Monthly Archive for June, 2005

Cruise the Falls - A personal letter from Premier McGuinty

I found this on the Cruise the Falls forum. The organizers of the event got a letter from Dalton McGuinty, the Premier of Ontario (similar to a Governer of a State).
Here is a small version of the scanned letter, and the text of the letter below it:

Cruise the Falls - A Personal Message From The Premier

Ontario
Premier of Ontario - Premier ministre del l’Ontario

June 24 - 26, 2005

A Personal Message From The Premier

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to everyone attending Cruise the Falls, the fifth annual PT Cruiser international car show.

I am confident that this year’s meet will continue to give attendees from across Canada and the United Stats the opportunity to share fond memories with old friends, forge new friendships and swap stories over your common passion - the PT Cruiser. This event is also renowned for its fundraising achievements, and this year is no exception. All funds raised will go toward worthy charitable organizations.

If you are a repeat or first-time visitor to Ontario: welcome to Canada’s largest province - home to exciting arts and entertainment industries, thriving businesses, rich cultural institutions and some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery. I hope you will find the time to appreciate the many outstanding sites, activities and natural features the Niagara area has to offer.

I extend my appreciation to all those who devoted so much of their time and energy to making this event possible. Take pride in your work and commitment to making Cruise the Falls memorable for so many people.

Please accept my sincere best wishes for an enjoyable show.

Dalton McGuinty
Premier

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort enlists world’s greatest wirewalker to kick off summer season

As we’ve mentioned many times, Jay Cochrane is back in the Falls:

Jay is skywalking from the Fallsview Casino to the Hilton hotel, as well as from the Fallsview Casino to the Skylon Tower. I came across the official press release and figured I’d post it. It is a couple of weeks old now:

From PR Newswire:

Jay Cochrane to walk on cable strung 400 feet above Fallsview Boulevard

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, June 9 /CNW/ - Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will launch the Niagara region’s bustling tourist season on June 14 with an outdoor party featuring a “skywalking” event by record-breaking wirewalker Jay Cochrane.

Cochrane, who has performed several of the longest and highest wirewalks in history, will walk on a cable spanning the 650 feet between the roof of the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort hotel tower and the roof of the neighbouring Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview hotel at a height of 400 feet - all with the thundering Horseshoe Falls as a backdrop. Cochrane’s walk will begin at noon sharp.

“As I move through the planning of these wirewalking events with Jay, I become more and more aware that we are tapping into Niagara’s colorful past even as Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is steadily helping to move the region into it future,” said Larry L. Lewin, President, Niagara Casinos. “The names of wirewalkers like Blondin and Farini hearken back to Niagara’s first golden age. We are now entering what I think is Niagara’s second golden age, so I think it’s only fitting that we revive the wirewalking tradition here.”

Between 11am and 3pm, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort will host the “Jay Cochrane Summer Kick-Off Party” in its main valet entrance area on Fallsview Boulevard. This invitation-only event will feature live entertainment, a barbecue and a unique wirewalking challenge for charity. Members of the media and local dignitaries will have the chance to take a very quick wirewalking lesson from Cochrane before walking a special wire strung close to the ground. The longer the walk, the more money the casino’s Cares Foundation will donate to charity.

The Jay Cochrane Summer Kick-Off Party will serve as a prelude to Cochrane’s next record-breaking walk. On Canada Day (July 1) and again on Independence Day (July 4), Cochrane will walk a second cable, this one strung between the roof of Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort’s hotel tower and the top of one of Niagara’s iconic landmarks - the Skylon Tower. At a distance of 1,800 feet and at a height beginning at 400 feet and ending at over 600 feet, these will be the longest and highest (combined) skywalks every performed in North America.

Cochrane holds six world records for wirewalking, including the longest and highest wirewalk ever performed. In 1995, Cochrane walked on a cable strung between the cliff walls on either side of China’s gaping Qutang Gorge. At a distance of 2,098 feet and a height of 1,340 feet above the Yangtze River, it is considered the greatest skywalk ever accomplished.

Cochrane’s remarkable events go far beyond regular wirewalking. They are carefully choreographed performances timed to music he selects and customizes for each walk. The walks also include a thrilling connection between Cochrane and the audience below. While walking the wire, Cochrane actually speaks to the audience through a wireless microphone.

“I bring them up onto the wire with me,” explains Cochrane, a native of Canada. “They don’t just see the performance, they feel it. I am proud to present these skywalks to my native Canada.”

(x) (x) (x)

MEDIA NOTES:

Members of the media covering the June 14 wirewalk and Summer Kick-Off are asked to park in the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort parking garage and make their way across Fallsview Boulevard to the lobby of the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview by 11:30am to be escorted to the media viewing area on the roof of the Hilton in time for the noon skywalk.

As the media viewing space on the roof of the Hilton is limited, members of the media are asked to register their attendance by 5pm on Friday, June 10.

Following the walk, Cochrane will be available for interviews and will host his “Wirewalking Challenge” in the valet area at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Members of the media and local dignitaries will be given the chance to walk a special wire strung near the ground. The longer the walk, the more money the Cares Foundation will donate to the walker’s favorite charity.

Please note that this will be Cochrane’s very first walk of the summer and the only opportunity for members of the media to capture images of Cochrane walking from Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort to the Hilton Niagara Falls Fallsview with the Horseshoe Falls at his back.

