Happy Monday, Winnipeggers!

Hope you all had a great weekend! It finally feels like we’re on the edge of spring, and if you got outside to enjoy it—even for a quick walk—you know how good that sunshine felt. ☀️

There’s plenty happening in the city today, from major local news to can’t-miss events. And if you’re looking for something new to do this week, we’ve got a few ideas for that too!

But first, a quick shoutout to you. We loved reading your messages from last week—your replies, thoughts, and recommendations are what make this community so great. Keep them coming!

And of course, don’t forget to answer our weekly poll at the end of this email. We always want to hear from you! Now, let’s dive in.

In today’s edition:

• The Forks Closes Skating for the Season

• Restaurant of the Week

• Winnipeg Folk Fest Announces 2025 Lineup

• Winnipeg Gets a New Police Chief

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

The Forks Closes Skating for the Season

We all love skating at The Forks in the winter. It’s one of those things that just makes the season feel right—gliding down the river, seeing the city from a whole new angle, and grabbing a hot chocolate or coffee to warm up after. It’s kind of a Winnipeg tradition.

But, this is some bittersweet news. The Nestaweya River Trail is officially closed for the season. The Forks has stopped maintaining the ice and is asking everyone to stay off the rivers.

That also means the Forks Winter Park, all on-land trails, and the rinks at CN Stage and The Canopy are now closed.

No more skating, but also, no more freezing your toes off. And with spring just around the corner, it won’t be long before we’re trading skates for bike rides and patio drinks.

It’s always a little sad to say goodbye to winter traditions, but this just means warm days are on their way!

A Message from Paragon Living!

Living in the Heart of Winnipeg

There’s something special about Osborne Village. It’s right in the center of the city, but somehow, it still feels like its own little world. Walkable streets, amazing local restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and that energy you can’t quite put into words. It’s a neighborhood that makes Winnipeg feel alive.

And that’s where 333 Wardlaw Ave and 162 Scott St come in. There’s something about finding a place that just feels right. Where morning coffee runs to Little Sister Cafe or evening strolls to grab dinner at a local favourite spot become part of your routine. Where everything you need is close, and life just feels a little easier. These buildings give you just that, with:

• Modern 2 bed, 2 bath suites with premium finishes

• In-suite laundry for ultimate convenience

• Free high-speed WiFi and water included

• A walkable neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and nightlife just steps away

To make it even better, both buildings have special discount offers for March, so now’s the perfect time to check them out.

If you’ve been thinking about making a move, or know someone who is, this could be a great chance to find a place that truly feels like home. Click the button below to learn more and see if one of these spots is the right fit!

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Winnipeg Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Restaurant of the Week: Ashur

Some restaurants just feel special the moment you walk in. And, Ashur is one of them. Tucked away in a strip mall at Pembina and Grant, it’s Winnipeg’s only Iraqi restaurant. And somehow, despite over 1,000 glowing Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating, most Winnipeggers still haven’t discovered it.

Husam Aljibouri, the owner, does it all. From grinding spices and meats to making every dish from scratch, you can taste the care in every bite. And the best part? His prices are beyond fair. You get huge portions without breaking the bank.

Here’s what you can try:

• Chicken Platter: Juicy, spice-marinated chicken over fragrant rice with creamy hummus, pickles and warm Iraqi bread.

• Shawarma Wraps. Packed with house-seasoned meats and sauces, wrapped in their signature bread!

• Shawarma Poutine. A Middle Eastern twist on a Canadian classic. Crispy fries loaded with your choice of meat, cheese, house-made sauces and more!

Ashur is the kind of place you visit once and keep coming back. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out on one of the best authentic Middle Eastern restaurants in the city.

Community Digest

Winnipeg Folk Fest Announces 2025 Lineup

For many Winnipeggers, Folk Fest isn’t just a festival—it’s a summer tradition. Camping out at Birds Hill, listening to incredible live music, and soaking up the best vibes of the season. And this year? It’s turning 50!

Some of the big names coming to the stage:

• Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. Grammy-winning country rock.

• Mavis Staples. A music legend making her Folk Fest debut.

• Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Fresh off a Grammy win for Best Folk Album.

• Begonia. A local favourite.

• Fred Penner. Because no Folk Fest is complete without him.

In total, 68 artists are hitting the stage from July 10-13 at Birds Hill Provincial Park. The festival is planning something special for its 50th, with performances from artists who were there at the first-ever Folk Fest back in 1974.

And if you’ve never been? This is the year to go. The festival has been running strong for half a century, and they’re making sure this one is unforgettable. Tickets always go fast, so if you’re thinking about it, now’s the time.

Jets Make Major Trade Deadline Moves

Winnipeg is a hockey city, and right now, the Jets are giving fans plenty to cheer about. Not only did they crush the New Jersey Devils 6-1, but they’re still sitting at first place in the NHL.

Here’s what went down:

• Six different players scored, showing off the team’s depth.

• Nikolaj Ehlers led the charge with a goal and two assists.

• Brandon Tanev made his return to Winnipeg’s lineup after being traded back to the Jets.

And just before the trade deadline, the Jets also picked up defenseman Luke Schenn—a two-time Stanley Cup champ. The team is gearing up for a deep playoff run, and right now, they look like serious contenders.

As I’m writing this, they are prepping to take on Carolina at 4PM, and if they keep this momentum going, it’s going to be a fun ride for us Jets fans.

City Updates

Health-Care Strike Put on Hold

If you’ve ever needed a paramedic, physiotherapist, or social worker, you know how important these health-care workers are. So when 7,000 of them were ready to strike, a lot of people were worried. But for now, it’s on hold.

• The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals reached a tentative deal with the province.

