Edmonton Notes for 10/25/2015

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• The first 16 pay machines for the new EPark system have been installed around City Hall. The new system is being installed downtown, on Whyte Avenue, and in the Kingsway area.
• Deron Bilous has been sworn in as minister of the newly created ministry of Economic Development and Trade. “The new ministry will bring under one umbrella work that is currently spread between several departments but is primarily concentrated in Innovation and Advanced Education and International and Intergovernmental Relations, and will be supported by several agencies, including the Alberta Innovates corporations.”
• Council approved a series of changes to the Zoning Bylaw that will allow for more urban agriculture and local food production activities within city limits.
• Council has also approved the Northern Circumpolar Secretariat initiative which partners the City with the University of Alberta, EEDC, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, and Edmonton Regional Airports Authority.
• Starting Monday, the North Saskatchewan River near the Walterdale Bridge will be closed to river traffic. The closure is expected to last until November 30. Let’s hope the giant arches make their way safely into place!
• It seems that Edmonton Tourism has been experimenting with bringing bloggers from other cities to Edmonton. Here’s a write-up by London-based travel blogger Mollie Bylett. And I expect we may see something soon from one of Vancouver’s most popular bloggers, Rebecca Bollwitt aka Miss604, who is in Edmonton right now. Looking forward to it! And wondering if this kind of tourism marketing is working. Thoughts?
• The aquatics area at the Meadows Community Recreation Centre will remain closed until Spring 2016 to allow warranty work to be completed.
• Higher Universe Pictures, a new effort from Brandon Rhiness and Adam Storoschuk, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to make a film called “I’m in Love with a Dead Girl”. They are looking to raise $4,000 in the next few weeks and your support will help Edmonton filmmakers. “The film will feature a cast of Edmonton actors, so any locals friends who donate will be helping the Edmonton acting community. The same goes for crew. There are many talented filmmakers in Edmonton and we want to work with them. Your donation will help us pay them the wages they deserve.”
• I love this kind of thing – an unexpected adventure underneath downtown Edmonton.
• From EPS: “The Edmonton Police Service is marking a milestone of sorts, as dispatched calls for service have increased by more than 10,000 compared to the same time last year. These calls have been answered and evaluated, and a police officer has been sent to a location to investigate.”
• The City is working on the Active Recreation & Sport Strategy, which will guide Edmonton’s approach to “supporting the active recreational and sporting needs of all Edmontonians” from 2016 to 2026. You can help shape the strategy by filling out this survey by November 8.
• If you haven’t already read the EndPovertyEdmonton strategy that was released a month go, there’s no time like the present to do so! Be sure to fill out the related survey before Halloween to help shape the work of the task force.
• It’s that time of year: the City’s municipal golf courses are now closed.
• From Transforming Edmonton: how public involvement helped determine the Valley Line route.
• The police are looking for assistance in locating David Leblanc, a 35-year-old Edmontonian who has been missing since October 15.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

One Chance, photo by Jeff Wallace

Upcoming Events

• Knifewear has moved down a few doors on Whyte Avenue and are hosting a re-opening party on Monday evening!
• The City is hosting an open house on Tuesday regarding proposed zoning changes in Glenora.
• The Edmonton Literacy Coalition is hosting an event on Tuesday at the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre on planning to meet Edmonton’s literacy needs.
• Check out the Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market on Wednesday evening at the Sherwood Park Community Centre.
• Head over to Unit B on Thursday for the 100th Anniversary of the McKenney Building.
• The Oilers host the undefeated Canadiens on Thursday, and the Flames on Saturday.
• Saturday is Halloween! Like horror films? There are lots to see this week!
• The Eskimos host the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium.
• We’re starting to see a bunch of winter-themed events appearing now! The annual MEC Snowfest takes place on Sunday.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Fort Edmonton Park Footbridge, photo by Dave Sutherland