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Concert promotes anti-bullying message By Julia Le METROLAND PEEL MEDIA GROUP 15 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, October 1, 2009 Oakville teen James Valitchka is on a mission to stop bullies. "We must work together to stop it and hold each other accountable," Valitchka told reporters at a recent press conference at the Mississauga Central Library. The 14-year-old author and speaker was in town to promote a special concert in November that will convey an anti-bullying message to young people across the GTA. Shows will be presented Nov. 5-6 at The Meeting House on Bristol Circle, at the border of Mississauga and Oakville. The performances will feature children's entertainer Judi Vankevich, who grew up in Streetsville, along with The Oakville Children's Choir, youth dance group IllSkillz and dance company InMotion West. Performances will be at 9:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12. we deserve," he said. Vankevich, who will use role playing, music and dance to impart important life principles to children and teens at the concert, says she's committed to helping youths. "We're empowering young people to do the right thing," said Vankevich, a children's entertainer known as The Manners Lady. Proceeds from the fall event will help students attend an anti-bullying youth conference next spring at York University. For more information, visit www.standtallandspeakout.com. We Do Housecalls! FRED LOEK / METROLAND PEEL MEDIA GROUP ANTI-BULLY ACTIVIST: Young author. James Valitchka is the 14-year-old author of Superheros don't have Dads. He will bring a two-day concert with an anti-bullying message to The Meeting House Nov. 5-6. "Every minute a student is which he penned at age 8. He said teen bullying is an the victim of bullying," said Valitchka. "Bullying is crip- issue that affects everyone. pling, it is suffocating and it The concert, he says, is a celedestroys lives and communi- bration to remind people that ties ... I want to keep and raise bullies exist, and that everythe awareness of the pain that body can play a part in standcomes from bullying so that ing up to them. "We can be united, confistudents continue to know dent and say no to bullying that they are not alone." Valitchka has already writ- and yes to life -- our life -- ten several books including the one we deserve, the eduthe best-selling novel, cation we deserve the safe Superheros Don't Have Dads, classrooms and communities EVENT Oakville Denture Centre Mississauga 2111 Dunwin Dr. · (905) 820-6556 (W. of Erin Mills Pkwy on Dundas) Vaughan 255 Bass Pro Mills Dr. · (905) 761-5352 w w w. p a l m a b r a v a . c o m (Direct opposite Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre)