Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- For the second time in as many months, a pedestrian was killed by an ETS bus in a marked crosswalk this weekend. This time it was a 13-year-old girl. Here is the statement from the City of Edmonton. Edmonton Police are investigating: “Police believe the ETS bus unknowingly struck the pedestrian; the bus did not stop and wait at the scene following the collision.” This has to stop.
- The City anticipates a surplus of $28.4 million in spending this year. The forecast surplus will be presented to Council on Tuesday.
- The Government of Alberta has approved Beaumont’s request to annex 580 hectares of contested Leduc County land. Mayor Don Iveson says, “we’re talking about 100 years worth of land for Beaumont, which is unprecedented.”
- Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, and Spruce Grove are joining the U-Pass program as of January 1, 2017. “Post-secondary students who live in the new partner municipalities will now have access to all partner transit services without having to purchase separate fares.”
- The Katz Group has purchased the MacDonald Lofts. “The 102-year-old building next to Boyle Street Community Services was named a historic site by the city in 2003.”
- Matt Gibbs, who is credited with the original concept for last year’s popular Freezeway, says the City has “steamrolled” him out of the project. A new version of the Freezeway will return this year, under the name IceWay. Now the mayor has asked for clarification for how the City gives credit for ideas like this one. While I think it’ll ultimately be a good thing for the City to explore this and perhaps set some consistent rules, it seems like this whole issue was blown way out of proportion. I’ll just leave this here.
- Here is an update on the new Municipal Government Act. Albertans are invited to share their feedback using this online questionnaire until January 31, 2017.
- Congratulations to Ian O’Donnell who will take over for Jim Taylor as Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association. He starts on December 8.
- David van Belle and Richard Van Camp are the 2017 Metro Federation Writers in Residence. Partners Edmonton Public Library, Fort Saskatchewan Public Library, St. Albert Public Library, and Strathcona County Library will each play host to a writer in residence over the next year.
- Here’s a feature on #bundleupyeg which is now into its fourth year of bringing winter clothing to our city’s homeless community. You can donate here.
- Congratulations to the 2016 Performance & Citation Award recipients. “Salute to Excellence is celebrating 65 years of honouring outstanding individuals and groups whose work in arts, culture, community service and sports has improved the quality of life in Edmonton.”
- Get ready for more bridge work on Groat Road – the City is planning to rehabilitate three bridges during the summer of 2018.
- From the Edmonton City as Museum Project: Edmonton’s South Asian Community.
- November is carbon monoxide awareness month – make sure you have a working CO detector on each floor and near every sleeping area!
- PSA: The skating rink at City Hall is already open!
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Stop Kinder Morgan Vigil, Alberta Legislature, photo by 350.org
Upcoming Events
- The next installment of the Amiskwaciy History Series, which aims to “build awareness around the often untold Indigenous history of the Edmonton area,” takes place on Tuesday at the EPL Whitemud Crossing branch.
- The Oilers host the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, the Ducks on Saturday, and the Wild on Sunday.
- This year’s edition of the So This Is Christmas musical kicks off at C3 Church on Wednesday.
- Join Let’s Talk Heritage at City Hall on Wednesday evening for a look at the River Crossing Heritage Interpretive Plan.
- The Butterdome Craft Sale kicks off on Thursday and runs through Sunday at the Universiade Pavilion.
- Ready to enjoy the holiday lights at the Legislature? The kickoff is on Thursday and you can take in the grounds through December 23.
- Grab a blanket and head to a patio – the Winter Patio Kick-off takes place on Friday at venues around the city.
- The ever popular Luminaria takes place this weekend at the Devonian Botanic Garden.
- Head over to the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre from Friday through Sunday for the first of two weekends for the Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair.
- Old Strathcona is celebrating the season with horse-drawn sleigh shuttles on Saturday from 1-5pm!
- Happy 9th Birthday to Smudge! You can help her celebrate at the Edmonton Humane Society on Saturday.
- Be sure to check out my Winter 2016/2017 Festival & Event Guide for even more holiday & winter related events!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
CN Christmas Express, St Albert, photo by Jeff Wallace
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