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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-16, Page 1212 Times–Advocate Wednesday, January 16, 2008 New CAO Meet the new boss — Roy Hardy, seen above, was recently hired by South Huron as the municipality's new chief administrative officer. His first council meeting in South Huron was Jan. 7. (photo/Scott Nixon) Government promotes small business growth MIDDLESEX — A $345,000 federal contri- bution supporting the Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) of Middlesex County was announced Jan. 8. Lambton-Kent- Middlesex MP Bev Shipley says, "The fund- ing underlines this gov- ernment's recognition that CFDCs are an affec- tive catalyst for econom- ic growth, diversification and job creation, adding, "The services offered by the CFDC of Middlesex County are a key factor in the success of many small and medium-sized enterprises." Elgin-Middlesex- Lambton MP Joe Preston adds, "The government is pleased to partner with this CFDC to further the economic develop- ment of the area." Local businesses and entrepreneurs look to the CFDC of Middlesex County for loans, busi- ness counselling and other important services necessary to be success- ful. The CFDC of Middlesex County provides services supporting local econom- ic development and small business growth, including access to capi- tal, business services, community-based pro- jects and strategic com- munity planning and socio-economic develop- ment. Of the $345,000 announced, $295,000 will support the CFDC's ongoing operations, while the remaining $50,000 will support regional activities like strategic planning, pro- fessional development and marketing for the eight CFDC organizations belonging to the West Regional Network. "We look forward to the opportunity to utilize this funding to promote economic growth in our region," says Middlesex CFDC chairperson Doreen McLinchey, adding, "We want to pro- vide the communities in our area with new employment opportuni- ties, and further diversify the economy." The CFDC of Middlesex County is one of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations in rural and Northern Ontario funded by FedNor's Community Futures Program. POLICE BRIEF Snowmobilers caught trespassing HURON — On Jan. 4 and 5, Huron OPP officers patrolled portions of the OFSC trails with prior per- mission from the OFSC in order to stop snowmobilers from traveling on CLOSED trails. Weather conditions were poor and the trails were closed to prevent injury to riders and damage to property. Officers patrolled at three different locations in the county. In total, over 50 snowmobilers were found on the closed trails. Four people were charged under the Motorized Snow Vehicle Act, Liquor License Act and the Trespass to Property Act. Many more were issued warnings about trespassing. Snowmobile drivers are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure the trails are open prior to heading out. OPP officers are continuing to patrol as required. Simple steps can save you cash in 2008 The holidays have come and gone and Canadians are working hard to keep their New Year's resolutions intact. Since the results of a recent poll show that 50 per cent of Canadians consider saving money on a day-to-day basis dif- ficult, it's likely that many New Year's resolu- tions centre around spending less (especially after the holidays have drained most people's wallets!). So what can Canadians do this year to keep their money in their pockets? It could be as easy as introducing some green alternatives into the home to save energy and money at the same time. "There are many sim- ple, environmentally sound steps Canadians can take to save money on a daily basis," says Brad Emond, Certified Energy Advisor with 'The Energuy' a company that regularly provides home energy efficiency solu- tions to everyday Canadians. "Programming your thermostat, using low- energy/high efficiency light bulbs and recharge- able batteries are quick and easy ways to con- serve energy and cash without making huge sacrifices." Now those are New Year's resolutions that Canadians can actually keep! It is easy being green Seventy-seven per cent of Canadians have attempted to use less energy at home as a means to save but many of us still don't know where to begin! According to Brad, the following tips provide solid starting points from which to start saving energy and money throughout the New Year. Get with the program Program your thermo- stat for different temper- atures throughout the day. Set the dial to 16- 18C (61-64F) for when you're home, and throw on a sweater if need be. Program your thermostat for lower temperatures for times of day when you aren't at home. There's something in the water Your hot water heater uses a lot of energy get- ting and staying hot. To reduce heat loss, wrap your tank in a thermal blanket. Also consider setting your hot water heater to its pilot setting when you go out of town. Another tip to save ener- gy (and to keep your colours bright!) wash your clothes in cold water. Recharge your wallet Using rechargeable batteries can save thou- sands of used batteries from becoming waste. This savings is also passed on to your wallet it could cost approxi- mately $5,000 in dispos- able alkalines to deliver the same amount of power available from a one-time purchase of a rechargeable battery kit, for example. Lighten up If you replace a single 100 -watt high -use light bulb with an energy effi- cient light bulb, like a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), you can save over $35 a year! The more bulbs you change, the more money you shave off your energy bill. Gone with the wind: Drafts in windows and doors can cause houses of all sizes to lose heat (and energy). But how do you check to see if your home is properly draft proofed? Grab a feather on a windy day and walk around your home, hold- ing it to all your doors and windows. If the feather moves, you've found a draft! Recharge, reuse right now Most Canadians take the environment into consideration when mak- ing purchase decisions (a whopping 86 per cent). In today's tech savvy cul- ture, high drain, battery- operated devices such as MP3 players, digital cam- eras, or electronic toys and gadgets are always popular electronics found in the home. Stocking up on rechargeable batteries is a small -but -easy way to turn the New Year green". Blyth Festival features Truscott play By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF BLYTH — Four plays, three with local ties to the area will be performed during the Blyth Festival's 2008 sea- son. "Like most of our successful seasons in the past, the plays this year are very close to home," says Blyth Festival artistic director Eric Coates, adding, "the char- acters are very recognizable." The plays, featuring "Against the Grain" by Carolyn Hay, "Harvest" by Ken Cameron, "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage" by Clinton's Alice Munro and "The Steven Truscott Project" by Beverley Cooper, are all Canadian, with three of the four plays based locally. "Against the Grain" is based hi Manitoba, showing a struggle between a father and son. The play follows the story of one man's rise to power, while sacrificing everything for the almighty dollar. "It's a really clever play. It's a funny and heart wrenching epic family drama," says Coates "Harvest" is about a retired farm couple's family farm being rented out and turned into a marijuana grow operation by "a nice young man. "It's a funny but serious cautionary tale," says Coates. Next to debut is "Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage," focusing on two teenage girls, who out of boredom play a game that spins out of con- trol. Coates says Munro, who wrote the story, is "One of the greatest artists to come out of Canada," adding, "She has a sparkling reputation. It's a wonderful quirky unexpected story." Wrapping up the season is "The Steven Truscott Project," inarguably the most controversial play this season. The play, based on a true story, focuses on the then 14 -year-old Steven Truscott who was sentenced to death for the murder of Lynne Harper, acquitted 48 years later, just last year. Coates says for years many people have wanted this story presented, and with an acquittal, he says came an "established truth and something to work towards." Coates says although he wasn't nervous bringing the sensitive story to Blyth, "We wanted to make sure we got it right," adding, he hopes the play "will provoke questions and discussion. "That's my job. The job of theatre," adds Coates. For more information visit www.blythfestival.com or contact 1-877-862-5984. Support Family Literacy Day on Jan. 27 ONTARIO – On Jan. 27, Family Literacy Day will celebrate its 10th year of helping families learn together. The national ini- tiative, which was founded by ABC Canada, encourages fami- lies to develop literacy and numeracy skills, including read- ing, writing and math. "Family Literacy Day is one of many days when families can take the time to explore, share ideas and encourage each other's hobbies and interests," said Margaret Eaton, president of ABC Canada. ABC Canada says that 42 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 65 face literacy challenges, although the topic is not raised often enough among families who can make a differ- ence in their own homes. To help celebrate Family Literacy Day, ABC Canada offered these 10 tips for activities your family can organize at home: 10. Create a family book club. Read and discuss the books together. 9. Make a particular night board game night. Maybe invite another family for a challenge. 8. Have your kids create the map for your next road trip then they can navigate by read- ing signs and billboards. Create a trip journal. 7. Read news articles and magazines and then discuss current affairs together. 6. Volunteer as a family to read at a children's hospital or at a senior's centre. 5. Surf the Internet together to find great sites that support your hobbies. 4. Read a classic adventure together. If your children like t.v. shows like "Survivor", they will love Treasure Island. 3. Research and write your family's history. Use the Internet, family letters and doc- uments as resources, and inter- view your relatives. 2. Sing favourite songs. Find out more about the songwriter or singer on the Internet. Make up your own songs. 1. Write your own adventure. Write a short story as a family with alternative endings written by each family member.