Edmonton Headlines
It’s another busy Thursday, here in Edmonton news-land.
Plenty popping up on the Edmonton City Centre Airport, the Heritage Festival and Big Valley Jamboree are in the news before this weekend, mosquitoes are arriving, plus Vue asks a question about whether we should change our poet laureate.
And St. Albert baseball diamonds are burning up.
Dig in.
from the Edmonton Journal:
MLAs, Enbridge join fight for Edmonton airport (This comes as the airports authority prepares to shut down one of the runways. Hey, how did everyone miss all the months of debate, days of public hearings, and city council vote on the City Centre Airport LAST YEAR? Also, maybe Enbridge wants to keep its name out of headlines, you know, what with its devastating oil spill in Michigan and all.)
Edmonton airport upgrade 25% under budget (This would be at the Edmonton International Airport.)
A question of dollars … gadzillions of dollars (Arena, Indy, and more questions from Dan Barnes.)
Historic Edmonton church saved from demolition
Money transfer scam targeting seniors
Giant robot dinosaurs stalk boreal forest
This bad news: Meat Loaf cancels Edmonton gig can be offset with this good news: Mickey Rooney coming to Sherwood Park
from the Edmonton Sun:
Heritage Festival goes 100% green, say organizers
City’s cat crisis (People are tossing cats like trash.)
‘Hope on the horizon’ for MS sufferers
BVJ to text storm alerts (Learning from last year.)
Holiday demand pumps up gas prices
from 630CHED/iNews880:
“Mini me” mosquitos invade metro
from CBC Edmonton:
MLA lured by money to delay joining Wildrose (Although, to be fair, if he’s using his Independent research budget up before jumping ship, it makes sense. If.)
School construction to last into fall (It’s not like schools have a calendar on when they are in session or not.)
St. Alberta baseball association faces $20K bill (They only set their baseball diamonds on fire.)
from Global Edmonton:
from Vue Weekly:
Citizen powered (Campus and community radio stations, like our own CJSR, are going to get a few government-mandated bucks.)
Disappearing act (What did happen to that study on the oilsands and water resources?)
Changing of the guard (Should we dump the poet laureate for a songwriter laureate?)
from SEE Magazine:
Arena deal does not add up (And Fish Griwskowsky wants Katz and Co. to know, For the record, downtown is not dead yet.)
One more day until the long weekend!
July 28 Headlines
This is just to prove to Derjis that I took more than yoga butt pictures.
Good day, Edmonton.
If you read nothing else today (but I know you read everything I link to) you should check out the 140 questions city council is asking about the downtown arena proposal from Daryl Katz and Co.
There are good questions, tough ones, pointed queries, softballs, bad questions, informed, mis-informed, and others. But it’s fantastic to get a peek into the process.
It’s also nice to see a few of the councillors asking Katz and Co. to prove the Oilers are losing money.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Can Edmonton afford the NHL Oilers? Peter Adler’s take (A good question. Maybe not one Oilers fans want to ask, but a good question.)
Airport lobby group booted from festivals (I wondered why Capital Ex let Envision Edmonton into the shopping booths. I guess they were allowed to handout information, but not chase people around for petition signatures.)
And a follow up to those two stories from Scott McKeen: Airport, arena issues tap into raw emotions (Read this one through to the last line.)
Walking maps connect residents, communities (Walking maps of Edmonton neighbourhoods are a great idea.)
Liberals call for investigation into lobbyist firm
An escape from the ‘drama’ of women’s prison (More art behind bars with Elizabeth Withey. You’ve been reading this series this week, right? If you don’t, the culture section just fills with more Brangelina and Beiber.)
Wagner bog a naturalist’s paradise
A quick side note about the Journal. It’s been like a bonanza of pop-up and rollover ads the last week or so. Ugh.
from the Edmonton Sun:
Wife’s plea cracked case (Andrew Hanon on the Teskey case, a case that’s been Edmonton news for a decade.)
Stelmach says survey are valuable (I love how the federal government is changing the Census because 40 or 50 people don’t like filling it out every few years. If I get 40 people to write a letter about how we hate paying taxes, will they make that voluntary too?)
from Metro Edmonton:
Feds commit cash to help keep kids safe (Safe from injuries.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Former north-side school becomes assisted living facility (At least it didn’t sit empty until it was just bulldozed.)
Downtown business cheer on arena concept (And an opinion: Seize the day: build a downtown arena)
Heritage festival marks 35th year with some big figures (I plan on going, for the first time.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Mason quashes coalition talk, mulls joint strategy with AB Liberals (Mulls! Also, it’s like progressive parties, and politicians, never want to lead this province.)
Versus reports decrease in viewers for Indy (But that’s why we’re supposed to spend money on the race, so people see Edmonton…)
PIN skimmer found at busy bank
from CBC Edmonton:
Legislature sheriffs start bike patrol
from CTV Edmonton:
Envision Edmonton tries to get mayor’s attention (If Envision Edmonton didn’t get their 79,000 or so signatures after the Indy, I’m not so confident they’ll get them at all. That, to me, was their big, and best, shot.)
Province to spend more cash on advertisements promoting oilsands (Fine. But don’t complain when people SEE the ads and lash out at the oilsands.)
from Global Edmonton:
July 27 Edmontin Hedlines
We are in the dog days of summer, Edmonton.
Not that it’s the hottest period, yet. Or that we’re expecting fall soon. No, the newsrooms have been quieter the last few weeks (except when Katz and Co. were at City Hall, or Maddox Flynn was off to New York), and today’s a good example of that.
Yes, it’s a slow news day.
But at least that means you can get through all of the stories pretty quickly, and get right back to not doing work in other ways.
*Jeff opens up YouTube in new Firefox tab*
from the Edmonton Journal:
Derby Girls’ racy website gallops into questionable territory (Northlands is trying to sell horse racing with T&A. And horses. It’s the fact I don’t know how your betting system works that’s kept me away, Northlands, not your lack of bikini girls.)
Northlands not key arena focus (Basically, if Northlands wants to pitch a revamp of Rexall or a new arena, Katz doesn’t have to play nice with them.)
Choosing creativity over self-harm (More on prison art, from Elizabeth Withey.)
Breakfast club taking new members (Edmonton is getting more Cora’s. I think it’s time to pitch them on a new breakfast sandwich.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Edmonton makes new roads from old stuff
from The Canadian Press:
Something fishy at Capital Ex (Catching and re-catching the same fish. At some point this week they’ll look up and say “Please just kill me.”)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
City councillors wants financing questions answered for downtown arena (If you think Don Iveson’s got questions, check the 140 that all of the councillors want answered.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Rexall Place has 24 health violations (ESPN also found it to be Canada’s worst pro-sports venue for food violations. Check that story for some really gross food misconduct.)
