Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- Here’s a message from EPSB Superintendent Edgar Schmidt on the tragedy in Connecticut.
- The 2013 Operating Budget was approved with a tax increase of 3.3%. That’s quite a bit less than the 5.5% target that was set earlier in the year, and it’s less than last year’s tax increase of 5.39% (can you tell there’s an election coming up!).
- As expected, the downtown arena once again dominated the headlines this week. The Katz Group went to City Council and came away with a victory: negotiations have been re-opened. Here is the Katz Group’s response to the decision. Also check out Councillor Iveson’s blog post.
- Also this week: we got a closer look at the Arena District from architect Michael Shugarman.
- Here’s a profile on Daryl Katz from the Journal (the first third reads like a blog post, with the writers explaining just how hard they tried to get interviews, but after that it gets better).
- The NHL lockout has been extended, and while fans may be finding other things to occupy their time, charities are feeling the effects.
- EEDC is further embracing Twitter and has launched a Twisitor Centre: “Visitors are encouraged to send a tweet to @EdmontonTourism with questions about their Edmonton visit using the hashtag #visityeg. Information for the best shopping, dining hot spots, attractions, activities, or finding a hotel can be accessed through subject matter experts responding on behalf of the Twisitor Centre.”
- Congratulations to Thomas Scott on joining the Citadel Theatre as Promoter on the Audience Development team. His move opened the door for Murray Utas to become the new Program Director at Fringe Theatre Adventures.
- Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is concerned that negotiations between Calgary, Edmonton, and the province on a Big City Charter are behind schedule.
- STARS Air Ambulance has unveiled a new helicopter at the Edmonton International Airport.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been named captain of Team Canada for the 2013 World Junior Championship which gets underway in Russia on Boxing Day.
- John Rose, the City’s Chief Economist, says 2013 will be another good year for economic growth in Edmonton.
- New EEDC CEO Brad Ferguson hasn’t shied away from saying what he really thinks: “A lot of firms here are just complacent.”
- It’s slippery out there, so do your part and help make your waste collector’s job safer.
- We’ll soon see a bunch of 2012 lists related to Edmonton, but here are two already from the Edmonton Sun: the most bizarre Edmonton court cases of 2012, and the top Edmonton court cases of 2012.
Fantastic shot of the Alberta Legislature by Patrick Beronilla.
Here are some upcoming events:
- There’s still time to catch The Velveteen Rabbit at Fort Edmonton Park. Over the the Valley Zoo, there’s Zoo-Minescence.
- There’s also A Christmas Carol at the Citadel, with seats still available for the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
- The popular ETS Christmas Lights Tours are now sold out, with the final tours running Friday and Saturday.
- The City Market Downtown is still taking place on Saturday (they are taking a break on December 29). I’m guessing the Old Strathcona Farmers Market is following a similar schedule, but I don’t know for sure.
- I recommend making a trip to the Legislature to Celebrate the Season. The lights are beautiful, and there’s free hot chocolate and live entertainment!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
- In case you missed it: Oprah is coming to town on January 21, 2013.
- Still think Friday is going to be the end of the world? NASA explains why it’ll be just another winter solstice.
- We’re just a week way from Christmas Eve! Hard to believe!
An ice sculpture at the NextGen Outdoor Patio Party, photo by Alistair Henning.
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