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www.independentfreepress.com Editorial..................... 6 Ted Brown............... 7 Sports .................... 16 Directory ...... 19, 20 Classifieds .....21-23 50 Cents (+ GST) Circulation: 22,800 SCOREBOARD Check out the latest results from the rinks 8-PAGE SECTION WHEELS.CA Look inside for the latest news and views from the auto world 8-PAGE SECTION 56 Pages Halton Hills' award-winning newspaper THE INDEPENDENT & FREE PRESS A bright idea By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer It was their first cruise ever, and one the Talbots will never forget. Georgetown couple Roxanne and John Talbot were aboard the Carnival Splendor heading to the Mexican Riviera when a fire in the engine room knocked out power the morning after it set off on the seven-day trip Sunday, Nov. 7 leaving passengers marooned at sea with no air conditioning, no hot food, and no hot water. The toilets weren't working for about 12 hours. There was no casino, and the swimming pool was off-limits because there was no way to pump chlorine. The ship departed from Long Beach, California Sunday, and Monday morning John Talbot said they were awakened to the ship shuddering. They went out on the balcony THURSDAY, November 18, 2010 Local couple recall cruise nightmare of their cabin at the front of the boat to check what was going on and could smell smoke. He said about a half-hour later the crew started making announcements about a "flameless fire in the engine room." Everyone was evacuated onto the deck about 6:30 a.m. where Talbot said they stayed for about two hours. They didn't have any smoke in the their room, but he said passengers further back did. The power was shut down and there were no lights. They were glad they had booked an outside room with a balcony because they had some light, unlike the passengers in inside cabins. "A lot of people were concerned," he said. Talbot said they weren't too concerned, but added "there was a little bit of nervousness that first morning. "We maintained hope they See GEORGETOWN, pg. 8 Kelly and Jim Tyson of Acton took advantage of the warm weather Saturday to put up their Christmas lights. Seasonable temperatures this weekend will likely see more lights installed around town. Photo by Jon Borgstrom Santa's coming to town (twice) for annual Saturday parades By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Santa Claus will be coming to Halton Hills in a big way Saturday-- with two parades in his honour. The Acton Santa Claus Parade, put on by the Acton Firefighters Association, will begin at 1 p.m. from McKenzie-Smith Bennett School on Acton Blvd, and the Lions Club of Georgetown will present the 80th annual Santa Claus parade at 5 p.m. starting from Guelph St. at Sinclair Ave. The theme of this year's Acton Parade will be Comic Book Christmas. There should be approximately 64 entries in the parade in total, said Diane Spielvogel who organizes the parade with her husband Bill. The band lineup this year will be Acton Citizens' Band, Toronto Signals Band, Primetime Brass, Ghost Riders, Branch 197 Typhoon Squadron Band and M.M. Robinson Drum Corps. See SANTA, pg. 3 7e HANDLE ALL INSURANCE work. Georgetown Volkswagen 203 Guelph Street 9 0 5 . 8 7 7. 5 2 8 5 georgetownvw.com Thinking of buying or selling? sTruck Accessories s5PHOLSTEry s(Eavy %QUIPMENT 'LASS s7INDow 4INTING 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown (905) 873-1655 0.9 %Financing Financing up up to to 48 48 mo. 0.9% mo. & & 2 year/40,000 km warranty. warranty. 2 year / 40,000 km Great selection & great great value. Great value. Dir: 416-991-4247 EFFIEatDIMOU 905-456-1000 at Sales Representative www.georgetownrealty.ca edimou@georgetownrealty.ca at Call Effie Dimou for all your real atneeds. at 905-456-1000 905-456-10 905-456-1 at estate 905-456-1000 Realty Services Inc. Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated SO LD