Manitobans came together Sunday for a gigantic celebration to honour Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery.

About 7,000 people from neighbouring communities gathered in Russell for a parade to honour the hometown boy, who won gold in men’s skeleton at the Vancouver Olympics on February 19. Dignitaries, politicians, fans and supporters of the athlete all gathered in the town’s hall as Montgomery made his way on stage shortly after having his winning performance played again for the crowd on giant screens.

Gold-coloured shirts sporting the slogan “Montgomery Gold: Mission Accomplished” were the official wardrobe of the day, with a number of the T-shirts becoming collector’s items after Montgomery signed dozens of them for fans.

Our partners at iTVBrandon.com streamed the festivities live and did a fantastic job to bring the experience to those who couldn’t be there.

Speaking with reporters late afternoon, Montgomery said he’ll be back in Winnipeg on Monday to fly out to Quebec, before heading on to St. John’s, NL next month to be a presenter at the 2010 Juno Awards.

Watch highlights of the media scrum:

Watch video of the reception Montgomery received Friday afternoon at the Winnipeg airport.

ChrisD.ca photo

Posted by Brian Schultz

The lineup for the 37th annual Winnipeg Folk Festival was revealed this weekend and includes a fair share of local Manitoba talent. Juno nominee Romi Mayes, singer/songwriter Greg MacPherson, The Wailin Jenny’s, Grammy and Juno nominee The Duhks, Del Barber, and Weakerthans frontman John K. Samson are just some of the local names appearing on stage this year.

The finest in summer music will take over Birds Hill Provincial Park between July 7 and 11.

Festival-goers will also be treated to eleven time Grammy nominee John Hiatt and The Combo, Juno nominated Sarah Harmer, and the Academy award winning duo of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, better known as The Swell Season.

Early-bird tickets went on sale February 14, but plenty of festival passes are still available.

For a full list of performers and to purchase tickets, visit WinnipegFolkFestival.ca.

Image credit: Brian Goldschmied/Winnipeg Folk Festival

Posted by David Klassen

Students from Red River College’s Graphic Design program will be creating original pieces of art this weekend in just over 24 hours. The 8th Annual Art Festival and Auction takes place at The Forks beginning today. Students can craft their art pieces using any medium, such as oil, pencil, watercolour, etc.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit Winnipeg Harvest and RRC’s Graphic Design Students’ Graduation Fund.

The festival runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The auction will follow from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Steve Vogelsang (remember him?) will play the role of auctioneer.

Handout photo

Manitoba Olympic gold medallist Jon Montgomery arrived at Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport just before 3 p.m. Friday. Montgomery flew in from Toronto in preparation for a homecoming celebration in Russell on Sunday.

Watch:

The men’s skeleton athlete from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games was greeted by throngs of well-wishers, friends, family and fans. The Winnipeg Airports Authority invited the public to attend the celebration and volunteers handed out pom-poms to the crowd.

More details on Sunday’s parade, barbeque and other festivities in Russell are available at MontgomeryGold.ca.

ChrisD.ca video

Posted by Brian Schultz

If your vehicle has been taking a beating from the many large sections of disappearing concrete lately, the city says pothole patching efforts are being “ramped up” next week.

Surprisingly, there are fewer potholes this year than in 2009, according to the City of Winnipeg, but that doesn’t mean a softer approach will be taken. “Last year, Winnipeg experienced a greater than average number of potholes due to the large amount of freezing rain we received last February and colder than average springtime temperatures which resulted in numerous freeze/thaw cycles and potholes,” said Bruce McPhail, Manager of the Streets Maintenance Division.

On Friday, three pothole patching machines were added to the six hand-asphalting crews already at work. Crews will be out working all weekend, and next week, the number of patchers on the road will be increased to six.

Regional streets, bus routes and collector streets will be targeted for repair, as well as curb lanes, where water and run-off may accumulate.

Citizens can report pothole locations by contacting 311 or online at Winnipeg.ca by street address.

It’s the last day Red River College students in the Creative Communications program will be presenting their IPPs (Independent Professional Projects) for the semester.

