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How to Pack Light for a Vacation

With the new luggage weight restrictions and high fees, its important to pack light and right.  In the past I would just throw a bunch of clothes into my cheap luggage and not care too much.  Now you have to care. You have to make sure that your luggage is light and you bring only the stuff you need.  Take these tips from Fashion blogger Nelia.

[from Style Blog] I’m not going to claim to be an expert on packing or travel….BUT, I do travel a heck of a lot, and always…always without checking my baggage. In the past, I’ve had a few a lot of problems with lost bags, and ruined vacation outfits…which is obviously very stressful, and costly. I’ve finally had enough, and whether it’s a two-week European vacay*, or a weekend getaway, carry-on only is the only way I’ll travel. If you want to know how to travel light, without the hassles (and extra fees) that come with checking your bag, read on for my tips! heys

1. Good Luggage is Key

There’s a reason why this is tip #1. Good luggage can make a huge difference! For the past 8 (or so) years, I’ve traveled with my trusty green Heys carry-on everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere! Places it’s been: Kyrgyzstan (2 times), Kazakhstan (3 times), Paris (3 times), London (2 times), Italy (3 times), Spain (1 time), Moscow (1 time), New York (4 times), Houston (bajillion times), Cuba (2 times), Mexico (1 time), Mont Tremblant (1 time), Quebec and Montreal (2 times), Las Vegas (2 times), LA (1 time)…shall I keep going? My luggage has never let me down, through the cobbles of Red Square, and through the millions of stairs in Paris subway tunnels – it was always, always reliably sturdy and light.

Good luggage will expand when you need it to, will keep your clothes safe and neat, is easy to wheel around, is light, easy to maneuver and to spot. It doesn’t even have to be expensive. Granted, I am pretty biased towards Heys luggage (which is hella solid, affordable, and proudly Canadian!). After 8 years of using my cute green suitcase, I finally had to retire it – simply out of vanity (as it’s still in great condition). I wanted a prettier, newer set, and this Journey Spinner** will hopefully do the job just as well, while looking sleek and stylish.

Lucky for you, Heys is actually giving away a trip worth $5000!!! So if you want to take that new luggage out for a spin, make sure to enter here: http://www.facebook.com/HeysIntl?sk=app_250354528351779 more…

Rink at the Brink Skate for Haiti

rink at the brink skate for Haiti

The St. Catharines (MOB)ilizers, a grassroots group promoting positive change in Niagara region and beyond, is holding another fundraiser in support of Free the Children. On Friday, Jan. 7th, area residents can lace up their skates from 10 a.m. until noon at the Niagara Falls Rink at the Brink. Admission is $5, skate rentals are $5 and you can also get your skates sharpened for $5. The group will also be selling hot chocolate and homemade backed goods, with all proceeds supporting Free the Children communities in Haiti.

See their Facebook page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/101594606628889/

Cheer for our Local Team Canada Stars

Niagara Team Canada MembersThe Niagara Ice Dogs are well represented on Team Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2011-12 with 4 team members. TSN.ca is covering the games so be sure to watch.

Dougie Hamilton

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: Boston 2011 (1st round, 9th overall)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Born: June 17, 1993
Height: 6’4Weight: 193Shoots: Right

Twice played for Team OHL in the Super Series against Russia (2010, 2011), recording three assists in two games in 2011.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Named the OHL and CHL Scholastic Player of the Year in 2010-11.
Twice named an OHL second team all-star (2009-10, 2010-11).
Won a silver medal with Ontario at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Won the Ivan Tennant Award as top academic high school player in 2009-10.

 Freddie Hamilton

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: San Jose 2010 (5th round, 129th overall)
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Born: January 1, 1992
Height: 6’0Weight: 185Shoots: Right

Player Notes: Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia, recording a hat trick and finishing plus-4 in one game.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Represented Canada at the 2010 World Under-18 Championship, where he was named a Top 3 Player on his team.
Won a gold medal with Ontario at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge.
Won the Ivan Tennant Award as top academic high school player in 2008-09.

