The graduating class of Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School will be hosting a traditional pig roast on Thursday, April the 11th in support of safe grad. The festivities are being held inside the Brandon Curling Club at the Keystone Centre. Joe Beeverz will be preparing the menu for the event which includes fresh rolls, house-made coleslaw, BBQ baked beans, and black pepper kettle chips. In addition to the food there will also be a 50/50 draw and a silent auction. Doors open at 5:00PM and dinner is served at 6PM. Advance tickets are only $20.00. For tickets please contact Tanis Kreller at 720-1887 or email: mtkreller@mynetset.ca. The Facebook event page can be found here.

Chad Wallin, of Joe Beeerz fame, answers 20 questions in our latest installment. When Chad is not at the restaurant he likely can be found somewhere in Manitoba serving up some delicious Joe Beeverz food creations from their catering Patty Wagon. First job: A grocery store bagger and delivery driver in Weyburn, Saskatchewan Years lived in Brandon: 14 If you were trying out for Canadian Idol what would be your go to song: Something from the Tragically Hip….. most likely “Blow at High Dough” or “Happy Hour” What’s something you don’t know, but want to learn: How to play the drums. What’s one thing most people don’t know about you: That I am an advocate to make Popcorn a food group. A new business you would like to see make an appearance in Brandon: Anything but another restaurant! I wish success to anyone that has the entrepreneurial spirit and takes a risk that most nay-sayers will never take deserves to be successful and supported. You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them: That’s too easy…Joe Beeverz! What do you enjoy most about living in Brandon: So cliché…. But the people. My wife and I came here not knowing anybody and over the course of time we have developed a great group of friends. I have seen the great people of this city rise up to many great occasions such as the hosting of the Memorial Cup and most recently as the Brier. I have also seen this great city rise up and band together on moments of despair such as the Flood in 2011. The people of Brandon always answer with a “yes’ to help out before they even know what the question is. What is a hidden talent you have that few are aware of: I excel at channel surfing from my couch. Three apps you cannot live without: I don’t use my phone to its fullest capabilities…… so I’m not really technically savvy….But my 3 most used apps would be Drop Box, Instagram & Facebook…. Mostly to do our business social media. A film you’d watch again tonight: Toss up between Step Brothers and Old School. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs: In everything you do …… make sure you do it the right way; not the easy way. One item you would have liked to add to Joe Beeverz menu but never did: To be determined…… I have pages and pages of ideas ready to hit the menu at some point…. This small brain never turns off. What motivates you: My wife and kids…..I want to provide them with the best life that I possibly can. I will never forget the day _______ walked into Joe Beeverz to have lunch/dinner: Bobby Orr What's a skill they don't teach in school that they should: Basic Life Skills: how to change a tire, how to make a budget, basic cooking/laundry skills etc….. the basic skills you need to function in society. To be successful you need to be: Resilient Dream dinner party guests:(4): I already got to have lunch with Bobby Orr at Joe Beeverz…so that one is off my list. This is quite the eclectic group but My late grandfather My late grandmother My best buddy Yogi Mike Myers dressed as either Dr Evil or Fat Bastard What role do you think social media plays in business today: Unfortunately too big of one. With the power of social media I believe people are losing out of experiencing things on their own and having preconceived opinions of a place of business through things they saw on social media or online reviews. This can be both good and bad, but I prefer the old school method of trying things out for myself. Describe Brandon in one word: HOME

Reservations for Manitoba campgrounds are set to open next week with opening days for reservations staggered in three stages to make it easier for people to book at their favourite campground, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today. “Manitoba campers are anxiously looking forward to another great summer in our parks, and staggered opening days is the best way to spread out the demand and make our reservation system more efficient,” Squires said.  “We look forward to welcoming Manitobans back to our provincial parks for another summer full of fun and adventure.” To accommodate the expected high demand on the opening day of the parks reservation system, online and call centre services will begin at 7 a.m. at http://prs.gov.mb.ca, 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1 888-482-2267 (toll free).  Check the website for call centre hours on other days.  Customers making online reservations are advised to check their user IDs and passwords prior to the opening days.  For more information, see www.manitobaparks.com. The Manitoba Parks Reservation Service will start accepting bookings in three phases: Monday, March 18 at 7 a.m. reservations open for cabins, yurts and group use areas as well as Birds Hill Provincial Park campground; Monday, April 1 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for Winnipeg Beach, Betula Lake, Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon lakeshore, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Otter Falls, West Hawk Lake and White Lake campgrounds; and Wednesday, April 3 at 7 a.m. campsite reservations open for all remaining provincial park campgrounds. Walk-in reservations and in-person payment arrangements can be made at 200 Saulteaux Cres. in Winnipeg and will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning March 18 for the parks and facilities described above. Annual provincial park entry passes can once again be purchased online through Canada Map Sales at www.canadamapsales.com as well as at retail outlets or provincial park offices.

