Wednesday June 6, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A7 COMMENT Taste in books a very personal matter You never love a book more than when you were 10 years old, says New York author Daniel Handler, the man behind the phenomenally popular Lemony Snicket series of books. I don't know about that. They asked this question on the radio recently and the stories poured in from listeners everywhere. Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Little Women, Emily of New Moon. Oh, how the stories pored into the radio station. Well, I hate to disappoint, but it was n't like that with me. Much as .I 'd like to say I read Tolstoy's War and Peace at 10 or could n't put down James Joyce's Ulysses at six years of age, I remember very little about any particular book as I was grow ing up. Although I loved to read, it was more volume than quality. Everything from the Canadian Tire catalogue to Archie comic books, it didn't matter. I was probably more concerned with try ing to talk my way into another all-boys game of road hockey or football after school, than trying to discern bad from awful. As much I liked to read as a kid, I would have passed it up, every time, for road hockey. Or, if the truth be told, another inane episode of Mod Squad. · And it still holds true today. I'd likely pass up on an hour of reading to play hockey. But I still can't pass up on the offer of a good book. I'll get around to reading it sometime, I say optimistically. And, that's why there are book clubs. They force you to read the good stuff -- and then recall enough to discuss it halfway intelligently. With summer at our doorstep (promise), here are just a few books our book club found to be worth more than a cursory look: This year, our book club tore through a wonderful gem of a novel now being aired on CBC radio, Deborah Moggach's Tulip Fever. It's a great read. And we had lots of fun with a chick flick kind of book. Melissa Banks' A Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing. Also popular was a great book about South Africa, Disgrace, Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost, and Nancy Huston's The Mark of an Angel. Some weren't so popular: Chocolat, the book, not the movie, was so so. And we opted to forgo the David MacFarlane offering, Summer Gone: in June we seek light, not sombre. And not bleak (i.e. David Adams Richards: Mercy among DIANE H ART the children might make our March cut, but never our June selection) Next year, we've already got our list: Colm Toibin's The Blackwater Lightship (a truly remarkable book, let me tell you), Anita Daimant's The Red Tent, Robert Sole's The Photographer's Wife, Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, Bernard Schrenk's The Reader, Alistair MacLeod's Islands, Sandra Gulland's The Secret Lives and Sorrows of Josephine B. And maybe, if we can squeeze it in, Mazel, by Rebecca Goldstein. We never have difficulty coming up with books: we always have difficulty choosing which ones not to read. What makes a book stay in the mind of the reader? Does it have to be well written, well-paced, packed full of great characters, deeply profound, or just good fun? We know what we like and what we don't like. The key: it's got to speak to us. Are we going to spend any time at all in front of paintings that bore us to tears? So why would we spend any time immersed in the lives of the banal or predictable when most of us are liv ing that life right now. So off to fantasy land, I say. At this point in our lives, we love a good laugh (or at least a good escape story). Other book clubs may do it differ ently: hire a facilitator (we're too cheap and we don't like people telling us what to do); bring a list of questions (too structured); time limit on digres sions (oh, please). I mean, the bottom line is, it's got to be fun. If anyone wants to form a book club, my advice is to just let it happen. Get together a group of people who like to read books, like each other (most of the time) and like conversation. What could be simpler? please mum + H alton Healthcare S ` E * R * V » I * C * E * S C arin g Today, Grow in g fo r Tomorrov.- You are invited to attend a free seminar entitled: WOMEN AND MIGRAINE Dr. Margaret E. Sweet, Neurologist Trillium Health Care W ednesday, June 6 , 2 0 0 1 6:30 p.m. 7:00 pm Displays, Refreshments Program 707 G alaxy Banquet Hall, Oakville - Free Parking Q E W to Trafalgar Rd., N . to Iroquois Shore Rd., right to north Service Road, Right to G a la xy Call to reserve a seat: (905) 3 3 8 -4 3 7 9 Made possible through an educational grant from 1/2 price summer clearance s e le c t ite m s O ak ville P la c e M a ll / 8 4 5 - 9 2 9 2 GlaxoSmithKline with appreciation to the OTMH PharmaCare Centre Presented by: H a l to n H e a lth c a r e THE MIGRAINE ASSOCIATION OF CANADA Trooper says: R I V E D R Y ! A message from the Mayor's Special Committee Against Impaired Driving G> O A K V ILLE TOWN OF OAKVILLE CONTRACT R-324-97 TENDER FOR CHARTWELL ROAD 8 4 5 -6 6 0 1 PALERMO STUDY Bridge Replacement at Lower Morrison Creek and Concrete Sidewalk from Linbrook Road to Melvin Avenue SEALED