December 27, 2008

NEWS |

1

Former Kings find the hockey just fine in Germany..................................... »12 THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

From paper to stone

»11

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 51

Gas tax agreement aims at infrastructure projects

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2008

www.ObserverXtra.com

» TAKiNG THe PLedGe

A winter wonderland for the holidays

Be it resolved New Year’s resolutions a yearly ritual that tends to fade away pretty quickly

Federal and provincial governments look for input preparing budgets

MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

The federal and provincial governments delivered one of the first components of a stimulus package this week, announcing a major investment in municipal infrastructure. On Tuesday, Ottawa and Queen’s Park signed off on an extension of the Gas Tax Fund agreement. Between 2010 and 2014, the federal government will hand Ontario municipalities $2.9 billion earmarked for municipal infrastructure projects. The announcement follows weeks of pre-budget consultations by the federal and Ontario finance ministers. If the early reports of those consultations are any indication, more infrastructure-related announcements are in the offing. Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht met with federal finance minister Jim Flaherty on Tuesday to relay the concerns of his constituents. “I think the primary concern that we all have is that businesses that have been successful for many years are having a hard time finding credit,” Albrecht said in an interview. “That’s our major concern right now, that companies will have the ability to weather the storm.” See INFRASTRUCTURE page »05

PHOTO | JONi miLTeNbuRG

JONI MILTENBURG

STUnT RIdER Adam brown keeps a watchful eye, but Timothy Shuh had plenty of speed and cleared the jump with air to spare. The boys braved the cold weather monday afternoon to try some runs in elmira.

As sure as Christmas gatherings mean overindulgence, the arrival of Jan. 1 is accompanied by a resolve to change past behaviours in the coming year. For many, resolutions are as much a part of the holidays as a second or third helping of turkey or gulping down that extra cup of eggnog. “Typically, you do notice a sort of increase in referrals for healthy eating, weight-loss, come January – that’s sort of a motivation,” says Jan Inguanez, a registered dietician at Woolwich Community Health Centre (WCHS) in St. Jacobs. As always, the most popular resolutions tend to have something to do with eating healthier, exercising more and smoking cessation. Indeed, this year some people are already taking a preemptive swipe at their New Year’s resolutions. “They want to get a head-start on it and they want to be proactive, which is very positive to sort of try to minimize the weight-gain over the holidays and try to carry it on for the new year,” says Inguanez, who has taken on three new clients in December. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that happen, but typically you’d see a slight increase of people that will come on board in January with the intent of better habits, healthier habits.” As far as resolutions go, WCHC professionals suggest that planned, prepared and more moderate approaches tend to be the most effective. While some people can react positively to “crash” diets or regimens after a week of See RESOLUTIONS page »07

hes B Wis a m Gram r yone a ear! Eve ew Y N y Happ HOLIDAY HOURS:

Closed Dec. 25-28th Mon. 29th 9-6 New Years Eve 9-4 Reopening Jan. 3rd

10 CHURCH ST. W., ELMIRA (TOP FLOOR ABOVE VILLAGE PET) | 519.669.9996 | HOURS: Mon.-Wed. 9-6 | Thurs. & Fri. 9-9 | Sat. 9-6 | Sun. 12-5

2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

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Closed December 25, 26 & January 1 1421 King St. N, Downtown St. Jacobs | 519-664-3301 | www.homefurniture.ca

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WEBKINZ NOT INCLUDED IN BOXING WEEK SALE.

1 Union St., Elmira | 519.669.3072 | www.elmiragiftoutlet.com | Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30; Saturday 9:30-5:00; Closed Sundays

LEADING OFF

» NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

“Everybody definitely took a second look and had a smile on their face when they saw it.” Rick Esbaugh

3

PHOTOS | submitted

FOR THE CAUSE Mitchell Esbaugh climbs atop his parents’ pink truck. The Esbaughs recently had the gravel truck painted pink to raise awareness about breast cancer research.

Truckin’ along in the pink

Tri-City gravel truck sports unusual paint job as owners look to support breast cancer awareness MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Pink is not the most traditional colour for a dump truck hauling gravel but it sure grabs peoples’ attention. And that is exactly the point for St. Clements’ Rick Esbaugh, who recently had one of his trucks painted pink in order to raise awareness of breast cancer. “The driver says they definitely take a second and third look,” said Esbaugh, who along with his brother Ron, owns Tri-City Materials, a gravel supply company in the Petersburg area, and Tri-City ReadyMix. The eye-catching gravel truck was part of the Santa

EE RY FR IVE L DE

Claus parade in St. Clements last weekend. “I was pretty proud, actually. Everybody definitely took a second look and had a smile on their face when they saw it,” said Rick, who drove it in the parade. Indeed, the truck has drawn plenty of attention – and not just at the parade – as its new coat of paint, which will likely stay on for another three to four years, isn’t the most orthodox colour scheme for a truck. “[Rick] did go out of his way to really try to create awareness for breast cancer by painting a dump truck pink, though the truck driver wasn’t very happy about that,” joked Rick’s wife Barb, adding that the driver has warmed to the

colour scheme now that the initial shock has subsided. “He’s been good about it. He’s driving it,” she quipped. The truck has since featured in a number of local parades, including those of St. Agatha and New Hamburg. The Esbaughs’ decision to go pink is in line with the family’s support of cancer research and awareness. Barb has done the Walk for Breast Cancer in Toronto twice (a 60-kilometre walk in two days) and the Esbaughs’ companies have held auctions for two years in a row to support Kitchener radio station Kool-FM’s poster boy campaign for the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, raising $30,000 in the process. “It’s such a great thing to have locally, we have to sup-

W B B L W I C ;

port it,” said Rick of the local centre. “Everybody knows somebody that has cancer.” When Barb herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in October – she is now undergoing treatment and is doing well – the cause hit even closer to home. Rick wanted to do a little extra, and thus the idea of the pink truck was born. “The breast cancer thing is all about the pink, right? “The pink truck will hopefully bring awareness to early detection, which is key in breast cancer. If we can raise some more money for the poster boy campaign through the truck, we’ll try to do that too,” he said. Barb stressed the importance of early detection, encouraging women to see their doctors

on a yearly basis, conduct selfexaminations, and have yearly mammograms done. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian women. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, in 2008 an estimated 22,400 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 5,300 will die of it. An estimated 170 men were diagnosed with breast cancer; 50 will die of it. On average, 431 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week; 102 Canadian women will die of breast cancer in that same period. Breast cancer death rates have declined in every age group since at least the mid1990s.

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519-669-8282

CATHY DIAMOND PHARMACIST

SAMER MIKHAIL

PHARMACIST / OWNER

OPEN: Monday to Friday 9am-7pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Closed Sundays

4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Âť FROM THE EDITOR | STEVE KANNON

Tax on booze enough to drive you to drink For his sake, Premier Dalton McGuinty should have found some new advisors under his Christmas tree this week – the advice he’s been getting just doesn’t cut it. Sure, he’s busy with the U.S.-led economic turmoil, but why, oh why is he messing with the price of beer? With beer a part of the national identity – think of the resonance of those I Am Canadian ads – the cost is always a sore spot. But raising the minimum price heading into the holidays and prime sports-viewing times – think hockey and Bowl games – just reeks of greed and a loss of touch with the real world of the kind we saw with the backlash that followed the clampdown on young drivers. Essentially, this is yet another public relations disaster for the government. Even those who don’t care for beer are familiar with the buck-a-beer promotions; it’s a catchy, easily remembered phrase, and now McGuinty has soured the tune by raising the minimum price that can be charged for beer, to $25.60 from $24 for a case of 24 bottles (a 6.7 per cent increase). Maybe it’s me, but “Just $1.0666666 a beer� doesn’t have the same ring to it. The discount brands affected by the price hike represent approximately 30 per cent of beer sales in Ontario. The province says it sets minimum prices to encourage responsible drink-

ing, as if we’d all be pouring booze over our cornflakes each morning if it wasn’t for the high cost. We all know, however, the real reason is money – higher taxes fill government coffers. So-called sin taxes are easy targets. And, better yet, they’re recession-proof, which is particularly relevant right now. Therein, of course, lies the rub: the government is raising prices even as we’re tightening our belts and economists worry about deflation for goods and services. No risk of that where taxes are concerned, however. The timing, then, is insult on top of injury. It’s even more galling as most of us are aware we’re severely overtaxed where alcohol is concerned: Anyone who has travelled to the U.S. knows how much less expensive it is. When the Seagram Company was still operating in Waterloo, I would often remark how I could buy a bottle of whisky in the U.S. or overseas for half the price (or less) of what I’d pay at the LCBO store a mile from the plant. The cost differences apply to beer, wine and spirits. It’s all about the taxes. With the new floor pricing for beer, Ontario has added to what is already the world’s second-highest level of taxation on beer: Canada’s 51 per cent tax is second only to Norway’s 65 per cent, according to the Brewers Association of Canada. By comparison, the U.S. rate is 19 per cent. The country’s brewers estimate they paid $4.3 billion in federal, provincial and municipal taxes in 2005, the most recent years for which figures are

available. Breaking that down, 51 per cent of the cost of a case of beer goes to taxes. The equivalent tax on gasoline, itself a touchstone of consumer dissatisfaction, is about 34 per cent. When it comes to the price of beer, however, the brewers themselves bear some scrutiny, or at least that’s what Canada’s Competition Commissioner thinks. Earlier this year, the Competition Bureau was stymied by the courts in its efforts to tie Ontario’s Social Reference Price for beer – the minimum cost set by governments as a deterrent to consumption – to an attempt by brewers to keep prices higher. Though shot down for demanding too much from the industry, the Commissioner was looking to see if the industry had any influence in setting the floor price – the higher the minimum, the higher other prices could go. That practice, the bureau argues, could reduce competition in the beer market. If that assumption holds, then Ontarians are hit with a double whammy: increased taxes and overall higher

Âť ABOUT FACE

prices due to what could very much be considered a nanny state rule. While few would argue in favour of widespread drinking, there is precious little evidence we’d all become drunks roaming the streets if the price of alcohol was reduced to levels seen in other countries. In fact, it could prove a boon for the domestic production of beer, wine and spirits, a bonus at a time when jobs are being lost and Ontario businesses could use a boost. In wine-producing areas of Europe, for instance, the practice of enjoying wine with meals is encouraged by the affordable pricing of local vintages. Even at $10 to $20 apiece, a bottle or two with the evening meal is not feasible. Reduce that to a few dollars each, and suddenly an integral part of the Mediterranean diet is in reach. Whatever the cost, some of us will undoubtedly be lifting a glass of cheer on Wednesday night, in celebration of the pending New Year. Hopefully our governments resolve to give us all a break in 2009.

Paradise & District Lions Club would like to thank everyone who contributed to our Tree of Light campaign; the official lighting was held Dec. 6. We wish to particularly thank the following businesses and people for their generosity in contributing $50.00 or more. Special thanks to Home Hardware Stores for donating all the bulbs adorning the tree.

TREE TOP DONORS (Over $50.00) s +OEBEL #ONCRETE #ONSTRUCTION )NC s 3T #LEMENTS (EART & Home s 3TEED %VANS s 3TEMMLER -EATS #HEESE

$50.00 STRAND DONORS s !UTO &LEET 3ERVICE )NC s $IANE "ENDER s $OUGLAS & "ENDER Developments s #4 4OOLING s +ATE $ENNIS %RTEL s %XOTIC 7INGS 0ET 4HINGS s &IRM &OUNDATIONS s &OODLAND 3T #LEMENTS s 7AYNE &ORWELL %LECTRIC s (ANKgS !UTO 7RECKERS

s $ORIS (ARTMAN s (EIDELBERG &OODS ,IMITED s (ERRGOTT )NDUSTRIES &LOWERS s *ACKIE +UHN *EFFREY +UHN s *IM +UHN s ,ORENTZ &ARM ,TD s 4HE -EYER &AMILY s 2 7 %LECTRIC ,TD s $ONNA 0AUL 3CHNARR s $OLORES 3TRAUS s $ENISE *OHN 3UTHERLAND

photo | JONI MILTENBURG

s #REATIVE (AIR 7ORKS s "RIAN * $IETRICH 0LUMBING 0UMP 3ERVICE ,TD s *ONES &EED -ILLS s ,ORENTZ &ARM ,IMITED s 0ALMER 2OOFING

Pat Runstedler Vice principal, St. Dominic Savio

Are you from around here? We just moved into St. Jacobs two years ago, from North Waterloo. What brought you to St. Jacobs? My kids went to day care here, so that was the hook. We love the area – being close to the river, walking to the bakery, jumping on bikes and hitting the trails. How many kids do you have? My kids are Connor, Riley and I have a daughter Alexis. My wife is Chris.

You’re a hockey dad – how much time do you spend at the rink? Both my boys play travel hockey, so they’re here two or three times a week, and my daughter plays once a week. You could safely say 10 to 15 hours a week. Do you play yourself? I did a while back. I don’t anymore, but I am thinking of lacing on the skates again. We have a backyard rink so I’m on the ice with the kids a lot. What about other sports? A bit of everything. I’ve coached a lot of different sports, from basketball, baseball, soccer, badminton, wrestling, hockey and squash.

NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» COMMUNITY SPIRIT

The weather outside has been frightful … and doubly so if you’re trying to get a flight out of town, perhaps to some place warm and snow-free. It’s always a good idea to check out the flight schedules before heading out to catch a flight, even if you’re driving to Breslau rather than Toronto. To help with that, the Region of Waterloo International Airport has installed a Flight Information Display System that can be accessed on-line at www.waterlooairport.ca. The system allows travellers to check the status of their flight from the comfort of their home, and to track changes in flight status as they await boarding inside the airport.

Shortlist for Staebler award Four books have been shortlisted for this year’s Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. The $10,000 award, administered by Wilfrid Laurier University, encourages and recognizes Canadian writers for a first or second work of creative non-fiction that includes a Canadian locale and/or significance. The books on the shortlist this year are: Baptism of Fire: The Second Battle of Ypres and the Forging of Canada, April 1915 by Nathan M. Greenfield; French Kiss: Stephen Harper’s Blind Date with Quebec, by Chantal Hébert; The Red Wall: A Woman in the RCMP, by Jane Hall; and Stardust, by Bruce Serafin. “The judges were impressed with the quality and diversity of the books,” said Dr. David Docherty, dean of the Faculty of Arts. “In keeping with Edna’s wishes this award will act as an encouragement to aspiring authors across the country. Based on the quality of books this year, we are convinced that the stature and repetition of this award will only increase in years to come.”

