www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 20, 2008 - 9 Imagine life with empty bowls C an you imagine what tonight would be like if you didn't have a place to call home? What would it be like not knowing where you would be sleeping for the night or if you would have something to eat? "Homelessness is a hidden, sad truth in our town and illuminating the causes, providing support, facility and counselling to those in need -- locally -- is what the Empty Bowls event is all about and we are proud to help," said Catherine Raaflaub, assistant head of school at Appleby College. With 1,200 people becoming homeless each year in Halton, community support is crucial. That is why these questions and more will be put to local students over the next few weeks. The Empty Bowls Event Committee will be circulating a lesson plan created for teachers to help students in Grades 4 to 8 learn about homelessness. Local students are then lending a hand to Oakville's Empty Bowls event, colouring placemats for the eventgoers and making soup bowls. Event sponsors, with support from The Pottery Supply House and Crack Pot Studio, allows the schools and students to participate. Students at Dearcroft, Brantwood, St. Mildred's, Appleby College and St. Vincent will be contributing bowls to the event. They'll be joining local potters Gay Longo, Michelle Kosoy, Christine Duncan, Nancy Redwood, Chris Hierlihy and Jackie Seaton, who are hand-throwing bowls to be purchased with a ticket to the event. Other bowls will be supplied by Oakville Art Society -- Bill Goode, Karen Walkers artist group, Andrea Clarke, Theresa Jardin Ottoni and Zarine Unwalla, children at the Oakville Art Society camps, Sir John Colbourne Seniors Centre and the Brantwood and St. Vincent ladies night groups. Presented by Gold Spoon Sponsor Longo's, and held at Appleby College, the Empty Bowls event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. It is an open house format, so people can come and go at their leisure. Tickets cost $50 in advance and $60 at the door. Visit www.homesuitehope.org for more information or call 905-339-2370. The concept of Oakville's Empty Bowls is simple -- ceramic bowls of all kinds are created by local potters, students and volunteers and purchased by community members. Ticket purchasers receive a tax receipt for the charitable portion of their ticket ($35) and the funding supports Home Suite Hope, an innovative homelessness initiative right here in Oakville. To thank those who purchase bowls, soup and bread is served by 18 top local restaurants and caterers. Cari Maclean, the Empty Bowls Event Committee chair, is delighted that the town responded enthusiastically to the first event held last year. "Engaging youths and the broader community in finding solutions to community needs is an energizing experience. We sold out and had a great event. We are ready for a `souper' event this year!" -- Submitted by Empty Bowls Oakville Carr on round table on transit Halton Region Chair Gary Carr will be attending an upcoming session of the Citizen's Round Table on Public Transit, which will be held on Monday, Sept. 29. The open meeting, where Oakville citizens gather to discuss the issues surrounding public transit, will take place in Town Hall's committee room one, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will provide an open discussion forum where citizens may learn about and discuss possible barriers to affordable, accessible, sustainable and safe public transit in Oakville. 905-337-1112 www.chatsworthproject.ca R&D CONSULTING WE ANSWER ALL YOUR COMPUTER QUESTIONS. CALL FOR HELP! O ur thanks and appreciation to all the trades that partnered with us on this project. 22030 Adelaide Rd. Mt. Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 1-888-339-3321 www.roes-stairs.com 439 Jevlan Drive, Woodbridge ON L4L 8A9 416-823-4221 www.balmorallumber.ca 1900 Steeles Ave. W. Concord, ON L4K 1A1 Attn: Kelly Pace kelly@centralfairbank.com 1911 Dundas St. E. Mississauga, ON L4X 1M1 (905) 625-4435 www.tilesplus.com p 289-838-9439 2345 Wyecroft Road Unit 28 y Oakville. ON L6L 6L4 (905)845-4341 www.dorcalelectric.ca F: 905-337-0576 Email: chris@lifedywallsystem.ca y y www.litedrywallsystems.ca y y 2033-4th Concession West R.R.#1 Troy, ON LOR 2B0 (519) 547-3089