New bistro perking up ears in Osborne Village

Manitoba PCs choose Narth as interim leader; ‘deeply hurt’ Khan blasts former caucus colleagues

Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative caucus chose MLA Konrad Narth as interim party leader Tuesday to replace Obby Khan, who quit a day earlier after he said he was stabbed in the back by a small group of caucus members plotting in secret to oust him.

Obsessed stalker who shot, killed young woman at bus stop in 1993 dies behind bars at age 74

A Winnipeg man who stalked a woman for several years before shooting her dead in the street in 1993 has died in Stony Mountain prison.

On Monday, 74-year-old Ronald Edd Bell died of apparent natural causes at the federal prison just north of Winnipeg, the Correctional Service of Canada said.

Bell had been in prison since May 30, 1994, when he was given a life sentence with no chance of parole for 18 years for killing Terry-Lyn Babb, 25, on Jan. 21, 1993.

Bell walked up behind an unsuspecting Babb, who was waiting at a bus stop at Sherbrook Street and Wolseley Avenue, and shot her in the head with a pistol in front of horrified witnesses, says the Free Press report of his sentencing hearing.

New bistro perking up ears in Osborne Village

BLACK RABBIT: Curious shoppers have been cupping their hands around their eyes and peering in to the Black Rabbit bistro lounge in Osborne Village, now that the brown paper is finally off the picture windows. But it's locked! Excited restaurant owner Jarrett Connery and general manager Doug Frostiak hope to open the doors, after finishing touches, in just a few weeks. (This is the former Bistrot by Basil spot on Osborne Street near Stradbrook Avenue.) Yours truly, never the shy one, got herself invited in. Want a sneak peek? The wood-lined dining room and attractive, exposed-brick curved front bar are designed to make the spot a trendy gathering place in the Village this summer. And, for those who like to dine al fresco, the restaurant opens onto a private back garden patio with a large tree rising up the middle that's so homey, it could attract hobbits. Frostiak says they've been pressure-washing the patio and are anxious to get the ivy climbing the walls again. Says Connery, "We're going to be growing fresh herbs on the patio, too." That'll make New Zealand-born chef Gareth Stewart a happy cooker, as his menu includes everything from salmon, Cornish hen and steaks, to pastas, pizzas, small plates and burgers. Stay tuned for the opening.

BIRTHDAY BASH: Neechi Commons Co-op, at 865 Main St., celebrated its two-year anniversary in its large grocery store, bakery and restaurant Thursday afternoon. Billy Joe Green played guitar in the restaurant, where they served bannock pizza, attracting several hundred people throughout the day. Upstairs, a trip around the sophisticated Neechi Niche store brought oohs and ahhs. Spotted: Painting and beaded jewelry by Trip Charbs (Psst! A bowtie and his white deerskin beaded purse went to the Juno Awards for attendees to model); traditional paintings by Chris Wescoupe; moccasin and baby wraps by Kelly and Harry Harper; and gleaming jewelry by Tanis Thomas in copper and silver. There were also Métis tattoo artist designs by Marley Prysiazniuk, CDs by Leonard Sumner; and books such as North End Love Songs by poet Katherena Vermette. Tipi Joe, who has laser-printed drums and mini-teepees for sale, works with schools constructing teepees. You can't miss the birch-bark canoe hand-crafted by Chris Wabie. Neechi Commons, open seven days a week, is worth the trip. The art store is open 10:30 to 6 p.m. except Sunday, when it closes at 5 p.m.

BEST BET THURSDAY: As the Winnipeg Comedy Festival rolls up fast -- April 6-12, with a pre-fest show on April 1 (great day for fools!) -- Winnipeg comedians are coming out in droves to open mikes. Last Thursday, delighted patrons of new bar and restaurant the Handsome Daughter at 61 Sherbrook St. bar saw 21 comedians do three- to five-minute sets. Not surprisingly, many of the local Comedy Fest 2015 festival performers -- including Ryan Ash, Tim Gray, Dana Smith, Matt Nightingale, Chad Anderson, Paul Rabliauskas, Andy Noble and Mike Green -- were sharpening their comedy chops onstage. Also making the scene: plumber Rory Tracey, Free Press copy editor Gilbert Gregory, community journalist for the Times Jared Story and seamstress Cathi-Anne Cook, who says she's stopped shopping for dates on Plenty of Fish and is now cruising Wikipedia. She recently found a god-like character, with a cool name -- Zeus.

Acquisition of former residential school grounds will help educate future generations: premier

Premier Wab Kinew says a former Brandon-area campground acquired by the province will help educate future generations about the horrors of residential schools.

“We live in an era where people are trying to deny what happened in residential schools,” Kinew said during a Tuesday afternoon visit to Turtle Crossing Campground, near the former Brandon Indian Residential School. “It’s an important part of our national history, and keeping that truth alive.”

Kinew officially announced the province’s plan Tuesday, in partnership with the City of Brandon, to acquire and protect the site where the bodies of more than 50 Indigenous children are located.

The premier said the property has “huge national significance” for education about residential school history because it is one of the “most documented” in the country. He carried photographs, and some 20th century newspaper clippings from the Brandon Sun around the site Tuesday.

Expert urges food, drink makers to look to foreign markets

Canada’s slowing population growth could restrict business expansion, a top economist for Farm Credit Canada warned Manitoba manufacturers.

Craig Johnston, the federal Crown corporation’s chief economist, addressed Prairie businesses at Farm Credit Canada’s Food and Beverage Summit Tuesday.

“There could be some modest growth in Canadian consumption of food and beverage,” Johnston said, relaying population numbers inside a Victoria Inn Hotel conference room.

Still, per-person spending on food is “stagnant, if not somewhat rising,” Johnson later told reporters.

Perfumer battling city hall to keep his shop open

Michael O’Malley has been here before — fighting the City of Winnipeg to keep his business open.

He usually spends his days concocting scents. He’s owned La Parfumerie, a Wolseley shop, since 1993.

Twenty-seven natural perfumes line shelves on 145 Evanson St.’s bottom floor. O’Malley lives above the space.

Now, he’s required to change the home’s zoning or shut out walk-in customers. Either would kill the company, O’Malley said.