• Wages have been the biggest issue. Workers want pay that matches what others earn across Canada.

These workers have been without a contract since last April, and tensions have been running high. If the deal isn’t good enough, a strike could still happen. But for now, we wait and see. We’ll, of course, provide more updates as they come!

Winnipeg Gets a New Police Chief

Winnipeg has a new top cop. After months of waiting, as reported by CBC News, Gene Bowers has officially been named the city’s new police chief. If you’re wondering why this took so long, you’re not alone. The process dragged on for months, but now that it’s done, all eyes are on what happens next.

• Tackling violent crime. Winnipeg has the highest violent crime rate in Canada, and Bowers says making the city safer is his top priority.

• Building trust with the community. He wants to strengthen relationships between police and residents.

Bowers has been with the Winnipeg Police Service for 36 years and knows this city inside and out. He also wants to boost officer morale, knowing that a motivated team is key to making real change. It’s a big job, but the city is backing him, and now it’s time to see what he can do.

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!

• The Leaf Unplugged | 7-9PM, Mar 12 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Leaf

  • Description: Step away from the constant buzz of technology and the demands of daily life, grab your yoga mat and book and come to The Leaf Unplugged.

• Man In Black A Tribute to Jonny Cash | 8PM, Mar 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: The energetic show features Shawn Barker in character throughout the entire evening, walking the audience through each era of Cash’s life and music.

• The Michael Jackson History Tour | 8PM, Mar 14 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

  • Description: Get the full Michael Jackson concert experience with triple-threat performer Garth Field – electrifying in his role as Jackson – plus a live band, choreographed dancers, authentic costumes, state-of-the-art sound and theatrical lighting, vision and FX.

• Vision Quest Conference & Trade Show | Mar 14-15 (Free)

  • Location: RBC Convention Centre

  • Description: Vision Quest brings together innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss and promote Indigenous business, community and economic development.

• Cottage Country’s Lake and Cabin Show | Mar 14-16 (More Info)

  • Location: Exhibition Place at Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: This event brings cottage and cabin owners, renters, builders, and soon-to-be buyers together with top businesses in the region who specialize in cottage projects, products, and services.

• Love Local Manitoba's Premier Food, Beer and Wine Event | 5-9PM, Mar 15 (Tickets)

  • Location: Victoria Inn (1808 Wellington Ave)

  • Description: Step into a world of culinary discovery as we bring together Manitoba’s chefs, brewers, distillers, winemakers, and food artisans for an evening dedicated to indulging your culinary cravings.

• Manitoba Antique Association Spring Market | 10AM - 4PM, Mar 16 (Tickets)

  • Location: Viscount Gort Hotel (1670 Portage Ave)

  • Description: Antiques, Vintage, Pyrex, Art Glass, Vintage Jewelry, Farmhouse Antiques, Mantiques, and more!

• Latin Sundays at The Forks | 5:30-9:30PM, Mar 16

  • Location: Room 201, second floor of The Forks Market

  • Description: Experience Latin culture through music, dance, food and performances.

Exciting Events: March 10th & 11th

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Jets vs New York Rangers | 7PM, March 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Music 🎵

• Sean Taylor | 11:45AM - 2:45PM, March 10

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

• Theory of a Deadman “Unplugged” with special guest Jeff Martin | 7PM, March 10 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

• Zela Margossian Quintet/Rita Satch (Oh! Jazz) | 8PM, March 10

  • Location: The Rec Room

• Ryan Bullock | 11:45AM - 2:45PM, March 11

  • Location: Belle's Kitchen + Music Hall (1212 Nairn Avenue)

• The Irish Rovers - 60 Years A-Roving! | 7PM, March 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Club Regent Event Centre

• The Red Clay Strays | 7PM, March 11 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: The group is currently having a massive moment with their single, “Wondering Why,” which has garnered over 75 million streams to date

Family Fun🎆

• Mini Mondays at the Children's Museum | 10AM - 2PM, Mar 10 (More Info)

  • Location: Manitoba Children's Museum

  • Description: A fun-filled day of stimulating play designed for our youngest visitors, children under 4 years old!

• Worlds Largest Snow Maze | Mar 10-30 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze in Corn

• King James Play | Mar 10-22 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tom Hendry Warehouse (140 Rupert Avenue)

  • Description: Forced to sell his beloved Cavaliers season tickets, Matt unexpectedly finds a new friend in Shawn, bonding over basketball and the rise of LeBron ‘King’ James. Told in four quarters over 12 years, King James is a heartfelt story of friendship and loyalty.

• Yellowstone: A Wild West Musical! | Mar 10-20 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre Fort Garry

  • Description: This takes you on a hilarious journey through the untamed wilderness of family drama, ranching antics, and a hearty dose of cowboy humor.

• Toddler Tuesdays at The Leaf | 9:30-10AM, Mar 11 (More Info)

  • Location: Mediterranean Biome at The Leaf

  • Description: Your little one will enjoy music and games while discovering the joy of movement in the beautiful Mediterranean Biome.

• $12 Tuesdays at the Zoo | 9AM - 4PM,, Mar 11

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: Enjoy all that the Zoo offers and discover the wild winter days! Plan your visit and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

Special Events 🎨

• The Living Well Program | 2:15-4PM, Mar 10 (Tickets)

  • Location: Tannis Richardson Indoor Classroom, 145 The Leaf Way

  • Description: Enables people living with mild to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners to reap the social and well-being benefits of engaging with plants with the guidance of a practitioner of horticulture therapy.

• Emmanuel Lomuro Comedy | Mar 11-12 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

  • Description: His style has been described as high energy with the ability to relate to many different types of people, sometimes called a comedic chameleon.

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Winnipeggers? Email us at [email protected].