Winter Wings Over Niagara and luncheon

(News Release)

Ten participants with guides, NF, Dec. 7, 2014 (Photo by Dave Robinson)

The phenomenon of thousands of birds flying in to overwinter along the raging Niagara River every year, is the reason local people site hundreds of people lining the Niagara River lookouts from mid-November through December.


This world famous bird migration attracts birders from all around the world.

On Saturday, December 5 Niagara Nature Tours has arranged for two distinguished guides to lead a tour along the Niagara River to discover why it’s been called a paradise for over wintering waterfowl and gulls. 

Avid birder John Black, retired Brock University physics professor, and Dan Salisbury, a second-generation birder from the Niagara Peninsula will be leading this bus tour.  With limited walking this outing is excellent for young and old, experts and novices.

Carla Carlson, the owner of Niagara Nature Tours said they have transportation and a special luncheon, for a day of camaraderie and fun. They will be using scopes and with expert guidance be able to see individual birds very clearly.

"Don we now our gay apparel" - and "ugly" sweaters:

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 28/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   A holiday season tradition now is making fun of “ugly” Christmas sweaters.

   Start knitting or searching for that classic pullover or cardigan for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise Dec. 18 on Toronto’s Waterfront.

   This adults-only event marks National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, so “get decked out in your ugliest,” says publicist Peter Ashworth.

Getting ready for the Ugly Christmas Sweater Cocktail Cruise on Toronto’s Waterfront.

    This will be a “festive evening” on Mariposa Cruises’ Northern Spirit that includes a Santa costume contest, with the two-hour sailings boarding at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

   “Everyone has at least one Christmas sweater that is truly hideous,” said Carol Jolly, executive director of the Waterfront BIA.

   Cruisers can pop into the “bad Santa” photo booth and dress up their ugly sweater with festive holiday props for a complimentary souvenir picture, she said.

   The cruise includes fun food stations, hors d’oeuvres and a DJ playing Top 40 tunes and “horrendous holiday classics” to set the mood.

VIA Rail offers "big deals" for Black Friday to plan holiday travels

Montréal, November 27, 2015 -- Now is the time to start planning your next getaway! VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is announcing the biggest sale of the season across its network. Discounted fares are available on select routes until Monday, November 30, 2015.

Skip traffic on the highway or the hassle of air travel during the busiest season of the year. Just sit comfortably, enjoy great service, food, sceneries and let VIA Rail take you where you want to be. 

Be there for the holidays, with your family and friends, or plan a winter train getaway to explore Canada?s bustling metropolitan cities or scenic destinations such as the Canadian Rockies and Eastern coast.

Heat up the holidays with festive fun in Toronto

(News Release)

 

TORONTO – With spectacular shows, countless shopping opportunities, outdoor skating rinks and top-notch restaurants, Toronto transforms into an urban winter wonderland and a great getaway during the holiday season.

The city is abuzz with the holiday spirit offering cultural, culinary and magical adventures only a global city like Toronto could.  Visit www.seetorontonow.com and follow @SeeTorontoNow on Instagram and Twitter for an insider’s guide to staying in Toronto, which includes a calendar of exciting events, theatre performances, shopping destinations and hotel deals. 

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT                                                       

Winterlicious, running January 30-February 12, 2015, is one of Toronto's favourite culinary celebrations, and the perfect opportunity to explore the great variety of delicious cuisine that the city has to offer. The popular prix fixe program offers three course menus for exceptional value. The culinary event series offers a variety of programming including cooking classes and demonstrations, dinner theatre, tastings and pairings, intimate chef dinners and more! www.toronto.ca

Santa welcomes visitors at his workshop in Ingersoll and the Toronto Christmas Market

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 21/15

    (c) By Jim Fox

   Children are being encouraged to “sneak a peek inside Santa’s workshop to find out what the elves have been working on all year.”

   It takes place at Santa’s Festival Village, inside the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum, in the town southwest of Woodstock.

   Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves have taken up residence and are receiving visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from now through Dec. 12.

Santa holds court inside his workshop in Ingersoll.

    It began Friday night at the kickoff of the Festival of Winter Lights, with the village and museum the starting point for a “drive-through/walk-through” tour of more than 300 lights in five parks around town, said curator Scott Gillies.

   “Santa’s elves have been busy transforming the museum into his workshop,” he added.

   This free admission event includes a visit and photos with Santa, rides on the Red Nosed Wagon Express, enjoying festive entertainment and discovering seasonal crafts.

Jennifer Nettles, Paul Zerdin & Il Volo to perform at Casino Rama Resort

RAMA, ON -- Casino Rama continues its history as one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations by offering comedy & music fans a lot to get excited about in 2016.

