March 19 2008 - Low
Transcription
March 19 2008 - Low
$1.00 Your Independent Local News Source Vol 3 No 21 Wednesday, March 19 2008 City hall to undergo $12.3M renovation By Jessica Verge The Oshawa Express discussed for so long become a reality. This (project) has been well Construction crews will be thought out and well articulated, taking over city hall next month as he says, adding he is looking fora two-year plan to renovate the ward to plans moving ahead even civic building moves ahead. further. Council approved a $12.3 milBut the project hasnt been lion project last summer aimed at without its opponents. revitalizing the Centre Street The taxpayer is not going to structure with construction slated see the value of this building, for this April. Renovations to says John Neal, Ward 7 councilRundle Tower are schedlor, who calls the project uled to begin April 30 another waste of with demolition of the Amoney. Wing building and counNeal believes the cil chamber in June and funds would be better construction of a new spent elsewhere. council chamber beginIts all about priorining in October. ties, he says. Completion of the But Gray argues that entire project, which is the $12.3 million plan John Gray being managed by will have no impact on Dennis OConnell of taxes. Independent Project Managers According to city staff, the with architectural services by project is funded by a $2.1 million Barry Bryan Associates, is sched- Green Municipal Fund Loan, uled for June 2010. $250,000 of which is a grant Mayor John Gray says its sat- negotiated as part of the 2003 isfying to see an idea that has been See ENERGY Page 9 Former Windsor Spitfires teammate shows his respect See story page 12 Photo by Courtney Duffett/The Oshawa Express Prepping for pearly whites Crystal Balson gets a cleaning from Carli Bouma, a second-year student in the dental hygienist program at Durham College. The clinic is open to the public during the school year and is always looking for new clients. See story on page 5. Rundle House faces demo By Jessica Verge The Oshawa Express A controversial piece of property could be facing the wrecking ball soon if last ditch efforts at city hall dont go as planned. After years of debate over the historical value of Rundle House, the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, which bought the 364 Simcoe St. N. address in 1991, is planning to file a demolition application and start construction on a residence for out-of-town cancer patients. But the city is pulling together a public meeting in an effort to save Rundle House from demolition, offering community members the chance to weigh on whether theyd prefer the cancer lodge to be built in Alexandria Park instead of tearing town the historic home. We simply must have a cancer residence, said Oshawa Hospital Foundation president Chuck Powers, who appeared as a delegation before councils development services committee on Monday. But Powers is willing to explore the option of building in Alexandria Park (a city-owned property) and agreed to hold off on demolition until a public meeting is held. Now Ward 5 councillors Louise Parkes and John Henry, who serve as chair and vice-chair of development services, respectively, are preparing to rally those living in the neighbourhood and get some public input. While a date for the public meeting hasnt been set, the goal is to hold it prior to the April 21 council meeting. And the pressure is on to move quickly. We need the residence and we need it built very soon, said Powers. Three years ago, as Lakeridge Health constructed the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, which opened last May, the hospital foundation went to council about demolishing Rundle House to make room for a cancer lodge. Powers said the idea of renovating the interior was explored, but the structure was found to be too small and plagued with mold, making it impossible to See WRECKING Page 8 Beatty joins ranks of superintendent John Beatty has become the new superintendent of education for Brock, Uxbridge and Scugog schools, Durham Continuing Education and Durham Alternative Secondary School for the Durham District School Board effective Monday. Beatty is the boards former student success officer, where he led system-wide initiatives in literacy, numeracy, pathways, community, culture and caring. An educator for more than 29 years, Beatty was principal at Brock High School and Sinclair Secondary School, a vice-principal at Sinclair as well as Harwood Secondary School and Exeter High School. In addition to a variety of teaching posts at Durham public schools, he was also a technological studies consultant during which time he fostered the development of the School Workplace Apprenticeship Program. And during his time as a teacher, Beatty created a cooperative education pathway for student direct entry to the workplace. John is an exemplary educational leader who brings a breath of experience enabling him to support the unique needs of students in our northern communities and to continue his excellent work in ensuring success for all students, said Martyn Beckett, director of education for the Durham John Beatty District School Board. On behalf of the board, it is my pleasure to officially welcome John Beatty to the Durham District School Boards leadership team. Oshawa is on the Earth Hour bandwagon You are encouraged to do your part for the environment and spend some time in the dark March 29. The City of Oshawa, Region of Durham, Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board are participating in Earth Hour, a global initiative sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, aimed at raising awareness about climate change. Residents and businesses are urged join in the effort and turn off all nonessential lights from 8 to 9 p.m. Collectively we can meet the challenge of climate change by taking individual action and turning off the lights. By taking part in this challenge, we are raising awareness in this global fight, said councillor Louise Parkes in a press release. Both the city and the region are using the event as an opportunity to highlight other environment efforts. Participating in Earth Hour is just one of the ways the city is staying environmentally conscious. Other achievements include being the first municipality in Ontario to endorse the We Conserve Program, recovering and recycling more than 90 per cent of waste at city hall and the use of bio-diesel fuel in some city vehicles. As well, energy improvements made to city hall, the Arts Resource Centre, McLaughlin Library and Robert McLaughlin Gallery help cut greenhouse gases by 3,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide and lower energy costs by 50 per cent. Durham Region will reduce lighting at several of its facilities during Earth Hour, including all water supply plants and water pollution control plants. In addition, only emergency lighting will be used in the parking garage at regional headquarters. At Regional Headquarters in Whitby, the use of timers and motion sensors in the building results in reduced lighting levels on weeknights and weekends. And, energy-efficient light bulbs are utilized in this building and in its parking garage. Works Department depots always turn their lights out when the facilities are closed. And the Regions four long-term care facilities, Hillsdale Estates, Hillsdale Terraces, Fairview Lodge and Lakeview Manor, always utilize reduced lighting levels at night. The Regional Municipality of Durham is Three arrested after cabby assaulted Police have two males and one female in custody after a cab driver was struck on the head with an object and hit repeatedly during a robbery in Oshawa. On March 18 around 3 a.m., Durham police were called to the area of Grenfell and Gibb streets in Oshawa on a report of a robbery. The male victim, a Blue Line taxi driver, reported he picked up a male and a female at an address on Vancouver Crescent and was en route to an address on Grenfell Street. The occupants began assaulting and spitting at the driver and ordered him to stop in front of an apartment complex at 385 Gibb St. The female occupant exited the cab and yelled for a third male, who attended and struck the victim with an object. The two males punched the victim on the face and head for several moments while demanding money. All three suspects fled Page 2 south towards Grenfell Street empty-handed. A broken liquor bottle was located near the scene and police have not ruled out the possibility that it was used to strike the victim on the head. The victim was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and later released. Police assisted by the canine unit attended the scene. The canine unit tracked and located one of the suspects. All three parties were arrested in the area. A 21-year-old man on Pearson Street has been charged with robbery, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and breach of recognizance. A 19-year-old woman of Grenfell Street is charged with robbery, assault causing bodily harm and breach of probation. And a 17-year-old Oshawa youth has been charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm. proud to take part in such an important initiative, said chair Roger Anderson in a press release. Along with many of the local municipalities in Durham, we urge residents and businesses to show their support by turning off all non-essential lighting during Earth Hour. The first Earth House was held in Sydney, Australia in 2007 where 2.2 million people turned off their lights for one hour, reducing the citys energy consumption by more than 10 per cent. For more information about the Earth Hour campaign visit www.earthhour.org. Police step up traffic safety Durham Regional Police have launched increased enforcement this week, following the end of the March Break. In an attempt to increase roadway safety, officers will target select school and community zones for the entire week. Motorists are reminded that due to the heavy snowfall, large snow banks, ice and possibly flooding may make the sidewalks and other paths impassable. This may cause pedestrians to seek alternative or unusual routes. Police are asking motorists to watch for pedestrians, use caution and to slow down. Officers will be using zero tolerance towards all aggressive and unsafe driving practices. Pedestrians are reminded to use crosswalks, school crossings and obey all intersection signals when attempting to cross streets to and from school. Failure to do so could result in a charge. Bogus credit card used at several stores Durham police are looking for a male responsible for using a fraudulent credit card. On Feb. 27 around 5 p.m., the male suspect attempted to purchase an LCD projector at Staples Canada, located at 16 Harwood Avenue South in Ajax, using a stolen credit card. The suspect fled the scene after being questioned by staff, leaving behind the fraudulent VISA card and a fraudulent Ontario Drivers License. Investigators later discovered the credit card was used at EB Games, Home Depot, Rona, Shoppers Drug Mart and Staples Canada, all located in Whitby, earlier in the day on Feb. 27. Police have linked the suspect directly to the Home Depot incident and believe he may also be responsible for frauds at the other four stores. Total loss to the five stores is estimated at $4,800. The suspect is described as a white male between 22 and 29 years old with short black hair and a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black coat, blue jeans and white shoes. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-579-1520. Police looking for vehicle involved in thefts Durham police are looking for a suspect vehicle involved in ongoing thefts from the Ajax and Pickering area. The vehicle was captured on surveillance video in the area of Notion Road. The van is believed to be a green Dodge Caravan and has a large dent on the drivers side above the rear wheel. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-579-1520. MARCH 19 2008 GM still off the job By Courtney Duffett The Oshawa Express A strike by an auto supplier in the U.S. continues to keep 2,400 Oshawa area GM workers off the job. The truck plant has lost two weeks of production, or about 10,000 vehicles, because of the strike in the states, according to Patty Faith, director of communications for GM. Some employees and production at A.G. Simpson have also been affected by the strike. As far as predictions go, I believe when we do come back to work, we will be working lots of overtime to make up for lost production (in the truck plant), said Keith Osborne, chairperson of Oshawa plants at the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 222. And if the strike is still on by April 1, it will also have an impact on the car plant, which will have to shut down as the company in the U.S. makes stabilizer bars for the Chevy Impala, produced here, Osborne added. If that happens, Osborne said another three shifts, or 3,500 employees, will be affected. And if the strike continues into April, we will definitely start to feel the pinch as the lots will start depleting of stock. Some 3,600 American Axle workers walked off the job in Michigan and New York on Feb. 26 after talks broke off between the employer and the United Auto Workers (UAW). As a side note, however, MARCH 19 2008 production at Oshawas car plant has skyrocketed because the Chevrolet Impala is selling so well in the U.S. The Impala has always done very well, said Faith, adding that GM has offered overtime the last three Saturdays because of the high demand for the vehicle. Faith adds that more overtime is expected. As well, Faith says GM has increased its line rate, which results in an extra 42 vehicles being produced every day. Page 3 Yes, you count on Earth Hour Kudos to our municipal and regional governments and our two school boards for getting on board the Earth Hour bandwagon. This global movement began as a simple gesture a mere year ago, when two million residents in Sydney, Australia, turned off all lights for one hour to enjoy quiet darkness. It happened on March 29, 2007, between 8 and 9 p.m. That campaign reduced energy consumption in Sydney by 10.2 per cent for one hour. This year, Earth Hour is spreading around the globe, with cities and towns, businesses and individuals taking the initiative to flick off the switches on all non-essential lighting for one hour. It is really quite a unique approach, the brainchild of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), to raise awareness about the impact of global warming. What is so unique about it is it allows each and every one of us to participate in our own little way. That kind of inclusive event can engage us all in making a difference on behalf of the environment. There is a web site in which your family or your business can sign up and be counted. Its www.earthhour.org, and it contains all the background and answers you need, as well as ways you and your family can make a difference. If your kids havent already urged you to sign up, sit down with them and sign up together. When you do, you automatically get your own URL that allows you to track your carbon footprint and receive tips and tools on ways you can reduce your personal impact on global warming. Its a fun, interactive and informative way to become involved in a worldwide initiative, and it doesnt cost a cent. According to the web site, as of 11 a.m. on March 19, 373 people from Oshawa had signed up; 36,293 from Canada; and 138,129 from around the world. How more inclusive can you get? So, join the global movement to address the urgency of global warming. Be part of the solution, and be counted on a global scale. Page 4 600 Thornton Rd. S. Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 [email protected] phone: (905) 571-7334 fax: (905) 571-0255 MARCH 19 2008 Volume 3, Number 21 Publisher Greg McDowell Advertising Director Kim Boatman Contributing Editor Wendy Gallagher Editor Cindy Woods Sports Editor Wally Donaldson [email protected] Reporters Jessica Verge [email protected] Courtney Duffett [email protected] Contributors Bill Fox, Amber Nowak, Glen Goodhand Energy Fair a success Dear Editor: The Oshawa Energy Conservation Fair held at the Legends Centre on Feb. 27 was extremely successful. The very large turnout for this event proves that there is a definite need for tangible solutions to energy questions and concerns and that the public is thirsty for more knowledge. Although all the councillors were invited to attend, only Mayor John Gray accepted. Oshawa citizens realize we must conserve our resources and make better use of the technologies that are available to promote sustainability through wise choices and positive actions. The public wants a "user-friendly" forum to explore new research and practical solutions. They realize that by saving energy, they are also saving the environment and putting cash in their own pockets. We definitely need more forums like this. Many thanks to Glenn McKnight of the Energy Conservation Society of Ontario and Joan Kerr of the Foundation for Building Sustainable Communities for organizing this engaging and most informative day. Pat Gostlin Federal Green Party Candidate Oshawa Riding Having hope is nothing new Even when I submit an item for the editorial page I hope they will print it. Hope is not only the name of a famous comedian or found in my name Hope has always been and will continue to exist as long as people love on this blue planet. Much chitchat is abounding on talk radio/TV shows about hope in light of the fact that a young man wants very much to be the next president of the U.S. And all he has said so far is that he can bring not only change, but hope. The thing that befuddles me is that hope is not new on the world stage. No extemporaneous speaker can bring hope any more than any other as its always lived within the confines of mans heart to hope. R.S. McLaughlin, Don Jackson, Cascious Clay, Stephen Harper, the boy next door and the mayor of our city, like you and I, hope. Hope existed in the space travels to the moon. Hope was there when thousands were drowning around the Titanic. Hope was there in two major world wars. Hope was in the heart of the Wilsons as they settled in the Oshawa Harbour years before this newspaper was even launched. This city of Oshawa has had many thousands of hope people. On the assembly line, on horses, at kitchen tables, in government. Yes, this U.S. presidential hopeful might think he has hope to offer Americans and the world, but hope is old hat. That dying child in Africa, that starving child in Peru or that as of yet un-adopted child in the orphanage in Russia are all hopeful for a something radical to bring them an end to their dilem- ma. Thank God for hope, I say. Thank God people sense hope is much needed and respond to the call as they see and hear of it. My hope since a little boy is to see man loving mankind much more. Hope lives within me to trust that people will slow down, respect and love their fellow man and this hope will reside in me until I pass away as Oshawas one time number one fan. From 10 years walking the streets of this world, I have seen too much of anything but love. As long as we pursue money, hatred and ignore others, we will not find the love and care we need to cloak ourselves with to live at peace and in harmony. Lets together really hope that mankind will cast off these vicious practices and habits, and acquire a newfound taste to love others in spite of himself. Oh yes, and lets hope that people will love this wonderful city of Oshawa and the fantastic country that it is in. Publications Mail Agreement 41268024 Return undeliverable Canadian address to: The Oshawa Express 600 Thornton Rd. S. Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 ISSN 1715-9253 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: [email protected] 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 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 The Oshawa Express and Dowellman Publishing Corp. Letters to the Editor The Oshawa Express publishes every Wednesday in the City of Oshawa. Send us your comments, letters to the editor, suggestions. Wed like to hear from you. Please write to: The Oshawa Express, 600 Thornton Rd. S., Oshawa, ON L1J 6W7 or email: [email protected] MARCH 19 2008 New state-of-the-art dental clinic at Durham College a success Clients have reason to smile By Courtney Duffett The Oshawa Express paperwork while working with the clients. But Balson says she doesCrystal Balson couldnt be happier with nt mind how long it takes to the level of professionalism and care she do the appointment. gets at the dental clinic at Durham College. You will always feel like Balson has been going to dental hygien- (the students) are interested in ist Carli Bouma at the dental hygienist you and that they care about clinic at Durham College for almost two what theyre doing, says years and is pleased with the results. Balson. Its very professional care, says The dental hygienist proBalson. (All the students) do a good job. gram is accredited by the denAnd the price is right. tal accreditation commission, Today, Bouma will be giving which gives stuBalson a cleaning. dents portability You cant tell (Carli) is just across the country. a student, says Balson. She The new dental not tentative at all and feels like clinic, less than a real dentist would. three years old, This year, 48 students are joins another clinic attending the two-year dental on campus that hygienist program at Durham opened in 1997 and College in the School of Health is being used by and Community Services, studystudents in the den- Crystal Balson tal assistants proing in the new state-of-the-art dental clinic that opened in gram. 2005. Pegg says there are many Each student in second year are allowed happy, returning clients that up to 30 clients each, cleaning, taking x- come to the clinic to visit with rays and patient history, assessing the the dental hygienists, adding clients gums and teeth, and discussing many of those clients happen treatment plans. to be students of Durham The dental hygienist students at Durham College and the University of College can do everything a registered den- Ontario Institute of tal hygienist can do in the field, says Technology (UOIT). Donna Pegg, one of the programs profesThe dental clinic sees at sors and a registered dental hygienist. least 1,500 clients a year, and Photo by Courtney Duffett/The Oshawa Express It is a good community service, adds student enrolment has almost Pegg. (Clients) are happy because they doubled in the last couple Laura OConnell, a second-year student in the dental hygienist program at Durham College prepares and cleans her are getting great, professional care. tools before her first patient in the new state-of-the-art dental clinic at the college, which opened in 2005. years. While students are working in the clinPegg says the program at ic, there are always four registered dental Durham College is a 100 per cent success hygienists and one dentist on site to assist. rate in the workforce for graduates, thanks Three hours are scheduled with the stu- to a curriculum that reflects todays dental dent dental hygienists which includes needs. Its very professional care. (All the students) do a good job. University running out of space By Courtney Duffett The Oshawa Express Oshawas university may be searching outside of the north-end campus for space. The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is growing and will continue to grow faster than we can build buildings, says Paul McErlean, vice president of finance and administration. And Ive got to find a solution to some of our growth. When it opened its doors five years ago, UOITs population was about 900. Currently, the north-end campus, which is home to students from Trent, UOIT and Durham College, has a total of some 12,000 students, 5,000 of whom are studying at UOIT. And McErlean says the number of students at UOIT and the rest of the campus will only increase in the coming years. It is estimated that full-time enrolment at UOIT will reach about 6,500 students by 2010. McErlean says the university has been discussing for about a year what to do with the lack of space on campus and is looking in and around downtown Oshawa for additional office and building space. He says the university is considering moving the faculty of education program for the bachelor of education program offcampus, if it comes down to it. The program is autonomous of the other faculties, says McErlean, adding such a move would relieve some pressure off the space for classrooms and labs. However, he says that nothing has even come close to a final decision and talking about moving part of the universitys campus off-site is still ongoing and will be for quite some time. City could approve heavy traffic prohibition on Tecumseh City staff is recommending council approve a heavy traffic prohibition on Tecumseh Avenue between Somerville Street and a point 10 metres east of Hortop Street. The recommendation comes after a complaint filed by an area resident about the volume of trucks that travel the road to access loading facilities for businesses at the southwest corner of Simcoe Street and MARCH 19 2008 Tecumseh. The trucks use Tecumseh as an alternative to Simcoe. While requests to the businesses were effective, not all drivers did as they were asked and all residents were in agreement that the prohibition should be imposed. If approved by council, the initiative comes at a cost of $300 to install a sign. Page 5 Easter weekend alters garbage pickup You are reminded waste collection this weekend changes because of the Easter holidays. Waste collection changes will occur for those homes with regular curbside pickups scheduled for March 21 and March 24. Residents in Oshawa and Whitby are advised that Blue Box collection scheduled for March 21 and March 24 is cancelled. You are asked to place your Blue Box materials out for collection on the next regularly scheduled collection date. Garbage and Green Bin pickup for Oshawa and Whitby is the responsibility of the individual municipalities, not the Region of Durham. You are asked to check your waste calendars or contact your local municipality regarding collection of these items during the Easter weekend. Residents in Pickering, Ajax, Clarington and the Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge with garbage, Green Bin and Blue Box collection scheduled for March 21 will have their waste picked up on March 22. You are reminded to have waste materials at the curb by 7 a.m. on the day of collection. For more information, contact the Durham Region works department at 1-800-667-5671. Honour environmental heroes Do you know of any local environmental heroes who deserve recognition? Earth Day Canada, a national environmental charity, has launched a search for do-gooders across the country. The 2008 Hometown Heroes Award will recognize personal environmental achievement at the local level. The winner receives a cash prize of $5,000 and an additional $5,000 to donate to the environ- mental cause of their choice. Examples of a candidate can include someone involved in a community garden initiative, working to protect natural spaces, or running their own environmental network or organization. The Hometown Heroes Award wants environmental leaders who have shown commitment and achieved results in their community. Last years winner was Robert OBrien, founder of Newfoundland-based Ocean Net, which focuses on ocean clean up. Nominations are open until Earth Day, April 22. The winner will be recognized at the 5th Annual Earthy Day Canada Gala in Toronto on June 18. To nominate oneself, an individual or group or for more details, visit www.earthday.ca/hometown. March marks National Nutrition Month National Nutrition Month brings public awareness to the valuable contribution that healthy eating makes to overall health. Its a great opportunity for all of us to think about how we can eat healthier, be more active and feel great. Dietitians are the most trusted source of accurate, reliable nutrition information and they provide practical solutions that will put us on the right road to better health. Wise food choices play an important role Page 6 in reducing your risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and osteoporosis. Daily physical activity is needed to stay healthy and youll benefit from improved fitness, self-esteem and an overall sense of well being. In 2004, nearly one-quarter of Canadian adults were obese and an additional onethird were overweight. Thats over 14 million adults carrying excess weight! The numbers are just as alarming for youth 26% of Canadian children and teens aged 2 to 17 were overweight or obese. Dietitians of Canadas Top 10 List of healthy eating ideas and activities is what you need to know to help you make positive lifestyle changes. By following these simple tips, youll be well on your way to eating well and feeling better. Dietitians Top 10 List what you need to know... 1. Want to feel your best? Eat well and get physical! 2. Benefit from balance challenge and support family members to achieve and maintain healthy weights 3. Quality counts whether at home, school, work or play, keep healthy food choices top of mind! 4. Give your food portions a makeover tune in to moderation in serving sizes 5. Colour your world with vegetables and fruit! 6. Be a savvy shopper get the nutrition facts on foods from the label 7. Make meal time a family affair! 8. Healthy eating is more than a flash in the pan its a lifetime commitment 9. Make www.dietitians.ca your go to place for trusted nutrition information and fun healthy eating ideas! 10. Have a food or nutrition question? Ask a Registered Dietitian Make a change for the better with your food intake. Experiment with adding nuts, seeds and legumes to salads to improve fibre intake and set a goal of serving fish twice a week to get more healthy fats. Add one new vegetable or fruit as a snack to boost your antioxidant intake. The options are endless do it your way, slowly but steadily until it becomes a habit. MARCH 19 2008 Making a big purchase? Call AmeriSpec first Like almost everything else, a home purchase has become much more complex and riskier than ever with many potential surprises awaiting the unsuspecting home buyer. Furnaces are getting older, plumbing and electrical standards have changed (especially as it relates to insurance coverage!) and there are countless former marijuana grow houses with hidden problems. Any of the above issues can cause untold amounts of expense and heartache and very few individuals have the training to effectively and confidently identify these conditions. Incidentally, many homeowners are having inspections performed on their own home prior to listing it for sale, making it much more attractive to potential purchasers. AmeriSpec Inspection Service Durham & Toronto East has been offering this service for approximately 10 years now, and has become the preferred inspection company for many real estate and relocation companies. A division of ServiceMaster, a Fortune 500 C o m p a n y , A m e r i Sp e c I n s p e c t i o n Services performs more inspections across North America than any other company. AmeriSpec also is the premier delivery agent of ecoEnergy evaluations on behalf of Natural Resources Canada. With an ecoEnergy evaluation, AmeriSpec can identify energy saving opportunities in your house and qualify you for generous government rebates. So if you think its time to upgrade that old