Sophisticated bungalow’s soaring ceilings & wall-to-wall windows maximize spectacular surroundings
Residential havens in natural settings provide exciting options at the Fall Parade of Homes
FEELING THE HEAT ON THE OAXACAN COAST
Unspoiled Mexican gem offers white sands, verdant jungle, authentic food & culture
With gorgeous park views and meandering natural pathways right outside your door, Parkview Pointe is the perfect place to build your dream home. Phase 3 lots now selling!
Prime lots now selling in phase 2 & 3 NEW PHASE 3 SHOWOPENHOMES FOR PARADE OF HOMES SEPT 21 - OCT 13
I’ve always felt that the year truly begins in the fall. After a summer hiatus, we return to our schedules and our routines. We start making plans.
Whether those plans are to escape winter with a Mexican vacation, to find a new home or to make changes to an existing one, this issue offers plenty of ideas. Take, for instance, the fabulous home featured in Bringing Luxury Home. Wall-to-wall windows and 14-foot ceilings create an open and airy quality that’s rare in a bungalow, while maximizing the ability to enjoy the incredible surroundings year-round. Outdoors, is a professionally-landscaped yard with fire pit/barbecue areas looking out onto a lush river setting.
The beauty of trees changing colour, long walks on cool evenings among the falling leaves – this is the art of living in the heart of our newest neighbourhoods to the north, the southwest, and just beyond the city limits. Manitoba’s
premiere builders are taking full advantage of the forest and lake vistas with walkouts and lookouts onto the lakes and foliage. Explore their latest designs during the Fall Parade of Homes. From September 21 to October 13, a collection of exceptional showhomes will be on display across a wide array of neighbourhoods. There is something for everyone: from young up-and-comers to families, from busy executives to seniors.
And for those entering the autumnal period of their lives, independent living is reaching new heights with an innovative seniors’ residence in Sage Creek. Among the premium amenities is a dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering scenic prairie views.
Homeowners from all walks of life are increasingly placing value in a home’s connection to the outdoors. More than ever, the yard is considered an extension of the home. People want to
socialize, cook, play and embrace nature in their personal outdoor space well into the fall. See this issue’s Outdoor Living section for fabulous ideas on how to make that happen.
As for indoor space, the Design & Décor section has the resources to enhance a home’s form and function with style, from building a butler’s pantry to using distinctive colour schemes to adding something as simple – but defining – as a contemporary fan.
With temperatures dropping, we turn our attention indoors, searching for ways to enhance our interior spaces to meet our needs. Find that cozy place to curl up with this magazine and enjoy!
Christine Hanlon Guest Editor
Revellers enjoyed a rockin’ launch to the Burt Block Party thanks to Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, seen here with Style Manitoba’s Lisa Lester.
Opening the last night of the Burt’s summer extravaganza, Sass Jordan got the audience in the mood to party. Seen here with 92.2 CITI FM’s Howard Mandshein.
On the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): the crew of the Indigenous film Aberdeen,
launch of real ones by Manitoba
Unveiling of Travel Safe mural, by local artist Darcy Ataman to raise awareness on responses to refugees (across from Burton Cummings Theatre). In the centre, a depiction of Alan Kurdi, a Syrian boy who drowned in 2015.
(centre) also got in on the act with veteran
and
Also making an appearance, (L-R) Aberdeen co-director Ryan Cooper & film producer Onalee Ames of Onalee Ames Film Studio and Style Manitoba’s In the Studio.
My husband and I thought the home featured as Style Manitoba’s cover story for the Summer 2024 edition was exceptional! Its modern farmhouse aesthetic truly resonated with both of us. We loved the wood ceiling beams and the natural white split fieldstone used on the fireplace wall, as well as the clever concrete mantel crafted to look like real wood. The lighter colour palette used throughout this home in general really appeals as well, as do the practical yet beautiful hard surface flooring choices found in the main areas. And who wouldn’t love that gorgeous curved staircase leading down to the basement? The kitchen deserves a nod as well, with its stacked cabinetry featuring lighted glass doors, and the expansive darker toned island adding drama to the space. The bathrooms are superb, too! There is great flow in this gorgeous light-filled home –congrats to ADR Properties for a job well done!
Nicki & Zach Webster, Winnipeg
Thanks for shining a light on Madeline’s Closet for their charitable work in Style’s Summer 2024 issue. It’s an excellent concept to donate that estimated $1 million worth of brand new clothing to those in need rather than sending it to landfills. Impressive indeed that 24 stores support Madeline’s Closet. Kudos to Shannon Dupont, the founder of this unique charity!
Lynne Masters, Winnipeg
Wonderful landscaping section in the most recent issue of Style Manitoba! Fabulous decks shown with all the bells and whistles in All Decked Out – much what I’d like to have in my own outdoor space. Also appreciated the well-designed yard shown in Urban Oasis, including the thoughtfully selected plant material used. Beautiful example showing that a private and park-like setting is possible even in a city setting surrounded by neighbours. Well done!
Jamie Carter, Winnipeg
I’m eager to check out the show suites at The Banks Condominiums in St Vital, the new project by StreetSide Developments featured in Style’s latest issue. A luxurious six-storey building along the Red River with generous sized, well-appointed suites and excellent amenities are right up my alley. Seems like a great location for those transitioning from a house to a condo lifestyle in the city’s southeast. Thanks for the coverage!
Katy Johnston, Winnipeg
BY LEIGH PATTERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY: MOSAIK DESIGNS
The large 98-foot-wide by 260-foot-deep lot overlooking the Assiniboine River in the Taylor Farm community of Headingley was too tempting to pass up. For Frank Cotroneo and the rest of the Artista Homes team, the property represented an opportunity to showcase their company’s luxury homebuilding acumen.
“We really wanted to build something where we could express ourselves fully and we knew a bungalow showhome here would be perfect,” says Cotroneo.
And make it perfect they did, building a magnificent sprawling residence graced by soaring ceilings and wall-to-wall windows to create a haven with amazing views. Plus, some unexpected touches to make it truly unique, in Artista Homes fashion.
The main goal for the builder was to maximize the incredible surroundings so that the home could be fully enjoyed all year round. Achieving this vision meant having 14-foot-high main floor ceilings, which not only allows for the flow of natural light from the many windows, but also lends an open and airy indoor quality that’s rare in a bungalow. A palette of pale and earthy neutrals paired with natural stone and wood tones also keeps the overall vibe feeling light and fresh. It’s a blend of traditional and modern that starts on the outside and transitions seamlessly to the inside.
Engineered wide-plank hardwood installed by Curtis Carpets throughout the main floor living areas starts at the front entrance and extends to the spacious living room. Here, a feature wall, consisting of natural stone, sleek sage green panels and a long linear gas fireplace, sets the stage for a sophisticated, yet comfortable space. The large windows from All Weather Windows are trimmed in black, framing the desirable south-facing views of the river.
Adjacent to the living room is a tremendous chef’s kitchen and huge dining space that is made for entertaining. With its large island, built-in range hood, Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, induction cooktop and ample counterspace and storage, the kitchen offers the utmost in sleek functionality. A walk-through pantry between the kitchen and garage entrance is a convenient spot to drop off groceries and store dry goods without adding visual clutter.
A huge 20-foot-long walkout deck can be accessed from the dining area, where the spectacular river view can be enjoyed from the outside.
On the opposite side of the dining area is a set of double sliding doors that open to reveal a large flex space. Ideal for a den or office, the room features another set of doors leading to the deck. Beyond the wrought-iron railing extending to the other side is that touch of the unexpected: a basketball court. That’s right – there’s a half-court complete with 20-foot ceilings, padded walls, courtside bench and glass spectator wall.
The dining area can host gatherings large and small. A huge 20-foot-long walkout deck can be accessed from the dining area, where the spectacular river view can also be enjoyed from the outside.
“You could turn this into a golf simulator, a climbing wall, whatever you like,” says Cotroneo. “At the other end is a large area that can be used as a yoga studio or home gym.”
There are five bedrooms in the home: three on the main floor and two on the lower level. The principal bedroom is the epitome of spa-like elegance. Here, a black and white theme and sparkling light fixtures
the living room, multiple
from Total Lighting create drama, while sage panels and textured stone warm up the space. So too, does the heated tile flooring running from the bedroom to the glassed-in ensuite.
The gleaming ensuite features a beautiful and modern freestanding tub, a custom glass shower by Fort Rouge Glass, and a double vanity with storage. For privacy, there’s an enclosed water closet.
The main level offers ample living space, but the lower walkout area takes this bungalow to another level, quite literally. The fully-carpeted space is ideal for casual entertaining, with another stone feature wall and gas fireplace, an area for games like pool and foosball, and a wet bar. In addition to the two extra bedrooms, there’s another powder room. Of course, there are large windows and an outdoor patio from which to enjoy those scenic river views.
Combined, the two levels offer 5,500 square feet of living space. When you factor in the golf putting green, firepit and barbeque areas, along with a professionally landscaped yard by Netley Creek Landscaping, the outdoor space counts, too.
Speaking of the outdoors, let’s not forget the home’s stunning lowmaintenance exterior. The façade echoes the tones and textures of the interior, with stonework, green Hardie board and wood and black accents. The three-car garage features both a two-car and one-car entrance, each with attractive doors, supplied and installed by Creative Door. The home is nestled nicely into its surroundings, where the builder tried to leave as many of the existing trees as possible, both for privacy and aesthetics.
In and around this home are some of the thoughtful features that are not as obvious but are essential to
creating a luxurious and comfortable ambience. These include the fully automated sprinkler system, two highefficiency air conditioning units and two furnaces. The builder integrated Control4 home automation, supplied and installed by K&S Electronics. Control4 allows the homeowner to conveniently control sound, temperature, lighting and security from their smart phone or tablet.
Building a home of this size required Artista Homes to enlist expertise from trusted suppliers like McMunn & Yates, which provided most of the building materials for the home, including the interior doors and trim.
“When we built this home, we envisioned the homeowners enjoying it to its fullest,” says Cotroneo.
“The person who ultimately purchases this home will find a place where time is well spent, and they are living out their dreams every day.”
“That will truly fulfill our vision, too.”
Builder – Artista Homes
Flooring & tiles – Curtis Carpets
Shower doors & other glasswork –Fort Rouge Glass
Lighting – Total Lighting Sales
Building materials, interior doors & trim – McMunn & Yates
Home automation systems –K&S Electronics and Security Ltd
Windows – All Weather Windows
Garage doors – Creative Door
Landscaping –
Netley Creek Landscaping
Window coverings – CV Blinds
Cabinetry – Netley Millwork
Countertops – FLOFORM
Appliances – Coast Appliances
Plumbing fixtures – The Ensuite
Staircase spindles –Prairie Accent
Exterior stonework / façade materials –Timberstone Distribution
Artista (Italian; noun): An artist. A person (or persons) who draws, paints or produces works of art.
