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UK Sports Minister participates in draw for lawn bowls events at Birmingham 2022

Nigel Huddleston took part in the draw for several medal events for lawn bowls and Para lawn bowls ©Birmingham 2022

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Dogs, fast draw, and tractor pulls among favourite events returning to Aldergrove Fair – Langley Advance Times

The Aldergrove Fair will see the return of the antique tractor pull this year, along with dog agility, fast draw, and other popular events as the fair returns to full operation. (Langley Advance Times file)

This year, the tractor pull is back at the Aldergrove Fair Days.

After two years of cancelled or scaled-back events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the July 14-17 fair will see the return in full of many traditional events.

“That tractor pull is back to its traditional format,” said the fair’s Mike Robinson.

That means multiple weight classes, ranging from the tiny “garden tractors” up to the big full sized farm tractors, will be on hand on the Kinsmen Park Field near the Aldergrove Community Secondary.

The tractors will be over on the south side of the fairgrounds near the BMX track, Robinson said.

In tractor pull, a tractor hauls a large sled, with wheels at the back, that has a significant amount of weight in it. The weight doesn’t stay still, either – it moves forward during the course of the pull, so it weighs down the portion of the sled that drags on the ground, increasing resistance the longer the tractor lasts.

The tractor pulls at the Aldergrove Fair will take place over a 250 foot course. There are usually about 40 competitors, Robinson said.

The fast draw competition, featuring holsters and six guns, will not only be back, the celebrity edition will take place. Local politicians, businesspeople, and other prominent Langley folks will get to test their speed with a shooting iron in front of the crowds.

Also returning will be the dog agility shows, which weren’t present at all in last year’s smaller fair.

The agility show has been moved to the northeast corner of the site, where there’s a little hill for people to sit on and watch events. The number of dogs competing in the event, which involves pups completing an obstacle course, hasn’t been determined yet.

Back for the first time in a while is also Mike the Reptile Guy.

READ ALSO: A bigger and better Aldergrove Fair is in the works

PREVIOUSLY: ‘Drive up’ version of Aldergrove Fair is a hit

“He’s got a phenomenal collection of snakes and reptiles,” said Robinson.

International Movie Services will also make a return with a collection of vintage and antique military equipment and vehicles. The local company rents out everything from trucks to armoured vehicles to uniforms for movies, and shows off parts of its collection at local events including the fair.

You never know what they’ll turn up with, said Robinson.

“They could bring out a new vehicle every day for a year.”

There will also be the biggest vendor area ever, and while there isn’t a full midway, there are a couple of interactive game sites, including a climbing wall and a bungee ride that launches people up.

Taking part in many of these events isn’t out of the reach of members of the general public, Robinson noted, although it might be too late to sign up for this year’s fair.

Local clubs run the fast draw and dog agility events, so taking part is a matter of joining those groups, Robinson said.

“Next year, you could be bringing your dogs out.”


Have a story tip? Email: matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com

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New Security Procedures at Millennium Park Events Draw Strong Reactions

New Security Procedures at Millennium Park Events Draw Strong Reactions

Big crowds are expected for concerts at Millennium Park this summer, even as reports of increasing crime in the downtown area give some residents pause, but there is mixed reaction to efforts that would boost security at the venue.

For residents like Kim Watkins, attending events at Millennium Park is a key component to summer fun in the city.

“I want to eat all the foods, go to all the neighborhoods, do all the things I haven’t done or revisit things that I haven’t done in a while,” she said.

Officials with the Grant Park Music Festival announced the changes overnight Saturday in a press release.

Those changes include an adjustment of where patrons can enter events at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Event-goers must now enter the pavilion from either Randolph Street on the north end or Monroe Street on the south end, according to officials. Entering from the Millennium Garage parking structure will also be allowed.

Those attending concerts will no longer be allowed to enter from the Michigan Avenue side, officials said. No reason for the change was given by organizers.

All concert-goers will also be asked to open their bags for security officers when entering the venue, and will be examined with a metal-detecting wand before being granted entry, officials said.

The new protocols also include a new barrier that will be erected between The Cloud Gate and the Pritzker Pavilion during concerts.

