(Niagara At Large is pleased to share the following news from Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission on an ever popular Easter event you may enjoy.)

Niagara Falls, Ontario  – The Niagara Parks Commission’s Floral Showhouse is pleased to once again feature a seasonal favourite – The Easter Flower Display – a Niagara tradition for over 65 years.

Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission

The show is now ready, just in time for Palm Sunday. The popular addition of real chicks and bunnies will also return, which is a treat for kids and adults alike.

The Easter show features a cross display of lilies surrounded by colourful and fragrant spring flowers such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and azaleas. The warm and serene setting is bursting with gorgeous blooms, orchids and exotic tropical plants as well as beautiful songbirds to get you in the mood for spring.

The displays in the popular greenhouses are regularly changed for visitors’ enjoyment, with eight seasonal plant exhibitions that are carefully grown and professionally displayed, along with a large permanent tropical plant collection. The expanded “Shop in the Garden” also includes a café area where visitors may enjoy light refreshments and shop for unique garden gifts.

Admission to this facility is $5 and all monies generated are reinvested into the maintenance and care of the magnificent conservatory and surrounding gardens, as well as into additional programming and new exhibits. For an additional $5, residents of Ontario may upgrade to a season’s pass, to return as often as they like as the displays are changed throughout the year.

Located just south of the Falls on the Niagara Parkway in Niagara Falls, Ontario, the Floral Showhouse is open each day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paid parking is available on site.

The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one which Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, NPC is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

 For more information, visit www.niagaraparks.com

(Niagara At Large invites you to share your views on this post in the comment boxes below. Remember that NAL only posts comments by individuals willing to share their real first and last names with their views.)

In case you don’t already know, some of the finest architecture of the late 19th and early to mid 20^thcenturies  can be enjoyed right here in the greater Niagara region, in the many classic neighbourhoods in and around downtown Buffalo, New York.

Architectural Historian Martin Wachadlo leads tour of Buffalo, New York neighbourhoods. File Photo

Buffalo’s history as an architectural mecca on this continent will be the focus of a public lecture this March 20 by respected architectural historian and preservationist Martin Wachadlo at Buffalo’s D’Youville College Campus off Porter Avenue near the Peace Bridge.

More information on this $5-per-person event, hosted by the Prospect Hill Neighbourhood Alliance, is available below in a media release posted by the neighbourhood group. If you are interested in learning more about the history of some of the finest architecture this region of the world has to offer, heritage of this area, you may want to mark this event on your calendar.

 From:  Prospect Hill Neighborhood Alliance

Event: Buffalo Architecture Lecture with Historian & Preservationist Martin Wachadlo

Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Place: Kavinoky Theater, 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY. (D’Youville College Campus)

Time:              7-9 PM

Admission: $5

Within a beautiful turn-of-the-century West Side landmark, the Kavinoky Theater on the D’Youville College campus, well known Architectural Historian & Preservationist Martin Wachadlo will present his celebrated lecture on Buffalo’s place in American architectural history with a chronological look at the city’s architectural evolution.

 By researching buildings, including some of the most noteworthy works of some of the nation’s greatest architects, he will place this invaluable inheritance into the context of nationwide development. 

“Last fall, the lecture was featured at the National Trust Conference held in Buffalo inside of the Common Council chambers to a capacity crowd,” said Kathy Mecca of the Columbus Park Association, “so we are excited to offer this celebrated presentation to the community once again.” 

Mr. Wachadlo will also discuss the evolution of the Prospect Hill District, one of Buffalo’s most historic and beautiful waterfront neighborhoods, and the determination of its residents to preserve its celebrated legacy and historic significance in the development of Buffalo. 

“Prospect Hill Neighborhood Alliance is proud to be the sponsor of this event”, said Jim Messina, President of Fargo Estate Neighborhood Association. The Prospect Hill Neighborhood Alliance (PHNA) is a working coalition of West Side neighborhoods comprised of Armory Hill, Columbus Park, Cottage District, Fargo Estate, and parts of the Kleinhans neighborhood. 

 PHNA organized in 2009 after the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Preservation League of NYS, Preservation Buffalo Niagara and the Campaign for Greater Buffalo recognized the historic significance of Prospect Hill in the growth of the City. 

“Our mission is to preserve every neighborhood in the Prospect Hill district,” Messina said, “and our method lies in educating others with a little help from our friends.”

(Niagara At Large invites our readers to share their views on this post in the comment area below.)

 An exhibit of ‘rainforest animals’ that had already been charming visitors to the Niagara Parks Commission’s Butterfly Conservatory has recently given them two more reasons to ooh and aah.

A newly born Marmoset rides on dad's back at Butterfly Conservatory. Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission

To the delight of NPC staff and visitors the Conservatory alike, two Common Marmosets (small monkeys from the rainforests of Brazil) became the busy parents this past March 1 of a pair of twins.”

“It has been very exciting for us and our visitors are delighted to see them,” the Conservatory’s curator Cheryl Tyndall told Niagara At Large in a recent interview. “The Marmoset babies are seven days old (as of March 1 and) they are doing quite well and growing rapidly.”

The Marmosets are part of an ‘Animals of the Rainforest’ exhibit that has been organized by Ottawa-based Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo and that opened early this past February and continues through May 11 at a Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Ontario that is already renown for its diverse exhibit of some world’s most exotic butterflies.

Marmoset parents with both babies on dad's back. Photo courtest of Niagara Parks Commission

The exhibit also features a full-grown Reticulated Python, a Crested Gecko, Emperor Scorpions, a Red Footed Tortoise, a Panther Chameleon and other critters common to the tropical rainforest environments of South America.

Kevin Dungey, a reptile handler with Little Ray’s, told Niagara At Large when the exhibit first opened that none of the creatures they have in their possession were captured in the wild. Many were someone’s idea of a house pet until Little Ray’s handlers rescued them when it turned out that the house pet idea wasn’t working out for the animal and owner alike. “We are always stressing to people that these animals don’t belong in homes,” said Dungey at the time. “We believe they belong in the wild,” but trying to reintroduce them to the wild after they’ve been living in captivity risks the animals’ lives.

The Marmoset couple prior to the recent birth of their offspring. Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission.

The Marmosets that gave birth this March at the Conservatory were themselves bred in captivity.

“It is fascinating to watch the (Marmosets’) parenting skills,” said Tyndall in the days after the babies were born. “Mom does the nursing and Dad takes over after that, carrying both babies on his back.  It is amazing to see the Dad moving about with the babies have no problem hanging on.

The Niagara Parks Commission is hoping as many people as possible take the opportunity to enjoy the exhibit for the weeks it remains at the Conservatory.

Entrance to the exhibit is included with admission to the Butterfly Conservatory: $12.95 for adults (ages 13+), $8.25 for children (6-12 years), with children five and under admitted FREE (prices in Canadian plus tax). Parking is available on-site. The Butterfly Conservatory is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last visitors admitted at 4:30 p.m.) with extended hours on holidays. Call (905) 356-8119 or visit www.niagaraparks.com for more information.

 (Niagara At Large invites our readers to share their views on this post in the comment boxes below. NAL only posts comments with real names attached to them. Comments by anonymous parties or parties who use pseudonyms are not posted.)

Celebrate the Arrival of Spring and Hawkwatch Activities at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area

With the spring like temperatures continuing, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch invite you to join us at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area for the annual hawk migration.

Photos courtesy of Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

 Get out your binoculars, and head to this majestic conservation area to discover Niagara’s best viewing location for the annual spring migration of hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures.

The migration is a spectacular natural phenomenon and Beamer Memorial is the best place to be to observe these birds of prey as they make their spring flights from South and Central America, the Caribbean and the United States to their nesting territories in Canada.  Members of the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch group (NPH) will be on site from March 1st, monitoring species of these bird populations.

 Last year nearly 20,500 raptors were viewed flying over Beamer. Broadwinged Hawks and Turkey Vultures reported record high counts, and an impressive 60 Bald Eagles and 8 Golden Eagles were also spotted. The spring raptors are expected to be equally as impressive in 2012, with special attention be paid to the American Kestrel. 

It will be interesting to see if the numbers in 2012 fall in line with the trend of 2011. Trends in these migrating bird populations serve as valuable biological indicators for ecosystem health, as raptors are top-level predators, occupying large home ranges, inhabiting most ecosystems, and being sensitive to environmental contamination and other human disturbances.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the he annual Hawkwatch Open House activities which will take place 10:00 to 3:00 on Good Friday, April 6th.  A fun outing for the whole family, the event will feature a number of activities  including live hawk demonstrations, ‘Talks on the Hawk Migration’, and a children’s program.

Take the time to get up, get out and join us at Beamer Conservation Area for a breath of fresh air!   

DIRECTIONS TO BEAMER CONSERVATION AREA FROM TORONTO/HAMILTON: Travel along QEW Niagara and take Exit 71, Christie St; Proceed south on Christie St. which turns into Mountain Rd. at RR #81; Follow Mountain Rd. up the escarpment, turn Right onto Ridge Rd.; Turn Right onto Quarry Rd.; 5. Park Entrance is on Quarry Rd.

FROM BUFFALO/NIAGARA: Travel along QEW Toronto and take Exit 71, Christie St.; which turns into Mountain Rd. at RR #81; Follow Mountain Rd. up the escarpment, turn Right onto Ridge Rd.; Turn Right onto Quarry Rd.; S. Park Entrance is on Quarry Rd.

(Niagara At Large welcomes you to leave your views on this post in the comment boxes below.)

The Saturday, March 3 performances will take place at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria on 67 Church St. in St. Catharines, Ontario at 7:30 p.m. You can find out more about this performance and ticket prices by visitng   http://www.chorusniagara.ca/page/no_mortal_business .

A video promoting this performance can also be viewed by clicking on http://youtu.be/zw_MpKsVCqg .

If you are among a growing few people who have not enjoyed Chorus Niagara’s shopping mall performance of the Hallelujah Chorus – by now viewed by tens-of-millions of people around the world – you can click on  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE .

Hey all you knuckleheads out there, and I’m not just talking to our political leaders. I’m talking to you and me, and all of us!

If the cabin fever of winter is starting to drag you a little bit down maybe it’s time to shuffle off to the classic old Riviera Threat in North Tonawanda, New York this Saturday, February 18 where you can spend an uproarious evening watching the original knuckleheads – Curley, Larry and Moe – slapping themselves silly at the greater Niagara region’s first-ever ‘Winter Stoogefest’.

That’s right folks, “for duty and humanity,” as these immortal masters of slapstick comedy once declared, Lenny Potwora, a classy fellow in a tux and a cravat, and one of the trio’s greatest living fans, is hosting the first winter version of a ‘Three Stooges Film Festival’ that celebrated its 20^th anniversary as a late summer gala of Stooges flicks this past September.

I know some of you may be wondering be wondering why the publisher of a news and commentary site that prides itself in attracting intelligent and thoughtful readers would plug an evening of Three Stooges movies. But as someone who has enjoyed about a decade’s worth of this festival at the Riviera, these Stoogefests are always lots of fun.

Indeed, there aren’t too many other events these days where you can find a theatre full of normal looking people – parents, grandparents and children – all but rolling in the aisles with laughter over each one of the classic Stooges shorts light up the screen. The evening also features some introductory music performed on the theatre’s mighty Wurlitzer organ, tables full of Stooges items for sale at the back of the theatre and some of these same items being raffled on during an intermission.

So to paraphrase Curley, if you have never been to a Stoogfest at the Riviera, don’t be a snob or a snobiss. Come in from the winter cold, and give this rare evening of hilarity a try.

This February 18 edition of the Stoogefest gets started at 7 p.m. and you are advised to get to the theatre at least a half an hour early because there is always a lineup at the front doors. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 years and under.

The Riviera Theatre is located in North Tonawanda’s downtown at 67 Webster Street. Click in the name of the theatre and its address on Google for a map that can guide you there.

(Niagara At Large invites any and all knuckleheads out there to share their views on this post in the comment boxes below.)

If you have been a regular visitor to our Niagara At Large news and commentary site, you know that we have shown an ongoing interest in the welfare of all creatures great and small.

Nature of Things host David Suzuki

Someone from the CBC knew about NAL’s passion for animals and sent us the following note on a program we’re sure many of you who share our panel will want to check out.

The program, featured on CBC’s long-running and ever-popular ‘The Nature of Things’ hosted by the one and only David Suzuki, is called  ‘Mysteries of the Animal Mind’ and is being broadcast this Thursday, January 26 at 8 p.m. EST on CBC Newsworld Cable channel 6. Niagara At Large is pleased to share the following write-up from CBC on this program.

Thursday, January 26 – Mysteries of the Animal Mind Any pet owner knows their cat, dog or budgie has feelings. But many scientists considered it absurd to entertain questions about how animals might feel or that they might be thinking—it was unacceptable to ascribe experiences like delight, boredom or self-awareness to non-humans. Now scientists are exploring the complex mysteries of the animal consciousness.

In Mysteries of the Animal Mind we meet the researchers who are finding growing evidence of compassion, cooperation, altruism, empathy, intelligence and communication in all sorts of different species. We’ll meet Diana Reiss of Hunter College who takes viewers underwater at the Baltimore Aquarium. There, her team witnesses the curious looks of the dolphins as they look into a mirror for the first time. She discovers that dolphins can recognize themselves—joining a select group known to have this ability.

Dr. Frans de Waal, one the world’s most widely recognized primatologists, shows viewers a group of chimpanzees who teach us we’re not the only species with a sense of fair play. And at Duke University, Brian Hare introduces us to bonobos, a close relative of ours, who will happily share food—even with a stranger.

(Niagara At Large invites you to share your comments on this fascinating topic before or after you have viewed the program.)

This Post Courtesy of  Chorus Niagara

“Wonderful, it brought me to tears.  Thank you all so much!”
“This brings a smile to my face every time.”
“…..a staggering gift you gave the world this Christmas, I could never have imagined, many thanks.”
“This is simply one of the most beautiful and worthwhile things that I have ever seen on YouTube.”
“WOW!  That was REALLY WELL SUNG.”
“Only one word in my mind – WONDERFUL!”

St. Catharines, Ontario - These are just a sampling of the thousands of comments received by Chorus Niagara in response to its viral flash mob performance of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus on YouTube.  Performed live,  on November 13th, at Welland Ontario’s Seaway Mall,  and produced by Alphabet Photography as a Christmas greeting to their customers, the YouTube sensation has set records as ‘The Most Watched Flash Mob of All Time’ with 28.5 million hits, and also holds the title of ‘The Top Rated Video of All Time’ in Canada.

Chorus Niagara at a performance in Grimsby, Ontario

Chorus Niagara, Niagara’s premiere 100-voice ensemble has received worldwide attention from the public and media as the flash mob video circles the globe attracting viewers from the United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Greece, the United States as well as across Canada.

Robert Cooper, Chorus Niagara’s Artistic Director, has been very busy responding to interview requests.  “This has been an incredible experience and boon to both Chorus Niagara and the appreciation for the choral art. We are most grateful to Jennifer Blakely, Founder of Alphabet Photography.”  Cooper says.   St. Catharines Mayor, Brian McMullan echoes his sentiments,  “This is such a wonderful made-in-Niagara story.  The flash mob was a brilliant way to spread the Christmas spirit,  and the talents and creativity of Chorus Niagara.  It’s thrilling to see this performance resonate with so many.”

The Choir’s YouTube performance has been featured on CTV’s Canada AM, CNN, ABC World News, Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, eTalk, Fox News, National Public Radio’s Here and Now and has also been covered in print by the National Post, LA Times, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, London Free Press, Hamilton Spectator, Business Review Canada, Niagara News, St. Catharines Standard, The Winnipeg Free Press and Canadian Fundraising and Philanthropy.

Chorus Niagara performed two sold out concerts of the complete Handel’s Messiah in December and has been swamped with invitations to perform in a variety of venues including The United States, Germany, Great Britain and Europe.  The chorus has also received numerous requests to purchase recordings of their musical performances.

View the video at www.chorusniagara.ca/ or  www.alphabetphotography.com

 221 Glendale Avenue, P.O. Box 25019, St. Catharines, Ontario L2T 4C4    905-934-5575    www.chorusniagara.ca        
“To entertain, educate and inspire through the performance of fine choral music”

Here a few future performance dates for Chorus Niagara that you may enjoy -

Chorus Niagara Singathon – Saturday, Feb 12, 10 a.m. to 3 pm  (approx.)
at the Seaway Mall, Centre Court.
 
Sounds of Light Concert – Prismatic Array of Choral Gems
Saturday, March 5th, 7:30 pm at the Cathedral, St.Catharines.
 
Feel the Spirit-160 Voices…Joyous Celebration
Saturday, May 14th, 7:30 pm at the Cathedral, St.Catharines

(Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary on matters of interest and concern to residents in our greater binational Niagara region.)

One of North America’s largest and most celebrated annual gardening events – Garden Walk Buffalo – has received prestigious award for its success in promoting community pride and the beautification of urban neighbhourhoods.

One of the many homes and institutions opening their lawns and gardens to visitors each year for Garden Walk Buffalo. File photo by Doug Draper

If you missed Garden Walk Buffalo this past summer or have never been to one, stay tune to its return next July. You can count on Niagara At Large to share the details when the dates and times for the event are approaching.

In the meantime, NAL is posting a media release from the volunteers of Garden Walk Buffalo, commenting on the award received for their efforts.

Media Release

The American Institute of Architects Buffalo/WNY Chapter (AIA) awards this honor annually to a group that has performed outstanding volunteer service on behalf of, or relating to, the built environment. The award was presented at the AIA Design Award Gala, held November 18, 2010 at The Mansion on Delaware Avenue.

The nominating letter stated, “Garden Walk Buffalo has been dedicated to the promotion of the City of Buffalo and WNY and to encouraging neighborhood beautification and to promoting community pride. Through these efforts, the group has changed the way many people view the built environment…and is therefore deserving of this award.”

Garden Walk Buffalo president, Jim Charlier, states, “We could not be more proud of Garden Walk’s accomplishments, including helping to reinvigorate parts of Buffalo’s Westside; providing positive, and unexpected, PR outside of Buffalo; and providing more than $26,000 in Beautification Grants for gardening projects.

As much as the Walk is about the gardens, it’s a sly way for visitors to get to walk around neighborhoods of great architecture they would normally not get a chance to walk through.” Mr. Charlier goes on to say, “More than any other event held in Buffalo, Garden Walk gets visitors out into great neighborhoods, meeting city residents enjoying our great architecture and appreciating our walkable streets.”

Garden Walk Buffalo graciously accepts this award on behalf of the Garden Walk committee members, past and present; 
its founders Marvin Lunenfeld & Gail McCarthy; and especially its 350-plus  gardeners that present their gardens each year.

Garden Walk Buffalo, the largest garden tour in the U.S., is held the last weekend of July each year. In 2011, the free event will be Saturday and Sunday, July 30 & 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 350 residences and businesses throughout the west side of Buffalo open their creative urban gardens for more than 50,000 visitors from around the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.GardenWalkBuffalo.com.

High-resolution, print-worthy, professional photography of Garden Walk Buffalo is always available in the Garden Walk Press Kit, found here. http://gardenwalkbuffalo.com/index.php/press-kit/press-kit-the-basics

One of many rare art pieces features at exhibition

 The collection includes Chinese New Year’s poster prints (some made from woodblocks dating back to the late Qing dynasty in Henan, Mianzhu, and Tianjin), Tibetan Thangka paintings and woodcarvings, and tapestries from the Tajik people in Xinjiang.
 
In addition to these unique cultural artifacts, the exhibition features photos, music, and videos of indigenous people and landscapes that provide context for understanding and appreciating these vanishing artistic traditions.
 The art exhibition opens this Tuesday, November 2 and continues through Friday, November 12 daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the Upton Hall Czurles-Nelson Gallery at Buffalo State College. The college campus is located at 1300 Elmwood Ave. across that avenue from the Albright Knox Art Gallery and the Upton Hall can be found by turning off Elmwood onto a campus road called Iroquois.

For more information, call (716) 878-5252.

(Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary on matters of interest and concern to our greater binational Niagara region. We welcome news and commentary to post on this site from our American neighbours in Erie and Niagara Counties, New York. Email drapers@vaxxine.com for further information.)