Ryan Strome

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: New York Islanders 2011 (1st round, 5th overall)
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Born: July 11, 1993
Height: 6’1Weight: 183Shoots: Right
Twitter: @strome18

Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia, recording two goals and three points in two games.
Attended Canada’s National Junior development camp in August 2011.
Named an OHL second team all-star in 2010-11.
Won a silver medal with Ontario at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording two goals and three points in six games.

Mark Visentin

2011-12 Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
NHL Draft: Phoenix 2010 (1st round, 27th overall)
Hometown: Waterdown, ON
Born: August 7, 1992
Height: 6’2Weight: 201Shoots: Left
Twitter: @vizzer29

Backstopped Canada to silver medal at 2011 World Junior Championship, starting four games including the quarterfinal, semifinal, and gold medal game.
.923 SV% was fourth among goalies in tournament and 2.01 GAA ranked third.
Played for the OHL in the 2011 Super Series against Russia.
Attended Canada’s National Junior Team development camp in August 2011.
Named OHL Goaltender of the Year and first team All-Star in 2010-11.
Won a gold medal with Ontario at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge.

Niagara College Student Wins

Chef David Adjey with winner Janine Hall

Three culinary students battled it out at the TABASCO® Brand Street Junior Chef Meet at Humber College. Janine Hall, a culinary student at Niagara College took home the prize – $2,500 in cash, $2,500 in Garland Canada merchandise. She is now the undisputed hottest junior chef in Canada.

More pics after the jump…

more…

Halloween at Niagara Parks

Fun Halloween Events for the Whole Family!

The Niagara Parks Commission  is pleased to announce two eeerily fun family events taking place throughout October: Ghosts Behind the Falls at Journey Behind the Falls and All Hallow’s Eve at Old Fort Erie.

Ghosts Behind the Falls

Ghosts Behind the FallsGhosts Behind the Falls

Dates: October 7, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price (excluding taxes): Adult $14.60, Child (6 – 12 years old) $8.95, Children 5 and under FREE
Location: Journey Behind the Falls: 6650 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario
Reservations: Not required

A haunting experience awaits you at Journey Behind the Falls. Niagara Parks has called upon its ghosts to greet you during this unique and limited time event. Suitable for all ages. Regular admission applies. Visit during the day and pay only $5 more for the event.

All Hallow’s Eve

All Hallow's EveAll Hallow’s Eve

Dates: October 21 – 23 & October 28 – 31
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Price (excluding taxes): Adult $12.25, Child (6 – 12 years old) $7.95, Children 5 and under FREE
Location: Old Fort Erie, 350 Lakeshore Road, Fort Erie, Ontario
Reservations: (905) 871-0540

Experience the traditions of Halloween, brought to life through the ghosts of Canada’s bloodiest battlefield. A fun and frightening evening at the old stone fort will end with refreshments and the annual burning of a Guy Fawkes effigy at 8:30 p.m. Suitable for all ages. Be prepared and dress for any kind of weather. Regular admission applies. more…

October Sale: Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto

Niagara Falls tour from Toronto

Toronto, Canada – King Tours is pleased to announce that it is offering all October Niagara Falls tours for only $69.  This is their lowest price of the year!

The tours are offered online through www.NiagaraTours.ca and include: pick-up and return from any location in Toronto, Markham, Mississauga, and North York; a visit to a local winery; wine tasting; a brief stop in the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; admission to the Maid of the Mist; and free time in Niagara Falls.

King Tours has been operating this popular Niagara Falls tours from Toronto, every day, all year round, for the past 15 years.

Our Food Truck Scene

Hamilton is steering food in a new direction. Like so many urban centres, this city, located a 45-minute drive from Toronto,is home to a blossoming food truck scene, offering some truly tempting treats.

Watch for the hot pink Cupcake Diner on wheels, parked in the downtown core of the city as well as at special events. Owner Natalie Ravoi tapped into her love of baking and took it to the streets, literally, and created Canada’s first mobile cupcake shop. She bakes gourmet cupcakes daily with a retro twist.

