Thanksgiving Day parade, Buddy's: Metro Detroit iconic attractions

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 19/16

 

   By Jim Fox

   They say that “everyone loves a parade” and this one marking the U.S. Thanksgiving next Thursday in Detroit is certainly no exception.

   It’s been around for 90 years and recognized as one of the best parades in the country.

   The storied spectacle attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators and is also shown on TV in more than 170 U.S. cities.

Crowds of spectators line Woodward Avenue in Detroit for the Thanksgiving Day parade.

   It offers a “star-studded celebrity line-up for this major milestone year,” said Tony Michaels, president and ceo of the Parade Company.

   It moves off at 8:50 a.m. at Kirby and Woodward with “larger-than-life floats, colourful helium-filled balloons, thunderous marching bands and exciting specialty acts.”

Meet the sweet, furry faces of Fairmont's Canine Ambassador Team

Jim Fox, hanging out with Bello, the Canine Ambassador at Fairmont's Chateau Montebello, Quebec beside the massive fireplace. (Barbara Fox photo)

TORONTO – The warm, engaging service provided by Fairmont colleagues is a hallmark of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. As recently noted in the company’s Luxury Insights Report, Volume 1, the long lasting impressions made by Fairmont colleagues are often cited as contributing to enjoyable stays and provide a major incentive to return. Among those 45,000 kind and friendly faces around the world, a special 16 stand out for not only leaving an impression, but possibly becoming a guest’s’ best friend forever.

 Fondly known as Canine Ambassadors, the resident hotel dogs of Fairmont are gentle, affectionate and can often understand matters in a way no other human can. Their job, as official members of the hotels’ Guest Services Teams, is to provide companionship, security and that special wisdom that only a pet can provide. Fairmont guests appreciate the dogs’ company on leisurely walks, vigorous hikes, or resting in the lobby lounge for a soothing scratch behind the ears.

 

Meet the team

Marcus, known to his friends as Mark, is a Golden Labrador Retriever, with the additional duties as Director of PR (Pet Relations) at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Like his four-legged colleagues around the world, Mark loves to hike and play fetch with guests. Playing or petting a dog has been scientifically proven to increase the levels of the happiness hormone, oxytocin, and decrease the levels of cortisol, which is responsible for feelings of stress, thereby leading to a happier mood.

Ontario's festive holiday events from Festivals & Events Ontario

Awaken your sense of wonder during this magical time of year ONTARIO (Nov 8, 2016) When the air gets colder and the days get shorter, communities in every corner of the province turn on the lights! Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) is excited to share with you 2016 Top 100 Festivals and Events and Best New Festival award winner celebrating the Holiday Season. Get cozy with a mug of something hot and sweet and tour through seasonally lit parks and streets taking in all the season has to offer! NOVEMBER’S HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: OPG Winter Festival of Lights    Nov 19 – Jan 31 (Niagara Falls)   www.wfol.com    Awarded FEO “Festival of Distinction”. Visit North Americas premier illumination festival, enjoy dazzling light displays along its 5+km illumination route - Niagara Parks, past the Falls, through Dufferin Islands and surrounding areas! Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade    Nov 19  (Niagara Falls)   www.niagarafalls.ca    Parade at 11am from Victoria Ave. To Armoury St. Travelling north along Victoria to Valley Way, right onto Valley Way, right onto Queen St. Ending at City Hall.

Holiday and winter celebrations galore in Toronto

From Tourism Toronto - seetorontonow.com

Winterlicious, running January 27 – February 9, 2017, 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!

Since 1975, the One of a Kind Show & Sale has been the flagship destination to shop handmade. Stop by between November 24 – December 4, 2016 at the Enercare Centre to meet and shop from makers, artisans and designers across Canada.

GET OUTSIDE

On December 9-18, 2016 at Yonge Dundas Square is your chance to be a part of Toronto’s first annual Toronto Christmas Festival! A full 10 day festival for all to enjoy live music, shopping, a sleigh ride with Santa Claus, laser light shows and much more!

Bloor-Yorkville will transform into a magical holiday wonderland for this year’s Holiday Magic with a special performance by Shawn Desman. Holiday Magic runs November 19 through December 2016.  

Ho, ho, ho Santa comes to town; Cavalcade of Lights, holiday fun in Toronto

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 12-16

 

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Santa Claus is coming to town, twinkling lights will shine brightly and Toronto’s Distillery District will uncork the upcoming “festive” season.

Santa Parade route map

   The jolly gent in the red suit makes a grand entrance at the 112th annual Toronto Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 20.

   The procession of some 25 themed animated floats leaves Christie Pits park at 750 Bloor St. W. at 12:30 p.m. led by 200 “Celebrity Clowns” and about 2,000 costumed participants joining in.

    It heads along Bloor Street and makes a right onto Avenue Road, turns left onto Wellington/Front streets and ends up at the St. Lawrence Market.

   There’s quite a history as Eaton’s in 1913 arranged for Santa to be pulled by live reindeer brought in from Labrador, with singing and dancing children joining the march.

   Children dropped letters to Santa into baskets and each received a personal response. www.thesantaclausparade.com; (416) 249-7833

   Lighten up

   Cavalcade of Lights is Toronto’s official kick-off for the holiday season.

   This 50th annual celebration happens Nov. 26 from 7 p.m. in Nathan Phillips Square outside city hall.

Toronto’s “official” Christmas tree in Nathan Phillips Square will light up on Nov. 26. (Barbara Fox photo)

Tom Cochrane and Dean Brody headed to the Great Indoors -- Casino Rama

Casino Rama Resort adds new Canadian concerts to their 2017 event line-up

RAMA, ON (Monday, October 31^st, 2016) – Casino Rama Resort is one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations offering world-class concerts & events year round in our award-winning Entertainment Centre.  We’re pleased to announce the addition of two amazing Canadian artists to our already outstanding 2017 concert line-up:

Tom Cochrane’s Mad Mad World Tour with Red Rider

Friday, March 31

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Tickets are $49.55/$59.29/$75.22

From the just released expanded 25^th anniversary edition of the Juno Award winning album Mad Mad World hits will include: “Life Is a Highway”, “No Regrets”, “Sinking Like a Sunset” & “Washed Away”. #MMW25

The 2017 Stratford Festival season explores Identity with a diverse and multitalented company

October 31, 2016… The Stratford Festival is delighted to announce casting for the 2017 season, which will explore the theme of Identity as Canada marks its 150^th anniversary as a nation. The vast majority of leading players are in place, ranging from Brent Carver, who will return to the Festival after five seasons away, to Kiran Ahluwalia, who is joining the company for the first time.

“The broad spectrum of plays we’re presenting next season will be brought to life by a company with extraordinary skills and accomplishments,” says Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “The diversity of the playbill calls for many different types of performance – we have classics from four centuries, a Greek tragedy, a family show, a Golden Age musical, an operetta and new work that incorporates indigenous ritual, puppetry and traditional Punjabi song.

These productions call for actors with vastly different skillsets and points of view, who will work together organically in the company. There is an exciting rehearsal period ahead as we prepare for what I hope will be an entertaining and compelling season.”

Fred Eaglesmith in concert November 18 at Stratford’s Revival House

News Release

Stratford, ON (November 9, 2016) – String Bone Presents! Fred Eaglesmith (guitars & lead vocals) and Tiffani "Tif" Ginn (accordion & vocals) in concert November 18, 2016 at 8:00 pm at Stratford’s Revival House. This is a rare duo show. Their chemistry is second to none and together they have been making waves south of the border for about two years now to rave reviews. The concert will be intimate, hilarious and engaging.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith has spent his lengthy career traveling the byways and highways of Canada and the United States – a true road dog. Unlike many of today’s artists, touring is not something he does some of the time or only in support of a new record. Touring is his life. Well respected in the music industry, Fred Eaglesmith is somewhat of a cult musician as he defies categorization. He is one of a kind in the very best way.

Fred Eaglesmith’s songs are about what he knows: hard work ethics, cars, trains, horses and relationships. In other words, rural Ontario living. In recent years, his songs have been covered by country superstars Toby Keith, Alan Jackson and Miranda Lambert.

Fred-Heads (fully fledged fans) and Fred fans alike will revel in those iconic “Fred” songs and they will hear lots of them during the concert. It will be one of those shows you will remember for a long time. While those new to his music can engage in his roots rock, alt-country, Americana sound.

Polar Bear cub "Juno" celebrates her first "bear-thday" at the Toronto Zoo

FOR B-ROLL OF THE EVENT

The Toronto Zoo has hosted a First Bear-thday Celebration for our female polar bear cub, Juno, who turned one on Friday, November 11, 2016.

 When Juno was introduced to the public in February, she received a special honorary ranking of Private by the Canadian Army, who officially adopted Juno at that time.

 Today, the Toronto Zoo is very excited to announce our growing female polar bear cub has reached a new milestone on her first birthday and was promoted by the Canadian Army from Honorary Private to the prestigious ranking of Honorary Corporal. As part of the celebration, Juno received an ice cake with her favourite vegetables and fish, which featured the Corporal image.

At 12 months old Juno is now offered access to the large polar bear habitat and enjoys swimming in the big bear pool. She is a natural swimmer and diver and she enjoys exploring the large polar bear habitat. Juno now receives vegetables as part of her diet, and carrots are her favourite. America'

The ROM’s ground-breaking A Third Gender closes on November 27 (2016)

                                                                            NEWS RELEASE

TORONTO, November 8, 2016 — The critically acclaimed A Third Gender: Beautiful Youths in Japanese Prints closes at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) on Sunday, November 27, 2016. Exploring issues of gender and sexuality in Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868), the exhibition has been enjoyed by more than 150,000 visitors since its opening. A Third Gender is on display in the ROM’s Third Floor Centre Block and is included with General Admission.

NextSteps Dance Season continues at Harbourfront Centre with a series of reckless performances

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHAT: MOonhORsE Dance Theatre, in association with Harbourfront Centre, presents Older & Reckless, November 11–12 (2016). Older & Reckless features mature dancers in a series of performances that show their mastery of dance at any age. WHERE: Harbourfront Centre Theatre, Harbourfront Centre 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto, M5J 2G8 WHEN: Friday, November 11 at 8pm Saturday, November 12 at 2pm and 8pm

Warm days, cool nights make fall the perfect time to visit Blue Mountain

Bring your appetite, pack your shopping bag and celebrate fall in your own backyard! Now until December 1st, discover $25 dining, shopping and spa specials at 14 restaurants, 11 shops, and iwa Spa. Visit www.Fallicious.ca for details. 

 

 

 

 

News Release
UPCOMING EVENTS

Unwrap the World this Cyber Monday with Starwood Preferred Guest: Global destinations, noteworthy discounts

Enjoy up to 35% Off at More Than 1,100 Hotels & Resorts
for stays through September 4, 2017

Bethesda, Maryland – Nov. 10, 2016 – This holiday season, Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG®), an award-winning and innovative loyalty program of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) encourages shoppers to unwrap the world through its most impressive Cyber Monday sale ever, offering remarkable discounts globally at more than 1,100 hotels and resorts.

SPG is getting a head start on Cyber Monday, launching special rates November 21^st through December 4^th - featuring discounts of up to 30% for stay dates through September 4, 2017. Plus, SPG members will enjoy an additional 5% savings when booking directly through the Cyber Monday sale site.

Enroll in SPG for free by visiting www.spg.com/enroll. Shop the world and book the Cyber Monday rates at www.spg.com/cybermonday. Full terms and conditions can be found on the booking site.

Welcome Back to Otterville: 20th annual Studio Tour

November 19 & 20 (2016)

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(News Release)

Visit the studios of local artists and unique shops in the historic village of Otterville, in Oxford County southeast of Woodstock, Ontario.

