Bruce Luebke is currently the Communications and Content Coordinator for Sunrise Credit Union as well as the South Centre Councillor for the City of Brandon. Who was your childhood celebrity crush: Alyssa Milano First Job: Field labourer for neighbour’s potato harvest when I was 14. Three apps you cannot live without: theScore, The Athletic, Calendar What movie title best describes your life: As Good as it Gets Your dream golfing foursome includes yourself and these three former Brandon Wheat Kings: Ron Popplestone, Kelly McCrimmon, Bob Cornell If you were trying out for Canadian Idol, what would be your go-to song: Baby Shark or Mahna Mahna What do you do on your days off: Usually play catch-up, whether that’s returning emails or phone calls, yard work, house work, etc. Sometimes, head out of town to a rural community and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. What’s your go-to meal when cooking: Anything breakfast related or Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta Which of the following TV shows do you believe you have the best odds of winning: Survivor, Big Brother, The Voice, Guys Grocery Games, American Ninja Warrior, Project Runway or Alone: I don’t watch any of those shows, but I’d have to say Guys Grocery Games. It’d probably be The Voice if I didn’t have to sing. What’s the last adventure you went on: I attended Softball Canada’s Blue Convention this past April. Aside from that, likely a ‘guys’ trip to Minneapolis to watch the Twins play a couple of years ago. You’ve got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them: Depends on the time of year, but maybe to a Wheat Kings’ game and then to a non-chain restaurant or lounge like Joe Beeverz or Prairie Firehouse. What’s the best thing that happened to you last week: Getting birthday greetings on social media platforms or via texts or phone calls. Makes you realize how many people you’ve had some type contact or influence on during your life. Best tilt you had the opportunity to call during your time as the voice of the Wheat Kings: Simultaneous Wade Belak vs. Chris Dingman and Chris McAllister vs. Colin Cloutier off the opening faceoff in Saskatoon. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: I sought out counselling for depression and anxiety a few months after leaving the broadcast industry.  Describe Brandon in one word: Welcoming Your fast food guilty pleasure: Taco Bell or Taco Time You have just won $100,000. What do you spend it on: Paying off my debt(s) and then, if there was any left over, a sports-themed trip of some sort. A movie you were forced to watch over and over again on the bus during those long road trips that you never want to see again: Fargo Apart from loved ones, what’s your most treasured possession: My 1971 Chevelle Malibu Best piece of advice you have been given: You have two ears and one mouth so you should listen twice as much as you talk

Fall registration is open at The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba for classes and workshops starting in September. Learn new skills while exploring your creativity this fall at the AGSM. From drawing and painting to ceramics and photography, art gallery classes are available for all ages and abilities. Try something new in a comfortable studio setting with our team of experienced artists and educators. New classes include animation, and travel photography. For new-to-art individuals explore half-day workshops such as cartooning with celebrated local illustrator Curt Shoultz. Build a Dreamcatcher with Indigenous artist Jessie Jannuska in a workshop for families where parents, grandparents, and children can create a special project together. Short workshops are perfect for busy people who want to express their creativity in a social atmosphere. For beginners or advanced learners who would like to spend more time in the studio developing their skills, we offer 6-10 week classes. The AGSM continues to offer popular introductory courses such as Pottery Wheel or Drawing, and open studios for adults. Teens can work with talented artists in Digital Animation, or Cartooning/Manga classes. For children, the popular After School Snack and Art features piñata sculptures, clay piggy banks, and Halloween Extravaganza. Saturday afternoons, young Art Stars create in Minecraft, Harry Potter, and superhero. Our classes build creativity and encourage personal expression in a safe, fun learning environment. Community groups, businesses, and teachers are encouraged to book workshops, tours, or wellness retreats in advance. Register early to secure your spot; spaces are limited! The classes are all listed on the Art Gallery’s website: agsm.ca or contact the Art Gallery for a printed brochure. To register: please contact us in-person, over the phone, online, through the mail or fax. For further information, please contact the Gallery at 204-727-1036. (submitted article)

