The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 14, 2007 - 17 Trafalgar Presbyterian offers Blue Christmas service The Christmas season isn't always a happy time. For some people, the recent death of a loved one, the anguish of broken relationships, or the weariness of ill health leave them feeling very alone in the midst of holidays celebrations. "It is not uncommon for the holiday season to include grief, anxiety and sadness, but these feelings are unwelcome at most holiday parties," says Rev. Kristine, minister of Trafalgar Presbyterian Church. "Our Blue Christmas service, offered on the longest night of the year, makes room for the pain many people experience in December." This service recognizes the difficulty of the season, but it also offers reason to hope. Guests will find a quiet and meditative time to remember and reflect. Those who attend are invited to light candles in memory of a loved one or in the recognition of their need for healing. Gentle music of the season offers a warm atmosphere for reassuring words and prayers for strength. Wendy Donaldson attended the service on the first Christmas after her mother died. "The worship leaders and ushers were very sensitive," she says. "There was no pressure to explain myself and I was surrounded by people who understood why I was crying, even at Christmas." This annual service, now in its fifth year, may be attended by anyone from the Oakville community. Visitors may remain anonymous if they wish. For more information call 905842-2800 or visit www.trafalgarchurch.ca. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Wasteless Gift Ideas Remember that metallic wrapping paper and gift basket wrap (cellophane) don't go in the Blue Box. Consider giving gifts where the wrapping can be reused or recycled. Place gifts in reusable bags or make your own wrapping paper by decorating brown craft paper. You may also want to give gifts that require no wrapping at all, such as donations to local charities or tickets to the performing arts. Christmas & New Year's Waste Collection Notice Please Note Collection Day Changes Sunday Dec 23 Monday 24 Tuesday 25 Christmas Wednesday 26 Thursday 27 Friday 28 Saturday 29 collection moves collection moves 30 31 Jan 1 New Year's Day 2 3 4 5 collection moves collection moves Help Preserve Our Woodlands Halton Region recognises the important role that private owners serve as stewards of our woodlands as much of the forested land in southern Ontario is in private ownership. Due to Christmas and New Year's Day holidays, waste collection services the week of December 25 and January 1 will take place the day after your regular collection day. There is no change to Monday collection. Due to high collection volumes, please place your waste at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Please check your 2007 "Curb Appeal" Waste Management Calendar for details in your area or the Region's Waste Management website at www.halton.ca/waste. Did You Know The Halton Tree By-law, based on Good Forestry Practices, was passed by Regional Council and became effective January 1, 2006. The By-law regulates Woodlands 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) and larger as well as Regional Greenlands as determined by the Halton Forester who is available to assist any landowner to determine whether a treed area on his/her property is regulated by the By-law (see contact information below). Halton Waste Management Site will be closed Tuesday, December 25, 2007 and Tuesday, January 1, 2008 Regular Operating Hours Open Monday to Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5400 Regional Road 25, Milton Please check your 2007 "Curb Appeal" Waste Management Calendar for details in your area or the Region's Waste Management website at www.halton.ca/waste. Did You Know The Halton Tree By-law is complemented by a Woodlands Stewardship Program to assist landowners with management of their forested properties. The Woodlands Stewardship Program has three components: Tree marking services for private woodland owners: · marking of selective trees by Regional staff, for removal of products that will be utilized by the owner, this is a no-fee service Financial assistance for private landowners: · to establish a forest plantation · for the development of a Forest Management Plan for existing woodlands Forest Management Workshops: · these Workshops are presented annually for private woodland owners who have an interest and wish to gain more knowledge of our forest resources please contact the Regional Forester (see below) For more information on the Halton Tree By-law or the Woodlands Stewardship Program please contact: Ron Reinholt R.P.F. Regional Forester 905-825-6000, ext. 7279 1-866-4HALTON (1-866 442-5866) ron.reinholt@halton.ca Essential Services Available During the Holidays Halton Region would like to wish you, your family and friends all the best during the holiday season. Please note that Halton December 24, 2007, reopening 8:30 a.m. on January 2, 2008. However, all of our essential services will remain available. Please contact Access Halton at 905-825-6000 or toll free at 1-866-4425866 if you require assistance over the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Halton Region! Halton Regional Meeting Schedule December 17 9:30 a.m. - Budget Review Committee December 19 9:30 a.m. - Regional Council Gary Carr Regional Chair 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 · Tel: 905-825-6000 · Toll Free: 1-866-442-5866 · TTY: 905-827-9833 · www.halton.ca 141208