The province is eyeing a new public-education campaign on trapping in Whiteshell Provincial Park as part of its wider review of how the province manages traplines in areas of Manitoba that are seeing increased recreational use.

"We know we've got to keep parks and other high-use Crown lands safe for people and for families," provincial fur-bearer biologist Dean Berezanski said. "We're looking at where there might be potential concerns."

Manitoba banned trapping in 51 of its 53 provincial parks in December after two dogs were killed by traps in two provincial parks. The province had at first suspended all trapping in Grand Beach Provincial Park after Rob Shura's dog, Pippin, was killed by a trap near a hiking trail. The province was in the process of reviewing trapping in provincial parks when a second dog was killed by a trap in a provincial park in the central region.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/province-reviewing-trapping-in-parks-188327211.html

Gourmet dinners will be served on the ice of the Red and Assiniboine rivers for the next three weeks.

A pop-up restaurant, called RAW: almond, opens Thursday night in a warming hut located on the ice and featuring tree stumps for chairs. The restaurant, the brainchild of deer + almond chef and owner Mandel Hitzer and RAW Gallery director Joe Kalturnyk, will be open until Feb. 12.

Chefs from upscale restaurants across the city will participate in the unique endeavour, serving up meals to 20 people three times per night (plus breakfast and lunch on the weekend).

"It's something I've always wanted to try," said Hitzer, adding he and Kalturnyk had been working on the idea for more than a year. "We have so much culinary talent in the city and this is the perfect opportunity to drive our food scene forward."

http://www.winnipegsun.com/2013/01/24/raw-almond-pops-open-on-river-ice-tonight

The CFP Tourism Grant is intended to support tourism development within local communities and the Parkland region through non-profit organizations.  The goal is to create community capacity that will enhance the tourism industry in the Parkland region. Priority will be given to any type of community tourism projects that foster significant group/community involvement as well as inspire entrepreneurial growth within the region.

 For the 2012 CF Parkland Tourism Grants, seven community groups received funding. These groups are the Russell Main Street Revitalization, Dauphin Rail Museum, Trembola Historic Site, Ste. Amelie Ridge Riders, Winnipegosis Historical Society, Duck Mountain Forest Center, and Roblin Bug Chucker Fly Fishing Event   Each one of these groups demonstrated that their tourism initiative will increase visitors to the region significantly, therefore demonstrating sustainable economic impact for local businesses and their communities at large.

 Eligible applicants include: non-profit community development groups, tourism groups, economic development boards, all community service groups, friendship centers and conservation committees with project plans that are directly applicable to tourism.  The maximum requested amount is $5000 from Community Futures Parkland for projects that are under $10,000.  Applicants must be able to provide matching dollars for the funding requested, illustrate in-kind contributions as well demonstrate sustainability and the economic impact that the project will have on the community or region when funding ends.  The deadline for grant applications is Monday February 28th, 2013.

 Community Futures Parkland is a federally funded regional community economic development program supported by Western Diversification.  The program is locally controlled and delivered by a volunteer board of representatives throughout the Parkland.  For further information about the CFP 2013 Tourism Grant Initiative or any of the programs we offer please contact Community Futures Parkland at (204)546-5100 or toll free in the Parkland at 1-888-987-2332, fax (204)546-5107, e-mail jami@communityfuturesparkland.ca or visit us at www.communityfuturesparkland.ca to print an application. We can also be reached by mail, Box 516-421 Main Street, Grandview, MB, R0L 0Y0. 

http://www.communityfuturesparkland.ca

Imagine lacing up the skates and weaving through a scenic landscape that includes a small forest of trees driven into river ice and a musical forest of wind chimes.

Then imagine stopping for hot chocolate in "otherworldly" warming huts designed by world-class architects. To top off the day, you dine on food prepared by the city's top chefs.

You can do all this on what, not too long ago, was a barren block of ice.

It's a unique Winnipeg success story. What began as a simple skating path at The Forks evolved four years ago into the world's longest skating trail and has now morphed into a magnet for high-end artistic innovation that is attracting global interest.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/glide-through-the-artistry-188327191.html

MONTREAL, Canada - Air Canada has become the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. The much-coveted rating is considered an airline industry benchmark and is based on detailed, independently conducted quality analysis by Skytrax across more than 800 different areas of airport and onboard product and service delivery.

"I am very pleased that Air Canada has become the only international network carrier to have achieved this significant industry benchmark," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This coveted Four-Star ranking reflects the professionalism and skill of Air Canada's employees in taking care of our customers and delivering an award winning product that continues to set industry standards. This is a proud achievement for Air Canada's airport and onboard product and service delivery teams that we will strive to improve upon as we continue to build one of the world's best airlines."

http://www.eturbonews.com/33201/air-canada-becomes-only-international-four-star-airline-north-am

OTTAWA -- Several of Canada's national parks, long celebrated by the federal government as an "integral part of the Canadian identity," have shut down winter services because of budget cuts.

The move, which followed a $29.2-million funding reduction, has forced some rural communities to do their own snow-clearing with Parks Canada machines in order to continue participating in activities and attracting tourists.

In contrast to the winter parks cuts, meanwhile, the government has announced $3.9 million in grants over the past two years to help snowmobile clubs in Quebec buy new trail-grooming equipment and boost local tourism.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/services-frozen-at-national-parks-188327311.html

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Super Cold?

NFL officials aren't just bracing for potential wintry weather at next year's Northeastern Super Bowl — they're embracing it, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday.

The first Super Bowl ever in the New York metropolitan area is almost exactly a year away in a region currently clenched by bitter cold, reviving chatter about whether the weather will chill fans' enthusiasm. But Goodell said the league would be prepared if there's snow, ice or low temperatures for the game on Feb. 2, 2014.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/if-weathers-cold-for-2014-super-bowl-in-jersey-nfl-wont-sweat-it-188284981.html

(A complete article published originally in the WFP, Jan.  '57)

One of Canada's most enthusiastic boosters of travel promotion Wednesday applauded Mayor Stephen Juba's proposed "Pine to Palm" motorcade to the United States in April. "The goodwill and contacts your city's group will make down south will repay Winnipeg many times over in the future,"' said W. Gordon Wood of Montreal, president of the Canadian Tourist association. "All you need is a few spark plugs like Mr. Juba" and Manitoba "will be well on its way" to grabbing a fair share of the American tourist dollar, said the head of the 26-year-old promotional organization. Mr. Wood and W. J. Dalby — both Trans-Canada Air lines officials and earnest backers of the tourist association's slogan, Know Canada Better — were on a one day visit to Winnipeg following similar calls in other western Canadian centres.