Pecha Kucha Night 16 Presenters Announced

Edmonton’s NextGen presents Pecha Kucha Night 16 | Sweet 16 on Thursday June 13, 2013 at the Citadel’s Maclab Theatre. Pecha Kucha Night 16 (PKN 16) features presentations on local ideas, projects and musings in the 20 slides at 20 seconds per slide format made popular worldwide by Klein Dytham Architecture.

PKN 16 presentations include:

• Emerson Csorba – Co-Founder, Smart | Make Something for Single Mothers
  
• Myles Curry – Marketing Coordinator, Waste Management Services at the City of Edmonton | Grasscycling & Community Based Social Marketing
  
• Mark Connolly – Host, CBC News Edmonton | Downtown Story
  
• Dan Jacob – Co-Founder, Urban Pulse | The Future of Civic Engagement
  
• Andrew Whistance-Smith – Sculptor of Teeth, Ardent Dental Centre | What’s In A Smile?
  
• Alistar Henning & Gary Garrison | McCauley Then and Now
  
• Anna McRobbie – Co-Founder, Mosaic Minds | Open Space Technology & Unconferences
  
• Mara Erickson – Communications Director, Operation Grassland Community| Conservation Caravan: Going Beyond the BBQ
  
• Matthew Stepanic – Editor, Glass Buffalo Literary Magazine | Mythic Power
  
• Kuen Tang – Teacher, Graphic Designer, Comic Book Letterer, Adventurer | The Ha Ling Project

*Presenters are listed in the order in which they will appear

More than 150 presentations have been given at Edmonton Pecha Kucha Nights to date on wide-ranging topics, from lighting up Edmonton’s bridges to in vitro meat and everything in between.

Tickets are on sale now via the Citadel Box Office, charge by phone at 780-425-1820 or online at www.citadeltheatre.com/event/pecha-kucha-night-16/. Tickets are $15 for students (with I.D.) and $17 for adults (plus taxes). Doors and bar open at 6:30pm, with presentations beginning at 7:30pm.

Edmonton’s NextGen is proud to partner with Guru Digital Arts College on a unique video projection art installation designed especially for PKN 16. Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria also returns with gift cards for all ticket holders.

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #yegpkn.

Pecha Kucha Night 16 is sponsored by: Capital Power Corporation, City of Edmonton, Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria, Graphos, Klein Dytham and Northlands.

What is Pecha Kucha?

Drawing its name from the Japanese term for “the sound of chit chat”, Pecha Kucha Night was devised by Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture in February 2003 as a venue for young designers to meet, network, exchange ideas and discuss their work in public. It rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total  presentation length of six minutes 40 seconds. Why this format you ask? It keeps presentations concise, fast-paced and entertaining.

About Edmonton’s NextGen

Formed in 2006, Edmonton’s NextGen, an initiative of the City of Edmonton, is focused on creating a city that attracts and gives a voice to the next generation in the life and growth of Edmonton’s communities. NextGen is a hub for connecting people, places, community and ideas. Through events, leadership opportunities and professional development, NextGen fosters young leaders and supports initiatives of interest to the next generation.

For more information, visit www.edmontonnextgen.ca.

Read more

All Outdoor Pools to Open this Weekend

As the temperature continues to rise, the City of Edmonton is helping Edmontonians soak up the summer with fun, convenient, and safe outdoor swimming pools. 

Fred Broadstock and Oliver outdoor swimming pools will open their doors to swimmers on Saturday June 1, 2013, joining Queen Elizabeth and Mill Creek outdoor pools which opened over the past two weeks.

Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool

15720-105 Avenue
June 1 to September 2013
11am to 7pm

Oliver Outdoor Pool

10315-119 Street
June 1 to September 2013
3pm to 7pm weekdays / 11am to 7pm weekends (until July 1, 2013)
11am to 7pm daily (July 1 to September 2, 2013)

Mill Creek Outdoor Pool

9555-84 Avenue
May 18 to September 2, 2013
11am to 9pm

Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool

9100 Walterdale Hill
May 25 to September 2, 2013
11am to 7pm

Operating hours are subject to change and pools may close due to inclement weather. The Borden Park Outdoor Pool will remain closed this season for redevelopment, with an anticipated reopening date of summer 2016. For daily outdoor pool updates, admission details, or for more information, visit www.edmonton.ca/outdoorpools.

The City of Edmonton is committed to providing a safe experience for Edmontonians using all City pools, by following best practices in respect to aquatic safety. Being safe in the pool is everyone’s responsibility and Edmontonians are urged to follow the rules and play safe as we’re all in this together. More information about safety in the pool is found at www.edmonton.ca/PoolSafety.

Read more

Mill Woods Celebrates Construction of Community Hub

The City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Public Library, the Government of Alberta and the Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre celebrated the new Mill Woods Library, Seniors and Multicultural Centre at a construction kick off on Friday May 24, 2013.

Construction is underway on the new facility, which will provide a library double the size of the current one, along with social and recreational space for seniors and multicultural community groups. 

