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8 THE GEORGETOWN GEMINI WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1997 Responsible snowmobile riding key to trail safety With the onset of winter and a blanket of snow coating the ground, Labatt Breweries, the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, and _ Bombardier Inc. -- partners in the Labatt Safe Trails pro- gram -- want to remind snowmobilers to stay safe this winter. So before hitting the trails for a crisp winter day of out- door fun, it is important to equip yourself with the nec- essary information and ma- terials to make your snowmobiling experience both safe and enjoyable. IT'S TIME... for Kindergarten Registration! The Halton Board of Education is accepting September 1997 regis- trations for Senior Kindergarten in ALL schools having Kindergarten. To be eligible for Senior Kindergarten, children must be five years of age by December 31, 1997. Children must RESIDE within the boundaries of the school offering the program and must be a public school supporter. Registrations are held at the public elementary school your child will attend. To make registration easy, please bring verification of your child's date of birth and your child's immunization record. For further information, please call your local school principal. Halton Board of Education, Elementary Operations (905) 335-3663 North (905) 878-8451 Linda Glover Chair of the Board Bob Williams Director of Education Tr MALTON 804N0 OF EOUCATION "Pursuing Excellence in Education Through Commitment and Service" EDUCATION: LET'S TALK! Some of the snowmobile safety tips the partners rec- ommend include: * Never ride impaired. Al- cohol, drugs or fatigue blur your senses, slow your reac- tion time and make it harder to stay warm. * Take charge of your ma- chine. Make sure your snowmobile gets regular maintenance checks and that you are aware of the regula- tions and safety precautions. * Ride within the posted speed limits on the trails. High speeds rob you of time to react to surprises. ¢ Stick to marked trails, especially on lakes -- uncer- tain conditions and untravelled territory may be tisky. Obey trail signs, watch for other riders and use proper hand signals. ¢ Ride in daylight. You need to spot trouble ahead before it is too late. ¢ Always ride with a part- ner. In an emergency, a part- ner can make the difference between life and death. * Carry asurvival kit. Pack it with emergency items like repair tools, a tow rope, spare clothing, a blanket and high- energy food. * Wear a helmet. It's not only safety-smart, it's the law. The helmet should fit snugly and be securely fastened un- der your chin. * Wear safe, reflective clothing and, if riding over a lake or river, a buoyant snowmobile suit. It's impor- tant to stay warm, so layer your clothing. Cotton, which retains moisture, should be avoided. * Know basic first aid. Knowing how to respond in any kind of emergency could save a friend's life. * Respect the environ- ment. Don't ride if there's not enough snow to protect veg- etation, and don't ride over trees and shrubs. Head Start heads up for local businesspeople The Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce is offering the Head Start Small Business Training Program. The 10-hour course is de- signed to assist entrepreneurs avoid the many pitfalls new small business owners tend to succumb to. The course can also help established small business owners gain an advantage over competitors by learning how to develop effective ad- ministrative and economic expertise. According to the Royal Bank of Canada, "only one half of all new businesses survive the critical first three years of operation. Usually this high failure rate stems not from owner's lack of tech- nical qualifications in their field, but rather from weak managerial and financial skills." The topics included in this 10 hour course include: * The right to legal struc- ture. * 20 steps to chartering your successful course of action. ¢ The Business Plan and why it is so important. * Record keeping and Fi- nancial Statement analysis. Eight key ratios to cal- culate including break-even point. * Choosing and managing your banker. * Cash flow projections -- don't run out of fuel. ¢ Market trends of the 90s. * Components of any Marketing Plan. The instructor for this course is Don Crossley, Ex- ecutive Vice President of the Oakville Chamber of Com- merce, who, prior to going to work with the Chamber, was a small business owner for over 25 years. During most of this time Don was a part- time instructor at Sheridan College in various small busi- ness:\management courses. Invited guests to each ses- sion include: a lawyer, an accountant and a banker. Ses- sions will be a three-hour evening session on Thursday, followed by a seven-hour session on Saturday. The next scheduled ses- sion is Jan. 30 from 6 to 9 pm, and Feb. 1 from 9 am to 4 pm. The 10-hour course costs $58 per person with lunch pro- vided. For further informa- tion contact Erin Travers at 877-7119. Space is limited! CTY TT TT eed Call 853-1382 The best just got better! With 70 years of proven German engineer- ing, innovation and excellence, it's no surprise that STIHL is the number one chain saw worldwide. : Right now, STIHL quality is even more af- fordable with up to $80.00 off** STIHL 025, 026 and 039 chain saws. STIHL: No. 1 worldwide. Plus, for a limited time, get a free STIHL Wood-Pro™ kit valued at $75.00 with your purchase of selected STIHL models. Try it before you buy it at your full-service STIHL dealer. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! for full details and a FREE demonstration, come see us today! Ed Stewart's Equipment "The Dealer" Certified Sales & Service Junction Hwy. 24 & 24 N. Erin (519) 833-9616 ** Until February 15, 1997, or while supplies last at participating STIHL dealers.