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The Times Advocate, 2004-01-21, Page 66 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Opinion Forum News Principal's message Continued from page 5 ferent and we do our best to help each one achieve the greatest level of success possible. A second important factor is the student's plans for post -secondary. While not all students have made up their minds what they want to do after high school, many have decided whether or not they plan to go to college or university or go direct- ly into the work force. Academic courses in Grades 9 and 10 are the prerequisites for University Preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12. Students planning to take College Preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12 must take either Academic or Applied courses in Grades 9 and 10. Students who intend to go directly into the work force after high school may choose to take Workplace Preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12. Another post -secondary destination, one that is sometimes overlooked, is apprenticeships. There are many skilled trades in high demand, and we encourage our students to explore this opportunity. Different apprenticeships have different entry requirements, so students are encouraged to con- sult their guidance counsellors to determine the best pathway for entry into an apprenticeship. Finally, students should consider their own inter- ests in selecting courses. We offer a wide range of tech studies courses, as well as courses in the arts, business, co-operative education, languages and physical education. We encourage students to take a wide range of courses in high school in order to have a well-rounded educational experience. As you can see, there are several factors to con- sider, and we encourage students and parents to give a good deal of thought to course selection. Conservation Dinner tickets available AUSABLE BAYFIELD — What are you doing on April 15? Many people in the area will be attending one of the most anticipated social events of the year — the 15th Annual Conservation Dinner — hosted by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Exeter Lions Club. Tickets are now on sale for this celebration of con- servation. Patrons will enjoy a superb meal followed by a jam-packed evening of auction bids on fine artwork and collectibles along with a vast array of raffle prizes. Most importantly, participants will play a vital role in supporting worthy conservation -related projects. A collaboration of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the Exeter Lions Club, the Conservation Dinner raises funds for barrier - free trail development, outdoor education programs and many other activities for the benefit of local residents and visitors to the watershed. The proceeds from the 2004 dinner, for example, Panther Profile EXETER — Everyone at South Huron is back into the routine. Tomorrow, the girls' hockey team will play Central Huron in Exeter. Friday, the Panther boys' hockey team will face Goderich, also in Exeter. Everyone is wel- come to come cheer our teams on! As a result of snow days, some sports games have been rescheduled. Student discount cards for those who participated in the Panther Powerwalk will be available for pick-up over the next week. The Students' Council is working to get all of the prizes from the event together so they can be distributed as soon as pos- sible. Have a great week! Coming events Jan. 21 — Boys' basketball — bus leaves at 2:15 p.m. Jan. 22 — Reading Day — Badminton Club — Girls' hockey in Exeter — 2 p.m. Jan. 23 — Boys' Hockey in Exeter — 12:45 p.m. Jan. 26 — Curling in Vanastra Jan. 27 — Hospitality and Tourism trip to Fanshawe College Jan. 29 — Girls' volleyball at Stratford Central Feb 11 - Blood Donor Clinic ASHLEY ERB will continue to assist in the stocking of rainbow trout in the Morrison Dam reservoir, supporting Conservation Education Programs, maintaining six Commemorative Woods sites and the new South Huron trail project. So come join us at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter April 15 for a fun filled evening at the 15th Annual Conservation Dinner. For those interested in purchasing tickets, please call the ABCA at 519-235-2610. Priced at $42.50 each, tickets are available from the Conservation Dinner Chairperson, Teresa Ondrejicka and com- mittee members Paul Anstett, Nancy Becker, Don Boyes, Peter Darbishire, Andy deBoer, Bill Dinney, Jon Dinney, Fred Dobbs, Erin Dolmage, Sandra Funk, Jon Gaiser, Joe Gibson, George Godbolt, Ted Jones, Bill Linfield, Dave McClure, Ernie Miatello, Lois Morgan, Judith Parker, Sharon Pavkeje, Tom Prout, Sue Ann Rasenberg, Rob Reid, Tom Tomes and John Walsh. Local businesses are invited to sponsor art and prizes. The committee has begun collecting original art, limited edition prints, unique items and other fine works for auction and raffle at the Conservation Dinner. Individuals and businesses interested in sponsor- ing items or donating cash or prizes for this distin- guished event are invited to contact the ABCA office or any committee member. Tickets for the Conservation Dinner usually sell out early, so purchasers are encouraged to get theirs soon. If you purchase your tickets by March 3, you will be eligible for the Early Bird Draw to be made that day at 4 p.m. More details about the event, including unique auction collectibles and exciting draw prizes will be announced in early February. Tickets are now on sale for this celebration of conservation. Movie, anyone? When was the last time you've been to a theatre and have left honestly saying "Now THAT was a good movie." I've been to several different kinds of movies the past few months and most of them have been nothing more than so-so. It seems like everything coming out of Hollywood these days are all being created out of the same standard molds: the never-ending