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Free Press Community Review: West

Photo by Rylee Gerrard Kal Barteski painting a polar bear as part of the new mural at the Tundra Grill.

Polar painting project

Rylee Gerrard STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Families aren’t the only curious spectators watching Kal Barteski work on her newest project.

Inquisitive polar bears press their noses and paws to the glass of the Tundra Grill at Assiniboine Park Zoo looking up and over at Barteski as she uses acrylic latex paint to craft a vivid mural of Manitoba’s arctic animals.

Among several upgrades coming to the grill, a new mural featuring polar bears, caribou, wolves, belugas and seals, is helping transport zoo visitors to Churchill through art.

“I want it to feel like a big art hug,” said Barteski, a local artist known for painting wildlife murals in Winnipeg and Churchill. “I want it to feel like you walk into the piece and feel it seep into you.”

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Free Press Community Review: East

Photo by Sheldon Birnie (From left) Brandon Sherby, Emma-Leigh Provido-Aleonar, Hannah Fernandez, and Daniel Ajuwon are Grade 12 students from Transcona Collegiate. The group recently took part in Made to Move Communities, a global competition focused on creating mobility solutions to support people and communities in times of natural disaster. The team won the Americas’ jurisdiction before going to compete globally.

Taking on the world

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Taking on the world

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

You never know where a good idea can take you.

Hannah Fernandez, Brandon Sherby, Emma-Leigh Provido-Aleonar, and Daniel Ajuwon are Grade 12 students at Transcona Collegiate. The four recently competed against students from across North and South America in the Made to Move Communities competition — including 26 classmates in their English language arts class — before winning the Americas’ jurisdiction.

“We thought we’d be doing novel studies or some essays, but this was an inquiry project over the span of a month,” Fernandez said. “When we were chosen, we were shocked. We didn’t really want to win! We wanted another group to win so we could focus on exams. But our presentation was good.”

From there, the team went on compete in the global competition, where the group had a chance to watch the Greek team’s presentation live online.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

Supplied photo by J. Carey Lauder Photography Asher Kettner, 12, won the senior division (12 to 17 years of age) at the 37th annual Young Magicians of Manitoba Showcase of Magic on May 2. Kettner is pictured with world famous escape artist Dean Gunnarson, who presented him with The Bill Brace Magical Achievement Award.

Abracadabra!

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

Abracadabra!

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Magicians may never reveal their secrets, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take pride in their work.

Asher Kettner recently won the senior division at the 37th annual Young Magicians of Manitoba Showcase of Magic. The stage magic competition for youth ages 7 to 17, was held in Winnipeg on May 2. A student at Westdale School in Charleswood, the 12-year-old was also awarded a gold star for his sleight-of-hand performance.

“Just doing it in general is fun, but winning makes you feel like what you do is good and people really care,” Kettner said. “That it’s really important and making something, you know. It’s fun to be rewarded. It’s hard, lots of practise.”

But Asher isn’t the only young magician in his family. His brother Ben, nine, is also an accomplished magician. In March, the pair took home top honours in the Young Magicians of Manitoba’s up-close magic competition in the junior (for seven-to-nine year olds) and senior (12 to 17) categories.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

Photo by Sheldon Birnie Denis Gautron, the first principal at École Julie-Riel, and Jeannette Beaudry, the school’s first kindergarten teacher, opened a time capsule on May 13 which had been placed behind a stone in the wall during the school’s first year of operation (1996-97).

‘C’est spécial’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Preview

‘C’est spécial’

Sheldon Birnie STAFF REPORTER 2 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Students, staff, and the school community at École Julie-Riel recently took a journey to the past.

On May 13, a time capsule that was placed behind a brick marked ‘1995’ next to the front doors of the school during the 1996-97 school year was opened during a widely attended ceremony at the school, located at 316 Ashworth St.

“C’est special,” principal Lyette Carrière said at the beginning of the event. “It’s special.’

