I Heart Edmonton

The Blatchford Project By Emil Tiedemann “ Blatchford is not a business as usual development,” the City said about this revolutionary project. “It’s a new way to design a community. A new way to approach sustainability. A new way to live.” The Blatchford project will epically transform 536 acres of prime land right in the middle of the city, from the old City Centre Airport into a family-oriented, all-inclusive, sustainable community, and a home for up to 30,000 Edmontonians.    A view of what the Blatchford Project could look like. This “pop-up” neighbourhood will rely on 100% renewable energy and will proudly boast about how it will be a carbon neutral zone, leaving a small ecological footprint on land that once belonged to small aircraft since 1929 until the airport was finally shut down entirely on November 30, 2013.  Blatchford is expected to include two large stormwater lakes with a boardwalk and natural landscaping, housing for students, urbanites, an...

Although we're far off from competing with the intimidating skylines of Toronto and New York, Edmonton's own cityscape is seeking a new look, thanks much in part to a proposed high rise that would dominate the downtown BY EMIL TIEDEMANN The proposed Edmontonian tower would be the tallest building in Western Canada, and second in the country. I F you take the spires and flagpoles into account, the 2-year-old Epcor Tower (10180-101 Street) is currently the tallest building in Edmonton, rising 149.3 metres (490 feet) above the city streets. That's only three metres (11 feet) higher than Manulife Place , which reigned supreme since it was completed in 1983.  The 28-floor Epcor Tower is also Edmonton's first downtown high rise in 22 years! I recently went atop the Tower to snap some photos of Edmonton's downtown skyline, and was impressed with the unique vantage point.  But, if all goes as planned, the view will be peanuts compared to what's on the way...

It's been nearly a month since his 3rd-place finish during the election, but mayoral candidate Daryl Bonar has no plans on giving up on his political future. BY EMIL TIEDEMANN " I ACTUALLY, genuinely thought I could win," Daryl Bonar said after coming in third during the recent election that had the 32-year-old real estate investor running for Edmonton's Mayor. "I was under no illusions. I knew I was a long shot, but I was in it to win it." Insistent on not fading into the murkiness that rarely eludes electorals after their exhaustive campaigns, Bonar has not exactly thrown in the towel when it comes to his political hopes. But rather than running for the Mayor's job next time, Bonar is considering a seat in City Council three years from now. Bonar, a former mixed martial arts fighter and Canadian Forces communications officer, has also been encouraged to run for both provincial and federal parties. And why not? Entering a race as a "young & ...

An important part of our city's (& province's) past comes to life at the Aviation Museum BY EMIL TIEDEMANN Y OU'VE probably noticed the giant aircraft reproductions protruding from the ground every time you drive down Kingsway Avenue, nestled on the southwest corner of the City Centre Airport . But how often have you stopped to see what else lies in the lot? That's what I thought! But who am I to criticize? Last week was my intro to the Alberta Aviation Museum , which has been up and running since the early-'90s. So, really, I have no excuse, other than lack of awareness and interest. There, I said it! I'll be the first to tell you that aviation history doesn't exactly spark my attention, but seeing the genuine articles up close & personal was, to say the least, pretty cool. To be honest, what attracted me to the AAM wasn't its stockpile of more than 30 aircraft on display, or its Cold War jet fighter cockpit experience, or even their multi-scree...

So much has happened over the last 12 months, and 'I Heart' is here to revisit the best (& worst) moments... BY EMIL TIEDEMANN I T'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about. But, as is our intention, I Heart Edmonton is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less. So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 2 of 3): Favourite Local Film of the Year Although director Rosie Dransfeld was born far from Edmonton, her sobering documentary Broke (4/5 stars) was filmed right here in our city. Set at the inner city pawn shop A1 Trading , Broke lent us an inside look into how the poor get by, thanks to their "friendly pawnbroker." In this particula...

Location: City Centre Airport Address: 121 St. & Kingsway Ave. Phone: 780-471-7210 (Gen. Info.)/ 780-451-8000 (Tickets) Dates: Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26, 2009 Hours: Gates open at 11:30AM (Fri.)/ 9:30AM (Sat.)/ 9:30AM (Sun.) Cost: (3-Day Passes) $128.75 (Bronze)/ $154.50 (Silver)/ $232.00 (Gold)/ $52.50 (Paddock Pass)/ $26.25 (Pit Walk-Thru) The fifth annual Edmonton Indy --sponsored by Rexall--is a round of the IndyCar Series held at a temporary circuit at Edmonton's City Centre Airport (near NAIT and Kingsway Garden Mall). The former Rexall Grand Prix (est. 2005) will welcome stock car superstars like Helio Castroneves , Danica Patrick and Canadian Alex Tagliani , while Canuck rocker Sam Roberts will perform during opening day. All ages are welcome to see world-class stock cars racing the 95 laps of the 3.15 km (1.96 miles) track at nearly 400 km/hr., but be sure to check out the Spectator Info tab at the official website to know what you can and can't brin...