At the very least, we all have read about how a critical illness can impact an individual but it is more likely that we have experienced that impact ourselves either personally or with a close friend or family experiencing an illness. Being proactive, before an illness strikes, in applying for critical illness coverage can make a huge difference in every way should you ever need to make a claim. And, with some critical illness policies, if you never need to make a claim you can get all the money you paid in premiums returned to you. Critical Uncovered is a one-stop resource to help you learn about critical illnesses and how critical illness insurance can help your physical, mental and financial well being. Visit this link: Criticaluncovered.ca to take the quiz “Are you prepared?” and to see a series of 3 short videos about Sandra’s story. Sandra was diagnosed with lymphoma and she explains her experience with critical illness insurance. Speak to a financial professional who has their Accident & Sickness License to find out more detail about how you can be protected with a critical illness policy.

Promoters and the Keystone Centre are excited to report that Bryan Adams tickets are doing a very good business.  Currently 4,500 tickets are sold leaving the Keystone Centre with anywhere from 700 – 800 seats available. Keystone Centre General Manager Neil Thomson wants people to know a few things: great seats are still available and really almost any seat is a good seat in the building. Success of shows like this will perhaps open the doors for bigger artists such as Adams down the road. Tickets are available at the Keystone Centre box office or online: http://www.boxofficeticketsales.com/bryan-adams-tickets.aspx   Bryan Adams The Get Up Tour So Get Up and Get Out There! THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2016 Westman Place at The Keystone Centre, Brandon All Ages / Reserved Seating Doors: 7:00PM / Show 8:00PM

A full house is expected on Thursday at ArtsForward in Neepawa when the community hosts "What's the Big Idea?" - an entrepreneurial pitch competition offering funding to launch new rural businesses. With more than $8,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, competition is expected to be fierce. The event debuted last year when the communities of Minnedosa and Neepawa partnered to see what ideas existed in for new ventures on the rural landscape. Six aspiring entrepreneurs made their pitch and as a result of the event, three new businesses have opened their doors over the past year. The Inspire Studio of Fine Art in Minnedosa was the big winner, taking home three prizes including the RBC "Best Pitch of the Day" and has since opened a gallery on Minnedosa's Main Street. 4U Home Décor and Consulting has added to the store front activity on Hamilton Street in Neepawa, and Oakview Equipment has launched an MTZ tractor dealershipat Rapid City. Heading into the second year, the event has attracted a great deal of attention, not only from participants coming to present their idea, but also from industry as well as other communities looking to adopt this innovative approach to spur new interest in commercial development in their own communities. Renewing their partnership for 2016, Minnedosa and Neepawa hosts are excited to see the growing interest. What started as a "local" event last year has now attracted attention from World Trade Centre Winnipeg, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Alberta-based Trend Lab Marketing Services. All three agencies will have representation at Thursday's event. "What's the Big Idea?" is open for free to the public and active business community. While the highlight of the day's agenda will be the pitches from the registered participants from Minnedosa, Neepawa, Gladstone and Brandon, other speaking sessions slated for the day include small business financing, entrepreneurship for new Canadians, and anecdotal lessons from emerging entrepreneurs in the area. The key note speaker during the lunch hour is Aaron Biblow, the Business Development Manager for Trend Lab who will be speaking about the role of digital marketing and the use of websites and social media in today's business environment. The entire program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday. For more information on the event or to inquire about registering a pitch, contact Marilyn Crewe at 204-476-7607 or edo@wcgwave.ca Social Media Link for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/329760584023093/

The Brandon Public Library will host a public reading with award-winning author Craig Russell on Monday, October 17th, 2016, 7:30 pm. Craig will read from his newest novel, Fragment, published by Thistledown Press, and will discuss the art and craft of writing. For more information about the event please contact Shelley at the Brandon Public Library at shelley@wmrl.ca. Fragment | $19.95 | 9781771871112 | paperback Prominent Canadian science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer describes Fragment as “A wonderfully thoughtful eco-thriller from one of Canada’s best writers.” Praise for Craig's previous novel, Black Bottle Man (Great Plains Publications, 2010): “An extraordinary book. A story of profound love, of commitment to family, of humility, of grace under pressure; so rich with metaphor and allegory, depth, complexity.” — Nikki Tate, CBC Radio: All Points West Black Bottle Man won the 2011 American Moonbeam Award gold medal for Young Adult Fantasy and was a finalist for the Prix Aurora Award for Best Canadian English Novel, as well as for two Manitoba Book Awards in the same year. CRAIG RUSSELL, award-winning author of Black Bottle Man (2011), has directed a variety of theatre productions and his short play, The Unintended Consequences of Love, was performed at the 2006 Carol Shields Festival of New Works. Craig is a lawyer, and lives in Brandon with his wife. If you would like more information on Fragment, would like to request a review copy, or set up an interview/event with Craig Russell, please contact: marketing@thistledownpress.com Phone: (306) 244-1722 Fax: (306) 244-1762 www.thistledownpress.com

Concert goers and music lovers in Brandon best start saving their pennies, and cashing in their empties, as The Trews have indicated on their web site that they will be playing the North 40 on Friday, November the 4th in support of their time Capsule Tour. The Trews' concert liting is the 4th concert announcement for the month of November in Brandon joining the previously announced Bryan Adams, Mariana's Trench, and Charlie Major shows. The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Nova Scotia who have released five studio albums, one compilation album and three live albums. Singles include Paranoid Freak, Hold Me In Your Arms, Coming Home and Highway of Heroes. In 2004 they were nominated for a Juno award for Best New Group and in 2009 they were nominated for Best Album of the Year at the Junos for No time for Fear,