, has combined a keen hockey resume with his impressive academics, posting an above 90 per cent at the Whitby high school. Indeed, his high scholastic achievement was defined prior to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) tilt three nights ago. “Hockey is one thing, but I really am feeling good about what I have achieved (inside the classroom),” says Tavares. “It not only gives me a sense of accomplishment, but I hope it rubs off on the younger players here as well. “Hockey isn’t the only thing in life. Getting a high school diploma is a big thing that could lead to university. I want to set a good example while making sure I maintain top grades for myself.” Defenceman Michael De Zotto and Tavares gave the Generals a two-goal bulge following a scoreless opening period. Recently-returned James DeLory notched his first of the campaign early in the final stanza and the focus switched to a potential second shutout for goalie Neil Conway. Close. Very Close. But it wasn’t to be. Nathan Moon Snapped a quick one past Conway with only 51 seconds left on the clock. Adding insult to injury, Moon’s goal was a shorthanded tally which understandably riled Oshawa head coach Chris DePiero. “The guys got complacent. They thought the game was over,” said DePiero, adding, “It’s that killer instinct again. We weren’t competing to the very end and it cost our goaltender a shutout.” Also high on DePiero’s list was the cheap shot executed by Kingston’s Zack Fenwick who in the final period picked up Generals’ Conor Stokes behind the Kingston goal and slammed him to the ice like a paper doll. Stokes was akin to the boxer who takes the full brunt of a sharp jab before colliding to the canvas. Fenwick was assessed a minor instigator penalty, along with a match. “That just wasn’t called for and I hope (Fenwick) gets a long suspension,” says DePiero. The incident will unquestionably be brought to the attention of OHL commissioner David Branch. Generals are in Mississauga Friday night to face the St. Michael’s Majors and return to the GM Centre on Grey Cup Sunday for a matinee contest against the Ottawa 67s. Game time is 2:05 p.m. The Oshawa Generals will be looking to take the home ice advantage from now until the end of 2008, as they play 8 of their final 11 games for the calendar year at the GM Centre. Oshawa travels to Mississauga on Friday night to take on the St. Michael’s Majors at The Hershey Centre before returning home for their next home game Grey Cup Sunday at 2:05 p.m. against Brian Kilrea and the Ottawa 67’s. Sunday’s game is a rare matinee at the GM Centre to accommodate fans that want to watch the Grey Cup, which starts at 6 p.m. Sunday. The Generals only other two Sunday home matinees this season are Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 1 and Feb. 22. The Generals enter the weekend back at the .500 mark at 11-11-0-1 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Oshawa swept a pair of weekend home games this past weekend, downing the Sarnia Sting 4-1 on Friday and the Kingston Frontenacs 3-1 on Sunday. With a home record of 7-3-0-0, the Generals will be looking to pile up some points during this upcoming series of home games. Tickets for all games are on sale at the GMC, at www.generalmotorscentre.com, or by phone at 1-877-436-8811 – except for Bobby Orr Night. Fans are too late for that one. On Thursday, Nov. 27 the Generals will officially retire the No. 2 jersey worn by the legendary Orr before their game with the Peterborough Petes at 7:05 p.m. That game is a complete sell-out, but all of the festivities will be broadcast live on Rogers TV. The annual Home Hardware NHL/CHL Top Prospects Game and Skills Competition takes place at the General Motors Centre in January. The Skills Competition is Tuesday, Jan. 13 with the game slated for the next night at 7 p.m. The top 40 players eligible for the 2009 NHL Draft as selected by NHL Central Scouting will be on display, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible. Tickets for the two-day event are $49, which includes both the Skills Competition and the game. There are also special holiday ticket packages available which include this special event – contact Jason Hickman at 905-433-0900 ext. 2226. Generals notes – John Tavares (17-1936) had six points in two games for the generals this past week to remain third in the OHL scoring race heading into this week’s action…James DeLory was returned to the Generals from the Florida Panthers this past week and is playing forward for the first time in his career on a line with Tavares…The Generals Store has a new shipment of team related merchandise and will be open longer hours during the holidays. Check this space next week for expanded holiday store hours. Page 17 Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $25 (plus gst) for 25 words Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $25 for a 1 col x 1” (Boxed) (plus gst) $42 for a 1 col x 2” (Boxed) (plus gst) ANTIQUES ANTIQUES EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT APARTMENTS RENTALS ATTENTION Local people needed to work from home online. $500-$4,500. PT, FT - Call Brenda 1-888-349-8462 ANNOUNCEMENTS CLEANING I will not discriminate