August 1, 2006 21:06 - An unusual slant on history
Significant historical events often get studied from different viewpoints. Have you ever considered what a horse goes through in a battle in days of olde?
You can find out this Saturday, Aug 5, 2006. 1 pm at Brock's Monument.
General Brock's horse subject of tour
Niagara Falls Review, August 01, 2006
Alfred the Horse will be the focus of a walking tour at Brock Monument Saturday. Hosted by author Robert Malcomson, the walk begins at 1 p.m. and will detail the role horses played in the battle of Queenston Heights.
The three-hour tour will include the story of Major General Isaac Brock's grey stallion named Alfred. For tickets or additional information, call the Friends of Fort George at 905-468-6621
Reread the article.
August 2, 2006 22:03 - Avaia is something for whole family
I just returned from a very enjoyable afternoon watching Avaia at Rapidsview Park. That's right across from Marineland. The show is a cross between Cirque de Soliel and the circus. The acrobatics were astonishing and the whole place shook when the horses thundered by. There were some simulated battle scenes that my two boys loved. "It was like Lord of the Rings" my youngest insisted. We are glad we went.
They have a current special where kids 12 and under are free when accompanying a paying adult. We had gotten the most inexpensive seats for the 5 pm show but since there was a small crowd, our seating area was closed and we were asked to take a seat right up front on the side. We ended up in the first row. Wonderful.
Read all about Cirque Niagara's Avaia
August 5, 2006 16:40 - Enjoying the summer
I hope you are making the most of your summer. With the kids being out of school the status quo is but a happy dream. Well its time to take a week off from being on-line and enjoy some family fun. Enjoy your week and talk to you again soon.
August 16, 2006 20:36 - Rock, paper, sissors has Niagara contestant
The action was tense and exciting as Rosemary Harper, of St Catharines, earned her seat in the $10,000 RPS International World Championships this November in Toronto. The winning move? Paper covers rock. The Niagara Falls Review were on the scene to cover all the action.Paper covers rock, Review covers tournament
by RAY SPITERI in the Niagara Falls Review, Monday, August 14, 2006
Most people play Rock Paper Scissors to settle a dispute.
But on Saturday, it was played for an opportunity to win some serious dough this fall in Toronto.
The eyes of the international Rock Paper Scissors community were focused on the Corona Bar at Casino Niagara over the weekend, where a seat in the $10,000 RPS International World Championships this November was up for grabs.
The tournament, which was sanctioned by the Toronto-based World RPS Society, featured competitors from all walks of life.
Rosemary Harper, of St. Catharines, outfoxed 63 competitors to win the first-ever Casino Niagara Rock Paper Scissors tournament.
Harper finished off her final opponent with a throw of paper to take the title and move on to the championships.
"I'm absolutely shocked at my win today," said Harper, whose prize package also includes hotel accommodations, limousine service and advanced standing into the round of 64 at the world championships.
Read the whole story.
August 17, 2006 21:07 - Canadian Pro Tour set to play Niagara.
Niagara has become quite a center for golf. And next week it will play host to the Canadian Professional Golf Tour. The winner will take home $16,000 and $100,000 is up for grabs. Admission this year is free for spectators which means that if golf is your thing, maybe you want to get down to the final two days at Grand Niagara golf club. The Niagara Falls Review has all the info you need and here are a few highlights. And a link to the rest of the article.
Tour set to play Niagara; Top golfers expected for Pro Am Classic
DAN DAKIN for the Niagara Falls Review, August 15, 2006
Nine of the top 10 players on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour have confirmed their attendance for next week's $100,000 Fallsview Casino Pro Am Classic.
The four-day event Aug. 21-24 at Thundering Waters and Grand Niagara golf clubs will bring 140 professionals to the city, including current tour money leader Rob Oppenheim of Andover, MA and numerous golfers with PGA tour experience.
