Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- We increasingly hear about amazing and scary advances in artificial intelligence, but did you know Edmonton “is now viewed as a world leader in the field”? There is some truly incredible work happening at the University of Alberta.
- Slowly but surely, Edmonton businesses are embracing winter. “It’s part of a transformation taking place across Edmonton, the northernmost big city in North America.”
- I am absolutely in favor of charging construction companies a fee for on-street construction permits, so long as it applies to sidewalk closures as well.
- “The seven trustees on the Catholic school board oversee a $480-million budget and the education of 40,000 Edmonton children in Alberta’s fourth-largest school district.” And it’s a complete mess.
- Edmonton could soon have four safe injection sites, pending federal approval. This is great news. But a Journal editorial argues they “are not a silver bullet in the battle against substance abuse.”
- Is this real? The Oilers are “in such a good position that it would take a historic collapse to miss the playoffs,” writes Jonathan Willis at OilersNation.
- A new City report says 24% of all new housing last year was built in mature and core neighbourhoods. That’s up significantly from 2015, so let’s hope it continues.
- The City is looking at ways to make the North Saskatchewan River safer and quieter as it encourages more people to take advantage of the river.
- Paula Simons has the story of Joseph Lewis, Edmonton’s first black voyageur.
- The City of Edmonton and United Way are looking for an Executive Director for EndPovertyEdmonton. The deadline to apply is March 8. Here’s their blog post about the position.
- The results of the 2016 Litter Audit “show the average amount of large litter, such as food wrappers and cigarette packages, decreased from 11.6 items per site in 2015 to 11 items in 2016.”
- The City’s new service centre is now open at the Edmonton Tower downtown.
- Are more people really cycling in the winter? Maybe in the mild years, like this year. Is it a trend, though?
- There’s no denying the relatively mild weather is good news for gardeners, however! Dustin recently took a look at what grows here.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Intact Insurance Building, photo by Jeff Wallace
Upcoming Events
- The Alberta Gift Fair takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre through Wednesday.
- The next ATB BoostR Stage event takes place on Tuesday at the Shaw Theatre at NAIT.
- On Tuesday evening, EPL hosts A Conversation about Reconciliation at The Ramada on Kingsway.
- Head over to Yellowhead Brewery on Wednesday evening for Green Drinks: Green Economy.
- Thursday & Friday is the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention at the Shaw Conference Centre.
- The Body Soul & Spirit Expo takes place from Friday through Sunday at The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert.
- The Oilers host the Red Wings on Saturday at Rogers Place.
- The Harlem Globetrotters are in Edmonton on Saturday at Rexall Place.
- International Women’s Day is coming up on March 8 and there’s a rally taking place here in Edmonton on Sunday.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Pink Shirt Day, photo by Premier of Alberta
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