Free Press Community Review: West

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Danny Carroll, a Manitoban pianist and composer, is playing a concert to celebrate world piano day on Saturday, March 28 at St. Andrews River Heights United Church.

West edition news in brief — week of March 11, 2026

FP Community Review staff 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

It’s registration time in Macdonald–Headingley

The Macdonald-Headingly Recreation District spring-summer 2026 program and community resource guide will go live online on Monday, March 16, with registration for programs opening at noon.

Something for everyone is on offer, too. From fitness and yoga to children’s sports such as baseball, softball and soccer; from dance to active aging to summer camps.

For full details, visit www.mhrd.ca

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Photo by RoseAnna Schick
The Twelve Apostles are a famous rock formation situated along the Great Ocean Road in Australia.

Exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road

RoseAnna Schick 4 minute read Preview

Exploring Australia’s Great Ocean Road

RoseAnna Schick 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:50 PM CDT

People who like road trips will love the Great Ocean Road in the southeastern Australian province of Victoria. Known as one of the world’s most stunning drives, it features dazzling scenery of white beaches, coastal cliffs, lush forests, and spectacular natural formations.

Construction on the road began in 1919, when servicemen returned home from the First World War. Carved through rock and hugging the coastline for over 240 kilometres, the Great Ocean Road took more than a decade to complete and was dedicated in honour Australia’s fallen soldiers. Today, it’s considered the world’s largest war memorial.

The Great Ocean Road begins in Torquay, a town southwest of Melbourne. From there it stretches west along the shoreline to Allansford, passing through coastal towns with fascinating attractions and incredible views.

Torquay is famous for surf culture and being the birthplace of some of surfing’s most iconic brands. It delivers the quintessential Australian seaside experience, with an atmosphere that mixes bougie and beach culture, blending laid‑back coastal vibes with world‑class beaches. It’s a great place to learn how to surf, with several schools offering group and private lessons from beginner right on up. While the rest of us quietly sip coffee on the nearest patio and enjoy watching surfers carve up the waves.

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Yesterday at 4:50 PM CDT

Supplied photo by Leif Norman
Métis fiddler Gilles Crevier and his daughter Sara, on washboard, played at the premiere of Everything We Need is Here.

‘Mother Earth, she’s a mother to all of us…’

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 5 minute read Preview

‘Mother Earth, she’s a mother to all of us…’

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Katharina Stieffenhofer’s latest documentary film, Everything We Need is Here, is a love poem to the Earth — woven from themes of nature, connection, and resistance.

With stunning imagery and multi-layered stories, it explores trauma, resilience, and ecological justice in a meditation on how human well-being is inseparable from the health of the land. It is ultimately a hopeful story of healing — one woman’s recovery intertwined with a community’s determination to defend the forests that sustain them.

“We need intact nature, trees and forests, not just for our well-being, but for our survival,” said Stieffenhofer, an East Fort Garry resident. “If we connect with nature and with each other, we are more likely to protect everything we need that is already here. I am also hoping to deepen the understanding of the impacts of resource extraction on our Indigenous communities — 100 per cent of critical minerals in Northern Manitoba are located on Indigenous ancestral lands.”

The official premiere of Everything We Need is Here was held last month at the Park Theatre. The Feast for the Senses event featured food catered by chef Ben Kramer, an opening prayer drum song by Marcel Hardisty and Terrance Bruce, musical performances by Métis fiddler Gilles Crevier and his washboard-playing daughter Sara, and musical improvisation by Keri Latimer/ÓFukami accompanied by her theremin and her houseplant.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

All in the family

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 5 minute read Preview

All in the family

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 5 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Celebrating 60 years in the community this year, Jensen’s Nursery and Garden Centre has built a legacy of this family-owned and-operated nursery and garden centre is one community and customer service.

Located at 2550 McGillivray Blvd., just outside city limits in Oak Bluff (but inside the Perimeter Highway), the nursery and garden centre is a hidden gem. There are no bold and flashing signs or big fancy banners, but walking into the site takes you through everything one could want to create beautiful outdoor and indoor gardens.