Horticultural society needs help to grow Popular community organization looking for volunteers to serve on its executive JONI MILTENBURG When the Elmira and District Horticultural Society was founded in 1900, the local newspaper expressed concern that it might not get support from the community. Now, after going strong for 108 years, the society is in trouble and asking for help. With funding grants and community projects on the line, the society is pleading for people to step up and sit on its executive. The organization is looking for a new president, two vice-presidents and at least five directors to serve on the 12-member board. The new executive has to be in place before Feb. 1 for the society to be eligible for several

PHOTO | JONI MILTENBURG

Timing is everything

ROOM TO BLOOM Anne and Tony Vorstenbosch, co-presidents of the Elmira and District Horticultural Society, say new volunteers are needed as the organization moves into a crucial time for securing funding.

key grants. The horticulture society receives $1,500 from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and another grant from Woolwich Township. “It’s not that we waited until the last minute to do it,” said co-president

Tony Vorstenbosch. “We thought we had people in place, but with the economy and things, it all fell apart.” Vorstenbosch said the organization is otherwise healthy, with more than 200 members, but they need people to take

» From cover

In addition to freeing up credit, the government is looking at ways to expedite infrastructure projects that are in the wings. In Woolwich and Wellesley townships, that includes the likes of repaving Arthur, Brubacher and Second streets in Elmira, and Steffler Road and Broadway Street in Hawksville. The townships have applied for funding for those projects under the communities component of Building Canada.

“There are infrastruc- and economic affairs, ture projects that have which wrapped up its prebeen on the books of budget consultations Dec. some municipalities for 19. The committee heard some time,” Albrecht more than 100 submissaid. “Normally these sions from a wide range take a fair bit of time un- of delegates, including til they’re finally rolled mayors, poverty groups out. We’re hoping we can and manufacturers. The committee anexpedite that so we can get working at these fair- nounced it heard from delegates the importance ly early in the spring.” Infrastructure is also of poverty reduction, likely to rear its head in education and training the 2009 Ontario budget. and infrastructure inKitchener-Conestoga vestment. In a riding that includes MPP Leeanna Pendergast WO_tomorrow:Layout 1 12/22/08 12:13 PM Page 1 Kitchener Frame, which is a member of the standing committee on finance ceased production this

week, the fate of the auto industry is another pressing issue. Albrecht said the problem extends beyond the auto sector. “Kuntz Electroplating, for example, [which is] definitely auto-related with their chrome electroplating of rims and bumpers; there’s spinoff to parts manufacturers, there’s even spinoffs to the local economy, with restaurants. Everything’s going to be affected by this.” Despite the challenges facing the local economy,

Albrecht believes the area is well-positioned to cope with the economic turmoil. “First of all I think Canada’s in a better position than other countries and the States, and secondly, our area, KitchenerConestoga and the entire Waterloo Region, is a well diversified area; I don’t believe we’ll be hit as severely. [But] that shouldn’t cause us to sit back and be smug, because we all need to work hard to minimize the impact.”

w! Tomorro

Maple Syrup | Local Honey Sauerkraut | Squash Dried Flowers | Carrots Apple Butter

GROUP OF SEVEN

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Tickets start at $33

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CLOSED Dec. 25- Jan. 8 JANUARY HOURS: Mon.-Fri. | 1 - 6pm Saturdays |9 - 5pm Sundays | CLOSED

Katherine St.

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Winterbourne

WEEKLY SPECIALS Colleen McGuckin; photographer: Andrew Oxenham

Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Variety of Muffins and Breads Chelsea and Cinnamon Buns Hotdog & Hamburger Buns Rolls | Pies

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on a leadership role. Some of the current board members have served three or four twoyear terms and would like to step down. “We have a strong membership and they’re all willing to help, but nobody wants to lead.”

It’s not hard work, Vorstenbosch said, noting that although it can be time-consuming, it’s a rewarding job. The horticultural society maintains 10 gardens in Elmira, including Bristow Park, Memorial Park, the library and the Woolwich Visitor Information Centre. The group also organizes a garden tour and candlelight home tour, and contributes to the Christmas decorations and hanging baskets on the lampposts on Arthur Street. Without people to step forward and steer the horticultural society, those projects will be neglected, Vorstenbosch said. Anyone interested in helping can contact Tony or Anne Vorstenbosch at 519-669-8802.

Infrastructure: Pre-budget consultations wrapping up

Produce

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5

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6 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

S ’ N E BOXING L MILL WEEK S E R O BLOWOUT! ST Reg. Price

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THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» LAW & ORDER

Turkey, trimmings and Santa at John Mahood

PHOTOs | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Resolutions: Realistic goals the key to making changes stick » From cover

indulgent eating, the majority slip back into their old ways within weeks. Long-term, more gradual, less drastic resolutions are without a doubt the most effective for most people, even from the get-go, says Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, a physician with the Public Health Agency of Canada. “People often try to go on these crash diets that will change their weight maybe drastically for a few months, but they can’t maintain them, so their weight just comes back to where they were before they started the diet,” he explains. “I think it is really important to make changes that you can imagine maintaining for the rest of your life.” Instead of eliminating carbohydrates from a diet for a period of two weeks, for example, it is healthier and more effective to incorporate healthier eating habits – such as eating more vegetables, choosing whole grain versus white bread, lean meats instead of fatty meats and using unsaturated oils – on a daily basis. “Slow and steady wins the race. It’s changes that you make for long periods of time that really affect your health particularly with respect to diet and physical activity, because they’re things that

prevent chronic diseases that take a long time to develop,” says Lysyshyn, adding that daily exercise is also crucial. Adults should get up to 60 minutes worth of exercise per day and children up to 90. That doesn’t mean continuous exercise and is quite easily fulfilled when factoring in household chores, walking to school, and spending less time in front of the computer or the television. With the resolution set comes the most difficult part: putting it into action. As Joy Finney at WCHC notes, the action-plan can be much easier if the goals are more realistic. “[It’s] important, when you’re going to set a goal or a resolution, that it be something that you really want to do, that it’s not based on guilt because you’ve overeaten during the Christmas period or whatever,” says Finney, noting the health centre offers a number of courses to help local residents stay on track with their resolutions. It’s important to select reasonable goals that are behaviour-specific. For example, wanting to lose weight is not based on behaviour, but not eating after dinner is. When shooting for a goal, then, it’s crucial to be specific: one must ask what, how, how much? “You really rethink that

goal – be careful not to set yourself up for failure,” says Finney, adding that confidence in one’s ability to go through with the resolution is also key. Simply repeating last year’s failed resolution and tackling it in the same way isn’t a good idea. Citing a book by Gary Blair, Goal Setting 101, Finney highlights four characteristics of people who stick to their resolutions: they believe in their own ability to change; they don’t indulge in self-blame or excuse making; they avoid wishful thinking and concentrate on results; and they understand their motivators and the reasons why the resolution is important. As the Christmas season winds to a close, and the new year is on the horizon, resolutions are a positive way of taking on the coming year. Personal betterment is never a bad thing, but there are ways of maximizing efforts and making attempts more successful. “All of those types of things that we know from work that we’ve done here at the public health agency [show] that income, type of work, and education all have powerful effect on health, so these are all things people can do in the interest of health – it’s all about setting realistic goals,” says Lysyshyn.

7

Gas cheaper, but free is better for some »»

GOOD GRUB Santa Claus was on hand as students at John Mahood PS had a turkey dinner Dec. 19 before heading into the Christmas break. Top, Mackenna McLaughlin spends some time with St. Nick. Far left, Hanna Ehrlich digs into her turkey lunch. Left, Julie Verwey, Cairine Domzella and Lisa ter Woort serve up the goodies.

NEWS |

December 16

8:00 PM | A vehicle struck a deer in the area of 2424 Arthur St., north of Elmira. No one in the vehicle was injured. Investigators at the scene of the collision observed food on the side of the road that may have fallen off a farmer’s wagon.

»»

December 17

4:04 PM | Two unknown males were involved in the theft of several items from a store on Weber Street North in St. Jacobs. They were last seen leaving in a brown or tan coloured Chevrolet Cavalier. The stolen items had an estimated value of under $200.

»»

December 18

9:42 AM | A license plate was lost in the area of Weberlyn Crescent in Conestogo. The plates bear the marker 487 7NO.

»»

In the early morning of Dec. 17, a lone unknown male was seen siphoning gas from an address in the area of 6580 Line 86. By the time police arrived on scene, the man had already taken off; tracks were followed into a field, where they were eventually lost. Anyone with relevant information concerning this incident is asked to contact police.

December 20

11:20 AM | There were no injuries and no charges as a result of a rear-end collision near the roundabout at Sawmill Road and Arthur Street, St. Jacobs. One vehicle was stopped when it was struck from behind by another vehicle that had attempted to stop but was unable to do so, sliding into the first.

12:40 PM | Police and firefighters were called to the area of 169 Katherine St. N. when a farm shop went up in flames after some power tools were left unattended. Woolwich Firefighters quickly got the fire under control; there were no injuries. Damage was extensive as the fire spread through walls which in turn had to be torn open. Officials remind residents to check their smoke detectors on a regular basis.

»»

December 21

9:50 AM | A family of four was southbound on Arthur Street coming into Elmira when the driver lost control of the vehicle and ended in a ditch facing northbound on the other side of the road. There were no injuries and no other vehicles were hit. Police remind drivers to exercise caution when driving this winter season, especially when approaching curves in the road.

»»

December 22

10:56 AM | The intersection at Oakcliffe Street and Killdeer Road in Elmira was the site of a vehicle collision involving a G2 driver. The driver had been turning left from Killdeer onto Oakcliffe when they drove into oncoming traffic. The second vehicle was unable to stop in time. One driver was subsequently charged with ‘failing to allow for reasonable space to avoid a collision.’ 4:15 PM | There were no injuries and no charges following a collision in which one vehicle, in the process of parallel parking, struck another vehicle.

If you see news happening. Call the Observer. 519.669.5790

8 | COMMENT & OPINION

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

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» EDITORIAL

A year when politicians step up? The New Year is typically a time of optimism, for renewal and a resolve to take on new challenges. Canadians, however, may be forgiven if they’re a little hesitant about 2009 given the economic outlook. That’s not to say 2008 has been a banner year, one we really can’t let go. While we’ll have the usual crop of resolutions on tap for Jan. 1, most of us know the real pledge for change has to come from our so-called leaders. The economy will test the mettle of politicians and businesspeople. As 2008 winds down, we’ve found them lacking. It’s hard to be optimistic the turning of a calendar page will bring any improvement, but the New Year’s celebration is about nothing if not hope for the future. Perhaps there’s an endless optimism that we can change, that we can be better – which, of course, recognizes that we all have something in our lives that we wish to alter. Psychologists tell us this is normal human behaviour, adding that the tough part is actually following through on the impulse for self improvement. In other words, fantasizing about a better you, about an idealized version of you – most of us can actually picture ourselves that way –

will remain just that: a fantasy. Unless, that is, we are willing to work hard to make the dream a reality. As individuals, we’ve been performing this ritual for centuries – for some of us, resolving to do the same thing, such as exercise more, is indeed a yearly ritual, but that’s another story. Can this sense of renewal be extended to a wider venue – say, to a community as a whole? We head into 2009 with a recession looming, a situation Prime Minister Stephen Harper has finally acknowledged, largely due to the threat of a Liberal-NDP coalition. With new Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff talking tough, perhaps we’ll see some real change for the better in Ottawa. Optimism, at least in part, is at the root of the decision every time we elect a new government, a chance that something will actually change. That politicians seldom make a difference doesn’t seem to completely eliminate that sense of “maybe this time” when we go to the polls. This is perhaps the same hopefulness that gets us to put down some money on lottery tickets: we can dream of what we’ll do with the riches – a one-in-a-million chance – un-

» VERBATIM “It’s another example of the inability of Harper to keep his word. He’s made very, very clear commitments coming out of his experience with [the Reform Party] to Senate reform and he’s abandoned them. I don’t know what his Western support must be thinking today.” Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff on Stephen Harper’s Senate appointments

til the results come in and dash those hopes … but there’s always the next draw. Unlike the winning lottery numbers, however, we have control over our resolutions and whether we stick to them. To a lesser extent, especially given the decreasing voter turnout, we have some control over our politicians – at least enough to throw the bums out. (That they are replaced by a new group of bums is, again, another story.) Many of us make resolutions casually only to just as easily break them. We then rationalize our actions. In our jaded age, we’re equally blasé about the same lack of follow-through from our elected officials – in fact, we’ve come to expect them to lie, cheat, break their promises and to otherwise act in a self-serving manner (see this week’s Senate appointments by Harper). That doesn’t mean, however, that we just accept the status quo. Maybe this year’s resolutions should include expecting more from our politicians (are you listening, Stephen Harper, Dalton McGuinty?). Maybe our political leaders should resolve to do what’s right, to make our lives better, if only once in their current term.

» THE MONITOR The public sector in Ontario already enjoys higher pay than in the private sector. Of all the provinces, this gap is largest in Ontario. There is a $7,000 spread between its public sector’s average salary of $60,656 versus a comparable private sector wage of $53,682 – a difference of 13 per cent. Public sector wages should be frozen. Canadian Taxpayers Federation

COMMENT & OPINION |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» HARD TALK | RAFE MAIR

9

Where’s the harm in celebrating peace and goodwill? Every Christmas for a very long time now, our “higher purpose persons,” in the late Denny Boyd’s marvellous phrase, busy themselves taking all indicia of Christianity out of the otherwise jolly picture. Nativity scenes or Christmas carols in schools are swept up in a craze of misguided do-gooders who, though they claim to be speaking for minority groups, never seem to be part of them. “Canada is not a Christian country!” they cry – which is true but irrelevant. The question is the celebration of Jesus’ birth, an event not much noticed by Christians in earlier years. While Christianity is not our national religion any more than Bahia is, it has become a national day of considerable importance to all Canadians of every conceivable background. It has become many things to many people. Some Christians, though not all by any means, celebrate Dec. 25 as

a holy day. Most people, including I daresay most Christians, at least the nominal once-or-twice-a-year variety, celebrate it as a season of goodwill. For most Canadians, Christmas is a wonderful, joyous time of year, a time for youngsters, a moment just for a short time dedicated to friends and family not seen very often; a time, then, for loved ones to get together to renew love. People of all faiths say “Merry Christmas” to each other and to utter strangers. In our house, it was presents right after breakfast. Then it would be off to church for what for my father was his only visit of the year. (He would be some ticked off if, for some reason, what he regarded as the family pew – second from the front on the right side – was occupied by others). My mother used to make it on Easter too. Christmas Day was for our family as it was for most people who professed even some wispy connection to Christianity. It isn’t always that way, of course. Sometimes, in the immortal words of Yogi Yorgesson, “someone slugs Uncle Ben” and all hell breaks loose.

