Edmonton Notes for January 12, 2020

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• "More than 2,300 people filled the Saville Community Sports Centre at the University of Alberta to cherish the lives of 13 Edmonton community members and 163 others killed last Wednesday when Ukrainian Airlines International Flight PS752 was shot down by a missile shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s airport," reports the Edmonton Journal. The memorial service held today at the University of Alberta can be watched online.
• It’s going to be cold all week, so bundle up and stay safe! There were nearly 200 collisions over the weekend and numerous complaints about pets being left out in the cold. The temporary emergency overnight shelter at Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre had to expand its capacity to accommodate demand.
• Edmonton finished 2019 with the highest unemployment rate of any metropolitan area in Canada at 8%, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. That’s in contrast to the national trend of increasing employment. “We still see this as us being on the road to recovery,” said City of Edmonton senior economist Felicia Mutheardy.
• Holt Renfrew has closed its Edmonton store, ending a 70-year run amid a shift in strategy for the large-format retailer, reports Retail Insider. Here’s a photo essay of the store’s final days.
• Edmonton’s NextGen is taking over "sole management of the Make Something Edmonton platform," according to a statement posted to the site. The website will be "repurposed" and the social media accounts will "transition into sunset and no longer be active" so it’s not clear what NextGen is going to have in the end.
• In hiring Tom Anselmi, "the Oilers hope to bring a little MLSE to Alberta," reports The Globe and Mail. His mandate is to see through construction of the $2.5 billion Ice District which covers 25 acres on Edmonton’s downtown.
• This year "will be a year of significant change for Edmonton, where we will receive both long awaited answers to lingering issues along with new challenges," writes Keith Gerein at the Edmonton Journal. He mentions the economy, winter roads, election politics, and transit overhaul among the major issues Edmonton will face in 2020.
• Earlier this week Mayor Don Iveson met with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland to discuss the new NAFTA, but also homelessness. “The minister had seen some of the social disorder in the city and was curious about what actions we’re taking to deal with addictions and mental health issues here and homelessness and social disorder here,” the mayor said.
• Joan Hertz has been named interim president and CEO of NorQuest.
• Sweet Convenience, a candy store in west Edmonton, is offering a cold-weather discount on all bulk candy. “Whatever the temperature is outside — including the wind chill — you get that discount on your candy,” owner Laurie Radostits said.
• Edmonton’s Christmas Market plans to return this year after about 20,000 people attended the first one.
• ETS fare changes start Feb. 1. The single cash fare remains the same with most changes made to seniors passes.
• Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, the Region, Music, Arts, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.

Upcoming Events

• Chinatown Dining Week runs until Sunday, Jan. 19. Don’t miss it!
• The Ice Castles are on at Hawrelak Park, if you’re willing to brave the cold.
• The Oilers are back from their road trip. They’ll host the Predators on Tuesday and the Coyotes on Saturday at Rogers Place.
• The next Alberta Podcast Meetup will address promoting your podcast on social media. It’s on Tuesday evening at the ATB Entrepreneur Centre.
• Amii’s next AI Meetup is on Wednesday evening at Startup Edmonton.
• The Edmonton Whisky Festival is on Wednesday evening at the Delta Marriott Edmonton South.
• Opera 101: The Marriage of Figaro is on Wednesday evening at CKUA.
• CSC Edmonton is offering a tour of the Brighton Block on Thursday morning.
• Green Drinks: New Year’s Revolutions takes place on Thursday evening at a new location – Polar Park Brewing!
• Anthony Johnson, James Makokis & Janice Makokis will address Truth & Reconciliation on Thursday evening at the next Lougheed College Lecture at TELUS Centre.
• The Edmonton Motorcycle Show runs Friday to Sunday at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• Kevin Smith will be in Edmonton on Saturday for the Jay & Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow at the Myer Horowitz Theatre.
• Bridal Fantasy is on Sunday afternoon at the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
• Swing ‘n’ Skate is on at City Hall every Sunday until Feb. 23.

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