People line up for varieties like caramel apple pie, chocolate and peanut butter, the 1950s Classic (à la Hostess cupcakes), lemon meringue and raspberry white chocolate. Plus she offers gluten-free and vegan variations, too.

But before diving into dessert, there’s heartier fare to be had. You can’t miss Canada’s only grilled cheese food truck. Look for the gorilla. It’s a sign that you’ve found Gorilla Cheese, owned by Graeme Smith and Scott Austin.

Smith went to Liaison College to become a professional chef and Austin is a grass roots foodie himself. They came up with the idea for a grilled cheese truck, a perfect fit for comfort-food craving urbanites. These aren’t just any garden-variety sandwiches, but gourmet, grilled-to-order ones, made with real cheese from Jensen’s, an Ontario cheese maker based in Simcoe. They’re gooey and wonderful, served alongside tomato soup and baked beans, all made from scratch.

Roving the area called the Golden Horseshoe, stretching from Toronto to Niagara Falls, is El Gastronomo Vagabundo. It’s a joint Australia-Canada project, thanks to its owners Tamara Jensen and Adam Hynam-Smith, a professionally trained chef from Down Under.

They have been serving up tantalizing mobile eats, like heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, Asian specialties, and gourmet tacos like Thai coconut red curry and tempura salmon. Ingredients are sourced from small local producers, making this a true grass-roots operation. To catch El Gastro on the move, follow them on Twitter or Facebook. more…

Maid of the Mist Closes October 24, 2011

The last day of operation for the 2011 season is October 24, 2011.

When will the Maid of the Mist be back? Because the boat is dependent on weather conditions, we’re never certain when the first launching date will be.  As soon as we find out we’ll post the information on Niagara Blog as usual.

 

Shaw Festival launches free mobile application

Shaw Festival AppThe Shaw Festival, the renowned Canadian theatre repertory company, is thrilled to announce the release of its new mobile application — another high point to celebrate during its 50th season. Co-developed by Discover Anywhere Mobile and The Shaw’s Marketing and IT Web Teams, the mobile application offers the user one more way to gain access to all that the Shaw Festival offers, while planning their Shaw Festival experience. The mobile app is available now for iPhone users and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or at www.shawfest.com/get-your-free-shaw-app. An app for Blackberry and Android smartphones will be rolled-out in late September, early October.

This new app makes planning a Niagara-on-the-Lake theatre getaway a hassle-free experience. In addition to having the ability to purchase tickets (via direct dial), The Shaw mobile app also provides Shaw Festival theatre enthusiasts easy access to information about the season’s playbill and Niagara theatre packages, as well as information on Niagara-on-the-Lake hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, wineries and area events and attractions.

“We’re very excited to launch this mobile application during our landmark 50th season,” said Executive Director Colleen Blake. “As we look forward to the next 50 years, one of our aims is to implement consumer-friendly tools that make planning a theatre visit as easy as possible. This new application brings the mobility of technology to the cultural experience and it all begins on the screen of a smartphone or tablet computer.”

Commenting on Discover Anywhere’s involvement with the Shaw Festival and the development of its mobile app, David Janes, President of Discover Anywhere remarked: “The Shaw Festival is synonymous with great theatre so when we were asked to create their app, our goal was to create an exceptional experience connecting theatre-goers to all things ‘Shaw’. The app presents all relevant information about The Shaw optimized for mobile, including the current playbill, the performance schedule, ‘getting here’, and ticket and box office information. Additionally, the app invites visitors to discover Niagara-on-the-Lake, its attractions, hotels, wineries all presented using advanced features such as GPS, itinerary planning, social media, augmented reality and mapping.” more…

Suburban Tourist Tours Niagara Falls

The (Sub)urban Tourist is a travel blog enjoying the outdoor lifestyle and exploring good food and dining experiences.  This summer Margaret Antkowski, who pens the (Sub)urban tourist, took a Niagara Falls tour with her finacé Frank Bourne.  She rated the tour 4.5/5.  Read her review here:

Niagara by bus: sit back, relax and enjoy the tour

The Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls – part of the tour with King Tours. Photo by Frank Bourne

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to Niagara Falls, Ontario. It must be at least six or seven times since I was a small kid. With each visit over the years, I’ve noticed that traffic has become increasingly insane in the Niagara region. Driving with stop-and-go traffic and trying to find a parking spot in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake can leave you drained, stressed out and definitely not enjoying the visit.