Following the walk, the media will move back across Fallsview Boulevard for the “Charity Wirewalking Challenge” and its related festivities.

To ensure his own safety and that of his audiences, Cochrane will not skywalk in inclement weather - particularly if it is raining or very windy. In the event of inclement weather, the “Jay Cochrane Summer Kick-Off will take place the next day, on Wednesday, June 15. All other details would remain the same.

To register your attendance for June 14, please contact: Kevin Harding, Corporate Communications, (905) 358-3255, ext. 53013, kharding@fallsviewcasinoresort.com

New Harley-Davidson Store on Clifton Hill

There is a new store open on Clifton Hill. Underneath the Pizza Pizza patio, and beside the Blue Moon souvenir store, is a new Harley-Davidson store. I don’t know if they are trying to get some of the business that may be visiting the Classic Iron Motorcycle Museum, or if it is just a coincidence.

The store is quite large, and seems kind of empty at the moment. It’ll probably fill up more as more items are brought in to sell.

Front of Harley Davidson store on Clifton Hill
Front of new Harley-Davidson store on Clifton Hill

Inside of Harley Davidson store on Clifton Hill
Inside of Harley-Davidson store on Clifton Hill

Inside of Harley Davidson store on Clifton Hill
Another inside shot of Harley-Davidson store on Clifton Hill

Montana’s Cookhouse Now Open

As visitor Louise mentioned, the new Montana’s on Victoria Avenue (at the top of Clifton Hill) is open.

Montana's Now Open

Getting ready for the big sky walk

Jay Cochrane will be walking from the Fallsview Casino to the Skylon Tower each Saturday. This all kicks off on Friday, July 1 (Canada Day). Here are a few pictures of the wire being put into place:

Casino to Skylon Tower skywalking cable
Cable hanging down from Fallsview Casino
Casino to Skylon Tower skywalking cable
Two lifts holding the cable up across Murray Hill

Casino to Skylon Tower skywalking cable
Closeup shot of the cable

I’m still trying to get a shot of Jay doing his sky walking, but it has been quite windy lately, so I haven’t seen him out.

Chef to Stars in Falls

Visit the Niagara This Week web site for a picture of Wolfgang Puck in the kitchen at the grand opening of the Wolfgang Puck Cafe.

You can search the Niagara Falls Blog for all the posts about the progress and opening of the restaurant.

Suzuki speaks out in the hope of change

Well-known Canadian scientist David Suzuki was in St. Catharines recently for a fundraiser and spoke out against Marineland. Marineland is currently suing the Niagara Action for Animals group claiming that they have been harmed economically because of the groups actions. The Niagara This Week newspaper had an informative article titled Suzuki Wades into Fight with Marineland but I couldn’t find it online. The Brock Press does have an article online.

The cool night of the 11th of June was heated up by the passionate talk of Canada’s famous scientist, Dr. David Suzuki, at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.

This fundraising event was organized to help out with the animal protection group Niagara Action for Animals (NAfA), who are being sued by Marineland of Canada for economic loss. The reason for the lawsuit action by Marineland is explained by the Public Education Director for NAfA Daniel Wilson.

“It was in response to a letter written by NAfA to a Niagara Falls auto dealership which was planning to hold their staff Christmas party at the marine park” said Wilson. “NAfA offered to meet with the dealership to voice concerns about the conditions and treatment of the animals at Marineland, and the risks to public safety.”

Dr. Suzuki came in support of NAfA in their upcoming lawsuit. The audience was quite literally buzzing before the night started. The event was completely sold out, with over 600 people all waiting to hear the wisdom of Dr. David Suzuki.

Read the rest of the article here.

Marineland logo

Marineland always claims that they treat the animals fairly. I have been in contact with John Holer, Jr. and he’s agreed to answer some questions (I asked him before I’d read this article). I won’t be getting too much into these sorts of issues, but I will ask him for a general comment on the treatment of the animals.

Are we thrilling ourselves to death?

Today’s front page of the Toronto Star had an interesting article titled Are we thrilling ourselves to death? The article isn’t about Niagara Falls, but given the renewed interested in having amusement rides/attractions in Niagara Falls, I thought it was relevant:

Higher, faster, upside down and …?

Whatever it takes to melt your mind, churn your stomach and hand you your lunch.

Every year, there’s a fresh contender on the amusement park scene. But has the race to deliver the next great midway breath-snatcher finally outstripped safety?

Read the entire article at http://tinyurl.com/9dazz

Jay Cochrane Skywalking

I haven’t taken any pictures yet, but I believe that yesterday was the first of dozens of “skywalks” that Jay Cochrane will take from the Fallsview Casino to the Hilton hotel. I saw him yesterday, but I was too far away to see more than a dot on the wire. It was quite windy and we eventually got rain today, and I didn’t see Jay at all, so I assume it was cancelled due to the weather.

One of these days I’ll take my camera and get a picture. He’s pretty high up though, so I don’t think the picture will show much.

No news is good news?

There is a phrase, “No news is good new.” That may or may not be true depending on the industry you are in. For me, it’s probably bad news since that means I don’t have anything to post about.

I think it is going to be hard to post a lot in the summer. Almost no one does anything new and different during the summer. Once the Victoria Day and Memorial Day weekends arrive in May, operators don’t want to do anything until after Labour Day. They only have those 3-4 months to make big $$$ so they don’t want to risk interrupting things with construction or changing things.

I always keep my eyes out for new things, and will do my best…