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FOURTH LINE AUTO g o o d JFy e a r CREMATION For Ail Your Car's Needs Drive Clean Emission Testing Government Safety Inspection Tune-Ups · Brakes · Exhaust · Cooling Systems CAA Approved Shop 559 Speers Road (905) 842-3001 / m OM r W K P M - lS n A Y . N ( A 'l \ 1 B I 1 \ 14 . 2 t X > l · bet the tacts, rind out about the choices it provides. " Glen Oaks M e m o ria l G a rd e n s 3164 9th Line, Oakville M257-1100 Official Media Sponsor Editor: Wilma Blokhuis Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 250) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: blokhuis@haltonsearch.com B1 Investing in early years good business By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FO C U S EDITOR Early Years launch reception held at the Glen Abbey Golf Club. "Dysfunctional relationships, academic failure, and the associated problems (of) juvenile delinquency and criminal behaviour, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, chronic unem ployment, poverty, health risks . . . all of these can be related to conditions set in the early years of life." Investing in children is good business, says a top exec utive with the Royal Bank. Speaking at the recent Early Years in Halton Project launch, Charlie Coffey, an executive vice-president of RBC Financial Group, said failing to provide an early healthy start for children up to age six could lead to cost ly consequences. Early Years is an Ontario government initiative to sup port and provide services that promote healthy early development, early learning and increase school readi ness. "A lack of investment in the early years can contribute to behavioural and learning problems," said Coffey at the `We all bear the burden for failing to provide the `right start' to our children. We bear it not only as parents but also as taxpayers and as business people.' · Charlie Coffey This translates into "costs we share as a society," continued Coffey. "Research from the Child Care Education Foundation, says that today, it costs Canada $2.5 billion every year for remedial education because of delayed interventions or nega tive early experiences. "We all bear the burden for failing to provide the `right start' to our children. We bear it not only as parents but also as taxpayers and as business people. "Research also shows that for every $1 spent on quality early education service, $2 comes back through increased tax revenue, and decreased social, education and health costs." So what makes Coffey, executive vice-president of RBC's Government and Community Affairs, an expert on the early years of child development? The banker sat on the provincial government's Early Years Study headed by Margaret McCain and Dr. Fraser Mustard, released in 1999. Titled Reversing the Real Brain Drain, the study serves as the blueprint for Ontario's Early Years Plan, calling for the launching of 41 Early Years Centres in 15 communities including Halton - by April 2002. These cen tres will serve as gateways to children's services. (See `Business . . . ' page B2) The Body Shaping Fitness Studio ForWomen. Dirk Gebhardt Maria Kmlough QUEEN FOR A DAY!! The Holiday season is always such a busy time of the year. What with all the shopping, cooking, trying to get an appointment for your hair, nails, facial, massage, personal training, and just finding a parking spot in Oakville. We, the studio decided to do something about this situation. One of our members will be crowned Queen for a day. Here is how it works. All you have to do to participate is be a member as of Dec. II, 2001. Every members name will be entered into a draw to win the following dream package: >U se of a 28 foot white limousine for 12 hours - courtesy of White Shadow Limousine (you don't have to worry about the parking situation, your driver will follow you around. Take the drudge out of shopping) ^Personal Training Session - courtesy of The Studio (with the trainer of your choice) > Massage therapy - courtesy of The Studio (Monika is famous for her massages) Lunch for 6 - courtesy of The Cafe Galleria A full set of acrylic nails - courtesy of Nails by Candace ^ A full makeover - courtesy of Rick from Textures ^ A 2 hour Spa session --courtesy of Diana Soulez of Medispa > A $250.00 gift certificate - courtesy of Shoetique (The Sole of Oakville) > A $250.00 gift certificate - courtesy of Enza Unique (For the fashion forward woman) The Draw will take place on Dec. I I , 2001 at 12:00 noon Best Wishes - Maria, Dirk and Staff m its _ 11 s m m J _ (jSC C B R A Tm q v b VEARS IN OAKVILLE For more information please call (905) 849-1919 183 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, Ontario L6K 1E7 (Just East of Dorval) w w w .b o d y sh a p in g stu d io .c o m Downtown Oakville * 209 Lakeshore Road East · (905) 845-2031 Friday 9am-8pm Saturday 9:30am-5pm Closed Sunday HOURS: Mondav-Thursday 9am-6pm