September 7 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton.
Jaywalkers better (not) step right off. The Edmonton Police Service is cracking down on jaywalkers. Glad to see they are targeting drivers who could could hit pedestrians crossing legally, in the same campaign.
Oh, they’re not. Damn, dirty pedestrians! (I recognize that schools are nearby some areas in this campaign, but I’m going somewhere with my anti-car attitude.)
“But a number of councillors say it’s not fair to people who live near bus routes and usually park there.” Can we make a deal? No parking ban on bus routes during winter if bus drivers are allowed to push stopped cars out of bus stops.
Wow. I am really seeing why Edmonton’s got such an image as a car-city. Our municipal government seems to encourage it while discouraging taking the bus or walking around.
Speaking of transit…one person is believed to have cost the ETS $29,000 by selling counterfeit bus passes. I will not make a joke about how this will cause another hike in transit fares.
/rant (more…)
August 24 Edmonton Headlines
Good day, Edmonton.
Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been saying Edmonton needs 24-hour transit. That Toronto would be used as a model is even better, since that’s the model I see working. It’s a few routes running on reduced scheduled through the overnight hours (1:30-5:30 in Edmonton). If 6-12 routes, and possibly the LRT, ran every 30 or 60 minutes you could cross most of the city and provide a real transit option to shift workers, people heading across town to medical appointments (my orthodontist was across town and it was a pain to get there early on ETS), and offer a choice to people drinking that’s not their own vehicle or a cab (which becomes an issue with large nightlife districts like Whyte and Jasper Avenues).
Ben Henderson, today I’m glad to have voted for you.
Now, if the rest of council, and ETS administration can just follow this great, and long, long overdue, idea, we’re all set.
As the City prepares to build out our LRT system, the mayor is considering shifting some road construction money into the southeast LRT line. Might I suggest holding back on one or two new developments on the edge of city limits to try and encourage in-fill development that doesn’t require brand new roads and sewers?
High school students who may still be unfamiliar with Edmonton, and Canada, can get help adjusting to a new life.
Have some fruit growing on your property? Get that fruit rescued!
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Jack Layton is now lying-in-state in Ottawa, prior to a state funeral in Toronto on Saturday.
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This summer’s massive Slave Lake (area) fire is going to be investigated. It’s been 10 years since an official investigation into a wildfire in Alberta. The hope is that looking at conditions around the time of the fire, and how it spread, could help prevent another such fire doing so much damage.
Speaking of emergencies…the provincial government’s emergency alert system, which handles everything from tornados to Amber Alerts, is making the digital switch. Be sure to bookmark the site or subscribe to its RSS, become a fan on Facebook, and follow on Twitter. You’ll still hear alerts broadcast over television and radio (they cut into the regular programming) but you’re also likely to be online or using your smartphone when something goes down.
Soon all of southern Alberta will belong to the humans!
An Alberta woman is suing the provincial government for accidentally releasing their identities. They had changed identities to flee a violent relationship. Since that mistake, she claims to have received strange phones calls and had attempted break-ins. Whether those claims are true or not, she probably deserved another new identity, not just an apology.
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A new book, written by a local author, is going to help the Little Warriors organization. $1 from each book sold will go to the group that helps young victims of sexual abuse.
If you were at the Edmonton International Airport Monday night, you might have measles. So, you get to stay home for a couple of weeks, on order of Edmonton’s Medical Officer of Health.
Speaking of being on the lookout…if you spot a gold Chevy Cavalier, with the first three license plate digits being NVU, you could have some information police want in catching jewelery store robbers.
Do you volunteer? Do you find you’re volunteering less time these days?
August 4 Edmonton Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton. How’s about we start with scary crime again?
I want to write a little more about a new website launched Wednesday later, but suffice to say Edmonton newsrooms are still going to for easy quotes on murder and crime.
Councillor Kim Krushell is paraphrased (not directly quoted in the story) as blaming northern Alberta workers getting out of hand for some of our troubles. Why would the CBC then try and back that up with stats?
