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

Today, Assiniboine Park Zoo officially opened its Dinosaurs Alive!® exhibit presented by Artis REIT with the unveiling of the newest dinosaur to join the group – a 13 metre long Tylosaurus. Often referred to as the ‘T. rex’ of the ocean, the Tylosaurus is classified as a Mosasaur and known to be many sizes with one of the largest ever discovered found in Manitoba. Assiniboine Park Zoo is the first zoo world-wide to feature this particular dinosaur as part of a Dinosaurs Alive!® exhibit. With the addition of the Tylosaurus, the exhibit now features all three categories of apex predators – land, air and sea. The Tylosaurus is distinguished by its elongated cylindrical snout which may have been used to ram and stun its prey. The dominant marine predator in the Western Interior Seaway, a full grown Tylosaurus would have been invincible in its environment to nearly everything except disease and old age. ““The Tylosaurus is a very exciting addition to the exhibit, particularly because of its history of discovery in Manitoba,” said Bran Adams, Education Coordinator at Assiniboine Park Conservancy. “In addition, Mosasaurs are related to reptiles, so it has some very interesting connections to the snakes and lizards we have here at the Zoo. I’m sure that visitors of all ages are going to love it!” Included with regular Zoo admission, Dinosaurs Alive!® features 16 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs along a forested path in the Zoo. The exhibit offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time to the prehistoric era as the lifelike dinosaurs move and roar demonstrating how they may have looked and moved in a natural environment millions of years ago. In addition to the dinosaurs themselves, the exhibit features a dig site and excavation site where children of all ages can discover what it’s like to be a paleontologist. Dinosaurs Alive!® is made possible through support from presenting sponsor Artis REIT as well as numerous supporting partners and sponsors.

Do you own a condominium or are you thinking about buying one? Condo living is meant to be stress-free, comfortable and easy. However, homeowners still need to protect themselves and ensure that they have the right insurance coverage to maintain that peace of mind. Property Manager Stephen Montague, says it’s important for homeowners to take the time to review their coverage so that they have a good understanding of what they are covered for and what they are not. Insurance coverage that condominium owners may not be aware of, include. Personal Liability Coverage: Did you know that if someone were injured on your property, you could be found legally responsible? It makes good sense to consider personal liability coverage for both personal injury, as well as property damage. Additional Living Expense Coverage: In this situation, if you are unable to live in your condo while it is being repaired for an insured loss, additional living expense coverage would be helpful to help to cover the extra costs that you encounter during this time. Deductible Assessment Coverage: One of the most overlooked coverages, but often the most valuable is that of deductible assessment coverage. While it is the condo corporation’s insurance that covers the standard unit and common elements, you as a condo owner may be responsible to pay the corporation’s deductible should you be deemed responsible for the damage. A deductible on the master policy can range anywhere from $2,500 to upwards of $50,000. The deductible would be paid through a claim on your personal policy if you had deductible assessment coverage at the time the claim was made. Without this coverage in place, you as a unit owner may be personally responsible for the corporation’s deductible for a claim on your own standard unit. Personal Contents and Upgrades Coverage: It is advised that condo owners also carry insurance for their personal effects (electronics, clothing, furniture, etc.) and additional coverage for upgrades (finished basement, flooring, etc.), as the condo corporation’s policy does not cover these items. 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 2,500 units under management in Manitoba.