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Winnipeg City Hall gets spruced up

The trick-or-treaters have been appeased and the time has come once again to tear down all things gruesome and build up some Christmas cheer.  Mabel Lam who lives in the 500 block of Niagara donated this nearly 40 -year-old, 17-metre Colorado Spruce.

This continues to be an annual tradition for city hall. This year’s tree was selected from 90 candidates. Its trunk base has a diameter of 65 cm and it is the tallest tree yet to grace city.

 Rare Emily Carr painting sold for a steal

The art of war was not needed in bidding on Kiteseulka, the rare watercolor painting by Canadian artist Emily Carr. It was sold for a steal Sunday afternoon at Calgary’s Levis Fine Art Auctions. The auctioneer was hoping for more bidders, the stunning piece was anticipated to be sold for $3,000 but went to an anonymous bidder for the steal of $2,000.

Kiteseulka is considered to be rare because of its dimensions, 22 by 30 inches. Most of the Carr watercolour pieces of this size are found in public institutions.

This piece shows a scene of totem poles on the Skeena River in British Columbia. It was part of a collection owned by Major Cuthburt Holmes. Kiteseulka had been in his home for three generations.

 

 Edmonton works on App for downtown directions

Does looking for shops in downtown Edmonton often feel like you’re on a wild goose chase? Well worry no more because their will soon be an App for that.  This week a proposal going to a city council’s executive committee will revolve around a network of signs, new maps, and web based apps for mobile devices to make downtown more pedestrian friendly and promote attractions in the city.

West Edmonton Mall has already developed a mobile application to help shoppers navigate with their cellphones, and Calgary recently established a network of signs and kiosks to help pedestrians, said Jim Taylor of the Downtown Business Association.

Many new projects are on the rise for downtown Edmonton, including renovations on the legislation grounds, a new provincial museum and a proposed arena. Taylor says it’s timely to make it all easier to find.

The entire network could take two years and about $2 million to develop, including designing the system, running a pilot project in a smaller area and rolling it out by 2015.

Source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/could+Edmonton+downtown/7496592/story.html

 Maybe, a happier 18th birthday for Saskatchewan youth

Cheers, you’re 18 today. While right now you need to be the legal age of 19 before enjoying a cold one, that may all soon change. A resolution to lower Saskatchewan’s drinking age from 19 to 18 has been adopted by delegates at the Saskatchewan Party convention, but there’s much more to be done before it’s made policy, says Brad Wall.

The province will be seeking feedback from a number of groups like members of the industry, law enforcement and other agencies before they go forth and lower the age requirement to legally consume alcohol.

The Saskatchewan Youth Party originally put the motion forward. Premier Wall said one of the arguments they presented was an 18-year old can serve their country, but cannot have a drink.

A valid point, when you’re old enough to be a shooter but not to drink one.

Source: http://metronews.ca/news/saskatoon/427884/drinking-age-in-saskatchewan-could-see-drop/

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Chadd Cawson is an intern at Spectator Tribune. Follow him at: @ChaddCawson

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