"We have six U.S. Open players, 14 British Open players, guys who have played all over the world. There are some good players out there," said tournament chairman Joe DiCosimo.
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New for 2006 is free admission for spectators. The two final days of the event will take place at Grand Niagara and are open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the Greater Niagara General Hospital.
Read a lot more details in the article
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August 18, 2006 18:44 - American daytrippers to Canada reaches 34-year low.
After a winter of worring about the potential negative effects of impending passport requirements, the statistics are starting to come in.The actual US visitors to Canada in June have hit the " lowest level recorded since record keeping began in 1972." Not good.
And if our American visitors are being scared away by a proposed law intended to be impliment 18 months from now, what will happen next summer? Jennifer Pellegrini's article in the Niagara Falls Review fills in the details.
American daytrippers to Canada hits 34-year low
by Jennifer Pellegrini in the Niagara Falls Review Friday, August 18, 2006
Canada had a record-breaking month in June, but it's not the type of record tourism operators want to see broken again any time soon.
According to Statistics Canada, American day-trip traffic to Canada - the bread and butter for this city's travel industry - dropped to 1.2 million people, down 0.4 per cent from May. It's the lowest level recorded since record keeping began in 1972.
"Perception is reality," Ontario Tourism Minister Jim Bradley said of the ongoing confusion over passport requirements at the border - just one of many factors that have led to the decline in American travellers to Canada in the past few years.
He also cited the strong Canadian dollar, skyrocketing cost of gas and increasingly insular attitude of Americans as reasons for the decline.
"You talk to people, and they say Americans don't seem to be travelling as much in their own country, much less outside their country," Bradley said.
Lots more details
August 20, 2006 21:14 - Niagara Events - August 21 to August 27. 2006
Aug 21, 2006
Marketplace MusicStart Date: 2006-06-01 End Date: 2006-09-30
June 1 to June 23 & Sept. 4 to Sept 30 11 am to 6 pm
June 24 to Sept. 3 11 am to 9 pm
Location: Maid of the Mist Marketplace
Price: FREE
Enjoy daily musical performances by individual artists.
City of Niagara Falls Pools OPEN
July 1 - Sept 03
5 Locations - F.H. Leslie Pool, SCVFA Pool at Mitchelson Park, Prince Charles Pool, Lions Club Pool,
Phone: 905-358-3808 ext. 237
Aug 24
Oakes Garden Theatre
Moonlight Movie Nights
Start Date: 2006-08-24 End Date: 2006-08-24
THE MUMMY
begins at dusk
Location: Oakes Garden Theatre
Price: FREE
The Niagara Parks Commission has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blockbuster Inc. to present a new family entertainment series called "Moonlight Movie Nights".
Between July 8 and September 2, free screenings of popular feature films will take place on Saturday's and Thursday's plus Monday August 7. Only grass seating is available.
Guests are welcome to bring cushions or blankets - coolers and chairs are not permitted. Films are subject to change and screenings will be weather dependent.
Aug 25
Table Rock Point
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 4pm
Location: Table Rock Point
Price: FREE
A RCMP officer will be available for photos and to answer questions
Illumination Tower Stage
Coca Cola Concert & Pizza Pizza Falls Fireworks
Start Date: 2006-08-25 End Date: 2006-08-25
PORTRAIT
8 pm to 10 pm
Location: Queen Victoria Park
Price: FREE Canada's longest running fireworks series will light up the
skies every Friday, Sunday and holiday in the summer at 10 pm preceded by our Coca Cola Concert Series at 8 pm.
Old Fort Erie
Friday Night Frights
Start Date: 2006-08-25 End Date: 2006-08-25
A ghost tour through the Old Fort
Location: Old Fort Erie
Price: $5.00 per person; 5 & under free
Old Fort Erie will host "Friday Night Frights", a ghost tour through the Old Fort. Visitors will enjoy a candle lit journey through time, as a costumed interpreter leads them through the Fort shocking them with tales of ghosts, gore, fighting and phantoms. Fun for all ages!!! (This is not a Haunted House, so parents need not worry about the little ones being too scared). Phone reservations are a MUST.
