Pure speculation but one has to wonder if a new casino in the areas future. Recently Tolko Industries in The Pas announced that they were closing their kraft paper mill operations and now the Aseneskak Casino, also in The Pas, said that they may need to relocate their casino citing less than a quarter of the casino's gaming machines and tables are currently being used. They have indicated that they would be looking at the possibility of locating the casino closer to Winnipeg. Which leads us to Sioux Valley. They are currently in the process of opening a Petro Canada full service store and gas bar in September at the junction of the TransCanada Highway No. 1 and the Eva McKay Memorial Highway. Their web site lists plans to further develop the land to include a restaurant, motor hotel, commercial space, a new gaming centre, and an outdoor stage and entertainment facility. Future proposed plans also include a multiplex arena and golf course among other items. In regards to the gaming centre would Sioux Valley look at relocating their existing gaming centre or would they perhaps try to reel in a bigger fish and lobby the Asenekak Casino to move their 172 machines and numerous table games to this new development? Sioux Valley may not be in the immediate Winnipeg vicinity however their proposed development is along a major highway and closer to a larger city (Brandon) each providing more traffic and visibility than some other casinos in the province.

Courtesy;  Brandon University News Release BRANDON, Man. – While many eyes were on the Olympic athletes at Rio through mid-August, two Brandon students were among 55 of Canada’s best young musicians performing and competing at the National Music Festival in Edmonton. Jammie Lee, on piano, and Kayla Solomon, on trumpet, are Brandon students who were among those chosen to represent Manitoba at the national competition. Solomon, who performed with her piano partner, Danielle Guina, and Lee also both played at a try-out recital at Brandon University (BU) on July 31, before heading to nationals. When they returned, Solomon and Lee were carrying the National Festival equivalent of bronze medals: each placed third in their category. Lee has been nationally recognized before. In 2011, then aged 10, Lee placed second in his age category in the Canadian Music Competitions at the finals in Montreal, playing a Mozart piano concerto. Not limited to piano, Lee also plays trombone in the Vincent Massey Band and in jazz band, and will soon begin Grade 10. He also plays drums in a church band at Grand Valley’s Korean congregation, and studies theory with Gretta Sayers. At the Nationals, Lee played a complete Beethoven Sonata, Op. 10 No. 3, which is known especially for its tragic slow movement, marked “slow and sad.” Adjudicator Moshe Hammer described Lee’s performance of this as “wonderful.” Lee brought the four movements of the sonata a great variety of style and expression, and they were judged by piano adjudicator Janet Scott Hoyt as “beautifully characterized” and that he “captured the humour” in the finale. The other work on Lee’s program, Chopin’s Scherzo No. 2, was presented with “excellent control throughout.” Overall, said Hoyt, “it was a pleasure to hear your performance today. You are doing great work.” Lee, the son of Mija Lim and King Lee, was invited earlier this summer to play with the Winnipeg Symphony at its “Open House: Made in Manitoba” concert. Until 2015 he studied piano with Dr. Kyung Kim, and he now studies with Dr. Lawrence Jones, professor emeritus at the BU School of Music. A native of Winnipeg, Solomon has completed her second year in Brandon University’s Bachelor of Music program. The winner of many scholarships and awards, she studies trumpet with Dr. Ed Bach, himself an award-winner at the National Festival in earlier years. Before she started trumpet, she had extensive training in piano and theory with Heidi Peters, and in violin. At the Nationals, Kayla played a trumpet concerto written in the 1950s by the Armenian composer, Alexander Arutunian. The adjudicator, renowned clarinettist James Campbell, commented on her “confident musical ideas, wide dynamic range, and terrific cadenza.” Trumpet virtuoso Guy Few noted that her second number, Andante and Allegretto by Balay, was played with “such a lovely sound,” and added, “Thanks for your beautiful playing.” “The School of Music and Eckhardt-Gramatté Conservatory are delighted with the continuing success of these wonderful young musicians, and congratulate them for doing so well, literally on the national stage,” said Greg Gatien, Dean of the BU School of Music. “It is a testament to their commitment, intelligence, and musical sophistication. It’s also another example of the high level of instruction that our students receive in Brandon, and how lucky we are to have teachers like Ed Bach and Lawrence Jones working in our community.” Since 1967, the National Festival, organized by the Canadian Federation of Music Festivals, has sponsored competitions in piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, voice, music theatre, percussion, classical guitar, and chamber groups. Competitions at local, and then provincial levels, lead to national competition, where each performer selected represents a province or territory. Brandon University, founded in 1899, promotes excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship, and educates students so that they can make a meaningful difference as engaged citizens and leaders. For more information: Grant Hamilton Marketing Communications Officer 204.571.8542 HamiltonG@BrandonU.ca Rob Henderson Marketing Communications Officer 204.727.9762 HendersonR@BrandonU.ca    

