Edmonton Notes for December 1, 2019

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Council voted 8-5 in favor of the bus network redesign this week. "The reduction in the number of routes — under the new network, the routes will go from about 240 to 140 — is the biggest concern cited by councillors."
• According to the latest progress report on the Valley Line Southeast LRT, the project continues to trend well behind schedule. TransEd Partners doesn’t have an updated timeline.
• Edmonton fared well in the latest CBRE report on tech talent in Canada. "The Alberta capital snagged the 10th spot overall," reports BetaKit. "Top performing drivers for Edmonton included tech quality to cost, tech pool labour size, and quality of labour, which received an A."
• While it has been open for a little while now, the new security screening area at the Edmonton International Airport was officially unveiled this week. We got to use it on our trip to Chicago and had a very efficient, pleasant experience.
• Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels, which represents 57 hotels in the city, has launched a campaign against short-term rentals like Airbnb.
• The Edmonton Eskimos have fired Jason Maas, "ending the four-year run of a hot-tempered, heart-on-his-sleeve head coach who inspired his players but delivered results that, while good, were never good enough."
• The City and Gold Sports, which owns the Edmonton Prospects, have reached an agreement for a one-year extension which means baseball will return again next summer.
• Edmonton has been awarded the 2020 championship weekend for the Canadian Elite Basketball League. "As such, the Edmonton Stingers will receive a host berth into the four-team title showcase on their home floor of the Hive, at the Edmonton Expo Centre Aug. 13-16."
• Aurora Cannabis has opened a flagship store at West Edmonton Mall that it describes as the "largest experiential and retail cannabis store in Canada."
• PSA: Edmonton Transit introduced its winter schedule adjustments today!
• There will not be a Santa Claus parade in Edmonton this year. The organizers blame a major drop in sponsorship and lack of interest.
• In Episode 64 of Speaking Municipally we discussed the bus network redesign and noise about bus rapid transit.
• Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, the Region, Music, Arts, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.

Upcoming Events

• The Enjoy Light Festival continues this week at The Enjoy Centre, and Christmas Glow is on at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• The Edmonton Screen Industries Office is hosting an information session about the Edmonton Screen Media Fund on Tuesday at The Orange Hub.
• The new Edmonton Christmas Market is on at ATB Place. It runs every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until Dec. 21. Here’s some more information about the event.
• The Oilers are at home three times this week: Wednesday against Ottawa, Friday against Los Angeles, and Sunday against Buffalo.
• The Yards is hosting its Winter Launch Party on Thursday evening at the Royal Alberta Museum. The magazine is also celebrating its 5th anniversary.
• The Royal Bison Art + Craft Fair is on again from Friday to Sunday at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
• Luminaria 2019 (sold out) runs Friday to Sunday at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.
• #boombagsYEG is hosting three workshops on Saturday at ATB Place at the Christmas Market!
• Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the John Humphrey Centre on Saturday at the St. John’s Cultural Centre.
• The Oil Kings Teddy Bear Toss takes place on Saturday evening at Rogers Place.
• The ATB Financial Oil Kings Hockey Clinic will take place on Sunday afternoon at the Ice Palace at West Edmonton Mall.
• Metro Cinema is showing Fight Club on Sunday!

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