Edmonton Notes for 2/23/2014

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games wrapped up today, and like most of you I was up by 5am to watch the Canadian men’s hockey team defeat Sweden 3-0 to take the gold medal. In case you missed it, ATB Financial lit up its new building downtown every time Canada scored:

Canada finished 3rd in the medal standings with 10 gold and 25 medals total, one less than our haul in Vancouver four years ago. Edmonton-born athletes did well too. Now attention turns to the Paralympic games, with the opening ceremonies taking place on March 7.

And if you’re like me, you’re now counting down to World Cup 2014 – just 108 days to go!

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Though he seems to be doing some great work behind-the-scenes, Mayor Iveson made it clear this week that he’s not afraid to get out and be vocal about important issues, launching a social media campaign to build support for funding of the Valley Line LRT. Here is the video he launched with:

• Citizens are encouraged to share their support for LRT expansion using the hashtag #yeg4LRT. It very quickly became one of the most popular hashtags on Twitter. Here is Dave’s take on the news.
• Speaking of Mayor Iveson, he sat down recently with Adam and Scott to talk about his first few months in office.
• The City has gotten a head start on filling potholes this year, though I expect the recent drop in temperatures has put that plan on pause. The budget for pothole repairs this year is $5.9 million, a little less than the $7 million that was spent in 2013.
• Here is Paula’s take on the proposed, $40 million pedway for the Galleria: “If you want an illustration of everything that’s wrong with the proposed Galleria arts campus in downtown Edmonton, you can find it in the special request that came before city council’s executive committee Tuesday.”
• I have been outspoken about the pedway and the larger project too, but David Staples says to not be so hasty to reject it. I remain unconvinced that the project is worthwhile.
• Think you can design a better flag for Edmonton? There’s now a community-wide design challenge that invites you to do just that. Dustin Bajer has already submitted his design, in both winter and summer versions, with an explanation here.
• Here is a good piece on Edmonton’s Poet Laureate, Mary Pinkoski.
• Residential infill in Edmonton shouldn’t be so difficult, says Tegan Martin-Drysdale.
• Congratulations to the City of Edmonton on winning an award for the Citizen Dashboard!
• Starting Tuesday, the ramp connecting Anthony Henday Drive and Wye Road in Sherwood Park will be closed to allow construction to take place. Another step closer to the completion of the ring road!
• In case you missed it: the lights are now on at Edmonton’s outdoor Neon Sign Museum! Spacing has some more great photos. You can learn more about the signs and history here.
• Don’t miss this feature on Edmonton’s lost Chinese Market Gardens. “Look carefully, and the urban landscape will reveal reminders of these gardens, and the people who once tended them.”
• Monday was Family Day, and with great weather there were lots of families outside enjoying winter activities! Here’s a look at Churchill Square:

Upcoming Events

• The Edmonton Public Library is celebrating Freedom to Read week through March 1. Monday evening they’re hosting a speaking event with Amanda Lindhout.
• The Google Apps for Education summit takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Monday and Tuesday this week. I’ve heard it is the second largest such summit in the world.
• The next UX Edmonton Meetup takes place on Tuesday evening at Startup Edmonton.
• The Oilers are back in action this week, hosting the Minnesota Wild at Rexall Place on Thursday evening. The Flames are in town on Saturday.
• Social Media Breakfast Edmonton returns on Friday morning with a session on defining, building, and managing your brand.
• On Friday evening, I’ll be down at Rexall Place cheering on the Edmonton Rush as they host the Toronto Rock.
• Heads up that the next Green Drinks event, focused on local food, is coming up on March 5. Here’s a preview.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Sharon getting a drink from the vodka ice luge at Latitude 53’s Parka Patio Party on Saturday night. More photos here.