With Haiti totally devastated after Tuesday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which killed over 50,000 people as of writing this article, Cambridge residents are doing what they can to lend a helping hand.

Among those who sought to take action were 71-year old Sam Davis, and his wife Elizabeth – both residents in the Cambridge vicinity. Upon hearing the news, they immediately made plans to head to the local Salvation Army branch. And that’s exactly what they did on Thursday, donating $200 to Canada’s massive relief effort for Haiti.

Davis hopes his fellow residents follow suit.

Even if both he and his wife were living off pensions, Davis didn’t think twice about pitching in, especially after he saw the ghastly scenes of destruction and death, he said. He adds that he know he’s old, and his money is better suited to help others.

And he’s not alone. According to Shannon Carriere, who works at the Cambridge branch of Canada’s Red Cross, the office has been receiving calls nonstop from people who want to help.

Already, they’re pooling together food items, clothes, and other necessities needed by those left without homes and belongings.

Like everyone else around the world, our prayers go out to those affected by this disaster.

Foodies in Cambridge have a new place to look forward to next year, as one developer’s plans of reopening a restaurant in the area are now in full swing.

Cambridge City Council has given the go ahead signal to Pearle Hospitality Inc. for the construction of a new of a new addition to the Cambridge Old Mill Restaurant, which used to be formerly the Mill Restaurant.

The City Council which came to an agreement on Monday this week, gave its seal of approval for the private developer to get the necessary paperwork—tax certificates, building permits and the like—done and prepared for the rehabilitation and reopening of the former stone mill located along Water Street and Park Hill Road.

For close to two years now, Pearl Hospitality Inc has been trying to acquire land and get the necessary approval from Cambridge to renovate what use to be the Riverbank Restaurant. The developer also owns and manages Ancaster’s Old Mill Restaurant and Burlington’s Spencer’s at the Waterfront.

After getting the green light to start their plans, construction for the project is slated to begin by winter this year. The restaurant is set to open around spring of 2011.

Residents in the city of Cambridge have a real reason to smile about this year, as executives from Hallman Construction Ltd. have recently proposed developing a new housing section at Cambridge’s Cheese Factory and Myers roads.

The company’s plans were presented at the recently held city council meeting, where members of the general committee learned about Hallman Construction’s desire to put up a strip of eight townhouses, which will be adjacent to Nathan Court. In addition, a complex of 4 four-storey apartment buildings will rise in the remaining space of the area.

If approved, the site will have its main entrance at Cheese Factory Road.

The proposal is in response to the City’s announcement to have private firms develop the site. Hallman Construction Ltd is only the second to suggest a housing project.

Other proposals range from the site being converted into a commercial plaza, while another company proposed putting up a gasoline station.

Hallman Construction’s plans are presently being forwarded to other agencies in the region for comment and deliberation. After that, Cambridge’s planning staff will return to council to pass a recommendation.

It’s a tough choice for council. Turning the area into a commercial strip will generate jobs not to mention revenue for the city, while a housing complex could encourage the reduction of housing rates in Cambridge due to competition.

With the winter season drawing to end in a few weeks time, Cambridge residents are making the most of the snow while it lasts.

Let’s face it; winter can be annoying at times. Its cold, you need to put on layers of clothes, snow gets everywhere, driving is a pain – the list goes on really.

And yet despite these annoyances, there’s something about the season that’s just plain fun.

Folks from Cambridge certainly understand that, and now they’ve got a new venue to enjoy the snow to the fullest.

Ontario’s Grand River Conservation Authority has recently opened the Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area to the public. It’s located some 20 kilometers south of the City of Cambridge. And as we speak, people from the surrounding communities are flocking to Pinehurst Lake for some good old snowshoeing.

The conservation area is open daily from 8 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.

And there’s more! Pinehurst is also open to those interested in ice fishing.

Admission is pegged at $4.25 for adults and $2.50 for kids 6 to 14 years of age. Children below 5 on the other hand get in for free.

So what’re you waiting for? Head to Pinehurst and have some winter fun!

Conversation Area Open For Winter Activities
With the winter season drawing to end in a few weeks time, Cambridge residents are making the most of the snow while it lasts.
Let’s face it; winter can be annoying at times. Its cold, you need to put on layers of clothes, snow gets everywhere, driving is a pain – the list goes on really.
And yet despite these annoyances, there’s something about the season that’s just plain fun.
Folks from Cambridge certainly understand that, and now they’ve got a new venue to enjoy the snow to the fullest.
Ontario’s Grand River Conservation Authority has recently opened the Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area to the public. It’s located some 20 kilometers south of the City of Cambridge. And as we speak, people from the surrounding communities are flocking to Pinehurst Lake for some good old snowshoeing.
The conservation area is open daily from 8 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon.
And there’s more! Pinehurst is also open to those interested in ice fishing.
Admission is pegged at $4.25 for adults and $2.50 for kids 6 to 14 years of age. Children below 5 on the other hand get in for free.
So what’re you waiting for? Head to Pinehurst and have some winter fun!

In spite of the recession, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. produced an astounding 319,548 automobiles in 2009, and the company looks to go beyond that record number this year, by producing over 400,000 cars and crossover vehicles, this according to TMMC president Ray Tanguay.

The auto-giant has two plants in the Ontario province, one in the City of Cambridge and another in Woodstock. The two factories will be primarily responsible for the production of two of Toyota’s strongest selling automobiles in all of North America, namely the Toyota RAV4 CUV, as well as the RX350, which is off of Toyota’s Lexus luxury range.