Renowned for pushing design boundaries and superior craftsmanship in their custom-built homes, the Artista Homes team certainly represent the essence of the company name through masterpieces that are meant for life and for living.
A leading luxury homebuilder, Artista Homes has delivered custom residences in new and established neighbourhoods throughout Winnipeg and beyond for more than 20 years. In the process, the team has gained unparalleled and extensive expertise that forms the solid foundation of each client relationship and all builds, no matter the size, style or budget.
Artista Homes’ owners personally oversee every custom home project entrusted to them. They are on site daily, working closely with their team to ensure a superior build. A roster of closeknit trusted trades and suppliers—many of whom have been working with Artista Homes from the start—help the builder maintain consistency, quality and timelines.
And although they are continually earning industry awards and praise for their luxury homebuilding prowess, for them, their highest and most valued praise comes from the many happy clients that have come to proudly own an “Artista.”
BY QUENTIN MILLS-FENN
Get ready! Get set! Mark your cultural calendars and go!
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra gets romantic as Charles RichardHamelin takes on Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in an evening that also includes the epic but condensed and groundbreaking Symphony No. 7 by Finland’s Jean Sibelius. Chopin was a mere 19 years old when he wrote his second piano concerto, while Sibelius was almost 60 when he finished his seventh symphony. Part of the WSO’s Thursday Classics series. (Thursday, September 26. Daniel Raiskin, conductor)
New this year for the WSO is a matinée series, named for Shirley Loewen, devoted patron of the arts and supporter of the orchestra. Charles
Richard-Hamelin repeats his Saturday evening programme for afternoon music appreciators. (Sunday afternoon, September 29. Daniel Raiskin, conductor)
WSO Thursday Classics continues with Miller Conducts Marsalis & Liszt, with music from Hungary, the United States, and Canada: Franz Liszt’s symphonic poem Les Préludes, Aaron Copland’s lively and varied Orchestral Variations, Entr’actes by German-born Canadian composer Michael Oesterle. All this and a tuba, too, in the way of the Tuba Concerto by Wynton Marsalis. WSO’s former Principal Tuba player Chris Lee is the soloist for a work that draws together jazz, work songs, and spirituals. (Thursday, November 14. Tania Miller, conductor, Chris Lee, tuba)
The WSO also offers Untuxed, informal, lunch-hour concerts, with opportunities to learn about the music and maybe ask the conductor some questions. Conductor introduction at 11:45 am, performance at 12:15 pm, Q&A to
follow. First, Bruckner: Adagio from String Quintet in F major and Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7. (Thursday, September 26. Daniel Raiskin, conductor) Then, Copland: Orchestral Variations and Liszt: Les Préludes. (Thursday, November 14. Tania Miller, conductor)
Live at the WSO (sponsored by MB Liquor Marts), aims to entertain with a mix of musical styles and genres and more besides. The series kicks off with high heels indeed, with guest artiste Thorgy Thor, who starred on RuPaul’s Drag Race but is also a virtuoso violinist who has performed with orchestras all over North America. It’ll be a night of musical masterpieces and fashion faux-pas. (Saturday, November 23. Thorgy Thor, violin and razor-sharp wit; Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor)
The Manitoba Liquor Marts Live at the WSO Matinées series offers a different afternoon concert experience celebrating 70 Years of WSO Pops, with light classical, film scores, pop hits, and Broadway tunes, featuring JUNOnominated Indigenous vocal group
Burnstick and pianist Ari Hooker. Plus George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024. (Saturday afternoon, October 12. Ari Hooker, piano, Burnstick, vocal group, Monica Chen, conductor)
BMO Night at the Movies presents great Hollywood classics and blockbusters while the WSO plays the score live. Just in time for Halloween, thrill to the great silent horror movie The Phantom of the Opera (1925) starring Lon Chaney. (Tuesday, October 29. Monica Chen, conductor. Burton Cummings Theatre, 364 Smith Street)
The WSO has music for the younger set too, with its Kids Concerts. Mr Mark and the Adventures Of J.S. Box is a fun-filled journey into the world of childhood imagination inspired by the classical music of the WSO and a certain J.S. Box. Plus a musical instrument petting zoo pre-concert! (Sunday afternoon, November 24. Mr Mark, entertainer, Monica Chen, conductor) (Unless otherwise indicated, all WSO concerts at Centennial Concert Hall, 555 Main Street)
The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra holds its concerts in various venues throughout the season. Lament presents Cree-Métis baritone Jonathon Adams, Plains Cree interdisciplinary video artist Tyler Houseman, and Alberta-based Cree musician and composer Jessica McMann in a programme of baroque (Jan Dismas Zelenka) and contemporary (The Wound Dresser by John Adams and work Jessica McMann) compositions. (Wednesday September 25, Desautels Concert Hall, 150 Dafoe Road West. Anne Manson, conductor)
Next for the MCO is Tempest, with Dmitri Shostakovich’s stormy Sonata for Violin and Piano pitted against the order and clarity of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and the Chaconne from Partita No. 2 by J.S. Bach. Josef Suk mediates with his Meditation on an Old Bohemian Chorale "St. Wenceslas" for Strings. (Wednesday, October 23. Karl Stobbe, violin and leader, Andrew Armstrong, piano. Crescent Arts Centre, 525 Wardlaw Avenue)
Then, it’s MCO’s time for Dialogue, with not one but two concertos for two pianos, by J.S. Bach and W.A. Mozart. The soloists are American stars Simone Dinnerstein and Awadagin Pratt. Shaker Loops by John Adams rounds off the evening. (Thursday, November 14. Simone Dinnerstein and Awadagin Pratt, piano, Anne Manson, conductor. Crescent Arts Centre)
A packed MCO season continues with Sojourn, as pianist-composer David Braid and violinist Mark Fewer solo in works by some of the major names in contemporary music: Steve Reich (Clapping Music, Triple Quartet), Nicole Lizée (Another Living Soul) Bryce Dessner (Aheym), Jessie Montgomery (Strum), and Braid’s own (Joya concerto). (Thursday, November 21. David Braid, piano, Mark Fewer, violin, Anne Manson, conductor. Crescent Arts Centre)
Virtuosi Concerts has an intriguing season planned. Everything is Green brings together music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Randy Woolf, and Vivian Fung as performed by the Looking Glass Ensemble. (Sunday afternoon, September 29. Shannon Litzenberger, choreography/dance, Christine Carter, clarinet, Vernon Regehr, cello, and Gregory Oh, piano. Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor Avenue).
Next, travel in time and space to Stockholm, Paris, Prague: 1900, with string quartets by Germaine Tailleferre (Paris), Bedřich Smetana (Prague), and Wilhelm Stenhammar (Stockholm), courtesy of Sweden’s Stenhammar String Quartet. (Sunday afternoon, November 3. Muriel Richardson Auditorium, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Boulevard) Then it’s time for a Love Letter to the Prairies, with Prairie Sons David Liam Roberts and Godwin Friesen, in a programme featuring music by Francis Poulenc, Sergei Rachmaninov, and Joni Mitchell, plus a new work by Godwin Friesen. (Sunday afternoon, November 17. Prairie Sons: David Liam Roberts, Cello, Godwin Friesen, Piano. Muriel Richardson Auditorium)
Groundswell continues with its cutting-edge programming. Sketches of Shifting Landscapes, curated by Gord Fitzell and Örjan Sandred, presents the Stenhammar Quartet (see above) for a very different evening of music, with compositions by Inuk artist Tanya Tagaq, Cree-Mennonite composer Cris Derksen, and Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer Caroline Shaw, plus world premiere performances of two brand new pieces for string quartet and electronics: Sketches of Shifting Landscapes by SwedishCanadian composer Örjan Sandred and Sleight of Hand by Winnipeg composer Gordon Fitzell. Join Dr. Suzu Enns, instrumentalist, clinician and community music facilitator for a preconcert SoundWalk (weather permitting). (Monday, November 4, Muriel Richardson Auditorium. Stenhammar Quartet. All Groundwswell live performances are Pay-What-You-Can)
The Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra has some treats in store. For Tomson Highway Meets the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra, the iconic Cree playwright brings his charm and wit back to Winnipeg as the WJO reinterprepts music from his world-renowned plays including The Rez Sisters, The Post Mistress, and Cree County. (Saturday, October 19, Desautels Concert Hall, University of Manitoba. Neil Watson, director) Next, it’s Mama Hé featuring the music of Africa with singer Kelly Bado, originally from the Côte d'Ivoire, and guests from Winnipeg's African community joining the WJO for performances inspired by Africa's diverse musical landscape. (Sunday afternoon and evening performances, November 10, Centre Culturel FrancoManitobain, CCFM, 340 Provencher Boulevard. Richard Gillis, director)
Manitoba Opera pours out a little magic with The Elixir of Love by Gaetano Donizetti, an opera with charm, imposters, mistaken love, and a magic potion, plus a bucketful of memorable melodies, including the hits “Una furtiva lagrima” and “Adina, credimi,” sung in Italian with projected English translations. Starring Andriana Chuchman, Jonah Hoskins, Jorell Williams, and Peter McGillivray. (October 26 and 30, November 1. Tyrone Paterson, conductor, Ann Hodges, director. Centennial Concert Hall)
The Winnipeg Singers kick off their season with Winnipeg's Legacy of Song: Celebrate the Past, Look to the Future, a concert in celebration of Winnipeg's 150th anniversary. Special guests include Muriel Smith, emcee, Spirit Sands Singers, and Norman Chief Dancers. (Sunday afternoon, October 6. Alloway Hall, Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Avenue)
Need some romance? As part of its 85th season, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents the classic love story Giselle, the enchanting tale of betrayal and sacrifice, with love conquering all. Choreographed by Peter Wright after Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli, and Marius Petipa, with costumes curated by designer Peter Farmer. (Thursday, November 7 to Sunday, November 10, Centennial Concert Hall)
There are more terpsichorean delights, courtesy of the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. Their season opens with Everything's Coming Up Roses, featuring new work and new and returning dancers. (Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October
20, Rachel Browne Theatre, 204 –211 Bannatyne Ave) Next, it’s The Impossible Has Already Happened, an international collaborative cocreation between Jennifer Mascall of MascallDance (Vancouver) and Claire O’Neil of Footnote New Zealand Dance, motivated by the incredible scale and enormity of the climate crisis. (November 16 and 17, evening, and November 19 afternoon. Rachel Browne Theatre)
Anyone need a laugh? The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre brings you some comedy with The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer. The Cornley Drama Society’s latest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, turns out to be a crowd pleaser, but in a way that’s quite unexpected. (“a gut-busting hit” – New York Times) (October 16 to November 9. A coproduction with Citadel Theatre and Theatre Calgary, directed by Dennis Garnhum.) That’s followed by Little Women, based on the much-loved novels of Louisa May Alcott and adapted for the stage by Jordi Mand. In 1860s Massachusetts, Jo March and her sister Meg, Beth, and Amy struggle to make ends meet while their father is away serving in the Civil War. (November 20 – December 14. Directed by Katie German. RMTC John Hirsch Mainstage, 174 Market Avenue)
Around the corner, a hop, skip, and jump away, the Warehouse presents The Recipe, written by Winnipeg’s Armin Wiebe, directed by Ardith Boxall. After a whirlwind romance, Oata sets her sights – and her heart –on life with Yasch, until he reveals his
obsession with skinny Sadie Nickel, in this slice of heartwarming Prairie Gothic featuring characters from Wiebe’s Gutenthal series. (November 6–23. A co-production with Theatre Projects Manitoba. RMTC Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre, 140 Rupert Avenue)
There’s more laughter to be found downtown at Prairie Theatre Exchange with Mark Crawford’s ‘situational comedy’ Bed and Breakfast. When Brett (Kyle Golemba) unexpectedly inherits the historic family home, he and Drew (Amir Haidar) abandon their frustrating careers and move out of fast-paced, high-priced Toronto to set up a B&B in a quiet little tourist town, but they discover the simple life is more complicated than they thought. (September 24 – October 6. A Capitol Theatre Port Hope production. Directed by Rob Kempson ) Then, Ponderosa Pine by Andraea Sartison reimagines heaven as a small prairie town, as family history turns into legend and myth. Featuring Tracy Penner and directed by Arne MacPherson. (November 5–17. Both productions at Prairie Theatre Exchange, #300-393 Portage Avenue)
Head south to Winnipeg Jewish Theatre for an adaptation of the New York Times Bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher. What starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. Starring Nicholas Rice and David Sklar, directed by Mariam Bernstein. (September 19–29, 2024 including matinees. Winnipeg Jewish Theatre C 148-123 Doncaster Street)
Need theatre for any kids you know? Manitoba Theatre for Young People has a classic for the young set with Where the Wild Things Are, based on the book by Maurice Sendak and originally adapted for the stage by TAG Theatre Glasgow. This highly interactive production is a guided play experience recommended for ages 3 to 8. (October 18 – November 3. A Presentation House Theatre Production, Vancouver. Recommended for Ages 3–8. Manitoba Theatre for Young People, 2 Forks Market)
Gas Station Arts Centre is proud to present the Reel Pride International Film Festival, the annual project of The Winnipeg Gay and Lesbian Film Society. Be on the lookout for details including the full slate of offerings. (September 24–28.) Next, it’s God is a Scottish Drag Queen 2: The Second Coming. God, dressed in a floral powersuit, comes down to expound on everything from platypus to Pocahontas.
