DAUPHIN (February 7, 2020) — Fusion Credit Union will contribute $150,000 to the Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club in a sponsorship and naming rights agreement announced today. The funds will be dedicated to the new Fusion Credit Union Competition Course, an elite-level competition cycle trail that will be showcased at the 2020 Manitoba Games in Dauphin this August. The 5 km competition course is part of the larger Northgate Multi-Use Trail System, developed and operated by the Derailleurs club. “This is fantastic news,” said Derailleurs president Brenda Gregory. “We’ve put in an amazing amount of time and energy, and fundraising, too, to make the whole Northgate trail system something we can all be proud of. “The competition trail is the real jewel, though,” she continued. “We brought in one of western Canada’s leading landscape design firms (Scatliff Miller Murray) to ensure we have a first-class facility for the Manitoba Games, and for years to come. This gift from Fusion Credit Union has made a huge contribution to making our dream a reality.” “As a financial cooperative, supporting the communities we serve is a key part of our mission,” said Fusion board chair Guy Huberdeau, “and we try to be generous with all kinds of projects and events, big and small. I think the competition cycle trail is an excellent fit for us, for a number of reasons. “Not only will it make for a particularly memorable cycle competition at this summer’s Manitoba Games,” he said, “but we’ll be left with a multi-use trail that the whole community can take advantage of, after the Games are done. “We say our purpose as a credit union is to help our members live their best lives,” he continued. “What better way to express that, than with a significant contribution to a network of safe, sustainably built, accessible trails, where everyone can enjoy an active outdoor experience that’s unique to the Parkland.” The Fusion competition trail is located near the Selo Ukraina site and is linked the larger 20 km Northgate trail system. In recent years, existing trails have been upgraded and enhanced to take advantage of natural valleys and ridges, and competition features have been incorporated — including a challenging wall ride and jump line. “The Dauphin Derailleurs are so excited about our partnership with Fusion Credit Union,” said Gregory. “This trail system is the product of countless hours of intense effort from the cycling community… it’s gratifying that the credit union recognizes its value to the community and shares our enthusiasm.” The 2020 Manitoba Games will be held August 9 through 15 in Dauphin. Cycling events will take place over the first four days, with male and female competitions in U13 and U15 categories

When bdnmb.ca was launched in March of 2016, we wanted to be more than just another online echo chamber talking about the weather 2-3 times a week. We wanted to introduce our readers to those unique and interesting businesses, attractions, and individuals that we felt were not being recognized, or featured, in local media coverage. As a result, articles like Crows’ General Store, D-Vos Sports Lounge, Eternal Springs, Nature’s Hideaway, and the Kelwood Antique Store remain the most viewed on our web site today. This restaurant we visited earlier today is another hidden gem that we wanted to introduce our readers to as it is definitely worth the trip. Amazing food awaits... If you are a fan of really good comfort food, sometimes with a twist, then you owe it to yourself to check out The Burning Bale in Elgin. Situated on Main Street inside the renovated Elgin Mall, the restaurant first opened at the end of May 2019. They use the best local ingredients they can source including ham and bacon from the Souris River Colony. The portions are extremely generous and the innovative menu offers a little bit of something for everyone. The Steak & Cheese poutine is comprised of your classic poutine with a AAA flat iron steak and topped with a slab of breaded and fried Gouda cheese. In the mood for a pizza? The El Vato Taco topped with beef, peppers, onions, salsa, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, hot yellow peppers, and crushed Doritos just might be right for you. Please note that pizza is only available Saturdays starting at 3pm. Breakfast lovers will enjoy their Red Eyed Hillbilly--a cast iron burger topped with a fried egg, hillbilly sauce, and a splash of Tabasco, served with a side of cast iron hash browns. In addition to their regular menu, they also feature different daily specials like a perogy routine, steak sandwich, brisket kaiser, chicken schnitzel, or a classic hot chicken sandwich. To see their hours of operation, full menu, or to see the daily specials, pleases follow their Facebook page.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be operating a pop-up store inside the Brandon Shoppers Mall from Feb 21-23, 2020. The pop-up store will be located near the Food Court and the Grey Cup will be available to view and to take a photo with on two of the the three days. Sat Feb 22 9:30-11am, 3:30pm-5pm Sun Feb 23 12pm-2pm Earlier in the week, we shared information that the Grey Cup would also be making an appearance at Princess Auto on the 21st of February.

On February 1, 2020, Westman Communications Group will be increasing the Internet speeds in all their packages for customers across the region. This upgrade comes on the heels of a significant infrastructure upgrade made by Westman to move to DOCSIS 3.1 technology, which is designed to enable faster speeds and increased network reliability Westman’s XSTREAM Internet packages, notably titled to reflect the download speed available in each package, are available in all the communities they serve. Their base package, XSTREAM 12, will become XSTREAM15, with download speeds increasing to 15MBps. Comparable increases will also be applied to all of their other packages, including XSTREAM 40, which will become XSTREAM 50, up to their XSTREAM 150 package, which will become XSTREAM 160 with 160 MBps download speeds. Upload speeds will also see an improvement. “Westman is always looking for new ways to improve our customer experience,” said Courtney Baxter, Manager of Marketing at Westman Communications Group. “We understand that the need for more speed and increased reliability is growing across the Westman region, and our goal is to be proactively ahead of that growth. This means providing the best Internet experience for our members on the packages they already subscribe to, while also adding new packages that offer even higher speeds”. Coming soon, Westman will also be adding a new Internet package to their lineup, XSTREAM 300, with 300 MBps download and 25 MBps upload speeds, making Westman’s speed packages the fastest available to all residents in Brandon and the other communities their services are available in. “Our customers will automatically receive the speed boost during an overnight upgrade on January 31, adds Baxter. “By Saturday morning, they will be able to enjoy their new speeds. (submitted)

Jigar Patel (JP) is the owner/franchisee of Pita Pit in Brandon. Recently bdnmb.ca broke the news that JP would be opening a second Pita Pit location in Brandon at 1890-18th Street North. How long have you lived in Brandon: 8 years   Where is the most relaxing place you’ve ever been: Whistler,BC    What was the most memorable gift you’ve received: Motorcycle from Dad   If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be:  It's hard to pick just one meal because i am foodie, so Pita for sure and our authentic food "Khichadi" (its a boil rice with turmeric and other Indian spices and vegetables)   If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be: there are not such a 4 individuals, i can share my meal to any one     What's the most daring thing you've ever done: Nothing yet still waiting to do it.....   Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list: Las-Vegas   What's your favorite ice cream flavor: chocolate chip    What's the phone app you use most: Facebook and Gmail   Would you rather spend a day at the beach or poolside: Poolside   Are you usually 15 minutes late, or 15 minutes early  15 minutes early most probably    What’s one thing you still have from your childhood: Never give up attitude    What is the first website that you go on at the beginning of the day: Yahoo mail   Pick one thing that you would love to win a lifetime supply of: Money so i can spend that for my pleasure and donation  (Win lottery)   If you could participate on a game show, which show would it be: Big Brother   When was the last time you spoke with a classmate from high school: Due to technology, i speak with them (on Facebook) almost every week.   At what age did you buy your first car: when i was 27 years old.   What chore do you absolutely hate doing: To clean house on my day offs   If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be: Food truck Warz Describe living in Brandon in 3 words: City Of Dreams