Brandon’s Downtown Summer Market officially opens today and will run every Wednesday until September. The 900 block of Rosser Avenue will be shutdown from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. for what the Downtown Biz says will be a mini-festival. The Market will not only feature vendors and produce, but also buskers, live music, a children’s play area – and restaurants will offer patio seating.
———-
Another big street upgrade begins today in Brandon. 26th Street will be rebuilt between Park and Victoria Avenues. The street will be closed for parts of the summer between Van Horne and Park avenues in front of J.R. Reid School. Crews hope to finish that section before school starts in the fall.
———-
The Manitoba Wildfire Service reports that progress continues to be made on the 17 active fires in the province, but advises there’s an elevated fire danger in the southern half of Manitoba as well as the northeast corner. Across the country, there are roughly 465 wildfires still listed as active.
———-
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is being accused of playing political games for taking his time calling a byelection in Spruce Woods. Progressive Conservative leader Obby Khan says Kinew is denying constituents a voice. The
riding has been open since March 24th, when Grant Jackson resigned to run federally. Technically, Kinew doesn’t have to call the byelection until August 19th at the latest.
———-
While Western separatism appears to be much stronger in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Manitoba has its share of supporters. A new poll found they’re more likely to be federal and provincial Conservative voters who live in rural areas. More than 1 in 5 said they’d vote to leave Canada – but 6 in 10 Manitobans would vote to stay.
———-
A time capsule that was buried at Brandon City Hall almost 25 years ago will be unearthed on Friday morning. Former councillor Marie Kotyk, and members of the UCT Millennium Committee, placed the container in front of City Hall in the garden area on December 7th, 2000. The committee was in charge of a homecoming event that year to celebrate the millennium.
———-
Yesterday was Canada Day – and if you missed it, BC researchers unveiled an updated online dictionary of Canadianisms to celebrate. The 3rd edition is now mobile-friendly and contains more than 14,500 meanings for more than 12,000 words. Examples even include nicknames like ‘The Peg’ and Raincouver’ – and phrases like ‘Rink Rat’ and ‘Giv’er’.
———-
Ever have weird ‘pizza dreams’? Could be the cheese, in fact a new Canadian study suggests consuming dairy may increase the likelihood of nightmares and poor-quality sleep – and those most likely to report both disturbed sleep and negative dreams were lactose intolerant. Other items that affected sleep were spicy foods and sweets.