July 22 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to a rainy Friday, Edmonton.
A bunch of new apartments to be built in Edmonton, and the region, will include homes available for less than market value.
The Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership candidates began a tour of debates last night in Vermilion. Nothing crazy or outlandish happened, so take a peek through the story to start getting a sense of the people that would be premier.
Strange that I would mention that here, right off the top, where I usually have Edmonton news. Maybe there’s something in this story about the downtown arena and its snowball’s chances of provincial money. Speaking of paying for fancy things…
Police are trying to work with the Somali community to solve all of the homicides that population has suffered in recent years, including four this year.
Two Edmonton Police officers are under investigation after drunk driving charges were dismissed because a suspect was badly beaten during the arrest and police testimony left the judge feeling like there was a “circle of silence” from the arresting officers.
It’s the Indy weekend (I’m sure that you didn’t need a reminder), but what does the race say to the world about Edmonton? Does it say anything at all?
A man with Edmonton connections, and alleged tied to war crimes, is among the most wanted immigration fugitives in Canada.
Edmonton author Gloria Sawai – an award-winning author – has died.
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Are Ottawa and Alberta on the same page when it comes to environmental monitoring, particularly of the oil industry? Yes? Yes. Maybe?
As the newest Alberta oil spill is being cleaned up, National Geographic is setting its sites on pipelines that will run from the capital region to the B.C. coast. (I got the link to the National Geographic story after seeing a story in the Journal.)
A legal case about Metis and Status Indian registration, and living on a Metis settlement, went all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. Basically, you can only register for benefits once.
All of this rain has meant a rise in river and lake levels across Alberta.
A Sherwood Park man is fighting hundreds of millions of dollars in fraud allegations. Here’s a quote that stood out to me: “…his latest business was legal.”
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As mentioned yesterday, crime is down. In Edmonton. In Alberta. In Canada (there are some crimes that saw an increase last year though, but overall things are getting better). So, I’m sure you’re glad the federal Conservative government is getting tough on crime.
And I’m sure tonight’s news will have lotsa crime stories. But crime is down.
Hold on a second…I know my soapbox is around here somewhere…Ah, here it is.
This story and at least one more has begun with lines like “You might not believe it…” but crime stories in the news is THE reason people wouldn’t believe it. So, aren’t you saying you’re getting it wrong?
Here’s a better opening: “It might contradict everything we put in the news every day, but crime is continually dropping…”
This is the biggest reason I don’t link out to a lot of crime stories. They lack context. Homicides are about the only story that include references to how many have happened overall, if that’s up or down for this time of year, or over a period of years. That doesn’t happen with sex crimes, robberies, or many other crimes. That lack of context is what leaves people with a feeling things aren’t safe.
That’s not to say everything is perfect and I’d feel perfectly happy counting stacks of money out on every street corner or wandering around every neighbourhood at 3am, but without context people in charge – in neighbourhoods, in community groups, in government, in policing – don’t get to focus on real problems and prevention because they’re reacting to front pages and 6 o’clock news reports.
Jumps off soapbox.
Let’s end on an up-note: dinosaurs and celebrities!
It’s Sunny…go, go, go!
Yes, that blue stuff is called sky. It’s been a week or so since we saw it and it’s glorious.
Nobody will be happier to see thesun return than those who have been out in the rain (and mosquitoes) at the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival. It’s been going all week at Churchill Square, rain or shine. Now is the time for those of us fairweather festival goers to head on down and catch musicians, face painters, actors, magicians, human knots, comedians, jugglers and acrobats.
The Street Performers Festival runs through Sunday. And Friday and Saturday nights have special “late night madness” shows at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
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You know, speaking of sunny skies and things to do, it is Thursday. And Thursdays in the summer mean Latitude 53′s Summer Rooftop Patio Series. Tonight is a partnership with M.A.D.E and food from Elm Cafe. Thursday night hasn’t had it so good.
