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Who You Gonna Call? Tee It Up at the Canadian Open FEATURE.. »coeecooocooceoeoo*B'*SCi<r, K pg. 1 1 IMS! DE Editorials 5 Classifieds 7, 8,S Sports... . Sec. B, pgs. 2, 3 Community Calendar .... .. . . Sec. B, pg. 8 TV Listings ... Sec. B, pg. 10 • Clarington S Community Newspaper Since 1854 • A James Publishing Community Newspaper Wednesday, April 15, 1998 144th Year Issue 15 700 + 5# G.S.T. = 750 Gov't. By the People by Lorraine Manfredo .Staff Writer The, Ontario government government is seeking public input this month on a plan to introduce more public referendums in the province. Tr a n s p o r tat i o n Minister and Referendum. Ontario project leader, Tony Clement, was in Oshawa last week speaking speaking to the Oshawa and Clarington Chamber of Commerce about the proposed proposed referendum legislation. legislation. The impetus behind the Bill comes from a sense that Ontarians are demanding more accountability accountability from their politicians politicians - not just every four years, but on major issues between elections. "We frequently heard people say to us: Tt doesn't doesn't matter what I think; politicians don't listen," Continued on page 2 How 'Bout a Smoooch? Saturday's dairy farm tour was a chance for the public to get a close look at livestock and vice-versa. Organizers expected upwards of 2,000 visitors at Loa-Dc-Mede-Farms, north of Oshawa. The day was sponsored sponsored by the Durham Region Dairy Producers and offered everybody a chance' to meet those who produce milk for our tables as well as those whose jobs support the dairy industry. Pictured are: Jasmine, Moses, and Sydel Falkenburger, along with their father, Bill Falkenburger, The Werry family milks about 60 cows at the farm and has over 130 head of holsteins in total. 20-Year Wait for GO Train? More Seats, Less Service by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer Anyone hoping to catch a GO train in Bowmanville will probably have to wait at least another 20 years according to a representative of the crown corporation. However, with 15 round trips from Oshawa during the peak periods in the morning and early evening, Clarington residents can catch a commuter train to Toronto without driving to Whitby or Pickering. Durham Regional Council received an update on GO services at the April 8th meeting. And, in the course of discussions, Ward One/Two Regional Councillor Mary Novak asked if there were plans in the works for expanding expanding the rail service to Bowmanville 20 years from now. Eldred King, Chair of GO Transit, replied that there were no such plans, "There is no money for expansion," he observed. Even though ridership on the eastern end of GO Transit's system is likely to escalate, this area will see less service instead of more, says the manager of GO Transit. Transit Manager Rick Ducharme told Durham regional councillors that currently GO Transit moves 135,000 people each day and that 30,000 people go through Union Station each hour. Continued on page 2 PLENTY OF NOTHING -- Do you remember , when every one of your friends had a Pet Rock or at least talked about Pet Rocks? Or arc you into Beanie Babies? A Bowmanville couple -- Paige and Ed Bastin -- have come up with what they hope will become the next craze, The Nothing. Paige says, there really is "Nothing else like them." by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer How many times have you asked your parents what they wanted for an important occasion, only to have them say 'nothing?' 'nothing?' Well now, thanks to a Bowmanville couple, you can give someone special exactly what they asked for. You can give them 'The Nothing.' The Concept 'The Nothing' is a cute owl-faced creature with . blue eyes and fluffy white fur attached to an elastic to hang onto hooks, car mirrors mirrors or whatever. There is really Nothing to the little creature, which has no body or appendages unless' you count its pair of baby blues. Those eyes follow you around the room with a kind and loving expression, expression, waiting for you to do absolutely Nothing at all. Ed Bastin calls The Nothing "a fur ball." His wife and business partner, Paige Bastin, of Bastin Products Inc., says Nothing started out as a pom-pom with eyes glued on, Now, the fuzzy white Nothing is filled to make it soft and cuddly, and its adorable eyes have been 'pull tested' to make them safe for children. While their friends and family "thought it was a great idea" they wanted something more concrete to go with. A marketing survey by an independent company called "The Innovations Centre," swung Nothing into a positive light for the couple. "They compared it to the Pet Rock," said Ed. Nothing is Truly Canadian Ed says this purely Canadian product -- from the concept, to the Nothing to the box -- should take off like the Pet Rock did about 25 years ago. Or perhaps its success will be comparable to the Beanie Babies phenomenon consumers consumers ignited this year. The stuffed toy is produced produced by