Edmonton Notes for 10/3/2009

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Lots of great information on Edmontonians available in Who We Are: A snapshot of Edmontonians.
• David Berry wrote about Edmonton Next Gen in Vue Weekly this week, just in time for last night’s Pecha Kucha. It’s a pretty good overview and highlights some of the challenges facing the group.
• The City has more than doubled the funding available for community groups to create new parks or enhance existing sites through the Neighbourhood Park Development Program.
• WestJet announced it is launching non-stop service between Edmonton and Maui, Hawaii beginning next year. Flights run Fridays and introductory one-way fares start at $369.
• A new report says that U-Pass fees may rise because costs are higher than expected.
• City Council voted on Wednesday to delay closing the first runaway at the City Centre Airport until after the 2010 Rexall Edmonton Indy and Airfest 2010.
• Over 25,000 people took advantage of Free Admission Day last weekend!
• The Edmonton Public Library is running an online perception and personality survey. Fill it out for a chance to win some great prizes!
• MyStops, the awesome iPhone app for Edmonton Transit demoed at our last DemoCamp, is now available in the App Store. Speaking of ETS, they recently completed upgrades to the ETS Control Centre.
• According to the latest Tracking the Trends report by the Edmonton Social Planning Council, Edmonton is facing a decline in social well-being. Most of the gains that were made during economic boom times have been lost.
• Edmonton and Strathcona County are teaming up to build a new biofuels facility at the old Cloverbar landfill. Waste heat from the plant will be transferred to the community energy system in Strathcona County.
• I came across this commercial for the Castledowns Bingo this week, and couldn’t believe my eyes or ears. Watch at your own risk!
• The province is starting its regular flu vaccine program on October 13, with H1N1 vaccinations to follow in November.
• Tomorrow is Homeless Connect! I’ll be there all day. Also taking place is the CIBC Run for the Cure, so watch out for detours and delays downtown.
• EdmontonTweetup6 is taking place on Tuesday evening at Ceili’s Irish Pub downtown. Hope to see you there!
• For more events in October, check out Sharon’s excellent roundup post.
• Next Saturday is the final weekend for the City Centre Market – don’t miss it!