It’s time to chat about insurance - woot, woot!  Yes, I realize that insurance isn’t always the most exciting subject to talk about, but most of us know how valuable it is and how it certainly gives us much needed peace of mind in case of a misfortune. With more and more people choosing to purchase condominiums, it’s important to consider what might be needed for personal insurance. Condominium corporations have an insurance policy (also known as the Master Policy) that insures the property and common areas that are collectively owned by all the condo owners within the development, but that doesn’t mean that your personal effects are covered. The corporation’s coverage is often based on fire, sewer back-up, flooding and earthquakes, but this is primarily based on the structures themselves. The policy doesn’t insure any of your personal property such as clothing, televisions and other electronics, appliances that aren’t part of the standard unit, and furniture. In addition, if you’ve upgraded your condo by finishing the basement or installing new cupboards, countertops, flooring or plumbing fixtures, the corporations’ policy doesn’t insure these upgrades; it only covers the standard condo. These are just two examples of what you may need for extra insurance coverage as a condo owner. Professional property managers can help to ensure you have the proper coverage in place so you can continue to enjoy the worry-free lifestyle that your condo living provides. 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

Bacardi Canada has voluntarily recalled 1.14 litre bottles of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin (lot code L16304 W only) as it contains an incorrect alcohol content versus what is shown on the label (77% versus 40%). The lot code can be found on the back of the bottle near the base. Any affected product has been removed from Liquor Mart shelves. Licensees or customers who have previously purchased an affected bottle of Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin should not consume and return the product to their local Liquor Mart or Liquor Vendor for a full refund. This incident is isolated to the following Canadian provinces: Ontario, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan," For further information about this recall, please visit the Canada Food Inspection Agency website

Spring officially kicked off one month ago on March 20, but it hasn’t been until this past week that we’re actually starting to see signs of good things to come. With the warmer temperatures…the grass is starting to turn green, buds on the trees are making their way out and the robins are singing their sweet songs (and waking us up at 4 a.m.)! Seeing other early bloomers are also strong indications that old man winter is indeed taking a much needed break! Photos: Wanda Kurchaba

Brandon, and area residents, will have the opportunity to pick up some new wheels this weekend when the Kiwanis Club of Brandon hosts their popular spring bike auction. The Brandon Kiwanis Club has a contractual arrangement with the Brandon Police Service to sell bicycles that they collect through theft, and other means. This year approximately 100-125 bikes are expected be up for auction, and volunteers have been busy servicing the bikes prior to going to auction. Bikes can potentially sell for as low as $10. Miller Auctions will be onsite to auction off the bikes. The event will take place on the 29th of April, 2017 inside the Keystone Centre's Manitoba Room. The auction starts at 10:00 AM. People interested in making a bid for a bike at the auction will have a chance to survey the bikes before the event starting at 9:00 AM. All sales are final and no reserve bids will be accepted.

We went to Canadian Tire tonight, since last week....I ripped off what was left of 1 windshield wiper, and yesterday the remaining wiper fell to pieces. And this am I went ahead and pushed the "windshield spray" button because it was so dirty I had nothing left to lose.....I was wrong about that too. Actually I knew it would make a mess but I did it anyway. Because I'm like that. I never know what year my car is, even though it doesn't change.....same car as always, it's a white one. And I can't remember my co-op number either. That's what I told the kid at the co-op gas station, just before Canadian Tire, when he asked for my co-op number. Right after I pleaded with him to change the wipers for me. He said he's not very good at it. I could relate. I'm not good at some stuff either. Like remembering numbers. So apparently "white car" isn't enough info for the helpful computer in the windshield wiper isle. So I just guessed, at all the questions. I got Chevy right. Know what would be helpful? If the helper computer announced that wiper blade, that's right, BLADE, not blades, are sold separately. Alone. One. 1. It does not. I picked up what the computer told me to, and went to pay. At which point, my young son inquires why I'm only buying 1 wiper blade. I look at the package. He's right. 1. One. There's 1 in there. "Hi I'd like to buy a sock. No, just 1." "Hi. I'm looking for ear plug. No no, not "plugs", just plug. One please." Exxxxxactly. And I went back, to the wiper isle in my state of dismay, to get another one. And the 9 year old clearly saw I had not even 1 clue, let alone 2, and proceeded to check the length of the now, wiper bladezzzzzzzzzzzzz, to make sure the numbers matched, since he's obviously more knowledgeable on this subject. Good thing I didn't try and handle this on my own. Thank you little one. And in completely unrelated events. Here's a few pictures from the past while that are from around the area. I suppose I will be needing windshield wipers if I'm going to continue gallivanting, so the story and the pictures do have a slight connection. Yours truly, Caley