Lifestyles 55 2021 03 March

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March 2021

FAST DENTURES

947-1807

Don’t forget to Wash Your Hands!

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Welcome to Qaumajuq in polar bear language and art

428 Portage ave

Colourful guests at the local birdfeedeers

When Canadian music came to TV

MB lawyers quash freedom of expression

208 Power Bldg

Meet the men behind Providence Therapeutics Premier Pallister secures back up vaccine for Manitoba. Part of the manufacturing process to take place in Winnipeg.

Time to Play, a sculpture by Abraham Anghik Ruben that will sit outside of Qaumajuq.

“T

he idea for the sculpture started in 1990 when I first received the five-tonne boulder,” said Abraham Anghik Ruben, the artist behind the stone carving, titled Time to Play, and commissioned by Tannis M. Richardson to celebrate the upcoming opening of Qaumajuq, the WAG’s Inuit art centre.

Tannis M. Richardson.

“The following year, I started roughing-out the shape of a mother bear,” continued Ruben, “and every other year I would rough-out more and more of the features of the sculpture. Initially it was intended to represent the different bears common to the various ancient circumpolar cultures. But when the idea for an u 7 ‘Qaumajuq’

Is it time for safe injection sites in Manitoba?

Dorothy Dobbie

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n times of trouble, opiate addiction increases as people look for a way to deal with fear, depression, and misery. According to Statistics Canada, about 21 percent of the population or about six million people “met the criteria for substance abuse disorder during their lifetime”, with legal alcohol at 18 percent, leading the list.

Drug addiction is not going away. Excluding cannabis, Sta-

tistics Canada says that 4 percent reported a problem with drug use over their lifetime. Incidence is highest among youth. Is it time to start planning for safe injection sites?

Those in favour say, yes, arguing that these sites save lives by minimizing reuse of needles. People are often infected with a wide range of diseases including hepatitis C (a viral infection), bacterial infections of heart valves (endocarditis), bacteria in the blood (bacteremia), tetanus, the flesheating disease (necrotising fas-

ciitis), botulism, boils, and even HIV. This puts a strain on the medical system but also leads to debilitation and death for many users. In Canada in 2018, almost 3,200 people died of opioid use.

Preventions of drug overdose is another reason given for supporting safe injection sites, with proponents saying that the sites dramatically reduce the number of overdoses.

They also argue, as did James Favell of the Bear Clan Patrol when I spoke with him two years u 19 ‘Injection sites’

I’m a senior. My children are worried about my health declining. I’m anxious too, but I want to stay in my home.

What can I do?

Ken Hughes.

Dorothy Dobbie

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anitobans got very good news in mid February when Premier Brian Pallister announced that he had signed deal to secure “insurance” vaccinations from a Canadian firm, Providence Therapeutics. Not only is this firm Canadian, but it is also headquartered in the west, in Alberta.

The Providence story is an interesting one.

Founder of the firm, Brad Sorenson, was in the business of developing an mNRA vaccine against cancer in a frantic pursuit spurred by his son’s stage four brain cancer. It has receded into remission, but the cancer is a constant threat to their lives and happiness, so Brad began looking for a cure. He started Providence Therapeutics to develop a personalized treatment for cancer by using messenger viruses to target cancer cells. u 5 ‘Providence Therapeutics'

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whatsupwinnipeg.ca

March 2021

ISSUES IN THE NEWS

Freedom of expression?

Follow us online at: whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55 Twitter: @Lifestyles55 PUBLISHER Pegasus Publications Inc. EDITOR Dorothy Dobbie dorothy@pegasuspublications.net EDITOR Emeritus Joan Cohen ART DIRECTOR Karl Thomsen karl@pegasuspublications.net GENERAL MANAGER Ian Leatt ian.leatt@pegasuspublications.net CONTRIBUTORS Gerrie Beachall, Dorothy Dobbie, Myrna Driedger, John Einarson, Kasey Hacking, Jim Ingebrigtsen, Kevin Klein, Ian Leatt, Allan Lyon, Nicole Matiation, Fred Morris, Manitoba Seniors Coalition, Manitoba Association of Senior Centres, Connie Newman, Peggy Pendergast, Brent Poole, Joseph Quesnel, Darlene Ronald, Senaka Samarasinghe, Trudy Schroeder, Lisa Sinnicks, Elly Spencer, Sherrie Versluis, Wayne Weedon, Nathan Zassman.

Canadian Publications mail product Sales agreement #40027604 ADVERTISING 1-888-680-2008 info@pegasuspublications.net SUBSCRIPTIONS If you would like to receive Lifestyles 55, we offer both monthly newspaper and online formats.

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American Express, MasterCard, Visa & cheque accepted. To view a back issue online visit lifestyles55.net Published monthly by: Pegasus Publications Inc. 138 Swan Lake Bay, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4T8 204-940-2700 whatsupwinnipeg.ca DISTRIBUTION Available at over 100 locations from Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden, Selkirk, Flin Flon and The Pas. If you would like bulk copies of this publication, contact Ian Leatt at (204) 940-2707 or ian.leatt@pegasuspublications. net. Also available digitally at whatsupwinnpeg/ lifestyles and on Facebook: Lifestyles55 EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Call Dorothy Dobbie at (204) 940-2716 or email dorothy@pegasuspublications.net for more information and guidelines.

Any opinions expressed in columns by our contributors are their own opinions entirely and are not necessarily shared by Pegasus Publications Inc. All information presented by the contributors is the responsibility of the writers.

Lifestyles 55 is published monthly. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without seeking permission in writing from the publisher.

Copyright Pegasus Publications Inc.

March 2021

President of Bar Association reprimanded for speaking of WWII and the dangers of Marxism

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he first tenet of freedom is the ability to speak, to voice one’s opinion, to present new ideas, to suggest alternative narratives. Without freedom of speech humankind cannot progress. New ideas need to be expressed to take life and develop. Freedom of expression, in whatever form it takes, encourages enterprise and discovery and advancement.

History tells us how true this is as we look back to the various times when freedom of speech was only free as long as one said only what everyone else believed. Think of the Auto de Fe in Spain when people were burned at the stake for questioning religion, or later in America when women who had opinions that others rejected were also burned. Think more recently of the totalitarianism of fascism and communism where voicing one’s opinions was a ticket to the Gulag – or worse.

Yes, there are limits to this freedom, generally based on the principle of harm. In the past, that harm was obvious – inciteDorothy Dobbie ment to riot, to kill, to hate, to cause physical damage. Today, cancel culture is insisting that we define “harm” as “hurting someone’s feelings”, offering offence. Since there is no way of knowing what word, phrase or comment might cause someone to have their feelings hurt, this definition is a being used as a free ride to suppression of free speech.

This is no slight thing. Senator Beyak was drummed out of Parliament for saying truthfully that not all residents of residential schools were harmed and that some thrived. She had Indigenous champions who agreed, but that did not matter.

She was called a racist and worse.

There have been other cases, but one that has hit some of us right in the gut most recently is the story of the young president of the Manitoba Bar Association. In November, in her president’s message in the Association’s monthly newsletter, “Headnotes and Footnotes”, she chose to write about a serious subject, the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. She wrote about her two grandfathers, their trials as immigrants from the British Isles and their service in the war. Now, here is the unbelievable part: what she wrote from this point on was redacted in the next newsletter. She was made to apologize for hurting someone’s feelings and she lost her position as president of Manitoba Bar Association. These are the words that were redacted; I am printing this exactly as it appeared in the Bar Association’s publication: Having a son of my own now, I think about the life I am able to provide him and how it is I am able to do so. We live very good lives and we owe this directly to those who stood up at a crucial time in world history and the many who paid the ultimate price.

During these reflections, I am concerned my son will not grow up in the same Canada that I have. I am troubled when I hear of arguments raised in our Courts and Human Rights Commissions that are on their face frivolous, diametrically opposed to our rule of law and to the Charter for which we are able to live under because we are a free and democratic society. The (sometimes) well intentioned and (often) naive ‘social justice warriors’ call for change with the desire of a socialist utopia, but it seems to me they do not appreciate the dangers of Marxism. A well respected Manitoban business leader and philanthropist recently responded to a jest about his stance on so-

Photo by Soumyadeep Paul. cialism with, “Capitalism is only the slightly lesser evil to Socialism”.

At a time of unfathomable national debt, a rise in nationalism, widening racial divides, growing mistrust of the police, polarized opinion reporting media, and a plummeting respect for the rule of law from citizen to Parliament, I fear we are on a slippery slope to communism for the next generation of Canadians. In the last few years we have embarrassingly spent more time following and complaining about American politics than we have our own, and the youngest Canadians are far removed from those who fought in WWI and WWII. I believe they do not understand what our ancestors fought for and fought against, and as such, are not on guard for the ingredients that evolve into fascism or an otherwise undemocratic society. As citizens and as lawyers, it is imperative that we do not let Remembrance Day become just another day off of work. If we lose what this day stands for, we lose at its core what it is that makes us Canadian.

Another innocuous paragraph about why she was changing her tone from light to serious, in that “November is a serious month”, was also stricken.

In the December issue, her message was brief. She apologized, saying, “It was not my intent to be hurtful. I am, as is the MBA, strongly supportive of the advancement of social equality rights and other important socially progressive issues.”

How in the name of all that is right, could anything in those paragraphs be “hurtful” to anyone? And if it was, they are the owners of their own feelings and bear responsibility for accepting that people were killed in the war, families destroyed, lives forever altered, that after the war, destructive forces took advantage of the disarray and moved into positions of power that trampled on rights, sent countless people to more death, starvation, exile, prison, torture . . . And that countless veterans were forever damaged by what they had witnessed, and that trauma had an effect on their children.

I am outraged that this young woman’s freedom of expression has been so completely quashed, and by the Law Society, no less. I should think that every self-respecting lawyer in the province would be up in arms, demanding that this be put right!

These types of abuses of our fundamental democratic rights must stop. And they will only stop if fair-minded people of good will stand and be counted.

I stand. I hope you do, too.

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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The Nellie McClung 150 Women Trailblazer Awards

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he Nellie McClung Foundation is an organization close to my heart. Created through one of my Private Members’ Bills in 2003, this organization has evolved and grown its mandate over the years. At its inception, the Nellie McClung Foundation was created to raise funds to place a monument on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature. Manitoba has a very proud history of strong women advancing important causes. In fact, our province was the first place in Canada to grant most women the right to vote, an accomplishment that came from many years of hard work by Nellie and her peers. What an important cause to honour Hon. Myrna Driedger through art for all Manitobans to enjoy. The NelBroadway lie McClung Foundation Journal worked with a Ms. Helen Granger Young in order to depict Nellie and the Famous Five working hard together. This monument can be seen on the west side of the legislative grounds next to Osborne Street. I encourage you all to take a walk and look at this wonderful piece of art up close.

Once the Famous Five monument came to stand on the grounds, the Nellie McClung Foundation evolved to focus on supporting and promoting women in a different way. The Nellie McClung Foundation’s latest initiative is the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Awards.

2020 was the 150th anniversary of Manitoba becoming a province. We have a proud history of strong women leaders and this exciting endeavour sought to celebrate the women in our province both past and present. Often, women are unsung heroes in our history. In creating this award, the Nellie McClung Foundation sought to acknowledge the contributions that Manitoba women have made in our province and brought us to where we are today. The guidelines to be nominated included: A woman, or a collective of women, who have made

an impact on the development of Manitoba. Women who made an impact on society, who are or were leaders and role models in the community, who reflected the spirit of Nellie McClung, and who spent a significant portion of time in Manitoba.

The Nellie McClung Foundation received hundreds of nominations that shone a spot light on many brilliant Manitoba leaders. These nominations were evaluated by an independent panel who had the very difficult task to choose the 150 women from a nomination list of over 300. What a difficult job that must have been!

Due to COVID-19, the Nellie McClung Foundation is unable to honour these women in person, however the NMF looks forward to publishing a virtual book to celebrate all these amazing Manitoba women. The 150 Trailblazers were announced on the 105th anniversary of most Manitoba women gaining the right to vote, January 28, 2021.

I am honoured to have been nominated and chosen as a Manitoba 150 Trailblazer. The complete list of nominees can be found at Ournellie.com. I encourage you all to have a look at this list of amazing women.

Some of the other Trailblazers are: Helen ‘Ma’ Armstrong, Evelyn Hart, Taylor Morriseau, Muriel Smith, Diane Roussin, Mayor Anna Pazdzierski, Jes-

sica Dumas, Agnès Roy, Lara Rae, Bernadette Smith, Carol Shields, Diane Redsky, Shirley Render, Sharon Carstairs, Jarita Greyeyes, Dayna Spiring, Margret Jonsdottir Benedictsson, and Evelyn Hart, just to name a few!

It’s not just individual women who were recognized.

Nellie and her peers worked as a group to move forward their causes so it’s fitting that Manitoba groups and organizations were also named Trailblazers. Some of these include: Mentoring Artists for Women’s Art (MAWA), Council of Women of Winnipeg Inc., National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC), Winnipeg Raging Grannies, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Women of the Fur Trade (including Thanadelthur/ Thanadeltth’er), The Partners of Patersons LLP, and The Shameless Circle.

For a full listing of the all Trailblazer award recipients and nominees, have a look at ournellie.com. I encourage you to check it out. We have an amazing history to be proud of. Keep in mind, there are so many community leaders working hard on important causes today. The spirit of Nellie McClung is alive and well in Manitoba!

Hon. Myrna Driedger is MLA for Roblin and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

75 years later and Arlington Bridge still about to fall down

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uring the early 1900s, Arling- implemented to extend the bridge's life ton Street turned into Brant by five years.

On February 7, 1979, City Council, Street at Notre Dame. On February 5, 1912, the Arlington Bridge was by a vote of 18 to 5, earmarked $17. 6 opened connecting Brown Street in the million for the Sherbrook McGregor north end with Brant Street. Brown and overpass to replace the Arlington Street Brant were renamed Arlington. Arling- Bridge. The direct link from McGregor, ton Street now ran from the Assiniboine a main North End street to the Health Sciences Centre and the River into the North End. Maryland Bridge is a betThere have been attempts ter north-south corridor to connect the Arlington when compared to ArBridge to south Winnipeg. lington.

