0°Recent Blog Posts - alex abboud
Why I’m Supporting Don Iveson
In tomorrow’s civic election, Don Iveson is my pick for Mayor. First, a disclosure and a couple of comments: Don and his wife Sarah are friends, and I am a part of Don’s campaign team. It’s worth reiterating that this is purely a personal opinion, not an endorsement on behalf of...
Published at alex abboud
In tomorrow’s civic election, Don Iveson is my pick for Mayor. First, a disclosure and a couple of comments: Don and his wife Sarah are friends, and I am a part of Don’s campaign team. It’s worth reiterating that this is purely a personal opinion, not an endorsement on behalf of...
Published at alex abboud
Arenas and Civic Myopia
This afternoon, Edmonton City Council will consider the Master Agreement for the proposed downtown arena. It will almost certainly pass, with some contingency to cover the missing $100 million if provincial funds don’t materialize. The purpose of this post isn’t to rehash the debate. ...
Published at alex abboud
This afternoon, Edmonton City Council will consider the Master Agreement for the proposed downtown arena. It will almost certainly pass, with some contingency to cover the missing $100 million if provincial funds don’t materialize. The purpose of this post isn’t to rehash the debate. ...
Published at alex abboud
Baseball Cities 2013: Where Major Leaguers Come From
Jose Bautista, from the baseball factory of Santo Domingo. In March, the Dominican Republic won the 3rd ever World Baseball Classic, becoming the first club to go through the tournament undefeated. That they have become a baseball powerhouse is not news, but the small, 10 million person island...
Published at alex abboud
Jose Bautista, from the baseball factory of Santo Domingo. In March, the Dominican Republic won the 3rd ever World Baseball Classic, becoming the first club to go through the tournament undefeated. That they have become a baseball powerhouse is not news, but the small, 10 million person island...
Published at alex abboud
2012 in Review (and 2013 in Preview): A List of My Favourite Things
With 2012 coming to an end, it’s a good time to reflect. While I usually spend time over the holidays planning for the new year, I also like to think about some of the things I’ve enjoyed and valued. Last year, I posted a list of some of my favourite things and some things I’m [...
Published at alex abboud
With 2012 coming to an end, it’s a good time to reflect. While I usually spend time over the holidays planning for the new year, I also like to think about some of the things I’ve enjoyed and valued. Last year, I posted a list of some of my favourite things and some things I’m [...
Published at alex abboud
How Cities Can Help Take Back the Stanley Cup
Three months into a lockout, NHL labour talks appear to have hit another impasse this week. I think the differences are exaggerated – more negotiating tactics than anything – and we’ll have labour peace by the new year. That said, on the chance that this is a serious blow, it...
Published at alex abboud
Three months into a lockout, NHL labour talks appear to have hit another impasse this week. I think the differences are exaggerated – more negotiating tactics than anything – and we’ll have labour peace by the new year. That said, on the chance that this is a serious blow, it...
Published at alex abboud
The Problem with “Best of” Cities Lists
Over the past week, my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, has been abuzz about the Quality of Life rankings released by Numbeo, which put Edmonton 3rd in the world, and provincial counterpart Calgary 5th. In a city where civic boosterism runs high, and a share of civic leadership (if not the general ...
Published at alex abboud
Over the past week, my hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, has been abuzz about the Quality of Life rankings released by Numbeo, which put Edmonton 3rd in the world, and provincial counterpart Calgary 5th. In a city where civic boosterism runs high, and a share of civic leadership (if not the general ...
Published at alex abboud
Stalemate: On the By-Elections
Last night’s three by-elections produced…the status quo. The Conservatives held their two seats, and the NDP held their one. Nonetheless, there’s good and bad news for every party in the results: Conservatives Good News: They held their 2 seats, winning convincingly in Durham, a...
Published at alex abboud
Last night’s three by-elections produced…the status quo. The Conservatives held their two seats, and the NDP held their one. Nonetheless, there’s good and bad news for every party in the results: Conservatives Good News: They held their 2 seats, winning convincingly in Durham, a...
Published at alex abboud
The Left’s Calgary-Centre Challenge
Tomorrow, three by-elections occur across Canada. In two – the Conservative stronghold of Durham, and Victoria, where the NDP have won comfortably the past three elctions – the incumbent party is expected to win by a large margin. The third, Calgary-Centre, has unexpectedly turned int...