They’ve performed remarkably well in the market that Tanguay said the company is having a bit of trouble with supply for the two vehicles. With supply running low, dealerships are unable to put the RAV4 and the RX350 on display.

To answer this problem, employees in the Cambridge plant are working overtime to produce other in-demand models like the Corolla and Matrix. TMMC has also sent a second batch of workers to the Woodstock plant for production of the RAV4.

It’s certainly good news for folks in Cambridge, whose economy relies heavily on the local Toyota plant.

Staffs from the City of Cambridge have been given the go signal to send invitations to private sector companies in the region to lease property owned by the government for solar energy panels.

The move was brought about by announcements made recently by city officials about the installation of solar panels on the rooftop of the public works building located on Bishop Street, Cambridge. Other companies interested in leasing space on municipal-owned property have also been approached by city officials.

Based on a report produced by experts for the city council, the significant leaps and bounds made by solar technology engineers have encouraged expansion in the industry. In fact, a number of companies are in a rush to acquire solar panels for renewable energy purposes. The only problem is where to place put them. The report concludes that allowing private sector companies to lease roof space will not only generate revenue for the city, it will also reduce operational costs for heating and cooling of government buildings.

While waiting for council to make a final decision on Monday next week, city staffs are currently plotting out potential areas for lease. After the locations have been laid out and potential candidates have been selected, a proposal will be drafted once more for council’s final seal of approval.

If the past 2 years were dominated by the effects of the recession and subsequent collapse of the world markets, 2010 looks to be a bit different – at least for the City of Cambridge.

New businesses in the city have opened up in the last few months of 2009, and they look to do even better as we enter the New Year. Here’s a short list of these Cambridge business and their descriptions.

Bridging Oceans Imports

Owned by Alison Sandaj, this business opened in October of last year. They specialize in Asian and African home décor and antiques. Sandaj herself purchased items like rugs, bamboo chairs, wood works, pots, paintings, and other exotic pieces from artists based overseas. For more information, logon to www.bridgingoceansimports.com.

Cambridge Investigation Services (CIS)

A private investigation company founded by Glen Ireland in November of 2009, C.I.S. lends assistance to clients by doing legal, insurance, and other types of investigative work. They also offer domestic assistance as well as surveillance services. Each private investigator is duly licensed by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, assuring that your confidential information is handled correctly and kept safe.

These are just two of the businesses worth checking out in the City of Cambridge.

Drivers and commuters in the City of Cambridge have something to look forward to this 2010, as transportation officials from the Waterloo Region will begin overseeing road projects scattered throughout the city.

The regions plans include work on the long-overdue grade separation of Hespeler Road, which they hope will diminish the long lineups in the area and its surrounding roads.

Officials have allocated a budget of $30 million for the project, which is slated to finish in two years time. The Canadian Pacific Railway will be shouldering a large percentage of the costs for the construction work.

Waterloo officials have promised motorists that Hespeler Road will remain open throughout the construction, albeit with a few inconveniences.

At the same time, another project north of Hespeler Road will be kicking off sometime this year. Scheduled for completion in 2012, the work is aimed at improving the intersection between Beaverdale Road and Queen Street by constructing a roundabout.

And 2011 looks to be even more of a busy year for Cambridge and the Waterloo Region, as over 6 projects are scheduled to take place.

Road work can only mean one thing – traffic jams. Transportation officials request that the public be patient throughout the work.

While most residents in the city were out partying in the streets, Cambridge parents Amanda and Glen Rogers started the year in a very special way, by welcoming their new and healthy baby Livia – Cambridge’s first newborn of 2010.

Livia was born at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital at 2:48 in the afternoon of January 1, making her Cambridge’s first baby of the year, and the decade. She weighed in at a good 7 pounds, and 1 ounce.

And yet with the honors and attention brought about by baby Livia’s birth, the Rogers family calmly kept their cool and answered questions from staff and the media.

That’s probably due to the fact that Livia is the family’s 7th child, making them used to the whole ordeal of giving birth and whatnot.

Amanda just laughs when asked by the media if Livia’s their first baby. It’s become a question they’re now used to answering.

Fortunately for Mrs. Rogers, Livia’s birth was a relatively easy one. The delivery lasted around 10 minutes, something envious mothers would want to experience.

Aside from being the year’s first baby for the city, Livia also boasts of being another first.

“She’s our first red head,” beamed Amanda.

Yesterday, we featured arts and music events happening around the City of Cambridge. Today will be featuring even more events, this time having to do with business and economics.

Here are some seminars happening around town.

New Importer Seminar

Admission: Free

Happening on the 26^th of January, this seminar will offer a look into the import process. Speakers will cover topics like the import process, trade programs, determining work, and government departments involved in importing. The seminar, presented by the Canada Border Service Agency, will take place from 1 to 4 in the afternoon.

Everything You Need to Know About Websites

Admission: $25

The seminar will hold a comprehensive lecture on web hosting, web design, S.E.O., content management, and more topics regarding the internet. The seminar also includes a step-by-step guide on how to set-up your own online business, and improving your presence on the internet.

Income Tax for the Small Business Owner

Admission: $25

This seminar presents a detailed look into Canada’s income tax system. Those in attendance will learn the ins and outs of tax deductions on the different types of businesses, as well as how to claim those deductions.

Register now while you can! Seats are limited so grab the opportunity to do so now.