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The EraThe Banner Thursday km Xlo ActiveLife Bl THIS WEEKS ACTIVITY HELPING OUT SLEDDERSRIDE FOR EASTER SEALS Snowniobikrs will rev their engines in support of children with physical disabilities in York RcgKm next week annual ride t Feb starting at 10 am at the Holland striding biitHJub office Cedar St in Holland finding will feature a warm breakfast followed by a guided nde along Ontario Federation of Snowmo bile Club groomed trails It ends with lunch and an awards ceremony More than communities across the province participate in the annual winter ride with participants collecting pledges in support of Faster Seals asi year the Holland Land ing event raised more than for the cause Since 1975 Snowarama events across the province have raised more than SI million This event has become a tradition in 1 Landing and I am delighted to be work ing with the landing Snowmobile Club once again to raise funds for kids with physical disabilities East Councillor Virginia said For more information or to register for the event call or visit A Carpooling saves more than cash BY AMANDA PEKS1CO Getting to work just got a little easier with the right company Smart Commute celebrates car pool week next week during winch drivers are encouraged to band together to commute to work The annual awareness week is promoted across the province Smart Commute Central York has more than 14 businesses and organizations under its umbrella with more than 1 commuters sharing a ride taking public transit biking or walking to work saves the envi ronment saves money time and stress Smart Commute Central York program assistant Waterman said You dont have to every day Once a week or once a month helps Every car off the mad helps When you go out with friends and you pick them up you dont realize youre After signing up for Smart Com mute the program matches you with other members in your neigh bourhood or at your workplace I already spend about a week on gas said State Farm claims service assistant Collins who recently registered for Smart Com- I couldnt imagine spending twice the gas and twice the mainte nance to get to the same place Car pool week takes place every winter when driving hazards are more apparent In the winter no one wants to drive alone in bad weather Ms Waterman said Its good to have someone you Not only is saving money one of the benefits of Smart Commute better parking spaces an made available to employees of Smart Commute partners such as Southlake Regional Health Centre and State Farm Insurance The Lake Simcoe Region Conser vation Authority is among the latest organizations to join the programs It takes an extra five minutes to pick someone up Mr Collins said Parking close to the doors dur- Carpoolers at State Farm Insurance in Aurora include Helen Bruce left Jeff Collins and his dad Bob ON THE WEB For more information visit smartcomm ing those cold days is worth the extra five minutes Who wouldnt want to be closer to the doors dur ing those cold snaps State Farms provincial head office in Aurora partnered with Smart Commute mure than two years ago and has become part of the companys many green initiatives State Farm has more than 100 preferred parking spaces with moa- than 150 registered car pool users spokesperson said This is a way for us to reduce our carbon footprint as a corpora tion said Mr who car- pools with his wife Our goal is to be good good citizens of Aurora Thecompanv also allows employees to augment hows making it easier for carpoolen in different departments within the company For Mr who commutes with his father Bob and several State Farm employees a large pan of the dynamic is me social atmosphere its a way to meet other people in the who come from where youre from Mr Collins said Driving for an hour together each day builds friendships Although the father son com muting pair dun share musical interests then arent any fights over the radio station on the commute 1 enjoy the company Mr Col lins said It has become a regu lar pan of life I Ye also learned to listen to more talk radio HEALTHY LIVING YOU CAN HELP WOMENS CENTRE You can relax and Indulge this week while supporting a great cause the Womens Centre of York Region Auroras Fit Your Style hosts Women Wine and Chocolate Tuesday to at Chart- Valley Vista a girls night out learn ing about wine pairings and last ing healthy chocolate A silent auction includes a gourmet dinner in your own home prepared by a profes sional chef original an and custom pho tography by local artists spa packages to help you look good feel good Recreational cooking lessons along with jewelry gift baskets and more Tickets an- and include entrance wine food and more lo purchase tickets call 107 Chanwell lassie Valley Vista Retirement Residence is at Valley Vista Dr at the southeast corner of Street and Major Mackenzie Drive for more information visit fityourstylenet wo men- wine- chocolate html Things You can do This Weekend GREEN TALK Ontario environmental commissioner Miller speaks at Country Day School in King Sunday at pm All welcome Visit 2 WALK FOR MEMORIES Alzheimer Society of York Region hosts its annual fundfaising walk Sunday 10 am at Upper Canada Mall Visit and click the events tab SHOWTIME Newmarkets Theatre On Main presents Trying tonight through Saturday Visit DRY TIMES The Noble Experiment Temperance and Prohibition an exhibit at Auroras Church Street Cultural Centre opens Saturday 1 to UPLIFTING MUSIC Alt Saints Church concert continues Friday at 8 with mezzosoprano Alexandra and organist Quinno at 12935 St King City Adult tickets ROOTS TUNES Canadian band The perform Saturday at The Grey Goat Main St Newmarket TAKE A HIKE Guided hikes in Rouge Park are Sunday starting at am Bring water and snack For details visit rougepark com GOING GLOBAL Film Circuit presents Amreeko Monday at pm at Silver City at Street and Green Lane Tickets 10 Visit for details HELPING HAITI Aurora Retirement Centre hosts an antique road show Saturday 1 to 4 pm Murray Or NIGHT OUT The City Youth Players perform the musical Once on this Island Saturday at 8 p m at St Eliza- Catholic High School in Thorn- hill with proceeds to Haiti relief efforts Visit com for details Catholic High School in Thorn oceeds to Haiti relief I aatfcara t go com chesterfield shop Your Leather Superstore More Highest Overall Customer Satisfaction Among Automotive Service Provider Brands Dear client Thank You YORK REGION NAPA AUTOPROS NAPA NEWMARKET 225 Pony Dr Newmarket MM flUTOPRO Tel 9056984223 EAGLES SONS INC ANKOR THE AUTO CENTRE INC South Bradford 17075 Lotto St Unit SERVICE CENTRE ONTARIO TIRE AND St King Hill