The Pulse
May 17, 2024

Grand Markets Edmonton has launched its 2024 season, and there are some changes afoot for those looking for locally made food, beverages, and art.

The 124 Street Market, which runs on Thursdays in the vicinity of 108 Avenue, was able to expand after Audio Ark and Apple Dental Care offered up their parking lots to the market, founder Kirsta Franke told Taproot. The market can now house about 25 additional vendors and more food trucks.

In these inflationary times, such an expansion may be surprising, especially when it comes to artisanal bread, locally distilled vodkas, and clay earrings. But Franke said some small businesses are more game to take risks post-pandemic.

"It has been a really exciting time to see new businesses come out into the market and to see people trying new things," she said. "Maybe they had a failed business, but they're trying it back at a farmers' market stall and really rebuilding the connection with their consumers, testing out their products, because markets are a fantastic place to test a local product."

There are benefits for consumers, too, she said, as they can see their dollar staying in the local economy instead of going to a large corporation. "Maybe they're not buying every single item in their pantry or fridge, but they're definitely either finding something new or going back for something that they love, and they trust, and they believe in."

Franke said she has accepted applications from more brewers and distillers in recent years — customers may see Leduc's Badlands Distillery, St. Albert's Black Diamond Distillery, and Sherwood Park's Manual Labour Beer among the offerings this season. There has also been an increase in women entrepreneurs, she said.

She has noted a decrease in the number of food trucks across the region. "They're expensive to run and to find the best location to connect with a consumer audience," Franke said. This year, there will be a rotating selection of four food trucks at the 124 Street location each week, including El Mero Mero Taquería, Flipside BBQ, and Veggie Delights.

Grand Markets is also introducing a new Saturday market in the Canadian Tire parking lot at South Edmonton Common starting on June 1. And it is continuing last year's pop-up night markets. The 102 Avenue location returns on June 2, and the markets will run until mid-October.

• The Edmonton Police Service faced scrutiny over its recent tear-down of a protest encampment during the May 16 Edmonton Police Commission meeting, which was switched to an online format due to safety concerns. Commissioners unanimously approved an information request regarding EPS policies on use of force and the absence of name tags on some officers. Chief Dale McFee defended the actions, citing increased agitation at protests, and said "arrests we made on campus show us this is true." The commission heard from 11 pre-registered speakers who criticized police actions and called for accountability.
• The Edmonton Humane Society is supporting pets and pet owners who have evacuated from Fort McMurray and are staying at the Clareview Community Recreation Centre, which housed more than 50 animals as of May 16. Evacuated pet owners can request pet supplies from the society. Some evacuees have reported long waits and difficulties accessing accommodation and supplies in Edmonton. Cooler weather has given firefighters time to prepare, but the wildfire near Fort McMurray may continue burning for weeks or months.
• CKUA Radio has launched letter-writing campaign in hopes of accessing federal funding. This follows a 13-day fundraiser last month, which raised about $1.8 million from nearly 7,000 donors. The station is seeking $3 million by Sept. 30 to stay on air. Many of the station's financial challenges stem from the federal government failing to come through on a multi-government financial commitment to buy the Alberta Hotel on Jasper Avenue in 2012, leaving CKUA with an "unexpected and unbudgeted" $6-million loan.
• UDI - Edmonton Metro and CHBA – Edmonton Region have officially amalgamated to form BILD Edmonton Metro after a membership vote, with 92.1% of UDI members and 88.2% of CHBA members in favour. "We are thrilled to have a mandate from all facets of the real estate sector to speak as one voice," said the transition board chair. UDI - Edmonton Metro CEO Kalen Anderson will serve as the inaugural CEO for the new organization, which will develop a strategic plan and initiatives in the coming months.
• CTV News visited Old Man Creek Nursery, a City of Edmonton-owned facility and green space in Sherwood Park, where volunteers have been growing food for Edmonton's Food Bank since 2020. Garden team lead Joy Lakhan said the initiative started to address food security issues during the pandemic, with yields nearly doubling since then. Last year, about 65,000 pounds of produce was harvested and donated, with another significant yield expected this year.
• Jürgen Schreiber, CEO of the Oilers Entertainment Group, is under investigation by the Canada Revenue Agency for allegedly failing to fully declare Canadian assets and revenue while claiming primary residency in the Bahamas. A federal ruling has ordered Schreiber to provide extensive documentation from 2017-2019 to the CRA. Schreiber, formerly CEO of Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart, joined the Katz Group, OEG's parent company, in 2016.
• The province is investing $50.5 million over three years to build three water intake facilities in the Designated Industrial Zone, part of Alberta's Industrial Heartland northeast of Edmonton. The DIZ, established in 2022, includes Dow's Path2Zero facility, which is set to begin construction this year. The province noted that no new water intakes have been built in the area for more than a decade.
• The City of Edmonton suggested several activities at municipal facilities for the May long weekend. Options include swimming at the Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool opening on May 18, attending a cello performance at the Muttart Conservatory on May 19, seeing giant inflatables at Eastglen Leisure Centre on May 20, and enjoying free activities at the City Hall Plaza hosted by the Edmonton Arts Council.
• Sports broadcaster Darren Dutchyshen, longtime host of TSN's Sportscentre, has passed away at age 57 after battling prostate cancer for several years. Known for his passion and larger-than-life personality, Dutchyshen got his first big break in 1998 hosting Edmonton's only half-hour weeknight sportscast, ITV Sports Night.
• Alberta Medical Association president Paul Parks spoke to Postmedia about the state of acute care in Alberta, describing it as an "aneurysm" ready to burst. He highlighted that 200,000 new residents have been added without additional resources. Parks noted potential caps on internal medicine services at the Misericordia and Grey Nuns hospitals, which could shift patients to other facilities. He also questioned the province's decision to split Alberta Health Services into four separate agencies, warning of potential disconnects.
• The federal government is investing $78.5 million over four years through the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund to create more inclusive child care spaces in Alberta. The fund responds to requests from provinces and territories for developing a Canada-wide early learning and care system and will help Alberta meet its goal of 68,700 new child care spaces by 2026.

Here are some events happening this long weekend in the Edmonton area.

• May 17: Rachmaninoff & Dance starting at 2pm at the Winspear Centre
• May 17: Friday Nite Live — Marty and Lil starting at 7pm at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
• May 18: The Art of Kusamono starting at 2pm at The Alley Brewery District
• May 18: The Aviary's Crucial Fundraiser starting at 2pm at The Aviary
• May 18: Cariwest Mas Band Launch 2024 starting at 6pm at West Edmonton Mall
• May 18: The Purple Tie Foundation Royal Gala starting at 6pm at the Star Edmonton Banquet & Conference Centre
• May 18: Garden Party featuring Case of the Mondays starting at 8pm at The Backyard
• May 18-20: 50th Anniversary Weekend Celebration at Fort Edmonton Park
• May 19: Ritchie Community League-West Ritchie Garden Block Party starting at 11am at the West Ritchie Community Gardens
• May 19: Campio Brewing Drag Brunch starting at 11am at Campio Brewing Co.
• May 19: Silver Screen Soirée: A Pop Up Burlesque Event starting at 6:30pm at Boxer Kitchen & Bar
• May 20: What's In A Name? An Artist Branding starting at 7pm online

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• May 27: Food For Thought: A Culinary Bookclub at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• May 29: Finger Lickin' Fried Chicken! at Get Cooking
• May 30: Art Gallery of Alberta Annual General Meeting at the Art Gallery of Alberta

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