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TUESDAY, March 22, 2011 8 Pages CONCRETE BENEFITS More and more buiilders are favouring concrete walls PAGE 3 GOING GREEN Making your home environmentallyfriendly doesn't require drastic moves PAGE 5 HOME, LAWN & GARDEN Special pullout section To celebrate Earth Hour CtK to host `Star-Gazing Event' Saturday Earth Hour is fast approaching. On Saturday, March 26, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Earth Hour will becelebrated around the world. The objective of Earth Hour is to increase public awareness of the need to decrease energy use and to take action against climate change. This can simply be done by turning off unnecessary lights, without compromising safety and security. Earth Hour participation is voluntary, fun and informative. Reflecting on the importance of Earth Hour, Mayor Rick Bonnette said, "Everyone, including our residents, schools and businesses, can take simple steps to reduce their energy use to fight climate change and make Earth Hour a success. On an issue like climate change, it is important that we take local action while taking a global perspective. I encourage everyone to participate." Everyone's participation is important to making Earth Hour a success. Below are some simple suggestions for how residents, schools and businesses can participate: For Residents: · Register for Earth Hour at www.EarthHourCanada.org. Share your ideas about how you will be participating by e-mailing the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca. Enter into a draw to win a gift basket with energy-efficiency products. The draw will take place on Friday, March 25. · Attend the free and fun `Star Gazing Event' in the auditorium of Christ the King Secondary School located at 161 Guelph Street (Georgetown) on Saturday, March 26, starting at 7 p.m. This will include an indoor presentation from Cosmic Connections on the solar system, followed by an outdoor telescope viewing session using large telescopes (weather permitting). In case of cloudy skies, a presentation will be offered indoors simulating the night sky. Space is limited. Please register by contacting the Office of Sustainability at 905-873-2601 ext. 2290 or at jennifers@haltonhills.ca · Turn off unnecessary lights and unplug electronic equipment. · Change your traditional light bulbs to efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. ada.org. Share your ideas about how you will be participating by e-mailing the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca. Enter into a draw to win a gift basket with energy-efficiency products. The draw will take place on Friday, March 25. · Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights (including outdoor signs) and major appliances, without compromising safety and security. · Promote Earth Hour by displaying Earth Hour posters in store windows and on restaurant tables (e.g. menu inserts, table cards). Contact the Office of Sustainability at jennifers@haltonhills.ca for a copy of a free poster(s). · Inform your staff and customers about Earth Hour. Encourage them to participate. · Reduce energy use. Turn down your thermostat. · Replace inefficient light bulbs with efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. · Ahead of Earth Hour, advertise special pricing on energy conservation items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, clotheslines, LED lights, energy meters and programmable thermostats. · Unplug all electrical equipment (e.g. computers) before leaving for the day on Saturday, March 26 and every day thereafter. · Consider purchasing green electricity to power your business. · Post information on Earth Hour on your website. If you operate a restaurant: · Offer a special meal or a day's special at a cost of $8.30 to recognize Earth Hour which begins at 8:30 p.m. · Offer a special meal composed of more locally grown ingredients or a meal that does not require a lot of energy to prepare. · Offer candlelit dinner service. · If your business cannot participate on Saturday, March 26, consider taking action on Friday, March 25. So, don't be afraid of the dark. Remember to turn off your lights and reduce energy use during Earth Hour on Saturday, March 26 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Be creative, have fun and stay safe. · Turn down the thermostat. · Avoid operating major appliances during Earth Hour. · Enjoy a candlelit dinner with family and friends. · Play board games. · Read bedtime stories by flashlight. · Organize community discussions on environmental issues. · Take a walk through your neighbourhood. Take advantage of the dark skies and star gaze. · Commit to energy conservation throughout the year. For Schools: · Organize symbolic Earth Hour events on Friday, March 25 because schools are closed on Saturday, March 26. · Turn off or dim any unnecessary lights, without compromising safety and security. · Organize environmentally-themed contests for students and teachers. For Businesses: · Register for Earth Hour at www.EarthHourCan- HEATING · AIR CONDITIONING · FIREPLACES · 905-877-8023