Hey Winnipeggers,

It’s Monday, and the Winnipeg Digest is here to add a little extra pep to your step—like that first whiff of fresh coffee that says, “You got this!”.

In today's edition of the Winnipeg Digest:

• Hollywood Star Bob Odenkirk in Winnipeg

• Restaurant of the Week

• $1M Dollar Funding for Vulnerable youth programs

• Multiple events this week & more!

— Jas Singh

News

Hollywood Star Bob Odenkirk Throws First Pitch

The actor who brought the sneaky, charming lawyer Saul Goodman to life in Better Call Saul, made a special appearance at the Winnipeg Goldeyes game this past Saturday!

Wearing a Goldeyes jersey, he stepped up to the mound and threw the first pitch before the team faced off against the Sioux City Explorers. The crowd was buzzing with excitement—it’s not every day a Hollywood star joins in on our local fun.

Odenkirk has been in town filming the sequel to Nobody, the action-packed Netflix hit that put Winnipeg on the map a few years ago. With production wrapping up soon, his involvement in local events like this shows just how connected he’s become to our community.

It’s moments like these that really highlight how special Winnipeg is. Having a major film production here, and seeing a star like Odenkirk embrace our city, is a huge boost for our local film scene. It proves that Winnipeg has what it takes to attract big projects and bring exciting opportunities to the community!

Restaurant of the Week: Across the Board Cafe

Right in the heart of downtown at 211 Bannatyne Ave, this spot is where laid-back vibes meet endless entertainment.

You walk in, grab a coffee, maybe a sandwich. The atmosphere is cozy, but the real draw? The wall of board games. Hundreds of them. From quick, laugh-out-loud games to deep strategy ones that pull you in for hours. It’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time, caught up in the fun and the friendly competition.

Weekends here? It gets packed. We recommend booking ahead to snag a spot. They charge a small fee per person to access the games, but trust us, it’s worth every penny.

Across the Board has been a staple of downtown for me, and if you haven’t been, we highly recommend it!

What's Happening in Winnipeg?

Local Updates:

Honoring Tina Fontaine with New Funding

The Manitoba government is stepping up with nearly $1 million in funding for Tina’s Safe Haven, honoring Tina Fontaine’s legacy in a meaningful way.

• $400,000 from the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence will support health services, including public health nursing and mental wellness therapy.

• An additional $586,000 from the province will go toward operating costs and programming at the 24-hour drop-in center for at-risk youth.

Tina’s Safe Haven offers essential support for Winnipeg’s vulnerable youth, providing a safe space for those who need it most. This funding ensures that her legacy continues to make a real difference in the community.

More Beds to Ease Hospital Wait Times

The Government of Manitoba is adding 68 new transitional care beds across the province, and it’s a big deal for anyone who’s ever sat in an ER, wondering if they'd ever get out.

• These beds help clear up those backed-up emergency rooms by moving patients to where they really need to be.

• Locations like Selkirk and St. Boniface are getting the much-needed additions.

• 35 beds are already open, with the rest coming by the end of the year.

It’s more than just beds—it’s about getting the right care, faster. A big win for our healthcare system.

New Street Lights at FortWhyte Alive

As reported by CTV News, new street lights are up and running at Brady Road and McGillivary Boulevard, right by FortWhyte Alive. Safer crossings for everyone. With a new entrance coming soon, it’s about to get even easier to enjoy one of Winnipeg’s favorite green spaces.

Business

Second London Drugs Coming to Winnipeg

Its second location will be at CF Polo Park Shopping Centre. Scheduled to open in late 2025, this new store is set to bring 60 to 70 new jobs to the community.

This expansion shows London Drugs’ commitment to the city and gives Winnipeggers another great place to shop for health and wellness products. The new location at Polo Park will complement the existing one at St. Vital Mall, making it easier than ever for locals to access everything London Drugs has to offer.

Manitoba Security Rebate Program Expands

The Manitoba government is helping again by pumping an extra $1.5 million into the Security Rebate Program, which means more Manitobans can now get help covering the cost of security systems. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or small business owner, you can now apply for a $300 rebate to help pay for cameras, alarms, or even reinforced doors.

Why does this matter? It’s simple: safer communities mean peace of mind for everyone. With so much interest in the program already, the government’s expansion is a timely move. If you’re thinking of upgrading your security, don’t wait—funding is limited, and it’s first-come, first-served.

Coming up this week:

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

• Burt Block Party | Aug 22-25 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: For four nights over one weekend, Aug. 22-25, the outdoor concert series will include headliners Blue Rodeo, Arkells, Headstones, and Tom Cochrane.

• Alleyways in the Exchange | 5PM, Aug 23 (Free)

  • Location: Elgin Avenue & Bertha street

  • Description: Alleyways in The Exchange takes place on the third Friday of each month, featuring a market, audio performances, an art lounge, and dance performances!

• Movies in the Park | 6:30PM & 8:45PM, August 23 (Free/More Info)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park

  • Movie: Paw Patrol Movie and Free Guy

• 150 Outdoor Makers Market | 10AM, Aug 24 (Free)

  • Location: The Forks

  • Description: Great all day market to exploreand support local vendors!

• Manitoba Filipino Street Festival | Aug 24-25 (Free)

  • Location: Petrus Hall & Grounds

  • Description: A festival with cultural dances, food, entertainment, and more! If you want to immerse yourself in the Filipino culture, this si the place to be!

• Summer Bazaar | Aug 24-25 (Tickets)

  • Location: Polo park

  • Description: With over 70 local businesses showcased, this is your chance to explore an incredible array of unique products, from handmade crafts to gourmet foods and trendy fashion.

Exciting Events: Aug 19th & 20th

This section only includes events starting on Aug 19th or 20th.

Sports🏀

• (Un)run Club | 7:00PM, Aug 19 (Free)

  • Location: The Beer Can, Winnipeg, MB

  • Description: Long Weekend Monday just means we can enjoy a drink before AND after the run, right?

Music 🎵

• Hozier – The Unreal Unearth Tour | 8PM, Aug 20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Center

  • Genre: Rock

• The Daybreakers | 8PM, Aug 20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Blue Note Park

• Tyler Del Pino & The Brasstronautz | 12PM, August 20 (Info)

  • Location: Richardson Building (1 Lombard Place)

Family Fun🎆

• Downtown Family Movie Night | 6PM, Aug 19 (Free)

  • Location: Bonnycastle Park (260 Assiniboine Avenue)

  • Description:

    • 6-7PM: Giant games, inflatables, face painting, photobooth, arts & crafts workshops, cotton candy, food vendors and MORE!

      7-8PM: Family dance party, featuring music by live DJs.

      8:30 p.m. – 10:30pm: Featured movie – Encanto.

• Live Horse Racing | 7:30PM, Aug 19-21 (Free)

  • Location: Assiniboia Downs

  • Description: Horse racing, 140 VLTs and fabulous dining - it’s fun you can bet on!

• Mary Poppins Musical | Aug 16 - Sept 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rainbow Stage

  • Description: Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures.

• Paddle Night | 6PM - 8:30PM, Aug 20 (Tickets)

  • Location: FortWhyte Alive

  • Description: Spend an evening canoeing or kayaking for the perfect summer night – no experience required!

Note: We read every single comment you leave in the poll below—seriously, thank you for all the support and feedback! We're always tweaking and improving because we want this newsletter to be a true community success, not just another cookie-cutter media outlet. Your thoughts help us get there!

CHEERS!

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! I’ll see you again on Wednesday!

— Jas, Winnipeg Digest

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