This past weekend Frank and I had the pleasure of trying out a King Tours bus tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls.  And it certainly was a stress-free way to enjoy a day away from Toronto.

The $79 per person ticket included the following:

  • Transportation in a comfortable, air conditioned tour bus from downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls
  • Entry into the Maid of the Mist, without having to wait in line for a ticket
  • About two hours to ourselves to explore Niagara Falls and have lunch
  • A drive along the Niagara River to stop at spots such as the Whirlpool (10 minute stop); the Sir Adam Beck Power Generation plant (a few minutes to take photos); and the Floral Clock (more photos).
  • A 45 minute visit in Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Wine-tasting at Pillitteri Estates Winery

 

People lining up for the Maid of the Mist. We didn’t have to wait to get tickets but went straight to the line-up for the tour itself. Photo by Frank Bourne

more…

Niagara Falls Tour Top Tour on Tourism TO

Niagara Falls is only 2 hours away from Toronto.  It’s no surprise that Toronto tourists often incorporate a trip to Niagara Falls in their vacation itinerary. Tourism.to, a Toronto Travel website, says that their statistics show exactly that.  This past summer their featured Niagara Falls tour that departs from Toronto, has out sold their Toronto Sightseeing tours. Toronto to Niagara Falls tour

Japanese Tourist Goes Over the Falls

A tourist, visiting from Japan, slipped and fell over the railing today while sitting on a railing posing for a picture. She is presumed dead. See the WIVBTV’s news report.

When the Rain Stops Falling

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, August 10, 2011…When the Rain Stops Falling, Andrew Bovell’s stirring generational story, begins previews Thursday at The Shaw’s Studio Theatre.

An apocalyptic torrent of rain. An unexpected phone call from an estranged son. A fish falls from the sky. So begins a journey that delves back across time, space and four generations exposing two family’s multilayered history and their unexpectedly intricate connections. A complex contemporary mystery, When the Rain Stops Falling is epic in its scope, yet surprisingly intimate and desperately moving.

Directed by Peter Hinton, When the Rain Stops Falling features Donna Belleville as Elizabeth Law (older), Wade Bogert-O’Brien as Andrew Price, Krista Colosimo as Gabrielle York (younger), Jeff Meadows as Gabriel Law, Peter Millard as Joe Ryan, Ric Reid as Gabriel York, Tara Rosling as Elizabeth Law (younger), Graeme Somerville as Henry Law and Wendy Thatcher as Gabrielle York (older).

The creative team includes set and costume design by Camellia Koo, lighting design by Kevin Lamotte, music composition/sound design by Richard Feren. Stage managed by Dora Tomassi and assistant stage manager Kristopher Weber.

First produced as part of the Adelaide Festival of the Arts at the Scott Theatre, University of Adelaide, Australia, in 2008, When the Rain Stops Falling has premiered at London’s Almeida Theatre and New York’s Lincoln Center Theater. This production of When the Rain Stops Falling is its Canadian premiere and marks the first time an Australian play has been performed at the Shaw Festival.

When the Rain Stops Falling begins preview performances Thursday, August 11; opens Friday, August 26; and plays in repertory until Saturday, September 17. more…

Niagara Science Museum Hosts Free Community Open House

Niagara Falls, NY – The Niagara Science Museum is hosting its first Community Open House on Saturday, August 13, from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. The museum is located at 3625 Highland Ave., Niagara Falls, NY. The event is free and open to the public.

Nick Dalacu, the museum’s founder and director, and several community volunteers will give live demonstrations of scientific experiments using artifacts from the museum’s large collection of historic scientific instruments, including high-voltage electronics, solar technologies, meteorology, and a demonstration of the museum’s turn-of-the-century printing press studio. Adults, children, families, and community members are all welcome to attend.

