Halton Region and Mohawk Racetrack Partner on Sale of Rain Barrels

Halton Region to host sale of rain barrels at Mohawk Racetrack

This May, Halton Region will once again host four rain barrel sale events to help promote wise outdoor water use during the summer months. This year's rain barrels have a new look and price at only $36 each, and provide the same great water capture ability. The rain barrel sales events will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the following locations. One rain barrel per purchase, Halton residents only.

* Saturday May 1, Mohawk Raceway, 9430 Guelph Line, Campbellville


Diverting water from a downspout into a rain barrel allows residents to capture rain water and store it for future use to water garden flowers, shrubs and plant pots. Last year, Halton residents purchased nearly 6,200 rain barrels, which at full use has the potential to reduce water consumption by more than 1.2 million litres.

“I encourage residents to take part in the spring rain barrel sales events in order to help conserve water during the summer months when water consumption can double, largely due to lawn and garden watering,” said Halton’s Regional Chair, Gary Carr. “Rain barrels are an easy way to help practice wise water use outdoors.”

The rain barrels fit into the backseat of an average sized vehicle and require minimal assembly. Residents are responsible for adapting their downspout to flow into the rain barrel, and assembly instructions are included. The rain barrels are also equipped with a secure mosquito screen and a dispensing hose for easy use.

There are many other options, including the 4Rs of wise water use that residents can undertake in order to be more water efficient. These include:

* Reduce: Choose drought tolerant plants and ground covers for your lawn and garden. They require less water, and therefore less work, and can better withstand periods of drought.
* Retrofit: Replace old appliances and fixtures with new water efficient models, or consider retrofitting existing models with water saving devices. For example, low flow shower heads and toilets, front loading washing machines and water efficient humidifiers which use half the water compared to non-water efficient models.
* Repair: Repair leaks! In one year, a leak of one drip per second can waste 10,000 litres of water. By doing something as simple as replacing a faulty washer in your faucet, or a toilet flapper more than two years old, you can improve your water efficiency.
* Reuse: Find uses for water waste in the inside and outside of your home. For example, utilize the Suds Saver option on your washing machine by using the previous wash cycles rinse water for the wash cycle of your next load of laundry.

For more information about the rain barrel sales events or the water efficiency program please contact Halton Region by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-827-9833 or visit us online at www.halton.ca/waterconservation.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 450,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; Ontario Works (formerly social assistance); children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and business development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.
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Woodbine Entertainment Group makes eco-friendly donation

TORONTO, April 21 – In recognition of Earth Week, representatives from Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), in partnership with the Milton Mall and Halton Learning Foundation (HLF) visited Chris Hadfield Public School in Milton, Ontario, on Tuesday, to present a cheque for $1,000 in support of the school’s eco program.

(L to R) Erin Walsh, Teacher, Sana Mungroo, Student, Jane Holmes, WEG & Jenifer Sim Milton Mall. Missing from photo is Janice Rowe Development Officer, Halton Learning Foundation

A contest, the brainchild of Jenifer Sim, Marketing Director of the Milton Mall, invited students from Milton’s public schools to submit a drawing based on “what they would like their world to look like.”


The winner, Sana Mungroo, a student from Chris Hadfield’s Grade 8 class, submitted the winning design which was printed on 1,000 eco-tote bags. Her school received $1,000 to fund its “Stream of Dreams” community project. In addition, Sana was presented with a $250 gift card from the Milton Mall.

“Sana is an extremely talented and bright student,” said Erin Walsh, Sana’s teacher, at the school named for the renowned Canadian astronaut. “Everyone at Chris Hadfield is so proud of her.”

The bags will be sold for $2.00 each with all proceeds going directly to HLF. Bags can be purchased at:
 Milton Mall - Saturday, April 24 - 9:30 am – 6 pm
 Milton Mall - Saturday, May 15 - 9:30 am – 6 pm
(WEG exhibit at the Trash Fusion & Green Expo Show)
 Mohawk Racetrack - Sunday, May 23 - 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
(Community Day and Fireworks event. (www.woodbineentertainment.com/Mohawk)

Jane Holmes, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, WEG, was on-hand to present the cheque to an enthusiastic group of students and faculty.

