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Photo by John Kendle
St. Boniface-based visual artist and singer-songwriter James Culleton is pictured at his home on March 5. The Art of James Culleton, an exhibition featuring music drawings, paintings and sculptures, will be held from April 1 to 29 at St. Norbert Arts Centre (100 Rue des Ruines du Monastère). And at the same location on April 8, he’ll be holding a release party to mark his new contemporary folk/roots album titled Love Lasts Forever.

A man of many colours

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

James Culleton has more than one string to his bow.

The St. Boniface resident’s resumé includes furniture designer, muralist, and he’s the chair of the board of directors of Forum Art Centre.

The Transcona Collegiate alumnus is also a well-known visual artist and singer-songwriter, whose work bridges image and song, story and sound, characterized by his colourful artistic creations and engaging stage presence. Visitors to Festival du Voyageur may have recently seen him perform.

Culleton will be showcasing his skills in both music and visual art next month.

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Meet them at The Heights

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Preview

Meet them at The Heights

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

When it comes to nailing down the recipe for success, it appears there are several winning ingredients.

Silver Heights Restaurant and Lounge — a legendary local landmark that’s located at 2169 Portage Ave. — has been a fixture in St. James since 1957, when it was started by Anthony Siwicki Sr. and his partners.

Siwicki Sr. bought out his partners in 1964, and his three sons — Jimmy, Dave and Allan — grew and developed the business. Some 62 years on, Jimmy and his wife, Maureen, have grown the business with their children, and “the Heights”, as it’s known in the neighbourhood, is now in its fourth generation of family involvement.

On Feb. 19, Jimmy was one of three people inducted to the 2026 Manitoba Restaurant Hall of Fame at a gala event at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre in downtown Winnipeg. The other two were Richard Enright (a longtime Boston Pizza franchisee) and the late Oscar Grubert.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Photo by Simon Fuller
Jimmy and Maureen Siwicki are pictured at Silver Heights Restaurant recently with an award Jimmy received when he was inducted into the 2026 Manitoba Restaurant Hall of Fame at a gala event on Feb. 19.

Herbivores will love this haven

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 4 minute read Preview

Herbivores will love this haven

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Herbivore Haven, Winnipeg’s beloved plant-based market, is back for its fourth event, this one to be held at Southdale Community Centre on Sunday, March 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Brittany Martens and Caitlin Sikora are the business owners and trailblazers doing the work to ensure a memorable and vibrant community-based experience for all visitors.

“For us, Herbivore Haven is about creating a welcoming space where people can discover great food, support local creators, and connect with a community that cares about sustainability and compassion,” Martens said.

Accessibility remains a priority for the organizers, who consider every detail when making arrangements for the increasingly popular events.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

A taste of Bliss

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 4 minute read Preview

A taste of Bliss

Janine LeGal Special to FP Community Review 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Imperial cookies, classic cheesecake, tiramisu, carrot muffin, focaccia, freshly brewed Americano. Sounds like bliss, doesn’t it?

A new beginning has dawned for Bliss Gourmet Baked Goods, a Manitoba-based business specializing in authentic handmade Italian cookies. Launched about 10 years ago, Bliss has evolved into a celebrated multi-cultural team with heart.

Since being taken over by new owner James Zhu in 2022, Bliss has experienced significant expansion, growing from having its products placed with a handful of local retailers to now being available in over 500 stores across Canada. At the recently-held Manitoba Chinese Business gala, Bliss Gourmet was the winner of the 2026 business of the year award.

Now Bliss Gourmet’s first retail bakery has been officially launched, offering a range of freshly baked delights from cookies to breads and desserts.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Supplied photo
Supplied photo
(From left) Lin, Anna, Jennifer and Maria are proud members of the Bliss Gourmet Baked Goods team.

Public works approves 2027 bike lane for Wellington Crescent

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Preview

Public works approves 2027 bike lane for Wellington Crescent

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

For proponents of safer Winnipeg streets, it felt like one step forward, two steps back.

On March 4, Winnipeg city council’s public works committee voted to ask the provincial government to amend the Highway Traffic Act, thus enabling the city the power to lower the default speed limit on residential and minor collector streets to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. The motion from the public works committee must be passed by council at its March 26 meeting.

