Under the covers

Local readers of romance now have a dedicated book shop to call their own.

Bound to Please Books is a new romance-focused bookstore which aims to highlight local authors. Located at 995 McPhillips St., Bound to Please sells new and used romance novels of both the racy and cosy varieties, along with a good mix of everything in between.

For owner Dylan Yuen, having a bookstore that can also act as a community space is a dream come true.

“When I was younger, there used to be Sam’s Place, which used to be a bookstore and café (in Elmwood) and they would have concerts there,” Yuen said. “Now its just a café. One of my cousins performed there once and I was like, ‘I want to have a place like that, a bookstore where people could come and perform, too.’

Local all-femme indie band Strawberry Punch will make its Festival du Voyageur debut on the evening of Feb. 13 in the festival’s Forest Tent, a day before the release of its second single, Pocket.

The twee pop quartet consists of Gen Z musicians Tuva Bergstrom (bass, vocals), Freja Haight (lead guitar), Brandy Lafond (drums) and Danielle (Danny) McDonald (vocals).

McDonald describes the band as sounding like “the ’90s does ’60s in the future” and “women in women-dominated fields.”

“The vibe, the music, the energy — for us, a lot of what we write about and what inspires us is girls,” she said. “Our shows are full of beautiful women … (It’s a) celebration of women, of girlhood, of femininity and fun.”

Seeing ourselves through a different lens

New audiences are getting to see some of the best documentaries made in Manitoba thanks to the launch of a new channel on YouTube.

The Manitoba Documentary Archive has been created by DOC Manitoba, an organization which represents professional documentary filmmakers in the province, to showcase locally created work to audiences across the globe.

Jeff Newman, founder and president of St. Boniface-based Nüman Films and a DOC Manitoba board member, said the archive gives filmmakers the chance to present their creations to broader audiences, while also prolonging the lives of their respective projects.

“The archive started because, as a documentary filmmaker myself, many of us have made films over the years locally, such as MTS Stories From Home, that had their run and now they’re sitting on shelves or hard drives collecting dust,” Newman said, noting that the initiative is being supported by provincial funding agency Manitoba Film & Music, local industry association On Screen Manitoba, as well as DOC Manitoba.

Sew what?

It is in Anna Schmidt’s nature to sew and to teach. Now, as the Winnipeg Public Library’s first maker-in-residence of 2026, she will be doing both.

“I had a day job (as an educator) elsewhere for a very long time, but I’ve been sewing since I was a teenager,” Schmidt said.

“I got quite interested in quilting, in particular, about seven years ago, and had lots of time to focus on it during the pandemic. Since retiring, it’s been my full-time pursuit. I find it a very satisfying art form. I’m interested in it both as an art and a practical activity, and particularly interested in making it accessible to people.”

Schmidt, a resident of the Exchange District who grew up in St. James and spent the bulk of her adult life in Fort Garry, will act as the library’s maker-in-residence through May. Schmidt markets her own creations by way of Common Loon Quilts, and also takes on commission work. She said she applied for the position as a means of pushing herself past her comfort zone.

City unveils winning snow plow names

It’s now going to be a little easier for folks to identify the City of Winnipeg’s fleet of snowplows.

The city recently ran its inaugural Name that Plow contest, which garnered more than 1,700 entries.

“Thank you to all the Winnipeggers who brought the creativity, humour, and local references to our first ever Name that Plow contest,” Mayor Scott Gillingham in a news release.

“The submissions were incredible and the names are a fun way to celebrate the hardworking crews who keep our streets, sidewalks, and pathways cleared all winter long.”

East edition news in brief — week of Feb. 4, 2026

NGCC Valentine’s dance set for Feb. 6

Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre (26 Molgat Ave.) will host a Valentine’s tween dance on Friday, Feb. 6 from 7 to 9 p.m.

According to the centre’s website, the event is aimed at youth aged nine to 12, and there will be snacks available for purchase.

Visit norberry-glenlee.ca or call 204-256-6654 for more information.

Building connections in River Park South

As we begin a new year, I want to wish everyone in River Park South, and across Seine River, a very happy and healthy 2026. The start of a new year is always a great time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and to look ahead to the moments that will bring us together in the months to come.

A big part of that foundation comes from the work of the River Park South Community Association. Through its efforts, our community continues to be a place where people feel valued, supported, and proud to call home.