Dog owners irked by park’s storm pond
Big Valley Jamboree bolsters stage after death (Last year’s storm has left a legacy of improved stage set-up.)
from Global Edmonton:
New rules for veteran plates (Currently serving members of the military can get special license plates now.)
Edmonton’s July 26 Headlines
Zoom zoom.
Welcome back to the land of the working.
I trust you had a heck of a weekend, Edmonton. There was plenty to choose from.
—–
We interrupt this selection of Edmonton news for a rant of sorts.
Stepping in for Graham Hicks at the Edmonton Sun, Marty Forbes asks:
Forbes doesn’t know who the city’s next leaders are. Really? I know he’s just trying to solicit engagement from the newspaper’s audience, but the way this is framed makes it seem like he actually doesn’t know any of the city’s young, or up-and-coming, politicians, fundraisers, connectors, and business leaders.
How about Councillor Don Iveson? I suspect a few younger folks might land in City Hall or on the Edmonton Public School Board, watch those races. Mack Male was the face of a City Centre Airport pro-closure movement, galvanized by Internet communication. Cary Williams and many of the Next Gen committee-ers brought us Pecha Kucha and try to connect with, and retain, people under 40.
Forbes mentions Graham Hicks and Gord Whitehead, so how about Chris Scheetz at CISN, or media couple Ryan Jespersen and Kari Skelton? MLA Rachel Notley. Biz guy Chris LaBossiere. Those behind TedxEdmonton, Empire Avenue, and Seek Your Own Proof.
Geez, Edmonton Sun, you sound like you haven’t heard of any of these people or people behind these groups.
Update: Mack quickly fired off a list of 75 (75!) of Edmonton’s future leaders. He, rightly, points out that a lot of them just might not be found hanging around the old boys clubs.
—–
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming…
from the Edmonton Journal:
Sale of crack pipes on Alberta Avenue definitely legal. Too bad! (The efforts to turn around 118 Avenue continue. Then I’m reminded a convenience store by my house sells axes too…)
Discover the other side of the tracks (That’s my side of Whyte!)
Premier issues red-ink warning for Alberta next year
Release Alberta child welfare report: critics
Art keeps prisoners on a healing path
Thousands greet giant Jade Buddha
From the Calgary Herald: Alberta eHealth tab will top $1.4B
from the Edmonton Sun:
Ex-NHL owner disputes arena economics (Come on, Sun, it’s Monday. Can’t you let Daryl Katz start the week on a good note, run this story Tuesday?)
Tax watchdog sounds off on rink (And from the Journal, Katz taking cues from old Pocklington script.)
Councillors eye arena loose ends (We probably won’t have any firm details from city administration until fall, probably after the election.)
Chief begins winning over critics
Another health PR blitz, any minute now
Toddler survives three storey fall (This is one everyone’s got.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Hold power plant to its emissions vow: groups (After getting approval with one set of environmental plans, the plant’s looking to save money.)
Free life-jacket use offered at 2 Alberta parks
Canada’s Findlay wins London triathlon (That’s Edmonton’s Findlay.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Dixon wins Edmonton Indy after Castroneves was penalized (Is it weird to anyone else that you can’t pass an opponent in a race? It’s a race.)
Octane Racing confident it will steer Indy into the green (Well, they’ve got some of your municipal tax money to help with that.)
from Global Edmonton:
‘Vigil of hope’ for St. Albert couple missing for three weeks
Edmonton Blue Sky Headlines
We might get a lot of afternoon and evening thunderstorms in Edmonton, but darn if starting days with bright blue sky doesn't make it all worth it.
After days of arena stories we’re switching gears today and seeing more on the Indy. And that connects to stories on the City Centre Airport. Because I am the king of segues.
But don’t worry, there’s still an arena story or two for you. I know you need your fix.
This weekend is the Honda Edmonton Indy, and yes, the race is sticking around for another three years.
Now, with Northlands out as a the promoter the city was supposed to stop covering the red ink. But, just because Montreal’s Octane is in charge next year, doesn’t mean tax dollars won’t be pumping up the Indy.
Since we’re all still on the hook this summer, maybe you should buy a ticket and save me a few dollars on my taxes. They could use more people in the stands.
The race takes place at the Edmonton City Centre Airport and the National Post has seemingly uncovered a conspiracy to close the airport.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Rise of new arena should mean demise of Rexall: expert (Wait…is the “expert” just Daryl Katz?)
Northlands boss pleads for role in new arena (Please…please, please, please.)
Proposed rules for oilsands water-removal inadequate: FirstNations
Calcium plant face charges over misleading data
Edmonton airport ranking jumps (Totally efficient y’all.)
Sewer collapse on 118 Avenue reduces traffic lanes
from the Edmonton Sun:
Chief Boyd back in front of the cameras (No word on his illness. So I’ll just assume he was bitten by a radioactive spider and Edmonton has nothing to worry about in terms of crime from here on out.)
Government spokesman dies in crash
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Elementary education will return to Capilano
Hilton chain may move into downtown east
EFCL seeks funds to fix community halls (You know you’ve probably got a community hall nearby you can rent for events, right?)
Fast-track aboriginal expansion: Mandel (The mayor wants to see our city’s aboriginal history become a larger part of Fort Edmonton.)
from The Canadian Press:
Latest search in missing couple case wraps up (Still no sign of the McCanns.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Councillor confident arena-area developers will step forward (I’d really feel good about the Katz plan if he had developers asking city hall to approve the plan so they could build their hotel, casino, park, whatever…)
Downtown Edmonton Community League encouraged after arena meeting
Duckett plays down privatization talk
from CBC Edmonton:
Alberta oilsands tour woos U.S. legislators
Alberta researchers preserve live cartilage (Interesting medical news happening right here.)
Missing Edmonton woman urged to come home (There’s a new missing person case in the capital region.)
from Global Edmonton:
from CTV Edmonton:
A late addition this morning: Teskey to be deemed dangerous offender (That means he’s got no set release date from prison.)
from SEE Magazine:
We forgot to talk about beer yesterday. SEE’s got Suds in the City, a look at our three microbreweries. It ends up being the perfect set-up to the weekend though.
Edmonton Parade Headlines
Don’t forget about the Capital Ex parade this morning. Mostly because it will be causing some traffic delays in downtown Edmonton.
This ain't your daddy's hockey rink.
So…I don’t know if you’ve heard anything about the downtown arena and entertainment district proposal from the Katz Group. If you haven’t, then we’re about to school you.
The most interesting items include Daryl Katz now offering $100-million for the arena AND $100-million for the entertainment district.
Say, if we keep waiting does he just end up paying for all of it? Or, because we heard the Oilers will not play in a renovated Rexall Place, does he throw that money to another city?