July 8 Edmonton Headlines
This rain is actually a nice prelude to our series final on ShawTV Sunday. You'll see.
What a turn of weather in Alberta! We’ve got rain here in Edmonton, but there are tornados and even heavier rain in other parts of the province. Let’s hope for a little sun to break through this weekend.
The mayor and police chief sat down to talk about homicides in our city. I’m not sure more police officers will stop most killings. In fact, I’m really sure more police officers won’t. But that will likely be the political fix to this. That and something to do with knives.
Mack’s got a good look at some of the stats behind our murders, including the fact we likely won’t set all-time Canadian records, and whether we’re actually talking about homicide more than usual.
If the old Walterdale Bridge may not stick around I’d like to see parts of it incorporated into the new bridge or Rossdale development. It also better mean those pedestrian and bike lanes open up nicely on the new Walterdale.
It seems public pressure to save the old Bank of Montreal building on Jasper Avenue is opening up options at City Hall.
The old Telus building at 104 and 104 should be an Edmonton neon sign museum by the end of this year.
Meet the new boss – at CFB Edmonton.
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You can now check out, online, whether provincially accredited child care programs are meeting standards. Or, I suppose, if they are even provincially accredited.
Yes, after workplace inspection after inspection finds multiple safety violations it is time for the provincial government to take further steps. I think it’s beyond the point in figuring out if some new rules or penalties are required; they are.
The Alberta government wants more help to fight off mountain pine beetles, which did pretty well through the winter thank you very much.
Who said this: “I actually lived without a car for quite a while and I enjoyed it.” Would you believe a Progressive Conservative leadership candidate?!
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Canada Post is dealing with a backlog of 40-million pieces of mail, the poor dears. Glad we got a pile of junk mail like two days after the lockout ended. Priorities!
Will we soon be picking up a bag of (U of A created) chickpea chips?
Summer Headlines
What's up with the huge mutant birds at the U of A?
It’s just about perfect to see a bright blue sky on the first day of summer. Now, tell that rain to back off.
The City of Edmonton’s got to get better at planning road projects. A new reports from the City Auditor says the way things have been done is wasting money, a mess of plans, and not transparent enough.
Did your basement flood with all of that rain that started last week? You are not alone. City sports fields are also closed because of all the water.
An Edmonton diabetes treatment continues to show good results, and is now growing in range.
The Edmonton Journal’s got a new summer series about living in the suburbs – called Living on the Edge.
Alright, before we commute back into the Headlines, let’s make a jump. (more…)
Rainy Rain, Rain Headlines
This puddle will be large enough to swim in by the end of the day.
Well, it’s sure not dry around here anymore.
But, after a few days of (seemingly) non-stop rain, it is staring to affect some lower-lying areas of Edmonton, and puddling up on other roads.
There are so many options on how to keep older schools open, even if they aren’t 100% used for schooling, as we try to fill-in our oldest neighbourhoods. One key will be the City of Edmonton, school boards, and Government of Alberta actually getting together to plan things out.
Our city’s 26th homicide of the year has the mayor trying to figure out how to keep people from killing each other.
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Alberta’s political parties are spending lots of money, but we don’t know what it’s going to. I bet it’s really good cheeses.
The Progressive Conservative leadership race, to be Alberta’s next unelected premier (you get a few of those in dynasty governments) is officially on. Edmonton will host one of the leadership debates.
You’re looking at an auto insurance hike this year. The final numbers won’t kick in until November.
U.S. and European organizations want an independent group to oversee the new oilsands land use plan.
Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein made an appearance at the opening of a park named in his honour.
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The federal government’s cabinet ministers have new powers today allowing them them to pull unsafe items off store shelves.
Canada Post isn’t back to delivering regular mail, but people waiting on government cheques should get those.
Canada’s western and northern premiers are meeting this week. Disaster planning and assistance, and selling to Asian markets, look to be on the agenda.
