Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- The procession and funeral for Constable Daniel Woodall took place on Wednesday. There was an incredible show of support from those in uniform and also from Edmontonians who lined the streets to pay their respects.
- Premier Rachel Notley’s government has introduced Bill 1 which seeks to ban corporate and union donations to political parties. The Speech from the Throne was delivered on Monday.
- The government has also announced $624 million in new money for schools, hospitals, and other core services in the next five months. A portion of the income from higher corporate taxes as of July 1 is expected to help cover the cost.
- TELUS announced on Friday that it is spending $1 billion in Edmonton over the next six years to connect more than 90% of homes and businesses directly to its state-of-the-art fibre optic network. The service will launch later this year with speeds of up to 150 Mbps, with even faster options to come in the years ahead.
- Congratulations to Pilar Martinez, currently Deputy CEO of EPL, on being appointed the library’s next CEO effective July 4. She replaces long-time CEO Linda Cook who is retiring on July 3 after leading the organization for nearly 20 years. Here are five questions with Martinez.
- The Edmonton Public School Board has selected five names for new schools and one of them will be named after former Councillor Michael Phair! Former mayor Ivor Dent will also have his name on one of the schools.
- The 2015 NHL Draft takes place on June 26 and 27, which is when the Oilers are widely expected to pick Connor McDavid first overall. There’s a draft party at Rexall Place on Friday – tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the door with proceeds going to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. That’s why everyone has been writing about our city and the youngster, like the Globe and Mail. Good piece overall, but it’s the team that is “desperate for a symbol of hope”, not our city.
- In other Oilers news, the team has fired its head amateur scout and many other members of the scouting department. They also announced the 2015 pre-season schedule, which kicks off on September 21.
- The Social Housing Regeneration Advisory Group has released its report on social housing. “The report provides an important snapshot of Edmonton’s social housing landscape along with key recommendations for social housing redevelopment and regeneration.”
- On Thursday, the Shaw Conference Centre unveiled a Community Medicine Wheel Garden on the rooftop of the Riverview Room.
- Perhaps looking for a little positive transit news, the Transforming Edmonton blog has a feature on a new ETS scheduling module that will save $27 million in capital costs.
- Did you miss Indulgence this year? Linda has a recap.
- Apparently unhappy with the way things are going with enforcement of Uber in Edmonton, Councillor Oshry is prepared to take his fight to the police commission. I feel the energy would be better spent on getting new regulations in place and approved.
- From Spacing Edmonton, a roundup of recent urbanism headlines.
- I haven’t been over to check out Barking Buffalo Cafe yet, but Cindy did and it sounds like they’re off to a great start.
- It’s fantastic that we’re starting to see more positive press about Edmonton. Amazing what a little confidence can do.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Regimental Funeral Procession, photo by Premier of Alberta
Regimental Funeral Procession, photo by Premier of Alberta
Upcoming Events
- The Works continues this week at various locations throughout the downtown core. Their Golden Summer Gala takes place on Friday at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald.
- Also continuing at various venues throughout the week is the Edmonton International Jazz Festival.
- Head over to the Citadel this week as Improvaganza wraps up on Saturday.
- The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is performing As You Like It and Coriolanus this year. The shows begin on Tuesday at Hawrelak Park.
- Drop in to City Hall between 11am and 7pm on Tuesday to learn more about downtown construction impacts, changes to transit, and how to stay informed as the transformation continues.
- MADE is hosting a discussion on brutalist architecture at The Common on Tuesday evening.
- This year’s edition of the Found Festival kicks off on Thursday and runs through Sunday.
- The North Edge Business District is hosting the second annual Street Jam Festival on Thursday evening.
- There’s always lots to do on Thursdays it seems. You could check out Latitude 53’s patio series or head over to 124 Street for the Grand Market.
- Edmonton’s 43rd Social Media Breakfast takes place at Startup Edmonton on Friday morning.
- A couple of options for Friday evening include Park After Dark at Northlands Park and Night Market Edmonton at Beaver Hills House Park downtown.
- On Saturday, Kick It Up in Little Italy takes place at Giovanni Caboto Park. This is the first big event by the Italian business community after splitting from the Chinatown BRZ.
- Pets in the Park returns for another year in Hawrelak Park on Sunday.
- In FIFA Women’s World Cup action this week, Edmonton is hosting a Round of 16 Game on Monday and a Quarter Final Game on Saturday.
- Are you planning for Canada Day already? I Heart Edmonton has a roundup of events taking place that day!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Scary skies over the weekend!
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