Source: OttawaCitizen.com
The ultimate Niagara Falls showdown …
… in which we pit hanging corpses against pitch-black hallways
Reb Stevenson, Citizen Special
Published: Saturday, August 30, 2008
Hope you bought a clean pair of underwear! Mwah-ha-ha!”
Welcome to Canada’s permanent circus, a.k.a. Niagara Falls, Ont., where the buildings bark at you in menacing tones. (A character outside The House of Frankenstein actually does accost you about your underwear.)
Niagara Falls, where hotdogs are part of a complete breakfast. And where waxy incarnations of Brangelina are on a humanitarian mission to bring more cheesy tourist snapshots into the world. (more…)
Printed by the Review
Inside Oak Hall
Harry Oakes’ mansion on the hill retains its splendour as home to the Niagara Parks Commission
Posted By JENNIFER PELLEGRINI REVIEW STAFF WRITER
The stone manse cuts an imposing figure atop Dufferin Islands.
Built in Tudor style, Oak Hall -the former home of mining magnate Sir Harry Oakes -still bears his name. The Oakes coat of arms etched into the stone during his $500,000 renovation of the property in the 1920s is softened by time, but still clearly visible to anyone who stops by.
The five-hole golf course Oakes built to while away the hours when in Niagara Falls has long since been replaced by a nine-hole par-three public course run by the Niagara Parks Commission, which purchased the property in 1959.
“I think people are intimidated by this old mansion,” said Jim Hill, the Parks’ superintendent of heritage.
“But people can come inside and go through it, on the main floor, anyway.”
Inside, only the lower level -open to the public for tours -resembles the property that had been the permanent home of Sir Harry and Lady Eunice Oakes from 1924 until they moved to the Bahamas a decade later. (more…)
Source: celebrity-gossip.net
Jessica Simpson Rocks Niagara Falls
Continuing her pursuit of country music greatness, Jessica Simpson found herself entertaining a massive crowd at the Niagara Falls Fallsview Casino last night (August 27).
The blonde bombshell unleashed hits from her new album “Do You Know” including her current radio single “Come On Over,” much to the delight of onlookers.
And she wowed the audience with a sexy strapless black and white checkered dress teamed with some funky chunky jewelry and her curly blonde locks. (more…)
Source: GuelphMecury.com
Niagara Falls is perfect setting for a tale of guilt and sorrow
August 23, 2008
Veronica Ross
FALLING
by Anne Simpson
(McClelland & Stewart,320 pages, $32.99 hardcover)
Veronica Ross
Award-winning novelist and poet Anne Simpson has set her new novel in Niagara Falls, a perfect setting for a novel about loss.
The casinos, tawdry souvenir shops and tourist attractions, stories of the crazy daredevils who hurled themselves over the falls, tour buses, honeymooners and suicides are all a contrast to the majestic beauty of the Falls.
It’s a place where strange things happen. It’s also a place I am familiar with as friends and I went on writing retreats at the Loretto Centre for years.
We were peaceful in “the nunnery” as I called it, while a short distance away tour buses pulled up at luxurious hotels. It’s also a place where people live. Olde Ontario, I always think. United Empire Loyalists. Humble cottages sit beside larger places. (more…)
Printed from the Review
Big Becky moves out of troublesome rock conditions
Tunnel project still behind schedule, but pace improved over spring, OPG says
Posted By Corey Larocque
Big Becky has burrowed past the tricky rock conditions of the St. Davids gorge and Ontario Power Generation hopes the pace will quicken on its Niagara Tunnel Project, the $600-million construction of a third hydro tunnel.
The tunnel-boring machine, nicknamed Big Becky, had advanced 2,399 metres by the end of June, says Ontario Power Generation’s second quarterly report for 2008.
That’s less than one-quarter of the length of the entire 10.4-kilometre tunnel which will eventually connect the upper Niagara River to the Sir Adam Beck generating stations in the north end of Niagara Falls.
“Progress of the tunnel boring machine has recently increased since completion of the excavation under the St. David’s gorge,” states the report released Friday by the provincially-owned electricity generating company.
(more…)
Printed from the Review
Buffalo station revisits Crystal Beach Park
Posted By JOHN LAW
When it came to gathering stories of Crystal Beach Park, PBS senior producer Lynne Bader-Gregory had it easy.
All it took was a nudge, and dozens of Buffalo and Crystal Beach residents opened the floodgates.
“I sort of hit the jackpot meeting these people,” says Bader-Gregory, whose documentary “Remembering Crystal Beach Park” premieres on Buffalo’s PBS station WNED Sept. 10.
“Everyone wants to talk about it. If you ask anyone about their memories of Crystal Beach, you can basically sit down and be quiet for the next 20 minutes.” (more…)
September 5, 6 & 7, 2008
Days of Elvis Festival Downtown Niagara Falls
This amazing Elvis festival features top Elvis tribute artists and Elvis’s original band!!!
A tribute to days of Elvis will bring back the memories of Queen Street when Elvis rocked the airwaves and created a new culture of music. It was a time when Downtown Niagara Falls was in it’s prime as the place to be seen and hang out with friends and family. The event will have the top Elvis tribute artist in the world with a vintage era car show and old photo contest. The event will also feature an Elvis Film Fest.
Website: http://www.daysofelvis.com
Location
The Days of Elvis Festival will be held on Queen Street in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Days of Elvis Schedule
Friday September 5, 2008
1:00pm – 6:00pm – 1st annual Elvis film Festival, as well as meet and greet D.J. Fontana (Elvis’s Legendary Drummer)
8:00 pm – 11:00pm – Opening the concert will be ETA Ivan Hawerchuck. Followed by Elvis Extravaganza Concert, featuring award winning champions, Shon Carroll as Young Elvis with special Guest D.J. Fontana, Selvis as Early Vegas and Douglas Roy as Late Vegas. Closing the show will be award winning champion Anthony Von with our special VIP guests Elvis Presley’s backup singers The Stamps Quartet.
