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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2000 - § Pro thieves back in the area, police report With reports of pro- fessional shoplifters returning to the area, Durham Regional Police are warning merchants to be alert. Police issued the warning after two inci- dents were reported in the area last week. Descriptions of the suspects and their methods match, and are similar to a group of thieves which prowled the area more than a year ago. Durham Police were called to Woods' Triple Play store shortly after | p.m. on March 2 when the store owner noticed three pairs of slacks, valued at $300, were missing. The theft occurred after two women and a man entered the store for a short period of time and then left quickly, say police. The suspects are described as middle- aged with olive com- plexions and were wearing dark clothing and dark overcoats. The incident is simi- lar to a theft in Sunderland last week, say police. A man and woman entered the local phar- macy. The woman dis- tracted an employee while the man grabbed a purse and wallet out of an office area. Port Perry was the target of similar thieves more than a year ago, when thieves hit stores here. "These are profes- sional thieves, profes- sional shoplifters," said Const. Al Robins. "We want to caution local merchants that it appears that these wandering thieves are back in the area and that they should be on the alert." Mmmmm... maple Syrup... CHRIS HALU/PORT PERRY STAR Andrew Taylor, 10, was just one of many who attended the Blackstock United Church on March 7 to enjoy a great pancake dinner in celebration of Shrove Tuesday. Joining the Blackstock resident was a large number of family and friends who showed up for the social gathering between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. that evening, which was put on by the church's stewards. E-mail us at: port.perry.star@sympatico.ca Hey, {we thought the \infernet vets uppose; fo be slow! HIGH SPEED INTERNET ON CABLE www.powergate. ca 985-8171 "Brought to you by: Compton Communications as been charg a after he hit and "kicked his girlfriend earlier this week; Durham Police arrested the "22-year old man shortly after 8 has been charged with one count of assault and one count of breach of probation, Officers were called to. a Toronto St. address and were met by "a. female who told tiem DR. DARRYL WORKMAN It's finally happened. A careless high-stick has caused a career-ending eye injury to a well known NHL athlete. Bryan Berard of the Leafs has a retinal detachment which required four hours of emergency surgery in an attempt to save the vision in his right eye. The retina is like the film of a camera at the back of the eye, and has a very high demand for nutrients and oxygen, second only to the brain. When it becomes detached the retina is deprived of its blood supply, and can die within 24 hours, and once damaged, vision may not be restored even if the retina is successfully re- attached. The prognosis will depend on the extent of the detachment and if the central area of the retina is involved. Re-attachment will be done once the blood clears naturally from the back chamber of the eye. Unlike the lens in the eye, the retina cannot be replaced. Damage to muscles and bone around the eye are not vision threatening and can usually be repaired. The comea (the clear tissue at the front of the eye) was also lacerated; scarring in the central area here can reduce vision and cause glare. Over 90 per cent of sports eye injuries, including Berard's, could be prevented by proper eye protection. Hockey used to be the leading cause of sports eye injury until face masks became mandatory in 1974. Hockey face protectors are now worn by over 1.2 million North American hockey players. This Dr. An Uso e an he: en kicl sd th 'and a xe by the . 'drinking and an argu- ment ensued, resulting inthe assault, she told "p.m. on March 13. He 27-year-old bail hearing. VISION REPORT Since 1972 there have been 309 cases . of Canadian hockey players losing sight BERARD'S EYE INJURY accused. 'The 'man had been] police when taken to. the Uxbridge station. Officers attended the accused man's home . where they found him intoxicated and' "somewhat unco-. operative", police say. 'He was arrested and taken to Oshawa for 2 a in one eye protection prevents an estimated 70,000 eye and face injuries with a savings of more than $10 million to the health care system. For kids, the sports with the most eye injuries are now basketball and baseball where there are no regulations for mandatory eye protection. Why is Berard's career likely over? When you suddenly lose sight in one eye, you may be able to see clearly with the other eye, but in dynamic situations like sports or driving |. more than just good acuity is |° required. Aspects of vision |: which become significantly reduced are peripheral vision, focusing ability, depth perception and the ability to judge speed and distance of moving targets. These deficits seriously impair sports performance. Most athletes are serious about their training, but few take into account the role vision plays in their overall performance. They react immediately when they pull a | muscle, yet take their eyesight |i for granted. Dr. Workman recommends that eye protection be used in all sports | to avoid risking your vision. § Those who have suffered eye injuries should have thorough § eye assessment of the intemal and extemal eye, and of the eye muscles as well. Since Dr. Workman has full | time hours, emergencies can usually be accommodated. Choose your eye doctor based on reputation and quality of care - your vision depends on it. - LR ey STATA Darryl Workman OPTOMETRIST New Location - 189 North Street New Patients Welcome ----_-- -- ¥ a I - A A A Ts A SAD NU 3 FO Sool wth - . - --- Sa" le a an commu Ei a aa a a 8 Ck > * Hu 2 eS 0 ag £550 ANNE Wi a 3° 2 a a i fala uN pall a Sua SE a i a A Ga ut -------- AMM A a