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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 21, 2008 - 23 Walking works for everyone alking to work, to school or to the store is good for everyone, both as a way to be active and to save money on gas. But in many places, getting around on foot can be difficult, especially for children and seniors, who depend on walking the most. "Many neighbourhoods are built for driving, not walking, and that has a big impact on the health and well-being of kids and seniors," says Sarah Rotz, project manager of Walk and Bike for Life. Walk and Bike for Life is a non-profit organization that promotes walking and cycling as recreational activities and as healthier, more sustainable modes of transportation. Rotz says there are lots of ways streets and roads can be made more pedestrianfriendly. For example, parking near busy corners and intersections could be eliminated to make it easier for drivers and pedestrians to see one another. "It is really important to put pedestrians first," W RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road West, Hamilton/Burlington · Free parking 905-527-1158 · www.rbg.ca/186 e Admit On explains Rotz. "It's hard for drivers to see youngsters through parked cars, so getting rid of parking near corners and crosswalks makes it safer and more accessible to pedestrians." Providing benches and picnic tables in easily accessible locations makes neighbourhoods more appealing to seniors, pedestrians with service animals and anyone else who needs to take a break while walking. Supporting walkable communities to improve residents' health, the environment and the economy is also a goal of iCANwalk. iCANwalk is a coalition of various partners, including walkON, which is funded by Choices4Health. There are lots of ways to make your community a safer, more walkable place. For starters, you could walk or cycle some place you'd normally drive. On your way, fill out an iCANwalk checklist about where you went, how easy it was and what you saw along the way. You can also sign the International Charter for Walking and pledge to walk more and take steps to make your community safer for walking. For more information about the walkON project and tips on how to make your neighbourhood more walkable, visit www.icanwalk.ca. Choices 4 Health is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, community partners and the Halton Region Health Department. The Choices 4 Health Network is a community coalition of more than 250 individuals and organizations working together to create a Halton in which people achieve optimum health by choosing opportunities for healthy eating, physical activity, good mental health and smoke-free living. -- Submitted by Choices 4 Health Art in paradise www.rbg.ca/186 Tom Bendtsen EK LAST WE Sophie DeFrancesca D EXTENDE EARTH ART EXHIBIT Pilar Ovalle NUIT BLANCHE REVISITED October 27 to November 25; RBG Centre Artist Tom Bendtsen creates an indoor site-specific installation of over 8,000 books as a continuation of his Conversation series featured during Nuit Blanche 2008, in Toronto. Conversation #2(b) will fade away to have its materials repurposed once again. WINTER EARTH ART October 27 to January 18; Mediterranean Garden; RBG Centre Canadian sculpture that celebrates fantasy and narratives inspired by child-like wonder. Curated by Maryrose Coleman, PRIME Gallery. ARTISTS: Wojtek Biczysko, Sophie DeFrancesca, Elyse DeLaFontaine, Francis Muscat, David Constantine Salazar and Andrew Waite. November 16 to January 18; RBG Centre Indoor environmental art installations. Curated by John Grande. ARTISTS: Alan Sonfist (NY, USA); Bob Verschueren (Belgium); Gilles Bruni and Marc Babarit (France); Pilar Ovalle (Chile); Gregoire Ferland (QC, Canada); Michael Dennis (BC, Canada) PRESENTED BY Holiday Traditions Saturdays and Sundays, November 29 to December 14; 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.; RBG Centre. Santa at the Gardens; 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Meet Santa and have your photo taken (available for purchase), plus holiday crafts for children and more. HIGHLIGHTS: Pauline Grondin, The Amazing Corbin's Christmas Wonderland magic show, Splash & Boots, Playford Players, Santa's Helpers, Dickie Bird and Erick Traplin. Visit www.rbg.ca/186 for schedule. BECOME A MEMBER An annual membership starts at only $50. Membership benefits include free or preferred admission to garden areas and events, plus discounts and more. Gift memberships available. Sign up or renew your membership online at www.rbg.ca/186. BUY Online g.ca www.rb