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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Canvassers needed During April, Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills (CAShh) needs volunteers who can spend a few hours going door-to-door asking for contributions to this year's fundraising campaign. If you can help, call Betty at 905-702-8886. Cancer kick off The Acton Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society invites all volunteers to the kick off this year 's campaign for funds on March 28 at Knox Presbyterian Church. The guest speaker Nelson Ho is a researcher at the University of Guelph, who will highlight the latest breakthroughs in the continuing the fight against cancer. The kick off begins at 7 p.m., and refreshments will be provided. Shinny squads Although the Acton Tanners Pup and Grill team went 0-5 in the recent World Pond Hockey Tournament in Plaster Rock, N.B., the squad, which included two New Brunswick residents and one from Vancouver, enjoyed themselves at the 10th annual event which featured 120 men's and 12 female teams from across North America. Acton player Kevin Ward, attending his sixth tournament, said the long drive to get there and the freezing temperatures were well worth it as the money raised all went to charity, including maintaining the Plaster Rock arena. Shinny teams from Georgetown and a team of North Halton Girls' Hockey Association graduates also played. Finals for Novice Tanners The Novice BB Acton Tanners face off against Erin-Hillsburgh Devils in OMHA (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) final action this weekend. On Saturday, Acton meets the Devils in an away game on Saturday at noon in Erin. On Sunday, the Novice BB Tanners hope the home stands are full as play continues in Acton at 12:30 p.m. Library fun March Break promises to be a lot of fun at the Acton branch of the library, beginning Tuesday (March 13) at 10 a.m., with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever program featuring games and activities based on the popular book series. Register in advance by calling 519-853-0301. · Movie Madness is slated for noon on March 14, when Treasure Buddies will be screened ­ the drop in program is free and seating is limited. · On Friday between 2 and 3 p.m., kids eight and older are invited to drop in to the Acton branch for It's Wii Fun, a chance to practice and learn new skills on systems and games provided by the branch. · It will be a green day on Saturday as the library celebrates St. Patrick's Day with pre-school stories with an Irish theme, hot chocolate and shamrock cookies. Pre-register at 519-853-0301 or visit www.hhpl.on.ca Benefit dance All are invited to a St. Patrick's Day dance at the Acton Legion on Saturday to benefit Milton Canine Rescue, which helps find new owners for approximately 20 to 30 dogs in Acton, Milton, Oakville and other GTA areas annually. Working with humane societies, shelters and other reputable rescue groups, Milton Canine Rescue "re-homes" former puppy mill breeding dogs, shelter animals and abandoned dogs. The event includes a dance, silent auction and prizes. School calendar Planning holidays or doctor's visits for your kids during the 2012-2013 school year? The Halton District School Board has released its school year calendar, beginning with the first day of classes on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 and ending with the last instructional day for elementary and secondary students on Thursday, June 27, 2013. The calendar includes six Professional Activity Days; five of them aligned with the Catholic Board's calendar because of shared bussing. The calendar is available at www.hdsb.ca Webber's music From Cats to Evita to Jesus Christ Superstar , memorable Broadway musicals will come alive on the Acton Town Hall Centre stage for seven performances of Cabaret 2012: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber by Georgetown Globe Productions. Evening performances are scheduled beginning tomorrow (March 16) and run until March 24, with two weekend matinees. For tickets visit www.haltonhills.ca/theatre or www.globeproductions.ca Job search skills On March 20 at 2 p.m., the focus at the Acton employment resource centre will be on writing "Captivating Cover Letters" ­ bring a job posting and leave with a targeted, effective cover letter. Call 519-853-5014 for details. *** Ever wondered if an apprenticeship program might be right? A representative of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will be at the job centre on March 22 to talk about apprenticeship programs and answer questions. The free session begins at 6:30 p.m. at Links2Care's job centre at 45 Mill St., East. TV Teen Acton's Aron Hamilton, 15, plays a UN delegate from another school with regular appearances on the teen TV show Degrassi . Hamilton and two Georgetown teens were selected for parts after catching the eye of talent agent Pat Jorosz at an open audition last fall. DINING DONATION: A $487 donation from the Acton branch of Prosperity One will help stock the shelves at Acton's FoodShare. The Acton branch also provided over $400 in food donations to the Milton Salvation Army food bank. Presenting the cheque on Tuesday were, from left: Acton branch service rep Nancy Thompson, branch manager Mike Knight, FoodShare's Carol Clark and Prosperity One President and CEO Mike Shepherd. ­ Ted Tyler photo What a snow job In may be late in the season to be talking about this, however I read in one of the Toronto newspapers about residents clearing snow from public areas. Snow clearing is a one of those subjects that people always have opinions about. As soon as there is a big snow storm, you can hear people grumbling about how the streets weren't cleared quickly enough by the Town. I've never really had that opinion. I've always thought that our Town was quite quick to respond to storms and follow-up with clearing of sidewalks and the downtown core. When we lived in Town, and even now when driving through Town, my biggest beef is people who push their snow onto the road or sidewalk. It's just rude in my opinion. Recently, the Town reminded people that although there isn't an actual by-law to ensure residents clear snow from sidewalks that surround their properties, it is encouraged. I like that. When we were in town I always tried to keep our sidewalk area clear, and would even put salt down if it was needed. The Town of Halton Hills has over 200-kilometres of sidewalks and clear snow from about half of them. Each By Angela Tyler year it seems they increase the amount cleared, however they can only do so much with the staff and equipment they have. Increases in either could result in higher taxes. It's a difficult decision to figure out which ones should be cleared therefore it is great that residents are encouraged to help out when they can, without threat of a bylaw infraction. About a month ago, after one of our mini-snow storms this winter, I was visiting my folks and heard the sounds of a snow blower. I just assumed it was the town sidewalk machine clearing the way for the school kids before the end of their day. Instead, it was the guy across the street. Not only did he clear in front of his house, but he also cleared the neighbours and the sidewalks on either side of the adjacent road. Maybe he was just doing it for the fun of it as sometimes guys do when they get new "toys," yet I am sure it was appreciated by a lot of people. In the article in the Toronto newspaper the City of Ottawa had actually ordered a resident to stop clearing a walkway that the city did not maintain. He did it because so many people used the path and had done it for several years. The man even took money out of his pocket to salt the walkways. The city did not clear the snow because they felt the walkway was not safe during inclement weather, even though the city did not post notice of this. They were also concerned that if the snow was cleared, people would use the path and be injured and consequently sue them. Again, not concerned enough to post notice or block the paths. Apparently the City of Ottawa has plans to improve the walkways, and might hopefully maintain them during the winter months for people to use. Kind gestures and people doing things to help out are sometimes a rare commodity. It is truly sad that Ottawa was so paranoid of a possible law suit that it ordered a resident to stop doing a good deed. We probably have one more good blast of snow coming from Mother Nature. I hope our residents remember what our town practices, and that is encouraging residents to help make walkways and such safe by clearing snow, if necessary, when the Town staff isn't able to.