furnace or windows, call AmeriSpec first. Not only are the federal government rebates being matched by the provincial government, but the province is also offering rebates on the actual evaluation cost! And best of all, we do all the paperwork! Its a win-win situation. You can qualify for rebates on your upgrades while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Get further information by calling 1 800 463 9457. Daniel Silcox Owner/operator AmeriSpec Inspection Service Durham & Toronto East Preparing your lawn for spring (NC)-With the warm weather approaching it is the perfect time to get your lawn ready for the spring season. The lawn and garden team at Canadian Tire have the following tips to help ensure your lawn gets a healthy start this season. To ensure even thawing and prevent diseases like snow mould, remove snow piles from your lawn or spread the snow evenly across the lawn. Clean unwanted debris that may have accumulated over the winter months. Aerate and weed your lawn to improve water, air and fertilizer uptake. Choose a manual weeder like the Fiskars telescopic stand up weeder that removes the entire root of invasive weeds, eliminating the need for herbicide use. Healthy, thick lawns naturally deter weeds and other pests. Choose a natural fertilizer, like Scott's eco sense fertilizer, that is ideal for planting new lawns or repairing bare starts to give your lawn a healthy start. In preparation for the spring gardening season, check your equipment to ensure it is in good working condition. Don't forget to sharpen the blades on lawn mowers and weeders. Purchase a composter and get started on turning household waste into organic fertilizer for your lawn and garden. MARCH 19 2008 Page 7 Wrecking ball could hit Rundle House WRECKING from Page 1 accommodate those with cancer. The foundation agreed to investigate alternative sites, but three years later, no suitable, affordable spot was found. Unfortunately we have not been able to produce a superior site, said Powers. The cancer lodge requires a sterile environment with 20 to 22 bedrooms accommodating two people each. As well, it needs living and kitchen space, and must be close to both the cancer centre and 24-hour emergency services. Powers said Durhams cancer centre is one of few that does not currently offer accommodation to out-oftown patients, those living at least 70 km away from the hospital. Currently, those patients must stay in hotels while The Oshawa Hospital Foundation is planning to submit a demolition permit for Rundle House, located at receiving an hour of daily 364 Simcoe St. N., in order to build accommodations for out-of-town cancer patients. treatment. If the proposed idea to currently located) doesnt work out, We have reached the end of our locate the residence in Alexandria Park Powers said the foundation will move rope, said Powers. We have got to get (specifically where the tennis courts are forward with demolition. this done. Rundle House: a timeline J u n e 1 0 , 2 0 0 5 : Heritage Oshawa requested council consider designating Rundle Housewhich was built in 1916 and purchased by Dr. James Edward Rundle, a prominent Oshawa citizen, in 1959as a heritage property. Heritage Oshawa informed the city they had no objection to the interior being renovated as a cancer lodge. O c t . 3 , 2 0 0 5 : City council defeated the recommendation by the development services committee to authorize staff to begin the heritage designation process for Rundle House. O c t . 5 , 2 0 0 5 : Council directed staff to undertake procedures to designate the Simcoe Street North corridor (from Adelaide Avenue to Rossland Road) as a heritage conservation district. The area was designated as a Heritage Conservation Study Area for one year with an interim control bylaw enacted to stop alterations and demolitions in the meantime. M a r c h 2 0 0 6 : Bray Heritage undertakes The Heritage Conservation District Study. Ma y 3 , 2 0 0 6 : The Ontario Municipal Board rescinds the interim control bylaw. A p r i l 1 6 , 2 0 0 7 : The development services committee considered the study, which found the area has sufficient historical value but proceeding with designation needed public support. The committee decided to table the report for one year, directing staff to prepare a report due out next month that includes a process for designation and a timeline for consulting with property owners. Me to we It seems to me that one of the problems with our world today is that we focus too much on ME and not enough on WE. If you watched the movie, Sicko, you would have heard it mentioned that in Canada, England, France and even Cuba, the health care systems are based on WE not ME. Unfortunately in the U.S. without their own form of medicare, their medical insurance system is based on profit, and therefore a sickly individual with high needs is seen as a threat to the profits and as a liability. In the movie, Tony Benn, a retired British politician, had an interesting slant on the way that governments are run. He says the poor should get out and vote for the people who represent their interests. The problem is that the poor often dont vote because they lack hope and have become pessimistic. Benn goes on to say that this debt that we seem encouraged to get into,does that to many of us, and studies show that hopeless people do not even get out and vote. I was somewhat surprised that Hillary Clinton loaned $5 million to her campaign fund. Where did she and Bill get that kind of money? Obama has said his books are open for all to see. The Clintons, maybe rightfully so, are not showing their sources of income. Do either of these candidates reflect the American public? Do they represent the WE of the citizens, or the richer classes? Just think of the situation in the states. We are just seeing an end to a father-son team in the Bush administrations, and now our neighbours could be embarking on a husPage 8 band-wife tandem? If we all operated on the basis of WE instead of ME, would there have been concern over the recent American satellite that was sent into space with a toxic fuel tank? You would think that whatever spy mission this satellite was on, the safety of all of US, not just the U.S., would take precedence? As was reported a few weeks ago, President Bush approved the shootdown mission last week, deciding it was important to destroy the toxic hydrazine fuel to prevent any possible injuries if the satellite came down in a populated area. I, for one, am thankful, that the missile hit the targeted satellite. Think of what the consequences could have been! Would our local finance minister belittle cities for their economic woes, and tell them that the federal government is not in the pothole business if he was concerned more with WE rather than Me and my Conservatives in power? It would seem to me that whether it be an issue in Northern Saskatchewan or Southern Newfoundland, WE are in this together. What goes around comes around. As I see it, a problem with many politicians is they can be overly concerned with Me not We. They fear their decisions may cost them an election. Whether the federal Liberals really did not like Mr. Flahertys recent budget did not seem to be the issue. The issue to the Liberals seemed to be if I defeated this budget would I get re-elected? We eagerly await our next tax bills. So far the predictions seem to indicate a four per cent or higher bill. Now just to remind local politicians, many of US are on fixed incomes, and again many of US never get raises of four per cent annually, so how can YOU raise the taxes that high? Please take into account that WE all have to be in this together. Maybe the renovations to City Hall, just like our home renovations, may have to be put off until WE can afford them. Comments? Email BillFoxExpress @hotmail.com. MARCH 19 2008 Advertorial B.G. Schickedanz offers lovely locales, lofty lifestyles This graphic illustrates what Oshawa City Hall will look like in June 2010, when the renovation project is complete. The current council chamber and A-Wing will be demolished with a new council chamber constructed in its place. Construction at city hall to start next month ENERGY from Page 1 energy retrofit project with Ameresco, an energy solutions company. The Ameresco project saw city hall, the Arts Resource Centre, McLaughlin Public Library and Robert McLaughlin Gallery updated with new windows and lights, heating and cooling systems and new electrical systems, all geared at making the buildings more energy efficient. Funding is also coming from a Major Facility Replacement Reserve, interfund note, and an Oshawa Power and Utilities Corporation special dividend. The loans will be repaid over 10 years from energy and maintenance savings. Gray says the project is less expensive than building a new city hall from the ground up and believes its opponents are only doing so for political gain. However, Neal says the issue never came up during the last municipal election and no candidate informed their voters they would be supporting such a project. But cost hasnt been the only item to draw debate. Project managers recommended doing away with the second floor cafeteria in lieu of kitchenettes and lunchrooms on all floors. But the majority of council took issue with the availability of coffee, other drinks and snacks, especially with the number of public meetings held in the building. The item was referred back to staff for more study. And Gray believes it is likely city hall would retain some form of food service. I think we can still accommodate something as far as coffee and tea, he says. Oshawa City Hall Revitalization Plan Cost and Funding Strategy Summary Capital Cost Functional Improvements Rundle Tower/B-Wing $6,500,000 New Council Chamber $4,300,000 New Campus Area in Civic Square $1,500,000 Total Capital Costs/Funding Requirements $12,300,000 Funding Strategy Green Municipal Fund Loan and Grant $2,100,000 Major Facility Replacement Reserve $3,300,000 Interfund Note $6,400,000 Proceeds OPUC Special Dividend $500,000 City Hall renovation schedule A p r i l 3 0 , 2 0 0 8 : Opening of temporary customer service centre. April 30, 2008 to June 2010: Renovations to Rundle Tower. May 1, 2008: Staff will start to be moved off-site. Approximately 12,000 sq. ft. is needed for a period of two and a half years. Possible sites to move staff to include 22 King St. W. (Great Canadian Bagel building) or 17 King St. E. (Avanti Restaurant building), which are located within the downtown and were preferred by councillors over