“The Open House is designed to open our doors to the community,” says Dalacu. “We’re a different kind of museum, and we’re relatively new. It’s not really like the other attractions in the region, and we want to show the local community that there are great things happening in Niagara Falls.” Dalacu adds, “Our goal is for visitors to walk away with a sense of wonder about the world they live in,and to have fun doing it.”

In the spirit of the museum’s community roots, free hot dogs and drinks will be provided for visitors. Dalacu, a former physicist, founded the museum in 2009 after a lifetime of collecting over 2000 historically significant scientific instruments and technologies. Located in the former Union Carbide Building built in 1910, the museum’s unlikely location pays homage to the region’s scientific and industrial history. Dalacu has restored the formerly derelict building and converted the museum to run off an array of solar panels on the building’s roof.

Despite its off-the-beaten-path location at the corner of Highland and College Roads, this unique museum has experienced some excellent recognition lately. It is currently the #1 Niagara Falls attraction on Tripadvisor.com, as voted by the site’s users. It has been the subject of recent stories in the Buffalo News, Niagara Gazette, and other local media. Furthermore, it was recognized by Listverse.com as one of the nation’s ‘Top Ten Museums for Geeks,’ an award the museum wears with pride.

“I think there’s not a big difference between what philanthropies do and what we’re doing,” says Dalacu. “Philanthropies want to share their wealth with the community, but what we have to share is mental wealth on science and education. If a visitor can see an experiment with their own eyes and think ‘cool!’ then we’ve done our job.”

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Niagara Falls New York’s First Gay Wedding

Longtime partners Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd tied the knot in front of Niagara Falls at the stroke of midnight Sunday, becoming the first same-sex couple to be married in New York.

Are you from Canada? Can’t see the video? Continue to see the video from an alternative source… more…

Woman Rescued from Niagara Whirlpool Rapids (video)

Video report about a hiker who was sucked into Niagara Falls Whirlpool rapids.  She was rescued by Corey Ziraldo, the Captain of Niagara Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour.

If the video above is not available, you may be able to view it here:

Seattle Visits Niagara Falls

Last week Seattle Dredge, who pens the popular travel blog Seattle’s Travels, visited Niagara Falls.  Check out some of fantastic photos and what she did during her visit.

In our last post, we talked about ways to see Niagara Falls from above. Now it’s time to get up close and personal with North America’s Natural, roaring wonder with views from below, behind and beside. Visitors beware : You ARE going to get soaked!


Wise Guys Charity Auction

Where:
Coppola’s Ristorante

When:
Starts at July 19th, 2010 – 6:00pm
Ends at July 19th, 2010 – 12:00am

Address:
203 Carlton St, St. Catharines

Website:
http://www.wiseguyscharity.com

Bring your appetite! Sample some of Niagara’s finest italian cuisine. A delicious assortment of delicacies will be served hors-d’oeuvres style all evening. Start off the evening by enjoying the complimentary wine and cheese cocktail hour. Be sure to try the one and only ice wine/vodka martini, compliments of Creekside Estate Winery. Indulge in the chocolate fountain. Bid on fabulous trips, sports memorabillia, spa days and more alongside some of your favourite sports celebrities. Tickets for this memorable event are only $40 and sell quickly.

For tickets to this event, please call (905) 687-4063 or email smith.financial@sunlife.com

The Wise Guys have been instrumental in raising funds for many worthy causes within the Niagara Region. Over the past 20 years our efforts have been responsible for raising in excess of $1,700.000.00. Last years event raised a record of $130,000.00.

 

Discount Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto

Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto

We just learned that NiagaraTours.ca has lowered their prices of Niagara Falls tours from Toronto by $10.  The total price is $69.  That’s a pretty good price considering that the tour includes: pick-up and return from any hotel in Toronto, wine tasting and winery visit, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Floral Clock, the Maid of the Mist or Journey Behind the Falls, and 2 hrs of free time in Niagara Falls.

The deal is only available for tours in August 2011.

Category: Deals, Travel  Tags: , ,  2 Comments
4th of July Fireworks Niagara Falls USA

Video of Independence Day 2011 celebrations in Niagara Falls USA.