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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 13, 2008 - 53 Youths invited to create graffiti art Fundraiser at Liaison College at upcoming Waterfront Festival Oakville features celebrity chef Continued from page 52 Encore Cinemas, but before that there was nothing except expensive movie theatres. If you don't have money, then you get bored and get into the drugs and alcohol and jumps. It is a matter of getting youth places to go that are free for them." Police are happy with the progress of the youth-led committee, according to Insp. Jackie Gordon, 20 Division. "We brought this group together for a number of reasons," she said. "Youth crime hasn't really gone up, but we have noticed some escalation in the types of crimes that were occurring, such as an increase in streetstyle robberies where youth were being beaten up for their possessions. In 2005-2006, they were responsible for 50 per cent of our robberies committed in the Town of Oakville, so we decided to look at some strategies to address these crime trends." The graffiti exhibition is the first of several initiatives that will be launched by police and the Youth Action Committee over the coming weeks. The event will run June 20 from 6 to 11 p.m. during the popular Waterfront Festival in Coronation Park. Friday night's headlining musical act is alternative rock band Hedley, so many teenagers are expected to be at the festival that night. Teens aged 13 and older are invited to create their own piece of urban art on large pieces of plywood with the help of Torontobased graffiti artist Angel Carrillo, known as cruz1. A section of the park will be dedicated to displaying the artwork during the festival. Following the event, the pieces will be placed in various neighbourhoods around town. "Kids communicate in this language and although it is not adult friendly, it is youth friendly," Gordon said. "We hope it will deliver that message of respect to youth." Members of the public will have the chance to vote on their favourite piece throughout the weekend. The winner will receive gift certificates as well as the honour of having their artwork featured on a poster that will be used throughout the region promoting the police's message of respect.Another initiative that will be unveiled shortly by the committee is an awareness campaign focusing on stereotypes teens project and in turn, have placed on them. Although the Youth Action Committee is a pilot project, Bedard said she would like to see it continue here in Oakville. "I think it is a matter of creating relationships between youth and the police," Bedard said. "When I told my friends I would be joining this committee, they said they wouldn't step anywhere near police because they said they would book them. It is a matter of telling the youth that police are not out to get you, they are there to help you." For information on the Youth Action Committee or to get involved, contact Insp. Jackie Gordon, 20 Division, at 905-825-4747, ext. 2201. Liaison College Oakville presents an event with chef and author Emily Richards on June 18 at 2273 Royal Windsor Dr. Richards is known as a Canadian Living Cooks personality. She is the author of Italian Express as well as the co-host of Canadian Living Cooks on the Food Network. Richards will be preparing dishes from her latest book, Italian Express, as well as interacting and sharing her cooking secrets. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar. There will be several food stations featuring recipes by Richards, as well as a complimentary wine pairing to accompany each station. Tickets cost $85 per person, with proceeds going to Cuisine Canada. Early bird discounts are offered until June 4. For tickets or information, contact Liaison College in Oakville at 905-8424336 or e-mail oakville@liaisoncollege.com. Arts Briefs Humanity Halton. Enjoy a buffet meal and live entertainment while sailing the Empire Sandy Tall Ship on Lake Ontario out of Bronte Harbour. The event runs Friday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. for evening dinner and cruise with tickets priced at $79, June 21 at 12:30 p.m. for afternoon luncheon and cruise with tickets priced at $65 and June 21 at 6:30 p.m. for an evening dinner and cruise with fireworks with tickets priced at $89. For information or to purchase tickets, call Habitat for Humanity Halton at 905-637-4446 or 866-314-4344. Bird at Gallery Rufus Andrea Bird is exhibiting at Gallery Rufus, 100 Bronte Road, Unit #8, from July 3 to 20. An opening reception will be held July 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. As a member of The Ontario Society of Artists, Bird's exhibit is part of a larger initiative called the OSA in the GTA: Summer Exhibitions. For information, contact the Gallery Rufus at 905-339-0013 or go online to Bird's website at www.andreabird.com. Sail the seas The public will have the chance to sail a tall ship in support of Habitat for