TENDERS, on forms provided will be received by the Town Clerk, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario L6H 2L1 until 2:00 p.m. Local Time on: TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2001 for the following major items: Removal of bridge structure and footing 3000 mm x 2100 mm precast concrete box culvert approximately 320 tonnes of hot mix asphalt approximately 1380 tonnes of granular road base approximately 200 metres of concrete curb and gutter approximately 350 square metres of concrete sidewalk approximately 135 metres of sewers and appurtenances approximately 33 metres of watermain Plans, specifications and tender forms will be available on or after Wednesday. May 30, 2001 and may be obtained from the Department of Public Works, 2274 Trafalgar Road, for non-refundable payment of thirty dollars ($30.00), GST included, by cash or certified cheque payable to the Town of Oakville. The Contractor whose tender is accepted shall be required to post a Performance Bond satisfactory to the Town Council, equal to 100% of the Contract Price and a Labour and Material Payment Bond totalling 50% of the Contract price. A certified cheque, a Bank / Trust Company Draft or a Bid Bond for the amount specified in the tender documents must accompany each tender. Tenders will be opened publicly at a meeting of the Tender Opening Committee at the Oakville Municipal Building, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, Ontario on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at 2:30 p.m. Local Time. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. R. G. Green, P. Eng. Director Department of Public Works NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Official Plan Amendment & Zoning Amendment (Temporary Use) 340 Burnhainttiorpe Road E Part Lot 12, Con 1, NDS APPLICANT - 1463083 Ontario Limited File: Z.1312.03 Please be advised that a public meeting will be held to discuss the proposed Official Plan amendment and zoning amendment, as submitted by the above-noted applicant. A Public Information Meeting will be held on Wednesday. June 20, 2001 in the Oakville Room, commencing at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville. Any individuals wishing to attend the meeting EAST ROAD BURNHAMTHORPE and the subsequent meeting, which is yet to be determined, and speak to this matter are invited to do so. A summary of the subject proposal and f SUBJECT/ LANDS a key map may be found below. If a person or public body that files a notice of appeal of a decision in respect of the proposed Official Plan amendment or zoning amendment to the Ontario Municipal Board does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or does not make LANDS N O T PART O f written submissions before the proposed Official G O L F F A C IL IT Y Plan amendment or zoning amendment is approved, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. You may direct any written submissions and/or & questions to Sally Stull at the Tbwn's Planning Services Department, Town of Oakville, P.O. Box 310,1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON. L6J 5A6. TO: 845-6601, Ext 3261, email address: sstull@town.oakville.on.ca. Location - The subject property is located on the southeast comer of Trafalgar Road and Burnhamthorpe Road. The lands are legally described as Part Lot 12, Con 1, N.D.S. Offlrial Plan - Figure B, General Land Use designates the site agricultural within the Town of Oakville Official Plan. Zoning - The site is zoned A, agricultural. ttpnwal - The applicants have submitted a proposal involving an Official Plan amendment and zoning amendment to permit as a temporary use, a golf driving range on the 12.54 ha (31 acres) site.. Dated at the Town of Oakville this 6th day of June 2001. The final report for the Palermo Study will be presented to Council at the regular Planning and Development/Council Meeting on June 11, 2001. The meeting will commence at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Further information can be obtained from the Planning Services Department by calling either Lynne Gough or Joanne Magee at 905-845-6601, E xt 3025 or Ext. 3034, or by e-mail at lgough@town oakville.on.ca or i m a y e e @ t o w D .o a k v i l l e . o n . c a . Dated at the Town of Oakville this 6* day of June, 2001. Lynne Gough, Manager, Long Range Planning Section C o u n c il & S t a n d in g C o m m it t e e M e e t in g s Monday, June 11,2001 Tuesday, June 12,2001 Community Services Committee Planning & Development Council 7:30 p.m. - Oakville Room Council Chambers Administrative Services Comm. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - Bronte Room Event was special Ed. note: Thefollowing letter,was sent to the teachers and staff at Sunningdale School, a copy was also filed with the Oakville Beaver. Almost a month ago, Letters I was privileged to attend to the a performance of "Clowns" at your school. Editor This invitation was important to me for a number of reasons, the most prominent being that the invitation had been given to me by our grandson, Gregory Spence. It was with much anticipation that I arrived at Sunningdale School on Tuesday, April 10th. The motivation for this note to your staff, will I hope, reflect the additional reasons that this was for me, a very special event. From the moment I entered your doors, the air was filled with the excite ment and energy that such occasions generate for both children and parents. Animated, colourful, eager clowns were everywhere! As we made our way through crowded hallways, I marvelled at the beautiful, creative artwork that lined the halls - painting, markers, pen cil crayons and Plasticine - all reflective of tWhat I wish to convey to your teach ers is how much I appreciate the extra ordinary time and effort that they expend, to make these opportunities available for so many children. Over time, students will likely forget who taught them math concepts or spelling rules, but they will always trea sure the special events like "Clowns", and the teachers who gave so much of themselves to make it all happen. Thank you teachers and staff. Your commitment does make a significant difference to the lives of many. Fra n c e s J . O ldham Monday, June 18,2001 Council Meeting Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 25,2001 Planning & Development Council Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. C o u n c il & C o m m it t e e T o u c h t o n e P h o n e L in e 815-5959 NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING APPLICANT: 1286382 Ontario Limited 1110 Dundas Street West Zoning Amendment and Draft plan of Subdivision Files: Z.1422.06 and 24T-01003/1422 Please be advised that a public meeting will be held to discuss the proposed Zoning Amendment and Draft plan of Subdivision applications, as submitted by the above noted applicant This meeting will be a public information meeting hosted by Planning Staff at which time public input in the processing of these applications will be sought This meeting will take place on June 19,2001, commencing at 7:30 p.m. in the Bronte Room at Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville. Any individuals wishing to attend this meeting and speak to this matter are invited to do so. An explanation of the purpose and effect of the proposed applications, describing the land to which the proposed applications apply, and a key map showing the location of the land to which the proposed applications apply can be found below. If a person or public body that files an appeal of a decision of the approval authority, in respect of the proposed Zoning Amendment and Draft plan of Subdivision to the Ontario Municipal Board does not make oral or written submission at the public meeting before the proposed Zoning Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision is approved, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. If you wish to be notified of the decision regarding the proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision you must make a written request to Edward Salisbury, Director of Planning Services at the address below. Any other written submissions and or questions may be directed to David Nelson at the Planning Services Department Town of Oakville, P.O. Box 310,1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville. ON. L6J5A6. Tel: 845-6601, Ext 3039, email address: dnelson@town.oakville.on.ca,. l-nratfain - The subject lands are located on the south side of Dundas Street West between Neyagawa Boulevard and Sixteen Mile Creek. Legally, the lands are known as Part Lot 22, Concession 1 SDS. Offlrial P lan Figure O, Land Use, River Oaks Community, designates the lands as Residential Low Density with a maximum density of 19 units/site hectare. Additional designations applying to the lands are Berm/Buffer for the south side of Dundas Street and Natural Area for the wetlands on the southern limits of the property. Zoning - The site is zoned A, Agricultural. Proposal - The Zoning Amendment would rezone the subject lands from A, Agricultural, to R5, to permit 5 detached dwellings on the property. The draft plan of subdivision proposes to create 5 lots with minimum frontages of 15 metres for detached dwellings. Access for the proposed lots would be from a continuation of a recently approved draft plan located to the south and east The latter plan (24T-00012/1412) is accessed from Riverbank Way. Dated at the Town of Oakville this 6th day of June 2001. John Ghent Manager.Current Planning Section, Planning Services Department I / Ian Anderson House Thanks the Main Sponsors o f o u r Annual W a lk /ru n being held on 10 June 2001 Mackenzie Financial Connections (consisting of Assante Capital Management Ltd. Vince Thomenson Dickerson Insurance Brokers Ltd. and Cumming & Cumming Wealth Management Inc.) Du Pont Canada Inc. BOT Construction Ltd. Fell Investments Inc. Hall Chemical Manufacturing Inc. Kennedy ford Sales Ltd. fell Investments Inc. Turner & Porter funeral Directors Skinner and Middlebrook Ltd. Neweduk funeral Home/ Mississauga Chapel Tim Horton/John W eir Mr. S Mrs. Dave Campbell John Ghent Manager, Current Planning Section, Planning Services Department 1225 TRAFALGAR ROAD · OAKVILLE, ONTARIO · L6J 5A6 And all o t h e r su p p orters