Throughout 2025, the River Park South Community Association was busy bringing neighbours together with a variety of community events. These included a spring craft sale with nearly 30 local vendors, the community garage sale in June, and the association’s annual general meeting. Each gathering offered residents a chance to connect and take part in community life.

The association also hosted its annual Canada Day celebration, which continues to be the largest event of the year. In the fall, a meet-and-greet was held for the Louis Riel School Division trustee by‑election nominees, and during the holiday season, the association sponsored four families through the Christmas Cheer Board’s hamper program. I was proud to support this program by serving as a drop-off location for donations.

Better health care for Riel

As your MLA for Riel, I’m pleased to share several important developments that will strengthen health care access, support older adults, and make everyday interactions with our health system simpler and more reliable for families across Manitoba.

One of the most significant steps forward is the creation of the Manitoba seniors’ advocate, an independent office dedicated to ensuring older adults receive the support, dignity, and care they deserve. The seniors’ advocate will provide a clear, trusted voice who will be monitoring services, identifying gaps, and advocating for improvements across housing, health care, transportation, and social supports. This is an important commitment to transparency and accountability, and it reflects what many of you have told me – seniors deserve a champion who is fully focused on their wellbeing.

We are also modernizing how Manitobans access their health information with the launch of the digital health card; this follows the shift to a plastic health card last year. This secure, convenient option allows you to carry your Manitoba Health coverage right on your smartphone. For families juggling multiple cards, or anyone who has ever misplaced one, this is a practical improvement that brings our health system into the digital age. Instructions for obtaining both the digital and plastic cards are on the Manitoba Health website – www.gov.mb.ca/health – or you can always contact my office for assistance.

The province has also introduced www.MediNav.ca, an online system designed to make booking medical appointments faster and more user friendly. MediNav allows you to search for available appointments, manage bookings, and receive reminders, all in one place. This is part of a broader effort to reduce frustration, cut down on phone line wait times, and give Manitobans more control over their own care.

Make fewer plans, slow down… enjoy

One of the most underrated tips for travel is to learn as much as you can about a destination before you get there.

Take, for example, my recent trip to Ireland. I didn’t know much about Ireland’s history, but my nephew downloaded a documentary for us to watch during the overseas flight, and it provided insight into the religious, political, and territorial divisions which ultimately separated the country into Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This gave me a better understanding of the landscape, the people, and the different opinions I would hear depending on where I was. It made me aware of the divide that is prominent in Ireland today.

One of my personal favourite tips is to travel with intent, instead of a checklist. Pick one or two anchors each day for the ‘must-see landmarks’ – and then go with the flow when it comes to everything else. Take a wrong turn on purpose. Sit in a café longer than planned. Stroll though a nearby park. Pop into the gallery you’ve walked past three times. When sprinting from landmark to landmark, you’re missing out on all the other little unexpected adventures. The best stories don’t come from monuments. They come from the moments you didn’t anticipate.

When it comes to another language, a little effort goes a long way. While you don’t need to be fluent, learn how to say a few simple phrases such as “hello,” “have a good day,” “please,” “thank you,” and “pardon me.” Knowing how to say “Do you speak English?” can also be helpful. Knowing a few words of a country’s language can help break the ice, encourage friendliness and improve your overall experience. You stop being ‘just another tourist’ and start being seen as an international guest who has respect for learning about the language and culture.

A look back at the MCA Bonspiel

For many years, the annual Manitoba Curling Association bonspiel, known as the MCA, was labelled as the oldest, the largest, the greatest in the curling world. It ran every January, often into February, and it roots can be traced back to 1889, to what was called the annual bonspiel of the Manitoba Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. That bonspiel continued until 1907.

The first MCA bonspiel was held in 1908 and continued until 2013. What is now known as the Manitoba Open began in 2014. The current format is much different with a main bonspiel, a half-spiel, and a one-day fun event for new curlers. Jay Kinnaird’s rink from Virden was the 2026 winner of the Open.

In a history of the bonspiel researched by several curling historians for Curl Manitoba, it was determined that in 1906 the winner of the most games in the open events would be proclaimed bonspiel champion and the Grand Aggregate winner. This tradition continued until 2009 when there was a format change for the bonspiel, from two open events to one.

The Strathcona club, which was once located on Furby Place, but no longer exists, produced the most Grand Aggregate champions. The Granite was second and the Thistle third. Topping the list from Strathcona is Ken Watson, who would belong on any Mount Rushmore of Manitoba curlers. He skipped his first aggregate championship team in 1939 and won six in a row from 1942 to 1947. His brother Grant curled third. Gordon Hudson skipped four aggregate champions from the Strathcona and one earlier in his career while curling in Kenora. In 1941, the aggregate was a three-way tie between Hudson and clubmates Bob Gourley and Leo Johnson. Gordon’s son Bruce skipped a Strathcona winner in 1961.

