I Heart Edmonton

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...

Comrie's return proves a smart decision, CISN & Lund walk away winners @ CCMAs, architect Stout talks about the Gallery BY EMIL TIEDEMANN -Last Tuesday (Sept. 15) night homegrown talent Mike Comrie , 29, rallied up a pair of assists during the Edmonton Oilers ' first pre-season game, giving way to a 4-1 victory against home team Calgary Flames. "It's a long pre-season, and the guys are just trying to feel each other out," said linemate Comrie, who recently surprised his hometown when he resigned with the Oilers on September 10, six years after leaving the team on a sour note. The exhibition game was the first for the Oilers guided by new head coach Pat Quinn , who replaced Craig MacTavish after seven years with the Toronto Maple Leafs. -At the recent Canadian Country Music Awards (Sept. 13), Edmonton's CISN Country 103.9 was named Major Market Country Radio Station of the Year, christening the local staple the top country music station nationwide. CISN ...

Hit after hit, Adams gave an adoring crowd exactly what they wanted...and then some! BY EMIL TIEDEMANN "Let's make a night to remember," insisted a 49-year-old Bryan Adams , and although these words were simply lyrics to one of the Canuck rocker's seemingly countless hits, they easily could've served as the tagline preluding one of the most entertaining concert nights Edmonton has put on all year. Friday night's show had the potential of falling victim to Edmonton's unpredictable and inconsistant weather, as the hours preceding it had been wet and dreary, similar to last month's AC/DC downpour at Commonwealth . Fortunately, not a drop of rain spoiled Adams' outdoors bash at the city-owned Telus Field , where 7,500 fans, all with at least one thing in common, merged to forfeit their inhibitions to the pop-rock chords of one of Canada's most fortunate musical talents. The night started off on a slightly soured note, as tedious traffic and proble...