Edmonton Notes for 11/24/2013

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• It was nice and sunny out there today, which finally meant the residential parking ban could be lifted after being extended twice this week. The reprieve will no doubt be temporary though. Consider being a Snow Angel the next time it snows, and make sure you do what you can to make it safe for waste collectors. Oh and if this whole winter thing is somehow new for you, here’s a guide on how to survive it.
• The PC Party convention in Red Deer took place this weekend, and 77% of delegates voted not to hold a leadership review, a relatively strong show of support for Premier Alison Redford.
• Edmonton Transit launched its new ETS Live product this week, an online service that provides route maps and other bus schedule features, as well as live maps for routes 111 and 128 (which are currently part of the ETS Smart Bus pilot project). It’ll be great when this is finally rolled out to all routes!
• Stephen Mandel was awarded a Distinguished Citizen Honorary Bachelor of Arts degree by MacEwan University on Tuesday. The university will also establish a new annual scholarship in Lynn and Stephen Mandel’s name.
• By the end of September, the City had already spent $464,000 to deal with about 1,800 claims from people whose vehicles were damaged by potholes.
• Fall convocation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the University of Alberta, and now the U of A is asking grads to share their stories via social media.
• The Government of Alberta has entered the RFP stage for the 19 new schools it itends to build throughout the province.
• ETS Stuff a Bus is back, and this year’s goal is to fill 15 buses with food. You can find the buses from Wednesday through Saturday at participating Save-On-Foods locations and transit centres.
• Top of the Pops: here’s a feature in Alberta Venture on the On the Spot Pop Up.
• A delegation of local business and community leaders visited Ottawa this week to “strengthen relationships with federal government leaders and to raise awareness about investment and entrepreneurial opportunities in Edmonton.”
• Councillors Tony Caterina and Amarjeet Sohi will serve on the 2013-2014 AUMA Board of Directors. Councillor Sohi will additionally serve on the AUMA Executive Committee. Outgoing President Linda McCulloch (Sloan) was recognized this week with the Lifetime Membership Award at the 2013 AUMA Convention.
• In case you missed it: St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse was re-elected Board Chair of the Capital Region Board. Here’s the PDF news release.
• You know those commercials for the “personal wipes” that are now being marketed? Apparently they are causing headaches for drainage crews in other cities, but not yet here in Edmonton. City drainage crews are worried that could soon change, however.
• Check out this music video by local singer/songwriter Jasmine Singh featuring the McKay Avenue School! It was shot entirely in Edmonton with local cast & crew.
• Have you seen Rapid Fire Theatre‘s attractive new website?
• This is impressive: Die-Nasty will put on its 700th performance Monday night!

The Dawson Bridge

Upcoming Events

• The Oilers host the Blackhawks at Rexall Place on Monday night.
• Head over to Startup Edmonton on Tuesday evening for UX Edmonton’s 2013 edition of PanEx.
• Also Tuesday evening is another Annexation Open House, this time at the Four Points by Sheraton.
• To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination, Cult Cinema presents Oliver Stone’s JFK at Metro Cinema on Tuesday.
• The ACE Ad Auction takes place at the Mercer Warehouse on Thursday evening.
• The Festival of Trees takes place at the Shaw Conference Centre from Thursday through Sunday.
• This week is Black Friday. If you want an alternative, check out Green Friday at Carbon on 104 Street!
• I’m really looking forward to the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair, taking place at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre from Friday through Sunday.
• Sunday is December 1, if you can believe it. Head downtown for the DBA’s annual Jingle On Indoor Santa Claus Parade.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

I’m a big fan of the snow piles for play downtown!