“Ultimately, these new measures have been implemented in order to maintain the friendly, relaxed atmosphere inside the park, which has always been – and will continue to be – a feature of our public events,” organizers said in a statement.

Some residents expressed frustration with the separation of the two sides of the park during concerts.

“I remember when Millennium Park did the first round of changes and all these gates some years ago, and it was really frustrating,” resident Leslie Cain said.

Cain says that more fencing creates the wrong atmosphere in the park.

“Being secure is one thing, but being contained is another, and it feels like being contained,” she said.

Not all concertgoers agree.

“Even though it might be an inconvenience, I’d rather be inconvenienced than have something else occur,” resident Julia Perkins said.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion hosts the city’s summer music and film series, and also hosts festivals honoring gospel, jazz, blues, mariachi and other forms of music.

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The Main Draw at Andrew Giuliani’s Campaign Events? His Father.

The Main Draw at Andrew Giuliani’s Campaign Events? His Father.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. — On a blazing Saturday afternoon in eastern Long Island, after hours of sun-baked stump speeches by candidates of little renown, it was finally Giuliani time.

As the strains of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” filled the air, the crowd of about 200 Republican voters swooned to the sounds of an extended harangue against government mandates, socialism and the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Dozens of admirers crowded nearby, shooting video or hoping to get a selfie. After the speech was over, well-wishers lined up for a chance at an autograph and a red hat bearing the surname of the man who seemed to be the featured attraction: Rudolph W. Giuliani.

Standing beside him was his son Andrew, the actual candidate in what is increasingly resembling a tandem campaign for governor of New York.

With just over two weeks to go before the Republican primary on June 28, Andrew Giuliani’s unlikely campaign has remained visible and viable in no small part because of his famous last name and the continued prominence of, and appearances by, his father, formerly the mayor of New York City and a personal lawyer of former President Donald J. Trump.

The elder Mr. Giuliani, 78, has regularly campaigned with his son since he began running for office last year, often serving as both his warm-up act and sidekick at the Israel Day Parade and at Memorial Day marches and news conferences outside City Hall.

His efforts have been welcomed by the younger Mr. Giuliani, 36, who is running a shoestring campaign, driving up and down the state in a collection of donated vans and trucks emblazoned with his face, in hopes of upsetting the party’s anointed nominee, Representative Lee M. Zeldin of Long Island.

Regardless of who wins the nomination, making it to the governor’s mansion will be an uphill battle for Republicans, who haven’t won statewide office in two decades. Their likely Democratic opponent is Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has more than $18 million in her campaign coffers, in a state in which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two to one.

“I feel honored that he would take his time to help us get over the finish line,” Andrew Giuliani said about his father, after posing for dozens of photographs alongside him. “I feel very, very blessed.”

Political families are, of course, not uncommon in New York, where the former governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, was a son of another former governor, Mario M. Cuomo. Families like the Addabbos, the Weprins and the Diazes have all spawned father-son pairs who became lawmakers.

Nor is it really that surprising that Andrew Giuliani, who famously mugged for the camera during his father’s first inauguration in 1994, would lean on him for support: He is making his first run for public office and has a limited record to fall back on.

His primary political experience is the four years he spent in the Trump White House, serving as a special assistant to the president and working in the Office of Public Liaison — hardly classic preparation for Albany.

Mr. Zeldin, a four-term congressman, remains far better financed, with more than $3.1 million in campaign funds as of late last month; Mr. Giuliani had about a tenth of that, according to campaign disclosure statements.

Two other candidates — Rob Astorino, the former Westchester County executive, and Harry Wilson, a corporate turnaround expert — also have more to spend than Mr. Giuliani.

And although Mr. Giuliani has a direct connection to Mr. Trump, getting his endorsement is far from assured. Mr. Zeldin is an avid Trump supporter who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 election in key swing states, an effort, ironically, that Rudolph Giuliani led.

A 2008 presidential candidate who was once hailed as America’s Mayor, the elder Mr. Giuliani saw his law license suspended and his public persona tarnished, at least in some circles, as a result of his work for Mr. Trump. Those activities, in service of a false narrative of a stolen election, were given a fresh airing last week during a prime-time hearing by the House committee investigating the Capitol assault on Jan. 6, 2021.

