Following police tips will
help make Christmas safer

THE CHRISTMAS period is
meant to be a time of celebration.
To help ensure a safe and happy
holiday season, North Vancouver
RCMP crime prevention officer
Const. Darlene Burwash offers the
following tips:

© Be extra cautious about locking
doors and windows when you leave
the house — even for a few
minutes.

© Don't display gifts where they
can be seen from a window or
doorway. Store gifts before you go
away on a holiday trip.

© If you go out in the evening, turn
on the lights and a radio, so the
house looks occupied.

© If you go away for a few days,
get an automatic timer for your
lights. Have a neighbor watch your
house, shovel snow, pick up the
mail and newspapers and park his
or her car in your driveway from

Hannukah

TONIGHT 300 North Shore fami-
lies will light the first candle to
mark the annual Jewish holiday of
Hannukah.

By EVELYN JACOB
News Reporter

They join families world-wide in
celebrating the eight-day festival,
which dates back to 165 B.C. when
Judah Maccabee and his followers
gained victory over their Syrian
oppressors.

Forced to forsake their religion
and honor Greek gods, the Jews
fought back, cleansed and
rededicated their sacred temple in
Jerusalem, which had been van-
dalized by their subjugators, and
eventually re-established an in-
dependent state.

Horst Sachs, president of the
North Shore’s Har El congrega-
tion, says Jews celebrate Han-
nukah to commemorate the
freedom the Maccabeans won,

Think before

CHRISTMAS IS a time for giving.
For some, this may include giving
a@ pet to a friend or loved one.

Although the idea sounds great,
there are some drawbacks. A pet is
for life and as a present, needs a
great deal of consideration be-
forehand.

The following points must be
kept in mind: the potential de-
mands of the pet, the type of
companionship wanted, and the
extent of commitment the potential
owner is capable of giving.

If the pet is for children, ensure
they understand the responsibilities
of owning a pet. Otherwise, Mom
may be the pet’s sole caretaker.

The ideal circumstance for a new
puppy or kitten to come into your
home is when everything is calm
and stress-free. Only then can
everyoné give the undivided atten-
tion that this youngest family
member needs.

Aquatic centre

THE WEST Vancouver Aquatic
Centre has extended its hours of
operation on Saturdays.

The following is a schedule of
the new hours: children’s lessons
from 9 a.m. to | p.m.; adult
lengths from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; public

time to time.

¢ Check to make sure items like
televisions, VCRs, stereos, cam-
eras, and microwave ovens are

marked with a personal identifica--

tion number to help police recover
them if they do get stolen. Im-
mediately after the holidays, mark
new gifts with your jicence number
or other 1.D.

® Be wary of strangers coming to
the door asking for charitable
donations. They may be taking
advantage of peopie’s generosity
during the holidays to start a char-
ity that only benefits them. Ask
for identification, how the funds
are used, if contributions are tax
deductible. If you aren’t satisfied
with the answers, don’t give. In-
stead, help charitable organiza-
tions you know.

While shopping, even though
you're rushed and thinking about a
thousand things, stay alert io your

celebrated

and to offer thanksgiving.

Each night an additional candle
is lit until the entire eight-armed
candelabra (called the menorah) is
ablaze.

The ritual symbolizes the miracle
of the oil, which the Maccabeans
found while searching the temple.
With only enough oil to burn for
one day, a miracle occurred and
the oil burned for eight.

The next year an eight-day festi-
val was declared, celebrated with
songs of praise and thanksgiving
for all time.

In the home a special prayer is
tecited, followed by songs and a
traditional game of ‘‘dreidel”” —
using a four-winged spinning top.

Har El Synagogue is holding a
special Hannukah service tonight
at 6:30 p.m., followed by a morn-
ing service on Saturday, Dec. 23,
at 9:30 a.m.

A Hannukah party for children
takes place at the synagogue, 1735
Inglewood, West Vancouver, on
Dec. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m.

buying pets

New pets also need order and
this does not always happen at
Christmas. Puppies need 100 per
cent observation to properly house
break and this is unlikely to be
possible at this time.

Finally, this pet could become
unwanted and ill cared for; given
up for adoption soon after
Christmas; or worse, abandoned if
gift givers do not take these factors
into account.

Alternatives to giving the actual
pet include placing a picture of the
proposed pet under the tree to en-
sure this is truly what the person
wants, or purchasing a gift certifi-
cate that will allow the purchase of
the pet when the moment is right.
With forethought, a pet can be a
wonderful addition to the life of
someone special.

This article was provided by Dr.
Brad Gilbert, D.V.M., a North
Shore veterinarian.

hours extended

swim from 2:30 to 5 p.m.; family
swim from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and
adult lengths from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The West Vancouver Aquatic
Centre is located at 776-22nd St.
For further information call 926-
8585.

surroundings and the people
around you. If you see people
loitering in parking garages, park-
ing lots and outside of stores, go
the other way.

eShop before dark if possible.
Coordinate shopping trips with a
friend if you pian to be out late.

* Lock your car and close the
windows — even if you're gone
only a few minutes. Lock packages
in the trunk. Park near street lights
if possible and have your car keys
in hand when you return to the
car.

® To discourage purse snatchers,
don’t overburden yourself with
packages. Have your purchase
delivered whenever practical.

© Avoid carrying large amounts of
cash. Pay for purchases with a
cheque or credit card when possi-
ble.

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_ Christmas Eve
Shopping Hours

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5 - Friday, December 22, 1989 - North Shore News

Many thanks to all my cl
and friends who helped

ients
to

make 1989 my best year ever!

ee

MARC HASLAM

4 Levels of free parking.

_ Last chance for Free
} Santa Photos

Today 10am-ipm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-8pm
‘ Santa will be on his way

’ back to the North Pole

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