Submitted: Vancouver Aquarium Brandon, Manitoba – As part of the celebrations for Canada’s 150th anniversary, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre’s AquaVan 150: Connecting Communities to Coastlines program will be visiting schools in the city from May 2 - May 5. AquaVan 150 is the first-ever cross-Canada road trip for the mobile education program in its 22-year history. Over seven months, this signature project will celebrate Canada’s milestone year at 150 stops.  It will deliver fully interactive and immersive programming to Canadians of all ages, focusing on the impacts humans are having on our rivers, lakes and oceans and the role Canadians can play to ensure they are healthy and abundant for future generations. The AquaVan will visit the following locations on this tour: May 2:  Waverly Park School and École Harrison May 3:  Meadows School and Linden Lanes School May 5: Riding Mountain National Park, including a Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup The AquaVan features a 28-foot mobile aquarium, with resident creatures including sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs and sea anemones, among other invertebrates from the Pacific Coast. These animals serve as ambassadors for aquatic life and help to bring the ocean to Canadians, regardless of where they live. In addition to getting hands-on at these touch tanks, programming will also cover topics such as local history and regional environmental issues. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and its AquaVan team is proud to be part of the Canada 150 celebrations and thanks the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada for helping to fund the AquaVan 150: Connecting Communities to Coastlines tour. Regular updates on the tour will be posted on Vancouver Aquarium’s AquaBlog and Vancouver Aquarium’s Facebook page. You may support this signature journey through a donation here. Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org

Brandon University News Edward Snowden will speak live to a Brandon University (BU) audience on May 9, discussing the ethics of mass surveillance and the role of public institutions like universities. “This is an incredible opportunity for the people of Brandon and Westman to hear from one of the most provocative and thought-provoking individuals of recent years, in his own words” says Dr. Steve Robinson, BU’s Vice-President (Academic & Provost). “We leapt at the chance to arrange this opportunity for all BU students, faculty and staff as well as members of the Brandon area public to engage with Edward Snowden on this important topic, and we welcome everyone in all of the communities we are a part of to take part as well.” Snowden rose to international prominence in 2013 when he revealed the scope and scale of U.S. intelligence agency mass surveillance, fueling debates over privacy and security that continue to this day. From his current residence in Moscow, Snowden will give a live lecture to a Brandon University audience, and will take questions from Brandon about mass surveillance and the role that universities can play in ethical debates about surveillance. There is no charge to attend the BU event, although space is limited. The talk is a joint production between Brandon University, the University of Winnipeg and the University of Lethbridge. “Universities are built on collaboration,” Robinson says, “and we are pleased to work with our colleagues in Winnipeg and Lethbridge to bring this important discussion to a wider audience.” The Snowden lecture will be streamed live to BU’s Harvest Hall, which features two large screens and ample space for more than two hundred guests. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, for the event, with Snowden expected to begin speaking at 6 p.m. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available. All are welcome to attend.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Two people were taken to hospital following an accident early Friday morning at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway. Blue Hills RCMP say a pickup truck northbound on Hwy 5, being driven buy a lone occupant, tried to cross the Trans-Canada when it collided with a westbound car.  Inside the car was a lone occupant from Holland. The accident happened at approximately 7:10 am. The 43-year old male driver of the pickup truck, from Wellwood, was charged with Fail to Yield. The injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

Submitted Brandon School Division is pleased to announce that the YMCA of Brandon will be providing child care opportunities to our School Families during the 2017-2018 Half-Day Professional Development Days. Brandon School Division will be providing space in most of our K-8 Schools, within the City of Brandon, for the YMCA of Brandon to run their School Break Half-Day Camps, similar to the format you may already be accustomed to. School Break Days provided by the YMCA of Brandon provide a fun environment for children aged 5-12 while school is out. On line registration will be available on August 21st, 2017 for YMCA members and September 5th for non YMCA members. Space will be limited. Click here to view the 2017-2018 School Day Calendar.

Brandon, Manitoba, April 27, 2017 – Kelleher Ford is bringing Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited’s innovative Drive One 4 UR School program to the Brandon community in an effort to raise up to $6,000 for Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School. For every person who test-drives a Ford vehicle at the school on April 29, 2017, Kelleher Ford and Ford of Canada will donate $20 to the Crocus Plains Football Club. “We’re excited to partner with Crocus Plains School to help raise funds for their football club,” said Mike Boutilier, General Sales Manager at Kelleher Ford. “The Drive One program is a great opportunity for us to help a local high school cover some expenses while showcasing Ford of Canada’s innovative safety technologies and eco-friendly options to parents, teenagers and other drivers.” The event, which will be held from 8:00 a.m. till 4:15 p.m., will feature the full range of Ford cars and SUVs, as well as select F-Series models. Since the start of Ford’s Drive One 4 UR School and Community programs in 2010, more than 77,000 test-drives at more than 500 events have generated over $1 million in donations for high schools and organizations in Canada. Kelleher Ford has participated in Ford’s Drive One 4 UR Community/School program for six years and has made an impact in the community by raising in excess of $67,960 to support organizations such as Heart and Stroke Foundation, Funds for Furry Friends, Brandon Search and Rescue, and more. In addition to raising much-needed revenue for worthwhile causes, Drive One events give participants the chance to experience Ford’s new vehicles and safety technologies, including: Voice Recognition: Voice control, or a simple tap on your touchscreen, allows you to interact with the responsive system. For example you can ask your car for restaurant suggestions simply by saying “I’m hungry.” Siri Integration: Once your iPhone is paired your contacts can be downloaded to the system, allowing you to make a phone call with a simple tap on the screen and voice command. The conversation is easily heard through your vehicle’s speakers. You can also respond to a text message or make a dinner reservation while keeping your eyes on the road. Hands-free calling is paired through other smartphones as well. Music Search and Control: By simply saying “play” followed by an artist or song name, SYNC® 3 will start playing your favourite music right from your smartphone. You can also use your voice to shuffle through over 120 SiriusXM Satellite Radio stations. Your Trusted Navigator: Entering your destination is a breeze and your vehicle will guide the way. Don’t worry about getting lost - you can trust SYNC® 3 to help you find your destination, and even create a quick detour if you need to stop at an ATM, store, or gas station along the way. To participate, please visit Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School, 1930 1st Street, between 8:00 a.m. till 4:15 p.m. on April 29, 2017. Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. There is a limit of one test-drive per household.