(November 7–9. Both productions at Gas Station Arts Centre 445 River Avenue)
In the mood for some time warp? Little Nell is coming to town as part of The Rocky Horror Picture Show 49th Anniversary Spectacular. There’ll be a screening of the movie, with audience participation, of course, and a costume contest. Real fans will want the V.I.P. experience, with a chance to meet and greet Nell Campbell, the original ‘Columbia.’ (October 17. Burton Cummings Theatre)
It’s been 50 years, so it’s time for a Phantom of the Paradise 50th Anniversary Celebration. The Brian De Palma cult classic will be screened, with appearances from Paul Williams and the members of The Juicy Fruits/The Beach Bums/The Undead (Peter Elbling, Archie Hahn and Jeffery Comanor). To close off the evening, tribute band Swanage will perform the entire movie soundtrack. (November 2, The Burton Cummings Theatre)
For a more sedate, but still provocative visual experience, be sure to check out the offerings at Winnipeg Art Gallery/ Qaumajuq. Among the new exhibits is Winyan (Dakota for ‘woman’), a solo exhibition of Dakota/Anishinaabe/ Metis artist Lita Fontaine, bringing together collage, drawing, dresses,
and large paintings to celebrate Indigenous femininities. (To January 12, 2025) Meanwhile, Unveiling Hidden Colonial Histories Through the Lens of Local Flora Backyard Florilegium approaches the gallery’s permanent collection with an eye towards revealing its otherwise hidden colonial history. (Opening September 7. Winnipeg Art Gallery/ Qaumajuq, 300 Memorial Boulevard)
Orange Shirt Days at the Manitoba Museum feature all-day programming focused on the history of Indian Residential Schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. (September 28–30) As well, Manidoo Miiniigooizowin, A Gift from the Creator celebrates the beauty and resilience of the Anishinaabe and Dakota peoples and will be on display in the Discovery Room and Welcome Gallery until April 2025. (Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Avenue)
The Canadian Human Rights Museum has a delicious way to investigate its exhibits. Culinary Night at the Museum presents edible delights and human rights, with dinner courses and drinks at locations throughout CMHR for an exclusive guided tour led by knowledgeable interpreters and an exquisite dining experience. (Wednesday, October 9. Two seatings. Canadian Human Rights Museum, 85 Israel Asper Way)
The Winnipeg International Writers Festival is now Plume, but despite the name change, there’s still lots of great writers and books at the Thin Air Festival with live and virtual events. Venues include the Rachel Browne Theatre, Maison Gabrielle-Roy, and McNally Robinson Booksellers hosting 30+ writers in English and French, fiction and nonfiction. (to October 1)
Winnipeg ComiCon is an opportunity for fans to meet their comic creator idols, with exhibits from the comic books, sci-fi, horror, anime, video games and the entertainment worlds. (October 25–27. RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Avenue)
Nuit Blanche returns for another night of no sleep, just art, as thousands of art enthusiasts, cultural animators and citizens of Winnipeg gather downtown to explore contemporary art and music. (September 28, 6pm to Midnight) That’s part of Culture Days, which will fill four zones in Winnipeg (Downtown, The Forks, St. Boniface and The Exchange District) with visual arts, Indigenous arts and traditional practices, educational tours, community street festivals, interactive installations, storytelling, and more. (to October 13)
Of course, First Fridays continues in the Exchange, with artists, galleries,
businesses, and the public coming together on the first Friday of every month. One tip: Bodega Boogie with live DJs for all your soul, disco, and jazz-funk needs. (Cordova Tapas & Wine, 93 Albert Street) (October 4, November 1)
Speaking of bright lights, All That Glows is the annual exhibit of holiday lighting and decoration and the changes since the practice began in the 1880s. How were Christmas trees lit up in homes that weren’t wired for electricity? Find out in an exhibition with a local feel, one that focuses on the history of electronic innovations in Manitoba. (November 23 – December 1. Manitoba Electrical Museum, 680 Harrow Street)
Disney on Ice is sure to put a glow on faces of the young and young at heart with Mickey’s Search Party Extravaganza (November 15–17. Canada Life Centre)
And, last, but never least, the Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade rings in the holiday season as it does every year, with lights, colour, music, and delight. Check out the route and welcome the holiday season through the eyes of a child. Ho Ho Ho! (November 16, downtown Winnipeg)
Remember to check event websites for changes.
We discovered a new grocery on Portage Avenue in Wolseley a few years ago. It calls itself Blady Middle Eastern, and we loved the selection of hearth-fired bread and kitchen-made specialties and the old-world charm of the service. Now, Blady Middle Eastern has opened (June 15) new locations in St. Vital, with grocery and take-out sites at 1125 St. Mary’s Road and Chesterfield near Dakota.
The menu at Shawarma Blady has everything you would expect – wraps, salads, combos, desserts and appetizers. The site is simple, with a take-out counter and bench for waiting. The service is pleasant and efficient. There is a full range of appetizers such as hummus (chickpea/ tahini/ lemon/ garlic spread), baba ghanoush (roasted eggplant/ olive oil/ lemon juice/ tahini and labneh (strained yogurt). Salads include beet, greek and tabbouleh (Italian parsley/ tomato/ cucumber/ bulgur wheat/ lemon juice). The wraps and burger selection offer falafel, a classic, with french fries inside, and others like the Magali Wrap with fried veggies, tahini, and pickles. The platters are large and available in regular or super-size’ if you are extra hungry.
BY KELLY GRAY
We tried a regular Chicken Shawarma Platter and Blady’s Signature Shawarma. For these dishes, meats are stacked high in a cone-shaped column, rotisserie roasted, carved in slices and placed alongside veggies on a hot pita or other bread, or dished up alongside a selection of sides.
The Chicken Shawarma Platter was piled generously with mildly spiced poultry on a bed of seasoned rice. Ours came with a small Greek salad and a side of tzatziki dipping sauce that was a perfect accompaniment to the chicken.
Blady’s Signature Shawarma was deliciously different. This dish came packed inside a glorious round Turkish loaf topped with sesame. Like a giant burger cut into four pieces, this dish offered lots of drippy sauce (a bit like thousand islands), pickled veggies and onions, and a sizeable portion of thick sliced chicken.
Shawarma Blady 1125 St Mary’s Road 204-256-5338
It’s not every day a meal is so good, you want to lick the plate. In this case, all three plates and then some! On our visit to Promenade Brasserie, we started off with a salad. Rather than a fancy name, each menu item is a list of the fresh local ingredients this sustainability-focused venue is proud to serve. For our delectable first course, cucumber, corn, and arugula served as a backdrop to pickled jalapenos, tamed by the cooling freshness of watermelon, married in a lime vinaigrette and top with whipped feta, mint and balsamic glaze.
While we were savouring this delightful medley, I overheard the manager enthusiastically explaining the ‘three sisters’ concept to the couple beside us: the indigenous way of growing corns, beans, and squash together in a sustainable way. The focus of Promenade is bringing to life the flavours of Manitoba’s Metis Heritage, and this late summer menu was replete with corn and squash. Saskatoons, bison, wild rice and maple syrup also make their appearance.
For our mains, we tucked into a delicately-seasoned pickerel fillet on a bed of wild rice risotto, a creamy perfection, the wild grain providing that ideal al dente touch. Crispy capers completed the dish, but the herb oil was the crowning glory, with the chef sending out an extra little bowl in case we wanted more. Our second main featured braised bison on vodka sauce-laced rigatoni, tiny bright red peruvian peppers providing a pop of sweetness with just enough tang to cut through the richness of the sauce.
BY CHRISTINE HANLON
We accompanied our meal with a glass of rose and a raspberry gin jam sour from the creative cocktail list, capping off the evening with a mini chocolate torte from La Belle Baguette and a deconstructed lemon meringue.
Several items from dinner are also available on Promenade’s robust brunch menu – which includes a Three
Sisters Bowl – served daily from 9 am to 3 pm. The restaurant is conveniently located across from Esplanade Riel, perfect for a leisurely walk around the Forks to wear off all the delicious food!
Promenade Brasserie
130 Provencher Boulevard 204-237-6414 www.promenadebrasserie.ca
1
Declutter. Go room to room and collect everything that you don’t use or don’t want anymore. Be ruthless. You can change your mind later.