Storm, a hefty grey boy-cat, walks alongside customers from beginning to end of the greenhouse, while hazel-eyed Chloe, the orange girl-cat, oversees day-to-day operations from her box on the front counter.

“Cats are the most important part of the greenhouse,” Susan Jensen Stubbe said, with a chuckle.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Supplied photo by Greg Nykiforuk
Thandi Vera, who plays Dr. Dorothy Watson in Hood & Dagger’s Miss Holmes, grew up in Zimbabwe watching various Sherlock Holmes adaptations with her family, a tradition she continues now that she calls the Exchange District home.

Fresh take on Holmes anything but elementary

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Fresh take on Holmes anything but elementary

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

The game is certainly afoot for one local theatre troupe.

Hood & Dagger Productions is currently gearing up for its third show of the season. Miss Holmes, a take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective tales, runs May 7 to 10 at the Martial-Caron Theatre at Université de Saint-Boniface.

The production is the company’s largest to date, with 16 locals in the cast and many more working behind the scenes. In this version of the Holmes story, written by Christopher M. Walsh, Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson investigate a corrupt police inspector whose wives keep ending up dead.

Thandi Vera, who plays Watson, grew up in Zimbabwe watching various Sherlock Holmes adaptations with her family, a tradition she continues now that she calls the Exchange District home.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Serving the prairies with pride

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Serving the prairies with pride

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Four local tennis players recently represented the prairies with pride on the national stage.

Mariya Gedz, Jett Nguyen, Hudson Joseph Van Den Bussche, and Natalina Zappia all qualified to represent Team Prairies at the Tennis Canada Fischer Indoor Junior National Championships at the U16 level.

The event was held at Club de tennis Île des Sœurs, Montreal, Que., from March 22 to 29.

In the U16 boys singles tournament, Nguyen was defeated by ninth-seeded Ilya Sherifali 6-1, 6-0 in the second round. In the U16 boys doubles, Nguyen and Van Den Bussche lost to Milan Grabovica and Eli Thomas Marks 6-4, 6-3 in the round of 32. As well as his doubles appearance with Nguyen, Van Den Bussche was defeated by Simon Stoyanov 6-0, 6-3 in the first round.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

City news in brief — week of April 15, 2026

FP Community Review staff 2 minute read Preview

City news in brief — week of April 15, 2026

FP Community Review staff 2 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Bike Winnipeg to hold AGM on April 18

Mother Nature may have the last say on when exactly most Winnipeggers will break out their bicycles this spring.

Nevertheless, in preparation for the cycling season, Bike Winnipeg will hold its annual general meeting at Ralph Brown Community Centre (520 Machray Ave.) on Saturday, April 18 between 1 and 4 p.m. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

According to Bike Winnipeg’s website, the event will include voting for re-election of several current board members (people must have a paid membership to vote).

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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A fun way to get together and get to know your neighbours is by hosting a community block party.

Help make our community safer, more vibrant

John Orlikow 3 minute read Preview

Help make our community safer, more vibrant

John Orlikow 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Building the kind of neighbourhoods, we want to be a part of doesn’t happen by accident – we all have a role to play in making our communities as safe and welcoming as possible for everyone.

For many of us, that starts with keeping our homes, garages and property protected. To help give you, your family and friends tips on crime prevention and personal safety, I will be hosting two free community forums, along with my senior staff member, Georgina, and the Winnipeg Police Service later this month.

Join us on Saturday April 25, 202at 3:30 p.m. at Linden Woods Community Centre (414 Lindenwood Dr.) or on Monday, April 27 at 7p.m. at the Corydon Community Centre – River Heights Site (1370 Grosvenor Ave.).

At both events, WPS members will share the best ways to secure our homes and personal property and answer any questions you may have. I hope to see you there as we all work together to keep River Heights-Fort Garry as safe as possible.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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The annual Children’s Hospital Book Market at St. Vital Centre is a treasure trove for collectors of sports books. This year’s market runs from April 24 to 26.