In a recent interview on Newsmax, the right-wing network where he has appeared as a political analyst, Andrew Giuliani said that while Mr. Trump was “kind of like an uncle to me,” he did not expect an endorsement, and that he thought the former president was “probably going to sit this one out.”

That doesn’t mean the Giulianis aren’t trying: Both appeared at a recent fund-raiser hosted by Representative Elise Stefanik at Trump National Golf Club Westchester, where a round-table discussion and photo op with the former president cost $25,000 a head. Mr. Astorino was also there, mingling near the back; Mr. Zeldin had a prior commitment.

In remarks at an outdoor reception, the former president lavished praise on the younger Mr. Giuliani, but the compliments had nothing to do with his political future.

“He did talk about him, but it was all about golf,” said Gerard Kassar, the chairman of the New York Conservative Party, which has endorsed Mr. Zeldin. “I do not believe the president is getting involved in the race at all, as much as the Giuliani people want him to.”

There has been little definitive polling on the race, though Mr. Giuliani has taken to calling himself “the front-runner” as a result of a single online poll from May, something that the Zeldin campaign scoffs at, citing other polls that show Mr. Giuliani with higher unfavorable ratings than Mr. Zeldin. (Mr. Giuliani, however, has higher name recognition, with better favorable ratings than Mr. Zeldin.)

Katie Vincentz, a spokeswoman for the Zeldin campaign, said that the congressman intended to “run up the score” on Primary Day to prove that he could beat Ms. Hochul.

“Lee Zeldin is going to win this race, because New Yorkers need him to win this race, and save our state,” she said.

Mr. Giuliani and his supporters have cast his run as an outsider’s campaign, arguing that his lack of experience in New York politics and policy is actually a positive.

His platform leans heavily on tackling crime, promising a $5 billion fund for police forces around the state while also pledging to cut the state budget. He is not averse to Trumpian nicknames, dubbing Ms. Hochul “Crime Wave Kathy.”

His father has employed some of the same imagery on the campaign trail as Mr. Trump, calling Albany “a swamp” that’s “got to be cleaned up,” echoing the former president’s own rhetoric about Washington in his 2016 campaign.

Curtis Sliwa, last year’s Republican nominee for New York City mayor, has been stumping for the campaign as well. He supported the elder Mr. Giuliani’s first unsuccessful run for mayor back in 1989, “when Andrew was just a little tot,” he said.

Nowadays, he said, he backs Andrew because of his focus on crime, something that Republicans feel is a winning issue this election cycle, particularly in New York, where opposition to bail reform has been a potent issue for conservatives.

“It is the talk of everybody that I deal with,” said Mr. Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, the citizen patrol group. “And it’s not just in the five boroughs; it’s throughout the state. They want to know what the next governor is going to do about the high crime rates.”

Mr. Giuliani declined a request for an interview, but at various events on Long Island and in Albany and outside Rochester, he was friendly and open to brief questions from a New York Times reporter. (The elder Mr. Giuliani did not return requests for comment.)

But he also told Newsmax last week that he felt “legacy outlets” had a liberal bias and claimed that he had chided the Times reporter about it. (For the record, he had not.)

“I told him that, ‘You remind me more of Pravda than you do a free press right now because you are so tilted on one side,’” Mr. Giuliani said. “I don’t mind tough questions, but just make sure they’re fair on both sides of the aisle.”

As for how he might manage a state of 20 million people with no executive experience, his father suggested that he had learned — as many children do — by observation.

“He watched me do it,” the elder Mr. Giuliani said during his remarks on Long Island, talking about how to lower crime rates, adding, “He knows how to do it.”

Still, some New York Republicans say that the younger Mr. Giuliani is overreaching by starting his political career running for the state’s highest office.

“If his name was Andrew Smith, obviously he wouldn’t be running for governor,” said John J. Faso, a former Hudson Valley congressman and the 2006 Republican nominee for governor, who called Mr. Giuliani’s candidacy a “sideshow.”

Mr. Giuliani has impressed some with his natural political skills: He’s comfortable and affable on television and in front of crowds, with a wide smile and a more easygoing demeanor than his sometimes temperamental father.

But his campaign rhetoric is cast in the Trump mold, emphasizing divisive culture-war topics, railing against critical race theory and a “war on cops,” and professing disdain for phrases like “gender dysphoria.”

