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It seems like it was only yesterday

Niagara Falls Year in Review
Robert Lapensee
Published on Dec 29, 2006

NIAGARA FALLS — Looking back over the last 10 years, Niagara Falls has enjoyed a surge in development, with hundreds of millions of dollars in hotels and other attraction opening their doors in the city since Casino Niagara opened its in 1996.

The year which was 2006 was no different with attractions like Great Wolf Lodge, a massive Ferris wheel on Clifton Hill and world-class shows and acts hitting stages across the city, building much excitement for the future of Niagara Falls as a tourist destination.

The city’s glorious falls continues to be the major draw but the varied assortment of attractions are what is keeping people in the city for another night and coming back for more.

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Preparing to ring in 2007

ALISON LANGLEY

Thursday, December 28, 2006 – 02:00

Local News – The countdown is on.

Queen Victoria Park is a bustle of activity this week as the Niagara Parks

Commission prepares for Sunday’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza.

The concert stage is up and crews are now working around the clock to

prepare for the party that is expected to attract more than 25,000 revelers.

“If the weather is nice, which is expected, we’re predicting more people

than that,” said Sarah Wood, manager of events and public relations with the

Niagara Parks Commission.

“It’s supposed to be warm but the big question is whether it will rain or

not.”

If precipitation is in the cards, Woods recommends partygoers don a good

pair of boots to guard against the cold, the damp and the mud.

Also, it’s typically 5 to 10 degrees cooler near the Falls than elsewhere,

so dress accordingly.

The free concert kicks off at 8 p.m. This year’s lineup includes Colin James

and the Little Big Band, Justin Hines and headliner Foreigner.

Read details in Friday’s Review.

ID- 337693© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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World-class opera shows coming to Falls cinema

JOHN LAW

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 – 02:00

Local News – If you can’t make it to the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the opera will come to you.

Starting Saturday, the largest opera company in the U.S. will beam matinee performances via satellite to select Cineplex Odeon movie theatres, including the Niagara Square Cinemas. Six performances will be shown live as they happen at the opera house, digitally projected onto movie screens in high definition.

“New York is coming to Niagara Falls,” said Cineplex Odeon spokesman Pat Marshall.

“This is really a terrific opportunity to expose a terrific product to a new audience. Not everyone can afford to go to the Metropolitan Opera … this is going to be the next best thing to being there.”

Niagara Falls is among 25 Canadian cities taking part in the broadcasts, which begins with Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

The series continues with Bellini’s “I Puritani” Jan. 6, Tan Dun’s “The First Emperor” Jan. 13, Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” Feb. 24, Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” March 24 and Puccini’s “Il Trittico” April 28.

All screenings start at 1:30 p.m. Admission costs $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for children and seniors. A pass for all six dates costs $99.95.

To see each show live in New York ranges from US$42 to US$375.

The screenings are available to theatres across Canada, the U.S. and UK.

The broadcasts are only possible for theatres equipped with high definition digital projectors, which can cost $75,000 to $100,000 each.

Eventually, said Marshall, all movies will be screened digitally as Hollywood phases out expensive 35mm film.

“We can get (the movie) as a hard drive, we can get it as a DVD, and we can download via satellite.”

Cineplex Odeon began offering live concerts and other special events in its theatres this year, including NHL games and Xbox tournaments. It has offered World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-views for a few years.

“Because we’re creating a new form of entertainment at our destinations, it’s a matter of making people aware,” said Marshall. “The advance ticket sales for the Met Opera series has been tremendous. We’re delighted.”

The Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music company in the U.S., staging close to 250 shows per year. It was founded in 1880.

Met general manager Peter Gelb said broadcasts will offer a “front row” perspective.

“Of course, operas were not created to be filmed; they are not staged for television,” he said. “There are certain limitations in reproducing a live opera on television. We can’t have cameras moving around in the theatre because that would disturb the audience.