When it comes to stories that you hear in the news in regard to rental properties, more often than not, you’ll hear about increased rental rates or stories related to landlords (often referred to as slumlords) who may not be looking after their property as they should be. The stories that a lot of people don’t hear about are the ones where landlords are dealing with tenants that are not living up to their part of the rental/lease agreement. What many don’t realize is that it’s the dark side of property management that landlords and property managers are having to deal with all the time. In August of 2018, Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP) took over the property management of a building in the West End of Brandon. An initial assessment by a VHP team member of the property to determine the need for short and long-term repairs wasn’t positive. The VHP team member found several needles on the property, noticed that there were a lot of people coming to the building that didn’t live there and that doors were propped open with newspapers and other items. The rent balances were basically up to date on August 1st, however as each month went by, only portions of the agreed upon rental payments were made. By November 12, VHP served the tenant in unit A we will call him “Tenant A” an eviction notice; by December 31 he had an outstanding balance of $2,685.50. For that same time period the couple residing in another unit accumulated an outstanding balance of close to $1,000, we will call them “Tenant B” The first hearing for Tenant A was held on December 3 with the Residential Tenancy Branch, however because of an error in filing the paperwork and the possession order not being delivered to the tenant, it wasn’t until January 22, 2019, that VHP received notice that “Tenant A” would need to be out of his unit by January 25, 2019. In the meantime, VHP hired a security company to perform random property checks to help improve the safety and quality of life for the other residents living at the property. By January 31, Tenant A accounts receivable balance increased to $3,580.50. Tenant B owed $1,867.00 for rent that had not been paid. However, not being able to collect on rent weren’t the only problems for the property management team. Brandon Police Service members were called by a neighbour to Tenant A on February 4, however, the details of the reason or outcome are unknown. The next day VHP team members noted that Tenant A was still in the apartment and Sheriffs were contracted to remove the person. The Sheriffs notified Tenant A they would be removing him if he wasn’t out by February 8. Finally, after months of hearings and eviction notices, the apartment was secured on February 8 by members of the VHP maintenance team and the Sheriff’s office. To be continued. Watch for Part 2 of the Dark Side of Property Management in the coming weeks. 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.

Cathie Crossin, a Travel Agent with McPhail Travel, is this weeks guest.  Many of you may also recognize Cathie from her time spent as the owner of Tastees on First Street. Years lived in Brandon: Technically only 2. We had an acreage east of town for 18 years, but when my son reached Bantam (hockey) age the hard choice was move or play for Southwest. And if you grow up playing Wheat King hockey, you don’t suddenly switch to Cougar hockey because boundaries shift.  So we moved. First job:  I walked into Baskin Robbins at Polo Park, with friends to get some ice cream, and saw a “Help Wanted” sign, so I volunteered to help. The manager laughed and said it didn’t work that way but gave me an application.  I started the job later that week. I was 14. If you were trying out for Canadian Idol what would be your go to song: Would NEVER sing.  However, I have applied for The Amazing Race Canada. Favourite destination vacation spot: Easy!! Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. Favourite All-Time Wheat King: Goalie Andrew Hayes. He inspired my son to be a goalie and also I’m so proud to see Andrew start and succeed in his own coffee company. Andrew and his family are doing amazing things with Roasti Coffee in Edmonton. They buy coffee beans from a woman’s farm collective in Rwanda. I love it when people succeed and help others along the way. And Nolan Ritchie. Our family has grown up with Nolan through hockey. He’s a top quality player on & off the ice. Nolan has come in clutch to win big games for our teams over the years. We watched him score his first WHL goal this year & I teared up. So happy for Nolan and his family! He’ll be fun to watch as a Wheat King the next couple years. A new business you would like to see make an appearance in Brandon: No idea. I like the creative things local people initiate. You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them:  Westoba Place/Keystone Centre. There’s always an event on! And then to Benny’s for a great meal. What do you enjoy most about living in Brandon: Royal MB Winter Fair. Such a first class amazing event!  So proud to have a Royal Fair in our city. What is a hidden talent you have that few are aware of:  I’d be a great blackjack dealer for about 15 minutes. Then I’d lose my job telling people they suck at playing blackjack. We can’t be friends if you hit while the dealer shows a 6. Three apps you cannot live without: Skyscanner, banking apps, music. Toppings on a pizza: Cold tomatoes, cold prosciutto, blend of interesting cheese like in Italy. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs: Build a team. You can not do everything yourself. Start with good people, everything else can be taught. One item you would have liked to add to Tastee's menu but never did: Should have put the bacon cheddar poutine on the menu years earlier. What motivates you: Travel.  And the chance to travel with my kids. A concert you would like to see the Keystone Centre bring to town:  No idea. Whatever makes people happy. What's a skill they don't teach in school that they should:  Charitable giving and its positive impact. To be successful you need to be: Ethical, independently motivated & incredibly resilient. Dream dinner party guests:(4): Charles de LaTour, Princess Diana, Ritchie Valens & my mom. She’d get a kick out of it. And I’d get to see her again. Childhood celebrity crush: Brett Favre Describe Brandon in one word: Emerging.