Binkley Toys in Hamilton and the box art was done by Murray Graphics in Lindsay. The Nothing's Home was produced produced in Pickering by Ellis Packaging. He added since coming up with the concept, many people have been supportive supportive in one way or another. "It's been a long process and a lot of money," he said. "I never realized how much work it was to bring a product to market until we did Nothing." As Paige puts it "I do an awful lot of work for Nothing." The Fun of Doing Nothing "Everyone can play on Continued on page 4 Computer Links Students with British Friends by Laura J. Richards Staff Writer An exchange program without leaving the building building is coming to Knox Christian School this autumn. • Teacher Jasper Hoogendam is making electronic connections with the education department department in the City of Salford, England, to help his students become more computer literate. The students students will also become internet savvy and get more involved in learning here at home. Salford is just west of Manchester, in northern England. Last week Hoogendam had a little help from new friends David Russell, a teacher and Brian Sharpies, an Inspector- Advisor of Technology. Both visitors arc from England. Also helping out was Barrie teacher Bill Fitch. The three are his connections to the school in Salford. Russell told The Canadian Statesman they have "looked at all grades from JK to Grade 8 in the public, Catholic and Christian school systems" and have been impressed with what they've seen. In England, "the schools are using the internet as a tool to work on common curriculum interests," Russell said. Continued on page 3 I a public warning on S aid beef calf was W ! m ,i en The ^veterinarian whowas treating theammal con- calf was on, the NATURE HIKE AT WILMOT CREEK -- This Saturday, April 18th, there will be two guided family nature hikes taking place in the new Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. To reach the starting point, go east on Toronto St., off Mill St., in Newcastle, just south of Hwy. 401. (After Toronto Street curves, watch for the area marked off for parking,' parking,' Hikes arc at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., lasting about one and one-half hours. Don't forget to dress warmly, bring binoculars and sturdy footwear. Admission is free. DOWN ON THE FARM -- An estimated 2,000 visitors showed up on Saturday for the Dairy Farm tour organized by Durham Region Dairy Producers at the Loa-Dc-Mcde Farms, on the Oshawa side of the Oshawa/Clarington Townline. As Ontario becomes increasingly urbanized and lacking a. farm background, it's amazing how many people still enjoy visiting their country "cousins." The day was a learning experience for everybody. For instance: Did you know the farmer's earnings from a 250 ml. carton of milk is a mere 13.9 cents? (And that includes the raise they recently received! EASTER MORNING --• Looks to us like a record crowd must have been on hand for the Sunday morning Sunrise Service in Newcastle. Of course, the various churches hold these Easter morning services all across the municipality. But the Inkcfront setting at the Bond Head Parkctte is truly spectacular, (Assuming, of course, the spring weath er co-operates. And it certainly did this year.) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MONTH IN CLARINGTON -- A Spring Musical at Knox Christian School entitled "Go Jonah Go" will be performed Wednesday, April 15, at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m. It's one of several special events to mark Christian Education Month in Clarington. There will also be Grandparents Day at Knox Christian School on Friday, April 17 and a Choir Concert at Durham Christian High School on Saturday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. An Orientation Evening at Knox Christian School will be held Thursday, April 23. Finally, there is a Band Festival at Durham Christian High School on Wednesday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. KIWANIS FESTIVAL -- Don't forget the kick-off to the Kiwanis Music and Theatre Festival this Friday, April 17th, with a "Music Through the Ages" concert. It will feature the Youth Orchestra of Durham and seven finalists from the 1997 festival. This concert is at Calvary Baptist Church, Rossland Rd„ E., Oshawa, at 7:30 p.m. We hasten to add that incorrect numbers appeared in an article on this concert last week. For tickets, call 728-2528. And 263-2080 is the number for the secretary. You can purchase your tickets at the church boardroom on the night of the concert or at any music store. The Kiwanis Festival runs from April 20 to May I. (S) Shop the Rest Q Buy from the Best! James Publishing COMPANY LIMITED PONÎIAC • DUICK LID. Printing Professionals Your local General Motors dealer Since 1854 , .. .. for the past 25 years. _ f.Kthl 166 King St. E. 25Ui 1 |Aiinraqj Tolophono 623-3396 Telephone: 623-3303 62 King Si. West Bowmanville Bowmanville's Movers for 50 Years. Telephone 623-4433 w* mu ima ■■■■■ 1 carton Dundas -