6- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 13, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5567 Classified Advertising: 905-632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate.The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Commentary Guest Columnist NEIL OLIVER Publisher DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager Metroland Media Group Ltd. includes: Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser, Alliston Herald/Courier, Arthur Enterprise News, Barrie Advance, Caledon Enterprise, Brampton Guardian, Burlington Post, Burlington Shopping News, City Parent, Collingwood/Wasaga Connection, East York Mirror, Erin Advocate/Country Routes, Etobicoke Guardian, Flamborough Review, Georgetown Independent/Acton Free Press, Harriston Review, Huronia Business Times, Lindsay This Week, Markham Economist & Sun, Midland/Penetanguishine Mirror, Milton MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution ALEXANDRIA ANCHOR Circ. Manager WEBSITE oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. Canadian Champion, Milton Shopping News, Mississauga Business Times, Mississauga News, Napanee Guide, Newmarket/Aurora EraBanner, Northumberland News, North York Mirror, Oakville Beaver, Oakville Shopping News, Oldtimers Hockey News, Orillia Today, Oshawa/Whitby/Clarington Port Perry This Week, Owen Sound Tribune, Palmerston Observer, Peterborough This Week, Picton County Guide, Richmond Hill/Thornhill/Vaughan Liberal, Scarborough Mirror, Stouffville/Uxbridge Tribune, Forever Young, City of York Guardian Visit a flu clinic to avoid a stay in bed Gary Carr, Halton Region chair Gary Carr older. If you haven't already visited a flu clinic held at one of the high schools in the various municipalities across the region, Oakville clinics are being held in Halton Regional Centre's Auditorium at 1151 Bronte Rd. There's plenty of time to visit a clinic, too, as they will be held on the following dates: Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 4-8 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 7 from 4-8 p.m. and, Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 4-8 p.m. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus that affects the lungs. It can spread easily from infected people by coughing and sneezing, or by touching contaminated surfaces such as toys, doorknobs, eating utensils and unwashed hands. Influenza (flu) affects people of all ages including the young and healthy and usually lasts from five to 10 days. It can cause fever, headache, general aches and pains and fatigue and cough which can linger for several weeks. Every year in Canada, five million people (or one in six) will be infected with influenza, 50,000 Canadians will be hospitalized and 4,500 people will die as a result of influenza related complications. Influenza causes the loss of 1.5 million work days each year, which can have a negative impact on our already struggling Canadian economy. Annual influenza immunization is recommended by health officials for everyone who is six months of age and older. Individuals of any age with certain medical problems or a chronic illness, young children, all pregnant women and seniors are considered high priority for influenza immunization as they are considered at high risk of complications. Immunization is also important for those who may spread the virus to this high-risk group and for those who provide essential community services. Other steps can also be taken to help reduce the spread of the influenza virus to others including: · Wash your hands often and well with soap and water. Use alcohol-based sanitizers if soap and water are not available. · Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your sleeve. · Avoid people who are sick and stay home if you are feeling unwell. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often carried on your hands. · Clean hard surfaces that are touched or handled regularly such as doorknobs, toys and telephones. · Please visit www.halton.ca, for more information and a complete listing of clinics throughout Halton. RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE BY: Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America T he Halton Region Health Department is now offering free influenza (flu) immunization to all Halton residents six months of age and THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: United Way of Oakville TV AUCTION The true story of Rajo and Bala and the miracle bambino R ajo Devi of Alewa, India, has become the world's oldest new mom, having just given birth at the tender age of 70. Well, good for her. Good for Rajo and Bala Ram, her 72year-old hubby. After having tried to conceive throughout their marriage, after enduring the social stigma of childlessness when their attempts were unsuccessful, and after having long ago resigned themselves to an existence without offspring, along comes technology with newfangled fertility weapons blazing, and presto: a bouncy bambino. The couple is said to be ecstatic, calling the birth a miracle. And it is a miracle. Of science. Although it seems to be a bit of a crimp in the natural circle-of-life. I mean, forget the marvels of technology, think of the social aspects: most people at Rajo and Bala's age are winding down, relaxing, and enjoying the fruits of their life's labour, not gearing up for three a.m. feedings, bouts of bum-rash, teething troubles and the odd round of projectile vomiting. Most people their age are not just entering the notorious diaper stage. While there are innumerable activities that healthy, vibrant people of an advanced age can look forward to as they embark upon their so-called golden years, I doubt many would put changing diapers anywhere on the list. When was the last time you heard a 70something say: "Yes, my dream is to be up all night with a screaming, colicky infant, changing soggy nappies, and cranking up a mobile that repeatedly plays the infernal theme from Barney. Andy Juniper Consider that when Bouncy Bambino starts crawling, toddling and getting into untold trouble, Bala will be in his mid-70s, content to catch cricket on TV, and not really game to go fishing marbles out of his babe's nose. Oh, and when Bouncy Bambino pierces puberty, even that spring chicken Rajo will be pushing 80. Imagine being 80 and having to deal on a daily basis with teenage sullenness, mood swings and hormones-gone-bananas. Honestly, there are days when teenagers make middle-aged parents feel 80. On those days will Rajo and Bala feel 160? Recently we heard from a friend whose daughter -- an otherwise sane and sensible girl of 13 -- deposited common sense and responsibility at the back door one night and ran off for a few hours of lunacy with a girlfriend. And two boys. And a bottle of liquor they'd lifted. Well, as all parents know, lunacy and lads and lifted liquor don't mix. Naturally, the evening did not end well. When all the shock waves of the drunken debacle had been absorbed and our friend was left to deal with the subsequent after-shocks, she e-mailed to inform us that she is "way too old for this crap." And, I have to tell you, this woman is more than a few years shy of 80. I suppose, for the sake of fairness, we should look at the other side of the coin, from Bouncy Bambino's perspective. Oftentimes kids call their parents "the old man" and "the old lady"? Well, in Bouncy Bambino's case those might not be derogatory terms so much as, well, the truth. Rajo and Bala have their tiny miracle. It's been said that the trouble with miracles, is you often need more than one. Just to help usher Bouncy Bambino into adulthood, Rajo and Bala have to hope they live to be nearly 90. -- Andy Juniper can be visited at his www.strangledeggs.com or contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com.