“I’m in town from High Level, looking for work.”
I’ve heard this one before.
“I’m broke, and I’ve got my wife and kid in the truck.”
I’ve heard this more than once.
“I just need some money for gas, so I can run the truck a while—warm up the kid’s cold feet.”
It’s been a few years, but I’ve heard these exact words before. I’ve heard this same story more than once. Back then, it was one guy—twice—in two different Tim Hortons locations.
This time, it’s in the trendy espresso joint near the university. It’s been a few years, so I’m not sure if it’s the same guy.
Sorry, pal, can’t help you.
He heads over to the next table. Same sob story. Money exchanges hands.
He does this several more times, until he’s hit all of the tables in the place. Given the benefit of the doubt, he should be heading for the door about now.
He doesn’t.
10 minutes later, he’s sitting at the back of the cafe, a tall cup of coffee in one hand and a bagel sandwich in the other. Same shit, different time and place. And just like the time 6 years ago, I don’t ask about the wife and kid.
It’s late November, and we’ve finally had some flurries.
There were a few snowflakes earlier in the month, but they didn’t stay around for long.
This time, it looks like it might stick.
While this city can get pretty dirty in the winter—sloppy and slushy—it’s also pretty beautiful, especially in the areas that cars don’t touch.
Sure, the roads get messy, but the river valley looks great in the winter.
Residential areas take on a special character in the winter, covered in snow and nostalgia. This is especially true in the early morning, or late at night, when the homes are all asleep, and the world is silent.
Winter is here, Edmonton. Bundle up, stay warm, and don’t forget to take it easy on the roads.
Two Rooms Cafe is one of those places that’s easy to walk past and not notice, if you don’t know that it’s there.
Nestled in the old Dominion Hotel building near the corner of Gateway Boulevard and Whyte Avenue, Two Rooms is perhaps the best kept secret on the Avenue.
Serving what is best described as “Canadian Cuisine,” Two Rooms offers a wide selection of entrées: sandwiches, pasta dishes, burgers, and more.
For my money, the best item on the menu is the 100% Sirloin Burger.
For $11, you get the juiciest, tastiest burger you’ll ever bite into, along with a choice of soup or salad. The salad comes with a home-made dressing that is absolutely delicious. I’m not sure what the recipe is, but it has hints of cucumber, vinegar (naturally), and a hint of tanginess that I can’t quite place (lime?).
I’ve tried the Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich in the past, and it’s also a good choice. I don’t recall the exact price, but I believe that it’s also $11.
Two Rooms has an extensive wine selection that, I’m told, is quite good. Not being much of a wine connoisseur, and having never ordered a glass of wine at Two Rooms, I can’t verify the accuracy of that statement.
The beer selection is quite good, and there is a full bar, so you should be able to get whatever cocktails you might be in the mood for.
The non-alcoholic drink selection is fairly impressive, too. In addition to the standard pop, coffee, and tea choices, Two Rooms also offers sparkling water, Orangina, and Italian sodas.
In addition to the great food, the Two Rooms Cafe has a nice, cozy atmosphere. The decor is mostly dark wood, which fits well in the old building.
Jazz or electronic music is usually played in the background, providing a nice ambiance, without distracting from the dinner conversation.
There’s also something oddly appealing about having your dinner served to your table by the same guy who cooked it.
I’ve only been to Two Rooms Cafe a few times, but it’s quickly become one of my favourite Edmonton restaurants. The food is great, as is the atmosphere.
The price is good, as well. I went for dinner with an old friend last night, and our bill came to only $40 (including tax and tip) for two Sirloin Burgers, a $7 glass of wine, and an Orangina ($3.25).
For more restaurant reviews and information, check out my Edmonton Restaurant Guide.
A lot of people come to this site looking for date ideas. I have written a lot of things on this site that could be considering date ideas. Every time I review a restaurant or a bar, that let’s potential daters know if that place might be a good choice or not.
But, I think I can do a better job of providing you with Edmonton date ideas. So, I’m compiling a list of ideas and putting them here. Feel free to add your own ideas to the comments section.
In addition to the ideas below, don’t forget to check out the Edmonton Restaurant Guide and the Edmonton Nightlife Guide for more ideas. I’ve also written about free fun in Edmonton—dates don’t always have to be expensive, as long as they’re fun and memorable.