Since Wednesday, students in their second year of CreComm have been occupying the Park Theatre on Osborne Street to entertain their peers, and score points with their instructors. Each project has been a year in the making and includes pieces like published books, charity events, documentaries, musical groups and more. Oh, there is even the occasional spur-of-the-moment dance routine.

One of the projects presented this week was highlighted by ChrisD.ca earlier this month. Student Jeffrey Vallis has created Winnipeg’s newest fashion magazine called SANDBOX. Not only has the project managed to earn Vallis a grade, it has also helped to create a business for him and co-creator Braden Alexander.

Other notable IPPs have included a fundraiser that raised almost $10,000 for the Children’s Wish Foundation, planned and organized by Gina Nasuti and Karine Driedger, and a fashion line called ‘Epic Friday’ created by Lisa Rowson.

“There are a variety of themes pertaining to these projects,” said student Shelley Cook. “Some of them are simply remarkable!”

The presentations run today from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A complete schedule is available online.

Winnipeg radio station CURVE 94.3 has won a gold RMB Crystal Award for having the best Station Promotion Campaign.

The Radio Marketing Bureau handed out the awards Thursday and recognized the best in Canadian radio advertising between fall 2008 through 2009.

CURVE won for their ‘16 second’ promos, which to summarize, gives on air personalities 16 seconds to tell the listener everything they know about … fill in the blank.

Listen to their winning campaign below:

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Posted by Sarah Klein

If you plan on attending Jon Montgomery’s homecoming celebration in Russell on Sunday, don’t be late. Daylight saving time returns early Sunday morning at 2 a.m. At that time, clocks will advance one hour ahead to 3 a.m.

Under the Official Time Act, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November.

The Office of the Fire Commissioner is also encouraging Manitobans to check batteries in smoke and fire detectors and ensure they are in good working order when they adjust their clocks.

13 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Daylight Saving Time

Winnipeg firefighters camping on the rooftop of the Osborne Street firehall have raised over $20,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada since Monday.

Their goal is $50,000 and they don’t have much time to do it. At 11 a.m. this morning, an aerial ladder will bring them down so they can return to work on Saturday.

Generous Winnipeggers have been donating online and in-person all week to support the cause.

Also at that time, the final dollar amount of the fundraiser will be announced.

UPDATE: $30,000 was raised.

Image credit: Facebook

Posted by Tyler Sutherland

Winter activities may be over in Winnipeg, but outside the city, there is still plenty of snow to frolic in.

Stony Mountain Ski Area is holding the Junior Racing, Edgemaster and Snowstars Fun Race and Wind-Up on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day also includes a pancake breakfast from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and hayrides from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

On Sunday, the last snowboard competition of the season will commence at 1 p.m. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. and prizes will be awarded to the best boarders.

Image credit: Facebook

Posted by Brian Schultz

Registration for the City of Winnipeg’s Spring/Summer Leisure Guide opens up at 9 a.m. Monday morning. Contrary to previous years, all the bugs are believed to be worked out when registering through the 311 service. You can also visit LeisureOnline.ca to view the course catalogue and to register.

Winnipeggers are encouraged to register for a PIN and login ID number before Monday to help speed up the process. Calling 311 or visiting any civic pool or the Fort Rouge Leisure Centre can accommodate that request.

Alternatively, you can register in-person at 395 Main Street or any civic pool. Completed forms can also be dropped off at the Fort Rouge Leisure Centre (625 Osborne Street) or at the St. James Civic Centre (2055 Ness Avenue).

Posted by Brian Schultz

The Winnipeg Humane Society is applauding a new policy put in place by Manitoba Egg Farmers that sees laying hens live more humane, enriched lives.

The policy is based around the “Five Freedoms,” an animal welfare ideology that supports: freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to express normal behaviour; and freedom from fear and distress. As part of the policy, all new or renovated laying hen facilities must have enriched living areas by 2018.

“We are thrilled to see MEF taking steps to implement proper animal welfare,” said Bill McDonald, Executive Director of The WHS. “The public’s attitude towards farm animals is changing. We know that people care about how farm animals are treated. This includes how laying hens are housed.”

The Winnipeg Humane Society has been advocating in support of this policy for over a decade.