Monthly Archive for December, 2006

Holiday spirit on trial

From Niagara This Week:

As Sue Forcier looks around the city and sees residents enjoying the season and all the festivities happening throughout Niagara Falls, she can’t help but think about being in Ottawa in two months time to claim the top prize in a contest measuring holiday spirit.

“I want to win, I have a feeling we are going to win,” said Forcier of the WinterLights Celebration, a frozen version of the popular Communities in Bloom.

Judges visited Niagara Falls on the weekend, putting the city under the microscope in five categories and taking all winter activities into account, not just the famous Winter Festival of Lights.

Draftcon Calamar: Building a Reputation

The latest issue of Business Link Niagara has an article about Draftcon Calamar, a construction designer/contractor firm, has built several building in the Niagara area. Most recently they completed work on the A Young Garden restaurant.

A recently completed project, the building for Hana America Corporation garnered high praise from a customer that is indicative of Draftcon Calamar’s commitment to their long term goal. Chol-Hwan Kim, Director Hana America Corporation wrote, “Your dedication and ability are sterling examples of the highest goals in construction management as a vice president project executive.” This very project has been recognized with the First Place Specialty Buildings Award for the utilization of concrete in construction. The management team accepted the award in November at Constructs Canada, Canada’s largest construction trade show and conference, sponsored by the Ontario Construction Association.

Glover defends Niagara actions

From the Globe and Mail:

Lawyers for Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover will plead not guilty on the actor’s behalf in a St. Catharines, Ont., court on Tuesday to a trespassing charge.

The court appearance is the result of actions related to a protest in which Glover, 60, participated in September in Niagara Falls, Ont., in support of workers at three hotels there.

Security officers at one of the hotels, the Sheraton on the Falls, charged Glover with trespassing along with Wayne Samuelson, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, and Alex Dagg, Canadian co-director of the UNITE HERE union, whose local 2347 represents an estimated 500 workers at the Sheraton, Skyline Inn and Brock Plaza hotels. All three hotels are owned by Canadian Niagara Hotels.

I reported on his original visit here.

Cool Things to do at Niagara Falls

From AssociatedContent:

Niagara. It should come as no surprise that the very name means “water!” Whether you visit Niagara Falls from the US or the Canadian side, you can’t help but be impressed by this natural wonder. I visited Niagara recently during a quick jaunt to Ontario, Canada and found out there’s more to the area than just the waterfalls themselves.

Niagara Falls used to be THE premier spot to honeymoon and also get married during the 1930’s and 40’s. These days it’s more famous for barrel jumpers and the occasional suicide, although plenty of couples still go there to exchange wedding vows and snaps pictures.

Depending on how much time you have you’ll be pleased to know that “downtown” Ontario — conveniently located right by the falls - comes complete with 2 major casinos, a Ferris wheel, and dozens of sidewalk amusements including attractions from Marvel Comics, the Hard Rock Cafe, and Planet Hollywood. A new indoor water park on the top floor of the hotel at the Hard Rock Café and Casino is a great place for the kids.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Niagara Falls, Ontario

From Buzzle.com:

Celebrating the New Year in a new and exciting environment is highly desirable - and one of the main bi-products of the increasing number of cheap flights and greater global mobility is that this is becoming more and more possible. People living in Chicago can now choose to celebrate the New Year in Edinburgh, Sydney or Paris; however, you don’t have to travel quite so far away from home to enjoy a spectacular party on December 31st. Visit the Winter Festival of Lights being held in Clifton Hills, in Niagara Falls, Ontario this year and you’ll be able to count down to the 1st of January in style.

Casino Niagara turns 10

From Niagara This Week:

For the better part of the 1980s and in to the 1990s, Niagara Falls was in an economic downward spiral.

Residents were losing good-paying manufacturing jobs as large factories in the city’s industrial sector were shutting down. The unemployment rate was among the worst in the country, reaching a high of 11.7 per cent in 1996.

Average household incomes dropped to under $30,000 by the mid-1990s and the housing market was in decline. The city’s tourism industry stagnated.

‘Aggressive facelift’ gave casino new life

From the Niagara Falls Review:

Despite a downturn in tourism and fewer players, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming says it is committed to Casino Niagara’s long-term future.

“Both casinos, for us, are part of a larger vision to revitalize the Niagara Falls region … into a unique, year-round destination,” said OLG spokeswoman Teresa Roncon. “We certainly feel the casinos add to the success of Niagara Falls as one of the world’s most popular destinations.”

Earlier this year, OLG inked a two-year deal with Canadian Niagara Hotels, which owns the property where Casino Niagara is located.

Casino opening was city’s windfall

From the Niagara Falls Review:

Toddlers with water-wings, splashing about in the YMCA’s leisure pool, seem a world away from the ringing bells, stacks of poker chips and whirling roulette wheels at Casino Niagara.

But there’s a link that might be easy to overlook.

Niagara’s casinos donated $250,000 toward the construction of the MacBain Community Centre, the year-old Montrose Road facility home to the YMCA.

A plaque outside the pool indicates it’s named after the Cares Foundation of Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara.

That long handle is the full name of the casinos’ philanthropic arm. Almost as soon as Casino Niagara opened in 1996, its management company and employees got into the spirit of giving.

Ten years later, early patrons offer different take on casino

From the Niagara Falls Review:

Slots. Poker. Blackjack. Roulette. Expect to win some and expect to lose some when you go to a casino. The same thing when the casino comes to you.

After 10 years of having casino gambling in the community, some Niagarans recognize the benefits while others question how much it has done and why it can’t do more.

On Dec. 9, 1996 when Casino Niagara opened, The Review interviewed dozens of people. Ten years later, the perspectives of two of them show just how different feelings are now.

Changing times 1996-2006

From the Niagara Falls Review:

Not long ago, lineups used to be out the door at Casino Niagara. Even in winter, women with fur coats over little black dresses and men in suits would queue up for hours on Friday or Saturday nights.

“Those were days when people lined up and were backed up into the Oneida Lane area,” said casino spokesman Greg Medulun.

But the only thing standing on Oneida Lane last weekend was a billboard advertising a Goo Goo Dolls concert. The B-list band from Buffalo is playing at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Across the river. At the competition.

Casino Niagara opened Dec. 9, 1996 - 10 years ago from tomorrow.