Limited space available. 905 871-0540.
Aug 26
Oakes Garden Theatre
Moonlight Movie Nights
Start Date: 2006-08-26 End Date: 2006-08-26
BIG FAT LIAR
begins at dusk
Location: Oakes Garden Theatre
Price: FREE
The Niagara Parks Commission has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blockbuster Inc. to present a new family entertainment series called "Moonlight Movie Nights".
Between July 8 and September 2, free screenings of popular feature films will take place on Saturday's and Thursday's plus Monday August 7. Only grass seating is available.
Guests are welcome to bring cushions or blankets - coolers and chairs are not permitted. Films are subject to change and screenings will be weather dependent.
Aug 27
Illumination Tower Stage
Coca Cola Concert & Pizza Pizza Falls FireworksASSORTED NUTS
8 pm to 10 pm
Location: Queen Victoria Park
Price: FREE
Canada's longest running fireworks series will light up the skies every Friday, Sunday and holiday in the summer at 10 pm preceded by our Coca Cola Concert Series at 8 pm.
Queenston Heights Park
Niagara Falls Concert Band
2-4 pm
Location: Queenston Heights Band Shell
Price: FREE
The Sunday Afternoon Concert Series in Queenston Heights Park will feature the sounds of big bands, symphony orchestras, dixie and more. Nothing speaks more of summer than an enjoyable Sunday afternoon concert in the Park.
Don't forget to bring a lawn chair.
August 21, 2006 22:26 - Fallsview Casino ballroom bars under-19s for shows
Anybody purchasing tickets for the Avalon Ballroom at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort may be surprised to find out that nobody under 19 years of age will be admitted. It seems that, as of now, the Casino wants to make sure more tickets are available for casino patrons. The Review article below describes some of the problems... and solutions, this new policy has created. And the reason for implementing the policy in the first place
Fallsview Casino ballroom bars under-19s for shows
Niagara Falls Review, August 18, 2006
A new admission policy at the Avalon Ballroom at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls may leave ticket buyers feeling burned, worries one local parent.
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But Greg Medulun, the casino's manager of corporate communications, said anyone who purchased tickets Wednesday unaware of the new policy will be offered refunds.
He said the new policy was a "business decision" to ensure more seats are available for casino patrons.
"There are only 1,500 seats in the Avalon, and we need to create priority access for the gaming customer," he says. "That's only 750 pairs of tickets.
"Niagara Falls is certainly a family destination, but Fallsview Casino Resort is more of an adult-oriented entertainment venue."
The new policy is consistent with concert venues at Casino Rama and Casino Windsor.
"We've been operating the Avalon for just over two years and like any organization we're continually adjusting our operation," he says. "This (new) policy for the Avalon is in line with the rules governing admission to the gaming floor."
Get all the details
August 22, 2006 21:10 - Canadian Pro Golf Tour hosted in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is the host of the Canadian Professional Golf Tour this week. There are 140 professional golfers in town for this week's $100,000 Fallsview Casino Pro-Am Classic, being held at both the Grand Niagara and Thundering Waters Golf Courses.
But its the wealthy buy-in amateurs that the pros are paired up with that are driving the NICE cars.
For a inside view of life on the Canadian Pro Tour, the Review has a nice piece,
Swinging for success; Canadian professional golf tour hosts pro-am tournament in city
DAN DAKIN in the Niagara Falls Review, August 22, 2006
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The pro-am format, where paid golfers are paired up with wealthy buy-in amateurs shows off the oddity of professional golf at this level.
While the Canadian Tour golfers are paid to play based on their results, they're simply not making the huge sums like bigger tours such as the PGA, Nationwide or continental tours in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Rather than looking for the big payday, players on the Canadian Tour are simply trying to reach those higher levels of the sport.
