Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Congratulations to all those recognized in Vue Weekly’s 2016 Best of Edmonton! I am thrilled to have been named Best Local Affairs Blog again this year. Thank you!
- City Council passed the Edmonton Suicide Prevention Strategy this week. The advisory committee behind the strategy will now work on an implementation plan.
- The Mechanized River Valley Access project, better known as the funicular, is on schedule and on budget according to the City. Construction is expected to be completed next fall and the project actually consists of a few elements – the funicular, a staircase, a promenade and grass lawn, a bridge, an elevator, and a river lookout.
- Falling further behind schedule though is the new Walterdale Bridge, freshly delayed until the middle of 2017. Apparently it remains on budget thanks to daily penalties incurred by the contractor.
- The Downtown Community Arena officially opened its doors today. The $25 million project is located on the northeast corner of Rogers Place.
- Edmonton Made, a new pilot program “designed to profile and enhance local businesses and entrepreneurs” was launched on Monday by the City and EEDC. I missed the event but am hoping to get my hands on the Edmonton Made stickers this week.
- Alberta honored the 100 men and women who have died since 1876 protecting Albertans at the annual Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day ceremony today at the Alberta Legislature.
- I’m finding it difficult to get excited about redesigning our city’s flag. I bet most people don’t even know we have one. I like Dustin Bajer’s design but if we’re going to do anything with the flag, I think it should acknowledge Treaty 6.
- What should happen to the old Royal Alberta Museum building? Mayor Iveson thinks it could be a national museum for Canada’s Indigenous people.
- Bill Eddins has announced he will step down as music director for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra next June. He joined the ESO in 2005.
- From 5-10am this week all trips 30 minutes or under are just $3 or less with Pogo. Could be a good chance to try the local car sharing service? I’m a happy member!
- EPS is urging motorists to slow down on the High Level Bridge. A number of drivers have been caught going more than twice the speed limit in recent nights.
- The early bird deadline for the Caritas Dream Life Lottery is fast approaching! Get your tickets before September 29 for a chance to win. Proceeds support the Grey Nuns, Misericordia, and Edmonton General hospitals.
- Congratulations to members of the EPS Air-1 Crew on receiving two awards recently: the Captain ‘Gus’ Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award and the Tactical Flight Officer of the Year Award.
- The deadline for submissions for the City of Edmonton’s Canada 150 Legacy Projects application is October 17. “The committee will consider capital, cultural and social legacy projects (or a combination of these focus areas) and projects that will to help build and strengthen community over the long term.”
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Shedding Yellow, photo by Kurt Bauschardt
Upcoming Events
- The Oilers host the Flames on Monday evening at Rogers Place for the first pre-season game of the 2016-2017 campaign. I’ll be there!
- Alberta Boostr is holding another pitch event on Tuesday evening at NAIT! One of the companies pitching is Sugared & Spiced Baked Goods Inc. They have already raised an impressive $31,934 (as of Sunday evening) to help fund their new storefront.
- Have your say on the future of Whyte Avenue at a planning workshop on Wednesday evening at the Roots Community Building. You can learn more about the project here.
- The 2016 RISE Awards take place on Wednesday evening at City Hall.
- Thursday morning is the first of two workshops on strengthening public engagement.
- Pecha Kucha Night 26 takes place on Thursday at the Garneau Theatre.
- Head over to the Edmonton Expo Centre on Friday and Saturday for Edmonton Oktoberfest.
- Alberta Culture Days runs Friday through Sunday at historic sites, museums, and other locations around the province.
- Time is running out to visit the City Market Downtown – just two weekends to go!
- 104 Street is hosting a picnic on Sunday at Michael Phair Park to officially welcome the art installation by Destiny Swiderski.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Alberta’s Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, photo by Premier of Alberta
