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5 · Thursday, July 22, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Display stolen often By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF All about youth Oakville's Jamie Gale wanted to spruce up his Lakeshore storefront to attract some attention to his business, which he did. Unfortunately for him, with the positive attention he received, he also got some of the negative. Gale set up a garden on the front of his Inkling Music Studios, a music lessons studio, with displays that included some no longer useable guitars. Over the course of an eight-week period he's had five out of the original six guitars stolen, including one smashed right in his garden. "Since I did that (the installation) my registration has gone way up. So it has been getting recognition, but in good ways and in bad," he said. Gale placed the guitars at the front of his store earlier in the year. He started with the six, but bit by bit the display shrunk on certain nights. Being in the music industry for some time he made contacts that allowed him to buy the guitars, mostly damaged during shipping, for very cheap. It's not the cost that bothers him, he said. "It's more about the recurring problem and the fact that, down here on the Lakeshore closer to Kerr Street, there's a lot of effort going into making the area a little nicer." In setting up his display, he removed the strings from the guitars and painted them with his lime green and bright blue school colours and filled the instruments with rocks to discourage people from taking them away. Despite the weight of the guitars, they still vanished and he has no idea who is taking them. "I have no idea why or where they're going," he said. "I understand the guitar is an iconic symbol in our culture and that's the reason they're there in the first place, they're appealing to people. But I only had half a dozen." He said the guitars have attracted positive SUBMITTED PHOTO ON DISPLAY: The guitars displayed at Inkling Music Studios appear to be a popular target for thieves. MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER attention. People have stopped and taken pictures inside the garden or from the street. "I'm trying to promote the art in Oakville," he said. "I'm trying to make an artistic, beautiful spot. I invite teenagers and young people who play music to the front of our porch to sit and play. I've put displays of Rock Band that are free for kids to come out and play. I want this to be a friendly place, that people are comfortable coming to." Mostly, he just wants people to appreciate the display he's created. He is also offering amnesty to anyone who brings back the guitars. "If you bring back the guitar there will be no questions asked and I'll probably even give you a month's worth of free music lessons to make it more positive than something where someone saying, `I have to get rid of this or destroy it and hopefully never get caught.'" The studio is located at 41 Lakeshore Rd. W. LONGO'S FUNDRAISER: Gavin Hopper poses for a photo as he enjoys the hot dogs from the barbecue fundraiser held in front of Longo's on Dundas Street in Oakville on Sunday afternoon. The barbecue benefitted enhanced free programming for Oakville's youths in Town of Oakville youth programs. Organizing the fundraiser were Town of Oakville Youth Centre staff, youth volunteers and Longo's staff. Are You Happy With Your Smile? Before After 10 porcelain veneers and Zoom!® whitening Before After Full-mouth rehabilitation Dr. Phelan knows that the first step in creating a great smile and any new patient relationship is clear communication. With this in mind Dr. Phelan will spend time with you in our consultation area discussing any concerns you may have about your smile and dental health, as well as your goals for the future. Dr. Phelan feels it is best to get to know the person before he gets to know your teeth. Creating a beautiful and lasting smile requires time, skill and effort. No two people are alike and no two smiles are alike. Our goal is to create a smile that is unique and individual for you, that will look great now and for many years to come. We would like to create a smile that expresses your own unique personality and is well suited to your individual facial form. Before After 10 porcelain veneers and 2 implant crowns Actual Patient Treatments by Dr. Stephen Phelan If you would like to schedule a FREE cosmetic consultation appointment with Dr. Stephen Phelan, please call our office at (905) 827-1619 Dental Surgeon. Laser, Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 1500 Heritage Way, Oakville, ON L6M 3H4 call 905.827.1619 to arrange an appointment Creating sensational smiles in Oakville for 15 years. CONTACT US FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY!