Great Christmas Gift Idea #1: Discounted Personalized Bottle of Double Cross Vodka

Dear Friends of the Hub,

It’s that time of year again, when we  start to plan our holiday gift giving for family, friends and colleagues. Niagara Hub will begin to highlight unique gifts that are easy to order and fun to give.  As our first idea, it is our pleasure to share a special discounted price on engraved bottles of Double Cross Vodka.

The design-winning bottle of topshelf vodka can now be personalized with a corporate logo, your uncle’s name, or message for that special person on your list.  It can be shipped directly to you so you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas to complete your shopping. The page allows you to see exactly how your name or message will look on the bottle. Man, these folks are smart!

The normal price for this is $39.99 but with your Niagarahub discount, you will pay only $36.09. plus shipping and tax.
To receive the discount, use promo code - niagarahub when checking out.

Click here to access the custom engraving  site : http://doublecrossvodka.com/engraving/

Keep an eye out for more great gift ideas from Niagarahub.

Cheers,

Chris and Craig – Niagarahub.com

Special offer from our friends at Health System Services

The Regal is a feature-rich lift / recliner chair designed for people who like to keep things within hands’ reach.  Its dual flip-open arms conceal extra storage space, a cup holder and hideaway tray.                   A luxurious three-pillow waterfall back can be adjusted, providing more comfort options.  Stylish and superbly constructed, the Regal will allow you to kick back and relax in first-class comfort.

 

‘Instant Rebate’ only available on the Golden Technologies REGAL PR-751TY Lift Chair.  Not Valid with Insurance Claims.  Offer expires Jan. 10, 2014.  Regular price = $1,199 :  Price After Instant Rebate = $949

Save both time and money with
our exclusive Instant Rebate Program!

Average $ from Insurance – $265

Minus 20% Co-Pay – $53

Total from Insurance = $212

    HSS INSTANT REBATE =  $250

VISIT THE HEALTH SYSTEM SERVICES WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE!

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City council votes against joining state’s Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments advisory program

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

The Niagara Falls City Council has rebuffed Mayor Paul Dyster’s effort to enter the city into a financial restructuring advisory program with the state.

The city council voted unanimously to defeat a measure from Dyster that would have allowed him to enter the city into the state’s Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments advisory program. The recently-created 10-member board reviews the financials of participating municipalities and provides recommendations for the local governments in their efforts to fix short-term financial problems and correct structural deficit issues going forward…

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/x517505584/City-council-votes-against-joining-states-Financial-Restructuring-Board-for-Local-Governments-advisory-program

Holiday Lights of Niagara to open in Hyde Park

[From BuffaloNews.com]

The annual Holiday Lights of Niagara Trail will open tonight in Hyde Park.

A free kickoff event will be held near Sal Maglie Stadium at 5:30 p.m. and include an appearance by Santa Claus and performances by local dance and choir groups…

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE: http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/niagara-falls/holiday-lights-of-niagara-to-open-in-hyde-park-20131127

Image of the Day – November 27, 2013

One more day until the bird is the word!  Have you ever wondered why we eat turkey on
Thanksgiving?  Well, find out why (with some other Turkey Day factoids) HERE.

Old Falls Street hosts Holiday Tree Lighting Event on December 3, announces Stuff-a-Bus Food Drive and Breakfast with Santa

Old Falls Street, USA, the three block thoroughfare connecting Niagara Falls State Park with the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel in Downtown Niagara Falls, is once again lighting the trees along its three city blocks in thousands of white LED lights for the holiday season. To mark this occasion, the public is invited to attend the annual Old Falls Street Outdoor Tree Lighting event, on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event begins with the arrival of Santa Claus on a Niagara Falls fire engine to officially illuminate Old Falls Street, USA.

After a brief outdoor ceremony, the public will be invited inside The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls to enjoy live music by the Celtic Circle Ceilidh Band, a visIt by Old Falls Street’s mascot – Walter Falls, children’s face painting, a balloon artist, and complimentary doughnuts, hot chocolate and coffee. Guests will also be able to tour The Conference & Event Center’s new photography exhibit, “Snapshots: Roaming the Niagara Frontier,” by Niagara Gazette photojournalist, James Neiss. Various vendors will also be on hand for those who are looking to purchase unique holiday gift items.

Non-perishible food items will also be collected that evening to be donated toward the 4th Annual Stuff-a-Bus Food Drive, being held on Dec. 6. (More information on Stuff-a-Bus is listed below.)

“On behalf of Global Spectrum, we are happy to illuminate Old Falls Street’s trees once again this year in what has become a new holiday tradition in Downtown Niagara Falls,” said Global Spectrum’s Ryan Coate, general manager of Old Falls Street, USA and The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls. “This year’s additional programming held inside The Conference & Event Center will allow our guests a place to mingle and spread holiday cheer. Afterward, we encourage our guests to visit the giant student-made gingerbread house inside the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute and other neighboring restaurants for dinner that evening.”

Old Falls Street’s outdoor tree décor was designed by Harris & Lever Florists, with special electrician assistance by the City of Niagara Falls and the Local IATSE 121 Stage Union.

In addition to the Outdoor Tree Lighting ceremony, Old Falls Street, USA has planned the following activities throughout the week:

Old Falls Street’s 4th Annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive

  • Friday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • An NFTA Bus will be parked on Old Falls Street, USA outside the entrance of The Conferenc e& Event Center Niagara Falls
  • Join Old Falls Street and members of the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association for the annual Stuff-A-Bus Food Drive, held in cooperation with the NFTA’s festive Holly Trolley, on Friday, Dec. 6. In the spirit of the holiday season, we ask for donations of non-perishable food items so that collectively we can “stuff the Holly Trolley” full of food to benefit the Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier.
  • Items will be driven to the Community Mission that afternoon, just prior to the Holly Trolley’s annual tour of Niagara Falls.

Old Falls Street’s 4th Annual Breakfast With Santa

  • Saturday, Dec. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon
  • Inside the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls
  • Enjoy a deluxe buffet and a personal visit with Santa Claus himself. The morning includes Santa’s reading of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, arts and crafts, holiday cookie decorating, traditional children’s holiday movies, a bounce house, cotton candy machine, photo booth, balloon and caricature artists, a visit and much more.
  • Bring a donation of new winter hats, gloves, scarves and socks for the Giving Tree benefitting area children in need for your child’s chance to win a festive holiday gift basket.
  • Tickets are available now or at the door—$12 for Adults, $9 for Children 12 and under, and $10 for Seniors 65 and over. Reservations are highly recommended. Call (716) 278-2100 for more information.

For more information or to view photos from previous years, visit www.FallsStreet.com or Old Falls Street, USA’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oldfallsstreet.

Toohey sentenced to 33 months

[From Niagara-Gazette.com]

It took 10 adjournments before he was sentenced but disbarred Lewiston lawyer Timothy Toohey will now be spending the next  33 months in a federal prison.

Toohey, 66, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Richard Arcara for his January 2010 guilty plea to embezzling $202,000 from the $2.1 million Hickory Stick Golf Course project of the Seneca Gaming Corp. He also admitted to filing a false tax return that did not reflect that income…

READ THE FULL STORY HERE: http://www.niagara-gazette.com/local/x202287335/Toohey-sentenced-to-33-months-over-role-in-Seneca-golf-course-land-scam

Image of the Day – November 26, 2013

Behind the scenes look at Superman II (@ Niagara Falls)

Troopers use tall, unmarked SUVs in crackdown on texting drivers

[From BuffaloNews.com]

Even for a state trooper, it’s not easy to spot drivers who are texting. Their smartphones are down on their laps, not at their ears. And they’re probably not moving their lips.

That’s why New York has given state police 32 tall, unmarked SUVs to better peer down at drivers’ hands, part of one of the nation’s most aggressive attacks on texting while driving that also includes steeper penalties and dozens of highway “Texting Zones,” where motorists can pull over to use their devices…

READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE: http://www.buffalonews.com/associated-press/ap-state-news/troopers-use-tall-unmarked-suvs-in-crackdown-on-texting-drivers-20131125

Memories of the Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, New York

As December creeps in closer, the City of Niagara Falls is starting to buzz with hints of Christmas spirit.  Colorful lights are appearing in windows and kids are starting to get their wish lists ready for Santa.  One of the most popular memories shared among the residents today is the “Festival of Lights.”  Once known as the “International Festival of Lights” dating back many decades in our city’s history, this Christmastime tradition was an annual favorite always guaranteed to draw large crowds in the downtown area each year.  This festival has seen many different revivals in its existence, but for those who knew it back in the early 1980s to early 1990s, the nostalgia still exists heavy today.  “Ya know what they should do?  Bring back the Festival of Lights!” – that phrase is heard repeatedly every year. Well Dear Readers, you may not have that wish granted this year, but let me serve as your personal Ghost of Christmas Past and take you for a brief memory jog around the Rainbow Centre, the Wintergarden and the Niagara Falls Convention Center for a nostalgic trip back 30 years…

Photos from the Niagara Falls Public Library Local History Department – be sure to visit the Library on December 7th for the 2nd Annual Holiday Wonderfest:  Click here for all info!

[Feel free to comment below with your favorite memories, stories or thoughts.  If you know someone in the photos, please share it with them! Have some photos you want to add to this post?  Send ‘em along to: theniagarahub@gmail.com]