Downtown Cambridge's Second Saturday event on February 11 promises to deliver fun and romance for Valentine’s Day weekend starting at 5pm. This month's festivities feature a special event: Dragonfly Boutique is sponsoring the “High Heel Race Down Race Street” to benefit breast cancer research. After the race, stay downtown to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Look for romantic restaurants, late shopping hours for that special Valentine's gift, live music, and free gallery receptions, all in a four-block stretch of downtown Cambridge. For full details—including where to find jewelry 50% off on Saturday, click below.

Crabi Gras hosts the first annual Crawfish Boil and Muskrat Stew Fest on Sunday, February 26 -- in honor of that weekend's National Outdoor Show in Dorchester County, with its focus on muskrats and connections with Louisiana. The fest will happen in downtown Cambridge, Maryland near Crabi Gras at 432 Race Street. Check back for details!

Downtown Cambridge's newest business, The Race Street Gallery, is now open in the back space of Joie de Vivre Gallery at 410 Race Street.  Works by 20 different juried artists are featured, along with information about how customers can see more of the artists’ work online. This is the latest venture for Joie de Vivre owner Joy Staniforth, who last year added four artist studios above Joie de Vivre Gallery in a second-floor project modeled on the famed Torpedo Factory.

2011 brought 13 new businesses, lots of building improvements, several awards, and some record-breaking achievements to downtown Cambridge. Click below for the full list! Thanks to everyone who's played a part in downtown's continuing progress—Main Street donors and volunteers, merchants, local foundations and businesses, and the community at large that supports downtown.

There’ll be a new Main Street manager on the job early next year, and Mari Stanley is eager to step into that role. “The more I learn about the position, the more excited I am,” Stanley said. “I’m thrilled by the prospect of working with the great folks involved in Main Street.”

Stanley’s hiring was announced to the Main Street Board of Directors earlier this week by President Phil Feldman. Feldman told the board that a five-person search committee felt that Stanley possessed the perfect mix of passion, people skills, and professional expertise for the position. Click below to read more.