Edmonton Notes for 11/15/2015

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Mayor Don Iveson has decided that taxpayers need a break, even if it means scrapping the neighbourhood renewal levy for three years. There are clearly some politics at play here, with Council looking to the other orders of government for more money. This strategy feels risky though. Should make for some interesting budget discussions in the weeks ahead.
• The 42nd Canadian Finals Rodeo wrapped up at Rexall Place today and Northlands says it and Farmfair were both big successes. A total of 183,564 people visited over the five days.
• A new group loosely affiliated with the Save Our Footbridge group launched this week. Called ERUPT (Edmontonians for Responsible Urban Public Transit), the group has issues with the Valley Line LRT and would like to see Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) explored instead.
• YEG People had a big launch event on Friday that seemed to go well judging by the social media posts I saw. The site features profiles of interesting Edmontonians. You know, like the half dozen or so similar sites that have already come and gone. I’ll be impressed if YEG People manages to last longer than a handful of profiles.
• Paul Moulton announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Edmonton Arts Council this week, a position he has held since April 2013.
• Edmonton’s Karen Smith is this year’s recipient of the Inspiration Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Inspiration Awards “recognize individuals for their outstanding commitment and leadership in family violence and sexual violence prevention.”
• Be sure to spend some time reading this excellent article in the Journal on domestic violence.
• I haven’t watched it yet, but here’s a 90 minute documentary called Standing Alone that is a “fascinating tale about the decision of a Guelph, Ontario rock act to relocate to Edmonton, Alberta in 1980 in order to move forward in their music business careers.” Sounds intriguing!
• The Edmonton Police Commission and Edmonton Police Service have released their 2015 Third Quarter Report to the Community.
• The use of e-cigarettes is now prohibited from all public places where smoking is currently banned.
• Make Something Edmonton reports that 1000 projects have been posted on the website. That’s quite the milestone!
• I am enjoying Make Something Edmonton’s profile series called Made in Edmonton. The latest entry features Bro Brick (a product I use myself).
• The University of Alberta is hoping a new $40 million residence that would accommodate 520 first-year students could be open by 2018. The project is known as Lister Hall Five.
• Have your say on urban hens, Edmonton’s transit strategy, bike safety, and much more in the latest Edmonton Insight Community survey.
• Here are the latest urbanism headlines from Spacing Edmonton.
• The Journal is once again hosting a Christmas Lights Map so you can find all of the wonderful lights around the city!
• This year the Bissell Centre is encouraging Edmontonians to turn their Christmas event into a Giving Tree Party.
• Here is Premier Rachel Notley’s statement on the Paris attacks.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

For Paris, photo by Jeff Wallace

Upcoming Events

• Metis Week in Edmonton kicked off today and runs through Saturday.
• There are workshops taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday this week to help determine transit priorities in Edmonton.
• Now that CFR is done, the Oilers are back at home. They host the Blackhawks on Wednesday, and the Devils on Friday.
• The National Housing Day Luncheon takes place on Thursday.
• Indie Handmade takes place starting Friday at The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert and runs through Sunday.
• Taking place Saturday and Sunday is The Vixens of Vintage Holiday Market at the Prince of Wales Armouries.
• All is Bright returns to 124 Street on Saturday!
• Also taking place on Saturday is Santa’s Parade of Lights, an outdoor parade taking place downtown.
• Latitude 53 invites you to The Fine Art of Schmoozy on Saturday.
• If you haven’t already checked it out, here is my Winter 2015/2016 Festivals & Events listing. I think it shows just how many great things happen in Edmonton, even during the winter months.
• Starting next week you can see the Magna Carta at the Alberta Legislature!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Canadian Finals Rodeo, photo by IQRemix