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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 19, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN-HOME PERSONAL TRAINING Give a Healthy Gift This Holiday Season 'Tis the season to shop locally Each of us decides where we will shop. We may choose to spend precious hours driving and sitting in traffic, or save that travel time to enjoy more time with family and friends. We may choose convenience, personalized service or loyalty to a particular business over other priorities, but local merchants are also doing what they can to maintain a competitive position with their pricing. Some national retailers have adjusted their prices to reflect the higher value of the Canadian dollar. Oakville media have done a wonderful job of raising the issue of cross-border shopping and how it affects consumers, local businesses and residents. We are familiar with hearing about the long lineups at border crossings, the complications arising from after-sales services and the potential for false economies once travel costs, duty and taxes are factored into the cost of the shopping trip. At this time of year, many businesses employ students to ensure good service is maintained when hours are longer and we all get busy. These are our children and yours, who benefit when shoppers stay in town. This applies to small, independent boutiques, larger chain stores, their local suppliers and service providers. Oakville businesses are an integral part of our high quality of life, with their generous contributions to local cultural, recreational, charitable and beautification projects. These activities are over and above their obligations to pay property taxes. By shopping locally, you are supporting these activities in your own community. This winter's receipts will help to pay for next year's commercial and corporate sponsorships of festivals, sports teams and arts activities, for the enjoyment of all ages. This winter's revenues will find their way to valued charities and fundraising activities. The Christmas shopping season is important to Oakville in any year, for retailers -- small to large, wholesalers and all related service businesses. This year, holiday shopping is critical to account for sales lost to the U.S. and the reduction in tourism business. It's not just the retailers, but the hospitality industry feels the effect of fewer tourists and fewer shoppers. Hotel services to coffee shops and fine dining benefit when customers are in town and not across the border. You will decide where to spend your hard-earned, after-tax dollars and we ask you to choose clean air, local investment, less time travelling and more time with family and friends. This can best be done by shopping in Oakville. GERRY POPP, PRESIDENT OAKVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Gift Certificates Available IMAGE FASHIONS GRAND OPENING SPECIALS · Evening Wear · Casual Wear · Outerwear · Sweaters · Sizes S-XXL Tops · Sizes 6-22 Skirts Pet Photos - Thursday Dec. 20 SANTA'S SCHEDULE Hopedale Mall 5:00-7:00 p.m. Third Line Rebecca St., Oakville HOPEDALE MALL 905-827-7146 & www.hopedalemall.on.ca SHOP RIGHT. IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. Hopedale Mall Rebecca & Third Line 905-320-1276 905-825-9447 LONDON GOLD Fine Jewellery Co. Ltd. Tickets to Toronto's Best Consumer Shows make great holiday gifts! Diamond Studs Sale January 25 - 27, 2008 February 29 - March 2, 2008 Beautiful Diamond Studs Set in 14kt/18kt or Platinum .50 tw from $395 symposium series March 15, 2008 New Year's Levee Town Hall is hosting a New Year's Levee on Sunday, Jan. 6, from 1-5 p.m. "We invite the residents of Oakville to join us as we welcome in the new year," Mayor Rob Burton said. "The New Year's Levee is a wonderful event for us to spend time with our constituents and friends outside of the Council chambers and to wish Oakville residents a safe and happy 2008." The New Year's Levee will be held in the South Atrium of Town Hall at 1225 Trafalgar Rd. Light refreshments will be served. April 4 - 6, 2008 Diamond Studs Make A Wonderful Holiday Gift LONDON GOLD Fine Jewellery Co. Ltd. April 10 - 13, 2008 April 25 - 27, 2008 Upper Oakville Shopping Centre · 1011 Upper Middle at 8th Line 905.337.0051 Buy online at www.premierconsumershows.com Now!