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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 24, 2016 | 6 We've all heard it... "There's nothing to do"... but in Oakville, it's just not true. With the summer holiday season just around the corner, it's time to go just around the corner where you'll nd lots to do if you happen to be staycationing at home in Oakville for the summer. The Canada Day party that literally lights up Bronte with its renowned reworks for the July 1 holiday may signal the start of the holidays, but there's already plenty to ll your plate -- literally -- as of this weekend. Don't get us wrong, that's not to say there weren't myriad events going on -- from fundraisers, to graduations and concerts -- already, but this fare is summer-style fun. With sunshine in the forecast, there's no reason not to head to The Co-operators Oakville Family Ribfest at Sheridan College this weekend. Not only will it serve up delicious fare from expert ribbers, it will support local efforts through its co-sponsor the Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar. And if you're looking for something to do between meals at the free-admission Ribfest... and you've taken in the rides and fun of that feast fest, you could always take a walk in the garden on the Oakville Horticultural Society's (OHS) annual Secret Garden Treasures Tour (see story on p.13). With master gardeners on-hand at the dozen participating venues, it's a self-guided tour, so you can pick and choose which gardens to see or visit all of them. If you want action Hollywood-style, check out the Willson Oakville Film Festival, also playing this weekend. As the hot sun shines on you by day throughout July and August, don't forget to mark your calendar for the many fun things to do -- Oakville Children's Festival (July 10); Midnight Madness downtown (July 15-16); Lake Walks in Bronte; experience the Carousel of Nations (July 23); the RBC Canadian Open is back in Oakville this year (July 18-24); the Handmade & Vintage Market in Kerr Village; visit the Farmers' Market -- Oakville's Cultural Connections (through Oct. 31) -- enjoy the Oakville Wind Orchestra Summer Concert Series; try out Fungama 2016 (July 23); check out Art in the Park in Bronte (Aug. 1); never forget the Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival (Aug. 5-6); and, tune in to Steel Band in the Park (Aug. 14), to name a few. Of course, you don't have to venture but next door to our neighbouring Halton communities to nd many more activities, either special events in the communities or simply a visit to Kelso Conservation Area, Bronte Creek Provincial Park and more. If you've got energy to burn, don't forget about swimming pools, splash pads, beaches (Halton Region Health Department provides water updates regularly), or grab your bicycle or walking shoes and hit the many trails, parks and green spaces all over Oakville and nearby. Our local shops and eateries should also be on the To Do list for good eats and special treats. There is absolutely no reason to utter the words, "There's nothing to do," because it's just not true in Oakville. Happy trails. Lots to do Editorial P U R S U I N G H I G H E R "Connected to your Community" E D U C A T I O N 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 54 | Number 51 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women)-Oakville awarded its 2016 scholarships, totalling $16,500, to 10 Oakville women graduating from publicly-funded schools and pursuing post-secondary studies, as well as to one mature student. Selection is based on academic achievement, community service and leadership. CFUW-Oakville raises funds for these awards through member donations and fundraising. Oakville's Melissa Vassallo donates funds for the Access Award she inspired. The Oakville chapter was founded in 1949. Pictured, in back from left, Elizabeth Bae, Sarah de Souza and Christeen Salik. In middle (from left), Bertina Lou, Sara Pilan and Robin Schef er. In front, Melissa Gill Duboc, Sydney MacFarlane, Michelle Armstrong and Meghan Demarais. | photo courtesy CFUW-Oakville ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production MARK DILLS My View MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager P Canada's first Pride month a celebration Pam Damoff Oakville North-Burlington MP ride month celebrates equality for those in the LGBTQ2 community while reminding us there is still work to be done. In Ottawa, I was proud to see MPs from all federal parties join hundreds of onlookers as the rainbow ag was raised for the rst time on Parliament Hill. I am also proud I will join Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he makes history as the rst sitting Prime Minister to walk in the Toronto Pride Parade July 3 -- something he has done before, but not as Prime Minister. But there is still work to be done to ensure equality for all. Earlier this month, the government tabled legislation protecting transgender Canadians against discrimination and violence. Bill C-16 would update the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code to include the terms gender identity and gender expression. If passed, it will protect against discrimination, targeted hate propaganda, and targeted hate crimes, based on gender identity or gender expression. While Halton is not immune to discrimination, bullying and suicide in the LGBTQ2 community, I am proud to live in a community that recently held a number of family-friendly events to celebrate Pride month. The week of activities included a Trans Pride event in Oakville North-Burlington and culminated with the Halton Pride Picnic in Burlington, attend- Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association ed by residents from across the Halton region. Pride events celebrate LGBTQ2 culture, while offering an opportunity to educate people and increase awareness about the LGBTQ2 community in our region. The youth-driven and organized event offered members of the LGBTQ2 community a safe place to celebrate who they are. I am grateful to groups like Halton's Positive Space Network, a supportive network of people committed to changing negative perceptions and attitudes toward the LGBTQ2 community through education, awareness, youth drop-in programs and support programming. With youths inspiring not only their LGBTQ2 peers, but the entire Halton community , I'm hopeful they'll help Oakville and Burlington build a safe, inclusive community where love is stronger than hate. -- Pam Damoff is the MP for Oakville NorthBurlington, 2525 Old Bronte Rd., Ste. 590, Oakville; 905-847-4043; www.MPDamoff.ca or email pam. damoff@parl.gc.ca. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: 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, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. 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.