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OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, June 26, 2009 · 6 OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution SARAH MCSWEENEY Circ. Manager Join the fun With Canada Day falling on a Wednesday this year, many people were lamenting the absence of a long weekend to kick off the summer with a three-day getaway. However, those who can't get away this weekend may actually be the lucky ones. That's because there is lots to do for everyone this weekend in Oakville. First off, there's the Oakville Waterfront Festival which starts tonight at Coronation Park and continues all weekend until 5 p.m. Sunday. This annual fun-filled event is packed with live entertainment, children's village, craft show, dog show, sports zone and much more, including a fireworks show on Saturday night. All this for a $15 pass good for the entire weekend. In addition, the Carousel of Nations Multicultural Association's 11th annual cultural festival is in Kerr Village Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festival features 10 pavilions representing more than 30 countries. This free family event features musical performances, art displays, skateboard competition and authentic and traditional dishes and refreshments. Sailing enthusiasts may want to take in the OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) Regatta hosted by the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club on Saturday. The yachts are expected to sail out of the harbour shortly after 10 a.m. The Iron Horse Equestrian Centre, 5132 No. 2 Side Road in Burlington, is hosting Putting Hoofs to Cancer from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The centre will host pony rides, clowns, dunk tanks, face-painting, bake sale, barbecue and silent auction. The Canadian Cowgirls and Iron Horse jumpers will also be appearing at 2 p.m. If you are looking for something different, local Ham Radio enthusiasts will be participating in a North American disaster and emergency communications exercise from a rural field in north Burlington. After the weekend, be sure to rest up for the annual Canada Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 1 in Bronte Village. The celebrations begin at 10 a.m. and wind up at 10 p.m. with a fireworks show. The free event features concerts, food and fun for the whole family. The festival boasts a lineup of 18 acts featuring nearly 50 talented Canadian performers on three different stages. Who needs to go anywhere else? Stay home and join the fun in Oakville this weekend. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Literacy Council made a difference I am writing to congratulate the Oakville Literacy Council Program. This program has been very helpful to our community. From my own experience, I can say that when I started the program my life was very different. I had many problems because I was afraid of writing and talking in English. I didn't have the knowledge that I have today. I know I need to know more, but today I don't feel afraid when I talk or write in English. Of course, sometimes I make mistakes, but I think the most important thing is learning from your own mistakes. I want to say thank you to all the tutors because with their help all of our lives are illuminated, and very many people can have a better future. Special thanks to Joanne for her patience and her help with my progress. MARCELA SANGHERA Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. Rude motorist On Monday, June 22 my husband and I and our two school-age daughters were crossing the Third Line and Upper Middle road intersection with our bikes around 8 p.m. I have been teaching my children that when crossing the street, dismount from the bike and wait for the cross sign, then walk with your bike to cross the street. I was the last one in the group crossing the intersection. Suddenly a big loud vehicle honk startled me from behind. I turned my head around and saw a female driver who was waiting for me to cross the street, at this moment the little walk man was still showing. I couldn't understand this type of behaviour. With the school over, there will be more children on the their bikes or on foot going to places in the community. I am hoping everyone will be more patient with pedestrians when driving. Our roads are for both pedestrians and vehicles. L. DOU Thanks Oakville for a classic Classic As the Co-Chair of the OTMH Classic Run/Walk Committee, I would like to thank the Oakville community for its overwhelming support of our annual Father's Day fundraising event. The generosity of participants, local businesses and hospital supporters has been overwhelming ­ we had more participants than ever before (1,200) and raised a record amount ($146,000) for the purchase of essential Cardio Respiratory equipment for OTMH. The physicians, nurses, staff and patients of OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial hospital are truly grateful. On behalf of my fellow committee volunteers, the Board of the Oakville Hospital Foundation, and the team at OTMH -- thank you for contributing to the health of our community. LYNN PIKE, CO-CHAIR, OTMH CLASSIC COMMITTEE AND GRATEFUL OTMH PATIENT BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com Pud