List of some of the Top Local Stories that we at bdnmb.ca would like to cover in 2017. In no particular order. WestJet Re-Introduces Flights East to Toronto Casino Announced for Downtown Brandon: The Town Centre Micro Brewery Tapped to Occupy Vacant McKenzie Seeds Building Nolan Patrick Selected 1st Overall in NHL Entry Draft You Gotta Eat Here Coming to Joe Beeverz Low Income Residents Find Safe Affordable Housing Food Trucks Re-Energize Local Food Scene ACC/BU Students Graduate in Record Numbers Brandon Drivers Look-up “Merge” in the Dictionary Construction Begins on the Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, East Side Mario's & Fionn MaCool's Restaurants

If you're looking for the best Christmas Light display in Brandon then you owe it to yourself to check out the impressive light and sound show at 239 Princess Ave E. Homeowner, Jason Cross and family, are responsible for this iconic light show, which features 1,776 lights synchronized to some rocking Christmas tunes coming through your very own car radio (104.1 FM). Most of the lights are individually controllable, meaning they have 5,161 channels of lighting to play with. This is the fifth year the Cross family have done a display and they have built it up slowly, over the years, usually adding only one or two new elements per year. This is their first year doing "singing elements" where they have characters (singing light-bulbs) that actually mouth the words to the songs that are playing. He estimates that when you watch one of his four minute songs that it has likely taken at least 40 hours of sequencing (programming) to make it all work. They use specialized software, and program the entire show, one bulb at a time to do whatever they want. Currently they have 2 songs in the show... but are hoping to finish a third one before Christmas. Jason tells BDNMB.CA that he got interested in completing a project like this after “a friend shared a post on Facebook about 6 years ago with the singing pumpkin faces from the states. I saw that and thought it was something I could do, so I spent months researching and making friends on internet forums”. This year alone he figures spending 10 hours per singing light-bulb to cut, drill, push 230 little bulbs through the holes, wire and test. With his experience in tackling these types of projects Jason is now part of a fast growing community of enthusiasts, and hobbiests, that share their knowledge and skills to help people all over the world get into the Christmas lighting spirit. Although they do not have a donation collection box the family does something receive the odd donation in Christmas cards from visitors and all donation received go to Muscular Dystrophy. The Cross' son, Cayden, is turning four and both Cayden, and his mother, suffer from Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy so it is close to their hearts. Show Times: Sunday-Thursday: 5pm until 10pm Friday-Saturday: 5pm until 11pm Show Dates: Dec 2 2016 through Jan 6 2017 Songs: 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser Disco Santa by the Village People Tune your radio to 104.1FM to listen. www.crosslights.ca

You'll find another hidden gem, just west of Precision Toyota. An adorable Christmas village display sits just in front of Westbran Training Centre and guides the way to Brandon's outdoor skating oval. So which is the hidden gem? Truly, all three. The village is crafted and set up on-site at Westbran Training Centre. It's located at 2005 McGregor Avenue. (Turn at Precision Toyota and drive to the end of the road.) The village consists of a model train, a general store, a church and a log cabin. It's really well done and definitely photo worthy. Secondly, Westbran Training Centre is a government funded site that offers employment counseling, training and one-on-one skill development services. There are drop in hours Tuesday to Thursday evenings. All services are free of charge. It's a division of WEM (Workplace Education Manitoba). http://www.wem.mb.ca/west_centre_brandon.aspx Thirdly, the skating oval. It's a city-operated, free site where families can ice skate outdoors. There is a warming hut where you can put your skates on and even a port-a-potty on site. The skating oval is lined with Christmas lights and displays are sponsored by Manitoba Hydro. All three are worth your time and contribute added value in our community.  

               

Brandon's hottest dance party is BACK for one great evening! The 4th installment of Jump City goes live December 23rd at Houston's Roadhouse, in Brandon. Jon 'City Wide' Mazer promises that everyone attending the annual Jump City event will experience something very different than your typical night at the bar. Mazer  tells BDNMB.CA that Jump City has several ideas planned for the evening to get you into the holiday spirit including: guest DJ’s, special effects, and the use of video screens. All of the evenings enhancements are designed to make Jump City a one of a kind party experience in Brandon. According to Spencer Day, one of the event organizers, the night will be unlike anything Houston’s has seen before. To accomplish this feat organizers plan to use CO2, glow bars, and an amazing light and sound show of which one would normally never see in a Brandon bar. Tickets are affordable and only $10.00 at the door. You also you can contact Houston’s 204-728-5775 for your own VIP booth and table. Special guest performers include Jherrad Cumming, and some of Brandon's best local DJs. Ciroc will be on hand promoting some of their newest flavours! You won't want to miss this party!