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Wednesday November 17, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A7 COMMENT T h e P o k e m o n c r a z e ...th is to o s h a ll p a s s Just when you thought it would end, all the endless chatter about Machoke and Machamp and Pigeot and Charmander, it's been revved up a notch: the Pokemon movie is here. So you've tossed out all the deadly treats from Halloween and along comes more junk....this time for the brain. i--_ _ _ _ But maybe you'll be lucky. Maybe, just maybe, your own kids will have nothing to do with this craze. "You know," I said to my 10year-old son, hop ing to quell the inevitable request, "It's just designed to sell, right?" Well, I know that, he says. As if that were obvious. Still, he wanted to see it for himself, or better yet, collect the special movie card he hoped his sixyear-old cousin didn't know about. Alas, the Pokemon network had infil trated even the youngest set. Drew forked over the requisite card after the movie. His cousin was ecstatic. My daughter, a world-weary 12-year-old, was mortified about the whole thing. "I can't believe I have to be seen up there with my brother and cousin!" she protested. Six years between the youngest and the oldest and it may as well be 60: she was having nothing to do with this "juvenile" Pokemon movie except to sleep through it. Psychiatrists, of course, say it's bad for kids. Indeed. Just like the Rolling Stones and Nirvana, just like long hair and go-go boots, so too we should pro tect our kids from the hideous Pokemon creatures. But what, I'd like to know, is so bad about exposing your kids to mediocrity? And so, with a not-so-heavy heart, I said yes to the movie. Pokemon, shmokemon, what's the big deal. I even, if you could imagine, drove the kids up to the Oakville Town Centre movie theatre where we spotted the long line up that extended all the way to the Toys R Us entrance. Hassled par ents stood with their kids in line, all of whom looked as though they would rather be sipping a nice hot brew in front of a roaring fire than up here. My newly-married sister, immune from the ravages of Pokemon fever, talked to me on the weekend as I whined about flooded basements and sick kids. And Pokemon. "I don't understand the appeal," she said, puzzled. "I just don't get it." That, folks, is the key to the most amazing collecting phenomenon to date: fact is, most parents don't have a clue about the Japanese-originated Pokemon. Who evolves from whom; what's the most valuable card; which edition; which kid has the best collec tion. It is, much like the Magic card game that really intrigues Drew, almost like listening to another language. Get the kids in the back seat and you don't have a clue. Which, of course, makes it all the more attractive to the hordes of kids packing into local comic and card collecting stores. Parents don't get it and the kids do. And that's why they're lining up to see what even my son attests is pretty mediocre stuff. He didn't buy the movie thing, not by a long shot. But he wanted that card. Ask the guys behind the counter of comic and card stores (and they're almost always guys) just what's behind it all and they're as puzzled as anyone else. But they agree on one thing about Pokemon: the interest is real. And they scoff at the notion that it's just another fad, like Pogs. The derision in the voice of the clerk I asked a couple of weeks ago about the movie and its similarity to Pogs was clear: He looked at me as if I was out of my mind. "It's nothing like that, nothing. This is way bigger and it's been that way for awhile. I've never seen anything like this before." And when does he expect the Pokemon craze to wane just a little? "Another year....maybe longer." Ye Gods...another year? You bet. Why, there are endless versions of just how Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur and then into Venusaur; end less ways in which Psyduck can be traded away for, maybe, someone bet ter. Endless ways in which the cards can be collected and traded; endless stories about how the bigger kids tried to rip off a holographic Chansey from an unsuspecting five year old. But what the heck. My mother wasn't too impressed with Alice Cooper or bell bottom jeans that fit like a second skin. And these days you could bet she wouldn't be too keen on tattoos or body piercing. Pokemon? Put it where it belongs....on the shelf with Furby and Tickle Me Elmo. DIANE HART O A K V IL L E Monday, November 22,1999 