Published at alex abboud
Tomorrow, three by-elections occur across Canada. In two – the Conservative stronghold of Durham, and Victoria, where the NDP have won comfortably the past three elctions – the incumbent party is expected to win by a large margin. The third, Calgary-Centre, has unexpectedly turned int...
Published at alex abboud
Baseball’s Best Month: 2012 Edition
The baseball playoffs are underway, with the first ever Wild Card games going today, before the League Division Series commence the first proper round tomorrow afternoon. The wild card play-in is an innovation I quite enjoy. Not only does it add two more games, but it adds an incentive to winning...
Published at alex abboud
The baseball playoffs are underway, with the first ever Wild Card games going today, before the League Division Series commence the first proper round tomorrow afternoon. The wild card play-in is an innovation I quite enjoy. Not only does it add two more games, but it adds an incentive to winning...
Published at alex abboud
Orioles and Game Theory
Derek Thompson of The Atlantic makes a great point: Should Orioles throw tonite’s game? Tying Yanks to force a rotation-busting 163rd game will hurt them going forward, no matter what. They’re using Chris Tillman (the de facto ace) tonight in a game where they don’t control thei...
Published at alex abboud
Derek Thompson of The Atlantic makes a great point: Should Orioles throw tonite’s game? Tying Yanks to force a rotation-busting 163rd game will hurt them going forward, no matter what. They’re using Chris Tillman (the de facto ace) tonight in a game where they don’t control thei...
Published at alex abboud
On Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau will announce his candidacy for Liberal leadership tonight. Since word leaked of the impending announcement, it has received what must be a record amount of attention for a candidate seeking leadership of the third party in the House of Commons. Without a word of his platform being...
Published at alex abboud
Justin Trudeau will announce his candidacy for Liberal leadership tonight. Since word leaked of the impending announcement, it has received what must be a record amount of attention for a candidate seeking leadership of the third party in the House of Commons. Without a word of his platform being...
Published at alex abboud
History Repeats: An Edmonton Case Study
That history repeats itself is a well-worn truism. Born by both anecdotes and theory, most students of history or society see trends and activities re-emerge and repeat over time. I’ve been thinking about this as I follow debates on downtown revitalization and other issues in Edmonton. My t...
Published at alex abboud
That history repeats itself is a well-worn truism. Born by both anecdotes and theory, most students of history or society see trends and activities re-emerge and repeat over time. I’ve been thinking about this as I follow debates on downtown revitalization and other issues in Edmonton. My t...
Published at alex abboud
Canada’s Indie vs. Chain Store Battle: Who’s Winning Where?
News broke yesterday that Greenwood’s Bookshoppe, one of two major remaining independent bookstores in Edmonton, will be closing in 7-10 days. This will leave the city with only one major independent bookstore. “We’re going to seduce them with our square footage, and our discoun...
Published at alex abboud
News broke yesterday that Greenwood’s Bookshoppe, one of two major remaining independent bookstores in Edmonton, will be closing in 7-10 days. This will leave the city with only one major independent bookstore. “We’re going to seduce them with our square footage, and our discoun...
Published at alex abboud
Edmonton’s Arena Will Likely Happen, But Would it be a Bad Thing if it Didn’t?
Flickr/Mastermaq The proposed downtown Edmonton hockey arena took a hit today. City Council discussed the matter in private, and its motion ex-camera reveals that Oilers owner Daryl Katz asked for more public funding. It’s unknown at this point whether that would have come in the form of an...
Published at alex abboud
Flickr/Mastermaq The proposed downtown Edmonton hockey arena took a hit today. City Council discussed the matter in private, and its motion ex-camera reveals that Oilers owner Daryl Katz asked for more public funding. It’s unknown at this point whether that would have come in the form of an...
Published at alex abboud
Football Cities: Where the Stars are Bred
This is the final look at the metro, state, and regional breakdown of the 2012 NFL player class. Having looked at where all players come from, this one looks at where the best ones are bred. Using Pro Bowl appearances, All-Pro team recognition, and Offensive/Defensive player and rookie of the yea...
Published at alex abboud
This is the final look at the metro, state, and regional breakdown of the 2012 NFL player class. Having looked at where all players come from, this one looks at where the best ones are bred. Using Pro Bowl appearances, All-Pro team recognition, and Offensive/Defensive player and rookie of the yea...
Published at alex abboud
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