Happy Leap Year! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Former Alberta premier Don Getty passed away this week at the age of 82. The funeral will be held Saturday at All Saints Cathedral. Books of condolence have been set up at the Legislature, or you can share your condolences online.
- The results are now official and Moe Banga was officially sworn in as the councillor for Ward 12 on Friday afternoon at City Hall. Here is some analysis by Michael Ross, and here’s my look at what he and the rest of Council will be considering this week.
- Former city councillor Michael Phair was appointed to the chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta this week. This is such great news, congratulations Michael!
- Paul Giang argues that we need to make downtown more friendly for families. Despite a few positive steps in the right direction, there’s still a lot of work to do.
- Former Vancouver city planner Brent Toderian was in Edmonton this week and says that we have the same problem Calgary had recently: “nice visions, award-winning plans, tough follow-through.”
- Avenue Edmonton has launched its Best Restaurants list for 2016. Congrats to all, and happy eating!
- ETS has launched Thank You Thursdays, “a year-long campaign that uses positive reinforcement” to encourage things like “removing backpacks, giving up a seat, keeping music volume at a reasonable level and treating transit staff with respect.”
- The Oilers Entertainment Group has announced that Live Nation Canada will be the Preferred Promoter for Rogers Place and the Winter Garden. Paula has more on the OEG’s entertainment ambitions.
- And speaking of Ice District, a milestone was achieved this week when the first seat was installed at Rogers Place.
- This is pretty cool: the Cloverdale Footbridge is featured in the new music video for the Skrillex & Diplo song “Mind”. Nice find Robin!
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services will be accepting firefighter applications from March 1 to 31.
- The Oilers traded Anders Nilsson, Justin Schultz, and Teddy Purcell away on Saturday, and they may not be done yet. Will the team be big sellers by Monday’s trade deadline?
- Last weekend more than 70 bus shelters were damaged in a mischief spree that also resulted in damaged homes and vehicles. Get in touch with police if you have any information on these crimes.
- Nominations are now open for Vue Weekly’s Golden Fork Awards for 2016. You have until March 31 to suggest your favorites.
- Should you have questions about your property assessment notice, the deadline to file a formal complaint is March 11. If you think there’s an error call 311.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Rogers Place, photo by Darren Kirby
Upcoming Events
- The Oil Kings host the Victoria Royals at Rexall Place on Monday night, and the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday night.
- Monday evening is the screening of Recruiting Hell. You can learn more about the film here.
- Mark Tewksbury is speaking about the ethical and moral dimensions of leadership on Monday night as part of the Lougheed College Lectures series.
- I’ll be at the food themed Green Drinks on Wednesday at Yellowhead Brewery. Hope to see you there!
- Pecha Kucha Night 24 takes place on Thursday at the Garneau Theatre.
- Check out ballroom dancing at The Snow Ball on Friday at the Prince of Wales Armouries.
- Saturday is Open Data Day! Join in the fun at the Makerspace.
- Cat Yoga continues at the Edmonton Humane Society on Saturday.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Mayor Iveson, Councillor Nickel, and new Ward 12 Councillor Banga
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