Over 60,000 spectators had their Christmas wishes granted as they were treated to a fantastic array of floats, marching bands, dancing groups, cheerleaders and zany characters at the 2008 Downtown Christmas Parade. The Parade made its way from the Aliant Building through historic Downtown St. John’s with Santa’s hearty “Ho Ho Ho” delighting the thousands of children who came to see him.

Employees of Newfoundland Power, a corporate sponsor of the event, were out in full force gathering food for Santa’s annual food drive. Over 23,000 pounds of food was collected in aid of the Community Food Sharing Association as well as over $8000.00 in loonies and twoonies.

The winners of various categories for the 2008 Downtown Parade were:

Best Float Over 20 Feet:
1. Newfoundland Power
2. Coldwell Banker Hanlon
3. F.I Canada Oilfield Services

Best Float Under 20 Feet :
1. Eastern Health Paramedics
2. KidSport
3. The Telegram

Best Performing Groups
1.Barbara Ashley School of Dance
2.Fusion Dance Studio
3.The Dance Centre

Best Marching Band
1.Salvation Army – Newfoundland East Divisional Youth Band
2.166 Fort Townshend Sea Cadets
3.#3 Terra Nova Sea Cadets

Best Cheerleading Group
1.O’ Donel High School
2.Booth Memorial High School
3.St. Peter’s Jr. High

There will be no time to rest as Santa will be busy answering a sleigh full of letters collected by his special elves from Canada Post.

The Downtown Development Commission would like to thank Newfoundland Power, F. I. Canada Oilfield Services, NTV, and OZ FM, as well as the hundreds of Parade participants, volunteers and community agencies who made the event such a success.

For more information

Please contact
Gaylynne Lambert
Marketing and Special Events Coordinator
Downtown Development Commission
726-8244
gaylynne@downtownstjohns.com

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade will happen today at 1:00 pm starting from the Aliant Building Parking lot on Factory Lane.

The route is as follows: Starting on Factory Lane, travelling west along Plymouth Road, west on Duckworth Street, down Prescott Street onto Water Street, travels west along Water Street and ends at the Railway-Coastal Museum.

The Santa Shuttle is running from the Confederation Building and Bowring Park starting at 11:30 am on a load and go basis. This is a free service but donation to the Food Bank wii be gratefully accepted.

Bring your letter to Santa and a non-perishable food item in aid of the Community Food Sharing Association.

For more information call SANTAHI (726 8244).

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade is organized and brought to you by the Downtown Development Commission (DDC)

Sponsored by Newfoundland Power, Stirling Communications and FI Oil Field Services Canada

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade is set for Sunday, November 30th at 1:00 pm (December 7th in case of inclement weather). The Parade begins from the the Aliant Building on Factory Lane and follows the regular Parade route down Duckworth Street to Prescott Street, down over Prescott Street and continues west on Water Street ending at the Railway-Coastal Museum.

Come and see Santa and his colourful cast of characters, clowns, beautiful floats, marching bands and performing groups. Newfoundland Power employees will be on hand collecting food as well as loonies and twoonies in aid of the Community Food Sharing Asscoiation. Don't forget your letters to Santa!! Canada Post will be collecting the letters along the route!

If you need a ride to the Parade, jump on-board the Santa Shuttle. It starts at 11:30 and it will be picking up people at Bowring Park and the at parking lot of the Confederation Building (west block) on a load and go basis. The service is free but a non-perishable food item or a small donation to the Communtity Food Sharing Association will be gratefully accepted.

For more information call the Parade Hotline at SANTA-HI (726-8244) or email info@downtownstjohns.com

Brought to you by: Downtown Development Commission

Supported by: Newfoundland Power, FI Canada Oilfield Services, NTV and OZ FM.

If parking in the Downtown is an issue for you, your company, organization or agency, get involved!

The IBI Group in association with Tract Consulting and the UVH Group is the consultant that has been hired by the City to complete this study. You can provide your input directly to the consultant by simply emailing your thoughts and comments to parking@stjohns.ca

Can’t think of where to start? Try identifying the issues and challenges facing parking in Downtown St. John’s today as it relates to you, your employees or customers. Consider the existing parking supply, the locations of lots and associated parking rates.

How about all the changes and developments that are occurring in the Downtown and how they may affect the supply of parking both public and private?

What are your thoughts on how Downtown parking is being managed and enforced – courtesy cards, voluntary payment, cost of fines, etc.?

How do you think we can best ensure this Parking Study and its recommendations can be best followed through?

There you go! A few things to get your thoughts going on Downtown Parking! I’m sure you may have a few more things to add. So please take the time and send your thoughts to the consultants by simply leaving them here at parking@stjohns.ca

For more information on the Downtown Parking Study you can also visit www.stjohns.ca/cityservices/traffic/parkingstudy.jsp

The Downtown Parking Study is a cost sharing initiative by the Downtown Development Commission and the City of St. John’s.

On Friday, December 5, the membership of the Downtown BIA (Business Improvement Area) will elect seven (7) members of the Board of Management.

Deadline for nominations is today, Friday, November 14, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Nomination papers are mailed by the City to all membes of the BIA. Nomination papers are available at the City Clerk's office at City Hall or at the DDC office. For more informaiton call the City Clerk's office at 576 8446 or the DDC at 579 4139.

The Annual Downtown Tax Free Day is this Thursday, November 13th. Come down and shop for unique gifts, grab a bite, or get a coffee to go and stroll around and enjoy all the colourful windows and Christmas decorations on the street. Some shops will have tax free, while others will have many instore specials. Check with your favorite store for details!

DDC Members can receive group rate prices on tickets!

The DDC has arranged a group rate discount for members of the DDC interested in purchasing tickets for the AHL hockey game on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 featuring the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NY Islanders Farm Team) versus the Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators Farm Team) at Mile One.

Group rate price is $17.00 per ticket and are available by contacting Don Power with Group Sales at Mile One via email at donniep@nl.rogers.com or via cell at 685 8362.

Fortis is well on the way to acquiring a significant property in downtown St. John's. The Fairmont Newfoundland will soon be part of Fortis Properties. Fortis has an agreement to buy the historic property and that deal should close later this month.

The Fairmont has over 300 rooms, about 16,000 square feet of convention space, and among other amenities,a health club, indoor pool and the familiar Court Garden area.

Fortis Properties president and CEO, Nora Duke, says capital investments are planned over the next three years to upgrade guest rooms, meeting and banquet spaces, the lobby and food and beverage facilities. Adding the Fairmont to its roster, Fortis properties now owns and operates 20 hotels in eight provinces. The deal is subject to normal closing conditions.

Excerpt VOCM News Wednesday, November 5, 2008