City hackathon touts open data, shuns footbags
Who says government can’t be responsive to its citizens? Cynics be damned and code monkeys take note: the Open-Data Day Hackathon is officially on. The venue for this clash of intelligent people, obsessive-compulsive code nitpicking and social responsibility is, appropriately, the Edmonton Public Library’s new “Makerspace”, which it describes as “a creative digital hub that […]
DOC AS A GAME: Fort McMoney oiling up for Round 2
The future of the Sim City version of Fort McMurray depicted in Fort McMoney – half documentary, half interactive video game – did not turn out very well. Changes suggested by 309,000 viewer-gamers between Nov. 25 and Dec. 22, 2013 may have reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the Northern Alberta boomtown by 58%, but the […]
Is EPS domestic violence ad too shocking?
There’s a disturbing television commercial you may have seen over the holidays: Close-ups of weeping women whose faces are covered in cuts and bruises, their mouths sealed with duct tape. Sinister music and panicked voices on the telephone are heard in the background. The women are actors. The message is real: “Speak out. They need […]
COMMENT: 2013 a grim year for taxes, sports, labour unions
Beyond death and taxes, end-of-the-year review lists seem to have become de rigueur in the information age. At the very least they serve as good reminders not to forget history lest we be doomed to repeat it. Or maybe we will anyway. If you weren’t paying attention over the last 12 months, don’t fret, for […]
RADIO: Nothing to lose in flip to CRUZ
From being almost dead last in the ratings, Edmonton’s 95.7 FM radio literally has nothing to lose in its boxing week flip to 95.7 CRUZ FM. The good news is that there’s going to be more rock on local radio now. Classic rock. As is customary in the industry before such a radical change in […]
Greenpeace activist wins Edmontonian of the Year poll
In another stunning outcome for Edmontonian of the Year, local environmental activist Mike Hudema has won the top title for 2013 – right behind Mayor Don Iveson, who was handed the No. 1 spot without the bother of a vote. Unwisely, some said, but too late now. “I always wanted to be Number Two,” Hudema […]
Vote for No. 2 Edmontonian of the Year!
The quest continues to crown the Number Two Edmontonian of the Year. That’s right: No. 2. No. 1 is taken. We just handed Mayor Don Iveson the title without the bother of conducting a poll; think of it as a comment on democracy, or something. Never mind. Besides, the citizens of Edmonton already showed their […]
INTERVIEW: No. 1 Edmontonian of the Year!
Mr. Mayor, how do you feel about being chosen Edmontonian of the Year? MAYOR: I would like to share the credit with the voters of Edmonton for making it possible. Q: Were you surprised at the level of love? MAYOR: It exceeded our expectations. Q: How’s the learning curve been so far? MAYOR: It’s vertical. […]
Edmontonian of 2013: Who is No. 2?
Avenue Magazine can name the Top 40 Under 40, the Wanderer can laud Edmonton’s Top 100 Women in Business, we can read one rearend Top 10 list after another – but just as Time Magazine has to pick only one Person of the Year from all the apples and oranges and other various fruits and […]
No Mo’ NoMoMovember: McKeen mows mo’
Edmonton City Councillor Scott McKeen has kept his promise and cut off his Monopoly mannish moustache to raise $1,000 for Movember – and thank God that’s over. At the urging of the ill-conceived NoMoMovember Movement – as hard to say as it is to get behind – which was dedicated to the eradication of hideous […]
TV PERSONALITY: Gord Steinke, REAL Anchorman
Gord Steinke is a huge fan of Ron Burgundy, Anchorman – the moronic empty ego with perfect hair and teeth played by the hilarious Will Ferrell, starring with much advance hype in The Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, opening Dec. 20 in theatres everywhere. Ron Burgundy is not an accurate depiction of a real anchorman. […]
Flower fracas: White poppies refuse to die
The red poppy is symbolic of the freedom that gives people the right to wear the white poppy – no matter how much it may annoy war veterans. There’s more irony to this emotionally-charged story that won’t go away: Just try to buy a white “peace” poppy in Edmonton. You can’t. Short of ordering one […]
