The Brandon and District United Way board members, sponsors and volunteers took aim during their campaign kick off with a hockey themed delivery live from centre Ice at Westman Communications Place. United Way Board Chair Terry Carlisle set the tone of the campaign kick off by putting things into perspective this way, “There are many people in our community who live with challenges each and every day. The Brandon and District United Way does its best to make sure that someone is there to lend a helping hand and to give these people a shot at a better life.” An estimated 1 in 3 Brandonites rely on the United Way and their services in some way shape or form. Whether it’s through Child and Family Services, CNIB, COR Enterprises, YMCA, YWCA or Helping Hands, the United Way is dedicated to identifying the greatest needs in our community and investing Community Fund dollars in evidence-based and preventative programs. All United Way partner programs and initiatives are dedicated to achieving positive results for our community and for local people in need. In keeping with the kick off event’s hockey theme and the United Way’s key statement of this year’s campaign which is “Everyone deserves a shot at a better life”, 100 pucks were scattered onto the ice and two teams were assembled to hit the ice and shoot the pucks into the nets. Ironically each of the 100 pucks represented eight people right here in Brandon who will be relying on the United Way’s services in order to make their lives better. The teams were captained by Kevin Martin from Branstone Financial and Bob Cey of Investors Group. This year’s campaign team takes aim at a lofty goal. In keeping with their 80th campaign the announced campaign goal was $808,080. UW Campaign Chair Scott Hlady (Former Wheat King Defenceman and Current Wheat King Equipment Manager ) said he has all the confidence in the world that this year’s team at the United Way has the ability to accomplish this tremendous financial feat.  As Hlady approached the podium he also mentioned it was a bit “surreal” to be in this position as United Way campaign chair but he is excited and ready for the challenge, “I have been fortunate to have this community support me over the years on a personal level, professionally and as an athlete. Now it’s time to join the United Way team and lend a helping hand to make a difference. Your contribution, whether it be financial, a few hours of your time to volunteer or a collection drive at your workplace, is your way to make a difference. Remember, all donations are 100% local. Money raised in our community stays in our community to help support the dozens of groups and services in Brandon such as: The John Howard Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, The Counselling Centre, MS Society of Westman Chapter, Family Visions and many more. To help out with the 2017-2018 United Way campaign please visit www.brandonuw.ca or facebook.com/unitedwayBrandon or call the campaign office at 204-571-8929. Another way to help make a difference with this year’s campaign is to visit your local Tim Horton’s as their smile cookie campaign is on throughout this weekend and all monies raised through sales of smile cookies goes to the United Way Brandon. Also, watch for the next big UW event which is Brandon’s Largest Garage Sale – Fall Edition. Going into its 7th year, our fall garage sale will be held on Saturday, October 7th, 2017 at the Keystone Centre in the Manitoba Room and UCT Pavilion. With over 2000 customers and over 200 vendors at our spring garage sale, we are expecting this one to be equally as successful. At the event there will be various items for sale such as baked goods, clothing, and even some home-based businesses have started participating. Call 204-571-8929 or email events@brandonuw.ca for more information.

The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department is pleased to inform the public that after an extended closure through the spring and summer, Queen Elizabeth Park (accessed from the intersection of 26th Street & McDonald Avenue) has officially re-opened to the public today. The park was initially closed in early April due to rising floodwaters in the area, at which time a large pipe was laid across the access road to the park to allow for continued operations at the nearby Water Treatment Plant amidst high water levels. Following the spring flood response, access to the park remained blocked off until this pipe could be buried underground. That permanent work has been completed this week, along with extensive removal of flood-impacted trees and debris. The City of Brandon thanks the public for its patience during this time of flood recovery and encourages park-goers to freely return to the area.

The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department is pleased to inform the public that installation of branded identification signage in many of Brandon’s popular neighbourhood parks is underway this fall. As per a recommendation within the City of Brandon’s Greenspace Master Plan adopted by Brandon City Council in 2015, design, construction and installation of standardized park space signage is being undertaken by the City of Brandon’s In-City Maintenance and Building Maintenance Sections. Installation of signage at the various entry points to Rideau Park was completed in late August, with signage at Princess Park, Stanley Park, and the Kin Park and Westridge Spray Parks to be completed by the end of September.  Additionally, signage in Parkdale Community Park, Fox Place Park, Coronation Park, Lions Memorial Park, and Patricia Heights Park is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017, weather permitting. Funding has been budgeted in the next three fiscal years to complete the installation of park space signage across the community, dependent on Brandon City Council approval. The City of Brandon’s Community Services Department is committed to the enhancement, development and maintenance of Brandon’s greenspace system and invites all residents and visitors to make use of the various greenspaces on offer throughout the seasons. You can learn more about the City of Brandon’s Community Services Department here.

