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

8- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday August 13, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Take Back the Night Aug. 21 at Hopedale Mall Oakville's 18th annual Take Back The Night event is on Thursday, Aug. 21 at Hopedale Mall. Take Back The Night began in Germany in 1973 as a response to a series of sexual assaults, rapes and murders. Events and marches are now held internationally in all parts of the world and the message is the same: women and children have a right to be free from violence in their lives. Take Back the Night 2008 will be an inclusive, family-friendly event ,since violence affects everyone. Originally held in September at a local park, organizers experienced low turnout, so, according to Zehra Haffajee, SAVIS education co-ordinator, the location was moved last year to a local high school as an indoor component for the event was needed because weather had been an issue. It worked. Last year saw a record turnout with 170 participants, who came not just for the march, but for the family events -- an art exhibit, bazaar and a two-hour concert. "This revamping turned out to be a huge success," reported Haffajee. This year, Take Back The Night is been moved to August as the Muslim community celebrates the month of Ramadan during September and Jewish holidays occur in October. The free event will run from 6-9 p.m. at Hopedale Mall on Rebecca Street and Third Line. It will kick off with children's crafts, activities, networking, community agency booths, entertainment and refreshments. Numerous artists will use their talent to raise awareness of violence and inspire action to bring about positive change including BellyUp Bellydance Studio. An official program will begin at 7 p.m. featuring introductory remarks from organizers, dignitaries and keynote speaker Diane Lee-Clemons. The anti-violence march will follow the speakers. According to SAVIS, 51 per cent of Canadian women will experience at least one incident of sexual or physical violence in their life. Specifically, two out of three Canadian women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. For information, contact SAVIS at 905-825-3622, savis@savisofhalton.org, or www.savisofhalton.org. Diane Lee-Clemons at Hopedale Mall, a larger public space for the event. Take Back The Night has also Vision ­ To be the most livable town in Canada Oakville Transit Bike Rack Demonstration Day S a t u r d a y, A u g u s t 2 3 , 2 0 0 8 Learn how easy it is to use the new O a k v i l l e Tr a n s i t b i k e r a c k s . Glen Abbey Community Centre 9 - 11 a.m. Iroquois Ridge Community Centre 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Ride your bike to the centre and give it a try! For more information visit: w w w. o a k v i l l e t r a n s i t . c a Community Information Meeting B r o n t e Yo u t h C e n t r e W e d n e s d a y, A u g u s t 2 0 , 2 0 0 8 7 to 9 p.m. Wa l t o n U n i t e d C h u r c h , 2 4 8 9 L a k e s h o r e R o a d W e s t A n e w y o u t h c e n t r e f o r B r o n t e i s e x p e c t e d t o o p e n a t B r o n t e V i l l a g e M a l l t h i s f a l l . T h e To w n o f O a k v i l l e w i l l b e h o s t i n g a c o m m u n i t y information meeting led by Mayor Rob Burton, Councillor Alan Johnston, Councillor Ralph Robinson and Community Constable Wendy Clayton to outline the programs, services and specifics planned for this youth initiative. This proposed space is intended to be a welcoming environment for youth to take part in a diverse range of specialized programs, services and positive recreational activities. The goal is to offer youth an opportunity to socialize in a designated and supervised "youth only" setting that also provides such integrated services as education and career counseling. T h e n e e d f o r t h i s y o u t h c e n t r e w a s b r o u g h t f o r w a r d t o t h e To w n b y m e m b e r s o f t h e B r o n t e C o n s u l t a t i o n C o m m i t t e e w i t h s u p p o r t f r o m W a r d 1 C o u n c i l l o r s A l a n J o h n s t o n a n d R a l p h R o b i n s o n , t h e O a k v i l l e Yo u t h A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e , a n d t h e H a l t o n R e g i o n a l P o l i c e . I n r e s p o n s e , t h e To w n c o n d u c t e d a f e a s i b i l i t y s t u d y i n t h e s p r i n g w h i c h r e i n f o r c e d t h e n e e d f o r a d d i t i o n a l y o u t h f o c u s e d s p a c e i n Bronte. For more information, please contact: Susan Fanelli at 905-845-6601 ext. 3155, sfanelli@oakville.ca or Ray Chisholm at 905-845-6601 ext. 3151, rchisholm@oakville.ca.