So many sports books, so little time

T. Kent Morgan 6 minute read Preview

So many sports books, so little time

T. Kent Morgan 6 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

The Children’s Hospital Book Market will be held at the St. Vital Shopping Centre from Friday, April 24 through Sunday, April 26. It’s hard to believe, but this year will be year 66 for the volunteer-run event that raises funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba through the sale of used books.

The book market always has a special section devoted to sports books, and this columnist will be staffing it from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on April 24. Stop by to say hello and, more importantly, purchase books. As a reader, collector and historian, I have been adding to my much-to-large personal collection for several decades.

On the opening morning, several collectors will be waiting for the volunteers to uncover the sports books and allow the battles to begin for the treasures. One regular comes for Montreal Canadiens books he doesn’t have. Another goes to the golf section in the hope of finding instructional books that will help his game. Parents ask for recommendations of books that might generate more interest in reading for their athletic children.

The largest section is hockey, and I guarantee it will include at least one copy of Manitoba Hockey: A History, by Vince Leah that was published as a provincial centennial project in 1970 by the Manitoba Hockey Players Foundation. One year I found a copy signed by NHLers Bill Mosienko and Bill Juzda, as well as by the author. A signed copy of Cowboy on Ice, a biography of the colourful former pro Howie Young, often shows up, as it was published in Winnipeg.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Jacks would love to brighten your day

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Preview

Jacks would love to brighten your day

Manitoba Mutts 2 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Hi! My name is Jacks and am a very happy boy, 24/7. I even wag my tail while I’m drinking out of my water dish or eating out of my food dish.

My favourite times of the day are breakfast and dinner, as I love food. Although I’m not a high-energy dog, I really enjoy some exercise but like spending most of my day taking long naps, and you will often find me wherever all the humans are hanging out, especially snuggling on the couch. I would consider this one of my top hobbies.

I am fully house-trained and fully crate-trained.

I am good with adults and older kids, over age 12. I have a strong prey drive, so it’s best that I am not with small pets or other dogs. A fenced yard would be ideal.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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Unfortunately, this is a time of year at which some scammers target students with fake promises of easygoing, high-paying gigs.

Be wary of job scams this summer

Better Business Bureau 4 minute read Preview

Be wary of job scams this summer

Better Business Bureau 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

The summer job churn is here and postings for temporary staff are cropping up across the province. It’s an exciting time for many – when we learn the habits, skills and competencies that will carry us into our professional careers. It’s also when we will make lifelong friends and put some money in the bank to get us through another Manitoba winter.

But, alongside the opportunity and excitement lies an increased risk. Scammers are targeting casual workers, especially university students, to see if they can lure them into their fake promises of easygoing, high-paying gigs.

It often begins with an email to a student’s university email account. The scammer may try to impersonate a professor, a human resources service centre or a company in the community. They’ll offer the student a summer job that seems easy and pays well. At some point, the scammer will say that part of the job requires purchasing supplies for the soon-to-be employee or the company. This should alert all your senses. They’ll mail a cheque and tell the student to use it to pay for the supplies before keeping the rest as a payment. The supplies may include gift cards, money orders or prepaid debit cards. The student will be instructed to send these elsewhere or even perform an electronic transfer to another individual.

Since it can take a bank weeks to verify a cheque, the student won’t know that the cheque they received will bounce and they’ll be out all the money they used to purchase these things for the “company”. The scammer will have the prepaid cards or e-transfers, and the student will likely never see that money again.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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Retired family doctor Jeff Sisler now gives back to the community by volunteering with Health English Language Pro, which connects Canadian physicians with internationally trained, newcomer doctors.

Helping new doctors with English

Colin Fraser 4 minute read Preview

Helping new doctors with English

Colin Fraser 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Retired Winnipeg doctor Jeff Sisler is always genuinely heartened by the reaction he gets when he lets others know what he is up to.

Sisler, a family doctor for 35 years in a variety of roles, including with CancerCare Manitoba, the University of Manitoba’s department of family medicine and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, is a volunteer with Health English Language Pro (HELP), a program that connects Canadian physicians with newcomer, internationally trained doctors.

