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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, November 7, 2013 | 10 Recognizing the spirit of excellence in local businesses My S View upport those who support our community. Nominations are open until Nov. 15 for the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE). One of the challenges facing Oakville is building a sustainable economy that can support more jobs locally, thereby reducing the number of daily commuters and contributing to a healthy, sustainable community. Oakville residents spend more time commuting than residents in other communities across Ontario. Sixty-three percent of Oakville residents commute compared to the provincial average of 35 per cent. This is valuable time Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair Orla Johnston Oakville residents must spend away from their families. Oakville businesses contribute to the local tax base, support local arts, recreation and charitable activities. Recognizing excellence, community service Now in its 19th year, the OABEs are dedicated to recognizing excellence and community service by Oakville's businesses. The awards are presented by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Rotary Club of Oakville West. As business people and entrepreneurs, we want to be able to focus our efforts on creating value, creating jobs and building something meaningful -- we often risk our livelihoods and our life savings doing so. The OABEs recognize the important contribution local businesses make to the outstanding quality of life we enjoy in Oakville. Being recognized by one's community through an OABE nomination is recogni- tion of the risks taken and the nominees' hard work. As ambassadors for business in Oakville, nominees and award recipients provide guidance and inspiration to new and seasoned businesses, as well as young, aspiring entrepreneurs. They help foster the spirit of adventure and enterprise, risk and reward for young people and so it is tting the proceeds from the OABEs help support Rotary youth programs. New awards New awards have been introduced this year. These new categories are designed to further re ect and recognize Oakville's business community. The 19th Annual OABE categories are: · Small Business of the Year · Medium Business of the Year · Large Business of the Year · Franchisee of the Year · Professional Services Provider of the Year · Restaurateur of the Year · Entrepreneur of the Year · Community Builder of the Year · Employer of the Year · Business Icon of the Year Please visit www.oabe.ca before Nov. 15 for more details and nomination information. Attention all Grade 8 Students and Parents! Thursday, November 14th, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School (located at 1120 Main Street East in Milton) Now accepting applications for the Grades 9 & 10 pre-AP courses! For further information, please contact: Joanne DeSantis, Vice-Principal, Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School 905-875-0124 | DeSantisJ@hcdsb.org Advanced Placement (AP) Program Community Information Night 321 Cornwall Rd, Oakville Tel. 905 815 8777 - www.knar.com Diane Rabenda Chair of the Board Paula Dawson Director of Education