Edmonton Notes for March 12, 2017

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• The City of Edmonton and the Enoch Cree First Nation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to “build upon the strengthening government-to-government relationship for the social and economic benefit of current and future generations.” The Mayor posted some photos of the ceremony on Facebook. The agreement commits the two parties to a long-term working relationship and opens the door to an urban reserve.
• The City has declared a seasonal parking ban for all collector/bus routes starting at 7am Monday. You can learn more and sign up for notifications here.
• Edmonton is the first municipality in Canada to adopt the International Open Data Charter, “a global action network that aims to provide governments with best practice and principles to achieve international standards to open government.” Here’s the Transforming Edmonton post with more on the news.
• The Edmonton Police Service is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Here’s the 5th issue of the Legacy of Heroes Comic Book to mark the milestone.
• Councillor Michael Oshry has suggested the requirements to run for Council should increase to 100 signatures and a $1,000 deposit. Currently you need just 25 signatures and a $100 deposit. While I agree that debates and other events with dozens of candidates are useless, the solution cannot be to make it harder for people to participate in democracy.
• It’s March and we’re seriously talking about playoffs: “If everything goes as planned, the Oilers will be looking at their first postseason appearance since the windy days of Aught Six. There will be much rejoicing, and there will likely be a baby boom at the beginning of 2018. It’s been a tough decade.”
• If the Oilers do make the playoffs it’ll be happy times indeed, but happy enough to justify a 44% seat price markup for the first round? The increase jumps to 68% if they make the second round, 92% for the third round, and 188% for the Stanley Cup Final.
• On Tuesday Council will be debating the proposal to add a security barrier, metal detectors, and bag checks to security measures at City Hall.
• The Guardian did a feature recently on Lucy, the world’s coldest elephant. “Some argue Lucy is a well-adjusted Asian elephant who shares a deep bond with her keepers and trainers. Others say that – as the only elephant living in a Canadian city where the mercury at times drops to 20 below zero – she is the prisoner of a practice whose time has long passed.”
• Have opinions about Park and Ride? The City is running a survey to collect input until March 31.
• It sounds like there isn’t much support for a new City flag. Hard to get excited about something we never see. “You can’t capture the flag if you can’t capture the public imagination,” wrote Paula Simons.
• Habitat for Humanity Edmonton is preparing for its biggest build ever: 75 construction projects in one week.
• Here’s a Storify recap of the last Green Drinks event focused on the Green Economy.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Social workers make a difference for Albertans, photo by Premier of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• Downtown Dining Week is on through March 19 at restaurants throughout the downtown.
• The Oilers host the Stars on Tuesday, the Bruins on Thursday, and the Canucks on Saturday.
• A public meeting on the new Green Network Strategy called Breathe is taking place at City Hall on Wednesday.
• Mother Mother is performing at the Shaw Conference Centre on Thursday.
• The Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s Show is on at the Edmonton Expo Centre from Thursday through Sunday.
• Friday is of course St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy your green beer everyone.
• BarnRaise Edmonton is a maker conference aiming “to collaborate and co-create viable solutions to social problems embedded in the community.” It takes place Friday through Sunday at the Robbins Health Learning Centre.
• EPL’s Whitemud Crossing branch is holding a Books2Buy event Friday through Sunday.
• On Saturday, the Shaw Conference Centre is hosting the 2017 Awards of Excellence in Housing Gala.
• The third edition of The Downtown Defrost takes place Saturday at Churchill Square. “We’ll be welcoming the changing of the seasons by dancing our hearts out in the square, warming things up and celebrating the springtime equinox.”
• Edmonton Seedy Sunday takes place Sunday at the Central Lions Recreation Centre.
• Head over to West Edmonton Mall on Sunday for Yeggers Instameet 11.
• Spring Break is coming up so here’s a list of things to do with kids in Edmonton from Raising Edmonton. Family Fun Edmonton also has some suggestions.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Paella by Sabor Divino