“People are impressed and pleased that this kind of thing goes on, and I think the general public knows there a lot of need in Canada for more health professionals and there are a lot of internationally trained people who are fighting hard to get into practice,” said Sisler, who was always heavily involved in teaching clinics and providing professional learning environments in family medicine before hanging up his stethoscope for good in 2022.

“Helping that happen is a good thing to be involved in.”

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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1JustCity’s Pimicikamak Wellness Centre is located in the former Balmoral Hotel at 621 Balmoral St.

Together we can make the impossible possible

Wanda Prychitko 3 minute read Preview

Together we can make the impossible possible

Wanda Prychitko 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

This is a time for reflection. A time to consider your role in the community. With so many people struggling, it is difficult to believe you can make a difference – but you can.

I recently attended a presentation by Josh Ward, site lead at the Pimicikamak Wellness Centre, located at 621 Balmoral St., and operated by 1JustCity.

In 2009, a group of five ministries from the Winnipeg Presbytery of the United Church of Canada set out under the name 1HopeWinnipeg to offer a variety of programs. In 2015, the name was changed to 1JustCity, and the organization supports drop-in centres in the West End, West Broadway, and Osborne Village neighbourhoods

Its mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive community that uplifts marginalized individuals and families.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

Photo by Dana Mohr
Even dogs dislike the slushy, mucky months of March and April

Betwixt and between

Dana Mohr 3 minute read Preview

Betwixt and between

Dana Mohr 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

I’m going to be blunt. I profoundly dislike the month of March and April is not much better. Making a bold statement against two months that perhaps many of you enjoy may provoke ire, but so be it.

These months have an identity crisis. t’s not really winter anymore, and despite what the calendar would have us believe, it’s not really spring. They are the “between” months, the “almost” months, the “not quite” months.

Not much can happen in March and April. It’s either too cold, too rainy, too icy, too snowy, or too slushy. Sometimes all on the same day. Winter sports are slowly ending; it can be May before the summer ones kick in. Stragglers on the Wildwood cross country ski trails negotiate their way through ice, water, and mud. Thanks to volunteers maintaining the trails, people are eking out every bit of pleasure they can, while they can.

We are heading towards golf season, but it’s a way off yet. The new clubhouse is rising (more on that soon), but we are at least a month away from swinging a club. We won’t be swinging our tennis rackets any time soon either. The snow level is shrinking on the courts, but the beginning of the season is not yet within reach.

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Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2026

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Manitoba’s parks reservation service opens for provincial campground reservations on Monday, April 13.

News in brief – week of April 8, 2026

– FP Community Review staff 4 minute read Preview

News in brief – week of April 8, 2026

– FP Community Review staff 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Campground reservation service opens April 13

Manitoba’s parks reservation service will soon open for the 2026 camping season.

Campground reservations will again open in stages over five days, from Monday, April 13 to Friday, April 17, with each day open for reservation of different campground types in different areas of the province.

The reservation service will open each day at 7 a.m. Reservations can be made online at manitobaparks.com or by calling 1-888-482-2267 (toll-free) or 204-948-3333 (in Winnipeg). Reservations can also be made in-person in Winnipeg from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday at 1181 Portage Ave.

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Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

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Artist Cori Jaye Ettienne is pictured in creative mode in her home studio. The St. Vital resident is participating in Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art’s 22nd annual Over the Top Art Auction and Cupcake Party, which will be held on April 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 329 Cumberland Ave.

Art, endless cupcakes, and a great cause

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Art, endless cupcakes, and a great cause

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

Art… and cupcakes? What’s not to like?

Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art is set to hold its 22nd annual Over the Top Art Auction and Cupcake Party on Sunday, April 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 329 Cumberland Ave.

The event will showcase the work of more than 190 artists, who have all donated one of their creations for the upcoming auction. And just to be clear… it is the artworks that will be auctioned not the cupcakes.

The fundraiser features works from established names in the local art scene, as well as up-and-coming talents, with pieces that should appeal to all tastes and budgets, said Shawna Dempsey, MAWA’s co-executive director.

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Wednesday, Apr. 8, 2026

April 17, 2026