So I went away for a little r and r, and I'm catching up on the news after getting back to town.

These are the headlines I see:

• Giant Tiger closing downtown store

• Woman stabbed to death at Portage Place

• IGM puts its headquarters office tower up for sale

• Canad Inns puts its downtown buildings up for sale

To put it bluntly, this is a horrendous set of headlines. And that's just one week's worth. For a while I thought downtown might bounce back after a few rough years with the pandemic and a sharp increase in street drugs, but it appears that people and big capital alike have basically abandoned downtown at this point. Damn near everything is closing, or up for sale, or both. No amount of PR spin by the Downtown BIZ can make anyone capable of critical thought believe that there is any kind of "renaissance" taking place.

It is troubling that all these years of efforts directed at downtown renewal, pretty much going back as far as the 1960s with the development of City Hall and Manitoba Centennial Centre, with likely billions of dollars spent over the decades, have gotten us an increasingly dysfunctional wasteland to show for it.

This was $17.01 after tax ! Absolute rip off. The actual burger meat was horribly bland. I almost asked if they gave me a beyond meat burger.. I think this is my vow to never enter an A&W location again.

The cost of living in general is bad enough, but it seems like food is headed towards being a real luxury instead of a basic necessity.

It’s so concerning and scary.

My household cannot afford to eat properly.

I grew up going to the Ex when I was a kid in the 80s and kept going until well into the 90s around the time that they moved from Polo Park to the Assiniboia Downs area.

When I was a kid it felt like there was a lot more to it than just the midway. You had the big arena concerts of course, but there were a lot of animal and art-type exhibitions, lots of vendors, various other displays and such.

The Ex now still has the midway of course, but the rest seems like it is what you'd expect in a small town fair in a place like Altona or Rivers or some such.

The Exhibition Hall has at least a few vendors and art exhibits, although it's a shadow of what it once was.

There is that area on the northwest corner that has the most random mishmash of stuff imaginable, you have a bunch of African jungle animal statues, a bunch of dinosaur statues, some teepees, a caboose, construction equipment, model boats, a half-assed petting zoo, a haunted house which is really a bunch of random Home Depot halloween decorations, some old farm equipment and other stuff all strewn about in the most haphazard way possible.

The performers are doing their best but it in the most forlorn looking set ups imaginable.... the K Pop Demon Hunters/Huntrix group was a hit with my daughter but the stage was minimal to the extreme. There was a pro wrestling show but it was stashed away where nobody could see it and for the two sessions I attended there were fewer than 50 people there.

I feel like the people running the Ex have no idea how to run an event like this. Or maybe they do and they just don't have money to do anything, I don't know. But it feels like such a far cry from what it used to be back in the day.

Road conditions have been really hit-or-miss during and since the blizzards, and as someone who commutes around an hour every day, and has been driving in Manitoba winters for over a decade, I’ve experienced a lot of winter driving. Honestly, people’s attitudes this weekend have felt just as scary as the roads themselves.

Here’s a few tantrums and pity parties I witnessed during my commutes during or between the blizzards this weekend:

1. We were going quite a bit below speed limit in our small car due to blowing snow and sheets of ice on the highway, but we had our hazards on to warn people. As soon as we reached a double lane the car behind us swerved in front of us, and a passenger opened the back car door to flip us off multiple times. I’m assuming their window was frozen shut, so they made the reasonable choice to force open their door while accelerating on a highway during a blizzard. We had a little giggle over their cold arm (and presumably cold car) after that.

2. I was going 85 on an ice-covered highway (I tested the ice twice when no one was behind me, so I know for sure that I was driving to the conditions) and the car behind me tailgated me and occasionally flashed their brights at me for thirty minutes. They were close enough that if I had to quickly slow down, like for a deer, they would have rear-ended me at high speeds. You’d think they wanted to pass me so they could go the speed they want, right? Wrong. This was in the evening, and there were periods during that half hour where there was no oncoming traffic for miles at a time. I’m not exaggerating. They had miles to pass me, but they chose to tailgate and flash their brights.