Premier candidate Gary Mar wants to be the next leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservatives so he can tackle our “unacceptable” murder rate. Don’t worry, the story doesn’t get into details about whether or not we have an unacceptable murder rate, or how this year fits into Edmonton’s annual crime patterns, it’s just a tough-on-crime line from a politician served up to keep the newswheel spinning.
The interesting thing about that 630CHED/iNews880 Gary Mar story this morning is that it follows a Wednesday afternoon story talking about this new push to have a better conversation about crime in Edmonton. It took all of 14 hours to run one story talking about how easy, sensational quotes and a lack of research in stories is more fearmongering than reporting, and jumping right back to the short “objective” piece that doesn’t challenge what anyone says about how scary and violent Edmonton is.
This is where objectivity is crap.
If the reporters, editors, producers, and everyone else involved in getting a story out to Edmontonians aren’t walking around absolutely terrified of being killed why do they let people talk about our city like it’s a horrible place to live? I know they aren’t doing it on purpose; there are deadlines, and the people quoted answer the phone right away. But the irony of running a story about how a new premier will clean up our streets hours after one calling for better, more researched, fair stories better not be lost on every “journalist” in Edmonton newsrooms. This isn’t about your audience misinterpreting your stories, this isn’t about one or two people that are always quoted, this is about how the stories are put together and presented. The Chief can come out and tell us we’re in a fairly safe city every day, but if newsrooms sensationalize our crime what’s the point?
It’s also interesting to note a line like this in a Sun editorial: “…Alberta’s capital city has recently become known more for its violence than anything else.” How does that happen without the newsrooms pumping out story after story about how violent it is? News coverage has about the largest role to play in how a city is viewed from the outside. I challenge Edmonton’s newsrooms to tell a more balanced Edmonton story.
Unless staff members of the newsrooms really are terrified to leave their house. Then I guess this is their story.
Sigh. I guess I’m just leaving my soapbox out all of the time now. (more…)
June 24 Edmonton Headlines
The river is high and fast. And kind of cool to look at.
Edmonton Transit is serious about making things better.
Not necessarily their service or routes, but fining people more for putting their feet on seats. Or eating on transit property. (WHAT?!) And not paying fares.
I shall take this time to repeat my oft-made comment about installing turnstiles in the LRT stations. A little more money right now, but you’d make more from everyone who currently skips onto the train without paying, which is, let’s be honest, really easy and without much consequence. Then security officers could focus on transit station and trouble spots more.
You might not have to move to Chicago, and live near Wrigley Field, to see a ball game from your home. Speaking of new neighbourhoods…think the City Centre Airport lands could be one of the next great communities around? And surplus school sites could continue to be built up as places to live.
As an add-on to the story about TELUS putting $20-million into fixing up and expanding one of its two towers (Ha! Lord of the Rings pun.) at 100 Street, ATB is sticking around Edmonton’s downtown.
The next stop for Edmonton garbage is into the Mr. Fusion.
More police officers are being sent to 107 Avenue neighbourhoods to try and stem the violent crime in that area.
A pair of Edmonton police officers may be looking at internal investigations, at least, after a judge tossed out one of two charges against a man who took a beating during an arrest.
The use of Twitter is being credited with finding a missing Edmonton boy. And folks say social media and the Internet are time-wasters…
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I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, saving money is for suckers.
In the aftermath of a criminal case against an RCMP officer, the Alberta government is being asked to review the crown’s work in court.
In Ottawa, the Supreme Court of Canada just gave the crown attorney more power in plea bargains by saying the deal could be changed or yanked after agreement with the defence.
The U of A has its first-ever female neurosurgery graduate. The first in 50 years of the program.
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Canada Post, I have just about forgotten you existed.
Busy Headlines – no, seriously, there’s a lot going on in Edmonton
Wow. A federal election, an all-day city council meeting on the downtown arena, a sensational murder trial, and a fire this morning. I do not miss the panic of being in a daily newsroom today. It is sweet indeed to be able to sit back and take a wider look at what’s going on. (Still took me all morning though.)
