Daily Archive for June 16th, 2007

Angling from edge of Niagara’s reel heaven

Published
by
Graham
on June 16, 2007
in Niagara Falls News and Niagara Falls Scenery
. 5 Comments

From the Toronto Star:

Most people don’t know it, but tucked within one of the world’s great tourist meccas is a fishing spot delivering wilderness majesty and year-around sport to any angler bold enough to venture there.

But, be warned, fishing the Whirlpool is not for the faint of heart. Quite literally – anyone with cardiac problems should stay away.

Considered one of the top 12 attractions of Niagara Falls, most visitors see the Whirlpool rapids comfortably from above, looking down from the safety of the escarpment or from the cable car that has been traversing this chasm since 1916.

But there is a different view to be had; one from the water’s edge, with a fishing rod in hand and the current lapping at your boots.

Supercharged loonie takes flight against the dollar

Published
by
Graham
on June 16, 2007
in Niagara Falls News
. 0 Comments

From the Buffalo News:

The Canadian dollar has soared to its highest value in 30 years, and experts predict it soon may be worth as much as its American cousin.

That’s bad news for area residents who rely on the strong American dollar to lower the real cost of the Chinese food, theater tickets and ice wine they purchase in Ontario.

But it’s great news for retailers in Erie and Niagara counties, because a robust Canadian dollar makes American goods more attractive to shoppers from Canada.

“As the Canadian dollar has gotten stronger, we have seen more Canadian shoppers visit Walden Galleria with more frequency,” said James L. Soos, general manager of the the mall in Cheektowaga.

The Canadian dollar has risen as the relationships between residents and businesses on the two sides of the international border undergo fundamental changes.

More Canadians than ever are shopping at Walden Galleria and flying from Buffalo Niagara International Airport, also in Cheektowaga.

But fewer Americans are golfing at Legends on the Niagara and visiting the Mints Lounge, an adult-entertainment club.

The dollar “has an immediate psychological impact,” but there’s a number of reasons why Americans aren’t visiting, said Chris Lansdale, general manager of Mints. “It’s a list as long as my arm, and they’ve been accumulating since 9/11.”

Implementation of WHTI passport plan bumped back to summer 2009

Published
by
Graham
on June 16, 2007
in Niagara Falls News and Niagara Falls Travel
. 4 Comments

From the Niagara Falls Review:

Within minutes of receiving word the controversial passport law had been delayed until summer 2009, Arlene White spread the good news.

With a few clicks of her computer mouse, the executive director at the Binational Tourism Alliance instantly notified some 5,000 associates that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative has been placed on hold for at least two years.

“We are unbelievably happy right now,” she said Friday afternoon.

“It’s a relief to finally hear some sensible approach to this.”

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 379 to 45 Friday to prohibit the implementation of WHTI at the Canada-U.S. border until June 2009.