On July 3, 1912, a newspaOn February 4, 1981, per notice announced that a City Council, by a vote bridge would be built conof 19 to 8, scrapped the necting Arlington Street and Sherbrook McGregor Mitchell Street in the south. overpass. City CounIn 1957, a Greater Winnicil caved into to strong peg Traffic Report recomcommunity opposition. mended building a bridge A mistake. connecting Aubrey Street In 1992, the Arlington (just west of Arlington) to Fred Morris Bridge was closed for a Waverley Street. Neither From the desk 6-month repair. The reidea happened. We should of a gadfly pair was expected to add accept the fact that traffic 10 or 20 years to the life coming off the Arlington Street will have to be divert seven streets of the bridge. In 2000, the Bridge was over to Maryland to access south Win- closed twice when train accidents damaged the bridge’s girders holding up nipeg.

The steep inclines on the new Arling- the bridge approaches. In 2007, a comton Bridge created immediate problems. prehensive Winnipeg Free Press report Safety concerns resulted in the cancella- graded most Winnipeg bridges. Arlingtion of the planned streetcar service over ton Street was rated POOR. In 2018, Global News expressed conthe bridge before the first streetcar had cerns about severe corrosion and cracks. travelled over the bridge.

The Arlington Bridge was repaired (1). On April 19, 2019, the bridge was in 1931, 1943, 1946, 1947, and 1952. temporarily closed due to asphalt probThese repairs included deck, sidewalk, lems. In 2020, the bridge was closed for and foundation repairs. Some of the several weeks. These repairs included asproblems were caused by smoke from phalting the entire bridge.

The possible relocation of the CP Rail the locomotives passing below. On July 20, 1965, a front-page Winnipeg Free yards has long been used as an excuse Press Story reported that the bridge was not to build a replacement bridge. There badly rusted. Weight restrictions were is always a slight chance that the rail yard 4

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

The Arlington Bridge. relocation may happen and eliminate the need for existing bridges. However, this argument has not stopped the construction of other bridges or underpasses over or under rail lines. Salter Street bridges have been built in 1898, 1932, and 1984. A CN line running thorough east and south Winnipeg created traffic problems. In the past 15 years, these problems have been eased by the construction of underpasses at Kenaston, Plessis, and Waverley.

The City has kept the bridge open by frequent inspections and closures.

However, we cannot inspect any bridge every day. An administration report to City Council on July 20, 2019, clearly states that the Bridge may have to permanently close with no notice. After 75 years of safety warnings, the time has come to build the modern bridge that Alderman Blumberg advocated in 1946.

City Council should hold an emergency meeting to pass the following motion: A. The immediate and permanent

Bridge Closure of the Arlington Street.

B. The entire existing Bridge should be demolished.

C. A new bridge should be built as quickly as possible on the current site.

We no longer have the time to look at other locations. By rebuilding on the same site, community disruption should be minimized but not eliminated.

The Construction Inflation referred to in Councillor Schreyer's December 31, 2020 Free Press advertisement cannot be used as an excuse to stop building any new bridges. Workable cost sharing models between all levels of government must be created to deal with reality that Winnipeg will always need new bridges.

Arlington should be the last bridge to hang on for 75 years on life support.

Fred Morris is a Grandfather, Sports Fan and Political Activist.

••• Notes: (1) Article by Elisha Dacey quoting Young Jin Cha a Civil Engineering Prof March 2021

Developers must comply with approved plans

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want you to know that I have tion of a development application (e. introduced a policy g. Zoning Agreement, alternative that is Variance, Conditional designed to address an Use) or as dictated by issue over which many the Zoning By-law residents have expressed (e.g. Planned Develconcern for many opment Overlay). All months. must be approved beThere is a lot of new fore the issuance of any home construction in building development mature neighbourhoods permits by the City. and most residents apThe plan approvals preciate that change in are an essential compoinevitable, but what they nent of the process asCouncillor oppose is the final result, sociated with new conKevin Klein which can be different struction, representing from what was approved. Inside City Hall the specific site, and building features or When building a development permits home, a plan approval is typically specified as part of the condi- by the City.

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The City has experienced an increase in residential complaints that new builds are not complying with approval conditions upon completion. We must make fundamental changes to address this growing concern.

My new policy would implement a penalty program for non-compliance with approved plans for construction, with minimum fines of $10,000 or 10 percent of the developed property’s assessed value, whichever is greater.

The motion passed unanimously at the Council Committee. The Public Service will now work on developing the necessary legal requirements.

Kevin Klein is the city councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood.

Meet the men behind Providence Therapeutics Continued from page 1

Four years ago, after meeting Brad through a friend and hearing his story, the founding chair of Alberta Health, Ken Hughes, told him, “I think you are looking for a fellow traveller, not just an investor,” and so he became both. “I thought that by investing in Providence, I could do good and do well, but I was happy just to do good,” said Ken, who was looking for a way to make a meaningful contribution in private life.

Ken is an incorrigible optimist who sees the best in people and has made a substantial contribution to public life as a Member of Parliament from 1988 to 1993, the owner of a successful insurance business, then as a member of cabinet in the Alberta Legislature from 2012 to 2014 before stepping down and leaving public life.

Ken is most proud of his accomplishments as the founding chair of Alberta Health, so taking a role in the development of Providence was a natural step. Very soon Brad asked him to become chairman of the board for the company. Providence was rapidly moving forward with the cancer vaccine and was about to commence clinical trials when COVID-19 hit.

Even though Brad and his team had been working frantically to find a vaccine against cancers, they had to stop the trials.

The decision to pivot was a natural.

They already had the advanced technology. They understood the mechanics of working with viruses and they were small and nimble. Brad said, “The company immediately began work on the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Brad felt compelled to switch to COVID-19 because he felt a moral obligation to do something.

It took just four weeks to be ready to submit a proposal to government for a made-in-Canada vaccine following an early government outreach to Canadian manufacturers, and they were ready to go in April. Brad then sent a proposal to the Prime Minister, committing to produce 50 million

doses by 2021. Then they waited.

And waited. And waited.

But despite initial encouragement from the federal government and a meeting on March 24, it took five months to get a response which finally arrived on August 17. Instead of the $35 million the firm asked for, the federal government offered just $4.7 million through the National Research Council. This despite shovelling five times that amount of money into a start up in Quebec, which is still busy constructing a building that is not expected to be completed until next July, whereas Providence is already in phase one clinical trials.

Recently, the Winnipeg Free Press ran a story quoting well-known contrarian Amir Attaran, professor in the faculty of law and the School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa, who claimed that it would be next to impossible for Providence to get volunteers for its human clinical trials, but this was never problem for Sorenson. Providence Therapeutics started human trials on Jan. 26 with 60 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 65. claimed that Providence was just a fantasy. He clearly hadn’t done his homework.

It is not like Providence is some wildcat working on its own out in the wilderness, either. Their scientific partners are in Toronto. They work with the University of Toronto, the Ontario Institute of Cancer research, and Sunnybrook Research Institute.

Their staff have stellar credentials in biotechnology and research. Dr. Jarret Davis was teaching Moderna how to get their vaccine off the ground before he joined Providence. Dr. Patel is a clinical trial specialist who has worked extensively with health Canada. Early last year they had already generated neutralizing antibodies in animals, with the same technology that BioNTech and Moderna used.

“When we first approached the government, we were two months behind. We told them then that we

could deliver five million doses of vaccine by mid-2021 if we were able to successfully complete human testing,” said Brad.

We’re no longer two months behind Moderna, we’re one year behind,” Brad told the press on January 21, 2021. “If we had received the $35 million, we would have finished at the same time as Moderna. Had we gotten that we wouldn’t be starting Phase 1 right now, we would be in Phase 3.”

Now a year behind, they plunge on because you never know what can happen and it is worth being safe rather than sorry. They are now capable of manufacturing in Canada, with the final step being fulfilled by Emergent BioSolutions in Winnipeg. Emergent will complete the fill and finish steps of the process, which is the transfer of the bulk vaccine to ten-dosage vials. Emergent is a billion-dollar international firm headquartered in Baltimore. Its Winnipeg facility is on the University of Manitoba campus.

“The deal with Manitoba allows us to start the manufacturing process we can begin to stockpile product in anticipation of approval by Health Canada,” said Ken Hughes. This is exactly what Moderna and Pfizer had done so they could ship at the earliest possible date. It is hoped that Health Canada will extend the same approval courtesies to Providence that it did to the offshore companies.

The Providence Researchers believe they will receive enough data by April to be able to move into phase two starting in May, pending approval of the vaccine.

Manitoba has invested $7.2 million in the vaccine with a non-refundable deposit too secure two million does

by December 31 of this year. It is expected that COVID-19 will require booster shots as these viruses constantly mutate. We will be well positioned to respond quickly and efficiently to new threat posed by future vairiants.

Letters

Reader loves Wayne Weedon

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njoy the newspaper Lifestyles 55. Great articles and timely. I enjoy Wayne Weedon’s articles

March 2021

very much and the last one re, “Is Canada Losing its Grip on Democracy” (February 2021) is very telling.

I just read an interesting e-mail re Angela Meckel of Germany. Between talk shows and media the “joy” seems to be talking, talking and talking.... and no action.

Something is very wrong in our country of Canada I am sorry to say.

It is sad what we have become. Appreciate your articles and also several other contributing writers. A quality newspaper.

- Kirk Kuppers

Biden bonanza awaits Manitoba Joseph Quesnel

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anitoba must do a much better job promoting mining activity in the province. The post-pandemic economic recovery will depend on it. More broadly, the eventual shift from gasoline to electricpowered cars across the world will generate huge demand for minerals required to manufacture EV batteries like nickel, copper, lithium, and cobalt—for most of which the province has ample deposits to develop.

This is not to say the provincial government is not doing anything to promote exploration and development. It deserves good marks for going out of its way to advance mining. It recognizes that mineral development is essential not just to the long-term prosperity of the north, but the entire provincial economy. However, it has an inconsistent policy record.

For example, the province is providing $300,000 to a mineral exploration company to help fund its drilling program in northeastern Manitoba. On January 7, BWR Resources announced it would be receiving funding from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund once it received the proper licensing and permits.

Now, this development will be a boon for the Little Stull Lake area and the nearby Indigenous communities of Gods River and Gods Lake Narrows.

However, this is small potatoes. Consider the green-friendly mining bonanza that is required to support the green-friendly EV revolution just over the horizon.

It was only a few years ago that the federal government announced plans to designate the lowlands near Grand Rapids, between lakes Winnipeg and Winnipegosis, a national park.

The problem is that it removed a 4,400-squarekilometre area from any development, including mining. The proposed park included the southern extension of the Thompson nickel belt that included feeder ore deposits which could have allowed mines in the Thompson region to remain open.

Manitoba has many irreplaceable ecosystems and pristine boreal forest that deserve preserving, but the province needs to work aggressively with Ottawa and affected Indigenous communities to balance ecological conservation with responsible economic development. Many remote northern Manitoba communities require these mining opportunities to survive and partake in the province’s prosperity. For many of the most isolated Indigenous communities in the region, these are once-in-a-generation opportunities. As far as Indigenous communities across Canada, Manitoba bands are some of the poorest.

The unfashionably un-green idea of plopping a national park on top of rich mineral deposits vital to the coming EV revolution is not a bad idea unique to Manitoba. In an isolated part of northwestern British Columbia, a rich cobalt and copper deposit was removed from development with talks of giving a World Heritage Site designation to the Windy Craggy region. One B.C. government source estimated the value of the metal at $15 billion in mines that had a minimum life of 50 years.

Ironically, the designation was done ostensibly for environmental reasons, but the cobalt mined in the region is again critical to electric vehicles, which the smarter green activists tout as the wave of the future.

As the new Biden government aggressively pushes its climate change agenda with a special focus on the electrification of vehicles, Manitoba is ideally positioned to provide those valuable minerals that will be required to build millions of batteries annually.

The federal and provincial governments need to get with the smart green program on this file.

Joseph Quesnel is a senior research associate with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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March is Nutrition Month Healthy food and enough water can keep you fit.

Allyn Lyons

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t is difficult to get all the nutrients we need to stay healthy. Learning what foods are rich in vitamins, which foods we should be eating more, and how to cook healthy and appetizing meals can feel like a chore. As we age, we often face even more barriers to getting all the nutrients we need. Eating well has a lot of benefits. It can help us prevent disease and injury, give us the energy to enjoy life, and help us keep our independence.

Since March is Nutrition Month, make it your goal to incorporate some of the healthy habits in this article into your routine.

Cooking can be time consuming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

There’s a myth that fresh fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than frozen and canned, but that’s simply untrue.

Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious and tasty as fresh.

Plus, frozen foods have the added bonus of not going bad as quickly, being prechopped, easier to prepare, and they’re usually less expensive.

As we age, sometimes our appetite and taste declines. This can make it difficult to eat three full meals a day. If you’ve been eating less than usual or un-

intentionally losing weight, you may be missing out on vital nutrients. Try adding healthy, high calorie foods on top of meals. For example, if you’re making scrambled eggs, try adding shredded cheese for calcium. Adding nuts or sunflower seeds to your salad adds protein and healthy fats. You can also make smoothies or milkshakes with flax seed oil to increase your intake of omega 3 fats.

Fruits and vegetables are delicious and full of nutrients. You likely have already heard you should have around seven servings of fruit and vegetables per day, but what does that actually look like?

You can get your servings of fruit and vegetables by adding half a cup of fruit to yogurt or oatmeal, drinking a half cup of fruit or vegetable juice, or onecup of salad. Adding vegetables to pizza, omelets, and pasta is also a great way to increase your servings and add more vitamins and minerals into your diet.

