My Edmonton Etcetera blog got a little more official this week, with a new domain name: http://edmontonetc.ca/ (Tumblr has been experiencing downtime today)
Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- Edmonton Public School Board trustees voted 7-2 in favor of a two-year moratorium on school closures. The motion was introduced by vice-char Sarah Hoffman.
- I think a lot of people in Edmonton were feeling pretty good about themselves, after a very successful Grey Cup. Here’s a cool time lapse video of the Grey Cup from Ryan Jackson.
- Edmonton’s bike routes are now available on Google Maps.
- Federal Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff was in the news this week, blasting the feds for their decision on EXPO 2017. You can see the final notice to EXPO 2017 newsletter subscribers here.
- Could a ticket surcharge be part of the solution for funding LRT expansion? Funny, I don’t recall a toll or other surcharge on roads being proposed to fund road expansion.
- Congratulations to EPCOR CEO Don Lowry, Alberta’s Business Person of the Year for 2010.
- Former mayor Bill Smith added his voice into the chorus of people talking about the proposed downtown arena, saying “I do not understand.” The responses to Council’s questions were released this week in preparation for the December 10 council meeting.
- On Tuesday, a judge unsealed court documents related to Mayor Mandel’s lawsuit against Nathan Black. Also: Airco Aircraft Charters suffered another legal setback this week.
- The search is still on for a permanent replacement for outgoing police chief Mike Boyd, but it has been decided that Deputy Chief David Korol will fill the post in the meantime.
- Edmonton’s Silver Skate Festival received a shot in the arm this week, with the Government of Canada announcing funding of $35,900 for the festival.
- Congrats to everyone who participated in Movember in Edmonton this year. Over $20 million was raised across Canada! You can see photos of the Edmonton Movember Gala here, and photos of the MoCupcakeYEG challenge here.
- This is an interesting way to promote Edmonton – Sasquatch Gets Friendly With Edmonton Locals, Explores Popular Edmonton Attractions.
- An entrepreneur in California is cashing in on the antics of former AHS CEO Stephen Duckett with eatingmycookie.com. You can get a pin for $4.99 that reads “I’m eating my cookie.” On a related note, here’s a great photoset from Dave of Saturday’s Rally for Public Healthcare.
- FC Edmonton’s head coach is off to Japan, and he took an assistant with him as well. The club is set to announce a replacement tomorrow.
- Mayor Mandel wants to revive the idea of the local comedy festival, with $50,000 in funding coming from the City.
- You can now purchase reserved parking stalls at the Clareview, Belvedere, Stadium, and Century Park LRT Stations for $42 per month. The project begins January 1.
- Thanks to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the Inner City High School has a new home.
- Here’s the final video installment in the City of Edmonton’s Heads Up campaign. You can take the campaign survey here.
- For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
- Free lunchtime concerts at City Hall are taking place this week!
- On the agenda for the special Transportation & Public Works Committee meeting on Wednesday: Southeast LRT Concept Plan, West LRT Concept Plan, and the Downtown LRT Connector Concept Plan.
- The Oilers are in action at home three times this week! Tuesday against Anaheim, Friday against Tampa Bay, and Saturday against Vancouver.
- Kelowna is in town on Saturday to take on the Oil Kings.
- The official light up of Candy Cane Lane is happening on Friday night!
- Another sure sign that Christmas is almost upon us – the Butterdome Craft Sale kicks off on Thursday and runs through Sunday.
- Next Saturday the Winter Market on the Square returns!
- Also Saturday, the Handmade Mafia are at it again.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
We’ve had some great weather recently, and lots of sunshine!
Fantastic shot of Whitemud Drive by Darren Kirby.
Impressive, isn’t it?
MasterMaq's Blog 
Not true, we all pay a fuel tax that is supposed to fund all things roads and whatnot. It doesn’t, but that’s what it was intended for. Not that I support an LRT expansion surcharge, mind you. The city could do a lot to add value to our LRT, such as station coffee shops/retail, licensed busking, and unique or interactive advertising, and use the proceeds from those initiatives instead of a surcharge.