Place in a bin(s) and set aside in your garage or a spare room.
2Reorganize. There are wonderful resources online to help you.
3
Clean. Top to bottom, starting with hand wiping ceiling fixtures and working your way down to floors. Don’t forget to clean door and window trims and baseboards; spot wash walls and windows; wipe down chairs and tables; detail dust; vacuum and then wash hard floor surfaces. This is a very methodical process. Stay on course. Don’t allow yourself to wander.
4
Sort. Now the hard part. All items you set aside now need to be placed in a category: throw out; give away; sell; keep.
5
Follow Through: Give away unwanted items to charities. Selling can be done through Buy and Sell. Keepers will need a new place within your home.
ENJOY! You will be amazed at how much energy this gives you. If detail cleaning is not your passion, call Take Time Home Cleaning. We have cleaned thousands of homes and we are ready to help. Take Time charges by the hour not by the job (flat rate) so you will only pay for the time that we are actually there.
Pork produced in Manitoba is an affordable, nutrient-rich protein I enjoy serving my family.
Like all Canadian pork, Manitoba pork is raised without added growth hormones.
Kristen
G., Registered Nurse
Winnipeg, MB
1 lb / 500 g fresh chorizo or hot Italian sausages
2 Tbsp / 30 mL canola oil, divided
1 ½ cups / 375 mL chopped yellow onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
14 oz / 400 g red potatoes, sliced into short rectangular pieces
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
8 cups / 2 L sodium-reduced chicken broth
1-28 oz / 796 mL can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 Tbsp / 15 mL balsamic vinegar
3-5 drops hot pepper sauce
1 bay leaf
2 cups / 500 mL shredded green cabbage
8-10 kale leaves, washed, stemmed and coarsely chopped
1-19 oz / 540 mL can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Fresh crusty bread for serving
Tune in to CTV Winnipeg on Saturdays at 6:30 pm or visit greattastesmb.ca for past episodes, farmer stories and tasty recipes.
1. Remove casing from sausages and break up into 1-inch chunks.
2. In large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Brown sausage pieces on all sides for 8-10 minutes, stirring often. Remove sausage pieces from skillet onto a plate lined with paper towels. Cover with foil to keep warm. Set aside.
3. In large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add onion and garlic; sauté 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
5. Add potatoes, carrots, broth, diced tomatoes, vinegar, hot pepper sauce and bay leaf; stir to combine.
6. Add cabbage. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat; cover and simmer over medium-low to low heat, about 20 minutes.
7. Uncover pot. Add kale, beans and reserved sausage pieces; stir to combine. Simmer another 2-3 minutes, just until kale is slightly wilted.
8. Remove bay leaf and season soup with salt and pepper according to taste.
9. Ladle hot soup into bowls. Serve with fresh crusty bread.
Tip: Planning for leftovers? Reserve a portion of the kale and add to leftover soup when ready to use to prevent excess wilting and discolouration.
Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup / 250 mL chicken broth
½ cup / 125 mL medium-dry sherry
¼ cup / 50 mL sodium-reduced soy sauce
¼ cup / 50 mL smooth peanut butter
2 Tbsp / 30 mL sambal oelek*
2 Tbsp / 30 mL cornstarch
1 Tbsp / 15 mL packed dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp / 15 mL sesame oil
1 Tbsp / 15 mL canola oil
2 lbs / 1 kg lean ground pork
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp / 30 mL grated ginger root
4-7 oz / 200 g pkgs. vacuum-sealed udon noodles
¼ cup / 50 mL chopped fresh cilantro
Zest and juice of one lime
¼ cup / 50 mL chopped dry-roasted peanuts for garnish
Lime wedges for garnish (optional)
* Sambal oelek is an Asian chili paste that can be found at Asian markets and larger grocery stores.
1. In medium bowl, whisk together broth, sherry, soy sauce, peanut butter, sambal oelek, cornstarch, brown sugar and sesame oil until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
2. In large skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Sauté ground pork until thoroughly cooked and no pink remains, breaking up larger pieces with spatula, about 15 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium and drain any remaining cooking liquid.
4. Add garlic and ginger; stir-fry just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add reserved sauce to skillet; stir to combine. Simmer just until thickened, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; keep warm.
6. Meanwhile, prepare udon noodles according to package directions.
7. Just before serving, add cilantro, zest and lime juice to pork mixture; stir to combine.
8. Serve pork mixture over prepared noodles and garnish with chopped peanuts.
9. Garnish with additional lime wedges if desired.
Serves 6-8
Liven up your recipe repertoire with some fresh budget-friendly inspiration using lean ground pork. Order your free copy of All About Ground Pork today by sending your full name and address to info@manitobapork.com or call 204-237-7447
BY CHRISTINE HANLON
Ihad the most positive interaction with Manitoba’s health care system recently. In response to my call to Long Term Care (LTC) for information, the department’s Navigator contacted me. Over the next hour, he explained to me with great clarity and detail, how the system works, how to access services and what steps to take to start the process. It was wonderful.
Now imagine if there was a Navigator for mental health care. A client or their loved ones could call a central intake and receive a clear explanation of what steps they should take to start the process. Ideally, like with longterm care, those steps would comprise a series of assessments, during which the person struggling with a mental health problem and/or their loved ones/caregivers would be informed of the appropriate resources available to them and how to access them. If necessary, the assessors would send a referral to the appropriate service.
Like some people who are experiencing mental illness, some elderly clients of our health care system have difficulty leaving their home to be assessed. That is why both the home care coordinator (who conducts the first assessment and can refer the case to LTC) and the Geriatric Program Assessment Team (GPAT) go to them. After the assessment, there is ongoing contact between the coordinators
(home care or LTC) and the client and family. The coordinator actively requests services on behalf of the client: a nurse for wound care, a home hospital bed, once-a-week bathing, etc.
Senior care and long-term care systems are far from perfect. Assessors are human beings and, despite the standards I imagine must govern the process, an assessment is subjective. Then there is the fact that, like some people suffering from mental illness, some elderly clients might not be well-equipped to make decisions that are in their best interest. (Of course, whether a client is elderly, mentally ill or both, they must agree to services, as long as they are not mentally incapacitated.) Sometimes, they might try to present their situation and condition as better than it is, either from fear, pride, or both.
I know a person who, upon receiving a wellness check from the Alternative Response to Citizens in Crisis or ARCC (a collaborative partnership between the Winnipeg Police Service and Shared Health’s Crisis Response Centre), stood at the doorway of the apartment and said everything was fine. Had the police officer and the mental health care clinician entered the apartment, they would have seen a rat’s nest of cords leading to the single plug that the resident, in a state of delusion and paranoia, had deemed “safe.” Had someone been sent to do a true assessment of the
situation and the person’s needs, steps might have been taken to address the situation before it became a crisis – which it did.
As to subjectivity of the assessor, the risk of that can be minimized with a multidisciplinary approach, often touted as the new frontier in health care. In senior care, the GPAT team consists of a Geriatrician, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Social Workers. GPAT assesses many areas of health and day-to-day functioning including activities of daily living (dressing, grooming, etc.), mood, medication management, and social supports. These are all issues with which some people living with mental illness struggle as well.
Without a multi-disciplinary approach, it is also more likely that some health care professionals act as gate keepers to the services a client will receive. These include home care coordinators, family doctors, community mental health care workers, and psychiatrists. Without a complete multi-faceted assessment of the situation a senior or a person with mental illness is experiencing, it is easy to underestimate the level of need. At the same time, because resources in the health care system are so limited, the threshold for accessing services has become increasingly high, with only the more severe cases eligible to receive them.
This is a very short-sighted approach. Without proper support and services, living conditions and general health can deteriorate to the point where individuals need to be hospitalized –resulting in higher costs to the health care system than had they received the appropriate services.
For instance, the threshold to be assigned a community health care worker is fairly low, and for some people who are mentally ill, this service model meets their needs. However, this passive service delivery does not work for those whose mental illness makes it difficult for them to leave their home and make or attend regular appointments. Often, a community health care worker will give clients the information they need to contact a service they need to access. But the very nature of mental illness can make it difficult for clients to follow through. This results in an entire group of people with mental illness falling through the cracks. They aren’t well enough to take advantage of the services offered by a community mental health care worker and they aren’t sick enough to access a program such as the WRHA’s Program for Assertive Community (PACT).
PACT (wrha.mb.ca/mental-health/ pact/) is “an outreach oriented comprehensive community treatment, rehabilitation, and support service designed to meet the needs of people with severe and persistent mental illness. The service is provided to participants in their homes, at work, and in community settings.
Services include attention to both mental health needs and basic needs such as everyday activities like caring for oneself, taking medications, establishing social relationships, finding and keeping places to live and work, as well as managing one's finances. Services enable participants to regain stability, take steps towards recovery and achieve personal goals.”
PACT consists of “a multi-disciplinary team of mental health professionals including a psychiatrist, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, mental health specialists, addiction specialists and vocational
rehabilitation specialists. Each client has an individualized recovery plan, receives assertive outreach and can expect continuous service over the years.”
But, typically, it’s only after a person suffering from mental illness has been in the hospital many, many times and proven how expensive their care can be – and how far their condition can deteriorate – that they are given the ‘privilege’ of PACT services.
In the meantime, the cost, both to the health care system and the individual, is enormous. As the provincial government focuses on fixing the health care system and maximizing the value of funding, would it not make sense to prevent even more hospitalizations and use of crisis services? According to the Canadian Mental Health Commission report, Making the Case for Investing in Mental Health in Canada, “An Ontario study of its Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) programs... reports an 82% decline in hospitalizations in four years among these program participants.”
Many health authorities across Canada have Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams. Some have Intensive Case Management (ICM) Programs based on the ACT model, all aimed at persons with severe, complex, and/or persistent mental disorders. For instance, BC’s Fraser Health ICM team provides comprehensive assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and support activities that may include housing support; assessing need for and facilitating access to medical care, including primary care, dental care and specialist care; substance use counselling and/ or access to treatment; life skills support; grocery shopping with staff; social and recreational events; accessing vocational rehabilitation support; connecting the person to community resources; transporting/accompanying clients to appointments; supporting and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, personal hygiene, short and long-term goal setting and money management; connecting clients to income assistance services; and assisting clients to manage their medication if required. Services are tailored to the needs of clients.
Quebec has around 100 ICM teams providing psychosocial rehabilitation that help individuals develop functional, personal and interpersonal skills to increase their independence and to continue their recovery process. A cornerstone of the services offered is outreach: “This consists in proactively approaching people wherever they are with a view to building bonds of trust, carrying out intervention strategies and accompanying them to the most appropriate services and resources.”