Saturday, September, 6, 2008
10:00am – 11:00am – ETA Classic Car Parade
1:00pm – 4:00pm – ETA preliminary competition with VIP MC Anthony Von, Locations TBA
4:00pm – 8:00pm – Elvis Film Festival Continues, as well as meet and greet D.J. Fontana.
Saturday Evening Main Event
With MC Chuck Lafleur of CHSC Radio
8:00pm – 8:15pm – ETA Ivan Hawerchuck
8:20pm – 8:50pm – Pete Paquette (2005 Collingwood Festival Grand Champion) with special guest D.J. Fontana.
8:55pm – 9:15pm – Pat Curtis (1999 Winter fest Grand Champion)
9:15pm – 9:25pm – Intermission
9:25pm-9:55pm The Stamps Quartet.
9;55pm – 10:40pm – Jay Zanier (2007 Collingwood festival Grand Champion & 2008 Windsor Festival Grand Champion) with special guests The Stamps Quartet.
10:50pm – 11:00pm – A special performance by Ian Mitchell from the Bay City Rollers.
Sunday, September, 7, 2008
9:00am – 11;30am – ETA All Star Gospel Show, featuring Shon Carroll, Selvis, Douglas Roy, Jay Zanier, Pete Paquette, Pat Curtis, Anthony Von and the Stamps Quartet.
11:45am – 12:45pm – special Performance by Ian Mitchell.
1:00 pm – 4:30pm – ETA Flight Finals Competition, as well as Elvis Film Festival continues and meet and greet with D.J. Fontana (Location TBA)
4:30pm – 5:30pm – Double Trouble (Children’s Division Champions).
Sunday Evening Triple Feature
Elvis the Final Frontier – With Chuck Lafleur
6:00pm – 6:30pm – Pat Curtis & Anthony Von return performance
6:30pm – 7:00pm – the Stamps Quartet.
7:00pm – 7:45pm Jay Zanier return performance with special guests the Stamps Quartet.
7:45pm – 8:00pm – Intermission
8:00pm-11:00pm Invitational Competition Finals
All Performances accompanied by “Gerie and the Koasters”
Printed by the Review
‘Once a Bay City Roller, always a Bay City Roller’
Posted By JOHN LAW REVIEW STAFF WRITER
At the height of the Bay City Rollers’ fame in 1976, guitarist Ian Mitchell walked into an Edinburgh store to make a quick purchase.
He wasn’t aware those days were over. At least for one crazy year.
“I was looking for some makeup because we were flying back to L. A. to do the ‘Merv Griffin Show,’” he recalls. “I picked some up and said (to the clerk), ‘Do you have any of this in dark?’ Then I put it down, picked up another one … and she was gone.
“She fainted. I was, like, ‘Hello? Anybody?’ So, I put five quid down and left. (more…)
Buffalo Bills fans discuss the merits of Jim Kelly’s idea to bring a future Buffalo Bills stadium to Niagara Falls, New York.
Source: http://boards.buffalobills.com
Below are opening comments from senior member: Buffalo66
Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, like many former Buffalo Bills, would hate to see the NFL franchise move permanently to Toronto.
But how about moving closer to Toronto, instead?
Kelly, has come up with the idea of one day having a new stadium built in Niagara Falls, N.Y., making it much more convenient for Canadian fans who wish to attend games.
“I think it would make sense,” said Kelly, who joined ex-Bills Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Steve Tasker and Oakville native Steve Christie at a well-attended kickoff rally at Dundas Square last night.
“I’ve done my homework. By putting a stadium there, it would be 45 minutes closer for Canadians coming to games than it is to go to Orchard Park right now.”
Great concept. Maybe they could change the team name to the Niagara Bills.
“No way,” Kelly said. “Buffalo Bills. It ain’t going to change.”
Kelly is at the forefront of those attempting to keep the team in western New York.
“As long as I’m involved, the team will stay where it is,” Kelly said.
“I will say this. I’ve already been contacted by a number of people who said they would pay anything to keep the team in Buffalo.”
Click here for more:
http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?t=70595
http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php?p=2553486#post2553486
Aug 15, 2008 – Aug 17, 2008
Dare Devil Days Buskerfestival
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Queen Street
Celebrate Old Downtown is pleased to present an event you will just have to see to believe. This adrenaline packed event brings you mind-blowing free entertainment with something for the whole family. Treat your senses to the best sights, sounds and tastes Niagara has to offer.
The busker festival will be downtown’s signature event. Live music will fill the streets as jugglers, stilt-walkers and buskers animate every street corner. Make your way to the main stage where you will dare to watch some of the most thrilling stunts this area has ever seen, including world renowned stunt master, Gene Sullivan of Evel Knievel fame.
World renowned daredevil Dean Sullivan will jump from a crane, over 300 feet in the air, with only a rope and without the benefit of a safety braking device. Days and times of his jumps will be posted on the “Schedule” page as they become available.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes! Friday will be host to some incredible local Niagara bands. Saturday you will experience the classic hits made famous by Ian Mitchell and The Bay City Rollers and Terry Sylvester of The Hollies. As if that weren’t enough, Niagara’s local businesses will be there offering you sidewalk sales, food, drinks and activities. So what are you doing this summer? Come out and celebrate old downtown with us at Daredevil Days, August 15th to the 17th on Queen Street in Niagara Falls.
Schedule Of Events (more…)
