The Pulse: June 5, 2024

When Brett Eigner noticed Edmonton's tech founders and innovators held regular meetups but sustainability professionals didn't, he had an idea.

Eigner lives in Edmonton but works for British Columbia-based Debrand, which helps clothing brands recycle textiles. Eigner told Taproot the company's focus on sustainability made him wonder how he could connect with other people who work in the sustainability sector in Edmonton. He said there were many of these events in the city geared towards individuals, but he couldn't find any for professionals.

His fix was to start Sustain YEG, which he hopes creates an environment similar to what the tech industry has in the city. "I think we can create an interesting space in Edmonton that is both a hub for sustainability and for innovation," Eigner said.

Eco-minded readers may remember The Local Good's Green Drinks meetups. The Local Good, founded in 2007, held its last gathering for people in the environmental field in 2023.

Since Eigner started the meetups in January, he's welcomed sustainability analysts from corporate settings, founders of cleantech startups, and new graduates looking to start careers in sustainability. He also wants people whose job has nothing to do with sustainability to consider attending.

"This is, at the moment, a professional space wanting to promote all things sustainability, but it's also trying to create a space for the individuals who are trying to, for lack of a better word, 'greenify' their job," he said. "We're wanting to create a space where people can learn and go, 'Okay, well, I don't need to find a new job that has sustainability in the name.' We can help promote that you can do more at your job right now."

The meetups are held on the last Thursday of each month, with the next on June 27 at Edmonton Unlimited.

Eigner hopes he and others can evolve the meetups into a conference at the scale of Upper Bound, and maybe expand them across Alberta. He also wants to venture into the social and economic sides of sustainability, the concept of which he admits is cloudy.

"When you first hear (sustainability), most tend to associate it with the environment. Though this is accurate, it doesn't paint the full picture, as true sustainability is a balance between environmental, economic, and social prosperity," he said. "We hope to become a knowledge and connection hub for the community that promotes the importance and interconnectedness of all three pillars."

Photo: Sustainability innovators at Sustain YEG's March meetup. Brett Eigner is the person furthest to the right. (Sustain YEG)

• The City of Edmonton and the Winspear Centre have launched a pilot program to play Edmonton Symphony Orchestra music at downtown LRT stations to improve the transit experience and increase downtown vibrancy. The playlist includes a mix of classical, modern, and local compositions. Music will be broadcast at several downtown stations daily from 5am to 2am, with priority given to station and train announcements.
• Tickets for Edmonton Oilers playoff watch parties at Rogers Place have increased to $20 for the Stanley Cup Final, up from the $5 cost in the earlier rounds, with proceeds going to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. An atmosphere of excitement and energy has blanketed Edmonton as the Oilers prepare to face the Florida Panthers, marking the team's first appearance in the final since 2006. The playoffs run has also had a "profound impact" on the city's restaurant and pub industry, which is continuing to recover from the pandemic, said Edmonton Chamber of Commerce CEO Doug Griffiths.
• Hockey fans reacted to a video of Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid being mobbed by a trio of fans outside a liquor store while loading beer into his car. "It's a unique moment to get a chance to meet him, but go about it a little less obnoxiously," said Tom Gazzola, a host with Edmonton Sports Talk. Fans CTV News talked to said the hockey star's personal space and privacy should be respected. McDavid remained polite as fans thanked him and asked for hugs during the encounter, which happened after the Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 to secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is planning a friendly playoff bet with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the Edmonton Oilers face the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Smith has successfully won previous bets with B.C. Premier David Eby and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
• The City of Edmonton's Compost School, located beside the John Janzen Nature Centre, will undergo upgrades this summer to enhance accessibility and visitor engagement, with construction expected from June to September. Throughout the closure, residents can continue to access composting resources and workshops through the Edmonton Public Library and the city's website.
• WestJet announced an increase in its 2024-2025 winter schedule capacity by more than 20% and offering 30 nonstop destinations, including new routes to Montreal and Ottawa. The airline will operate approximately 313 weekly flights from Edmonton International Airport, enhancing connectivity for both business and leisure travellers.
• CTV News published a piece offering advice from mortgage brokers for the more than two million Canadians who will renew their mortgages in the next 18 months. Many of those homeowners are expecting to face payment increases because of rising interest prices, explained Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, deputy chief economist with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Edmonton mortgage broker Cheryl Wilkes said homeowners should always seek a second opinion when renewing to secure the best deal.
• Edmonton Elks head coach and general manager Chris Jones is under pressure to improve the team's performance in 2024 after consecutive 4-14 seasons. The team's recently signed veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to start in the season opener against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on June 8, despite Tre Ford's record leading the team to all four wins last season. In the off-season, the Elks also acquired receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., kicker Boris Bede, and returner Javon Leake.
• The Alberta government has committed $15 million annually for nine years to support STARS air ambulance services, covering about half of its operating costs to help ensure continued emergency helicopter rescues across the province. The partnership means STARS will retain its independence from Alberta Health Services until 2033. STARS responds to about 1,000 emergencies each year, with bases in Edmonton, Calgary, and Grande Prairie.