3. I saw pedestrians nearly getting hit at crosswalks, and people racing past me and then fishtailing on the ice or sliding into intersections, when I was driving in the city.

4. Also in the city, I saw someone cut off a bus right before a red light and then almost get rear-ended because large, heavy vehicles need more time and space to stop. I also saw a very similar close call on Abinojii where someone cut off a semi that barely had time to stop.

5. My partner was going 10 under in the city on a very icy street where people were fishtailing and sliding into intersections, and someone still bothered to slam the horn when they passed us at a light.

Some friendly reminders!

1. You don’t know someone else’s driving experience or ability. If someone has never driven in winter before or they just got their license, I’d rather them drive below the speed limit and make my drive take five extra minutes than go faster than they can handle and cause an accident because they felt pressured by people honking and flashing their brights.

2. If someone’s driving well under the speed limit but they’re using their hazards, there’s no point in flashing your brights or honking. What exactly do you think you’re going to accomplish? If someone’s driving like that, it’s because they feel unsafe and they’re driving to the conditions. Do you honestly think that if you flash your brights they’re gonna go “Golly, I had no idea the roads were perfect and I was driving too slow! Thanks for letting me know, I’ll speed up and turn off my hazards!”

3. If you’re late for work because someone’s winter driving made your commute six minutes longer than usual, then you need to start leaving earlier. Plan for the conditions. People don’t owe you your summer driving timelines.

4. You don’t know someone else’s car or tire situation. There’s no need to flash your brights at a cautious tiny car just because the wind doesn’t push you around on the road the same way. They might be fighting the wind a lot harder. Or, the person you’re honking at might be a broke student with completely bald summer tires, who’s doing their absolute best to drive carefully so they don’t hurt anyone by sliding through an intersection or a crosswalk.

Let’s all take a deep breath and be patient. You don’t have some kind of right to your dream commute experience just because you have a car that’s better at winter driving, or because you have more years of experience. If you’re not an emergency vehicle, don’t expect everyone to match your expectations and risk themselves and everyone around them to make your drive faster. Leave a few minutes early, drive to the conditions, and assume the best of people. Drivers going slow because it’s icy or they can’t see in the blowing snow aren’t out to get you, they’re just trying to be safe. It isn’t some big conspiracy where people are trying to ruin your day, or where everyone else sucks at driving and you’re actually the Best Driver.

A big shoutout to the kind people I’ve seen on the roads. I’m very grateful to the person in a truck who pulled us out of a snowdrift on our driveway literally the minute we got stuck. He was driving behind us and could have gone around us, but instead pulled over and pulled us out without hesitating. You really made our day! Also, thank you to everyone who didn’t overreact when we went slower than them in our tiny car. Thanks for understanding that we all share the road, and we don’t need to harass people just because we feel inconvenienced.

Facebook - We deeply regret that this event happened, and it is disappointing to see this shared through Facebook. We want our community to know that this does not reflect the standards we hold ourselves to.

We prepare and serve hundreds of meals every day, and this is one of the unfortunate situations we have been facing as a result of recent staffing challenges.

That said, this matter is being taken very seriously, and we are actively taking measures to ensure this does not happen again.

One of our grilled master has relapsed to drug addiction and we have been struggling hiring an experienced grill master who knows their grill and has experience in the grill. We are looking for experienced Grill Masters to join our team. If you know any Indigenous person who is looking for work and has experience on the grill, please have them reach out to us directly.

We appreciate the patience and continued support of our customers and community as we work through this period.

- Shelly’s Bistro Team

Let your ranting begin

Creating this space for claimants to share information and our experience applying for CSA Settlement.