Speaking of that fire…we received this report, and photos from Amanda, this morning:
FIRE!
I was awakened to the thrum of engines running just outside my window. During the winter that meant snow-clearing was in progress. Surely not today…I went to the balcony and looked out to see what the commotion was: there were fire trucks lined up north of 99th St. and when I looked towards Whyte Ave I saw flames, smoke and a huge jet of water being directed to the fire! I thought about what businesses those were – it must be the beauty shop, the restaurant and a few offices up on the second floor. All this next to The Empress Ale House and the laundromat on the corner.I saw the pool of water on the street gathering volume as the water pump truck continued to jettison its powerful spray on to the roof of the building. Flames kept curling up relentlessly as the water attempted to douse them. There were men up on the roof, as well, attempting to douse the flames. Emergency lights blinked, firefighters barked out orders, and early morning risers were glued to their windows or were out on the street getting a closer look. I certainly hope that there were no people inside and that the damage will be minimal.
The traffic today down Whyte Avenue and down 99th Street will be more than a bit hectic. Perhaps this is a good day to walk to work. The smell of smoke and burning fills my nostrils as I finish writing this…
And that’s just where we begin today’s look at Edmonton.
End of the Week Headlines
This is the largest puddle I’ve had to jump in our current melt:
I’m going to need a high jump pole soon.
Edmonton transit security officers are busy, especially north of Churchill Station. ETS is asking for more money to hire an additional 10 officers. The ETS is also reporting an increase in tickets to people who didn’t pay their fare. While turnstiles, and similar systems, would cost more in the short-term they’d solve that problem on the LRT.
Edmonton police are using their Tasers, batons, and police dogs less, and just going with good old-fashioned hand-to-hand takedowns for arrests that don’t go smoothly.
People trying to end homelessness in Edmonton say they are making progress.
Should the federal government toss money into sports arenas and stadiums? If we’re talking about Edmonton’s downtown arena, I’d agree if we saw people stepping up to build projects around the arena. Right now I’m only certain we’ll have an arena for the Oilers and a refurbished Baccarat Casino. Northlands is making me wonder if a new arena would even house the majority of our major concerts, since they may try to keep Rexall Place open if they’re cut out of the downtown plan.
Preserving history is not cheap.
The Medicentre we heard about earlier this week, when a patient was allegedly refused help, may see some complaints filed against it.
How timely for Fraud Awareness Month: Edmonton police arrest four people found with numerous stolen IDs.
The team charged with investigating police when there’s an injury or death is busy right now.
The NAIT Ooks men’s basketball team is at the national championships this weekend. It’s more basketball to pay attention to during March Madness.
Forget about it Lowe’s, it’s Totem town.
Whew. This is a busy day. And we haven’t even gotten to healthcare yet. (more…)
Edmonton 311 Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton. You’re probably going to hear quite a bit about the earthquake in Japan today (if you haven’t already). Sally’s already touched upon this natural disaster.
Back here in Alberta, it’s been more than a week since Independent/Ousted Conservative MLA Raj Sherman stunned the Alberta Legislature with allegations of money paid to doctors while people died on waiting lists. The hush money coming in the way of big salaries and contract pay-outs as they left the province.
I’ve kind of stayed away from this one in the Headlines. Dr. Sherman made the allegations inside chamber of the Alberta Legislature, but hasn’t repeated them outside. That would be because members of provincial governments, and parliament in Ottawa, are afforded what’s called “parliamentary privilege.” They can say stuff inside the dome and not get sued. News media can repeat the material, even if it ends up being false, because they’re just repeating the comments and doing their duty as relayers of what’s happening right now.
I wanted to see where some of this would end up before repeating it here.
Sherman made the allegations. The government asked for proof. Sherman said he’d bring the proof, if the “whistle-blowers” could have immunity for their comments. Then Sherman said the proof wasn’t his to give, and repeated his calls for immunity.
All this prompted more calls for an independent investigation, or inquiry, into wait list deaths and emergency room crisis.
