Continuing update for anyone who wants to chip in.
The lines/streaks or "blobs" are vertical. I ran both cleaning routines (A) and (B) and the nozzle check. The print out of nozzle check appeared fine - no faint areas and no streaks or blobs. In spite of this, I would print another image - and it would have the same problem - almost always in the same vertical position which is about 4 or 5 inches from the left side of the 24" role.
Then I ran the printer alignment routine - it did another print out - again, nothing to my eye visibly wrong. All bands were completed and printed without issue.
After wasting almost 7 meters of paper, and goodness knows how much ink (through cleaning) - I changed the paper to enhanced velvet.
And printed an image with a predominantly white background.
This time the printer splattered tiny amounts of black ink in the same vertical position (admitting it was much less and barely perceptible and only on the very top (ie at the beginning of the print job) - in spite of the fact there is no black background or requirement for black ink in that area of the image.
So, today I called Canon and will have a technician come out. While they won't say for sure without looking at the machine, based on my description, he said it could be the drum...and worst case the printer heads.
Based on all the research I have done on line in the last 3 days, nothing suggests a print head problem and I have no idea what a drum problem is, so any opinions, comments or thoughts are welcome.
Regardless, I will update this thread if for no other reason to let others who own this printer of the outcome for informational purposes.
Thanks