a third option, 111 Simcoe St. N. (RBC Securities building), which is outside of the downtown. June 16, 2008: Council offices will be temporarily relocated to the first floor B-Wing. June 20 08 to November 2008: A-Wing and council chamber demolition. Oct. 31, 2008: Permanent council offices relocated to second floor B-Wing. October 2008 to December 2009: New council chamber will be constructed. June 2010: Full project completion. Total Funding $12,300,000 Onley to attend Oshawa awards Ontarios Lieutenant Governor stops in Oshawa tonight to shine a spotlight on people with disabilities. David Onley will attend the Durham Region Employment Network (DREN) 2008 EmployABILITY Awards, which recognizes persons with disabilities, and employers and agencies that have worked together towards MARCH 19 2008 a successful employment opportunity. Mayor John Gray and councillor April Cullen will hand out the awards while Paul Feldman, who designed a sophisticated wheelchair, gives a presentation on his technology, which uses a motion sensor in the headrest to move the chair and complete tasks around the house, such as opening doors, turning on the television and changing channels. The EmployABILITY Awards are funded by Ontario Disability Employment Supports and Durham Region Local Training Board. The event begins at 5 p.m. at Tosca Conference and Banquet Hall in Oshawa. So many people plan their vacation getaway to cottage country, looking forward to spending time by the lake, getting out of the city and back to nature. They rush up for a weekend, or a week at a time, and then lament on Sunday as they drive back to the city. Its ironic that the lifestyle that so many want seems only a vacation possibility. But if thats the perfect lifestyle, why reserve it as a special treat, a cherished escape from the day-to-day? B.G. Schickedanz knows the allure of the cottage country lifestyle and the lakeside location and has combined it with modern living comfort, offering Lake Scugog Meadows a community of acre lots on the lake with home designs that make most city residences look modest. All of this is available for as little as $297,900. Lake Scugog Meadows is the lifestyle that most people reserve for vacationing, but this community allows you to live that vacation lifestyle 365 days a year. This is a luxury estate community. Each home is situated on an acre property allowing you plenty of recreation space, whether youd like a large garden, a play area for the kids or large outdoor living space for entertaining. These lots are nestled into conservation lands, so you can be assured that there wont be development that affects the enjoyment of your property. Located in the Kawarthas, living lakeside has its advantages, from taking a boat out for a day of fishing or sailing, playing on the beach in the summer sun or just winding down and watching the sun set on the glowing water. Recreational activities arent limited to watersports either. The area has everything, from hiking and walking trails to horseback riding, a great selection of golf courses and, of course, ski hills, skating and ice fishing in the winter. And while you may be thinking that Lake Scugog Meadows is only a fine place for those that can give up the city, thats not quite the way it has to be. Situated between Lindsay and Port Perry, there is easy access to urban amenities and conveniences. Oshawa, Whitby and Ajax are also neighbouring communities, an its an easy trip to Toronto for a shopping day, a night out on the town or whatever your needs may be. Lake Scugog Meadows is offering a variety of bungalow and two-storey designs. Ranging from two to four bedrooms, luxury features and finishes complete each home with polish. Whether you choose the ease of single-level living or a two-storey home, you dont have to compromise on size or style. Without consideration for the constrictions that a small lot can impose on a homes layout, these designs take full advan- tage. Many homes are laid out through the width, accommodating unusually large bungalow designs and creating sprawling two-storey manor homes. Bungalows range up to 3,280 sq. ft., two-storey homes range to over 4,000 sq. ft., but homes can be customized to any size. The variety of sizes and designs makes it easy to find a home that fits your needs perfectly. Whether you want to downsize into a smaller home, have a growing family and need plenty of rooms, or simply enjoy having a large home for working, entertaining, showcasing your collections and doing your hobbies, youll find one to fit your needs. Open-concept designs create enormous rooms offering you the flexibility to use the space as you see fit. It accommodates numerous guests and fabulous furniture. Traditional layouts with enclosed rooms are ideal for formal entertaining and dinner parties. With doors that close, a full home theatre system or teen retreat complete with stereo wont interfere with company coming over in another room. Many designs offer a home office or library, the perfect refuge for working or just curling up with a good book. Its the ideal feature for those that work at home. Exteriors are just as lovely as the interiors. Theres a lot of architectural detailing, including elements like arches, transoms and keystones. Though these homes provide the leisure lifestyle, they are far from simple cottage style. Two-, three- and even fourcar garages are an accessory to this lifestyle. As well as the vehicles that you drive daily, you can keep a little summer hotrod, a winter truck, a snowmobile, a driving lawn mower (for that acre of lawn), ATVs, dirt bikes and your boat. There are just some things a city residence will never be able to offer, and these homes have been designed to take full advantage of those pleasures. It makes you wonder why anyone would live for weekend getaways when every day could be this much fun. For more information call 1877-878-9899 or 705-878-9899 or visit our website at www.bgshomes.com. Page 9 Page 10 MARCH 19 2008 MARCH 19 2008 Page 11 Tattoo a fond reminder of a good friend By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express Photo by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express Oshawa Generals Ryan Baldwin will always remember his former Windsor Spitfires teammate Mickey Renaud. Baldwin got a tattoo in memory Renaud after he passed suddenly about a month ago. It has been a month since the sudden passing of 19-year-old Mickey Renaud of the Windsor Spitfires. But Ryan Baldwin has a special way of remembering his former teammate and best friend. The Oshawa Generals winger recently placed a tattoo with the inscription Renaud and the No. 18 worn by the Windsor centre on his right arm, designed to remind Baldwin of the presence and effect Renaud made on and off the ice. Baldwin and Jonathan Sciacca were Renauds teammates with the Spitfires until a deal brought them to the Generals prior to this years trade deadline. Ironically, Baldwin and Renaud shared a laugh after a game between the Generals and Spitfires last Feb. 10 at GM Centre. Mick had all kinds of trouble scoring on breakaways, always did, Baldwin shares. Sure enough, he did score a goal and after the game I went up to him and asked, How does it feel to score a goal on a breakaway? Maybe you should keep the puck. He said to me, Yah, how does it feel that Windsor doesnt want you any more? So, we got a good laugh out of that. And to think that was the last time . . . One week later, Renaud collapsed at his family home in nearby Tecumseh and despite resuscitation attempts, the 63, 220 lb. forward with a promising professional hockey future was rushed to hospital with no vital signs. Baldwin was in the Oshawa dressing room following a practice when he noted a text message from his good friend Richard Greenop, a winger with the Spitfires and native of Bowmanville. He sent me a text message and he mentioned what happened to Mickey. I didnt know if this was the same Mickey, so I called him. He was crying and he clued me in. It was a shocker. Me and (Sciacca) took some time to settle down and then we went to Windsor for the week. Renaud, in his third season with Windsor, was on pace to follow in the footsteps of his father as a professional athlete. A fifth-round pick of the Calgary Flames, Renaud had all the tools to fit in nicely, according to Baldwin. Most definitely. He was in phenomenal shape and a work horse, exactly what Calgary would have liked, offers Baldwin. He had a tremendous work ethic and Im convinced in three or four years he would have been playing for the Flames. Mark Renaud, the father, played 142 games with the Hartford Whalers and Buffalo Sabres. Mick and I grew up together playing with and against each other, says Baldwin, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been drafted by the same team (Spitfires) as him. We worked out every morning during the summer, playing some road hockey. He was a friend of my girlfriend, so we hung out together a lot, just kicking back. I miss him as a friend, but at least I have the tattoo that will bring back fond memories. Ending a seven-game winless string . . . Generals save face at key time By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express That collective SWOOSH noise heard at the GM Centre last Sunday evening was the sound of parachutes opening, preventing the Oshawa Generals from nasty face implants with the ice on the eve of post-season play. Unable to collect a single victory in their previous seven outings, the Generals relied on a goal by John Tavares -- during a shootout, no less to record a 6-5 victory over t h e Mississauga St. Michaels Majors before 5,665 curious onlookers. In a notable free fall with losses in their final 11 of 13 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) outings, there was some questioning as to whether the Generals had remembered to strap on a parachute, given their inept play, particularly on defence. However, to their credit, the Generals came out with an abundance of energy in this their final game of the regular season, to score a much-needed win prior to their first round of playoffs against the Ottawa 67s. We definitely needed that one win before going into the playoffs, beamed Oshawa defenceman and Whitby native Eric Regan. Page 12 We had to get that taste of victory to find out what its like because it had been a while. The Generals captain, acknowledging a struggle back on the blueline, was succinct about their play of late. We had been giving up way to many sloppy goals, he observed. Weve