At the same meeting, the committee voted to accelerate the city’s plan to construct permanent bike lines on Wellington Crescent in 2027. The city had initially planned to construct a temporary lane this year and spend $5.5 million to install a permanent lane in 2029. The successful motion, by Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) came only after a similar motion had earlier been defeated.

Dozens of Winnipeggers attended the meeting to speak in favour of lowering speed limits and establishing a permanent bicycle lane on Wellington Crescent.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Public works approves 2027 bike lane for Wellington Crescent

Early end to river trail

FP Community Review 1 minute read Preview

Early end to river trail

FP Community Review 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

On March 2, the Red River section of the Nestaweya River Trail closed for the season.

The early closure was to allow for long-awaited maintenance work on the Historic Rail Bridge before seasonal ice conditions changed.

Two days later, on March 4, the Assiniboine River portion of the trail closed as well, as water levels began to rise.

The Nestaweya trail was open for 62 days this year, falling short of last year’s 68-day season and the record 76 days set in 2019.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Photo by Sheldon Birnie
On March 2, the Red River section of the Nestaweya River Trail was closed for the season so maintenance work could begin on the old rail bridge above the mouth of the Assiniboine River.

New Transcona K-8 school approved

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 1 minute read Preview

New Transcona K-8 school approved

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee held a regular meeting on Feb. 23.

Plans for a new public school at Devonshire Drive West and Private Davy Drive were presented. The English-language school, for kindergarten to Grade 8 students, will be in the River East Transcona School Division and could accommodate up to 800 students, 75 faculty, and nine additional staff, as well as 104 childcare-facility students and 21 child-care staff. Both vehicle and bicycle parking exceed the minimum requirement.

Although both Couns. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Emma Durand-Wood (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said they would rather see more, smaller elementary schools than one large, central one, the plans were approved.

Landscaping plans for 1555 Regent Ave W. were once again presented, after being laid over four times since they were first presented. They were received as information.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Supplied image
Plans for a new K-8 school in Transcona were approved by the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee on Feb. 23.

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And still they rise…

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

And still they rise…

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

When one door closes, another opens.

For the past three years, the Elmwood Community Resource Centre has run the Still I Rise program, a survivor-centred initiative supporting people and families affected by gender-based violence (GBV). In that time, it has supported more than 300 individuals and families, not only in Elmwood but across Winnipeg and past the Perimeter.

Now, after three successful years, the project is wrapping up, but the work to serve the community will continue.

“We provide resources for women and usually we provide some kind of counselling, if necessary, for persons who have faced GBV issues,” program co-ordinator Damati Amiesimaka said. “We also use trauma-informed and sensitive ways to get people to talk about their fears, and the ways systems have not served them. We try to sensitize them so that they feel comfortable talking about issues that are important to them.”

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Supplied photo
Damati Amiesimaka is the program co-ordinator of Still I Rise, a support program for those affected by gender-based violence that has run for the past three years out of the Elmwood Community Resource Centre.

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

FP Community Review staff 3 minute read Preview

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

FP Community Review staff 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Southdale

St. Vital

St. Boniface

Elmwood

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Supplied photo by Christian Plaza
The Art Group will host its annual exhibit and sale March 28 at Chalmers Community Centre (480 Chalmers Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

FP Community Review staff 1 minute read Preview

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

FP Community Review staff 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

It’s registration time in Macdonald–Headingley

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

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

For full details, visit www.mhrd.ca

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

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

Winnipeg news in brief – week of March 11, 2026

Compiled by Tony Zerucha 3 minute read Preview

Winnipeg news in brief – week of March 11, 2026

Compiled by Tony Zerucha 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

It’s almost civic election season

While the 2026 municipal elections across the province aren’t until Oct. 28, those considering running for council or school board positions must get organized well before then.

Prospective City of Winnipeg mayoral candidates can register beginning Friday, May1 and up to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Candidates must acquire 250 signatures of eligible voters whose names appear on voter lists.

