Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- Council voted on Wednesday to move forward with a bylaw amendment to borrow $542 million to cover the downtown arena project. As with most of the other arena votes, Sloan, Diotte, and Caterina were the dissenting votes.
- Edmonton community leader and philanthropist Harry Hole died this week at the age of 91.
- Residents of Terwillegar Towne are up in arms about a proposed supportive housing project that the Jasper Place Health & Wellness Centre want to build in the area. As if the usual NIMBYism wasn’t bad enough, Councillor Bryan Anderson made some shocking remarks when interviewed by Paula Simons. “Most of these guys smoke, and most of them can’t afford cigarettes. Where are they going to go to pick butts out of ashtrays?” And he kept going. “This community is one hundred per cent residential. It’s covered with mothers with strollers. One or two dishevelled people with hoodies on and backpacks don’t seem to belong on that residential street.”
- Avenue Edmonton’s latest issue contains their 5th annual list of the 25 Best Things to Eat in Edmonton. The list is presented in no particular order, so you’re encouraged to use it “as your road map to a culinary tour of the city.”
- Construction is now officially underway on the new Walterdale Bridge. It is currently slated to open in 2016.
- Alberta Venture has released its list of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People for 2013. In what seems like an effort to attract some online attention, the magazine also created a list of the Twitterati (which I was part of) and a list of the 9 most influential cats.
- Council will be discussing on Tuesday a report that says a new jumbotron and sound system at Commonwealth Stadium would cost $5.3 million. Probably worth doing now, given the big soccer tournaments we’re hosting over the next few years. Plus it’ll go well with the new seats!
- The Eskimos announced they have extended the contract of head coach Kavis Reed. He’s now in his third season as head coach of the Esks.
- It was another busy week for the Oilers as they added a bunch of new players. They also came to terms with Ryan Jones, and announced the 2013 pre-season schedule. And some sad news, long-time anthem singer Paul Lorieau passed away.
- Some time in the next few months, the population of Alberta will hit the 4 million mark.
- TEC Edmonton says its 2012-13 fiscal year was “unprecedented” with five new spinoff companies incorporated and another eight in the works.
- Here’s a great Q&A with Amy Nachitgall, the owner of Sugared and Spiced. She makes delicious cookies!
- Actor Paul Gross, one of the most recognizable University of Alberta alumni, has been named an officer of the Order of Canada.
- EPS ran the Youth Police Academy pilot last week in conjunction with Injera Interactive. Sounds like an interesting initiative.
- The City is expanding its bike corral installation program this summer with new locations in Old Strathcona and 124 Street!
- Here’s the latest Council Roundup. Disappointing to hear the City is having to pick up the Province’s slack when it comes to funding for the Green Shack program.
Downtown from the west
Here are some upcoming events:
- Looking for some outdoor entertainment? The Street Performers festival is now underway in Churchill Square!
- The Freewill Shakespeare Festival continues with both A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear.
- Head over to the Capitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park on Thursday evening to see Water for Elephants.
- The Whyte Avenue Art Walk takes place from Friday to Sunday in Old Strathcona!
- Avenue Goes to the Dogs takes place this weekend in Eastwood Park.
- The Mercer Collective is back on Saturday at the Mercer Warehouse!
- The Edmonton Eskimos host the BC Lions on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
- Coming up on July 16 is Speed Dating from Troop of Foxes. “Join us for an evening of five minute dates with singles aged 25 to 35.” I understand they’re looking for a few more guys to take part!
- Heads up that SlutWalk Edmonton will take place on July 27!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
A photo of the International Street Performers Festival from earlier tonight!
I can’t say that I particularly like the message “feel the pulse”, but I do generally like this video showcasing Edmonton’s downtown:
What do you think?
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