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Richard Shotwell / Invision Files Actor Matt Bomer is cited by looksmaxxers as an ideal esthetic to attain.

‘Looksmaxxing’ hammers home a new standard of attractiveness

Jen Zoratti 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:02 AM CST

‘Pain is beauty” is not a new concept. Guys hitting themselves in the face with hammers? That’s new.

Welcome to the warped world of “looksmaxxing,” an online community of young men trying to become as attractive as possible, at any cost.

The term originated among incels (the slang term for men who think of themselves as “involuntarily celibate”) online, frustrated about the perceived advantages enjoyed by “Chads,” so-called alpha males who are tall, muscular and sexually successful.

Looksmaxxing goes beyond basic grooming and gym-going — that’s “softmaxxing” — in pursuit of Chaddom. Looksmaxxing is defined by extremes. It often involves injectables and surgeries and debunked pseudoscience, such as breaking the bones in your face via blunt-force trauma in order to “restructure them,” which is how we’ve come to young men smashing themselves in the face with hammers.

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To prevent cognitive decline, experts recommend sleep, movement and a healthy diet.

Freepik To prevent cognitive decline, experts recommend sleep, movement and a healthy diet.

Movement, proper sleep crucial for brain health

Mitch Calvert 6 minute read Preview

Movement, proper sleep crucial for brain health

Mitch Calvert 6 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST

Winter in Winnipeg has a way of forcing us indoors.

Short days. Long nights. More sitting. More screens. Less movement. More “I’ll get back on track in spring.”

That seasonal slowdown doesn’t just stiffen joints and pad waistlines. It quietly affects the brain, too.

When most people think about Alzheimer’s or dementia, they picture something that shows up late in life — 70s, 80s, maybe a parent or grandparent.

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Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST

Religion has been part of Olympics since its beginning

John Longhurst 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST

You can find religion most everywhere in life today — politics, culture, entertainment, economics and sports. That includes the Olympics.

The games in Milan-Cortina are halfway done. As we watch the competitions in Italy, it’s a good time to recall the pivotal role religion played in the creation of the ancient Olympics, and how it influenced the modern revival.

When created in Greece in 776 BC, the Olympic games were part of a religious festival in honor of the Greek god Zeus. Along with the athletic events, which were dedicated to him, there were sacrifices to Zeus and athletes and spectators took part in religious rites during the competitions.

Athletes also invoked the gods, with winners interpreting their success as a sign of favour from the gods — not unlike how some athletes today thank God when they score a touchdown or game-winning goal.

Mavis Garrioch photo

Container-grown pansies provide a nearly endless source of fresh flowers for pressing and drying.

Mavis Garrioch photo

Container-grown pansies provide a nearly endless source of fresh flowers for pressing and drying.
Mavis Garrioch photo Container-grown pansies provide a nearly endless source of fresh flowers for pressing and drying. Mavis Garrioch photo Container-grown pansies provide a nearly endless source of fresh flowers for pressing and drying.

The delicate art of pressing flowers

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

The delicate art of pressing flowers

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST

When early explorers travelled the four corners of the world in search of botanical treasures and plant knowledge, they faced many challenges collecting and transporting live plant material. In the 19th century, the development of the Wardian case — a glazed box that held soil and water — enhanced the survival rate of live plants on long sea journeys.

But highly detailed botanical illustrations also served as a visual record for early botanists and scientists to study plants from distant parts of the world. The technique of pressing and drying all the parts of individual plants on paper made it possible to preserve plant specimens.

Today, herbariums around the world, including those at Manitoba Museum and the University of Manitoba, house extensive collections of pressed, dried plants stored in specialized, climate-controlled conditions. Scientists use these specimens to determine the rarity of species and understand environmental changes.

Enduring art form

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Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST
Province warns of measles exposure at Jets game as cases surge

Province warns of measles exposure at Jets game as cases surge

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Preview

Province warns of measles exposure at Jets game as cases surge

Tyler Searle 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Manitoba public health officials are warning attendees of a Winnipeg Jets game they may have been exposed to measles, as the province continues to grapple with outbreaks.

The province released an exposure update Thursday night, warning those who attended a Feb. 4 Jets game against the Montreal Canadiens and were in Canada Life Centre’s 300-level seating and concourse to monitor for symptoms until Feb. 26.

The update came hours after chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin held a news conference, urging people to get vaccinated.

On Friday, Premier Wab Kinew pushed Manitobans to follow that advice.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Supplied

Bruce Leperre was a tireless promoter and lover of music. He died Tuesday at age 65.
Supplied Bruce Leperre was a tireless promoter and lover of music. He died Tuesday at age 65.

Dauphin radio personality championed local musicians

Aileen Goos 5 minute read Preview

Dauphin radio personality championed local musicians

Aileen Goos 5 minute read Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The news of Bruce Leperre’s death this week felt like listening to the last track on a favourite album — the ending was inevitable, but the silence still came as a surprise.

