If you’re from around the Bowmanville area and are looking to get your musical fix, then we’ve got a list of mini-concerts and performances happening around town over the weekend and throughout next week.

Many pubs and restaurants in Bowmanville play host to a good number of music-related events. If this is something new to you, then I’m sure you’ll’’ have a great time checking this small list out.

Happening around town:

Located along 70 Port Darlington Road, Bobby C’s plays host to Oshawa native and rock/country artist Nenah Barkley every Friday at 8:30 in the evening. No cover charge.

On the 29^th of January, Maddy’s Pub and Restaurant, located along 7 Division Street, will be featuring Diane Williamson. Performance starts at 6 in the evening.

Bowmanville’s Royal Canadian Legion will be presenting Sweetwater on January 30, at 9 in the evening. Everyone from the public is invited.

If you’re wondering how it feels to perform on stage, then Walsh’s Village Inn has the answer for you. Located along 99 King Street W, the Inn regularly holds open mic night every Monday.

If the list isn’t sufficient there are always other events in town you can check out by asking around. So have fun, and have a great weekend ahead!

Not only are residents in the Municipality of Clarington finding ways to relieve their headaches, neck pain, or back pain, they’re also doing it for a cause, effectively hitting two birds with one stone.

Running until the last week of March, Healthworks Durham, located in Bowmanville along 161 King Street E, is presently offering doctor exams for only $25. The good news is that this cost is usually covered by most—if not all—health care insurance providers. Interested patients will undergo assessment, with doctors determining they need treatment for their back, neck, and acute or chronic headaches. Treatment will consist of therapy using advanced drug-free technology, and other holistic techniques.

Located in Bowmanville, HealthWorks Wellness & Rehabilitation is aimed at helping patients feel better through honest chiropractic care, and by providing treatment and advice to avoid to patients so they can avoid health problems.

All proceeds of the special fundraiser will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross, which in turn will be pooled together and sent to the government for the massive Canadian relief effort for the victims of the earthquake that struck Haiti 2 weeks ago.

So if you want to get a check-up for your body pains, now is the time to do it.
For details and information, you can call 905-623-8388.

What used to be a building that housed soup, nuts, and everything in between is getting a “makeover” this year, and will now play home to an unusual combination of tenants.

The building that used to house A and P at King and Liberty will be the home to two new tenants: Staples, which specializes in office supplies and the like, and Beer Store, which finally relocated to a bigger space, set to open around February.

According to Beer Store’s spokeswoman, Sandra Ward, the business had to relocate to a better spot due to Clarington’s strong growth. They expect their new local to bring in more customers with its more accessible location.

And since the market in Clarington is showing signs of growth, it’s only right that they move to a bigger space, which Ward says is more than two-thirds larger than their current store, located at King Street East. Once the outlet opens next month, it will be the biggest Beer Store in the Durham Region.

The new Staples on the other hand, will provide community members a more accessible location to purchase office and business supplies. There will also be a computer and electronics section that will offer services ranging from computer repair, photocopying, and the like. The new outlet is set to open on March.

Beer and office supplies; it’s an odd combo, so let’s see how it pans out.

In the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti two weeks ago on the 12th, Canada officials have organized a massive relief effort to help the victims left with virtually nothing but the shirts on their backs.

For Bowmanville paramedic Blaine Bates, getting his hands on anything that can help those in Haiti is his way of pitching in. He says finding basic first aid equipment is his priority.

And since his mother Linda, will be heading to Haiti to do volunteer relief work, he says it’s only right for him to do his part.

Ms. Bates, together with a group of 9 volunteers left on Monday, January 25, for Haiti. Bates is the current international projects coordinator of Scouts and Guides Fellowship, and has been actively doing relief work in the country of Haiti for around 5 years. In the time that she spent volunteering in the country, she and other workers helped put up schools and a medical clinic for the less fortunate.

Other paramedics from the Durham Region are also lending a helping hand by collecting important supplies such as bandages, medicine, gloves, and oxygen equipment. All of these will be sent to Haiti over the next few days.

If you’re looking to recruit employees for your business and don’t know where to start, one Bowmanville resident just might have the advice you need to get things rolling.

Jamie Allison, a native of Bowmanville, recently published his book titled Jackpot! A Step-by-Step Guide to a Winning On-Campus Recruitment Campaign – a book which he says can be a great guide for different types of businesses and companies of all sizes, looking to hire people.

Allison drew from his years of experience as a human resources professional in writing the book. He has held HR positions in a number of companies ranging from retail, health care, and packaged goods.

According to him, the best way for small businesses with no human resources personnel to look for new workers is to tap into campuses and schools. Contrary to popular belief, making use of campus recruiting doesn’t have to be expensive – that is, if you do things right.  

He adds that companies would be wise to send recruiters with the aim of showing the lives students would have, say 5 years into the future, if they choose to be part of the company. Students are receptive he says, and will listen to those who want to build rapport.

