John K. Samson refuses to be quiet about library measures

No dog? No problem Local program offers offices pup for a day

Brandt and Paisley are raring to start their new jobs.

They’ve passed their assessment tests, aced their personality evaluations, received all the relevant vaccinations and are getting ready to greet their colleagues at their respective places of employment.

But instead of hellos and handshakes, they’ll most likely be giving their co-workers tail wags and face licks. Not that anyone in the office will mind.

The doggie duo are part of Business Buddies, a new program from the city’s Animal Services Agency which sees canines in the facility spending the afternoon with local businesses.

Port of Churchill signs agreement with Dutch port

Arctic Gateway Group, operator of the Port of Churchill, has signed an agreement with the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands to attract business and strengthen supply chains linking Western Canada and Europe.

The agreement enables the two ports to work together to develop new trade in critical minerals and energy products, connect Canadian producers with European buyers, and identify opportunities to improve the supply chain from Western Canadian resource projects through Churchill and into European markets.

The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and home to more than 3,000 businesses across its industrial complex, serving as a major gateway for critical raw materials and energy.

Meanwhile, the Port of Churchill has been identified as a transformative national strategy for Canada and is emerging as a northern trade corridor connecting Western Canada’s resources to global markets.

City considers first-come, first-served Transit Plus

The city's much-maligned Transit Plus, which is for people with disabilities, could soon do away with a system that prioritizes jobs and medical trips over recreation and visits with friends, in favour of first-come, first-served bookings.

While the city says the changes could mean Transit Plus users would no longer be guaranteed to get to work or medical appointments, several disability advocates are in favour of the move. They don't believe any trip should take priority over another.

Natalie Pirson has used Transit Plus, and the former Handi Transit system, for more than 20 years. She is pleased with the proposed changes, which will be discussed by the city's public works committee next week. Pirson was quick to point out the city will have to do more than change the booking system.

"I rely on Transit Plus for every aspect of my life," Pirson said on Thursday.

John K. Samson refuses to be quiet about library measures

Winnipeg singer-songwriter and former Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson released a new solo single Thursday in support of activist group Millennium for All and its desire to retract the heightened security measures implemented at the downtown library last year.

The track, Millennium For All, was written in protest of those increased security measures — which critics have said are barriers to entry, especially for marginalized and vulnerable people — as well as the decrease in funding for all of the city's public libraries. It includes the talents of many recognizable local names such as Ashley Au, Scott Nolan, Jason Tait and Samson's frequent collaborator (and wife), singer-songwriter Christine Fellows.

The song and accompanying stop-motion video made by Fellows is available on YouTube now.

Samson, along with Fellows, has close ties to Millennium Library: the pair acted as writers in residence there in 2016-2017.

Alarm sounded over school divisions’ silence

A near-blanket refusal by Manitoba school divisions to provide information about teacher misconduct is “insulting” and “nonsensical,” privacy experts say.

Esoteric hair works meant to muss up mores

Sandra Klowak likes playing with hair, though not all of it is hers.

Every day she twists and pulls, deftly twirling and looping strands into intricate shapes.

Petals bloom beneath her fingers, lank locks and wavy curls coil into tightly furled roses and wide-open blossoms with buttons for pistils.

The artist weaves and sculpts body matter into art for clients who want to memorialize loved ones in an intimate and profoundly personal manner.