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www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Steve Nease The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 5, 2008 - 13 Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com Lending his hand to $Million or More Oakville By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF O akville Beaver artistic director Steve Nease is among the best in the world -- so it's fitting that he's lending his sizeable talent to the global fight against AIDS in Africa. Specifically, Nease, whose work was recently acknowledged by its publication in a best editorial cartoons of 2008 compilation, has made two contributions of his award-winning work to the local campaign. First, a cartoon he originally depicted of an African parent being asked by a child if she were praying for help -- and her response, "No, a tsunami," in relation to the tsunami in south Asia, now adorns gift/donation cards adopted by the $Million or More Oakville campaign. Nease has also, of late, been squeezing into his very hectic schedule, the design of the campaign's nontraditional barometre. It's a sizable contribution as the barometre takes the form of an elephant. It's predicated on the saying, `How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.' The phrase has stuck with former Oakville mayor Ann Mulvale who is, along with journalist Sally Armstrong, co-chairing the $Million or More Oakville campaign. "I was glad to let Ann use my Tsunami cartoon as a visual symbol of the urgent need for assistance by victims of AIDS in Africa. Then, when she asked for help in designing a `barometre' graphic to measure the success of the fundraising campaign, her suggestion of somehow using an elephant seemed appropriate. After a couple of ideas, we settled on the final Ann Mulvale do advertising design and editorial cartoons -- a surprise since he'd expected to be a full-time cartoonist -- and five years later, penned the first Pud, which struck a chord with readers. Pud is Nease's edgy, but family-oriented cartoon, which features his family members as its main characters. Pud continues to be published weekly -- throughout the Metroland chain of newspapers, though Nease's eldest sons are now adults. Over time, Nease has confessed that what has become a litany of comic strips are actually a record of his family life. While his work may adorn walls in homes of prominent Canadians like former Prime Minister Paul Martin, former Premier Mike Harris, and hockey icon Don Cherry, it's the work posted on the refrigerator -- in the absolute place of prominence in a local resident's home -- that is the greatest source of pride with Nease. With that type of sentiment, it's not hard to see why Nease was a willing conscript to the $Million or More Oakville campaign. "My small contribution to the $Million or More Oakville campaign is the least I can do ... they are facing a big job with such enthusiasm and determination ... I urge all Oakville residents to do whatever they can to help them meet their goal." Steve Nease, artistic director, Oakville Beaver image," said Nease. The $Million or More Oakville campaign was launched before Christmas. Between World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) 2007 and Dec. 1, 2009, the campaign aims to literally raise a million dollars or more. Its local champions -- who have loaned their high-profile names to it as honourary chair and co-chair, are Armstrong and Mulvale. So grievous is the situation in Africa that almost an entire generation of youths has been orphaned -- leaving a generation of grandmoth- ers, primarily, to bury their own children and become caregivers all over again to their grandchildren. World peace hero Stephen Lewis has made inroads fighting back against the epidemic in Africa through the Stephen Lewis Foundation. It funds grassroots programs that don't just throw cash or unsustainable assistance at the epidemic, but which plant the seeds of real change -- and it's those programs, through that foundation, which the $Million or More Oakville campaign will fund. "My small contribution to the $Million or More Oakville campaign is the least I can do. The ones who deserve the credit are Ann, Sally Armstrong and the Stephen Lewis Foundation who are putting this most worthwhile effort together. They are facing a big job with such enthusiasm and determination, I'm sure that with all our help they will be successful. I urge all Oakville residents to do whatever they can to help them meet their goal," Nease said. Nease's backing is just the type of high profile boost the $Million or More Campaign needs as it garners support among Oakville's residents, and generates funds as a result. Born and raised just north of Toronto, Nease studied history and English, but never art, at university. He later worked as both a freelance writer and cartoonist and was hired at The Journal-Record in 1979, just before it merged with The Oakville Beaver. In 1981, Nease and his wife, Dian, moved to Oakville, where they've raised four sons -- Robert, Ben, Sam and Max -- and still make their home. Nease was hired at The Journal to Ensuring a bright future for all women The Zonta Club of Oakville will go to town -- literally -- this Saturday to celebrate International Women's Day (March 8, 2008). More than 60 downtown Oakville merchants are competing in the Zonta Club of Oakville's second annual Paint the Town Yellow window display contest to support International Women's Day. It's all about furthering the goal of ensuring the future for women at home, and around the world, is bright, equal, and safe. This Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m., local Zonta members will gather at Town Square on Lakeshore Road in the downtown to celebrate with friends from Vespa Burlington. They'll all be dressed in cheery yellow attire as they cruise along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville on yellow Vespas. Zonta members will also be handing out balloons and yellow jelly beans in Town Square as cities and towns across the globe celebrate International Women's Day. The goal is to encourage women to realize their dreams and aspire to their full potential. To further show support, stroll along Oakville's Lakeshore Road downtown between now and Saturday, and cast your vote by entering a ballot at www.zontaoakville.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHERISH PHOTOGRAPHY CRUISING FOR A CAUSE: Pictured here on yellow Vespas are, from left, Zonta members Catherine Bobesich (front) and Donna Kirichenko and from Vespa Burlington, at right, proprietor Angie DiBiase in back, and Laura DiBiase.