sci- fi/fantasy series (that I have yet to make it through an hour of just one), the impossible and complete- ly unrealistic stunts of cars, motor -cycles or what- ever, the sick humour of college students that never have an actual plot, the heart warming, predictable romance or the really cheesy younger audience based movies that just seem to have whatever young and current famous name thrown in them. What I'm trying to figure out is what movie from now will be looked at years down the road as a "classic"? Nothing made today can even compare with some of the stories created even 20 years ago. The "Wizard of Oz," now that was a classic. I remember being four years old and coming home from preschool only to watch that movie over and over. I'm sure I was the only toddler on the block who knew how to work the play and rewind button on their VCR. It wasn't until my annoyed older sisters cold- heartedly taped over it that the constant viewing finally stopped. I'm still traumatized about it to this day. All we have to really show in the line of chil- dren's movies today are a couple of computer generated characters, and I'll admit, I liked "Finding Nemo" it really did have a good story line... honest. But would you consider it a movie that will still be watched 50 years from now by young children, or will it be lost in what's becom- ing an over flooded market? There have been a few movies I'm sure that are really deserving of being recognized as our eras contribution to the film industry, but they tend to get over -looked in all the garbage that just keeps getting pumped out. I still have faith in the movies, and am deter- mined to find a movie that was created by a writer who finally decided to break free, be origi- nal, and not just try to make a few books into multi-million dollar motion pictures. Wish me luck. DEBRA TOONK POLICE BRIEFS Things to know about auto theft The Insurance Crime Prevention Bureau reports rates of car theft have been consistently increas- ing. In the period from 1994 to 1997, for which the most recent statistics are available, the total number of cars stolen in Canada jumped from just under 160,000 in 1994 to 177,203 in 1997. The cost of these losses exceeded $250 million. A recent study revealed the following informa- tion about automobile thefts, which may be useful to car owners. How thefts occur Most thefts occur from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., with Thursdays apparently the prime day for auto thefts. The largest percentage (27 per cent) of the vehicles are stolen from the front of homes. Shopping centre lots are next with 23 per cent. Hospitals and commercial parking lots together account for 33 per cent of thefts. Sport cars are most commonly stolen, followed by imports and popular family cars. The most common type of automobile theft is for joyriding, when people "borrow" a car to take a ride or to commit another crime. Police estimate 55 per cent of all vehicle thefts fall into this category. Joyriders take advantage of owner negligence and usually take the first vehicle they can find. The vehicle is quickly abandoned, usually found with- in 10 days, often vandalized. Many thieves work in organized rings, stealing vehicles for resale or to strip for parts. These vehicles are rarely found. The theft rings are highly organized and can steal a vehicle, strip it and distribute the parts in a matter of hours. Cars are often altered and shipped to the United States within a few days. Some theft rings steal vehicles to order. A spe- cific make and model of car is scouted and stolen for doctoring at a shop. The operation may take as little as a few minutes. These cars are often resold immediately at an incredibly low price. While the new owner maybe be pleased with their purchase, they can also be in for a rude surprise. Rings will often steal the vehicle again and re -sell it to someone else, or police will seize it. "Chop Shops" strip cars and sell the compo- nents, often to legitimate businesses that are unaware the parts are stolen. This is a big busi- ness that accounts for millions of dollars a year in profits for criminals. Avoiding auto thefts • Always park near other vehicles and in well -lit areas — if possible near the front of the stores and roadways. • Do not park next to large vans or trucks that can block your vehicle from plain view. Thieves often use large vehicles as cover when breaking into cars. • Never leave children unattended at any time. • Never leave your vehicle running, or leave the keys in the ignition. • Never leave a wallet or purse in the car. • Never leave items inside the vehicle in plain sight for anyone who might look into the car. Parcels, cell phones, brief cases, suitcases, sports equipment such as golf clubs, portable CD players and even CDs left in open are a waiting invitation to thieves. The safest place to leave parcels and valuables is the trunk. Telemarketer scam The Western Region OPP Criminal Investigation Unit is advising of a potential phone scam after investigat- ing a suspicious incident Jan. 16. Investigators discovered a male caller who stated he was a member of Hydro One contacted the potential victim. The suspect tried to obtain the MasterCard number by stating the citizen would receive a free cell phone if they provided their card number. The alert citizen hung up on the would-be con artist and called police immediately. Police discovered Hydro One had no such promotion ongoing and fur- ther discovered all the contact numbers the suspect provided were bogus. Western Region Criminal Investigation Detective Inspector Don Birrell reminds everyone, "if it sounds too good to be true, it is." He commends the actions of the intended victim and encourages others to do the same. Persons who experience scams such as this are encouraged to call Phone Busters and report it imme- diately. Phone Busters can be contacted toll free at 1- 888-495-8501.