The Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade, interim dean of the cathedral, says support has come from across the country.
Thousands visit Wildlife Exposition
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Organizers say about 35,000 people helped with the unofficial kickoff to the South Carolina tourism season by attending the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
The 30th edition of the event in Charleston featured wildlife art, animal demonstrations and cooking events.
Exposition organizers said that initial tallies show that there was about a 25 percent increase in original art sales compared with last year’s show. The last two years had seen below-average sales of art because of the troubled economy.
The three-day exposition was held in 10 venues throughout downtown Charleston.
New operator chosen for Niagara Falls boats
NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — A new company has been chosen to operate the tour boats that chug to the base of Niagara Falls from the Canadian shore.
The Niagara Parks Commission in Ontario says Wednesday that Hornblower Canada Co. has been awarded the contract for the popular boats that for more than 100 years have been run by the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co.
The Maid of the Mist Corp. still holds the contract to launch tours from New York.
The parks commission says the new contract could generate more than $500 million in revenue over its 30-year span.
The commission had approved a 25-year contract with the Maid of the Mist in 2008. But the lack of competition for the deal drew criticism, so the commission called for bids.
Puerto Rico to open building for weddings
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Couples planning to get married in Puerto Rico will soon be able to tie the knot in one of the island’s most historic buildings.
The government says it will re-inaugurate a building known as the Vintage Casino in Old San Juan to attract more destination weddings.
The two-story building with baroque and neoclassical elements first opened in 1917 as a social club for Puerto Rico’s upper crust. It then was a social club for the United Service Organization and later housed the island’s first music school.
Puerto Rican Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock said Wednesday that the building will be managed by SMG. The local company alread manages the San Juan Convention Center and a nearby coliseum.
Cathedral raises $2M for earthquake repairs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington National Cathedral says it has raised $2 million to cover restoration work after last year’s earthquake severely damaged the building.
But the cathedral said Wednesday it must still raise $18 million to complete repairs and stabilization of its hand-carved stonework.
The announcement comes six months after the 5.8-magnitude earthquake in August damaged four main spires on the cathedral’s central tower and cracked other parts of the building.
The estimated cost of repairing the building has risen from $15 million to $20 million.
Officials say they have raised another $5 million since the earthquake to support the cathedral’s operating budget, which has suffered in recent years.
The Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade, interim dean of the cathedral, says support has come from across the country.