Even when you don’t feel thirsty, it’s important to make sure you’re hydrated. According to Statistics Canada, dehydration is one of the most common reasons seniors are hospitalized. Make sure to choose water or milk over pop or fruit juice as sugar can be extremely dehydrating. Sip water throughout the day and with every meal. You can try filling up a large water bottle and mak-

ing it your goal to finish off the bottle by the end of the day to make sure you are drinking enough each day. If you don’t love the taste of water, try adding slices of fruit for a refreshing flavor.

Unfortunately, you can’t always get every nutrient you need from your diet alone. According to the Government of Canada, both adult men and women are lacking in calcium intake. This can be a problem, especially as we get older and are more susceptible to osteoporosis or just breaking bones after falls.

For seniors, aim for at least 1200 mg of Calcium. Since Vitamin D can help your body absorb calcium as well, try to get 800 IU of Vitamin D every day. If your health care provider recommends

it, supplements can help you get the extra nutrients you need. Many health care professionals recommend everyone over 50 take a daily Vitamin D supplement of 400 IU. Talk to your doctor about other supplements that might be beneficial to you.

By taking a few steps to make sure we are getting the nutrients we need, we can greatly enhance our quality of life.

Use Nutrition Month as a reason to get started taking those steps!

Allyn Lyons is the Communications & Public Relations Coordinator at Victoria General Hospital Foundation. This article is meant to be informational in nature and should not replace the advice of a trained healthcare professional.

Gum disease can kill

Gum disease is linked to chronic health conditions, including a link to some cancers.

I

nflammation is linked to just about to pull away from the teeth, and pockevery health concern including arthri- ets can develop where the teeth meet the tis, cardiovascular disease, and degen- gums. These spaces are a breeding ground erative diseases like cancer. Inflammation for bacteria, which can progress to a condition called periodontitis, isn’t always a bad thing, characterized by a loss of however. When it lasts for attachment between the a short period of time (up tooth and bone. This can to a few days), the inflamlead to further gum infecmatory process helps the tion and result in chewing body recover from injury pain, sensitive teeth, recedor infection, and dissipates ing gums, or even bone once healing is underway. and tooth loss. One of the This acute inflammation clearest indicators of peristage is a normal and posiodontitis is when you feel tive process. It's chronic, your teeth are loose and continuous inflammation may fall out, but the prothat is the cause of so many liferation of oral bacteria health problems. Chronic can also cause persistent inflammation is associNathan Zassman bad breath. Periodontitis ated with accelerated aging Natural Health damages the soft tissue and (sometimes called inflambone that hold the teeth maging), which is connected to many age-related diseases including in place. This common condition affects type II diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's over 11 per cent of the world's populadisease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. tion.

Fortunately, there are some excellent The Importance of a Good Oral dental mouthwashes including Peri-Gum Health Routine One of the most common causes of that can help heal gum tissue while rechronic inflammation is gum disease. In ducing the pockets that harbor harmful the United States, 47.2 per cent of adults bacteria. Proper brushing combined with over 30 have some form of it. It’s more regular use of interdental proxy brush common in men than women, and the and an oral irrigator like the Hydro Floss prevalence increases with age: 70 per cent can reduce dental plaque, even below the of men over 65 have some form of gum gum line.

Probiotics disease.

Most people are unaware of the treIf your teeth bleed when you brush, this can be caused by excessive plaque mendous overall health benefits of oral build-up which triggers inflammation. probiotics. This exciting new area of Plaque is the sticky layer of bacteria that research is showing that their regular accumulates on the teeth, especially along use can help reverse gingivitis and perithe gum line. Proper oral care can remove odontitis by correcting imbalances in the the plaque that causes gingivitis (the tech- oral microbiome. As with the gut minical term for inflammation of the gums crobiome, the oral cavity requires a baland the first phase of gum disease). In anced ecosystem where beneficial bacteaddition to brushing and flossing, regu- ria predominate. Poor oral hygiene and lar use of an oral irrigator, an interdental oral plaque increase levels of pathogenic proxy brush, and a tongue cleaner can oral bacteria like P. gingivalis and Trepohelp restore red, bleeding, or inflamed nema denticola. Probiotic antimicrobial gum tissue to pink, vibrant, healthy peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria gums, as well as prevent gingivitis from called bacteriocins can help treat gum disease by crowding out the bad strains that progressing to periodontitis.

If gingivitis is left to progress without thrive on dental plaque.

Specific strains shown to be effective proper treatment, gum tissue may begin 6

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include S. Salivarius BLIS K12 (also called BLIS K12) and M18, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and the Lactobacillus-based strains reuteri, brevis, and acidophilus. By increasing levels of these beneficial oral bacteria, harmful bacteria growth is inhibited.

With daily use, BLIS K12 is proven to help bad breath and can work to reverse gingivitis. Improved oral health may also help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and heart disease. A study found that 100 per cent of patients with cardiovascular disease had the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis in their arteries.

Oral probiotics can also help reduce ear, nose, and throat infections (including tonsillitis and strep throat). While originally indicated for oral cavity health, the BLIS K12 probiotic found in AOR Breath Biotics lozenges can also help reduce the occurrence and severity of secretory otitis media, a major cause of ear pain, tonsillitis, and scarlet fever in children.

Gingivitis and Alzheimer's Disease Knowing that Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibit neuroinflammmation which is usually associated with infection, researchers analyzed the brains of AD patients to determine the cause.

In 2019, a landmark study published in Science Advances found that Porphyromonas gingivalis (the primary pathogen in chronic periodontitis) results in the production of toxic proteins from the bacterium gingipains that are found in the brains of over 90 per cent of AD patients.

Research continues into drugs that block gingipains, potentially leading to treatments that could prevent symptoms or slow the progression of AD. I recommend a comprehensive suite of oral care products including the 30 Second Smile electric toothbrush (or the Collis Curve if you prefer a manual design), an oral water irrigator, the Clean Between Machine (or similar devices for removing interdental plaque), flossing, and regular use of the BLIS K12 oral probiotic.

C-Reactive Protein Many studies have found a strong association between chronic periodontitis and

high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Produced by the liver, CRP is considered a specific marker indicating inflammation in the body and can be measured by a blood test (any acute or chronic infection results in elevated levels). High CRP levels are associated with cancer, as inflammation may facilitate the progression of tumors and angiogenesis (the development of new blood vessels to support cancer cell growth). Surgical and nonsurgical periodontal treatments have been shown to reduce levels of CRP which may lower the risk of various cancers.

Research from Finland has found a link between gum disease and different types of cancer, and that the oral bacterium Treponema denticola may be responsible for gastrointestinal cancers. As published in the International Journal of Cancer, an analysis of almost 70,000 adults over a 10-year period found a strong association between gum disease and pancreatic cancer. In another study at Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center, after controlling for potential effects from smoking, alcohol, and body mass index, researchers found that three types of oral bacteria are linked to two fatal forms of esophageal cancer. There is also evidence that specific types of oral microbiota that cause gum disease are associated with head and neck cancer.

See your dentist regularly, have frequent cleanings, and implement an oral care routine to help balance your oral microbiome. You should clean your teeth in the proper order, starting with flossing (use small floss picks or regular floss), followed by brushing, an interdental brush, and an electric oral water irrigator like the Hydro Floss (proven to remove subgingival plaque). I also recommend tooth powders including Good Gums and Theraneem.

A comprehensive oral care routine and using healing mouthwashes and oral probiotics can help prevent or even reverse gum disease, lowering the risk of Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Nathan Zassman is the owner and president of Aviva Natural Health Solutions.

March 2021

Without bacteria, we would all be dead

B

acteria are the most abundant living organisms on this planet. They may be found everywhere, including the boiling waters of Old Faithful and deep within Antarctica ice. There are several thousand times more bacteria than human cells living in our bodies. Mitochondria, the very tiny morphed bacteria which live inside our cells, are the most numerous. High energy users, such as brain, liver, and muscle cells, have several thousand mitochondria inside each cell.

Mitochondria help break down sugars, proteins and fats to produce energy when we need it, and Wayne Weedon they also help to produce Food for protein to build and repair Thought tissue. Mitochondria are needed for the production of crucial hormones, such as insulin. Scientists have identified over 300 diseases, including diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, which may be caused by mitochondria not functioning normally.

Humans usually get their mitochondria from their mother. However, in rare cases, the father’s mitochondria may be passed on to the child. In an attempt to eliminate damaged genes, sometimes a new mitochondria is formed with some of the genes coming from each parent.

Scientists have successfully replaced damaged mitochondria in human egg cells with mitochondria from a healthy donor, resulting in a normal baby with three parents, mother, father, and mitochondria donor. Since the mitochondria pass instinctive behaviour from generation to generation, the child will inherit their instincts from the donor.

Besides instinctive behaviour, humans, like most animals, can be taught behaviour patterns. Also, humans, like many animals, have the intellect to choose their own behaviour. Chosen behaviour requires thought, but many humans go through life much like a draught horse or a pet dog, just following instinctive and taught behaviour without ever consciously thinking. Humans have the intellect to understand how their behaviour determines future events and they may logically choose their behaviour. By making mistakes we may learn and decide to change how we behave.

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And more importantly, mainly from reading books, we may learn from other people’s mistakes. Fate may be conquered if we abandon instinctive and taught behaviour and logically choose our behaviour.

Besides mitochondria, trillions of other “probiotic” bacteria live in our intestines. These beneficial bacteria gobble up harmful viruses and bacteria while providing us with nutrients and helping us to digest our food. We have a symbiotic relationship with our beneficial gut bacteria; we provide a home for them and they provide food and service for us. Our “good” bacteria will normally keep “bad” bacteria in check, but, if we have too many “bad” bacteria, doctors will sometimes give patients a “poop transplant”. Faeces from a healthy person is injected into the bowels of someone who has been purged with enemas and laxatives.

Without our living bacteria we will die. By wisely choosing what we eat we can keep our “good” bacteria healthy. Our “good” bacteria need fibre, protein and beneficial natural fats, such as olive oil. Our instincts tell us when we are hungry, but we have all been taught when we should eat, what we should eat, and how much we should eat. However, we have the ability to

choose our own eating habits. Our “good” bacteria need certain foods but, “bad” bacteria will mutate in order to digest whatever we feed them. Sucralose, the main ingredient in Splenda, has been shown to cause weight gain because our “bad” bacteria, if continually fed sucralose, will evolve in order to be able to break sucralose down into simple sugars which they love to eat and our bodies convert any surplus sugar into fat.

It is not only humans, but all plants and animals depend on bacteria to keep them alive and healthy.

Scientists believe the first form of life on earth was a simple bacteria which eventually evolved and mutated to form all living things which now exist on our planet. Scientists such as Richard Dawkins, Jerry Coyne, and Donald Prothero, have published books explaining how, if all other life on earth died, bacteria would remain to eventually mutate and evolve to again populate the earth with many forms of life. Would we ultimately end up with the same plants and creatures that are currently living on earth? That’s food for thought.

Wayne Weedon is an Indigenous Manitoba writer of novels and short stories. To sample his wonderful work go to Wattpad.com.

Welcome to Qaumajuq in polar bear language and art Continued from page 1

Sculptor Abraham Anghik Ruben. outdoor sculpture emerged, the concept evolved as I wanted it to be something that children could relate to, climb over, and play with. So, I included young bear cubs at different ages to represent the different stages of childhood development.”

“The polar bear is the largest bear in the world. It is a symbol of strength and endurance, traits that Manitobans strive to emulate,” said Tannis Richardson. “I feel privileged to have been able to supMarch 2021

Stephen Borys, Director and CEO of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. port such a beautiful sculpture by Abraham Anghik Ruben. It is a sculpture that can be touched, hugged and enjoyed by all... especially the children!”

Carved from Indiana Limestone, the large sculpture features a family of bears, playfully climbing over one another.

Time to Play will welcome visitors to Qaumajuq’s outdoor plaza, named Nutaaq Tummaqtuyuq, Inuvialuktun for “big steps forward” which is made possible by The North West Company

and its current and former directors.

It is fitting that Ruben’s art will welcome visitors to the gallery. In 1989, the WAG organized Out of Tradition, an exhibition of sculpture by Ruben and his brother, David Ruben Piqtoukun.

In 2001, the WAG organized his first museum solo exhibition. In all, there are 32 of Ruben’s works in the WAG collection.

In 2022, WAG-Qaumajuq will hold a major solo exhibition, which will ex-

plore Ruben’s experiences within his Inuvialuit culture and his more recent study of the history and oral culture of Nordic peoples, including the Vikings.

In 2016 Ruben was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

“One of Canada’s greatest living Inuit artists, and one of the WAG’s most steadfast supporters, have created something beautiful for our community,” concluded Stephen Borys, Director and CEO of the Winnipeg Art Gallery. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

7

Steak and kidney pudding a great staple from the ‘70s W

hat is it about today’s current way of life?

Forget the current covid-19 situation, I am talking about how everything is fast food.

It doesn’t really matter what it is, you seem to be able to purchase it. Chicken, pizza, burger even gourmet! Is it really necessary?

Have we forgotten what good, home cooked food is? Growing up on staple food of old, makes me wonder though. I mean good, home cooked food!

My Gran was an unbelievable cook. Has a generation of “having” led to a generation of “not knowing HOW“?

Ian Leatt What is staple food?

Foodies Fish, meat, and vegetables. Simple enough, and how you put it all together is not necessarily a hard task. Practice makes perfect, right?

Paul, a close friend, asked if I knew how to make a staple from his youth: steak and kidney pudding, not everyone’s cup of tea. Growing up in England during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, it was on the menu in most homes. If you make this, let me know your thoughts and how it turned out.

Ingredients: 3 large onions 2 large carrots 4 bay leaves 4 tablespoons original flour 2 teaspoons Keens mustard 5 kidneys cut into chunks 900 grams stewing steak (lean) 2 cups dark brown ale 2 cup beefs stock 5 tablespoons beef dripping (fat left over from a roast) Salt and pepper to taste.

For the Suet pastry 600 gram’s original flour Salt to taste 2 teaspoons baking powder 300 gram’s beef suet ¾ cup warm water Some soft butter to grease the small bowls

Here is what you will need to do: Melt two tablespoons of dripping into a large pot.

Add to this the onions carrots and bay leaves. Fry for 12 minutes stirring constantly, until the onions are a nice golden colour.

