Now we will break this article down into four areas of the City of Brandon, North (anything over the 18th Street bridge) Downtown ( Between 1st to 18th Street and between Pacific and north side of Victoria ) Central / South ( Between 1st to 18th Street and between south side of Victoria and Richmond ) West ( anything west of 18th street to the Victoria Inn) This will be part 2 of 2 – Central / South and Downtown CENTRAL / SOUTH (Between 1st to 18th Street and between south side of Victoria and Richmond ) Entertainment Keystone Centre / Westman Communications Place – Various small to large concerts and shows will visit the Keystone Centre Keystone Hotel – features bands once in a while plus dancers and karoake on during the summer months VLTS Keystone Hotel – several machines and food and beverage service 7 days a week Smitty’s Sportsline Lounge and VLT’s – located at Shoppers Mall Brandon and good service and food and beverages 7 days a week Boston Pizza – has a handful of machines in the lounge Eat Pita Central – someone should really install some lights in the parking lot but other than that it is a good option Pita Pit – been in business for a few years and a wide variety of toppings and as well smoothies Wendys – open until midnight Pizza Hut – has a very good lunch buffet and of course pick and delivery 5 Guys – located at Shoppers Mall Brandon and pretty good quality, however not very affordable Joe Beevers – Very different menu however great bar / pub food Tastee’s – great burgers and ice cream also open from about March to October Blu – going through a current transition of ownership ( kind of like Joeys and Earl’s ) Brown’s Socialhouse – been open for about 2 years a good franchise from BC and has a good APP and bar menu Smittys Lounge and Restaurant – great apps and meals in the lounge and a top end breakfast you can’t go wrong The Keg – still one of the best in Brandon, always consistent for decades Huggy’s – excellent pizza, soup and pasta buffet on Wed and Friday’s at lunch Kims Chinese –actually pretty nice inside with a smaller limited buffet Applbee’s – good value and good portions A & W - Tim’s - Gondola Pizza – Pizza Place - Qdoba – Subway – McDonalds – Burger King – KFC / Taco Bell – Dairy Queen (seasonal) - Food Court at Shoppers Mall Brandon – Pizza Pizza and Boston Pizza – Coffee Culture – Joeys Only Seafood – Wah Lee Chinese – Forebidden Flavors – Charlie Biggs Chicken DOWNTOWN ( Between 1st to 18th Street and between Pacific and north side of Victoria ) Entertainment Evans Theatre – located at Brandon University, some different movies that you won't find in mainstream theatres Suds Bar – also located at BU, a smaller venue that can hold upwards of 150 people and all forms of music that will normally appeal to university students Double Decker – a wide variety of local and national singers and bands will appear weekly at the Decker The Dock on Princess – comedy nights and at times some bands will appear live on Rosser at the Dock. Prairie Firehouse – new to Brandon and does a good job in bringing live entertainment to downtown VLTS Chicken Delight – has three VLT’s in a back room Crystal Hotel – dozens and dozens of machines and reported some of the best pay outs in the city Bus Station – yes you read correct the bus depot has a few machines in the restaurant Knights Inn – used to be the Canadian Inn has dozens of machines however do not expect any service or get a drink or any food it is a very basic operation EAT Pizza Express – people always say when they leave they miss the Pizza and for sure Pizza Express is one of those places people will miss Marino’s Pizza – also another excellent pizza and pasta and more options Komfort Kitchen – is the talk of Brandon with an excellent breakfast buffet on Sundays get their early for better parking options Little Italy Pizza – open late til 3 am and has been in Brandon for decades and a great option for your pizza and pasta options Benny’s - brand new to downtown and a very good menu and it is only 2 pages so it makes choices easy Chicken Delight – c’mon spend 200 bucks and clean the outside of this place up or at least dust it the food is ok and the buffet is cheap Romana Pizza – almost known nationally as people always talk about it…great for take out or pick up. Double Decker – not open at lunch anymore but a good bar menu The Dock on Princess – features Manitoba homegrown food and a very good menu and good value Prairie Firehouse – a very, very unique menu featuring local and Manitoba foods Ukrainian Cuisine – rave reviews in the Mall downtown, worth a trip for something different and new Chilli Chutney – people are always impressed with the East Indian food choices Wildflower Café – sorry I do not know anything about this place Robin’s Donuts – Subway are located in the downtown region If I missed the odd business I am sorry some places are hidden and we attempted to cover the city as best as possible.   Darryl Wolski

