Planning a day trip doesn't always mean having to drive long distances or spending a ton of money. The next time you have a free day consider hopping in your car for a day trip to Eternal Springs, located approximately 50 minutes from Brandon. Eternal Springs, maintained by local volunteers, is located roughly 8 miles east of Virden and features 2 smaller stocked trout ponds, hiking trails, BBQ pits, a 66 ft swinging bridge and picnic tables. It's an ideal place to head out for a walk and explore some new hiking trails. Heading home once the hiking and exploring has been completed, you can always head over to Oak Lake (Dandy Drive Inn) for some classic drive-inn food. Word of caution, Eternal Springs is not the easiest place in world to find, so set your GPS before you leave the house. Directions: Take Hwy 254, 6.5km north of Oak Lake, then 1.5km west, 1.5km north and 4.5km west. There is a sign on the left side of the road "Eternal Springs". Drive into the park site which is @ 400meters Latitude: 49°50'8.2" (49.8356°) north Longitude: 100°43'15.2" (100.7209°) west Elevation: 396 meters (1,299 feet)

The spray parks will be open in Brandon from June 30th to September 4th, 2017. The Paddle pools will be open from June 30th to September 1st, 2017. For locations and hours please see document below. The Kiwanis YMCA Keystone Pool located at 13th Street and Southern Avenue and the Kinsmen Centennial Pool located at 411 Park Street will be open from June 19th to August 27th, 2017. The hours of operation and admission fees are listed on the document listed below.

Let’s be honest right away, Climate Change is real, despite what Donald Trump says.  It is a real issue this world faces, which is only getting worse. Here are 6 Quick Facts about climate change. 1 – 600,000 die a year due to weather related events. 2 – 2005, 2010, and 2014 are the hottest years recorded in history. 3 – Montana’s Glacier Park has lost 125 of the 150 glaciers they used to have. 4 – Cows cause more methane than the oil industry, 5 – 99.84 percent of California’s land is in a drought. 6 - Thirty-seven percent of Americans believe that global warming is a hoax, and 64 percent don't believe that climate change will seriously affect their way of life. Or basically all those people have no clue what reality is. I decided to do some research about ways I can help the environment and came across a local company that is providing a new wave of energy ideas to Brandon, and Western Manitoba. This company is called Solar Manitoba. Their goal is to change the way we all think about the environment by using Solar Energy, which could mean eliminating Hydro costs after 10 years. Currently in Manitoba, Solar Energy is used in only 60 homes and business’s, which isn't a lot. Lucky for people, Manitoba Hydro has a plan to increase that. If you decide to install solar panels in your home, they will give a grant of up to 25-30 percent, which would help with the roughly $30,000 in install prices.  Yes that's right, an average home can expect a 30k bill to install solar, but when you break it down the math, it's not as bad as it seems. $30,000 installation of solar panels and system and APP for your home $10,000 grant from Manitoba Hydro So roughly, you are out of pocket $20,000 dollars. Perhaps a big number, but if your bill is $200 dollars on average per month you would pay for this entire system in approximately 10 years as well as adding value to your home. Imagine having NO hydro bill after 10 years. Now for lots of us that is an eternity but the long term savings for yourself plus the environment would be very valuable. The solar energy system can also be added to your house insurance. In the photos featured below you will see the largest installation of its kind in Manitoba. These photos are from a farm installation outside of Rapid City. BDNMB had a chance to ask some questions to Rob Mulligan, a local electrician and contractor, with Solar Manitoba. BDNMB - How far is Manitoba behind in solar? Rob – we are very far behind compared to say India, California and Germany. BDNMB – Explain how Manitoba Hydro decides if you get a grant and how much? Rob – MB Hydro gives you a dollar a watt based on your average bill over the past two years. BDNMB – Can anyone apply to get this done? Rob – Well no if your house if blocked by trees or if it faces North then this project would be difficult. If you are interested in getting solar for your home, cabin or business here are the steps to follow: Email: earthpowerinfo@hydro.mb.ca and ask what would my maximum solar rebate be? Provide them with your name, address and Hydro account number. When you send the email, please CC the president of Solar Manitoba at justin.phillips@sycamoreenergy.com and mention Rob. BDNMB reached out to Manitoba Hydro and at this time they are not prepared to answer questions in regards to Solar Energy. However they do urge you all to use LED lights according to their Twitter account and website.

Much to the delight of gardeners all around Brandon, the Brandon Garden Club held their annual plant sale this past weekend. The sale is their one and only fundraiser that helps to support the organization with over 100 members. The club is one of the oldest gardening groups in Western Canada and next year they will be celebrating their 120th anniversary. This year’s sale featured a variety of perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, water plants and more; many of which were donated by club members. If gardening is your passion, there are a number of advantages to becoming a member of the Brandon Garden Club. They offer workshops, host speakers and provide an opportunity to share ideas with fellow green thumbs. Members also get discounts at some of the local gardening centres. The club’s meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month starting at 7 p.m. Visit their website for details on how to become involved: http://thebrandongardenclub.weebly.com or look for them on Facebook.

Canadian residents can win one of 150 pairs of round-trip tickets anywhere the carrier flies in Canada MONTREAL, May 23, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada recently launched its "See: Canada" campaign with a social media video across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, highlighting a nation it proudly serves from coast to coast. Until the country's 150th birthday on July 1, 2017, Canadian residents can enter to win by sharing their favourite place in Canada through social media via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, by submitting text, image or video of their favourite destination, with the tags #Canada150 @AirCanada. Further details are at: Canada 150 Contest. "As part of our 'See: Canada' campaign celebrating this great country's 150th birthday, we're also inviting Canadian residents to share their special place for a chance to win one of 150 pairs of round-trip tickets anywhere we fly in Canada," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "Whether it's reuniting with friends and family in different parts of the country, exploring a new destination, or revisiting a favourite spot, there is no better year to explore and celebrate Canada." Air Canada is also offering customers an opportunity to see their favourite Canadian destination and experience the best of Canada with great fares and more. Visit See: Canada for details. About Air Canada Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 200 airports on six continents. Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2016 served close to 45 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 63 airports in Canada, 57 in the United States and 93 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,300 airports in 191 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook. SOURCE Air Canada