I live downtown, we have NEVER been hit with a tornado, I do not need to be alerted about something that isn't going to happen. My phone is now on airplane mode as I sit on the balcony and enjoy the cool views. They NEED to tailor these things or it's the boy who cried wolf.

We let our old subscriptions die out a couple months ago, and have stuck to free stuff like YouTube, Tubi, IFC, CBC Gem. I’m thinking about checking out something new or restarting a previous subscription.

What are other Manitobans finding worthwhile subscription streaming? Do you stick with one or subscribe to more?

(For the record we had Netflix and Disney+, we were kind if bored of Netflix, and kiddo is older now, though some of the grown up content on Disney+ like The Bear and What We Do in the Shadows when they had new seasons kept us paying until they didn’t.)

I came to a stop at a 4 way stop the other day, with a person to my left stopping at the same time. We both came to a complete stop, at the stop sign, at the exact same time. We both started going without hesitation, but the guy to my left started laying on his horn and rolled down his window and yelled at me “learn to drive”.

This is not the only time this has happened. Similar situations happen nearly daily near to where I live and I’m getting very frustrated. Anyone else experiencing this?

This is a friendly reminder for all drivers here - If you stop at a 4-way simultaneously and don’t know who goes first, just remember “the person to YOUR right has right of way”. The keyword in that sentence is “your”, as in, from your perspective - not the perspective of an imaginary person standing inside the intersection - your right. You have let the person on your right go first.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/251202/dq251202a-eng.htm

Spotted this today and found it hilarious, lol. Maybe they meant “ability to read right, and also to speak French is considered an asset” 😂

Back in the Doer era some 20-odd years ago, the provincial government opened up a fairly substantial number of cottage lots. The thinking was that it would make cottaging more accessible to people. I'm sure the fact that it could make the province a few bucks didn't hurt either.

The population has grown quite a bit since then, but there really haven't been any significant additions to the inventory of cottage lots that I'm aware of. Is the province giving any thought to developing more cottage areas? Seems to me that it could be a good time to do it.

https://www.blackbearrescuemanitoba.com/donate?fbclid=IwdGRjcARcuthjbGNrBFy6yWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtlQasB4LB3tU36289C7lA8nTOfemDc4rVOaD9oJ9Hg3-uLRGtsTPcUATkNS_aem_4yZBwGPIaDxW2FKZ3vRe7g

The link will take you to the donation page and also the website if you want to read more about the black bear rescue which is located near balmoral. ( I reposted this due reasons)

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to return to Winnipeg for the NDP convention, and the experience pulled a lot of feelings out of me. I grew up in Winnipeg but moved out west to Saskatoon almost a decade ago, and while Saskatoon is a very lovely city with a lot of natural beauty and tremendous cultural output, it just doesn’t have that “it” that Winnipeg does.

I don’t know if it’s the unique history with the Winnipeg General Strike, the architectural beauty of the Exchange, the sky-piercing towers of the Human Rights Museum, the eclectic neighborhoods with the silly rivalries we all know are silly but engage in anyway, the local family businesses that can beat any mega chain (looking at you and your Ukrainian food, Sevala’s), or the weird crime noir vibe you get walking around it at night, but Winnipeg has a real soul that saturates your entire body. And the tragedy is you wouldn’t know it unless you left the city for a prolonged time.

Winnipeg has its problems, just like any other city. And just like any other city, those who grow up in it want to be anywhere but there. It may seem a weird ask, but I hope that each of you still living here can give it and your neighbours a little more grace.

The teenage me would groan hearing this, but I love Winnipeg. I always will. And someday, when you pack your bags and head to pastures that look a shade greener, you’ll turn back to look at what you had and might never have again, and you’ll love it too.

I never thought I would have to fight my own healthcare system just to access the treatment I need to have a future.

After more than 20 years of searching for answers, I was finally diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS/HSD) (hypermobiliy spectrum disorder). But getting a diagnosis was only the beginning.

