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I A welcome visit by `the ghost of July holidays past' That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 5 | Thursday, July 3, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com 'm writing this while on a Jet Ski, under an azure sky on one of those wondrous glacially-carved lakes up in cottage country. OK, confession time -- I'm not really writing this astride a Jet Ski (big surprise, eh?) and, ah, I'm not actually up in cottage country. How could I be in cottage country when I'm indeed writing this as I drive a winding, scenic stretch of American asphalt? I'm on an epic road trip to New York and Boston before heading west to the heartland, cruising into Chicago in time for an always amazing dinner at Naha restaurant, followed by a nightcap in the lounge of the Renaissance hotel overlooking the Chicago River, just in time to catch the nal few innings of a Cubs game up on the big screen. OK, confession time again -- I'm not really writing this as I drive; that would be dangerous. And stupid. Oh, and I'm not actually on an epic road trip. I'm at home. Out on the deck overlooking a swimming pool that's just asking to be cannonballed and the paddocks in which two horses lazily graze. A spectacular sunrise is in play. I'm mugging a strong coffee. And I'm pecking for pleasure on the laptop. I'm holidaying, you see. And, I imagine, I'm not alone. It's the beginning of July, the most popular vacation month for Canadians according to umpteen surveys conducted over the years. For the rst time in as long as I can recall, we're not going anywhere for a summer getaway. Why? In part, because we indulged in a glorious 10-day beach getaway in May, so we're effectively broke. To boot, we have a busy summer social schedule to attend to. Oh, and we're prepping for a big wedding in early September as our eldest marries his high school sweetheart. And while I certainly love most aspects of the so-called "staycation" -- bike rides, `happy hours' by the pool, barbecuing, feasting on incredible Ontario produce as it becomes available, actually sitting down and taking time to (gasp) read a book, and generally living life at a lazier pace -- we do nd that when vacationing at home, you still have to do some things that don't feel particularly vacation-y. Granted, things like laundry, dishes, cleaning up for the next invasion of guests, cutting the grass and sprucing up the gardens, don't seem quite as odious when there's a dip in the pool and a cold beverage waiting on the deck when you're done. Wherever July nds you, dear readers, I hope your feet are up. Heck, if you can swing it, I hope some sweet soul is massaging those feet. I hope your mind is off work -- that if only for a eeting stretch of time, all deadlines are dead to you. I hope you are recharging and rejuvenating and that you are ignoring all emails in favour of cracking the spine of a really good book. Seriously: consider how hectic your life has been for the last 12 months. Consider the wicked winter we just survived. Consider that now July has nally arrived, you deserve a nice break. Personally speaking, I may not be on a Jet Ski or a road trip as I write this, but I am mugging a strong coffee as I'm visited by the ghost of July holidays past. And I'm reliving the boatloads of July fun that's been had over the years. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. For the latest news and in-depth coverage of events, visit the Oakville Beaver online at oakvillebeaver.com or insidehalton.com Halton.ca 311 Joint Compliance Audit Committee Members Needed The City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, the Town of Oakville and Halton Region are currently seeking interested applicants for appointment to the Joint Compliance Audit Committee. The purpose of this Committee is to review and respond to compliance audit applications from eligible electors who believe, on reasonable grounds, that a candidate has contravened the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 (MEA) relating to election campaign finances. Further information on the Committee, including qualifications and the application form, is available on Halton Region's website ­ Halton.ca, or at the Office of the Regional Clerk, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Questions may be directed to regionalclerk@halton.ca or by dialing 311. $25 $125 $1200* Provides 1 day of camp for one child. Provides 1 week of camp for one child. Provides 8 weeks of camp for one child. For more information or to sponsor a child contact us @ 905-845-7485 or email: admin@kerrstreet.com Drive safely in the new community safety zone on Dundas Street, Burlington As part of Halton Region's commitment to resident safety, Dundas Street between Berwick Drive/Rotary Way and Millcroft Park Drive/ Cornerstone Drive is now a community safety zone. Please take your time and drive through this area carefully to ensure the safety of residents that attend the high school, use the skate park, visit the community centre or go to the public library. Presented by: Gary Carr Regional Chair *Based on $150 per week, which is our cost when parents are not able to afford the $25 per week registration fee. Remember that traffic fines are doubled in community safety zones. Please check the speed limits. Let's work together to keep Halton a safe place to live. Meetings at Halton Region July 3 July 9 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Cmte. 9:30 a.m. Regional Council 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville L6M 3L1 Meetings can be viewed at www.halton.ca/meetings. 030714 Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings.