Polar Express at Fredonia Opera House Nov. 6

Below is a press release I received from the Fredonia Opera House

1891 Fredonia Opera House
9 Church St.,
PO Box 384
Fredonia, NY 14063
716-679-0891
http://www.fredopera.org/


Opera House to Screen “The Polar Express” FREE
as part of Family Night at the Movies
FREDONIA – The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present the animated feature film “The Polar Express” on Fri., Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the D.R. Barker Library as part of Family Night at the Movies, admission to the film is FREE.

Family Night at the Movies features films based on or that inspire books for children. The series was developed as a way for adults to share the excitement of reading and great family entertainment with the children in their lives. The Book Nook has donated several copies of the book, which will be given away in a drawing before the film.

In “The Polar Express,” the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis (“Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away”) reunite for an inspiring adventure about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary magical train ride to the North Pole. In doing so, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” combines classic storytelling with a highly advanced version of motion capture technology developed and tailored to meet Zemeckis’ uncompromising vision. It was the first feature film ever to be shot entirely in this format. Rated PG for fantasy adventure action, “The Polar Express” runs 99 minutes.

Free admission tickets are available only at the door on the night of the show. Seating is limited to 400; and patrons are reminded that there is no food or drink allowed in the Opera House and that all children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the Opera House at 716/679-1891 or visit http://www.fredopera.org/.

Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported, not-for-profit organization located in the Village Hall in downtown Fredonia.

Year-round snow in Western New York at Snowpark Niagara

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Snowpark Niagara in downtown Niagara Falls, which was the site of the monthly Niagara Frontier Tourism Task Force meeting. After pizza and our business meeting, our group had a tour of the facility, which includes a NHL size skating rink, a 50 foot hill for tubing and snowboarding, a snow play area and even a miniature golf course.

The facility is open year-round, as they have snowmaking equipment. I wasn't brave enough to try out the hill, but a few people in our group tried out the tubing and they said it was a really fast ride. There were a lot of high school and college age dudes on the snowboarding hill.

The prices seemed reasonable, Adults are charged $13 for either tubing or snowboarding, plus skating, snowzone and golf. To do both tubing and snowbarding they would pay $20 for the deluxe ticket. Children's tickets are $11 or $18 for the deluxe ticket.

Snowpark Niagara Falls USA, 427 First Street, Niagara Falls, NY 1-877-TUBING, http://www.snowparkniagara.com/

Ellicottville Fall Festival

Yesterday my husband, our two youngest children and me went to the Ellicottville fall festival, which is always a fun time. We first went to Holiday Valley and rode up the ski lift. What a great way to see the fall foliage. We ate lunch at the top of the hill (hot dogs, hamburgers and Italian sausage). We then headed into the village of Ellicottville. It seemed that there were more crafters than usual. My daughter and I bought some mittens and also a hat for her; a good idea, since it's going to be cold the rest of this week! We all enjoyed candy apples and even had some maple cotton candy! We didn't have any of the pig roast, but it looked really interesting, yet unsettling at the same time. Too bad this festival only comes around one weekend a year.

Eastern Pearl Chinese Restaurant

I had lunch today with my friends Mary, Linda , and Susan at the new Eastern Pearl Chinese Restaurant on Maple Road in Williamsville. It is located on the site of the former Chang's Garden restaurant, which was destroyed by fire over a year ago. Since Chang's was one of our favorites, we were glad to see another high-quality Chinese eatery open there.

The decor is very elegant, yet don't feel that you have to get all dressed up. The food was very good. The menu consists of Cantonese dishes. I had the sesame chicken, while Mary opted for Moo Goo Gai pan. Linda tried the shrimp lo mein and Susan the garlic shrimp. Prices on the lunch menu were reasonable about $6-7. The dinner menu seemed just a bit pricey, but then this is not a tiny take-out joint; you are paying for the ambiance.

There is a review of the restaurant in the Gusto section of today's Buffalo News.

Eastern Pearl, 938 Maple Road, Williamsville 716-204-8898, http://www.theeasternpearlrestaurant.com/