www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 2, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5566 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 905-631-6095 -- 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Buying local a good idea Buying local food is a worthwhile endeavour. We all know the importance of buying local food -- from supporting our farmer friends down the road to reducing the need for transport, as well as receiving a generally high-quality product. Recently, Premier Dalton McGuinty called on everyone in the province to shift $10 of their weekly grocery shopping budget to the purchase of local foods. If we all take up this challenge, this would increase Ontario food sales by $2.4 billion and create 10,000 jobs, according to a news release. "Ontarians grow the best food in the world. That's why we're continuing to push hard to promote local foods and celebrate innovators," McGuinty stated in the release. The agri-food sector is said to employ more than 70,000 people and contribute more than $33 billion to the provincial economy. To participate in the challenge, keep an eye out for the Foodland Ontario logo when doing your grocery shopping, be it at a store, farmers' market or on-farm market. Ontario produces a wide variety of meat, fish, eggs, dairy, maple syrup, honey and countless field crops throughout the year. The challenge also extends to fresh flowers and potted plants, as well as wines and craft beers. Celebrity chef Anna Olson spoke on the topic of local and seasonal cooking last week at Mountsberg Conservation Area. The Eat Fresh, Eat Local workshop was surely both entertaining and educational for those in attendance. Here, in Oakville, there are groups, businesses and individuals who promote growing, buying and preparing food that is local. Buying local foods is a worthwhile endeavour indeed. McGuinty, while he may be taking heat these days for a variety of issues, should be credited for issuing the challenge and we hope everyone takes it up, despite any political differences they may have. For more information about the challenge, to view a nutrition guide, gather recipes or learn what produce is in season, visit www.foodland.gov.on.ca. 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. Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Recently, I received four telephone calls from someone stating they represented Microsoft and had reviewed an electronic message that our Windows program had been compromised. The individual spoke with an accent and was very persistent. I could not take the call due to family issues, but he wanted to know exactly when he could call back. I got the phone number from my phone, and thought I'd better check with Bell, as we are bundled with them both at home and work. I was informed that this Beware of telephone scam is indeed a fraud, and that Microsoft would never call before a customer reports a problem. I was then directed to call the Provincial Fraud Squad at 1-888-221-1687. They took my information and confirmed the telephone number used and details had been a fraud. They are getting calls all over Canada. The representative suggested I should call the newspaper and alert you to this issue. These perpetrators are very highly-skilled and forceful and if they engage you in conversation will not release you until they have what they want, i.e. passwords and cash. They suggested that should I get another call, first tell them that I don't have Internet, at which point they should disconnect. Then call and report any additional calls. I am a senior citizen and should it not be for my sharp husband, our safety would have been compromised. So, please do something to alert the public to this. They are very persistent and crafty. Thank you. C. McCarney, Oakville I am writing on behalf of my eightyear-old daughter Abbie. Her Nanny, my mum, passed away Aug. 4 after an eightmonth battle with pancreatic cancer. I grew up on the Oakville/Mississauga border and my dad still lives there. During her final week, my mother stayed at an amazing cancer hospice called Ian Anderson House. When my daughter went to visit my mum, Abbie noticed a bin at the door of full of Canadian Tire money that people had donated. Recently, she has decided to start collecting Canadian Tire money by asking friends and family. Abbie is in Grade 3 at Madoc Drive Public School in Brampton and she wrote a letter to her principal asking if she can also fundraise at the school. Abbie was thrilled when the answer was yes. Abbie's goal is to raise, in Canadian Tire money, $100 by Christmas so she can go to IAH and drop off the donation -- after only a few weeks now, she has $27 so far. I would really appreciate your consideration of running information to help spread the word and help raise money for such an amazing place. Ian Anderson House is run entirely on donations and fundraising. There is no cost to those who need to use the hospice. It brought comfort to my family that my Mum was so well-taken care of and in such a beautiful place during her final days, where all we had to do was sit with her and spend time with her. All her other needs were taken care of by incredible staff and a team of volunteers. Anyone wishing to donate cash can do so online or in person as IAH has a website with donating info at www.ianandersonhouse.com. Canadian Tire money can be dropped off at Ian Anderson HouseAH or mailed c/o Abbie Martin to Madoc Drive Public School. Thank you. Charlotte Martin, Brampton Editor's Note: See page 3 of today's edition of The Oakville Beaver for a story on IAH's 15th year and its founder Margaret Anderson. Thanks IAH Letter to the editor