Author Jason Tetro to speak on The Germ Code in Oakville Nov. 27 Author Jason Tetro will be the guest speaker at the Thursday, Nov. 27 Canadian Club of Halton Peel dinner. Tetro's book, The Germ Code: How to Stop Worrying and Love Microbes, was shortlisted for this year's Canadian Science Writers' Association awards honouring outstanding contributions to science writing for the general public. The `germ code' refers to the fact that bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and helminths (all of which essentially make up what germs are) have the incredible ability not only to evolve at a very rapid rate but also to adapt to almost any environment. While there are 2.5 million germs in the world, only a tiny fraction of them are harmful to humans. Tetro says humans are engaged in a war on germs, but it is a war we can never win. The best plan for staying healthy is to choose our battles carefully, address the excessive and often inappropriate use of antibiotics and try to co-exist with germs as best we can. Tetro has been in the scientific community for more than 25 years, most recently as a microbiologist at the University of Ottawa and now in Toronto as a social marketer for health and hygiene. He has a PhD (Hon.) in social media and has broadcast and written for media including CTV Ottawa, CBC, Toronto Star, Scientific American, The Huffington Post, Popular Science and his own `Germ Guy' blog. Burlington's Different Drummer Books will have Tetro's book available for purchase and the author will sign copies. Dinner reservations can be made by contacting barrywylie1@gmail.com, 905-827-6302 or mailing a cheque payable to Canadian Club of Halton Peel, 283 River Side Dr., Oakville, L6K 3N3. Cost is $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers and $20 for students. The dinner will be at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd. Registration begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and Tetro's presentation from 7-9:30 p.m. 9 | Thursday, November 6, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com www.oakville.ca Hydro line tree pruning Public Open House Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 8:30 p.m. South Atrium, Town Hall 1225 Trafalgar Road Tree pruning near hydro lines begins this January in neighbourhoods of east Oakville (Zones A3-N and A3-S). The town's professional contractor will prune trees, on behalf of Oakville Hydro, to ensure safe clearance around power lines to minimize safety hazards and power outages. Trees are pruned to the Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA) industry standard of providing a minimum of a three-metre (10 foot) clearance. In some instances, hazardous trees may require removal when satisfactory pruning cannot be achieved. In cases where power lines are located in rear yards, workers will access the hydro easement through the property. Be informed: Join us for a public open house where you can ask questions of Oakville Hydro staff, Town of Oakville Forestry Services staff, and the town's tree service contractor. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or serviceoakville@oakville.ca More information on tree pruning around power lines can be found at oakvillehydro.com Fall Loose Leaf Collection October 14 to November 28 Loose leaves will be collected from designated areas in Oakville as follows: Date October 14 to 17 October 20 to 24 October 27 to 31 Zone 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 3, 9, 10 4, 5 Date November 3 to 7 November 10 to 14 November 17 to 21 November 24 to 28 Zone 9, 6, 7 1, 3, 10, A 4, 5, 6, 7, B, C 1, 3, 9, 10 Collection guidelines · Place all loose leaves on the boulevard or on the shoulder, not over catch basins or in the ditches in front of your house. · Ensure leaves are free of garbage or other yard waste materials such as brush, branches, large twigs or stones. · Put leaves out no earlier than seven days before the first day of your pickup and no later than 7 a.m. on the first day of collection in your zone. Contaminated piles of leaves or leaves that have been put out after the pickup dates will not be collected. Homeowners are responsible for removing uncollected leaves. Bagged leaf service Halton Region collects bagged leaves and yard waste on the same day as regular garbage pickup. This is a separate program from the Town of Oakville's loose leaf collection. Visit halton.ca for more information on your waste collection schedule. For more information on Oakville's fall loose leaf collection, contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 or serviceoakville@oakville.ca