Paula Findlay is unstoppable. (Keep your Denzel jokes to yourself, Gregg and Sally.)
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I’m going to throw my two cents at Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau. He thinks the CRTC needs to regulate Netflix and YouTube to keep Canadians watching Canadian programs (and, I presume, American programs the big networks have spent so much money on). I think he, and all the media companies, need to produce Canadian programs to keep Canadians watching. Crazy, I know. Spend billions of dollars on homegrown productions, instead of Hollywood programming I can always watch on an American channel or online, and you basically force me to watch Canadian TV shows.
Artists tell rain to suck it; we’re not going anywhere
Now, I don’t want to be the one to SAY IT, because if I’m wrong I’ll get blamed – but it seems like the rain is finally starting to ease off. This is good news for lots of people, particularly Edmonton artisans who are lining the sidewalks down on Whyte Avenue for this weekend’s ArtWalk.
I must confess, I didn’t know you creative folks were so hearty. As I wandered around in the rain like a drowned rat, I was surprised/impressed to see how hardcore the people selling their wares were. Two ladies I met were stoically battling the elements, and were still in surprisingly good spirits.
This is Mandy Hauer and this is her first ArtWalk (are you kidding, Mother Nature? C’MON!). She specializes in oil paintings, particularly scenes of Africa - she says she was really inspired by a recent trip there.
You don’t see her artwork in this picture, because what are you crazy?! It was like the rainpocalypse out there! But she graciously uncovered some of the pieces she had for sale and they were really remarkable; you can see her portfolio online here, be her facebook fan, or find her sitting (hopefully in the sun by the time you get there) on the North side of Whyte, in front of MODEcor.
Mandy’s neighbour just to the East is Karen Loranger of Loranger Originals - who is also enjoying her first ArtWalk, despite the terrible weather.
Karen is a dental hygienist who describes painting as her passion. She paints mostly from her own photos, and many of her works are portraits and landscapes. She was prepared for both the elements (she has set up a sweet and surprisingly effective makeshift plastic tent around her work, which she graciously let me hang out in) and the ArtWalk.
“I brought like 35 paintings,” she laughed.
She also brought a very cool set of business cards featuring her work on the back – be sure to ask her for one if you stop by. And if you like the work you see here – in my stunning cellphone photograph – you can talk to Karen about her work via email.
See, Edmonton? I know the weather sucks, but Mandy and Karen are still out there having a good time – and we should too! Now I’m putting on my umbrella hat, garbage bag poncho and my duckies. I’ll see you guys out there.
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.
It’s storm time, buddy
The headline alludes to an inside joke. A laundromat inside joke.
But the storm rolling into Edmonton this afternoon is not a joke. It’s going to rain, again. Does it seem like we’re having more of these daily storms to anyone else?
So what you're telling me, is that this is the last blue sky I'll see today.
It was a rainy day in Pizzaville…
Look, we were going to tell you to take Angela’s advice and check out the pay-what-you can performance of Much Ado About Nothing, but it’s come to our attention some people are not going to brave this weather for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival.
So, open up a window, if it’s not pouring rain into all of yours, sit down with a hot mug of – insert favourite hot beverage here – and listen to that rain drench Edmonton.
Perhaps it will be a nice evening of quiet reflection for you.
The umbrella is mightier than the sword. (Against rain.)
As Monsoon Season in Edmonton Continues….
Yesterday I mused aloud whether anyone was actually coming out to the Street Performers’ Festival in this rain. Hats off to our new friend Trevor (follow him on twitter or check out his website), who did me a solid by providing evidence that street performers are, in fact, impervious to the rain.
In Case You Haven’t Noticed….
…it’s raining like a mo-fo.
‘Bout time. This picture comes from our good friend Lorraine, over in Beverly. Thanks muchly!
I, myself, took a stroll past Churchill Square this morning around a quarter to 12, because you know, Street Performers’ Festival, and it looked like a ghost town: (more…)
