Monthly Archive for November, 2005

Santa magically arrives at the Pen Centre (courtesy of Greg Frewin)

Published
by
Graham
on November 18, 2005
in Niagara Falls Attractions, Niagara Falls Events and Niagara Falls News
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From Niagara This Week:

Santa will attempt to break all known speed records on Saturday when he appears at the Pen Centre an instant after leaving the North Pole.

The appearance in Sears Court is being made possible courtesy of Niagara Falls-based magician Greg Frewin, also known as the “International Grand Champion of Magic”

The festivities begin Saturday, November 19 at 11 a.m. with the parade beginning at Zehrs.

There is also an ad that has been in the paper:

Greg Frewin Santa ad

Santa magically arrives at the Pen Centre

Saturday, November 19 at 11 a.m.

Santa arrives at the Pen Centre with all the enchantment of the season. The spellbinding sleight of hand of “The International Grand Champion of Magic,” Greg Frewin, will make Santa miraculously appear in Sears Court direct from the North Poll. Complete with a ballot to win a family pass to The Greg Frewin Dinner Theatre plus two nights deluxe accommodation with breakfasts at the Clarion President Hotel and Suites by the Falls… plus many more prices.
The parade to Santaland begins at Zehrs.

Niagara Square Rebirth

Published
by
Graham
on November 18, 2005
in Niagara Falls News and Niagara Falls Shopping
. 1 Comment

From Niagara This Week:

Niagara Square mall is about to undergo a rebirth, reversing a slow decline that saw the shopping centre gradually eclipsed by major retail centres in other areas of the city.

The mall’s new owner, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, has lured four major big box stores in what will be a multimillion-dollar project that could return the shopping centre to its former role as a major regional player in the retail sector.

The coup should also end rumours the mall might eventually be slated for closure.

Santa parade this Saturday

Published
by
Graham
on November 18, 2005
in Niagara Falls News
. 0 Comments

From Niagara This Week:

Once again, the jolly old elf himself is coming to Niagara Falls for the annual Santa Claus Parade.

A Line or Two

Published
by
Graham
on November 18, 2005
in Niagara Falls News
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From the Niagara Gazette:

It was five years ago that A Festival of Lights went dark here.

After a 20-year run, the event was shutdown in 2000 for a number of reasons.

Basically it lacked a hefty infusion of capital to create new attractions, upgrade the displays and expand its marketing and promotional efforts. In the evening of its life, a common complaint from visitors was ‘same-old, same-old.’

In retrospect, a major sponsor (e.g. Kodak or Southwest Airlines) would have saved the day.

The Dreadful, Dreary, Boring World of Commie Casinos

Published
by
Graham
on November 17, 2005
in Niagara Falls Casinos and Gaming and Niagara Falls News
. 2 Comments

From the Ludvig von Mises Institute:

In Canada, government-owned and run casinos made a mess of the true entertainment value created by casinos in a competitive free market. The government-owned casinos of Ontario claim to be the “peoples’” factors of production. But anyone with experience in real casinos can only see this as a pathetic joke.

I realized this on a recent visit to Niagara Falls, Canada. The town had two government-owned casinos, five minutes apart. The design of the casinos was the same with no theme and no real difference in games and services provided. The first casino is called the Niagara Casino, and the second is called the Niagara Fallsview Casino.

Many anti-capitalists argue that capitalism is only concerned about money and ignores things such as beauty and creativity. The truth of socialism is on display with these two casinos.

Gift gives city site for new twin-pad arena

Published
by
Graham
on November 16, 2005
in Niagara Falls News
. 0 Comments

From Niagara This Week:

The city now has a site for its new twin-pad arena big enough to make it a four-pad down the road, thanks to a gift from a family of prominent hoteliers in the Falls.

The city will have six hectares, or 15 acres, to build its new twin-pad arena complex, which includes a 2,001-seat arena and a 250-seat “bare bones” ice surface, within the old Cytec industrial property at 4001 Fourth Ave. The DiCienzo family, which runs Canadian Niagara Hotels, will acquire about 93 acres of the property and donate the 15 acres valued at about $3 million. Council accepted the gift at Monday’s meeting.

Oak Hall a famous Niagara landmark

Published
by
Graham
on November 12, 2005
in Niagara Falls History
. 0 Comments

There is a great article in today’s Niagara Falls Review about Oak Hall. Written by Sherman Zavitz, it details the changes in ownership, and focuses on the renovations/additions that the Oakes family did.

Unfortunately, the article isn’t available online. Here’s a snippet:

Without question, it is one of Niagara Falls’ best-known landmarks. Proudly standing above Dufferin Islands and the Upper Rapids of the Niagara River, Oak Hall is a stately reminder of both an elegant era and a prominent family from our city’s past.

A good history of the building is available from the Niagara Parks web site:
Oak Hall History

November Clifton Hill Resorts Update

Published
by
Graham
on November 9, 2005
in Niagara Falls Hotels
. 0 Comments

Last night I received the November issue of the Clifton Hill Resorts Update newsletter:

It has the usual trivia question, a highlight of packages at the Quality Inn Clifton Hill and the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill, and also a promotion for the gift certificates. The monthly feature is on the Winter Festival of Lights.

If you want subscribe, visit http://www.cliftonhill.com/niagara_falls_newsletter/

On a side note, why is it called Clifton Hill Resorts (note the S on the end of Resorts)? The property is very nice with good quality attractions, but I don’t think I would call it a resort. And I certainly would think they have more than 1 resort.

Ring in the New Year in Style

Published
by
Graham
on November 9, 2005
in Niagara Falls Hotels
. 0 Comments

Yesterday I received the latest newsletter from the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview. It’s exactly the same as the last one. They are promoting their New Year’s Eve specials.

You can subscribe by clicking on the Special Email Offers link on the side of the Marriott Niagara Falls Fallsview & Spa main page.

Ontario Government Strengthens Tourism By Supporting Winter Festival of Lights

Published
by
Graham
on November 4, 2005
in Niagara Falls Attractions and Niagara Falls News
. 0 Comments

From Canada News Wire:

Attention News/Travel Editors:
Ontario Government Strengthens Tourism By Supporting Winter Festival of Lights

Funding Will Help Attract Visitors to Niagara

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - The Ontario government is promoting tourism and prosperity in Niagara Falls by helping to market the Winter Festival of Lights, Tourism Minister Jim Bradley announced today.

“The Winter Festival of Lights is one of the most spectacular in North America, giving thousands of visitors a reason to come back and experience Niagara Falls in the winter,” said Bradley. “I commend the organizers for making this such a successful event for the whole family to enjoy.”

The Ontario government is providing the Winter Festival of Lights with $44,500 to help pay for newspaper, radio, television, and magazine advertising to promote the festival across Ontario and in selected markets in the United States. Tourism is a $1.8-billion business in the Niagara area.

The 23rd Annual Winter Festival of Lights runs until January 2, 2006, and features over one million lights, illuminated night parades, fireworks, kids shows, dinner theatres, concerts and other events including a New Year’s Eve Extravaganza. For the complete program log on to: www.WFOL.com

“The Winter Festival of Lights is one of Niagara Falls’ most popular events, and this funding ensures that this year’s event will be one of the best,” said Dino Fazio, General Manager. “The support is important not just to the festival, but to tourism in Niagara Falls as well.”

“Our government recognizes the importance of tourism in the Niagara region,” said Bradley. “Festivals and events attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to communities and help to build a strong and prosperous economy.”

Disponible en francais

www.tourism.gov.on.ca
www.ontariotravel.net

For further information:
David Oved, Minister’s Office, (416) 314-1400
Gary Wheeler, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391