Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Here’s a message from EPSB Superintendent Edgar Schmidt on the tragedy in Connecticut.
• The 2013 Operating Budget was approved with a tax increase of 3.3%. That’s quite a bit less than the 5.5% target that was set earlier in the year, and it’s less than last year’s tax increase of 5.39% (can you tell there’s an election coming up!).
• As expected, the downtown arena once again dominated the headlines this week. The Katz Group went to City Council and came away with a victory: negotiations have been re-opened. Here is the Katz Group’s response to the decision. Also check out Councillor Iveson’s blog post.
• Also this week: we got a closer look at the Arena District from architect Michael Shugarman.
• Here’s a profile on Daryl Katz from the Journal (the first third reads like a blog post, with the writers explaining just how hard they tried to get interviews, but after that it gets better).
• The NHL lockout has been extended, and while fans may be finding other things to occupy their time, charities are feeling the effects.
• EEDC is further embracing Twitter and has launched a Twisitor Centre: “Visitors are encouraged to send a tweet to @EdmontonTourism with questions about their Edmonton visit using the hashtag #visityeg. Information for the best shopping, dining hot spots, attractions, activities, or finding a hotel can be accessed through subject matter experts responding on behalf of the Twisitor Centre.”
• Congratulations to Thomas Scott on joining the Citadel Theatre as Promoter on the Audience Development team. His move opened the door for Murray Utas to become the new Program Director at Fringe Theatre Adventures.
• Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is concerned that negotiations between Calgary, Edmonton, and the province on a Big City Charter are behind schedule.
• STARS Air Ambulance has unveiled a new helicopter at the Edmonton International Airport.
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been named captain of Team Canada for the 2013 World Junior Championship which gets underway in Russia on Boxing Day.
• John Rose, the City’s Chief Economist, says 2013 will be another good year for economic growth in Edmonton.
• New EEDC CEO Brad Ferguson hasn’t shied away from saying what he really thinks: “A lot of firms here are just complacent.”
• It’s slippery out there, so do your part and help make your waste collector’s job safer.
• We’ll soon see a bunch of 2012 lists related to Edmonton, but here are two already from the Edmonton Sun: the most bizarre Edmonton court cases of 2012, and the top Edmonton court cases of 2012.

Fantastic shot of the Alberta Legislature by Patrick Beronilla.

Here are some upcoming events:

• There’s still time to catch The Velveteen Rabbit at Fort Edmonton Park. Over the the Valley Zoo, there’s Zoo-Minescence.
• There’s also A Christmas Carol at the Citadel, with seats still available for the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
• The popular ETS Christmas Lights Tours are now sold out, with the final tours running Friday and Saturday.
• The City Market Downtown is still taking place on Saturday (they are taking a break on December 29). I’m guessing the Old Strathcona Farmers Market is following a similar schedule, but I don’t know for sure.
• I recommend making a trip to the Legislature to Celebrate the Season. The lights are beautiful, and there’s free hot chocolate and live entertainment!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
• In case you missed it: Oprah is coming to town on January 21, 2013.
• Still think Friday is going to be the end of the world? NASA explains why it’ll be just another winter solstice.
• We’re just a week way from Christmas Eve! Hard to believe!

An ice sculpture at the NextGen Outdoor Patio Party, photo by Alistair Henning.

I’m back in Edmonton for the rest of the year now after trips to London, Dublin, and Miami over the last two weeks. It was an unplanned but welcome break from writing!

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• A seasonal parking ban took effect on Friday, but not everyone complied. In the first nine hours of the ban, bylaw officers issued 271 tickets and requested 32 tows. A total of 625 tickets were issued and 318 tows were requested. You can see the latest status and sign up for alerts here.
• This one caused a bit of a stir last week: Edmonton was ranked #3 on a Quality of Life Index by the website Numbeo. As always, take these lists with a grain of salt, but is it really so bad to have some good news to share?
• Edmontonians donated over 21,000 kilograms of food and $13,000 in financial contributions to the 2012 ETS Stuff a Bus campaign!
• This is intriguing: Edmonton’s four big post-secondary institutions have entered into an agreement in principle to pursue opportunities for collaboration. This could be really great for Edmonton’s already exciting education sector. “As innovators in a city that is rapidly changing and that has an extraordinary opportunity to shape its own economic and social future, we will be critical factors in its success.”
• A new draft policy from Edmonton Public Schools could mean the end for the non-zero policy. First reading goes tomorrow.
• Did you get the flu yet? Apparently there are more confirmed cases in Alberta so far this year as compared to last.
• Work continues on the Central LRT Station rehabilitation project, and traffic will remain reduced to one lane in each direction until construction wraps up in October 2013.
• Here’s the latest Council Roundup from November 28. They approved the Growth Coordination Strategy, Municipal Cemeteries Master Plan, and $100,000 in funding to examine the Hawrelak Park lake. Also: Council is concerned that the province is downloading the costs of transporting prisoners to the city.
• Effective June 30, 2013, the Polish Consulate General is relocating from Vancouver to Edmonton.
• Twitter has added more supported cities to its Trends feature, and Edmonton is one of them!
• It was only a matter of time until this article appeared: local charities need more support this holiday season than last. Check back in a week or two for the inevitable story that local charities are at risk of missing their targets.
• In case you missed it: RedBrick’s proposal for a new civic office tower is worth a look.
• Frederick Kirkwood MacDonald, Q.C., has been appointed to Edmonton Criminal Court, effective January 3, 2013.
• Do you know someone at the University of Alberta who deserves recognition for connecting communities? You have until January 25 to nominate someone for three new Community Connections Awards.
• The downtown arena will be back in the news this week as Council is set to receive an update on Wednesday. Councillor Anderson says the Katz Group has until March until it becomes a “full-blown election issue” and he doesn’t think the next Council will be as supportive.

The new I ❤ YEGDT banner on the side of City Centre Mall.

Here are some upcoming events:

• Tonight is The Very Productive Holiday Mixer, a collaboration between Productivity Alberta, Digital Alberta, Mobile Monday Edmonton, and Capital Ideas Edmonton.
• Also tonight is MEAET 3.5, taking place at the Citadel.
• Head over to the Sands Hotel tomorrow to learn more about future plans to reconstruct 112 Avenue.
• Wednesday is the December meetup of Nerds Night Out.
• The Oil Kings are in action at Rexall Place three times this week: Wednesday they host Kamloops, Saturday they host Victoria, and Sunday they host Regina.
• Two community league holiday parties to mention this week: DECL on Thursday, and Oliver on Saturday.
• Northlands’ Shared Christmas event takes place on Friday.
• The grand opening of Central Social Hall takes place on Friday.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

I’m in London, UK right now and will be working here all week. Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• The next municipal election is less than a year away, and it might be our first to feature Internet voting. Other jurisdictions will be keeping a close eye on the outcome of the citizen panel’s deliberations.
• What a lovely headline from the National Post: Edmonton may just be home to the best patisserie in Canada. Props and congrats to Duchess!
• Here’s a really interesting post on the Transforming Edmonton blog that talks all about snow removal. There are now five snow storage sites throughout the city.
• More great news for downtown: Intuit is moving into the EPCOR Tower.
• Not long after word spread that the Edmonton Event Centre would be shutting down, the owners announced it will return in a new location.
• Canadian pioneers in the areas of medical research, science, community service and the arts were among the Edmonton and area residents who received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals from the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday.
• A ten member delegation of local business and community leaders was in Ottawa last week, hoping to raise awareness about workforce challenges faced by Edmonton business.
• The new Alfred H. Savage Centre in Whitemud Park officially opened this week. It’ll be a good place to stop in and warm up when you’re tobogganing on the hill!
• The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is bringing “entrepreneurial guru” Daniel Isenberg to Edmonton. I guess he’ll tell us how to be all entrepreneurial or whatever. Sounds like a waste of money to me.
• Don’t miss this great piece by Elise Stolte on what will likely happen up in Horse Hill.
• John Lilley was appointed to the Edmonton Police Commission this week by City Council. He’ll serve until December 31, 2014.
• A number of declining elm trees were removed from the median along Whyte Avenue last week.
• The University of Alberta has received $2.5 million in research grants from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
• Registration for the 2012-2013 TEC VenturePrize Business Plan Competition is now open! There are more than $150,000 in prizes this year.
• The Edmonton Police Service wants you to remember that not all calls are emergencies. On your mobile phone, you can use #377 to reach the non-emergency complaint line.

