Residents in the Durham Region have something to look forward to this month, as a non-profit group based in the area will be holding a fun event to kick off 2010 this January 23, Saturday. The event also happens to come with a significant cause behind it.

Before the winter season comes to an end, Durham Region’s John Howard Society is organizing a skating event for charity at the General Motors Centre located in the City of Oshawa, taking place from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.

Residents and locals alike can get in by paying the $2 entrance fee at the gate. All proceeds for the event will be used by the John Howard Society in organizing helpful community events and programs like job fairs, counseling, housing services, and more. Those living in Ajax, Oshawa, Bowmanville, and Whitby are the prime targets for these activities

The John Howard Society in Durham has helped over 50,000 people last year, and its workload only looks to increase in 2010.

Aside from great fun for the entire family, those in attendance have a chance to win great freebies, and prizes will also be given away for lucky game winners.

For details and information, you can log-on to www.jhsdurham.on.ca.

Want to see something cool to kick off the New Year on a memorable note? Well a performance by a musical duo from Claremont, Ontario just might give you your fix to last the year.

Dropping by the city of Oshawa are Outside The Lines, a two-piece band comprised of Ted Wright on acoustic guitar, blues harp, & vocals, and John Frechette on percussions. The duo will be performing at Oshawa’s Tartan Tavern, which is located along 555 Rossland Road, on the 3rd of January, 4 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening.

The band has an affinity for roots and blues, citing influences like J Cale and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.

It’s a night of good music and merrymaking as Outiside The Lines performs covers from artists like Neil Young, Eric Clapton, The Beatles and The Allman Brothers. In fact, as long it’s got a good beat and melody, Outside The Lines promises to do what they can, even playing the odd stripped-down pop song!

So, don’t forget to mark your calendars and head to the Tavern for a memorable musical experience!

For more info on Outside The Lines, log on to www www.myspace.com/outsidethelinestunes.

For the coming months of January and February, Oshawa’s public libraries have something great in store for adults in the region.

To kick off the year on a strong note, public libraries in the city will be offering a wide range of programs scattered on various dates, aimed at drawing in more adults to the libraries.

The McLaughlin branch, which is located on Bagot Street, will be holding a special movie night on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 in the evening. Aside from film showings, residents can also pick from the public library’s various book clubs.

Here’s a look at the activities other libraries have to offer.

Jess Hann Public Library:

• Wii pool party on February 24 at 7 in evening
• Durham College Job Connect to be held every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 in the afternoon

Northview Public Library:

• Movie matinee every Thursday of the month at 2 in the afternoon
• Film showings on selected Tuesday evenings
• The Harlem Renaissance, a lecture studying the creative movements of Black American artists and writers in the past to be held on January 30

These and many more are happening throughout the public libraries of Oshawa. Don’t forget to mark your calendars.

Every Canadian knows that the winter season is practically synonymous with ice skating and hockey, and this year is no different.

With many people across the country eagerly bringing out their mitts, skates, and everything else needed to conquer the ice, all that’s needed to have fun is a good location or venue to skate.

Fortunately, Tim Hortons—yes, the doughnut and coffee shop we just love—has decided to team up with arenas in Oshawa and the Durham Region to hold free skates for the holidays.

That’s right free! In this tough economic climate, every penny counts, and spending for fun and recreation can sometimes take a backseat to other necessities.

Skating and hockey enthusiasts will be pleased to know that these free skates will be held during the entire winter season and hosted in locations scattered throughout Durham and Oshawa.

Check out some of these free skate locations with corresponding dates below:

• Blackstock Arena, on the 27th December, from 2 to 4 in the afternoon
• Donevan Recreation Complex, on the 28th of December, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.
• Pickering Recreation Complex, on the 28th and 29th of December, from 1 to 3 in the afternoon

So what’re you waiting for? Mark your calendars and get your skates ready!

Want to do or watch something new and unique before 2009 ends? If you’re around Oshawa this month, here’s a performance/concert you should definitely check out.

Make your Christmas special and dance the night away with renowned Six-time Canadian fiddle champion Six-time Mark Sullivan.

The fun performer is set to present his Old Time Country Reunion Dance on the 19th of December at 8 in the evening in Oshawa. Come over and join Sullivan for a night of endless dancing to traditional fiddling along with classic country crooning. The famous fiddler will also be joined by Tom Sawyer who’s set to take the stage on bass and vocals. Evelyn Stinson, who will be on the piano, is expected to be on the show as well.

All these and more, plus a chance to win big prizes, just for showing up!

The performance will take place the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43. Doors open at exactly 7:30 in the evening.

Tickets are priced at $17 for adults, while students can get in for $6. You can score your tickets at these establishments:

• Sully’s Barber Shop
• Lee Music Store

Tickets will also be sold at the venue itself. So what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on this fun and unique event, grab your tickets now!

After weeks of endless waiting, the Olympic torch finally made its way to the City of Oshawa.

Despite standing for hours in the bitter cold, the atmosphere of pride and joy warmed things up as thousands upon thousands of Oshawa residents and people from neighboring communities gathered to witness this once in a lifetime event.

Downtown Oshawa was the center of the commotion as an outdoor celebration welcomed the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic torch to the City.

Parking lots in Oshawa’s downtown district were packed and the streets were closed to accommodate the sea of people all coming out to take part in the festivities. And as the flame was carried by the city’s local torchbearers, people flocked to the torch-route waving flags furiously as they welcomed the Olympic symbol.

Lots of other activities were organized to coincide with the special occasion. Live bands, dancers, as well as games & prizes were just some of the things happening on that same day. Kids and their families eagerly came to the torch to pose for pictures, while others lined up for autographs from both past and future Olympians.

The 2010 Winter Olympics is set to take place in Vancouver, British Columbia. The relay still has to visit over 1000 communities before the culminating event on the 12th of February, 2010.

Oshawa Ontario, the Motor City of Canada, is home to General Motors Canada and the estate of its founder, Parkwood Estate – now made a historical site and starring in famous movies like X-Men. The company has always been the driving force of the city’s economy ever since it’s founding in 1876. But there is a lot more to the city beyond the motor industry.

Located 60 km facing east of Toronto, Oshawa boasts of more than 2,000 acres of open space and parklands to explore among them Lakeview Park of Lake Ontario. Natural habitat complemented with a number of exciting and fun festivities all year round and the presence of the largest shopping mall in the region should be more than enough for anyone regardless of age or origin.

Keep in touch to know more of our city’s upcoming events and the places to stay and visit!