To those who have a passion for antiques, get ready as the annual Carp Antique Roadshow & Fair comes to you again. This year, the annual antique roadshow and fair promises to be bigger, better and more exciting, and is sure to attract more guests. Be at the Mapleview Community Church (Arena) on the 14^th of May 2011 and see a whole lot of antiques on display. This will definitely delight all antique enthusiasts out there so be at the event and don’t miss it. You will have a whole day of fun and exploration as we offer you the most beautifully crafted antique items.

If you have your own antique items, you are absolutely welcome to bring them along to the event. On that day, antique specialists and will be most happy to serve you by giving you an intricate analysis and evaluation of your antique. The exhibit will highlight the seniors who will be bringing in items from Home Products to Aides and if you are interested to participate in the exhibit, you are also welcome to do so. Show off your wonderful and fabulous antique items and delight the visitors and guests of the event.

The antique roadshow and fair will also give out five lucky door prizes to five lucky winners. If you’re one of them, then expect to take home fabulous prizes. Expect a whole lot of exhibitors on the event and be enchanted with all the rare and precious displays at the event. Refreshments will be available for all and admission is free of charge. Bring the whole family and your friends, and don’t worry with parking spaces since guests with vehicles we will be provided a huge open space for better convenience. If you love antiques, then come to the year’s Carp Antique Roadshow & Fair.

Folks in Barrie now have the opportunity to order their beaver. That’s right, order a beaver. Taking place on the 25^th of September is the City of Barrie’s first ever Great Canadian Beaver Festival, set to be held at Heritage Park.

The unique festival was first hatched by two Rotarians who were inspired and became patriotic after watching the Winter Olympics, which were held earlier this year in Vancouver. The games prompted them to do something that was truly, and uniquely, Canadian.

In short, it’s a festival celebrating the Canadian Spirit. You might be asking yourself, “Why a beaver and not some other Canadian symbol, like a maple leaf?”

Mark Campbell, marketing coordinator of the event, says that there isn’t a deep meaning behind their decision in naming the festival after the beaver. Simply put, it’s Canadian and makes people giggle, he shares.

The plan is to emulate the popular rubber ducky race, but this time featuring beavers instead. The race starts at Heritage Park’s pond, and ends at Kempenfelt Bay.

But the beaver race isn’t the only thing you should watch out for. There are also some displays and activities about everything that’s Canadian – including Mounties, road hockey games, and of course, more beavers.

The Friends for Life walk-a-thon, hosted by the Barrie OSPCA, was a haven for dogs of all breeds and sizes, all coming together for a day of socializing with other pets under the warmth of the sun.

For Lesley King and her 2-year-old bullmastiff Duke, it was an opportunity to meet other dog lovers who share their passion for protecting these animals. For Duke, it was a chance to play and let loose.

Lesley adopted Duke, formerly named Moose, from the OPSCA in Barrie. He was rescued by the organization after his previous owners left him at the streets with a broken leg and an empty stomach. Duke managed to survive for 3 weeks before being brought in to the shelter.

Today, Duke is a great addition to his new family. He’s active and just happy to be in a new home, Lesley said. She and her family fell in love with Duke the moment they saw him.

According to the OPSCA, it’s this passion for orphaned animals that they hope to see in more people. The walk-a-thon served as a way for them to raise awareness on the problem of homeless pets, as well as to promote proper pet-owner responsibility.

Those who participated in the dog walk were happy to donate to the shelter. The collected money will be used to cover the medical expenses of rehabilitating the sick animals they find.

An auction, a garage sale, and sumptuous lunches & dinners open to the public – these are just some of the activities happening here in the City of Barrie over the days to come. Interested? Read on to find out more.

On the 29^th of April until the 1^st of May, Barrie’s Collier Street United Church will be hosting a silent auction; an activity that comes with a gala dinner on the 29^th at 6:30 in the evening, and a roast beef dinner on the 30^th at 5 to 7 in the evening.

Tables good for eight people during the gala dinner are available at $30 per head.

And if that’s not enough, hot lunches will also be served on the 30^th from 11:30 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, and on the 1^st of May from 9 in the morning to 1 in the afternoon. Foodies should not miss out on this event.

The actual auction itself will be open to bidders during the whole period of the event on pre-scheduled times.

Also happening on the 30^th of April to the 1^st of May is the semi-annual Nearly New Sale/Garage, an activity hosted by women from Barrie’s Trinity Anglican Church.

If you’re looking to bargain shop next week, then check out the garage sale that features items such as clothes, shoes, electronics, appliances, toys, books, and many more.

Kids in Barrie now have a golden opportunity to live a more healthy and active lifestyle, for the rest of their lives.

The YMCA in Barrie and Innisfil will be holding their yearly Healthy Kids’ Day this Sunday, an event organized to encourage children to work up a sweat and stay active through outdoor games, sports, and other physical activities. But it’s not just for kids though, it’s a free event the whole family will enjoy.

According to Michael O’Callaghan of the YMCA, Healthy Kids’ Day is an event that’s open to children of all ages. Family activities will also be setup during the event, all designed to create a desire for people to get active and keep their bodies fit.

Some events kids and their families can look forward to this Sunday include demonstrations from Barrie Elite Volleyball, the Barrie Colts cheerleaders and Charlie Horse, a trampoline exhibition from Vertical Zone, and many more.

