Happy LunarNewYearValentine’sFamily Day
Before we go any further (do you love me, will you love me forever…) I just wanted to use this events-related moment to show you a couple of pictures of an event I saw at West Edmonton Mall last weekend. The Edmonton Table Hockey League was battling it out.
Let the tournament begin!
More difficult to score on than the Oilers.
Wow, this is looking to be one busy long weekend.
Sure, you’ve got all that stuff happening over in Vancouver, which will likely occupy some of your TV time but, hey, the weather isn’t the worst its been, it’s a long weekend and there’s lots happening in good old Edmonton.
In other good news, I’m getting some of these fun ideas from ShareEdmonton. You’ll especially want to hit up that website for all kinds of neighbourhood Family Day events happening all over Edmonton.
Let’s start with the most obvious, it’s Family Day on Monday. Not only does that mean an extra day to sleep in, it means more going on.
City Hall (and Churchill Square) and the Alberta Legislature will be open for events. City Hall’s event is part of the ongoing WinterLight festival. WinterLight is also doing something Saturday in Boyle Street Park.
As Sally wrote about earlier today, there’s a kid-friendly play at the Stanley Milner Library. You can catch it tonight, and there are two showings Saturday.
Maybe you want Family Day to be about looking into your family’s past. You can do that over at the Provincial Archives.
As for the Lunar New Year, you can check out the Year of the Tiger’s entrance at the Valley Zoo, Sunday, or in Chinatown. Firecrackers go off at 95 Street and 105 Avenue, Sunday afternoon. I’m sure there are smaller events around too, so check your local listings.
The Uptown Folk Club‘s having a WinterFest of their own. I bet there’ll be music.
Oh, if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day dinner, Mack and Sharon have some ideas. They’ve even peered into the menus and prices. Yes, things do get more expensive for this night out.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, the Valley Zoo is also offering same-sex speed dating. I don’t know how else you could blow away Edmonton stereotypes than with the civic government hosting this. Bang.
There’s also two nights of “Animal Attractions” for any couple looking to take in the zoo at night.
Whatever you do, if you’re thinking about taking the LRT, remember that there are some service disruptions this weekend.
See you Tuesday, but I’ll bet we’ll all be tired from this exciting weekend!
artsScene goes Jekyll and Hyde
While Mack D. Male has your best rundown on the party (of the summer?) last night, I do have to mention a few things about the artsScene Edmonton “Jekyll and Hyde Summer Party.”
Otherwise, Sally will think I’m just going to parties for no good reason. (more…)
What’s coming to Gariepy Block?
[Have I told you guys how much we love it when we get guest bloggers? And not just because it means we get to play Brickbreaker for like 8 extra minutes instead of working. Don't get me wrong, that's great - but it's so cool to see what you guys have to say. It's especially cool when someone like our buddy Mack D. Male contributes because, as he's proven here, he's quite the super sleuth. You're a regular Magnum P.I., Sir! - sally]
By Mack D. Male
If you’ve been downtown near Jasper Avenue and 100th Street lately, you may have noticed the signs – something is coming this fall:
I’ve done some sleuthing online, and I have some information to share. But first, it’s time for a history lesson!
The building in question is known as Gariepy Block. Here’s what the Edmonton Historical Board plaque near the front door says:
In 1893 Joseph H. Gariepy built his first frame building here at the northwest corner of Jasper Avenue and McDougall Avenue (100 Street). Later a three-story brick building was added just west of it. The telephone exchange was located on the third floor of this latter building. The C.N.R. also had the property under lease for a number of years. The Gariepy and Lessard Store is remembered as one of the outfitters that supplied Klondikers for the 1897-1898 Gold Rush. The block was replaced by this existing building in 1961.
Joseph Gariepy went on to play a prominent role in Edmonton’s history. He was a founding member and president of the Edmonton Board of Trade, and served as an Alderman on Edmonton Town Council in 1896. He died on July 6, 1927.
Now then, what’s launching this fall? Is it something that Joseph Gariepy would have been proud of? (more…)