I think every weekend these words are mentioned all over the city. Now having lived here for over 25 years lots of things have come and gone however The 40 and Houston’s are a few that have stood the test of time. Now we will break this article down into four areas of the City of Brandon North (anything over the 18th Street bridge) Downtown ( Between 1st to 18th Street and between Pacific and north side of Victoria ) Central / South ( Between 1st to 18th Street and between south side of Victoria and Richmond ) West ( anything west of 18th street to the Victoria Inn)   This will be part 1 of 2 – West and North   NORTH Entertainment The North 40 – the name says it all for mostly the 40 and over crowd that love Helix, Prism, and Trooper. However sometimes newer acts that are touring will stop at the 40. North Hill Inn – Karoake on Wednesday and Sunday nights maybe not the best place to go on a first date, put it that way. Decades ago this was the cool place to be.   VLTS North 40 – Lots and lots of machines to choose from and the bar is open normal hours North Hill Inn – 5 machines and don’t bank on ordering any food and you might get bar service Smitty’s Trans Canada – 4 machines in the back and food and drinks served 7 days a week Eat Boston Pizza coming soon behind McDonalds Chalet Trans Canada – Years ago I know people would love breakfast at this place however over the years it would be safe to say it needs a coat of paint at the least. Pizza Hut - Subway – A & W – Mc’s – Quizno’s - Tims are all on the Trans Canada Smittys – always solid and large menu of items Husky & Humpty’s – also maybe don’t go on your first date Beef & Barrel – Have to admit the first time I was thinking are you kidding however without a doubt one of the hidden gems in the city with amazing food quality. They could use a few TV’s. Montanas – Great value and good for b day parties and before Wheat King games McDonalds, Subway and Starbucks at the Coral Centre no new food operations being opened in the near future in this area Patches – not sure I have ventured in the doors but supposed to be pretty decent value and quality Lee’s Chinese – Sergio Lee and his wife are now gone however still one of the best Chinese Buffet’s in the city. Trails West – Typical menu with a pretty good breakfast and lunch crowd Lady of the Lake – Homemade types of food and as well a great selection of desserts Alberts – almost forgot sitting behind the Lakeview Inn is a very busy place and overall very good menu and the atmosphere is ok overall WEST END Entertainment Houston’s – located on Victoria at the Royal Oak Inn does a very good business on Thursday and Saturday nights. Over the years Papa Roach and Buckcherry have performed. VLTS Victoria Inn – dozens of machines and good food and drinks available plus open very late Echo / Royal Oak Inn – also dozens of machines and bar and food available late as well Kam Lung – 10 machines and closes early and some food and drinks available until only 9pm  or 10pm EAT Victoria Inn – love the brunch on Sundays and a decent menu with overall pretty good value and great appetizers Royal Oak Inn / Echo Restaurant & Wine Bar – amazing pizza’s and a cool laid back place to hang out with friends…..good decorating Houstons – has a very good steak sandwich and fries deal at lunch of Fridays for 8 bucks so cheap and good value Chilli Chutney – East Indian food the location has had many other business’s over the last 2 decades lets hope this works for these people Astoria Pizza – is at Clemenson’s on Rosser Ave and only pick up or delivery.  Overall the pizza is ok not sure it is the same quality as when it was on Vic and 26th Kam Lung Chinese – in my opinion has fallen off a bit since Sergio Lee and his family sold it… the buffet is ok and overall it gets a passing grade Fired Pizza – different menu of “street food” and pizza this is a much better option than Vern’s Pizza Mum’s – amazing breakfast and a very busy place for breakfast and lunch Pizza Hotline – really good value you can buy like 4 large pizzas for 30 bucks Sushi Hut – I have only been once and it seems to do an ok business McDonalds – Subway – Tims all located in the West End

At the very least, we all have read about how a critical illness can impact an individual but it is more likely that we have experienced that impact ourselves either personally or with a close friend or family experiencing an illness. Being proactive, before an illness strikes, in applying for critical illness coverage can make a huge difference in every way should you ever need to make a claim. And, with some critical illness policies, if you never need to make a claim you can get all the money you paid in premiums returned to you. Critical Uncovered is a one-stop resource to help you learn about critical illnesses and how critical illness insurance can help your physical, mental and financial well being. Visit this link: Criticaluncovered.ca to take the quiz “Are you prepared?” and to see a series of 3 short videos about Sandra’s story. Sandra was diagnosed with lymphoma and she explains her experience with critical illness insurance. Speak to a financial professional who has their Accident & Sickness License to find out more detail about how you can be protected with a critical illness policy.