On this day in 1920, the construction of a new home for the Edmonton Journal was underway.

The Journal has long been the city's largest newspaper. But in 1903, when its first edition rolled off the presses, it was an underdog. John MacPherson, Arthur Moore, and J.W. Cunningham founded the paper as a rival to the more established Edmonton Bulletin, which had been publishing since 1880. With no dedicated building, the Journal printed its first edition in the back of a fruit store.

It didn't take long for the fledgling paper to find an audience. The Journal quickly acquired the Edmonton Post and was run for the early part of the century from a leased building on 101 Street and 102 Avenue.

By 1920, the paper had grown enough that a new building was needed. Construction began on a larger facility on the edge of Bellamy Hill. The new building was designed by architect William Blakey, who designed many other Edmonton landmarks, including the Garneau Theatre and the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The Journal's new home was to be constructed out of steel and reinforced concrete, and finished in brick and stone. It was built to house the newsroom, offices, and production facilities needed to print the paper. An article the Journal published in 1920 makes special note of a large balcony on the front of the building, designed for speeches and other announcements on election nights.

While waiting for the new building, Journal staff continued to work from the leased space on 102 Avenue — even as an extension of the Tegler Building next door was built overtop of them. The paper moved into its new home in 1921.

In 1928, a fire broke out in the building. It was a small blaze and normally would not have been much of a threat. But the fire arrived when the city was having mechanical issues with its water pump houses. That meant firefighters had to wait more than an hour before they were able to turn on the hoses. By that time, the fire had substantially damaged the Journal building. Luckily, the rival Edmonton Bulletin offered the Journal the use of its printing facilities while building repairs were completed.

Edmonton continued to grow throughout the rest of the century, and so did the Journal. The 1920 building saw several expansions over the years. A new printing plant was built in 1980 in the city's east end. Still, with a growing staff and the adoption of computers, the old Journal building was eventually no longer suitable.

Construction of a new building began in the 1980s, and it was built in phases. The first phase was built alongside the 1920 building. Once everything had been moved into the newest building, in 1990, the old location was demolished to make room for the second phase. Parts of the original brick structure were incorporated into the new complex.

The millennium marked a tougher time for newspapers, including the Journal. Revenues dropped and newsrooms shrank. In 2015, Postmedia, the Journal's parent company, acquired the Edmonton Sun and combined the operations of the two papers. Eventually, the old Edmonton Sun building was closed and sold.

Today, like many newspapers, the future of the Journal is less than certain. Last week, Postmedia finalized the sale of three papers in Manitoba and Ontario.

This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist @revRecluse of @VintageEdmonton.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Problem Solving for Small Business with ATB and BDC starting at 9:30am at Rhubarb Cafe & Cocktails
• The Money Side of Business starting at 11am online
• Composting & Soil Building starting at 2pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Idylwylde)
• TELUS CSW Cohort 5 Demo Day starting at 4pm at Edmonton Unlimited
• TrashFEST starting at 4pm at Archbishop Jordan Catholic High School
• Celebrating Five Years of Between Us starting at 6pm at the Royal Glenora Club
• Films at the Library: Bottle Rocket starting at 6:30pm at the Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• Photo Walk starting at 6:30pm at the Downtown Edmonton Community League
• Movies on the Square: Echo to Delta starting at 7pm at Churchill Square
• Movies at the Mile: Ghostbusters: Afterlife starting at 7pm at the Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
• Tammy Weis Sings Fernando Pessoa starting at 7:30pm at Festival Place

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• June 20-23: Alberta Circus Arts Festival at la Cité Francophone
• June 21: Spoke n' Loam Urban Forestry Conference at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns
• June 23: Heart of the City Bike Tour at Government House Park

Visit the beta version of the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.