Edmonton Date Ideas
- Grab a coffee at an independent cafe (Three Bananas, Axis Cafe, Remedy, etc.).
- Take a long walk through the river valley; this can be done in any season, though the winter might not be ideal, if you’re date doesn’t like the cold.
- West Edmonton Mall is a great choice for the consumerists in the crowd: food, drink, gambling, shopping. Hell, there’s even a hotel if you need quick access to a bed (but, please, avoid the theme rooms, they’re tacky).
- Festivals!
- Go for dinner at any of the River City’s great local restaurants. Some of my personal favourites are: Doan’s, Two Rooms Cafe, and Padmanadi (review).
- Drive. This city is designed for automobiles. Go for a drive around the city, without a destination in mind. Grab some food from a drive-through. The inclusion of fast food means that this is probably not ideal for a first date.
- Smoke shisha together at Co Co Di Restaurant (10160 100A Street).
- Go to a movie. This sounds boring and unoriginal, I know, but Edmontonians are notorious for their love of film (probably because our winters are so damn long). To keep it interesting, avoid the big multiplexes and go see an independent film at the Garneau or the Princess.
- Go for drinks. It’s not particularly unique to Edmonton, but going out for drinks is a great way to get to know one another. Alcohol is a wonderful social lubricant, and can help ease the awkwardness that can accompany those first few dates with a new partner—just make sure not to get drunk and embarrass yourself. Presumably, you’re on a date because you actually want to get to know the other person, not just because you’re hoping to get laid, so choose a pub or a lounge instead of a dance club (this way you’ll actually be able to hold a conversation without shouting). I’d personally recommend Sherlock Holmes or Red Star. Suede Lounge is a nice place too, if you feel like being a bit more trendy.
I don’t normally paste press releases directly onto the blog, but in this case, I think the release summarizes the news more effectively than I can.
I will point out that the deadline for applications is today. If this is something that you’re interested in, you’ll need to send in your application immediately.
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The City of Edmonton / Next Gen Board Recruiting 2007
Information & online application: www.edmontonnextgen.ca
Note: Closing Date for Applications - November 15, 2007.
Next Gen, a project of The City of Edmonton, is looking for new members. If you are you between the ages of 18-40 & passionate about making Edmonton a city of choice for young people, get in touch!
What is the Next Gen? Next Gen’s mission is to create a city that attracts young people between 18-40 years old and gives voice to the Next Generation in the life/growth of our community. Next Gen is committee that involves a cross-sector of civic-community collaboration, and brings together diverse volunteer Next Gen Edmontonians and staff from City departments. The Committee as a hub for networking and learning events, and fosters leadership opportunities.
Who are we looking for? 8 Community members between the ages of 18-40 who live in Edmonton and have a demonstrated passion for Edmonton. Individuals who are willing to assume a leadership role on projects, initiatives/events and are able to work with volunteers with various backgrounds. Individuals who have Board/Committee experience and/or experience working with volunteers.
Individuals who have unique ideas, perspectives/strategies for implementing the 9 recommendations which focus on the areas of marketing/communications, sports/recreation, business, arts and culture, mentorship, architecture and urban design, transportation, and urban living.
Responsibilities: A time commitment of approximately 10 hours a month which includes preparation time, meetings, attending events, working on projects and initiatives; Attend 10 regularly scheduled meetings of Edmonton’s Next Gen Committee during the year. Meetings are held on a monthly basis at a downtown location every second Monday from 11:30 am-1:30 pm. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the Co-Chairs.
Attend/participate on at least one working group of the Next Gen Initiative; working groups meet once a month; these meetings are held on a monthly basis either during the day or evenings; work with committee members/volunteers on various projects/initiatives; participate/represent Next Gen in consultations, focus groups/stakeholder meetings, public events & media.
For more information contact:
Christine.Causing@edmonton.ca
Telephone: (780) 496-4889
# # #
Until recently, I was looking at purchasing a condo. Unfortunately, due to a number of circumstances, this isn’t a realistic possibility at the moment.
Despite the high cost of rent in the city, it is still more affordable for me to rent than it is to buy, even after my rent increases to $975 come January.
However, I’d rather not pay that high of a rental rate. Admittedly, as I live in a 2-bedroom apartment, that’s actually a fairly decent rate in the current market. It’s a 50% increase over what I currently pay, but it’s not outside the typical market price.