Jennifer Nettles

Highlights from the just announced additions to the new concert season include performances by country-pop crossover Jennifer Nettles (who is out with a brand new tour), Italian teen pop opera trio - Il Volo and the winner of the 10^th season of “America’s Got Talent” comedian & ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin.

 

Fans are invited to visit the Casino Rama Resort Facebook page to gain access to an exclusive pre-sale, along with a chance to beat the box office to win a pair of tickets to the show of their choice!

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Toronto and Canadian cities

TICKETS FOR DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DARE TO DREAM

Ice Spectacular Plays Toronto's Rogers Centre December 18-27th

TORONTO, ON — This holiday season, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream is bringing Disney’s princess stories and most beloved fairytales to the ice in a sensational live production coming to Toronto.

This ice spectacular featuring scenes from Tangled, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and The Princess and the Frog, visits Toronto from December 18-27/15 for 17 performances at Rogers Centre.  Tickets are on now sale.

Rapunzel - Flynn & PubThugs

Laugh at Disney's hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled, as Rapunzel; her unlikely companion, Flynn; and Maximus, the Captain of the Guard's determined horse; embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths.

VIA Rail adds additional train times and seats in and out of Toronto

(News Release)

 Montreal, November 12, 2015 –VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is pleased to announce service improvements into and out of Toronto. The following changes came into effect the last week of October: ·         Train 40, between Toronto – Kingston – Ottawa now operates daily. This train used to operate from Friday to Monday.
·         Train 45, between Ottawa – Kingston – Toronto, now operates daily. This train used to operate from Friday to Monday. 
·         Train 70, between Windsor – London – Toronto, now operates from Monday to Saturday. This train used to operate from Monday to Friday.
·         Train 75, between Toronto – London – Windsor, now operates daily from Sunday to Friday. This train used to operate from Sunday to Thursday.

Additionally, to meet demand in Southwestern Ontario, trains 82 and 83, between Toronto and London, will now each have an additional 68-seat Economy car and 44-seat Business class car.

Giant Panda Cubs Update – One Month -- at the Toronto Zoo

Toronto, ON, Friday, November 13, 2015: At one month old, our twin giant panda cubs are healthy and continue to grow. The larger of the two cubs now weighs over one kilogram, with the smaller cub not far behind at approximately 750 grams. The undercoat (or insulating hair) continues to grow in thicker and whiter, making the areas on their bodies where the skin is not pigmented black, look much whiter.They truly look like giant pandas now.

Photo credit: Toronto Zoo

Photo credit: Toronto Zoo

Photo credit: Toronto Zoo

 

Er Shun continues to be a great mother and the cubs are progressing very well. However, it is still a very critical time for these little cubs.

 

For new giant panda cub videos follow us on Twitter @TheTorontoZoo or CLICK HERE for our FTP link!

Please CLICK HERE for more information on Giant Panda Conservation at the Toronto Zoo.

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Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to receive updates.

                         

Homes for the holidays showing off seasonal finery to visitors

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 14/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Get inspired with seasonal decorating ideas at “holiday house tours” that have become a popular tradition across southern Ontario.

   Homeowners, decorators and volunteers are putting on the glitz by decking their halls for the season and inviting visitors to come have a look.

   Among the upcoming places to join the fun are Niagara-on-the-Lake, Amherstburg, Collingwood, Mississauga, Creemore, Leaside (Toronto), Newmarket, Aurora and Stouffville.

Locust Grove, an 1820 Georgian Colonial property, is featured in the Holiday House Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

   Often referred to as the “prettiest town in Ontario,” Niagara-on-the-Lake is steeped in history and heritage homes.

   The community’s Rotary Club is hosting its 17th annual house tour Dec. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring interesting properties and a couple of wineries.

   Historic and contemporary properties have been decorated by professional designers and volunteers “in keeping with the holiday season,” said Martin Quick, Rotary president.

Sip, savour and enjoy at Ontario food and drink events

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 7/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s time to eat, drink and be merry with opportunities to indulge in the spirits’ world and fine dining.

   What is billed as the “biggest food and drink event of the year” returns to Toronto; there are “Feast ON Nights; Savour Stratford’s Tutored Tastings; and Niagara Culinary Experiences.

   Prepare to be amazed as the Gourmet Food & Wine Expo features 1,800 wines, beers, spirits and gourmet food at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front St. W.), Nov. 19 to 22.

The beer will flow at Toronto’s Gourmet Food & Wine Expo.

   Sip and savour from wine regions across Spain, Portugal, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Romania, Italy, California – of course, Canada – and many more.

   Learn from the pros, meet the world’s best from breweries, wineries and distilleries, and sample treats from the city’s leading chefs.

   “With top restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries sampling all weekend long, it’ll be easy to discover a new favourite,” said event manager Melanie Klie.