Recent Blog Posts - The Edmonton Commons

Some folks love the idea allowing cyclists on our sidewalks. Others hate it.
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Some folks love the idea allowing cyclists on our sidewalks. Others hate it.
  Should cyclists be allowed to ride their bikes on city sidewalks? Is this a solution to our bike lane issue? I wrote about this issue in a recent column, one where long-time cyclist Lily Skorupa suggested that allowing such …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Cats of the world: Welcome to the Katz District!
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Cats of the world: Welcome to the Katz District!
Some folks are having some fun with the controversy around the naming of the Edmonton arena district. They’ve created a website promoting the Katz district, which turns out to be a district for, well, cats: “HELLO EXCITEMENT. The Katz District …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Saying good-bye to Jenny Loken, guiding light of Councillor Dave Loken
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The obituary in the Edmonton Journal reads: “Jenny Loken passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the age of 84. Predeceased by her husband Gordon (1965) as well as her daughters, Linda (1981) and Janice (2011). …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Is Edmonton mosquito-free this year? Not many of the rotten stinkers
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It’s been a wonder summer in Edmonton, with Connor McDavid arriving, the Women’s World Cup of Soccer to enjoy, downtown construction booming and, perhaps best of all, almost no mosquitoes. In a normal year by this time of the summer, …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Don Cherry offers praise and prayers for slain officer: “Isn’t he a beautitful guy?”
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As hockey commentator Don Cherry always does, he paid respect to Canada’s men and women in uniform, this time saying a few words about Const. Daniel Woodall before an audience of millions on Coach’s Corner on Thursday night. A picture …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
“My heart breaks this night.” Twitter reacts to shooting death of EPS officer
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“My heart breaks this night.” Twitter reacts to shooting death of EPS officer
In a dark time, we have got together on Twitter tonight to talk about the city’s loss. It seems like one place to mourn and to try to make some sense of it. Here’s some of what I’ve read: Matthew …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
It’s time for the fad discovery math fixation to end, says C.D. Howe Institute study
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It’s time for the fad discovery math fixation to end, says C.D. Howe Institute study
Math experts speaking out, but will new NDP Education Minister Dave Eggen reject the ill-advised Progressive Conservative approach to educational reform? This in from University of Winnipeg math professor Anna Stokke, her conclusion on what’s best for math education in …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Edmonton is best served if we elect the best candidates from all four parties
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Edmonton is best served if we elect the best candidates from all four parties
Why I am endorsing all the best candidates in Edmonton: The best kept secret of the Alberta election: all the leaders of the major parties are sensible, fair and able people. They are not crooks. They are not loopy. They …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Fun with Funiculars: Sliding into Edmonton’s Past
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Fun with Funiculars: Sliding into Edmonton’s Past
As Edmonton City Council prepares to debate the wisdom of spending $24 million – most of that federal and provincial money – on a fancy new funicular in Edmonton’s river valley, it might be worth remembering that Edmonton …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Why the PISA Testers Have Gone ‘Warm and Fuzzy’
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Why the PISA Testers Have Gone ‘Warm and Fuzzy’
By Paul W. Bennett The international education flock is gathering. Four hundred top education officials and invited guests from 17 different countries are about to arrive at the Banff Springs Hotel for the fifth annual International Summit on the Teaching …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Homebuilders suggest broader tree bylaw is needed
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Homebuilders suggest broader tree bylaw is needed
Can Edmonton force a developer to keep a tree if the city’s zoning bylaws don’t require anyone to plant a tree to begin with? I’ve had some great contributions on this tree question, including that question above, which I think …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Should Edmonton save the trees?
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Should Edmonton save the trees?
It feels good to save a tree. It’s a home for the birds, it’s a carbon sink, it likely makes you feel less stressed when you see its green leaves (or needles) out your window. But should the city regulate …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Want to investigate street-level air pollution?
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Want to investigate street-level air pollution?
I have a confession to make. My interest in air quality is personal. I have a toddler, I live a block off Jasper Avenue and I just have no idea if I should be worried or not. That’s why I …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
Love letter to west end commuters
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Love letter to west end commuters
I got a love letter in my inbox this weekend, penned by a parking meter on Stony Plain Road. You probably can picture the stretch – there’s a dozen of them on the south side of the road just west …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
How well has the “Light the Bridge” project worked out on the High Level Bridge?
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How well has the “Light the Bridge” project worked out on the High Level Bridge?
We’ve now had our city’s most iconic structure, the High Level Bridge, lit up more than half a year. There were more than 11,000 contributions to the Light The Bridge campaign, which raised the $2.5 million necessary to hang thousands …
Published at The Edmonton Commons
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