A winter sleigh ride is a wonderful way to take in the sights and sounds of winter. It’s also a perfect way to enjoy this winter wonderland during family outings, wedding parties, staff parties, and holidays. Our Lil Barnyard, located approximately 20 minutes from Brandon, offers 40 minute sleigh rides along a beautiful trail through a peaceful snow covered bush on the south side of the Brandon Hills. They also have available a fire-pit area for you to gather around with your group or family. They can accommodate either large (15), or small groups, and are currently accepting bookings most evenings and weekends. To book a ride please contact them at 204-728-3645 or email jenn.neufeld@yahoo.ca. Pricing: $10 per person (minimum $100 fee) $5 per child, 5 and under $20 per 1/2 hour use of the fire-pit

Zoo Lights Festival opened yesterday at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg (2595 Roblin Boulevard). The 32-day winter lights festival is an ideal place to "experience a spectacular display featuring thousands of light installations to bring to life a magically illuminated fictional Manitoban winter town: Polar Town". Zoo Lights Festival is more then just lights. The event also features interactive experiences and warm-up areas, visits from Santa, fire pits, nightly entertainment, a Third + Bird market, live music, and great food. Zoo Lights Festival is a ticketed evening event. The after-hours festival runs between November 30, 2019 and January 5, 2020. For additional information, visit the Zoo Lights Festival website at www.assiniboinepark.ca/zoo-lights-festival.

Joel runs the Brandon Men’s Soccer League and is an avid beer hockey league player in the Wendy’s Winter Hockey League. He is your local Purolator driver as well as an overall good guy. BDNMB.CA felt it is time for Joel Snyder to give us his 20 answers to our 20 questions What should everyone try at least once in their life: Double chocolate chip frap at Starbucks …..game changer You didn’t want to take over the family business, Brandon Ave Electric, was there a reason: My life is not electricity  People you enjoy following on Twitter: @biznasty Last 3 items on your credit card statement: Michael Hill – Sobeys – Cell Phone Quote you live by: DDFC – we do what we want How many hours per day screen time: 2 hours Secret skill: Used to be a kickboxer Who did you vote for and why: I didn’t vote How do you feel about being our youngest person we have asked to do 20 questions: I don’t feel too young Will your WWHL team make the finals this year: NO – we are the oldest team in the league Favorite song: Kiss from a rose: Seal Go to local watering hole: Decker or Tavern Favorite 3 TV shows: The Wire – Ballers – Seinfeld Pickles or Olives: Pickles but not sweet ones Do you know my dogs names: Pepsi and Curlin (that’s impressive) Beckham or Ronaldo and why: Ronaldo ….. Beckham was good Ever have a crush on a school teacher: Student teacher in grade 5 Better hockey player you or your dad: Vern is Do you wear underwear more than one day: Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do If you had a fire what would be the first thing you would take before you left your house: Pets – once in the night the alarm went off ( false one ) and I leaped up and ran through the house and left my GF sleeping on the couch …. She wasn’t happy.

BRANDON, Manitoba, November 6 — Bohemian Rhapsody announces the 3rd Annual A Very Bohemian Christmas Sale.  Bohemian Rhapsody has teamed up with 17 other local Artisans and Makers for a unique and “Bohemian” Christmas sale. This year’s sale will be in a larger space and will have more curated, quality vendors than ever. The sale will consist of 18 local vendors selling items from jewellery, essential oils, pottery, clothing, leather goods, skin care products, henna designs, home decor and more.   The event will include free parking, free beverages and snacks.  There will also be a $1 draw with individual prizes from each vendor, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Community Health & Housing’s Sober Bar. “After last year’s successful sale, we realized we were out-growing our space.  This year The Very Bohemian Christmas Sale has moved to the Westridge Community Centre and added eight more quality vendors, plus free snacks and beverages” says Karen Numrich of Bohemian Rhapsody. A Very Bohemian Christmas Sale starts at 12:00PM and runs until 4:00pm on Saturday, November 16th.  It is located in the Westridge Community Centre at 32 Willowdale Crescent in Brandon. The sale will include vendors; Bohemian Rhapsody, TECK, Lucy Designs, Gee Natural Skin Care, Magpie Pottery, Lavender Blue Henna, Naturally Imperfect Concrete,  Barn & Baby, Leotto Designs, Scatter Mind Design, Mireille L’Abeille Illustrations, Nide Designs, Kunai Kids, Rez Bombs, Boho Soul, Green Rabbit Farms, Rasa Holistics, Manafest Healing Arts (Massage)

When it comes to the housing market, we often hear the terms buyer’s market or what might be referred to as the opposite, which is a seller’s market. A buyer’s market is one where the number of houses for sale is plentiful, which keeps the prices down; a seller’s market means there are few houses on the market so the prices tend to be higher. For the past two to three years, Brandon has been in a buyers’ market when it comes to the residential real estate market. Houses were on the market longer than expected and prices have adjusted to the point where they are starting to move again. While the buyer’s/seller’s market is often referencing the purchase of homes, the same principles in market fluctuation also affect the rental market. Vacancy rates for apartments have increased fairly significantly in the last five years. In 2015, the vacancy rate for rentals was 2.5 per cent, it is estimated that by the end of this year the rates will have climbed to 9.8 per cent. In general, this will provide more options for renters when they are looking for accommodations and much of what we’re seeing in the market is based on inflation. The average rental rates have been growing slower than the rate of inflation. This means that if you have a cost of living increase at your work, tied to inflation, you are gaining ground on the rental market in Brandon. *Estimated data based through October 2019 What does this trend mean for renters? If you check the advertisements for apartments on the market, most landlords are offering incentives to fill the vacancies that they have. Some of these incentives include discounted rent on a one-year lease, one month free on a year lease, referral programs offering an incentive to entice your friends or colleagues to rent as well. The opportunity to extend your lease at the current rate (or an even lower rate) for committing to another year. Those looking for an apartment have plenty to choose from. If the market is close to a 10 per cent vacancy rate, you can take your time and select a place that not only fits your budget but has the amenities you’re looking for. As of today, Vionell Holdings has nearly 20 two-bedroom units available for immediate possession for less than $960 per month. The median income in Brandon is $56,694, therefore the affordable rent for the market is defined as $969. This means that not only is there an abundance of available rentals in Brandon, but there are many that fit within the affordable housing criteria as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.   Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has nearly 4,000 units under management in Manitoba. VHP has committed to constructing 128 multi-family residential units in Portage la Prairie. The first 64 units will be ready for occupancy in the coming months. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca.