Free Lectures and Concerts at the Winnipeg Millenium Library

Winnipeggers love a bargain and what's a better bargain than FREE!

The Downtown Library is more than just a building full of books. On Wednesdays, from September to March, their Reader Services Department is hosting a lecture series featuring teachers and researchers from the University of Winnipeg. On Thursdays the library will be providing a showcase for Manitoba's musicians.

This week they're kicking off the series with

Sept. 30 - Prof. Jeffery Martin, UWinnipeg Physics, talking about The Global Medical Isotope Shortage: Winnipeg to the Rescue

Oct. 1 - Jazzical Jewels - Classical music gems in dazzling jazz settings, with the Janice Finlay trio

It's all free, but seating is limited. The events are from 12:10 - 12:50 PM, so bring your lunch and come early to the Carol Shields Auditorium.
For future events call the Reader Services at 986-8386 or dpilon@winnipeg.ca

Did I mention it's all free?

Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Observe Yom Kippur in Winnipeg with a Two Egg Sponge Cake

September has always struck me as the perfect time for New Year, what with the start of a new school year and all the television series' premieres.

Ten days ago Rosh Hashonah marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year. What's a holiday without a lot of great food? Of course Rosh Hashonah is no exception. It's celebrated with wonderful sweet dishes that are supposed to foretell a happy (and sweet) year.

And now we have Yom Kippur. What a civilized idea that is! A day when everyone eats light to atone for the overconsumption of sweets.

Here's a recipe that's light in calories and cholesterol. To your health....


TWO EGG SPONGE CAKE

grease and flour an 8" square pan
preheat oven to 325º
bake 30 - 40 min.
Note: This cake batter is thin.

-----
In a mixing bowl beat thoroughly
2 eggs
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slowly add
3/4 cup sugar
continue beating five minutes
-----
gradually add
3 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon lemon juice
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heat but do not boil
1/2 cup milk
-----
blend together
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
add to egg mixture, alternating with the milk
mix only to blend well
-----
turn into prepared pan
bake


Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Chocolate Trivia & The Perfect Train Snack: Choo Choos

Mustn't forget about chocolate. Here's a bit of chocolate trivia - M&M's stands for the last names of Forrest Mars, Sr., the candy maker and his associate, Bruce Murrie. M&M is way easier than saying "Forrest & Bruce".

Back to this week's theme: Trains. Sometimes it's nice to have some munchies when you're on a train ride. Here's a recipe for an easy snack that travels well and is chewy. Hence, the name.


CHOO CHOOS

grease an 8" square pan
preheat oven to 350º
bake 30 min.
makes 24 bars


blend together
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar

-----
stir in
1 cup chopped dates
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

-----
2 eggs - beat until foamy
blend with dry ingredients
turn into prepared pan
bake - cool - cut into bars


Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Winnipeg Magazines

Okay. We're having summer now. But winter will come. And when it's cold, some folks - given the choice of working on a model or reading - would rather curl up with a good book or magazine. For some WMRC members The Lantern, the club's monthly publication, is one of their favorite reads. For others, well, it's just the beginning.

WMRC member Morgan Turney is the editor/publisher of Canadian Railway Modeller. The magazine is packed with articles, websites, a Canada-wide hobby shop directory, a Canadian product review and classifieds. Canadian Railway Modeller also carries Canadian railway book reviews and often has a one evening project, perfect for a Winnipeg winter night.

Want more info? Go to http://www.cdnrwymod.com

Morgan B. Turney is also the associate editor/publisher of Railfan Canada - Railway Photographic Journal. Suzanne Lemon is the editor of the new publication which premiered in winter, 2009. It's a beautiful magazine, filled with fine railroad photography and articles about railfan spots in Canada.

They also have a website http://www.railfancanada.ca

Both magazines have world wide distribution and make great Christmas gifts for someone far away. Hey, nothing to wrap.

Christmas! Yikes!! Winter. SNOW!!! Go out and enjoy this weather. NOW!!

Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club: Great Canadian Train Show & Open House (WMRC)

Better late than never. We're having summer in September. Enjoy!!

What would Winnipeg be without its trains?

Okay. Planes are fast and most families use a car or bus for daily commutes, but trains are in every Winnipegger's psyche. Who hasn't listened to a train whistle calling on a quiet night? Quite a few Winnipeg families got their start by working on the railroad. Trains - in the form of model railroads from G to Z scale - can also be an enjoyable hobby.

At 7:30 pm on the second Friday, from September to April, The Winnipeg Model Railroad Club (WMRC) holds monthly meetings at the Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor. They're always happy to welcome new members. Afraid you'll be overwhelmed by lots of techy jargon? Not to worry. There are members of all ages and skill levels. There are ongoing table clinics where you can learn how to make your models look just like the real thing. There's also a lending library (books & videos).

Travel and photos are more your speed? Each meeting features a slide presentation or two, the subject matter ranging from professional model railroad displays to scenes from a rail-fan's ride. The club is arranging a car caravan to Rennie, Ontario to view the fall colours as well as trains.

Want more info? Go to http://winnipeg.modelrr.ca/

You once had a train set but your Mum gave it away? October is a dandy time to begin again. WMRC will be hosting their Great Canadian Train Show and Flea Market at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate, 180 Riverton on October 17 from 10:00 - 17:00 and October 18 from 11:00 to 16:00. Everyone is welcome to browse and buy. Funds raised will go toward the Autism Society. Neat. A way to have fun and help others.

Have a great day. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!

Winnipeg is Better Than Chocolate

For those of you who listened to Better Than Chocolate on the University of Winnipeg's campus and community radio station, CKUW... We're back - sort of.

Sophie is busy pursuing her musical studies and will not be able to bring you her fine interviews of Winnipeg people who are in the news and in the know.

I'll still be bringing you news of what is happening in Winnipeg, along with thoughts, recipes and short light pieces on everyday topics.

If you weren't one of our listeners, Better Than Chocolate was a Thursday morning CKUW 95.9 FM program serving the Winnipeg community an interesting and varied radio smorgasbord packed with Winnipeg happenings, news, music, humor and local personalities. We were voted People’s Choice for Favourite Spoken Word Show in 2008.

Not bad for our one year run!!

So, what is Better Than Chocolate? In a word, Winnipeg.

I love Winnipeg in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. OK, maybe I don't actually love our occasional -40 winter days. Although given a choice, I prefer cold to the hurricanes they get in the Gulf. At least a cold Polar Pig never tore the roof off of anyone's house.

Winnipeg has it all, from every artform to a fantastic Zoo. Yes, there's a plethora (I love that word - first heard it in the movie The Three Amigos!) of great things to see and do right here in Winnipeg. And I'll be bringing you news on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week.

Well, that's enough for an introduction.

Have a great weekend. How can you miss - you're in Winnipeg!