But, I live alone, and I would like to keep it that way if possible.
I tend not to do well with roommates. And, having got used to living alone over the last 7 months or so, I don’t like the idea of coming home to find someone else sitting on the couch.
If I were living with a girlfriend, or one of my brothers, that would be different. But, excepting those 2 situations, I’m not fond on the idea of living with a roommate. Besides, I’ve done it before, and it nearly destroyed the friendship I had with my roommate at the time.
Because of this, I’m looking for a place with cheaper rent. If I could find a 2-bedroom unit for less than what I’ll be paying here, that would be ideal. That’s not likely to happen, though, so I’m looking at 1-bedroom units.
I’ve called a few places so far, and it seems that they’re all in the $800+ range. At that price, it almost seems better just to stay put. Sure, it will cost more than moving to a 1-bedroom unit, but by fewer than $200 in most cases.
This has got me to wondering if there is anywhere in this city that is still affordable for the average single, middle-class person.
For the average working couple, the rent for a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment isn’t unreasonable. It’s not cheap, but with a double income, it’s not too bad. What about single income households, though?
While I can afford to pay $975 a month, it’s a bit of a stretch. I imagine the same is true for a lot of other people, as well.
There is low income housing the in city (though, not nearly enough of it), but I make too much money to qualify for it. I feel like I’m in the weird position of feeling as if I’m living on a low income, ironically due to the fact that I’m not. It’s very strange.
Ideally, I’d like a place that has a balcony. In fact, unless I get really desperate, I won’t even consider a place that doesn’t have a balcony. It must also have a powered parking stall.
It would be nice if I could find a place in a pet-friendly building. I don’t have pets, but I wouldn’t mind getting a cat or similar small animal if I was renting a place that allowed it. That’s not a requirement, though.
If anyone happens to know of a place that might suit my needs, I’d appreciate if you could give me a shout about it. I think I’d prefer to wait until January to start seriously looking, since I’d rather not be moving over the holidays (which, given that it’s already halfway through November, and I am required to give 30 days notice to end my lease, would basically be inevitable if I were to find a place in the near future). But, if the price is right, I’d be willing to move over the holidays.
The real question I want to ask though, isn’t about my situation specifically. It’s a much more general question.
Is there anywhere in Edmonton that still charges a reasonable price for rent?
The Raving Poets‘ latest series—Space Monkey: The Series—started last night. As I mentioned yesterday, this series will include a chance to win a rather grand prize.
I am now able to reveal exactly what the prize is.
According to Raving Poets Founding Father Thomas Trofimuk, the Raving Poets have teamed up with Canada’s national broadcaster.
On the table, a guaranteed spot in the 2008 CBC Poetry Face-off Edmonton.
The Raving Poets are going hard for the next six weeks….And we’ve done a deal with the Mother Corp. Up for grabs is a coveted, guaranteed spot in CBC’s 2008 Poetry Face Off Edmonton final. That’s right, come December 5th, one of our Raving Poets will be going to the “show.” Details will be forthcoming but round one, the first preliminary round, will be November 21st. Oh it’ll still be a 16-spot open stage, but the top three favourite poets (details on this will follow) will automatically get a spot in the December 5th final. On December 5th, we’ll run an abbreviated night of Raving Poets, and then brilliant poets will step up in the second half and duke it out for a guaranteed spot in the Edmonton round of the 2008 CBC Face Off. Stay tuned….for more details. In the meantime, if you’re in Edmonton, come on out tomorrow night….10444 - 82nd Ave. 7:30 p.m
Those are pretty big stakes, and that’s a pretty big prize. If you’re interested in winning it, or just watching a bunch of publicity-crazed poets duking it out, come down to Kasbar (10444 Whyte Avenue) every Wednesday until December 12.
Space Monkey: The Series runs every Wednesday until December 12, 2007 at Kasbar Lounge (10444 Whyte Avenue) below Yianni’s Taverna. Sign-up for the open mic is at 7:30pm; show starts at 8pm.
For full details about the CBC Poetry Face-off Prize, visit: http://ravingpoets.com.
The Raving Poets‘ latest series—Space Monkey: The Series—starts tonight.
Kasbar Lounge (10444 Whyte Avenue) will once again be home to the mix of spoken word poetry and improvised musical accompaniment.
