The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

i Page 12 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanviilc, Wednesday, December 9. I99S Vigil Remembers Female Victims of Violence Ay, ÎVV.V ' ' ' . About 20 people gathered gathered at the Visual Arts Centre in Bowmanviilc on Sunday to remember the women killed in the 1989 Montreal Massacre and all other female victims of violence. The gathering was organized by FOCUS, Feminists of Clarington - United Sisters, a group which endeavours to raise awareness about violence against women in society. " Linda Tabcrncr is a member of FOCUS and board member at Bethcsda House. She says this event is not only to remember those killed, but to remind people that violence against women can happen close to home. "I hope the people realize realize that violence against women happens everywhere," everywhere," she said. "We meet yearly to mark the occasion and remember all victims of violence." This year the event included a walk from the National Trust bank to the Visual Arts Centre in memory of Jennifer Copithorne, the Courlice women who was killed while going into work on Aug. 4. "We simply did the walk to link the two places," said Taberncr. "Carrying the flowers was a symbolic gesture - a tribute tribute to the women killed." Laura Richards, one of the founding members of FOCUS, said the level of violence against women has not changed in recent years, but the reporting of Project in Memory of Carson Elliott Volunteers Will Serve Christmas Dinner at St. Joseph's Dec. 11 th A memorial dinner in honor of the late Carson Elliott will take place this Friday evening, December 11th, from live p.m. until eight p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Bowmanviilc. The no-charge Christmas feast is available available to any seniors, shut- ins or persons in need. Volunteers have agreed to drive guests to the meal, decorate the hall, serve the food, entertain and donate food and other supplies. Anyone seeking further information is asked to call George Kliouri (697- 2225) or Viv Wool ford (697-3508). Around The Region Prostitution Sting Results in 103 Arrests A three-week undercover undercover sling operation in Oshawa has netted Durham Regional Police 103 arrests. The operation, "Taking Back Our Neighbourhoods," target- led hookers and Johns m the Simcoe Street, Olive Avenue, Albert Street, and Athol Street areas of Oshawa. The project began in mid-November, and operated live days a week until last Saturday, Officers from the Oshawa Community Police office and the Street Level Drug Unit were involved. Those arrested have been charged with prostitution prostitution or drug-related offences. it has. "I think it is important for the community to remember the women who have died," she said. "We always remember the men who have died or sacrificed sacrificed their lives in war, but we never remember the women." During the service, Hcila, an advocacy counsellor counsellor at Bethcsda House, spoke during the ceremony on behalf of the women who have been killed. "I wanted to echo the names of the women who have died at the hands of their partner," she said. "I think it's important to remember them and to etch their names in our memory. We hope that naming the unspeakable and unnecessary loss of life will end the violence against women." Hcila chocked back tears as she read the names of women who have been killed across the province this decade. "It is so sad that for all of these women that have died, all they did was love someone and they paid with their lives," she said. Also in attendance were the Glen and Brenda Copithorne, who laid a Bower on the memorial stone in their daughter's name. "We are honoured that Jennifer was included in this ceremony," Mr. Copithorne said. IN MEMORY -- Flowers were placed on the memorial rock at the Visual Arts Centre during the weekend in memory of the 14 women killed in the 1989 Montreal Massacre and all other female victims of violence. Yeah, I want to feel good. For life. '...helping young people get ready for the future 1 No one likes to be told what to do. But you decide. Smoking Would you like to quit smoking? Would you like to help a friend quit? There is information to help. Like Quit 4 Life, a website (quit4life.com) for teenage smokers who really want to quit. Materials are also available on smoking prevention and second-hand smoke. Alcohol and Other Drugs What are drugs? Why do people use them? How do they affect your life? Even if you don't drink or use drugs, you probably know someone who does. We have information to help peerp and youth groups deal with alcohol arid other drug-related issues. Nutrition How you feel about yourself is very important. Good nutrition is all about making healthy food choices and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating can help you make the right decisions so that you feel good about yourself. Fitness and Active Living Being active is another thing that can help you feel really good about yourself. Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living can help you make choices about physical activity - choices that are right for you. For information on these and other Health Canada publications, please call: l-800-OCanada (1-800-622-6232) TTY: 1-800-465-7735 Or visit us at: www.canada.gc.ca Canada