Sometimes it’s a struggle between whose folks will have the big dinner this year, a problem exacerbated if one set of “folks” can’t stand the guts of the other. But here’s what our self-proclaimed champions of neutralizing Christmas simply do not understand. To the chagrin of many Christians, Christmas has broadened its appeal to almost everyone. Legends old and new have blended into a sort of super festival. Old Saint Nicholas now finds himself led by Rudolph, so say millions of kids, and who will tell them they’re wrong? The Nativity scene is not some sort of fundamentalist Christian form of proselytizing the faith, but a moment of great religious significance to some and just beauty and peace to others. To some it means nothing at all and that doesn’t matter. “O Come All Ye Faithful,” which only reaches its true majesty when sung in Latin, “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” have been joined by “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Does it matter that these songs widen the scope of celebrating a message

of peace? There are lots of downsides to Christmas, which has become, for many, a 10-day period of drinking too much and spending too much. It’s become far too commercialized though just what the right amount is, is never clear. But surely these bad things just demonstrate that Christmas is what you want to make of it. Many Christians would like to redeem Christmas – seize it from the infidels and get it back inside the church. Good luck! The English language will reclaim the word “gay” in its true meaning before that happens. Christians, in accordance with Jesus’ constant plea for peace and understanding must make the best of it and stop complaining that others are ruining their holy day. It remains for them to celebrate or not as they see fit. Non-Christians should not fear to be reminded about the origins of the great feast. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, best of the season and may we all be around this time next year to continue the never ending debate.

» INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | GWYNNE DYER

Alternatives the answer as the end of oil is now in sight Worried about “peak oil”? The International Energy Agency’s annual report, “The World Energy Outlook 2008,” admits for the first time that “although global oil production in total is not expected to peak before 2030, production of conventional oil ... is projected to level off towards the end of the projection period.” When The Guardian’s environmental columnist, George Monbiot, pressed IEA director Fatih Birol on that opaque phrase, the actual date turned out to be 2020. The IEA’s previous reports, which assured everyone that there was plenty of oil until 2030, were based on what Birol called “a global assumption about the world’s oilfields:” that the rate of decline in the output of existing oilfields was 3.7 per cent a year. But this year some of the staff actually turned up for work occasionally and did a “very, very detailed” survey on the actual rate of decline. It turns out that production

in the older fields is really falling at 6.7 percent a year. There are still some new oilfields coming into production, but this number means that the production of conventional oil – oil that you pump out of the ground or the seabed in the good old-fashioned way – will peak in 2020, 11 years from now. Fatih Birol assumes, or rather pretends, that new production of “unconventional oil” will allow total production to match demand for another decade until 2030, but this is sheer fantasy. “Unconventional oil” is oil that is extracted, at great expense and environmental cost, from tar sands or oil shales. But nobody is actually working the oil shales, and only one million barrels per day are currently being taken out of tar sands, all in Alberta. The most optimistic production forecast for the tar sands in the 20202030 period is five million barrels/ day, half of which would merely replace declining Canadian production of conventional oil. Tar sands oil is not going to postpone the arrival of peak oil for long.

So what are we to make of this news? Monbiot uses Birol’s admission to launch an impassioned appeal for the rapid development of non-oil alternative sources of energy. That is obviously urgent if we are close to “peak oil,” but this may not be as great a crisis as it seems. It may not be a bonanza for the oil-producing countries, either. The IEA presumes that demand for oil will rise indefinitely, so the price of oil only gets higher after “peak oil”, but in technology nothing is forever. Set into the front doorstep of my house (and most other 19thcentury houses in London) is an iron contrivance called a boot-scraper. It is a device for scraping horse droppings off your boots before coming into the house, and the iron blade is worn into a shallow curve by a halfcentury of use. Nineteenth-century cities depended on horses to move people and goods around. London in the 1890s had 11,000 horse-drawn taxis and several thousand buses, each of which required 12 horses a day. Add all the private carriages and the tens of thousands of horse-drawn carts,

wagons and drays delivering goods, and there were at least 100,000 horses on the streets of London every day – each producing an average of 10 kilos (22 pounds) of manure. Two thousand tonnes of manure a day. There were flies everywhere, and if you didn’t shovel the manure up quickly, it dried up and blew into your eyes, your hair, your nose, your clothes. As the cities grew, even more horses were needed and the problem grew steadily worse. One writer in The Times in 1894 estimated that in 50 years the streets of London would be buried under nine feet (three metres) of manure. In fact, within 35 years the streets of London were almost completely free of horses, and filled with automobiles instead. They created a different kind of pollution, but at least you didn’t step in it. The same fate is likely to overtake oil-fuelled vehicles in the next 35 years. The shift will be driven by concerns about foreign exchange costs and energy independence, and increasingly by the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions. It is starting with ever-

with our lives. Well, not exactly, as half of us didn’t think them worth a trip to the polls in October, which led to Prime Minister Stephen Harper remaining in 24 Sussex Dr. with an improved minority, thanks to securing the favour of 23 per cent of eligible voters – a democratic whimper. Things began to go bad at the Liberal leadership convention in 2006 when the frontrunners, jealous of each others’ chances, assigned their delegates in such a way that Stéphane Dion was able to squeeze

through a hole in the line to score the prize. He was, bless his soul for really he’s a nice guy, not the man to lead the opposition, managing to keep Harper in power rather than deposing him. Ignatieff, Rae or Kennedy, any of the three would have sent the PM packing. Harper gained momentum, his mind firmly fixed on a majority. A stiff, stuffed shirt politician without humour who, like Nixon and George W. Bush, demanded absolute loyalty from his party, he fostered an arrogance that left no room for admit-

ting fault or extending an apology. The low point of his career came when he authored the coalition by tabling an economic plan wrapped in a red bandana that incensed the opposition, like a bull in a china shop. He would remove taxpayer subsidies to political parties and take away public service unions’ right to strike, but with no firm plan for a stimulus package to revive the moribund economy. The other side pounced – right or wrong, they acted quickly – and the Prime Minister backed

See DYER »10

» LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dearth of leadership during time of crisis To the Editor, Canadians are irrelevant, pawns in a chess match where the goal is to retain or secure power at any cost, even the demise of democracy. With Parliament idled during the worst financial crisis of the modern era, we, the electorate, stand anxiously on the sidelines, aghast that it was these Hill people we entrusted

See LETTER »10

10 | COMMENT & OPINION

Dyer: Prices to fall with demand » From page 09

tightening standards for fuel efficiency. That will be followed by the first mass-market generation of electric vehicles, due in the next two or three years. The coup de grace will be delivered by third-generation biofuels, probably produced from algae that do not use valuable agricultural land, that are fully competitive with oil in price and energy content. We will never get back the eight wasted years of the Bush administration, and it may now be too late to avoid drastic climate change, but Barack Obama is clearly going to try. You do not appoint Steve Chu as your energy secretary

and Carol Browner as your “climate tsarina” if you intend to evade the issue. So American oil consumption is going to start falling quite fast, quite soon. The same is true elsewhere. Indeed, it is a safe bet that the demand for oil is going to fall faster than the supply over the next 10 or 15 years, even if we are already at or near “peak oil,” for the annual decline in oil production just after the peak is actually quite shallow – around two per cent – in the classic Hubbert curve. And if demand falls faster than supply, the price will also collapse. Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets …

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» OBSERVER Q&A

Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? If so, what are they?

“I don’t usually do that but … treat everybody fairly and enjoy time going forward.”

“I don’t make New Year’s resolutions; I’d rather go ahead and address things as they come up during the year.”

“It’s to create peace wherever I go.”

“No, I do not have any New Year’s resolutions. I’ve hardly even thought about it yet. It’s probably too soon.”

»» Martin Binkley

»» Teri Walsh

»» Carol Robinson

»» Gail Kaldma

» THE VIEW FROM HERE | SCOTT ARNOLD

Letter: Time to embrace democracy » From page 09

down, visiting Rideau Hall to save his hide, so great is his hunger to hold on to power. There are some realities, the greatest of which is that Canadians have finally wakened from a long political snooze to take the loss of democracy seriously. Dion’s gone, Ignatieff ’s at the wheel and the end of the first

month of the new year promises to be interesting whether or not the coalition survives, which it won’t if Harper finds the word “conciliatory” in his dictionary. Either way, there is hope that Canadians will finally embrace their democratic rights. Jim Newton New Dundee

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BUSINESS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

BUSINESS » CHANGING HANDS

11

New operator on the landscape MARC MIQUEL HELSEN After years of operation at Weber Street North and Benjamin Road in Waterloo, Kuntz Landscape Depot will have new ownership and a new name this spring. The longtime landscape supply business on the Woolwich-Waterloo border was recently sold to the former owners of Basics office products, Jim Dillon and his son Jeff Dillon. The deal closes Dec. 31. The change comes as Ray Kuntz moves to concentrate his area of focus on his other project, Kuntz Gravel Ltd., located on Bridge Street, on the Woolwich side of the road. The venture also operates a small gravel pit at 889 Bridge St. W. Last month, Woolwich council approved an increase of the annual tonnage extracted from the site, to 80,000 tonnes from 50,000. The shift in focus prompted Kuntz to sell the landscape businesses, property and buildings at 650 Weber St. N. to the Dillons. “I’m quite excited about it; there’s lots of opportunity in improvements that we’re going to be working on in the

next 12 months, initially, that will take this business to the next level,” said Jeff Dillon, noting that under its new structure, the business, now called Stone Landscapes, will see an expanded product line and some staff additions. “We will have a new fresh look; there’s going to be a broader selection of product, we’re going to expand the retail component of it and we’re going to make the outside area, generally the whole yard and the feel for the business more userfriendly, easier to shop,” he said. The landscape supply business already offers all types of hardscape supplies, from stones and paving to retaining walls, both natural and concrete, as well as driveways. The business will continue to focus on supplying a varied mix of clients, including commercial businesses, homeowners, the school boards, private businesses and municipalities. “Anybody that really wants landscaping, hardscapes,” said Dillon. On tap for the near future is the creation of a website that will be “intuitive” and help

customers with their choices, said Dillon. Though landscape and office supplies have very little in common, Dillon noted that the change from his family business of many years came in part as a result of his personal interest in landscaping. The fact that he also studied horticulture should also help him along the way. “I decided to look at landscaping due to the interest I’ve always [had] in landscaping. I’ve taken horticulture through school, and this was an opportunity to go into something that was in landscaping and that, coupled with the fact that I spent the last 15 years in a family-run business made this a very appealing choice,” he said, noting that the venture will continue to be family operated as he runs it with his father. “Generally, I just like the industry. I like that it’s an outdoor business; I like the people that are in it: they generally have the same interests.” Although the deal officially goes through next week, Dillon is already operating Stone Landscape. An open house marking the change will be held in the spring.

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Former owners of Basics office supply purchase Kuntz depot, now renamed Stone Landscape

SET IN STONE Jeff Dillon and his father, Jim, former owners of Basics office products, have teamed up again to buy the Kuntz Landscape Depot, which now operates under the name Stone Landscapes Inc.

» FOOD FOR THOUGHT | OWEN ROBERTS

Let’s stick it to environmental marketing Those little identification stickers affixed to fresh produce drive some people crazy. Such stickers are said to add yet another level of human contact to what are already well-handled commodities. And more handling means additional opportunities for contamination, especially for imported produce that travels extensively before arriving here. But despite the stickers’ shortcomings, they do indeed reveal the produce’s origin (along with the variety and price code). Some people think that’s vital, and seek it out. One of those who want to know where his apples and everything else comes from is U.S. president-elect Barack Obama, a much-feared champion of U.S. protectionism. In the new year, expect to see the U.S. in particular insist on more country-of-origin identification, as it retracts and tries to shelter its farm sector from competition. That will inspire a bevy of imposters who’ll claim to be offering authentic produce from the U.S., Canada and Europe, or wherever suits their façade

the best. Food fraud is a potentially fatal business, depending on what’s being disguised, and it underlines why we need affordable, on-the-spot molecular analysis technology. University of Guelph professors Paul Hebert, Bob Hanner and a team of biologists are finding new ways to analyze genetic coding from a tissue sample, and immediately prove authenticity (or finger an imposter). So imagine the power of a designation that combines irreproachable technology with an established environmental sustainability program, such as Ontario’s Environmental Farm Plan. If stickers are a way of life, then picture a little sticker on your apples, carrots, bread, soy snacks, corn flakes, steaks, roasts or rainbow trout, declaring the product was grown sustainably, in Ontario. It would do more than simply identify the food’s origin – it would also say something about the way it was grown, and the farmer who grew it. The challenge would be to determine what constitutes sustainable. But many of the criteria are already firmly in place. Since 1993, more than 27,000 producers have adopted an Environmental Farm Plan, which addresses 23 areas of potential concern

on the farm – water wells, energy efficiency, fuel storage, soil management and pest control among them. With guidance from the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, farmers participate in local workshops where they cite environmental strengths as well as areas of concern. Then, along with facilitators, they create action plans to improve areas that are lacking. They’re eligible for federal assistance to make environmental changes. No one needs to ask consumers if they’d rather buy food produced with sustainable practices. They’ve already said they would, as shown by the growth in organic food, and local food, both of which are popularly regarded as sustainable. By working together, the farming industry was able to define organic. “Local” is a bigger challenge. But defining sustainable is certainly possible, because it can be related to responsible management. As well, there’s another naturalresource model to follow – the Forest Stewardship Council certification. Products with the council’s logo are supposed to be free from what it calls the most destructive practices in for-

estry, including illegal logging, destroying “high conservation” value forests and converting forests to other land uses. The council’s certification excludes genetically modified forest species. Ontario agriculture would struggle practically and philosophically with a label that suggested farms growing genetically modified food were not sustainable. Most of the corn and soybeans grown in the province are genetically modified. And those are Ontario’s two biggest crops. However, numerous meaningful measures of on-farm environmental sustainability exist, led by environmental farm plan parameters. Farm improvements for matters such as water protection, training and safety courses can all be documented and measured. Over the past 20 years, farmers have cut pesticide use in half, spent $600 million in environmental improvements and dedicated more than 300,000 days in environmental training courses. A little sustainable-practices sticker would move this momentum along even further. And it would give consumers additional confidence in Ontario farmers. How can it lose?

