Edmonton Notes for October 20, 2019

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Activist Greta Thunberg was in Edmonton on Friday and spoke at a rally at the Alberta Legislature. "We need to start treating this crisis as a crisis," she said. "Because you cannot solve an emergency without treating it as one."
• A mural of Thunberg painted by local artist AJA Louden was defaced over the weekend. So disappointing.
• City Council asked Administration to come up with an annual funding plan to help pay for the restorations of Brighton Block and the Strathcona Hotel. "These are the places where Edmontonians want to be," said David Ridley, executive director of the Edmonton Heritage Council. "So it really has a community and larger economic value."
• The 18th anniversary of the provincial historic designation of the Rossdale Power Plant was celebrated on Thursday with a new lighting installation "that highlights the architecture and history of the structure." The City says there are 35 light stands in the mezzanine floor and 28 lights on the smoke stacks, and that the project cost $200,000.
• City Council’s Executive Committee denounced Quebec’s Bill 21, signalling a willingness to back legal challenges against the bill.
• Cannabis edibles, extracts, and topicals are coming soon and the City says that "licensed cannabis retailers in Edmonton will be able to sell these products as soon as they are legally available from manufacturers and distributed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)."
• A new road and pedestrian crossing is now open just south of Stadium LRT Station. I wish they’d change the name – Muttart Crossing is confusing.
• The proposed Nordic Spa at Fort Edmonton Park was abruptly cancelled on Friday. "Both organizations worked hard to find commercially viable common ground, but in the end we could not make it work," said Darren Dalgleish president and CEO of Fort Edmonton Management Company in a release.
• Mayfield Toyota has announced it is moving to West Edmonton Mall with the new dealership slated to open in April 2021 primarily located in the old Sears part of the mall.
• Campio Brewing officially opened in the former Characters space this past week. I’m looking forward to checking it out!
• Michael Kalmanovitch was running for the Green Party in Edmonton Strathcona but on Wednesday ended his campaign and encouraged supporters to vote strategically to keep the Conservatives out of power.
• Taste of Edmonton has announced it will return to Churchill Square next summer with more vendors and more food trucks. “We’re thrilled, we’re excited,” said Donovan Vienneau, Taste of Edmonton’s general manager.
• In the latest episode of Speaking Municipally we got a little distracted, but still managed to talk about heritage buildings, regional waste, and pumpkin spiced lattes.
• ICYMI: The Belvedere Transit Centre reopened on Oct. 2 with a new modern building and improved amenities and safety features.
• Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, the Region, Music, Arts, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.

Edmonton Climate Strike, photo by Dave Sutherland

Upcoming Events

• Monday is Election Day!
• This week is Edmonton Startup Week! There are lots of great events happening every day. The flagship event, Launch Party 10, takes place Thursday evening at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• LitFest is underway at venues around the city. The festival runs until Oct. 27.
• DARK 2019 continues at Fort Edmonton Park until Nov. 1.
• The majority of the City’s Engage Edmonton 2019 events take place this week across the city. "Share your voice, help shape our city."
• Olde Towne Beverly Dining Week is on now at restaurants in Beverly. The event wraps up on Friday.
• WE Day Alberta, "the world’s largest youth empowerment event of its kind," takes place on Tuesday at Rogers Place.
• Nerd Nite Edmonton #52, covering gamification, bankruptcy law, and health living, is on Tuesday evening at the ATB Financial Arts Barns.
• The Edmonton Chapter of CPAs presents #yeg Fastest Growing Companies on Wednesday during lunch at the Westin.
• Happy 5th birthday to Pogo CarShare! They’re celebrating on Wednesday afternoon at Work Nicer Beaver House.
• Canadian Western Bank and AltaML are hosting How YEG Tech Will Transform Alberta’s Economy on Thursday morning at the Citadel Theatre.
• Fashion with Compassion will be held on Thursday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
• The Oilers will host the Capitals on Thursday evening and the Panthers on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Place.
• Edmonton ScreamFest runs Thursday to Sunday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• Edmonton Shift Lab is hosting a showcase on Friday evening at the Singhmar Centre for Learning to "announce the latest service prototypes designed to reduce racism at the community level."
• The PBR Canada Edmonton Classic will be held Saturday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• The Edmonton Ski & Snowboard Show runs Saturday and Sunday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• The Edmonton Pop Culture Fair takes place Sunday at the Alberta Aviation Museum.

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