“WEG has been a proud sponsor of Halton Learning Foundation’s literacy programs since 2007,” explained Holmes. “This partnership gave us the opportunity to further support HLF’s programs and to demonstrate WEG’s corporate commitment to environmental sustainability to the community.”

HLF raises charitable funds to remove economic barriers to learning for students in need and supports school initiatives and programs in the Halton District School Board.

The Halton District School Board has over 55,000 students and 105 schools in Halton Region: Acton, Georgetown, Milton, Burlington, and Oakville.

For more information, contact:
Jane Holmes
Woodbine Entertainment Group
(416) 675 3993 ext.2205
jholmes@woodbineentertainment.com

PPG Spoofs the Office and their Green Team

Looking for a little chuckle, check out the Partners In Project Green's spoof of the Office and their Green Team http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyHFV-SGZvg

Woodbine Entertainment Group Supports Earth Hour

Woodbine Entertainment Group announced today it will join thousands of organizations and almost a billion people around the world and participate in Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27.

Now in its third year, Earth Hour combines the conservation efforts of a wide range of corporate and government groups, as well as hundreds of millions of citizens, all of whom will turn off their lights and reduce their electricity consumption for 60 minutes from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

"We continue to throw our full support behind Earth Hour and the awareness it will create," said Jane Holmes, vice-president of corporate affairs, Woodbine Entertainment. "We will do whatever we can to rein in whatever excess power we can find."

It may seem like business as usual during Saturday night's regular standardbred card under the lights, but nothing could be further from the truth. While the stadium lights remain on to conduct racing safely, behind the scenes, WEG's Director of Infrastructure & Energy Efficiencies, John Marhong, has mapped out a plan that will save about 500,000 watts of electricity.

Woodbine's Earth Hour initiatives will reach this level by eliminating lighting in certain areas of the grandstand and administration areas, and also by lowering air and water temperatures. Woodbine's exterior front sign, one of the two infield LED displays and any other non-essential lighting will also be turned off.

At other WEG properties, such as Greenwood, WEGZ, Turf Lounge and Mohawk, attempts also center around reducing non-essential lighting to a minimum.

Marhong credits Woodbine's Building Automation System for helping to optimize WEG's energy saving strategy. The technology is so intricate that Marhong has the ability to control electric, heating and air conditioning systems inside Woodbine from anywhere he can hook up his laptop computer.

"Earth Hour gives us the opportunity to test our Building Automation System to see what else can be shut down with minimal impact," added Marhong.

It's pivotal to find new ways to improve the system because it puts WEG in a stronger position to respond quickly in the event of a power curtailment.

Since 2006 WEG has invested approximately $1 million dollars a year on green initiatives. In 2009 WEG re-invested $2.3 million in Green Capital Expenditures to ensure responsible energy management and long term sustainability at both its Woodbine and Mohawk racetracks.

"We encourage our employees and customers to consider how their actions effect the environment. We challenge everyone to find ways of reducing the size of the ecological footprint they leave behind," said Holmes.

In upcoming Earth Day events, WEG employees will be showing their support for the environment on April 24, when employees are planting trees at the Partners in Project Green's second Annual Earth Day Tree planting event. On May 1, employees will be picking up trash along the roadways surrounding Mohawk Racetrack in support of the Nassagaweya Clean Up.

Woodbine Goes Red!

This time Woodbine goes red - Massey Ferguson red! Three new tractors will be seen grooming Woodbine's polytrack when the thoroughbred racing season opens on April 2nd.

Massey Ferguson is known to be the most fuel efficient tractor of the major brands. Their smaller engine size provides a more fuel efficient option for the job they are required to do. The extra wide tires minimize compaction which will have a positive impact on track fairness.

Give the Gift of Literacy

The Woodbine Centre (shopping mall) is holding its second annual Community Book Drive next week in support of north Etobicoke public schools.

All March Break week long, from March 13 to 21, donations of gently-used children's and youth books will be accepted at the mall, at 500 Rexdale Blvd. (at Hwy. 27). Those interested are asked to clean out their basements, garages and children's rooms to pass on and share the gift of literacy.

As an incentive, those donating a minimum of three books will receive a free Woodbine Centre re-useable water bottle.

Nosing ahead in the efficiency race

Check out the November/December 2009 issue of Mechanical Business magazine to read how WEG's racetracks find cash savings in building automation systems.

http://www.mechanicalbusiness.com/archives/december_2009/