From the school’s initial staff of 30, 15 former staff members were on hand for the special ceremony, including the school’s first principal, Denis Gautron. Students from the entire school watched the ceremony, which was conducted in French, in their classrooms via Teams, while Gautron and Jeannette Beaudry, the school’s first kindergarten teacher, pulled the capsule from the wall and opened it before a small crowd assembled outside.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: West

Photo by Rylee Gerrard Grade 6 École Ness student Addison using a flight simulator.

I feel the need… the need for science

Rylee Gerrard STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

I feel the need… the need for science

Rylee Gerrard STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

For some, the intro music to Top Gun is a sign that a classic action movie with fighter jets, aerial combat, and prime ’80s Tom Cruise is starting. For others — perhaps hockey fans — it means the Winnipeg Jets are getting ready to play a home game.

For the aviation students at Collège Sturgeon Heights Collegiate, the music signals the beginning of Top Gun: At the Heights — a science activities at which aviation concepts are taught in a Top Gun-themed way.

Top Gun was released on May 13, 1986 so, on that date 40 years later, it inspired the next generation of Mavericks and Geese.

As 129 Grade 6 students from École Ness piled into a theatre, a Sturgeon Heights-version of the iconic film intro scene, starring aviation instructor Joe Vodopivec, rolled kicking off a morning in which students visited five different activity stations. The result was a hands-on learning environment featuring everything from paper airplanes to flight simulators.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

Supplied photo Gary Garbutt at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Walk.

Sea of support

Rylee Gerrard STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Sea of support

Rylee Gerrard STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis often brings on a wave of emotion. Desolation, distress, diffidence. But Manitobans living with dementia, and their families, can expect a blue wave of supportive people waiting to be the community, camaraderie, and compassion needed at an uncertain time.

The 2026 Walk for Alzheimer’s is happening on Saturday, May 30 at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park — and the blue shirts worn by participants will seemingly flood the park.

“I came around the corner, and was stunned at the amount of blue shirts,” said Erin Crawford, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, of her first Walk for Alzheimer’s experience.

“We hear often (that living with Alzheimer’s) can be isolating and lonely. One beautiful thing about the walk is we’re all here together,” Crawford said.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Community Correspondents

Supplied photo Barb Taylor and Gary Garbutt are facing Garbutt’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis with the support of family and the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba.

Gary’s Groupies gather for Alzheimer’s walk

Tanya Misseghers 3 minute read Preview

Gary’s Groupies gather for Alzheimer’s walk

Tanya Misseghers 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

When two people truly love and care about one another, nothing – not even a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease — can get in their way.

Gary Garbutt and Barb Taylor, River Park South residents in their 80s and together for 35 years, are spokespeople for the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba. With their family, they are participating in the May 30 Walk for Alzheimer’s in Assiniboine Park.

Gary’s Groupies, as they call themselves, will join hundreds of others raising funds for local programs and services that improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and their loved ones in Manitoba.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, 20,300 Manitobans are currently living with dementia, and that number is expected to climb to more than 39,000 by 2050. Every day, nine people are diagnosed with the disease in Manitoba.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

Supplied photo Little Opera Company’s artistic director Spencer Duncanson is pictured here. The company will perform Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret on June 5 and 6 shows at the First Unitarian Universalist Church.

Crossing the bridge between opera and musical theatre

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Preview

Crossing the bridge between opera and musical theatre

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

It’s billed as a musical cabaret “that dances on the line between opera and musical theatre,” and that’s exactly what the Little Opera Company’s performances of Life, Love, and Longing — A Musical Cabaret will do.

The June 5 and 6 shows at the First Unitarian Universalist Church will feature the talents of Winnipeg vocalists Donnalynn Grills; Margot Harding; Sloan Smith; Joanna Loepp Thiessen; Nolan Kehler; Matt Pauls; and Raymond Sokalski; accompanied by pianist Cary Denby.

“We’re hoping to celebrate the relationship between musical theatre and opera,” said Little Opera Company’s artistic director Spencer Duncanson.

“So many people think these are at opposite ends of the spectrum … but the bridge has been crossed many, many times by opera and musical theatre performers. They have something in common, as they are both using music to move things along emotionally,” said Duncanson, noting how opera has a history of being performed in pubs, which may not necessarily be well known.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: West

Photo by Simon Fuller Tyler Engel, director of the Community Food Centre at NorWest Co-op Community Health, is pictured at the site of the future FreshCo store at 1870 Burrows Ave. at Burrows Crossing, which is scheduled to open this fall.