Premier Brian Pallister and Finance Minister Cameron Friesen today announced the launch of Budget 2018’s pre-budget consultations that will give Manitoba families the opportunity to share their views on three key issues for Manitoba’s future:  sustaining health care, controlling marijuana use and balancing the budget. “Each of these issues directly affect Manitoba families,” said Pallister.  “These consultations give Manitobans a real voice in the choices their government makes on their behalf and we want to hear from everyone as we plan ahead.” The premier was joined by Finance Minister Cameron Friesen and Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Kelvin Goertzen who, along with Justice Minister Heather Stefanson, will be leading the consultations. To ensure every Manitoban has the chance to give their input, the province has launched a survey at www.manitobansmakingchoices.ca.  Manitobans are encouraged to take the survey and have their say on a number of issues including: controlling marijuana use, with questions about the legal age of consumption, price, availability and public safety; balancing the budget including questions about the path government should take to balance the budget and ways to reduce government spending; and sustaining health care including questions about how to sustain services and the possibility of introducing health-care premiums. “We want Manitobans to look at a range of options and tell us what they think should be done to improve the government’s finances,” said Friesen.  “By taking this survey, people can make their views known as we work to balance the budget within a reasonable amount of time and in ways Manitobans support.” “Sustaining health care is the top priority of Manitobans.  Here is a chance to say directly what your suggestions are to secure health-care services for patients and families,” said Goertzen.  “A health-care premium is one option we want Manitobans to give their views on.” “With the federal government legalizing marijuana in Canada, it’s up to the provinces to make this work in a safe, accessible way,” said Stefanson.  “That begins with setting price and the right legal age of consumption that prevents underage use and gets the gangs out of the business.” In addition to the survey, Friesen will be holding Budget 2018 public consultation meetings in Winnipeg, Brandon, The Pas, Dauphin, Winkler and in the Dawson Trail and Interlake regions.  The town halls will start in Winnipeg on Oct. 11.  Telephone town halls will also be held in October to give Manitobans from across the province an opportunity to call in and join a conversation with the ministers of justice, health and finance on these issues. To encourage as broad an engagement as possible, stakeholders will have access to an online Town Hall Tool Kit to assist in holding their own public meetings, Friesen noted. “We must make choices about how we spend Manitobans’ tax dollars and we want to give as many people as possible the chance to have their say,” said Pallister.  “I want to encourage all Manitobans to take the survey, attend a meeting or participate in a call to share their views on how we can balance the budget, sustain health care and properly control marijuana use.” For more information on the dates of the town hall meetings or to take the survey, visit www.manitobansmakingchoices.ca.

Former Brandon Wheat King Goaltender Andrew Hayes has taken off the pads and moved into the world of selling coffee. The Sherwood Park former goalie had a brief stint in the ECHL – AHL and at University of Regina Cougars but stopped playing due to concussions.  “I just wasn’t able to do school or play hockey anymore and had to go home for treatments…I am trying to get back to a daily routine”. This led to starting his own business Roasti, a high end coffee blend.  “We are bringing in the beans from Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Mexico”.  So why run with this idea Andrew?   “Just for me, I wanted to find something that wasn’t say 9 – 5 because of my concussions...I could be in bed with serious migraines for hours, I needed something super flexible”. Would you say your product is on the higher end?  “ We are a real top end product and selling to cafes that want the best product possible”. “ We are fresh as you can get it…we roast it every two days”. Can you buy this in Brandon or can someone order it from you?  “Nobody in Brandon is selling it at the moment but you can order online”. Do you still follow the Wheat King and or stay in touch the coaches.  “Oh yeah for sure I have talked to Kelly many times and I still love to follow the team”. To order coffee or contact Andrew Hayes or visit their web site.