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20 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 5, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com MarketPlace of Hope FOR KERR STREET MINISTRIES: Virginia Pride (centre) with daughter Janet Barber (left) and granddaughter Jennifer Barber (right) were selling candle arrangements at the MarketPlace for Hope at Curves, 609 Ford Dr., on Saturday. The event raised $3,195 for Kerr Street Ministries. The Regional Municipality of Halton www.halton.ca Business Development Centre Drive Your Expansion into Foreign Export Markets Ontario small businesses have a new partner in their drive to expand to foreign export markets. Export Market Access, a Global Expansion Program launched by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and funded by the Ontario Government, will help Ontario small and medium sized businesses enter markets that otherwise would have been beyond their reach. Event details are below. Upcoming Business Seminars and Programs Tax Essentials: In partnership with Milton Public Library, this seminar will cover topics including claimable expenses, record-keeping requirements, and issues involved (No charge for this seminar, pre-registration is required) Building a Business Plan: In partnership with Oakville Public Library, learn how to KAREN NEWMAN / OAKVILLE BEAVER ($20/person) Drive Your Expansion into Foreign Export Markets: In partnership with Halton's four local Chambers of Commerce, this breakfast session will give an overview of the Export Market Access Program ($25/person, includes breakfast) Starting a Small Business: A general overview of the things you will need to consider: resources to help you succeed; structure; registrations; regulations; licences; For that special person on your list who has everything... ($20/person) Growing in the Right Direction ­ Expert Advice: Get the best advice from business experts. A lawyer, accountant and a marketing expert will assist with your challenges and questions. ($20/person) Contact us for more information on these events and how to register. OAKVILLE CENTRE GIFT CERTIFICATES What a perfect Holiday gift for that hard-to-shop-for person. You choose the amount, they choose the show! Upcoming world-class artists include Lunch at Allen's, Ailey II Dance Company, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, America, MG3: Montreal Guitar Trio, Emilie-Claire Barlow, The Strawbs and Chuck Mangione. Please check out our website for more information on all of the shows in the upcoming 2009 Season. PRE-THEATRE DINNER GIFT CERTIFICATES But you can't go to the theatre on an empty stomach! For one low price of $45 per person (including taxes) you can also purchase a Gift Certificate for a special pre-theatre menu at one of these fine Downtown Oakville restaurants: Paradiso, Ristorante Julia or The Rude Native. This special pre-theatre three course meal includes your choice of appetizer, main entrée and dessert, plus tea or coffee. Regional Council to Consider Halton's 2009 Proposed Budget Regional Council will be meeting on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 to consider the 2009 proposed budget, which will also include the passage of by-laws imposing fees and charges including water and wastewater rates. If you are interested in viewing the proposed budget, the 2009 Budget and Business Plan is available at www.halton.ca, or a hard copy Gary Carr Regional Chair Halton Regional Meeting Schedule Dec. 15 9:30 a.m. Dec. 17 9:30 a.m. Dec. 24 to Jan 1 Budget Review Committee Regional Council Meeting Offices Closed for the Holidays 051208 To purchase these Gift Certificates, please call our Box Office at 905-815-2021 or 1-888-489-7784 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 www.oakvillecentre.ca