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15 · Thursday, October 13, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com stock: OAKVILLE'S LARGEST We ADULTS Costumes HALLOWEEN SUPERSTORE Women's Men's Costumes Unisex Costumes Group Costumes Dream Girl Costumes CHILDREN Girl's Costumes Boy's Costumes Toddler Costumes Baby Costumes DECORATIONS New Decor for 2011 Spirit Exclusive Decor Animatronics Body Parts Halloween Party Supplies Skeletons & Reapers Lights & Fog Machines Props & Accessories Rodents, Reptiles & Insects Tombstones & Fences Yard & Outdoor Halloween Decorations Window & Wall Cling Halloween Music CDs WIGS, HATS & MASKS ACCESSORIES & MAKEUP SARA MUNN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER BRTUALLY HONEST: Dr. Brian Goldman speaks to the Canadian Club of Halton Peel at the Oakville Conference Centre. Doctor tells his stories By Sara Munn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER We're all human. That includes our doctors. This was the main theme of Dr. Brian Goldman's speech at the most recent Canadian Club of Halton Peel event. "Health professionals are among the most ethically-grounded people I have ever met and you will ever meet. But if I can convince you and my colleagues that they're as human as the rest of us, then I'll have done my job," said Goldman. He was invited by the Canadian Club of Halton Peel to speak to the community as part of the club's regular guest speaker events. The Canadian Club works to bring in guests to discuss a range of subjects in various communities. "These are speakers who just aren't available in the community," said Barry Wylie, president of the Canadian Club of Halton Peel. Goldman has been an emergency physician for more than 20 years at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. He discussed how he began his career. "In fact, the reason why I went into medical school was quite mundane," said Goldman. He said he followed his 'smart kid' friends into medical school because he wanted to be viewed as a 'smart kid,' too. He found his calling later as a medical journalist. This led to Goldman becoming the host of CBC Radio's White Coat, Black Art, where he speaks about issues in the medical profession and shares his behind-the-scenes insight. Goldman also shared excerpts from his new book, The Night Shift: Real Life in the Heart of the E.R. The book delves into the ins and outs of working in an emergency room and tells many of Goldman's interesting experiences as an E.R. doctor. One experience involved a woman who swallowed knives, forks and even razor blades. She once swallowed a pen as well. Goldman told the audience he learned a pen could be swallowed, surgically removed under anesthesia and afterward, it would still write. Goldman discussed issues in healthcare that he believes are important, such as medical errors and the fact that being honest isn't a bad thing. Goldman reiterated the statement that health professionals are human too and that they do make mistakes. He said it is what they do after the mistake and how they handle themselves that matters. Stephen Firth, a guest at the event, said, "I liked his approach." Firth said he found the evening informative and liked how Goldman was "blunt and honest." Margaret Perschy, a member of the Canadian Club, said the event drew the most diverse age groups she'd seen in the three or four years of her membership. Goldman brought his speech to a close by describing people's reactions to his controversial views and eye-opening book as, "Anger on the one hand, pinched with understanding." A question-and-answer period was held while the audience ate dessert. The evening ended with a book signing by Goldman. To become a member of the Canadian Club or attend one of its events, visit canadianclub.ca or call Barry Wylie at 905-827-6302. Next up: Maureen Jennings Award-winning author Maureen Jennings of f the Detective Murdoch novels is coming to Oakville Oct. 20, as a special guest of the Canadian Club of Halton Peel (CCHP). Then England-born writer will be making an appearance as part of the club's dinner at the Oakville Conference Centre, located at 2515 Wyecroft Rd. Jennings is also a creative consultant for Citytv's Murdoch Mysteries. Registration and cash bar starts at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The three-course meals costs $35 for members, $45 for non-members and $15 for students. Reservations can be made at by email, bwylie@ globalserve.net or by calling 905-827-6302. IT'S BIG AND IT'S SCARY! COME EXPERIENCE OUR ALL NEW ANIMAT A RONICS, ALL NEW ZOMBIE BABIES, SCARY CEMETERY & ZOMBIE WA W STELAND · Life Size Figures To Haunt every Imagination · Decorate your Hom me, Bar, r Restaurant, Business etc. · If we don't have it t, it probably hasn't been inven nted. If you like Halloween, you'll love our store! OAKVILLE 10,000 sq. ft. 131 Speers Rd. at the corner of Speers Rd. and Kerr St. BURLINGTON 8,000 sq. ft. BURLINGTON POWER CENTRE 1250 Brant St. across from Silvercity Cineplex 905-815-0948 www.spirithalloween.com 905-335-9618