“I’m not a biologist,” Mr. Giuliani said during a campaign stop in Conesus, N.Y., south of Rochester. “But I do know the difference between a man and a woman.”

Married with a young daughter, Mr. Giuliani is an avid golfer who once sued after being left off the Duke University golf team.

He says that he has had little time to hit the links since the campaign started, telling a prospective voter, Keith Hilpl, that he’d played infrequently in the last year, though he had caught a round with Mr. Trump.

Mr. Hilpl had driven about 80 miles to see Mr. Giuliani at the event in Conesus after hearing him on Steve Bannon’s podcast and visiting his campaign website.

“I always liked his father,” said Mr. Hilpl, a software programmer. “And I wanted to see if he was made of the same stuff.”

Sure enough, he seemed impressed, leaving the event with a campaign hat and a lawn sign.

Back at the event in Hauppauge, a Suffolk County hamlet that sits on the edge of Mr. Zeldin’s district, many in attendance expressed unequivocal adoration for the elder Mr. Giuliani.

“He saved New York,” said Penny Cialone, 60, adding, “And I think Andrew could do exactly what his dad did.”

The younger Mr. Giuliani happily joked with his father, briefly jumping up as he began to speak.

“We have a tradition of me interrupting his speeches,” he said. “I haven’t matured at all.”

At the same time, the candidate also seemed aware of his father’s star power, even as the former mayor handed him the microphone.

Taking it, Andrew Giuliani said he was thankful his father wasn’t running for governor.

“Because I’d be in a whole lot of trouble,” he said, “if he could.”

Nicholas Fandos contributed reporting.

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D.C. girds for protests, celebrations expected to draw large crowds

D.C. girds for protests, celebrations expected to draw large crowds
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D.C. police are increasing their presence in the city, deploying civil-disturbance units and closing roads to gird for several large protests, events and celebrations that are planned in the nation’s capital over the next two weekends, top city officials said at a news conference Friday.

City officials said they are prepared to welcome the large crowds and maintain safety, but recommended residents and visitors travel by public transportation and be mindful of their surroundings.

“It’s going to be a busy weekend. We’re ready for it. … Let’s celebrate our D.C. values and have a lot of fun,” Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said adding later: “We are prepared, and we don’t live in fear.”

Police Chief Robert J. Contee III repeatedly discouraged visitors and event participants from bringing guns into the city, broadly acknowledging national incidents of gun violence.

“Firearms have no place at these events,” Contee said during a Friday news conference. “We’re not going to tolerate foolishness.”

Over the next two weeks, tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on D.C. for a wide variety of causes. They will protest gun violence — and demonstrate in support of abortion rights and living wages. They will march in the Capital Pride Parade, enjoy Columbia Heights Day, a neighborhood festival, and honor Salvadoran culture in Mount Pleasant. They will run in a 10k race to promote healthy lifestyles, dance in downtown streets at a music festival and celebrate Juneteenth, a day that has come to symbolize the end of slavery in the United States.

This rush of demonstrations and other mass gatherings comes at a time of heightened anxiety — following several high-profile mass shootings across the country, demonstrations at the Supreme Court and at the homes of particular justices, and the recent arrest of man authorities say traveled from California in an attempt to kill Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and FBI assistant director in charge Steven M. D’Antuono said in a joint statement Friday that their offices will not tolerate violence “under the guise” of a peaceful demonstration.

Bowser said that although people may be “feeling that fear,” city officials are prepared, and excited, to once again be welcoming residents and visitors to celebrate Pride events this weekend, including the Capital Pride Parade, which is scheduled to start near 14th and T streets NW at 3 p.m. Saturday.

On Saturday, supporters of March for Our Lives, the organization founded by student survivors of the 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla., will rally at noon near the Washington Monument. Organizers expect 50,000 people, according to a permit issued by the National Park Service.

During Pride events this weekend, many downtown streets will be closed to vehicular traffic.

These are the street closures for a 10k run, and these are the closures Capital Pride Parade and Block Party. On Sunday, there will be additional street closures, which are posted here, for the Capital Pride Festival. There will also be street closures, starting Monday, related to the Something in the Water festival from June 17 to June 19 on Independence Ave SW between 3rd Street SW and 9th Street SW.

