C6 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 19, 2003 Labours Of Love weekend childbirth and parenting classes Contrary to popular belief, babies don't come with instructions. Expecting a baby can be one of the most exciting times in a new par ent's life - but it can also be a little overwhelming. With this in mind. Halton Healthcare Services has developed a new and unique weekend program for expec tant parents. O a k v ille - T r a f a lg a r Memorial Hospital's Maternal Child Program now offers Labours of Love, weekend childbirth and par enting classes, to help busy new parents and families ease into this new phase of their life. The first course, held the first weekend of February, was attended by 12 enthusiastic, expectant cou ples. " When it comes to child birth, babies and parenting you can never be too pre pared." noted Cindy MacDonald, Program Leader, O TM H Maternal Child Program. " But knowing what to expect and where to find information when you need it can relieve a lot of anxi ety." While the course covers a wide range of topics from prenatal nutrition, labour and baby care to breastfeeding, infant safety and parenting, a lot of the information is prequestions answered by expe rienced and qualified health care professionals, and prac tice breathing and relaxation techniques," explained Karen Towler, Registered Nurse and one of the course Instructors. " We also provide parents with a variety of reli able information sources and support services available to them in the community." " We didn't think learning could be so much fun! The skits were hilarious while the role-playing allowed us to get real hands on experi ence," explained Valencia Bishop who has since deliv ered a healthy baby boy. " It was a very enjoyable, dynamic and informative weekend. A real nice memo "They made the spouses feel really welcome," added husband Andrew Bishop. " I was a little worried about taking part in the birthing process but the course gave me confidence and increased my comfort level so I could relax and take part in the whole experience." Classes are filling up quickly so if you are interest ed book early. The classes are being offered the first weekend of every month from 8:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. from March to July 2003. Call 905-845-2571 ext. 6402 to register. Kidney disease talk tonight Warning signs of disease are some times subtle, or may even be outwardly non-existent. Kidney disease is no exception. As part of Kidney Health Month activities in March, The Kidney Foundation of Canada and Halton Healthcare Services w ill help you deter mine if you are at risk for developing kidney disease through an informative seminar. March is Kidney Health Month. According to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, more than one million Canadians have kidney disease. Common causes are diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, inherited disease, and repeated urinary tract infections. Dr. Daniel Sapir, a nephrologist practicing in Oakville and Halton Healthcare Services, w ill present a talk entitled Kidney Disease: Are You at Risk? From Prevention to Treatment tonight (M arch 19) at 7 p.m. at Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Chris Elgar, Chairman of The Kidney Foundation's West Renal Planning Group, will present his per sonal experience with kidney disease, and Susan Mintz, Director. Patient Services for the Foundation's Central Ontario Branch, w ill provide an overview of Foundation services. Kidney disease usually progresses silently, often destroying most of the kidney function before causing any symptoms. Therefore, people at risk of developing kidney disease should be evaluated regularly which may involve a blood or urine test. Signs and symp toms that may indicate kidney disease are puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet; changes in frequency of urination or appearance of urine; fatigue; and loss of appetite or weight. Those who are at risk of developing kidney disease and those with kidney disease are encouraged to attend this seminar with their families. A question and answer period will follow the for mal presentation. Light refreshments and displays will be available between 6:30 and 7 p.m. and the presentation w ill begin at 7 p.m. To reserve a seat, please call 905-3384379 or e-mail elittle@haltonhealthcare.on.ca. The seminar is being presented by Halton Healthcare Services - OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital site and The Kidney Foundation of Canada with appreciation to Halton Pharmacy. If you would like more information on this topic, speak with your physician and contact The Kidney Foundation of Canada - Central Ontario Branch at 416-445-0373 ext. 241 or www.kidneycob.on.ca ry - Dawn O akley and Karen Towler, O akville Trafalgar M em orial Hospital S ta ff Registered Nurses and Course Instructors, and at front from left, Valencia and Andrew Bishop with their baby Ethan. sented in a fun, interactive way through skits, group activities, games, role-play ing, and videos. In addition, participants are provided with a tour of the Maternal Child Unit. `The weekend is intense but very worthwhile," explained MacDonald. " Parents leave their hectic lives behind for a few hours and focus on their upcoming childbirth and parenting experience." " The couples have an opportunity to work through their birthplans, have their Food Security workshop tomorrow The Halton Anti Poverty