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34 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday May 25, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Author is sailing enthusiast Continued from page 33 ing on one level, and exhilarating on another and for many, it was a defining experience." Lots of work was involved in tracking down the survivors, but Mayers is no stranger to the hard work involved in writing a novel. This is Mayers' fourth book, and his second on sailing, the first having been Sea of Dreams. Being a fan of sailing himself, and having competed in a few freshwater races such as the Ontario 300, the subject of the sea and sailing is one that hits close to home. "I found the subject matter very compelling because it has all kinds of themes in it. The man against nature theme is one of them. Sailing a boat is a very simple, ancient, elegant thing, it is just wind and water and skill, and it hasn't changed in thousands of years. In these stories you have survival, and lessons from that. That is, when you encounter a terrible thing, how can you overcome it? These are lessons that are valuable in our broader lives, because we all face setbacks, things don't always go well. And sometimes the unexpected strikes and we have to cope with it." The launch party for Beyond Endurance was held at the Oakville Yacht Squadron clubhouse. With a 160 people present, including many of the people Mayers had interviewed, which he said was a great honour. Throughout the coming months, Mayers will be touring various yachting clubs to speak about Beyond Endurance, which is published by McClelland & Stewart. It is available on bookstands now. Intrada Brass winds up season with Salute to Youth on Sunday Oakville's Intrada Brass ends its season on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. with Salute to Youth, a celebration of youth and music. Special guests will be the Halton School Board's gold medal stage band, Halton Junior Jazz (HJJ), directed by Mike Elmer and Leah Jagger. This auditioned stage band is made up of 17 Grade 7 and 8 music students from across the public system playing music ranging from Duke Ellington to Ray Charles. From January until the end of the school year, HJJ plays a full schedule of dates at Bandshare concerts, assemblies and other events, including competitive music festivals. They will be featured in the second half of Sunday afternoon's concert at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Intrada Brass will also feature teenage soloists from within its ranks, and a former member now studying music at the University of Toronto. A first for the group will be the performance of a new piece written by Intrada's teenage flügelhorn player, Marcus Venables, who will conduct its first performance. "Intrada Brass has as part of its mission the encouragement young musicians, and we're delighted to present not only young players from our own group, but also the talented players of Halton Junior Jazz," said music director Bram Gregson. "They're a group of which Halton Region should be very proud. Mike Elmer and Leah Jagger have done a great job of coaching these youngsters," said Gregson. Tickets for Salute to Youth are available from the Oakville Centre box office at 905 815-2021 or at www.oakvillecentre.ca. There are special group discounts for students and seniors. For more on Intrada Brass of Oakville, visit www.intradabrass.ca. ROYAL CANADIAN SEA CADET CORPS 178 OAKVILLE FOR ALL BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 12 - 18 Do you want: · to enhance your leadership potential/skills? · to go to summer camp for 2, 3 or 6 weeks? · to learn or enhance your swimming abilities? · to learn how to sail? · to fulfill the community service requirements of High School while having fun? If you want to do these things and more, come out and see us on Wednesday nights, 6:30PM 785 Pacific Road, Unit 13/14 CEP Union Hall Oakville, ON If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. Escape to paradise For more information: CALL: 905-464-0674 DROP BY: 785 Pacific Road, Unit 13/14 CEP Union Hall Oakville, ON EMAIL: 178sea@cadets.net VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: www.central.cadets.forces.gc.ca/public/ LHQ-QGL/178sea/index_e.html NO COST, NO PRESSUR E, JUST COME A ND SEE WHAT'S IN STORE FOR Y OU IF YOU DECIDE TO JOIN UP. Lilac Celebration -- Experience the dazzling beauty and fragrances of the world's largest lilac collection. SATURDAY and SUNDAY, May 26 and 27; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Arboretum SPECIAL FAMILY OFFER $40 combined admission and meal Family admission: $15 (regularly $20) Plus family of 4 meal: $25 2 adult and 2 children hamburgers, 4 drinks and choice of apple or granola (taxes and gratuities are included) BECOME A MEMBER -- benefits include free admission to the Gardens plus discounts and more. An annual membership starts at only $50. Sign up or renew your membership at www.rbg.ca. · Live entertainment and refreshments · Free guided tours, Discovery Cart, children's activities and crafts · Auxiliary of RBG plant sale · Tour the Gardens on our free shuttle service · Shop @ THE GARDENS, RBG Centre UPCOMING CELEBRATIONS: · Iris and Peony Celebration, June 2, 3, 9, 10 · Rose Celebration, June 23, 24 Visit www.rbg.ca for details. SPONSORED BY: DAY CAMPS FOR AGES 4­12, AND TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Brochure and registration available online at www.rbg.ca, at your local library or call 905-527-1158, ext. 270. RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario · 905-527-1158