“That said, there will be at least 10 cameras around the house and backstage in an effort to produce the most vibrant viewing experience.”

jlaw@nfreview.com

ID- 334947 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Artist sees ice as canvas

JOHN LAW

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 – 02:00

Local News – Like a lot of kids growing up in Niagara Falls, Gordon Halloran took pride in his backyard ice rink.

But he never just saw it as a place to shoot pucks – he viewed it as a great big, shiny canvas. He started painting logos on the ice and saw the potential for an untapped, uniquely Canadian art form.

“I walked into an arena and thought, ‘Boy, there it is,’” he recalls. “That surface, the way it freezes. The zamboni … all of a sudden it occurred to me that’s a giant brush.

“It just seemed like, there’s this huge canvas that hadn’t been explored before.”

Halloran has been exploring it plenty since leaving the Falls in the ’70s for art school. Now living in Vancouver with actress/playwright wife Caitlin Hicks, he’s regarded as one of Canada’s top ice painters, mixing an abstract style and dazzling colours to create crystalline works of beauty.

“I thought, if I could connect the urge to make a painting with this iconic space in Canada … which I feel is where everybody actually wants to go! Not to the art gallery – they would much rather go to (a hockey rink).

“It opens the door to so many more people who wouldn’t normally experience the kind of abstract work I was doing.”

Halloran painted his first arena surface in Vancouver in the early ’90s, and was fascinated in watching skaters interact with the design and colour. But ice isn’t just flat, and neither was his art – he wanted it to flow, to shine and to melt in different shapes and forms.

The mere fact ice is temporary affected his work – Halloran wanted to create fleeting works which would be enjoyed for a moment, then gone forever.

“Not to get too deep into it, but I’m interested in a lot of Buddhist ideas,” he says. “Life is here for a short period of time, transforms into something else and moves on. So it aligns nicely with those ideas.”

Nothing remains of Halloran’s past works except photos, which will also be the case with his newest project – the complex installation “Paintings Below Zero” for next month’s Niagara Icewine Festival.

Under a large white tent in the Shaw Festival courtyard, Halloran and his crew from Vancouver are creating a crystal structure using copper piping and a freezer plate system, to keep the work intact even during the mild temperatures of late. The multi-coloured work will use the natural interaction between ice and light to create a work inspired by the frozen grape vines that produce Niagara’s world famous ice wines.

People will be able to view it from the Shaw Festival, Jan. 20 to 28.

“It’s designed to fit exactly the configuration of their terrace,” he says.

“Every time he does this, he adds something to the art form,” adds Hicks.

The Shaw will also display images of Halloran’s work for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy – a career highlight which drew raves from Olympic organizers.

At the same time as the Niagara-on-the-Lake exhibition, Halloran is working on a display for Nathan Philips Square in Toronto, on display Jan. 25 to Feb. 4.

Wherever there is ice, it seems, there’s a place for his work.

“People love ice for God knows what reason,” he says. “We’re attracted to it and it has a mystery to it.

“That’s what I would like people to bring – just this openness to see something they haven’t seen before.”

jlaw@nfreview.com

ID- 333922 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Niagara history part of database prototype

Longo, Joe

Tuesday, December 26, 2006 – 12:00

Local News – Last month, Andrew Porteus, Niagara Falls Public Library’s manager of reference and information services, attended the launch of Knowledge Ontario, an initiative funded by the Ontario government through the Ministry of Culture.

Knowledge Ontario is a provincewide collaboration of libraries (public, school, government, college and university) working together to create an integrated and interactive digital environment about, and for, Ontarians.

Collaborating with archives, museums, heritage organizations and community groups, this innovative venture is designed to support the information and learning needs of Ontarians.

Since receiving funding in the spring of 2006, Knowledge Ontario has successfully negotiated license agreements giving all Ontarians access to core digital resources, which go beyond what is available on the Internet. These resources include full-text reference works, newspapers, magazines, journals and e-books appropriate for various ages and stages of life.