Coalition invites concerned citizens to a Halton Food Security Community Consultation in Milton on Thursday. The morning workshop about food security - access to affordable, nutri tious and personally acceptable food for everybody including low-income fami lies - w ill be held from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Hearth Room at the Halton Region Museum inside Kelso Conservation Area in Milton. The information session w ill include representatives from the Kerr Street Market, Acton Dinner Club, Halton Regional Federation of Agriculture, Burlington Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels. Food for Thought, and Plan B Organic Farm. The workshop w ill begin with regis tration at 9 a.m. For more information, call Lynne Russell at the Halton Social Planning Council and Volunteer Centre, 905-632-1975. T H E IIIkl 1 1 ,1 ,1 . IIM D ining & Entertainm ent *H k * . Oakville's Bi-Weekly Dining and Entertainm ent Spotlight .. ............. .... nki ROSEWOOD -- BISTRO-- AND WI NE BAR THERE! AND FOOD THEN THERE 1 Incredible T'otxl fo r H /very JVIood · Sunday Buffet B runch $14.95 · Private R oom from 8 to 80 ' Perfect for Sjiecial Occasions o r Office Parties RUDE FOOD tv t 1900 Dundas St. W., Mississauga S herw ood Forest S h o p p in g Village Mississauga (East o f E rin Mills) 905-855-3913 www.rosew K x lln s tr o .c a B ro n te . 119 J o n e s S I. (9 0 5 ) 465*0571 O a k v ille . 142 L a k e s h o re R d E . (9 0 5 ) 844-3334 w w w .ru d e n a tiv e .c o m r-j ZJocune Jvesiaurant & B A N Q U ET H A LL Owner Peter Koufidis has been serving up good " down home cooking" to Oakville residents for the past 25 years. "M E M / Come and try our new fare, such as our "Bloomin Onion" and Cajun Tiger Shrimp. Bison, the newest mouth-watering item on the menu is lean, tender and so satisfying! From the grill · New York & Rib Eye Steaks, Prime Rib or Pork Back Rib Tail. Plus our all time favourites Pastas & Curries. Serving Oakville fo r 25 Years We continue to fight inflation with low prices & top quality " T h e U ltim a te P rim e R ib Towne Restaurant has the perfect plate for everyone By Andrea Lepore S P E C IA L F E A T U R E S W R IT E R If you're in the mood for a hearty meal, but don't feel like cooking. Towne Restaurant has the perfect-plate for you. Owner Peter Koufidis, along his wife, children and long-time employ ee Bib i. has been serving up good "down home cooking" for the past 25 years in O akville, and has been dedicated to bringing the best to his loyal customers from the very beginning. " I came to O akville because I wanted to be in a nice town and serve the community," says Koufidis, who has 35 years of cooking experience. " I got into the restaurant business because I love people. I've become friends with many of my customers - their kids have grown up here." Although Koufidis has seen a lot of changes over his years in O akville, he greets many customers by name. " I have a fam ily who have been coming here for 30 years. I've seen their kids grow up. When their daughter got married, she had her recep tion here," he says. " She's coming here in a few months to celebrate her 40th birthday. It's amazing how time flies." Towne Restaurant can accommodate from 10 to 200 people for private functions and special occasions, with a partitioned room for smaller par ties and a private room in the back of the restaurant. Towne Restaurant also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner to their cus tomers. Koufidis and his staff prepare fresh homemade dishes daily, with specialties including Prime Rib. Western Sandwich, Greek Shish kabob and Greek Salad. And if there's something you want that you don't see on their delicious menu, they can customize any meal. After all its years of service to the O akville community, Koufidis says his restaurant is showing no signs of slowing down. " This restaurant is like an information centre for people - they get together here and enjoy themselves," he says, adding in jest. " We're not leaving until we have to retire." Towne Restaurant is opened Monday to Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. To make reservations for your special occasion call 905-842-0475. You can visit Towne Restaurant at 467 Speers Rd. E x p e r i e n c e 99 · Daily Breakfast Special $4.25 · Lunch & Dinner Prime Rib Specials Steaks & Seafood Banquet Facilities 3 rooms to suit tjour needs 905-842-()475 467 Speers Road 1 B lo ck W e s t o f D o rv n I · P le n ty o f F r e e P a rk in g * Oakville, s Best Kept Secret 481 North Service Rd. West at 4th Line 90 5 -8 2 5 -1 1 0 9 I t V '/ t *//<·«' /////· ( '/ tf.w f W S /ttifitt/t ( L '/ e t / t r / f S (im / u / t v C - (A f/ / rfttM v x /// tr ( H t.srtuf. ( fz /a ts /i/te n · v in e n a n s ° W a k Thanks to all our customers this Restaurant & /Lounge M O N D A Y S & TU ESD A Y S: H a l f P r ic e O f f th e f o o d m e n u t ill & 3 0 p .m . W E D N E SD A Y & TH U R SD A Y : F re e A p p e tiz e r p a s ta o r m a in w ith a n y c o u rs e t ill 6 :3 0 p . m . St. Patrick's Day! We have started our new Menu, so why not come in and by some of our new items, as well as some of our old favorites. FR ID A Y S: L iv e E n te rta in m e n t S A T U R D A Y S: E lite S p e c i a l F e a t u r e s (C a l l f o r i n f o r m a t i o n ) D o n 't le t th e Y o u ' l l lo c a tio n f o o l y o u ! b e im p r e s s e d (905) 815-9253 407 Speers Rd.. #4. Oakville 905-815-9689 www.eliterestaurant.com