Edmonton Notes for November 12, 2017

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• The City’s 2018 Supplemental Operating Budget Adjustment proposes an increase of 3.6% to the average property tax bill, 1.4% lower than expected. “The budget has been offset in part, thanks to more than $47 million identified in greater savings and efficiences — nearly $15 million more than last year.” Council will deliberate the budget starting December 6.
• Should the Edmonton Eskimos change their name? Mayor Don Iveson and Winnipeg’s first Métis mayor, Brian Bowman, both think so. “We are keenly listening to all input including from our loyal season seat holders and fans,” the Eskimos said in a statement.
• BioWare announced it is moving into three floors of Epcor Tower in late 2018 or early 2019. It’ll be great to have them downtown!
• Mayor Don Iveson says municipalities are not at the table with the provincial and federal governments in discussing marijuana sales. “This is one of those examples where it all runs downhill to us,” he said.
• The City has launched Change for Climate, “a call to all Edmontonians to take action and work together to reduce our city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 35% (below 2005 levels) by 2035.”
• The Edmonton Arts Council has announced the consultants that will work together on Edmonton’s next comprehensive Arts & Heritage Plan 2019-2029: A. Adair & Associates Consulting Inc., Calder Bateman, and Purple Aspen.
• A collection of artwork from Dawn Marie Marchand, a Cree and Métis visual artist from Cold Lake First Nations, and Edmonton’s first Indigenous Artist-in-Residence, is now on display at City Hall. You can see it until November 20.
• The 44th Canadian Finals Rodeo has come to a close at Northlands Coliseum. Now the question is, where will it take place next year?
• Phase one of the Blatchford Redevelopment builder selection process is now underway with the Request for Expression of Interest now open and being accepted until December 8.
• Starting November 20, the number of parking stalls at Century Park is being reduced from 1,085 to 866 due to more private development taking place. “There will be 221 free stalls and 665 reserved stalls available for commuters.”
• According to Edmonton Police, 33 idling vehicles have been stolen in just the last nine days. “It’s just happening everyday and we just need people to take the time to secure their vehicles,” Staff Sgt. Ron Smithman said.
• If you can believe it, new signal malfunctions on the Metro Line LRT caused a train to travel down the wrong track this weekend.
• Edmonton has made the World’s Best Cities list for the first time in 2018, coming in at number 60.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Remembrance Day, photo by Premier of Alberta

Upcoming Events

• AAMDC’s Fall Convention takes place at the Shaw Conference Centre from Tuesday to Friday.
• The Oilers are back from their road trip to host the Golden Knights on Tuesday and the Blues on Thursday.
• The next VA Angels Edmonton Forum is happening at the Royal Glenora Club on Tuesday evening.
• Métis Week will be proclaimed at City Hall on Wednesday morning.
• Halsey is performing at Rogers Place on Wednesday evening.
• The 2017 Innovation Awards, honoring University of Alberta researchers, takes place at Lister Centre on Thursday afternoon.
• Indie Handmade takes place Thursday through Sunday at The Enjoy Centre in St. Albert.
• Taboo Edmonton, the Naughty but Nice Sex Show, is at the Edmonton Expo Centre from Thursday through Sunday.
• Head over to The Carrot on Alberta Avenue on Friday and Saturday for the Carrot Christmas Arts Bazaar.
• This year’s Santa’s Parade of Lights takes place at 5:30pm on Saturday. The route starts at 100 Street and continues down Jasper Avenue to 108 Street.
• The University of Alberta’s Computer Engineering Club is running the HackEDbeta hackathon at Startup Edmonton on Saturday and Sunday.
• The Royal Glenora’s Christmas Gift Show takes place on Sunday.
• For more upcoming events, check out Taproot’s guide to winter festivals and events in and around Edmonton!

Atmosphere, photo by Jeff Wallace