4- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 20, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com On the job Knar's hoping for snow here By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Importance of Routines During the Holidays By Nikki Taylor, Parent Education Manager With Christmas less than one week away, it is often a time of chaos and excitement for children and families. Maintaining some routine in your child's day can help your child manage this busy time more happily. Routines are important for all of us, but particularly for your child. They give children a sense of security, predictability and order at a time when things can seem overwhelming. Routines need to be simple, and easy for anyone to do. There may be times where someone else will need to care for your child. Your caregiver should be able to carry out the child's routines in your absence. Here are some handy tips to think about as you enjoy the holiday season: ·Try to keep some of the key routines like bedtime and mealtime as consistent as possible. ·Be aware of your child's energy level and stress level. Often children are not sleeping as much or as well as usual. This is a time when sensitivity to our child's needs and coping abilities needs to be considered......often. ·Be aware of your own stress level, and make sure there is regular down time in your routine for everyone. ·Use pictures, timers etc. Find tools that help you and your child to get through the routines successfully. For example use pictures of all the steps for getting dressed. Timers for teeth brushing can be helpful too! ·Inform your children ahead of time about changes to the routine. This will help them to adapt more easily. ·Remind children in a positive way, about expected behaviour and notice when they are doing it right! In times of distress, disruption or just a busy life, routines can give your children familiarity, security and a sense of control. Think about and plan great routines for your child. You will all reap the rewards! We hope you have a very safe holiday season, filled with joy, laughter and lots of time with family. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER H IS FOR HEROES: The Oakville Professional Fire Fighters' Association picked up donations to the annual toy drive at Mayfair Bingo Thursday. Here, in front, from left, Shawn Fisher, club manager, Shirley Stacey, Ron Agley, Martha Wilson and James Newton. In back, from left, Chuck Lewis, Grant Lawson and Neil Bickerton of the Oakville Fire Department. Approximately 300 toys and $1,000 in cash for the toy drive was collected, as well as canned goods. Firefighters will be delivering toys to the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) Tuesday morning in what will be their 20th annual visit to the hospital's children's ward at Christmas. Firefighters will also be visiting Emergency, seniors wards, day surgery, various other floors, ICU and even the OTMH cafeteria. All In Stock Riedel Glasses 20 OFF % SALE December 20th to 24th Only 182 Lakeshore Road East Downtown Oakville Tel: (905) 338-0275 www.tosetatable.com The Centre is a registered charitable organization, that has provided programs and services for families since 1980. Our services are designed to support all families in their parenting role. We also offer early learning opportunities for children 0-6 years. For more information on programs, parenting and services offered by the Centre please contact us at 905-849-6366 or visit our website at www.op-cc.ca Christmas present, pray for snow -- yes, despite yesterday's bliz- Jeff Buzbuzian, zard -- on Jan. 15, 2009 -- and co-owner Knar Jewellery you may be shovelling the white stuff, but off the hook for the green stuff. teacher's college, but decided on Knar Jewellery is running a the jewelry business instead. Snowfall Celebration in conjuncJeff was 18 and, after making a tion with its 30th anniversary. trip to Italy, shelved his thoughts If there is six inches of snowfall of becoming a dentist or landon that day, Knar Jewellery will scape architect in favour of delvrefund all purchases made between ing into the world of jewelry. Nov. 25 and Dec. 24, 2008. Upon returning home, Jeff "We're hoping for last year's secured an apprenticeship with a record snowfall and wish you all master jeweler and then joined the best for the holidays and a Greg in business. new year full of wonderful surIn the mid-1980s a fire in the prises," said Jeff Buzbuzian, 49, building in which the Guelph who co-owns Knar Jewellery with store was located saw the brothhis brother Greg, 54. ers open the second store they'd The deal is guaranteed by been eyeing in Kitchener. Knar Jewellery and Lloyd's of Fears that the Guelph buildLondon. ing would have to be vacated Here's how it works. because of structural damage It applies to individuals who from the blaze never materialmake a purchase and refunds are ized, so the brothers had two for the full purchase price of the stores in business. jewellery, excluding sales tax and Since Jeff had lived in Oakville delivery charges. for some time and owned a busiThe snow must fall between 12 ness premises in Oakville, the a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 15. Oakville location opened several All purchases made during the years ago at Olde Oakville Market time period that applies are final Place, 321 Cornwall Rd. with no returns, refunds or canAccording to Jeff, the convencellations permitted. ient location not only allows cusPeople buying during the tomers ease of access for the purqualified sales period must pay in chasing of jewelry, but also the full to be eligible. repair, appraisal and goldActing as judge for the day of smithing that Knar offers. the big snowfall, will be Weather While the snowfall event is Watch Service. particular to each Knar location, If there is six inches of snow- and Knar does have stores in fall on Jan. 15, refunds will be downtown Guelph (56 St. made to customers who return to George's Square) and uptown the store between March 1 and Waterloo (80 King St. S.), May 31 and present the original Buzbuzian said Oakville cussales receipt. tomers may want to make their Knar Jewellery has purchased purchases right at home in weather insurance from Lloyd's Oakville since they should never of London and, according to Jeff, discount the potential for lakehad to pay extra to insure Jan. 15 effect snow or a storm making its because it's more likely to get way across Lake Ontario from snow than say, New Year's Eve, Buffalo. which was a much better bet Knar Jewellery carries a selecfrom the insurer's perspective. tion of fine jewelry and acces"It would be just awesome if sories from exclusive names such we could do this for our cus- as Rolex, Cartier and Faberge, as tomers," said Jeff. well as pieces by contemporary The idea came after a U.S. jew- designers. eler did a similar thing last year It also offers services includand paid out for its clients, said ing custom designs, repairs, Jeff. restorations and appraisals. After three decades in busiJeff said the event has been ness, it's adding up for fun all stimulating sales and interest. across the board. He said many customers are "We're doing our snow dance," going to buy a gift anyway so they said Jeff. may as well have the chance to Knar Jewellery began in 1978 get their money back. operating in a 300-square-foot If they don't, they still have a shop in Guelph. nice piece of jewelry from a great Greg had had his sights set on store, he said. "It would be just awesome if we could do this If you buy an expensive for our customers."