Playing on the tour is a stepping stone to bigger things and that might mean driving a Cavalier instead of a Corvette.
In the case of this tournament, it was the amateurs driving the high-dollar cars.
The whole article
August 25, 2006 19:51 - Local golfer shines before appreciative local audience at Pro Am
It is always special when a local does well before his home town supporters. Rod Spittle did just that. After making the cut in 35th place, he steadily improved through the last two days. And with a thrilling finish clilmbed up for a tie for 6th place. The Niagara Falls Review Article by Dan Dakin, Aug 25, 2006 captures the moment below.Tourney to remember; Perfect end to Pro Am for local golfer
Rod Spittle could not have asked for a better finish to a perfect week.
Forget the fact he put his third-to-last shot of the Fallsview Casino Pro Am Classic into a green side bunker, because that only made things more interesting.
The 51 year old from Niagara Falls birdied the final hole at Grand Niagara Thursday to bring him down to four-under par and into a tie for sixth place at the Canadian Tour golf tournament. Florida's Stephen Gangluff won the event with a total score of 14 under par.
Spittle's result earned him a payday of $3,450, but the money was the last thing on his mind after the round.
With the gallery applauding him, Spittle walked off the 18th green toward the scoring tent. When he stopped to give his wife, Ann, a long hug his eyes welled up.
Whenever he talks about his achievements in golf, he says "we" instead of "I" referring to the team of both himself and his wife of 15 years.
"This is like your average tournament for the other guys, but for me to see so many folks I haven't seen in years is a blast. To finish off this way is very gratifying," said Spittle, whose 80-year-old parents watched him play the final round for the first time in years.
"I don't think we could have scripted it any better. Mom and dad used to do this when we were closer to home," he said. "It has been two or three years since they've seen me play, but nothing on this level of a four-day tournament."
Read the rest of this heart-warming story.
August 27, 2006 23:03 - Niagara Calander Events from Aug 28th to Sept 3, 2006
Aug 28, 2006Marketplace Music
Start Date: 2006-06-01 End Date: 2006-09-30
June 1 to June 23 & Sept. 4 to Sept 30 11 am to 6 pm
June 24 to Sept. 3 11 am to 9 pm
Location: Maid of the Mist Marketplace
Price: FREE
Enjoy daily musical performances by individual artists.
City of Niagara Falls Pools OPEN
July 1 - Sept 03
5 Locations - F.H. Leslie Pool, SCVFA Pool at Mitchelson Park, Prince Charles Pool, Lions Club Pool,
Phone: 905-358-3808 ext. 237
Aug 31, 2006
Oakes Garden Theatre
Moonlight Movie Nights
Start Date: 2006-08-31 End Date: 2006-08-31
SCORPIAN KING
begins at dusk
Location: Oakes Garden Theatre
Price: FREE
The Niagara Parks Commission has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blockbuster Inc. to present a new family entertainment series called "Moonlight Movie Nights".
Between July 8 and September 2, free screenings of popular feature films will take place on Saturday's and Thursday's plus Monday August 7. Only grass seating is available.
Guests are welcome to bring cushions or blankets - coolers and chairs are not permitted. Films are subject to change and screenings will be weather dependent.
Sept 1, 2006
Table Rock Point
Royal Canadina Mounted Police
Start Date: 2006-09-01 End Date: 2006-09-03
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Table Rock Point
Price: FREE
A RCMP officer will be available for photos and to answer questions.
Illumination Tower Stage
Coca Cola Concert & Pizza Pizza Falls Fireworks
Start Date: 2006-09-01 End Date: 2006-09-01
GOOD QUESTION
8 pm to 10 pm
Location: Queen Victoria Park
Price: FREE
Canada's longest running fireworks series will light up the skies every Friday, Sunday and holiday in the summer at 10 pm preceded by our Coca Cola Concert Series at 8 pm.
