Candidates for the 2011 Holyrood election have until 4pm today to register their place. The Edinburgh constituency boundaries have changed a little, and some have been renamed. The five constituencies are Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh North and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western. Scotland on Sunday held the latest of its election hustings yesterday at The Scotsman building and you can catch up on some of what was said at one of the earlier events in the video below. Do you know of any election hustings taking place in the city? Please tell us!

Watch live streaming video from scotlandvotes at livestream.com

Looking forward to the Easter Holidays already? Then you might like to know about this way of occupying your children. Gorgie City Farm needs FARMER’S HELPERS: “We are taking bookings for the Easter Holidays (11th-15th and 18th-22nd April). Still £7 per child per morning, book early to avoid disappointment. (All first week 11-15th April now full).”

It is 18 days since the earthquake struck Japan, and already fundraising efforts have begun springing up all over the world. Here in Edinburgh there is to be a poetry, muisc and piano recital event on Wednesday 30 March 2011 at 19.30 at St John’s Church Princes Street. Entry by donation.

It is also planned to hold a comedy fundraising event, Fix Japan, on Sunday 10th April at the Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh is only one of the student bodies which has joined up to form a fundraising unit for Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

If you are a runner then you could donate any money raised to the Run For Japan fund. The idea is to cover 24,901 miles (right around the world) in 28 days with at least one run dedicated from every country in the World. There must be more events organised in Edinburgh – if you are in charge then do let us know!

If you want to be really organised you could already buy a ticket for the Foodies Festival, which takes place in August this year, although you have to wait till this Saturday before you can buy a ticket for the various shows at the other festival. Edinburgh International Festival 2011 (Friday 12 August – Sunday 4 September) is an exploration and celebration of the vibrant and diverse cultures of Asia and the long standing influences on the cultural landscape of the west.
Artists from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, as well as North America, Germany, Belgium, Russia, the UK and from across the Arab speaking world gather in Edinburgh for three weeks of classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre, opera and visual arts.

And if you prefer something a little more frothy and frivolous for your Festival delight then The Scotsman alert us to the news that Festival in the Sky is returning…..but cheaper and with more entertainment. The idea is that you go to Princes Street Gardens and sit around a table hoisted high in the air (strapped in for safety mind!) and last year ate a gourmet meal. This year we are told things will be a little different to try and encourage more customers.

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