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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 29, 2013 | 10 Halton.ca 311 Recreational Boating Feasibility and Capacity Study Open House Thursday, December 5, 2013 7:00 ­ 9:00 p.m. Halton Regional Centre Dakota and Glenorchy Rooms 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville Conducted in partnership between the Town of Oakville, the City of Burlington, and Halton Region, the Recreational Boating Feasibility and Capacity Study is taking a comprehensive look at the current state of recreational boating in the GTA/Golden Horseshoe area, with a specific focus on Halton. Presently, all marina facilities are operating close to maximum capacity and maintain waitlists. To determine if additional harbour capacity is required within the next five to 20 years, this study is examining: changing demographics of the area; impacts of changes on demand for recreational boating; sources and location of demand; current pricing strategies; economic, social, and recreational trends, and; trends in boating types and berth requirements. We want to hear from you! At this public open house, you will have the opportunity to learn about the study including its research and findings and next steps. The open house will begin with a presentation, followed by an opportunity for you to provide feedback on what you have seen and experienced and also to ask questions of staff and the consultants. If you are unable to attend the open house in person, you may submit questions or comments at any time to: Study contacts: The Oakville Academy for the Arts float, based on the original Burl Ives Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, won best overall and People's Choice for best float at this year's Oakville Santa Claus Parade. | submitted photo O Parade winners announced Honourable Mention -- Sweat Shop Union Once again, Oakville residents were invited to vote for their choice of best float. The Oakville Academy for the Arts, which this year participated in the parade for the third time, won Best Overall Float, Best Commercial Float and the People's Choice Award for their gorgeous music and dance-inspired float based on the original Burl Ives Christmas classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The Oakville Academy for the Arts won all three top awards in 2011 and 2012 as well. A prize of $500 is awarded to the Best Overall Float. This award is determined by the highest overall score. Charitable groups and schools keep the prize money, however, non-charitable groups must donate their prize money to the charity of their choice. The Oakville Academy for the Arts will donate their prize money this year to United Way Oakville to support people and families in need in our community. This year's awards presentation and volunteer/ sponsor thank you evening was slated to be held today (Thursday, Nov. 28) at the Operating Engineers (OE) Banquet Hall in Oakville. Oakville charities were also big winners this year, as residents were extremely generous with their donations. The Friends of Falgarwood raised $4,300 for Wellspring-Halton through the sale of red noses. The Kinsmen Club of Oakville was thrilled with the response to the food drive and boasted a record amount of food in the Oakville Transit bus and monetary donations, which will greatly benefit the Salvation Army. The Oakville Professional Fire Fighters also received a record number of toys for their Toy Drive. Once again, Oakville residents demonstrated that the real spirit of the Christmas season is in sharing with and caring for others. -- Submitted by the Oakville Santa Claus Parade Committee Town of Oakville Chris Mark Director Parks and Open Space Town of Oakville 1225 Trafalgar Road Oakville, ON L6H 0H3 905-845-6601, ext. 3111 cmark@oakville.ca City of Burlington Doug Pladsen Recreation Planner City of Burlington 426 Brant Street Burlington, ON L7R 3A7 905-335-7738 ext. 7627 doug.pladsen@burlington.ca Halton Region Stirling Todd Senior Planner Halton Region 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, ON L6M 3L1 905-825-6000 ext. 7186 stirling.todd@halton.ca Comments are collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of public consultation and will become part of the public record. If you have any questions regarding this collection of information, please contact any of the study contacts as listed above. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. akville hosted its annual Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 16, and what a parade it was. Marching bands, clowns, costumed characters, as well as corporations, community groups and schools put together some outstanding entries this year that had the audience reflecting on the parade theme: Celebrating 65 Years. A record number of spectators lined the sundrenched streets of Downtown Oakville and Kerr Village to enjoy the 65th annual parade and official kickoff to the Christmas season. Parade sponsors were invited to participate as judges and had a very difficult time selecting winners this year because of the high quality of entries. "I am constantly amazed at the time and effort put in to the entries, and this year was no exception," said Pam Damoff, town councillor, parade chair and affectionately known as the parade's Chief Elf. "They were simply amazing, and I would not have wanted to try to pick the winners, because they were all outstanding." The 2013 Santa Claus Parade award winners are: Overall Winner · Best Overall Entry -- Oakville Academy for the Arts Commercial Winners · Best Commercial Entry -- Oakville Academy for the Arts; Runner Up -- Sweat Shop Union; Honourable Mention -- Little Rascals Place Community Winners · Best Community Entry (Tie) -- Walton United Church and Oakville Club; Runner Up -- The Buckley Family School Winners · Best School -- T.A. Blakelock; Runner Up -- St. Thomas Aquinas; Honourable Mention (Tie) -- White Oaks Secondary School and Oakville School of Classical Ballet Walking Group Winners · Best Walking Group -- Annex Dance Academy; Runner Up -- Cheer Force Wolf Pack; Honourable Mention -- Oakville Swim Academy Mascot Winners · Best Mascot -- The Snowmen; Runner Up -- Frosty; Honourable Mention (Tie) -- The Princess and The Toy Soldiers People's Choice winners · Floats -- First Place: Oakville Academy for the Arts; Runner Up -- Walton United Church; 28/291113