Without proof of the damning allegations, people began to wonder if Sherman, who couldn’t have risen much higher in popularity for calling out his own governing party, had burnt his police capital and was now just a conspiracy theorist.
Then, late yesterday, the CBC dug up a story that may prove Dr. Sherman may not have been so wrong.
Now we’re getting an investigation.
I also learned that it’s great to be able to sit back and wait for a fuller story, which isn’t what I got to do working in daily newsrooms. Those poor guys have to churn out news item after news item, even if they’re waiting for the facts just like the rest of us.
Now, onto today’s news. The rest of it, I mean. (more…)
February 24 Edmonton Headlines
Yeah, that’s right, it’s time for the provincial budget. Expect some cuts.
Sticking with Alberta stuff…
It’s a strange day when the NDP and Wildrose Alliance agree on something. This time it was leadership campaign spending – a debate on it at least.
Alberta’s farmer’s lost the most money last year.
Does Alberta’s court system need more Legal Aid money? The lawyers think we’re in need.
This is becoming a good place to buy a home. Maybe a new boom can adjust that…
Back in Edmonton… (more…)
Lunar New Year Headlines
Good day, Edmonton, and Happy Year of the Golden Rabbit! Yes, it’s the Lunar, or Chinese, New Year today. So, celebrate!
An Edmonton man, accused in a terrorist bombing, is asking for release on bail.
Edmonton’s Somali community is still trying to figure out what’s to be done to curb the violence taking their young men.
City councillors will be getting a 4.6% salary increase this year. It’s a raise that is tied to Alberta’s average weekly earnings. Council tossed around some votes, for a 1.5% increase, for a 0% increase, but those failed and they get the original proposed raise.
Councillors officially approved spending for this year’s Indy. This is the one that will start making money, we know it!
Some Edmonton buses will be getting equipped with GPS. They’ll also get automated stop announcements, which is most helpful to blind passengers and those with visual impairments. The buses will also be able to be tracked in realtime, which will be great when you’re trying to figure out if you should head out and try to catch the bus when it’s supposed to be there or wait a few more minutes because it’s held up in traffic.
Bedbugs are starting to read up on us, by moving into four city libraries.
And there’s more! (more…)
Winter Warm-Up Headlines
Is anybody else’s apartment stifling hot? Did your neighbours also forget to consult any weather reports, or venture outside, to note they didn’t have to crank the heat like it’s in the -20s? This does mean, however, it’s been too hot inside for me to wear pants for two days.
The Alberta Party gets its first sitting MLA today. Former Liberal Dave Taylor is moving from the independent seats to an opposition party.
That means Alberta’s Legislature has a governing party (Conservatives) official opposition (Liberals), members from three other parties (Wildrose, NDP, Alberta Party) and an independent (Raj Sherman). I’d say in the last few years Alberta has gone from the most boring of provincial politics to most interesting (perhaps even most exciting). Five parties!
The federal Conservatives are also celebrating five years at the head of a minority parliament. I think it’s time to seriously consider we are moving away from the majority governments we’ve come to know and love for decades and embrace a more diverse elected government.
That will also have to mean changes to how we choose, fund, and empower politicians. In terms of empowerment I’m especially thinking about funding for research and other items once elected. Right now, the government and “recognized” parties get more money.
Now, in Edmonton… (more…)
Snow-buried Headlines
We asked for basement apartment pictures of all our snow. Liam will have more to report if he ever digs out.
Good morning, Edmonton. The top story today puts Edmonton into international news coverage.
A suicide bombing in Iraq has reached to Edmonton. Investigations have led police and the FBI to an Edmonton man with alleged connections to the group behind the bombing.
Now, news from our city that won’t be read in New York or London… (more…)
Edmonton Headlines
It's so cold, even the cold wants to come inside to warm up.
The City of Edmonton is planning to widen Scona Road (99th Street between Saskatchewan Drive and the Low Level Bridge) which must fit nicely into plans to reduce our dependence on cars. Am I the only one who reads reports and stories about how widened and new roads don’t actually reduce traffic?
