You like to party, don’t you?
Since you all like to party this story will be worth your time.
How does one, big city-wide party sound to you?
Yeah, you like that.
Well, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) also likes it like that, so they’ve declared the third Saturday in September (Sept. 18) “Community League Day.”
What that means, so it’s not just another day that’s declared something or other, is that community leagues around the city will be throwing parties. Wouldn’t you know it, there’s a community league in your neighbourhood.
So far, 30 leagues have joined the party.
To be clear, the Strathcona Centre annual Arts BBQ will probably be on the Sunday (Sept. 19). We usually hold it on a Sunday. (This is my community league. I recently returned to the board for another two years.)
Some of those other events may also be on the Sunday. And if the other 100+ community leagues all want in, they may also split it between Saturday and Sunday.
But that still means we have great, community events, all weekend, all around Edmonton. See you at one of the parties!
For those of you on Twitter, and engaging in community in other online forums, let me talk to you for just a minute.
Community Leagues are a great way to take all the good connections and ideas from the online world into the real one. They’re also a good way, if you want to be on your league’s board, to help effect change and programming in your neighbourhood.
The fix is in

I took the stairs down because I didn't think it would ever be fixed. What a nice way to start the week!
Another one bites the dust.
That is, another broken item is fixed.
And we will, of course, pretend we had something to do with it.
Yes, after five months (5 of them!) the escalator on the east side of the University LRT station is open again. Man, those frozen pipes must have just obliterated things.
There’s some absolutely, delicious, coincidental timing to this one. I was at a media mixer Friday night and was chatting with a pair of gents from City of Edmonton communications about, among other things, this LRT escalator.
Bam! Monday morning everything is fixed.
Also funny, our table was musing about the fact this could have all been part of secret plans of Active Edmonton and Walkable Edmonton to force people to take the stairs. Those sly so-and-sos and their love of “walking” and “being active.” Give me the moving stairs!
But…it all gets me thinking. Maybe we do like being the ones loudly complaining about broken stuff. Maybe we should follow the lead of those smarter than us and do this kind of thing on a more regular basis.
Of course, it would have to be something that’s been broken for a long time, or that’s been reported and not fixed.
And what are the chances that would continue to happen?
Let us know if this is an idea you’re into.
A night on the town, Edmonton Arena Project style
(Editor’s note: We’ve got a great take on the downtown arena open house from Paul coming up.
After you read his thoughtful thoughts, check out all the other arena links. I kind of short-changed you in the Headlines to give you the full arena package here. You’ll forgive me in about 15 minutes, when you’re a freakin’ expert on the open house.)
By Paul Poulsen:
When it was announced that we would have a new art gallery in the heart of downtown, I couldn’t have been less excited. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not anti-art. It’s just that I’m more of a monster truck/pie eating contest kind of guy. The art gallery was a project I didn’t really care about and I truly thought I would never step foot in the building.
Well imagine my surprise when I found myself looking forward to attending the Edmonton Arena Project Open House last night (May 6th).
At the Art Gallery of Alberta.
I anticipated seeing some drawings of the proposed arena complex and some rah-rah propaganda. What I wasn’t prepared for was the depth of work and research that has already gone into the arena project.
The Katz Group obviously spent an enormous amount of time preparing answers for any questions proponents or opponents may have. From peak hour traffic volumes to environmental impact plans, there was an answer for every question imaginable.
Almost.
The one topic left unspoken was how this this was going to be paid for. That said, I understand the importance of secrecy while the Katz Group and city council are negotiating who will pay how much for what.
So what did I take from the event aside from the fact that the conceptual drawings look really, really cool? I left the AGA even more firmly entrenched in my position that Edmontonians should be willing partners to get this development built.
Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want to give Mr. Katz a blank cheque. But I really and truly believe this is a once in a generation kind of project that all Edmontonians should be excited about.

Not everyone thinks millionaire hockey players suiting up for a billionaire need any help from taxpayers.
You’re not a hockey fan? So what.
