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THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Bullying seminar Everything parents need to know about bullying will be discussed at a seminar on February 7 at McKenzie-Smith Bennett School. The school council, in conjunction with the Halton Health Department, will host the free seminar ­ Making a Difference in Bullying: What Parents Need to Know ­ featuring a Halton Public Health nurse. Daycare is available by e-mailing msbcouncil@hotmail. com. Nominations open Know of a business or an employee that offers superior customer services or goes that extra step? Know of a new business whose innovation and creativity puts them above the rest, or a business known for its conservation culture? The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce wants to applaud those businesses and people who excel at what they do by inviting nominations for the annual Business Achievement Awards. Four awards will be made including Entrepreneur of the Year, Green Award, Employee of the Year and Business of the Year. For the first time, nominees for Business of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year must be members in good standing of the Chamber. Nominations will be accepted until February 4 at noon. For details call 905-877-5117. MS salutes Staying Alive The fundraising efforts of a cycling team from Acton's Staying Alive Fitness will be recognized on February 5 when officials with the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Bike Tour throw a pizza party for them in Acton. The Staying Alive team will be honoured for recruiting the most volunteers for the ride, which took place in August, and for being the best new team in the MS Acton-to-Waterloo and back cycling fundraiser. After the party, some of the team may have to hop onto the spin bikes at Staying Alive and work off the pizza, as they plan to ride again in the event, slated for August. Victorian Valentines Looking for something sweet to do with your sweetie for Valentines? Check out the Victorian Valentine Tea, which will be held in the former Nassagaweya school house on February 12 and 13, with two seatings each day featuring tea sandwiches, scones, jam and cream, sweets and tea. The former school is located on the Fifth Line at 15 Side Road. Call the Nasagiweya Historical Society at 905-8544827 for tickets. Community info/supper Results of a recent survey conducted by Community Development Halton will be discussed at an information session/dinner on February 4 at St. Alban's Church. Over 90 Acton residents completed the survey, which confirmed that local challenges include access to healthy food, physical activity, mental health promotion, income and transportation. The event runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Those interested in attending should RSVP Rishia Burke at rburke@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975 by February 1. Free skating Thanks to the generosity of Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, you can skate for free at Acton arena on Sunday from 2 to 3:20 p.m. The free skating is an annual event hosted by Arnott in several communities within his riding. *** Skating and swimming are on the agenda for Monday's PA Day in Acton. A leisure swim is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m., at the Acton Indoor Pool, and there's public skating at Acton arena from 2 to 3:20 p.m. Normal admission fees apply. DIGITAL LAUNCH: (l to r) Peter Brae, Beverley King, Information Services Librarian, and Walter Lewis, Halton Hills Public Library Manager of Support Services represent just a small fraction of the personel and volunteers whose time and efforts helped launch of the Digital Newspaper Archives last Wednesday at the Georgetown Branch of Halton Hills Library. - Ken Baker photo We need ice pads To the Editor, As a Halton Hills Ice User Group Member, I am writing this letter to convey the urgency in moving forward with the recommendation to construct two new ice pads on the current Mold Masters Sportsplex site, along with the additional ice pad (twinning) to be built in Acton. Current demands from the community are increasing, maximizing the capacity of our current arenas. Our teams are travelling outside of Halton Hills to purchase ice for practices and games. This has added additional travel time to our day to get to an arena for our home game. We want to play in our "true" home rink and have these rental fees go to Halton Hills and not outside groups. The Halton Hills Ice User Groups have had to revamp programs and development to ensure each and every youth is provided the opportunity to play/skate. We do not want to deny any child an opportunity, however, this will be the unfortunate outcome in the future, if these arenas are not built. A presentation made to the Capital Budget Committee on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, clearly outlining the urgency for these additional arenas. As a Halton Hills Ice User member, we have been and continue to be ready, willing and able to support these new arenas financially through possible tax Dear Editor, On behalf of Links2Care, I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone who helped to make our recent Holiday Hamper Program a success. Many families in our community struggle each and every day to make ends meet and our program helps to relieve some of the financial pressures during the holiday season. This past year, 191 families, including 420 children, received hampers of new clothing and toys. We are pleased to be able to offer this program and we certainly could not provide this kind of assistance without the help of Holiday Hamper Help increases, ice surcharges and fundraising, to mention a few ideas. In the best interest of our youth today, we cannot allow these additional arenas to be delayed any further. Thank you, Angie and Randy Box Ice Users/Acton Citizens Put it in a letter to the Editor! It's better than just chewing your cud! What's Your Beef? Rubberneckers not appreciated serious injuries and reassuring to meet other concerned neighbours on the street also volunteering to lend a hand. Conversely, I was shocked to see "rubberneckers" weave through the accident scene before ambulances arrived not showing any concern whatsoever. I believe no matter where one is going, concern for the well-being of others should precede the need to "be there on time". Acton prides itself on being a community with small-town values, yet time and again I watch as people ignore stranded motorists churches, businesses, schools, organizations and individuals who assisted by sponsoring families, and by providing monetary and gift donations. The families that receive help through this program are very grateful and appreciative and are often quite overwhelmed when they receive the hampers. Thank you so much for the wonderful "gift" that you have given to those in need in our community. Your support and generosity is very much appreciated. Sincerely, Cathy Gerrow Community Support Coordinator Deadline is Tuesday at noon. To the Editor, Earlier today there was a serious car crash involving two silverhaired gentlemen on Highway 25, about 1.5-kilometres south of Acton. Though initially it was assumed no one was hurt, the accident was serious enough for authorities to close down the highway. The accident occurred right in front of my house (the transport truck rolled into my ditch). As a concerned citizen, having heard the crash I immediately went to see if I could be of assistance. It was comforting to learn there were no without even giving so much as a wave. Where is the camaraderie? Over the years I have met dozens of stranded motorists and in doing so have been late for meetings, work commitments, and family functions. Always, after explaining the reason for my tardiness, the act is quickly forgiven and life moves forward. Stopping to help, if only to loan a cell phone or give directions, might cost you ten minutes of time, but will make the day of the person(s) you help. James Wegenast Acton