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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 16, 2008 - 3 Author issues water crisis warning By Joanna Phillips SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Oakville's Answer to What Not to Wear April showers may bring May flowers, but it will take more than just rain to solve the global water crisis. Maude Barlow, National Chair of the Canadian Council, spoke to Sheridan College students last Thursday about a water crisis of "pretty serious proportions." Advocates of water as a human right were disappointed March 28, when the United Nations Human Rights Council failed to pass a resolution in their favour, that would tag water as a basic human right, accessible to all. They have a long road ahead of them- it will be another three years before the issue is revisited, under the terms of the U.N.'s consensus. Barlow, however, is not wasting any more time. Or water. Barlow has been touting her most recent book, Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water, on a tour of the United States. Barlow sees fresh water as a basic human right, and not a commercial product. "I worry that one day we're going to have a situation [where] every drop of water...will be owned and controlled by corporations," she said. Bottled water companies are exhausting water supplies, she ADVERTORIAL Maude Barlow said, and 95 per cent of what they manufacture ends up as waste. And in today's competitive marketplace, they are taking it one step further. She considers their use of technology extravagant, citing machines, which "suck water out of the sky." It is now possible for one city to trap water in the atmosphere before it reaches a neighbouring city. In keeping with her message, Barlow co-founded Blue Planet Project, "an international civil society movement begun by The Council of Canadians to protect the world's fresh water from the growing threats of trade and privatization," states its website. Barlow had some startling statistics handy when she addressed Sheridan students. · In Russia, 75 per cent of the lakes and rivers are polluted, rendering the water unsafe to drink. · In China, that figure is even higher, at 85 per cent. In Northern China, 400 of the 600 cities are experiencing a water crisis. · There is currently a massive pipeline in the Tibet Himalayas, which feeds five major rivers in Asia that desperately need it. · There are 677 lakes in Africa in crisis, and in India, there are 23 million bore wells tapping ground water. "We are pulling up water far faster than we should be," warned Barlow. Because of this, we are interrupting the hydraulic cycle, and creating deserts. She spoke of how the displacement of water goes hand-in-hand with climate change. In all this, there is little hope on the horizon for Canada. "We are not blessed with as much water as we think." Canada has 6.5 per cent of the world's renewable water, which may seem like a lion's share, but "we happen to be living next door to a very thirsty superpower." Barlow said several parts of the United States are, in fact, running dry. Arizona is completely out, and imports all its water. Utah has about seven years left. In Florida, sinkholes are opening up. "It's stunning to me, that in the U.S. they're having an election coming up and no one is discussing water," she said. For more information, visit the website at http://www.blueplanetproject.net/. Watch Us Fashions Karen Nano and Kim Carter are Oakville's version of stylists; Stacey and Clinton from TLC's popular television show What Not to Wear. Karen is the owner of Watch Us Fashions, located in the heart of Glen Abbey at 1131 Nottinghill Gate (905-827-2271) and Kim is the manager. With these two women and their staff, clothes shopping is akin to having a trusted friend waiting outside the changeroom, someone who gives gentle but honest feedback about whether those clothes you've just tried on flatter or fail you. Watch Us Fashions now carries "Not Your Daughter's Jeans" which according to both "Oprah" and "Marilyn Dennis" of City Line, are the most phenominal line of jeans ever made. Every woman should have at least one pair of these incredibly comfortable and sexy jeans in their closet. They actually lift your butt, flatten your tummy, and make you look a size smaller. "We offer a complimentary personalized consulting service, which especially appeals to the reluctant shopper, but women are certainly welcome to do their own thing in here too," said Kim. Shopping at Watch Us Fashions is retail therapy for the fashion conscious and the fashion faux pas crowd. "Sometimes we need to address how a women looks underneath her clothing before we can recommend an outfit. Underwear is as important as outerwear," said Karen. That is why Karen, Kim and their staff has been trained by the manufacturer of the famous "Oprah Bra" to ensure a correct fit. The body slimming Spanx line is as popular an undergarment at Watch Us Fashions. Spanx is the miracle undergarment made famous by the stars for its comfortable and slimming effects. "We've found that just by wearing the proper undergarment and clothing a woman can feel and look up to 10 years younger and 15 pounds lighter." COME SEE WHY GOLD WINNERS Kim Karen "We're excited to see women leave more confident in the clothes they know make them look and feel really great about themselves," said Karen. To do the best by their clients, Karen and Kim rely on well-chosen lines that include Joseph Ribkoff, the Canadian clothier that has mastered the art of dressing women for 50 years. Watch Us Fashions also carries Tribal Sportswear, Jeanne Pierre, CYC and Nueva. For Karen, Kim and the rest of the staff: Gail, Becky and Tammy, it's great to come to work, not only because of the fun and relaxed atmosphere, but because there is a lot of satisfaction in contributing to the style-conscious streets of Oakville. 1131 Nottinghill Gate (Glen Abbey) 905-827-2271 Howard Williams.ca CHANGE THE WAY YOU SHOP Once upon a time, there was no alternative to retail shopping. Consumers had to pay the huge mark ups, and sales were merrily huge mark ups being slightly reduced. Consumers traveled shop to shop until they realized there was no use. Everyone was pricing the same way and you had to pay "the price" if you wanted "the quality". A few found lower prices at some stores, but soon discovered that the prices reflected the quality and service. That became a way of life and there was no happy ending in sight. That is until Home Sweet Linens opened up. At Home Sweet Linens, consumers were welcomed in with a smile and their questions were answered thoroughly. They found luxurious linens & unique products. They could not believe the prices and at first they purchased with a little hesitation. But when they got home they found the products felt good, looked good and lasted and lasted. Soon they were back for more, but this time they brought their family and friends and they all vowed to change the way they shopped. Change the way you shop, stop paying the high mark ups, when you can save at Home Sweet Linens. We only compromise on the price not the quality and service. So get the best and do us a favor spread the word. Our linens last long, so we are always looking for new customers. Now is a good time to come for a visit and see all the new products that we have added. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing you. Come in and drop off the ballot below, for your chance to win a 100% Bamboo Sheet Set in Queen or King Size. We match or beat the price by 5% if you find a lower price elsewhere. After 130 years, our first sale ever, is also our very last sale. Howard Williams Jewellers is GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! EVERYTHING MUST GO ­ TO THE BARE WALLS SPECIAL PRICE BAMBOO BATH SHEET 36X70 $29.99 (6 colours) Home Sweet Linens the perfect shop for all your needs. We have the perfect gifts for weddings, housewarmings and other special occasions. Give linens that will last and be enjoyed for years and years. Home Sweet Linens is located at 8-2857 Sherwood Heights Drive in Oakville. Main intersections are the QEW/Winston Churchill. Monday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm For more information call 905 842 9877 or visit www.homesweetlinens.com 33%­66% OFF EVERYTHING ­ NO EXCEPTIONS Original gold bullion pricing ­ no adjustment made for increased gold pricing Enter for your chance to win a 100% Bamboo Sheet Set in Queen or King Size from HOME SWEET LINENS $299.99 value msrp Name Address Phone Number Postal Code Email (optional) Contest runs from April 17 - 25, 2008. Drop Ballot off at Home Sweet Linens Winner will be announced in the Oakville Beaver on Wednesday April 30, 2008 SALE HOURS: SUNDAY 11-5, MON-WED 10-7, THURS 10-9 FRIDAY 10-7, SAT CLOSED. 309 Lakeshore Road East Oakville 905-815-1220