Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release Brandon Police Service will be conducting Operation Festive Spirits again this Holiday Season. All December, we will be taking a pro-active enforcement and educational approach through a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). STEP is designed to reduce impaired driving, increase awareness of the cost of impaired driving and ultimately remind Manitoba motorists that finding a safe way home this festive season is the only option. High visibility Check Stops and targeted saturated patrols will be set out across the city in an effort to detect, deter and enforce traffic laws in relation to alcohol and drug related offences including impaired and aggressive driving. The message that the Brandon Police Service is sending to the motoring public is a simple one: If you choose to drink or do drugs, do the right thing and arrange a designated driver, call a cab, stay the night, or phone Operation Red Nose. Please celebrate this Christmas season, but do it responsibly.

Coppers Shoppers is a program that pairs local police officers with community Youth for a fun day of holiday shopping. The program is being held in Brandon for a second year through the partnership of Brandon Crime Stoppers, Brandon Police Association, Brandon Police Service, Shoppers Mall and many other Community Sponsors. During Coppers Shoppers, 20 Youth from the Brandon Community between the ages of 12 to 15 will receive a $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card to purchase Christmas gifts for their family and friends. A member of the Brandon Police Service will accompany the Youth on their shopping trip to assist with selecting the perfect items, carrying the parcels and providing enjoyable company. When the shopping is complete, a Gift Wrap and Christmas Card station will be available to wrap up and address all the purchases made. This year’s Coppers Shoppers event will take place on December 7, 2019 at Shoppers Mall from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. “The Copper Shopper event last year had such positive impact on not only the youth, but also the officers,” Says Brandon Police Sergeant Kirby Sararas. “Our members requested to participate again, are thrilled to have another opportunity at this event.” “Brandon Crime Stoppers is excited to continue their involvement with Coppers Shoppers, as it is an initiative that will have a positive influence on the Youth in our Community, plus bring much excitement on Christmas morning to the loved ones who the participating Youth purchase and wrap gifts for during the event,” adds Rick Thomson, Brandon Crime Stoppers Board Chair. The program is intended to capture the essence of the Christmas season and provide Youth in our community with a time of mentorship. Youth participants were selected based on their academic achievements, along with school involvement and recommendation. In addition to the $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card sponsored by Brandon Crime Stoppers and the Brandon Police Association, each Youth will receive a winter coat sponsored by Sport Chek, a pair of jeans sponsored by Bootlegger and a swag bag filled items from the following local businesses and organizations: Brandon Wheat Kings                       Brandon University Bobcats Cherry Hill Photo                              DAVIDsTEA Domino’s Pizza                                  East Side Mario’s Fun n’ Games HQ                               Giant Tiger Guild Insurance                                   Hair Today Mall Barbers Landmark Cinemas                              Manitoba Public Insurance Mother’s Against Drunk Driving              Swiss Chalet Patersons LLP                                    Smitty’s Restaurant The Body Shop                                  Tim Hortons Telus                                                 Xplore Mobil After the shopping and gift wrapping is complete, the hungry Youth will sit down with the Brandon Police Service members to enjoy a delicious soup and sandwich lunch provide by Tim Hortons. The meal is a perfect way to wrap up a memorable and festive morning. “It is astounding to see the increasing number of local businesses that have decided to support Coppers Shoppers” says Darren Creighton, Brandon Police Association President. “Brandon is a great community and the growing number of supporters demonstrates how the business community is willing to come together for the greater good of others.” “We are delighted to once again support this great community event with our partners at Brandon Crime Stoppers and the Brandon Police,” said Candace McKenzie, Shoppers Mall Marketing Director “Our Stores and Services is very much looking forward to the fun and excitement of the Coppers Shoppers event this weekend.” (Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release)

The Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) has awarded grant recipients throughout Brandon and the Westman Area, totaling $641,152 for 2019. The grants will support scholarships, local projects and organizations that align with the objectives of the Foundation, which is to have an impact and a lasting presence in the communities in which we live. Grants fall within six categories:  arts & culture, community, education, environment, health & wellness and recreation. “Our granting committee is very thorough when assessing applications that have been submitted to BACF,” states Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF.  “This group of dedicated volunteers must decide where best to grant the Foundation’s money, as there is never enough dollars for the amount of requests we receive. We are pleased with the grants BACF has awarded this year and the committee members are happy to work more effectively with these organizations by coming together and filling a need in our communities.” A few of the 2019 grant recipients are: Andrews Field - $35,000 for upgrades to the ball diamond; Westman Trail Association - $15,000 new equipment for trail maintenance in the Brandon Hills; Brandon Riverbank - $40,000 for new LED lighting along the walking paths; Western MB Science Fair - $5,000 to support the annual science fair held in Brandon; Oak Lake Day Care - $5,000 to create a new play space for children; Glenboro Gaiety Theatre - $6,000 theatre audio system upgrade. Listing of all 2019 grant recipients visit www.bacf.ca (submitted)

Brandon, MB – In association with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council, a new Brandon Indigenous Tourism logo has officially been unveiled. The Brandon Indigenous Tourism logo was created to uphold the acknowledgement of embracing the Indigenous story of our community, peoples and land. Brandon is located on Treaty 2, the unceded Territory of the Dakota and homelands of the Metis Nation. The logo is shaped in the form of a medicine wheel that embodies the four directions (north, east, south and west) and is represented by the four colors (red, yellow, white and black). The logo is also shaped in the form of a compass as it provides direction and a sense of adventure and navigation through history. The story of First Nations is represented by the tipi embraced by two trees on the land and the Metis are represented by the Infinity symbol that is expressed in the shape of the Assiniboine River and its many twists and turns. The image of the logo tells of a story that is often found in most urban centres and asks the question; what is the origin story of the land? Here you will see the city of Brandon in the background as the Indigenous learning experience is showcased in the forefront and offers a teaching and understanding of Indigenous history, peoples and importance of recognizing land and water. “In Brandon, Manitoba we have embraced the ancestral story of the land and give recognition to the history of the land and Indigenous peoples who originated here in Southwestern Manitoba on the crossing of Treaty 1 and Treaty 2, homelands of the Metis and a community we call home.” – Jason Gobeil, Aboriginal Community Coordinator Brandon Indigenous Tourism is created to support local actions and events that educate and open opportunity of building relationships with land, with Indigenous peoples and with each other. You will find many opportunities in Brandon to learn from the community with National Indigenous Peoples Day, Honouring the Good Road Gala and commemorative walks for Orange Shirt Day and Sisters in Spirit just to name a few. The logo is already showcased at the Brandon & Region Tourism Centre along with indigenous tourism publications for anyone interested. (submitted)

Zoo Lights Festival opened yesterday at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg (2595 Roblin Boulevard). The 32-day winter lights festival is an ideal place to "experience a spectacular display featuring thousands of light installations to bring to life a magically illuminated fictional Manitoban winter town: Polar Town". Zoo Lights Festival is more then just lights. The event also features interactive experiences and warm-up areas, visits from Santa, fire pits, nightly entertainment, a Third + Bird market, live music, and great food. Zoo Lights Festival is a ticketed evening event. The after-hours festival runs between November 30, 2019 and January 5, 2020. For additional information, visit the Zoo Lights Festival website at www.assiniboinepark.ca/zoo-lights-festival.