According to Montreal West Island health services one of the strengths of the ICM model is that the intensity of services, including the number and duration of support visits, can vary according to individual needs. This is a good example of another ofttouted phrase in today’s health care lingo, “patient-centred care.” It also translates into cost-effectiveness, with resources allocated according to need.
Again, by investing in mental health care for clients in the community, the health care system could save significant costs involved with acute care and hospitalization down the line. No one argues with the advice to fix your car now or it will cost you more later, repair your roof before the leak damages your house. So why not take this approach when investing in mental health care? These are people, not cars or houses. Should we not be investing in their care before they break down?
The 2018 Virgo report, Improving Access and Coordination of Mental Health and Addiction Services: A Provincial Strategy for all Manitobans, cited a shortage of community-based mental health services, including and assertive community treatment models (PACT teams). It recommended intensive case management for individuals with moderate to severe to complex needs, based on the complexity, severity, acuity and chronicity of their mental health disorder. At the time, the report estimated that more than 153,000 Manitobans needed these highly specialized and intensive services. In the six years since the report was released, services have only marginally expanded, while needs have continued to grow. The time to act is now.
BY LEA CURRIE
Helping clients achieve their best selves through cutting-edge treatments and personalized care is Body Measure Inc.'s top commitment. With over six years of experience in enhancing the health and wellness of Winnipeggers, the company is proud to offer innovative solutions that cater to the highest standards of excellence. Their latest offering, the BTL Emface, is a ground-breaking solution for those seeking a youthful appearance without the need for injections or surgery.
This state-of-the-art technology brings a new level of non-invasive facial rejuvenation to clients, combining two advanced treatments into one exceptional device. One of the most compelling aspects of BTL Emface is its non-invasive nature. There’s no need for needles or downtime – just a relaxing, comfortable treatment experience with noticeable results.
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Experience the future of facial aesthetics and achieve a radiant, refreshed look. Contact Body Measure Inc. today to schedule your consultation with their skilled professionals and discover how this innovative treatment can transform your appearance with natural, youthful results. Learn more at www.bodymeasure.ca
BY JULIE GERMAINE
This past summer, I admit that my schedule was a bit too busy to hit the gym as often as usual. But when I did go, I was pleased to see far more women of every age than I used to see. When I first began training, I was pretty much the only gal on the co-ed side, and I often had the women’s side to myself too – unless there was an aerobics class going on!
I love seeing people of all generations exercising and feeling confident to lift weights in a public facility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people set up home gyms. I’m not knocking that at all, but, speaking personally, I just
find that my workouts are more effective when I get out of the house and make the effort to focus on training in a nice, clean, public studio. There is more equipment available and fewer distractions (like laundry or children). Part of my routine is the act of getting ready and pumping myself up with a great playlist en route.
There are so many reasons to try it yourself, no matter at what stage of life you are.
1) The younger members you may see tend to have a stronger foundation thanks to better education regarding physical activity and nutrition passed on by their school coaches, or due to their extracurricular activities. Perhaps their parents have even shared with them some good tips on weight lifting. What a benefit it is to start building muscle in your early 20s, when your
body will respond so positively! Trust me, that is motivation to keep going, and can set you up for a very healthy life.
2) Those of you in our 30s and 40s can also cheat your biological clocks and fight back against the natural decline in muscle by doing strength training three to four times per week.
3) During pregnancy, being physically active before, during, and after (when you’re ready!) will help with recovery timelines and help you have a safer, more enjoyable delivery. Remember that building muscle via consistent progressive overload using weights is going to enhance your cardiovascular health as well, giving you the stamina needed to feel good throughout.
4) Injury prevention and reducing chronic body and joint pain is often a reason that older adults take to the gym. Ensuring you have knowledgeable support from a registered personal trainer is important and can help you regain your independence by improving your balance and mobility.
5) Being around other health-minded individuals will encourage you to be your best self!
Julie Germaine is a 2x International Pro Fitness Champion, Registered Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Expert and Prenatal/Postpartum Health Coach. She has helped thousands of people all around the world improve their health since 2005. Check out her services at www.juliegermaine.com or book a free consult today: www.calendly.com/juliegermaine
First This summer, our studio made a short film called The Green Mark that was chosen for the Gimli Film Festival. Students participated as crew and extras in the film, which starred our own Onalee Ames and Aaron Merke – our stand-up comedy teacher. Many went to Gimli to celebrate this film. We are also happy to announce that the movie Aberdeen, produced by Kyle Bornais and Kathleen Easton and directed by Ryan Cooper and Eva Thomas had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Onalee Ames was in attendance as part of the cast. At the same time, we celebrate our many students and colleagues who are in the movie as extras.
With fall approaching, our staff met to decide on what new programming to pursue in order to continue reaching out to our River Heights community over the coming year. With the impending visit to our studio of LA film mogul Steven Bernstein – writer, director, director of photography – we knew that even more people would be inspired to train with us. Our regular studio at 150 Stafford Street has been full all year with classes in acting, screenwriting, voice and stand-up comedy.
Starting in September 2024, we will have a second location at Harrow United Church to bring you more creative classes and film industry education. Located at 955 Mulvey Ave. in River Heights, this location offers our Rising Stars Afterschool Acting
Program for kids. From 3:30–5:00 pm, kids of all ages will be able to access our classes at the church and parents can still finish their workday while their kids get creative. We will incorporate writing our own films, then film them, as kids learn to apply their acting skills to make their films come to life. We are very excited for this program to begin. These classes will fill quickly so please email info@oamesfilmstudio.com to get your spot.
The Harrow United Church location will allow us to offer classes for seniors as well as creative classes for anyone looking to find something new. We will also hold newbie acting classes for those who just want to act as a hobby. Once this location is open, we will be expanding to two rural locations, so those who are out
of town can also access professional training. We are planning on heading to Niverville to provide film education for the new studio build, and then to a surprise location to be determined. Stay tuned….
Steven Bernstein has agreed to come from LA and offer regular programming at Onalee Ames Film Studio. He was the cinematographer on the Oscar-winning-movie Monster, as well as the movies White Chicks and The Water Boy. He then went on to write many screenplays and direct several movies, attracting talented cast such as Oscar nominees Samantha Morton and John Malkovich, Oscar winner Helen Hunt, Emmy award winner Aaron Paul, Phys Ifans, Corey Stoll, Bradley Whitford, and many more. You can look him up on IMDB for an entire movie list. He will be in Winnipeg in November. Please email info@oamesfilmstudio. com for more information and to register. He will be offering classes in cinematography, screenwriting, directing and acting. We are thrilled to have him as part of our team at the studio! Don’t miss his interview in the next issue of Style Manitoba.
There are so many exciting things happening in our city and Province. We are grateful to serve the community with education, and to be blessed with our visiting filmmakers from LA, New York and all around the world. Welcome to Winnipeg!
Warm up this winter in cozy shearling mitts, gloves, hats & slippers available at this must-visit destination. Stop by the store or shop online for everything sheepskin – from outerwear, gloves & footwear, to plush toys, home décor items & more.
Wonderful World of Sheepskin
250 Dufferin Ave www.worldofsheepskin.com
Create a chic ambiance. Whether it’s in a living room, dining room or bedroom, the Carousel collection will illuminate your home with a touch of brilliance. Available in brass and ebony, with a milky swirl glass.
Total Lighting
347 William Avenue
www.totallightingsales.ca
Using traditional construction to create the unexpected, Fly London’s designs are as new and fresh as they are durable and comfortable. From Mary Janes to ankle boots, suede to patent leather, get ready for fall in stylish footwear that is always fashion forward.
European Shoe Shop
436 Academy Road europeanshoeshop.com
Combining their love of wood & style, these local artisans thrive on designing & making unique “kreations,” ranging from shadowbox frames & signs to minimalist wood wallets. Follow them on Instagram or email them direct.
Lucky Number 3 Kreations
Email: Ln3kreations@hotmail.com
Instagram @luckynumber3kreations
Facebook: wwwfacebook.com/luckynumber3kreations
Tannis Butters
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist & Coach 436 Academy Road 204-487-4193 www.europeanshoeshop.com
Free confidential consultations
Embark on a transformative journey with Tannis Butters, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. From conquering anxiety to enhancing relationships and healing trauma, discover the power of hypnotherapy & Coaching. Tannis’ inclusive, nonjudgmental approach awaits you.
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Reviewed by Randal McIlroy
JOHN SURMAN
Words Unspoken (ECM)
John Surman has long offered plenty of horn, beginning with his famous taming of the imperial baritone saxophone, then continuing with his leaner soprano sax and bass clarinet. Add piano and his signature use of synthesizer and he had all the colours needed for his essentially solo career. Words Unspoken is his first album in years with a band, and in the company of vibraphonist Rob Waring and new associates Rob Luft on guitar and Thomas Stronen on drums, he’s rejuvenated. Surman’s writing honours all four, but the charm lies in thoughtful structure. “Graviola” finds guitar and vibes releasing gradually from a tight knot, urged by guitar and bass clarinet before Luft’s nimble solo. In “Precipice” and others, Waring creates lattices for Surman’s winding solos. Every track enchants.
431-337-4880 thehypnosiscoach.ca
One Deep River (British Grove records/eMi) Touring may now be too onerous for a gentleman of 75, but Mark Knopfler’s writing continues undaunted. One Deep River is well packed to start; this deluxe version adds another five songs on a second CD, and he’s already written the songs for the next one. Radio should be ready for the assured country flavours of “Ahead of the Game” and “Smart Money.” A former reporter, Knopfler writes short stories in the compact mode of the pop song; “Scavenger’s Yard,” spiked with nasty guitars, could be a screenplay, and, like “Fat Chance Dupree,” makes you grateful for the printed lyrics.
Other Doors
(dyad)
As openings go, it’s enticing – a wooden flute weaves, answered soon by electric guitar and warm chords from an electric piano. A contrast to keep listeners guessing takes another twist when Soft Machine devotees recognize “Penny Hitch,” recorded 40 years ago for the Softs’ Seven album and here denuded of the electric keyboards so long a feature of England’s most idiosyncratic jazz-rock band. All change, yes. Since 1970, Soft Machine has meant less a band than a mobile academy of advanced jazz-and-beyond players (indeed, long-serving drummer, the late John Marshall, retired his sticks after this new recording). Other Doors withdraws from the experimentation of old, but Theo Travis (saxophones, flute, piano) writes hip tunes, and perennially underrated guitarist John Etheridge is trenchant and feeling in the blues of “The Stars Apart.”
by Quentin Mills-Fenn
By Tamas Dobozy (Anvil Press)
Anthony de Stasio is a detective specializing in cold cases and long-buried histories in hardscrabble Kitchener. In this novel in three parts, Stasio comes across a cursed gun, an abusive father, and a dystopian cult linked to child trafficking. Tamas Dobozy has created a dream-like, even nightmarish, trip into conspiracies and secrets, a metaphysical detective story where the mysteries aren’t so much solved as buried even deeper.
