Edmonton Notes for 1/15/2012

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Winter is back! Oh well, the warm weather was nice while it lasted. The forecast for this week doesn’t look so good, bundle up!
• The community hearings on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project start in Edmonton on the 24th. The arithmetic on the pipeline adds up to big numbers.
• This was the right call: Jimmy Quinlan is the new captain of the Edmonton Rush!
• One of the city’s “most historically significant” lampposts has been restored to its former glory at the south end of the High Level Bridge.
• According to Pollster’s annual report, Rexall Place was the 27th busiest venue on the planet in 2011, up from number 31 in 2010!
• It’s pretty hard to argue with Paula’s take on Metropolis.
• The McElheran’s Fine Furniture clearance centre on 124 Street will soon become a chocolate shop, pastry café, and gelato bar, under the Bernard Callebaut banner.
• This is kind of a neat story: a former sniper is now protecting the streets as a night beat cop.
• Here are the Curb the Danger results for 2011. There was a total of 749 impaired charges.
• Cubic Security Systems are providing the “advanced fare media-based real-time threat detection technology” that will be piloted at Churchill Station in late March.
• More than 3 million text messages were sent last year for bus route and schedule information!
• The Oilers are having another tough season, but Taylor Hall is “making a bold statement about his willingness and ability to lead at a time when the Edmonton Oilers need him most.” Gagner is also playing fairly well lately. Speaking of the tough season, is it time for Katz to speak out?
• According to the newest Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast, the average house price in Edmonton is expected to increase by 2.6% in 2012. Unit sales are also expected to rise by 5%.
• CMHC figures show a 6% drop in total starts for the Edmonton area in 2011, from 9959 units to 9332.
• Edmonton’s economy is expected to grow 3.4% this year, thanks in large part to a strong energy sector.
• First & Jasper signed its first tenant this week – Williams Engineering will move into the renovated building when it opens in 2013.
• In case you missed it, here’s my recap of a very busy week for 104 Street!

This has to be one of the most awesome LRT station photos ever, taken by Alison Poole!

Here are some upcoming events to look forward to this week:

• Ice on Whyte continues all week at End of Steel Park!
• The 49th annual Minor Hockey Week also continues this week, with the finals taking place on Sunday!
• The Canoe Theatre Festival kicks off tomorrow.
• It’s a busy week for the tech community. YEGRB’s monthly meetup takes place on Tuesday, DemoCamp Edmonton 17 takes place on Wednesday, and the next Edmonton Girl Geek Dinner takes place on Thursday.
• The 3rd annual Edmonton Whiskey Festival takes place on Wednesday evening!
• The Oil Kings are in action at home on Wednesday against Prince George, while the Oilers host the Flames on Saturday.
• The Edmonton Rush play their first home game of the season on Friday against the Colorado Mammoth.
• The City of Edmonton is hosting a WinterCity Strategy Symposium at City Hall on Friday morning. Everyone is invited to the Kick-Off Party the night before, also at City Hall.
• Rapid Fire Theatre’s DATE NIGHT sounds like fun!
• Leadership Edmonton is hosting a networking and information event on Saturday evening.
• This year’s Pet Expo takes place all day Saturday and Sunday at the Edmonton Expo Centre.
• Bridal Fantasy takes place on Sunday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The next Big City Sandwich kitchen takeover is Sunday at The Billiard Club!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

We should have visited Ice on Whyte yesterday – it was so cold today! More photos here.