Brandon, MB - On Thursday, September 26th at 7:30pm, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba will host a public reception for the launch of two exhibitions. Featured in the Main Gallery, “Okasan and Papi: Remixing Hybridity” by Kevin Ei-Ichi deForest, and in the Community Gallery, “Inter5ections,” by the participants in the 2018-19 Manitoba Arts Network's Rural Artists Mentorship Program. Kevin Ei-ichi deForest is a visual and multimedia artist. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Japanese and Swiss parents. He is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Visual and Aboriginal Art at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba. In the exhibition, a series of paintings pay homage to the memory of the artist’s late father, a Swiss-Canadian, and honour the influence of his Japanese mother who immigrated to Canada in the 1950s. Following the opening reception on Thursday evening, we will be hosting a free tour of the exhibition on Friday, September 27th at 12 noon. The artist will be present to discuss his work. Inter5ections, selected work of five artists from four Manitoba communities, all participants in the 2018-19 Manitoba Arts Network's Rural Artists Mentorship Program with mentor, Elvira Finnigan. The artwork of Inter5ections reflects five different approaches each artist has developed to express an individual point of view - as a woman, as a member of a community and in response to the physical and psychological world they live in.The group of five artists came together without knowledge of each other's practice. Through the mentorship process, they have become artist colleagues with a greater understanding of each other’s work. 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 10:00AM - 9:00PM; and Saturday 12:00-5:00PM. (article submitted)

Looking for some new decor, or a unique gift for a special person? GO Creations May have exactly what you’re looking for! Gary Olmstead is a retired farmer, a Grandpa, steak BBQ’er extraordinaire, and jack of all trades!  His beautiful pallet wood decor has been working its way into homes, gardens and cottages all across the country!  There’s something for everyone, and he stands behind his quality workmanship! GO Creations (Gary Olmstead Creations) got its start 3 years ago as a part time retirement pastime. Using refurbished pallet boards as the basis for his designs, he incorporates metal, resin and/or other materials to create plaques, flower pot holders, miniature lantern poles, etc. Each is a unique western, nautical or gardening design, no two are the same! His creations are available at various craft sales throughout southwestern Manitoba or on Facebook under ‘GO Creations’.  

We are so excited to be joining BDNMB Food Truck Warz as Apple and Pine hosts this Fall’s go to urban market at the Riverbank Discovery Centre on Saturday September 14th from 11am-7pm and Sunday September 15th from 11am-4pm. Come and shop from over 30 local artisans! You can expect to see everything inspired, designed and curated with the uppermost quality and attention to detail by local Manitoba makers! Children’s clothing, art, jewelry, pottery, signs, fresh flowers, hand poured soaps, succulents, kombucha, crafted spirit kits and more! Mouse River Pottery, Bchic Design, Baltic Bros, Bones & Marrow Broth Company, Boho Soul Market , Prairie Blooms by Becky, Bohemian Rhapsody, Iron Age Welding and many more! Come meet and greet the talent behind the hard work and character of each and every local maker. Support  the writers, the artists, the craftsmen, the designers, the Manitoba makers and enter our FREE DRAW for a chance to win 2 VIP tickets to our Christmas Market! Follow along in our journey as Apple & Pine hosts this Fall’s go to market and let us bring the maker’s from across the province to your front door! You can find the full list of makers on our Facebook page, follow along on Instagram @appleandpinemarket for updates and check out our website www.appleandpinemarket.com

Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch, located in Oak Lake, opens for the season tomorrow at noon. They offer a variety of fun family ticketed attractions including an air cannon, corn trails, a duck race, horse-drawn hayrides, a haunted barn, mini golf, and a zip-line. Gate admission is only $6 and includes access to numerous attractions like the giant corn box, a giant bale pyramid, a giant sand box, and pictures with the pumpkins. Parking is free and a concession is available on weekends. School tours are available Thursdays and Fridays while birthday parties are available on Saturdays and Sundays. Location: off Trans-Canada Hwy., north on PR 254, west on Road 53N, and watch for signs. For more information on the Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch please visit their website or Facebook page.