For up-to-date traffic information, residents and visitors can go to twitter.com/DCPoliceTraffic.

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Two events draw many in Wintersville

Two events draw many in Wintersville



A BLAST FROM THE PAST — Local band Reflections performed old-time rock and roll and some modern hits outside the Wintersville Municipal Building during Wednesday in Wintersville in keeping with this month’s theme of 50s Flashback. — Warren Scott

WINTERSVILLE — The latest installment of Wednesdays in Wintersville and the opening week of the Jefferson County Farmers Market drew many to the village on Wednesday.

In keeping with this month’s theme of “50s Flashback,” organizers of Wednesdays in Wintersville arranged for a classic car cruise to be held in the parking lot of Wintersville United Methodist Church and local band Reflections to perform outside the Wintersville Municipal Building.

And an assortment of vegetables, fruit and locally produced goods could be found under the tents of the farmers market pitched in the rear parking lot of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

While planning the new monthly street festival last year, Joel Johns, Mary Decker and others decided it could coincide with the farmers market, which was then moving to the church lot.

As a result, area residents can stop by and shop for fresh produce, baked goods and other food when not grabbing a bite at any of several food trucks parked in front of the Catholic church or browsing the assorted craft and other booths along Main and Grove streets.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST — Greg Hauck of Wintersville, left, answers questions from Mike Rowland of Steubenville about his altered 1923 Model T Ford, one of a variety of vehicles on display in a classic car cruise held during Wednesday in Wintersville this week.

Through the support of local churches and others, the Wednesdays in Wintersville event also has included activities for children.

Many could be found enjoying a bounce house, inflatable tunnel and face painting in front of the United Methodist Church, whose members also offered free food.

Since launching the event, Johns, Decker and others have experimented with various themes and activities.

A 50s style dance contest planned for Wednesday had no takers, though some had expressed interest when the festival was scheduled for last week, said Johns.

Storm predictions had resulted in it being postponed from its usual date of the first Wednesday of the month.

Darlene Snider of Wintersville said she was disappointed when the event was called off last week but was quite pleased with Wednesday’s balmy weather.

She and her sister, Carole Leyland of Steubenville, were among a number of visitors who set up chairs to listen to Reflections, who also delivered more modern hits.

“This is the first time for both of us,” said Snider, who gave high marks to the hot dogs and gelato sold there.

She said the two also enjoyed shopping for crafts while a third sister was spending time there with her grandchildren.

Visitors to the farmers market found tables filled with the season’s first produce, which included strawberries, lettuce, cherry and green tomatoes, beets, beans, cucumbers and carrots.

One was manned by Shawna and J.R. Lerby of It’s All Good Farm of Smithfield. J.R. works in an aluminum mill, and the farm has become a sideline and potential second career for them.

“We’ve always done gardening, and it’s just progressed,” he said.

“We’re all natural — no synthetic fertilizers, no sprays,” said Shawna, who added, “We plant a little extra and plan for bugs. That’s how my grandpa did it.”

Another booth was manned by Richard and Pete Franckhauser, two brothers in the fifth generation of a family that runs Miller Farm near county Road 43 in Steubenville.

The Franckhausers said as the summer season continues, they’ll be bringing more produce, including tomatoes, sweet corn, cantaloup and watermelon, with pumpkins and squash available in the fall.

“We’ll have a good bit of stuff, God willing,” said Richard.

Plans call for the farmers market to continue each Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. into the fall.

Potential vendors may contact staff at the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, at (740) 264-9790.

Volunteers behind Wednesdays in Wintersville also plan to take that event into the fall, with various themes each month.

The theme for the next one, slated for 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 6, will be Christmas in July and include a toy drive to benefit children in need at Christmas.

In the event of inclement weather, it will be moved to the following week, with an announcement made that day through the Wednesdays in Wintersville Facebook page.





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KDF events draw thousands of participants, spectators

KDF events draw thousands of participants, spectators

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Two popular Kentucky Derby Festival events took place Saturday morning.

KDF’s Great Balloon Race kicked off this around 7 a.m. along with the minimarathon and marathon, sponsored by GE Appliance.

“A great weekend for the city only leading up to the greatest weekend next weekend,” Louisville Tourism VP of Marketing Communications Stacey Yates said.

