Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton headed to Tour de France for leukemia charity ride BRANDON, Man. — Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton will ride the entire Tour de France route next year, raising money to Cure Leukemia. Hamilton announced today that he has been selected as one of 25 amateur cyclists from around the world for Tour 21, the only charity ride officially affiliated with the Tour de France. The fully supported ride, in France, will follow the same route and distance as the professional race, exactly one week earlier. Hamilton is the only Canadian rider in this year’s charity ride, and only the second one ever. “The Tour de France is the toughest challenge in pro sports — and thankfully I don’t have to race it, just ride it. Our goal through this challenge is to finish, while raising money that will help cure leukemia,” Hamilton said. “The ride is daunting, and I have months of gruelling training ahead, but what keeps me motivated is knowing that we will be funding clinical trials to help beat blood cancer.” After being hit by a car while biking two years ago, Hamilton turned to cycling advocacy, including the formation of Bike Brandon, a seat on the city’s Vision Zero committee, and securing federally funds to reearch active transportation and improved public spaces in Brandon. “Sports build community and cycling is a great example of that, whether you’re biking up the Alps or down the street to A&L,” Hamilton said. “We’re bringing that same community spirit to bear on leukemia fundraising.” Hamilton is covering the significant entrance fee and other costs of the ride out of pocket and has partnered with A&L Cycle in Brandon, as well as Trek Bikes, to assist with gear and training expenses. “We knew right away that we’d be thrilled to support Grant’s ride. He’ll be spending a lot of time on the bike over the next few months, and we’ll be there for every kilometre,” said A&L Cycle co-owner Cam Wirch. “One of the most rewarding parts of being a local business is lending a helping hand or wrench for the community. That’s part of our DNA at A&L and we found the same with Trek Bikes.” The ride is for an important cause: to Cure Leukemia. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 6,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia this year and 3,200 Canadians will die. “As a team, we are riding to raise £1 million that will go to funding clinical trials,” Hamilton said. “Those will have a direct and immediate impact on proving better treatments and getting us closer to a cure. My personal goal is to raise more than $55,000.” Anyone around the world can donate to Cure Leukemia in support of Hamilton’s ride. In Canada, a partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation ensures donors qualify for a tax receipt. Give online at CAFcanada.ca or directly at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/30925. Please make sure to select “Cure Leukemia” as the fund, and to dedicate your donation in honour of Grant Hamilton, to make sure your gift is properly credited. “The only thing I ask of donors is that you let me know!” Hamilton said. “The online platform doesn’t share your info with me, so when you drop me a line, I’ll be able to thank you properly for your support.” Hamilton is easy to find on social media or can be contacted by email at hamilton.grant@gmail.com. The 2025 Tour de France and Tour 21 charity ride to Cure Leukemia start in about nine months.  

Photo: Sloan Facebook Sloan, the iconic Canadian rock band from Halifax, is scheduled to perform at the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium (WMCA) in Brandon on Friday, January 17, 2025. The concert will begin at 7:30 PM. Sloan, known for their 30-year career filled with catchy power-pop tunes, has built a reputation as one of Canada's most celebrated rock bands. They've been instrumental in shaping the Canadian East Coast alternative scene and have garnered numerous accolades, including nine Juno nominations and a win for Best Alternative Album in 1997. Notable singles include Motor City Maniacs, The Rest of My Life, and Underwhelmed Tickets for the show can be purchased through the WMCA box office​ here.

A local pickup/delivery pizzeria is celebrating its s30th anniversary this year. Little Italy Pizzeria was started by Martin Dupuis in October of 1994. The popular pizza joint was originally located on Rosser Ave (323 Rosser Ave) until its move to 305-10th St in 2004. The business was sold in 2017 to a new ownership group (Farhan, Morgan & Saki). Martin felt comfortable handing over the keys to his business as the incoming owners had each been employed by the restaurant for several years. Over that time they had developed an extensive knowledge of both the menu and the customers. The secret behind Little Italy’s longevity lies in its commitment to quality. The menu, featuring a wide array of pizzas, pasta, oven baked subs, and appetizers, has remained true to its roots, with several new items sprinkled in a long the way. The owners have consistently fostered relationships with their customers, some of whom have been ordering pizza/pasta since day one. As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, they will be offering a free medium pizza (1-topping) with every food order of $35 or more (before taxes). To order online, please click here.

Manitoba Labour and Immigration advises the new provincial minimum wage of $15.80 is now in effect. Updated annually, Manitoba’s minimum wage is regulated through the Employment Standards Code. This year’s increase of 50 cents per hour raised the minimum wage to $15.80 from $15.30, based on a consumer price index of 3.5 per cent. For more information on the minimum wage and other employment standards, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.

The J&G Homes Arena and WCHA are happy to welcome Chad Wallin and the Joe Beeverz team to be the operators of Kings Kitchen. We wish Chad and his team continued success and are excited for the experience they will bring to patrons of J&G Homes Arena. The restaurant is expected to re-open Friday October 4th in time for the U17AAA game. The restaurant will be open for all U18AAA, U17AAA and U15AAA games as well as the ACC Cougars games during the season following opening night on October 4th.