I hate have a strong dislike for children but I fully accept that I’m partially responsible to pay for schools. I only use public transit when going to an Oilers game, an Eskimos game or the Indy yet I couldn’t be more proud of the fact that my tax dollars went to fund the new LRT expansion.
Before I ever heard of the Edmonton Arena Project, I swore that there would never be a reason for me to step foot in the Art Gallery of Alberta. Yet, last night, there I was.
I’m willing to bet that once this arena is built (and it IS a case of “when” not “if”), even the most ardent opponent to this development will attend a concert, a sporting event, or some currently unforeseen occasion, and be truly impressed with what the Katz Group and city council worked to build on their behalf.
—–
(Now, back to me.)
Journal: Edmontonians flock to arena open house…Not convinced, not at all…Edmonton citizens both blast and praise Katz Group executives at open house
Sun: Katz’s downtown arena open house draws hundreds…Selling the idea of downtown arena
Metro: Public gets peek at Arena District
CBC: Katz Group holds open house on arena plans
CHED/iNews: Katz Group hears positives about arena district project
Global: (I mentioned my troubles with the video player, so just work your way around to find their story. Sorry.)
CTV: Edmontonians gets a glimpse at Katz Group’s plan for new arena
Renaming the Children’s Library
If you’ve been to the Stanley A. Milner branch (Downtown) of the Edmonton Public Library, you have passed by the super-cute, brightly coloured children’s wing that is also housed within the building. It’s just to the left of the main entrance.
Recently I noticed they’ve kicked things up a notch, with an aquarium. And…is that a boat?!
So, when we received word from the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) announcing they were having a sweet library event, officially naming the children’s library, we were all over that!
EXCEPT…SNOWMAGGEDON!
Yes, that blast of winter got in our way, and we missed the news conference. We know this, since a parade of snowsuit-clad kids leaving the library greeted us.
But when life hands you snowy lemons you contact a well-connected person for some thoughts on the subject.
Of course, we turned to man-about-town Jerry Aulenbach. He also just happens to be the current Mayor of the Stanley A. Milner Library on mobile game foursquare.
So we asked Jerry about naming the kid’s wing of the downtown branch the “Shelley Milner Children’s Library,” named for the late daughter of the main library’s namesake (Stanley A. Milner).
“Often, when buildings, and the like, are named after people, you don’t get to find out why, or who they were,” Jerry said.
“It’s kind of nice to know that Shelley had a love of literature, which I found out from my friend (and her cousin) Joe Milner.”
“I know that the Milner family has been investing major dollars into the library [$500,000 for this expansion], as well as other organizations, such as the U of A School of Business.
Jerry, being foursquare mayor, said an official name means the children’s library should be its own venue in the game.
“Already added it to foursquare,” he said. “Next trip there, and I’m mayor, baby!”
(Isn’t it nice to see people excited about a library?)
The new children’s library expansion comes after a half-million dollar donation from the Milners. It adds more space for kids, and books, new computers, and provides ongoing programming and services.
Plus there IS a boat, and aquarium, a few of both which also go into other EPL branches.
Escalator Watch Begins (sort of)
Look, we don’t want to be typecast as the blog that points out stuff that doesn’t seem to get fixed.
(Although others clearly like the idea.)
But it’s been five months. Five. Months.
And the escalator on the east side of the University LRT Station is still broken.
It made for absolutely jam-packed crushes up the working escalator all school year. At busy points it’s still really annoying.
LRT Station, we want two escalators!
It’s Escalator Watch ’10 – and we’re already at five months…
Do you think the escalator will be fixed by the time the new LRT stations open at Southgate and Century Park. That’s a race to watch!!!
Next time…we may actually ask the ETS what’s up…but we also like just sitting on our high horses and demanding things be in working order…
Alberta Budget
You can listen live to the Alberta Budget at this website.
Or follow the commentary and information on Twitter.
Go with #ableg or #abbudget for the latest details from the budget, the latest reaction and all kinds of zings.
Update: Read the budget documents, and more, here. Still check the Twitter hashtags though (you don’t even need to be on Twitter to search it).
RIP Muriel
I’ve got some sad news to pass along, Edmonton.
