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Jenny Bernhardt learns the methods of CPR from paramedic Walter Waganka during a training session put on Saturday by St. Agnes church in Waterloo. The church held the session to train its ushers in case there's an emergency during a ser- vrte. "There's nothing we can do," said Patti Brooks, exec- utive director ofthe Uptown Business Improvement Area (BIA), Monday morning. "We would have needed at least half a foot of good packing snow between now and then, and " supposed to warm up again by the end of the week." But the dog-sled races, slated to run in Waterloo Park, have been cancelled. The third annual winter celebration will go ahead as planned this Saturday inside and out front of Waterloo City Hall. he unseasonably mild I weather has put a hit of a damper on Water- loo's Ice Dogs festival. lee Dogs lestival still on I despite lousy weather Brooks assured, however, Learning to be a lifesaver BY ANDREA BAILEY Ch ranirle st-tr, Karin Barthel ' _snt'sm-troiitr-trrtrthwrs VIII: van on; RYE; " New to the festival this year is a owner/pet look- alike contest for people and dogs. The festival will include ice carving and sculptures, an ice maze and an ice bar. Guests are welcome to bring their dogs to the fes- tivities, as long as the ani- mals are licensed and leashed. there will be plenty to do at City Hall. "It's also a great excuse to play in the snow. " "Costumes are encour - Patti Brooks Uptown BIA CITY-N "As our community grows at the rate it is, so does our waiting list," said Ormston. "The trend of this waiting list is very disturbing." Studies have shown the importance of early intervention in improved long- term outcomes for children with spe- cial needs. which has become a stress- ing factor for KidsAbility. And today. there is more than 1,000 children waiting for services. many of whom have been waiting up to two years, Ormston said. ormston said the centres wait lists have increased from 370 special-needs children in 1999 to mom than 800 chil- dren in 2004. as an important investment for the centre's ongoing endowment rum- paign. lilaine Ormston made her proposal to rouncil at its finance and strategic planning committee meeting Monday night, requesting 525.000 from the city The president of the KidsAhilily foundation is looking to Waterloo council for help in damning the facility's waiting list by making a W'tt- erous corurihution ttt their pocket- hook. For more information on the festival, or for an update on its activities. call the BIA office at 885-1921 or visit www.icedogsfestival.ca. "lt gets people out for the day. and it gives them something to look forward to," she said. "It's also a great excuse to play in the snow." Brooks Gid, the festival's a great cure for the mid- winter blahs. The ice carvirig demon- stration will take place at noon and 2 pm. The free festival will run from ll am. to 3 pm. “Last year we had a cos- tume contest for dogs and it turned out great. We had a little Elvis and a little princess. It was really cute to see." KidsAbility foundation calls on city council for additional support aged." Brooks said with a laugh. BY RYAN CONNELI. For The ( JItronirte Kirsten Dougall of Waterloo had a ball creating her own masterpiece out of ice and snow at last year's Ice Dogs festival. "We don't seem to he getting more support. We're trying hard at it and we're working hard with the MPPs and having our families (who use the racili- ty) contact them and speak with them on a regular basis." Ormston said. "But Ormston reiterated KidsAhilityr, efforts in lobbying at the provincial level-which hasn't yet been properly recognized. she added. The hrganilation is forced IO raise the remaining eight per u-m. approxi- mulelv ”00.000. Various gmemmonl ministries, pn- marily the Ministry of Children and Youth Sonia-s, provides kidsMnlil) with 92 per com of its annual openn- ing budget Lust year, KidsAhiliu provided wr- vices to more than 3.300 children "ith disaltilities, with approximately 600 from Waterloo alone. "The trend of this, waiting list is very disturbing, " - Elaine ormston krtisAbiltty flmmlullun KidsAbility plans In wel dddlllondl support from other area munlt tpdlr ties; ()rmslon is hoping Waterloo mundl‘s support “ill curate a pout“!- domino effect in gaining more finan, rial support thmughout the mt of the region. Waterloo council doesn't plan ttt make their fmal decision on funding support until its Feb. 27 council meeting. The impact of irozen hudgvh on the orgamiauotis young clients and their families has been l'nonnuus Ormston told couttrit And for that mason. the Iouml.ulmn has emharked on a SIG-mullmn cndoumonl campaign. “huh has already succeeded In raking se tttMoa, towards its goal. And moreso. Ute said. .. "In rtse did not compensate for I I “aux ot midget thires." ormston mid she has mm sum an Increase in funding frotttahe pun mud! gmrmmt‘nl m 2001 and HI“ To top otr the renlm's list ot' budge, constraints. the base hudgers a! KidsAhilil) and the other 21 children', treatment centres In Unmnu have been frozen for II ofthe Past I “can at this poinl. we are no! seeing am incmase at all."