Tyler is currently the Program Director/Morning Show Host at Star FM Brandon as well as the Program Director at Q Country 91.5FM.  Today, he took time out of his busy schedule to answer some of our questions. What did you want to be when you were growing up: An actor.  I wanted to move to Hollywood and be on a sit com.  Never say never.  ;) Do you recall the first person you interviewed live on air when you started your broadcasting career: Patricia Conroy in Houston's 1992 on Q Country.  Live in the bar before a show. Everyone knows your love of bacon. If you could have any one celebrity chef cater a bacon themed 5-course meal, who would that chef be: My Dad Vic.  Little known fact:  He was a Chef for Kokanos in Brandon "back in the day". A person in Brandon that you have not yet had the opportunity to interview but would like to:  He's not alive anymore but his kids are.  Tommy Douglas. My politics and his doesn't jive, but what that guy did to get Medicare off the ground in this country is amazing.  Plus with that answer I would defacto get to interview his kid Donald Sutherland and his grandson Kiefer Sutherland right?  :) Your fast food guilty pleasure: Hardees, In 'N Out Burger and Chic-fil-a, always when I travel. Minnesota Vikings make the Super Bowl, where are you watching the game: Wherever they are.  Love them!  My son David and I had rooms booked in Minneapolis after the "Minneapolis Miracle" thinking they would make it to the Super Bowl. They didn't. We almost flew to Miami the year Favre through the interception.  Even if we didn't go to the game, I would want to "be in that city, any city" where its happening. A movie you would watch again tonight: ET.  I cry every time.  Drove my kids crazy.  Best childhood movie ever. What are your last three Google searches: Pickled egg recipe, Canucks season Schedule, and temp in Nashville (watching football and weather was yucky) You have friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where do you take them:  Airplane museum, Crowe's General Store, Prairie Firehouse, Riverbank Discover Centre and Obermaiers. If you were trying out for Canadian Idol what would be your go to song: Wooly Booly.  Best Kareoke song ever.  Easy to sing, with just two words. What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of to date: Putting STAR on air in June 2000.  20 years next year, and a wonderful ride. What is the latest adventure that you went on: Travelling the 101 Freeway from Calabassas CA to Dodger Stadium for a game.  36 miles (roughly Minnedosa to Brandon). And the trip there too us 2.5 hours.  Trip home was 45 minutes.  That was an adventure! What would be the theme song to your life: Gipsy Kings - A Mi Manera - (will play at my funeral. Morbid sorry!) Which former co-worker would make the best talk show host: Guy named Wayne Whitten, or as he's known, CC in Z99 Regina.  He's good on air, but fearless and crazy and blunt off air. If someone gave him a no holds barred talk show, it would be HUGE! What TV show would you most like to make a cameo appearance in:  Easy answer....SNL.....LIVE FROM NEW YORK ITS SATURDAY NIGHT!  Always wanted to say it!  Least I can say it on bdnmb.ca What is the best gift that you have ever received: My children.  And my beautiful wife.  Best gifts ever, for without them I am nothing. A business from the past that you would like to see return to Brandon: Old Kokanos high end, five star, fine dining eatery.  Most people in Brandon don't remember that place but boy, it was incredible, but again I'm bias for obvious reasons. What song instantly puts you in a good mood: Tupac-California Love.  Literally can listen to it 1000 times. Your dream dinner party guests includes yourself and these three people: Jesus Christ, Buddha and Muhammad.  (I understand the irony of having to be "not of this world" to attend, but it would still be great conversation.  And endless wine!) If you could swap places with one person (living or dead), who would that be:  Let's end with some cheese:  would you believe, nobody? My life is not perfect, and the fact is, neither is anyone else's.  I might think I want to be John Bulushi but look how that ended up. John Candy?  Same thing.  I'm one of the luckiest guys you'll ever meet. Nobody gets everything they want, but I got most of it, and the ride isn't over yet.  I have a beautiful family, a job I love, in the place I grew up.  At a recent radio conference in Minneapolis, guys from Denver, Houston, Los Angeles and the Twin Cities all were trying to "get back" to their hometown for the back half of their career.  And when they hear my story, they say "I'm living the dream".  And I am.  I never take if for granted and I'm grateful every day.  And to prove it, this will be the first topic of my dinner party, where I say thank-you.  I am so lucky.  THAT enough cheese for you?