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Chisholm SCHOOL SUCCESS www.chisholmcentre.com (905) 844-3240 Q.E. Park continues their winning ways Sports Tis the Season for great gift giving Section b Mercedes-Benz Q.E.W. & Dorval Dr. w w w . o a k v ille b e a v e r . c o m NORTH THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A M E R I C A 'S M O S T Vol. 3<) N o . L>2 AWARDED COMMUNITY K Y2 NEWSPAPER A M e tre )la n d P u b l i c a t i o n W K D N K SD A Y . D H C K M K H K IS . 2( 1> r1 JL > ( 'S / . ) ( X *11IS (pit tS ( tS I ' Observer sees some hope for peace in Middle East By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER There may be little official peace between Palestinians and Israelis, but an Oakville woman says she saw optimistic signs of peace between individuals during a recent three-month stint in the West Bank. Local activist Miriam Bhabha went to Israel in September as part of a mission with the International Women's Peace Service (IWPS). She has volunteered to spend three months a year, over the next three years, living in an international women's house in the Palestinian village of Hares on the West Bank. Several weeks ago, she returned from her first three-month | stay, with a sense of hope for the troubled area. I While working to monitor human rights conditions and helping local Palestinians harvest their olive crop, Bhabha said she met many Israelis also helping those living in diffi cult conditions in the West Bank. "Things are not very good over there," she explains. "Life is very difficult for the Palestinians." Bhabha said she saw an increasing numbers of Israelis who also are concerned with the problems facing the Palestinian people. She worked with women's groups, rabbis Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver and even individuals making regular trips into the occupied Andy and Andria Blanchard take a break from a hike as they prepare for a 19,340-foot climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in January to raise territories to help out Palestinians. (See `Woman' page A5) funds for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. Climb will help make wishes come true C o u p le j o i n M o u n t K ilim a n ja r o tre k f o r M a k e -A -W is h f o u n d a t io n By Paula Henriques OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Andy and Andria Blanchard will be scaling the heights so that those in the depths of a lifethreatening illness can have their dreams come true. On Jan. 3, the couple and 29 Investment Planning Counsel (IPC) associates and staff members from across the country will be trav elling to Tanzania, Africa to climb the 19,340foot Mount Kilimanjaro, in hopes of raising $300,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. So far, the IPC Securities Corporation Oakville Branch Manager has raised $5,000 on his own, but hopes to raise $24,000 - a total of four wishes. He plans to reach Kilimanjaro's summit on Jan. 12 - his birthday. "I've been involved with Make-a-Wish before and it was very rewarding. When this opportunity came up to be involved again, I couldn't turn it down. Last year I was able to buy one wish, this year I want to buy four," he said. The idea first germinated during a trip to Mexico with colleague Steve Meehan, CEO of Investment Planning Counsel. Meehan said he was planning an adventure holiday by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and celebrate his birthday on sit. in the airport for another 15 hours (they Jan. 12 by reaching its peak. Discovering they weren't able to arrange connecting flights). By Howard Mozel shared the same birth date, the two made plans Next, they fly 12 hours to Tanzania, then bus it to climb it together. Soon, the idea blossomed for eight hours to the hotel near the base of the OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF into country-wide support from 29 IPC associ mountain. ates from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, Leading the remote expedition is Eddie No one is more dismayed by last Wednesday's alcoholcomplete with media involve Frank, owner and founder of fueled debate at Queen's Park than Oakville MPP and ment following the ascent. Tusker Trail and Safari Co. Speaker of the House Gary Carr. T v e been involved with With Make-a-Wish Found Bom and raised in Africa, Certain that voters across Ontario are disgusted as well, Make-a-Wish before and it ation being IPC 's national Frank has logged more than Carr hopes they will contact the charity, it was fitting to use the was very rewarding, when 500,000 miles on African j offending politicians and give them adventure as a fundraiser. tours, including 34 crossings a piece of their mind. this opportunity came up to Every penny raised by the of the Sahara Desert and 15 "It was really bad, worse than be involved again, I couldn't climb goes towards fulfilling Kilimanjaro climbs. I've