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You decide

This sign could be a fail (or, seinfeil as we like to call them around here) or it could be a success, perhaps slyly so.

Let me know what you think.

Or maybe I'm just immature and giggle at the term "rack."

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St. Patrick’s Headlines

Lucky, Irish, beer, Ireland, green, etc…

Well, all of that out of the way, how about I bore you to death with more fun facts about what exactly I do when I do the headlines.

Or you can just skip down to the headlines and start clicking links to the newsrooms of Edmonton. It’s the Internet and I can’t see what you’re doing.

Or can I?

And then the Sun photographer said "Now put on this bikini."

So…I think I’ve mentioned before how I’ll come across links in my “Google Alerts,” the most important being the keywords “Edmonton” and “Alberta.” It sometimes lands me a Globe and Mail or National Post story I might not be looking for, but most of the time it’s Edmonton Journal stories.

They’re tricky over there at the Journal. Sometime, in the second-half of 2009, they started throwing the words Edmonton and Alberta into more and more of their online story headlines. Wouldn’t you know it, that’s what gets you caught in the Google nets. And then you end up in my e-mail. And then I link to you in the daily headlines. (More on the headlines of the Journal and the Sun from stats-king Mack.)

Interesting to note, I still look at the actual Journal website last – every day – after I’ve perused all these other fine newsrooms for their local and regional fare.

I’ll note that I tend not to include crime stories, especially if lacking context, since I defy you to pay attention to traditional media and not see crime story after crime story. Most of them minor crimes.

Still the Journal tends to have the most stories each day. I guess it does pay to have staff. Or at least use local search words when writing about Alberta. (And this link is from New York!)

It may alter how some headlines are written (and some places around these parts still loves puns, alliteration and punchy words) but if you’re going to keep casting your media net to the wide world you won’t end up in my Google Alerts. Or in that guy’s favourite aggregater. And that’s becoming part of the game.

Check the Journal’s online headlines against the actual paper and you’ll find they are taking advantage of the unlimited column inches on their website to have different headlines. I’m not saying that’s what other newsrooms should do to try and catch the online audience (because I’d like to steal their audience one day soon) but it would probably help.

from the Edmonton Journal:

Alberta royalty overhaul doesn’t go far enough: EnCana (Alberta in the headline! Don’t worry EnCana, all that gas will still be here when you want it.)

Hundreds give to new U of A chair

Complaints against Alberta doctors increased in 2009

Free dental care proves popular with those who can’t afford it (I saw somebody tweet that braces are the new tattoo.)

Irish rovers drawn to Alberta’s opportunities (See, the word Alberta. Also, this story isn’t about the singing group.)

from the Edmonton Sun:

Transit users lack washrooms (Although I think some people are creative, which would explain why Grandin station frequently smells like pee.)

Meals on wheels hungry for volunteers

from The Canadian Press:

Environmental grades vary for oilsands mining projects: report

Telus Corp. to invest $650 million in boosting its infrastructure in Alberta

from 630CHED/iNews880:

Reserved parking spots at LRT stations (Google Alert note: I also search for “LRT” so I’ll likely see this one later today in my inbox.)

Last public school board meeting at Fulton Place tonight (Good, now the school board trustees can be done with the boring meetings and just close some schools already.)

from CBC Edmonton:

Centralization of ambulance dispatch on hold (This government really doesn’t know which way its going with health care does it? Or with a lot of things…)

Albert to toughen anti-gang laws (At least they can stay on the same page when it comes to anti-gang stuff.)

Alberta snowmobile rules won’t change

By the way, I’ve always been partial to a nice pint of Kilkenny.

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Edmonton, did you see the sun rise this morning?

Where does Sally come up with this stuff?

I mean, she can’t remember where she puts her keys but she has link after link of Magnum P.I. at the ready.

Good morning, Edmonton.

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Hot Tub Time Machine

By Jay Runham

“It must be some kind of… Hot Tub Time Machine.”

This quote, straight from the first 15 minutes of the movie, just about sums it up. Hot Tub Time Machine, starring John CusackRob CorddryCraig Robinson and Clark Duke, is a no logic required, beer with buddies, R-rated romp. There are some hilarious moments, and a giant pile of 80s jokes. Unfortunately, in that pile of jokes is also some one liners that fall flat and a weird mix of comedians.