By Victoria Kielland (Astra House)
Belle Gunness was a real person, a nineteenth-century immigrant from Norway who came to the United States to create a new life for herself. She was also one of history’s most notorious serial killers. No-one knows how many men she killed, lured by the lonely hearts ads in rural newspapers. Victoria Kielland is less interested in the details of Belle’s crimes than in the state of mind of a killer, mapping the journey of a woman into homicidal madness. A prize-winner in Scandinavia, now in an English translation by Damion Searls.
By Nathan Thrall (Metropolitan Books)
Subtitled Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy, this is the story of a little Palestinian boy from the outskirts of Jerusalem, and his father’s struggles to learn if his son survived a catastrophic school bus crash. In doing so, Abed Salama encounters armed checkpoints, language barriers, and uncaring bureaucracy, all because he’s on the wrong side of a wall and possesses the wrong ID. Nathan Thrall won a Pulitzer Prize for the book, and for good reason. It’s non-fiction that has to be read in short bursts, because it’s too crushing to read all at once.
EDITORIAL & PHOTOS BY GREG KLASSEN
My eyes are squeezed shut. I can feel the hot sun on my face. Below me, the coolness of the pool water delights my skin. In the distance, the surf pounds rhythmically and chillout music spills out of a nearby spa.
I experience these sensations daily at El Alquimista, the Mexican hotel where I spent the final five days of my Mexican vacation last February. Time moves very slowly here. Situated at the far end of Zipolite’s twokilometre beach, in a protected cove sandwiched between huge rock formations jutting out of the surf, our thirty-room hotel is jaw-droppingly beautiful. Each room has a thatched roof and large balconies that face the thundering Pacific Ocean. Our room rises above the rest of the hotel with a commanding view of the entire beach, offering unforgettable sunrises and sunsets from the deck.
The Pacific coast of Mexico still has a wildness about it. There are no chain hotels and no busloads of tourists. Hotels are blissfully free of televisions or anything to connect you to the outside world. Also, this winter, Westjet offered direct flights from Winnipeg to Huatulco on Sundays and that sealed the deal. I wanted to go back.
For good reason, many travellers never leave Huatulco. The picturesque town has nine bays, 36 beaches, excellent restaurants and multiple tours leading to rainforest hikes and whale watching. Two hours down the coast is the legendary surfer destination, Puerto Escondido, another beautiful place with great food and fun in the sun. But the relatively unexplored coastline between them is the place that stole my heart.
A sleepy town with only a thousand permanent residents, Zipolite gives you permission to truly relax. There is literally nothing else to do here. And El Alquimista is the crown jewel of hedonism, featuring a beachside restaurant with delicious fresh food, rooms that catch the sea breeze, an excellent spa and yoga studio, and a pool tucked into the jungle. I spent my first afternoon here wandering the hotel trying to convince myself that a place this beautiful could actually be real.
Legend has it that Zipolite was found by one lone hippie in the 1970s. Others soon followed. Slowly the beach town became a sleepy, but thriving tourist magnet. It features Mexico’s only legal nude beach and draws many European travellers as well as queer folk. It is not uncommon to see male couples holding hands as they wander the streets. No one bats an eye.
Zipolite is built on a spectacular bank of white sand, the townsite nearly swallowed by the verdant surrounding jungle. The streets are somewhat
sedate by day, but come back to life at night as the town explodes into a fireworks of art vendors, touristy clothing shops, and restaurants with pulsing Latin music.
A perfect day in Zipolite might include tucking into a hearty breakfast at Orale Cafe, reading in a hammock all afternoon, then savouring dinner at the nearby Mau Mau Thai restaurant. Or choose to linger over a sunset meal at El Alquimista, where the waves become the soundtrack and the only light is provided by hundreds of candles, many burrowed into a nearby mountain of rock.
As if Zipolite wasn’t enough, three kilometers down the coast is another coastal town, Mazunte. The village has been designated a pueblo magico, or a place with a mystical character that has retained its architecture, culture, and history. On the other hand, Mazunte is so overrun with massage shacks, yoga studios, and chakra readings, that even the most spiritual folk can find it overwhelming.
While there, I decide to try something completely new, so I choose a “water massage.” I had emailed Australian ex-pat, Jojo, a few times before meeting her, but nothing prepared me for her piercing blue eyes and the feeling of deep relaxation I felt in her presence.
We spend an hour in a hotel swimming pool. After attaching small life jackets to my knees, Jojo gently holds my head above the water. She reminds me softly, “Remember that this is a perfect moment,” and the world starts to float away. I begin by breathing in positivity and exhaling darkness, but before long, all I am chanting is beauty, truth, and light, with every breath.
I lose all sense of time. My body abandons any feeling of weight as she twists and turns me around the pool. Then she hands me a nose clip and demonstrates how to continue breathing using only my mouth, before submerging me repeatedly underwater, deeper and deeper each time. I get it. It’s a giant trust game. Finally, I’m floating, somewhat out of breath, and she caresses my feet. I feel like I’ve travelled somewhere outside of my body, so much so that I don’t notice that she has left me alone in the pool. It’s just me, alone with my breathing.
Along with deep relaxation, culinary pleasures are a huge part of being on the Oaxacan coast. Locals take a lot of pride in the food they make. Tlayudas, mole, and chilaquiles abound. We make a point of trying as many restaurants as possible.
We have a candlelight dinner on the beach, take our breakfast in the jungle as fresh fruit is being delivered, and we sample mescal, the local liquor, in a variety of cocktails. We never tire of the guacamole, a mix of avocado and fresh tomatoes.
If you have read about either of these two towns, the word is that, generally, getting there isn’t easy. I feel like this is said to keep some tourists away. To get there, you can fly into Puerto Escondido or Huatulco, take a $50-taxi and be there in an hour. Or, for considerably fewer pesos, you can ride the collectivo, or local bus.
Zipolite and Mazunte are not for you if you want an all-inclusive hotel. These towns are a bit gritty. Only the priciest hotels have air conditioning. These towns offer what you might have experienced in Playa del Carman or even Puerto Vallarta in the 1970s.
Finally, if you don’t like the heat, the Oaxacan coast is not the place for you. Begin your day early with a spectacular sunrise walk and end it with a walk on the beach. The sun is intense by midday, a time better spent looking for a shady place to read or going for a swim. One day, I choose the 9:30 AM yoga class over an earlier one, and I pay the price. By the end of the quite physical 75-minute class, I am completely drenched in sweat and unable to even clasp my hands together. This is hot yoga, Mexicanstyle.
In the winter of 2024, a long-awaited new road opened up between the inland city of Oaxaca and the coast.
Previously, the winding road featured 1,238 hairpin turns and took nearly eight hours, making nearly everyone queazy. Now the drive can be accomplished in less than three hours and is a lot smoother. This will likely mean more tourists.
So go now, when Zipolite and Mazunte remain untouched by time and offer a reminder that we really need so little to be happy. You can visit turtle sanctuaries, eat spectacular vegetarian food, have a water massage, watch whales over breakfast from your deck or do what I did, read and bless my good fortune to have experienced the wonders of these coastal towns.
BEST INFINITY POOL – Casa Pan de Miel. The pool dangles over a cliff and is perfect for luxuriating, lime dacquiri in hand, as the surf pounds below.
MOST ROMANTIC SEASIDE DINNER – In Mazunte, El Chiringuito provides a spectacular sunset setting as you graze and drink your way into the evening. The tuna mahi mahi, coated in sesame seeds, is unforgettable. In Zipolite, the restaurant at El Alquimista is the very definition of romance.
BEST MASSAGE – Jojo’s Water Massage
BEST WINE STORE – Augustivino. You’ll find a great variety of European wine here.
BEST BEACH – The ocean can be rough on these beaches. Exercise caution. I gravitated to the beach at San Agustinillo, for the calmest waters.
Greg Klassen is a Winnipeg writer and bon vivant!
BY LEA CURRIE
Ayard is no longer just green space to house a garden or some chairs – now it is an extension of the home. Outdoor living has continued to gain momentum since 2020 and more and more, yards are becoming places to socialize, cook, play and embrace nature within your own outdoor space.
“Lots of people are wanting to create a paradise in their backyard, a place where they don't want to leave and have all the amenities at home,” says Russ Penny, co-owner of Netley Creek Landscaping. “We are building those paradises. With our expertise in landscaping and hardscaping, we can make a dream yard a reality.”
The Netley Creek Landscaping team designs customized landscapes for every client and their respective needs and wants. To ensure each space is
unparalleled and suited for the homeowners, the company uses all types of high-quality hardscaping materials, including concrete pavers from TechoBloc, Barkman and Belgard, as well as porcelain tile and natural stone.
“We make each project unique in their own way, using a vast variety of materials. It gives our clients a lot of flexibility to find the exact style they are wanting,” says Penny.
From small residential yards and cottages to large acreages outside the city to commercial properties, Netley Creek works on any project size from beginning to end. Whether a new build or a landscape renovation, the team provides full 3D renderings that give clients the ability to see their yard before the Netley team even begins construction.
Since founding Netley Creek Landscaping in 2010, Penny and business partner, Justin Harris, have been pushing the boundaries to bring new ideas to the Manitoba landscape. They've won multiple awards for their designs and builds in and around Winnipeg, including various accolades from the Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association, as well as national levels of recognition, such as the Best of Houzz award for client satisfaction and the best custom landscaping design company designation from Build magazine. As a result, the company has quickly become one of the top design/ build landscaping companies in the province.
“Our company has grown at a fast pace and we believe this to be because of our great attention to detail, design experience and interaction with our clients. Upon completion of a yard, it is our motive to ensure complete customer satisfaction, while building future relationships along the way,” says Penny.
To create a client's dream space, the company can install steps, patios, walkways, driveways and retaining walls, while adding greenery, including maintenance-free beds, sod, trees and shrubs. For that extra special touch, the team specializes in pool surrounds, outdoor kitchens, firepits, outdoor structures, putting greens and water features, such as fountains,
ponds and waterfalls. If you can dream it, they can build it.
Netley also installs outdoor lighting on almost all projects to bring the space to life at night, extending the outdoor enjoyment well into the evening. The lighting also adds extra security to the property.
“At Netley, we are always thinking of new creative ideas to bring our clients' yards to the next level and make them proud to call it home. We are always training our amazing and talented staff with new products, trends and technology to up our game and make sure we are always offering our clients the best options when it comes to their landscape,” says Penny.
Learn more at netleycreeklandscaping.com.
BY LEA CURRIE
With a large rural property overlooking a farmer's field, embracing nature is a must. The 3 Seasons Landscaping team skillfully balanced hard and softscapes to produce a splendid, unified look that blends in beautifully with the Prairie backdrop. The expansive space near La Salle maintains a level of intimacy while being adaptable enough for entertaining large groups.
