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.

As these computers prove, the library is more than books.

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.

I want a reading boat!

“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.

Here's how the swap meet portion of #Yeg Swap will go down. The music and fun will just happen naturally.

If you didn’t know what I was going to open this week’s events listing with, you just haven’t been paying attention.

March 20 means #YegSwap over at The ARTery. 7pm. Until the fun ends.

We’ve got you bringing some cool stuff, that for some reason you just don’t want anymore (don’t tell me who did what on top of it). You’ll be trading that with other people in our super-efficient swap dome* and all the while you will be entertained by amazing Edmonton musicians Lyra Brown, The Mystery Ponies and The Joe.

And all for $2.

We’re basically paying you to come and have a great Saturday night.

One other thing worth mentioning, those musical acts are from three different genres. You don’t see a lot of that, outside of your iPod, so that could be worth the price of admission right there.

Alright, self-promotion aside, I’ll head over to ShareEdmonton and see if there’s anything else going on. But it probably won’t be as good as #Yeg Swap.

A neat event happening Saturday night (See, I’m not so biased I won’t mention other Saturday events.) is also a fundraiser. Out of Sight: A Sensory Experience is a “dining in the dark” meal, where a mask or sunglasses will limit your vision during the meal.

The Bounce is having a birthday party, their 5th.

Tonight (Friday) there’s an “Eeeeeeee…” inducing event at Best Buy Edmonton South, it’s a Twilight New Moon Launch Party.

It’s Randy Couture night at the Edmonton Rush game.

Here’s an interesting one from the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues; Green Projects to Empower your Community. It comes with wine and cheese.

The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show is a sign of spring, right?

There’s a rally for public services at the Alberta Legislature Saturday. After that, you should come to #YegSwap.

Naked on Jasper (it’s a cybercafe you pervs) is hosting the Busker’s Ball tonight. It’s got a great lineup of people you’ve probably seen at other venues and actually busking.

There’s some Postdata happening at Brixx Friday night.

The Pawn Shop has a great show Sunday, with Jay Malinowski of Bedouin Soundclash, Kinnie Starr and Michael Rault.

I mentioned the coming latin passion in my review of an Edmonton Symphony Orchestra show back here, but this weekend is “Musica Latina.” Which is sure to set your hips a-swaying.

Oh, and The Fashion Event is back, for your spring shopping needs, over at the Mayfield Inn & Suites.

And tickets are now on sale for St. Albert’s International Children’s Festival.

Whew!

p.s. #Yeg Swap is being put on by The League of Extraordinary Media, which is our new group of Edmonton super-hero bloggers and podcasters. In the battle between good and evil, choose local.

*There’s no swap dome. I only said that to increase your interest.

Now, I hope you guys don’t take this the wrong way.

I know you’re really busy, solving crimes in the 1980s.  And I also know your relationship is strained at the best of times, because A.J., you’re so straight-laced, and Rick, you wear a cowboy hat and park your boat on A.J.’s lawn.

But as soon as I saw that someone had parked their boat in a bus stop along Whyte Ave., it seemed clear to me it must’ve been you.  I mean, no thinking person would just pull up next to a bus stop with their boat and tow and just leave it there.  “Yes, this goes here, I guess.” Nope, people don’t think that way.  Clearly, you guys were in my neighbourhood, working on some kind of case and were forced to abandon your ride. So, just for future reference:

grrrr!

Love,

sally.

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