Happy long weekend! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Edmonton startup Jobber has expanded to Toronto with a new office “to support the rapid growth of its global customer base.” Congrats to Sam, Forrest, and the team!
- The downtown office vacancy rate in Edmonton has nearly doubled in the past year to 15.3%. That compares to 23.9% down in Calgary.
- David Staples spoke with Councillor Michael Oshry about his decision to not seek re-election.
- Dave has updated his list of candidates intending to run in the 2017 Municipal Election. The list now includes school trustees too.
- Congratulations to the recipients of the 2017 Mayor’s Awards who were recognized for “making Edmonton a more inclusive city for persons with disabilities.”
- Now that we’re into grass growing season, the City is encouraging residents to go bagless and leave grass clippings on the lawn. I love the video they made to promote this! Don’t feed the grass monster!
- The Art Gallery of Alberta has announced that admission is free on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and hours have been extended to 8pm.
- Ledcor is donating $250,000 to the University of Alberta’s new David and Joan Lynch School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management.
- A public hearing will take place on May 29 to discuss new rules for residential development in Edmonton’s Mature Neighbourhood Overlay.
- The World Indigenous Nations Games are taking place at Enoch First Nation in July but organizers are still trying to secure $25 million in funding from all three orders of government.
- Heads up if you’re driving in Oliver: beginning Tuesday, May 23, 102 Avenue will be permanently closed to westbound traffic from 116 Street to 121 Street.
- Chad Huculak perfectly captured the meme-ories from the Oilers’ playoff run this season!
- Michael Jenkins, the city’s “bug guy”, says we can expect fewer mosquitoes and other pests this season thanks to the relatively cold, dry weather we’ve been seeing.
- Looking to enjoy a patio with your pooch this summer? Linda has a list of dog-friendly patios and markets in Edmonton.
- Edmonton’s Front Yards in Bloom program has kicked off for another season. “This year, citizens can nominate their neighbours’ yards in one of five categories: General, Edible, Natural, Public Spaces and Uniquely Canadian.” That last category was added to celebrate Canada 150.
- For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.
Upcoming Events
- Opera NUOVA’s 2017 Opera & Music Theatre Festival started this weekend and runs through the end of June.
- Mayor Iveson will deliver his 2017 State of the City Address on Wednesday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
- On Wednesday evening at City Hall the Edmonton Heritage Council is hosting its 2017 AGM. See you there!
- Also Wednesday evening is Fresh MEAET, a micro-fundraising event in support of food & urban agriculture initiatives in Edmonton. Tickets are just $15.
- Martin Kerr is performing at the Winspear Centre on Wednesday evening!
- The TALES Storytelling Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday in Old Strathcona.
- MADE is hosting an event featuring Bryan Lee of Design Justice at the Chvrch of John on Thursday evening.
- The second annual In Her Shoes Gala takes place Friday evening at the River Cree Casino & Resort.
- The City Market Downtown returned to 104 Street this weekend!
- The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry is hosting the Festival of Health on Saturday at the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. Registration is free!
- IDEA is kicking off a speaker series on Saturday with an event called The Future of Infill in #YEG taking place at the Boyle Street Community League.
- Reconciliation Week kicks off on Sunday!
- Pecha Kucha Night 28 is coming up on June 1 and tickets are on sale now.
- Be sure to check out Taproot Edmonton’s summer festival & event listing for more great events!
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
Nagar Kirtan Edmonton, photo by Premier of Alberta
