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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 12, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Blakelock challenges Oakville schools to join the parade L ast year's winner, T.A. Blakelock, is back again to challenge Oakville's other high schools in the category of Best School Float. This is a great chance for schools throughout Oakville to showcase their school spirit and creativity by participating in their community. With the cancellation of the United Way Annual Bathtub Race, the Parade is acting as a new venue for an "All Oakville School" event, says Julie Harmgardt, Blakelock's float organizer. Harmgardt and her fellow classmates rode on a Grinch-themed float last year and won for Best Overall Float and Best School Float. "It's wonderful to be recognized in such a positive way. However, the ultimate joy is seeing the crowd's happy faces and the air filled with the spirit of Christmas," said Harmgardt. Once again, Blakelock is challenging other Oakville schools to join in on the fun and create their own school float. The winning school will receive an award that can be displayed in their awards case for the year, along with a group photo plaque to last for years to come. Check out the website for great tips on how to build your school float. There is also a link at www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca/Timeline.htm for guidance on timing for your float. School bands are welcomed to participate in the Parade as well. School entries can include a small band on their float or have their marching band play the streets of Downtown Oakville. Entry forms for the Oakville Santa Claus Parade are now available online. Entries are already coming in for this year's Parade. Remember, the deadline for entries is the first 50 entries received, or October 26th, whichever comes first. Now in its 59th year, the Oakville Santa Claus Parade is a cherished tradition in our Town. The 2007 Parade takes place Saturday, Nov. 17, beginning at 9 am. This year's Parade will begin at Lakeshore Road and Reynolds, go west on Lakeshore to Kerr Street, north on Kerr and end at Kerr and Stewart Streets. The Santa Claus Parade is always looking for volunteers to assist on Parade Day to ensure the Parade runs smoothly. Information about the various volunteer opportunities can be found online. For entry forms and information on the School Challenge or volunteering with the Parade, visit our website www.oakvillesantaclausparade.ca or leave a message at 905-8155981. The Regional Municipality of Halton E-Waste Amnesty Week Monday, October 15 to Saturday, October 20, 2007 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Halton Region residents can drop off e-waste free of charge during the E-Waste Amnesty Week. Acceptable e-waste includes: · · · · · · · · · computers computer monitors computer peripherals (keyboards, mouses, scanners, speakers, etc.) televisions and remote controls VCRs and remote controls DVD players and remote controls stereos and speakers answering machines MP3 players www.halton.ca Waste Reduction Week Did you know? · If everyone worldwide consumed as much as we do in Canada, four new planets would be needed to support us all. · In a lifetime, the average North American will throw away 600 times his or her adult weight in garbage. A 68 kg (150 lbs) adult will leave a legacy of 40,825 kg (90,003 lbs) of trash. The annual Waste Reduction Week is taking place October 15 to October 21, 2007. This national event encourages everyone to make a difference in the amount of waste materials being processed. Here are some ways you can reduce the amount of waste your family generates each week: · Avoid pre-packaged and ready-made foods. Not only are they usually overpackaged, they are also not as healthy as foods you prepare from fresh ingredients. · Buy in bulk. Not only will this cut down on the amount of packaging you throw away, but it saves you money too. · Use a reusable bag when shopping. · Pack a "litterless lunch" for school and work. Use reusable containers to pack sandwiches, soups or salads, etc. Bring your own reusable cutlery and a reusable thermos for your drink. · Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. · · Make double-sided photocopies and use scrap paper for messages. · Turn off lights, TVs and computers when they aren't in use. HWMS 5400 Regional Rd 25 E-waste from industrial, commercial or institutional settings are not accepted. E-waste collected during the E-Waste Amnesty Week will be sent for proper recycling. E-waste (excluding computer monitors and televisions) are accepted all year at Halton Waste Management Site's Container Station for a small fee. Discarded electronic waste is accumulating at an alarming rate worldwide. According to Environment Canada, Canadians threw out an estimated 167,000 tonnes of E-waste in 2002. This amount is expected to increase to about 206,000 tonnes by 2010. Today the average life span of both computers and monitors is less than two years. The E-Waste Amnesty Week is one of the initiatives Management Strategy that will assist in reaching a goal of diverting 60% of residential waste away coincides with the national Waste Reduction Week. Halton Waste Management Site 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton · Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Use a rain gauge because your lawn only needs 1 inch of water a week. · Don't let your car idle for more than 30 seconds. Idling pollutes our air and wastes gas. · Take public transit, ride a bike, walk, or carpool with friends and colleagues to help keep our air clean. October is Salute to Small Business Month Each year, the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship promotes Salute to Small Business month to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the Ontario economy. Halton Region, which provides small business resources as part of the Ministry's Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) network, proudly supports Salute to Small Business month. Halton Region offers unique learning and networking opportunities to give entrepreneurs the tools to succeed. We provide resources such as newsletters and directories to keep small businesses informed. Our Business Consultants provide professional advice to help business owners achieve their dreams. For more information about small business events and resources, drop by the Business Development Centre at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville, or visit www.halton.ca/business. Halton Regional Meeting Schedule Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 9:30 a.m. - Health & Social Services Committee 9:30 a.m. - Planning & Public Works Committee 1:30 p.m. - Administration & Finance Committee 9:30 a.m. - Regional Council 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 · Tel: 905-825-6000 · Toll Free: 1-866-4HALTON · TTY: 905-827-9833 121007