from newwinnipeg
Re: 101 Reasons why Manitoba Hydro Employees will LOVE Downtown
by
urban_thinker on Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:17 pm
Here we go. If the Sun won't run it, maybe someone from the Free Press will.
Dear Winnipeg Sun Editor
In regards to the Winnipeg Sun story – Hydro workers moving in – but not all Happy –
And on behalf of the contributing writers at newwinnipeg.com, I would like to submit 101 reasons why Hydro Workers will fall in LOVE with our Downtown.
We hope that Mr. Ross Romaniuk will take the time to properly develop his news stories in a more balanced manner.
Top Reasons why Manitoba Hydro Employees will LOVE Downtown
1. Viola Cafe across the street is a hip and cool European restaurant.
2. Downtown is easier to access with public transit than any other place in the City. That means you can leave your car at home at save tons of money to spend on other things.
3. There's another Tim Horton's opening up a hop, skip and a jump away at Portage and Vaughan, or you can just go to one of the 20 other coffee shops in the surrounding 2 block radius.
4. Vastly better selection of restaurants within walking distance that can appease anyone’s taste buds.
5. The Second Cup across the street is one of my favourite coffee places, it will be yours too.
6. The new Starbucks on Graham is funky place to hang out.
7. Hydro employee can shop at The Bay, a hop skip ad jump away, especially on Bay days!
8. The Magic Room next door - slip out for a manicure and eyebrow wax.
9. Dozens of excellent hair salons and barbers all within walking distance.
10. When your kids are about to get married check out the strip of Bridal Fashion places between Hydro and the Bay, on Graham and Portage, so you can help do their wedding planning!
11. Affordable art reproductions at Picture Frames and More.
12. Go say to Ari from Paradise Perfume, she like hugs and carries perfumes not found anywhere in this city!
13. Catch a Ball game during the summer noon hour. Take off your tie eat a dog, sip back on a beer (root) and watch the Goldeyes kick some butt. Then go back to work, or not. Repeat for afternoon events at the MTS Centre.
14. Go to the Portage Place Y for noon hour for aqua aerobics, or hit the weights or run on the big track.
15. Check out the WAG, take evening art classes at the WAG
16. Lots of Medical centres close by for all you health needs
17. And no need to stop at a pharmacy on your way home. Get what you need downtown over lunch hour.
18. There is also a wonderful variety of local and unique restaurants and services available. The shoemaker in the Richardson building is great. Big Al's burgers on Albert - where you have to go across the street to eat.
19. Walking distance to the King's Head, Shannon’s Pub, and the Elephant and Castle.
20. Pickup a few groceries for supper at The Bay or Fredette's on your lunch hour.
21. Get a manicure for $6 or your hair cut for another $6 at Marvel.
22. Head over to U of W and check out some of their free noon-hour lectures.
23. The Millennium Library is an inspiring place to get away from it all.
24. Walking to Mountain Equipment Co-Op. Warning, leave your credit card in your desk
25. Getting photo gear at Don's on Portage, a downtown institution.
26. Walking to Mitzi's for lunch, best chicken fingers in town.
27. Summer "Out to Lunch" Concerts put on by the Downtown BIZ.
28. Enjoy life, walk along the river walk at lunch
29. Catching a presentation at the library on some esoteric topic.
30. Launch at the Forks
31. IMAX 3D is awesome for adults too.
32. Run quick errands on your afternoon breaks and relax more at home!
33. A heated walkway to get you around the entire downtown, 200 shops and services, three malls, and lots of walking, (bring your walking shoes to work).
34. All the walking will make you happier and healthier than taking your car everywhere.
35. Catch dinner with your friends before a show or other major entertainment event after work instead of racing all the way home and back downtown again.
36. You are near and connected to a postal outlet and the main post office - you'll never run out of stamps!
37. Take your skates and go to Central Park or Library Park at lunch. (In summer take a book).
38. Walk to lunch at a different restaurant every Friday. It will take you years to get to all of them. Think of the calories you'll burn by walking rather than driving. It's like getting a couple of calorie free lunches a year!
39. Underground heated parking. In -40 you could wear a t-shirt from your car to work and back again, and its well worth $175 per month.
40. Hot dogs and people watching at lunchtime on Broadway, just a couple of blocks away!
41. Wander down to Old Market Square for lunch and catch the onstage entertainment, very relaxing, stress relieving lunch!
42. Take in one of the Exchange walking tours and get to know a bit of the history behind the neighbourhood you're working/living in.
43. Walking down Portage Avenue on the sunny side during the summer.
44. The Rastafarian man, Ricco, beating his drums in front of Portage Place during the summer is one cool dude. And when you do please remember how blessed we all are, and say hello!