12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

SPORTS

Local swimmers among those trying to save WLU pool

» WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

University facility faces closure due to deteriorating condition; funding sought for repairs estimated at $2.2 million

Three former Sugar Kings playing in Europe were on the roster as Canada took the Deutschland Cup

JONI MILTENBURG The fight is on to save the pool at Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) is leading the charge. In a few short weeks, the club has rallied to raise more than $675,000, with a goal of $1 million. The club, along with other users, is looking to save the area’s only Olympic-size pool. The pool’s deteriorating condition came to light in a pair of engineering reports, the results of which were made public last summer. The biggest problem was the pool’s ventilation system; the cost of repairing it was pegged at $2.2 million. In June, ROW was told the 35-year-old pool would be closing at the end of the summer. “It’s like being evicted without enough notice,” said Tracy Bennett, the swim club’s president. “I did notice that it was a little bit worn, but who knew that it was going to close down?” That put ROW in a tough position; not only is the WLU facility the only 50-metre pool in the region, but there just isn’t enough water time at other pools for ROW’s 300 swimmers to practice. “It’s not like we can do our sport on a soccer field,” Bennett said. They pressed Laurier for more time, and the university pushed the deadline back to Dec. 31. Now the pool is open on a day-to-day basis; how

long it stays open depends on how soon the ventilation system fails. “Like everybody else, I [was] upset that they were closing it, but not surprised that Laurier had to do something, because the cost of repair … was obviously out of their budget,” said Elmira resident John Kendall. His son Ian currently swims with the club and his daughters, Heather and Laura, are alumni of ROW’s swimming programs. Laura is now captain of the varsity swim team at the University of Guelph, where she’s in her fourth year. “[ROW] provided them with opportunities to swim at a level that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get,” Kendall said. “They’ve been able to get coaching that’s world class because our head coach [Dean Boles] is probably one of the top two or three coaches in Canada, if not the top coach in Canada. Training at that level gives the kids the opportunity … to be able to swim on a varsity team.” As one of the top swimming schools in Canada, Laurier draws students from across Canada and beyond – one student came to WLU from Bermuda – for its swimming program. If the pool closes, those students will have to quit swimming or switch schools. The fight to save Laurier’s pool was given extra urgency last week when a proposal for a new aquatics facility at the University of Waterloo fell through See ROW page »16

Elmira contingent part of Team Canada win JONI MILTENBURG When Team Canada won the Deutschland Cup in November, three of the players celebrating the victory were former Elmira Sugar Kings. Derek Hahn scored in the dying seconds of Canada’s 3-0 win over Switzerland in the second round. Jamie Wright logged an assist in Canada’s medal-winning shutout of Germany in the final. And Rob Collins, top scorer for the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League in 1997/98, was also named to the roster but unable to play because of injury. The team was made up of Canadians playing professionally in Germany. Hahn and Wright are teammates on the Frankfurt Lions, one of 16 teams in the top-tier Deutsche Eishockey Liga, or DEL. This is Hahn’s second season with the Lions; the 31-year-old forward began his European career playing for Rodovre in Denmark, then moved to Germany. Born and raised in Elmira, Hahn’s background is German. His last name means “rooster,” and he was delighted to discover a Hahn beer in Germany, complete with a picture of a rooster on the label. Hahn played for the Kings in ‘96/‘97, the year the team won the Sutherland Cup. He said winning the cup is his fondest memory of his days from the Sugar Kings. “We had a great group of guys on that team and being from Elmira really made it

DEREK HAHN

JAMIE WRIGHT

special,” he said in an e-mail. Rob Collins was also a member of that winning team. Now Hahn faces off against the centre for the DEG Metro Stars of Dusseldorf. One of the best parts of playing in the Deutschland Cup was meeting a bunch of other Canadians and finding out where everyone was from, Hahn said. The list of hometowns on the DEL’s rosters reads like a geography lesson: North Battleford, Red Deer, Thunder Bay, Chilliwack, Sherbrooke, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Sioux Lookout. Fully one-quarter of players in the DEL are Canadian. Clubs are allowed to carry up to 12 foreign players, with 10 playing any given night. There are a handful of Europeans – Swedes, Norwegians, Czechs – and a sprinkling of Americans, but the vast majority of foreign players are Canadian. The number of fellow Canadians – and the fact that English is common in a city the size of Frankfurt – helped ease the transition, Hahn said.

North American players who cross the Atlantic to Europe have to get used to playing on a larger ice surface (15 feet wider) and a faster, more controlled game with less contact and less dump-and-chase. But hockey in the DEL is the closest thing to North American hockey, Hahn believes, thanks in part to the influx of Canadian and American players. Some Germans are critical of the number of foreigners in the league, blaming them for a lack of opportunities for German players. But clubs are at a disadvantage without imports; Canadians make up 15 of the top 20 scorers and half of the top goalies in the DEL. And controversy broke out in November 2007 when the DEL announced plans to reintroduce promotion to the league. Promotion would give the top team in the lower-tier 2nd Bundesliga a chance to move up, by challenging one of the lowest-ranked teams in the DEL. Critics argued the 2nd Bundesliga teams would placed at an unfair disadvanSee INTERNATIONAL page »16

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SPORTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» THE NOT-SO-GREAT OUTDOORSMAN | STEVE GALEA

13

Resolving to appreciate the outdoor lifestyle in the new year Now that we’ve almost made it through 2008, my thoughts have turned to the new year at hand. Like many of you, a fresh calendar causes me to reflect upon the year that has passed. And somewhere along the way, I’ll even make a few resolutions in hopes that this year will be even better than the last. Things like: 1. Spend more time in the outdoors with my kids. A passing year teaches you that time flies by far too quickly. Waiting for those magic moments with your kids is simply not an option – they’re here, right now, and not taking advantage of these opportunities is a sin. So this year, there will be even more great outdoors memories with my son and daughters. We are already

» JUNIOR B HOCKEY

planning our spring camping trip. 2. Train my dogs throughout the year. I’ve got fine dogs and they hunt well. But it’s unfair to expect them to perform at their peak on opening day after all that time off. A session or two a week, as soon as the snow has receded will go a long way towards fine-tuning their hunting, flushing, and retrieving skills. Besides, it’s good for my dogs and me. It builds the bond, relieves stress, keeps us all in shape. 3. Shoot more often. I’m a decent shot with a shotgun, rifle and bow. But like everyone, I could be a whole lot better. This year, I plan on getting to the gun and archery range more often to hone my skills. 4. Master my longbow. I’ve got this beautiful custom-made longbow that draws 67 pounds. I can shoot it well enough, but this year I’m hoping to take my instinctive shooting skills to a higher level, so that I feel confident

enough to hunt with it in the fall. My goal is to consistently put three arrows in a four-inch circle at 25 yards – not an easy thing without sight pins. Everyone has a rifle, bow, gun, fly or bait-casting rod that they’d like to get better with. Why not actually do it this year? 5. Pare down my gear. Like most outdoorsman, I’ve accumulated a mountain of gear over the years. Some is invaluable, some is highly impractical, and some I’ve just got too much of. This year, I’m going to take a critical look at what I’ve got, what I use, and what I really need. The rest I’ll retire. 6. Complete a personal conservation project. This year, I’m going to build and place a few wood duck boxes, a bluebird house or two, and perhaps create a clearing or two in our own woodlot to make more edge cover and encourage new growth. Hopefully, it will help the animals that call our

property home. 7. Continue participating in my local conservation club. While it’s great to complete personal projects, your efforts are greatly increased with the workforce, expertise, and resources of a good club. You also meet like-minded folks and learn new things. I’d recommend this to anyone. 8. Get outside more. This year, I plan on spending even more time hiking, snowshoeing, birding, mushroom collecting, hunting, fishing, and taking photos of those woods, marshes, meadows, creeks, and lakes that I love. There’s nothing like being out there, and each season has its charm. That’s about it for now. I’m sure I’ll think of more. These are not great or earth shattering resolutions, but they’ll make me a happier and better outdoorsman. Why not consider a list of your own?

Kings go into break on a winning note MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Winning 4-2 at home against the Listowel Cyclones Dec. 21 was a great way for the Kings to end the year. Yes, adding to the win column is always good, but this one sends the Elmira team into the Christmas break on a high note, and with a positive outlook for 2009. “Any time you go into a break, that last game is certainly one that you really want to have,” said coach Geoff Haddaway afterwards. “That’s the last thing you leave with, you’re refreshed but now you have that positive …

a good two points.” It’s been a rollercoaster season thus far for the Kings, who’ve both stumbled and shown moments of brilliance against the league’s top teams. Elmira fans witnessed a combination of hard work and skill last week, as the Kings (13-17-3) downed their longtime rivals the Listowel Cyclones (17-117) in a game that saw an effort from the entire roster, especially the team’s workhorses. “I thought it was a 20-man effort,” said Haddaway, noting that a number of injuries to key figures gave other players a chance to step it up.

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“You take Shantzy (Patrick Shantz) and Michael Therrien out of our lineup, and guys just rise up,” he said, noting that players such as Jarred Parent and Kyle Blaney took their play up a notch, blocking shots, forechecking with vigour and instilling confidence in their See KINGS page »14

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Hard, disciplined play the key to 4-2 win over Listowel, and for success in remainder of season

MAKIN’ THE STOPS Jake Williams was solid between the posts in Elmira’s 4-2 win over the Listowel Cyclones Dec. 21, sending the Kings into the break on a winning note.

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THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Kings: Team enjoys Christmas break, resumes next weekend against Hawks could smash it in. The Kings were now up 3-1. The Cyclones, however, were by no means done. They gave the Elmira fans a scare when, with under a minute remaining in the game, Shayne McClure, from Eric McClure and Eric Deckers brought the visitors within one at 3-2. The ensuing 37 seconds saw the Cyclones attempt to force the overtime, but the Kings were able to weather the storm, eventually adding an empty-netter at 19:50 for a 4-2 final decision. Though a physical match-up, the game saw two disciplined squads vying smartly and rather stoically for the two points: despite the bitter rivalry, both teams did reasonably well keeping their tempers in check and their players out of the box. Elmira capitalized on one out of seven power plays and was able to shut out Listowel on its five attempts. There were, no doubt, crucial moments when Elmira players avoided taking retaliatory penalties and that obviously paid off in dividends. “Listowel’s power play is very

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

» From page 13

teammates. After a scoreless first period in which the Kings were outshot 11-6 by the visiting team, the home side finally broke the ice at 1:06 of the second frame: Philip Teri, from Tyler Kuntz, gave the Kings the early lead. At 9:21, the Kings’ leadings scorer, Brent Freeman, raced into the Listowel end to set up Josh Ranalli, who made it 2-0 for Elmira. With less than five minutes remaining in the middle period, the Cyclones got on the board when Braedon Rigney converted on a Nick Seiler setup at 15:43 to make it 2-1. The third period saw some fast-paced, physical hockey as both teams raced to take the win. But it was the Kings who got the advantage when Parent blocked a shot that led to Blaney racing in on the left side of the Listowel zone before throwing the puck in front of the net so that Nic McEachern IN THE GROOVE Kyle Blaney picked up an assist in a solid performance against Listowel.

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good,” said Haddaway. “They’re really hot right now. Every time you play them, you know how hard they’re going to compete, so if you don’t have that same sort of level then you’re not going to be successful – it was a really good effort on our part.” When they went on the penalty kill, the Kings were also able to rely on netminder Jake Williams, who stopped all but two of Listowel’s 27 shots. All in all it was a solid game for a team that is bent on continuing in this vein in the new year. “Today the level that we competed at is something that we’re going to have to do all the time,” said Haddaway. “The objectives are just to keep going and to realize that it’s going to take this sort of effort, that kind of level of competitiveness in every single game for us to be successful.” The Kings next play Jan. 3, when they travel to Cambridge to face the Winter Hawks. The squad returns home the following night to host the Stratford Cullitons. Game time is 7 p.m.

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SPORTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

» JUNIOR D HOCKEY

15

Jacks extend losing streak to eleven MARC MIQUEL HELSEN The Wellesley Applejacks continued their woeful ways on the weekend, losing 5-2 to the Ayr Centennials. The loss extends the team’s skid to 11 games. The home loss Dec. 20 was a painful pill to swallow for the Jacks, who are now scraping the very bottom of the league standings with a record of 5-15-4. After the game, general manager Dave Litt voiced his frustration with a team he believes still has what it takes to reverse its course this season. “That wasn’t a 5-2 hockey game, by no means,” said Litt, noting that a lack of luck, a number of silly mistakes, combined with some questionable officiating proved too much for the Wellesley squad. “They came at us, we maybe broke down a little bit, a couple breakdowns cost us that

hockey game.” The Centennials were the first to get on the board, scoring with just one second left on the clock in the opening period, a bone of contention for Litt, who argued that the buzzer had already blown before the puck crossed the goal line. In the second period, it took Ayr just 1:56 to score again, courtesy of Dave Murray. The Centennials smashed in three more unanswered goals to make it a 5-0 game by 7:23 in the second. It wasn’t until 11:37 that the Jacks were able to get on the board; Dan Berwick notched the goal, with assists from Kurt Atchison and Brett VanGerwen. With 5:42 left on the clock in the third frame, Read Shantz, from Pat Doyle, made it a 5-2 game. It was a beauty of a play orchestrated by Doyle, who, on the penalty kill, hovered riskily on his own blue line, waiting for the puck on a transition. He did just that

when he picked up the puck and raced into the Ayr zone, cut in through the right side, avoided a hip check before circling the net and then threw the puck out in front, where Shantz drove it home. But by this point in the game, the goal was virtually meaningless: the Centennials were too far ahead for the Jacks to make a comeback. Despite their poor record, Litt maintained a positive attitude. “We’ve got a talented group of guys here, they’re just underachieving. For whatever reason, we spin our wheels and we seem to get in situations, we make mistakes and they put them in the net. “Keep your heads up, keep working hard and good things will happen. You’ve got to keep these guys positive, if we don’t keep them positive we’ve got nothing,” said Litt. Not counting any rematches for postponed games, the Jacks have just 15 games left on the season schedule.

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PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

After a 5-2 loss to Ayr, Wellesley’s GM hopes 2009 will be much kinder to the team

ON THE PUCK Wellesley Applejack Matt Snyder breaks in on the Ayr defence during the 5-2 loss Dec. 20.