Gambling is big business. There are various types of gambling and it is internationally a global market. Games of chance are a source of entertainment and sometimes a source of major monetary gain. Many people do not know that gambling in some form is legal across Canada. All gambling establishments are regulated at the state level. This means there are different methods of gambling and different laws which regulate the industry. Good for the economy Gambling is a popular activity for adults everywhere. From a business point of view, it is a major money-maker. Casinos bring in travelers who want to experience the beauty of areas such as Brandon. The casinos are their nightlife while vacationing. Vacationers mean restaurants profit, hotels profit, shops profit, and local attractions reap the benefits of the travelers. The gambling industry in Canada grew by 4.9% in the year 2017. That equals CA$17.3 billion in revenue. These numbers show a rise in revenue for the fourth year consecutively. The trend continues While the growth is welcomed, it keeps lawmakers busy making sure policies are in place to control and enforce regulations Locals Gambling is not just for the visitors of Canada. People who live in the area will often visit a casino as part of an evening out or having fun with friends. However, with the popularity of offshore gambling sites like Lottoland, people can gamble from the comfort of their home or office with the use of their personal computer or mobile device. The websites are user-friendly and customer service agents are available to answer questions. Nothing has been held back in giving players an exciting experience. The offshore casino offers the same opportunity as a domestic casino. There are video slots, poker, table games, (live dealers if you want them) and much more. They provide betting on sporting events and races. But perhaps the most popular feature of an offshore casino is the lottery. Lottery globally! Playing the lottery is so common that people who do not gamble will go out of their way to pick up a ticket when the purse gets high enough. In the past, people who were going to be in the US or near the border would come over and buy lottery tickets. You had to show up in person to buy the ticket and if you won, you had to show up in person to collect your winnings. Lotteries that are geographically impossible to travel for are unattainable. Offshore casinos like Lottoland are available online. They are licensed and they meet all legal requirements. People access their favorite games online. Lottoland makes it possible to play Mega-Millions or Powerball online without crossing the border.  You are not restricted from buying tickets from all locations. As with domestic casinos, betting on races and sporting events are possible. Game-night takes on a whole new meaning for sports lovers. How it works When you play your state lottery, you select your numbers and if those numbers are chosen, you win the prize. When you play the lottery on Lottoland, you are not betting on your local lottery. You are betting on the results of the lottery. You are provided with the same styles and choices of the lottery and the same prizes are awarded. But, if you win you are paid by Lottoland. In 2018, Guinness World Record verified that Lottoland paid out the largest lottery win to the tune of 90m euros. Before that winning ticket, the largest lottery payout was 14m euros. Because of this, Lottoland can offer you a full range of choices from anywhere in the world. Small winnings they pay for from the “house” and large winnings are paid via the insurance company they are required to have by law. Final thought Canada has much to offer its citizens and visitors. Whether you come for the natural beauty of the country or the fun and excitement of the casinos and nightlife, you will find what you are looking for in Brandon. Enjoy a few nights in a luxury hotel and spa or just come for dinner and shopping and play the lottery from your smartphone whenever and wherever you like. You are sure to enjoy your stay and you just might go home a winner.

“School!” Shhh, don’t say that too loud. To some, hearing the ’s’ word at this time of the year is worse than hearing a drunken sailor cursing at the local watering hole. Unfortunately, whether we want to or not, we do have to start thinking about what September will bring. If you’re moving to Brandon or Winnipeg to enter the post-secondary world then it’s time to start looking for a suitable place to live. Here are some tips to help make your search for proper accommodations go smoothly: Start Looking Now – If you wait until the end of August you will have a limited selection and run the risk of not being able to find something in your price range or the neighbourhood you had your heart set on. Consider Location – While it might be most convenient to live near your school, you may also save on parking or transit fees by living within walking distance. Also, don’t have blinders on when you’re considering the neighbourhood. Go for a walk or drive through the neighbourhood at night (where the apartment or condominium is located). You want to make sure that you feel safe being there at all times of the day. Save with a Roommate – Quite often two or three-bedroom apartments are more affordable than a one-bedroom. For example, there are newer one-bedroom apartments in Brandon for $1,000 per month. On the flip side, you can find a nice two-bedroom apartment for $1,200; with two people living there, each person would save $400 each month (versus each having their own apartment). For tips on selecting a roommate, check out this article: https://www.vhproperties.ca/tips-for-selecting-a-roommate/ Have a Co-signor – While students may have a savings account or student loans to help pay for school, most landlords screen applications based on rent to income ratios and credit scores. Some students do maintain part-time jobs, but often the money from those jobs does not support the rent value. Be prepared to have a parent or guardian co-sign for the apartment. Yearly Lease – Most landlords require tenants to sign a one-year lease for an apartment. In some centres, there is a trend for students to return home in the spring and start their apartment hunt all over again in the fall. In many cases, there is little or no savings from moving home for the summer months. If you do sign a yearly lease and decide to return to your hometown in the spring, you could always assign your lease to another interested tenant. For more information on this, check out this article: https://www.vhproperties.ca/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go/ Ask about Promotions – Fall is the time when property owners are hoping to fill any vacant units before winter hits. If you are looking to save a few dollars, ask the landlord if there are any specials, promotions or discounts available. If you can get $200 off the monthly rental fee, throughout the year that would add up to a free month of rent. Poll your Friends & Contacts – If you know of someone from your area that went to school in the same city, ask them where they stayed and what they liked and didn’t like about their accommodations. They may be able to offer tips and advice that will help you to find the perfect place to live. Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) provides rental housing and property management for an array of residential and commercial customers, including Condominium Management. VHP currently has over 4,000 units under management in Manitoba.  For more information please visit www.vhproperties.ca. (article submitted)

Healthy Brandon in motion, in partnership with BU Recreation, the BU Healthy Living Centre and the Westman Physical Literacy Committee, is excited about the upcoming 3rd Annual FREE Community Family Fun Fest taking place on Sunday, September 8th from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Community members will have the opportunity to meet and learn a variety of sports and activities from the Bobcat athletes themselves, including basketball, soccer, pickle ball, and volleyball. There will also be a physical literacy motion zone put on by Fit Kids Healthy Kids and the opportunity to become a ‘Bobcat Ninja’ and try out a challenging obstacle course. NEW this year – we will also be collecting gently used athletic footwear in all sizes at the event – these shoes will be donated to someone in need. The event will be a fun way to learn about physical literacy and physical activity, as well as try out some new sports and activities. There will be prizes for everyone that fills out the event ‘passport’! The event is drop-in and stay as long or as little as you want. For more information, please call Nikki Dean, Healthy Brandon in motion at (204) 578-2194 or e-mail ndean@pmh-mb.ca. (submitted article)