Edmonton Notes for 3/13/2011

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Edmonton received the very exciting news this week that our city was chosen as the first Canadian city to receive a grant from IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge. Edmonton will receive up to $400,000 and access to IBM’s top experts to tackle strategic projects.
• City Council’s special initiative assignments were released this week. Their salaries and benefits are also online.
• Elephant specialist Dr. James Oosterhuis acknowledged this week that Lucy is showing some health improvements, but he remains concerned about her breathing difficulties.
• It sounds like last weekend’s Refinery was another big success for the Art Gallery of Alberta. But is it really an example of how our cultural institutions are changing?
• On Wednesday, the Edmonton Public Schools Board of Trustees became the first board in Alberta to pass a motion to develop specify policy to ensure all schools prevent harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ students and staff.
• Congrats to Weird Canada on being voted best music site by the listeners of CBC Radio 3! Check out the blog here.
• The Courtyard by Marriott was acquired this week by California-based MIG Real Estate. Terms were not disclosed.
• The LRT expansion is underway in Central McDougall, but some residents are upset that the City has chopped down a canopy of elm trees without much notice. Large boulevard elm trees are worth about $60,000 each.
• More bad news for the Oilers: Sam Gagner has joined Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky in the pressbox for the rest of the season.
• SEE has a write-up on Lorne Humphreys, spokesman for Speak Up Edmonton, one of the organizations opposed to the downtown arena.
• Victor Mah, a well-known Edmontonian restaurateur, died recently at the age of 91.
• There’s another music festival coming up – Utopia is scheduled for June 17 and 18 in Hawrelak Park.
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• Edmonton Next Gen is running a Vibrant Communities Survey. Fill it out before March 20!
• The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Puck Surprise Online Charity Auction (LONGEST NAME EVER) is now on until March 22. Lots of autographed stuff up for grabs!
• The City of Edmonton posted a very basic video on the Community Revitalization Levy. I’m hopeful a more in-depth part two is on the way!
• Here’s a cool project from Jay Palter: YEG Mappuccino. He’s mapping his quest to find the best cappuccino in Edmonton.
• The deadline for nominations for the 2011 Mayor’s Awards is fast approaching! Nominate someone by March 25.
• Want to help create walking maps for Crestwood, Laurier Heights, and Parkview? There’s a workshop taking place on Thursday evening.
• The Edmonton Collectible Toy & Comic Show takes place on Sunday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• Seedy Sunday is also taking place on March 20, at the Alberta Avenue Community Hall.
• Earth Hour is coming up on March 26. There will be family entertainment at City Hall starting at 7:15pm.
• The Oilers are back at home this week, hosting Phoenix on Thursday, and Colorado on Saturday.
• The Oil Kings are also at home twice this week, on Tuesday against Lethbridge, and Friday against Red Deer.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Sharon and I went to see Hunchback at The Citadel tonight. It was a great show, though Nevermore remains my Catalyst Theatre favorite. Hunchback runs until March 27 in the Shoctor Theatre.

The City Market is back downtown, in City Hall until it opens again on 104 Street.

Warm weather has returned! You know what that means. Photo by one42chrisp.