For decades, he was the familiar voice on CKDM in Dauphin whose enthusiasm was genuine and infectious. He talked about music in a way that made you feel it.

But in recent years, his voice grew quieter; the stories of artists he met or mentored were harder to recall. And in 2018, at the age of 57, Leperre was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Even as the disease progressed and made conversations harder, his eyes lit up when he heard a familiar song or saw a familiar face.

Leperre died on Tuesday in Ste. Rose General Hospital from complications related to Alzheimer’s. He was 65.

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS

Archbishop Susai Jesu of Keewatin-Le Pas blesses health-care workers at the Feb. 11 mass of appreciation.
JOHN LONGHURST / FREE PRESS Archbishop Susai Jesu of Keewatin-Le Pas blesses health-care workers at the Feb. 11 mass of appreciation.

‘God’s touch’ in clinical world: special mass praises health-care workers

John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

‘God’s touch’ in clinical world: special mass praises health-care workers

John Longhurst 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Bishops from all four Roman Catholic archdioceses in Manitoba held a special mass to thank health-care workers Wednesday evening in southwest Winnipeg.

Bishops Murray Chatlain of Winnipeg, Albert Legatt of Saint Boniface, Lawrence Huculak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy and Susai Jesu of Keewatin-Le Pas — presided over the first mass of appreciation in the province for all who work in health care in Manitoba.

The mass was sponsored by the Catholic Health Care Association of Manitoba and held at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish on the Roman Catholic Church’s world day of the sick. That observance was created by Pope John Paul in 1992 to raise awareness of illness and highlight the work of health-care professionals.

Chatlain opened the mass by praising health workers for doing “the important work of healing ministry.” He went on to say while all Christians are called to “participate in God’s healing work,” those who work in health care have a special opportunity to do it every day.

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Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026
Groups upset after Ottawa closes offices combating antisemitism, Islamophobia

Groups upset after Ottawa closes offices combating antisemitism, Islamophobia

John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

Groups upset after Ottawa closes offices combating antisemitism, Islamophobia

John Longhurst 4 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Winnipeg’s Jewish and Muslim communities say they’re concerned after the federal government announced it would no longer have standalone offices to combat Islamophobia and antisemitism.

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller said Wednesday Ottawa would fold the first special representative on combating Islamophobia and the office of the special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism into a new advisory council on rights, equality and inclusion.

Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada and leader of the Manitoba Institute to Combat Antisemitism, said the news was disappointing and concerning at a time when there are fewer survivors of the Holocaust left in Canada, and with the rise of antisemitism in the country.

She noted that in addition to their work in Canada, the people who held the special envoy position to combat antisemitism were part of an international group holding similar positions across more than 15 countries.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Faith groups examine ways to survive, serve community

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

If your church died, would anyone in the neighbourhood notice or come to the funeral? That’s the question Brian McKenzie of Reframe Concepts in Kelowna, B.C. is asking.

“If your faith community vanished from the neighbourhood map, would your city feel the loss in its gut, or just notice a fresh piece of real estate on a realtor’s website?” he said.

The goal of Reframe is to help churches — many of which have uncertain futures due to falling attendance, aging memberships and decreasing financial resources — explore ways they can not only survive, but find new ways to serve their communities.

“We walk with a church from start to finish,” said McKenzie of how Reframe works with a congregation by helping them research new ways to serve the community, and how it can use its building to support that mission.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES

Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd guest ministered at local United Churches during the Epiphany season, including at Westworth United, where she served as spiritual leader for 11 years until her retirement in 2023.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd guest ministered at local United Churches during the Epiphany season, including at Westworth United, where she served as spiritual leader for 11 years until her retirement in 2023.

Sharing light, hope and inspiration

Sharon Chisvin 5 minute read Preview

Sharing light, hope and inspiration

Sharon Chisvin 5 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

The Epiphany season has been a busy one for Winnipeg’s Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd. For three consecutive Sundays she guest ministered at local United Churches, including at Westworth United, where she had served as its spiritual leader for 11 years until her retirement in the summer of 2023.

At each of these services, MacKenzie Shepherd was joined by a couple of new, non-United Church friends eager to help her relay her Epiphany-themed message about finding light and hope in a time of darkness.

Those friends, like MacKenzie Shepherd (and full disclosure this writer) are members of the Winnipeg affiliate of Women Wage Peace (WWP), the largest grassroots peace organization in Israel. WWP was co-created in 2014 by former Winnipegger Vivian Silver, who was murdered in Israel by Hamas in October 2023.

The Winnipeg affiliate, one of several international WWP groups, was co-founded by two of Silver’s local friends. Composed of Jewish, Muslim and Christian women, the group honours Silver’s legacy by promoting non-violent co-existence, equality and bridge building between Israelis and Palestinians and Muslims and Jews.

