Edmonton Notes for 9/27/2015

This week’s update comes to you from London, UK where I’ll be for the next ten days or so before heading to Paris and Amsterdam with Sharon. Yay vacation! Also, today is our one year anniversary!

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Be on the lookout tomorrow for your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Mable! Six-year old Mable was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2013 and her Children’s Wish Foundation wish was to fight crime with Spider-Man. She’ll meet with the mayor and EPS, search for a villain at West Edmonton Mall, and will rescue a “prominent Edmontonian” at the Valley Zoo.
• Did you check out Nuit Blanche on Saturday evening? I was sad to miss it, but Fish says it was “the most confident and engaging large-scale art happening this city’s ever seen.” The pictures look pretty amazing – here are some from the Sun. I hope this year was successful for the organizers and that it returns next year!
• City Council voted to move forward with the draft Vehicle for Hire Bylaw this week, after making some amendments. It’ll come back in November and could come into effect for December, with a subsequent report expected early next year. A few days after the drama at City Hall, Mayor Iveson met with Toronto Mayor John Tory to see how the two cities could work together on Uber.
• The City announced this weekend that Wi-Fi is now available at six LRT stations: University, Health Sciences/Jubilee, McKernan/Belgravia, South Campus/Fort Edmonton Park, and Century Park. Full rollout along the Capital Line is expected by the end of 2015.
• A by-election in Ward G to replace Sarah Hoffman will take place on Monday. There are eight candidates hoping to win. You can learn more here.
• Speaking of Alberta’s new political reality, here’s a feature on who holds the power now.
• The Province announced more progress on the ongoing effort to revamp the Municipal Government Act. They have committed to introducing the updated MGA in the Legislature in the spring of 2016.
• It was a fun weekend for fans of comics, superheroes, and everything else that is included in the Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo these days! Here are some recaps from The Journal and Gig City.
• A new bronze monument called “The Visionaries” on the University of Alberta campus “depicts Henry Marshall Tory, the U of A’s founding president, talking with Alexander Cameron Rutherford, Alberta’s first premier and later a university chancellor.” It is a gift from the Alumni Association to mark its 100th anniversary in 2015.
• Robin writes about his experiences with racism in Edmonton and asks how we can have a more meaningful, productive conversation about the issue.
• The empty lot at Whyte Avenue and 105 Street could soon disappear if the proposed Raymond Block goes ahead.
• Do you like the new orange Oilers jersey? You can get yours at the Oilers Store during any home game. The team will wear it seven times this year, including for opening night on October 15.
• David Staples asks: Which federal party is best for Edmonton?
• Jason Blower’s HelloYEG Kickstarter blew past its original goal plus a stretch goal too. You can back the project until Tuesday.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Crane Migration, photo by RemotelyBoris

Upcoming Events

• I wish I could attend the free talk on Monday night with Taras Grescoe, the award-winning author of Straphanger, at the Art Gallery of Alberta. If you can’t make it but want to provide input into the City’s transit strategy, fill out the survey here.
• In NHL preseason action, the Oilers host the Coyotes on Tuesday and the Canucks on Thursday at Rexall Place.
• On Thursday evening, Edmonton’s NextGen presents an evening with Charles Montgomery, author of Happy City.
• There are only a couple weeks left for outdoor markets, so make the most of them! Check out the 124 Grand Market on Thursday and the City Market Downtown on Saturday.
• Edmonton Oktoberfest takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre on Friday and Saturday!
• It’s that time of year again! River Valley Clean Up takes place on Saturday. Can’t make it? Try this instead: the 15-to-Clean Challenge runs October 4 to 11.
• The fall edition of the Edmonton Reptile & Amphibian Show takes place on Saturday and Sunday at the Sands Hotel.
• Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is holding its annual Recruitment Open House on Saturday.
• Coming up in ten days is the Edmonton Comedy Festival!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Nuit Blanche at City Hall, photo by Geoffrey Rockwell