Brandon, MB - On Thursday, January 16 at 7:30 pm, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba will host a public reception for the launch of three exhibitions, Flags of Unsung Countries, This Too Shall Pass, and Déterré/Unearthed. Flags of Unsung Countries: Liz Ikiriko Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm Lunch & Look Artist Talk: Friday, January 17, 12 noon Flags of Unsung Countries is a photographic installation exploring new ceremonies, migration and embodied archives. Photographed in Canada and Nigeria, the work functions as a rite of passage. The exhibition charts the process of understanding a father’s struggles as an African immigrant challenged with mental illness living in the Canadian prairies. The layered images intersect geography and memory in a search for a location of belonging. The work asks the questions: How do we reconcile displacement with a sense of rootedness on adopted homelands? What is required of a home - is it a geography, a structure, a memory? Do we choose to belong or does it choose us? Flags of Unsung Countries uses photography as a language and an archive to map a path of the African diaspora. Using the medium of photography, for this exhibition, Liz Ikiriko documents a personal journey to learn more about her father, returning to meet family in Nigeria and places in Canada where she has lived. Her deeply personal and moving work explores memory, family and identity, and reimagines boundaries between past and present. Originating at Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina Public Library This exhibition is supported by New System Store This Too Shall Pass: Gloria C. Swain Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm Lunch & Look Artist Talk: Friday, January 17, 12 pm This Too Shall Pass is a series of textured and abstract paintings on canvas by multimedia artist, mental health and ageism advocate, Gloria C. Swain. Swain’s canvases embody her experiences as an aging Black woman moving through hostile spaces, particularly mental healthcare institutions; and the labour involved with “cutting through and getting cut by” the system. The geometric patterns in Swain’s work illustrate the range of movement associated with the process—sharp edges colliding, shattering and realigning— and allude to the ways that oppressed groups might eventually break through. The project offers space to reflect on the hope, perseverance, and unapologetic reclaiming of place as Swain, a mother, grandmother, community leader, elder and artist, strives to be seen and heard. This exhibition is supported by New System Store Déterré/Unearthed: Candace Lipischak Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 7:30 pm  “I’ve always had an affinity for bygone objects. Walking my property, which dates back to the early 1900’s, I discovered many discarded items along the embankment of the Rat River. Each brought forth the inevitable questions; ‘Who used them? What was their purpose? Why were they cast away and when?’ Although I was disheartened to see all this antiquated debris, I realized that Mother Nature still thrived and together they coexisted. Integrating the past and the present, Déterré/Unearthed speaks of our environment’s adaptation to evolution and the issues impacting our society.” – Candace Lipischak, multidisciplinary artist Déterré/Unearthed is presented in partnership with La Maison des artistes visuels francophones. Supported by Canadian Heritage. Blue Monday Café Monday, January 20, 5 – 9 pm Step into the gallery and out of the cold for a mug of hot chocolate, refreshments, music and free tours of the exhibitions Flags of Unsung Countries and This Too Shall Pass. The AGSM is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council and City of Brandon The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is located at 710 Rosser Avenue, and can be accessed either from the Town Centre parkade, or from the first floor of the Town Centre Mall through the elevators near the library. Parking in the Town Centre is free for AGSM visitors. Gallery hours are: Monday 4:00PM - 9:00PM, Tuesday to Friday 10:00AM-5:00PM; Thursday 10AM - 9PM; and Saturday 12:00-5:00PM. (Submitted)

Unfortunately, in today’s world, we’re all too familiar with the word scam. As defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary it’s “a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation”. Sadly, this is something that we have been hearing about more and more in the rental world. In the city of Brandon, there are hundreds of rental options available. Some are managed by property management companies and some are managed by private individuals or unlicensed property managers. There are many local investors and small business owners that are doing a great job of self-managing their properties, however, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch. A new trend that has surfaced recently is rental scams. A rental scam is when someone advertises an apartment for rent that either doesn’t exist or the person who is promoting the property is not the true property manager/landlord. The con artist will go to great lengths to appear legitimate. Their end goal is to collect your personal information (identify theft), get a deposit of funds or both. As Vionell Holdings is a licensed property management company, we have procedures that we follow to qualify our tenants. We are looking for renters who are financially qualified, responsible, and respectable. Of course, we get the occasional tenant that is perhaps not ideal, but we at least made the effort to find good neighbours for our existing tenants. As we continue to hunt for ideal tenants, as a renter or potential renter you should be on the hunt for an ideal property manager. As we screen renters, you should screen the property manager to ensure you don’t fall prey to a rental scam. Some things to watch out for, include: Look for ads that are posted by a reputable, preferably licensed, property management company. These companies are legitimate and are required to follow guidelines that protect not only them but you as well. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Under market rent? No application processing? No credit checks or screening? Is the landlord eager to request a deposit before obtaining information from you? Perhaps, a little too convenient, don’t you think? Remember these imposters may not even want your personal information and are just out to get a quick deposit. They’ll often create a sense of urgency to encourage you to send them money without thinking it through. NEVER send a security deposit to hold a unit via e-transfer if you do not know the property management company or the landlord. It also wouldn’t be advised to put down a deposit on a unit that you haven’t physically been in. As well, do not send a deposit even if the landlord has ensured you that it is refundable. Ask for references from past or current tenants. If a property manager is legitimate, this shouldn’t be a problem. If they hesitate or are not able to provide any, it is likely that you should continue your search for a different property. Use Google maps as a tool to ensure the property exists, especially if you’re not all that familiar with Brandon. If you are able to, it’s a good idea to drive by the property. However, keep in mind that just because it exists does not mean the person advertising the property owns it or is responsible for it. Never provide personal information in response to an ad. Contact the person or company that published the ad by telephone and ask to view the property. Provide your name and contact information (telephone number or email), but nothing more. There is no need to provide any other personal information in order to view a property. If you do find a property that you feel ready to commit to, do not give out your social insurance number. A standard application does not require this, nor is it required for screening and credit checks. When apartment hunting, visits the websites of property management companies. They will have vacancies posted that you can safely assess. If you find a property that suits your needs schedule a time to view the property in person with the property manager or leasing agent.   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 32 units are open and available for occupancy. For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca

Weather and hill conditions permitting, the Valley View Tubing Hill opens for the season Friday, December 27th for public sledding. For those looking looking for an affordable way to have fun and get active this winter then this is the place for you. Located 5 miles south of MacGregor, Manitoba on Road 59W (Rosehill Road) and 1 mile west on Rd 60N, the tubing hill offers visitors a fully groomed hill, tow rope system, outdoor warm-up area with fire pit, and a chalet building with bathrooms, wood stove, tables, and canteen. In addition to public sledding, the facility is also available for private rentals.  Check out their web site for rental rates, hours of operation, or for more information on the facility.

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.