If you are updated, this will be a chance to learn just a little bit more. Each newsroom’s story on the big meeting at City Hall is included today.
Arena-up!
from the Edmonton Journal:
Oilers owner commits $200M to arena project
Oilers won’t play at Rexall, Katz Group says
Non-threat helps focus debate (The threat that wasn’t a threat. And, more importantly, the Batman or Joker question.)
Katz takes crowbar to Rexall option
Early start to Edmonton LRT paid parking turned down by council
Court appoints caretakers for Alberta Soccer Association (What an example they’re setting for the kids.)
Tailings ponds pose toxic threat: report
from the Edmonton Sun:
Katz says renovated Rexall not an option
Tough to separate arena fact from fiction (The Hicks on Six take.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Katz commits ‘no less than $400M’ to downtown arena project (That includes the $200-million he’s spent on the Oilers. Not that $200-million for an arena and stuff isn’t a fantastic offer.)
from The Canadian Press:
Oilers owner Daryl Katz urges city council to help pay for new NHL rink
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Katz willing to double investment in arena district (At least one group isn’t pleased to hear about a levy to pay for the potential project.)
Honda Indy staying put (A new group will be running the race, not Northlands. Which should get taxpayers off the hook. Meanwhile…on runway 30 of the City Centre Airport…)
from CBC Edmonton:
Oilers owner pitches new arena to council
Alberta midway inspection flawed: U.S. Expert (Those who inspected the ride before it crashed are inspecting it after.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Oilers will not play in a “renovated Rexall Place”: Katz Group
from Global Edmonton:
from Vue Weekly:
To the poorhouse (Why not giving money to the homeless is just to relieve our uncomfortableness with the situation.)
The big party (The Alberta Party begins becoming an actual political machine.)
from SEE Magazine:
How many arena stories did you read?
Edmonton’s July 21st Headlines
Welcome to Wednesday, Edmonton.
If you’re popping in from Twitter, or just following another link, you’ll find downtown arena and entertainment district news in an earlier post.
It’s chock full of arena goodness. It’s also one of today’s biggest stories.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Edmonton Indy sponsorship up, ticket sales down (Quick, everyone buy a ticket so my taxes don’t pay for the race. Again. Today does happen to be a big day for the Indy too.)
New Grande Prairie hospital may shorten cancer wait times across province
Thousands of bees swarm Jasper Avenue tree (BEES!)
UN censors Edmonton artists’ sculpture
Edmontonian named North America’s top hairstylist (Has he ever cut your hair?)
From the Calgary Herald: Here’s an interesting little note, regarding the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. They’re selling off Alberta assets to pay for the cleanup.
from the Edmonton Sun:
Misconduct complaints up against Edmonton cops
from The Canadian Press:
New city in Alberta (Welcome, Lacombe.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Police seek clues on missing city woman
from CBC Edmonton:
Anti-panhandling campaign launched in Edmonton (Are you still giving money to panhandlers?)
Minister calls for mandatory daycare accreditation
from CTV Edmonton:
Canadian soldier killed by explosive device (He was based here in Edmonton. This Friday, you can wear red to show your support of all soldiers.)
Edmonton’s Edmonton News
What? Can’t a guy try to get into more Google Alerts?
After being inspired by K'naan this morning, I wanted a photo of something meaningful. Here's new life.
So, I was simply going to link to this story about our crime rate being down:
Crime rate, violent crime drops in 2009: StatsCan.
But then I was intrigued by the opening line of this story on the topic, from CHED/iNews. Read it, then come right back.
…
Alright. So that opening line would say that despite crime going down, and violent crime dropping, newsrooms are still pumping out the crime stories.
Which could, in theory, mean they are not covering stories that are more meaningful to us Edmontonians.
But, if it bleeds…
How about one more national story?
Bank of Canada raises key interest rate to 0.75 per cent (That’s probably going to mean something to your interest rates.)
from the Edmonton Journal:
Century Park LRT parking saves millions for Edmonton (Go Transit Go!)
Edmonton vows to fight elimination of long census (At first I didn’t know what this census story was all about. Turns out the long form, literally a longer form, that gets filled out by 1 in 5 Canadian households is going to change into a voluntary form. Which means we probably won’t get really accurate information about what’s up in Canada.)
Alberta shelved report on leaky houses
Oilsands media coverage not making big international splash: study (Sounds like this is one of those things we talk about a lot, but it’s not as big out there.)
Edmonton’s Fox Drive ramp to Quesnell Bridge reopened
from the Edmonton Sun:
City awaits Jasper Ave. feedback (Did you fill out the survey? I filled out the sruvey.)
Edmonton Hotels with Indy fever
Locals cast for horror flick (You’re going to be a star.)
from The Canadian Press:
Robotic dinos roar at Alta’s Jurassic Forest
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Liquor store locations under review (They can’t be within 500m of each other, but stores do want to be able to move.)
Hayter announces intentions for fall vote
from CBC Edmonton:
Chief Boyd returns to work (Back in the badge.)
Midway company probed for previous ride mishap (The same company will be running the rides at Capital Ex.)
2 arrests made in McCann disappearance
from CTV Edmonton:
Maddox can now have ‘normal life,’ mom says
from Global Edmonton:
Mayerthorpe fatality inquiry (Now that the court side of things is done, an inquiry can begin.)
Edmonton July 19 Headlines
Art-Walk is my favourite Edmonton festival that combines art and walking.
Good Monday to you, Edmonton.
Did you check out the Art-Walk, Street Performers Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, or anything else good-timey this weekend?
Maybe you were driving to something fun for the whole family and sped up in your excitement, only to see the flash of the red light camera behind you. Turns out, we love out photo-radar here in Alberta. A lot.
Oh, and I’m not sure you’ve heard anything about this, but there is some kind of billboard and ad campaign against visiting Alberta. Gee, I wish the news would cover that a little.
I feel I should also note that while I mentioned I would be doing breakfast-themed headline headlines, I forgot. So, I guess Sally wins.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Police arrest man in McCann disappearance (The search is over. Now we wait to see what, if anything, he’s charged with.)
Edmonton’s emergency shelter for immigrant women keeps busy
Edmonton Airport supporters say closure could cost $70M
Ceasefire called in Alberta soccer dispute (Alright, someone finally thought of the children.)
Katz has chance to create positive momentum (More on this week’s meeting between the Katz Group, possibly Katz himself, and City Council over here at the Sun.)
Rural Alberta falling through SuperNet (Where’s the Internet?)
Dishonest attack ads a growth industry in battle for hearts, minds
Free dentistry clinic has Edmonton smiling
Monster at the midway at Edmonton’s Capital Ex will add to your midriff (It’s only 1kg of beef. Only)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Edmonton council must get on track (…And turn the Indy over to Octane to keep the race running.)