definitely got to get better on D (in the playoffs) because in a lot of ways, weve been contributing to their (opposition) success. Generals have played their final two games minus the services of their top shooter, Brett MacLean, who has been out with the flu and strep throat. He is expected to be primed for Fridays opening playoff game at the GM Centre. Generals did gain some revenge of sorts with the win, having been humbled by the Majors two weeks earlier in Oshawa in a high-scoring10-9 outcome, a game decided in a shootout. Brett Parnham notched the first goal of the game for his 32nd of the year approaching the midway mark of the opening period. But the Majors responded with the next three goals, Tyler Allen on a goalmouth scramble, Mike Pelech just 17 seconds later and Jordan Mayer on the powerplay. Regan, Dale Mitchell and Tavares lifted Oshawa to a 4-3 lead in the middle stanza before Kyle Neuber sent the game into the final period deadlocked at 4-4. A powerplay goal by Michael Del Zotto, capping a picture three-way passing play with Patrick Asselin and James DeLory, gave Oshawa the one-goal edge in the third, but they were not out of the woods by any stretch. The Majors came at the Generals goal with reckless abandon and goalie Michal Neuvirth was called on to make several difficult stops. Majors, outshooting Oshawa 22-7 in the third, Photo by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express got the equalizer with Dustin Ekelman pounc- John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals gets locked up with Stephen Johnston of the Belleville ing on a loose puck with Bulls during last Fridays OHL contest at the GM Centre. Generals were thumped 8-2 on this just 2:56 left in regula- night, but did record a 6-5 shootout victory over Mississauga St. Michaels Majors two nights tion play. Indeed, later to conclude the regular season. Neuvirth made two and three successive stops between periods. Brett MacLean Ryan McGinnis, most valuable from close range, but couldnt was not available for presentations, defenceman, Kory Nagy, catch up to the last shot. but was recipient of the Auto Madeleine Ashmore Memorial I hope we got the monkey off Workers Credit Unions most valu- Award for the most under-rated our backs, said Tavares, who went able player award and as the most player The Durham Region has to the backhand and beat St. valuable forward, the latter put on lost a very special individual who Mikes goalie Chris Carrozzi for by the Generals booster club. made himself available as a scorethe only goal of the shootout. Other booster recipients were: Eric keeper and timekeeper for a myriThats a lot of pressure off our Regan, Presidents Award for con- ad of hockey and lacrosse games shoulders because we didnt want tribution to the club and also an over the years on both junior and to go into the playoffs with anoth- award as selected by teammates as senior levels. Murray Caine passed er loss. the most valuable; David Corrente, away last Friday. Visitation is rookie of the year; John Tavares, Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the WALLY WORLD The hard- Duncan Ferguson Memorial Award Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home in ware for year-end awards came out for dedication and perseverance; Bowmanville. MARCH 19 2008 Whitby Curling Club to host provincials Curlers can stick with it B y W a l l y Do n al d s o n The Oshawa Express Call it curling with a slight twist. As in the twist of a stick, rather than the traditional delivery of a rock for draws and takeouts you find most common with curlers like skips Glenn Howard and Kevin Martin. Stick curling, which has actually been around some 15 years, is gaining momentum at a myriad of clubs throughout the country. The stick extends from a curlers hand and attaches to a rock handle, thus allowing the curler to deliver a rock while in a standing position. The popularity has grown to the extent a provincial championship has been devised for the curling advocate who, with a flick of a wrist, can send a rock down a sheet of pebbled ice while still able to utilize an in-turn or outturn delivery to the house. Organizers of the Whitby Curling Club are staging the second annual Ontario Stick Curling Championship April 6-9 at the host facility, featuring eight qualifying teams. And the committee of nine members is emphasizing a spit and polish approach this year with designs on making it a truly professional event. This championship is a follow up to the Curl Ontario sponsored event held last year in Brantford, won by Del Hicke of Unionville. There will be a local flavouring at the provincials with Trevor Birckbeck of the host club participating with vice Ron Robbins, second Dale Boyce and lead Don Sullivan. Hicke will also be attending this event. Other participants are Charlie Warner of Brantford, Tom Newcombe of Burlington, Tam Heathers Gord Haney, Rio Titus of Navan and Kim Barton of Hamilton Glanford. This championship will come across as an Photos by Wally Donaldson/The Oshawa Express David Sandrelli of the Whitby Curling Club puts on a demonstration to point out the difference in rock delivery. The traditional form is pictured left and the right photo shows a delivery with a stick. The provincial stick curling championship is coming to Whitby from April 6-9. Ontario Curling Association (OCA) sanctioned event, although it will not have an OCA hands-on approach. Not yet, anyways according to David Sandrelli, who is serving as chairman of this years event. Were very hopeful that the OCA will take over this in its entirety next year, says Sandrelli. This means that rather than us designating qualifying events, the OCA will come aboard and hold club and region zone play- downs and eventually the provincial championship. The majority of stick curlers, male and female, are seniors. However, younger curlers with bad knees, for example, are also in a position to continue the Grand Game and enjoy what curling has to offer on both recreational and competitive levels. A curling brush was used to push the rock with some success at the outset. However, some innovative work by entrepre- Let the playoffs begin... Its Oshawa vs the Ottawa 67s By Wally Donaldson The Oshawa Express With the young guys the way we play, we can really get underneath the skin and tick off some guys like Tavares and MacLean, McGinn was quoted in The first-round playoff series between the Oshawa the Citizen, and maybe they wont want to play Generals and Ottawa 67s should be a most intriguing hard. best-of-seven affair. Naturally, Kilrea took exception to McGinns The Generals concocted the better seasonal record comments. We havent really stormed down the finby far, but figures wont deter the 67s when they ish line and we havent scored a lot of goals, said arrive at the GM Centre this Kilrea in the Citizen. One thing Friday evening. Best-of-seven schedule theyve (Generals) been doing is The Generals have Brett March 21 Ottawa at Oshawa, 7:35 p.m. scoring a lot of goals, so Im MacLean (119 pts.) and John sure theyre looking at it and March 23 Ottawa at Oshawa, 6:05 p.m. Tavares (118 pts.), who finished saying they score goals, we March 25 Oshawa at Ottawa, 7 p.m. second and third overall in the dont. March 27 Oshawa at Ottawa, 7 p.m. Ontario Hockey Leagues (OHL) The Generals are showcasMarch 28 Ottawa at Oshawa, 7:35 p.m. individual stats, as their majoring a more relaxed confidence. March 30 Oshawa at Ottawa, 2 p.m. league snipers. Theyve got a couple of April 1 Ottawa at Oshawa, 7:05 p.m. The 67s will counter with guys like McGinn and Couture their two top guns, Jamie who can turn it on offensively, McGinn and Logan Couture. says Tavares. But they also have a young defensive And one factor that must come into play is the vast corps and that is something we can take advantage of. coaching experience of Brian Kilrea, who will match As long as we play our style and worry about ourup against a feisty, but green Chris DePiero of the selves, well come out of this. Generals. Oshawa blueliner and captain Eric Regan concurs. The win over Mississauga St. Michaels Majors They have the two main guys ups front and last Sunday evening elevated Oshawa to 89 points, 13 weve got to be physical against them, he says. back of Eastern Conference champion Belleville They also have a young defence, so if we pound Bulls. The 67s finished in third spot with 63 points. them consistently, I think it will pay off if we go five, McGinn commented in the Ottawa Citizen earlier six or seven games. Either way, were ready to get at in the week, We match a lot better against Oshawa it. than Brampton or Belleville. Other first-round matchups have Belleville against Generals won four of six meetings against Ottawa Peterborough, Brampton vs Barrie and Niagara vs during the regular season. But McGinn is confident Mississauga in the Eastern Conference. The west will the younger players on his squad will wreak havoc consist of Kitchener vs Plymouth, Sault Ste. Marie vs against Oshawas big shooters. Saginaw, Windsor vs Sarnia and London vs Guelph. MARCH 19 2008 neurs in the development of the stick has given curlers a second chance. Opening reception and ceremonies will be at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6. The Whitby town crier will hail Whitby mayor Pat Perkins, OCA president Allen Brunt and Linda Green, president of the Whitby Curling Club. This is a two-games-a-day competition with the closing ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9. Batchelor wins another award The Durham College mens basket- Award, which was won by Billy McNutt, ball athlete who smashed the all-time a forward with the Douglas College point record in the Ontario Royals (New Westminster, Colleges Athletic Association British Columbia). (OCAA) this season was back The honour adds another in the spotlight in St. Lambert, piece of hardware to Batchelors Quebec. collection this season, as he has Anthony Batchelor was honalso won the OCAA Player of oured as a CCAA All-Canadian the Year award as well as being at the kick-off banquet for the named a First Team League All2008 CCAA Mens National Star for the fourth consecutive Basketball Championship hostseason. He also made headlines Anthony Batchelor ed by Champlain College. becoming the OCAA All-Time Batchelor was also a nomiScoring leader, shattering the nee for the National Player of the Year long-time scoring record. Formokan club medal winners at Winter Games Charlie Formosa on the far left and Kevin Ausman on the far right, coaches