They travel tonight (Saturday) to St. George to take on the Dukes, looking to get an early crack at turning things around in 2009. Litt is confident his team has the talent and the dedication

to make that happen. “Sooner or later those players have to do it, and I’d say come the new year, we’ve got to do it. We’ve got too talented a hockey team to go out the way we are.”

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16 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

International: Former Kings enjoying hockey in Germany

ROW: Swim organization looking for a lifeline for pool » From page 12

after an anonymous donor pulled out. Even though ROW is just a tenant of the pool, the group has taken the lead in raising public awareness. “If we didn’t step up to the table and say, we’re going to take some ownership here and we’re going to show some leadership in terms of fundraising, the pool would have been closing, said fundraising chair Christine Tutssel. “Instead of asking everybody else – the cities and the region – let’s show them we mean business.” Tutssel said three donors contributed almost half of the money

they’ve raised so far; one family came forward and two others matched their donation. The pool is part of Waterloo’s recreation master plan and listed as an attraction, yet the city has contributed little to the pool’s operation or upkeep. Now ROW is asking the cities and Waterloo Region to step up and follow ROW’s lead. Bennett said the group got a good reception from Waterloo council, which asked staff to report back on funding options. They also plan to approach regional council in January to ask for its help. “I think we’re at least closer to being able to work on a short-term so-

lution, and that will give us time to work on a longterm solution,” Bennett said. “We’re still hanging, but at least they’re isn’t a date yet. There isn’t this pressing D-Day any more.” Bennett said she’s optimistic the community will be able to find a solution to keep the pool open. And given the current focus on staying healthy and fit, she’d like to see swimming recognized as a beneficial activity. “I don’t know of any other club that’s had to put money into a facility to keep it open,” she said. “Playing hockey isn’t going to save anyone’s life. Swimming is a life-saving skill.”

» From page 12

tage because they can carry only five foreign players. Many of those North American players, like Hahn’s teammate Jamie Wright, come to the DEL with NHL or AHL experience under their belts, drawn by the prospect of more ice time and the chance to keep playing longer. There’s also a financial incentive: clubs in Germany and Russia in particular have the deep pockets to lure North American players overseas. Wright played 44 games with the Calgary Flames in 2001/02, but just four games with the Philadelphia Flyers in ‘02/03.

The following two seasons he played only in the AHL. “I came to Europe because I knew I was not going to get another chance in the NHL and I didn’t want to play in the AHL anymore,” Wright wrote in an e-mail. Wright is also an Elmira native. He tried out for the Kings as a defenceman when he was 15 and was cut. A week later he was called back to play forward and made the team. “I think we only won seven games my first year and 14 my second year, but I would say the best memory was the song that was played after we scored. The lyr-

W

LO

2008

ics from the Oakridge Boys song ‘Elvira’ were turned into Elmira.” Hockey isn’t the national passion in Germany the way it is in Canada – it lags behind sports like soccer and handball – but the Lions have a dedicated fan base, Wright said. “The fans we do get are fanatics and are similar to soccer fans: drums, singing and cheering the whole game.” Although he returns to Elmira every summer, Wright has no intentions of moving back to play hockey. “My days in North America are done. I really enjoy the European lifestyle and game.”

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SPORTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Submit your sports scores to Joni: jmiltenburg@woolwichobserver.com

WOOLWICH MIDGET A

WOOLWICH ATOM LL#1

Dec. 14

Dec. 21

Goal: Mason Buehler (Connor Goss)

Dec. 13

Dec. 20

LLFHL WOOLWICH BANTAM B GIRLS

LL#1 7 LL#1 4 LL#1 goals: Jake Lewis x2, Benton Weber, Zach Pogue (Walker Schott x2, Zach Pogue)

Woolwich 1 Cambridge 0 Goal: Rebecca Luis (Emily Chapman)

Dec. 22

Woolwich 7 Hespeler 3 Goals: Nick Roth, Robbie Hinsberger, Nathan VanGerwin, Alex Dunn, Kevin Howorth x2, Ben Aheir (Nathan VanGerwin, Robbie Hinsberger, Steve Clement, Caleb Redekop, Nick Timmerman)

Woolwich 3 Arthur 1 Goals: Mark Fackoury, Jake Radcliffe, Andrew Moore (Nick Pope x2, Jake Radcliffe, Mark Fackoury)

Dec. 22

Dec. 18

Dec. 20

Twin Centre 4 Grand River 2 Goals: Brendan Gilles, Lukas Shantz (Griffen Rollins)

Dec. 14

Dec. 20

Flamborough 3 Woolwich 2 Goals: Kyle Hanley, Brent Goetz (Matt Dumart, Jake Radcliffe x2, Kyle Uttley)

Brampton 6 Woolwich 5 Goals: Mathieu Fife, Greg Huber, Liam Dickson, Connor Bauman, Kelby Martin (Jayden Hipel, Mathieu Fife, Ryan Shantz, Connor Runstedler, Connor Bauman)

WOOLWICH MINOR PEEWEE A

Dec. 20

Woolwich 7 Oakville 0 Goals: Steve Clement x3, Kevin Howorth x2, Ben Aheir x2 (Caleb Redekop x2, Troy Bauman, Nick Timmerman, Alex Dunn, Ben Aheir x2, Steve Clement Shutout: Andrew Moser

Oakville 5 Woolwich 4 Goals: McKinley Ceasar, Jake Moggy, Matt Bannon, Kyle Bauman (Evan Buehler x4, McKinley Ceasar, Kaitlin Doering, Adam Brubacher)

Dec. 17

Woolwich 6 Guelph 1 Goals: Megan O’Hara, Andrea Mitchell, Rebecca Walker, Nikki Bisbee x2, Barb Huegle (Megan O’Hara, Kristen Kent, Michelle Conlon x2, Rebecca Walker x2, Nikki Bisbee, Barb Huegle)

WOOLWICH ATOM LL#2 Dec. 12

Woolwich 9 Tavistock 0 Goals: Chase Mooder, Nathan Horst x2,Tyler Martin x3, Luke Charter, Ryan Diemert, James Cooper (Nathan Horst x2, Luke Charter x2, Chase Mooder, Tyler Martin x2, Max Bender, James Cooper, Alex Turchan) Shutout: Dylan Creelman Dec. 20

LL#2 7 LL#1 4 Goals: Tyler Martin x2, Alex Turchan, Chase Mooder, Liam Catton, Nathan Horst, Luke Charter (Jared Beacom x2, Liam Catton, Luke Charter, Max Bender)

WOOLWICH PEEWEE LL#2 Dec. 20

Woolwich 3 Beverly 2 Goals: Mackenzie Turchan, Zach Goetz, Troy Nechanicky (Nathan Dowdall, Troy Nechanicky, Ryan Devries)

Dec. 21

Oakville 2 Woolwich 1 Goals: Adam Brubacher (Mitch Kernick, Kaitlin Doering)

MINOR MIDGET A Dec. 17

Woolwich 6 Hespeler 5 Goals: Ted Sebben x 2, Alex Albrecht, Jeremy Martin, Matt O’Hara, Ben Brown (Andrew Brubacher x2, Ben Brown x2, Ryan Bauman, Evan Morrison, Graham Colby, Brandon Nickel, Alex Albrecht, Weston Morlock) Dec. 20

Woolwich 3 Brampton 1 Goals: Ryan Bauman, Jake Martin, Alex Albrecht (Jeremy Martin, Ryan Bauman) Dec. 21

Woolwich 2 Oakville 2 Goals: Graham Colby, Ryan Bauman (Alex Albrecht, Jake Martin)

WOOLWICH MIDGET AE Dec. 9

Dundas 3 Woolwich 0

Dec. 20

Caledon East 3 Woolwich 0

Woolwich 5 Wellington 4 Goals: Alex White x3, Calvin Cressman, Andrew Stoltz (Nigel Baldin, Spencer Inglis, Bailey Nickel, Mike Martin, Cameron Ferrante)

WOOLWICH ATOM B GIRLS

WOOLWICH MAJOR ATOM A

Dec. 20

Woolwich 0 Mitchell 0 Shutout: Dana Colombo

Dec. 20

Woolwich 5 Centre Wellington 4 Goals: Quinten Hunter-Rhodes, Jordan Moore x2, Sebastian Huber, Dalton Wojik (Jeff Martin, Jordan Moore, Evan Yantha, Sebastian Huber)

WOOLWICH NOVICE LL#3 Dec. 20

LL#3 5 LL#2 0 Goals: Nolan McLaughlin x3, Brady Brezynskie, Mackenzie Willms (Justin Taylor, Mackenzie Willms)

Woolwich 2 Ancaster 1 Goals: Rebecca Luis, Kendra Harold (Emily Chapman, Cora Kieswetter)

Send scores to jmiltenburg@woolwichobserver.com

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The Draft Regional Official Plan (ROP) is a legal document, required under the Planning Act, that contains a variety of goals, objectives and policies to guide land-use planning in Waterloo Region over the next 20 years. The Region is developing a new ROP to address the many challenges and opportunities affecting our rapidly growing community, including new Provincial policy and legislation that affects where and how we plan. Reviewing the Draft ROP now will allow Regional Council to consider adopting a recommended new ROP in June 2009.

D r aft Regi o n a l Of f i c i a l P l a n ( R O P )

If you wish to register as a delegation and speak at the public meeting, please register in advance by calling the Regional Clerk’s Office at 519-575-4420 by noon on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

www.region.waterloo.on.ca/newrop The Draft ROP is available at www.region. waterloo.on.ca/newrop or by contacting any of the Regional Staff listed below. If you would like further information on the Draft ROP or if you require any special assistance to participate in this meeting please contact any of the following staff: Kevin Curtis cukevin@region.waterloo.on.ca T: 519-575-4794 F: 519-575-4449 John Lubczynski lujohn@region.waterloo.on.ca T: 519-575-4532 F: 519-575-4449 Cushla Matthews mcushla@region.waterloo.on.ca T: 519-575-4087 F: 519-575-4449 Bridget Coady cbridget@region.waterloo.on.ca T: 519-575-4500 x.3112 F: 519-575-4449 Or write to us at: Draft Regional Official Plan c/o Region of Waterloo Planning, Housing and Community Services 150 Frederick Street, 8th Floor Kitchener ON N2G 4J3

www.region.waterloo.on.ca/newrop Publication: Woolwich Observer Size: 1/4 page (5.0375” x 6.9”)

Intermission entertainment

Centre Wellington 5 Woolwich 2 Goals: Jordan Moore, Evan Yantha (Tim Baker)

Dec. 20

No decisions will be made on the Draft ROP at this meeting. If required, an additional Public Meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2008 so that all delegations may be given the allotted amount of time to be heard.

Brampton 5 Woolwich 1

Dec. 10

WOOLWICH PEEWEE B GIRLS

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener in Council Chambers

Dec. 20

WOOLWICH BANTAM AE

Woolwich 4 Caledon East 2 Goals: Andrew Moore, Mark Fackoury x2, RJ Good (Mark Fackoury, Jake Radcliffe, Brandon Brubacher x2, RJ Good)

Regional Council would like to invite all community members to come and share their thoughts on the Draft ROP at a public meeting on:

Dec. 21

Flamborough 3 Woolwich 2 Goals: Dylon Price, Brent Kron (Matt Dumart x2, Kyle Uttley)

Dec. 21

Dec. 12

i s a v ai l a b l e a t

RUSSELL PEEWEE AE

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

BELLE RINGETTE WOOLWICH LIGHTNING

WOOLWICH MINOR BANTAM A

GRAND RIVER NOVICE LL#5

Woolwich Wild’s Kambel Beacom tries to break away from Taya Beacom in second intermission action at the Elmira Arena Dec. 21. The girls played in between periods of the Sugar Kings’ home game against Listowel.

Dec. 17

Woolwich 4 Oakville 4 Goals: Adam Jokic, Matthew Legerand, Grant Kernick x2 (Alex Uttley x2, Cole Lenaers, Nathan Schlupp, Nicholas Pavanel, Evan Martin) Dec. 21

Woolwich 4 Oakville 1 Goals: Matthew Leger, Greg Huber, Evan

17

Martin, Jason Gamble (Alex Uttley x2)

Woolwich 4 Woodstock 4 Goals: Kayla Wilging x2, Lea Olsthoorn, Alicia Koebel (Katie Misner x2, Jenna Martin, Lea Olsthoorn, Meghan Hovey, Jasmin Fritz, Jessica Shatnz, Alician Koebel) Woolwich 1 Norfolk 1 Goal: Katie Misner

WOOLWICH PEEWEE LL#3 ST. JACOBS LIONS Dec. 20

Grand River 3 St Jacobs 2 Goals: Austin Horst, Brendan Taylor (Nick Berlet, Austin Horst)

18 | CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

CHRISTMAS PAGEANTS ALL CHARGED UP Grace Britton and Amanda Schut are all vocals at Breslau P.S. Dec. 17.

Visit us online for more photos ObserverXtra.com Photos by: Marc Miquel Helsen Joni Miltenburg Joe Merlihan

IN THE MANGER St. Boniface School in Maryhill enacted a live nativity scene Dec. 16. Mary was played by Sonia Zettle and Joseph by Cody Petrosino. In the background: Jason Anselmo, Leslie Quinn, Kassandra Richardson, Jessica Brown, and Elizabeth Nederend.

WHY, SANTY CLAUS, WHY? Sydney Cronin as Cindy Lou Who confronts the Grinch, played by James Robertson during St. Jacobs Public School’s Christmas concert Dec. 10.

WAITING IN THE WINGS Mrs. Campbell’s kindergarten class lines up before making their musical debut at the St Jacobs Christmas concert Dec. 10.

BEING MERRY Theodore Boronka and Tyler Munro share a laugh in between performances at Wellesley PS Dec. 11.

LITTLE DRUMMER BOY Aaron Spurgeon in the Grade 1 Christmas concert at St. Teresa.

WHAT’S THIS? Andreas Kyprianou finds a surprising gift during a performance at Breslau PS.

THEY’D SING AND THEY’D SING The kids in Mrs. Morris’ Grade 1 class at St. Jacobs PS celebrate at the end of their performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas Dec. 10.

ON HER TUFFET Jordan Davis plays Miss Muffet for the Grade 1 performace at St. Teresa Dec. 17.

A LITTLE LUAU Samuel Grant, Ben Bowman and Kyle Rintoul perform a Hawaiian Christmas carol at John Mahood.

TAKE A BOW Xander Straus waves to his family after performing in John Mahood’s Christmas concert Dec. 11.

