Are you the type who likes to stay in shape and live an active lifestyle? If you’re in Cambridge this weekend, don’t miss out on one event that gives you the opportunity to lace up your running shoes and work up a sweat.

The 24^th annual Cambridge Times Rotary Run kicks off on the 23^rd of May, Sunday, at the Dickson Arena, at exactly 9 in the morning. Already, residents and fitness buffs in the City of Cambridge are excited about the event – and the fact that the race is for a good cause doesn’t hurt either.

There are two races this Sunday; the first a 2.5k race that kicks off at 10:30 in the morning, and a 5k race that begins at 11 in the morning. Registration is pegged at $20 for the 2.5k race, and $25 for the 5k race.

All proceeds gathered at the Rotary Run will be donated to the KidsAbillity Foundation, a charity program based in Cambridge that helps children with special needs.

According to Cambridge North Rotary Club chairman Larry Olney, over 400 runners join the run each year. For 2010, he hopes that number will increase and reach at least 500.

And if that’s not interesting enough, Wayne Gretzky is also set to make an appearance at the race.

According to Dr. Shekhar Pandey, a cardiologist from the Cambridge Cardiac Care Centre, the cure for heart disease and diabetes has been around for years, but many people either overlook it, or don’t care much for it at all.

The cure, he says, is not some kind of miracle drug developed by pharmaceutical companies. It’s composed of practical steps virtually anyone can use to eat better, be more active, quit smoking, reduce stress, and live a healthier overall lifestyle.

The key is found in a holistic or natural approach to live a better lifestyle accomplished by making small yet sure steps toward eliminating the problems brought about heart disease and diabetes. Dr. Pandey commented that the reason why many people lack the discipline to change their unhealthy lifestyle is because they try to do everything at once right away.

Apparently, it’s the little steps that count the most.

Dr. Pandey’s approach to living a healthier life will be the focus at this year’s annual Healthy Heart Day event, which takes place this Saturday at the St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The event starts at 8 in the morning and ends at 4 in the afternoon.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Getting to the Heart of Diabetes’, and Dr. Pandey, along with other diabetes and heart experts are scheduled to share what they know with the audience.

Happening on the 22nd of April is Earth Day, a day that marks a global appreciation for our planet and environment. Today we’re giving you a look at some events here in the City of Cambridge, organized to support the worldwide event.

Taking place on April 17 is the Cambridge Community Clean Up, a drive that’ll clean up the areas surrounding Preston High School, Galt Arena Gardens, and Tim Hortons on Holiday Inn Drive.

Also happening on the 17th is the Green Living and Technology Fair, which takes place at St. Jacob’s Arena. Join the fair and learn simple yet effective methods on how to save energy and water.

Yet another event taking place on April 17 is Pitch-In Preston High. Students from Preston High School will be cleaning up the community for Earth Day, and everyone is invited to pitch in. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided to participants.

Happening on the Big Day itself, April 22, is the Earth Birthday Party, a celebration of the earth to be held at Victoria Park. Picnics, games, and clean ups sponsored by Tim Hortons are just some of the things to look forward to at the event.

Mark your calendars and join the effort to keep our planet clean and green!

A festival is giving the country’s youth an opportunity to express themselves and share their views on life through a unique way. The Imagyn Film Festival, which takes place on the 5th of March, Friday, until the 7th, Sunday, provides a forum for Canada’s youth to let their voices and views be heard.

Students are encouraged by the event’s organizers to share their experiences of peace and violence, expressing them through the form of short film using technology and art in a constructive way.

After successfully launching in 2009, the Imagyn Film Festival has announced this year’s theme to be “Anti Violence: Engagement and Resistance.”

The 3-day festival will showcase short films and videos submitted by students from all across Canada, including those living here in the City of Cambridge. Youth panel discussions will be done here in the city, and in other regions from around the country. The festival will also hold workshops on youth related activities, headed by youth leaders from their respective communities.

If you’re a student, then now’s the time to let your voice be heard and help our society change for the better. Admission to all events having to do with the Imagyn Film Festival is free, and practically anybody can join. For details and information, logon to www.imagyn.ca.

I you love hockey and love partying just as much, then we’ve got something you definitely should not miss out.

The city’s Cambridge Fury junior hockey team from the Provincial Women’s Hockey League wants to thank their supporters, fans, and sponsors in a special way. And what better to do it than with a big party right?

That’s exactly what they’ll be hosting on the 12^th of February, Friday. The Fury will be having a sponsor night at the Preston Auditorium before their game, which kicks off at exactly 8 in the evening. We admit, it’s not exactly a full-blown party, but it’s a celebration nonetheless.

The team is inviting their fans to attend a pre-game gathering at 6:30 in the evening to share light refreshments as well as to meet and greet the hockey players.

What’s more, players from the Cambridge Fury will be inviting people into their locker room.

This Friday’s game will pit the Fury against the Durham West Lightning. It will also mark the end of the Fury’s regular season home schedule. The team is currently in third place in the provincial league, with a record of 23 wins and 5 losses.

Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this event!

Catholics schools in the City of Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo did their part to help the survivors of the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti on the 12^th of January. Catholic schools in the region raised a total of over $120,000. That’s around $5 from each student.

And while that may be an impressive amount of money, officials from the region expect more donations to come, as its 52 schools have promised to continue fundraising efforts until the middle of February. Combined with funds collected by the government, donations will total around $250,000.

Efforts to raise funds were done with the cooperation of the school board’s members, the principals of the different schools, as well as the students and their parents.  Catholic parishes in the area also pitched in.

The board is encouraging residents in the community to donate to its charity partner, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. If you’re in Cambridge or in the Waterloo region, this is the perfect time for you to do your part.

Officials in Haiti estimate the damages brought by the earthquake to be worth billions, while over 150,000 lives have been confirmed to have been lost to the cataclysmic event. The numbers look to only rise.

TGIF folks! Another weekend is upon us once more and as always, it’s that time to give you the skinny on what’s happening over the weekend, as well as a look into some events happening later this month.

If you’re a club and pub person, or someone interested in the arts, live stage, as well as live performances, then you’re bound to like the short list we’ve prepared for you.

The Arts

On the 28^th of February, The Groove Kitchen will be featuring Memories of Africa. Another similar event, titled The Art Of Sue Goossens will take place on the 7^th of March. Over at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, Erika Reisenberger is featuring her artwork until the 20^th of March.

Live Stage

The Cambridge Arts Theatre will be hosting Galt Little Theatre’s Table Manners on the 5^th and 6^th of February, with repeat performances on the 11^th to 13^th of February. All shows start at 8 in the evening, with a matinee showing on February 7 at 2 in the afternoon.

Bars

The Groove Kitchen And Music Room will play host to Matt Storch on the 5^th of February, and Gavin Knight and the Rhythm Resurgence the next day on the 6^th.

This list is just a sneak peek though. If you want to know more, then ask around. The City of Cambridge has a wide array of venues you can check out. Good luck!

TGIF! Another weekend is upon us, and if you’re looking for something to do over your two day break, then we’ve got a list of events happening around the City of Cambridge that you should check out!

January 30, Saturday

As part of Cambridge’s Winter Olympics series, Shade’s Mills Conservation Area will be open to cross-country skiing from 8 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. Admission is free.

On the same venue, this time from 1 to 2:30 in the afternoon, will be an interpretative snowshoe hike. Again, free admission for the event.

A more serious event will be taking place on the same day at Kitchener Church of God. The church will be hosting a gospel concert for the Haiti relief effort. Proceeds of the concert will be donated to the victims in Haiti.

January 31, Sunday

Walk for Memories, a fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of Cambridge, will be held at Cambridge Center, from 6 to 8 in the evening. The society badly needs pledges. For details and information, log on to www.walkformemories.ca.

These are just a few happenings taking place over the weekend in Cambridge. As you can see, some of them are for a cause, so you might want to check them out. Remember to mark your calendars!

Yesterday, we featured a handful of events taking place this week that have to do with the arts, music, and literature. If that list left you wanting, then we’ve got even more happenings taking place in the City of Cambridge this week.

Interested? Then read on.

 January 27, Wednesday

 The Galt Legion Branch 121 will be having a cards and darts special, starting at 1 in the afternoon. 

Over at the Trillium United Church, Blair Scottish Dancers will be having their rehearsals. Those interested can join in for free lessons.

January 28, Thursday

The Cambridge Toastmasters Club will be having a meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 in the evening at the Preston Scout House. Everyone is invited.

The local Caregiver Support Group will be having a program aimed at providing help and insight to individuals who are caring for someone with cancer. The program will be held at HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre

Another program is also taking place on the same day, this time however; it’s got something to do with losing weight the right way. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, or TOPS, will begin at 8 in the evening at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Again, mark your calendars and check out these events. Most are open to the public, so give them a try!

If you’re bored and looking for something to check out in the City of Cambridge before the month ends, then we’ve go the skinny on some events happening for the month of January, and even a few that’ll take place on February and March.

The Arts

Everybody Knows This is Nowhere, by Jeremy Drummond is presently open to the public at the Cambridge Galleries. The exhibit will last until the 28th of February, 2010.

Portraits From Above is also happening until February, this time on the 21st. Those interested can drop by at Design at Riverside.

Fausta Facciponte is up until the 14th of January at the Cambridge Galleries.

Music

Jann Arden is in Town! She’s performing tonight at 8 at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square. She’ll be having a repeat performance on the 31st.

Colin James and Suzie McNeil will also be performing at the same venue tomorrow, January 25, at 7:30 in the evening.

Literature

One of the city’s local book clubs will be featuring The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland at the Cambridge Center for the Arts on January 25, at 7 in the evening.

Whether it’s got something with the arts, music, even literature, the City of Cambridge has what you’re looking for. So what’re you waiting for? Mark your calendars and check out these events!