PetSmart® is pleased to announce the opening of its newest store in Brandon, Manitoba located at 1350 18th Street, Unit E. To celebrate, PetSmart is having a grand opening event Saturday, March 14, starting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Media and pet parents are encouraged to attend and bring their four-legged friends to join in the fun!   The first 50 shoppers in store on Saturday and Sunday will receive a $25 gift card and free giveaways. Additionally, there will be two chances to win a $250 PetSmart gift card†. What: PetSmart Grand Opening Celebration When: Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 9 a.m. Where: PetSmart Brandon - 1350 18th Street, Unit E The new store features over 13,565 square feet of space, providing pet parents with a comprehensive line of pet products. The new store offers useful services such as pet training and a full-service grooming salon where dogs and cats receive hands-on care from academy-trained, safety-certified stylists dedicated to making pets look and feel their best.**  The new location will also feature self-service dog washing stations where pet parents can bond as they personally bathe their pups.    PetSmart stores are also pleased to offer pet adoption services in partnership with its registered Canadian charity, PetSmart Charities® of Canada, and more than 200 animal welfare organizations across the country. Since its inception, PetSmart has never sold cats or dogs in its stores. Instead, each store partners with local humane societies, SPCAs and pet rescue groups and invites them to bring adoptable pets into stores to help them find loving homes. Through National Adoption Weekend events hosted in February, June, September and November, as well as pet adoptions that take place every single day in PetSmart stores, the program has found homes for over 320,000 pets and counting. *All grand opening giveaways available while supplies last. (submitted)

BRANDON, MB – March 5, 2020 – Cando Rail Services has been honoured with the prestigious Gold Standard as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. First named to the award program in 2017, the Gold Standard means Cando has successfully maintained its Best Managed status for four consecutive years. Through a rigorous application process, the 2020 Best Managed program recognizes the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies that have an engaging strategy development process, strong corporate culture, continuous drive for growth and a sustainable competitive advantage. This year the winners list was reduced by almost half compared to 47 winners in 2019. This was done deliberately. The evolving Global program is increasing the competitive landscape and continues to push the Canadian program to showcase the very best of the best from Canada. Based in Brandon, Man., Cando has successfully grown from a small rail salvage company in 1978 to an international service provider of various rail services, optimizing the bulk material supply chain for industry and the Class 1 railways. Helping with that success, the company has a unique employee share purchase program that gives employees the opportunity to be part owners in the company. It is more than just an ownership structure; it is a company culture that breeds success from the ground up. Established in 1993, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Winners are an important engine of economic growth for being adaptable and sustainable in a global market. The Canada's Best Managed Companies award recognizes the entire company. It's uniquely Canadian, and it measures more than strong financial performance. The Best Managed program continues to grow internationally with presence in 21 countries and continued global expansion. 2020 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto in April. The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business and TMX Group. (submitted)

The 33rd Annual YWCA Brandon Women of Distinction Gala being held on May 7th at the Keystone Centre will honour the collective achievements, accomplishments and contributions of women and young women throughout Western Manitoba.  This Gala event and awards presentation is the YWCA Brandon’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting women and families in need by providing shelter, programs and services at both the Westman Women’s Shelter and Meredith Place Transitional Shelter. YWCA Brandon invites colleagues, peers, employers, friends or family to come together to nominate those amazing women who are role models and inspirations in their community! YWCA Brandon is looking for nominees who have made outstanding contributions in the following categories:  Agriculture Arts/Culture/Heritage Business Leadership/Entrepreneurship Community Leadership/Social Action Education/Mentorship Healthy Living/Recreation/Wellness Science/Technology/Trade Lifetime Achievement Young Woman of Distinction (18 – 25 years) Young Trailblazer (17 & under)  Nomination packages for these Women of Distinction Awards are now available to complete online, with applications to be received by April 20th, 2020. For nomination packages and information, as well as ticket information about this year’s Women of Distinction Gala, visit: www.womenofdistinctionbrandon.com or www.ywcabrandon.ca Paper packages are also available upon request by emailing womanofdistinction@wcgwave.ca

Last February we introduced you to “7 Intriguing Restaurants That You Must Try in Rural Manitoba” (article link) and the response was overwhelming, over 17,000 views to date. In the days that followed we received hundreds of emails/messages from our readers with additional restaurants they believed could have made the list. After combing through all the suggestions, and completing a little more research, we are now pleased to present “7 Intriguing Restaurants That You Must Try in Rural Manitoba, Part 2”. In no particular order. New Lee's Restaurant (Rivers): Extensive Chinese food menu. Large combo plates. Lunch buffet available Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays. Supper buffet available on Friday, Saturday, & Sundays. The buffet is topped-up frequently so the food is always hot and fresh. Facebook link. Timberland Inn (Swan River): If you have ever visited this restaurant then you already know why it made the list. Quite simply put, comfort food at it's best. The burgers are awesome and you can't beat the food for taste or value. Facebook link. Farmhouse 50 (Minnedosa): Select from a variety of fresh, healthy, homemade lunch and dinner options including fresh baked treats and specialty coffee. Many readers recommended the Sunday Brunch served between 10am-2pm. Facebook link. Brierwood Creek Cafe & Grill (Kenton): If you're a fan of really good pizza then you will have to add this restaurant to your hit list. The toppings are plentiful and the crust us perfectly crisp. The pizza here is flavorful, fresh, and HUGE. Additional menu items include breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and chicken. Facebook link. Corrina's on Main (Dauphin): Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in Dauphin for more than 10 years. Fresh ingredients and scratch cooking. Tons of menu options including homemade soups and homemade baking. The food is always delicious and the portions are always large and reasonably priced. Facebook link. Brews Brothers Bistro (Neepawa): Homemade soups, sandwiches, fresh baked goods, specialty coffees and more. Prices are very affordable. Tripadvisor's top ranked restaurant in Neepawa. Visit their Facebook page to checkout some of their amazing desserts, from delicious cheesecakes to brownies. Jmmy's Submarine & Dairy (Portage): Juicy and flavorful burgers (made to order) on a massive sesame seed bun. Perfectly seasoned home made fries. Come hungry and leave stuffed. Home of the Fatboy burger.

Spring is near. Dairy Queen located at 904-18th Street opens for the season Sunday (March 1, 2020). They have been serving their world famous soft serve ice cream in Brandon since 1954. Stop by for a cool, delicious ice cream cone, sundae, Blizzard, banana split or ice cream cake. This Dairy Queen location operates on a seasonal schedule. Brandon’s first Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (915-18th Street North) opened on February. 14, 2019. In addition to ice cream products, the Grill & Chill concept includes menu items like burgers, fries, salads, chicken and other foods.