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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 5, 2015 | 6 Being safe in summer The signs are all there... boats are slipping into their docking berths, youths have that anxious-for-schoolto-be-out excitement, Oakville's annual Ribfest is just around the corner, as are this summer's Pan Am Games, and golf courses are doing more than calling, they are welcoming. Here comes the summer of 2015. Let's make it a great one. That means taking a moment, or more, to ensure everyone has a safe and happy summer. That will be the words uttered by teachers as they watch youths head off for adventures. A few thoughts to summer safety -- in all types of environments -- will ensure everyone not only thrives this summer, but arrives alive and well at its end. In today's edition, we see warnings of West Nile Virus and the need to heed a few tips as we live with the wildlife that is a hallmark of our town. Yesterday's edition carried a story about the ongoing battle with the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. Traf c safety is another important piece of summer and just this week a teenager in Milton tragically had his life cut short in a motorcycle accident. Earlier in the season, we carried a story about TOWARF (Town of Oakville Water Air Rescue Force) being out on the lake again. Water safety, both on the lake and in the backyard or local swimming pool, is a huge consideration in the summer. A sudden storm when boating, a lifejacket not on board, can end in tragedy. Never leave kids unattended in pools, always keep them at arm's length, don't turn away for a moment or the results could be heartbreaking and mean that one of those teachers won't see a familiar face in the school halls next September. Don't, under any circumstances, leave children, pets or anyone in a hot car, or outside without water. When you head out on bikes, put on the helmets and remember to practice, and teach children, cycling safety. For those to whom the cottage or the fairways beckon, remember not to drink and drive (on the road or the waterways) and mind the advice of meteorologists like Dayna Vettes, whose summer prediction and own story are found in today's edition. Don't take shelter under trees or wield golf clubs in thunder and lightning storms. Head inside where it's safe. The list doesn't end... never forget the sunscreen and sun safety or the results may be those you pay for, not just in a sunburn immediately, but skin cancer that shows up years from now. There are lots of places and agencies that offer summer safety tips. and sound advice. The Government of Canada has a Be Prepared Summer Safety hot topics at at www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/ rsrcs/sfttps/tp201407-en.aspx. The Canada Safety Council is Canada's Voice and Resource for Safety and can be visited at https://canadasafetycouncil.org/campaigns/summer. As well, health, boating, golf, children... all types of agencies offer advice, along with our local government. There is no reason not to have a safe and happy summer if you're willing to spend time doing your homework. And isn't that what summer's all about? Doing the homework and then reaping the rewards? Editorial Editor's Note: Local author Pat Skene annually holds a creative writing contest at St. Matthew Catholic School for Grades 4, 5 and 6 students. This year's winner is Grade 6 student Anna Shtarker and her true story about a grackle she met in her front yard. Congratulations, Anna. "Connected to your Community" Anna wins essay contest with My friend Steech My View 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 45 The Oakville Beaver is a division of My Friend Steech by Anna Shtarker Monday, August 12, 2013 The story starts on a regular, hot summer day. It was only 10 a.m., but the sun was already high in the sky. My brother and I were playing outside on our front yard. All of a sudden, something black swooped down towards us. It landed on my head and I felt claws grip my hair. My brother shrieked. He sped away from me, but I was too shocked to move. Finally, the creature let go. The last thing I saw was a glimpse of black feathers as it ew away out of sight. I don't know how it happened. I have never been sat on by a bird before. I spent some more time outside in case the bird came back, but the rest of the day was uneventful. Tuesday, August 13, 2013 This morning, my mom told me to go to the nearby bakery to buy bread. It was on my way back that it happened again. A small black bird came at me out of nowhere. This time, however, I waved my arms to try to get the bird off me. The bird instantly ew away and landed on the nearby pavement. It was a small dark grackle with a tiny yellow beak and dark brown feathers. It tilted its head questionably and stared at me with those beady, black eyes. I slowly sat down on the ground, trying my best not to scare the bird away. The bird didn't move, but simply watched me. I sat there quietly for a moment. Nothing happened. I was about to give up and walk away when the bird started coming closer. It pecked at some twigs only 2 metres away. I froze, barely breathing as the bird inched closer. It cowed softly and glanced at me, only 1 metre away. Then it slowly advanced in small, hippity hops. It poked at a loose thread on my shirt. It was so close I could touch it if I made a 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 Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Anna Shtarker and her friend, Steech | submitted photo Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association grab for it. I had never been this close to a bird before. I held my breath. The bird stopped trying to eat my clothes and looked at me for a long moment. Then it turned around and ew away. Wednesday, August 14, 2013 I saw the bird again. I was outside in the backyard, when it came out of nowhere. I quickly grabbed some seeds from the house and placed them on the ground beside me. The bird busied itself with them. I had already known this bird for three days, and decided that it needed a name. A name that suited it quite well. Steech. I decided to name the bird Steech. see I will on p.8 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, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email 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. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.