I love seeing a good comedy with friends. Nothing beats those time when you can sit down with a good group of buddies and watch Anchorman. Even more recently, friends alike all went out to catch one of the best comedies of last year, The Hangover. Everyone loves to laugh, but not everyone laughs at the same thing.

Movies like Anchorman and The Hangover nail this problem by entertaining a variety of audiences through the use of a mix of comedians. Hot Tub Time Machine tries to do this too, however jokes between characters don’t play as well as they could. Fortunately the movie has a few more good parts then bad, just like a good friend.

Ah, the 80s, I hardly knew you. But I got to know you so well in this film. Traveling back to 1986, the stage is set for our players. That stage is riddled with cocaine jokes, Michael Jackson, Crispin Glover, and Chevy Chase (both with excellent cameos throughout the movie).

I wish they had spent more time in the 80s than in 2010. 80s nostalgia and the sweet Hot Tub action (that one is for you Jeff) is what everybody is going to see. Hopefully there’s a lot of extended scenes and features on the DVD of the 80’s because it is easily the best part of the film.

This movie is a good friend. They may have a couple of flaws, be crappy sometimes (like Corddry’s character) but in the end…they’re fun. The movie is entertaining (especially if you like 80s jokes) so grab a beer and invite the friends over when this one comes out on DVD.

3/5

(Editor’s note: I feel like we’ve already talked about Hot Tub Time Machine…I wonder if we’ve opened some kind of wormhole. Or that jacuzzi I partied in last night was actually some kind of…hot tub time machine…)

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March 16 Edmonton Headlines

A sure sign of spring in Edmonton: the blanket seller on 118 Avenue has returned.

HEY EDMONTON!

Oops, Caps Lock was on.

How’s it going today? Everything alright, you feeling ok? I’ve got a bit of a cold, but I can deal with that since we’ve got such nice weather right now. If we could only get Josh Classen to stop threatening snow…

Alright, I’m confused. Wasn’t I just talking about Alberta leading the way in job losses yesterday? We’re good, we’re bad, things are on the up-and-up, or not. Whatever.

Oh, and it’s not a good day (Is it ever?) for those hard-done-by oilsands giants. Can’t you people just let them reap their billions in profits in peace?!

from the Edmonton Journal:

Council targets polluted properties (I am totally behind a real push to clean up contaminated sites. Like, say, old gas stations.)

Edmonton cracks down on parking violators (Looks like you’re going to actually start plugging that meter.)

A made-in-Alberta child-tax benefit would reduce cost of poverty (Poverty, like freedom, isn’t free.)

Bird deterrent program comes under scrutiny at Syncrude trial

Art Gallery of Alberta a big draw (Have you been?)

Stelmach looks to reverse plunge (He could also go the other way and just try to be the least popular of all premiers.)

Stelmach survives Ides of March

MLA ‘pies’ 83 politicians to make a point (Should restrictions on home cooking be reduced?)

And via Canada.com: Esks name Scott play-by-play man to replace Hall (Yes, Morley Scott is returning to Edmonton.)

‘Turbulence’ ahead for WestJet after CEO resigns

from the Edmonton Sun:

Province pays $200K to school nine kids (Maybe put that money back into water monitoring or something. Gosh.)

Workplace safety laws under review

And a related story: Police chief commends officers whose husband was killed by dealership gunman

from Metro Edmonton:

Culinary students learn from chef a cut above (I’m not going to lie, I love David Adjey. He’s a culinary visionary and super-awesome TV chef.)

from 630CHED/iNews880:

Capilano parents not happy after EPSB meeting (Well, they are looking at closing their school.)

from CBC Edmonton:

Midwife shortage spurs safety fears (The best part of stories about midwives, when I was in radio, was saying “midwifery.”

Edmonton student dies on ski trip

from CTV Edmonton:

Gov’t to give $12M to build housing units for Alberta’s homeless (I told you poverty wasn’t cheap.)

St. Albert council chambers packed for debate (I hope they really are just debating the density.)

from The Gateway (U of A):

U of A to implement watch program for mental health (This could be a great idea, if put into practice effectively.)