Planning & Development Council Council Cham bers 7:30 p.m. 8 4 5 -6 6 0 1 C ouncil & S tanding C ommittee M eetings Tuesday, November 23,1999 Community Services Committee 7:30 p.m. - Oakville Room Administrative Services Comm. 7:30 p.m. - Bronte Room Wednesday, December 1,1999 Council Meeting Council Cham bers 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 6,1999 Planning & Development Council Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. A m e s s a g e f r o m t h e M a y o r 's S p e c i a l C o m m itte e A g a in s t Im p a ire d D riv in g C o uncil & C ommittee T ouchtone P hone L ine 8 1 5 -5 9 5 9 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE PRE-QUALIFICATION OF : GENERAL CONTRACTORS AQUATIC SUBCONTRACTORS A ttention Oakville Transit Users P o s s ib le S tr ik e A c tio n Negotiations for a new collective agreement between the Town o fl | for the construction of one storey Community Centre Oakville and Oakville Transit C A W Local 1256 continue but thef PRE-QUALIFICATION-9-99 transit workers will be in a legal strike position on Monday, November 22, 1999 at 12:01AM [IROQUOIS RIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE Should a strike occur, all regularly scheduled Transit services will be discontinued immediately. In the event o f a strike, care-A-van service for the physically disabled will be provided on Monday, November 22, 1999. However, those requiring service beyond that date should check with Oakville Transit for confirmation at 815-2020 We urge all Transit riders to make alternative travel arrangements beginning Monday Morning, November 22, 1999 and continuing until further notice. Transit users are encouraged to use the Bronte GO Station parking facilities when making alternative travel plans, The Town o f Oakville sincerely hopes negotiations can be successfully concluded without a work stoppage Further details will be made available through the local media For ongoing information, please use the "Call First" numbers listed at your normal bus stops, call Oakville Transit at 815-2020, or visit the Oakville Transit web page at www.oakvilletransit.com. I The Corporation of the Town of Oakville invites prequalification proposals I from interested General Contractors and Aquatic Subcontractors. 1Prequalification submissions will be received in the sealed Town of Oakville Iprcqualification envelope addressed to the attention of the Town Clerk, [Municipal Building, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6J 5A6, Reference: Prequalification-9-99 - The construction of Iroquois Ridge [Community Centre DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SUBMISSIONS will be no later than 12:00 noon, local time on Tuesday, December 7th, 1999 LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT feE ACCEPTED The Town of Oakville proposes to construct the Iroquois Ridge Community Centre. 1051 Glenashton Drive, Oakville, Ontario This community centre will consist of a 4.630.0 square metre (49.837 sq .ft) including 25-m Pool with change rooms. Fitness Centre. Library. Community Rooms, mechanical spaces and associated areas. Submitted proposals shall be based upon Standard CCA Document No 11 as well as mandatory supplementary documentation (pickup from Purchasing Department of the Town of Oakville) to demonstrate technical, managerial, financial and bonding capabilities. The General Contractors' proposals [should include a preliminary construction schedule and identify the personnel and methods to be utilised in order to construct and monitor the project utilising a CPM or similar scheduling system General Contractors as well as the Aquatic Subcontractors interested in | being prcqualificd to bid the work of this project must submit the following: · · Completed CCA Document No 11(*) THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE TENDER FOR ROAD STRIPING TENDER NUMBER T-21-99 SEALED TENDERS on forms provided will be received by the Town Clerk. 1225 Trafalgar Road. Oakville. Ontario, or by mail to PO. Box 310. Oakville, Ontario. L6J 5A6 until 2:00 p.m., local time on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7,1999 Specifications and tender forms may be obtained from the Town of Oakville. Purchasing Department. 