Edmonton Notes for May 29, 2016

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Come Hither
Come Hither, photo by Kurt Bauschardt

Upcoming Events

Edmonton Cat Festival
Edmonton Cat Festival, photo by IQRemix

Announcing Taproot Edmonton

I’m very excited to tell you about a new project that I have been working on with Karen Unland called Taproot Edmonton. Taproot is a home for local journalism that is created with the community rather than simply for it. It’s our attempt to figure out what the future of local journalism looks like and we’d love for you to be a part of it!

Radishes

We believe the idea of journalism as a service is especially applicable to local journalism. There’s an abundance of information available to all of us, but extracting real value from all that information is hard. When it comes to news, there are plenty of ways to find out what happened, where it happened, when it happened, and who did it. It is less common to explore how and why it happened, even though that’s often where the real value lies. It’s that “how and why” journalism, with context, analysis, and insight, that we want to focus on.

We know this kind of journalism is expensive and that means we’re going to need a new approach to fund it. Advertising isn’t going to cut it (and this kind of journalism doesn’t lend itself to chasing pageviews anyway). While staying open to other potential revenue sources, we think focusing on memberships is the way to go, but with a twist. Our stories will be made available openly to all. If we think a story is worth publishing, we want it to reach as many people as possible and to have as big an impact as possible. The twist is that members will pay not for access to the stories (the paywall or micropayment model), but to be involved in the process from beginning to end.

As a member you’ll have access to the Story Garden, which is our list of story ideas. There members can plant new seeds (suggest a story idea) or they can cultivate existing seeds, by upvoting, commenting, and sharing their insight and perspectives. Our editorial team will assign thriving stories to paid freelancers who will produce the story. When that story is published, all members who contributed will be acknowledged and we’ll do our best to report back on the impact that it had. There will be other perks to being a member of course, which we’ll develop and share over time, but being a part of that process is fundamental.

We believe there’s a great deal of untapped potential in the current model of publishing for an audience. We are confident that collaborating with the community is a better model that will ultimately result in more meaningful stories about Edmonton.

Every week for the last few years I have chronicled the many challenges facing local media organizations in my Media Monday Edmonton updates. Layoffs, consolidations, and plenty of other cost-cutting measures have been undertaken and more are surely on the way. The doom and gloom reached new heights in January when Postmedia merged the Journal and Sun newsrooms and laid off 35 people. After the cuts, many Edmontonians I spoke to lamented the loss of local journalists and their work. And certainly we have seen the paper continue to shed pages. The good news is that there are still plenty of talented journalists doing great work at the Journal/Sun, but for how much longer remains uncertain. Many other local media organizations are not faring much better.

We can continue to focus on the doom and gloom or we can do something about it. Karen and I have decided to put our energy toward the latter. We hope you’ll join us!

Why ‘Taproot’? We love the gardening metaphor and think it works exceptionally well for what we’re doing. You can learn more about taproots at Wikipedia, but essentially a taproot is the largest, most dominant root. In some plants like carrots and radishes, the taproot as a storage organ is so well developed that we eat it. It takes plenty of nourishment to get there, just like good stories. And finally, taproots grow very well here in Edmonton!

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #204

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

FT. MACMURRAY WILDFIRE 06A.jpg
Premier Rachel Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Provincial Operations Centre in Edmonton on May 13, 2016. Photo by Premier of Alberta.

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.

So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Edmonton Notes for May 22, 2016

It has been soggy, but I hope you’re enjoying the long weekend! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Jasper & 104
Jasper & 104, photo by Kurt Bauschardt

Upcoming Events

Alberta Proud
Alberta Proud, photo by Dave Sutherland

Your Guide to Summer Festivals & Events in Edmonton: 2016 Edition!

It looks like summer is here to stay, and that means it’s time for my listing of summer festivals & events, powered by ShareEdmonton. Below you’ll find dozens of events with a website, dates, and links to social media for each. You’ll also find a link to the event at ShareEdmonton and a link to an iCal for the event. I hope you find this listing as useful as I do.

What the Truck?! at Churchill Square

Festivals

Here’s my list of 50+ festivals and events you can look forward to this summer in and around Edmonton!

Event Dates Links
NUOVA Opera & Music Theatre Festival May 21 – July 3 SE  
TALES Storytelling Festival May 26-29 SE
What the Truck?! May 28/29 & more! SE
Edmonton International Cat Festival May 28 SE
Oliver Community Festival May 28 SE
International Children’s Festival May 31 – June 4 SE
Bikeology Festival (Bike Month) June 1-30 SE
NextGen Month June 1-30 SE
Nextfest June 2-12 SE
Park After Dark June 3 – September 2 SE
Edmonton Craft Beer Festival June 3-4 SE
Edmonton Pride Festival June 3-12 SE
100In1Day Edmonton June 4 SE
Edmonton Pride Parade June 4 @ 11am SE
Bonnie Fest June 4 SE
eek! Comic & Pop Culture Fest June 4-5 SE
Heart of the City Festival June 4-5 SE
Sprouts New Play Festival for Kids June 4-5 SE
Edmonton Filipino Fiesta June 11-12 SE
Improvaganza June 15-25 SE
Latitude 53 Patio Series June 16 – August 25 SE
Mercer Summer Super Party June 17 SE
Beaumont Blues & Roots Festival June 17-19 SE
Porkapalooza BBQ Festival June 17-19 SE
Highlandia Festival June 18 SE
Summer Solstice Festival June 20-28 SE
Freewill Shakespeare Festival June 21 – July 17 SE
Slide the City June 23 SE
The Works Art & Design Festival June 23 – July 5 SE
Found Festival June 23-26 SE
Edmonton International Jazz Festival June 24 – July 3 SE
Feats Festival of Dance June 27 – July 10 SE
Canada Day July 1 SE
Sand on Whyte July 1-10 SE
Historic Festival & Doors Open Edmonton July 3-10 SE
Lawn Summer Nights July 7-28 SE
Whyte Avenue Art Walk July 8-10 SE
Edmonton International Street Performers Festival July 8-17 SE
Seven Music Festival July 9 SE
Taste of Edmonton July 21-30 SE
Canadian Food Championships July 22-24 SE
Interstellar Rodeo July 22-24 SE
K-Days July 22-31 SE
K-Days Parade July 22 @ 10am SE
Servus Heritage Festival July 30 – August 1 SE
Rock’n August August 2-6 SE
Edmonton Folk Music Festival August 4-7 SE
Animethon August 5-7 SE
Cariwest August 5-7 SE
Cariwest Parade August 6 @ 12pm SE
Edmonton Airshow August 6-7 SE
Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival August 11-21 SE
Edmonton Rock Music Festival August 12-13 SE
Edmonton Latin Festival August 13-14 SE
Edmonton Dragon Boat Festival August 19-21 SE
Edmonton Blues Festival August 19-21 SE
Symphony Under the Sky August 26-28 SE
Viva Italia Viva Edmonton August 28 SE
Tour of Alberta September 1-5 SE
SONiC BOOM September 3-4 SE
Kaleido Family Arts Festival September 9-11 SE
Strathearn Art Walk September 10 SE
Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo September 23-25 SE
Edmonton Oktoberfest Sept 30 – Oct 1 SE

You can check out a calendar view of festivals here or you can download the iCal feed for your own apps.

Markets

This year I have also decided to include a listing of the many markets you can find around Edmonton! Some are open year-round, but many are just open for the summer, usually from late May/early June to late September/early October.

Event Dates Links
Beverly Towne Farmers’ Market Tuesdays, 4-8pm SE
Miller Crossing Farmers’ Market Tuesdays, 4-8pm
Sundays, 10am-3pm 		SE
Callingwood Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 2-6pm
Sundays, 10am-3pm 		SE
Castle Downs Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 4-8pm SE
Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 4-8pm SE
Southwest Edmonton Farmers’ Market Wednesdays, 4-7:30pm SE
124 Street Grand Market Thursdays, 4-8pm SE
Millwoods Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 5-8pm SE
Salisbury Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 4-7:30pm SE
Westmount Farmers’ Market Thursdays, 10am-4pm SE
Night Market Edmonton Fridays, 7-11pm SE
YEG Market District Fridays, 4-8pm SE
City Market Downtown Saturdays, 9am-3pm SE
Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 8am-3pm SE
South Common Farmers’ Market Sat & Sun, 10am-4pm SE
St. Albert Farmers’ Market Saturdays, 10am-3pm SE
Century Park Market Sundays, 10am-3pm SE
French Quarter Grand Market Sundays, 11am-3pm SE

Alberta Strong

Summer came early this year, but the lack of moisture from a relatively mild winter has meant very dry conditions and we have seen some devastating wildfires around the province already. That is very likely to continue throughout the summer (you can get updates here), so you can be sure that many of the summer festivals will be accepting donations to try to help out. We’ll be accepting donations for the food bank at all What the Truck?! events this year, for instance. Check the festival websites before you attend to see how you can contribute.