Down at City Hall…this is a week for arenas. Specifically those of the downtown variety. Remember, this doesn’t have to be a slam dunk if you don’t want it to be.
If you waited to pay a speed on green ticket your procrastination has paid off. See, procrastination works!
We were talking last week about how St. Albert Transit was moving ahead with GPS systems. It appears this option is on Edmonton Transit’s radar too.
NorQuest College is trying to make some more money by offering courses outside of public education funding, meaning student would pick up the full cost.
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The RCMP officer who shot James Roszko took the stand at an inquiry into the shooting deaths of four Mounties.
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Mexico is seeing a lot of dental tourism. That’s right, dentists are the hot ticket. Albertans are getting on board with this idea. Perhaps it’s because we have some of the the most expensive dentists in Canada.
The Edmonton Music Awards, a new venture in the city, have their first list of nominees.
Sub-Zero Headlines
I am glad I don't have to scrape all those car windows.
Good morning. I trust you are defrosted and all cozy in your home or office by now, Edmonton.
Edmonton Transit needs to get its act together. First, Leduc beats us to the airport, from within our own city. Now, St. freakin’ Albert is outfitting its bus fleet with GPS for real-time updates to riders. Time to start making jokes about how ETS is secretly run by a cabal of car dealerships again.
The downtown arena goes to a new level today. Reports are hitting councillor’s desks and the real debate should begin. Make sure it’s a real debate, Edmonton.
Some Edmonton students are being whipped into shape. Foster students are being given a hand to finish school.
Audible crossing signals may be using a different sound soon.
All the newsrooms seem to have a story on six teens who have been suspended for writing threats on Facebook, in the wake of a weekend murder.
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There have been some apologies at an inquiry into the shooting deaths of four RCMP officers. There are also questions about how well-equipped, and prepared, Mounties at smaller detachments are.
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Energy Minister Ron Lipert isn’t going to let a little thing like grossness bubbling up from underground ruin a $2-billion plan like Alberta’s carbon capture and storage.
Lindsay Blackett, the Culture and Community Spirit Minister, has put on his coolest sunglasses and headed south to try and drum up some Hollywood Business. That’s one among the provincial cabinet trips this month.
Vue reports controversial parks legislation, which was pulled back by the governing Tories in the fall, may be headed right back to the Legislature. Whenever the spring session does start.
The Alberta Party is getting its leadership race underway. If they’ve got candidates in the next provincial election they are likely to snag a few votes that would have gone to the other parties, but their big goal is the 60% who didn’t vote last time. They are off to a good start, bringing in members from all other political parties. Left and right.
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Hey…what’s that smell? Can anybody else smell that? It smells like…ewww…
Some Edmonton Eskimos are in Haiti, one year after one of the worst-ever Earthquakes. Another Edmontonian is also remembering the suffering.
Also, all the freaking out about the song Money for Nothing being “banned” from Canadian radio has me scratching my head. There are multiple versions of the song. One includes the term faggot and others, the more commonly heard versions – that will still be played on our radio stations – do not. Bouncing around YouTube a little this morning it seems Dire Straits replaces the word on their own in live versions and other recordings.
I’m sure some of the “outrage” is because this comes so close to a decision to replace the N-word in Huckleberry Finn. While we are talking about public airwaves, nobody is discussing removal of the term from the song on CDs or in digital versions of the song for sale. I’m sure I also had a much better point to make in all this.
Oh, and one day we’ll be able to tell our grandkids about shopping in the glorious aisles of Zellers.
Friday’s Headlines
Hi Edmonton. Welcome to Friday. It’s back to five-day work weeks from here on out. Boo-urns.
You can text ETS for bus schedules now. (More on this from Mack.)
You ever find yourself at a closed library branch on the weekend? (Photo: Brittney Le Blanc)
The Edmonton Public Library is going to be open, at just about every branch, on Sundays.
The Edmonton Ski Club is 100 years old this winter. It would be cool if they went back to doing things in Norwegian to celebrate.
