Approximately 60,000 spectators had their Christmas wishes granted as they were treated to a fantastic array of floats, marching bands, dancing groups, zany characters at the 2009 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. Close to 20,000 pounds of food was collected in aid of the Community Food Sharing Association as well as almost $10, 000.00.

The winners of various categories for the 2009 Downtown Parade were:

Best Marching Band
1.Music Collection Drumline
2.#3 Terra Nova Sea Cadets
3.Salvation Army Newfound Brass

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 Downtown Christmas Parade will be going ahead beginning at 1:00 pm today. Click on the link on this page for all the details or call the Parade Hotline SANTA-HI (726-8244).

The Annual Downtown Christmas Parade is set for Sunday, November 29th at 1:00 pm (December 6th in case of inclement weather).

PARADE ROUTE:
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!

METROBUS PARK & RIDE - SANTA SHUTTLE:
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.

PARKING:
Fortis will be offering free parking for the Downtown Christmas Parade with a donation of a non-perishable food item for the food bank. The lots which we will be offering free parking are the following: Harbor Drive, Springdale Street, Cabot Garage and Cabot Outside. Disabled Parking available at the A.P. Parking Garage at Baird's Cove. Other parking lots available are Murray Premises and the City Hall Parking Garage.

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

For information on street closures and times please visit:
www.stjohns.ca/csj/NewsDetails?id=250

Brought to you by: Downtown Development Commission

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

Nominations close today for the Election of the Board of Management of the DDC. Nomination papers were mailed to all members of the DDC in mid-October by the City Clerk & Returning Officer, Neil Martin.

Eight (8) members of the Board of Management will be eleceted to a two-year term on Friday, December 4, 2009 should more than eight nomination papers be submitted before the close of nominations today, Friday, November 13, 2009.

For more information contact the DDC office at 579 4139 or the City Clerk at 576 8446.

Downtown Tax Free Day Today November 12, 2009.

Support local business and visit our independently owned and operated shops. Experience superior customer service and find unique gifts for that special person on your list.

You'll find it all Downtown!

See below for a list of participating stores.

Next Clothing
Our Pleasure
The Outfitters
Model Citizens
Wild Things
Sojourn
Annikas
Newfoundland Weavery
Tval
Downhome
Elizabeth Burry Fine Art and Gift Gallery
NONIA
Grand Time
Britannia Teas
Island Designs and Gifts
Sylvia's Treasure Chest
Downtown Comics
O'Brien's Music
The Cod Jigger
You-You Shoes
Gallery Shoes
Details and Designs
East Rider
Jennerations
Living Rooms
Country Dreams
Karma - Retail Product Only
Craft Council - In Store Specials Only
Crafted Treasures
Woof Designs
Model Shop and Julia's Closet
Posie Row
House of Gifts
Ropar
Home on Water St.
Asian Variety Store - Giftware Only
Maverick Sports Collectables
Gingersnap
William L. Chafe's
The Travel Bug
First Western Boutique
The Bird House
The Heritage Shop - Both Locations
Hempware
The Bead Addict
Ballistic
Kitchen Queen - In Store Specials Only
The Bridal Salon
TimeCo
Tickle Trunk
Irene's
Elegant Yard Sale
Twisted Sisters
August and Lotta
Benjamin's
Byron's
Living Planet
Ropar
Golden Tulip - In Store Specials Only
Fred's Records
Candy Bouquet

A Public Meeting regarding the DOWNTOWN PARKING STUDY is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Foran/Greene Room, 4th floor, St. John's City Hall.

The City of St. John's and the Downtown Development Commission co-funded the cost of a Downtown Parking Study.

The findings of the study will be presented at this public meeting .

The study was prepared by IBI Group in association with Tract Consulting Ltd. and UVH Group.

The report may be viewed during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the City's Department of Engineering on the 3rd floor of St. John's City Hall. Telephone enquiries may be directed to the Department at (709) 576-8232 or by email to engineering@stjohns.ca .

Any persons wishing to make representation to the St. John's Municipal Council on the Downtown Parking Study are invited to refer their comments in writing to the City Clerk's Department in any of the following ways (by mail: City of St. John's, PO Box 908, St. John's, NL A1C 5M2; by fax: (709) 576-8474; by e-mail: cityclerk@stjohns.ca) by NOON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009. Any written representations received by that time will be included in the background information for the public meeting.

Please click on the following PDF links for more information:
www.stjohns.ca/csj/parking/Draft_DowntownParkingStudy.pdf

www.stjohns.ca/csj/parking/DowntownParkingStandard.pdf

In view of the current health concerns, Details and Designs has decided that it is appropriate to postpone the scheduled Catwalk for Cancer at Bianca's on Wed, Nov 11th, 2009. Those who have purchased tickets will be contacted.

NOTICE TO MOTORISTS
ROAD CLOSURES – ROYAL VISIT

Motorists are advised that the following road closures will be in effect for the Royal Visit on Tuesday November 3rd and Wednesday November 4th, 2009:

Road Closures Tuesday November 3rd 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Military Road - Cochrane Street to Garrison Hill/Bonaventure Avenue
Rennies Mill Road - Circular Road to Military Road
Monkstown Road - Catherine Street to Military Road
Prescott Street - Gower Street to Queen’s Road
Queen’s Road – Church Hill to Prescott Street
Prescott Street – Military Road to Queens Road – closed 12:01 am to 11:59 pm

Local Access will be maintained for residents.

Road Closures Wednesday November 4th 10 am to 11:30 am
Water Street – Prescott Street to Cochrane Street
Duckworth Street – Prescott Street to Cochrane Street

If you have any questions or concerns about these road closures please contact Access St. John’s at 311.