against Handi-capped people Robert Ellis Orange Bowling League 16 years experience Excellent rates Call Bonnie 905-720-0420 DENTAL DENTAL WILL CLEAN YOUR HOME Two Women Cleaning DENTAL REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS OFFICE SPACE - 800 sq. ft. Office Space, Hwy 401 location in Oshawa. Lots of parking, large, open space, move-in ready. $500/ mo, util. incl. Call 905434-7409. For Rent Bachelor Apt. Private entrance Suits student or working single non-smoker $595.00 905-728-1517 UNFURNISHED APARTMENTS FOR RENT Wilson/Olive 1 Bdrm. $675 incl. all Util. Call Frank (905) 433-7742 or toll free 1-800-565-2062 EVENTS EVENTS Place your ad here EVENTS Call 905-571-7334 for details! www.oshawaexpress.ca FINANCIAL FINANCIAL FINANCIAL Shared accomodation, suits professional, large century home Available immediately $450/month 1st&last Call for details 905-922-6605 Port Perry Island Small 2 bed farmhouse w/ 2500 sq. ft workshop w/ hydraulic hoist. Avail. immediately $1,600+utilities call 905-985-6671 RETAIL STORE FOR LEASE RENTALS RENTALS RENTALS OSHAWA - 600 & 950 s/f retail store - many uses busy plaza up to 3 months free rent toll free 1-800-565-2062 or danlaw@bellnet.ca SERVICE Call 905-5717334 or email advertising@osha waexpress.ca THE BEST DEAL IN TOWN! Page 18 Phone: 905-571-7334 Fax: 905-571-0255 A1 Home Sitters and Snowplowing Homesitting, outside maintenance, mail gathering and emergency services. Snowplowing services also available. 905-723-4156 “WE’RE HERE WHEN YOU’RE NOT” Email: advertising@oshawaexpress.ca Nov 19 2008 Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $25 (plus gst) for 25 words Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $25 for a 1 col x 1” (Boxed) (plus gst) $42 for a 1 col x 2” (Boxed) (plus gst) SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES OBITUARIES OBITUARIES OBITUARIES PIERSON Olive May (Member of Emmanuel Baptist Church) Gone to be with her Lord and Saviour. Suddenly after a brief illness on Sunday November 16, 2008 Olive (nee Paulson) in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late Ernest Pierson and Frederick LeCraw. Mother of the late Verna Robichaud and remembered by son-in-law Gerald Robertson. Fondly remembered by her grandchildren Gerald and his wife Karen Robertson, Ricky and his wife Linda Robertson, Paul and his wife Pam Robertson, Diane and her husband Doug Hughes, Linda and her husband Laverne Howe, Marion and her husband Tom White, Julie and her husband Mark Rose and by twenty great-grandchildren and twenty four great-great- grandchildren. Sister of the late Arthur E. Paulson. Remembered by relatives in Lindsay, Orillia, Fenelon Falls and Norland. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME LTD., 152 King Street East, Oshawa (905-433-5558) on Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A service will be held in the chapel on Friday November 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Fenelon Falls Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. On-line condolences may be made at www.mcintoshanderson.com. MAVES Delta May At Lakeridge Health Corp. Oshawa on Sunday November 16, 2008. Delta in her 89th year. Beloved wife of the late Wesley Maves. Loving sister of Lila Adams of Oshawa, Velma Hill of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Robert Burgess of California, Marjory Aldred of Oshawa and the late Audrey Panke and Cordella Hoy. Fondly remembered aunt of Lorain Davis, Bruce and Neil Adams, Nadine Phillips, Linda Pirinen, Devlyn Putsey, Phillip Hill, Marlowe Burgess, Beth Miracle and their families. The many loving relationships with the Maves families in Pembroke will always be remembered. Relatives and friends may call in the “Assembly Room” of the Pioneer Apartments, 1250 King Street East, Oshawa on Saturday November 22, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. until time of memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Interment of cremated remains in the Alice Evangelical United Church Cemetery in Alice, Ontario on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Donations in memory of Delta to Kingsway College Worthy Student Fund would be appreciated and may be made through McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME LTD., 152 King Street East, Oshawa (905-433-5558). On-line condolences may be made at www.mcintoshanderson.com SERVICE DIRECTORY Ads Call 905-571-7334 $25 for a 1 col x 1” (Boxed) (plus gst) $42 for a 1 col x 2” (Boxed) (plus gst) Automotive Dental Flooring Home Renovations DOYLE CARPENTRY Interior & Exterior Renovations * Sheds * Framing * Drywall * Taping * Painting * Doors & Trims * General Repairs Call Jeff: 905-697-2106 Contractors CUSTOM PAINTING Ryan Appleton Estate Planning Mortgage & Loans Painting Contractor Interior/Exterior for FREE ESTIMATE Quality Workmanship “Generation to Generation” Call 905-260-1083 Call 905-571-7334 or email advertising@oshawaexpress.ca THE GARDENER Fall Clean Ups, Snow Plowing Free estimates Flooring Home Decor & Furnishings 905-432-2279 www.hirethegardener.com THE BEST DEAL IN TOWN! Phone: 905-571-7334 Fax: 905-571-0255 Email: advertising@oshawaexpress.ca NOV 19 2008 Page 19 Page 20 NOV 19 2008