Old Fort Erie
Friday Night Frights
Start Date: 2006-09-01 End Date: 2006-09-01
A ghost tour through the Old Fort 9:00 pm
Location: Old Fort Erie
Price: $5.00 per person; 5 & under free
Old Fort Erie will host "Friday Night Frights", a ghost tour through the Old Fort. Visitors will enjoy a candle lit journey through time, as a costumed interpreter leads them through the Fort shocking them with tales of ghosts, gore, fighting and phantoms. Fun for all ages!!! (This is not a Haunted House, so parents need not worry about the little ones being too scared). Phone reservations are a MUST.
Limited space available. 905 871-0540.
Sept 2, 2006
Oakes Garden Theatre
Moonlight Movie Nights
Start Date: 2006-09-02 End Date: 2006-09-02
PETER PAN
begins at dusk
Location: Oakes Garden Theatre
Price: FREE
The Niagara Parks Commission has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blockbuster Inc. to present a new family entertainment series called "Moonlight Movie Nights". Between July 8 and September 2, free screenings of popular feature films will take place on Saturday's and Thursday's plus Monday August 7. Only grass seating is available.
Guests are welcome to bring cushions or blankets - coolers and chairs are not permitted. Films are subject to change and screenings will be weather dependent.
Old Fort Erie
French & Indian War
Start Date: 2006-09-02 End Date: 2006-09-03
Location: Old Fort Erie
Price:
More info. to follow.
Sept 3, 2006
Illumination Tower Stage
Coca Cola Concert & Pizza Pizza Falls Fireworks
Start Date: 2006-09-03 End Date: 2006-09-03
RENEGADE
8 pm to 10 pm
Location: Queen Victoria Park
Price: FREE
Canada's longest running fireworks series will light up the skies every Friday, Sunday and holiday in the summer at 10 pm preceded by our Coca Cola Concert Series at 8 pm.
Queenston Heights Park
Queenston Concert Series
Start Date: 2006-09-03 End Date: 2006-09-03
Regal Dixielanders
2-4 pm
Location: Queenston Heights Band Shell
Price: FREE
The Sunday Afternoon Concert Series in Queenston Heights Park will feature the sounds of big bands, symphony orchestras, dixie and more. Nothing speaks more of summer than an enjoyable Sunday afternoon concert in the Park. Don't forget to bring a lawn chair.
August 30, 2006 22:23 - Navy Island - a pristine refuge from civilization
Navy Island is a few miles upstream from Niagara Falls. It is about a mile upstream from Chippawa and only accessible by boat. Having grown up in Chippawa, I must admit I still haven't set foot there. But after reading a great account by Matthew Van Dongen (in the Niagara Falls Review on Aug 26, 2006) I am certainly going to try a lot harder. It sounds just wonderful.Wilderness camping in sight of the falls
by Matthew Van Dongen
A raccoon peers out of the darkness from behind a big, gnarly oak tree.
He's not afraid - a breeze is rustling through a forest of shadowy escape routes.
A tent looms beside a couple of unwatched backpacks, otherwise known as a raccoon restaurant.
Hungry eyes shine in the flickering glow of what looks like a lonely back-country campfire.
But there's a competing glow on the horizon.
It's the flashing neon skyline of Niagara Falls - and it means the night sky over Navy Island stays a permanent shade of pink.
Welcome to Niagara's one and only venue for back country camping - an island of rare uninhabited, unserviced wilderness in the middle of the busy Niagara River.
The isolated urban hideaway, located a short boat ride across from Chippawa, has lured camper Chris Schunk back every year for two decades.
"It's like the middle of nowhere, but right in the middle of everything," said the grinning Williamsville, N.Y., resident, stretching out by a lazy morning campfire Thursday.
"You've got a beautiful sunset, a beautiful view of Niagara Falls and you're five minutes from the dock (on the U.S. shoreline.) You can't get better than that," Schunk said.
It sounds like a no-brainer for the camping-starved urbanite.
There is lots more great info in this article.