Meet easygoing Groopert

Hi, I’m Groopert.

I’m an easygoing boy who loves chewing bones and going for walks.

I am fully house-trained and I am very good at letting my foster mom know when I need to go outside. I am crate-trained and I go in the crate when my foster mom is not home, but I don’t love it in there yet. I complain when I first go in, but I will settle into a nap after a few minutes.

I am good with other dogs. In fact, I quite like seeing other dogs on walks and meeting them for playdates. But my foster mom doesn’t know how I will be with cats. She says that I don’t seem to have a high prey drive, but I am a pretty curious puppy and I might annoy some cats.

Think twice about that health trend ad

Weeks into the new year, many are looking to refine their weight-loss journeys. Resolutions and goals for 2026 have left us ready to peel off the pounds, improve our mental and physical health, and achieve greater overall wellness. Fortunately for us, there is “help” everywhere we turn. Unfortunately for us, many of these purportedly “helpful” programs are scams.

In the wellness world, scams prevail due to high consumer demand to get fit quick. Every company pushes different ideas on diet, workouts and supplements. The secrets and shortcuts they promise are often as elusive as the company themselves. Now the already tricky world of fitness influencing has become that much more deceiving due to AI. Artificial intelligence has helped companies pump out marketing materials that appeal to their target audiences. They may use deep fakes of popular celebrities such as Oprah or Kelly Clarkson. And when fans trust those celebrities, they trust the products they get behind.

One victim recently reported their experience to the BBB ScamTracker: “I purchased gummies that were supposed to help with weight loss. Kelly Clarkson celebrity-endorsed the product and I trusted her; however, they used her AI likeness to scam people. I contacted the company to cancel my account and any transactions. They keep charging my account.”

Such scams range from complete fraud to partial fraud. Some consumers may never receive the products they buy. Others get them, but they don’t work, despite how they’re marketed. The marketing tactics have become sophisticated with little regard for the truth, from fake AI scenes of the company’s owner on reputable shows such as Dragon’s Den to paying popular online influencers to back their products, despite never having used them.

In the arms of the angel

We can’t see them, hear them or touch them. But I truly believe in guardian angels.

For some context – 2025 was a rough year for my family. My teenage daughter (who gave me permission to write about this), was born with a congenital heart condition and required multiple surgeries as a newborn. This past year, she spent over a month in the hospital which culminated in flying to Edmonton for another open heart surgery last fall. The fact that now – after numerous visits to children’s emergency, infections, complications, and a late-night ambulance ride to the hospital – she is still able to do all the teenager-y things she loves to do, such as go to the mall and hang out with friends is evidence enough for me that guardian angels must exist.

If more proof is needed, we were recently driving home after a cardiac appointment at the HSC Children’s Heart Centre and were stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, I inched forward slowly, as the roads were very icy. Halfway through the intersection, a van suddenly sped through the red light, crossing right in front of us.

If we had started moving even a few milliseconds earlier, that van would have slammed right into the passenger side of our car – right where my daughter, still recuperating from her open heart surgery, was sitting.

Fresh fruit and vegetables for Chalmers

Being able to find groceries, especially fresh food, is essential for people in any neighbourhood. For residents of Elmwood and Glenelm, a recent Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation event offering free fruit and vegetables was a good chance to stock up on these necessary food items.

According to a Dec. 4, 2025, Free Press article by Ian Bickis, researchers with the Food Price Report predicted an inflation rate of up to three per cent for fruit and six per cent for vegetables in 2026, which will add almost $1,000 in costs for a family of four. In Elmwood, the problem of high costs is exacerbated by limited access to fresh food.

The Winnipeg Foundation’s website notes that Glenelm, Chalmers, and Elmwood are food deserts, where “residents face significant barriers to obtaining fresh, nutritious food.” Although the RNJ Supermarket recently opened its doors, fresh food at the store is still somewhat limited.

For some residents of the area, the Better Access to Groceries (BAG) program is a good way of getting the food they need for nutritious meals. With smaller bags for a family of three to four people costing $5, and larger bags for five to six people costing $10, the program provides nutritious food for many people. For people unable to manage the cost or the amount of food they would receive a new food rescue program could be the answer.