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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2007 11THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 200710 Village by Arboretum proposed for Acton by Acton East Housing. Halton Hills Fire Protec- tion and Prevention Services visit schools in Halton to teach the students fire safety. Superior Glove received the Workplace HR and Safety Commitment Award for their new Triple Play glove. November Acton firefighters battled $300,00 blaze at 12346 High- way 7. George Henderson retired after 35 years with the Cana- dian Postal Service. Old Town Hall on Willow Street gets a face lift. Businesses in downtown Acton participate in the Ghost Walk for Halloween Rockwood 856-4240 anning White T Co. Ltd. On behalf of The Management & Staff, I would like to wish everybody a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year. Looking back at 2007... for kids. Meals on Wheels cel- ebrated 30 years in Halton Hills Remembrance Day cer- emonies preparations in full swing around town. IODE celebrated their 90th Anniversary before com- ing to an end due to lack of members. Judge throws out assault charges against Councillor John Robin Scott, of Guelph/ Eramosa Council. John and Marg Creasey and Bob Jefferies were select- ed as Rotarys Community Champions for their work around town. Ted Arnott seeks the posi- tion of Speakers Chair for the Legislation Assembly. Hydro One continues plans with new power line through Halton Hills, hold- ing information sessions for residence in affect. December Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton opened The Club tu- toring at St. Joseph and MSB for students after school. Ted Arnott fell short with his bid for Speakers Chair, losing out to a Liberal com- petitor. New hub at MSB sched- uled to open in February. A census showed a 17% growth rate in Halton between 2001 and 2006. The Town hires Frank Prospero for the new Recre- ation Super. Acton Fire Fighters As- sociation spouses presented a $5,000 cheque to Camp BUCKO (Burn Camp for Kids in Ontario). Continued from Page 8 The Rockwood MILLER By Rebecca Ring Eden Mills own jazz great Dave McMurdo released his orchestras eighth album last week: The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra nimmonsnmore. It was recorded live by CBC Radio Music, for Onstage at Glenn Gould Studio last December. The impetus for this recording was and is the fire and imagination of a certain 84 year old. He has been and continues to be a great spiritual force and support behind so many Canadian jazz artists of all ages Phil Nimmons, says McMurdo, an internationally acclaimed jazz composer, arranger, trombone player and teacher. Nimmons, a Canadian jazz icon, composed his original Conversations (Aural Communication) especially for the DMJO, which is over a half hour in length and features ten soloists from the 19 member orchestra with special guest Karen Rotenberg on English Horn. Nimmons received the inaugural SO- CAN/IAJE Phil Nimmons Established Composer Award at the annual confer- ence, of the International Association for Jazz Education in New York. It will continue to be awarded annually to Canadian jazz composers for new works for jazz ensemble. McMurdos relationship with Nim- mons began in the early 1970s, shortly after he moved to Toronto from Vancou- ver. McMurdo studied music throughout school, including at UBC. In Vancouver in the 1960s, he began playing the downtown scene. He was simultane- ously offered a spot with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a job playing nightclub shows. He jumped at the lat- ter and never looked back, playing in shows featuring mega-stars such as Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, and Richard Pryor to name a few. He also performed at numerous live CBC Radio shows and formed his first orchestra (17 piece). In Vancouver, McMurdo met his wife Donna and the couple decided to head to Toronto so he could expand his career. They put the word out to friends in Hogtowns music scene, and he got work immediately with a 50 or 60 piece orchestra. He went on to perform jingles, TV show themes, industrial shows, radio shows, and club concerts, and formed his first quintet. One of the first big bands McMurdo played with in Toronto was that of Phil Nimmons. He became a permanent member in 1974. At the same time, he joined Rob McConnells Grammy Award winning Boss Brass playing with both bands for almost 20 years. In the 80s, the scene changed with the advent of synthesizers. It was the end of an era, says McMurdo, Work dwindled and so I started teaching and found I really loved it. He took a full time position in Mohawk Colleges Jazz Studies. In 1987, McMurdo received a Canada Council grant to study in New York with the great jazz writer Bob Brookmeyer who urged McMurdo to start a band back home. The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra (DMJO) was formed in 1988. One of their highlights was touring the USSR (now Russia) in 1991. This was in the days of Gorbachev and Glasnost, he says, It was fas- cinating to be there in such a time of great change. Russian values didnt change though. They really value family you see people with their families in the parks playing chess and culture. Shows were always sold out. They did have one harrowing mo- ment when in Sverdlosk, a munitions city. It was supposed to be closed to foreigners but they were booked to play at the opera house. They were ordered to forfeit their passports but manager Donna McMurdo refused. She stood her ground and it was eventually sorted out. Other international tours include Mexico, Europe, USA and Malaysia. They are planning a huge tour of Asia. McMurdo says he is truly blessed; If I am reincarnated, I would like to come back as a music player again. I like to think that music makes a difference in life. It helps bring about a more loving and compassionate world. I truly believe that. I love sharing music. Eden Mills jazz artist releases his eighth album ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: Santa Claus came to Rockwood for REBAs Third Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Events Coordinator Cathy Kelly says, It ended too quickly. Santa shared gifts with the children and there was a surprise visit from the Snow Queen to close out the evening. Kelly is shown here with Santa and baby Celina Prterfield. - Submitted photo ????????? ????? ? ???? ??????????