Both events drew crowds, with more than 8,000 runners participating in the mini and full marathon.

Born in Argentina now living in Kentucky for more than 20 years, this was Antonio Marchi’s first marathon win.

Celebrating the win with a bourbon in his hand, he said his strategy and training all paid off for this moment.

“I know that many runners do negative sprint races,” Marchi said. “They go slow at the beginning and then they speed up. I don’t do that. I just don’t know how to do that. That’s not my strategy.”

While runners hit the streets of downtown Louisville, some spectators were looking to the skies to see the hot air balloons in Saturday morning’s Great Balloon Race.

“This morning we had our Great Balloon Race,” Aimee Boyd with KDF said. “It’s one of the oldest events on the festival schedule. We were able to get over a dozen balloons up flying this morning. A beautiful morning for the balloons to launch.”

Despite the wind, all balloons were able to land safely.

Both races return as welcome sign for the first time in three years.

“It feels like truly the Kentucky Derby Festival is back in business,” Yates said.

Celebrations continue Sunday with the return of the 67th Pegasus Parade that kicks off at 3 p.m.

Copyright 2022 WAVE. All rights reserved.

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As Poilievre’s events draw big crowds, Charest says he’s focused on boosting membership | CBC News

As Poilievre's events draw big crowds, Charest says he's focused on boosting membership | CBC News

Conservative leadership candidate Jean Charest says his focus in the race is on signing up new party members and putting forth policy proposals — not drawing big crowds to rallies.

Some observers have questioned the health of Charest’s campaign in recent days after seeing images from some of his campaign events showing only a few dozen people in attendance. The perceived front-runner, Pierre Poilievre, has been drawing thousands of supporters to some of his rallies.

“Didn’t Mr. Bernier also have big crowds?” said Charest, referring to the former Conservative leadership hopeful who went on to found the People’s Party of Canada.

“Now, as far as I know, Mr. Bernier does not have a seat in the House of Commons, neither he nor anyone else from his party.

“Don’t be misled. This is about memberships.”

On two separate occasions in the past week, CBC journalists asked Charest’s campaign about taking cameras to upcoming campaign events. They were told his events were for party members and were not open to the media.

Candidates Poilievre, Leslyn Lewis and Roman Baber, meanwhile, have sent out media advisories for some of their campaign gatherings and have invited reporters, photographers and camera crews to attend. Candidate Patrick Brown has not been sending out media advisories.

CBC News asked Charest whether the decision to close his events to the general public was linked to questions about the size of his audiences.

Jean Charest speaks to supporters Thursday, March 24, 2022 as he launches the Quebec part of his campaign for the Conservative Party leadership in Laval, Quebec. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)

The former Quebec premier said that he is holding public events. Charest’s director of communications later issued a statement saying that members of the media can attend his gatherings.

“All of Mr. Charest’s member events are open to the public but members and new members are the focus and priority of these events,” said Michelle Coates Mather.

“These events are open to media. We have had local media attend previous events and they are welcome to continue to do so, but there is no interview availability or scrum during these events as we don’t want to take time away from members.”

Charest’s events are usually posted on Facebook and invitations are emailed to potential attendees, said Coates Mather.

Charest pitches policy, makes headlines

While the media presence at his events has been limited, Charest certainly has managed to make headlines during the race.

He has been interviewed by national media outlets many times. He drew particularly intense media attention when he said Poilievre should be “disqualified” from becoming prime minister because of the Ottawa MP’s support for the trucker convoy that protested vaccine mandates and occupied downtown Ottawa for weeks.

Charest also has released a series of policy proposals — to increase the role of the private sector in health care, to boost military funding and to help more families pay for child care.

All the candidates are running their campaigns their own way, said Charest. He also pointed out that the front-runners in the last two Conservative leadership races — Bernier and former cabinet minister Peter MacKay — both lost.

“I’m the underdog in this campaign. I’m delighted to be the underdog. That’s what I have been all my life,” he said.

“I have never been about winning polls. I win election campaigns and I will win this leadership.”

Federal Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre speaks at an anti-carbon tax rally in Ottawa on March 31, 2022. (Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

Poilievre, meanwhile, has welcomed media attention for recent events that have attracted big audiences.

