Some local news and developments over the past 10 days 1 - The former location for Kam Lung on Park Ave will have some major changes coming soon. BDNMB.CA will have the exclusive when we can disclose all details. 2 - Pizza Express have sold their Winnipeg location to local owners. 3 - Leon's Furniture has also sold to local group of owners no names disclosed at this time. 4 - Dollarama (Shoppers Mall) will be closed for renovations until February 1st. 5 - Papa John's on 18th Street has been sold last week. Be well more bits and bites coming soon darryl@bdnmb.ca

For the fourth consecutive year, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Brandon, Manitoba, holding the PBR Mazergroup Chute Out at Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre on May 23-24, 2025. Following the overwhelming enthusiasm and demand for PBR Canada Cup Series events in Brandon, including last season’s single day sold out show, the organization expanded the competition to two days in May 2025. The PBR Mazergroup Chute Out will have added significance as the lone PBR Canada Cup Series event in Manitoba during the 2025 season. PBR Canada’s Cup Series, which set tour attendance records in nine cities in 2024, regularly features Canada’s best riders alongside some of the organization’s top international athletes, squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation. For two nights only, fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the unpredictable, action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes face off against their 1,800-pound opponents born to buck. The PBR Mazergroup Chute Out will mark the third event of the 2025 regular season for PBR Canada’s premier Cup Series. When the Cup Series last travelled to Brandon in May 2024, Weston Davidson (Strongfield, Saskatchewan) went a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Cup Series event inside Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre. The win was part of a career-year for Davidson. He registered an accompanying 10 Top 10 finishes and concluded the season No. 7 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. Other past PBR Canada Cup Series event winners in Brandon are: Aaron Roy (2023 – Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan) and Blake Smith (2022 –Abbey, Saskatchewan). The bull riding action for PBR Canada Cup Series’ Mazergroup Chute Out, begins at 7:00 p.m. CST on both Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m. CST, and start at $30, standard ticketing fees may apply. Tickets can be purchased at the Westoba Place at the Keystone Centre Box Office and online at Ticketmaster.ca. Stay tuned in to PBRCanada.com and follow the tour on Facebook (PBR Canada), X (@PBRCanada), and Instagram (@PBRCanada) for the latest results, news, stats and more.

The Westman Multicultural Festival is set to return to Brandon, Manitoba, from February 6 to 8, 2025. This annual event celebrates the region's rich cultural diversity by featuring various pavilions that showcase unique traditions, cuisines, music, and dance from different countries. This year, the festival is expanding to include 12 pavilions; INDIA · UKRAINE · MAURITIUS · PHILIPPINES · HAMI HISPANIC · MEXICO · JAMAICA · PALESTINE · SCOTLAND · EL SALVADOR · NIGERIA · COLOMBIA. The Nigerian and Palestinian pavilions are both new for 2025. The festival will take place at multiple venues throughout Brandon, each hosting different cultural pavilions. Visitors can look forward to interactive experiences, including traditional performances, authentic cuisine, and cultural displays. The event aims to foster community engagement and promote understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures present in the Westman region. For more information on pavilion locations, schedules, and program details, please visit the official Westman Multicultural Festival Facebook page. The Westman Multicultural Festival is a family-friendly event, and admission is free. It's an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the multicultural fabric of the community. Mark your calendars for February 6 to 8, 2025, and join in the celebration of cultural diversity at the Westman Multicultural Festival in Brandon.

Brandon's Brad Schoonbaert has left Kansas City in the ECHL and has made a deal with one of the top teams in the UK called Cardiff Devils. Former Steinbach Piston and U OF C forward has had a decent start to his pro career in the ECHL with Kansas City. Click on this story from Cardiff Devils https://www.cardiffdevils.com/news/devils-add-forward-brad-schoonbaert/

(CNW Group/McDonald's Canada) The two faces of the National Hockey League are teaming up with McDonald’s for an epic “showdown” and launch of new limited-time menu items. In a new ad, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers hit the ice for a challenge to win a Big Mac, showcasing their skills and creativity, and even some competitive banter. In today's rendition, Matthews and McDavid gear up for a friendly rivalry, as they play each other for a Big Mac. In a special made-for-Quebec version of the ad, P.K. Subban joins in on the fun – chirping from the side lines. This generation's Showdown will extend beyond the ice with a limited-time Showdown menu lineup inspired by Canada's favourite game and its biggest stars. Will Canadian hockey fans prefer a classic taste and choose the Big Mac®-David or perhaps something a little adventurous like the Smoky Quarter Papi? Fans can pledge their support to #97 or #34 with their McDonald's order. Guests can watch the Showdown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C2k3LVbvmE&feature=youtu.be To kick off this power play, the Showdown menu roster includes: The Big Mac-David (Double Big Mac): Four 100% Canadian beef patties, special sauce, crisp lettuce, processed cheese, pickles, and onions, all stacked on a toasted sesame seed bun. A bold burger that leads the way, just like #97 on the ice. The Smoky Quarter Papi (Smoky BBQ Quarter Pounder): A 100% Canadian quarter pound* beef patty topped with smoky BBQ sauce, hickory-smoked bacon strips, crispy onions, pickles and two slices of processed cheese served on a toasted sesame bun. A powerhouse of flavour that brings the same fire as #34 on game day.*Before cooking. Spicy Junior Chirpy (Spicy Buffalo Junior Chicken): Made with Canadian-raised crispy seasoned chicken, topped with crunchy shredded lettuce, spicy buffalo sauce, and mayo-style sauce, all on a toasty bun. A fiery flavour that's bound to get the chirps going. The Hat Trick (Triple Cheeseburger): Three slices of processed cheese with three juicy, 100% Canadian beef patties, pickles, onions, ketchup, and mustard on a freshly toasted bun. A triple play of flavour for those who crave more. Power Play Poutine (Spicy Maple and Bacon Poutine): Rich gravy, melty cheese curds, spicy maple drizzle, and crispy hickory-smoked bacon on top of our World Famous Fries™. This perfect balance of sweet and spicy lights the lamp with every bite. Celly Sundae: Celebrate every bite with creamy vanilla soft serve topped with your choice of hot fudge or caramel sauce and finished with popping candy that adds a burst of excitement, just like the perfect post-goal celly on the ice. The puck drops on January 7 for the Showdown menu at participating McDonald's restaurants across Canada for a limited time. Guests can get in on the action by visiting their local McDonald's restaurant, ordering ahead using the McDonald's app, or via McDelivery®. "In the spirit of the game that unites us all, we are excited to partner with some of today's most exciting hockey stars," said Alyssa Buetikofer, Chief Marketing Officer at McDonald's Canada. "Our new Showdown menu is a tribute to the love Canadians have for hockey and McDonald's. We've combined the thrill of the game with our iconic menu items to create a lineup that's sure to score with our guests. This is more than just a meal—it's an experience that brings the excitement of a hockey showdown right to your table. We can't wait for our fans to get a taste of the action!"