Edmonton Notes for 11/20/2011

Winter really arrived over the last week with lots of snow and icy cold temperatures. Looks like it’ll turn around this week though! Here are my Edmonton notes:

• MP Laurie Hawn announced early this week that the Government of Canada would indeed commit $122.5 million to the Royal Alberta Museum project. A design-build contract must be signed by January 31, 2012 and construction must start no later than November 30, 2012, otherwise the funding will be made available for other projects.
• The Grey Cup run ended for the Eskimos today as they lost to the BC Lions 40-23.
• It was mayhem on the streets on Monday evening as the snow fell and the roads turned to ice. There were dozens of accidents and it took hours for people to get home. I was more than a little happy that I didn’t have to drive!
• The first parking ban of the season started Friday morning and was not lifted until 7pm tonight. More than 500 vehicles were ticketed on Friday. A reminder that you can sign up for email notifications here.
• The slippery conditions caused trouble for Mayor Mandel, as he had a slip and fall resulting in some broken and bruised ribs. Let’s hope he’s feeling better soon!
• Earlier in the week, Mayor Mandel failed to find support for the Walterdale Bridge, which means it will likely be demolished to make way for a replacement in 2015.
• It looks like transit service to the International Airport might finally come to Edmonton. The plan will be considered by Council as part of the budget deliberations.
• Edmonton has been awarded the Olympic men’s water polo qualifying tournament which will take place at the Kinsmen in April 2012.
• As I mentioned earlier in the week, the Mayor’s Arts Visioning Committee released its recommendations.
• The Edmonton Valley Zoo’s newest Red Panda cub, Qiji, is doing “extremely well.”
• I no idea there was a local company with a two-letter domain name! Virtual Universe Corporation has sold vu.com for $700,000 USD.
• Here’s a blog post on Edmonton’s Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative.
• Regency Developments remains optimistic about the opportunity for condos in central Edmonton, and held a VIP launch this week for its new 35-story Pearl condo project. The condos will range in price from about $300,000 to $2 million.
• Occupy Edmonton was issued an eviction notice on Saturday, but the Edmonton Police Service has said it will not intervene. I wish the Occupy Edmonton folks would leave the park.
• Here’s a fun microsite from The Christmas Bureau in support of its annual campaign.
• I think Don Iveson should run for mayor. That said, 2013 is still far enough away that I wouldn’t place any bets on what he’ll do just yet. When asked on CJSR, he said he had no plans to run for a third term as Councillor.

The view on Monday evening

Here are some upcoming events worth noting:

• DemoCamp Edmonton 16 is taking place at the Telus Centre on Tuesday evening.
• The Santas Anonymous Wrapping Tweetup is happening on Friday evening. It’s a lot of fun, for a great cause!
• Also Friday – Mercury Opera’s 104-Underground. I’m very excited to experience opera in an LRT station!
• Gordon Lightfoot is at the Jubilee on Friday evening.
• The City of Edmonton’s Youth Council Transit Ninjas are holding a dance party on the LRT on Saturday! I had the opportunity to experience an LRT dance party earlier this year.
• Craft season continues with Royal Bison on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Handmade Mafia is also happening Saturday.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Great winter shot of the Alberta Legislature building by Dave