at the Formokan Judo Club in Oshawa, show off three of their athletes who came home with medals at the recent Ontario Winter Games at Wasaga Beach. Sarah Snider won a bronze medal in the 52 kg junior 13-16 years blue belt category. Sarah Lee Mook won silver in the 44 kg junior brown belt and Mathew Ausman struck for gold in the 48 kg junior brown belt cateory. Page 13 Dodgers open on home turf Turul captures Ontario Futsal crown For a first-year team, the Oshawa Turul Under-16 girls squad made a tremendous impression at the Ontario Futsal Championship. They went five games undefeated, capped by a 5-1 victory over the Mississauga Dixie Dragons. Turul keeper Brooke McCurdy played an integral role in the teams success. Turul topped the Otttawa Rebels 7-1, Ajax Magic United 3-2 and the Dixie Dragons 7-6 in regular play before upending Ottawa Russel Raiders 9-2 to qualify for the final. Brooke McCurdy. Oshawa baseball fans will get a a great asset to our team this seagood feel for their Dodgers early in son. the Intercounty Baseball league seaLewis is expected to anchor an son this year when they play their outfielder that includes newcomers first eight of 10 games, including Nate Smith, Ryan Fleming and two doubleheaders, at Kinsmen Sean Cunningham. Stadium. Fleming, a 6 3 Whitby native, The Dodgers will open their seais expected to provide some punch son on Saturday, May 3 against on the left side at the plate with an Stratford in Oshawa and will follow above average throwing arm in the Brian Sewell up with home games against outfield. Kitchener on May 10 and Hamilton He is an athlete. While attending on May 17. Henry Street High School in Following a doubleheader in Whitby, Fleming excelled in baseStratford on Monday, May 19, the ball, volleyball, hockey and golf. Dodgers will be back at Kinsmen for His uncle, Ron Stead, pitched for another five games. They will play a the first Team Canada baseball team pair of games against Brantford on and was eventually inducted into Saturday, May 24, a single game the Canadian Baseball Hall of against Barrie on Wednesday, May Fame. 28 and a doubleheader with London Brett Backman and Sean Stevie Lewis in town on Saturday, May 31. Cunningham have inked their sigMeanwhile, the Dodgers continnatures for another season with the ued with their signings of key playDodgers. ers during this off-season, the latest Backman pitched for the all-star outfielder Stevie Lewis, who Dodgers in 2004 and was the staff played an integral part as the teams ace of the senior elimination leading hitter with a .374 average, Oshawa Royals in 2007. He pitched sixth overall in the league. six innings to guide the Royals to a Lewis compiled 34 hits, includvictory over Tecumseh Thunder, ing six doubles, in 27 regular-seacapturing their first provincial son outings last season and was championship and the right to reprenamed as a second-team league allsent Ontario at the Canadian Senior Brett Backman star, capturing team awards for batBaseball Championship in Quebec ting average, on base percentage City. and the seasons most valuable playCunningham, a former draft pick er. of the San Diego Padres, played 14 As a clutch performer, Lewis games with the Dodgers in 2005, singled to drive in the winning run recording a .365 batting average. in extra innings during Oshawas He is expected to see duty in the only playoff win last year against infield and outfield with the the Toronto Maple Leafs, capping Dodgers. off a three-hit, two RBI performBrian Sewell is hoping for a ance. healthy return to the line-up followStevie is a tremendous competiing injuries in 2006 and 2007. Sean tor, notes Kerri Drake, the Sewell, a designated hitter and Cunningham Dodgers vice president. His athletpitcher, is entering his fourth season ic ability and commitment to baseball will be with the Dodgers. Dodgers season schedule: UOIT Ridgebacks bring out hardware Whitby native Kathleen Edwards and Michael Bissonnette of London were the proud recipients of the female and male athletes of the year award at the UOIT athletic banquet. Edwards, a first-year criminology student, was a valuable defenceman for the Ridgebacks womens hockey club this past season. She also won the MVP award along with being selected the top defensive player. Bissonnette a third-year forensic science major, guided the second-year mens rowing varsity team to several team highs at regattas while rowing in the primary position. May 3: Stratford @ Oshawa: 2:00pm May 10: Kitchener @ Oshawa: 2:00pm May 17: Hamilton @ Oshawa: 2:00pm May 19: Oshawa @ Stratford (DH): 2:00pm May 24: Brantford @ Oshawa (DH): 2:00pm May 28: Barrie @ Oshawa: 7:30pm May 31: London @ Oshawa (DH): 2:00pm June 4: Oshawa @ Toronto: 7:30pm June 7: Kitchener @ Oshawa: 2:00pm June 8: Oshawa @ Hamilton: 2:00pm June 11: Oshawa @ Toronto: 7:30pm June 12: Oshawa @ Barrie: 7:30pm June 14: Oshawa @ Brantford (DH): 1:00pm June 15: Oshawa @ Kitchener: 7:00pm June 18: Toronto @ Oshawa: 7:30pm June 21: Oshawa @ Guelph: 3:00pm June 22: Oshawa @ Hamilton: 2:00pm June 25: Guelph @ Oshawa: 7:30pm June 28: Toronto @ Oshawa: 2:00pm June 29: Guelph @ Oshawa: 2:00pm July 1: Oshawa @ London (DH): 5:00pm July 2: Kitchener @ Oshawa: 7:30pm July 6: Stratford @ Oshawa (DH): 2:00pm July 9: Barrie @ Oshawa: 7:30pm July 10: Oshawa @ Barrie: 7:30pm July 12: Oshawa @ Guelph: 3:00pm July 13: Oshawa @ Kitchener: 2:00pm July 16: Hamilton @ Oshawa: 7:30pm July 19: Oshawa @ Barrie: 7:00pm July 20: Oshawa @ Toronto: 2:00pm Email your sports news to [email protected] or call 905-571-7334 Page 14 MARCH 19 2008 Wed. March 19 HEAD INJURY ASSOCIATION OF DURHAM REGION SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Head Injury Association of Durham Region, 850 King St. W., Unit 24. Brain injured survivors, family members and caregivers are invited to attend this monthly meeting. Guest speaker Frank Murphy will discuss family issues from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. with the support group meeting running from 8:15 until 9 p.m. For more information, call 905-723-2732 or 1-866-354-4464. Wed. March 26 CANADIAN ORGANIC GROWERS, DURHAM GARDENERS PRESENTS TREES AND SHRUBS Durham District School Board, 400 Taunton Rd. E. in Whitby. The group welcomes Harry Worsley of Uxbridge Nurseries, who will focus on drought tolerant trees and shrubs and creating a naturalized setting. Door prizes will be awarded and refreshments available. Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. For more information, call Dianne Pazaratz at 905-433-7875 or Peggy Clark at 905-623-5278. Fri. March 28 NORM FOSTERS THE MELVILLE BOYS Herongate Barn Dinner Theatre, 2885 Altona Rd. in Pickering. A mens weekend fishing trip takes a comedic turn when two girls arrive and change the plans in Herongates latest comedy. Call 1-866-902-9884 or 905-472-3085 or visit www.herongate.com. Thurs. March 27 THE MAGIC OF IRELAND - Oshawa Legion Branch 43, 471 Simcoe St. S. This Riverdance-style show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information or to buy tickets, call 905-723-4511. Fri. March 28 and Sat. March 29 LEGIONS OF ROCK N ROLL Oshawa Legion Branch 43, 471 Simcoe St. S. This fundraiser features impersonators paying tribute to Ritchie Valens, Elvis, Tom Jones and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information or to buy tickets, call 905-433-2010. MARCH 19 2008 March 12 crossword answers Sum 41 comes to GM Centre tonight Ajaxs Sum 41 has found international fame, but is returning to their roots tonight with an almost-hometown show. The band takes the stage at the General Motors Centre tonight with fellow Canadian rockers Social Code and Die Mannequin. Sum 41 is touring in support of their latest album, Underclass Heroes. Its the bands fourth studio album under the Island label and an album with a rocky start following the exit of original guitarist Dave Baksh. We were kind of left with nobody, said singer/songwriter/guitarist Deryck Whibley, in a press release. And all the odds were stacked against us. People were saying we couldn't recover from all these changes. There was so much doubt. But Whibley and band mates Cone McCaslin and Steve Jocz bounced back and, says Whibley, are stronger than ever. We haven't been this together since our first album, he said. I would only have done this record if everyone was into it. There was no point otherwise. There was a lot of negative energy out there. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations and at the GMC Box Office. Visit www.ticketmaster.ca or www.generalmotorscentre.com. College aims to honour alum Durham College is seeking candidates for its 2008 Alumnus of Distinction Awards to be presented at its convocation on June 18. Award categories include business, community services, creative arts and design, health sciences and technology. We are extremely proud of our 42,000 strong alumni and it is our pleasure to recognize individuals who have utilized the skills they obtained at Durham College to achieve remarkable career success and contribute to the making of better communities across the country, said Lori Connor, alumni officer. The successes of our outstanding alumni are shining examples of why Durham College has developed a reputation for excellence in post secondary education. To submit a nomination, visit www.durhamcollege.ca /alumni and select Alumni Awards and then Alumni of Distinction. The deadline is April 18. Page 15 ScoobyDoo, a one-year-old Golden Retreiver, enjoys swimming in the family pool, resting and playing with toys. The Oshawa Express would like to remind its readers to still send Echo Baby pictures in to run bi-weekly to the Express Perfect Pet feature. ARIES: March 20 to April 19 The last two weeks of March is a demanding career period. You could also be networking at a rather hectic pace. This is a good time to be mentored or to act as a mentor to someone else. Pay attention to dreams. TAURUS: April 19 to May 20 If you plan to make an investment or a decision about money, make sure you get proper advise. You could be asked to become a board member of a local organization. GEMINI: May 20 to June 21 Combine business with pleasure and be open to new work opportunities. Get together with friends at social events over the next few weeks, but do not scatter your energy in too many directions. CANCER: June 21 to July 22 Close relationships are emphasized this year. Always willing to assist someone in need, you especially enjoy helping those you love. Learn a new hobby or skill. Handle a crisis situation on March 