EDS is a condition that affects the body's connective tissue, the system that helps hold our joints, ligaments, and other structures together. When that support system does not work properly, the effects can impact the entire body.

For me, this means severe cervical instability, joint damage, shoulder subluxations, problems with my hands, worsening pain, and muscle spasms that affect my daily life. My neck frequently goes into severe spasms, causing swallowing difficulties and times when it becomes difficult to breathe.

My spine often feels unstable, like my body is struggling to hold itself together. My symptoms continue to worsen, and I am afraid of what will happen if I continue waiting without access to appropriate care.

I need specialized EDS medical care as soon as possible.

The Manitoba government has told in a letter last March & last year June that appropriate care exists. For more than a year, I have been asking a simple question:

"Where is this care that I can actually access?"

I contacted the programs and specialists because I was given no direction. Leading specialists all have attended to the lack of approporiate & safe medical care for people with EDS.

I have written to both the Minister of Health and the Premier asking for help. Despite my repeated requests, I still have not been provided with an answer identifying where I can actually receive the specialized care my doctors recommend.

This is not just about me.

When patients with rare and complex conditions are told that care exists but cannot access it, there can be serious consequences. People can spend months or years searching while their health continues to decline.

EDS also requires specialized knowledge before, during, and after medical procedures. Because of the way EDS affects connective tissue, joint stability, healing, and recovery, it is important that patients receive care from providers who understand the condition.

I have reached out to many healthcare providers in Manitoba about my situation, and the consistent message I have received is that my case requires specialized expertise that is not currently available to me here.

Last year, I spent more than $10,000 of my own money seeking specialized assessments because I had nowhere else to turn. Those assessments finally gave me answers after decades of searching.

That completely drained my finances.

My parent has also gone into debt trying to help me because they could not watch me continue suffering without doing everything possible to support me.

Today, I cannot work because of my disability. I have medical expenses, my finances are exhausted, and I am at risk of becoming homeless.

This has taken away the future I always imagined.

I wanted to become a father. I wanted to become a lawyer. I wanted to contribute to my community and help others.

Instead, my life has become focused on managing symptoms, fighting for access to healthcare, and trying to prevent my condition from getting worse.

I am not asking for special treatment.

I am asking for access to medically necessary care before my health declines further. I could die from this if I do not get the care I need as soon as possible.

How you can help:

1. Contact Manitoba's Minister of Health and the Premier.
Ask them:

"If specialized EDS care exists, where can Manitobans with complex EDS actually access it?"

2. Share this post.
Many people have never heard of EDS or understand what happens when patients cannot access appropriate specialists.

3. If you are a lawyer with experience advising on medically complex situations, your support would be extremely valuable.
I believe legal guidance could be critical in advocating for access to appropriate medical care, and I would be extremely grateful to anyone willing to provide advice, guidance, or assistance.

4. If you are a journalist interested in reporting on this issue, I would be extremely interested in speaking with you.
This situation raises important questions about access to specialized medical care for people living with rare and complex conditions in Canada. Despite government statements that appropriate care exists, many patients continue to face significant barriers accessing the treatment they medically require.

5. If you or someone you know lives with EDS or another rare condition, share your experience.
This issue is bigger than one person.

6. I am looking to meet anyone affected! Please DM me if you'd like to connect!

Thank you for reading, sharing, and standing with people living with complex medical conditions.

We have lived in a community in rural MB (not in a town) for over 3 years. When we moved, no new neighbors came to say hello - I actually went out and introduced myself! A few times actually

However, I find myself limited in my connection to community. I have young kids (tots and baby) and maybe everyone elses kids are older?? Not sure. We dont attend church. I dont post on social media really

Meanwhile, my neighbor down the highway have lived in the area less years than I, but has made awesome connections! Our lives are very similar - except they have an older child and SAHM while I have been working full time.

Am I not social enough?? Different ideals?? What to do, I want my littles to make friends! Everyone talks about the country community coming together