HEAR HEAR Dayna Opersko showed off her skills as an INSPIRED FROM ABOVE Abby Wolf strikes an angelic pose at Breslau PS. announcer at Breslau PS Dec. 17

CAROLLING QUARTET Aaron Crawford, Zak Lienhart, Jenna McGregor and Shane Howchin of St Jacobs PS sing a Christmas melody.

SO MANY PEOPLE Nick Campagnolo checks out the crowd during the performace at Breslau PS.

19

20 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

CLASSIFIED DEPT. HELP wANTED

TOWNSHIP OF WELLESLEY COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENTS

NEW MEMBER REQUIRED Any Wellesley Township resident interested in serving as a member on the Committee of Adjustments, is invited to submit an application in writing to the Township of Wellesley, 4639 Lobsinger Line, R.R. # 1, St. Clements, Ontario N0B 2MO, by JANUARY 19, 2009. For further information, please contact 519.699.4611

519.669.5790 | 1.888.966.5942 FAX | 519.669.5753 EMAIL | sales@ObserverXtra.com

CHILD CARE

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

» F/T

» 2006

» 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Mega Cab 4X4 - 5.7L hemi, auto trans, fully loaded including all pwr options, pwr sunroof, chrome tube step bars, trailer tow group, bed liner, tonneau cover. Finished in min. gray, only 17,000 kms. $29,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. » 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 - 5.7L hemi, auto, pwr windows, pwr door locks, pwr driver seat, tilt/cruise, AM/FM CD radio. Finished in Lt. blue. ONly 62,000 kms. Sale Priced $16,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831.

» 2007 Jeep Command-

& P/T Positions Available. Nutritious meal, smoke free and pet free. Near park and schools. Call Monica, 519-669-2219.

wANTED

» Wanted

- Pine & Spruce logs. Any size over 3” x 3 ft. Call Steve at 519-575-3658.

AUTOMOTIVE

» 2001 Dodge Caravan

Sport - 3.3L V6 auto, full load including quad seating, pwr right sliding door, AM/FM cassette radio. Finished in silver. 155,000 kms. Sale Priced $5,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831.

Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 - 5.7L MDS auto trans, fully equipped with all pwr. options, trailer tow group, chrome step bars, bed liner, tow hooks, one owner. Finished in lt. khaki. Only 79,002 kms. $18,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. » 2005 Dodge Gr. Caravan SXT - 3.8L V6 auto trans, fully equipped including Stow N Go seating, O/H console, rear air/heat, pwr door group, pwr driver seat, pwr. adj. pedals, AM/FM 6 disc CD radio, one owner. Finished in linen gold. Only 52, 652 kms. $14,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831.

Christmas set to music

»

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

er Limited 4X4 - 5.7L MDS, auto trans, fully loaded including leather seats, 3 sunroofs, trailer hitch, 7 passenger seating, finished in black. Only 32,000 kms. Sale Priced $28,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. » 2008 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr. 2.7L V6 Auto Trans. AM/FM CD Radio, pw. pdl. Tilt/cruise, alum. road wheels, finished in Lt. Sandstone. Only 31,397 kms. Sale Priced $ 16,900. Voisin Chrysler, 519-669-2831. » 2008 Dodge Gr. Caravan SE - 3.3L V6, auto trans, fully loaded including Stow N Go seating, rear air/heat. Pwr driver seat, finished in black. Only 35,175 kms. $18,900. Voisin Chrysler, 519-669-2831.

FOR SALE

Elmira’s LARGEST selection of major brand computers

COMPUTERS LAPTOPS MONITORS and SERVICE Come see our showroom at:

112 Bonnie Crescent, Crescent Elmira r ra

519-669-5551

RENTALS

RENTALS

» Country Farm House » St. Jacobs - Upscale with upper floor 1 bedroom apartment available February 1, 2009. 4 kms north of Waterloo at the edge of St. Jacobs. $800/mth, heat and hydro included, non-smoking, no pets. Call 519-664-3799.

apt. in village core. One + bedroom, controlled entrance, includes 5 appliances, ensuite laundry, A/C. 1,064 SF. Rent $1,200 per month (utilities extra). Available immediately. Steps away from excellent shopping, restaurants, theatre, nature trails. 519-664-2293 ext. 322.

Susan Duke, CAO/Clerk. 4639 Lobsinger Line, RR#1 St. Clements, Ontario N0B 2M0 Tel: 519.699.4143 Fax: 519.699.5328 PHOTO | XXXXXXXXXX

Scene It Ad:Layout 1 02/12/08 10:59 AM Page 1 Contact us at 519.669.5790

SEASONAL The kids at Gale Presbyterian Church presented the Drowsy Shepherd musical Dec. 21. Above, Bryden and Jordan Dickieson. At right Noelle Wilmering and Connor Martin.

AD RATES | Residential 20-Word Ad $7.50 Extra Words 20¢/word | Commercial 20-Word Ad $12.00 Extra Words 30¢/word | Bold Headline Add $1.00 /line | Display Ads are quoted individually. PLACING A CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT | Classified ads can be obtained in person, by phone | fax from Monday to Thursday 8:30am-5pm or Friday 8:30am-4pm. Email queries to classifieds@woolwichobserver.com 24/7 - email will be replied by next business day. All classified ads are prepaid by Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque unless on account. Deadline is Thursdays by 10am.

ADVERTISING POLICY | All advertising is accepted subject to the Publisher’s discretion. The Publisher will not be responsible for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occured. Please check your ad on the first day of publication. The Observer’s responsibility, if any, is limited to the charge for the space for one insertion only.

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Community Information Page THE TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH

P.O. BOX 158, 24 CHURCH ST. W. ELMIRA, ONTARIO N3B 2Z6 WEBSITE: www.woolwich.ca

"Proudly remembering our past; confidently embracing our future."

GARBAGE PICK UP CHANGES Waterloo Region – Your garbage and recycling collection will be delayed by one day due to the statutory holidays on December 25 and January 1. Below is the collection schedule for this holiday season: Your Regular Collection Day Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Wednesday, December 31, 2008 Thursday, January 1, 2009 Friday, January 2

Your Revised Collection Day No change Friday, December 26 Saturday, December 27 No change Friday, January 2 Saturday, January 3

CHRISTMAS TREES

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS

The Woolwich Fire Prevention Team reminds you to keep your Christmas tree watered and away from heat sources. Make sure it doesn’t block a doorway. Inspect your holiday lighting and discard any damaged or frayed cords, plugs, and lights. Never place lighted candles on or near the Christmas tree. When large amounts of needles begin to fall off, it’s time to get rid of the tree. Remember; don’t leave your Christmas lights unattended.

The Township Office will be closed the following dates:

MOTORIZED SNOW VEHICLES BY-LAW #8-94 The Township of Woolwich has in place a by-law to regulate, govern or prohibit the operation of motorized snow vehicles in the Township.

Thursday and the hour of 7 o’clock a.m. of the following day (unless the following day is a holiday);

The by-law states that: No person shall operate a motorized snow vehicle within any settlement area within the Township of Woolwich during the following hours: a) between the hours of 11 o’clock p.m. of any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or

the hour of 7 o’clock a.m. of any Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

P L A C E S O F FA I T H

Wednesday December 24th at 12 p.m. Thursday December 25th to Friday December 26th Wednesday December 31st at 12 p.m. Thursday January 1st to Friday January 2nd The office will re-open on Monday January 5th, 2008.

Let’s have a fire safe holiday season.

Please ensure that all items are set out to the curb by 7 a.m.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY: 519-575-4504

TEL: 519-669-1647 or 519-664-2613 FAX: 519-669-1820

b) between the hour of 1 o’clock a.m. and

No person shall operate a motorized snow vehicle in or upon public parks, playgrounds, walkways or cemeteries. No person shall operate a motorized snow

LOCAL CHURCH

vehicle along a sidewalk situated on any road. Anyone found violating the by-law will be fined. To report a motorized snow vehicle please call the action line of the Municipal Law Enforcement Division at 519-669-1647 extension 6106 and leave a message. Please see the Township website for more information on the by-law including set fines at www.woolwich.ca.

OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN Effective December 1st to April 1st, parking is prohibited on all Township roads and streets from 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. This is to allow snow plow operators to clear the roads. Vehicles found parked overnight on Township roads during the parking ban or on Regional roads at any time will be ticketed. For further information, please call 519-669-1647 Extension 6009 or 6005.

SERVICES DIRECTORY

HEARING ASSISTED

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

NURSERY PROVIDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Welcome to

CALVARY UNITED

building relationships with God, one another and the world

St. Jacobs

Upbeat Family Worship & Sunday School 10:00 am

J[XX_V[T\e TVVXff\U_X AhefXel 6TeX cebi\WXW ;XTe\aZ 4ff\fgXW

Sunday, December 28, 2008 10:00am

“Facing the New Year” %## 5TeafjT__bj 7e! 8_`\eT 519-669-1296

Sundays, 8:30 & 11:00am & Wednesdays, 7:00pm

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE: 7:00PM Pastors Steve & Beth Fleming

Sunday School During Worship

Minister : Rev. Dave Jagger Sunday Worship: 10:55am

Christmas Eve Worship at 6:00 AND 8:00 pm

Visit our new website on: www.wondercafe.ca “Our mission is to love, learn and live by Christ’s teachings”

“A different way of doing church” SUNDAY DECEMBER 28, 2008 REFRESHMENTS AT 10:00AM — SERVICE STARTS AT 10:30AM

850 Sawmill Rd, Bloomingdale 744-7447 www.kcf.org

( 9\efg Fg! 8_`\eT 519-669-1459 Services at

John Mahood www.elmiracommunity.org Public School

Check out our website www.woodsidechurch.ca

Trinity United Church Elmira

'+ ;Tj^Xfi\__X EW! 519-664-2311

JOIN US

SUNDAYS AT

10:30AM & 6:30PM %,# 4eg[he Fg! Fbhg[ 8_`\eT 519-669-3973

www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)

“Making Faith Live” Sunday Worship 9:15 am - 10:15am

Faithsteps 10:30am - 11:50am

% 9\efg Fg! 8_`\eT 519-669-5030

B M C Pastor: Mary Mae Schwartzentruber Sundays - 9:45 am Family Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School for all ages

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Free online Classifieds at www.ObserverXtra.com Call Donna 519.669.5790 x. 104 | 1.888.966.5942 | www.ObserverXtra.com

S. T C C

No God, No Hope; Know God, Know Hope! Celebrate Eucharist with us Mass times are:

Sat. 5pm, Sun. 9am and 11:15am

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21

22 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

WORD-UP

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SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 26

CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OBSERVER

Š2008

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

ACROSS 1. Fill 5. Infomercials, e.g. 8. Sugar ___ 13. “American ___� 14. Make small marks into the surface of 16. “A Lesson From ___� 17. Apteryx australis 18. Sundae topper, perhaps 19. Stares 20. Cluckers 21. Evaluate 23. Bar offering 25. Big ___ Conference 26. Marienbad, for one 29. Desire for success 34. High degree 37. “... ___ he drove out of sight� 38. Accompany to a party 39. A place for storing and preserving corneas 42. All together 43. Hold back 44. Biddy 45. Always, in verse 46. Deprived of the use of speech 50. Anita Brookner’s “Hotel du ___�

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DOWN 1. An adherent of Sikhism 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farewell, mon amiâ&#x20AC;? 3. Dots on a map 4. Biblical prophet 5. Dwarf buffalo of the Celebes 6. A hamlet 7. Emblematic staff 8. O. Henryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gift of the ___â&#x20AC;? 9. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ah, me!â&#x20AC;? 10. The tail of a dressed fowl 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Malcolm Xâ&#x20AC;? director 12. Double curve 15. â&#x20AC;&#x153;M*A*S*Hâ&#x20AC;? setting

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fax: 519-846-9319

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22. Feeler 24. Verb to be 27. Analyze, in a way 28. Adjust 30. Awaiting conclusion or conďŹ rmation 31. Aggravate 32. Any doctrine 33. Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;___ del Cairoâ&#x20AC;? 34. Danger 35. Howler 36. Coming away 40. Keep out 41. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the ___ is concealed, it succeedsâ&#x20AC;?: Ovid 42. Moray, e.g. 44. Be quicker 47. Both sexes 48. In the direction of 49. ArtiďŹ cial 53. Magical wish granter 54. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gladiatorâ&#x20AC;? setting 55. Central pillar of a circular staircase 57. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cogito ___ sumâ&#x20AC;? 58. Campus bigwig 59. Gumbo 60. Garden intruder 62. Absorbed, as a cost 63. Befuddle

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51. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ any drop to drinkâ&#x20AC;?: Coleridge 52. Club publication 56. Row of closely planted shrubs 61. Arid 62. All excited 64. Embankment built to prevent flooding 65. Again 66. Island nation east of Fiji 67. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No problem!â&#x20AC;? 68. Food sticker 69. Encourage 70. Crash site? 71. Ardor

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CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Âť STRANGE BUT TRUE | BILL & RICH SONES

23

Still long odds to become a professional hockey player Q. Imagine the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people going by in single file, starting with the heightless and proceeding gradually to the very tallest. The procession takes a full hour to pass but for the first 20 minutes no one is visible, then at about 30 minutes the first dwarfs appear and not until 48 minutes do we see the first averageheighted people. In the final few minutes the giants loom up, including the tallest whose heads we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see. Last come several individuals whose heights are truly breathtaking. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being depicted here? A. This is Dutch economist Jan Penâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic symbolic representation of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distribution of money, with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heights proportional to their wealth, say Michael Blastland and Andrew Dilnot in The Tiger that Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t: Seeing Through a World of Numbers.Â

Those invisible parade leaders have either negative wealth (debtors) or no wealth (height) at all. After the dwarfs pass, at around 48 minutes those of average height and wealth appear, with three-fourths of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people having already gone by. The very last individuals -- such as mega-billionaires Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, John Paul Getty -- stand at least 10 miles tall. Averages here donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean much as just one billionaire can shift the average more than thousands of poor people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have this effect to the extent that 80% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population has less than average.â&#x20AC;? Q. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably the most useful word of universal communication ever devised, recognizable and pronounceable in almost every language on earth? This protean word can play as five different parts of speech -- noun, verb, adjective, adverb and interjection. Some even add the interrogative, OK? A. Professor Allen Walker Read tracked down the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first printing of OK -- all correct -- to the Boston

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AUTOMOTIVE

HOCKEY

Morning Post in 1839, part of the craze of the day for â&#x20AC;&#x153;loopy initialisms and facetious misspellings,â&#x20AC;? like todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FYI and TGIF, says Richard Lederer in A Man of My Words. Echoing the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oll Korrectâ&#x20AC;? initialism, OK became the political rallying cry for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Old Kinderhookâ&#x20AC;? Club and its 1840 re-election campaign of President Martin Van Buren, born in Kinderhook, New York. Van Buren was defeated but the word honoring his name went on to become, in H.L. Menckenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the most shining and successful Americanism ever invented.â&#x20AC;? Q. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been playing amateur hockey for years but wonder now about your chances of making it to the pros. Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be easier to win the lottery and get rich that way? A. The odds here are determined by the ratio between the number of National Hockey League (NHL) players and the number of guys aspiring to make it, says Alain Hache in The Physics of Hockey. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use Canadian statistics, since Canadians are a slight majority (about 55%) in the NHL and

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SELF STORAGE

ELMIRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOCKEY HEADQUARTERS

Â&#x2014; F^TgX F[TecXa\aZ Â&#x2014; AXj HfXW F^TgXf Â&#x2014; Fg\V^ F^TgX EXcT\ef Â&#x2014; 8dh\c`Xag 48 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-8799 Mon-Wed. 9-6, Thurs, Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-5, Sun. Closed

SEPTIC

free estimates

interior/exterior painting wallpapering & Plaster|Drywall repairs

519-669-2251 36 Hampton St., Elmira

HEADQUARTERS CLEAN â&#x20AC;˘ DRY â&#x20AC;˘ SECURE

Call

519-669-4964

Septic Tank Cleaning Inspections for Real Estate Septic System Repairs & Restoration Catch Basin Cleaning Waterloo Region â&#x20AC;˘ Wellington County

519-648-3004

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

SIGNAGE | VINYL & DIGITAL

graphfix ltd. Signs & Banners

www.remingtongraphfix.com

Vehicle Lettering Logos & Graphics Large format printing Decals & Safety Stickers

BILL SCHENKEL

519-664-1809 1600 King St. N., Unit #18

ST.JACOBS

FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE PRICES!

or

Have your skates sharpened with us four times, and the fifth oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FREE!

