Edmonton Notes for 5/5/2013

I was thrilled to win a Yeggie in the Best in Edmonton category last night at the first ever Edmonton New Media Awards! It was truly an honor to be recognized alongside so many amazing Edmontonians. Congratulations to all of the other nominees and winners! Also, big props to Adam and the entire team that made the awards and event happen. It was a great evening!

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• It feels like this is going to be a big week for the downtown arena. Will it go ahead? What surprises are in store for us? Tomorrow afternoon the Downtown Vibrancy Coalition launches with a press conference at the Art Gallery of Alberta. I agreed to help build the page where you can voice your support. I’ll have more on my position in a follow-up post. Brad Ferguson posted about EEDC’s position on the arena tonight too. Council is set to discuss the issue again on Wednesday.
• In case you missed it, Dave Colburn wrote a guest post for daveberta.ca on saving inner-city schools from urban sprawl.
• The City of Edmonton is investing at least $264.8 million in arterial paving, bridges, and interchange projects this summer. “This year is going to be a busy year for road construction,” said Barry Belcourt, Branch Manager of Roads Design & Construction. So…like every other year then.
• A group of parents have launched a petition in an attempt to save an after-school music program that has been cut due to budget pressures.
• Nominations are now open for Edmonton’s 5th Poet Laureate. The next Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term beginning July 1.
• We finally had some beautiful weather this week! Fitting then, that Riverside Golf Course is now open.
• Almost all faculties at the University of Alberta are trying to find a way to deal with the $67 million shortfall in funding.
• Edmonton’s Chinatown gate, known as the Harbin Gate, is among eight in Canada featured on commemorative postage stamps.
• The City has added more measures to the Citizen Dashboard, this time focused on Edmonton’s livability.
• A total of seven new schools will be built in the Edmonton area, including three inside the city and two in St. Albert, the province has announced.
• Looking to build a secondary suite or garage suite? Now’s the time! The City is offering up to $20,000 to homeowners to make it happen.
• I’m stoked about the weather, but not enjoying the allergies I get at this time of year. I’m not even close to being ready to think about mosquitoes, but the City says it is prepared for the 2013 mosquito management program.
• If only all funding challenges could be solved like this! A joke has turned into a $1 million donation to the U of A’s creative writing program.
• Some surprising news about the Edmonton Opera: CEO Sandra Gajic has resigned.

Wonder how much longer phone booths like this will be around. Photo by Darren Kirby.

Here are some upcoming events:

• The next Indigo Drinks takes place Monday evening at Noorish Café. It’s your chance to discuss business and money!
• Tuesday evening is the DECL AGM, taking place at Yellowhead Brewery.
• CJSR is holding a volunteer awards and appreciation party on Thursday evening at The Empress Ale House.
• Erica Viegas is having a CD release concert on Thursday evening at the Citadel!
• The first in a series of lectures on oil & the social economy will take place on Thursday evening at the University of Alberta, and features Dr. Jorge Sousa and Dr. Roger Epp.
• Fruit Loop Edmonton is launching its summer series of events on Friday night at the Yellowhead Brewery!
• Head over to the Glengarry Arena on Saturday for the Edmonton Bike Swap!
• The Planning Academy’s session on Urban Design takes place at City Hall on Saturday.
• FC Edmonton is taking on the Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday at Clarke Stadium.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Nice shot of the Gibson Block by Tim Goos.