In a large bowl, place the flour, mustard powder, salt and pepper, then add the steak and kidney. Mix together well until all meats have a coating. Remove the onions and carrots from the pot, keeping as much of the liquid in the pot (a slotted spoon helps). Place the remaining dripping into the pot and melt, then on a medium heat, add the meat cook until the meat has browned.

With the remaining flour in the bowl, add the ale and stir. Be sure to stir well avoiding any lumps of flour. Add the beef stock at this time. Pour into the cooking meat and stir until starts to boil, this should give you a nice thick consistency.

Add the vegetables you set aside and blend in. Then put a lid on the pot and let simmer for 1 ½ hours. Stir intermittently to avoid anything sticking to the bottom. (It will be thick but that is okay, we want that for the pudding). The meat won’t be completely cooked but don’t worry, it will cook further once inside the pudding. Set aside to cool overnight is best.

Suet pastry is made in a similar fashion to most other pastries, a trick though with all pastry is to try not to play with it so much. Place the flour, baking powder and suet in a bowl, with a pinch of salt. Pour in ¾ cup warm water, then mix together to make a dough. Once the dough has formed, lightly dust the counter with flour and place the dough onto the surface, kneading gently, until smooth. Remove a ¼ piece and set aside for the top.

Grease a large pudding bowl. Roll out the larger piece of dough ensuring it is large enough to line the inside of the bowl leaving a little overhang. Once you are satisfied spoon in the steak and kidney mixture.

Roll the remaining pastry to fit as a lid on top of the bowl. Brush round the edge with water, then place on top of the filling, wetted-side down. Fold the remaining over hanging pastry to ensure a good tight seal.

Cover the bowl with a double layer of greased parchment paper then foil. A trick here is to pleat the seal this allows for the pastry to expand inside. Once you are satisfied with your seal tie with string.

Using a large pot, place a heatproof saucer upturned on the bottom, then place the pudding on top. Boil the kettle and pour the water into the pot, roughly ¾ the height of the bowl. Place the lid on and leave to simmer for 2 hours on a low heat. Keep your eye on the water level you may need to top up from time to time.

Once cooked, remove carefully from the pot. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes, then, remove the seal carefully so as not to burn yourself from the steam, place a large enough plate on top and flip upside down. Set on the counter and carefully remove the bowl. Your pudding is ready to be eaten. Typically, we had this dish with mash and peas, but as always the choice is yours.

“Now that’s what I am talking about!”

Ian Leatt is general manager of Pegasus Publications and a trained chef.

Keeping a roof over your head!

O

ur home is, as the English would say our ting process, if left unchecked, can lead to all sorts of castle. From the footings to the roof, it other home issues, from rotting shingles to moisture keeps us safe, dry, and warm. When do you in your attic, and even to leaking ceilings.

Spotting potential problems is where know that your roof is in need of you come in. Inspect your roof every some tender love and care? year. Keeping an eye out today can save If the roof is not leaking you might damage and money over time. not give it a second thought! That Things to look for: is where you are wrong! The roof • Wear and tear surrounding the is your home’s first line of defence chimney. against the weather. It needs to be • Ventilation tubes from kitchen and taken care of to keep you from the bathrooms. wind and rain and snow and freezing • Check your shingles; these could ice. be turning upwards, getting bald. Are Keeping your gutters clean is an inthere loose nails? These are all warning tegral part of good roof maintenance. signs of things to come.

Clogged gutters can cause water to • Make sure the downspouts and accumulate, potentially leading to Brent Poole rot and or mold growth. This adddrop outlet are always clear of debris.

Home ed weight from the build up of silt, • Ensure that there is always suffiImprovements leaves and dirt, could lead to further cient drainage at the bottom of your complications including the growth downspouts and that they drain away of moss, which will add to the retention of water in from the house. the gutter! All of this could lead to roof rot! The rot• If you live under trees it is a good idea to fit a 8

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leaf screen in the gutter.

• Check with a professional. Roofing contractors will be able to spot potential issues and give you a good idea of your roof ’s condition.

A good roof can last between 20 and 30 years depending on what type of roof you have, from wood shake roofs to fiber cement shingles to asphalt shingle/ composition, but they do not last forever. Your roof will eventually need to be replaced. Always plan for the day.

Here is a trick that may help you. If you have a roof that has 10 years remaining, obtain a price to repair, allow 10 per cent for inflation. Divide the total amount by the number of months through 10 years. The result will be the amount you will need to set aside monthly, making the replacement price less painful.

Remember, before choosing your roofing contractor always check for references, make sure they are licensed and bonded.

Brent Poole is the owner operator of Handy Hands Construction, which he has run with his father Jim since 1997.

A carpenter by trade, Brent enjoys all types of projects.

“We’re not happy until you are happy!”

March 2021

Moving later in life – the unique challenges and tips from the experts!

Lisa Sinnicks

F

or younger people, moving is exciting and represents growth, new adventures, and opportunities. For older people, this often is not the case.

Downsizing the contents of your home and the inevitable decrease in the amount of space in your new home are challenging, both physically and emotionally. The following are some considerations and tips to help on this journey.

The difficult decision to relocate is often prompted by safety concerns. Most frequently brought forth by family or caregivers, the best example of a safety concern is stairs. Whether it is to upper bedrooms and bathroom or basement laundry, stairs pose a significant risk of falling as we age. The consequences often dictate if someone is safe to remain in their home and sometimes prompts

immediate decisions regarding moving to a safer environment. This is not the optimal scenario, so it is important to do your homework about the options available. Independent living in apartments or condos, retirement residences, coop’s, assisted living are all considerations.

A great resource is the Seniors Housing Directory that A & O: Support Services for Older Adults has both online and in booklet form.

Now you’ve decided where you are going to move….the next hurdle is how!

We have developed a strategy that keeps the person(s) moving at the center of the process. We refer to it as a Phase 1/ Phase 2 strategy. The first phase is making decisions about things that will be moved into the new home, both essential items such as beds, couches and tv’s, as well as the sentimental and special things that bring joy to your home. Dependent upon space, maintaining, at least in part,

the sentimental pieces is the key piece of this puzzle. The process of downsizing is not to rob people of loved items, rather, to honour those items, in a way that matches the physical space you have.

Packing, moving, unpacking, and setting up the new home are the remaining Phase 1 steps. All items not being moved stay in the former home until the client is settled in and happy with the new space.

This way, if there are pieces not working in the new space, they can be returned,

alternatively, should there be room for additional items, they are still there.

Phase 2 is the disbursement of items from the former home. In order of priority: Gifting to family or friends, is first and often these are the sentimental or heirloom items such as china, photos, antique and quality furniture, or artwork.

Next, there may be the possibility of selling, auctioning, or consigning items of value. Donation of quality household items and furniture is the next step, finishing off with taking items to the dump or recycling.

At the end of the process, it is important to feel that although you are not living in the home that brought you joy for many years, you now have a home that is less work and a lifestyle that is simpler… and still is uniquely yours.

Lisa Sinnicks is the owner and managing director of The Seniors Moving Company.

204-415-4444. www.seniorsmovingco.com

Here is what you need to know about your income taxes Peggy Pendergast

T

ax season is coming soon. The Income Tax slips started coming this week in the mail. A letter sent recently by Canada’s Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte, to RTAM states at the outset “Filing taxes is important to make sure individuals get all the benefits they are entitled to, especially low-income seniors.”

She mentions, “There are four benefits alone that can add up to more Retired Teachers than a thousand dollars for Association of middle-income seniors, or Manitoba thousands for low-income seniors.” They are: • The GST/HST credit, a tax-free quarterly payment to offset all or part of the GST or HST paid by individuals with low or middle incomes, including seniors.

• The age amount which provides a deduction for those over age 65 • The climate action incentive payment which returns proceeds from carbon pricing to residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba or Ontario and • The Guaranteed Income Supplement, which pro-

March 2021

vides a monthly benefit for low-income seniors.”

Go to www.canada.ca/taxes-help to find Doing Your Taxes. Some benefit areas mentioned are: If you received COVID-19 emergency or recovery benefits from CRA in 2020 you will receive a T4A slip.

You must report these amounts on your 2020 income tax and benefit return.

Other benefits mentioned: • The home accessibility tax credit: seniors who spend up to $10,000 in a year to make their home more accessible can get a tax credit worth up to $1,500.

• The Canada caregiver credit is a non-refundable tax credit that can help Canadians-including seniors-support a spouse, common-law partner or a dependent with a physical or mental impairment.

• The disability tax credit is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities-or their supporting family members-reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

• Couples may be able to take advantage of pension income splitting.

• You may be able to claim the medical expenses credit for eligible medical expenses that you or your spouse paid in the tax year of did not claim in the previous tax year. You may also be eligible to claim related credits: • The refundable medical expense supplement which provides additional support to working individuals with low incomes and high medical expenses; and • The disability supports deduction, which may allow you to claim some medical expenses if you have an

impairment in physical or mental functions.

Ways to File your tax return Using Software: Find a list of certified desktop, online and mobile software products at www.canada.ca/netfile. Some are free.

Due to COVID-19, paper filing may delay your assessment.

Using the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Free tax clinics are generally offered between March and April across Canada. To find a tax clinic near you go to www.canada.ca/taxes,help Part of filing your income tax is also going to www. manitoba.ca/finance/personal taxes and credits/personal income tax. Information about forms to use, further benefits that are available from the Manitoba Government and filing instructions are available.

Plan ahead for tax filing season.

Avoid delays. sign up for direct deposit and file online.

Keep your personal information up to date with the Canada Revenue Agency.

“Filing your taxes is the only way to take full advantage of all the benefits the Government of Canada offers to seniors,” is the final quote from Minister Deb Schulte, Minister of Seniors for Canada.

Above all: be sure to file your income tax and benefits return.

Peggy Prendergast is president of Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba (RTAM). To contact RTAM call 1-204889-3660, email info@rtam.mb.ca or go online to www. rtam.mb.ca.

whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Directory Northern AREA Jubilee Recreation of Cranberry Portage Legion Hall, 217 2nd Ave. SE, Cranberry Portage 472-3031 Snow Lake Seniors 71 Balsam St., Snow Lake 358-2151 The Pas Golden Agers 324 Ross Ave., The Pas 623-3663 Interlake AREA Gimli New Horizons 55+ Activity Centre 17 North Colonization Rd., Gimli 642-7909 www.gimlinewhorizons.com Gordon Howard Centre 384 Eveline St., Selkirk 785-2092 www.gordonhoward.ca Grand Marais & District Seniors 90 Matilda Ave., Grand Marais 998-1509 Riverton & District Friendship Centre 24 Main St., Riverton 378-2800 South Interlake 55 Plus 374 1st St. W., Stonewall 467-2582 www.si55plus.org Eastman AREA Beau-head Senior Centre 645 Park Ave., Beausejour 268-2444 East Beaches Social Scene 3 Ateah Rd., Victoria Beach 756-6468 www.ebseniorscene.ca East Beaches Resource Centre 3 Ateah Road, Victoria Beach 756-6471 www.ebseniorscene.ca Pat Porter Active Living Centre 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach 320-4600 www.patporteralc.com Central AREA Carmen Active Living Centre 47 Ed Belfour Drive, Carmen 745-2356 www.carmanalc.com Comfort Drop In Centre 31 Main St., Erickson 636-7895 Crystal City Friendship Club 117 Broadway St., Crystal City 873-2091

Dauphin Multi-Purpose Senior Centre 55 1st Ave. SE, Dauphin 638-6485 www.dauphinseniors.com Grandview Drop In 432 Main St., Grandview 546-2772 Herman Prior Senior Services Centre 40 Royal Rd. N., Portage la Prairie 857-6951 www.hermanpriorcentre.com Neepawa Drop In Centre 310 Davidson St., Neepawa 476-5103 www.neepawa.ca/district-drop-in-center Morden Activity Centre 306 N. Railway St., Morden 822-3555 www.mordenseniors.ca Minnedosa 50+ Centre 31 Main St. S., Minnedosa 867-1956

Winnipeg AREA 20 Fort Street Seniors Club 2200 - 20 Fort St., Winnipeg (204) 227-7104 Aboriginal Senior Resource Centre Winnipeg 527 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg (204) 586-4595 www.asrcwpg.org A&O: Senior Centre Without Walls 200 - 280 Smith St., Winnipeg (204) 956-6440 www.aosupportservices.ca Archwood 55 Plus 565 Guilbault St., Winnipeg (204) 416-1067 archwood55plusinc.weebly.com Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre 51 Morrow Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-9152 www.barbaramitchellfrc.ca

Gwen Secter Creative Living Centre 1588 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 339-1701 www.gwensecter.com Headingley Senior Services 5353 Portage Ave., Winnipeg (204) 889-3132 Ext. 3 www.headingleyseniorservices.ca Winakwa Active Seniors Club 980 Winakwa Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4418 www.winakwacc.ca Manitoba Korean Seniors c/o 388 Waverley St., Winnipeg (204) 837-3470 www.ksam.ca Pembina Active Living 50 Barnes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 946-0839 www.pal55plus.com Rady Jewish Community Centre 123 Doncaster St., Winnipeg (204) 480-7550 www.radyjcc.com

Pilot Mound Fellowship Club 203 Broadway, Pilot Mound

Bleak House Centre 1637 Main St., Winnipeg (204) 338-4723 www.bleakhousecentre.com

Plumas Seniors Club 102 White St., Plumas 386-2029

Brooklands Active Living Centre 1960 William Ave. W., Winnipeg (204) 632-8367

Rainbow Resource Centre 170 Scott St., Winnipeg (204) 474-0212, Ext. 211 www.rainbowresourcecentre.org

Portage Services for Seniors 40A Royal Road N., Portage la Prairie 239-6312

Broadway Seniors Resource Centre 823 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg (204) 772-3533 www.bsrc.ca

South Winnipeg Seniors Resource Council 204-478-6169 www.swsrc.ca resources@swsrc.ca

Centro Caboto 1055 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg (204) 896-1962

Southdale Seniors 254 Lakewood Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 253-4599

