Edmonton Notes for 6/3/2012

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• I guess summer is officially here now – the City’s outdoor pools officially opened on Saturday!
• More data from the census was released this week by Statistics Canada, and it shows that Edmonton is a young city, with 31% of residents between the ages of 25 and 44. Check out Edmonton’s profile here.
• The City’s environmental strategic plan, known as The Way We Green, was recognized with the 2012 Environment Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.
• Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths reiterated that the province will not put money directly into the new downtown arena, but hinted that increased MSI funding could be used for the project.
• Adult sex toy company PinkCherry has released its annual rankings of Canada’s sexiest cities, and Edmonton came in at number two just behind Toronto and ahead of Calgary.
• I guess this story was inevitable: the “bath salts” drug that made headlines in that strange Miami zombie incident has apparently been popping up in our city too.
• Here’s a bizarre story from the past week – there was a moose loose in the city’s west end on Tuesday morning! Actually there were four, and they were safely caught, tranquilized, and then released by wildlife officers. I love that CBC made a map.
• Edmonton City Centre launched a rebrand this week with the world’s largest photo booth. Good news on a big vacancy in the mall too: “the former Gap location in City Centre West will be taken up by an expanded Urban, Le Chateau and a third fashion store.”
• The City is adding new data collection cameras to streetlights at intersections. There are currently 30 in operation.
• Want to join the City of Edmonton Youth Council or know someone who might? The application form is here.
• Edmontonian Kayla Patrick is one of three finalists in the MuchMusic Cover contest. She gets to attend the MMVAs, where the winner will be announced. Good luck Kayla!
• Ever wonder why there are now so many spray parks in Edmonton? It’s because new AHS requirements for wading pools require a circulation and filtration system, which costs about $500,000. The cost of converting to a spray park? $200,000.
• Congratulations to Councillor Karen Leibovici on being named the new president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). She succeeds Berry Vrbanovic, Councillor for the City of Kitchener in Ontario.
• The Edmonton chefs competing in the annual Gold Medal Plates competition have been announced!

Skyline Sunset by Gina Blank

Here are some upcoming events:

• Want to learn how to sell to the City of Edmonton? Workshops taking place on Monday will help you do exactly that.
• On Tuesday evening the 2012 Capital Awards Gala will take place at the TransAlta Arts Barns. “Mix and mingle, and see the very best work of Edmonton’s professional communication’s community.”
• The next three public presentations for the downtown arena design take place this week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.
• Wednesday is Clean Air Day! Head down to Churchill Square for the celebration.
• City Hall School’s Citizenship Fair takes place on Wednesday afternoon at City Hall. Don’t miss it!
• I’ll be down at Hawrelak Park on Wednesday evening for Pecha Kucha Night 13!
• The inaugural Highlands Outdoor Farmers’ Market runs Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm.
• Both the Creative Age Festival and Open Sky Music Festival kick off on Friday.
• Okay folks, Saturday is basically Super Saturday for the downtown area. DECL’s Pancake Breakfast and the City Market kick things off in the morning. TEDxEdmonton runs all day at the Citadel. Starting at noon, the Pride Parade will wind its way through the downtown core. The big kickoff celebration will take place in Churchill Square immediately afterward. Bikeology’s Heritage Bike Ride takes place later in the afternoon. Al Fresco will get going in the afternoon and will kick into high gear when the market ends. After such a busy day you’re bound to be hungry, so stop by What the Truck?! for dinner!
• Also Saturday over at Rundle Park, it’s River Day!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
• Also, be sure to check out my guide to 40+ summer festivals and special events!

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the EPS Canine Unit:

Whew, big entry this week. Can’t believe it is already June!