Edmonton Notes for 7/17/2010

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• The number of passengers riding ETS increased by 6.9% from January to May compared to the same period in 2009. The increase from 2008 to 2009 was just 2%.
• The City received 33 responses to the request for potential bidders for the City Centre Airport lands redevelopment project. About 25 of them were led by a local firm or include a local partner.
• Enjoy making videos? You might be interested in entering the Be Idle Free Video Contest, which is accepting submissions until September 30.
• Even though I don’t like them, I can understand why Council decided against doing anything about the sports figures along 118th Avenue.
• Council discussed a proposal this week to raise sewer and garbage rates by 6% next year.
• Here’s the Edmonton Startup Index for July.
• The City of Edmonton is reminding drivers to keep their eyes peeled for motorcycles this summer.
• Northlands launched the Monster Burger this week. The 1kg burger feeds six and will be available at Capital EX for $39.50. If you can finish it by yourself, it’s free!
• Sharon visited the Valley Zoo recently, and wrote a great post about it.
• Local social media startup Empire Avenue was featured in The Journal today.
• Production of eight one-hour episodes of the TV drama Blackstone began this week here in Edmonton. The series will premiere on APTN and Showcase early next year.
• Here are the winners of the Edmonton Stories Indy contest!
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• There are more than 30 ideas posted in the Apps4Edmonton contest!
• Next Friday is Red Friday. Wear red to show your support for troops based in the Capital Region.
• The July meeting for Emerging Business Leaders is on Monday evening.
• Portsmouth is in town to take on FC Edmonton on Wednesday evening at Commonwealth Stadium!
• The annual Capital EX Parade takes place late in the morning on Thursday (on ShareEdmonton).
• SkeptiCamp Alberta is happening next Saturday at ETLC (on ShareEdmonton).
• Friday is going to be a busy day. It’s the start of the Honda Indy Edmonton, Taste of Edmonton, and Capital EX!

City Market Downtown