One of the Valley Zoo’s mainstays, in their own meerkat manor, is no longer with us. Muriel, The Meerkat has died. Rather, she was put down on January 6.
Muriel was 14, which is quite old for the feisty animals.
She actually lived most of her life in the zoo’s administration building (likely doing data entrey and working overtime on weekends) because she was being picked on by the other meerkats.
The City says if you’d like to honour Muriel you can make a donation to the Zoo’s Makira Conservation Fund c/o Edmonton Valley Zoo, P.O. Box 2359, Edmonton, T5J 2R7.
Get your Olympic spirit on
View Edmonton Olympic Torch Route in a larger map
As promised, here’s a look at where the torch will be running today in Edmonton.
Of course, the torch doesn’t do any of the actual running. There are a bunch of cool people that carry it around.
If you’re heading out to see the torch relay, remember that there’s lots of fun stuff sprinkled along the way, including bands, singers, dancers, and various other performers and entertainment. Then the big finish is at 7pm in Churchill Square.
Whether or not you’re in the Olympic spirit this is going to mean delays for your trip home. Check here for street closures and look here for ETS route changes.
Expo Yourself
Yes, I’ve crapped all over the idea of Expo 2017 (spread the word and grow the dream) but in the effort of balance I’m telling you where you can find out more about the bold dream.
It’s at a city open house Tuesday night.
You’re invited to “view highlights, imagine the possibilities and share” ideas for Edmonton’s bid to host EXPO 2017.
Date: Tuesday December 8, 2009
Time: 3 to 8pm
Location: University of Alberta Foote Field, 11601-68 Avenue
Bid committee members and staff will be on hand to discuss the bid and answer questions.
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Best headline ever
No, not that one up there, this one down here:
Laziness Is Not A Disability: Leave Accessible Parking Stalls for People Who Need Them
City of Edmonton FTW! It’s actually pretty cool to see them calling out lazy people.
Here’s more from the City on their awareness campaign:
This holiday season the City of Edmonton’s Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities (ABSPD) reminds all drivers to leave accessible parking stalls for people with disabilities.
Accessible parking is a concern year round. However, every December parking is in even greater demand as Edmontonians flock to malls, shopping districts and grocery stores to get ready for the holidays. This is why the City has proclaimed November 23 to November 27 as Accessible Parking Awareness Week.
“It is so important for all of us to remember that if you don’t have a disability, you can’t park in an accessible parking stall, no matter how busy you get,” said Councillor Tony Caterina. “For someone with a disability, having these stalls is not a privilege, it’s a necessity that gives them access to things the rest of us take for granted. If you don’t have a disability, there’s no good reason, and it’s illegal, to park in an accessible stall.”
“As someone with a physical disability, I can’t emphasize enough how much I rely on these parking stalls,” said Bob Macklon, chair, ABSPD. “Every time I leave my home in a vehicle, I am counting on having accessible parking wherever I go, whether it’s to the doctor’s office or to the movies.”
Parking enforcement officers will strictly enforce these bylaws during the holiday season. (My emphasis) Edmonton drivers should be aware that they can be fined if any part of a vehicle is found in an accessible parking stall.
Any vehicle parked in an accessible parking stall without a permit is subject to a $150 fine and an additional $100 if the vehicle is towed.
Parking placards for people with disabilities are issued by Alberta Transportation.
Stop, in the name of love
Love of not getting speeding tickets that is.

Photo: Edmonton Police Service
This week the city/police turned a few red light cameras into regular photo radar cameras as well. That means you could get nabbed for running reds AND/OR speeding through the intersection.
We mentioned this in Wednesday’s headlines but after a few e-mails today I’ve gone back and noticed that none of the stories mentioned all of the locations.
So, here’s a reminder of all of the the places you’ll be ticketed (now and in the future) for running red lights and speeding through intersections.
Oh, and you could try to not to do it all, regardless of intersection. But I’m not the boss of you.
Here’s a handy map created by a lovely gentleman.
This list is from the Edmonton Police Service:
Red light and speed violations*
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*Note: Some locations are still under construction.