The kite and toy store at West Edmonton Mall, a local business in the big mall, is closing up. You can still shop with them at South Edmonton Common though. Another local spot in WEM, a newspaper shop, is closing too.
Indoor soccer is getting too rough. So coaches are going to be asked to get their players to cool it.
The Edmonton Comedy Festival is coming.
It sounds like Edmonton’s new remand centre can’t come soon enough.
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The Calgary Herald is continuing to hammer the provincial government on its workplace safety rules, and enforcement. Today there’s a story on how, with one-quarter the size of our workforce, Saskatchewan prosecutes more workplace violations. Meanwhile…in the oilsands…an explosion hurts four people…
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Want to see your art on a billboard?
As you shake crumbs, dust bunnies, and paper clips from your keyboard, check out this cleaner version from right here in Edmonton.
We’ve got a nice little blast of winter coming today. Don’t forget to check the Long John Index as part of your daily weather routine.
2010 Headlines (That’s news from this year, not more than 2,000 headlines.)
I’m hopping on that end-of-the-year story train. Above you can see a Wordle of our most-used tags. Ignoring the people noted (like me and Sally, Gregg Beever, Mack D. Male, etc…), and a few events venues, we can get a sense of what the heck we talked about the most.
And, for a change, it’s not just about ourselves.
Read on! (more…)
New Year’s Eve events, parties, and jager bombs
If you can’t find something to do on Friday night (this Friday specifically, not just any old Friday) I don’t think you’re trying. New Year’s Eve is pretty much the party night of the year. Try not to throw up on anybody, and don’t drink and drive.
The City of Edmonton’s big show is at Churchill Square (and at City Hall, CBC Centre Stage, and the Stanley A. Milner Library).
It’s also family friendly at McDougall Church. And Haddow Park. The Haddow party even has fireworks.
And, if you’re looking for live music this is probably the biggest night of the year. Check out YEGLive.ca for a giant list of all the shows happening.
Some of them: The ARTery’s party, Raygun Cowboys, The Get Down and Fire Next Time, Stan the Man is part of the Tailgate Party at Sherlock Holmes (downtown), Dreamface, Mass Choir, and Sister Gray are at Pawn Shop, Deadmau5 is at the Shaw Conference Centre, jazz, latin, blues and rock (with buffet), Honeymoon Suite, and there’s The Party Martyrs are with Zero Cool and the Kroovy Rockers at Dv8.
Wunderbar’s not jacking up the prices, and they have Sherry-Lee Wisor. That’s a great New Year’s Eve. (She rocked our socks back at SOS Fest.)
SEE also has a list of places to party.
Casino Edmonton’s got The Rum Bros. Vegas Cabaret.
Actually, all of the casinos seems to be doing a little something.
Jekyll & Hyde’s celebrations benefit Santas Anonymous.
The Comic Strip’s got a buffet package with its comedy. You can get medieval at the Muttart.
And there will be approximately 3,218 house parties. I may be rounding up.
Don’t forget there will be free transit (FREE!) tonight. It even runs until 3:30am.
Happy New Year!
Feel free to drop New Year’s Eve events and ideas into the comments for people like me who still don’t know what they’ll do.
That’s a lot of Christmas
Since it’s the last weekend before Christmas you know there’s a crap-load of holiday cheer over the next few days. Let’s get all those Christmasy things listed first. I bet, even with the extensive list that’s to follow, there are going to be 27+ things I miss.
You can always head up to Candy Cane Lane to take in the lights and displays of Edmonton’s own Christmas street. The ETS also does Christmas light tours if you don’t want to drive. We also got a hot tip on a house at 136 Street and 106 Avenue with a classy lights set-up.
The Alberta Legislature is all lit up for the holidays, and has plenty of music, hot chocolate and Christmas goodness through next week.