Charleswood Senior Centre 5006 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg (204) 897-5263 www.charleswoodseniorcentre.org

St. James-Assiniboia 55+ Centre 3 - 203 Duffield St., Winnipeg (204) 987-8850 www.stjamescentre.com

Creative Retirement MB 448 Burnell St., Winnipeg (204) 949-2569 www.creativeretirementmanitoba.ca

St. Mary’s Rd. Seniors 613 St. Mary’s Rd., Winnipeg (204) 257-0678 www.stmarysroad.ca

Sandy Lake Drop In Centre 100 Main St., Sandy Lake (204) 585-2411 Treherne Friendship Centre 190 Broadway St., Treherne 723-2559 Winkler Senior Centre 102 - 650 South Railway Ave., Winkler 325-8964 winkler55plus.com Brandon AREA Brandon Seniors for Seniors Coop 311 Park Ave., East, Brandon 571-2050 www.brandonsfors.ca Prairie Oasis Centre 241 8th St., Brandon 727-6641 Age Friendly Committee of Council - Brandon 638 Princess Ave., Brandon 729-2259 Killarney Service for Seniors 203 South Railway (204) 523-7115

Crescent Fort Rouge United Church 525 Wardlaw Ave., Winnipeg (204) 475-6011 Dakota Comm. Centre - Dakota 55+ Lazers 1188 Dakota St., Winnipeg (204) 254-1010 E206 www.dakotacc.com Elmwood East Kildonan Active Living Centre 180 Poplar Ave., Winnipeg (204) 669-0750 www.facebook.com/eekalc Good Neighbours Active Living Centre 720 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg (204) 669-1710 www.gnalc.ca

Transcona Council for Seniors 845 Regent Ave., Winnipeg (204) 222-9879 Transcona Retired Citizens Centre 328 Whittier Ave. West, Winnipeg (204) 222-8473 Vital Seniors 3 St. Vital Rd., Winnipeg (204) 253-0555 www.stmarymagdelenewpg.org Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (204) 291-9028 www.winnipegchineseseniors.ca

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March 2021

Volunteering is a winwin situation A

ccording to Statistics Canada, in 2018 al- adults with A & O’s Caregiving with Confidence most 12.7 million Canadians volunteered program. In the Senior Centre Without Walls profor charities, not-for-profits and community gram, volunteers prepare and provide recreational organizations - accounting for 41 per cent of Cana- and educational presentations to older adults living across the province. dians aged 15 and older. VolunteerA & O truly appreciates the dedicaing is a win-win situation. Of course, tion and support of our volunteers, the benefits to the organizations retheir contribution is outstanding and ceiving help are clear, most not-forhas been called on more than ever beprofit organizations could not do the fore during the past challenging year. work they do without the support of Our volunteers have demonstrated volunteers, not to mention the benflexibility and creativity during the efits to the community as a whole. pandemic and thanks to them, A & These benefits are usually the reason O has been able to continue to suppeople decide to volunteer.

A & O: port older adults during a difficult But did you realize just how benSupport Services for time. Some examples of their flexibileficial volunteering can be to the perOlder Adults ity and creativity include volunteers son doing it? Many volunteers state with the Connect program who have that they started to volunteer to help adapted to phone visits and adjusted someone else, but find that they are benefitting just as much. Some of the benefits in- the frequency and duration to better meet the needs clude improved mental and physical health, new of their clients, or volunteer facilitators with the Sefriends, decreased loneliness, a sense of purpose nior Immigrant Settlement Services program who and deeper self-confidence. All of which can help quickly adapted to delivering the classes online.

If you are interested in volunteering with A & to boost your overall happiness.

While the importance and benefits of volunteer- O at this time, the Agency is currently providing ing are evident both to the organization, the com- virtual training for new volunteers.

Volunteer positions at A & O include: munity and the individual volunteer, the global • Board of Directors pandemic has certainly had an impact. Many older • Caregiving with Confidence adults in Manitoba are currently experiencing in• Senior Centre Without Walls creased social isolation. A & O: Support Services • This Full House for Older Adults has been fortunate to have the • Senior Immigrant Settlement Services support of many volunteers during this time of cri• Connect Program sis. Volunteers have stepped up to support older • Older Victim Services Manitobans by volunteering as Language Buddies • Agency Ambassador to do weekly check-ins with newcomer seniors in • Special Events the client’s first language. Volunteers are provid••• ing virtual visits and facilitating weekly conversaFor more information about volunteering at A & tion groups with the Connect program and serving on the agency’s board of directors. Other volun- O please contact: Phone: 204-956-6440 teer opportunities include delivering wellness kits www.aosuppportservices.ca to isolated older adults in the community and proJoin the conversation on Facebook and Twitter! viding telephone support to caregivers of older

ADVANCING HEALTHCARE

Transforming care of older adults through community

Why do you need a Last Will?

Donate Now at TheVicFoundation.ca

Senaka Samarasinghe

O

ur January monthly virtual event was held via Zoom at 10:00 am on Jan. 30, 2021. We allocated one hour for the presentation and questions and answers. Due to interest of our members, they raised questions till 11:15 am. More than 25 members participated. We recorded the presentation. The link will be circulated among our members.

We must convey our gratitude for the presenter who created the slides in English and our native language Sinhala to provide better understanding for our members.

The presentation was conducted by Lawyer Hasaka Ratnamalala. Our group invited him to conduct a presentation on the last will. Hasaka is a barrister, solicitor and notary public in the Province of Manitoba and Attorney-at-Law in Sri Lanka. His main practice areas are commercial, residential, family law, and wills and estate. His law office: 201-1200 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg.

At the last board meeting it was decided the February event will be to collect used eyeglasses among Winnipeggers and ship to Sri Lanka to be distributed among needy users. Sri Lanka Lions was selected to distribute eyeglasses among needy individuals.

Year End Meeting 2019 / 2020 Trinity United Church (TUC) seniors’ group South March 2021

Side Community Fitness and Fellowship (SSCF&F) conducted its 2019/2020 Year End Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 at 2:00 pm with participation more than 16 members. Due to pandemic conditions, the meeting was conducted via Zoom.

At the Year End Meeting the Leadership Team was nominated by members: Co-Chair: Suni Matthews; Co-Chair, Wynn Ferguson; Treasurer, Doreen McRae; and Secretary, Senaka Samarasinghe. This is my ninth year with this group.

TUC seniors’ group was established more than three decades ago as South Side Seniors. The group main focus was fellowship. They met weekly from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at TUC. The organizing committee of the group invited guess to conduct presentations helpful for seniors mainly on health but other related fields such as finance, insurance and home security. The balance of the hour was allocated for fellowship with snacks and coffee and tea. During summer, the group visited parks and museums.

At the Year End meeting in 2019/2020, it was decided to conduct weekly one-hour yoga and exercise (two sessions per week) followed with fellowship (one-hour). During this period members arranged snacks and coffee and tea.

Due to pandemic conditions, the group was unable to conduct sessions in person. However, virtual two gatherings (Yoga and Exercise) performed weekly via Zoom.

Victoria General Hospital

FOUNDATION HEALTHIER FUTURES

GIVE. INVEST. SAVE LIVES. TheVicFoundation.ca

@SupportTheVic

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11

Picasso at the Lapin Agile a virtual showcase for this year’s Lawyer’s Play The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre

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oyal MTC and the Manitoba Bar Association are thrilled to present this year’s Lawyers Play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, in a new format – a virtual play reading.

Set in 1904 at The Lapin Agile, a Parisian café, this comedy by Steve Martin centres on the improbable meeting of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso as both men teeter on the edge of career-defining brilliance. We checked in with Danny Gunn and Neil Steen who are reading the roles of Einstein and Picasso.

Danny Gunn has been a lawyer for 25 years. He practices criminal law and loves food, wine and laughter. He also adores his wife Karen and his three children.

Neil Steen is a Crown Attorney with the Manitoba Justice Prosecution Service. He’s been practicing law for 10 years but acting for most of his life. He has appeared in two MTC productions: Macbeth, at age 10, and Lost in Yonkers, at age 13.

What is your history with the Lawyers Play?

DG: I’ve been a part of five Lawyers Plays – Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Legally Blonde.

NS: I’ve appeared in six productions – Legally Blonde, Gypsy, The Mousetrap, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and La Cage aux Folles.

What drew you to this show/role?

DG: I blame Steven Schipper. He promised he would direct it and needed me involved. Then he left. So... trickery?

NS: What drew me to Picasso was that we could not be more different. He is a hedonistic pleasure-seeker without the ability to delay gratification. These characteristics serve him as an artist but also affect the way he treats those around him. This show takes an opportunity to hold the character to account in some small way. I also enjoy the foil that Einstein represents for Picasso. Einstein, unlike pretty much every other character, does not bend to Picasso’s charm or ego, and the two of them find common ground and higher purpose as a result. Maybe there’s a lesson in there for us today.

Has it been a challenge portraying real people? Did you do research to understand these men better?

DG: A bit... but the decision not to include accents in the play made old audio and video less of a requirement.

I had to learn about just how revolutionary a thinker he was and the impact he had on so many different disciplines.

Remarkable man.

NS: Back when this was supposed to be a live performance, I did some research into the physicality of Picasso as well as his psychology. My goal was never to play or mimic Pablo Picasso, but to play Steve Martin’s fictional version of Picasso.

What are you most looking forward to with the virtual reading?

DG: I’m not sure what to think. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m sure it will be fine once we adjust. We’re

The Lapin Agile cabaret.

The Nimble Rabbit.

The Lapin Agile Lapin Agile is French for the nimble rabbit. The cabaret, Lapin Agile, has existed under one name or another since 1860, and was once decorated with portraits of famous murderers to reflect its then name. In 1875, Andre Gill painted a sign with a rabbit balancing a bottle of wine as it jumped out of a saucepan, the sign suggesting its eventual name.

That painting was stolen in 1893 and was replaced in 1905 by a painting by Picasso. The Lapin Agile became a favourite spot for struggling artists and writers, including Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire, Roman Greco and Utrillo. -ED doing some court hearings remotely.

This will have to do for now.

NS: It’s been a difficult year for many people and hopefully the virtual reading will provide an escape for some and maybe even a way to contextualize our world right now. This play is all about the power of art and the ability of one person to do what governments, armies and nations cannot. I can’t think of a more perfect moment for that message.

What do you miss most about the “regular” Lawyers Play?

DG: The time spent rehearsing and the connections we make. You get to forget about work and just play. It’s fun and an amazing break from the stress of the job.

NS: The routine. Every play is marked by landmarks as opening night gets closer. These moments also bring the cast and crew closer together as the intensity, excitement and joy escalate at a thrilling pace. I’m grateful to be able to share this work in a safe way; and hopefully go on a fun ride with my fellow performers and the audience.

Join the incredible cast from Manitoba’s legal community for a reading of Picasso at the Lapin Agile on Friday, April 9 at 7:30 pm. While the event is free to view, it is at its heart, a fundraiser. Donations of any amount will support the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival. For info, visit RoyalMTC.ca.

Media production under COVID-19 protocols

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n February 12, the Government Kyle and Nicole, how did it feel when of Manitoba permitted the media you were on set for the first time with production industry to fully re- COVID-19 protocols in place? sume for the first time since Nicole: The first day November 12 — with strict on set, the main feeling I COVID-19 safety measures experienced with cast and in place, of course! Along crew was excitement. For with ensuring people moneveryone to have spent itored themselves daily for multiple months [away] symptoms, stayed home if from set with the unthey were sick, practiced known of a return date, to physical distancing and now setting up a lamp on frequent washing of hands set or picking the camera and cleaning high touch up, the excitement to cresurface, the media producate and connect again. tion industry requires that Kyle: It was a great reeverybody on set, on localief to actually be there Nicole Matiation tion and in production ofafter months of planning Movie fices wear a non-medical for working safely in an Making mask at all times, both inenvironment that no one doors and outdoors. We had ever planned for bealso recommend larger productions orga- fore. There was excitement about being nize teams or pods to further reduce con- back [at] work, but I was also anxious not tact between people. Additional measures knowing if we’d thought of everything, were put in place to allow for mask removal if people would buy in, if the protocols during make-up, hairstyling, costuming would actually work, if we would still be and performances. able to “get our days,” if the creative comA whole new approach to production re- promises would ruin the show, and if we sulted in the creation of new roles – COV- would still be able to have fun and enjoy ID-19 Safety Supervisors, coordinators, as- our work with the same level of satisfacsistants and cleaners. We interviewed Kyle tion as artists.

Irving, Executive Producer at Eagle Vision, Kyle, what’s a typical day on set like and Nicole Loewen, Registered Nurse in the COVID-19 era? and COVID-19 Supervisor on Burden of Kyle: Once we were up and running Truth, filmed in Manitoba during the pan- for a while and everyone was used to the demic, to ask about their experiences. protocols and the new norm, it was actu12

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ally pretty normal. Mercifully, we got to a place of comfort, not complacency, and we were able to find the joy and satisfaction in the work that I feared we might lose. All that being said, producing nearly 100 days in a pandemic between Burden of Truth and Esther was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

Nicole, what makes you a good fit for the COVID-19 Supervisor role, and what was your path into finding work with Burden of Truth?

Nicole: I found out about the COVID-19 Supervisor role through a COVID-19 On Set information session that ACTRA Manitoba organized. It was a great way for me to blend my interest of set with my medical background in nursing, and it was a really great experience.

A large component of the role involves educating and supporting the cast and crew whenever needed. Having the ability to do this for various situations and levels allows the individual in this role to champion the protocols and create a space where cast and crew feel comfortable approaching with questions or concerns as [they relate] to COVID-19.

Kyle and Nicole, I understand there was one COVID-19 case and a few contact-tracing cases on Burden of Truth. Can you speak to how the protocols allowed for you to manage these situations?

Nicole: A lot of time and thought went into establishing the protocols for on and

off set, much of which followed public health guidelines. Managing any situation on set, even before COVID-19, really comes down to the collaboration and communication between cast, crew, and production.

