Edmonton Notes for 11/7/2010

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Goodbye, Edmonton Indy. That was the big news this week. Almost immediately an “anonymous business group” contact the media to say they were trying to save the race, but unless they’re going to pay for it, I think we need to let this one die. As Paula wrote: “That’s some $16 million in public funds to date — to subsidize an international pro sports event — with Octane holding out its hand for $10.2 million more from the city. And what exactly did we, the public, get for our money?” Here’s the official City of Edmonton statement on the issue.
• ETS is proposing a new automated stop announcement system, known as “Smartbus technology.” The $3.4 million program would be tried out on 50 buses. I think this is long overdue – let’s get it done!
• The City of Edmonton launched a new anti-racism campaign this week which itself has come under fire for being racist.
• Edmonton was recognized at the 16th Annual Communities in Bloom Awards last weekend, winning an outstanding achievement award and five out of a possible five blooms in the Circle of Excellence category.
• Merge Magazine is calling it quits after just eight issues.
• Since the Best Bar None program launched in June, 63 of Edmonton’s 330 pubs, clubs, bars, and lounges have applied for accreditation, and 38 have received it.
• There are more than 65 comments on the Q&A post with Bob Boutilier. Lots of great information on transit/transportation in Edmonton, don’t miss it. His team is wrapping up “the biggest year we’ve ever had in construction” – about $450 million will be spent this year on road construction.
• The first C-Line buses left empty from Century Park, but service picked up after that. Officials are happy with the start.
• Here is Sharon’s recap of the 20th Annual Chili Cookoff, organized by the Downtown Business Association.
• More than four months have passed since the house explosion in Lago Lindo, and only now has the City been given permission to start cleaning it up.
• Some good news for local development firm CrazedCoders – their games brand, Fluik Entertainment, has chalked up 841,000 downloads in the past six months.
• Jerry Aulenbach is the latest celebrity chef at Delux Burger Bar, and he launched his Double Bacon Foursquare Burger on Friday evening. Looks tasty!
• November is Shop Local First Month!
• “We are losing one of Edmonton’s serious power couples, who happen to be wonderful people to boot.” That’s Graham Hicks writing about Norm Lipinski and Lynda Steele, who will be moving to BC next year. Global says Lynda will remain with the station until the end of August 2011.
• Graham is getting a big sendoff himself!
• The City’s Office of Traffic Safety and the Edmonton Police Service are reminding Edmontonians to keep their heads up to help prevent collisions.
• Congrats to Edmonton-based Canadian Western Bank for being named to the 50 Best Employers in Canada for the 5th consecutive year!
• Great collection of Edmonton Street Photography.
• Do you know an Edmonton Police Service officer who goes above and beyond by volunteering in the community? Nominate them for the 2010 Top Cop Award by December 10.
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• The Cosmopolitan Music Society is hosting a concert tonight honouring our past and present Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
• Tomorrow morning is the 6th Annual Breakfast with the Guys, taking place at the Sutton Place Hotel.
• Farmfair International continues this week, with Canadian Finals Rodeo starting on Wednesday.
• There are walk-throughs of the Old Cycle Building on Alberta Avenue continuing through tomorrow.
• Tuesday during the lunch hour is the Reimagine Tower Renewal Summit.
• There are two open houses taking place this week on the proposed downtown arena – Tuesday evening, and Wednesday evening.
• Thursday is Remembrance Day of course, and the big Butterdome ceremony will start at 10:30 AM. You can find additional Remembrance Day events here.
• Next Saturday is an event called Literacy in a Resource Economy, benefiting the Learning Centre (I’m on the board). If you’d like to buy tickets ($25 each), let me know!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Beautiful sunrise from last Monday!

Phenomenal photo by Darren Kirby.