The Manitoba government is promoting gender equality and highlighting women’s achievements in the province by proclaiming the third week in January Women’s Equality Week, Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for status of women, announced today. “This is our second year celebrating Women’s Equality Week and together we have made great strides towards gender equality,” said Squires.  “However, there is more work to be done.  Our government remains committed to supporting women in under-represented areas in the workplace, addressing gender-based violence, promoting the inclusion of more women on corporate boards and supporting women to attain higher education and leadership positions.” The week kicks off today with the launch of the Nellie McClung Trailblazer Scholarship, which supports women and girls pursuing education and careers in under-represented occupations with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), business and trades. “It is so fitting to have these trailblazer scholarships named after Nellie McClung,” said Lila Goodspeed, chair of the Nellie McClung Foundation.  “She was a noted lifelong educator and stated, “If I were young again, I would spend my life as a teacher of young children, doing all in my power to give them a vision of the dignity and glory of being builders and planters, makers and menders.” Through the partnership, Manitoba Status of Women will award 10 scholarships to high school and post-secondary women and girls.  Five awards of $1,000 will be granted to Grade 12 students who have demonstrated an aptitude in an area of study that could lead to further education and/or careers in STEM, business or under-represented trades.  Five awards of $1,750 will be granted to women who are in their first year of a field of study in these areas. The minister noted the selection criteria will reflect the diversity of Manitoba’s population and include awards to students from Indigenous, northern and rural communities.  Scholarship application information is posted online at www.gov.mb.ca/msw. Wednesday, Premier Brian Pallister will host a breakfast in partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to highlight the issue of violence against women.  The theme is ‘Be More than a Bystander’ and invited guests will reflect on the role men can play to help end violence. Manitoba Status of Women is providing a $5,000 grant to the Women’s Enterprise Centre to develop an initiative to support women who wish to sit on corporate boards, which will include creating a website where interested women can send their resumes. “It has been proven that organizations where women are well represented on the board of directors are more successful, both in profitability and in reputation,” said Sandra Altner, chief executive officer, Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.  “We are very pleased to be working on this project that encourages women to seek board positions and align them with organizations that recognize the important and valuable perspectives they bring to both the business and its role in the community.” Last year, the province committed to developing a gender-based analysis resource for government workers.  This learning tool has been developed and will be shared with all government employees as part of Women’s Equality Week. Friday, women working in STEM and trades are invited to a breakfast with the minister and Dr. Jeannette Montufar, chair of the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council.  Event information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/ms

Members of Catalyst and Vanguard credit unions approved a proposal to amalgamate their operations. “We’re happy for our members,” said Vanguard Board Chair Guy Huberdeau. “We believed we’d put forth an agreement together that benefits our members, employees, and communities — and tonight the majority of members validated that belief.” In total, 738 members cast votes. At both credit unions, votes in favour were well in excess of the required two-thirds majority. “These votes show the credit union system in action, where the co-operative principle of ‘democratic member control’ gives member-owners the final say on important initiatives,” said Catalyst Chair Richard Dereniwski. The amalgamation will create a credit union with over a billion dollars in assets under administration, 29,500 members, 180 employees and 18 branches. The official amalgamation date is April 1, 2018. The amalgamation is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau.

As Bubble Tea becomes more and more popular across North America, Brandonites can now enjoy this unique beverage at one of the newest specialty shops in the city. Neo Tea Shop, located at #1 559-8th Street (in the strip mall across from Superstore), opened at the beginning of November. The shop is operated by Neo Enterprise and is an independent operation. This new, ultra-modern space offers local residents, as well as visitors to Brandon, a great place to meet up with friends and enjoy a variety of different beverages. They serve hot and cold drinks including ice tea, latte, milk tea, mousse tea and smoothies. Of course, they also offer the most popular types of bubble tea and can help you to choose what you might like best. Bubbles can be added to any drink, hot or cold to make a bubble tea. Some of the topping choices include Pearl, Aloe and Coconut Gel. Because of its great taste, Bubble Tea is rapidly making its way to being Canada’s new favourite drink for every day. The shop is pleased to be able to offer customized service where clients can decide on the ice level, sugar level and toppings that they would like to add to their drinks. They plan to add a few food items to the menu as well. The company is also introducing a loyal-tea card, which allows members to collect points every time they make a purchase. Plus members can enjoy one free drink during their birthday month. The owner of Neo Enterprise said the name and logo for the shop was developed with a great deal of thought. Neo represents ‘new’ and ‘reviving’, while the bison that is part of the logo is a symbol of luck and wealth in China, it is also one of the symbols of Manitoba. As well, the pronunciation of Neo in Chinese is close to the word bison. Neo Enterprise hopes this brings good luck and happiness to their customers! The company also plans to open more stores in 2018, watch for more from them in the new year.

Nonsuch Beer ??? I must admit before doing this story I have never heard of this company, but to the true beer drinking connoisseurs I am living under a rock, which does happen often. Neelin and ACC graduates Ben Myers and Ty Johnston, from Brandon, are attempting to compete with some guys called Molson and Labatts to name just a few of the heavy hitters in this field. “We’re a micro-brewery in Winnipeg that is focusing on European-style beers, with a hyper-focus on Belgian beers. We set out to do two thing...first, we want to build an exceptional experience around beer. All our beers are designed to be cellared just like a wine. We’re the only brewery to use local spring water from an artesian well in Manitoba to brew all of our beer. All our beers are bottle conditioned as well.” According to Ben, they have no issues with the two big beer companies.  “We want to build a business that makes Manitoba proud.  We’re not worried about the Molsons and Labatts. We are targeting a different type of beer drinker. The craft beer industry is exploding in Manitoba and we’re proud to be a part of it. It’s the rising tide that floats all ships. We’re all helping one another succeed and it’s amazing to see. An example of this is that Barn Hammer Brewing Co (595 Wall St. Winnipeg) is allowing us to brew out of their brewery while we find our forever home in the downtown exchange.” Can this be purchased at local liquor commissions? “Our Saison is currently available in liquor marts in Brandon and you can expect our Old Ale X in stores before the end of the year if all goes well...our Saison is $12 dollars. It’s a 750 ML bottle. Our Old Ale X will retail at $14”. What are some of your marketing plans and strategies?  “As far as strategies, our goal is to just continue to make amazing beer and see where it takes us. We believe there is a growing craft beer market in the province. Over time, we hope to expand into other provinces and countries. We’re also very excited to get our own location, which has been in the works for quite some time”.

BRANDON MB, December 6, 2017 – Myphone Computer & Electronics (Myphone) has announced today that Western Manitoba residents will be able to purchase Westman enhanced Digital TV and high-speed Internet services at all Myphone TELUS dealerships. This partnership will allow customers to conveniently purchase additional communication services with their cell phones. Westman services, including TiVo Whole Home Entertainment System will be on display for shoppers to test the experience. “Partnering with a local organization to offer a full suite of products to our customers was a top priority, said Samantha Falloon, Managing Partner at Myphone Computer & Electronics. “With all our locations supporting TELUS mobility and Westman home services, we offer an easy and convenient shopping experience to Brandon and Westman.” “This new partnership enables customers to acquire our services and make their cellular communications purchases in a convenient new way, as Myphone becomes a one-stop option for all services.” said John Quail, Chief Marketing Officer at Westman Communications Group. Westman’s residential services will be sold in Myphone retail stores in Brandon’s Shoppers Mall and Corral Centre as well as at their Virden location. Information on Westman Business Internet will also be available at all locations.