Healthy Kids’ Day kicks off at the Barrie YMCA at 10 in the morning, ending later at 2 in the afternoon.

So what’re you waiting for? Treat your family and kids to a day of clean and active fun. Work up a sweat and start living an active and healthy lifestyle.

In an effort to raise funds for the survivors of the destructive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti on January 12, a fundraiser will be held at Barrie’s downtown area this Saturday.

The fundraiser will feature 8 bands rocking it out here in the City of Barrie at the Stix Sports Bar and Grill. Proceeds of the concert will be donated to the Red Cross Haiti Fund.
There will be 2 shows this Saturday, one during the day from 1 in the afternoon to 6 in the evening, and another during the night, which kicks off at 9 in the evening until dawn the next day. The first show will be targeted at people 19-years of age and below who are looking to listen to some good music. The night show of course, will be exclusive to those of age.

The two shows will feature Outspoken, who’ve performed with bands Gob, The Ataris, and many more. You can check out their latest record, Hear We Go, at HMV.

Tickets are priced at $5, but you can buy both tickets for the 2 shows for only $8. Freebies and other surprises await the audience, so don’t miss out.

As a way of celebrating 60 years of camaraderie and service, the Barrie Kinsmen Club will be hosting a dinner-dance on the 20^th of February. But it’s not all fun and games though, as the organization, like always, will be raising funds during the event for a number of children’s programs in the City of Barrie.

The 20^th of February this year also marks the 90th anniversary of the return of Hal Rogers, a World War I veteran, to Hamilton. It was then that he started up a group to recreate the fellowship he shared with the servicemen on his brigade. He established a club with the goal of helping the community with their needs, this after he was turned down by the local Rotary Club due to a technicality.

According to the Barrie Kinsmen Club’s former president John Donley, Rogers wanted to create something that was more than a mere service club, he wanted the group’s members to treat each other like family, coming together to work for a good cause.

In the City of Barrie, the Kinsmen Club has donated funds to a number of programs and fundraisers, like the Barrie Food Bank and Salvation Army, the Barrie Minor Hockey Assocciation, as well as student bursaries.

In the wake of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, countries from all over the world have done all they can to support and provide help to the victims who are virtually left with nothing at all in the Caribbean nation.

Canada has organized a massive relief effort, and many of its cities and provinces are pitching in as much as they can.

In the City of Barrie, the local police force is also doing their part, and they’re presently collecting tents and other forms of shelter to be sent to the victims in Haiti.

A former provincial police officer who used to work with the United Nations and is now based in Barrie contacted local authorities by e-mail and urged them to look for ways to amass any type of shelter for the victims – many of whom are sleeping on the streets after their homes were ravaged by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

The tent event kicked off at 9 in the morning today. If you want to help, simply head to the south end of the Canadian Tire store.

Come the 5^th of February, all tents will be sent to the victims in Haiti.

One Barrie doctor is offering a health and fitness program that he says is “the key to the fountain of youth.”

But before you visualize some mythical item or whatnot in your mind, think again. Dr. Roger Turner, a chiropractor in the City of Barrie, says it’s as simple as finding the will to discipline one’s self.

Of course, it goes without saying that such a feat is easier said than done, especially when it has something to do with eating healthy foods, and living an active lifestyle. According to Dr. Turner, employing these measures is the easiest way to shed years off of one’s aging body.

The 63-year old chiropractor, who also owns Turner Wellness Centre in Barrie, comments that he’s in great shape despite being in his senior years. And while that may sound like a lot of hot air at first, the man backs it up by doing 60 push-ups a minute. That’s something most 20-year olds these days can’t’ even accomplish.

The doctor has recently developed a program aimed at helping men and women his age look younger by living the proper lifestyle, and eating the right food. Called Bootcamp for Boomers, the program is a four month course that Dr. Turner says will result in a new and better you.

And to get the ball rolling, the doctor will be holding a short symposium that gives interested individuals a peek into his program on the 27th of January, at 5:30 in the afternoon. Registration is ongoing, so give it a try if you want.

If you’re bored and looking for events in the City of Barrie to check out and kill the time, then we’ve got just what you need.

Here’s a list of what’s going on in Barrie today and over the next few days.

WORLD RELIGION DAY

Taking place tomorrow, World Religion Day will be celebrated at Barrie City Hall’s Rotunda area, at 1:30 in the afternoon.

This year’s theme is “a time of bright prospects”, with those in attendance joining in prayer and learning more about the world’s many religions. A special guest speaker will be presenting an address to the public.

JOURNALING PROGRAM

Taking place today, creativity guru Anita Bol will be hosting an art journaling program, which starts at 5 this afternoon. Bol will be teaching new journaling methods with different types of media. This includes painting, layered composition, collage, and more.

Those interested in joining the program are requested to don used clothing, since things will get “messy”. Course fee, which includes the materials needed, is pegged at $20.

PHOTO COURSE FOR TEENS

The Barrie Public Library will be hosting a one-day photography course, aimed at youths aged 13 to 19. If you’re an aspiring photographer, this program is for you.

Registration fee is $20.

The seminar runs from 1 to 5 in the afternoon.