New FreshCo will increase shopping options

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Preview

New FreshCo will increase shopping options

Simon Fuller STAFF REPORTER 4 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Two local stakeholders are hoping a new grocery store in northwest Winnipeg will help improve food security in the community.

Shindico Realty,which brokered the transaction and manages the property, announced last month that FreshCo, the national grocery store chain, will open a new store this fall at 1870 Burrows Ave., at Burrows Crossing.

Construction is now underway in the building, which has been vacant since Sobeys left the premises in 2016. An IGA had also been located in the space.

“My impression is there that there is great deal of excitement about this,” said Harvey Sumka, senior resource co-ordinator at Keewatin/Inkster Neighbourhood Resource Council.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

City news in brief — week of May 20, 2026

FP Community Review staff 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Winnipeg

Book Sale supports Winnipeg Public Library

Friends of the Winnipeg Public Library are hosting an annual fundraising book sale at Pembina Curling Club (1341 Pembina Hwy) on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days.

Wander through a selection of gently-used books in a variety of non-fiction and fiction genres. In addition to books, there will also be DVDs, CDs, and LPs at the sale.

Community Correspondents

Photo by Colin Corneau/LRSD Music students pictured at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé in spring 2025.

Celebrating Music Month in LRSD

Peter Bjornson 3 minute read Preview

Celebrating Music Month in LRSD

Peter Bjornson 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Manitoba has a rich history of producing nationally and internationally recognized musicians, and today it continues to foster a vibrant, diverse, and celebrated music community. That journey often starts in our schools.

Through visits across the division, I have enjoyed getting acquainted with staff, students, and school communities, and seeing first-hand the variety of music education opportunities available. From the developmental foundations of Orff to guitar programs and jazz ensembles, our students are supported in exploring their interests and developing their talents.

We are fortunate to have very hard-working, dedicated, and inspiring music educators who have developed outstanding programs, as research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of music education.

“Music really does help to bring out the best in young people. It nourishes self-esteem, keeps them engaged, and creates a respectful community,” Norman Mould and Ingrid Whyte wrote in the spring 2011 issue of EdCan Network.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Community Correspondents

Adobe Stock photo Because Winnipeg responsible pet ownership bylaw includes provisions for dangerous dogs, the city does not need its breed-specific dog ban, pet columnist Jeff McFarlane argues.

Time to end breed-specific dog ban

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Preview

Time to end breed-specific dog ban

Jeff McFarlane 4 minute read Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Winnipeg has so many positive things going for it. We moved here 26 years ago to start a business and a new life, escaping the hustle and bustle of Toronto. It was the best move of our lives, and we are so grateful to our friends and neighbours for being just the best you could want.

One dark mark on the city, though, is the continued existence of breed-specific dangerous pet legislation in the City of Winnipeg’s bylaws. The banning of pit bulls was widespread in many jurisdictions around the globe in the 1980s, and Winnipeg enacted its own ban in 1990. Meant to protect Winnipeggers from potentially dangerous dogs, the bylaw’s original intent seemed logical.

In the decades since, sentiment has grown away from breed-specific bans in many places, spearheaded by many rescue groups, which were finding it harder and harder to place dogs that could potentially be seen as pit bulls. Many municipalities have rolled back or revised their pit bull bans, preferring instead to use “dangerous dog” designations, that can mean any dog, regardless of breed, which poses a threat to public safety.

Dog fighting is a despicable and deplorable practice that has almost been eliminated from society. But the stigma of how pit bull breeds excelled in that arena has dogged their existence, creating a false impression that all pit bulls are dangerous. Many people not intimately aware of the breed believe they are pure evil and untrainable.

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Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Community Correspondents

Overcoming homelessness takes community

Emma Durand-Wood 3 minute read Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Homelessness and encampments have been a major area of concern for Elmwood-East Kildonan, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With spring starting to warm up, we’re already starting to see the usual seasonal uptick in encampments, as milder weather changes the incentives for many who are choosing between two terrible options – sometimes-unsafe shelter living or sometimes-unsafe outdoor living.

