The Manitoba government will once again offer free entry to provincial parks to mark the Labour Day long weekend, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires announced today. “Free park entry weekends provide an opportunity for all Manitobans to enjoy our natural, cultural and historical sites in provincial parks,” Squires said.  “Manitoba summers are a wonderful time to get outdoors, so I encourage everyone to take advantage of this great opportunity.” Park vehicle permits are not required in provincial parks from today to Monday, Sept. 4.  Regular camping fees still apply.  In addition to free entry at provincial parks, there will be a variety of special interpretive programming this weekend, such as: an amphitheatre presentation on furs and trapping at Birds Hill Provincial Park; guided tours of historic houses at St. Norbert Provincial Park; a star-gazing party at Spruce Woods Provincial Park with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; and opportunities to view migrating geese up close at the Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary in Whiteshell Provincial Park. School teachers are encouraged to book free interpretive programs for their students this fall and winter in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks.  Interpretive programs offer engaging, curriculum-based outdoor learning experiences in natural and cultural environments.  For details on interpretive programming, visit www.manitobaparks.com or email: ParkInterpretation@gov.mb.ca. Several provincial park campsites, cabins and yurts remain open through the fall, allowing campers to stay as late as Thanksgiving.  To make a reservation, or see the full list of campgrounds open in the fall and their operating dates, call the Parks Reservation Service (toll-free) at 1-888-482-2267 or visit www.manitobaparks.com. Boaters and all watercraft users are reminded that everyone has a role to play in the protection of lakes, rivers and wetlands from the transfer of aquatic invasive species.  When leaving any waterbody, watercraft users must clean, drain and dry the watercraft, trailer and all water-related equipment and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Anyone planning a backcountry trip is reminded that campfires should only be started in designated fire pits.  Campers heading into a remote area should tell someone else where they are going and when they expect to return. Manitobans can also stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following the Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks.

Naseer Malik, VP Brandon Rotary Sunset Club tells bdnmb.ca that the idea for Brandon's first ever Rib Fest started when "one of our members visited a Ribfest and then proposed it at one of our meetings....and we all loved it."  Naseer goes on to say that as the result of such a successful event "the profile of our club has really improved after this event and put us on the map.  Membership was perhaps decreasing a bit and now people are approaching us to join the club.  We are looking to do more large projects." Your expectations were 1,000 people a day and you ended up with over 18,0000 people at the conclusion of the three days.  Why do you think you had the success, you did? “ Brandon was ready for something new and we haven’t had anything new or unique in a long time…… it seemed like everyone was out in attendance with food, drinks, great weather and entertainment” What are some of the hurdles you had to overcome?  “ our projections were way off and we weren’t ready for the shear amount of people that attended…. We needed more and more people to help set up and take down.  People need rest and can’t work around the clock.  It is really a business you have to manage it as such." Looking forward to 2018 what do you see going forward? “it is very hard for us to answer and it will be much bigger and we feel we just started….we will have to look into how to manage it even better.   We will be in the same venue … how many more ribbers …. More volunteers etc. BDNMB.CA congratulates Naseer and the Rotary Sunset Club on a great job.

Some snazzy new playground structures have been installed this week into three different locations in the City. The equipment was installed by Winnipeg's Playgrounds R US as part of the city's playground renewal budget. The three new playgrounds were installed at the Wescana Drive Community Playground, Park Community Common, and the Crocus Playground. The structures have been inspected by the City's Community Services Staff, and the City is encouraging the public to check out the new additions.

To celebrate 50-years of McDonald's in Canada, guests from coast-to-coast can enjoy a classic hamburger, at a classic price This year marks McDonald's Canada's 50th anniversary and to celebrate the iconic brand is offering Canadians a special gift: 67¢ hamburgers – in recognition of its 1967 birthday. On Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm specially priced hamburgers will be available in McDonald's® restaurants across the country. Over the last 50 years, McDonald's Canada has been a place where people, families and communities have come together to share many moments. While it has already been a busy year of celebrations, with the introduction of All-Day Breakfast Selections and launch of McDelivery, this special 67¢ hamburger offer tops things off. In addition, tomorrow, McDonald's Canada is hosting special events in three restaurants across the country to celebrate brand excitement from coast to coast. The restaurants are located in Calgary (the first restaurant in Alberta), London (the first restaurant in Eastern Canada) and Dartmouth (the first restaurant in Nova Scotia). These events will feature nostalgic decorations, classic images over the past 50 years, as well as attendance by local dignitaries and special VIPs – potentially Ronald McDonald® himself. Quote "It's amazing to think that a single BC location that started in 1967 has grown to over 1,400 restaurants across Canada," said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald's Canada. "This is a true testament to what the passion, spirit and support of guests, franchisees and employees can do. Looking ahead, we're excited about our future and continuing to share special moments, like today, with Canadians from coast to coast." Facts McDonald's Canada serves close to 3 million guests every day McDonald's Canada is the 2nd market to open after the U.S. 1977, the first Canadian Drive-Thru opened in Regina 1977, the first McHappy Day® was held by Founder George Cohon 1995, the first McFlurry® was created by franchisee Ron McLellan in Bathurst, New Brunswick 2011, the launch of McCafé® 2017, McDonald's has served more than 177 million cups of coffee The 67¢ hamburgers are limited to three per customer in-restaurant purchase only and while supplies last Guests are encouraged to share their favourite McDonald's moments online from the past 50 years using #McDonalds50th.

Back in January 15, 2017, Cory & Nicole won the user vote to win a $3,000 credit towards their bathroom makeover courtesy of Contractors Corner. There were four different bathrooms to select from and their bathroom received just over 37% of the vote. Below are a series of pictures of the bathroom before, and after, the renovation.  Thanks to Geoff and everyone over at Contractors Corner for sponsoring this promotion and to everyone who entered/voted.  Photos by Caley Brown.  BEFORE AFTER