Sheldon Birnie

Sheldon Birnie

Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is the reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time.

Email him at sheldon.birnie@canstarnews.com

Call him at 204-697-7112

Recent articles of Sheldon Birnie

L’Arche Winnipeg prepares for annual fundraiser

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER Transcona 2 minute read Preview

L’Arche Winnipeg prepares for annual fundraiser

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER Transcona 2 minute read 9:08 AM CDT

With spring weather around the corner, it’s time to dust off those walking shoes.

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9:08 AM CDT

Supplied photo

Volunteers are preparing for L’Arche Winnipeg’s annual fundraiser, Walk with L’Arche.

A new place to play

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

A new place to play

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read 9:07 AM CDT

For caregivers in Transcona, a new weekly playgroup provides an option to get out of the house and have some fun with their young children.

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9:07 AM CDT

Supplied photo

Every Thursday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., children five years old and under and their caregivers can drop-in for free at Transcona Reformed Church (131 Victoria Ave.) to take part in the Pitter Patter Playgroup.

Léo-Rémillard, Murdoch MacKay win hockey championships

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Léo-Rémillard, Murdoch MacKay win hockey championships

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

Another high school hockey season is in the books. And what a season it was for east Winnipeg athletes.

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Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

Learning to fly

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Learning to fly

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

The skies are buzzing with opportunity.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Photo by Sheldon Birnie

(From left) Amit Patel, Jesse Green, Randy Pokrant, Grant Barkman, Sheldon Birnie, Rosie Ponce, and Kirsten Kruse during basic drone pilot training at Emerson School (323 Emerson Ave.) on March 4.

Strange musical frequencies

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Strange musical frequencies

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

The ambient, electronic music of a River East Collegiate alumnus will receive a world premiere on March 22, as part of the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra’s Equinox: Chamber Night at the WAG program.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Photo by Sheldon Birnie

Kerey Harper, a River East Collegiate alumnus, will have two new works premiere at the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra’s March 22 concert.

Skiing sisters compete at Canada Winter Games

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER East St. Paul North Kildonan 4 minute read Preview

Skiing sisters compete at Canada Winter Games

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER East St. Paul North Kildonan 4 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

Two sisters from East St. Paul recently represented Manitoba on the slopes at the Canada Winter Games.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

Committee kicks decision-making down the line

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

Committee kicks decision-making down the line

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee was set to meet on Feb. 24.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

Supplied image

A public hearing for a subdivision, rezoning, and variance application for 1380 Ralveston Ave. W was scheduled for Feb. 24. However, the hearing was adjourned until the March 20 meeting.

RETSD board approves ‘lean’ 2023-24 budget

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

RETSD board approves ‘lean’ 2023-24 budget

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

The River East Transcona School Division board of trustees approved a ‘lean’ $224 million budget for the 2023-24 school year on March 7.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

The River East Transcona School Division board of trustees approved a ‘lean’ $224 million budget for the 2023-24 school year on March 7.

Paying it forward

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Paying it forward

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023

In hockey, as in life, Brent Nemeth believes in working hard and giving back.

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Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023

Photo by Sheldon Birnie

Brent Nemeth, whose son Cooper was murdered in 2016, is looking forward to the fourth annual Cooper Nemeth Hockey Memorial, which will be held on Saturday, March 25 at Gateway Recreation Centre (1717 Gateway Rd.). The annual event brings together some of the best hockey players in Winnipeg to raise money for a fund which provides monetary support for players in need to play at higher levels.

Changes to multi-family development approved

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

Changes to multi-family development approved

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023

The City Centre community committee met on Feb. 22, approving a number of per capita grants for local community organizations and school groups.

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Wednesday, Mar. 1, 2023

Supplied photo

A public hearing for a variance for a multi-family development at 321-339 Wardlaw Ave. was held at the City Centre community committee meeting on Feb. 22. The application to reduce minimum dwelling size from 400-square-feet to 383 square-feet and waive a requirement for five extra parking, in order to add a total of four units to an already approved 51-unit, four storey building, was approved.

‘She’s always been feisty’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

‘She’s always been feisty’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

Raise a glass to 100 years well lived, and many more to come.

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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

Kildonan-East JV basketball teams among top in province

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Kildonan-East JV basketball teams among top in province

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

When talking about the Kildonan-East junior varsity basketball program, it would be an understatement to say ‘the kids are alright.’