Nice shot of the Low Level Bridge by Luc Therrien

Here are some upcoming events:

• Stuff a Bus is back! The goal this year is to stuff 15 x 40 foot buses full of food. You can make your donation at a variety of locations from November 28 to December 1.
• M.A.D.E. in Edmonton and the AGA have teamed up to present a lecture by Joar Nango on Wednesday evening.
• Also Wednesday: it’s the final Words with Friends of the year.
• There’s an open house coming up on Thursday for the proposed Area Structure Plan in the Northeast.
• Paul McCartney is in town and the City of Edmonton is celebrating with a variety of related activities.
• The Edmonton Public Schools Foundation is holding a Teddy Bear Picnic on Thursday at lunch to celebrate funding three full-day Kindergarten programs.
• Head down to the Haven Social Club on Thursday evening for Nerd Nite Edmonton #2.
• Or head over to the AGA for the screening of Miss Representation.
• The Festival of Trees kicks off on Thursday and runs all weekend at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The Oil Kings host the Kootenay Ice on Friday night at Rexall Place.
• It’s back! The Royal Bison Craft & Art Fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
• Looking for something to do on Sunday? The 25th annual Jingle On Indoor Santa Claus Parade is happening downtown!
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Skyline from Griesbach by Darren Kirby

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• Tunneling crews working on the North LRT extension to NAIT broke through the wall at Churchill Station this week, a major milestone for the project. The $755-million project is expected to be completed and operational in 2014. Here’s a video of the celebration:

• For much, much more on the North LRT, check out the Transforming Edmonton blog.
• Managing our infrastructure in the long term is an issue that probably should be getting more attention. The City announced this week that it is backing the FCM proposal which calls for a national, 20-year plan with predictable funding to maintain and develop infrastructure. FCM would like to see annual federal investments dedicated to municipal infrastructure increase from $3.25 billion to $5.75 billion.
• The new Citizen Dashboard was launched this week. The initial version focuses on Transportation Services but it will eventually expand to support all of The Way Ahead plans. Great to see this use of open data!
• The big business story of the week was the news that Leon’s is acquiring The Brick for $700 million. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013. The Brick was founded right here in Edmonton back in 1971.
• City Council approved the Food & Urban Agriculture Strategy this week. A report will be released in early 2013 with details on implementation and costs.
• Yikes, what a headline: $10 million to live in Edmonton? No thanks. Before you get too worked up about it though, read Todd’s response.
• A new subdivision in the northwest Edmonton community of Oxford will require all homebuilders to meet eco-friendly guidelines for conservation and efficiency, a first for Edmonton.
• Since the program launched in October 2006, Curb the Danger has taken over 52,000 calls from the public which resulted in 5,026 impaired drivers being removed from the streets.
• Congratulations to Darrell Krushelnicki (the “Hummer Hero”) and the 25 other local heroes recognized for their bravery.
• Look for a third location of the Italian Centre Shop to open in the west end in May 2013.
• The proposed 2013 Operating Budget would see a tax increase of 4% for civic services and 1.5% for the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, which works out to $98 per year for the typical Edmonton household.
• Check out the The 40 Below Project, an effort to “collect words, stories, and artwork about and inspired by the city of Edmonton in winter.” The project was created by Jason Lee Norman and is accepting submissions until December 31.
• MacEwan University has appointed Dr. John Corlett vice president academic and provost.
• Have you seen the Nov 6/Nov 7 photo of Edmonton? It has an impressive 141 notes on Tumblr.
• Having trouble getting the new $20 bills to work in ETS fare machines? They’re working on it.
• DECL has started a new blog series called #YEGDT Notes. Don’t miss it!