21. LEO: July 22 to August 22 If you are offered a new business opportunity, make sure it is as good as it seems. Give up extravagant money habits and establish a better financial plan. Make phone calls, send e-mail and letters. VIRGO: August 22 to Sept 22 Since your romantic life is highlighted now, shower affection on the one you love. LIBRA: Sept 22 to Oct 23 Use diplomacy to avoid family tension and control issues. Instead, share tender and interesing ideas with your partner. Sign up for a social physical activity like line dancing. SCORPIO: Oct 23 to Nov 22 Enjoy a period of increased communication, since you have the right words to charm just about anyone. You may have to travel for business purposes or commute to a new job in another city. SAGITTARIUS: Nov 22 to Dec 21 More than most signs, you are able to deal with constant changes in your daily life. You may want to start a home-based business, but could feel a little stretched trying to cover all the bases. CAPRICORN: Dec 21 to Jan 19 The Full Moon on March 21 emphasizes your career and professional standing. It can also signify wrapping up a project at work. It is a good time to buy or sell real estate. Try to getaway on the weekend. AQUARIUS: Jan 19 to Feb 19 Someone from the past could reappear. Get out and about and network and be in touch with friends who live at a distance. A people person by nature, do not forget to schedule some down time. PISCES: Feb 19 to March 20 Make the most of your appearance. Buy new clothes, go for a makeover or visit a SPA. Turn around a difficult financial situation March 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. Page 16 MARCH 19 2008 Dancing up a storm By Courtney Duffett The Oshawa Express The UOIT Dance Company played host to BAM 08 over the weekend. Bust-A-Move (BAM) 08 brought together nine schools: McMaster University, Humber College, University of Waterloo, Queens University, University of Laurier, Trent University, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto Mississauga. The styles of dance varied from hip-hop, lyrical, modern to pointe dance. The competition took place on Saturday, and the UOIT Dance Company received the great teamwork award and the overall best hip-hop award. I think we were definitely ready for the competition, says dance club president Mallory Ryan, who is in her third year of health sciences at UOIT. The team really pulled through. I was proud of them. The team, in its second year, includes 42 competitive members, a six-student executive and coaches/choreographers, is in its second year. The dance club is open to all students studying at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College and Trent. The club held auditions for dancers in September and started working on routines for the seasons competitions. Since 2007 was its first year, the club only had two routines, but this year it is working on eight different routines. The club is split into two groups, open and hip-hop. All the guys in the club are on the hip-hop team. But there is also the option to compete as a soloist, duet or trio Photo by Jessica Verge/The Oshawa Express The UOIT Dance Company recently competed at and hosted Bam 08, leaving with the overall best hip-hop award and the teamwork award. Their next competition is in Waterloo at the end of the month. in which there are a couple soloists, a duet group, trio group and small lyrical group. Rehearsing about two hours a week per dance, the schools have competed in Guelph, Brantford and Humber College, and will attend Waterloo for another competition at the end of the month. Every competition takes a lot of preparation and a little luck, says dancer Brittany Higgs, in her third year of criminology and justice studies. I think we definitely put a lot of preparation into our dances and went in (this weekend) with a lot of energy and we were ready. Overall, we were very pleased with our performance and had a great day, she said, adding the team will now put the finishing touches on the upcoming competition in Waterloo. Cinefest offers local flavour Photo by Jessica Verge/The Oshawa Express Block parens give back Oshawa Block Parents thanked City Council for supporting the Block Parent Organization at a recent volunteer appreciation skate. From left to right are Heather Christie, Ronna Campoli, president of Oshawa Block Parent, Oshawa councillor John Neal, Oshawa Councillor John Henry, Marcy Marchuk and Tammy Conrad. MARCH 19 2008 Film buffs will get their fill this month by attending a Canadian festival favourite. Cinefest Durham is showing Canadian firsttime director Richie Mehtas Amal, premiered at that the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007. The film will be shown March 26 at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre, 1351 Grandview St. N. at 7 p.m. Set in New Delhi, Amal features the title character, an illiterate but caring rickshaw operator, who gives a homeless man a free ride. Unbeknownst to Amal, the man is actually the patriarch of a wealthy family who, disillusioned with his greedy children and moved by Amals humility, has secretly left his entire estate to Amal. The mans executor then has 30 days to find Amal in a city of 14 million while the family works to prevent Amal from being found. Tickets are $7 with proceeds going to the Oshawa Public Library system. Page 17 Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $21 (plus gst) for 25 words Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $21 for a 1 col x 1 (Boxed) (plus gst) $42 for a 1 col x 2 (Boxed) (plus gst) EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT As part of our expansion program, our company is looking for a part time person to work from home, account managers and sales representatives. 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We are on the web for all your local news around Oshawa www.oshawaexpress.ca Exciting Music Software / Video Company is looking for a full-time invoicing/shipping/customer support person with recommended music/video knowledge (but not necessary). Computer know-how a must! Candidate must have excellent customer rapport and a willingness to learn. Must be a team player. Day-to-Day: use of Quickbooks, HTML, Word, Excel, web browser, phone calling, emails, some sales (we can teach you Quickbooks but knowledge of other common programs a must!). This is one of those "cool" jobs you've always wanted! Location: Ajax. Send resume to [email protected] 905-571-7334 Fax: 905-571-0255 Email: [email protected] MARCH 19 2008 Residential Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $21 (plus gst) for 25 words Business Classified Ads Call 905-571-7334 $21 for a 1 col x 1 (Boxed) (plus gst) $42 for a 1 col x 2 (Boxed) (plus gst) FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE RENTALS RENTALS RENTALS RENTALS RENTAL Rent to own home Millbrook 2 storey, 3 bedroom, detached with ceramic floor in kitchen, rec room and walk-out living room. Nice area in Oshawa. call 706-722-2145 3 bedroom house $1,350 per month Call 1-800-467-1766 Bonnie Moore Main floor of house for rent. 1 bedroom plus den. Close to downtown college and hospital. Suitable for single person. $700 + utilities. Available immediately. Would consider renting the whole house with 1 bedroom and 1 bath in basement. Also consider short time rental. 705-792-2414. OFFICE SPACE 800 sq. ft. Office Space, Hwy 401 location in Oshawa. Lots of parking, large, open space, move-in ready. $800/mnth, utilities included. Call 905-434-7409. REAL ESTATE VACATION RENTALS Apartment for rent Oshawa. Olive Avenue area, Prefer working male. 1 bedroom, low rent. 905-903-1022. To place an ad Email [email protected] REAL ESTATE West Park Village, Cobourg 5 Models To View Towns From $200s The Wellington 1731 or 1741 sq ft INCREDIBLE LOFT DESIGN: Main floor master with ensuite and 2 additional loft bedrooms. Main floor laundry, open ceiling loft from living room. The Brighton 1653 or 1838 Sq ft Soaring ceiling open to loft area, main floor master with ensuite, 2 floor plans allow for additional 3rd bedroom in loft. Singles From $240s The Kensington 1634 or 1637 sq ft Bungalow 2 elevations available, separate dining room, master with ensuite. Main floor laundry, kitchen open concept with great room. 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Mon-Thurs: 12pm - 6pm Wknds: 11am - 5pm 1-888-245-5494 Interior & Exterior Renovations * Basements * Sheds * Decks * Framing * Drywall and Painting *Hardwood and Laminate Floors *Doors and Trim Visit The Windsor 1759 - 1782 sq ft Outstanding bungalow layout with 3 bedrooms, main floor family room and laundry. Sales Centre Hours Roofing Phone: 905-571-7334 Fax: 905-571-0255 Call 9055717334 to place an ad here RENTALS OBITUARIES Bradshaw, Glendon Oswald Suddenly passed on Friday March 14, 2008 in his 72nd year. Beloved and devoted husband of Sylvia Bradshaw for 50 years. Loving father of 3 children, Malcolm and his wife Julie, Debbie, Darlene and her husband Dave. Dear Grandfather of Eric, Lisa, Jason, Jonathan and Lindsay. He will be sadly missed; asleep til Jesus returns. Visitation and funeral service to take place Wednesday March 19, 2008. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at the McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME, 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-4335558) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service in the chapel at 12:00 p.m. Interment follows reception at 2:00 p.m. GROVESIDE CEMETERY, Brooklin. KINNERSLY Derek Rabbit (Retired member of Local #30 Sheet Metal Union; Centerfielder Dynes Jewellers Fastball World Champions 1972) After a lengthy illness at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Thursday, March 13, 2008. Derek, dearly beloved husband of Millie for 38 years. Loving father of Shanai and her husband Michael Veinot, Michelle and her husband Luciano Dipiero, Brenda and her husband Tim Percy, Dale Kinnersly and Brett Kinnersly. Proud grandfather of Savannah, Kaleb, Jeffery, Johnathon, Amy, Aaron, Bradley, Ajay, Logan and greatgrandfather of Leland. Brother of Noreen Clemenson, Ernie and his wife Joan Kinnersly and Anne Emberley. Relatives and friends will be received at the McINTOSH-ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME LTD., 152 King St. E., Oshawa (905-433-5558) on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service in the chapel at 4:00 p.m. Cremation. On-line condolences can be made at www.mcintoshanderson.com. Email: [email protected] Page 19 Page 20 MARCH 19 2008