Of course, a monetary donation is always a great way to help out! You can donate to the Red Cross here to help those affected by wildfires. Or consider donating directly to Edmonton’s Food Bank or to Edmonton Emergency Relief Services. Also be sure to check out the Province’s tips for donating to charities.

Happy Summer in Edmonton

There are of course many more events listed in the ShareEdmonton calendar, so check it out! Have I missed something that should be included? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it.

Happy summer!

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #203

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

FT. MACMURRAY WILDFIRE 03A.jpg
Premier Rachel Notley meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 13, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.

So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Edmonton Notes for May 15, 2016

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

Good Morning Edmonton
Good Morning Edmonton, photo by Dave Sutherland

Upcoming Events

Jasper & 104
Jasper & 104, photo by Kurt Bauschardt

Media Monday Edmonton: Update #202

Here’s my latest update on local media stuff:

Fort McMurray wildfires 176
Premier Rachel Notley talks to reporters outside the Anzac evacuation centre, photo by Premier of Alberta

And here is some slightly less local media stuff:

You can follow Edmonton media news on Twitter using the hashtag #yegmedia. For a great overview of the global media landscape, check out Mediagazer.

So, what have I missed? What’s new and interesting in the world of Edmonton media? Let me know!

You can see past Media Monday Edmonton entries here.

Edmonton Notes for May 8, 2016

Happy Mother’s Day! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

  • What started out as a fairly normal week quickly became anything but when the Fort McMurray wildfire swept through the city on Tuesday, destroying more than 1,600 buildings and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. The fire grew quickly throughout the week and is expected to continue burning for months. Rain is badly needed to help fight the fire. A province-wide fire ban is in place.
  • As of 4pm today, more than 12,000 people have received assistance from Edmonton’s Reception Centre at the Edmonton Expo Centre, and more than 500 people are staying there overnight, down from 2,000 at the peak. Edmonton’s response has also included sending firefighters and supports to the Fort McMurray area to help battle the blaze. Lots of businesses, community organizations, and individuals have stepped up throughout Edmonton, which is great to see. The pancake breakfast fundraiser held on Friday morning at Churchill Square was a big success.
  • “It’s always been Edmonton’s instinct to help, and help we have,” Mayor Iveson wrote. “Over the next days and months our Wood Buffalo neighbours will need our ongoing support, because the recovery will be like nothing we’ve ever done before.”
  • The latest update from the Province says that more than 1500 firefighters are fighting wildfires around Alberta, including the 161,000 hectare blaze around Fort McMurray.
  • Edmonton will no longer host the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) after this year now that Council has decided against pursuing a bid for 2017. “This does not mean that the door for rodeo in Edmonton is closed forever,” Mayor Iveson wrote, noting that the Oilers Entertainment Group is looking to bring a Professional Bull Riding Association event to Edmonton.
  • In looking at the future of LRT development in our city, Council has decided that the west leg of the Valley Line will be its top priority, followed by the extension from NAIT to Blatchford. All other lines will be prioritized by a future Council.
  • Douglas R. Stollery was elected as the University of Alberta’s 21st chancellor on Friday. His four-year term starts June 15.
  • Edmonton Public Library CEO Pillar Martinez has received the Presidents’ Award from the Library Association of Alberta.
  • The Government of Alberta has restored $16 million in funding for NorQuest’s expansion. The Province is “investing a total of $61 million in NorQuest’s expansion and retrofit project in 2016-17.”
  • Vue Weekly has released its 2016 Golden Fork Awards. Congrats to all!
  • From The Gateway: What’s stopping Chinatown’s revitalization?
  • I love this: photographer Jerry Cordeiro has teamed up with the Inside Out project to help showcase the people of the inner city. You can see the first series of images at the Quasar Bottle Depot on 95 Street.
  • For the third year in a row, the City of Edmonton is in the running for the annual We Love Cities people’s choice award. The challenge ends June 19.
  • This weekend the new Rogers Place scoreboard arrived in Edmonton. It was assembled in Las Vegas and is 46 feet wide by 36 feet high on four sides. “It’s going to be special,” said Bob Nicholson, CEO and vice-chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group.
  • Earls has backed down and released a statement saying, “we made a mistake when we moved away from Canadian beef.” I can understand why they’d go this route, but I wish they had stood by their original position.
  • Looking to beat the heat? Spray parks and the City Hall pool are all scheduled to be open by May 20.
  • For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

