Community input essential in addressing recreation needs Community development is not a new concept. Oakville has, for some time, benefitted fiom its strong links with community groups and individ- uals who have served in an advisory capacity to staff and Council, deliv- ered valued leisure activities for the residents and provided a unique quality of life for the community. It was these successes that were revis- ited when the Parks and Recreation Department underwent its re-organi- zation just one year ago. It is a decade of economic Parents need to draw strength from diferent sources It is a decade of economic restraint, yet our community's growth and mix demands that a sys- tem be in place to address the vary- ing needs of the residents, maximize the efficient and effective use of Just like ice cream, families come in different "flavors" and the tradition- al family of the past (the “Leave It To Beaver" type), where Dad went out to work, brought home the bacon, Mom, frilly apron and all, cooked the bacon and took care of the kids, is just one type. Other "flavors" are two parents working outside the home; Dad taking care of business on the homefront while Mom brings home the pay cheque; single parent mother-led, or father-led families; two parents, together but parenting in his/her own style, and many other variations on the theme. But the important thing to remember is that they are all families. Single parent-led families are not defe cient, they are not less than other-type families. They are whole. They are a family. Many single parents feel over- whelmed and fearful - no wonder! Raising kids is not for the timid - it's tough and challenging! All of us, not just single parents, have these feelings from time to time, as well as other negative thoughts and feelings about jealousy, envy. resentment and wony. There's an old Chinese saying: "You cannot stop the birds of the air hom flying over your head, but you need not let them nest in your hair". It's believed that thoughts mn through our brains about 1,500 words per minute, and that around 94% of these thoughts are negative ones. We're constantly giving ourselves negative messages about how we look, how we act and how things will tum out. You know, the "tenible toos" - I'm too tall, too shortitpodark,toofYmmyhair'stoo straight, too curly: I'm too bored. too busy, too depressed. too giddy, too late, too early, and on and on! These can become self-fulfilling prophecies - "As we believe, we will achieve" - I have a fridge magnet that reminds me of that fact! Short-circuit those negative thoughts by consciously stopping "mid-thought" and popping a more positive message into that tape player in your head. Even if, at first, you don't believe it. This a little gem of wisdom that says, "Fake it ‘til you make it!" Take control over your neg- ative thoughts. All parents, single parents includ- ed, need to believe in themselves, to have faith in their ability to handle things at whatever level they may find Night visitor took cash box An employee of an Oakville business was jolted by the sudden. appearance of a thief while working an evening shift on Sept. 29th. Pocket Press of 467 Speers Road was staffed when a man was able to sneak into an office and grab a cash box around 8:05 p.m. The shift worker stumbled across the thief just outside the office where the cash box had been left. An attempt was made to detain the suspect who dropped the box, but he threatened the victim with what Could have been a knife. The man fled from the building. The cash box never had any money in it. S accents, and dark pants Crime Stoppers would like to hear from anyone who thinks they know who the suspect is. If you have any information that leads to an arrest in this, or any other case, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. You need not give your name and your information will be treated with complete anonymity. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display. Please call 1-800-668-5151 or 825-TIPS. _ (rime available resources and mobilize the active involvement of individuals and community groups in the plan- ning and decision making process that will guide the department in the provision of its services. The benefits are clear. A cata- logue of the Benefits of Recreation, a document compiled by the Parks and Recreation of Ontario, June 1991, states that: themselves. We can draw strength from many resources: friends and family. if they're able and available to provide non-critical, positive support; from your church; from community agencies; from special-interest, self- help-type groups. It's a sign of emo- tional health to say "I need some help." Reach out for it! When you get support and nuturing for yourself, you're better able to provide this for your children. Concentrate on filling someofyourneedsandnotbecoming obsessed with your children. We're role models for our kids and when they see us treating ourselves as persons of worth and value, they will know they too, are important individ- uals. BRANAIR THE SELECT A-1 AIR RESIDENTIAL NR CALM 1 GROUP CONDITIONING LIMITED LIMITED s 12.00 goughw & HEATING Oakville Burlington Oakville Burlington i'o"ggiifls,l Sitario 557 Chartwell Rd. 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Community involvement and ownership is essential and it works. The Department has adopted a more formalized approach to community development to enhance what has A single parent-led home is not a recipe for disaster. Life with children (or without, for that matter) is a series of crises-times, filled with hassles as well as hope; pain as well as joy. This is just the way things are, and likely has little to do with being a single par- ent. When you put special effort into meeting some of your own needs for companionship, support and time for yourself; work on seeing you as the important, special, unique human being you are, your self esteem will grow and bloom. Offered by the Oakville Parent- Child Centre are a variety of work- shops and parenting groups which have been developed to help parents build their confidence as they meet the many challenges we face in our par- enting roles. New at the Centre this fall, "On Being a Single Parent" will address some of the uniquely different problems experienced by single par- ents." you would like to receive addi- tional information on this mom. or won. art Int Ot ur fall registnm all at 8416366. nt, people sl ther through tht Community run services (recre quitable and fair all ost cffectiv Throu ommunlt ,our ulturt " mmunitv invol MC tron THE ()AKVILLE BEAVER mization " Itton )nswc )rk 1n Department m provide Recreation Connec the Parks and Beers: For more inform Department's program 338-4250. already begun md upport oups, Iosu velopment iividuals t & LEVOLOR The VENETIAN BLINDS OAKVILLE - Under New Management 134 Lakeshore Rd. W. (manor. w. & Kerr St.) 842-0032 HEX SATIN lUSIRE tively no to St Clan u Aim su- Pnco on on'nuonnl and Lululv 509'." Puma. WIIIDODOI look Omen I Bataan and Lucio: Donna Elma. Mm Sate Price m emu Sun mambo! 1/11 - irks and Recreation UK Donnectlor Recreatio Informati ncouras dentify leis yrk in oartn Tportunitit )lunte ontmuc to provi to and SAVE roups an ur p mum! hip ne tr lAIEX SEMI-ClOSS m; k . l i'. wu- Anon inn Arr. 1) N FABRIC VALANCES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1993 Upper Oakville Shopping Ctr. (Upper maul. Rd. . 8th Line) 845-7748 t THE INTERNATIONAL Gkrid 900 Airport sponsored by Toronto Show Promotions FROM Jtt OIAIIV! mt il sad, Mississauga f Pearson Airport lATEX PRIMER ie, W: “no" . u" A t m was ‘AM "" IN-STOCK fAIIIC IN-SIOCK I" VINVL VENETIAN BLINDS Bu Hundreds of tables of Antique & Collectible Toys I From m ,4. u ‘6. u rt. Bring the Family! 10AM-4PM LATEX SATIN New 'w mnq mnmg and Daemon‘s Nashanm "rush Latex Itsr eaSy ualev mean a; haunt)»: m '00 SO’Daslel "1Fer,0r9tOr comma "ri? I 3 m mm a . “in! an Fun 17†" " i 9 in“ " n t200 ‘fl H9 '" F33 2.9 {A 5. " '" 12N 11“ u.» 15.7. l?" w- m 719 m 9