Now…there’s also a singing Christmas tree…Candlelight Christmas with the McDades…a winter market at Churchill Square…the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (who just happens to be collecting for the Edmonton Food Bank during the season) has Christmas Pops and A Family Christmas Concert this weekend…
Speaking of the food bank, you can drop off donations (food or money) at a tweetup tonight, at Original Joe’s Varsity Row. That would be the perfect chance to send us a photo of your goodwill.
You can also save a couple of dollars at Hip-Hop for Hunger if you bring a non-perishable food item to the show. Since we’re talking about donations at music shows it probably fits to mention The Bissell Centre’s charity event at On the Rocks.
Mostly Water Theatre is back with their Christmas comedy showstravangaza, at the Roxy. That runs tonight and tomorrow night.
In music…The Provincial Archive are the latest to play Teddy’s. Freakin’ Teddy’s. Hot Panda is at the Pawn Shop…Carrie Underwood is at Rexall…Warning to Avoid plays the Haven Social Club…and there’s an Annual Holiday Party with The McGowan Family Band, which you might say should have been back with those Christmas events, but I’m including here because it’s at the Hilltop Pub and the Dawson Bridge is about to re-open…and I’m adding one more, since I popped into Wunderbar and was told about the show…Saturday night, Freshman Years, Micelli, Brash Tax and Jay Myatt…bang.
And the Oil Kings are home tonight.
Oh, and watch for LRT delays.
See The Lights
One thing I look forward to each December is all the Christmas lights.
You can always walk around your neighbourhood to see who’s put up some lights, and if there are any bigger displays.
Of course, you can skip right through your community and head to Candy Cane Lane, where you’re guaranteed to see plenty of lights and holiday cheers. Donations to the Edmonton Food Bank are encouraged for those visiting the holiday street.
If you don’t want to drive, you can still get a ride around Edmonton to see some lights. On the weekend you can take an ETS Christmas Light Tours, for just a few dollars.
Anybody seen any good light displays this Christmas?
Mostly Christmas Stuff
Another week has wrapped and it’s time enjoy a few days off. Likely that is the scenario for you. So, here’s some stuff that I know about that’s going on.
This is happening too.
That snow and cold may be putting you off the idea of even leaving the comfort of your home. You can also avoid the outdoors at the movies.
With Christmas approaching, gifts can be a priority. So, why not hit up the Butterdome Craft Sale or the Handmade Mafia? Or both.
If you’re in that gift-giving frame of mind, remember to send us photos of you donating to a charity.
This will be the last Christmas you can shop at Nokomis. So, enjoy it while it’s still here to spread clothing love.
On Christmas…Candlelight Christmas a the John Walter Museum…Candy Cane Lane opens…The Salvation Army’s Festival of Carols is over at the Winspear – the ESO is also collecting for the Edmonton Food Bank at all events right now…It’s Christmas music to the max in Edmonton: Check out YEG Live for all your options. (And there are a lot.)…A Christmas Carol continues at the Citadel…ETS is back with Christmas light tours.
The City Market is back at Churchill Square this Saturday. If you’re into slow food, or want to be, check out Slow Food Edmonton’s Terre Madre Day (and holiday brunch on Sunday).
The Fringe, yes that Fringe, is finishing up a family-friendly run of Jack and the Beanstalk.
And the Oilers and Oil Kings are both at home (not at the same time of course).
Business Closing Headlines
We'll miss all your sweet sales, and your lovely window displays.
Good day, Edmonton. I’ve got more business-closing news to report from Whyte Avenue today. (Recently it’s just been bars.)
After eight years on the avenue, most recently between Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard, Nokomis Clothing is closing. Make sure you send them out with a bang, Edmonton. Buy everything they have, buy all the local and Canadian-designed clothes. Do it, do it!
We’ll miss you, Nokomis.
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We’re still waiting on city council to approve the 2011 budget. They didn’t finish the job yesterday, but it should be finalized Thursday. It was first predicted with a 5% tax increase, and that will likely be as high as it is. It might even come in at 4%. (Though some other fees, like water, are also being increased.)
Money is the bottom line of the budget. But sometimes you need to think beyond just the last few pennies and try to build an Edmonton that’s more than bricks and pavement.