Looking for an overnight getaway to scare the living daylights out of you? Then it's time to check into the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. Well known for its spirits and special guests, you can try to book room 202 and perhaps see for yourself. Numerous guests have reported seeing a cloaked woman standing at the end of the bed in this room as well as having seen blood running down the walls. The haunted Fort Garry Hotel and its ghost stories have been widely shared and documented. Ask former hotel staffers and about shadows in the lounge, crying in the halls or clanging in the boiler room... if you dare. Local business owner Heather Aeichele (HD Therapies) fondly remembers the grand old hotel and the time she spent working there in the 1990s. "We used to hear ghost stories all the time, a lot from the 10th floor, and some from the kitchens in the basement." While she didn't have any personal experiences with the ghosts that haunt the hotel, she recalls a movie crew filming on the 10th floor. "They had so many problems and things that went (inexplicably) wrong that they just canceled the production and moved elsewhere." Tales of the haunted Fort Garry Hotel have made it to several Halloween lists, including Huffington Post's "Canada's Most Haunted Places." I, myself, will swear to having had a ghost spirit visit me in the Fort Garry Hotel. We were in a 4th floor corner suite, and facing the Garry Street Keg restaurant several years ago, when i was pulled out of bed by a spirit and pushed to the window in the middle of the night. I felt hands on my back and had to overcome a force to get back into bed. Yes, it was extremely unnerving and no, you can't convince me that it didn't happen or that I was dreaming. Ready for your next spooky stop in the city? Head over to the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg on Smith Street. They say that two actors from 1914 died a week after performing and have haunted the venue since. University of Manitoba should also be on your list. Students and staff have been documenting ghost sightings there for decades. If you'd like to head further afield on your getaway, I'll suggest the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan or the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff Alberta. Each has their own spooky tales of ghost children, and at Banff Springs a ghost bride as well. This year, you can even book into the Banff Springs Hotel and participate in their Haunted Halloween Gala event. On October 29th, this adults-only event encourages you to dress in costume, participate in a haunted halls tour, and be ready for surprises. Happy haunting! All photos by Trish Fjeldsted  

Can you believe that the American League pennant race has come down to the Cleveland Indians vs the Toronto Blue Jays? Major League Baseball sure heats up in October, that's for sure! I can tell you, first hand, the differences between September baseball and October baseball are pretty astounding. On September 17th, 2016 I sat in section 181 of Progressive Field, in Cleveland to watch a game between the Indians and the Tigers. I paid $9 for that ticket. Fast forward to the second round of the MLB playoffs, and that very same single seat is now advertised for sale at $220. So, my pair of tickets, with agency fees and currency exchange cost me roughly $30. Now, if I were to buy tickets to this next game it would literally cost a mortgage payment! I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. It's right across the street from Progressive Field. Literally, it's so close you could forget your baseball glove, run back to the hotel and return in 5 minutes or less. I paid $103 per night. Of course, it's sold out already for this weekend's games, but I can bet you're not paying $103 either. Lastly, the souvenirs. I picked up a couple of game used balls, league coded and authenticated, for $25. It was a 2 for 1 deal. End of season blow out! Some of the game used bats were going for $50 a piece. I enjoyed the game. Great park. Great hotel. Great atmosphere. If you decide that this is the hottest game in town, and you HAVE to go, I'll give you a couple tips. 1) Wear good shoes for the airport. The connecting gate is at the furthest end of the airport in a long annex-style hallway. Gate 90 in Toronto, was pretty much in Burlington. 2) When you arrive in Cleveland, go downstairs at the airport and buy a ticket on the Red Line train. It's $2.75 per one way. (You need the ticket from the machine dispenser) The train is literally at the airport. It's so easy. It will take you 20-30 minutes and you will get off at the main terminal at Tower City. You are now a mere 5 minute walk to the stadium. $50 if you take a cab. 3) If you want a hotel at Tower City (train station) you can stay at The Ritz Carlton or the Renaissance. Expect to pay $400 a night or so, but, extremely convenient. 4) Eat out before or after the game. The on-site concession lines were long and the food was very basic and "factory" food. Progressive Field did not have the variety or gourmet options like I found at Roger's (Blue Jays) or Chase Field (Diamondbacks).