Edmonton Notes for 11/29/2015

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Tonight the Edmonton Eskimos won their 14th Grey Cup, defeating the Ottawa RedBlacks in Winnipeg with a final score of 26-20! Ottawa started with a 13-0 lead but the Esks came back and played a solid game after those few opening minutes. It all came down to a coach’s challenge on pass interference which got us in position to score. Quarterback Mike Reilly was named MVP.

• With the Eskimos in the Grey Cup it was the perfect opportunity for a discussion about our team’s name. I’m not sure why this wasn’t being discussed a month ago, but whatever. The Ottawa Citizen Editorial Board wrote that “it’s time to put some traditions firmly in the past” saying we need to seriously consider changing the team’s name. Paula Simons essentially agreed, writing “let’s tackle the task of crafting a team identity that makes everyone proud” after the game is over. But I love the last little barb she got in there: “Rest assured, whatever we call our Grey Cup team, it won’t be the Greengolds.”
• Very sad news started the week, as we learned that Manmeet Singh Bhullar passed away. Here’s a statement from his family and here’s a statement from Premier Notley.
• As mentioned earlier this week, TransEd Partners was selected as the Valley Line LRT partner. Contracts should be finalized in February.
• The Journal released its always-controversial Power 30 list for 2015. Fairly predictable, I’d say.
• Finally EPS is hearing the word “no”. Or at least the word “less”. Council moved to cap budget increases for the Police to the rate of inflation plus population growth.
• The Police also had to defend their budget documents after the odd suggestion that mentally ill patients be transported to the Remand Centre was discovered.
• In other budget news, EEDC CEO Brad Ferguson voluntarily took a 2% cut. He said, “it’s the right thing to do.”
• According to Dave there are now 17 candidates who have expressed their intention to run in the Ward 12 by-election.
• In Provincial news this week, AHS CEO Vickie Kaminski resigned and Anne McGrath was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Premier’s office.
• The results of the 2015 Litter Audit show a 24% reduction in large litter and a 12% reduction in small litter compared to last year.
• The new Responsible Hospitality Industry Association was introduced this week. It “consists of licensed venues owners and operators who are committed to a safe, viable and vibrant industry.”
• Pogo CarShare is celebrating its first year of operation with more than 2,000 members!
• Congratulations to Billy-Ray Belcourt, Carley-Jane Stanton, and Zia Saleh – they are the U of A’s Rhodes Scholars for 2016!
• The Bissell Centre’s Stop! Drop! And Give! campaign runs December 1 to 15. The kickoff takes place Tuesday at London Drugs in Oliver Square.
• Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail’s two-year term as Historian Laureate wraps up in March 2016 and that means the search is on for her successor.
• Three finalists have been named for the Edmonton Music Prize which will be awarded in January.
• Here are the latest urbanism headlines from Spacing Edmonton.
• Paris will be in the spotlight again this week as COP21 takes place. Premier Rachel Notley will be attending as part of the Canadian delegation.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton – More Light! photo by Jeff Wallace

Upcoming Events

• Don’t forget you can head over to the Alberta Legislature to see the Magna Carta!
• An Evening with Edmonton’s Writers in Residence takes place on Monday evening at Yellowhead Brewery.
• The Oilers host the Bruins on Wednesday, the Stars on Friday, and the Sabres on Sunday.
• I’m looking forward to the lights at the Legislature! The light up takes place on Thursday.
• Celebrating its 25th year, the Butterdome Craft Sale takes place on the weekend!
• It won’t be long now until the new Royal Alberta Museum opens downtown, and that means the current location is closing. They’re celebrating with a Closing Party on the weekend.
• Royal Bison returns for its second weekend, Friday through Sunday.
• Luminaria takes place on Saturday and Sunday at the Devonian Botanic Garden.
• You can find many more winter festivals & events in my annual guide!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Festival of Trees, photo by IQRemix

We had our first big snowfall this week, but aside from a couple of days it has been pretty warm. That looks set to continue starting Tuesday, with highs above zero and lows in the -3 to -7 range.