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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 22, 2008 - 25 Town Hall hosts energy forum tomorrow The Town of Oakville has gone green and is now showing its residents how they can do the same. This Saturday the Town is inviting residents and businesses to attend the second annual Oakville Conserves Energy Fair, an environmental awareness raising function where all parties can learn more about energy conservation and alternative `green' products and services. "Energy conservation is key to protecting our environment," said Cindy Toth, Director of Environmental Policy for the Town of Oakville. "There are many ways we can all help conserve energy and this fair will provide guidance on how making a few simple changes can help you conserve energy, save money and protect the environment." Taking place in the South Atrium of Oakville's Town Hall, located at 1225 Trafalgar Rd., the fair will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature a number of exhibitors including Bullfrog Power, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, Union Gas, Power Save Solutions, Energy Efficient Lighting, Halton Region, Solar Ontario Limited and the Conservation Council of Ontario. These exhibitors will display useful information and energy saving tips and practices people can use at home, on the road and at work. This year's fair will also feature an Eco energy home auditor who will offer two free one-hour workshops on residential energy savings starting at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Other bonuses include a free CFL light bulb, which will be handed out to each visitor while supplies last, and a contest that residents can enter to win an energy efficient prize. On top of all this, Union Gas will be handing out free energy saving kits for the home that will provide a savings of up to $150 per year. A free child-minding program will be available for preschool and school age children ages three and up. Besides showing people how to conserve energy, the Town is also using the fair as an opportunity to raise awareness of the Earth Hour campaign, a global effort to fight climate change in which participants will turn off their lights for one hour on March 29 at 8 p.m. The Oakville Conserves Energy Fair will highlight a number of the Town's energy conservation initiatives including the roll-out of a new energy saving software program called Local Cooling. The program optimizes staff computer energy usage at municipal facilities, turns off computers when left idle for a period of time and displays a pop up with energy savings on each computer. For more information on other Town of Oakville energy conservation initiatives and energy savings tips visit, www.oakville.ca/environment.htm. Time to make nominations The call for nominations for Halton's 10th annual Women of the Year Awards is underway. The awards will be presented at a reception and ceremony on Tuesday, May 6 at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville. The Women's Centre is hosting the awards, together with the second annual Scholarship of Hope Award to assist a young woman who has overcome physical, emotional or financial challenges. Keynote speaker will be Ann Mulvale, former mayor of Oakville and community advocate. To nominate a recipient or obtain tickets for the event, contact The Women's Centre, located at Hopedale Mall, Suite 229, 905- 847-9104, or wcadmin@haltonwomenscentre.org.