There is a pretty big prize that will be given away as part of this series, which I’m not at liberty to reveal quite yet. (If you read the site earlier today, you already know what it is.)
While I can’t tell you what the prize is, I can tell you this: it’s huge. It’s probably the biggest prize ever awarded at the Raving Poets.
Of course, even without a prize, the Raving Poets stage is still the best place in the city to see high energy spoken word poetry.
If you’re interested in performing, or just watching a bunch of booze-fuelled poets spit verse, come down to Kasbar every Wednesday until December 12.
Space Monkey: The Series runs every Wednesday until December 12, 2007 at Kasbar Lounge (10444 Whyte Avenue) below Yianni’s Taverna. Sign-up for the open mic is at 7:30pm; show starts at 8pm.
I was looking at the keywords that bring search traffic to River City Writer this morning.
While most of the keywords are related to Edmonton, I was surprised by one of the long-tail terms that brought in someone from Winnipeg: winnipeg prostitute throw facebook group.
Not quite sure what exactly this searcher could possibly have been looking for, aside from a Facebook group involving Winnipeg prostitutes…and throwing (throwing what?), I plugged the query into Google. The results were surprising.
It turns out, there is a Facebook group dedicated to discussing throwing things at hookers in Winnipeg.
According to the CBC:
Gloria Enns, an outreach worker who counsels sex-trade workers at Sage House in Winnipeg, said the ugly pranks being discussed online are real.
“They are not just talking about it and internet e-mailing about it, but they’re actually doing it. We’ve had women who were assaulted with thrown bricks in their face. One had a full bottle of beer thrown in her face,” she said.
“I know that those people on the site represent a tip of an iceberg of hatred out there, and of people who are willing to be violent against women.”
Winnipeg police said they are looking into the site’s content and its members. Throwing an object at someone could be considered assault, they said, and charges could be laid.
While this is pretty fucked up, the sad truth of the matter is that this sort of thing doesn’t just occur in Winnipeg.
It happens in Edmonton, too.
When I was in high school, an acquaintance started telling me about a game that he and his friends had played on the weekend, called Spoons.
The game involves driving down streets known to be frequented by prostitutes, and throwing spoons at hookers from a moving vehicle. If you hit the woman, you get a point.
If you miss, you have to get out of the car and retrieve the spoon. This, you don’t want to do, because it means potentially getting your ass kicked by the prostitute.
It also means having to confront the fact that you’re playing a game that is essentially about degrading a fellow human being.
I’m not sure that I need to say more about this. I’d like to think that it’s universally accepted that this sort of thing isn’t cool.
But, people are obviously still doing it, so there are still people who think it’s acceptable to treat another person like an animal, simply because they aren’t as privileged as they are.
I honestly don’t even know what else to say about this, other than that I find it pretty abhorrent.
What’s your take on it?
November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Because I’m a little bit insane, I’ve decided to take part. It’s only Day 2, and I’m already starting to regret my decision, but I’m sure that feeling will pass, once I really get into it.
The goal of NaNoWriMo, as you may be aware, is write a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days. It’s a bit of a crazy goal, one that requires turning off the inner editor. This is a difficult task for a lot of people, myself included, but it can be done.
How does this apply to River City Writer? There are 2 things. The first is that I may not be publishing as regularly as I usually do. I’ll try not to let things slide, but because I’m going to be working on a novel-length project all month long, I’ll have less time to blog.
The second way that this applies to River City Writer’s main focus—the city of Edmonton—is that there is a fairly large group of Edmontonians who are participating in NaNoWriMo.
You might see this crazy group of people sitting in coffee shops, pounding away on their laptops. If you see them, don’t try to talk to them. They will ignore you. Don’t take it personally, most of them will be ignoring family and friends for the next month, too.
Perhaps the place you’re most likely to see the EdmoWriMo crew is at the library. This is partly because the Edmonton Public Library is holding writing sessions at several locations this month.
- November 6, 6 PM - Jasper Place Library, program room
- November 18, 1:30 PM - Mill Woods Library, program room
- November 25, 1:30 PM - Londonderry Library, program room
- November 30, 4PM - Stanley A. Milner Library, Edmonton Room
For more information about EPL’s NaNoWriMo events, check out http://epl.ca/EPLNaNoWriMo.cfm. For more about NaNoWriMo, visit http://www.nanowrimo.org.