When taking action to address homelessness, it’s important to ensure we are treating the root causes, and not just the symptoms. Dismantling encampments without meeting the needs of the people being displaced simply shifts them to another area in an endless cycle.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve spent time visiting and learning about both Main Street Project and St. Boniface Street Links, two of the major organizations doing outreach and homelessness reduction work in our city. While their approaches differ slightly, both are working on supporting people to transition out of encampments and into accessible and dignified housing.

Community Correspondents

Supplied photo Winnipeg West MP Doug Eyolfson (kneeling, far right) joined finance minister François-Philippe Champagne (third from right, ) Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid (second from right), Saint Boniface – Saint Vital MP Ginette Lavack, (second from left) and members of the Royal Canadian Air Force at a recent defence announcement at 17 Wing Winnipeg related to the government’s spring economic update.

Building stability in uncertain times

Doug Eyolfson 3 minute read Preview

Building stability in uncertain times

Doug Eyolfson 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

As Parliament continues its work in Ottawa, my focus remains on the priorities I hear most often from residents across Winnipeg West – affordability, housing, community safety, and protecting good local jobs.

Over the past several months, I have met with residents at community centres, small businesses, neighbourhood events, and local organizations throughout Winnipeg West. While each conversation is different, a clear message continues to emerge – people are looking for stability and support they can genuinely feel in their daily lives.

For many families, seniors, and young people, affordability remains the central challenge. Rising grocery prices, housing costs, and everyday expenses continue to place real pressure on household budgets.

A senior in Winnipeg West recently told me she now shops with a calculator open on her phone, carefully tracking each item to ensure essentials last through the month. That conversation stayed with me because it reflects an important reality – economic pressures are not abstract. They shape real decisions in real households every day.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Community Correspondents

Free Press file photo Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara speaks at the April 20 announcement of the new Manitoba Menopause Clinic.

Exciting news in women’s health care

Uzoma Asagwara 3 minute read Preview

Exciting news in women’s health care

Uzoma Asagwara 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

I am thrilled to share encouraging news regarding our government’s work to strengthen healthcare for women and all Manitobans. For far too long, menopause care was overlooked and even ignored by the previous Progressive Conservative government.

That is finally changing. We believe that women deserve high-quality care through every season of their lives, and our team is taking a major step to ensure that expertise and respect are at the center of that journey.

Last month, we announced a $5.2 million investment to establish the new Manitoba Menopause Clinic. This facility, which will be located in southwest Winnipeg, is more than just a new building. It is a restoration of vital services that were lost in 2017 when the previous government made the decision to cut and close the Mature Women’s Centre. For years, women were told to go without care or to travel elsewhere. Now, we are righting that wrong by building a full, 360-degree, wraparound service model that will once again serve as a leader in Canada.

While the clinic will be located in Winnipeg, it is designed as a service for the entire province. Whether you live here in Union Station or are traveling from the north, western Manitoba, or the Interlake, this clinic will connect patients to providers, using both in-person and virtual expertise. For many folks in our neighbourhood who balance the pressures of shift work, caregiving, and transit, having a centralized hub of excellence means less time searching for answers and more time getting the support you are entitled to.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Free Press Community Review: East

Sports news in brief – week of May 20, 2026

Sports news in brief – week of May 20, 2026

– FP Community Review staff 1 minute read Preview

Sports news in brief – week of May 20, 2026

– FP Community Review staff 1 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Lawn bowling season kicks off

Bowls Manitoba will host its third annual season-opening fours tournament at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at the Dakota Lawn Bowling Centre, 1212 Dakota St.

Played on an artificial green, the tournament will bring together club members with former provincial champions and other leading players.

Clubs from Brandon, Gimli and Winnipeg, including Tuxedo, St. John’s, Norwood and St. James, have each provided two teams of three players. To make a foursome, each team will be assigned a skip who has competed at the provincial and/or national level. Games will be 10 ends, with each player delivering two bowls. All teams are guaranteed three games.

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Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

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