American lawmaker embraces oilsands
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Parking rates keep going up (Well, that’s one good thing about not driving.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Man saves 8 after Alberta explosion
from CTV Edmonton:
Lucy protesters rally during zoo celebration
Life-changing surgery (Maddox is back in NYC.)
Enjoy the week, Edmonton!
And Happy Birthday, Adam Rozenhart.
Rainy Edmonton Headlines
Just another rainy day in Edmonton…
Who do we have to call around here to turn off the taps?
Alright, we get plenty of sunshine, and it tends to rain later in the day, or at night, but it doesn’t just seem like it’s raining more this month.
It really is raining more this July.
As if the long winters weren’t enough to make us wring out every last drop of hot, sunny weather we can get.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Katz may appear before council (If he shows up in a Batmobile, give him what he wants.)
Sober-minded arena report leaves me dizzy with questions
Woman’s agonizing death prompts cancer-care changes
President quits Alberta Liberals (You know how the Wildrose Alliance, and the passing of decades, was supposed to herald the end of the Alberta Tories? What if we’re actually going to see the opposition benches implode first?)
Alberta First Nations demand protection of caribou
Alberta soccer war: The balls’ in the court’s court (Won’t somebody please think of the children?!)
Scorpions owner hasn’t shown them the money (The Capitals are paying for the Yuma Scorpions’ hotel bill.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Older bikers growing safety problem (Motorbikers, that is.)
Edmonton Humane Society scrambling to find homes for cats
Fort Edmonton Park growing into a city gem (There’s also a note about Gord Whitehead retiring from CHED.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
STARS ambulance lands in neighbourhood (Some great photos here.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Alberta daycare closure unwarranted: parents (This one is getting messy.)
from CTV Edmonton:
Foul play suspected in case of missing St. Albert couple
Oh, and I forgot to mention it earlier this week, Canwest is no longer in the newspaper business. All the papers now belong to PostMedia Network Inc.
Edmonton Headlines, sunny-side up
History repeats: Prohibition comes to an end.
Ah, Thursday. When we get to say “Hello” to our old friends at SEE, Vue, and the Edmonton Examiner. Then we can forget about them for another week.
You know, I had an interesting thought not that long ago. I think I’ve even shared it with a few people. If printing newspapers continues to be an expensive task, and more news goes online, why couldn’t some of our dailies become weeklies?
We already have SEE, Vue, and the Examiner publishing once each week. If Metro became a daily, then the Sun, and the Journal, we’d have six newspapers to read every week. If the Sun and Journal banged out two issues a week, we’d have at least one paper to read every day.
And they’d be able to focus on what they do best, filling the actual hard copy of their publication with the most valuable, more in-depth stuff they could come up with each week. That is, they wouldn’t all cover all of the same stories all of the time.
Essentially, like SEE and Vue, they’d all become magazines of a sort. Just a thought to kick around.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Plan to reduce wait times for surgery falls short of goal
Rethink Alberta campaign riles Tories (I guess we could just start an ad campaign telling people not to go to the Gulf states. Or Edmonton could launch a campaign in the U.S. featuring our world-class waste disposal and the giant mall. That’s not dirty.)
Epcor boss answers his chief critic in spinoff of Capital Power
McCauley area loses some of its soul with demolition of St. Stephen’s Church
Soccer districts seek halt to ASA’s perpetual battle
Tims lures the buys of summer with custom ice cream (Ice Cream? At Tim Hortons?)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Airport land generates interest (People are interested in drawing up plans for a new neighbourhood.)
Indy deal needs council approval
If you’ve been around here for awhile you know why I’m linking to this one.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Councillor Connection (Ron Hayter talks about flooding.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Pedway improvements draw mixed reviews
from CBC Edmonton:
TV series ‘major shot in the arm’ for Edmonton
Internet luring conviction upheld by top court (Dateline’s Chris Hansen would be proud.)
from CTV Edmonton:
City reminds motorists to keep an eye out for motorcylists (For more City of Edmonton stories, updates, and news releases you can check our RSS feed at the bottom of the homepage.)
from Global Edmonton:
New arena could cost $5 a ticket (Going to an event at a new downtown arena, you could find your ticket helping to pay to have built it. But councillors aren’t sold on the arena plans just yet.)
from Vue Weekly:
Environmental fallout (Syncrude’s duck deaths and what it could mean. This is also a good time to mention that Vue is producing podcasts.)
Who was David Swann talking to?
from SEE Magazine:
We need more car-free streets – and one less airport
SOS Fest warms our hearts and our minds
Downtown living (There’s that party tent again.)
And in other news…the great beaver uprising has begun, in Red Deer…
Two Scoops of Headlines With Those Nutritious Flakes of Bran
(Thanks to Derjis for today’s breakfast-themed Headlines headline.)
Good news, everyone!
Daryl Katz is promising $100-million for the new downtown arena. Again.
Though, he wouldn’t say it’s necessarily again, because we all misinterpreted the first time he said he would put $100-million into the arena as putting $100-million into the arena. He, of course, meant $100-million into the area around the arena, the so-called entertainment district. Our bad.
Nevertheless, he’s now telling City Council he’s got $100-million with the arena’s name on it. You know, once City Hall figures out how to pay for the rest of it.
Oh, and he’d really like a decision soon. (I hear he’s got a good lead on some orange juice investments.)
from the Edmonton Journal:
Katz’s other rink project isn’t so cool
Bitter soccer association battle bounces from boardroom to court (I would have said that a “Bitter soccer battle headed into court.” Get it? Headed. Like when a soccer player hits the ball with his head. *cough* I’ll show myself out.)
Billboards warn Americans not to travel to ‘dirty’ Alberta (So, that’s not going to be to good for tourism. Right?)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Rain keeps workers busy, Edmontonians ducking for cover
Debut of Wildrose stomp (Sally would rebuke me if I didn’t zing this Wildrose Alliance song by linking to this campaign song.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Norquest’s printing centre gets grant (Time to print a paper version of the edmontonian.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Council approves 10-year plan to make city more ‘livable’
Reduce the urban burden (Higher taxes for the suburbs. Discuss.)
Fred Broadstock pool reopens with kid-friendly renos
from The Canadian Press:
Funding cut for Alberta school
from CBC Edmonton:
Edmonton retailers roll out plastic bag charge (Break out the reusable bags.)
Alberta couple’s disappearance devastates family
from CTV Edmonton:
Fresh Express romaine lettuce salad recall (Planting a garden is sounding better every day.)
from Global Edmonton:
LRT use climbs (Actually, ALL transit has seen an increase in ridership. I’m not surprised, people want alternatives. Don’t forget to watch the story to make sure they don’t use shots of transit from Vancouver.)
That’s a lot of headlines
It’s been one year.
One, glorious, fantastic, busy year of getting up earlier than we want, reading news instead of drinking multiple espressos, and compiling a list of Edmonton’s news each day that we think you should check out.
Let me know if it’s still working for you. What we can do more of. What you want less of. If you’ve actually read something you wouldn’t have otherwise read (which is really the secret goal of my daily sarcasm).
from the Edmonton Journal:
Stampede spirit shines stark light on bland Capital Ex (I like the idea of marketing more festivals as a package, a summer-long party. That might appeal to folks outside of Edmonton.)
Documentary on Fort Chip kids makes Toronto International Film Festival shortlist
Edmonton opera heads for New York City
Peace River stink has filled gov’t nostrils (I like the description in that headline.)
Finding political pay dirt a tricky chore
from the Edmonton Sun:
Edmonton moves ahead on animal control programs
Big boots to fill in the education world (MacEwan, NorQuest, and now NAIT is looking for a new bigwig.)
Alberta left-wing urged to unite (Now people just sound desperate.)
Edmonton Valley Zoo welcomes baby animals (This one is pretty much just for Sally.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Police watching over LRT in pilot project
Banff to cap fast food and visitor shops (Wouldn’t it be interesting to see something like this in one or two shopping districts in the city? Could it encourage new business, local ideas, original restaurants?)
U2′s new Edmonton date released (One year later…)
from CBC Edmonton:
Club has to meet conditions before reopening (Go, Public Compliance Team, Go!)
from CTV Edmonton:
Edmonton doctor suspended for having sex with patient
Police on the lookout for missing St. Albert couple
from Global Edmonton:
Health bonuses under investigation (The bigwigs get bonuses. And the Premier is asking why.)
For the rest of the week we’ll return to last year’s fun of naming our headline posts after breakfast items. Because Sally always thinks I’ll run out of delicious breakfast-themed ideas.
And it’s only fair, after talking about Lloyd Robertson’s retirement, to note who’s taking over the anchor desk at Global National. (They’ve both followed the U.S. network lead and put women into the anchor chair.)
Títulos del 12 de julio Edmonton
A lot of Dutch fans catching the World Cup final at Whyte Avenue's Elephant & Castle were soon to be disappointed when Spain won 1-0.
Whew!
Now THAT is how a festival city does a weekend! Street Performers, SOS Fest (more on that when I have like 3 more coffees), rafts, soapbox derby, Eskimos, baseball, and the World Cup Final. If you didn’t bump into a party this weekend you must have been hiding in your air conditioned basement.
Good stuff, Edmonton.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Edmonton sewer, garbage fees proposed to rise six per cent in 2011
Paid parking at Edmonton LRT lots could start in September (And since the LRT is now connecting us to more malls, which one if your favourite?)
Giant bat has struck out (I always wondered why a baseball bat was somehow an important fixture on 118 Avenue.)
Kids the losers in ugly soccer turf war
Alberta to look at U.K. model of health care (We’re never going to figure out which way to go.)
Duckett thanks staff for ideas with $500 prizes
Tories promise to reveal campaign finances
Slammed by grandson, storyteller Vern gladly passes on the torch
From the National Post: Katz cool as Oilers fans sweat (And back here, Mayor sends signal to Katz city has its expectations as well and Katz Group’s sense of entitlement won’t get arena built
From the Calgary Herald: Relief cash flows Tuesday, Stelmach promises flooded Albertans
from the Edmonton Sun:
Bissell celebrates 100 years of helping inner city
No bus stops on the urban liberal express (One advantage to trains and streetcars can be the fact they can run on electricity, not gas. I also think people can accept more buses, but the system needs higher efficiciency.)
The weird wizardry of budgets (No money for schools, more money for schools…huh?)
Wealthy Alberta a magnet for young criminals
Pine Lake 10 years later (It was hit by a tornado in 2000.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Jeffery-Heaney to run in Ward 8 (Hey, that’s my ward.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Edmonton cab drivers and dispatchers vote on unionizing
RCMP constable accused of murder makes court appearance
from CBC Edmonton:
Bar clientele a headache for restaurant (The patrons of the York and Mount Royal hotels gotta go somewhere.)
Missing Alberta couple were headed for B.C.
from CTV Edmonton:
Police start ticketing noisy bikers (Good. Good, good, good. Next up, dumb, loud cars and trucks.)
Oilpatch oversight confusing, frustrating: critics
from Global Edmonton:
Syncrude leak (While two workers were injured at Syncrude on Friday.)
And the Mayfair Hotel is no more. The downtown hotel has been being torn down the last few weeks and construction crews collapsed the rest of it Sunday. It got a little out of hand, spilling onto the street, but nobody got hurt and the mess was cleaned up.
July 9 Headlines
Good morning, dear Edmonton. Hope this heat isn’t melting all your fun.
Are you excited for the SOS Fest? We're excited.
I like that the petition to get the closure of the City Centre Airport on the election ballot is now a “I know you are but what am I?” between the mayor and Envision Edmonton. This debate needs to end just because we’ll soon be putting tacks on chairs.
Also, it should be noted to Envision Edmonton and supporters, democratically elected city politicians voting on what to do with airports is not a violation of your rights. If it was, I bet sitting councillors wouldn’t be looking like shoe-ins for the October vote.
Now…on with the show! This one’s for you, Lloyd!
from the Edmonton Journal:
Health executives take home $5.8 million (They are worth every single penny.)
Alberta pledges $188M for homeless
Coalition battles Alberta-wide water market (Our water is not for sale. Or is it?)
Police ask for help to find missing man
Edmonton’s Dynacor Media wins in New York
from the Edmonton Sun:
Thankful Edmonton musicians want to ‘give back’ (It’s time for the SOS Fest!)
Feds eye cellphone storm alerts
Massive bust doesn’t put dent in drug trade (Why, just this morning, a drug lab exploded.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Panhandling plan gets mixed reviews
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Licensing your pet could get easier
Mandel questions Envision Edmonton over municipal airport (The signatures continue to be gathered to put the question of closure on our October election ballot.)
Royal Glenora pool opens with fundraiser
from CBC Edmonton:
Police Taser complaint probe ‘inadequate’ (It’s just disappointing when police don’t follow through on investigations.)
Jasper Avenue phone booths neglected (This story has what is probably one of the better opening lines.)
Extra eye surgery contracts signed
from CTV Edmonton:
City looks at plan to reduce number of animals euthanized
from CityTV Edmonton:
Martin makes Grand Marshall (The gold medal winning curler will lead the Capital Ex parade.)
And in the news world…CTV’s Lloyd Robertson is stepping down.
Battlefield Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton.
I watched Battlefield Earth last night.
Ugh.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Region unites against bitumen exports
Winter takes toll on pine beetle
Swann’s trumpet call for foes to join forces falls flat (Sharing is for suckers.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Edmonton Indy on Octane? (Do we have a new race promoter? Could taxpayers be off the hook, next year?)
from Metro Edmonton:
Province launches grant for organ donors (Will some cash help you donate?)
from The Canadian Press:
Province to cover teachers’ pay hike
Prentice says there is support for Alberta/Texas pipeline (The Premier is asking for a little Clinton help.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Albertans pay HST (You thought you’d get away without paying.)
AEG feels disrespect from mayors comments
Mandel returns from Shanghai (And he’s got a little buddy he’s only calling “Short Round.”
from CTV Edmonton:
New arena downtown, major reno to Rexall — is there a third option? (As we heard yesterday, there could even be a fourth option.)
And we got our new Governor General!
from Vue Weekly:
That’s the way the city crumbles (Protecting our older buildings. Or not.)
from SEE Magazine:
Stabbing was a shock – But sadly common (Can this weekend’s SOS Fest help give Whyte Avenue a clean start from the drink and fight, drink and drink and fight crowd?)
You know, speaking of SOS Fest, we’re going to be all over that. Like, really all over it. So, let us know who we should check out. If you’re going to be around help us out with some photos and band recommendations/reviews.
Edmonton’s July 7 Headlines
My, those are the strangest bicycles I have ever seen... I bet you wouldn't just dump your wheelbarrows in somebody's parking spot.
Today was the first day I biked to work. It was a great morning for it, with that clear blue sky and gorgeous sunshine.
I think I’ll make a habit of biking to work this summer. It’s something I’ve thought about before but never really put into action. This will be the summer I do it! (Probably.)
from the Edmonton Journal:
Survey hopes to shine light on ways to improve Edmonton’s Jasper Avenue (I took the survey. There were a bunch of urine questions.)
Who will pay for facility a mystery
City Centre Airport is dead. Let’s move on (You’d think we could. You’d really think that.)
Legislature grounds a sizzling summer getaway (Sally would live at the Legislature all summer. If it didn’t make her a hobo.)
More Alberta students study online for degrees
Alberta Liberals plead for allies to topple Tories (Help! They need somebody. Help! Actually, they need like 60 somebodies.)
Smell sickens Peace area residents
Edmonton sex offender, 87, deported
from the Edmonton Sun:
The Oilers aren’t going anywhere (Graham Hicks says Katz won’t go to Hamilton. But might move the Oilers to the River Cree Resort and Casino.)
Edmonton announces special absentee ballots for civic election
Heavy garbage a no-no (Stop trying to throw out your old bowling balls.)
Premier Stelmach defends 56K Washington Post ad
from the Edmonton Examiner:
SOS Fest gives fans a reason to shout out (This is going to be a great weekend of music, music, music on Whyte Avenue.)
from The Canadian Press:
Alberta to Texas oil pipeline proposal (Conservationists don’t like it.)
Do-not-call fines total $73,000; only $250 collected (You are reading those numbers correctly.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
City offers clean cash for energy efficient washing machines (Get your rebates!)
Largest co-ordinated marijuana bust in Alberta history
from CBC Edmonton:
Stelmach dismisses duck trial sniping (Some Conservative cabinet ministers are saying the dead ducks are overhyped and that Syncrude isn’t to blame.)
Happy anniversary to Jamie and Rhonda. And all you other 7/7/7 weddings!
What’s the deal with Edmonton?
Hi Edmonton, I’m Monday.
I’m rainy. Now I’m sunny. Nope, raining again. Here’s like 47 seconds of hail. Now it’s blue sky.
What was up with that yesterday? What a wacky bit of weather. It really proved that old adage about waiting five minutes for the weather to change. Made it tough to know whether I should have kept the jacket on or not. And had my umbrella ready.
I blame Josh Classen.
Also, what does an Edmonton guy have to do around Edmonton to get into some Edmonton, Alberta Google Alerts?
from the Edmonton Journal:
Busier LRT a healthy sign (Darn tootin’.)
Lack of information costs students grants: survey (Does anyone understand paperwork and grants?)
Library centennial may help upgrade
Megatunes record chain closing (At first I was kind of sad. Then I remembered that Megatunes could have adapted to changing music consumption. Or perhaps closing is that natural evolution.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Give to shelters, not beggars: Province (Always a good rule.)
Province missing targets on crime, despite millions: Report
Remarkable young Albertans recognized
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Search for missing woman intensifies Sadly, there appears to be an update to this story: Body found in ravine believed to be missing woman
from CTV Edmonton:
Northlands revisiting plans to renovate Rexall (And things just keep getting weirder and weirder.)
from Global Edmonton:
Housing market (High prices, low sales.)
Edmonton Edmontonlines
I had a great time at the Sportsdome, Saturday night, taking in E-ville's big Canada-U.S. roller derby game.
Good Edmonton, Edmonton.
We grabbed some tasty Edmonton breakfast at Edmonton’s Route 99 Sunday and talked with our good Edmonton friend Gregg Beever about search engine optimization (SEO) a little bit. I’m not saying, Edmonton, that you’ll notice any changes around this Edmonton website. But Edmonton, Edmonton and Edmonton.
—–
It seems they’re talking about Alberta oil more and more south of the border. Even Premier Ed is taking out expensive ads to talk oilsands. Meanwhile, cabinet ministers are saying the Syncrude duck deaths are being overblown.
And what would the news of the day be without news of Daryl Katz and arenas near and far? It would be a day not in Edmonton, or Hamilton.
Probably 300-400 people were out to see the E-ville Dead beat Seattle's Rat City Rollergirls.
Oh, and the University of Alberta is beginning its budget cuts. First up is to get rid of phones.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Higher taxes makes dollars and sense (You pay, you get stuff.)
Senior police settle wage deal
Inner City High must find new home in a hurry
‘We are the community,’ Northlands boss insists
And a few on environment and nature with a Backyard Edmonton beekeeper stung by ban, Environmentalists see risks in allowing Leduc gravel pit, and over in Sherwood Park, a Neighbour not told about new CN rail yard.
Also in Sherwood Park: Business park that silenced skeptics set to grow.
The Journal has now completed one year of the best of Edmonton. Check out the 52 reasons to love the city.
Alberta pioneers celebrate Arab heritage
What went wrong at Cougar Rock? (Now it’s time for the blame game.)
from the Calgary Herald: Alberta nurses contract touted as salve for health care (They’ve got a deal.) And 40-year transport plan paves way to future.
from the Edmonton Sun:
Hilton hotel eyed for inner-city Edmonton
Mayor Mandel has a challenger (He certainly does. On paper.)
Eatery for pooches popular (I actually didn’t know we had a dog deli.)
from Metro Edmonton:
Time to look in the mirror Edmonton
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Jasper Avenue nightlife survey (Do you like the nightlife?)