Kyle: It was inevitable that COVID-19 would arrive at some point on set. The one situation we had on Burden was caught, contained and there was no further spread in the crew because the protocols worked.

Kyle and Nicole, do you have anything else you would like to add?

Nicole: What you practice on set should translate into your practices at home. One person can’t maintain a low-risk set, but one person can break it.

Kyle: It takes buy-in from everyone at all times to succeed in a pandemic. The protocols work, self-policing with kindness and compassion works, but complacency or not paying attention to the details by just one person can ruin everyone else’s efforts.

To learn more about COVID-19 safety on set, on location, in a production office, or on other production-related worksites, review the Manitoba Media Production Industry COVID-19 Safety and Health Guide at onscreenmanitoba.com or watch Eagle Vision’s exclusive behind-the-scenes look at production during a pandemic on its Facebook page (@EagleVisionCanada).

Nicole Matiation is the executive director of OnScreen Manitoba.

March 2021

ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s strengthens the mind and body Royal Winnipeg Ballet

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uch has been written about the healing and restorative power of movement. By challenging our brains and bodies with new concepts, ideas, and motions, our brains build new, better pathways that can allow us to accomplish amazing things. This is especially true for those experiencing degenerative brain and motor impairments such as Parkinson’s, and even by completing simple, novel motions we can noticeably improve on our own wellbeing.

It’s all part of a day’s work for Ms. Ladwig, whose development of the RWB’s ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s program in 2009 was inspired by the Dance for PD workshop she attended at the National Ballet School. The class Ms. Ladwig operates engages its dancers, through rhythm and dance-based movement, to help those with Parkinson’s Disease stave off its degenerative effects by maintaining and creating new neural pathways in the brain. With the clever combination of music and movement, which draws from different dance disciplines including ballet, modern, jazz and tap, routines are presented in an approachable and comfortable way. Ms. Ladwig is able to help her students stand taller, move more confidently, and challenge their memory.

“ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s uses music to intentionally guide the coordination of movement. When we use rhythm to guide our movements, we are better able to manage the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s, and in the process develop better rhythm, body awareness, coordination, posture, alignment, a sense of self-expression, and improved mental health,” says Ms. Ladwig.

Registration is now open for the latest session of the ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s program, which is being delivered entirely online. The majority of the class is performed seated with seated adaptations provided for any standing exercises.

This has made it easier than ever to join the class, which is open to everyone regardless of diagnosis. All you need is a computer or smart device, a chair, and enough space to reach your arms out to the side and stretch your legs in front of you.

When in-person classes are able to return, so too will the use of the barre and standing portion of the class. Importantly, seated adaptations are always offered alongside the standing portion of the class to ensure that all are able participate fully.

“I believe that everyone can dance,” says Ms. Ladwig. “Regardless of our level of fitness, experience, or physical capability, we’re all able to enjoy and experience the physical, cognitive, and mental health benefits of dance”.

RWB ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s. Photo by Heather Milne.

For participants, ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s often feels like a weekly check-in, an outlet to connect and chat with others who may share similar challenges. Many people report a sense of connection in the group, and laughter is a common byproduct of Ms. Ladwig’s class. Maureen Shanski and her husband John have participated in the ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s classes and together they share fond memories of their dance experience.

“When Jacqui is giving a class,” says Mrs. Shanksi, “it uses so many different parts of the brain. You’re listening to the music, counting the beat, and performing specific movements. Then she’ll ask you to move in ways that challenge your balance and your brain. She’s very accommodating with her approach, and it’s always a lot of fun.”

In teaching ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s, Ms. Ladwig is welcoming and inclusive in her approach. Not only is each class customized to the needs of participants, the ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s program welcomes caregivers, partners, and spouses to join in the class free of charge. According to Ms. Ladwig, who believes in the important role dance plays in healthy bodies and minds at all ages, the class is also suitable for those who have any form of motor impairment, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, or other movement challenges resulting from illness (e.g. Cancer, heart disease or Stroke).

“It gives me great joy to see people of all ages and capabilities dancing together, connecting and engaging with their world in new and different ways,” says Ms. Ladwig.

For more information and learn how to register for ExplorAbility for Parkinson’s go to: https://www.rwb.org/school/ recreational-division/programs-rec/ExplorAbility-for-Parkinson’s/

RWB embraces digital performances for 2020/21 season

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he Royal Winnipeg Ballet has always found a way to perform.

Since the early days when dancers would pack a single bus full of costumes and sets and head out on tour, the company has made it their mission to use what they have to bring ballet to the world. 80 years later, the RWB has found a new way to share its art with you once again.

The RWB will be embracing digital media and livestreaming platforms to bring the remaining shows of its 81st season to ballet enthusiasts around the world. In only a few short weeks from the date of publication, the RWB will be performing a reimagined rendition of one of the most iconic ballets ever produced. Using digital video streaming, this will be your chance to see classical ballet in an entirely new way, all from the comfort of your home.

In what has been dubbed Visions of Swan Lake, the RWB will take audiences through the most adored sequences in the timeless ballet. Visions of Swan March 2021

Hit show The Barber of Seville, as styled by Al Simmons, to be available virtually in March

Lake will feature beloved characters, wearing beautifully intricate costumes, complete with masks, and exploring themes of light and dark, truth and deceit, and, of course, true love.

After the success of The Nutcracker Suite last month, the RWB continued exploring how to deliver an even better experience to its audience. This led the RWB to connect with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, our Arts Partner,

to provide a live musical rendition of the incredible Tchaikovsky score as only the WSO’s musicians can. Additionally, Visions of Swan Lake will be filmed and produced by FRANK Digital.

Now, viewers will be part of the action, close up and personal with the dancers.

Visions of Swan Lake would not be possible without the generosity and patronage of our audience, funders, sponsors, donors, students and families. In particular, the RWB wishes to thank the Production Sponsor, Richardson Foundation; the Technology Supporter, Canada Life; and the Music Benefactor, the Asper Foundation, for their unwavering support of the RWB during these challenging times.

Just as the Swan Princess Odette changes when the sun sets, so too must the RWB change with the times. When the sun rises again, we will return to the stage. Until then, we hope you join us for Visions of Swan Lake and for future digital performances as the RWB continues sharing its art with the world.

Al Simmons school performance.

Darlene Ronald, Manitoba Opera

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igaro! Figaro! Figaro! In need of a few laughs? It is the world’s most famous barber to the rescue, courtesy of Manitoba’s most famous comedian of invention, Al Simmons.

Manitoba Opera is pleased to be presenting a video version of The Barber of Seville as styled by Al Simmons which will be available to stream on demand for free and on Shaw Cable’s Shaw Spotlight from March 20 to 28.

Commissioned by Manitoba Opera in 2009 for in-school presentations, Al has performed his one-person show to rave reviews, for thousands of students in schools across the province over the past decade.

“An amazing show,” commented Jill Boychuk, Principal, École Robert Browning.

“Tremendous appeal to a wide-ranging audience” added Martha Dyck, who teaches K-5 music at Royal School.

“Always a sure-fire hit with students, we are so pleased that we will be able to share this production virtually with Manitobans across the province,” commented Manitoba Opera’s General Director and CEO, Larry Desrochers. “Al Simmons is so creative, clever and full of fun that his work is always a joy to experience. His version of this iconic opera is a great example of Al at his best.”

Roll over Rossini! Al has translated the story from Italian to English and condensed Rossini’s comical look at love, greed, deceit, and close shaves. In this 45-minute rendition of the madcap comedy, Al plays all 10 characters!

The bald facts: Rosina is in love with the Count who is pretending to be someone else; Dr. Bartolo is determined to wed Rosina, and Figaro, the jack-of-all-trades barber, is having a bad hair day. Using his trademark zany props, along with hats, wigs, and costume bits combined with jokes, puns and pop-culture references, Al succeeds in playing the entire cast, which can only mean that viewers will be in for non-stop laughs.

Bringing this family-friendly live presentation to video was made possible with funding Manitoba Opera received from the provincial Safe at Home Manitoba program.

For more information, go to www.mbopera. ca beginning March 20. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

13

What next? Let us dream of a bright future!

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trategic planning is difficult at the best of times, but in 2021 articulating a path forward is more complicated than usual. In our personal lives and in our work within organizations and social clubs, we are living with a level of uncertainty and unpredictability that makes it hard to imagine how our lives and our community institutions will weather the pandemic. I want to boldly propose optimism for our community and for our land.

This past week I Trudy Schroeder spent some time recording a video mesRandom sage of congratulations Notes from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to the Winnipeg Art Gallery on the opening of the new Inuit Art Centre. After a lengthy process, they have named the centre Qaumajuq which is pronounced “KOW Mah Yook” (and the “Yook” rhymes with “Look”). The meaning of Qaumajuq is “It is bright. It is lit.” It took me quite a long time to get the pronunciation of Qaumajuq stuck in my brain, but I expect that I will never forget the pronunciation now that I have taped the segment quite a number of times.

It seems to me that this gallery dedicated to the

preservation, presentation, and education about Inuit art can be an inspiration to all of us. After more than a decade of work and planning, this new facility is now ready to be open to the public.

However, this momentous occasion is occurring at a time when members of the public cannot go as a group to experience and celebrate the wonders that doubtlessly lie within its walls.

Despite these challenges, I propose that we all look to the brightness and the light that is Qaumajuq for inspiration for our own organizations and our own personal planning. There is no reason that we cannot emerge from this strained and difficult period with innovative ideas, new business models, and new ideas for spaces and places that will enliven Winnipeg for generations to come.

For me, the optimistic dream that I would like to see come to fruition in the coming years is the refurbishment of the Pantages Theatre on Market Avenue to become the performance, education, and administrative home of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. This facility is an important part of the performing arts history of our community.

It has historical importance as a theatre, and it has elements of our ambitious and optimistic history in Winnipeg that deserve to be treated with thoughtful and generous care to make this facility bright and light once more.

If each of us takes on a project of some type that can bring light and optimism to our community, we will emerge from this crisis with many reasons for hope and the possibility of transformation. Certainly, making or fixing a building is not required, but surely we can all find a hope-filled project to commemorate this year.

Trudy Schroeder is the Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Could Flin Flon be a Manitoba Capital of Culture?

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e just read an academic pa- tion of artistic works”. The European per on one of the European Union has the European CommisEconomic Community’s sion which runs their cultural proflagship enterprises, the EEC Capitals gramming. It has many of Culture programming, subsidiary programs, the and it got us thinking.

Capitals of Culture proWe have written before gram being one. about the differences in The Capitals of Culcultural funding modture program (which els between Europe and used to be called Cities Canada and absolutely of Culture) has been in understand that the EEC operation since 1985. comprises many counIn that time, they have tries while Canada is just managed to designate 64 one. We also understand cities as Capitals of Culthat dollar value in absoture (they named several lute terms is far greater cities in the years 1999 Elly Spencer in nations than in provand 2000 and changed The arts from inces, but all that aside the criteria in 2001 so up here there are ideas that are that two cities could be eminently transferable. named). The paper we The Government of read identifies several Canada has several cultural pro- benefits to this program which were grams within the ministry of Cana- experienced by all the cities. dian Heritage (changed from Culture The important benefits were broand Heritage) in which the Canada ken down into major ideas in the arCouncil for the Arts does great work. eas of Cultural impacts with several They support artists and projects new artworks and enhanced collabowithin their mandate, part of which is rations within the arts: image im“to foster and promote the study and pacts with enhanced local, national enjoyment of the arts and the produc- and international perceptions of the

city; social impacts like positive local perceptions and pride in the city; and economic impacts such as increased tourism in the immediate and medium terms which can significantly impact a city’s’ economy. The article names Glasgow, Scotland as the best example of this. Glasgow was the City of Culture in 1990 and is still flourishing today.

The Canada Council for the Arts has a much narrower vision of its role in promoting arts and culture.

The work it does is good but limited.

Part of the reason for this may be lack of funding. For example, they were tasked with distributing $55 million to arts organizations across the country in the face of the pandemic to help keep them solvent. On its face this seems like a lot of money but to put it in perspective, a national lottery just offered that much as a prize, to be given to one person. Now it does not seem so much for the entire country. Only some of the funding was new money, some of it was redirected from other programs which cannot function at this particular time.

The Canada Council is not alone.

There are provincial arts councils which also have some responsibility for distributing funds to artists and to cultural organizations. The Manitoba Arts Council has worked hard to support artists in Manitoba, and they have issued several small grants to Flin Flon and area artists and arts groups over the past 10 or so years.

But it may be time now to change the way we think about arts and culture funding. The European model has shown it can work.

Could Heritage Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts join with Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage and the Manitoba Arts Council to create a commission like Capitals of Culture for Manitoba?

Could a different Manitoba town be named and supported financially each year to improve living conditions for its citizens? Flin Flon is ideally positioned to be the first candidate. There is no doubt that we have the artistic talent and the professional leadership available to make it work.

We even have time on our side for planning since COVID-19 will not be brought under complete control for some time yet.

Is your iPhone dangerous to your heart?

D

o you have a pacemaker or defibrillator which uses electricity to keep the heart beating or shock it back to a normal rhythm?

You iPhone could be affecting its performance.

A magnet can be used to turn devices off or deliver impulses that cause the heart to beat out of sync, which can lead to potentially lethal conditions.

Dr. Joshua Greenberg, a heart rhythm fellow at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, wondered if the strong 14

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magnets in his iPhone 12 Pro might affect an implanted cardiac defibrillator. "When I first was reading about the new iPhone, they said the magnet was so strong, you could actually attach it to your refrigerator," said Greenberg.

"I'm thinking, you know, if this thing's strong enough to attach to a refrigerator ... I wonder what it would do to a potential device? " It turns out the magnets, which help the iPhone 12 Pro charge more quickly, can disable implanted cardiac defibril-

lators, said Greenberg who tested the phone on a patient. Apple says the phone could interfere with medical devices.

When doctors held Greenberg's phone close to the patient's chest wall, the defibrillator implanted in his chest was deactivated. A defibrillator is designed to deliver an electric shock to the heart if a patient's rhythm is out of sync, a condition called ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

Research shows that placing the

phone close to a defibrillator can deactivate the medical device. Apple suggests users keep those products at least six inches away from medical devices, and at least a foot away if the phone is wirelessly charging.