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Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

Supplied photo

The Kildonan-East Reivers girls junior varsity basketball team, ranked second in the province at press time, is looking to take home the provincial championship this season.

‘We have to step up’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

‘We have to step up’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

There’s never a bad time to volunteer. But with annual general meetings, board appointments, and spring sports just around the corner, volunteer-run community centres in east Winnipeg need folks to step up.

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Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

Supplied photo

The Valley Gardens Community Centre board is looking for volunteers to fill a number of positions at its upcoming annual general meeting, which will be held on April 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Scout groups in need of new storage space

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Scout groups in need of new storage space

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

With Scout Week happening across North America this week, local Scout troops will be celebrating their accomplishments. However, the 1st John de Graff Scouts troop finds itself in a bit of a jam.

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Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

Supplied photo

The 1st John de Graff Scouts, pictured here starting fires and boiling water preparing for the annual Klondike Derby, with the Valley Gardens Community Centre’s Lodge in the background. The scouts also used the building for storage. However, the scouts are now in need of a new place to store their equipment year round.

Music students, teachers to perform at KP

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER Winnipeg 3 minute read Preview

Music students, teachers to perform at KP

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER Winnipeg 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

The halls of Kildonan Place will soon be ringing with the sound of music.

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Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Supplied photo

Piano student Avery Kasdorf and teacher Annette Hay at a previous Musicthon event. The 2023 Musicthon, which will feature over 100 students performing, will take place at Kildonan Place on March 4 and 5 in support of United Way Winnipeg arts programs for youth.

East Winnipeg schools vie for Price Division banner

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

East Winnipeg schools vie for Price Division banner

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

If competition has been intense this season for the Price Division title, it’s only heating up.

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Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Supplied photo

Murdoch MacKay boys hockey team, seen here competing in a tournament in Montreal, Que., earlier this year, finished second in regular season play in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s Price Division for 2022-23.

Local curlers headed to Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Local curlers headed to Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

It was only a matter of time, but local curler Meghan Walter has punched her ticket to the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

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Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

Supplied photo by Connie Laliberte East Kildonan’s Meghan Walter, pictured here at the 2023 Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts, where Walter and her team came in second to Jennifer Jones’ team. Both teams will compete in the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Kamloops, B.C., later this month.

The joy of fibre art

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

The joy of fibre art

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

HEADINGLEY

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Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

Supplied photo

Yvonne Rempel (left) stands beside Cathie Ugrin who holds Yvonne’s interpretation of JOY for the SAQA display at Transcona Memorial United Church.

New management takes over hotel restaurant

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

New management takes over hotel restaurant

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

There’s nothing like home cooking.

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Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

Photo by Sheldon Birnie Tianlin Feng is keen to have diners visit the restaurant at the Curtis Gordon Motor Hotel. Feng, who took over the restaurant at the start of January 2023, has expanded both the menu and hours of operation.

Much ado without recommendations

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Much ado without recommendations

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

The East Kildonan-Transcona community committee met on Jan. 25, and public hearings were held on a number of proposed projects in northeast Winnipeg.

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Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

Supplied image

A second lane closure, subdivision, rezoning, and variance hearing was held on Jan. 25 for the properties at 755 Henderson Hwy. and 220 Helmsdale Ave.

Sky’s the limit for drone pilots

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Sky’s the limit for drone pilots

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

Those looking to take their interest in drones to the next level are in luck.

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Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

Junior Vics building foundation for successful season

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Junior Vics building foundation for successful season

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

The St. Vital Junior Victorias aren’t taking anything for granted.

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Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Supplied photo by Scott Stroh / Junior Night in Manitoba St. Vital Jr. Victorias captain Brayden Clark.

Winter Fun Day returns to Elmwood

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Winter Fun Day returns to Elmwood

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

After a three year hiatus, Elmwood Winter Fun Day is back.

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Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

File photo Elmwood Winter Fun Day once again takes place at Clara Hughes Recreation Park (281 Henderson Hwy.) on Sat., Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., following three years of pandemic related hiatus.

Tabletop gaming event returns to Bronx Park CC

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Tabletop gaming event returns to Bronx Park CC

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

Tabletop gamers, unite!

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Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

File photo

Game-itoba, pictured here in 2018, returns to Bronx Park Community Centre (720 Henderson Hwy.) on Jan. 27 for a weekend of tabletop gaming.