Halloween costume an endorsement for magpie to be YEG’s official bird
SONIC radio personality Lauren Hunter is calling on Edmontonians to make the magpie our city’s official bird. Lauren says “We’re the magpie capital of Canada and making magpies YEG’s official bird would be a real feather in our cap.”
Putting action behind her words, Lauren has made a giant magpie Halloween costume. According to Hunter, “This costume might ruffle a few feathers, but this year I’m a magpie. This took over 100 hours to create and features 119 hand crafted foam feathers.” Apparently, she hatched this idea August 1 and even delayed wedding planning to make it.
Bird Friendly Edmonton has launched an online vote to designate YEG's city bird. The six birds on the election ballot are Black-billed Magpie, Blue Jay, Boreal Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Everyone in the Edmonton area, of any age, is invited to vote to help choose YEG's city bird. The vote is anonymous and the first round of voting will end on December 31. The top 3 birds will then compete in a second round of voting until March 31, 2025. Information on each bird and how to vote at https://www.birdfriendlyedmonton.org/city-bird--vote.html
Hotel Macdonald home to eerie phantom galloping
During one of your outings in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, there is a good chance that you’ve seen the Hotel Macdonald. It is hard to miss the luxury hotel which mirrors the elegance and architecture of a castle from the Middle Ages.
What you may not be aware of is this hotel’s spooky reputation. Eerie Edmonton, a blog about the haunting history and ghostly tales of our city, gives us a glimpse into this supernatural history.
It is said that during the construction of the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald back in 1914, a horse died. Since then, guests have reported hearing phantom galloping in the hallways of the hotel and noises of a horse-drawn carriage outside their rooms. Accounts of these noises have been made for more than a century.
If this story wasn’t enough to put you in the Halloween mood, check out other ghost stories at https://why.edmonton.ca/stories/eerie-edmonton/
Have your say in Alberta's nature strategy survey
The province wants you to share your input and perspectives to help shape Alberta’s nature strategy. The Government of Alberta is developing this strategy to recognize and communicate the value of nature in our province and the positive impact it has on our economy, and to increase investment in activities to conserve, manage, and restore nature to support our health and wellness and the stability of our communities.
A local example of Alberta’s nature strategy is Big Island Provincial Park, located along the North Saskatchewan River in southwest Edmonton, which was officially established by the Government of Alberta on February 16, 2023.
Edmonton’s Ribbon of Green, our river valley and ravine system, is a municipal example of what can happen when government commits to conserve, manage and restore nature.
The survey takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and the deadline to share your input is November 7, 2024. https://your.alberta.ca/nature-strategy/surveys/albertas-nature-strategy
Petition seeks support for last 25 km of Devon to Fort Saskatchewan trail
River Valley Alliance (RVA) is promoting a petition to support the completion of the final 25 km of the Amisk Wacîw Mêskanaw or Beaver Hill Road Trail. This remaining section will connect Devon, Parkland County, Edmonton, Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, and Sturgeon County and create a continuous 100 km trail along the North Saskatchewan River.
The last stretch of the trail lies within the City of Edmonton, and RVA believes the time to complete this trail is now. When finished, this transformative regional trail will offer more than just a recreational path. It will create opportunities for active transportation, allowing people to travel from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan or anywhere in between by foot, bicycle or e-bike without ever needing to get in a car.
The petition urges decision-makers to prioritize this project and confirm the necessary funding to finish the job. This is about more than just building a trail, it’s about leaving a legacy that connects people to nature, each other, and the incredible landscapes surrounding us. https://rivervalley.ab.ca/petition/
Helios by Max Streicher, Churchill Square
https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/helios
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