Candidates for city council and school boards can begin registering on June 30. They, too, have up to Sept. 22. Council and school trustee candidates must acquire signatures on 25 eligible voters whose names appear on the list. Trustee candidates must be a resident of the school division since April 28.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Free Press file photo
Municipal elections will be held across Manitoba on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

High school hockey playoffs heating up

FP Community Review staff 3 minute read Preview

High school hockey playoffs heating up

FP Community Review staff 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Winnipeg

High school hockey playoffs heating up

High school hockey players across Winnipeg and beyond are deep into playoff action.

The Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s top Platinum Promotions division wrapped up its championship series last week, with the Oak Park Raiders prevailing over the Vincent Massey Trojans in the best-of-three final. The two teams finished at the top of the regular season standings before blazing through the playoffs.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Free Press file photo
College Jeanne-Sauvé Olympiens (in white) took on Steinbach Regional Sabres in recent high school hockey playoff action.

New French middle school set for fall opening

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

New French middle school set for fall opening

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

A new French middle school will open in St. Boniface this fall to help accommodate the demand for French-language education in southeast Winnipeg.

On March 2, the provincial government and the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) announced the new school will be located at 261 Youville St. — a site with a capacity for 375 students currently being used by Springs Christian Academy, which is moving to a new campus this fall.

“Families across Manitoba are choosing French-language education in record numbers and we want to make sure there is a seat for every child who wants one,” Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt said in a release, adding the move is “about ensuring Manitoba’s francophone heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Bernard Lesage, president of Commission scolaire franco-manitobaine, explained the new school is a way to bring together Grade 7 and 8 students prior to their high school years.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Photo by John Kendle
The former King George V school on Youville Street, currently being used by Springs Christian Academy, will become a French-language middle school in the fall.

Enjoying the pack mentality

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Preview

Enjoying the pack mentality

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Last January, a small kitten called out to Jackie in the middle of the night, from under a neighbour’s deck. Jackie responded by using her power tools to rescue it, and for the next few months we tried to find out where he came from.

We eventually exhausted that effort and realized that he had worked his way into our family unit. Like in a book, we now have a Labrador (Rey), a French bulldog (Leia) and a grey domestic shorthair cat (Moonlight). Two rescues, one from a breeder, and they have come together in a family unit.

They’re not always harmonious, but what family is? We will often find them curled up together, or near each other. And sometimes they scuffle or get up and leave if another tries to scoop some attention.

Feeding is a surprisingly harmonious time, as no one tries to sneak another’s food, which could be because they all eat their entire meals in a minute or two. They all get raw and love it. Moonlight gets a little midnight snack that seems to reduce his nighttime activity (he can be very annoying), which Rey and Leia would love to share, but they have gotten used to it.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Calendrier communautaire 233-ALLÔ

Calendrier communautaire 1 minute read Preview

Calendrier communautaire 233-ALLÔ

Calendrier communautaire 1 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Jusqu’ au 14 mars • Freeze Frame • CCFM

12 mars • Session d’information sur les droits des personnes 2ELGBTQI+ en milieu minoritaire • En ligne

12 mars • Sortie familiale organisée par les CRÉEs • Kid City

13 et 20 mars • Ligue d’improvisation du Manitoba • CCFM

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

File photo
Guitarist Laurent Roy and singer Erin Propp will perform at Mardi Jazz on March 17.

Young Marauder makes an impression

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Preview

Young Marauder makes an impression

Troy Westwood 3 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

Andrey Yamborko is a 17-year-old Grade 12 student and basketball player at Maples Collegiate.

He is a well-rounded athlete, but his focus now is playing basketball for the Maples Marauders, the third-ranked team in the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s AAAA varsity boys rankings.

“I love basketball because it is very fun and lets me get away from anything that could be going wrong in my life,” he said. “I play wing primarily and also play guard. Playing wing allows me to make a lot of off-the-ball reads and also crash the glass while spacing the floor, which I like doing most.”

Andrey was named the MHSAA male athlete of the week on Feb. 25, for his exploits leading the Maples attack. The Marauders are enjoying a successful year, finishing Maples second in the Nick Laping tournament, second in the St. Vital Invitational, third in the Maples Invitational, and third in the Bedford Road Invitational in Saskatoon, Sask.

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Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026

March 16, 2026