JOHNS TOWING AND RECOVERY

CASH PAID

FOR YOUR UNWANTED SCRAP VEHICLES CARS, TRUCKS OR VANS WE PAY CASH WITH FREE TOWING PLEASE CALL

519-568-8666

TRANS IT! VEHICLES

s 4ON #URTAIN 3IDE &LAT "ED LONG WIDE s #ARGO 6AN s 0ASSENGER !STRO 6AN 7ITH X TRAILER s #AR

PHONE 519.503.0888

RESIDENTIAL â&#x20AC;˘ COMMERCIAL â&#x20AC;˘ INDUSTRIAL

C.J.

BRUBACHER LTD. 19 First St. E., Elmira

519-669-3362

For all your Plumbing Needs. 24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

THIS SPACE FOR RENT Call Donna at ext 104

See store for details.

519-896-7700

TRUCKS

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

Knife and Scissor Sharpening 22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel: 519-669-5537

www.biobobs.com

TOWING

Steve Co.

service

SHARPENING

ELMIRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SHARPENING

Various sizes & rates

PLUMBING & HEATING SPECIALISTS!

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PLUMBING

YOUR

20 years experience

ARE A

at

(Send STRANGE questions to brothers Bill and Rich at strangetrue@compuserve.com)

EXPERT ADVICE | QUALITY SERVICES LOOK UP A PROFESSIONAL.

TIRE Body Maintenance

almost every Canadian boy has put on a pair of skates and shot a puck at one time. In all, there are about 400 Canadians in the League so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 400 successes out of about 3.3 million potentials in the 20-35 age group, or 1 of every 8,300. But realistically we shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t count them all since not all kids have the same opportunity or interest. Now if you eliminate a quarter of the kids, the odds go to about 1 in 6,000. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other words, 0.02% of all serious amateur hockey players eventually make it to the big league. Not as bad as we thought! In fact, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s far better than the chances of winning a big lottery.â&#x20AC;? Still, the chances of becoming another Wayne Gretsky or Mario Lemieux (who shows up about once a decade) are more like 1 in 2.5 million, posing lottery-like odds. So keep your eye on the prize of just making it to the NHL, staying heartened by the 1-in-6,000 figure, as you practice, practice, practice.

STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5

TRUCK REPAIR

519.669.5790 | 1.888.966.5942 www.ObserverXtra.com window coverings

Qualified Licensed Mechanics Ready to Serve Your Needs. OPEN Monday-Fridays 6am-6pm Saturday 6am-2pm

270 Arthur St. N., Elmira, ON TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Mobile Services | CAT and Cummins Diagnostics Government Emissions Testing | Air Conditioning Aluminum and Steel Welding | Hydraulics Government Safety Inspections

raperies & Blinds â&#x20AC;˘ Curtain Hardware Custom D

40 Memorial Ave, Elmira CALL KIRBY, Service Manager | 519.669.8420 After Hours Cell: 519.577.1459

519-669-8309

24 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Puzzle answers, games, opinion polls and much more at:

www.kidscoop.com

Alfred Bulltop Stormalong was called Stormy for short, but there was nothing short about this legendary tall tale character!

When Stormy first become a cabin boy on the ship, The Lady of the Sea, the sailors was unsure about the 36-foot tall lad. but that all changed when Stormy saved the day.

One day, in the early 1800s, a tidal wave washed a giant baby onto a Cape Cod beach. The baby boy was three fathoms tall! Local villagers carried the baby to the meeting house and fed him barrels and barrels of milk. It took ten people to burp him, and when he finally burped, it nearly blew the roof off the meeting house!

How many of these words can you find on this page?

Are you an eagle-eyed reader? Read the articles below and correct the 11 spelling and grammar errors you find. The first one is done for you.

When Stormy turned 12, he was six fathoms tall. He didn’t fit into the school house and was too tall to work in a store. They sent him to Boston because it was a lot bigger than Cape Cod. Sadly, in Boston he found an even sadder sight. While Boston was a bigger city, the houses and buildings were just as small. He walked to Boston Harbor and headed for the largest clipper ship. The captain welcomed him aboard and Stormy started work as a cabin boy.

While Storm clipper ship y loved the sea, th e for him. It was not big enough n e a rl y tipped ove when he st r oo heard that d near the rail. He th e p la in Midwest st s of the a sea of lan retched for miles lik e d and he he ad to try his h and at farmed west ing.

It started when the captain called out, “Hoist the ankor!” The ship was anchored off the coast of South america at the time. The crew pulled on the anchor chain, but nothing happened. They pulled and pulled, but the anchor would not budged. “I’ll fix it!” stormalong said. He stuck a knife between his teeth and dived overboard. He created a mighty splash that caused a tidal wave in China!

Find three measurements in today’s newspaper. Rewrite each one in fathoms.

Soon the water rolled and the ship was tossed on wild, foaming waves. The sailors were sure they would all be pitched into the sea, when suddenly the Sea became calm and Stormy’s head broke through the waters surface. “What happened?” the crew cried out. “Just a little tussle with a two-ton octopus,” Stormy replied. “I tied his tentacles into knots. It will take a month of sundays for him to untie himself!”

The sailors of Boston Harbor missed Stormy and Stormy missed them and the sea. After a while, he headed back to Boston Harbor. The sailors were so happy to see him that they worked together to build a ship that was big enough for him. Stormy named the ship The Coarser.

Stormy was the most popular saylor on board after that!

Stormy’s ship carried cargo across the Atlantic. Once, when he came to a narrow passage in the English Channel near the town of Dover, the crew quickly determined that the ship was too wide to fit through the passage. “Get all the soap you can find!” bellowed Stormy. “Swab the sides of the ship until they are as slippery as a wet fish!” Stormy was able to slide the slippery hull of his ship through the passage. The soap scrubbed the cliffs so clean that they are sparkling white to this day.

STORMALONG ALFRED BULLTOP TIDAL CLIPPER BLEW GIANT FATHOMS BOSTON MAST SWAB CARGO PASSAGE NEST STEM

Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities. A L E R E P P I L C S T E M G B E P N D G N O L A M R O T S I O A W L S R T S M A T S Y F S T L E O N S C A R G O L N H T O B L E W E U A T T B L A D I T B A A L E E G A S S A P F

Tell about something that happened to you recently. Then tell it again and exaggerate as many things in the story as you can, adding silly or outrageous details.

Telephone....................519.669.5790 Toll Free .......................1.888.966.5942

Fax...............................519.669.5753 Email............................ads@observerxtra.com

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HOME HUNTERS

THANK YOU

birthday

Happy Birthday

ELZE!!!

January 3rd FAMILY ALBUM

Coach House Realty Inc. Brokerage

The Wellesley Christmas Tyme Parade Committee extends our sincere appreciation to the Wellesley Lions Club and to the many generous donors and supportive citizens of the Wellesley Community. Your commitment of time, effort and /or monetary assistance contributed to an enjoyable event for â&#x20AC;&#x153;children of all agesâ&#x20AC;? on a frosty, moonlit evening, Dec. 12. We praise the Volunteers [those behind the scenes as well] who decorated trucks, tractors and floats of various themes, including the true meaning of Christmas, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peace on Earthâ&#x20AC;?, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Creatures Great and Smallâ&#x20AC;?. Along the Parade Route, families willingly donated items to the Food Bank for Wilmot Family Services. A live Nativity, the essence of the Christmas Season, was presented at two different times by the Wellesley Mennonite Church and the audience joined in singing the familiar Christmas Carols. Again, the Malo family at Pfeifer Gallery invited children to visit Santa in his red velvet cutter where they eagerly conveyed their wishes and received treat bags of donated candy and fruit. MP Harold Albrecht, had the honour of lighting the Lions Tree of Light. Its magical glow across the Pond was created by the generous donations of the community to assist with a variety of programs for Wellesley and area. Thank you one and all who contributed to the success of Christmas Tyme Parade in Wellesley, 2008.

OFFICE PHONE: 519.343.2124 *SALES REPRESENTATIVES:

D

BY THE NUMBERS

Open House

call 519.669.5790 ext 104 to order or stop into our office

for Eileen Metzger Countryside School Gym, Hawkesville Sunday, January 4th 2-4:30pm

Naomi Brubacher

EASY

Surprise 60th Birthday

Value Here! All brick home on nice sized lot (81â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x159â&#x20AC;&#x2122;) finished head to toe. 3+2 bedrms, 3 baths, kitchen w/ breakfast nook, separate diningrm, livingrm w/ gass fireplace, central air/vac, finished basement, decks, great family home, great home for entertaining. Call Marg Sorensen 519.343.4489 MLS 0847252. $369,900.

N

Outstanding log home on 3.32 acres. Must be seen! Words canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t describe this beautiful property. Spring fed stocked pond. Hardwood bush w/walking trails. Gorgeous 3+1 bedrms, 2 baths, 2000 sq. ft. home. Cozy wood stove in livingrm, beautiful log staircase and railing, dishwasher, breakfast bar, air exchanger, central vac & air, hi-eff propane furnace, window coverings, water softener, patio, deck, garden shed. Wow! MLS 0847238. Call Edith McArthur 519.638.2509 $459,900.

for as little as

15

O YT RA

NEAR DRAYTON

e Tell someon that you care

$

Happy 85th Birthday Friends and family are invited to celebrate at an Open House on Sunday, January 4th 2009 from 2:004:00pm at Elmira Mennonite Church, 58 Church St W. Elmira Best Wishes Only Please

MEDIUM

Oh, deer, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a horse

HARD

PHOTOs | submitted

DASHER, DANCER, PRANCER â&#x20AC;Ś AND TWINKIE Santa and his â&#x20AC;&#x153;reindeer-in-trainingâ&#x20AC;? paid a visit to the residents of Chateau Gardens Tuesday. At left, Elze Bredenkamp with Santa and Twinkie, the 10th reindeer. Right, Santa, Twinkie, Megan Bredenkamp and Dorothy Bird.

Edith McArthur * 519.638.2509 Marg Sorensen * 519.343.4489 Kathy Robinson * 519.343.4816

159 William St., Palmerston (Across from Home Hardware)

BIRTHDAY

BIRTHDAY

25

Š2008 Cathedral Communications Inc.

Find the answers to this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzles on page 26.

FAMILY ALBUM

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. REMEMBER: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

EVENTS CALENDAR Âť

26 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIMEâ&#x20AC;?

Kleensweep Carpet Care

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033 Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS â&#x20AC;˘ Design â&#x20AC;˘ Installation â&#x20AC;˘ Custom Fabrication

MILLWRIGHTS LTD.

519.669.5105

P.O. BOX 247, ROUTE 1, ELMIRA

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Investments

25 Industrial Drive, Elmira, ON N3B 3K3

Group

3435 Broadway St. Hawkesville

519-699-4641 www.freybc.com DECEMBER 31

 New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Gourmet Take Out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gale Presbyterian Church from 5-7:30 p.m. Roasted red pepper and tomato soup, three appetizers (one of each), croissant, cantaloupe and blueberry salad in a white wine and vanilla bean sauce, breaded pork tenderloin medallions in a white wine and mushroom sauce, served with buttered noodles and maple ginger roasted baby carrots, chocolate truffle cheesecake with raspberry coulis, topped with whipped cream, fresh raspberries and chocolate curls. Tickets $20. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; chicken fingers with plum sauce, oven roasted home fries, maple and ginger carrots and gummy worm pudding $5. We deliver or you pick up at Church. For tickets call 519-669-2852 or 519-6693827.  Family New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve Party with Fireworks Celebration! 8 p.m. on New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve at Riverside Park in Guelph. Free shuttle rides from the Wal-Mart parking lot. Free carousel rides and hot beverages while you experience the beauty of the park transformed into a magical winter wonderland with more than 30,000 lights and dozens of festive nativity displays. Donations are greatly appreciated, please give generously. JANUARY 6

 Woolwich Caregiver Coffee Hour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10-11:30 a.m. in the activity room at Chateau Gardens. Vicky Rau will present on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recreational Activities at Home.â&#x20AC;? This group will be of special interest to caregivers of those with Alzheimers disease or related dementia. For more information contact Lorraine at 519-664-3794, ext. 229 at WCHC or Cara at the Alzheimer Society of K-W, 519-742-1422. JANUARY 7

 Wellesley Township Caregiver group 2-3:30 p.m., at the Wellesly Township Community Health Centre. Paul Kett and Lorraine Weber are your hosts for these monthly meetings. The focus is education and support for caregivers. Topics are determined by the participants. For more information call Lorraine at 519-6643794, ext. 229.

