12 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, April 28, 2011 Acton woman wins $5,000 prize in the Driven to Quit Challenge HALTON HILLS EARTH DAY CELEBRATION April 30th, 2011 Not only is Jacqueline Kobow of Acton newly tobacco-free, but she has also won a $5,000 vacation getaway. Kobow was recognized as an official winner last week in the 2011 Driven to Quit Challenge prize presentation in Toronto. She was one of 11 Ontario winners. In its sixth year, The Driven to Quit Challenge is a health promotion campaign that encourages Ontario tobacco users to make a quit attempt with the support of a "buddy" for their chance to win. All winners are randomly drawn. All winners' support buddies received a $200 MasterCard gift card. "I have entered the contest in the past," said Kobow, "but this is the first time I have been successful in quitting. I am two months and ten days without a smoke." "Thank you to all 1,293 Halton residents who took up the challenge this year, and congratulations to Jacqueline Kobow on her successful quit attempt," said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. Since the first contest, the campaign has helped more than 6,000 entrants across Halton to quit smoking. "We often hear from Driven to Quit Challenge entrants that their true prize is becoming smoke-free," said Martin Kabat CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. "We know that 30% of cancers are caused by tobacco use." All participants in The Challenge are Halton Hills Earth Day Saturday, April 30th, 2011, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Robert C. Austin Operations Centre The 11th Annual Earth Day event will take place at the Robert C. Austin Operations Centre located at 11620 Trafalgar Road (Georgetown). Join us in celebrating Earth Day with the following activities: · Residents can purchase trees for a nominal cost of $5.00 Nine varieties of trees available: White Spruce, Eastern White Pine, Black Cherry, Red Maple, Downy Serviceberry, Red Oak, Common Choke Cherry, White Birch and Alternate Leaved Dogwood (There is a limit of 4 trees per household until 10:00 am.) · Pick up free compost and mulch · Drop off Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), and Electronic Waste (There will be NO tires collected at this event) · Various pieces of Public Works Equipment and Vehicles will be on display, along with interactive and fun activities for children with prizes · Take time to enjoy a community barbecue Please note that donations to the local food banks will be gratefully accepted. For further information on Earth Day, please call the Infrastructure Services/Public Works Division at 905-873-2601 ext. 2609 or visit: www.haltonhills.ca/earthday Jacqueline Kobow of Acton (left) is congratulated by Ontario Minister of Health Promotion and Sport Margarett Best. encouraged to get support to help them stay smoke-free by connecting with the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline, toll-free, at 1-877-513-5333 and www.smokershelpline.ca. The Halton Region Health Department offers a Stop Smoking Clinic for individuals interested in quitting by offering counselling and free nicotine replacement therapy, if eligible. The public can view a full list of winners at driventoquit.ca. A urine test is administered to determine that winning participants have remained tobaccofree. Halton Hills Earth Day Fair Saturday April 30th, 2011, 10:00 a.m.- 4 p.m. Georgetown Market Place Again this year, an Earth Day Fair will take place at the Georgetown Market Place located at 280 Guelph Street. The following activities will take place to celebrate Earth Day: · · · · · Live Bird Exhibit from 11:00 a.m. 1 p.m. Hiccup the Clown and Balloon Sculpting from 12:00 p.m. 2 p.m. Live musical Entertainment (all day) Environmental group displays (all day) The Town Sustainability Advisory Committee will offer information on the Community Sustainability Strategy and collect resident feedback to help create Halton Hills' blueprint for sustainability. · Union Gas will be on site providing free energy savings kits. These kits save homeowners $100 on their natural gas and water bills every year! Please note that donations to local food banks will be gratefully accepted. Introducing Time-of-Use rates. Starting June 1, 2011 A new way to better manage your electricity costs, help the environment & ease the strain on our system. 9.9¢ 8.1¢ 5.1¢ Ontario is introducing new Timeof-Use rates to help smooth "peak demand". With rates based on off-peak, mid-peak ,and on-peak periods, you can now decide when and how to best use your electricity. So if, for example, you run your dishwasher and laundry after 7 pm and on weekends (off-peak) you'll pay a lower rate. "Off-peak "use will also reduce the strain on our system and help the environment by reducing the need to build excess electricity plants and transmission towers. For more information call or visit our website. 519-853-3701 www.haltonhillshydro.com www.ontario.ca/powersmarter Green Tours will also be taking place at the following locations: Devereaux House · Open House: 10 a.m. 4 p.m., visit: http://www.devereauxhouse.ca · Guided Tours: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. HERE! Halton Enablers of Renewable Energy · Self Guided Solar Tours · Contact: here.office@gmail.com or 905-299-2327 Wastewise (Halton Hills Community Resource Centre) · Open House: 10 a.m. 4 p.m., 36 Armstrong Ave. Georgetown Willow Park Ecology Centre · Self Guided Tours 10 a.m. 4:00 p.m., visit: www.willowparkecology.ca For more information, please contact the Office of Sustainability at 905-873-2601 ext. 2290 or visit: www.haltonhills.ca/sustainability 58 * Note: rates will be updated on May 1, 2011. 1 Halton Hills Dr., Halton Hills ON L7G 5G2 Tel.: 905-873-2601 · Fax: 905-873-2347