26 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday October 21, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Time running out to join Santa Claus Parade bbey Park Secondary School has taken up the school challenge. T.A. Blakelock Secondary School, winner of last year's Best Float, challenged all Oakville schools to show their school spirit and enter a float in the Oakville Santa Claus Parade. Abbey Park has accepted the challenge, and is delighted to be taking part for the first time in the Parade. All schools still have time to get their entry in to be part of this year's Parade, and be part of the new Best School Float category. The Oakville Santa Claus Parade reminds all community groups, schools, businesses and entertainers who wish to enter a float in this year's Parade to fill out entry forms for the Parade taking place on Saturday Nov. 18. It's your turn to be a part of all the holiday cheer and enter a float. This year's Parade theme is `Favourite Christmas Stories'. Creativity and originality are key. The Grinch is already a popular idea, so please check out our website next week There's no place like home for cats A S for unique story ideas. We want to see a variety of floats going down the streets of Oakville, keeping with our theme. The Santa Claus Parade committee urges all groups to get involved in the excitement. A grand prize of $500 will be awarded to the overall winning entry. Entry forms are now available on-line at www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca or leave a message at 905-815-5981. The deadline for entries is the first 50 entries received, or Oct. 27, whichever comes first. The 2006 Parade takes place Saturday, Nov. 18, beginning at 9 am and will follow a new route. This year's Parade will begin at Lakeshore Road and Reynolds, go west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, north on Kerr and end at Kerr and Stewart streets. -- Submitted by the Oakville Santa Claus parade Committee. PARTNERS SUCCESS IN afety starts at home and cats are no exception to this rule. Although many people believe that to be happy a cat must be outdoors, there is no place like home to safeguard the health and wellbeing of your pet. "Sadly, the Oakville & District Humane Society sees the outcomes for many cats that are permitted to roam outdoors," noted Inspector Colleen Gyergyai at the Oakville & District Humane Society. "Being hit by a car or hurt by a domestic or wild animal both pose risks, but that's only two of the dangers facing outdoor cats." Infestations of parasites and suffering from heat exhaustion/stroke are common in the summer. As the chill of fall and winter days sets in, it is common for cats to face the often fatal repercussions of the cold. Many cats get caught in car engines. The warmth of a recently parked car engine can make an appealing resting spot to a cold cat. The results can be devastating and expensive for both pet and family members. as low as Frostbite also puts your cat at risk of losing ears and its tail. "Weather certainly poses a significant threat to an outdoor cat," added Gyergyai, "but people may not realize the human element associated with a cat's safety." Not all homeowners love cats. Some people object to having a cat spray their front door, poop in their garden and upset their own pets. Of the three most significant hazards to an outdoor cat angry people rank third after cars and wild animals. Cats have existed in the wild, and in many cases can look after themselves fairly well if left to their own resources outdoors. Although the Humane Society staff has heard of many stories of cats that have existed outdoors and lived well into their teens, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Toward Animals statistics suggest that an indoor cat $ 95 39 per month o.a.c. ATHENA OAKVILLE BLAZING DESIGN THE BIGGEST SALE ER! EV $ will live significantly longer. Dr. Dennis Turner, a veterinarian specializing in cats, has identified seven things that cats need for their well-being: · Social companionship, · One litter box/cat or access to other toileting areas, · a warm safe place to sleep, · elevated perches and resting areas, · one or more scratching posts, · enough space to get away from people and other animals when the cat wants to, · mental stimulation. All of these items can be provided indoors, with space away and mental stimulation often posing the biggest challenges to owners. "Cubby holes, closets and even specially made cat trees can provide space away from humans. Playing with your cat definitely supports positive mental stimulation," added Andrea Barker, Manager of Animal Care. Although some people like the idea of cat harnesses, this can be dangerous in apartments if used to restrict movement on balconies. Cats often sail over balconies in pursuit of a passing bird and slip out of the harness. Unlike dogs, cats will often become obsessed with getting outside if permitted. Leaving a cat out unattend- PET OF THE WEEK: Matilda is an adorable fourmonth-old kitten that came to the shelter as a stray. She loves to cuddle and is very calm for her age. Many more of our available animals can be viewed at www.oakvillehumane.ca. ed can be extremely dangerous. Your cat may not be able to leave the yard, but other animals can still enter and your cat will be unable to get away. If you de-claw your cat and allow it outside you take away one of your pet's most useful defense systems. If you really feel that your cat must have access to the outdoors the best and safest way to provide this would be building a cat pen. Town of Oakville law only permits cats to roam on their own property. Providing the cat access to outside, but in an enclosed and safe structure will keep your pet safe, abide by local laws and bring the outdoor environment into your home. SPONSOR PROFILE Celebrating the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of the community, and recognizing those who support them, ATHENA Oakville enters it's tenth year. Without sponsorship, this would not be possible. ATHENA Oakville recognizes that a huge part of ATHENA'S success is due to the generosity of sponsors. This ad is an ongoing series paying tribute to our sponsors and in their own words they tell us why they feel involvement with ATHENA is important. Michele Bailey's entrepreneurship and many years of experience in marketing, design and communications led to the incorporation of Blazing Design Inc. in 1994. Her vision for the company is to offer clients strategic marketing solutions, both digital and print, through exceptional customer service and value. Michele's endless enthusiasm and warm personality have allowed her to grow this business almost solely from referrals. Company sales have grown an average of 25% per year and the firm currently employs a staff of 14 dynamic marketing, design and advertising professionals. Client growth reflects Blazing's success in product packaging and design, strategic positioning, brand development corporate communications, and media. As past Vice President of Communications for the Women Entrepreneurs of Canada, Michele has actively represented Canadian business in South Africa and Portugal. In 1999 and 2000, the Royal Bank nominated Michele for the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Michele has also been an advisor to the Royal Bank's Small Business Advisory Council, and was recently chosen as the advertising agency to represent Canada for the International Marketing Professional Association (IMPA). Michele is a current and founding member of WPO (Women's President Organization) in Canada. 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Certified Consulting Arborists: · Arborist Reports based on Municipal By-laws · New Development Sites · Tree Evaluations · Disease and Insect Diagnoses · Tree Health Care Program® Maple Hill Tree Services Serving Oakville & Burlington 905-824-2100 toll-free 1-866-878-0883 contactus@maplehilltree.com Greg Hill, President Michele Bailey, President www.blazing design.com LIMITED TIME OFFER. LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE. W E S T 7 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER 10th Annual ATHENA Gala Wednesday October 25 Call 905-467-7919 or info@athenaoakville.ca 905 849-4998 1-888-827-2665 www.aireone.com Nurturing Nature for 30 years