GFC, Students’ Council elections start Tuesday

p.s. It’s Sally’s freakin’ birthday! Wish her a happy one if you see her. I’m off to build her a cake.

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Mid-March Headlines

I bet I'm going to go on and on about this until I know you're coming.

Good morning Edmonton. Did you have a good weekend?

Heading into the weekend there was still lots of talk on our new royalty rates. Does it mean spending in the oilpatch will rise? Is this giving in to the energy companies, did we surrender? Does the energy minister care about cleaning up the oilpatch, or just making sure you know “the truth?” Maybe most importantly, will any of this stop the constant loss of jobs here in Alberta?

Looks like the City of Champions has a couple more championships to throw in the old trophy case. Do we have one of those?

And in the realm of good news; we really took to winter this year and embraced our ongoing festival.

from the Edmonton Journal:

118 Avenue communities inspire as they reclaim their street (I believe in 118.)

Edmonton’s combined schools like a family

Lack of funding hurts Alberta’ film industry (A lack of funding is hurting Alberta’s blog industry, give me some money.)

Ordinary man made a difference

Alberta’s forests lose their best friend

Course plotted through legal jungle (Helping those without lawyers.)

from the Edmonton Sun:

Cabbies float flat airport rate

The most forgettable $22 million in history (Before you read this, try to say the Alberta slogan. I couldn’t remember it either.)

Dry winter sparks drought worries

More than chump change (Parking meter thieves!)

Going to bat for bats (Won’t someone think of the bats?!)

from 630CHED/iNews880:

EPSB continues public meetings over school closures (Tonight is Capilano’s turn to try and save their school.)

from CBC Edmonton:

Alberta carbon storage safe: study (Pump out that CO2!)

from CTV Edmonton:

Province to cut water quality monitoring due to budget deficit (Well, at least they’re not cutting anything important. Quite frankly, I’m surprised we still even have an environment ministry.)

I think I lost my camera, let me know if you find it.

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Weekend Fun

Rocket sleds eh?

Looks like WinterLight is going out with a bang. It’s been a fun way to embrace our long, dark season.

Actually, looking at this weekend there are quite a few fun things happening. And you know I’m turning to ShareEdmonton to load us up with the good stuff.

Ooh, there’s the Grilled Cheese Olympics! That’s happening Sunday.

If you’ve got kids you might be checking out the Mom, Pop & Tots Fair, over at the Edmonton Expo Centre.

The circus is in Edmonton.

Edmonton gets to shine on the TED stage this Saturday, with TEDxEdmonton. It’s happening over at the TransAlta Arts Barns. Tickets were highly sought-after and are likely out of your hands, but there is an after-party. Plus, you can watch all the TEDx action online.

The 2010 Edmonton Golf Show clearly has to mean it’s almost, really spring.

If you’ve got the spirit why not check out the Alberta Cheerleading Association’s Total Spirit Championship over at West Edmonton Mall.

That dog is a better painter than me.

Our friends over at Tailz passed along an interesting event; HART’s “Pawsitively Painted,” which is a dog art auction. That’s art BY the dogs. Really.

And you’d be helping out other dogs in need. Aww…

Over at our new favourite venue, The ARTery, you’ve got Kate Maki playing Sunday.

Gee…I wonder why The ARTery would be our new favourite…could it be because we’ll be part of #yegswap next weekend? Probably.

Actually, it’s shaping up to be quite a fun night.

You will bring some cool stuff that you just got bored with, or don’t have space for, and I will do the same. We will throw it all onto a giant table and pick up some new things. So, not only are you going to get some of your spring cleaning done, you’re going to get sweet new stuff to play with, and for almost free.

Oh, and next Saturday, while you’re hanging out with some of your favourite Edmonton bloggers and podcasters, you can listen to great local music from Lyra Brown, The Mystery Ponies and The Joe.

Have a great weekend.

See you next weekend. (Wow, I’m getting pushy.)

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Letter(s) from the Editor(s)

If you could read my mind...you'd know that I wasn't dead. (Great screen grab by ChrisD.ca)
You found us!

What a day on the Interweb tubes! First, there was the big Laura Secord story this morning. It’

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NEWS

And then the Sun photographer said "Now put on this bikini and tell us what career you want."
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Karen Gomyo (Photo: ESO)
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CITIZEN INFO

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