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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 9, 2013 | 6 Editorial Head downtown tonight or tomorrow and soak in the summertime strains of jazz. It's free, it's fun and a treasure we're lucky to have. This season, Oakville is both celebrating the festival scene in town and missing a few good friends. The Oakville Waterfront Festival made a comeback last weekend at Coronation Park after a fouryear hiatus brought on by nancial woes. The Oakville Family Ribfest was a resounding success for the second year in a row earlier in the season. Another free event hosted on the grounds of Sheridan College. Always popular, Midnight Madness in the downtown was unfortunately cancelled when winds, rain and other nasty weather made sure it was among the rst customers on Lakeshore Road. We have learned, however, that the popular Harbour Days in Bronte -- which featured a sandcastle-building contest among other activities -- is not happening this year. The Bronte BIA had its hands full and pockets not so full to make it happen, according to an area councillor and BIA member. The local communications rm that led the way last year is not doing so this year, but was involved in both the waterfront festival and the July 1 Canada Day reworks celebration hosted by the Bronte BIA. Funding for the latter was tight this year as municipal commitments are reaching their end and organizers were admittedly worrying until additional federal funding came to the rescue. And, over in Kerr Village, a scan of the website shows large red lettering indicating that Music in the Square is not happening for the remainder of this summer. Though the economy may be picking up, according to some, it doesn't appear to be when it comes to summertime fun. In the year that many people are reportedly having staycations rather than wandering farther a eld, the eld of fun became a little smaller at home. With staff turnovers felt earlier this year at the Downtown Oakville BIA and more recently in Kerr Village, it's not surprising to see Bronte events struggling, too. Both Oakville's Waterfront Festival in years past and the Bronte Canada Day celebration, not to mention Midnight Madness and the Jazz Festival, have put Oakville on the map, not only in town, but beyond its borders. Take advantage of the gems we have in town because in a moment they can be gone... like Joni Mitchell's song goes... "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..." "Connected to your Community" E B R A T E 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 95 Head downtown for all that jazz T I M E T O C E L The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Michael Caine opens a bottle of champagne with his mother Jean Caine at a Celebration Tea this week at the Jean and Howard Caine Apartments, at 259 Robinson St. The 59-unit complex, with 24 specially-designed support care units, houses more than 40 people with physical challenges. It was the rst building opened by March of Dimes' Non-Pro t Housing Corporation, established in 1992 to develop and promote affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities. | photo by Hannah Yoon ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution Partnerships key to future workforce In today's economy and fast-changing workforce, it's more important than ever we recognize dedicated citizens and employers who see the value in working in partnership to inspire our youth to make informed career decisions. Last month, the team at the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) made a special effort to thank just one of the many partners who have helped us build strong links to the community through our programs and services. Under the leadership of president Glenn Attridge, Attridge Transportation was one of HIEC's Grade 8 Career Awareness Program's rst corporate sponsors, and has provided busing for the program since 2001. Founded through partnership, and in response to an identi ed community need, HIEC's Career Awareness Program was developed to give Grade 8 youths a solid foundation of career knowledge as they make the transition from senior elementary into high school. Over the past 20 years, the Grade 8 program has brought together more than 100,000 students from both Halton school boards to take part in a half-day career explo- Letters to the Editor CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager ration program at our Career Centre. The program now sees more than 6,500 students each year and has been consistently identied as a critical component of pathways education for Halton youth. It's because of dedicated community partners like Attridge we can continue to offer students this program and give them the knowledge and tools that will help them understand the importance of making informed career decisions. We couldn't ask for a better partner. The need for partnerships between business and education will only increase in the coming years. Our ever-changing world will necessitate new innovations, programs and initiatives, but what will not change is the need for continued partnerships and collaboration. We all play a part in the development of a strategic economy; and with the involvement and engagement from our community we can inspire a strong and successful future workforce. To get involved, visit our website at www.hiec.on.ca. Kelly Hoey, executive director Halton Industry Education Council Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver. com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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