City ponders smart cards for transit
Arrest made in west end home attack (Most of the newsrooms have this story on a 92-year-old woman being robbed.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Edmonton group opposes airport closure (They’re arguing people will die if the City Centre Airport closes. I’m sure they’re the same group protesting the Indy, since a race shouldn’t take precedence over those precious, life-saving runways. What? That protest doesn’t happen? Oh, I forgot, there are no emergencies requiring medical flights to Edmonton during the race.)
Alberta’s Hwy. 63 needs emergency plan: official
Crash at Edmonton bus stop injures 4
from CTV Edmonton:
Edmonton activists demand inquiry into G20 arrests
from Global Edmonton:
Indy tickets sales down (This could mean another taxpayer bailout.)
from Vue Weekly:
Watering down legislation (Our deregulated energy market opened wide July 1. Is water next?)
And while it’s not really Edmonton, this note about Black Press buying up newspapers caught my eye. Black Press already owns the Red Deer Advocate, Red Deer’s daily newspaper. Now they’ve bought the Red Deer Express, the city’s weekly newspaper. Throw in the Canwest closure of RDTV and you’ve got truly dwindling editorial voices in Alberta’s middle city.
Also interesting in the news realm, The Canadian Press appears on the verge of ending it’s co-operative model. It could be teaming up with CTV Globemedia as a for-profit news provider. It’s been a source of news, as you might find in these daily links, for most of the country’s newsrooms. Canwest and the Sun chain jumped out of the cooperative in recent years and that’s hurt the non-profit’s approach.
End of June Headlines
School is out, suckers. And now “School’s Out” is stuck in my head. Why do I do this to myself?
And of course, a number of Edmonton Public School Board schools are out forever because the EPSB says they’ve got to go.
Continuing with our Oilers/Katz vibe from yesterday…The Daryl Katz empire is indeed expanding beyond pharmacies, real estate and ownership of sports teams, it’s looking into managing sports and entertainment facilities. First stop, Hamilton, Ontario.
Hamilton’s been in the sports news in recent months because another billionaire, Jim Balsillie (of the BlackBerry) has been trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and thinks Hamilton would be a nice place for a new Canadian NHL team. Katz and crew operating the arena (Copps Coliseum) might bolster those hopes and dreams.
Now, the Katz co. has come out, after the news was officially announced, and said this has nothing to do with the Oilers. It’s not a veiled threat to set-up a potential place to move the team, it’s just an expansion of business interests.
I think, just like the team had to actually come out and say that Joey Moss’ lifetime contract was intact, after they fired people left and right, it says something that you need to come and say this. Since Katzy (Can I call him Katzy?) is trying to build a downtown arena and entertainment district here in Edmonton, and it’s not gone according to plan, it sets some people off to see him looking at arenas in other cities.
Ah, sports and arenas, never a dull moment.
By the way, the Oilers continue making moves with their roster. And the Katz Group has been invited to City Council’s July 21 meeting.
Also today, the Alberta health budget gets shot in arm (It’s going to help seniors and emergency rooms. Though the NDP doesn’t think it’s really explained how it will help.)
from the Edmonton Journal:
Solving winter dilemma is an all-season project (What to do about all our winter.)
Substitute pilots leave local trains unsafe: union
The Calgary Herald has been providing some really interesting, important, stories on Alberta workplace deaths. Now, the Employment and Immigration Minister is ready to start naming names of the worst, most unsafe, places to work.
Butterflies are early warning system for climate change
High cost of Energy KOs playoffs (That’s too bad.)
from the Edmonton Sun:
Controversial road project stalls
City resurrects cemetery tours (It will be helpful in the efforts to watch for zombies.)
Escort sting nets $90K in fines
from Metro Edmonton:
Extra police out for Canada Day events
from CBC Edmonton:
June 29 Edmonton Headlines
Out for a walk yesterday afternoon I came across a nice, colourful, patch of the river valley.
Aren’t these mornings just fantastic?
I mean, it’s sunny, not too hot, just great weather. And a great way to start the day.
One bit of interesting news today on the Oilers/arena front, first from Sportsnet last night, has the Katz Group’s sports and entertainment holdings in talks to take over Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario. Let’s hope this is just an expansion of the Katz sports empire and not a place they could threaten to move the team.
from the Edmonton Journal:
City speeds to find Indy promoter
Garlic mustard weed on the loose (This little plant could really F things up.)
Duckett comments out line, say lab techs, paramedics (We’re supposed to hear about the healthcare budget today.)
Forgotten aboriginal children will be honoured
Marauding young men can put quietest neighbourhood on edge
Alberta Liberals still mulling how to work with NDP (Mull! But seriously, it sounds like we might here something in the next month or so.)
Alberta nearly out of space for its wild (One group bought a little spot.)
From the Calgary Herald: Alberta rejects claims it’s soft on workplace safety
from Metro Edmonton:
Lilith artists have ‘something to say’
from The Canadian Press:
Third man charged in murder of foreign worker
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Alberta sees increase in high school grads
Liebovici wants a tree planting day (Do you want in on that action?)
EPS appeals for publics help in old murder case (It’s a cold case from 2006.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Alberta police watchdog under investigation (Who will watch who watches the watchmen?)
from CTV Edmonton:
In Edmonton education, the Catholic School Board postpones budget and students are saying goodbye to schools being closed by the Edmonton Public School Board.
Edmonton’s police chief released from hospital
from Global Edmonton:
Anthony Henday construction is on schedule
from CityTV Edmonton:
It’s a Gold Medal/Military Extravaganza
Accused WCB Hostake-Taker on his own (He’ll be defending himself. Because that always works out well.) In other crime news, there’s going to be a psychological assessment of the man guilty of beating Edmonton bus driver Tom Bregg.
Now, while that Calgary Herald story about Alberta being soft on workplace safety was too important for a joke, I do want to joke that it appears the Herald is soft on reducing red eyes in pictures. Even my simple little Microsoft Office Picture Manager lets me eliminate those devil eyes. It’s fun too, because it gives you a little eye icon to place over the red.
Monday Headlines
It's going to be interesting to see how these car casts turn out.
It’s Monday everybody! And it’s a short week, or a weird 3-days on 1-day off 1-day on week. Any way you cut it there’s probably a day during the week you’re sleeping in and that’s pretty sweet.
Unless you sleep in all the time, then it’s just a regular week. But with Canada flags and fireworks Thursday.
If you paid even a little bit of attention to news this weekend I bet you heard something about a little conference in Toronto called the G20. Yes, leaders of 20 countries gathered in Canada’s largest city for a summit. Protesters rallied. Some goons took it too far.
