Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- It may not be illegal, but it’s certainly unethical as far as I’m concerned: Envision Edmonton is paying “volunteers” to collect names for its petition. It shifts the reason for signing from supporting the campaign to supporting a worthy cause, like a community league. Oh, and to City Council, don’t be bullied into thinking you need to support a plebiscite in order to support democracy. That’s just ridiculous.
- Congratulations to local startup Empire Avenue on the big news: they’ve raised $200,000 in funding from a group of angel investors, including Boris Wertz, whose other local investments include Nexopia.
- Some election news this week: there’s confusion over the new provincial rules regarding the campaign contributions, and on Tuesday about 40 City employees took part in an election dry run.
- The Edmonton International Airport announced this week that a new 189-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel will open in the fall of 2012 at the northeast end of the airport.
- Groupon, the website that features a daily deal, is now available in Edmonton.
- Is an urban planning school coming to the University of Alberta? Apparently the U of A is the only major university in Canada without a planning school.
- The Communitas Group received a $481,000 federal grant this week to build an “eco-minded affordable-housing” project at 129th Avenue and Fort Road.
- Here’s a puff piece by Gary Lamphier on TEC Edmonton.
- Apparently the economy is taking a toll on local hotels, with occupancy rates dropping more than 6% since last year. The Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe was sold for $47.8 million this week.
- Fringe Theatre Festival fans can now find the best shows on their phone in seconds, thanks to a prize-winning entry in the City’s Apps4Edmonton competition.
- The Edmonton Journal’s two Capital Notebook writers are heading back to school!
- Happy 40th Birthday to Southgate Mall!
- For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
- FC Edmonton, which handily defeated the Victoria Highlanders 7-1 on Wednesday, is hosting the Spokane Spiders on Sunday at Foote Field.
- Looking for something to do for lunch on Monday? Check out Live at Lunch at Churchill Square.
- The Fringe, which started on Thursday, runs through August 22nd. Don’t miss it!
- I’m really looking forward to artsScene’s Summer Patio Party & Behind-the-Scenes at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald on Thursday!
- The annual Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival starts on Friday at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park.
- Next Saturday marks the 81st Run for the Daisies! The Canadian Derby runs at Northlands Park all day, with coverage on TSN starting at 3pm.
Another busy day at the City Market Downtown! Sharon’s 14th market report of the season is here.