_DSC3498.jpg
Premier Notley & Mayor Iveson at the Edmonton Reception Centre

Upcoming Events

  • The Sage Awards take place on Wednesday, honouring the outstanding achievements and contributions of seniors in our community.
  • The Edmonton Heritage Council’s AGM takes place on Wednesday evening at City Hall.
  • Edmonton’s economy will be the topic for Thursday when the Edmonton Real Estate Forum takes place at the Shaw Conference Centre.
  • The Eskimos are launching their season with a party on Thursday!
  • Thursday evening is the 2016 season kickoff for the 124 Grand Market! Note the market has moved further south to 102 Avenue this year.
  • The Edmonton Bike Swap is slated to take place on Saturday.
  • Saturday is the final City Market at City Hall of the season. The market moves back to 104 Street on the May long weekend!
  • #YEGSEMICOLON‘s fundraising event takes place on Sunday at the Princess of Wales Armouries.
  • For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Emergency Relief Services
Lots of activity at Edmonton Emergency Relief Services this week

The last 25 years of wildfires in Alberta

Like all of you I have been watching the images and stories coming in from Fort McMurray and elsewhere in the province with horror and fascination. Horror because of the incredible devastation caused by the wildfires and fascination because of the incredible response of Edmontonians and Albertans to help all those affected.

The wildfire that is wreaking havoc in Fort McMurray grew very rapidly and is approaching 200,000 hectares in size. It has been nicknamed The Beast by officials. Wildfires are not a rare thing in Alberta of course, we have our fair share every year. I found myself wondering how this year compared to previous years and how this fire compared in size. I was pleasantly surprised to find all of the data readily accessible in the federal and provincial open data catalogues.

Here’s a look at the number of fires and the number of hectares burned in Alberta from 1990 through most of 2015:

alberta wildfire stats

A large number of fires doesn’t always mean more area burned – some fires are just more destructive than others, weather conditions play a role, etc. The worst year in the last 25 years in terms of area burned was 2011 when more than 806,000 hectares burned. One fire that year, the Richardson Fire, was nearly 600,000 hectares in size, the second largest in Alberta history (after the 1950 Chinchaga fire).

The average size of a wildfire in Alberta from 1990 to 2014 was about 120 hectares. There have been a few years with fires over 100,000 hectares in size, but the largest is about 70,000 hectares on average. Here’s the largest fire size by year (for 1990-2014):

YEAR SIZE (HECTARES)
1990 11,810
1991 1,559
1992 475
1993 7,820
1994 13,138
1995 132,679
1996 452
1997 2,800
1998 163,138
1999 10,349
2000 2,147
2001 104,534
2002 238,867
2003 29,936
2004 107,829
2005 43,000
2006 18,204
2007 63,000
2008 11,600
2009 11,506
2010 33,075
2011 577,647
2012 134,603
2013 8,819
2014 4,173

Another thing I was curious about was the cause of these wildfires. The data shows that for the 25,000+ wildfires that burned during the 1996-2014 period, lightning causes about 43% of them and residential or recreational activities cause about 38%.

alberta wildfire causes

This year isn’t the first time Fort McMurray has been significantly affected by wildfires, though there’s no question the damage this year is unmatched. A large fire in 2002 caused a number of evacuations of communities near Fort McMurray and threatened Highway 63 before it was eventually contained. The highway was shut down in 1995 when a large fire caused more than 500 people to flee their homes.

Alberta Wildfire Data

If you’d like to dig into the data yourself, here are the relevant datasets:

Updates

For the latest updates on the current wildfire situation, here are the official links:

Also note that a province-wide fire ban is in place. If you’d like to donate to the cause, you can do so at the Red Cross online.