Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Monday was Nomination Day for the Ward 12 by-election and when all was said and done, a record 32 candidates put their names forward.
- With that many candidates running, how is anyone supposed to break from the pack? Dave has some ideas.
- Edmonton is the first city in Canada to legalize ridesharing services like Uber. Here is my post on the news and why it matters. And here is a look at some data from a 2014 survey on taxis in Edmonton.
- The City of Edmonton announced a major reorganization this week, which takes effect on March 1. The big change is that the Transportation department has been broken up.
- In a guest post at the #YEGFILM blog, Christopher White writes that a report going to Council this week on Edmonton’s film industry will be “trumpeted as the culmination of deep consultation and reflection” but that characterization is “false”. He says EEDC “remains the best vehicle to build a better Media Commission.”
- The Province announced Friday it will not be increasing natural resource royalty rates. Dave rounds up reaction to the news here.
- Montreal architects Saucier & Perrotte have been asked to design the $180 million Lewis Farms Recreation Centre.
- Great to see some national coverage for local startup Localize, which aims to give consumers more information about their food through better labelling.
- Signs for new residential construction have been approved and will come into effect on April 1. The new signs should help residents better understand what’s happening in their neighbourhoods and who to call for more information.
- With Council’s recent approval, the Hulbert Block on Whyte Avenue (home to Block 1912) has been formally designated as a Municipal Historic Resource.
- A Royal Roads University Master of Arts in Environment and Management student is surveying Edmonton’s creative workers to examine their social characteristics and urban design preferences. You can fill out the survey here.
- The Accessibility Advisory Committee has put out a call out for nominations for the 2016 Mayor’s Awards. The deadline to nominate an individual or business is March 4.
- City Charter discussions continue. Mayors Iveson and Nenshi met with members of the Provincial government again this week.
- There are three days left to support the Pride Tape kickstarter! Learn more and make your donation here.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Transforming City, photo by Dave Sutherland
Upcoming Events
- Council is back to Committee meetings this week, with Community Services Committee on Monday, Executive Committee on Tuesday, and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.
- Edmonton Food Fight 7 takes place on Monday evening and features Doreen Prei vs. Steven Brochu.
- All-star Taylor Hall returns home for Oilers to host the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. Hopefully McDavid is back too!
- Wednesday is Winter Walk Day. Get outside and enjoy the mild weather!
- On Wednesday evening, head over to Yellowhead Brewery for the next Green Drinks. It’s winter themed!
- Laws of Luxury is hosting a speed dating fundraiser on Friday evening at Transcend in the Mercer building.
- The Flying Canoe Adventure takes place on Friday and Saturday! Check out the festivities at Mill Creek Ravine and La Cite Francophone.
- The City is hosting an open house on public engagement at City Hall on Saturday.
- There’s another Cat Yoga event taking place Saturday at the Edmonton Humane Society.
- The first of two Hypothermic Runs takes place on Sunday with the start at Highlands Golf Club.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Rain in Edmonton…in January!
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