Otterville is bursting with creativity and each year on the third weekend in November, Otterville hosts this original event and each year we welcome new artists and shops on the tour. 

Visit our website to discover all the tour has to offer - www.welcomebacktootterville.ca 

Artist Sue Goossens says she has "many new paintings" once again this year. There is traditional watercolour on paper and quite a few watercolours on canvas.

I was fortunate to travel to Scotland in August and have been busy painting scenes from the Highlands.  

If you are unable to attend on November 19 & 20 and would like to come and see my work, please contact me to arrange a time.  Most of my work is on my website www.suegoossens.com.(519 879-6352

Ontario's festive holiday events: Awaken your sense of wonder, FEO

(Nov 8, 2016) When the air gets colder and the days get shorter, communities in every corner of the province turn on the lights!

Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) is excited to share with you 2016 Top 100 Festivals and Events and Best New Festival award winner celebrating the Holiday Season.

Get cozy with a mug of something hot and sweet and tour through seasonally lit parks and streets taking in all the season has to offer!

NOVEMBER’S HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

OPG Winter Festival of Lights    Nov 19 – Jan 31 (Niagara Falls)   www.wfol.com    Awarded FEO “Festival of Distinction”. Visit North Americas premier illumination festival, enjoy dazzling light displays along its 5+km illumination route - Niagara Parks, past the Falls, through Dufferin Islands and surrounding areas!

Casino Rama Resort adds more winter 2017 concerts to the outstanding event line-up

RAMA, ON (Monday, November 7^th, 2016) – Long known as one of the premier entertainment destinations in Ontario, Casino Rama Resort has earned its reputation for presenting world-class concerts & events one outstanding performance at a time.

This winter fans can expect more of what they love about the line-up at the award-wining Entertainment Centre – an eclectic mix of artists giving the audience a memorable night, in an intimate venue noted for its great sound. 

The additions to the winter 2017 Casino Rama Resort concert line-up include performances by:

Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA

Friday, February 10

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Saturday, February 11

SHOWTIME: 1 PM, DOORS OPEN 12 noon

Tickets are $20.50/$30.50/$40.50

The world’s top ABBA tribute band, and the only band with exclusive rights to the ABBA name and original hits such as “Mamma Mia”, “Chiquitita”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Waterloo” and many more.

Air Supply

Friday, February 17

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Saturday, February 18

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $34/$44/$57

“Making Love Out of Nothing At All”, “All Out of Love”, “Lost In Love”, “Every Woman In the World” & “Even The Nights Are Better”.

The King in Concert

An Elvis Tribute starring James Cawley

Friday, February 24            

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Saturday, February 25       

SHOWTIME: 1 PM, DOORS OPEN: 12 noon

Tickets are $22/$32/$45

Cawley has been ranked the #1 Elvis impersonator in the USA by a committee of Elvis fan club presidents. His amazing voice allows the audience the chance to relive the excitement of having seen "The King" in person.

Showing the way along I-75, the expressway to the Florida sun

   One-Tank Trip for Nov. 5-16

   (c) By Jim Fox

   “On the road again, just can’t wait to get back on the road again.” Willie Nelson.

   Dave Hunter is back with his just released and updated guide to the drive to the sun.

   Along Interstate 75 makes the 20-plus-hour, “one-tank-a-day” trip to Florida more bearable by taking Dave along as the friendly and informative “back-seat driver.”

   The I-75 is Dave’s preferred route, covering a distance of 1,542 kilometres between Detroit and the Florida border.

Just another beautiful day in Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Jim Fox photo)

   The author and his wife, Kathy, have been making the I-75 trip for 48 years from their home in Mississauga to their winter abode in Lakeland, Fla.

   They have been writing about and researching this popular snowbird route for the past 24 years and this guide’s edition is the 19th.

   Updated every two years, this edition contains an almost one-third change in the some 3,000-plus information listings of what is within a mile of each exit.

Dave Hunter, author of Along I-75.