5 · Thursday, February 11, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Women Gathering in Oakville on March 1 n By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF According to the Bah'ai faith, education is not wasted on anyone, particularly girls. That is a complete reversal of historical practices around the globe. Similarly, the Stephen Lewis Foundation aims to empower women in Africa as a means to fostering sustainable economic development to achieve headway in the fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS. A group of local women is espousing interesting approaches at a March 1 event called Women Gathering. Laila Eiriksson They are aiming to do their part to eliminate misconceptions, fears and ignorance by educating people about various faiths. They're aiming to do it with women, who, they believe, will carry forward the message peacefully. Women Gathering was born when former mayor Ann Mulvale and Laila Eiriksson, Secretary General of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oakville, got together with other local faith leaders. The March 1 lineup now includes an impressive list of local faith leaders -- all of whom are women. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. After a welcome at 9:30 a.m., nine speakers will be heard before a noon luncheon, followed by music and dance and a Buddhist meditation. Keynote speaker Sally Armstrong will then address attendees. Ann Mulvale Among the various faith speakers will be: Rev. Dr. Morar Murray-Hayes (Maple Grove United Church and Interfaith Council of Halton); Diane Longboat (First Nations); Anu Vittal (Hindu); Rev. Cheryl Fricker (Anglican Church of Canada); Cheryl Wise (Jewish); Kermin Byramjee (Zoroastrian); Parminder Kaur (Sikh) and Eiriksson (Baha'i). The event will be hosted at St. Jude's Anglican Church as its hall can accommodate upwards of 300 guests. Admission costs $30. Five dollars of each ticket sold will support the ATHENA Oakville Scholarship Fund that assists local women pursue non-traditional careers. The remainder of any net proceeds will support international relief efforts. For information, contact Mulvale at 905-844-4721 or Barbara Watt at 905-844-8748 or e-mail Town will continue to need expert advice n Continued from page 1 determining what lands could accommodate such plants. The company wants to build a 900megawatt natural gas power plant on Ford-owned lands at 1500 Royal Windsor Dr. If the company is given permission to launch an appeal, the onus for defending the OMB decision will fall to the Town, noted the Town's solicitor Doug Carr. He added, however, that it would be possible to seek recovery of some legal costs if the Town were to prevail in the court case. The 2009 expenses of $350,000 related to the legal costs of responding to the OMB challenge and hiring experts and consultants to provide technical advice. A staff report presented to the Town's Administrative Services committee Tuesday noted, "Expert advice on issues associated with power generation facilities, including issues such as noise, vibration and plume, will continue to be required throughout 2010." The $1 million estimated to be spent in 2010 does not include staff costs related to the Town's recent approval of a Health Protection Air Quality bylaw. Given that the money was not budgeted for in the 2010 budget, Town staff has recommended expenses be funded through several Town contingency funds that put aside cash for unforeseen expenditures or revenue shortfalls. 905.847.7333 or toll free 1.866.707.7333 Serving Oakville Since 2005 · airport flat rates · 24 hr. service · commercial accounts · local & out-of-town · luxury sedans edwinlimoinc@yahoo.com s r r TM Creating sensational smiles in Oakville for 15 years.