He’s also released some policy, putting a particular emphasis on improving access to housing. 

Poilievre has called for Canada to embrace cryptocurrencies and has said he would seek to build more pipelines, repeal legislation he views as anti-energy sector and defund the CBC.

The 42 year-old has embraced social media to get out his message, but he’s been more selective about accepting interviews with journalists.

During the campaign, he’s talked to major mainstream media outlets in Quebec, but in English-speaking Canada his interviews with national media have been limited to those with conservative leanings.

Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidate Leslyn Lewis speaks during the English debate in Toronto on Thursday, June 18, 2020. (Tijana Martin / Canadian Press)

In her second campaign for the leadership, Lewis has also been touring the country and taking questions from supporters.

Known for her socially conservative views that include limiting access to abortion, Lewis has put up a handful of blog posts that address specific issues.

She said she wants to pass a law protecting parental rights, arguing that “many parents are afraid of even having conversations with their children about certain subjects.”

Lewis also recently objected to Canada signing a proposed World Health Organization treaty on pandemic preparedness. She argued that by doing so, Canada would sign away its health care sovereignty.

In an appearance this week on CBC’s Power & Politics, Lewis was pressed repeatedly to explain how she can claim Canada risks giving up its sovereignty when the document has not yet been drafted.

Patrick Brown announces his candidacy for the federal Conservative leadership at a rally in Brampton, Ont., on Sunday, March 13, 2022. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

Brown seems to be taking a more low-profile approach to the race. He is working the phones relentlessly and doing between ten and 12 events each day, said campaign co-chair and MP Michelle Rempel Garner.

Those events are not set up like a typical campaign rally, she said.

“The structure is to get people to sign up as membership sales captains and then encourage them to state a number of people that they feel like they can bring into the party,” she said.

Brown recently tweeted photos of himself in Calgary meeting with the Nepali community, speaking at the Canada Arab Vote dinner and meeting with members of Regina’s Muslim community.

“If we want to be a party that’s ready to govern, our membership should reflect Canada’s diversity,” said Rempel Garner.

Brown has done few interviews with national media outlets. 

The public will have a chance to compare the various candidates’ approaches when the party holds two official debates next month. The English-language debate is set for May 11 in Edmonton and the debate in French will take place May 25 in the Montreal suburb of Laval.

The final vote to choose a new leader is being held Sept 10.

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City of Page rolls out new events to draw in visitors

City of Page rolls out new events to draw in visitors

PAGE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) – Page, Arizona, can be the headquarters for travelers who want to explore Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and other landmarks.

It’s now home Adam Cranston, the owner of State 48 Tavern. “We ended up building a taproom next door, and it was basically going to be used as a waiting room for people,” he said. With tourism exploding before the COVID-19 pandemic, Cranston had to expand the restaurant.

Page is a small community with about 7,500 residents that relies heavily on international tourists. Before coronavirus, Gregg Martinez, the economic development coordinator for the city of Page, says they would see 5 million visitors a year. COVID-19 cut that number in half in 2020; he told Arizona’s Family on Wednesday.

As businesses like Cranston’s inch towards pre-pandemic crowds again, the city is introducing a series of new events and ways to welcome tourists. Martinez says they are focusing on the Valley to remind people to visit their mom-and-pop restaurants and bars. “A lot of times, I have family and friends that live in the Valley, and they’re like, ‘where’s Page?” Martinez said.

He says the city is rolling out a series of events this year that starts with the Page Fine Art Festival in April, which will be an annual event.“We are trying to be as innovative and as flexible as possible,” Martinez said. “We want to make sure that everyone knows that our small business community is the heart of our community.”

As Arizonans make summer plans, Cranston hopes everyone considers this: “We are open for business. We have a great community here. Everybody is ready for the season,” he said.

“There are so many things to do other than just the lake. We have all the slot tours, Horseshoe Bend, we have air tours,” said Judy Franz, the executive director of the Page-Lake Powell Chamber of Commerce. Franz says the Page-Lake Powell Hub is the visitor’s center for the area where you can get information on tours and restaurants. It is now also doing lottery tickets for the Wave.

Franz suggests making reservations in advance because tours book up quickly. You can also learn more by calling (928) 608 – 5749.