Geoff Kirbyson
Winnipeg Free Press
Canada
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Past articles by Geoff:
Jim Keilback spent nearly 40 years behind a microphone
Jim Keilback wasn’t discouraged by the complete inattention — a silence that was interrupted only by the occasional moo — from his first focus group as a newsreader. As a seven-year-old growing up on the family farm in Cloverleaf, Keilback would compile news clippings from the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Tribune and read them into a stand-up microphone he had built from a Meccano toy set. → Read More
Gracious, vivacious and tenacious
When celebrities, musicians, politicians and other dignitaries chose her restaurant for fine dining while they were in Winnipeg, Valerie Anne-Owen didn’t worry about breaking the odd rule. As the owner of Le Beaujolais in St. Boniface, she treated virtually every customer like an old friend, but occasionally she went a little bit further and looked the other way. → Read More
Maria Lee, 96 (maybe), freewheeling spirit carried concentration camp survivor
For teenage Maria Lee, a good day meant scavenging a few morsels of food, a couple sips of water and not being killed. Orphaned at birth in the Soviet Union, she found herself on a train to Germany during the Nazi invasion at the start of the Second World War. → Read More
Big voice signs off
Donn Kirton may have been a Winnipeg radio legend when he was on the air but he wasn’t always the best guy to have working behind the scenes. Long-time Winnipeg Blue Bombers play-by-play announcer Bob Irving remembers doing a sportscast on CJOB in the 1970s with a script detailing a home run by Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt. → Read More
Buff gets in some ice time while fishing on Lake Winnipeg
It looks as though Dustin Byfuglien will be able to tell a few fish stories at the NHL All-Star Game this weekend, after all. The Winnipeg Jets defenceman — who joked going to Nashville to compete in the skills competition and play in the defence-free game would cut into his ice-fishing time — was able to squeeze in some angling before leaving town. → Read More
Winnipeg Airports Authority sees earnings of $11.1M in fourth quarter
Despite widespread economic uncertainty, the Winnipeg Airports Authority turned in a profitable fourth quarter at the same time as it introduced a therapy dog program to create a warm and relaxed atmosphere for customers. Coincidence? We think not. → Read More
Enoteca owner opens third eatery
One of Winnipeg’s most decorated chefs has no intention of being a flash in the pan. Scott Bagshaw, who already owns Enoteca on Corydon Avenue and Deseo on Osborne Street, has christened his third restaurant, Máquè, a Chinese-Asian concept, at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Stafford Street. → Read More
City will hear from Times Square boss about opening Portage and Main
The buzz about reopening Portage and Main to pedestrian traffic is going to get a lot louder in the coming weeks. That’s because the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will be hosting a number of events on the topic, and it’s bringing in the New Yorker who was instrumental in reopening Times Square to foot traffic. → Read More
Chinese ice sculptors carve out a winter wonderland at The Forks
With the grand opening of the Great Ice Show just hours away, 40 Chinese ice artists put the final touches on what is perhaps Winnipeg’s coolest-ever construction site. They’ll work through the night sculpting, shaving and chain-sawing to ensure the giant display of snow and ice sculptures doesn’t disappoint when the first visitors arrive at The Forks Monday morning. → Read More
Bobby Hull launching children's foundation
One of hockey’s most recognizable faces is using his name to help raise money for sick children. Bobby Hull, who put Winnipeg on the sports map in 1972 when he joined the WHA’s Jets, is about to launch the Bobby Hull Foundation for Children. → Read More
NFL great Marino to be keynote speaker Rady JCC Sports Dinner
One of the most prolific passers in NFL history will touch down in Winnipeg this June. Sorry, Blue Bombers fans, former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino won’t be tossing the pigskin at Investors Group Field. → Read More
City and province providing $17.6-M tax increment financing for True North Square with
The City of Winnipeg and province have partnered with True North Sports & Entertainment on what all parties believe will be a “transformative” project for downtown. As construction begins on True North Square, both levels of government have come to the table with a shared $17.6-million of tax increment financing to invest in more than two acres of public space. → Read More
Heritage status disappoints building owner, will scuttle $35M hotel project
The owner of the Fortune building is disappointed in this week's decision to grant heritage status t... - Local - Winnipeg Free Press. → Read More
Hudson's Bay building downtown to close fourth floor
The downtown Hudson Bay store is, quite literally, a fraction of its former self. The quintessentially Canadian retailer has consolidated its operations at the corner of Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard by closing off the fourth floor and leaving its merchandise to its main and second floors. → Read More
So you think you can skate?
Everybody hates the beep test.... - Your Health - Winnipeg Free Press. → Read More
Buyers signing up for condos at old Palomino site
WOULD-BE homeowners are starting to boot, scoot and boogie to condominiums planned for the site of the now-closed Palomino Club.Construction on a four-storey, 60-unit building to be called the Icon is scheduled to begin at the beginning of May and wrap up next spring. → Read More
Pollard offers to buy Main Street properties
A pair of 136-year-old downtown buildings may avoid a date with a wrecking ball thanks to a local businessman. John Pollard, co-CEO of Pollard Banknote Ltd. → Read More
Discount airline to focus on smaller airports in national network
How does $99 for a one-way ticket to Kelowna or Hamilton sound, Winnipeg? NewLeaf Travel Company Inc. sure knows how to make a splash in Canada’s most price-conscious city. → Read More
Ride Time rolls on
Doug and Andrew MacIver have their senses of humour to thank for their notoriety around town, but th... - Business - Winnipeg Free Press. → Read More
Salisbury House departs from Winnipeg airport despite good sales
The menu for your pre-flight meal is changing. A number of new restaurants are moving in over the coming weeks at the Richardson International Airport terminal building. → Read More