Epcor’s not paying the City of Edmonton as much, in dividends, as was promised for the Goldbar waste water treatment plant. I’m sure that was something people warned against before it happened…
Transit fares are going up (of course). But the real problem I have with the increase is the amount. Fares will be $2.85. Who carries dimes?
This is a new take on the NIMBY argument (not in my backyard.); the LRT can’t run through Chinatown on its proposed course because of bad Feng Shui.
After the jump we’re going to talk about healthcare. Because we don’t do that enough. (more…)
Ghost Mayors …on transportation
A historical satire by actors who did little research, from the EdmontonPolitics.com team.
We’ve got a mayor and council ready to create new LRT lines in Edmonton. We’re looking at some of the largest transit expansions in our history, and there are calls for more bicycle lanes. Clearly, we need to hear from a mayor that helped get us our LRT line and one that loves private automobiles.
In this forum:
Mayor Ivor Dent – The Commonwealth Games and our LRT system can be linked back to Dent
Mayor Matthew (Mat) “Warden” McCauley – Edmonton’s first mayor
Mayor William Short – One of the City of Edmonton’s first-ever car owners
After the jump you’ll find out what they think about all this hippy-dippy light rail transit… (more…)
Sexy citizens
Tonight, we offer you two options, Edmonton.
The earlier mentioned police town hall and LRT open house and, also earlier mentioned, Blue Revue.
If you go to the northeast town hall with the Edmonton Police Service (7-9pm) you can hear about crime and safety issues in that area of the city. You can also ask questions.
Over at the southeast LRT open house, you can learn about how the trains will get from downtown to Mill Woods. There are also question-times.
Or…you can get crazy and check out some Edmontonian-made porn.
I’m sure you will make an informed decision.
A smattering of Canada Day
Here’s a few things we got up to on Canada’s birthday.
FIREWORKS!
Did you find a nice spot in the river valley to watch the fireworks? Maybe you saw them down in Mill Woods?
Watching dogs run and jump through an obstacle course as part of the Canada Day celebrations at the Alberta Legislature.
Sometimes they slipped and flipped off course. But in a cute way.
And, of course, what’s a holiday without reduced transit service to pack the trains and buses?
Transit boss #3: "I'm telling you guys, nobody will use ETS on a holiday full of big events."
Do it
Although the “it” in my headline is really left up to you. But whatever “it” is that you choose for this weekend, make it fun.
Of course, some of you may be heading down the highway to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo. Say “Hi” to Spock for us.
It’s cool and rainy, so maybe something inside is just right for this weekend. How about something with lots of beer?
Also inside is the Edmonton Opera’s season-ending show, “Otelleo.” It’s Shakespeare’s Othello, but Opera-style.
Los Lonely Boys are over at the Winspear. But if that’s not your speed, how about a DJ set from TV’s Degrassi’s Caitlin and Spike?!
Now, let’s see what ShareEdmonton has to say about this weekend.
Of course, the Edmonton Poetry Festival is on. Poetry doesn’t have to be boring, check out some of the events they’ve got going. (I’m a terrible poet.)
Over at the Edmonton Expo Centre (at Northlands) you’ve got the Edmonton Ink Festival: The Tattoo & Body Modification Show.
I was talking about this in the Headlines this morning; the Edmonton Public Library is trying out an MP3 Experiment at Churchill Square. You download the audio file, head to the square, then everyone starts listening at the same time. I bet it tells you to do some wacky stuff that will appear odd to passersby. The EPL follows that up with an audience participation viewing of The Princess Bride.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Now prepare to die. (That I typed this from memory is impressive. Or the opposite of that.)
Saturday is Astronomy Day! Celebrate at the Telus World of Science with, uh, astronomy.
And if you like transit (And who doesn’t?) then you’ll already know the Edmonton Transit Service is hosting a Community Fair at Southgate and Century Park LRT stations. Those stations also officially open to the public. Finally, I have a reason (and a way) to get down to Century Park.
Transit nerds unite!