“This new centre will give the Mill Woods community additional space to learn and connect, while providing dedicated space to seniors and multicultural groups,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “The City is committed to increasing access to dynamic, fun public spaces for Edmontonians as part of our goal to build a more livable, vibrant city.”

The $33.8 million project will be complete and open to the public in 2014.

The Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative will provide $31.5 million for this project, while the City of Edmonton will provide the remaining $2.3 million.

“We are committed to building Alberta communities,” said Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Centres like this offer everyone something to enrich their quality of life while celebrating the diversity of the community with our family and neighbours.”

The new library will be a flexible space offering approximately 25,000 square feet for:

• Free public computer stations
• Free Wi-Fi access
• Community program room
• Quiet study rooms
• Reading areas for children, teens and adults
• Freshwater aquarium and fireplace
• Express checkout stations
• 24 hour item return (exterior)

“The Mill Woods Branch has catered to a growing, culturally diverse community since 1982 and in that time has become one of EPL’s busiest locations,” says Ellen Calabrese-Amrhein, EPL Board Chair. “Doubling the size of the library and adding a seniors and multicultural centre ensures the needs of southeast Edmonton residents will be met for years to come.”

The Seniors and Multicultural Centre will be on the second floor of the new Mill Woods Library. The 17,000-square foot space will include a programming area, meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, administrative offices and storage to meet the needs of seniors and the Mill Woods community. The facility will be used primarily for seniors programming, but it will be available for rent by multicultural community groups.

“It will be wonderful to have more space in order to have more than one activity going on at the same time,” said Anne McNabb, President of the Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre. “Places to be with people if we wish; corners to sit alone and read if we like; or the fireplace to sit around and enjoy the book-club discussions. I am so happy it's getting started.”

The Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre provides a range of programs and services to meet the recreational, social, health, physical, intellectual and emotional needs of senior citizens regardless of race, creed, colour or national origin. The group currently offers services from a rented space within the Mill Woods Recreation Centre.

The City of Edmonton is invested in incorporating social spaces like public libraries, multicultural and seniors centres to encourage greater community interaction. Increased access to these facilities positively contributes to creating safer, more vibrant communities.

Illustrations are available for the Mill Woods Library, Seniors and Multicultural Centre project: photos.edmonton.ca/Attractions-Recreation-1/Sports-Recreation.

Additional information about the Mill Woods Library and other EPL library projects can be found at www.epl.ca/building-projects.

Read more

Weed Out Garlic Mustard in Mill Creek Ravine

Residents are encouraged to help maintain the natural beauty and biodiversity of Mill Creek Ravine by participating in the annual Garlic Mustard weed pull. The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Naturalization Group will organize Garlic Mustard pulls in Mill Creek Ravine on the following dates:

• Saturday May 25, 2013, 9:30 to 11:30am
• Saturday June 8, 2013, 9:30 to 11:30am
• If more pulls are needed, dates will be posted on Garlic Mustard Pulls

Mill Creek Ravine is one of few known locations in Edmonton where this non-native and invasive species has been discovered. Garlic Mustard can take over large areas of woodland and cause negative long-term effects to native soils, vegetation and wildlife.

The meeting point for all pulls will be on the corner of 91 Street and 77 Avenue. Snacks and water will be provided.

The pulls will be weather dependent. Please check the City of Edmonton Facebook and Twitter pages for updates if the weather is poor.

Read more

City and Province Pledge Further Cooperation in Aboriginal Relations

The City of Edmonton and the Government of Alberta have entered into a formal agreement to strengthen coordination and collaboration in support of urban Aboriginal people.

In a ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Stephen Mandel signed a Memorandum of Coordination and Collaboration with Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell, both parties pledging their administrations will work closer together to increase opportunities for positive social and economic outcomes of Aboriginal people living in Edmonton.

“Today's signing is an acknowledgement of our mutual dedication to working with Aboriginal communities to build their capacity and increase opportunities,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “It’s an important step towards enhancing the quality of life for our urban Aboriginal people, and I commend our Provincial partners for their vision and commitment.” 

This agreement is based on previous discussion with the local urban Aboriginal communities, who worked with the city and province to identify areas of priority including youth leadership and development, transition, supporting opportunities for Aboriginal women, economic development and the promotion of safe and secure communities.

“We recognize that urban Aboriginal communities have unique needs and we continue to look at how to best address them,” said Aboriginal Relations Minister Robin Campbell. “Our goal is to enhance outcomes of Aboriginal people living in Edmonton, and to ensure that Aboriginal communities continue to be provided with access to the appropriate programs and services.”

An action plan detailing specific initiatives and outcomes for each of the five priority areas is being developed and will be available by June 30, 2013.

Edmonton has the second-largest urban population of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

The event also featured the launch of the Edmonton Aboriginal Business and Professional Association, which received start-up resources from the city and the Government of Alberta. The organization provides support to Aboriginal-owned businesses and professionals. 

Read more