The Pulse: March 5, 2024

Three people clink glasses of beer inside a taproom.

Polyrhythm invites beer lovers to sip and sign

March 5, 2024
By Colin Gallant

After a year of business, Polyrhythm Brewing continues to brew inclusivity in the beer world with an event where attendees will use sign language to discuss the beer.

"We wanted to make sure that we created a space where everyone felt welcome," Chelsea Tessier, co-owner and head brewer of Polyrhythm, told Taproot. "It was really about creating a community space for us."

The upcoming Sip and Sign event on March 27 is an example of this approach, as attendees will learn about both sign language and beer. The event is a partnership between Polyrhythm, Hop Forward Society, a non-profit focused on intersectionality in Alberta brewing, and the Edmonton Association of the Deaf.

The event will feature a slideshow created by Polyrhythm and the association about sign language, as well as a beer tasting, and a discussion of beer-specific terms in sign facilitated by interpreter volunteers from the association. It will cost $5 for entry, and beer flights will be 10% off. Tessier said she's curating the beers for the tasting component with event-specific care.

"I want to pick some interesting ones that would have some signage (discussion points)," she said. "We just released a salted gose with orange peel. I don't know if interpreters will be able to translate the word 'gose,' but it's also a sour."

Tessier and her husband, Taylor Wacey, opened their taproom and brewery at 11635 145 Street NW last March. Tessier hails from Cornwall, Ont., while Wacey grew up in B.C. Part of their work on inclusivity came from needing to feel welcome as transplants to Edmonton.

"It was hard to find a space where you could go and hang out, and not feel awkward by yourself," Tessier said. "We wanted to create that space where you could come by yourself, sit at the bar, and have a good conversation with the person serving your beverage."

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Headlines: March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim

RCMP have laid terrorism-related charges against Bezhani Sarvar in connection with a Jan. 23 attack at Edmonton city hall. The 28-year-old security guard is charged with counselling commission of a terrorism offence and possession of property for terrorist purposes, the RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team announced on March 4. Sarvar is also facing nine criminal charges in connection with the attack. No one was physically injured in the incident and the city has since begun work to repair bullet holes and damages caused by a Molotov cocktail lobbed in the atrium. A security assessment is also underway and Postmedia reporter Lauren Boothby posted online that the city has since installed metal detectors in the building's lobby. Speaking at a separate news conference, National Defence Minister Bill Blair said there is a "high threshold" to lay terrorism charges, calling it a "very serious matter."
Canadian Forces Base Edmonton is receiving a $45.3 million federal investment for infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability, National Defence Minister Bill Blair announced. The project will upgrade 124 buildings, reducing energy costs by 21% and helping to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The work is expected to create 125 jobs and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
Several car wash operators told Edmonton's utility committee that they were unfairly targeted by EPCOR's ban on non-essential water use after an equipment failure at the E.L. Smith water treatment plant. Several businesses are seeking compensation because the ban caused them to lose money, adding they were not told how EPCOR determined which businesses were considered non-essential. EPCOR representatives were at the March 4 meeting to provide an update on the incident, which was caused when water leaked into an underground electrical vault after a seal failed.
The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness expressed its disappointment with the 2024 Alberta budget, saying it provides insufficient funding for housing and is "evidence the government does not have a commitment to the human right to adequate housing." Despite previous calls for significant investment in social housing, the budget provides only half of the requested $600 million for the year, the coalition said. The budget also cuts funding for Income Support and homelessness outreach, which will further exacerbate the housing crisis in Edmonton and across the province, the coalition added.
Edmonton's commercial real estate market is expected to improve in 2024, thanks in part to industrial growth and reduced office space vacancy. Mid-sized investment deals are also expected to drive recovery, according to Commercial Real Estate Services (CBRE). Building owners will need to ensure they have the right amenities to attract and retain tenants, said CBRE's Dave Young, adding he has "renewed optimism in the province."
Businesses in Edmonton that used a free Google service to create simple websites will have their sites shut down as of March 5 after the tech company announced it would discontinue the tool. The websites, which end in "business.site," will instead redirect to the companies' Google profiles, but only until June 10. Serengeti BBQ owner Edmond Ndira said the restaurant will make a new website but said he gets many customers through word of mouth, social media, and dining events. Edmonton-based digital marketing company Whitespark is offering a service to help businesses replace their Google sites, and has already had 350 sign-ups.
Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools are welcoming the $2.1 billion investment over three years for new schools allocated in the 2024 Alberta budget, but are emphasizing the need for rapid construction to meet student enrolment growth. The funding will support 43 new school projects, including a new public school for grades 7 to 12 in Glenridding Heights, and the construction of four new Catholic K to 9 schools in Heritage Valley Cavanagh, Rundle, Crystallina Nera, and Hays Ridge.
Edmonton was recognized as "maybe the most forward-thinking city for housing reform in North America" in the latest episode of Oh the Urbanity! Edmonton's efforts to increase infill housing and build affordable and energy efficient developments were highlighted, along with the city's recent zoning changes to encourage more density.

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Accessing larger markets across the border helps Orion Plastics grow

Sponsored March 5, 2024

The "Trade Heroes" series highlights Edmonton region companies who have 'EXPORT-itude' — the mindset and commitment to think globally when it comes to their business. It's brought to you by Edmonton Global.

If you've ever watched a hockey game, you've probably seen the work of St. Albert-based Orion Plastics. One of the company's products is the iconic puck board that lines the walls of NHL rinks. But that's just one of many applications for the custom extruded plastic sheet products that the company manufactures.

The company's products shape components for automobiles and recreational vehicles as well as the marine, mining, sports, and recreation sectors, making it an integral part of the supply chain for major industries across Canada, the United States, and beyond. As it has grown, Orion Plastics has carved a niche within the heavy gauge vacuum forming industry, and that has helped it access plenty of new customers. Today, the company exports about 85% of its products to the United States, said president and CEO Stephen Moore.

The company has great customers here in Canada, but "there are bigger opportunities down there," Moore said of doing business with America. "It's a huge market."

Operating out of a 62,000-square-foot facility with about 65 dedicated team members, the company maintains a continuous production cycle. Moore said boosting the capacity of its facility — such as with the addition of a third sheet line — was a turning point that helped the company with its export ambitions. Despite questions from some customers initially about why they're located in Canada, Moore said Orion's location has been more of an advantage than a disadvantage, including when it comes to shipping and accessing major transportation networks.

"We ship product throughout North America," Moore said. "It's almost like next-day delivery … we load up trucks and ship them out on a Friday, they deliver on a Monday."

Another advantage of being located in the Edmonton region is access to a skilled workforce. "What we do here is highly technical," Moore said. "So we're very fortunate for the universities and the education system here in Alberta that a lot of talented people are coming out of, and we have access to them."

Orion Plastics has also benefited from working with partners and leveraging all the resources that are available to companies looking to do business across the border.

"We've got great partners, like with our customs brokers," Moore said. "Integrating that into your systems as far as customs, invoices, and bills of lading and all that might seem impossible to a small business, but the opportunity is incredible."

The company has worked with Alberta Innovates, the Industrial Research Assistance Program, and Government of Alberta trade offices, to name just a few organizations that have supported its export journey.

"Harnessing those relationships, there's great people to help you be successful and penetrate the market in the United States," Moore said. "Don't be so afraid to explore opportunities in the U.S., because it's probably the easiest way for you to scale because the opportunity is just so much bigger."

Photo: Orion Plastics operates a 24/7 manufacturing facility in St. Albert. (Supplied)

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