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Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Ball Horticultural photo

For the richest, deepest colour, grow new Coleus Sun Sweet Paprika in full sun.
Ball Horticultural photo For the richest, deepest colour, grow new Coleus Sun Sweet Paprika in full sun.

time to Plot those container gardens

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

time to Plot those container gardens

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Whether you’re planning several container gardens this year or prefer to focus on one show-stopping arrangement, February is a good time for deciding what you would like to grow.

After all, garden centres throughout Manitoba are already a hive of activity with the arrival of pre-rooted seedlings for perennials and annuals combined with seed starting in preparation for spring sales.

There was a time when retailers waited until September to place their orders for plants for spring. But demand by gardeners is so strong for new and unique plants that many retailers now place their orders as early as July so they can be ready for peak spring demand.

It’s difficult not to indulge in impulse shopping at the sight of fresh new plants at garden centres. But if we take the time now to think about the types of plants that really worked for us last year in our garden spaces and the ones that didn’t — especially during hot, dry weather — it will be easier to make the best choices.

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Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Iqra Tariq packs Ramadan hampers for Volunteers with Islamic Relief at Healthy Muslim Families on Thursday.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Iqra Tariq packs Ramadan hampers for Volunteers with Islamic Relief at Healthy Muslim Families on Thursday.

Hampers help spread ‘Ramadan warmth’

Nicole Buffie and John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

Hampers help spread ‘Ramadan warmth’

Nicole Buffie and John Longhurst 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

In a small building on St. Anne’s Road, packages of dried chickpeas, dates and rose water are stuffed into cardboard boxes.

The boxes are neatly packed along an assembly line with about a dozen items before being handed off to a table of young women who wrap them in clear cellophane adorned with polka dots and seal it with a purple ribbon.

“We want to make it feel a little special and make it look nice and put together. Because we could just give them a basket, but we want to make sure it looks nice,” said volunteer wrapper Sumha Ali.

The group of 16 volunteers hope to pack 175 food hampers in just two hours. After all, there’s no time to waste: Ramadan is only two weeks away and they want to get hampers in the hands of families well before it begins.

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

The St. Mary’s United Church congregation is working with Relèven to build affordable housing on the church’s property.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The St. Mary’s United Church congregation is working with Relèven to build affordable housing on the church’s property.

Churches find new calling

John Longhurst 4 minute read Preview

Churches find new calling

John Longhurst 4 minute read Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

A national organization is working with four struggling churches in Winnipeg to repurpose land into affordable housing.

Relèven, which is based in Montreal, announced its “Winnipeg declaration” Thursday in an effort to address homelessness and the affordable housing crisis in Canada.

Relèven CEO Graham Singh noted that Canada’s faith communities have about 30,000 acres of land, mostly owned by churches, which is about twice the size of the city of Vancouver.

Singh said “extraordinary good” has been done on that land over generations, shaping Canada’s social fabric — but now many of those churches are in danger of closing due to declining attendance and donations.

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Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026
More than a meal

More than a meal: Feeding others or donating food is deeply rooted in Hindu faith

Romona Goomansingh 5 minute read Preview

More than a meal: Feeding others or donating food is deeply rooted in Hindu faith

Romona Goomansingh 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

“Food is not just nourishment — it is something that makes your life. We need to treat it with utmost love and reverence” — Sadhguru

When food is served in Hindu temples, it is indeed more than a meal. Deeply rooted in Hindu faith, culture and traditions, feeding others or donating food is a highly virtuous act.

Following Sunday services, festival celebrations and other religious activities, food is available, free-of-charge, to everyone at both local temples of the Hindu Society of Manitoba.

Before food is served to the congregation, small portions of each item, distributed in a thali, or sectioned platter, are placed in front of the deities at the temple altar. Rituals are performed and mantras are recited in honour of the food offering to God.

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Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Rossbrook House’s celebrated its 50th anniversary with a birthday luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Rossbrook House’s celebrated its 50th anniversary with a birthday luncheon on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

Beloved drop-in centre remains a haven for youth after 50 years

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Preview

Beloved drop-in centre remains a haven for youth after 50 years

Janine LeGal 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Some children are never given the foundational tools at home to ease their way into this world. For a long list of complex reasons, home is not always a haven. And it’s not assured to be a safe place for kids.

But there is a building at the corner of Ross and Sherbrook that serves as both a home and a refuge, where young people find safety, acceptance and love, 365 days a year, anytime, all the time.

“I wouldn’t be alive today if it hadn’t been for Rossbrook House,” is an often-repeated phrase.

In 1976, Sister Geraldine MacNamara (Sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary), with the help of other sisters and a group of young men from Winnipeg’s Centennial neighbourhood, founded Rossbrook House as an alternative to the streets.

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Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Places of worship offer people antidote to loneliness

John Longhurst 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

Are You Dead?

That’s the name of the most popular paid app in China, according to the BBC.

The app is designed for the estimated 200 million or so people in that country who live alone, and who don’t have family or others to check on them regularly.

By clicking a button on the app every day, users confirm they are alive. If they don’t click it, the app will get in touch with an appointed emergency contact and tell them to check to see if the person is in need of assistance.

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