1225 Trafalgar Road. Oakville. Ontario; Telephone 905-338-4197. NOTE: A non-rcfundable administration charge of $50 00 via cash or certified cheque, payable to the Town of Oakville, will be required Interac direct payment is also available. The Contractor whose tender is accepted shall be required to post a Performance Bond satisfactory to Town Council, for $250,000.00, and a Labour and Material Bond in the amount of $125,000 00 Alternately, the contractor may provide an irrevocable unconditional letter of credit for $250,000.00. An Agreement to Bond or Letter of Intent will be required with the tender submission A certified cheque. Bank/Trust Co draft, or bid bond for the amount specified| in the tender document MUST accompany each tender. Tenders will be opened publicly at a meeting of the Tender Opening Committee at the Oakville Municipal Building. 1225 Trafalgar Road. Oakville. Ontano on TUESDAY. DECEMBER 7. 1999 at 2:30 p.m local lime The Town of Oakville reserves the right to reject any or all tenders and the highest or lowest as the case may be will not necessarily be accepted R J. Cournoycr. C.I.M.. P.Mgr. Director. Purchasing and Office Services Tender ad\'ertising may be viewed on the O.P.B.A. website, http: '/vaxxine convopba Cancer research the real w inner I would like to thank all those who once again contributed to the success of the 1999 Green Ginger Fashion Show for Breast Cancer Research at Halton Hills Place. The enthusiastic support of the over 385 men and women in the audience, the over whelming generosity of Letters those who donated prizes and the dedicated energy to the of our models and helpers us to now donate Editor allows $13,850 to Dr. Paul Goss for his breast cancer research at Princess Margaret Hospital. The winners of our draws are as follows: Cathy M annell, Milton, a Sim m ons bed donated by Dave Puttock; Betty Sounder, Milton, gift ce rtifica te from B e rg sm a 's Interior Design; Kay Best, Milton, Loblaws Gourmet Dinner for 10; Kay Brennenstuhl, Campbellville, M aytag washer and dryer; Nancy Szabo, C am pbellville, tw o-piece wash `n' wear suede outfit donated by Paul Brodie; M argie Swain, G eorgetow n, Strellson for men; Mrs. Tuboug, Oakville, Lundstrom's $1,000 shopping experience, Lee Miljour, Milton, golf game for two at G reystone donated by Ron and Fiona Kennedy, and M arg Downs, M ilton, a Louben ensemble. Resumes of management personnel who would be assigned to this project, with full account of their involvement in similar projects (No substitutions will be permitted!) · General Contractors (only) shall submit letter from a nationally rccongni/ed Surety Company confirming the availability of the required Bonding for this project (100% Performance Bond, and 50% Labour and Material Payment Bond). · Letter authorizing the Town of Oakville or Stafford Hacnsli Archi tects Inc. to obtain information from applicable financial institutions (used as references), regarding the applicant's financial position (Line of Credit. Length of Experience and general financial posi tion). · A detailed description and inclusion of the Contractor's Heath and Safety Policy and written confirmation that all health and safety policies will be followed for the duration of this project. · Submission of form "CAD7 - Experience Rating Assessment" as calculated and issued by the Workers' Compensation Board · Provision of a certificate of liability insurance Tenders will be invited from a list of prequalified General Contractors only. General Contractors shall include. Aquatic. Mechanical and Electrical Subtradc prices from the list of prequalificd aquatic subtradcs only The prequalification process will include an assessment of the Contractor's previous performance in a number of areas, including but not limited to: similar previous work. Health and Safety management, workmanship, scheduling, construction management, correction of construction deficiencies and final completion. Stipulated sum tenders will be received on or about February. 2000 Com mencement of building construction will follow shortly thereafter The estimated completion date is August 15, 2001. Draft construction documents are now available for viewing at the offices of Stafford Hacnsli Architects Inc.. 25 Watlinc Avc.. Mississauga Telephone: (905) 568-1010. I *Plcasc pickup "Prequalification Information Package", from the Town of Oakville. Purchasing Department. 1225 Trafalgar Road. Oakville. Ontario L6J 5A6 R J Cournoycr, C.I.M.. P. Mgr Director. Purchasing & Office Services 1TOWN OF OAKVILLE A special `thank you' to our first sponsor from Oakville, Simply Chocolates, for adding a distinctive touch with their heavenly truffles. Lesley G o e rtzen Lundstrom Retail 1225 TRAFALGAR ROAD · OAKVILLE, ONTARIO · L6J 5A6