45. The historical buildings, everywhere, but especially in the Exchange
46. BIRKS downtown has just made life easier for the men at Hydro looking for that special gift. Plus 20 other jewellery stores, some across the street.
47. Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the fact that the box office is across the street
48. Close access to various government offices
49. Jazz at portage and main
50. Hy's restaurant a classic
51. Cinamatheque and the movie and dinner deal you can get at the lineup is pretty good.
52. Hydro workers will have a great view of the Grey Cup parade when the Bombers win someday!
53. Front row seats for the Santa Clause Parade on Portage Avenue.
54. Courier pick up and drop offs are quicker in the downtown.
55. It's closer to Wpg Blood Services if you give blood/platelets.
56. Downtown is more bike friendly to commute
57. A bunch of galleries in the Exchange for contemporary art that are worth checking out now and then. Among them: Plug In; Ace Art; Urban Shaman; Semai Gallery; and the photo gallery across the hall from Cinematheque to name a few.
58. Watch downtown revitalization unfold around you. From the major U of W expansion poised to take off, to more downtown housing, and the expansion of the Red River College Culinary School. And there are almost no empty storefronts on Portage Avenue.
59. The Downtown Spirit for FREE shuttle service to the Exchange and the Forks, zipping around the downtown every 15 minutes.
60. Cake clothing, unique and awesome clothes for hip people and Warehouse clothing outlets in the Exchange
61. Forget about Toys Are Us, we have Toad Hall in the Exchange.
62. Canadian Footwear. Any and everything for your footwear needs
63. Winnipeg Square for all your professional services and fast food.
64. The Food court at Portage Place and King Pie, the fist franchise in North America, right across the street.
65. Cool restaurants in the Exchange like Mondragon, The Fyxx, Foon Hi, other
66. Stroll down Waterfront Drive or the Exchange and dream about living near your work, and then make it happen!
67. Many drycleaners and tailors. Get you clothes done while you work!
68. Aqua bookstore and Bistro Cafe on Garry.
69. The Wagon Wheel on Hargrave, noted for chips & gravy and fresh turkey everyday
70. Take evening classes at UW or RR and further your education - great for advancement or additional pay!
71. For political junkies - catch part of a city council meeting or Leg session and watch democracy in action
72. Yes there will be panhandlers. We are a big city, with big city problems. If you want to give, give. But please be kind.
73. Magnificent 360 views of the city!
74. A quick jaunt to HMV
75. A short stroll to Staples
76. A stones throw away from Taco Time
77. A hop skip and a jump to Academy Florists to remind your wife how wonderful she really is.
78. An easy wander to Cotton Ginny
79. Not too far from Footlocker
80. No need to drive to Hangers, just walk across the street
81. Easy to visit the folks at Hank FM, CTV, CBC, Global, and every other major media outlet, they are here where the action is!
82. You can take the skywalk to Le Chateau
83. You don’t get winded walking to Manchu Wok.
84. Flowers and Banners in the summer time, and colourful holiday lights and Festival ice sculpture in the winter time to overtake your senses.
85. You can brag that you work in one of the greenest buildings ever built - the wave of the future and you're on it!
86. Friday afternoon/evening African Market at Central Park
87. Winnipeg's toughest workout, the Pan-Am Boxing Club on McDermot
88. If prayer or meditations is more your style there are some beautiful churches a few steps away (St. Mary's Cathedral, Trinity. Some have services certain lunch hours, some just open to be a quiet place.
89. The Canada / Manitoba Business Service Centre and Library is on the Skywalk and offers noon-hour sessions on taxation, starting a small business.
90. Sign up for wine tasting at Fentons Fine Foods at the Forks, and check out his selection of cigars and fine brandy’s too.
91. Do you like a good political rally / protest / vigil? They usually happen lunchtimes at the Legislative building, the place where laws are made.
92. More cigar stores on Graham at CitiPlace and across the Convention centre on Carlton to celebrate the birth of your kids, or the loss of your bachelorhood.
93. Friday afternoon/evening African Market at Central Park
94. If you're gay, you're where all the gay bars are for after work drinks, even if your not, check it out!
95. Fish Fridays at the Paddlewheel at the Bay
96. You're right in the heart of the Cruisin' Downtown old car displays in the summer around Pony Corral
97. Visit Travel Manitoba Centres at the Leg and the Forks over lunch and plan your vacation !
98. Free horse and carriage rides around Christmas courtesy of the BIZ
99. Pastry Castle ! Bring a gourmet desert home once a week.
100. Pamper yourself at the Magic Room, Ten Spa, the Spa at the Forks, and others, all within walking distance.
101. The Downtown. It all about people of different colour and race, with varying incomes and different positions in life. Some working, some living, others studying and visiting. Who all come together, every day, to make the downtown the most vibrant and exciting place our city has to offer. Welcome Hydro employees!