Here in Edmonton, newsrooms localized the police and protester story by finding Edmonton police and protesters in Toronto.
from the Edmonton Journal:
The heady rush of celebrity that surrounds a city councillor
Catholic schools threatened if Bill 44 opting-out rule enforced
Ham operators dial into crisis
Edmonton Olympian shares special day with fundraiser for blast victims
New commanding officer welcomed home at CFB Edmonton
From the Calgary Herald’s in-depth look at worker deaths in Alberta is this piece on deadly roads. Also from the Herald: Alberta tapping new market in China (A new tourism market for our province.)
From the National Post – Alberta doctors win right to free speech
from the Edmonton Sun:
Somalis celebrate in Edmonton (It’s Somali Canadian National Week.)
Mountie killed in Alberta crash remembered
More than $50,000 up for grabs in Edmonton apps contest
from Metro Edmonton:
Another step forward (All about where we’ve come in two years with transit.)
from 630CHED/iNews880:
Canada celebrates right here in Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium will host a celebration of our gold medal winning hockey teams and the military tonight. Meanwhile…the city is considering a $300,000 statue to commemorate our military.)
from CBC Edmonton:
Health-care wage freeze in works for Alberta
Syncrude verdict encourages Fort Chip residents (Syncrude was found guilty in the duck deaths on Friday.)
Edmonton businesses use more security dogs
No building code changes after music fest tragedy (But they’ll be on hand for the construction of this summer’s Big Valley Jamboree stage. To what end if there’s nothing new or different for organizers?)
from CTV Edmonton:
Alberta’s Wildrose Alliance edges to political centre (And Graham Thomson says Wildrose policies confusing to voting public)
Group wants fate of City Centre Airport put to a vote (Envision Edmonton was out at Airfest gathering signatures. I’ll be they’ll be back for the Indy.)
Canada’s population surpasses 34M in first quarter (But here in Alberta we only saw a few new people so far this year.)
Maddox headds back to New York to meet with doctors
And finally this morning… Of course, the word boner caught my eye. I’m so immature.
Western Canada Fasion Week has a presence at The Works.
New Era Headlines
So, here’s what I’m picturing for tonight’s big NHL draft.
Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini walks up to that stage, the cameras are live, he leans into the microphone and says…”With the first pick of the 2010 NHL entry draft, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select…pass.”
And then he just walks off the stage to shocked gasps. They don’t need no stinkin’ first overall pick! They’re doing just fine, thank you very much. Didn’t you see they “promoted” Pat Quinn from co-coaching, and fired a lot of training staff? Tamby’s got this under control.
I’ll actually breath a sigh of relief if he just chooses one of the two best players. (Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin, in case you haven’t been inundated with draft info.)
Anybody going to the draft party at Rexall tonight?
Over at the Alberta Legislature there’s lots going on. A New riding gives Edmonton additional MLA (Sadly, votes in smaller, rural ridings will still count more.) While the Province’s fiscal report shows $1B debt (That oil money is dragging us out of the red. Again.) Graham Thomson has thoughts on these two reports. Rick Bell thinks the timing of the money update is tied to this weekend’s Wildrose conference.
Speaking of that conference, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Guy Boutilier is jumping over to the Wildrose Alliance, as was predicted. iNews880 (630CHED) won the race to the Internet with the story: Former Progressive Conserative MLA joins Wildrose Alliance. I certainly saw this story tweeted from people in other newsrooms late last night but I guess nobody was minding the websites.
Meanwhile…over at City Hall…a new City report looks at ways to enliven Edmonton’s Churchill Square And, of course, since it’s summer, in festival season Churchill Square comes alive.
from the Edmonton Journal:
‘Culture clash’ keeps council, Katz apart on arena
Alberta Metis expect to win hunting fight
Alberta director shakes province’s bad rap
Stormy relationship at centre of Edmonton house blast
from the Edmonton Sun:
Censored government documents anger AUPE
Woman admits to texting-driving death
from Metro Edmonton:
Leave judging for courts (Always a good reminder to not judge a book by its cover.)
from The Canadian Press:
Dead oilsands ducks made few ripples with industry (Surprised?) And don’t forget, today is the day we’re supposed to have a verdict in the duck death trial. I’ll update with a link once the judge rules. UPDATE: Syncrude was found guilty.
Emergency call ignored during southern Alberta flooding (Hi, this is the RCMP. What’s that Geoff? Oh, the floods are cutting off the roads? Sure they are. Yup, I’m writing this down…uh huh, we’ll get right on that…)
from Global Edmonton:
For rent (Office vacancies in Edmonton are up, so rents are down. Time to get a blog headquarters.)
from SEE Magazine:
City ponies up (I have shopped in each of the city’s business redevelopment zones. I’ll tell you about that some time.)
Edmonton’s June 24 Headlines
I saw this guy yanking on a rope, and then realized he was pulling that giant red thing. Yes, those are technical construction terms.
Good day to you, Edmonton.
It’s tax day (sort of). Edmonton City Council got its first look at next year’s budget. It appears we’re on track for 5% tax hike for 2011. But it doesn’t sound like the first look at the 2011 budget went over well with all the councillors.
And, of course, administration is talking about raising transit fares, again. Why would they ever start putting up tolls to make drivers pay the cost of transportation? I secretly think the goal of Edmonton Transit Service is to get us to buy cars.
On related, transit, notes, there’s supposed to be hundreds of millions of dollars coming our way. And city council doesn’t think you’d take a bus ride from the Centruy Park LRT station to the Edmonton International for a few bucks. Methinks they underestimate my cheapness.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Alberta Education releases changes to Guide to Education
Think Travel Alberta knows Edmonton? Guess again (I don’t think I know everything there is to know about Alberta. But I do know that if a journalist is calling for an interview I’m going to find out. Or put someone on the phone that knows.)
Edmonton International has the potential to spin off a city-within-in-a-city
The Journal has some new details on that house explosion, which continues to be suspicious (Side note: Will it hurt when Global TV can’t just use Journal stories, after the company is split?)
And from the Calgary Herald (and the front page of today’s Journal) this in-depth look at workplace deaths.
from the Edmonton Sun:
Cops bust fraudulent gun licence operation
Huge send-off for Gary McPherson (He was a great Edmontonian.)
Court rules laser misuse hazardous (Those eyes in the sky need their eyes.)
from the Edmonton Examiner:
Community workshop gets kids into the garden
There’s more to policing than donuts
from 630CHED/iNews880:
West Edmonton Mall whale goes missing (The whale is gone!)
from CBC Edmonton:
Province to fund 3,000 continuing care beds
from SEE Magazine:
It appears SEE was updating its website, or forget to post news stories, when I checked in today.
And things really went to hell in Ontario yesterday. They had an earthquake, centred about an hour north of Ottawa and my old hometown of Midland got knocked around by a tornado. A tornado!
