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I # Page 16 The Clarington/Courtiee Independent, Boxvmanvillc. Saturday, December 26, 1998 Taking Time to Find the Right Piece of Jewelry Jewelry is always popular popular for birthday and holiday holiday season gifts, but how can you tell if the price is right? Marilyn Gurcvsky. a manager at the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, says to buy good quality jewelry for a fair price, shoppers should take the time to find a reliable dealer. dealer. "Some jewelry shops have sales, of course," Gurcvsky says. "But if a store is offering huge discounts discounts or advertising wholesale prices I'd advise caution." Gurcvsky warns that a piece of jewelry sold at one store at a 50 per cent discount could cost the same as a similar item at the regular price in another shop. Aside from different pricing policies, very low price tags may also indicate indicate poor quality. One of the most important important reasons for taking the time to find a reputable jeweler is because it's easy to be confused by the terms that describe the quality of gems, silver and gold. For example, some people think that if they buy a "solid" gold bracelet it will contain nothing but the precious metal. In fact, the term means only that the object isn't hollow. Twenty-four karat (24K) gold is pure gold and in most eases is considered considered too soft for use in making jewelry. Most of the glitter in necklaces and rings comes from gold that has been "alloyed" or mixed with other metals to make it stronger - 18K gold is three-quarters pure gold alloyed with six parts (or one-quarter) other metals. metals. The metal alloyed with pure gold affects the HU NOTICE Christmas and New Year's Garbage and Recycling Collection Schedule Garbage normally collected-on Friday, December 25,1998 will be collected on Monday, December 28,1998. Garbage and Recycling normally collected on Friday, January 1,1999 will be collected on Saturday, January 2,1999. Christmas Trees will be collected on January 11,1999, One Day Only. Please have Garbage, Recycling and Christmas Trees at the curbside prior to 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. CANADIAN WASTE SERVICES WISHES ONE AND ALL A VERY HAPPY HOLIDA Y SEASON. DURHAM REGION The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF THE REGION'S WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES The Region's Waste Facilities in Oshawa, Port Perry and Blackstock will be closed December 25th, 26th and 28th as well as January 1st. These sites will also have reduced hours on December 24th and December 31st, closing at noon. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday, January 5,1999. V.A. SILGAILIS, P. ENG. COMMISSIONER OF WORKS DURHAM REGION The Regional Municipality of Durham Works Department HOLIDAY BLUE BOX COLLECTION SCHEDULE Blue Box collection in the City of Oshawa, the Municipality of Clarington and the Township of Uxbridge normally scheduled for New Year's Day on Friday, January 1st has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 2nd. Blue Box collection in the Town of Whitby normally scheduled for New Year's Day on Friday, January 1st has been rescheduled to Monday, January 4th. Only those residents in the City of Oshawa, the Town of Whitby, the Municipality of Clarington and the Township of Uxbridge who would have received Blue Box collection on Friday, January 1st will be affected by this change. Regular bi-weekly collection for these residents will resume January 15th. V.A. SILGAILIS, P. ENG. @jp COMMISSIONER OF WORKS colour of gold jewelry. Yellow gold is a mix of gold, copper and silver, white gold contains gold, nickel, zinc and copper, pink gold results when gold and copper arc mixed and green gold is an alloy of gold, silver, copper and zinc. Whatever your taste in colour and even if you're familiar with the terminology terminology and products of the jewelry industry, Gurcvsky stresses the importance of dealing with a reputable shop. "The industry isn't regulated regulated by government, so anyone can sell and appraise jewelry," she says. "To get good value for your money, buy from a dealer who has a good selection of pieces you like and can answer your questions questions knowledgeably." Gurcvsky cautions that jewelry is often exempt from return policies, even in stores that offer them for most goods. Consumers arc advised to insist on having the policy written in full before making making a purchase. Consumers who think they've been given a bad deal in a jewelry store may wish to contact Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) at (416) 368-4840 in the Toronto area or toll free at 1-800-636-9536. This non-profit association association reports an 80 per cent success rate at mediating disputes between consumers consumers and Canadian jewelers. jewelers. JVC was set up in 1987 by jewelers who wanted to help ensure honesty in the industry. The watchdog group will pursue dealers on behalf of consumers whether or not they arc members of the traditional industry group, the Canadian Jewelers Association. Both the JVC and the ministry suggest consumers consumers be cautious of anyone anyone who wants to sell jewelry jewelry or gems by mail order or over the telephone. "A gold chain offered by mail order for $10 may turn out to be so thin it breaks easily, and needs frequent and expensive repairs," says Gurcvsky. "And some telephone sellers