A few posts ago, we featured a story about one Bowmanville businessman who was denied permission from selling fireworks all year round.

Not surprisingly, Mike Gazo, owner of the store, Perfect Party Place in Bowmanville, remained unfazed and asserted that Clarington’s current ban on the sale of fireworks on non pre-indicated dates only pushed residents to purchase fireworks on the allowed periods, possibly storing them unsafely, and thereby defeating the whole purpose of the restriction.

Presently, Clarington’s bylaws see to it that fireworks can only be sold to the public during these times:

• 5 days before Victoria Day
• 5 days before Canada Day

Furthermore, Clarington residents can also apply for a special permit allowing them to use fireworks outside of these time frames.

Gazo adds that other municipalities even allow the sale of fireworks all year round. He doesn’t see why Clarington can’t to do the same, he said.

Clarington staff previously denied Gazo’s request to sell fireworks the whole year round, saying that making his business an exemption would only cause confusion among Bowmanville’s residents about the bylaw.

However, it looks like Mr. Gazo’s efforts are paying off. According to Clarington Councilor Charlie Trim, Mr. Gazo’s arguments opened some doors for council to make a final decision.

Council will deliberate on this matter next week.

If you’re around the Clarington area this weekend, why not check out an event that adds some meaning to your life?

Taking place on the 23^rd of January is a seminar hosted by Edrick Dunand, renowned author of the book Dare to Succeed with Impossible Speed.

Already, Clarington residents are buzzing about the seminar and are rushing to find out more on how to join. The seminar, which starts from 10 in the morning all the way to 12 noon, is being sponsored by the Clarington Toastmasters Club as well as Clarington’s Kingsway Arms. Those fortunate enough to be part of the audience will be taught strategies on how to perform better in life, whether it be with one’s career, family life, or business.

Since there is no RSVP and only 50 seats available, those interested to join the seminar are encouraged to come early to be seated first. The seminar will be held at the Kingsway Arms office, located at 65 Clarington Blvd., Bowmanville, which is right behind Canadian Tire. Free park will also be available for car-owners.

If you want to know more about this seminar, contact David Oshier at 905-697-8635 for additional details and information.

Shannon Thompson, a student from Clarington, knows that getting an award that recognizes your work is great. But she admits it’s even better if it’s an award coming from her own parents.

And that’s exactly what her mother intended to do, nominating her for the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award, a program under the Ontario Community Newspapers Association. Over 100 youths in the province have been nominated, all of whom will be receiving a special certificate for the nomination.

12 outstanding youths will receive the prestigious award itself, which recognizes their efforts by volunteering to do community service in their respective regions. Past awardees have been honored for helping the community even with a disability, performing an act of heroism, and just being a good community member.

Shannon Thompson on the other hand, began to do volunteer work at the tender age of 4 by visiting each household of her neighborhood to raise awareness for various causes.

Within 3 months of starting high school at Bowmanville High, she already completed her 40 hours worth of community service – something required from all high school students.
The awards ceremony will be happening this spring, taking place at Queen’s Park.

From its humble beginnings as a small program with an equally small team of volunteers that aimed to help newly released patients from the hospital settle back into their homes, Home at Last has undeniably been successful, helping dozens of residents in the Durham Region and the communities under it.

This month the program celebrates its first anniversary of operations.

Home at Last is a non-profit program that helps adults, the elderly, those with special needs, as well as residents living alone, settle back into their homes. This task may be trivial to some, but those who’ve made the transition from the hospital to their home have found it to be difficult, especially after a long stay in the hospital with no relatives or friends to lend a hand.

The program has operated for 12 months, and is under the Community Care Durham umbrella. Assistance is provided to patients by licensed medical personnel and trained personal support workers with no charge at all.

Some of the services the program offers range from volunteers doing grocery shopping for patients, delivering and administering medication, to simple household chores like cooking meals, doing the laundry, and taking out the trash.

And to celebrate their first anniversary, representatives from Home at Last will be setting up booths around the Durham Region, with one to be put up in Bowmanville on January 25.

Stacie Wilson, a native of Bowmanville, was grief-stricken in the wake of the accident that took her daughter’s life. In spite of her sadness, she says the way the Bowmanville community came together to lend their support was simply amazing.

From a special memorial service, to a card made and signed by a group of “community grandmothers”, to a bouquet of flowers brought over by her regular messenger, everyone seemed to want to honor the memory of Alexsey Gotell and assure her mother she was not alone.

And it’s no wonder; Bowmanvile has always had that small-town feel, with almost everyone knowing each other and ready to lend a helping hand in times of need and strife. These close ties were also the reason Wilson was also able to get to the hospital where her daughter was rushed.

Alexsey Gotell was crossing King Street on the evening of November 25, 2009, when she was hit by a speeding vehicle. She was taken to the local hospital but died due to her major injuries.

Wilson says that she was able to cope with her grief because she knew that wherever she looked, there was always a kind soul there for her.