Edmonton Notes for 7/10/2010

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• The new Capital City Downtown Plan was approved by City Council this week. It forecasts the number of people who live downtown will double from about 11,000 presently to 24,000 over the next 20 years.
• Also approved this week was the city’s first long-term people plan, known as The Way We Live. It’s a 10-year, strategic plan that sets directions, establishes priorities, and guides decisions about services that contribute to the health, safety and well-being of Edmontonians.
• ETS officially launched its new Trip Planner, Bus Stop Schedule Search, and Route Schedule Search tools this week.
• Olympic champion Kevin Martin is Northlands Grand Marshal for the Capital EX Parade and the Honda Indy Edmonton.
• The City is considering a proposal from Montreal-based Octane Racing Group to run the money-losing Indy race here in Edmonton.
• The first installment in a new Journal series called The Sweet Spot talks about Churchill Square.
• Jeff has another great election roundup at EdmontonPolitics.com.
• Great post from Chris on the debate that just won’t go away. I like his use of the word nostalgia when discussing the City Centre Airport.
• The city could mark the 100th anniversary of the Edmonton Public Library system by renovating the exterior of the Stanley Milner branch downtown.
• Planning a birthday party for your kids? Here are ten reasons to choose the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• Edmontonians will be able to pay for guaranteed parking at four LRT lots starting in September.
• Congratulations to I Heart Edmonton, one of my favorite local blogs, on a great first year!
• I have never liked the giant bat at 97 Street and 118 Avenue. It seems resident don’t either, and there’s a push to get rid of it and the rest of the sports streetscape features.
• Good article in Vue Weekly: Time is ripe for urban farms.
• Have some cool pictures of Edmonton? Send them to Brittney!
• Both Megatunes locations will close at the end of the summer. Stock is on sale for 25% off until then.
• The ongoing downtown arena saga was written up in the National Post today.
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• If you’re looking for something to do on Thursday evening, consider Latitude 53’s Summer Rooftop Patio Series!
• SOSFest is this weekend, and the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival started yesterday as well. You can see all festival dates and times here.

This Breyer’s truck was handing out free ice cream yesterday afternoon at Jasper Avenue and 103 Street!

The cooler, damp weather couldn’t keep people away from the City Market today!