WINNIPEG - October 2, 2008 – On October 6, the Millennium Library will unveil Folk Sports in China, a new photography exhibit courtesy of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural & Community Centre. The exhibit comprises a large number of panels depicting everyday sporting life in China.

The Library is also pleased to acknowledge the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto for its generous donation of 1,000 books and audiovisual items to our city. An event to mark the launch of the photography exhibit and the donation will be held on Monday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Millennium Library, 251 Donald Street.

Madame Zhu Taoying, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto; Dr. Joseph Du, President of the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural & Community Centre; and Karen Keppler, Chair of the Winnipeg Library Foundation will introduce the exhibit and the donation.

The Consulate General donation is being managed under the auspices of the Winnipeg Library Foundation’s Millennium Library campaign. The new Chinese and English books will help promote the Chinese language and culture in Winnipeg. Copies will be distributed to all branches of Winnipeg Public Library.

WINNIPEG - October 2, 2008 – Winnipeg Public Library presents a public lecture on the greatest pandemic in recorded history. Manitoba historian Esyllt Jones will discuss the influenza pandemic that struck Winnipeg nearly 90 years ago. The author of Influenza 1918: Disease, Death and Struggle in Winnipeg, Esyllt Jones will explore Winnipeggers’ lives through the brief but terrible episode.

Over 12,000 Winnipeggers were infected by the disease. Its effects were felt across the social fabric of the city and can be linked to the largest labour confrontation in Canadian history, the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.
Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium, second floor
251 Donald Street

To register for this free event, please call 311.

WINNIPEG - October 2, 2008 – The public is advised that McPhillips Street will be completely closed to northbound and southbound traffic this weekend for the reconstruction of the railway crossing between Pacific Avenue and Elgin Avenue. McPhillips will be closed to through traffic on Friday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. and will be reopened on Monday, October 6 at 7:00 a.m.

Motorists are reminded to allow additional travel time and to use alternative routes such as Logan Avenue, William Avenue and Notre Dame Avenue during this time.

WINNIPEG - October 2, 2008 – The main swim tank at the Pan Am Pool complex, which was scheduled to be opened on Sunday, October 5, 2008, will remain closed until Thursday, October 9, 2008, at 6:00 am for the completion of maintenance repairs.

The Pan Am Pool closes every second year for regular maintenance work and this year the facility has been closed since August 24, 2008.

On Sunday, October 5, the facility will reopen without public access to the main swim tank. However, the Training Pool, Kiddie Wading Pool, and all fitness facilities will be open on schedule.

Members of the public are asked to call 311 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for program information updates related to the delay in the opening of the main pool.