Consult your physician and medical device manufacturer for information specific to your medical device and whether you need to maintain a safe distance of separation between your medical device and iPhone or any MagSafe accessories, Apple warned.

March 2021

Sixties Winnipeg, the centre of emerging national music industry I n the 1960s there was no national music industry in Canada. While several thriving music scenes existed in regional pockets across the country, there were no nation-wide charts, not even national distribution for many of the record labels operating in these localized areas.

You could have a #1 record in Halifax that was never heard beyond the Maritime provinces.

But one television show helped bridge those regional gaps: Music Hop. Weekdays at 5:30 PM, CBC TV presented a half-hour cross-country music roundup that showJohn Einarson cased the local flavour Local Music of five distinctive muSpotlight sic settings. Music Hop brought regional talent to a wider audience and did much to foster a national music identity. In 1966, CBC boasted that the show drew some one million viewers, most being under twenty years of age.

Debuting in 1963, Music Hop was initially a Toronto show hosted by Mr. Jeopardy himself, the late Alex Trebek in his first TV hosting gig. The popularity of the show led CBC to expand the concept across Canada the following year. Vancouver’s edition aired on Mondays hosted by CFUN deejays Fred Latremouille and Red Robinson. The house band was the CFUN Classics led by Claire Lawrence (the band later became The Collectors).

Among the regular performers on the show was exWinnipegger Terry Jacks who met his future wife Susan Pesklevits on the show.

Tuesday’s show emanated from Montreal under the title Jeunesse Oblige (Today’s Youth) hosted by singer Pierre Lalonde and featured many of Quebec’s biggest performers, most of whom were unknown to Anglophone audiences. CKEY radio’s Dave Mickie replaced Trebek for the Thursday Toronto edition of Music Hop in 1965. Toronto’s show boasted the R ‘n’ B flavour of the local music scene with backing band Norm Amadio & the Rhythm Rockers (later renamed The Big Sound) featuring the city’s finest jazz players and session men. Friday’s show, Frank’s Bandstand, hosted by local CHNS radio personality Frank Cameron, came from Halifax and included Nova Scotia’s finest artists. “A lot of great musicians came through Frank’s Bandstand,” recalls Cameron.

“Anne Murray did it for a season. Catherine MacKinnon was a regular along with her sister Patrician Anne; Karen Oxley, Davey Wells.” Many of the ensemble cast served double duty on Singalong Jubilee hosted by Bill Langstroth.

It was Winnipeg’s turn on Wednesday’s with Mu-

The Guess Who with host Chad Allen (second to right) on CBC TV’s Let’s Go. sic Hop Hootenanny produced by CBWT’s Ray McConnell and hosted by Ray St. Germain. Bob McMullin was the show’s music director. “That was really the show that started my whole career on television,” states Ray, who would go on to host several shows for CBC, Global and APTN. He hosted from 1964 through to the end of the 1966 season. “We taped 39 shows a year,” recalls Ray. “The chorus consisted of local singers Yvette Dandeneau Shaw, Micki Allen, Lucille Emond, Carol West, Karen Marklinger, Sam McConnell, Hector Bremner, and Barry Stillwell.” The backing band featured guitarist extraordinaire Lenny Breau, drummer Wayne Funican, and bass player Dave Young (replaced in the final season by Werner Frank). “Just knowing that we were watched right across Canada every week was quite a thrill for everyone on the show,” notes Ray. “I was thirteen years old in grade seven and working four times a week, rehearsals, being in the studio with cameras under hot spotlights,” recalls Lucille Emond (now Merritt). “Ray St. Germain was our fearless leader. He was handsome, caring, and just an all-round great guy. Lenny Breau was this darling, lovable person playing guitar, always lost in his own world. He kept us entertained for many hours while everyone got their own lines and cues.”

Lucille insists the real star of the show was music director Bob McMullin. “Bob had the most difficult job,” she recalls. “Imagine putting eight singers together, all sizes and shapes who have never even met each other nor sung together and try to have us sing on key? Impossible, but we all did the best we could.” One of the ensemble members would be given a featured spot each week. “I would get fan mail from all over Canada and a few marriage proposals along the way,” she laughs.

The 1967 season found the national Music Hop franchise renamed Let’s Go and Winnipeg’s slot switched to Thursdays while the Montreal edition was dropped in favour of a show from Ottawa on Tuesdays (Toronto moved to Wednesday). The Winnipeg show also included a new host, former Guess

Ray St. Germaine and Friends on CBC TV’s Music Hop. Who front man Chad Allan. In an ironic twist, the house band was his former bandmates the Guess Who, now fronted by Burton Cummings. For the Guess Who, landing the weekly television gig was a lifesaver. “That CBC show saved our necks,” confirms Cummings. An ill-conceived British trip earlier in the year had left the band deeply in debt.

For the next two years the Guess Who appeared every week on Let’s Go, notching up over sixtyfive appearances before heading off to international stardom. “The Let’s Go show was such hard work but people didn’t realize it,” stresses Cummings.

“On one show we had a thirty-piece orchestra and did the entire Sgt. Pepper album, the whole trip. It was incredible.”

Let’s Go offered the Winnipeg group national exposure to promote their records. “When we began the second season,” recalls Cummings. “Producer Larry Brown said, ‘You’re established national television stars now. Why don’t you and Randy write some songs and if I like them, I’ll let you do them on the show.’” The writing team of Bachman & Cummings was born. Hits like “When Friends Fall Out”, “These Eyes” and “No Time” debuted first on the CBC show.

Music Hop/Let’s Go ended its run in June 1969.

However, the show’s impact was far-reaching. “It’s impossible to put a monetary value on the lifetime benefits we’ve enjoyed as a result of doing that weekly TV show,” Randy Bachman acknowledges.

March into spring! The real estate market is HOT! Kasey Hacking

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h please, dear God I am hoping for some pandemic progress as we move (slowly) into the warmer months. I miss a warm post-sale hug, holding someone’s baby during a showing, and not fearing that I am unwittingly giving or receiving COVID-19 at every interaction.

Don’t get me wrong; our team had the best year ever in real estate and 2021 looks just as exciting for reasons I do not completely understand. Here is what I do know: 1. Everything is different, and it is not going back “to normal” anytime soon. The big houses that used to sit on the market for some time are in demand as one or more of the family is working or studying from home. Don’t get me started on internet speeds and bandwidth, but just a little privacy and a wall to personalize for Zoom calls goes a long way.

March 2021

2. I really love you; now get out!

The lockdown brought families together, and together, and freaking together arrrggghhhhh! Your kids are great, but at 18 to 30 they operate at a level that is both concerning and exhausting. They used to go out, but now they are just hovering, waiting to panel you into the home so they can pitch out your stuff.

A lot of parents bit the bullet in this low interest environment and fronted or augmented the down payment on their kids’ first home. It literally caused a run on homes under $275,000 where 14 offers were not uncommon when homes were sitting for 25 days on average pre-pandemic.

3. Low interest, high demand, expensive materials. The new home market – whether for tight supply, increased material costs and municipal fees – is climbing at a faster rate. Winnipeg and area homes are still affordable in comparison to other markets and our diversified economy has been resilient despite the challenges. What

does it mean? Resale homes make more sense for market hungry folks that want an upgrade and don’t want to wait 11 months for a home that may cost 5 to 10 per cent more, depending on lumber pricing. Prime markets are getting multiple offers on homes over $600,000. That almost never used to happen.

4. Mushroom market. A city home is more expensive and difficult to acquire. City infrastructure and services are under pressure. Commuter communities are becoming more attractive especially where working from home is at least a two- to three-day-a-week reality. Communities like Selkirk are fully fibre optic, with excellent infrastructure accountability. We have noticed a lot of Winnipeg buyers expanding the radius of their searches into the smaller City of Selkirk and even many surrounding rural communities! After losing out in six bidding wars, suddenly a 25-minute commute to work and learning what a septic tank is doesn’t seem so bad!

5. Cottage, please! There is no travel, so vacation at home. Along with sales of snowmobiles, ATVs and boats, cottages are back in vogue. 5 years ago, you would not see many fireplaces burning midweek in the beaches where now it’s pretty common to see 3 or 4 on a street. Surprise! Prices up, inventory down and ice fishing is practically a cult now.

There are many reasons why I will be wrong by the time you read this, but these are the market trends I see. Safe to say our love of home ownership is strong, and the economic advantage is that homes appreciate pretty much tax free does not seem at risk. Corrections can happen, but my rule is to be ready to hang onto your home for five years and you should see some decent appreciation. Next month: April showers and baths.

Kasey Hacking is the daughter of George Hacking who is an award winning realtor at Century 21 Advanced Realty on The Hacking Home Team. whatsupwinnipeg.ca

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Blue jays are not the backyard bullies it is said they are

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ne of the most popular and widely recognized backyard birds is the Blue jay. This bird is not only colourful in appearance but also in character. A highly entertaining creature that visits birdfeeders in every season and can be heard throughout the neighbourhood as they announce their presence.

Blue jays are easily attracted to backyards with the right foods and feeders and you will be greatly rewarded with their antics.

After several years of their population being affected by the West Nile Virus, they seem to have made a great comeback and have been the star attraction in many backyards.

The Blue jays range is vast throughout North Sherrie Versluis America as they breed in Feathered both deciduous and coFriends niferous forests. They are most easily identified by their bright blue plumage accented with a black collar around their neck and a white chest. Both the male and female are identical in appearance. Breeding season is from mid-April - late July and nests are built in almost any tree but evergreens are their preference. The nest is perfectly constructed with an array of materials like twigs, bark, moss, cloth, paper, and mud. Three to six eggs are laid and hatch in 16-18 days and the young fledge the nest between 17-21 days later. The family stays together as the young are taught to forage for food until early fall when the parents force them to disperse.

Blue jays are very vocal and have several calls. They have a loud scream-like call to a calm almost warble like sound. They are also renowned for mimicking the sounds of other birds like hawks in particular. Other vocalizations usually go with a particular situation such as one that indicates agitation and another that brings neighbourhood blue jays together to chase away hawks and other predators from the area.

To attract blue jays to birdfeeders there are a few key factors to consider. One is the size of jays. They are much larger than most feeder birds so an appropriate feeder is important. A Platform Feeder is ideal as it is an open style feeder and is easy to land on. There are many versions of this style and some even have roofs to help keep snow off in winter. Blue jays like a variety of foods like striped and black oil sunflower, cracked corn, and their absolute favourite is peanuts. Unsalted peanuts in the shell is the ultimate attraction for jays and these can be offered on the platform feeder or

Blue jays are not only colourful in appearance, but also in character.

Some interesting facts on blue jays • They are monogamous pairs that bond for life • Is the provincial bird for Prince Edward Island • The oldest known blue jay was a captive bird that lived 26 years. The common wild age is about 7 years but one was recorded to have lived over 17 years through leg-banding records.

• Their feathers are not actually blue!

The unique structure of the feathers reflect light and appear blue. If you were to crush a feather and damage that structure, the blue colour would disappear to brown.

• Their love of acorns has earned them the credit of helping plant oak trees after the last glacial period • The black bridle across the face and

there are actual feeders to dispense the nuts. A peanut feeder will also attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, and chickadees as they cling to the feeder to chip away at the shell to unveil a nutty treat. This allows for great viewing pleasure as all the birds spend time at the feeder while they work at the peanuts. Other blue jay favourites include dried corn on the cob and seed blocks which are compressed cakes of nuts, seeds and fruits.

There are feeders available to offer all of these foods

throat is different on each bird and is believed to help jays recognize each other. Have a closer look at your blue jays to see if you can spot a difference.

This season, take part in the entertaining world of feeding birds and let the only winter blues you experience be blue jays!

and most will attract more than just blue jays. Blue jays are sometimes interpreted as being aggressive at feeders as most birds scatter when they arrive. As with all creatures in nature there is a hierarchy and blue jays are high up in the backyard bird world. They will not keep other birds from your feeding stations but rather aid in attracting with their calls. They also have a reputation for raiding nests of eggs or chicks but studies show this accounts for a mere 1 per cent of their diet.

Time to get out!

Gerry Beachall

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his Spring will be one of "firsts" again. As the restrictions are lifted, and we begin to move beyond the pandemic lockdown world, we experience our post-pandemic firsts.

It feels like what I would imagine emerging from hibernation feels like. We have to go slow, adjust to the light and the movement. Our muscle memory for moving around in public places with other people has to be rekindled. Will we remember how to greet each other behind the masks that continue to be mandatory? We will have to develop new patterns and habits as we navigate the new world and await the herd immunity that a vaccine is promised to offer.

I had a taste of this, literally, when the restaurants and estheticians reopened.

I underestimated how much I missed these services. During the lockdown, with no events or gatherings to attend. The need to have pretty nails was not on my radar. I did not think I would miss it, but miraculously, as soon as I found out I could get my nails done, I was calling to book an appointment.

I arrived at the spa, which has new rules (the standard questionnaire, masks, no access to the lockers).

It was only open at 25 per cent capacity. I realize that this reduced capacity is hard for businesses to manage and make a profit. As the client, it was a lovely experience. The visits to the spa are always relaxing for me. I disconnect from all electronics and the outside world; I prefer to drift off and unwind if pos16

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As our pandemic restrictions are slowly lifted, we will begin to experience a spring of post-pandemic rediscoveries. sible. In the world of 25 per cent capacity, it felt like heaven. I had the place to myself, mostly, and did not feel rushed. It was very safe, easy to physically distance and pure relaxation. I wish for the business owners that the capacity expands to return to normal revenue levels and bring back all of their staff.

Still, I will remember my first luxurious visit postpandemic.

The reopening of restaurants happened on Valentine's weekend. I couldn't miss the opportunity to

take my husband out for dinner. I wanted to recognize his efforts by taking him out and letting him relax and enjoy a gourmet meal. He has become quite a chef since the pandemic forced us to stay at home more. Our time and energy went into planning, grocery shopping and keeping the kitchen stocked.