Any Ontarian with a library card will be able to access these resources for free from home, school or work. The library has started to offer some of them on its website, www.nfpl. library.on.ca/ref.

This is just one of a series of projects and initiatives being developed by Knowledge Ontario to provide equity of high-quality, trusted digital information for Ontarians so they can develop information and learning skills and be more competitive in today’s economy.

Learn more about Knowledge Ontario (www.knowledgeontario.ca) to appreciate the value it is bringing to all Ontarians. Under the Knowledge Ontario section “Our Ontario,” the library’s “Historic Niagara Digital Collections” was included in the prototype because of its quality and size of digital information. It includes a local newspaper index, an image and art database, and other special historical features about Niagara Falls. More than two million visitors have used the database and it attracts more than 4,300 visitors per day. We are delighted local history materials are being used by so many people throughout the world, which helps promote the city’s rich heritage.

—

The library board and staff wish all residents a happy and safe holiday.

—

The library will be closed today, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Use the book return slots at all four libraries and visit anytime the library website www.nfpl.library.on.ca to search the catalogue and databases, place holds, renewals and much more.

jlongo@niagarafalls.library.on.ca

ID- 333931 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Power projects will fuel Niagara growth

MONIQUE BEECH

Friday, December 22, 2006 – 02:00

Local News – Niagara’s economic outlook is headed for a major upswing in 2007 fuelled by two large power projects, predicts the Conference Board of Canada.

For St. Catharines-Niagara, economic growth is expected to hit 3.1 per cent, the fastest rate since 2000, states the 2007 Metropolitan Outlook, an annual economic performance and trend report.

In 2006, projected growth was a mere 0.4 per cent.

This year, St. Catharines-Niagara is forecast to have the fourth fastest-growing economy out of 27 major Canadian metropolises, falling just behind western boom towns, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the recently released report found.

“It’s a little bit of a different story for the western provinces, where the economy has been growing for years and will continue to be strong,” the report’s author, Alan Arcand, said from his Ottawa office. “St. Catharines is more of a rebound.”

Niagara’s economic engine will be revved by two new power projects. The $470-million natural-gas-fired power plant planned for Abitibi Consolidated’s recycled newsprint mill in Thorold will be complete in 2009. The project will create more than 300 jobs during construction, starting early next year.

The second project is the 10.4-kilometre tunnel to bring water from Niagara Falls to Queenston’s hydroelectric generating complex, which will be completed by 2009. About 230 jobs will be created during construction.

The projects are also forecast to create spinoff jobs in the transportation, storage and communications sectors.

“When you have two major construction projects, it really boosts the numbers,” Arcand said. “It’s not surprising you’ll see growth next year, given you have two big projects.”

The forecast good news is welcome after several years of big blows to Niagara’s manufacturing sector, said Patrick Gedge, chief executive officer with the Niagara Economic Development Corp.

Gedge said he hopes the boom in the region’s power-producing sector lures other lucrative companies to Niagara.

“I hope it gets the business community in Canada thinking about how St. Catharines-Niagara area is in fact a business community,” Gedge said.

“One where companies can make good and profitable investments, and see us not just as a tourism destination.”

Gedge said the region still needs to spend energy strengthening its weaker economic sectors, such as manufacturing.

Trudy Parsons said the projected growth is great as long as Niagara’s workforce is qualified to fill available jobs.

“We need to identify exactly what the skills sets are that these employers are going to be looking for so we can actually match the people to the jobs,” Parsons said.

Conference Board of Canada – Metropolitan Outlook Winter 2007

Top four centres (out of 27) projected to have the fastest-growing economies in 2007:

- Calgary – 3.9 per cent

- Edmonton – 3.6 per cent

- Vancouver 3.1 per cent

- St. Catharines-Niagara – 3.1 per cent

ID- 330416 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Winter blowing into region without the usual cold, snow

JENNIFER PELLEGRINI

Thursday, December 21, 2006 – 02:00

Local News – If you’re one of those wintry types who loves to ski, snowboard and toboggan, blame the Americans – at least the balmy American air – for spoiling your frozen fun.