“Tall grasses and clusters of boulders around the perimeter, including some raised beds banked up behind the boulders help to create a little outdoor room, while not impeding the bigger views of the property and farm,” says Paul Szakacs, landscape designer with 3 Seasons.
At the same time, 3 Seasons used a variety of materials to enhance the natural feel, including Karl Foerster and variegated ribbon grasses and an assortment of native shrubs and trees, along with attractive hardscapes like flagstone pavers from Belgard.
The team was careful to ensure nature could be at the forefront without letting it take over.
“Even though it’s a 'flagstone' patio, it’s an engineered paver with tight gaps and polymeric joint sand to prevent any weed growth. Mulch covers all of the soil beds to help retain moisture and also keep weeds at bay,” says Szakacs.
The oversized firepit from Barkman –which produces a large fire that can be enjoyed throughout the year – is immediately adjacent to the back deck and the rear of the home for ease of use and accessibility.
“I find it’s a very cohesive look – with a nice consistency in types of materials, textures and planting arrangements. It really shows how a well-planned project with a mix of hardscapes and softscapes can come together to create a very inviting space,” says Szakacs.
3 Seasons is a full-service landscape design, construction and maintenance company committed to providing elite services. Learn more at 3seasons.ca.
Keep your home warm and cozy this fall! Efficiency Manitoba offers programs and rebates to make it easy for you to save energy and money throughout the season. They’re also your number one resource for expert advice on energy efficiency. Follow these energy-saving tips to get ready for cooler weather and save on heating costs!
Weatherstripping or caulking around doors, windows, and electrical outlets reduces air leakage and saves energy. Installing an insulating kit on the interior sides of your windows is another low-cost way to save energy.
Purchase an outdoor car plug timer. A block heater only needs to be turned on for three hours before starting your car — even on the coldest nights.
Lower the temperature by at least 3°C at night or when you’re not home. Consider buying a smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely. They can learn from your behaviour and adjust the temperature automatically.
Schedule a maintenance appointment for your heating system to ensure it’s running at peak performance. Be sure to replace your furnace filter with the change in season — about four times per year.
Prepare for the cold weather ahead and lessen the load on your heating system with Efficiency Manitoba’s programs and rebates. Plus, it’s a great time to start planning your energy efficiency renovations for the year ahead.
Ensuring your home is properly insulated will help reduce your energy bills and improve the comfort of your living space. Efficiency Manitoba offers rebates to save on your insulation costs!
Are you looking to upgrade your heating and cooling system? Heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling in one unit. An air source heat pump can reduce your electric heating costs by up to 30% and a ground source heat pump can reduce your heating costs by up to 60%! Plus, Efficiency Manitoba offers rebates on both.
BY KELLY GRAY
Located off McPhillips, just past Leila, Highland Pointe is a multiphase new home community that offers everything from luxury lake walkouts to townhomes and duplexes. According to Ladco's Vice-president of Development, David Borger, servicing on Highland Pointe's first phase of 220 lots began in 2021. When complete, Highland Pointe's 400 acres will be home to some 3,000 families. “There will be a wide range of offerings to fit numerous price points and family needs. There is something for everyone in Highland Pointe,” says Borger.
Work is currently ongoing on Highland Pointe’s next stage, with builders selling properties in the third phase, says Michael Carruthers, Ladco's Manager of Land Development. He adds that Phase five is being planned, with initial work underway.
Natural beauty is front and centre at Highland Pointe, with parks filled with native prairie plants and a natureinspired entryway into the community. Carruthers notes that the plan is for 35 acres of parkland including playgrounds, parks, lakes, wetlands and walking trails to complete an amenityrich package that complements services already on offer in the area. A four-acre park is currently under construction on Fernbank Avenue.
Cutting-edge home designs are another attribute that is generating excitement. The current slate of new home builders in Highland Pointe includes A&S Homes, Ventura Homes, Hilton Homes, Discovery Homes, KDR Homes, Randall Homes, and Signature Homes. "We are following the success in Prairie Pointe with a group of consistent performers that have attracted buyers with exciting showhome designs," says Borger, pointing to a group of showhomes on Nuthatch Bay that will be open for the Fall Parade of Homes.
“In addition to a commercial sector, there will be a strong component of
multi-family and rental units available in the community,” says Carruthers, pointing to a coming project from Discovery Homes that will see a group of townhomes constructed.
Highland Pointe is all part of the positive growth and change of this area of Winnipeg, where an expanded general hospital, great schools and a host of major and independent retailers are making Highland Pointe one of the most sought-after addresses in Winnipeg.
Discover the excitement at Highland Pointe by visiting www.ladco.mb.ca for more information.
BY LEA CURRIE
Even before you step foot in the door, you'll feel right at home in the houses custom designed and built by Gino's Homes. With customized millwork, bright open concepts, chef-worthy kitchens and spa-like bathrooms, the local builder produces spaces that are ideal for the modern family.
Frank and Robert Cotroneo, brothers and co-owners of Gino's Homes, say “We create smart designs that take into consideration a family's lifestyle in every respect. Each aspect of each design is thoughtfully chosen and built with quality finishes that we know our home buyers are craving.”
With more than 55 years in the business, the builder continues to create unparalleled homes. This picturesque three-bedroom bungalow matches the quality and detailing you can expect in the two new gorgeous show homes from Gino's Homes, on display during the 2024 Fall Parade of Homes.
The custom front door welcomes you home to their new build at 23 Sarsprilla Bend in Winnipeg's Sage Creek. Step into a sunken foyer with 20-foot high ceilings and onto a bright open design suited for entertaining. Retreat upstairs to the three bedrooms, along
with a deluxe ensuite and secondfloor laundry room. Quality custom millwork is seen throughout the 1,919-square-foot space, including the majestic staircase.
For those who want to get out of the city, come home to 81 Killbery Crescent in Taylor Farm, Headingley's number one new development. Located on a quiet bay just steps from scenic walk-
ing trails, this nearly 1,800-square-foot bungalow will quickly become your oasis. An inviting sunken entryway opens up to a large open concept, along with three large bedrooms, two bathrooms, office space and main floor laundry. Outside, relax on the 22-foot deck in the expansive backyard.
Come see the homes on parade from Gino's Homes. Learn more at www.ginoshomes.ca.
Prairie Pointe is Winnipeg’s fastest-growing community, with the leading number of new building permits last year. Located between Kenaston Blvd. and Brady Rd, this new community has much to offer. Key attractions include the neighbourhood’s maturing plan, great location and innovative home designs.
Prairie Pointe rolled out in 2015 when developer Ladco launched Stage 1 of the 3,000-lot development. Currently, Ladco is building out Stage 7 with 237 singlefamily lots.
“Stage 8 at the corner of Waverley and Kenaston will feature 15 acres of multifamily along with 149 duplexes and townhomes,” says Ladco's Manager of Land Development, Michael Carruthers. He reports that Stage 9 will see an additional 127 single-family lots added to the mix.
David Borger, Vice-president of Development with Ladco, reports strong demand for properties in Prairie Pointe. "Prairie Pointe is maturing nicely with great residential architecture and amenities such as over two kilometres of walking paths," he says.
Michael Carruthers adds that highights include green spaces such as parks and linear pathways along the naturalized lakes. For example, 1,000 metres of paths were added last year and a fiveacre park off Eaglewood Drive sports a green space with a play structure, a picnic shelter and a fire pit, complete with seating. The City of Winnipeg is also in the process of constructing a new temporary fire station next to the Eaglewood Park. “We are currently in the final planning stage for a new park at Waverley and Firestone Drive. There will be a field, playground facilities and seating,” he says, commenting that Prairie Pointe is a convenient bicycling distance from some of the province's largest sports and recreational facilities and major commercial and retail facilities in the area.
Borger remarks that part of the success of Prairie Pointe is its inclusivity. "There is a product and price point for everyone in this community. New home buyers can select from single-family residences to townhomes and multi-family properties."
Buyers can expect to find the province's top home builders working in Prairie
BY KELLY GRAY
Pointe. These include A&S Homes, Ventura Custom Homes, Hilton Homes, Discovery Homes, KDR Homes, Randall Homes and Signature Homes. The area also offers tremendous flexibility in building design with fewer architectural guidelines, allowing clients to build their dream homes to meet their needs, wants, and budgets.
Discover Prairie Pointe by visiting a showhome. This year, the Parade of Homes offers single-family show homes on Yaleton Street, with duplex and townhomes nearby.
Prairie Pointe is conveniently close to major roadways such as Kenaston and the Perimeter Highway. This location means easy connectivity throughout Winnipeg and quick access to routes out to cottage country. Prairie Pointe is also close to the University of Manitoba, Victoria General Hospital and great shopping.
Discover why Prairie Pointe is Winnipeg’s most popular new home destination. Visit www.ladco. mb.ca for more information.
BY KELLY GRAY
Have you seen Waterside Development’s newest project? Their latest work, Forest Grove Estates in Headingley, is another inspired residential haven from a local company dedicated to creating new communities that become cherished neighbourhoods.
Located across the Perimeter along Roblin Blvd, Phase 1 of Forest Grove Estates includes 84 architecturallydesigned lots with future multi-family and condo living planned. Waterside Development Project Manager Nathan Mehling notes that all roads and utilities are complete in this phase. The naturalized pond seeding was finished this spring. Landscaping, fencing, and natural walking paths were started this summer. Servicing is complete, with roads and infrastructure installed and the custom-designed showhomes are near completion.
Forest Grove Estates is tailored to impress. From the beautiful forested entrance to the large lots with sweeping front driveways and the natural architectural elements, Forest Grove
offers the perfect combination of great home design and decor amid a beautiful natural setting just minutes away from city conveniences. The community features walking trails around three ‘lakes’ and gorgeous forest-backed lots. There are also walk-outs with lake views, look-outs with green space and lake views, and premium lots backing onto extensive treed areas.
Forest Grove Estates is within cycling distance of big box stores for grocery shopping, markets for farm fresh produce and Shelmerdine’s for garden needs. For celebrations or a night out, the community is near The Gates on Roblin Boulevard, making a delicious dinner or an after-work cocktail a quick trip. And, a newly constructed baseball park adjacent to the development offers lots of action for sports fans. Indeed, the RM of Headingley has it all: schools, museums, libraries, and churches. Future phases will connect to the Grand Trunk Trail (part of the TransCanada Trail), a path extending from Charleswood on a repurposed Grand Trunk Pacific Railway right-ofway well beyond Beaudry Provincial Park to the west.
“The community is designed around walkability,” says Donna Thordarson, Waterside Development CAO. “The paths offer tremendous linkages throughout the neighbourhood. They lead to leafy forest and lake views, an inclusive and accessible playground and an adjacent baseball facility near Grand Trunk Trail. The paths will be ideal for a quiet walk, an afternoon cycle, or an easy route to neighbours for a barbeque.”