We also realized that a couple of people can produce many dishes when they are cooking exotic new recipes. I once again underestimated how decadent this meal would feel. The experience exceeded my expectations. After months of not eating out, we were able to relax and enjoy the delicious food. With no interruptions or chores to do, it was terrific.

There are new rules at the restaurant, such as masks at all times other than when you are at the table and leaving detailed contact information. It was a strange and initially uncomfortable feeling having small groups of “strangers” around after spending all of our social time with our immediate family for the past year. The upside was the same as the spa. 25 per cent capacity means a very relaxing, enjoyable evening out. There is less noise and no rush to leave the table. Just like the owners of the spa, I also look forward to business as usual for our restaurant and lounge owners so that these experiences can be available in the future.

Now that I have those firsts out of the way, I will wait to see what the next round of health orders change and see what other firsts I can try. It's essential to find safe, healthy ways to get back to enjoying life outside of a pandemic and to help those businesses get back to serving their first customers again.

March 2021

PUZZLES

Crossword Across 1. Prima donna 5. Skier’s aid 9. Expressed disappointment 14. Pindar poems 15. Doozy 16. Stallone film with numerous sequels 17. Holds back 19. “It’s ____ country” 20. Tivoli’s Villa ___ 21. Yoga position 23. Middle-earth monster 25. Not from the outside 30. Not competently 33. Pt. of GPA (abbr.)

35. Tones between fa and la 36. Attend to loose laces 37. ____ cava 39. Parlor 42. Change the décor of 43. Mandy’s “The Princess Bride” role 45. Jedi ally 47. Game official 48. Vacant building sign 52. Pine stickers 53. Patriotic Uncle 54. FBI operative 57. Dyes 61. Eng. lesson 65. Ottoman 67. “Sands ___ Jima” 68. Trendy sheepskin footwear 69. Fashion designer Marc

70. Before and _____ 71. Shoelace circle 72. Distort, in a way Down 1. Stewart in Harvey, Elwood P. ____ 2. “If ___ before...”

3. Old pros 4. Name behind “Punk’d” 5. Ms. Lopez, to fans 6. Malarkey 7. ____ Nova (Canadian singer of 1981’s “Fantasy”) 8. Hayseed 9. More impudent 10. “Pow!” response 11. Text-scanning tech.

12. Scratch (out) 13. Make blonde, say 18. “___ to you, Mrs. Robinson” 22. Sea urchin, in sushi 24. Business execs who crunch numbers 26. Doozy 27. Voices 28. Trombone piece 29. Ken Follett’s “___ the Needle” 30. Light 31. Miami’s st.

32. Man and Capri, e.g.

33. French plane 34. Where the show must go on?

38. “There is ____!”

40. U.S. WWII propaganda agcy.

Word search

41. René’s refusals 44. Division ____ (work related) 46. English odist of note 49. Entreat 50. Of service 51. Deals a heavy blow 55. Like an aborted space mission 56. Like some fast-food orders

58. Incision in an arrow 59. Strong puff 60. Not very busy 61. Cold War broadcaster (abbr.)

62. Not right 63. Op. ___ (bibliography abbr.)

64. Really impress 66. Recipe abbr.

Sudoku

Puzzles’ solutions on next page

Access Aghast Asserts Caper Chrysanthemums Deeds Dental Douse Fares Fasted March 2021

Fatherly Harness Infidelity Intellectuals Leash Massacre Motorways Nostrils Outgrow Pallor

Prohibitions Rafts Roads Rotunda Saves Siren Snips Starring Stirred Stroll

Surreal Timed Train Vaccinates Weeps Wreath Wrestlers

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The straight dope on dope for seniors

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ast year an old friend gave me a er would make a batch of brownies with book for my birthday. Not an un- that “special” ingredient, cut them in squares and put them in usual gift as gifts the bottom of the freezer. go, but this one had some On a Friday, after an esthought put into it. Its tipecially stressful week at tle is Cannabis for Seniors. work he would retrieve a The book covers everypiece and savor it. He said thing you need to know it would “just take the about the use of the muchedge off ”. Another friend maligned Maryjane. and successful businessIn 1936, the cult clasman would enjoy a joint sic Reefer Madness hit the on his way into work evtheatres. It was a propaery morning. There are ganda film about the evils doctors, lawyers, business of marijuana. Those were people, men and women, the old days. These are the Jim Ingebrigtsen who regularly, socially or new days and with them just occasionally puff pot. an ever-increasing interIs It Just Me...

Although there is still a est and demand by seniors stigma attached to it, in seeking the benefits of alternative treatment for a long list of ail- my opinion, it’s no big deal.

There are almost 30 pot shops in this ments. The U.S. and Canada combined sees more than 10,000 baby boomers be- city with a wide selection of smoking material. Everything from loose marijuana coming “seniors” every day.

Being a product of the sixties, I have by the gram, which you would roll on no shame in admitting I might have been your own, or pre-rolled joints individuwitness (perhaps a participant) in a wee ally or even by the pack. Bongs, vapes and bit of weed, a bit of boo, a tad of tea, or various pipes. Lots of options – do your a haul of hemp, maybe. I apologize to no homework.

These aren’t the head shops of the sixone.

Two friends who come to mind have ties. These are government regulated indulged every day for 50+ years. Anoth- businesses.

The staff are very knowledgeable and will help you choose a product best suited to your needs. I was told.

The pain-relieving benefits are quicker when smoking rather than edibles (consumables) such as chocolates, gummies and even tea bags or bottled beverages. I heard.

Smoking for some is preferable but the nostalgic aroma can spread throughout the house. Vaping (using a vaporizer) is a less harsh method of taking on a little THC and it’s smokeless.

And then there’s CBD oil. The therapeutic benefits of CBD oil have been documented for many years and every year more seniors are discovering the advantages. It has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, reduce high blood pressure, promote better sleep and even help with acne. There are recipes for poultices, liniments, joint salve, balms and even bud-butter.

Overall, CBD oil is a potential alternative to highly addictive opioids as a pain remedy.

My primary predicament is chronic back pain and has been for years. My old friend knows this and ergo the good gift he gave me. The CBD has helped … a lot.

Again, do your research. Cannabis isn’t for everyone. You can find all the information you need online or drop into one of the shops and ask questions. You might even bump into someone you know. If you happen to see me, I’m just picking up something for a friend.

Succulents and cactuses

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ucculents are plants that store water in their leaves and stems to help them adapt to arid conditions. They often have waxy coatings and hairy leaves and stems. Sometimes, they are spiny. These are all devices designed to conserve moisture. The hairs, for example, modify the climate directly next to the stem or leaf, preserving humidity and regulating temperature.

Some of these plants, the jade plant would be an example, even go so far as to keep their stomata, the pore shaped breathing apparatus found on the underside of the leaves on most plants, closed during the day to avoid transpiration. They open at night to collect carbon dioxide which they use during the day to aid photosynthesis. These plants generally have shallow roots that grow close to the surface of the soil in order to capture every slight bit of moisture, from the lightest shower to heavy dew.

Succulents are vastly overlooked as a possibility in the garden and in garden design and yet containers full of succulents project the height of sophistication that strikes a sympathetic note with today’s spare interior design lines.

Outdoors succulents are becoming the plant du jour. In the past, gardeners planted sedums but seldom used them as features in garden design. Who would have considered putting shiny-leafed Bergenia in a container and surrounding

it with fleshy plants such as a saxifrage, sempervivums or sedum?

The combination possibilities of succulents are endless: a row of sempervivums (hens and chicks) in a low trough, a mosaic of semperviviums and sedums in a square container, a brightly coloured vessel highlighting a fluorescently flowered cactus are all guaranteed to get a second look. You can do all sorts of creative things with succulent; create geometric patterns with the varied shapes and colours of these plants.

Busy homeowners and gardeners have to love these plants, because they are so easy to grow and take so little care. Once planted outdoors, you can forget them because they will look after themselves.

Indoors or in containers, they need infrequent watering – in winter, as little as once a month or two depending on the size of the container – and little fussing.

You can plant succulents in the hottest, driest, stoniest part of the garden and they will thrive. If planting in containers, mix your potting soil with some sand, vermiculite, or perlite to improve soil porosity and drainage because succulents don’t like standing in wet conditions. Be sure the container has adequate drainage holes.

Yucca plants and aloe vera are two other perennial succulents you may not have thought about. Yucca filamentosa and Yucca glauca are both hardy to zone 3 and can be very effective mulched with river stone. The white flowers are beautiful and the plant itself is an exotic, structural specimen that shows well as a

feature plant.

In the prickly pear cactus family, Opuntia fragilis, O. poryapantha and O. Humifusa are all native to many parts of southern Canada.

Take a second look at succulents – you have probably been growing hens and chicks, saxifrage, sedum, and bergenia for years. Today, there is just so much more variety, most of them tender but the patient gardener can overwinter them indoors. The Echeverias are endlessly fascinating in colour, shapes and form.

You may have a few even more exotic examples indoors, including burrow tail

plants (Sedum morganianum) and kalanchoe, that will benefit from a summer outdoors, not to mention you Christmas cactus. And an added advantage to these plants is that they are very easy to propagate. Many of them will grow if a leaf or part of a stem is stuck in the soil.

Our Farm Greenhouse near Portage La Prairie has over 800 different varieties of succulents to choose from. The conservatory at the International Peace Garden 20 minutes south of Boissevain has over 4,000.

Succulents deserve a bigger and better place in the home and in the garden.

Give them a new chance this year.

Puzzles’ solutions

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March 2021

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Is it time for safe injection sites in Manitoba?

Continued from page 1

ago, that at the very least safe injection sites might reduce the numbers of needles discarded on the street which pose a risk to neighbourhood children.

However, he was not d certain about the other harm reduction.

Those who argue against the sites point to Vancouver, where the incidence of overdose has not been mitigated by the sites and indeed some overdoses have occurred on site. They also claim that the neighbourhoods of such sites have become a magnet for crime and are gathering places for drug dealers.

They cite the increase in users and the growth of tent cities for the users in the vicinity of the clinics.

Clearly, there is no easy answer here.

Turning our backs on the issue will not make it go away. Nor is it a moral issue. People who get hooked on drugs are people who get hooked. Period.

Currently, the federal government is looking at decriminalization of hard drugs and while I disagree with most of their policies, this is one I cannot argue against. All criminalization of substances does is open the door for criminals.

This bankrupts those with means, sends other on crime sprees to support their habit, and creates other social disorder that harms everyone, not to mention both the human and financial cost to society to police and to incarcerate dealers and their victims-turned-criminals and to treat those who end up extremely ill or overdosed.

We need to think about how to manage addiction as opposed to stopping it.

According to a thoughtful piece carried in the City Journal in a story about safe injection sites in Vancouver: “Mark Tyndall, a physician and leading harmreduction advocate in Vancouver, believes that the goal of sobriety—the traditional telos of both medicine and public policy, when it comes to drug abuse—is outdated and should be abandoned. The real objective, he argues, should not be recovery from addiction but the maintenance of addic-

tion, possibly in perpetuity. “People have these unrealistic expectations like . . . we need to get [safe-injection users] abstinent and recovered,” Tyndall explains. “That so rarely happens to people that I don’t have those expectations anymore. I want to keep people alive and relatively healthy and hope for the best.”

Opiates in themselves do not kill if taken in measured quantities. If they were available legally and under supervision, would the “problem” be resolved? Likely not, but many hope that it would lessen the harm done from the illicit trade and allow the addicted to get by the best they can. The problem is that opiates continue to demand higher and higher doses as the brain acclimatizes to the substance. If the drug is taken to induce a sensation of pleasure or release, usage accelerates and often eventually leads to death through overdosing.

Nor are safe injection sites a simple fix for any of the users. Neither is decriminalization. Substance usage has been with us from time immemorial.

Whether it is tobacco or marijuana, alcohol, naturally occurring opiates or “designer” drugs, human have always used mind altering substances for one purpose or another.

We should not be shocked or surprised. Perhaps the best way to deal with the use of drugs is acceptance and education (not moralizing and table pounding but clear information) starting at an early age. And open treatment opportunities when and the addicted person makes the decision to move away from dependence.

Here in Manitoba, this issue will once again be brought to the forefront. It should not become a political football.

The time has come for lots of dialogue, open discussion, and co-operative strategies for reducing harm. Perhaps the answers will come in several forms and might be coupled with strategies to reduce homelessness.

IF YOU ARE A SENIOR. . . . . .

You should consider having the following in place Will The preparation of a will may seem like a daunting task, however, it is essential to ensure that your property is disposed of according to your wishes upon your death. If you pass away without a valid will, the law states what is to happen to your estate.

Power of Attorney A power of attorney is a document which appoints an individual to handle your affairs in the event you become mentally incapable of making your own decisions. Nothing prevents you from continuing to make your own decisions while you are still competent.

A power of attorney is an extremely valuable document to have in place in case anything happens to you which affects your mental ability, such as a stroke, coma or dementia.

Health Care Directive (Living Will) A health care directive, commonly called a living will, is a document which appoints an individual to make decisions with regard to your health care only, while you are alive but unable to express your decisions yourself. This document is distinct from a power of attorney and deals only with health care decisions such as whether life sustaining treatments, such as CPR or blood transfusion, should be continued or withdrawn.

Standard Fees* Last Will and Testament Power of Attorney Health Care Directive * plus GST and PST - Rates are per person.

$225.00 $175.00 $ 75.00

Seniors $200.00 $150.00 $ 50.00

Home and hospital visits are also available $250.00* (includes both meetings) *plus GST and PST TACIUM VINCENT & ASSOCIATES 206 St. Mary’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2H 1J3 DAVID G. VINCENT (204) 989-4236 www.taciumvincent.com

Looking to grow your gardening skills?

Canada’s Local Gardener magazine puts what you need to know right at your fingertips!

Connect with us online whatsupwinnipeg.ca Facebook: Lifestyles55 | Twitter: @Lifestyles55 March 2021

Download Canada’s Local Gardener app on your mobile device and discover the other digital editions of Canada’s Local Gardener!

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