The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

10 Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, July 18, 2007 ENTERTAINMENT Musician to perform in Brampton on Saturday Local musician Bruce Laing will perform on the outdoor patio at the City Hall Sports Café, 73 George St., S., in Brampton on Saturday, July 21, at 9 p.m. No cover charge. Info: www.myspace.com/brucelaing Teen recounts life with Harry KYLIE DE CHASTELAIN Special to The IFP Celebrities may come and go but Harry Potter is the real deal. Readers and non-readers alike have been captivated by the likes of Harry, Ron, Hermione and the wizarding crew since 1997. It's one of the most read books of all time, and it has made its author, J. K. Rowling, the highest earning novelist in history. So what's all the fuss about? Plenty, as any Harry fan knows. Perhaps it's the book's atmosphere; a very British description of boarding school life, complete with uniforms and allotted houses for each student. Or maybe, it's the fact that magic has been portrayed as a completely plausible concept. Rowling justifies everything about the magical world, from its transportation methods, to the government system (The Ministry of Magic) and even the many laws and procedures surrounding Muggles (non-magic folk). It just might be the plot, too. Rowling is fearless when it comes to writing about sticky topics, and her books cover death and teenage relationships with dignity. I suppose the growth in the stories is ultimately what makes them so exceptional. Unlike other children's books, Harry Potter's depth grows not only with its characters, but also with its audience. I was six years old when I first read Harry Potter. Every year or two since then, I've eagerly awaited the next book. Having said this, I approach the next novel with bittersweet anticipation. The seventh, and final book, will soon be released and for the first time, I won't have another one to look forward to. When I'm finished reading and rereading it, I'll write my name in the book's front cover and squeeze it next to the six others on my bookshelf. Then I'll discuss the outcome at length with my family, and wonder, as I have many times before, at how a book-- a children's book!-- has captivated the world. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be soaring from packing boxes at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, all across the globe. But more importantly, it will be available here in Georgetown in various locations. For those of you who want a head start on reading, The Freckled Lion Children's Bookstore is hosting a huge Potter Party, beginning at 10 p.m., July 20, in `Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley'. Main Street will be closed to traffic, and there will be various activities for both wizards (those of you dressing up) and muggles (those of you who aren't). The books will be available at 12:01 a.m., and it is advised that you reserve a copy in advance. For those of you who like to sleep, both The Freckled Lion and Coles will be open at 8 a.m. on July 21st and you can pick your copy up then. If you're like me, and feeling down about the release of the last book, remember that you can catch the fifth movie-- and there are still two more after that-- at cinemas around the country, including here in Georgetown. Be sure to get your hands on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this July, and participate in Harry's seventh, and last, magical read! Kylie de Chastelain will be entering Grade 10 at Georgetown and District High School this fall. Sheridan Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning presents a new and exciting Job Finding Club Are you an Internationally Trained Individual? Are you currently unemployed or working on average 20 hours per week? Looking for work in your desired field? Seeking fulltime employment? Sheridan's Job Finding Club will assist you with a SUCCESSFUL JOB SEARCH. Two weeks of in-class workshops including; · · · · · · · · · Personality & Skills Assessment Successful Interview Techniques Networking Skills Electronic Job Search Strategies Canadian Workplace Culture Client Job Profile On site recruiter to assist each job seeker Post Program Support Resource Centre with computers, phones, fax, photocopier This program is FREE! Information Session: Call us today at 905-845-9430, ext. 8026 Call us today at 905-845-9430, ext. 8026 to book for Monday, December 19, 2005 This program is funded by the Government of Canada Downtown Georgetown becomes Diagon Alley Fans of Harry Potter have been waiting in suspense for the final magical showdown between good and evil and for the resolution of what will happen to Harry and his friends. To celebrate the seventh and last book in the amazing Harry Potter series, Downtown Georgetown is being transformed into Diagon Alley and other favourite locations of Harry. See where Harry had his first date with Cho, find `butterbeer' on tap, and browse where Hedwig was purchased by Hagrid. The Freckled Lion Children's Bookstore and other merchants on Main Street are hosting a Potter Party. The party begins July 20, at 10 p.m. and ends July 21, at 12:01 a.m. when the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be available. Main Street South will be closed between Mill and James Streets beginning at 10 p.m. to accommodate the fans who can't wait to read their copy. There will be various activities for children-- all related to Harry Potter-- cafes and restaurants will remain open, as will some stores. If you wish to purchase your copy of the book at the Potter Party, you must reserve a copy in advance of the party at The Freckled Lion by calling 905-873-1213 or e-mailing books@freckledlion.com the romantic Coles opens at 8 a.m. Coles Book Store in the Georgetown Market Place mall will be open on Saturday, July 21 at 8 a.m. to allow muggles to pick up their pre-ordered copies of the Harry Potter novel-- for those who didn't check their Rememballs to remind them to pre-order, copies will be available for purchase. For all those who have pre-ordered their copy, Coles will be holding a draw for a prize on Saturday. As well, Coles will be holding draws throughout the day. getaway. Wal-Mart employees make Harry Potter pledge Georgetown Wal-Mart employees have pledged to keep silent about the ending of the much-anticipated seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series. The pledge is in response to author J.K. Rowling's desire to keep the ending a special discovery for readers around the world. "Our store associates and customers are counting down the days to the July 21 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," said John DiVirgilio, Georgetown wal-Mart's store manager. "Everyone's talking about this final book in the Harry Potter series, but our store associates have promised not to share the ending with anyone." Wal-Mart invites customers to make a personal pledge online at www.walmart.ca to show their solidarity and support for Harry Potter enthusiasts, emphasizing the importance to not spoil the ending for others.