Red Light Camera Locations (Red Light Violations)
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Going to Gorman
No, the powers that be at City Hall didn’t really want to throw all kinds of plans into a stop north of Clareview, just yet, but when the federal and provincial governments dangle the cheque you’ve got to get on board.
Now, here’s where you come in.
The City of Edmonton’s LRT Expansion Branch is working on the Gorman extension (north of 153 Avenue and west of Victoria Trail) and you can throw your two-cents into the mix tonight.
You know you love open houses, so here are the details:

Photo: City of Edmonton
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Time: 4 – 8pm
Location: Clareview Arena Hall, 3804 – 139 Avenue
Also, in my experience, there are usually cookies.
Why I’m going to ChangeCamp

A change will do you good.
We were going to do a story about this weekend’s ChangeCamp, but it’s been pretty well covered by outlets such as Vue Weekly and the Journal.
Instead, I decided, I will write about my own reasons for wanting to go. Perhaps it will convince someone who didn’t know about it, or know what it was about, to come out Saturday and talk about change.
First of all, I like the idea of a bunch of people who don’t really know each other getting together to try and figure out ways of engaging citizens.
Voter turnout at all three levels of government is terrible, people don’t tend to remember a lot from high school politics and civics classes, and the news can become a series of stories about boys in balloons instead of what your governments are up to. So, there’s clearly room to improve the level of debate.
Second, unlike most conferences and symposiums, you (yes, YOU) can show up Saturday morning and pitch an idea you want to talk about. You could be leading a discussion on that very topic within minutes.
There’s also lots of talk about data. The City (and provincial and federal governments) has lots of information. Everything from where buses are coming and going to where police officers are responding to calls. Data junkies, and people far better at computers than I, would love to have this made widely and freely available so they could build phone apps, wikis, maps, and all kinds of other helpful tools for you and me. Government just has to be willing to hand it over.
I suspect there will be talk about small pilot projects involving such data, what could be done if some other information was just made available and the best way to ask nicely to get it.
I’m also looking to meet people who are really excited to be a part of something here in Edmonton. They are going to be at ChangeCamp to try and engage with the wider community and I look forward to talking with them.
Maybe I’ll see you there.
Why join a community league?
It’s been mentioned around these parts before, but community leagues are a pretty neat part of Edmonton. (Bias alert: I’m on a community league.)
But why should I go on and on about why you should try and get plugged into your neighbourhood’s concerns, and how you could help, and how it’s a great community volunteer experience when I can get the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues to give you a couple of points to ponder.
“Take it away, Michael Janz, Marketing Director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues…”

We can't mention enough that you get rewarded with good feelings...and city-wide discounts. (Image: www.efcl.org)
10 of the many reasons to join your Community League
- A Great Place to Meet Your Neighbours
- Social activities & events shared with your community at large
- Programs and recreation opportunities
- Community skate & swim times
- Discounts at City Recreation Centers and Tourist Attractions
- Safety programs and Crime watch cooperation
- Build new facilities for public use
- Input for planning your parks, green spaces, and urban development
- Discount tickets to major league sports games – Eskimos, Oil Kings
- Hall Rentals
Who cares about health care?
If you haven’t been paying attention, you might not have noticed that there’s a lot of stuff going down in Alberta health care.
Well, fear not (?) as the Alberta NDP is “on your side.”
The little party that could is zipping around Alberta over the next six weeks, talking to people in seven cities about health care. Rather, talking about what should or should not be cut by the governing Conservatives.
They’ve got details on Facebook.
The tour coincides with the next sitting of the Alberta Legislature, which begins October 26.
As the NDP states: “The goals of the public hearings are to gather information and provide solutions to some key questions by calling on stakeholders from various fields such health and wellness, seniors and family supports, business and municipalities and other groups. Some of these questions are:
- What difficulties has your family had accessing the health care that you need?
- How have growing wait lists impacted your health?
- How important is a fully-funded public health system to you?
- What are your highest priorities for health care in the future?
Edmonton is the site of today’s meeting. It’s at the Stanley Milner Library (the big one downtown), 3-5:30pm.
Go. Be heard. I don’t think the Alberta government is going to be holding any such meetings asking for input on where to make cuts to balance the budget. (Man, that would be inclusive governing…)
It’s FREE
This Sunday you can check out all kinds of City of Edmonton stuff for free.
Yes, free.
Now, we’re not talking about an Oilers game, or anything that costs an arm and a leg to see, but free is free.

Go here. It will be free. And possibly fun.
Some of the highlights include free swims at Bonnie Doon, Eastglen, Hardisty, Jasper Place, Kinsmen, Londonderry, Mill Wood, O’Leary and Peter Hemingway fitness, leisure and sports centres…and free skating at Glengarry, Kinsmen, Londonderry and Mill Woods (A) arenas…
Let’s see…there’s a free round of 9-holes at Rundle Golf Course (call now to book!), a free round of Pitch’n'Putt at Kinsmen…free admission (admission only) to places like Fort Edmonton Park, Muttart Conservatory and the Valley Zoo.
Instead of paying the admission price, the City is asking you to bring along a donation for the Edmonton Food Bank.
There’s also something called a Family Fun Sampler (which normally sells for $121) on sale for $49, Sunday only. The sampler gets you admission for two adults and all children of the household to Fort Edmonton, the zoo, the Muttart and one sports/fitness facility.
Edmonton transit has a few notes about service this Sunday.
If an event guide hasn’t fallen out of your newspaper or crossed your path in the last week, there’s a PDF version online.
Get your 2 cents ready
Whether you have something to say about any thing, or you’ve got something to say on certain things, tonight could be your night.
It’s information session 1 of 2 for the Southeast LRT extension. Tonight’s open house and info session is down in Mill Woods, 5-9:30pm. The follow-up will be Wednesday at the Old Timers’ Cabin.

Just another busy morning of LRTing.
(If West LRT is more your thing, you have to wait until next week.)
The sessions will allow you to take a look at just where the LRT will go over the next generation. You also get to ask questions of City and ETS staff, and give them your ideas and input.
If crime is more your thing (dealing with it, not actually being a criminal) then you may want to swing over Edmonton police town hall #3 tonight, at the Holy Cross Ukrainian Church, 7-8:30pm. This is part Chief Mike Boyd doing a new series of town halls and part community involvement in local and city-wide police issues.
(Interesting things that caught my eye: Southeast LRT meeting #2 is Wednesday, and so is the next police town hall…both of tonight’s venues will be somewhat easier to access once LRT runs west and southeast…)
You time things out right and you could hit both meetings and get all your questions answered/venting done for a little while. Isn’t engaged citizenry fun!
Why politics matter
Dustin McNichol is stepping up to talk politics here at the edmontonian. Politics matter. Really.
Dear Albertans,
Can we talk…about politics? Just for a little while? I promise I’ll be brief.
Before your eyes glaze over and you brush me off, let me explain. I know that politics is boring. Of course it is—who wants to pay attention to a bunch of old men in suits who drone on all day about nothing? Some of them have questionable judgment. I know that it’s often seen as childish, a waste of time, useless, irrelevant, etc…
Politics is full of strange rules and follows an even stranger logic. And, at the end of the day, it has no relevance on us or what we do with our lives anyway, right?
Wrong. (more…)
This membership drive needs some football
Done.
Now, since we’re not in the habit of one-word posts around here (though, that would be like taking Twitter to the EXTREME) I’ll give you a little more on what the heck that headline means.
The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL) is kicking off its membership drive this weekend. With a football kicking contest. If that’s not clever, I don’t know what is.
The EFCL is the parent group of all the community leagues of Edmonton. There’s probably one right in your neighbourhood, right now.
Community leagues are great (bias alert: I’m in one) because they tackle issues around the corner from your house. Whether its new houses and buildings being built and their particular zonings, local crime or summer block parties, community leagues are the place to find out what’s happening and how you can get involved. League boards can also provide advice to City staff and councillors – sometimes without even being asked for it. ;)
Anyway, this Saturday at Clarke Park at 11am, the EFCL welcomes Mayor Mandel, an Eskimos player and others to the fall membership drive. There will be free hotdogs, pop and fun. Plus, the aforementioned field goal kicking contest. (You can kick better than the mayor, can’t you? Prove it.)
