Food Friday
I am hereby declaring this Friday – June 24, 2011 – Food Friday in Edmonton, Alberta.
Now I should tell you why. 
(more…)
Valentine’s Headlines
Faxes are still the best way to send Valentine's greetings.
We love you, Edmonton. Happy Balemtime’s.
The homicide involving Edmonton’s Somali community, and a police detective’s reaction is still a story. The acting police chief (miss you, Mike Boyd) has written a letter apologizing for the statements about a lack of help with the police investigation. This is going to be one of the rare times I agree with the only criminologist Edmonton seems to have and say that if police aren’t getting help from witnesses to a crime then officers are allowed to say that.
Speaking of homicides…what’s up with all the killing this year?
The Edmonton Energy is back, for a full season this year. Oh, the Energy is our basketball team.
There’s plenty going on today… (more…)
August 18 Headlines
Bah!
I bet some of these fine people would be more than happy if you wrote about their play.
You ever have one of those days where you’re all ready to do something and can’t help but be distracted? That’s where I am this morning.
I wanted to write about something news-related, and I’m sure I’ll get to it eventually, but my mind keeps coming back to the social media Fringe fiasco. (Which, I guess, is sort of news-related.
If you haven’t heard (you’re clearly not on Twitter or trawling Edmonton Internet for Fringe info), a local food blogger – and lovely person – also writes about theatre. She especially enjoys enjoyed Teatro La Quindicina.
Well, it sounds like at least one member, high-ranking at that, of the theatre group could care less about her enjoyment of their plays, her money, and her online reviews of their work.
Some may say this is what a reviewer has coming; vitriol from the reviewed.
I don’t quite agree.
Sharon Yeo is blogging out of passion and interest, she’s not being paid by a newsroom to review anything. She can take her money wherever she pleases. She can write about what she pleases.
People can certainly take issue with what she said, pointing out why she may be incorrect about a certain actor, the set, or something in the play, but to simply attack her (and then Mack, checking on authenticity of the comment) is no better than being a comment troll.
I’ve taken my share of angry newsroom phone calls, I’ve even had people upset with something I’ve written or said (here, and previously). To a small degree I’ll admit it can come with the territory of “media.” But it better be justified criticism, or you end up looking like a crank.
This, however, just sounds like a local business (regardless of arts grants, theatres need people in the seats) that doesn’t understand there’s not one or two “proper” places for reviews anymore.
The conversation that Sharon would have with people at the coffee shop or restaurant can now be taken to the Internet via blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and more.
Of course, what’s not understood by Jeff Haslam, the angry actor, is that he needs this conversation to put people in his theatre. Outside of the Fringe you’re pretty much stuck with theatre reviews and previews in the Journal, SEE and Vue. Newsrooms are stretched thin. They’re not talking about you on a regular basis. But people online can. They are.
Why not embrace the growing online conversation, like the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra or Art Gallery of Alberta does, by inviting some bloggers to talk about their events? Or, invitation aside, at least not attacking someone who would talk about what they’ve been up to, what they’ve seen.
That’s why I say this only is sort of newsy. This is more about the conversation shift that’s continually occurring.
from the Edmonton Journal:
Public debate should not be a mudslinging free-for-all (Where’s the fun in that?)
Airport lobby group keeps donors under wraps
Gov’t backs off on price of warranty (Remember earlier this week when it seemed like the government was kowtowing to some in the housing industry, well, now it’s just a little more obvious.)
Liberal report critical of oilsands development
Eco groups back First Nations call to protect boreal caribou
BioWare’s Mass Effect 2 available for Playstation3 in January
from the Edmonton Sun:
Motorcycle noise bylaw working, claim police
Bedbugs horror in Edmonton (I’m sorry, but the landlord can’t shirk responsibility on tenants bringing in used furniture. That’s a risk, and cost, of being in the business or providing homes.)
Massive train derailment near Fort Saskatchewan
Monster on way out (Anybody ever eat at The Motoraunt?)
from The Canadian Press:
‘Rethink Alberta’ group brings anti-oilsands billboards, ads to UK
President’s Choice Chocolate Chunk Cookies recalled, may contain metal pieces
from CBC Edmonton:
Viral meningitis cases rise in Edmonton
from CTV Edmonton:
New bill to make clear true cost of credit cards
Vigil aimed at raising awareness of abuse faced by people with disabilities
And I think everyone had the crashed CF-18 pilot who vows to fly again.
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!