sellers have been known to promote gemstones that may not he as valuable as they claim." Telemarketing scam artists tell victims the gems make terrific investments. investments. They may use high- pressure tactics to convince convince consumers they need "just one more gem" to make their portfolios valuable valuable and unique. However, often the gems may not meet the buyer's expectations expectations in terms of value or beauty after they have been purchased. For information on a variety of consumer issues contact the ministry's General Inquiry Unit at (416) 326-8555 in the Toronto area or toll free 1- 800-268-1142 from other parts of the province. Special electronic equipment equipment for people who have ' speech or hearing problems problems is available at (416) 326-8566. Or visit the ministry's Web site at http://www.ccr.gov.on.ca w Ê /Av-.v; VY/;,. .- . y / Y:/B> & * li Lord Elgin Students Earn Legion Awards Students from Lord Elgin School in Bowmanvillc were recently recognized by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178 for their work in the annual Remembrance Day poster and writing contest. Pictured above (from left) arc: Richard Stairs and Adam Carter, who each received certificates or merit; Trevor Graham, (2nd place for poster) Brittney Richards (certificate of merit); and Danielle Reynolds, whose black and white poster placed first at the local level and in the zone competition. The poster now moves on to the next level of competition. Pull the Plug on Water Wasters This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market. By all predications, this winter is expected to be a real chiller. That's all the more reason to check your home for energy wasters. Finding ways to conserve energy, will help lower those high heating and hydro bills. Although most of us arc aware of ways to reduce energy energy use around the home, often we don't practise what we know. This handy list should help to get you motivated: motivated: Check that thermostat Whether you heat with oil, gas or electricity, you can save up to three per cent on heating bills for each degree you lower the thermostat below your normal setting. It's up to you to establish your comfort zone. Generally, settings should be 21C (70F) when you're home, 18C (64F) when sleeping sleeping at night and 16C (6IF) when the house is unoccupied. unoccupied. At minimal cost, you can install a programmable thermostat which automatically automatically sets day and night-time temperatures. Spot heat If you want to save substantially substantially on heating bills and still achieve a certain level of comfort, try "spot heating". Keep the indoor temperature low and use small, portable heaters to get instant' heat when and where you need it. For instance, you might want to keep the electric heater on while you're dressing or undressing or to take the chill out of the bathroom. Used for only short periods of time, electric heaters add little to your electricity bill. Electric blankets also work well. Bundle those windows and doors If your doors and windows windows have not been recently weather-stripped and caulked, you may be losing precious heat and energy that you pay dearly for. Take the time to caulk cracks and joints and weather-strip your windows and doors. Sealing cracks and openings can reduce heat loss by as much as 30 per cent. To check your home for heat loss, hold a lighted candle around the edges of doors and windows. If the fia me flickers, you arc cither losing heat or receiving air. Neither is good. Storm windows are another-big another-big heat and money saver. If your windows arc not made with insulating glass, you should use storm windows in winter. Plastic sheeting sealed around a window works just as well as storms. Increase your insulation Poorly insulated attics, exterior walls and floors cheat you out of heal all winter. winter. Older homes, especially, often have insufficient insulation. insulation. Check you basement walls, floor and attics. Consider upgrading your attic and basement insulation if it appears inadequate. Maintain your heating system A poorly maintained heating heating system can suck you out of a lot of energy. By getting your heating system to operate operate at peak efficiency, you can cut costs. That means getting the system inspected, adjusted adjusted and cleaned at least once a year. May peace and serenity visit your home as we welcome the Christmas season. We really appreciate your visiting us this past year. Thank you. Beaver Lumber 246 King St. E., Bowmanville 623-3388 : : : :y -\ -i. : x : Nii:; ÉT |Ii|? jtmglc Cat Worlb Zoo ; Open for the HollbMjs 'r. Dec 18 to Jan 4th -10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. t Closed Christmas & New Year's Day .* FEAST OF THE BEASTS at 1:30 daily Como see our tame Lion and Tiger Babies x-i Discover the cubs raised by our SiberlanTigers Admire KAL1NIKA the hand raised Amur Leopard Cub Tiro rarest and most endangered Cat In the world Lots of other animals too; Grizzly Bears, Wolves, Snow Leopards, black Jaguars •* and many more Special Woliba^ Hates: $ Abults & $ Chllbren Hwy 401 to Hwy 35/115 (Exit H 436) ■ 11 km north to Taunton Road. South -East Corner ORONO - (90f) 98W016 WMM Miyyour fiofitfnys ûe merry twiffiffetf luilft ifteyooif ifiiiys itt fife. Our sincere iftnnfis■ for your patronage. MOVING and STORAGE LTD. Serving Durham Region Since 1951 420 Base Line Rd. W„ Bowmanville 623-4433