Foodies in Bowmanville will be delighted to know that a special “food event” will be coming to town next month.

Come the 6th of February, the Association of Hospital Volunteers Bowmanville will be holding its yearly auction and fundraiser dinner with a special Italian touch.

Dubbed a “Taste of Italy”, the annual event has so far raised over $39,000 since it was first established 7 years ago in 2003. Proceeds for the event will be donated to the for Lakeridge Health Bowmanville’s emergency department.

A Taste of Italy will feature a menu consisting of delectable Italian treats like the classic Caesar salad, spaghetti and meatballs, homemade pies, chicken parmigiano , Italian wine, and of course, coffee and tea.

Tickets are priced at an affordable $25. You can purchase them at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville’s gift shop or by contacting these numbers:

905-623-5215

905-623-5206

And remember, all proceeds for the event will be used for the renovation and development of the emergency department at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville. So not only are you dining in style, you’re also doing it for a cause.

So what’re you waiting for? Call the numbers above and get your seats reserved!

Going up against some of the best gymnasts in the country, the Clarington Gymnastics Academy recently took part in its first ever Ontario provincial qualifier, which took place in Halton Hills.

And Clarington’s gymnasts certainly did not disappoint.

For the academy’s first competition, Clarington’s gymnastics team proved themselves to be a force to reckon with, performing strongly throughout the meet.  A lot of the gymnasts in the team were young up-and-coming athletes who were competing at their first big competition ever.

The academy’s head coach Christine Ormerod could not have been prouder, she said. She believes her students want to represent not just the academy, but their own communities as well.

Among the top peformers include:

• Madison Luke from Bowmanville, who won top place on vault and bars, and 2^nd amongst all competitors in the 6 to 10 age bracket
• Raine Sullaphen from Bowmanville, who finished 4^th on bars, 5^th on beam, and 7^th overall in the 6 to 11 category
• Erica Carson, also from Bowmanville, won 5^th place on the beam and 10^th on the floor.

Those are just some of the gymnasts from Clarington that performed outstandingly. The team is currently preparing for their second meet taking place next week.

Due to the recession that gravely affected Clarington’s economy and existing businesses, one Clarington resident is suggesting for the government to implement a measure that acts as a way of generating revenue for the municipality, and at the same time solving another problem in the area.

Leah Garey, a native in the region, is urging the municipal government to start ticketing cars illegally parked on the sidewalk. She notices that it’s hard to go out and take a simple walk with her daughter due to the vehicles blocking the sidewalk. She notes that this is a problem that’s especially prevalent in Bowmanville.

Numerous vehicles that are partially parked on the sidewalk still offer a path for pedestrians, but it’s the cars that totally block the way that are really annoying, she says.

With snow covering the roads, walking on sidewalks is a must. She notes that other pedestrians are forced to tough it out on the busy streets.

If the Clarington government acts on this now, revenue will be generated through fines penalized on these car owners, she adds. Perhaps, she says, a few tickets are all that’s needed to reign in these drivers.

Indeed, it’s a good way to hit two birds with one stone.

Bowmanville residents Dawn and John Walker were enjoying their first meal of the New Year, when a waiter suddenly hurried over to inform them of an emergency and that someone was on the phone waiting.

Ms. Walker eventually learned that her father and son where at Bowmanville hospital after a fire broke out in their home.

Fortunately, her father, Jim Bedford, and son, 14-year old Luke escaped without any major injuries, although they did have to be treated for smoke inhalation at the local hospital.

Their home however, was damaged heavily by the blaze.

Neighbors and other residents of Bowmanville quickly took action to help the family, by collecting necessities and other items the Walkers would need to start over. They had no contents insurance on their home, which meant that they really had to start over from scratch.

Friends and neighbors are organizing a fundraiser for the Walker family, which is set to take place next week on January 22. Le Skratch Billiards, located in Oshawa, will host the event. They’ll be charging a $10 door fee, which includes an hour’s use of the pool tables and a delicious spaghetti dinner.

According to Dawn Walker, she’s just amazed at how the community has come together to help her family get back up on their feet.

The Dixons were excited and all ready to invite guests to their home for Christmas, but fate had different plans for this Bowmanville family.

A fire had broken out in the Dixon household, caused by a wood stove they owned. The Dixons watched helplessly as Clarington firefighters fought the blaze in the attic of their house. Luckily none of the family’s members were hurt as a woman who passed by was kind enough to phone the authorities for help before things escalated.

Instead, the family of 5 spent Christmas Day and the remainder of the holidays in a local hotel room. Fortunately the couple was able to salvage their boys’ presents from the fire, but Mr. Dixon still found it difficult to be away from on Christmas.

He said it was very different, and very hard to relax in a cramped hotel room.

However the community of Bowmanville and Clarington stepped up to the plate in true Spirit-of-Christmas style, and pitched in to help the Dixons.

Volunteers from the area’s Salvation Army and Red Cross attended to the Dixon household when it caught ablaze, while the Clarington Regional government and Red Cross again, took care of the family’s hotel room costs.

The Dixons may have spent Christmas away from home, but the entire community certainly did everything they could to make the occasion special.

A local retailer’s start to the New Year has turned out to be a little disappointing, as its request to sell fireworks to the general public has been flat out denied by Clarington’s government officials.

Bowmanville’s Perfect Party Place, a retail outlet that specializes in party treats and the like, had previously requested permission from authorities in Clarington to sell fireworks all year round at its branch situated at King Street.

However, Clarington’s rules and regulations dictate that fireworks and similar items can only be distributed, sold, or used exclusively on these dates:

• 5 days before and on Victoria Day itself
• 5 days before and on Canada Day itself

According to a report from the region’s officials, if Perfect Party Place offers an avenue for those interested to buy fireworks outside of these allowable times, it would only lead to confusion among residents in the area as to when fireworks are for sale and are allowed to be set off.

Clarington’s bylaws were put in place to prevent unwanted incidents and accidents relating fireworks. The regulation also prevents mischief-makers from causing public disturbances by setting off fireworks.

Clarington’s administration committee also agreed with the assessment.

Those in Clarington, especially residents in the Bowmanville vicinity, have plenty reason to smile about this New Year, as the Clarington Project encourages residents in the area to start the golfing season a bit early in 2010.

The Clarington Project is a non-profit group that has helped and supported individuals with mental disabilities. To raise funds for its operating costs, and for the program’s beneficiaries, the group will be holding the Polar Chili Golf Classic, which takes place on the 6th of February.

It’s a good old game of golf (in the snow as the event title suggests), complete with nine holes, tees marked with brightly colored cones, hoola hoop holes, and tennis balls instead of the usual golf balls. Yes, it’s a game of golf with an added winter twist.

To join, all you have to do is register and pay the amount of $30. You get to join the golf game, use the “special” golfing equipment, get a free lunch along with hot and cold drinks, freebies, and lots more. Lunch will be a special occasion, as local restaurants and caterers in the area vie for the best chili creation – to be decided of course, by the event’s participants.

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