Forest Grove’s builders offer a diverse mix of upscale, custom designs and have a great selection of show homes in the community. Builders include Huntington Homes, Artista Homes, Maric Homes, GS Homes, Splendid Homes, KDR Homes, Connection Homes, Discovery Homes and Irwin Homes. The custom-designed show homes will be open to the public starting with the Fall Parade of Homes from September 21 – October 13, 2024.
This fall, make plans to discover this iconic neighbourhood in the making.
For more information: www.forestgrove.watersidedevelopment.ca
Large
Opportunities are rare, but for those eyeing commercial developments near Winnipeg, the chance to secure an ideal location has come not once but three times.
Waterside Development Corp., a prominent local company specializing in residential and commercial development, real estate, and property management, has unveiled three new commercial projects. Each offers the perfect balance of proximity to Winnipeg services and the benefits of being situated in adjacent municipalities, where lower taxes and reduced development costs create a more favourable business environment.
Plessis Commercial Centre is located off Plessis Road, near the TransCanada Highway and adjacent to CN's Symington Yards. This development is conveniently close to east Winnipeg yet within the Rural Municipality (RM) of Springfield. The site features 82 lots ranging from 1.2 to 3.2 acres, ready to be the home of your next business venture. According to Project Manager Nathan Mehling, the Plessis Commercial Centre boasts underground gas and hydro services, wide paved roads, and beautifully landscaped retention ponds, all contributing to an ideal setting for commercial operations.
Pipeline Corner Commercial showcases Waterside’s expertise in creating strategic commercial spaces. Positioned just beyond the Perimeter at Pipeline Road and Holmes Road in the RM of West St. Paul, Pipeline Corner Commercial offers 32 fully serviced lots. These large sites are well-suited for light commercial businesses looking to establish a presence near Winnipeg's northern quadrant. Realtor® Shauna Dram highlights a prime example: a welldesigned property on a two-acre lot featuring asphalt roads, streetlights, and two access points, ready for immediate possession and commercial use.
BY KELLY GRAY
Rockall Road Business Park, in Winnipeg’s western sector, is a threestage, 44-lot commercial development located within the RM of Headingley. With easy access to Winnipeg's Perimeter Highway, this development is attractive to a wide range of businesses. Like Waterside’s other projects, Rockall Road Business Park is equipped with paved roads, underground infrastructure and enhanced visual appeal through thoughtful landscaping and drainage ponds. Project Manager Nathan Mehling emphasizes Waterside’s selective approach, catering to light commercial applications such as custom manufacturing, warehouse sales and catering services.
“These commercial sites offer a ‘ground floor’ opportunity for businesses seeking proximity to Winnipeg without the burdens of high taxes and bureaucratic red tape that often come with being
inside the Perimeter,” says Shauna Dram. Businesses can choose builders and collaborate with local municipalities to bring their structures to life.
To explore the opportunities available at Waterside Development’s trio of commercial projects, contact Shauna Dram at sdram@gregmichie.com and visit www.watersidedevelopment.ca for more information.
The wait is over for those searching for a fresh approach to independent seniors living. Opening early next year, The Meadows Retirement Residence in Qualico’s Sage Creek community will raise the bar in the independent seniors sector through its location, design and amenity package.
The new centre was developed by Janzen Projects (Adam & Nathan Janzen), a company with generational experience with seniors residences. In fact, Janzen Projects recently completed a 55+ building in the neighbourhood, Sage Creek Pointe. Now, after listening to the community and tuning in to market needs, Janzen Projects has moved forward with a modern design in a location that delivers a premium solution to those seeking an exceptional quality of life in an assisted living environment.
“The Meadows is a premier offering in a building that features all concrete construction, heated underground parking and a contemporary design that feels like home,” says Adam Janzen. He reports that the building will provide 179 units with four lay-
outs in one and two-bedroom options. Suites are 600 sq. ft. to 900 sq. ft., and offer in-suite laundry, a full kitchen and private balconies.
Residents will dine in the 200-seat dining room (two meals a day are part of the overall package), with meals prepared in-house by a Red Seal chef.
According to The Meadows Executive Director Michael Hart, this residence comes from years of advancement and knowledge in the local market. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in capability and capacity within the assisted living sector over the more than 30 years I have been in this profession,” he says. “The Meadows is the result of a lot of experience and learning that came together to create this upper-tier facility. We are very excited to open early next year.”
Residents at The Meadows are on a one-year lease with a one-month cancelation policy that provides flexibility and takes personal circumstances into account. The facility provides healthcare aides on staff and has regular doctor visits at a dedicated on-site medical centre. Nutritionally balanced meals are also part of the program,
BY KELLY GRAY
with food-service professionals working with residents to accommodate individual dietary requirements. The main dining room features beautiful prairie views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Lighter fare and ‘to-go’ items are available at the Prairie Café & Bistro. The two penthouse Sky Lounges on the top floor are perfect for private dining options. The Meadows also has four ‘hotel rooms’ to accommodate visitors.
“Social engagement and cultural awareness are key to programming,” says Hart, mentioning that the top floor common areas are equipped with a pool table, shuffleboard, and space for special programs such as yoga. The Meadows will also have a fitness facility with appropriate equipment. “The building itself is wonderful, but at the end of the day, care of the residents is at the heart of what we do.”
Janzen agrees, concluding that experience has been their leader. “People told us they wanted a premier building for independent seniors – we developed The Meadows with that in mind.”
For further information and reservation details visit www.themeadowswinnipeg.ca
Vicostone’s rich color palette will inspire you to express your unique style and creativity
BQ8820
Polaris BQ2612
From complete renovations to simple repairs. No job too large or small!
Whether you're looking for a contractor that can do complete renovations or a handyman who goes above and beyond to help with smaller tasks, find exactly what you need with Beyond Design & Renovations.
“Our company does full and partial basement, bathroom and other renovations, as well as building new decks and fences, installing fireplace facades, finishing walls and ceilings or tiling backsplashes. But we also do simple handyman work and repairs. No job is too small!” says owner Jeremy Huff.
Recognizing that not everyone is handy around the house, Huff provides services that make life easier for clients, from installing ceiling fans, potlights and outlets, to patching holes in walls or fixing a broken step. Plus, the local company also takes on bigger projects to help clients develop their dream spaces. “I truly enjoy the process of transforming a space into something the client loves. The happiness on a customer’s face when they see the finished product is something to relish,” he says.
With over 20 years experience, Huff takes the time to listen, collaborate and build trust to ensure customer satisfaction. “Our goal is to bring the client’s vision to life within any budget. We offer expert advice on how that can be achieved for the best price possible. What sets us apart is that we care about transparency, results and customer happiness. Ultimately, we want people to be confident they chose the right company for the job.”
For more info, contact Beyond Design & Renovations at beyonddesignreno@gmail.com or 204-914-3963.
The once forbidden combination of black and brown proves to be a sophisticated look in this exquisite kitchen from Kitchen Craft.
“The walnut wood is so beautiful and it’s a great way to bring the natural wood into the kitchen, keeping it warm,” says Lisa-Marie WarrenDunitz, Kitchen Craft designer.
With a request for a modern kitchen with warm, natural tones, the designer used the Gentry door from Kitchen Craft in a natural walnut with a clear finish for the upper cabinets and a cherry charcoal stain on the lower cabinets.
The shaker-inspired cabinetry features a very slight inner bevel to add subtle
BY LEA CURRIE
dimension. Its transitional design makes it well suited for any room style. The Gentry door is also available in MDF.
The expertly-chosen black and brown combination is well balanced with a white quartz countertop while bronze glass on the built-in pantries adds further visual interest and a touch of glamour. Floating shelves and cabinet lighting further modernize the space.
“The open shelves in the corner of the sink wall gives you a focal point, along with the up-lighting on the tops of the cabinets. In the evening the lights at the top of the cabinets illuminate the ceiling with a soft glow,” says WarrenDunitz.
The black brick that was added to the back of the large eating area and island by homeowners Erik and Carol, owners of KMK Ventures, finishes off the look.
The homeowners wanted an extended peninsula for seating and entertaining, and a feature island with a slidein stove and an additional eating area. The Kitchen Craft team also opened up the kitchen entrance for a more wel-
coming feel to the seating around the angled peninsula.
Proudly Canadian, Kitchen Craft has been manufacturing fine quality cabinetry in Winnipeg for over 50 years. The company creates cabinets for every lifestyle and every budget and offers a limited lifetime warranty. The design flexibility of their products provides storage solutions for any space.
Visit a Kitchen Craft showroom at 1-1659 Kenaston Boulevard or 1500 Regent Avenue, or learn more at www.kitchencraft.pro.
A ceiling fan can offer personal expression and style to any room just as well as a light fixture, while also providing added year-round function.
“A fan really helps the comfort level in a room in both summer and winter because it sets up an airflow pattern in the room and keeps the temperature even,” says Simon Simkin, co-owner of Super-Lite.
The Maverick ceiling fan from Monte Carlo Fan Collections is a contemporary fixture that is available in a variety of sizes and colours. The fan’s direct current motor is quiet and extremely energy efficient. Control the settings with the remote control or opt for wall controls. The fan can also come with a dimmable LED light that is integrated into the body of fan. Some models and finishes are even weatherproof.
“It’s not your grandmother’s fan,” says Simkin. “It’s become one of our best-selling fans.”
Super-Lite is Winnipeg’s largest showroom with ceiling fans, light fixtures for inside and out, and more. Find a wide variety of different styles for all spaces in a beautiful setting that allows customers to visualize the products in their own home.
Visit the Super-Lite showroom at 1040 Waverley Street.
Butler pantries are seeing a renaissance as more modern-day homeowners are craving the extra kitchen space without the clutter in the main living area. This stunning secondary kitchenette was custom built by Springfield Woodworking with maple cabinetry and open shelving that provides added convenience and a gorgeous presentation.
“We measure every space and build each cabinet custom-fitted for every home,” says Ms. Kleinsasser of Springfield Woodworking.
This beautiful yet functional space was part of a new home by Dueck Builders, one of Springfield Woodworking's valued builders.
The local company used a subtle olive colour (Stanley Park from Benjamin Moore) on the maple cabinets and one of their own exclusive colours for the floating shelves. The recessed drawer handles add a unique visual detail.
Springfield Woodworking can create cabinets for any room, from kitchens and bathrooms to laundry rooms and mudrooms – anywhere storage is needed. Combining traditional techniques and quality workmanship with modern materials and designs, the skilled team continues to introduce new ideas, innovations, trends and machinery to bring clients the very best.
Learn more at www.springfieldwoodworking.com or visit their new state-ofthe-art showroom at Unit #1-5 Penner Road in Navin, Manitoba, just 20 minutes from downtown Winnipeg.
