Ice cutting underway on Red River

Ice fishers and snowmobilers are being warned to stay off the Red River now that two Amphibex ice-cutting machines have started work breaking up the ice to help prevent spring flooding. The $1 million project involves cutting the ice and then creating a channel to allow the ice to move, hopefully leaving residents in flood-prone areas high and dry. In the past three years, the efforts have prevented approximately $3 million in damages. The program is run by the North Red Community Water Maintenance Corporation which includes the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements and the City of Selkirk.

Provincial park prices rise

The cost of services in Manitoba provincial parks are set to moderately increase for the 2010 camping season. Some of the hikes in price include nightly camping fees, which will increase to between $9.45 and $24.15 from the previous range of $8.40 to $22.05, depending on services and type of site, while seasonal camping rates are anywhere from $30 to $90 more expensive. Also, those wishing to shower will now have to pay $1 for a three-minute shower. The new revenue will go towards paying off recent improvements to water, waste-water systems, washrooms, showers and campsites. Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie noted, though, that Manitobans still have some of the lowest camping fees in the country.

Vision Quest

Aboriginal leaders and innovators are meeting for the 14th annual Vision Quest Conference at the Winnipeg Convention Centre from Tuesday, May 18 to Thursday, May 20. The event, which promotes success in Aboriginal business, community and economic development, will feature more than 16 workshops about business and leadership. There will also be a trade show with more than 80 exhibitors, an awards presentation and plenty of food and drinks. The first keynote speaker, Wes Studi, is an author, activist, Vietnam veteran and actor who recently appeared in James Cameron’s movie Avatar. DJ Sadie from Streetz FM and comedian Don Burnstick will perform opening night.

Pride welcomes R & B star

R & B singer Deborah Cox will headline this year’s Gay Pride Festival on Sunday, June 6. Cox once held a Billboard record for longest-running number one single on the “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles and Tracks” chart for her hit song Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here. Winnipeg Pride is partnering with Manitoba Homecoming 2010 and Destination Winnipeg in an effort to bring in big name performers and huge crowds. The parade will start at the legislature and, for the first time in Pride history, wind its way down to the Forks for the rest of the day’s festivities.

Published in Volume 64, Number 23 of The Uniter (March 18, 2010)