After 10 successful sales in Winnipeg Childcycle Children's Consignment Sales is coming to Brandon on Saturday, September the 24th inside the Keystone Centre (MNP Room). Shopping to the public starts at 10:00 am. Come out and get some great deals from 80+ sellers at 20-75% off retail! This is a great opportunity to sell your kids unused clothing, toys, baby equipment and furniture. What makes this consignment sale different from other sales is that they don't rent tables for people to set up and sell their own items. Instead consignors bring their already priced and hung children's clothing and assorted items to them and they will merchandise and sell your product for you. They provide the racks to hang your children's clothes from and they use tables for toys, games, bedding, etc. All liked items are grouped together by size and category making it easier for shoppers to locate the items they are in search of. Check out their website www.childcycle.ca for more information and to sign-up to become a consignor. To become a seller is simple. All you need to do is register online, price your stuff using their online inventory pricing system, and arrange to drop off your merchandise. Consignors can also sign up to volunteer which will get you either a presale pass for shopping, or a greater percentage back from selling your stuff. Childcycle starts off at 65% back for your merchandise and by volunteering you can earn up to 70%. If you are a new parent of a child between the ages of newborn and 12 months, or if you are an expecting mom, you can shop the presale before the general public, and after the volunteers. The best part of this type of sale is that you don't even have to be there to sell, they do all the work for you. Its a nice way to earn money back on items that are hardly used or no-longer required. If consignors don't want their left over stuff back, Childcare works with a local charity and people can choose to donate the rest of their stuff. Spaces are limited so sign up now if you are interested! Their Facebook event can be found here. Photos are from a previous sale held in Winnipeg.

At one time there used to be 40,000 members in the Arabian Horse Association (2009 numbers) so needless to say this is big business and Brandon is fortunate to have the National Arabian Horse & Half Arabian Championships at the Keystone Centre. When you talk through the halls at the Keystone you really understand the complex planning and details that go behind the scenes to make sure an event happen. So today we had a chance to speak to their Director of Marketing Julian McPeak. BDNMB – People assume when you live in Brandon that you live eat and sleep AG and horse business, however I am a total novice with something like this, can you give our readers an idea what kind of money it costs for these people to participate at this show? Julian – It varies some people own their own trucks – they train their horses and own their horses they would have to spend $8000 - $10,000 (they call these people the DOERS) Then the other group of people have professional year round trainers – they pay for their horse to come – and pay for drivers, etc. and that could get as high as $20,000. BDNMB – This is the 6th year for Brandon so where is the next stop and what are some of the pro’s and con’s of Brandon? Julian – We host shows in Ok City – Tulsa – Raleigh but mainly we look for cities that have ag communities. We have specific needs and facilities. It has to be clean and safe for our horses and and we need two covered arenas and also arenas to work the horses. The exhibitors would like restaurants near by which the Keystone Centre has. It is unique because everything is indoors and we really like the staff they help us so much. BDNMB – What kind of feedback do you get about Brandon …. I have been to all those cities you mentioned and they are much larger and have more to offer people? Julian - Overall everyone is happy our people are happy when locals flock in the doors and see the horses and shows. These people come to show horses and not for a holiday. We do like the community support. In bigger cities we don’t really see that. Of note we spoke to the owner of Brown’s Social House, Blake Trotter, and he mentioned that this event was by far one of best. He said that they have had dozens of people tell his staff that they did appreciate the support that Brown’s gave their fans and participants.  

Every Thursday evening from now ’til end of season, Dave Barnes will be leading a Nature Walk on the AFFI trail system, freshly cleared of debris and risky overhanging limbs this weekend! Tours depart from Crow’s General Store at 7 pm, loop through the Ancient Oaks trails, and return to Crow’s by 8:30 pm via the maple woods and 17th St dike road. The whole family will be fascinated to learn about Nature’s secrets from this experienced teacher – lessons on permaculture, wetland regeneration, trees, birds, and wildlife ecology will have you coming back for more, just like Crow’s delicious ice cream! Recommended: drinking water, hat, bug spray, camera, binoculars. This event is running from 18 August 2016 until 22 September 2016. It is next occurring on 18 August 2016 7:00 pm. Upcoming Dates: 18 August 2016 7:00 pm 25 August 2016 7:00 pm 1 September 2016 7:00 pm 8 September 2016 7:00 pm 15 September 2016 7:00 pm 22 September 2016 7:00 pm