Great photo of a snowy residential street by Nico Humby.

Here are some upcoming events:

• Mobile Monday Edmonton returns tomorrow night with TELUS CTO Ibrahim Gedeon.
• Also Monday night is a dialogue between the Mayor and the Human Services Sector.
• Justin Trudeau will be in town on Tuesday for a rally at the Citadel Theatre.
• The next Capital Ideas event takes place on Wednesday at the Edmonton Journal during lunch. Garner Beggs, Janis Galloway, and Lazina McKenzie are the featured speakers.
• Make It Edmonton returns this week (Thursday to Sunday). Note it has moved locations and can now be found at The Enjoy Centre.
• It’s a busy week at home for the Oil Kings! They host the Swift Current Broncos on Tuesday, the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, and the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday.
• Head on over to Latitude 53 on Saturday evening for The Fine Art of Schmoozy.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

The tree is now lit in Churchill Square! Paula Kirman has more photos from the light up event here.

Hope you made the most of your extra hour today! Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• On Saturday, the Eskimos announced the firing of general manager Eric Tillman. The news followed a loss on Friday night to the Stampeders.
• It was another busy week for City Council. They approved $7 million in funding for the ETS Smart Fare System, which means we may finally be able to get rid of paper tickets and transfers.
• Council also approved the WinterCity Strategy. As Councillor Diotte noted, the request under the 2013 Budget will be $362,000, an amount he described as “scary”. He goes on to lament the lack of attention paid in the strategy to automobiles: “What about improving winter transportation for motorists? How come they’re left out of this strategy?” Are you kidding me?! All we ever talk about during the winter months is snow removal for cars. I think the WinterCity Strategy is a great step forward for our city.
• While we had a bunch of snow recently, and crews were out plowing and sanding the streets, the current warm weather has turned almost everything to water anyway. Looks like it’ll be nice all week too. Well, at least until Friday.
• I think most everyone was pleased about this news: the City Centre Redevelopment will officially be known as Blatchford.
• Here’s a look at downtown Edmonton’s transformation.
• If only the news release about the new Ellerslie Fire Station contained a photo of this: “MLA Naresh Bhardwaj and Edmonton City Councillor Amarjeet Sohi drove a fire truck through a ribbon to officially open Ellerslie Station, the City of Edmonton’s 27th fire station.”
• The votes are in, and red won! A report on the Jellybean Internet Voting Election will go to Council in the new year. You can see the detailed results here.
• According to the 2012 Litter Audit, our city saw a 9.4% reduction in litter on city streets from last year, and a 42% reduction from three years ago.
• The City will invest $201 million in 2012 to renew and replace neighbourhood infrastructure and to enhance community connections and overall neighbourhood livability in 74 neighbourhoods across Edmonton.
• Over the next month, the pyramids at the Muttart Conservatory will be closing for maintenance (one at-a-time). Here’s the schedule.
• You can check out EEDC’s Q3 report here.
• On Wednesday, the City put a three-year freeze on funding subsidized housing in five inner-city neighbourhoods.
• According to Statistics Canada, Edmonton still has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 4.3%.
• Apparently the report on downtown wayfinding is finally making its way to Council this week. I would much rather see the data behind the pedway system go into the Open Data Catalogue than have the DBA build a bunch of apps.

Rush Hour at 1st and 2nd, by Dave Sutherland.

Here are some upcoming events:

• Farmfair International got underway today and runs until November 11. Canadian Finals Rodeo kicks off on Wednesday.
• Head down to the Art Gallery of Alberta tomorrow from 11:30am to 8pm to learn more and share your thoughts on the Civic Precinct Master Plan.
• The 30th annual ICE Conference takes place from Monday to Wednesday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The next Green Drinks, this time focused on arts and crafts, takes place on Wednesday evening at The Common.
• Breakfast with the Guys takes place on Thursday morning.
• Ward 1, your Community Safety Conversation takes place on Thursday at the Jasper Park Community Hall.
• A heads up that the University of Alberta’s Festival of Ideas takes place from November 14 to 18.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

A nice capture of the current weather, by bonniedoon2011.