ever seen," said Carr, referring the special wishes of children turn it down. Last year I was Following Frank's expert to the Dec. 11 midnight sitting. between the ages of three and The seeds for the near-disaster advice, the IPC climbers start able to buy one wish, this 18 who have a life-threatening ed training four months in were sown when caucus Christmas year I want to buy four." illness. advance. The Blanchard's parties for the Tories and the · Andy Blanchard The trip also required a began hiking in the summer Liberals were held at downtown hefty monetary commitment to get physically prepared and restaurants that evening, while the from the climbers. The Blanchard's have have slowly progressed from a four kilometre NDP's caucus party was held at already spent close to $14,000 out of their own hike to walking 24 kilometres. Andy so far has Queen's Park. The MPPs moved Oakville MPP Gary Carr pockets for airfare and protective gear. But lost 22 pounds. between their soirees and the Andy considers it money well-spent on a great Though the climb is not difficult in moun Legislature where they sat until midnight finishing the current cause and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. taineering terms, it does pose challenges for the session's agenda. The challenge begins even before the actual IPC team. Tensions were ratcheted up when the Tories refused to climb. W hen the crew departs Pearson According to the Tusker Trail and Safari allow a final vote on a private member's bill by NDP MPP International Airport they'll arrive in Co., it is a long, tough, uphill trek up Mount Marilyn Churley and her party used procedural rules to force Amsterdam eight hours later, but will have to (See `Climbers' page A4) (See `Sergeant-at-Arms' page A2) Carr disgusted by booze-fueled MPPs at Queen's Park A few bad apples spoiling charitable pot for local agencies Editorials................. A6 `Tis the Season..........B1 Focus......................Cl Business................... C4 Classifieds................ C5 ArtScene...................C8 Sports D1 Best Wheels...............D6 Partial Delivery: By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Christmas. Charity. The two go together like a reflexive response: when the season is upon us, the urge to give kicks in more so than at any other time of year. It's akin to a chain reaction, which sees our grateful selves digging deep into our pockets and emerging with hands full, ready to drop a donation toward a self-determined worthy cause. It is no wonder local non-profit organizations look upon the season as prime time for revitalizing their coffers. But, there is concern among these do-good agen cies that newfound cynicism toward charities may put a sizeable dent in their seasonal fundraising. The term `worthy cause' lies at the core of these doubts. Revelations about government-registered " Take your time, don't be pressured. Get information, ask for details in writing on a Web site or brochure" · Megan Campbell CEO Community Foundation o f Oakville charities misspending donated money, due to adminis trative inefficiencies or sheer chicanery, has prompted donors to do a little digging about how their money is used. To prove their worthiness to the public, the local Salvation Army, United Way o f Oakville and Community Foundation of Oakville put themselves to SportChek, S&RLinens, Let' s Celebrate, The Bay, Staples Business Depot, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Ermisclare Interiors, Hy & Zel' s, Sears, Mississauga Booster, Guardian Drugs, Little Caesar, Party Packagers, Blacks Camera, Canadian Publications Mail Product Agreement #435-201 the test of scrutiny. "O f course there is concern if the questionable practices of some charities are assumed to be the norm ," said Megan Campbell, CEO of the Community Foundation of Oakville. Her best advice to those approached by innumer able solicitors requesting donations this time of year -- the faster the sales pitch the more reason to resist. These fast talking types are usually obliged to direct a huge percentage of each dollar donated to the hired fundraising company, rather than the people for whom the charity originally intended to help, she said. "Take your time, don't be pressured. Get informa tion, ask for details in writing on a Web site or brochure," added Campbell. The foundation practices that which it preaches. This and more documentation including audited finan cial statements must be submitted to the volunteer (See `Some' page A3) || PeterW ffs°N CHRYSLER · JEEP* DODGE L V / V jI V Y C M I N V E S T M E N T S T V S I, V 7 U I! R F l\ /E S T A R « o a O e C ER T IFIED || |{ Y 1 7 5 W y e c r o f t R o a d , O a k v i l l e 9 0 5 .8 4 5 . 6 6 5 3 I / y«>.irs in Hu- S..MH- lo /.m ,,,/ w w w .lo c k w o o d c h r y s le r .c o m RETIREMENT PLANNING SPECIALISTS Free C o n s u l t a t io n 8 4 2 -2 1 0 0 MJUL, CER,