There are also six VIP Green & Gold Seats up for grabs.
The other neat thing is this fun is packed into about 90 minutes, so you can embrace your community spirit, kick some field goals, and have the rest of the day to digest the hot dogs.
Help Wanted
This came down earlier this week, but it’s worth noting.
The City of Edmonton has a bunch of boards, commissions and agencies that help do stuff around city hall.
Some of them look at issues, others get to decide stuff and make recommendations. Some of them are probably boring.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t all important, but let’s be honest. I covered a couple of library board meetings during college and while I think libraries are integral and important, the meetings lacked a certain pizazz.
But…if you’ve got some time, and you’ve got some interest in helping build a great city from the inside out (or if any of these specific boards catch your eye for reasons of personal interest) then you should apply to help out.
What’s the worst that could happen? You fall asleep at a meeting and accidentally vote to make every Friday night in Edmonton UFC-themed? (See Combative Sports Commission.)
From the City:
Advisory Boards
To provide advice and recommendations to City Council, apply for vacancies on Advisory Boards:
- Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities
- Community Services Advisory Board
- Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee
- Edmonton Historical Board
- Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board
Decision-making Boards
To provide governance, direction or regulation, apply for vacancies on Decision-making Boards:
- Combative Sports Commission
- Edmonton Public Library Board
- Greater Edmonton Foundation, Housing for Seniors
- Non-Profit Housing Corporation
- Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
Application Packages
More information and application packages are available at Recruitment Overview or from the Office of the City Clerk, 780-442-4395.
Deadline for applications is 4:30pm, Wednesday September 30, 2009.
I Saw the Sign…? (…I’ll show myself out)
By Lorraine Poulsen
A number of homes (and even some businesses) in the northeast end of the city have taken to wearing unique-looking signs that may take a bit of explaining to understand.
If you’re in the northeast, and you see these black bordered signs attached to the front of homes, you might think the signs identify the current owner of the house; but you would be incorrect.
In fact, the signs, which start with a year, followed by the name of a person and an occupation, are part of the Highlands Historical Society’s campaign to bring Edmonton history to life.
The date on the sign indicates the year the building was constructed, and the name is the identity of the person who either built or was the first occupant of the home. The sign also shows that person’s occupation.
Anyone who wanted a sign for their home or business was instructed by the Society on how to find the story of their property. By using the Henderson’s Directories (which contain information about people and businesses dating back almost 100 years), talking to long-time neighbourhood residents, and searching land titles, information on a particular location can be found and used to create the signs.
The owner of this sign, bearing the name William Bonk, said her research showed that Mr. Bonk built the home in 1952. In fact, he built any number of homes in the Highlands area. She says many of the architectural features Bonk built into this 1952 home such as coved ceilings, battleship linoleum and hardwood floors are still all part of this house.
Where’s my bus?

Dude, where's my bus?
Ah, fall.
There’s a crispness to the air, the leaves are changing colours, and your bus is nowhere to be seen this morning.
Now, before you go firing off angry e-mails to your city councillors, let’s just check and see that things haven’t been changed with your regular bus route with the ETS Fall Service Changes. You might find you’ve got time to do this, while waiting forever for that next bus…
Holy crap that is a lot of changes to a lot of routes. Thanks a lot, kids going to school.
Oh, alright, some of those changes are NOT just summer-to-fall changes, but permanent. (ETS: Improving stuff, eventually.) One of the biggies involves 102A Avenue closing to traffic, between 99 and 100 Streets.
p.s. stay in school
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK (THE CITY SALUTES YOU)
How do you prove to your citizens that you’re cool, that you’re with it, that you’re hip?
You put out news releases, and citizen information, all about the summer’s biggest rock concert.
City of Edmonton, we salute you! (Fire!)

Remember to use transit when rocking out.


















