Edmonton Notes for 10/18/2015

Be sure to get out and vote! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• According to Elections Canada, an estimated 3.6 million people voted during advance polls, a 71% increase over advance polling in 2011. The general election is tomorrow of course, and Mayor Iveson and other big city mayors across Canada want to make sure cities are a focus as you make your decision about who to vote for.
• The new Edmonton Live Music Initiative is a collaboration of musicians, venue owners, industry professionals, and politicians who want to strengthen the live music scene in Edmonton.
• Wednesday marks two years since the last municipal election. Here are the results of the Edmonton Sun’s survey on Council’s performance.
• A proposed overhaul of the Royal Alexandra Hospital would cost $4.5 billion and would take place over 16 years and involve up to 20 buildings.
• Writing in The Walrus, Omar takes a look at the hype around Connor McDavid and determines that we as a city need him.
• Smart Bus Technology debuted on ETS routes 8, 9, and 512 today. More than 300 buses have now been equipped with the technology, with about 600 still to go.
• Starting Tuesday, the City will begin sending out “plain-language” development permit notification letters. The new letters are based on feedback from Edmontonians and should make it easier to understand nearby proposed developments.
• Joseph Doucet, Dean of the University of Alberta’s School of Business, has been named chair of the new Premier’s Advisory Committee on the Economy. “The 10-member Committee will provide independent, expert advice to the Premier and government as it works to support Alberta’s job creators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
• I was really sad to see the historic Leamington Mansions destroyed by fire this weekend. The cost of the damage is estimated at $2.65 million, but more importantly it’s another piece of Edmonton’s history lost.
• The Edmonton Catholic School Board will now be working with an expert advisor, appointed by Education Minister David Eggen, to improve board governance.
• A new state-of-the-art IMAX projector has been installed at the Telus World of Science. It’s the only one in Western Canada!
• You have until Tuesday to fill out this survey on proposed changes to row housing setbacks in small-scale infill developments.
• This news is from a couple weeks ago: Northlands let go of all of its parking lot cashiers after two separate audits showed that employees skimmed more than $1 million per year in parking fees.
• Back on Saturday, October 10 the Edmonton Eskimos clinched a home game in the playoffs! “Commonwealth Stadium will be the site of either the Western Semi-Final on November 15 or the Western Final on November 22.”
• Three Edmontonians were among those named to the Alberta Order of Excellence at the investiture ceremony this week.
• It sounds like Toronto-based Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants are coming to Ice District thanks to a partnership with the Katz Group.
• McDavid had a big night against Calgary yesterday! Too bad the first home game featuring the “Orange Surge” wasn’t as successful.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Fall, photo by Dave Sutherland

Upcoming Events

• LitFest continues all week at venues throughout the city.
• Startup Edmonton is celebrating Edmonton Startup Week! I’m looking forward to Mega Meetup Night on Monday and Launch Party 6 on Thursday, just two of the great events taking place all week long.
• This week is Small Business Week in Edmonton also! The Small Business, Big Vision Luncheon takes place on Tuesday. Here’s a statement on Small Business Week from Premier Notley.
• On Wednesday at the University of Alberta, The Local Good is hosting a special Green Drinks event for Sustainability Week.
• The City is hosting three open houses on the EndPoverty Edmonton strategy this week, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• The Oilers have three home games this week: against the Red Wings on Wednesday, the Capitals on Friday, and the Kings on Sunday.
• The Art Gallery of Alberta hosts Berlin Noir Nocturne on Saturday night.
• There’s a Thriller Flash Mob taking place somewhere on Saturday!
• FC Edmonton hosts Jacksonville Armada FC on Sunday at Clark Stadium.
• The next Homeless Connect Edmonton takes place Sunday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• Already thinking ahead to Halloween? Here are some of the events taking place around the city.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Fall Season, photo by IQRemix