Usually at this time of the year, the prevailing winds blow from the north across frozen tundra and snowy northern Ontario toward the more temperate south.

But this year, the winds are travelling south to north, meaning there’s nothing to cool down the already warm air.

“It’s not necessarily El Nino. It’s not global warming. We just have a surplus of American air,” said Environment Canada’s senior climatologist, David Phillips.

Not that it would matter much if the north wind was blowing.

It’s so warm in northern Ontario snowmobile runs in Kenora, Thunder Bay and the Lake Superior district, as well as other parts of the province, are closed.

“If it’s not winter in Timmins, it’s not going to be winter in Niagara,” said Phillips, who spent the day fielding media calls about what lies ahead for winter, which begins at 7:22 p.m. Friday.

“The long-range forecast is warmer than normal. It’s not unreasonable to think we could break records,” Phillips said.

But then he recalled the winter of 1998-99, which began very much like this one.

“Then we got a full winter’s worth of snow in about two weeks,” he said. “If you’ll remember, the City of Toronto had to call in the army to help.”

Phillips said forecasters don’t follow the calendar to set the seasons. Fall is traditionally September, October and November, while winter is December through January, following what Phillips said is the way most people think when they talk about the weather.

“Fall was duller, wetter and cooler than normal in September and October, and warmer in November,” Phillips said. “People were complaining it was a bit like Vancouver, and here it is the first day of winter and it’s still like Vancouver. Winter is expected to be warmer than normal.”

While that may be good news for people who would rather sunbathe than ski, Phillips said abnormal weather can wreak havoc on the economy.

Ski resorts typically generate 25 per cent of their annual revenue during the Christmas break, Phillips said.

It’s also tough for retailers. Snowblowers, toboggans, backyard ice rinks and even winter outerwear has been languishing on shelves as Niagara residents cycled in sweats and wore light jackets when parkas should have been the norm.

Even Christmas shopping is affected. Without the snow and cold, Phillips said, shoppers aren’t motivated by the Christmas spirit.

On the other hand, he said, today marks the shortest day of the year, meaning “it’s all on the upswing from here,” Phillips said.

Another plus: “We’re saving a lot of money on our home heating bills.”

But Phillips cautions Niagara residents shouldn’t get too complacent.

“There has been less than a centimetre of snow in Toronto, and less than 10 centimetres in most of Niagara. By this time last year, you probably had some 40 centimetres of snow,” Phillips said. “But you know the old saying, ‘As the days lengthen, the cold strengthens.’ So when will winter get here? I don’t really know. But there’s no question it will come.”

jpellegrini@nfreview.com

ID- 328711 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.  Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Flower business opens on Lundy’s Lane

Wednesday, December 20, 2006 – 12:00

Local News – The Flower House is now blooming.

The Lundy’s Lane flower shop recently opened for business, offering fresh-cut flowers as well as gifts.

Free delivery service is available until the end of December.

Owner Ryan Serravalle, who played professional basketball in Europe, said the shop features arrangements and gifts with a European style.

ID- 326929 © 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

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Legacy council seeking 1812 bicentennial logo

The Review
Local News – Wednesday, December 20, 2006 Updated @ 9:52:20 AM

The Niagara 1812 Legacy Council has launched a logo contest to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The selected logo will become a trademark and be used on letterhead, signs, monuments and other products. The winner will receive a cash award of $1,812, dinner and formal recognition. For more information visit www.visit1812.com.

© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

NIAGARA FALLS — If you drive by Queen Victoria Park this week, you will notice a beehive of activity.The Niagara Parks Commission’s staff is preparing for its annual New Years Eve festivities. The concert stage will be erected in Queen Victoria Park Dec. 21 where NPC and event partners will welcome classic rock legends Foreigner, Juno Award winner Colin James and the Little Big Band and up and coming Canadian talent Justin Hines to light up the stage beginning at 8 p.m.

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