Bus.:519.669.2632 Fax: 519.669.4282

Business

FREE CONSULTATION

After Hours Emergency Services: 1-800-465-2667

Farm

â&#x20AC;˘ Total Denture Care Travel

Email: allen_morrison@cooperators.ca www.cooperators.ca

â&#x20AC;˘ Same Day Service Disability

on Repairs and Relines â&#x20AC;˘ Metal Partial - Soft Relines â&#x20AC;˘Since Implants 1987 - DentureTech â&#x20AC;˘Since DENTURE SPECIALIST 1995 - Denturist

$%.452%

DENTURE Vinolea Jahandari DD

DEATH NOTICES CATHREA, Randy

OTTMAN, Gloria

- On Saturday, December 20, 2008, at his home. Randy Cathrea, in his 50th year, of Elmira.

- Peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, at Heritage House, St. Jacobs, in her 86th year.

BRUBACHER, Sarah M.

JANUARY 9

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

 Breath Well Be Well Clinic 1-4 p.m. at WCHC. This is an outreach program provided by a certified asthma educator with Airway Clinic at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital. Call 519-664-3794 to book an appointment.  HUGS Program, 9:15-11:15 at WCHC. Fraud Alert: keeping your home and identity safe from theft, tips from the Waterloo Regional Police. Call 519-664-3794 for more information.

- Passed away on December 18, 2008, at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, at the age of 81. John was a proud resident of Winterbourne for his whole life.

ÂťSUDOKU SOLUTIONS

â&#x20AC;˘ ELMIRA Total Denture Care â&#x20AC;˘ Same day service on and relines 15repairs Memorial Ave., Since 1987 - DentureTech â&#x20AC;˘ Elmira Metal Partial - Soft Relines 1995 - Denturist (Behind Bank of Montreal) â&#x20AC;˘ DENTURE SPECIALIST

519.669.1535 KITCHENER

FREE CONSULTATION 519.744.9770 ELMIRA â&#x20AC;˘ Total Denture Care KITCHENER 519-669-1535 â&#x20AC;˘ Same Day Service519-744-9770 15 Memorial Ave., Elmira (behind Bank of Montreal) on Repairs and Relines â&#x20AC;˘ Metal Partial - Soft Relines â&#x20AC;˘ Implants â&#x20AC;˘ DENTURE SPECIALIST

Elzeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vinolea Jahandari DD

Wonderful 519.669.1535 ELMIRA

15 Memorial Ave., Elmira

Wines

A Fine Wine Establishment

(Behind Bank of Montreal) KITCHENER

519.744.9770

EASY Wonderful

519.669.0799

New to the Community? Do you have a new Baby? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess. Elmira & Surrounding Area

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

Be Prepared For Winter!

JANUARY 13

 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building Self-Esteemâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Group meets weekly for eight weeks, starting Jan. 13, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Offered by the Wilmot Family Resource Centre and held at the Wellesley Community Health Centre. Services are provided free of charge and group membership is confidential. For more information, contact Karen at 519-662-2731.

519.669.2884 21 Industrial Dr., Elmira

JANUARY 14 RETAIL STORE STORE RETAIL

s %LECTRICAL 3UPPLIES s .EW 6ACUUMS s 6ACUUM 2EPAIRS s 0ARTS !CCESSORIES s !LL MAKES AND MODELS 9 CHURCH STREET EAST, ELMIRA

519.669.8362

 Storytime for children ages 3-5 at Bloomingdale Branch Library. Join us for stories and fun activities on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 p.m. from Jan. 14 to Mar. 4, or Thursday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 p.m. from Jan. 15 to Mar. 5. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. Call or visit the library, 519-745-3151 or e-mail bloomlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.  Storytime for children ages 3-5 at St. Jacobs Branch Library. Join us for stories and fun activities on Wednesday mornings from 10-10:45 a.m. from Jan. 14 to Feb. 18, or Thursday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 p.m. from Jan. 15 to Feb. 19. Preregistration is required, space is limited. Call or visit the library, 519-664-3443, or e-mail stjaclib@region.waterloo.on.ca.

NANCY KOEBEL

Bus: 519.895.2044 ext. 217 Home: 519.747.4388

Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

Submit calendar listings to info@observerxtra.com

HARD

JANUARY 13

SANYO CANADIAN

Wines

MEDIUM

29 Church St. W., Elmira

 Elmira Sugar Kings Hungry Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Breakfast â&#x20AC;&#x201C; serving from 8:30 a.m.to 1 p.m. Elmira Canadian Legion, First Street, Elmira; $5 per person, all you can eat.  Storytime for children ages 3-5 at St. Clements Branch Library. Join us for stories and fun activities on Tuessday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 p.m. from Jan. 13 to Mar. 3, or Wednesday afternoons from 1:30-2:15 p.m. from Jan. 14 to Mar. 4. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. Call or visit the library, 519-745-3151 or e-mail stclemlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.

- Passed away peacefully, on Thursday, December 18, 2008, at AR Goudie Eventide Home, Kitchener at the age of 90. Local relative is son Gary Saunders of Elmira.

McTAGGART, John Russell â&#x20AC;&#x153;Papaâ&#x20AC;?

elmirawelcomewagon@sympatico.ca

JANAURAY 11

SAUNDERS, Amber (Robinson)

- Peacefully, on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, at her home. Sarah M. Brubacher, age 55 years, of RR1 St. Jacobs.

JANUARY 8

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

519.664.2008

Allen Morrison Insurance Inc.

Life

TOTAL 11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

Allen Morrison, Agent/Owner

Auto

 Storytime for children ages 3-5 at Linwood Branch Library. Join us for stories and fun activities on Thursday afternoons from 2-2:45 p.m. from Jan. 8 to Feb. 26. Pre-registration is required by calling or visiting the library, 519-698-2700, or e-mail linwdlib@region.waterloo.on.ca.

HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

DENTURE

Home

Rugs and Upholstery

â&#x20AC;˘Residential â&#x20AC;˘Commercial â&#x20AC;˘Personalized Service â&#x20AC;˘Free Estimates

COLLEEN

Skilled cra ftsmanship. Quality materials. CONSTRUCTION STARTS HERE.

Since 1987 - DentureTech Since 1995 - Denturist

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

Suite 800, 101 Frederick St., Kitchener

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CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

27

Here Comes Santa Claus ...

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3LUMPING GREENBACK DRIVES UP LOONIE

3NAKES AND LADDERS DOING BUSINESS IN #HINA

4HE ART OF SECURING VENTURE CAPITAL

4HE FALLING 5 3 DOLLAR SENT THE LOONIE ROCKETING UPWARD THIS WEEK WITH 4RADE WITH #HINA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THE DAY AS THE 'REATER +ITCHENER 2ON .EUMANN PRESIDENT OF 3LIP3TREAM $ATA )NC WILL DISCUSS METHODS THE LOONIE EDGING TOWARD CENTS AS THE YEAR DREW TO A CLOSE ITS HIGHEST 7ATERLOO #HAMBER PRESENTS 2OB -AC+ENZIE #ANADIAN #ONSUL 'ENERAL IN OF ATTRACTING VENTURE CAPITAL AS THE REGION S TECHNOLOGY BOOSTER #OMMU LEVEL IN A DECADE 7ITH DElCITS TAKING A TOLL ON THE GREENBACK ANALYSTS 3HANGHAI *AN AT THE #HARCOAL 3TEAK (OUSE IN +ITCHENER (IS TALK ON THE NITECH PRESENTS ITS NEXT 4ECH4ALK "REAKFAST 4HE EVENT IS SET FOR *AN AT ARE NOW CALLING FOR THE #ANADIAN BUCK TO REACH CENTS IN THE NEXT YEAR #HINESE MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT IS SET FOR A M #ALL THE +ITCHENER (OLIDAY )NN #ALL

"AGGAGE BOY TO #%/ %$33 GRAD NOW IN CHARGE OF "RITAIN S LARGEST FREIGHT RAILWAY YEARS AND WHEN ) SPENT PART OF ONE YEAR IN UNIVERSITY ) WORKED PART TIME CONTINUOUSLY FOR #. HANDLING BAGGAGE LATER ;)= WORKED IN THE OFlCE IN +ITCHENER WHERE THE YARD SWITCHERS WORKED h)N THOSE DAYS IT WAS NOT AUTOMATED AT ALL SO IT WAS PENCIL AND PAPER AND A TELEPHONE AND A RADIO TO GET A HOLD OF THE SWITCH CREWS 3HORTLY AFTER ) STARTED FULL TIME ) WENT INTO MANAGEMENT AND WE STARTED AUTOMATING THE SWITCH OFlCES WITH )"- KEY PUNCH MACHINES v 7ITH THAT EXPERIENCE (ELLER WENT ON TO WORK IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOL OGY DEPARTMENT IN THE EARLY S HELPING BUILD THE lRST MAINFRAME SYS

TEM THAT RAN THE RAIL OPERATIONS FOR #. )T WAS JUST ONE STEP IN LEARNING ALL THE FACETS OF THE BUSI NESS h) WORKED MOST OF MY CAREER IN RAIL OPERATIONS AS A TRAIN MASTER OR AS SISTANT SUPERINTENDENT ) SPENT A VERY SHORT TIME IN MARKETING 4HEN ) WAS CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION BUT THE GOVERNMENT SOLD #. IN AND ) VE BEEN A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SINCE v 4HE DEPTH OF HIS EXPERI ENCE HAS HELPED HIM BE AN EFFECTIVE MANAGER SPURRING %73 DESIRE TO HAVE HIM IN CHARGE h) HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF GENERAL MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS A TRACK RECORD OF BEING ABLE TO APPLY RAIL

WAY KNOWLEDGE TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENT v (E ALSO HAS A TRACK RE CORD OF BEING ABLE TO TURN A COMPANY AROUND -OST OF HIS TIME WAS SPENT IN #. S %ASTERN #ANADA REGION EAST OF 4HUNDER "AY h4HAT AREA HAS TRANSFORMED FROM A CHAL LENGING AREA n TOUGH TO MAKE MONEY IN THE RAIL WAY n AND TODAY IT S AN EQUAL CONTRIBUTOR WITH THE REST OF #. 7E WERE IN THOSE DAYS BY MOST MEASURES ONE OF THE POOREST RAILWAYS IN .ORTH !MERICA AND NOW WE RE THE BEST AND THE STOCK PRICE REmECTS THAT v (ELLER S PREDECESSOR AT %73 0HILIP -ENGEL

RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS Alma residents got a good view of the man in red, who made an appearance on a snowy day Dec. 21. Top, Fergus Fall Fair Queen Rebecca Hannam+rode in the Alma parade with Henry Vervoort. Above, The Alma parade saw all kinds of floats, unicyclists, trucks and tractors. #!3%9 ,%33!2$ /"3%26%2 34!&&

EITH (ELLER S INTEREST IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY BEGAN THROUGH A PART TIME JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW THE %LMIRA NATIVE HAS MOVED TO %NGLAND TO TAKE CON TROL OF 'REAT "RITAIN S LARGEST FREIGHT RAILWAY (ELLER IS NOW THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFlCER AT %NGLISH 7ELSH 3COTTISH 2AILWAY %73 HE TOOK OVER *AN h) STARTED WHILE ) WAS GOING TO %LMIRA HIGH SCHOOL v HE RECALLED h) STARTED AS A PART TIME BAGGAGE PORTER AT THE +ITCHENER STATION 4HROUGH MY HIGH SCHOOL

4(% ")' 3(/7 %LMIRA NATIVE +EITH (ELLER HAS LIVED IN MANY #ANADIAN CITIES WHILE WORKING HIS WAY UP TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF #. 2AIL (E IS NOW IN ,ONDON AS #%/ OF THE 5 + S LARGEST FREIGHT RAIL OPERATION %NGLISH 7ELSH 3COTTISH 2AILWAY

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+YLER *AMES !USTIN !PRIL 0!2%.43 $EREK -ELANIE !USTIN (/-%

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$

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email:

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WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INCLUDED? s &ULL #OLOUR PHOTO IN THE January 10 issue s .AME 0ARENTS 4OWN

Birthday s %XTRA COPIES OF THE PAPER s 7EB 0AGE 'ALLERY ONLINE s DEADLINE: Jan. 7, 2009

Reserve your spot by E-mail: ADS OBSERVERXTRA COM or phone Donna at EXT

"RADY ,UKE 'INGRICH .OVEMBER 0!2%.43 +IRBY 3ANDRA 'INGRICH (/-% %LMIRA

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28 | BACK PAGE D

O H JA FF U N E RR U R A S Y! R E Y N 2N D

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 27, 2008

!

For Everyone

JEEP LIBERTY

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

CHRYSLER 300C T:14”

DODGE RAM 1500

JEEP WRANGLER

DODGE AVENGER

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

JEEP COMPASS

DODGE CHARGER

DODGE DAKOTA

JEEP PATRIOT

DODGE RAM 2500 HEAVY DUTY

DODGE CALIBER

Receive Total Discounts † $ up to 14 ,711! Mopar Emergency Kits Available! See your local Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge retailer. Take a closer look at your favourite model now. chrysler.ca

jeep.ca

dodge.ca

V I S I T Y O U R N E I G H B O U R H O O D C H R Y S L E R , J E E P® , D O D G E R E T A I L E R

INCLUDES 1 YEAR PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION

Wise customers read the fine print: *, † These limited time offers apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused 2008/2009 models purchased/leased between December 2, 2008 and January 2, 2009. At participating retailers only. Offers subject to change without notice. See participating retailer for specific pricing details and conditions. * Employee Price Discount offer applies to all new and unused 2008 and 2009 models excluding only 2008/2009 Dodge Sprinter and Challenger and 2009 Dodge Journey models. Employee Price Discount offer can be combined with other retail incentives including Consumer Cash, Delivery Allowance and/or subvented purchase financing rates. Excludes CAW negotiated ER Bonus and select targeted bonus cash programs. 0% purchase financing offered on approved credit by Royal Bank of Canada or Scotiabank to qualified retail customers on the purchase of 2009 Dodge Charger, 2009 Chrysler 300 or 300C models for up to 84 months. Some conditions apply. Offer is subject to change without notice. See participating retailer for complete details. † Total discounts include Consumer Cash, Employee Price Discount and other incentives which are deducted from the negotiated prices either before or after taxes. Maximum $14,711 total discount is for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. See participating retailer for complete details. ™ SIRIUS and the dog logo are trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. ® Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC.