The great North Saskatchewan River snakes its way from the southwest to the northeast of the city, spanning an average of 300 metres across and creating some of the city’s most scenic vistas.

Boasting an area 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park, Edmonton’s river valley offers cyclists of all kinds (and pedestrians) hundreds of kilometers of trails and paths to enjoy.

Bridges are Edmonton

As I’ve discovered the bike trails in the Edmonton river valley over the past several years, I’ve become more and more interested in the bridges. I’m not really sure why. I’m not an engineer, nor am I particularly knowledgeable about bridges. I’m just curious – and grateful, frankly, to the people whose vision and labour helped to create them.

A bridge, after all, is not only a practical structure erected to get from one side to another. It is also a symbol. Bridges are built to span otherwise impassable stretches. And they are built as much for future growth as for the present need. Some of our most significant bridges in this city have been around for a century and counting. Those old bridges are an invaluable gift from the past, just as our newest bridges are a gift to the future.

I think I love bridges because they are a physical symbol of the “pay it forward” ethos. In a way, the Edmonton I’ve come to know and love is a city imbued with a culture of bridge-building – something akin to the urban barn-building culture that Todd Babiak speaks of in his anthemic Make Something Edmonton story. Bridges are a great symbol for us.

So, starting at the southwest corner of the city and moving northeast, this piece will highlight some of the magnificent bridges and bike trails of Edmonton’s river valley.

Suspended Pedestrian Bridge under the Henday

I’m in the west end of Edmonton and I often begin my rides heading west toward 184 St. Just south of Lessard Road, 184 St. is blocked to vehicular traffic but continues for cyclists down into the ravine on what must have been an extension of the road in earlier days.

Climbing the hill out of the ravine brings you to Cameron Heights and here you need to navigate to the EPCOR gates to E. I. Smith Rd. You enter the bike path to the immediate right of the gates (pictured below).

This is a spectacular downhill stretch to the pedestrian bikeway suspended under the Henday bridge spanning the river. This is the time to turn on the jets and go!

After crossing the river, you will climb out of the valley by way of a nice switchback and find yourself in the Riverbend-Terwillegar area.

Terwillegar Drive Pedestrian Overpass

As you come out of the valley into Terwillegar, there are two options. Usually, I turn left and head through Henderson Estates and then along Riverbend Rd. following the general flow of the river.

Another option is to continue straight along the bike path, following the power lines. A gradual climb brings you to the Terwillegar Drive Pedestrian Overpass. While not a river crossing, this is a nice little award-winning and cost-effective bridge extending the trail over the roadway. It sits atop a relative high spot in the area and affords a clear view of the downtown Edmonton skyline.

Continuing on over this bridge and along the power line can take you as far as 111 St. or a bit farther. When I take this route, I usually wind my way down toward the Mill Creek Ravine.

Mill Creek Trestle Bridge

Technically, not found in the main river valley of the North Saskatchewan River, this historical bridge crosses Mill Creek which feeds the river valley.

The Mill Creek Trestle Bridge is a simple wood trestle construction built between 1900 and 1902. According to the Alberta Register of Historic Places, it is one of the last physical remnants of Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Rail Line that served passenger traffic until 1928 and freight traffic into the 1950s.

This is a beautiful bridge for taking in the view and hydrating or enjoying a quick snack.

Fort Edmonton Footbridge

The newest bridge in the river valley is the Fort Edmonton Footbridge – a breathtaking and rare (in the prairies) suspension bridge.

Photo courtesy of Mack Male.

The bridge connects the west Edmonton neighbourhood of Wolf Willow with the southwest end of Fort Edmonton Park. There are no paved trails on the Wolf Willow side of the bridge and a rather steep and unpaved gravel path leads up to the homes on top of the bluff.  You can also access the bridge from the west by travelling north along Riverbend Rd.

On the east side of the bridge, there is a paved “upper” and unpaved “lower” path around Fort Edmonton Park. Both paths connect near the Quesnell Bridge and the paved path continues along the river and up the old Keillor Rd. hill.

Laurier Walking Bridge

Completed in late 1959 at a cost of $41,000, the Walking Bridge or “Pink Bridge” owing to its original colour was built to bring water and sewage lines west to Quesnell as well as to connect the Laurier and Quesnell communities.

Today, the bridge is a convenient short cut for cyclists or pedestrians into or out of Laurier Park, the Edmonton Zoo and the river valley.

For more information on the bridge, see the Laurier Heights Community’s The Walking Bridge.

Quesnell Bridge

For the first two years that I lived in Edmonton, the Quesnell bridge was a construction site to be avoided.

Construction is now complete and there is a nice wide bikeway (marked in the image above with red arrows) protected by concrete barriers alongside the roadway.

Beyond connecting the Fort Edmonton area to the neighbourhood of Laurier, this bridge is nothing to write home about. It’s conveniently located and provides options for looping back or crossing over the river, depending on your route.

But it also marks the location of some of the finest public art in the city – the Talus Dome. A visit to the Talus Dome is worth the trip all by itself.

Hawrelak Park/Buena Vista Park Pedestrian Bridge

On a beautiful day in the valley, you will find this bridge to be a busy collection point for pedestrian and bike traffic. Oh, and dogs, lots of dogs.

Connecting Hawrelak and Buena Vista Parks, this $2.8M bridge was completed in 1996 with the strong support of then mayor, Jan Reimer. (Read Paula Simons’ thoughts on how bridges link us to our past.)

On your way to the Buena Vista side of the bridge, there is a hard packed gravel trail that leads through the off-leash dog park. Beware of off-leash dogs. Though the path is generally wide here, the dogs roam freely and can be erratic.

On the Hawrelak Park side, this bridge delivers you to a variety of trails and paths through and around the park. During Edmonton’s famed Heritage Days, this bridge functions as a convenient back door for pedestrians and cyclists heading to and from the festival.

Groat Bridge

Completed in 1955 and spanning over 355 metres, the Groat Bridge is pure Edmonton functionality.

It has a separate bikeway, so it can be used for crossing the river. But I find I rarely cross it. Mostly I cross under it on my way to/from Emily Murphy Park from Hawrelak Park.

High Level Bridge (109 St.)

The High Level Bridge is 100 years old and a fixture in Edmonton’s history. There’s even a short film that’s recently been made about it called The High Level Bridge.

Located next to the Alberta Legislature, the High Level Bridge was completed in 1913 to connect Edmonton with the then separate town of Strathcona on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River.

Today, the High Level Bridge carries 2 lanes of vehicular traffic southbound via 109 Avenue and a historic streetcar on top during summer months. There is a dedicated bike path and pedestrian walkway alongside the cars making this a safe way to cross the river.

Again, I find in my own riding in the valley that I traverse under the High Level bridge more often en route to the LRT bridge because it is linked to the riverside bike paths.

Dudley B. Menzies Bridge (LRT Bridge)

Often simply referred to as the LRT Bridge, I didn’t even know this bridge had a formal name until I wrote this post.

Courtesy of Thaddeus Roan.

The Dudley B. Menzies bridge is 600 m in length and was completed in 1992. In addition to carrying the LRT across the river, this bridge has a bike and pedestrian path suspended beneath it.

Connecting the directly with the bike path alongside the river near Victoria Park on the north side and Emily Murphy Park on the south side, this is a common crossing point when starting a ride in the west end. I love the circular on and off ramps on this bridge and the blue railings really give it a stylish and distinct look.

This is definitely a place to stop and catch your breath while drinking in the beauty of the valley.

Walterdale Bridge

The Walterdale Bridge is another landmark Edmonton bridge of almost 100 years, but it won’t be around for much longer. Plans for the new Walterdale Bridge are already underway and the new bridge looks to impart of more contemporary image on the city.

Some lament the loss of this piece of history – an argument with which I would usually sympathize. But in this case, I’ll be glad to see that ugly old green bridge go. The Walterdale Bridge is so 100 years ago, literally.

We need something newer and better for Edmonton in the 21st century. Something just like this!

As a bike crossing, I avoid the Walterdale bridge almost at all costs. And as long as the construction is underway for the new bridge, the whole area will likely be a bit disrupted. But I can’t wait for the new Walterdale bridge in 2015 and the accompanying dedicated bike and pedestrian bridge.

Cloverdale Pedestrian bridge

The Cloverdale Pedestrian Bridge connects Louise McKinney Park and the Henrietta Muir-Edwards Park.

This is a frequently used bridge because it connects to bike paths on both sides of the river. On the south side of the bridge, the path goes in both directions along the river or up the Mill Creek Ravine to the trestle bridge (see above). On the north side of the bridge, more riverside paths.

Development plans see this bridge also being replaced in coming years with another LRT bridge crossing with a suspended pedestrian and bike path.

Dawson Bridge

The Dawson Bridge is named after H. L Dawson of the Dawson Coal Company who, according to the history, gave the city council of his day the kick in the pants they needed to start building the bridge. Completed and opened to traffic in 1912, the East End Bridge (as it was then called) was wider and longer than the Low Level Bridge completed 12 years prior.

I rarely use this bridge for river crossings, but will likely explore it more in the coming season.

Capilano Pedestrian Bridge

This is the easternmost pedestrian bridge in the river valley and it aligns with 50th St. I have never ridden across this bridge but it is on my agenda for this season as well.

More information on riding in the Edmonton River Valley

The City of Edmonton offers a comprehensive map of bike lanes and paths throughout the city, including the river valley (PDF).

The River Valley Alliance offers a nice set of Edmonton river valley biking and walking trail maps (PDF).

And I have compiled my own map of my preferred trails and all the bridges listed in this post (Google Maps).

You can see that I am passionate about cycling in this city and I welcome any corrections or additions to the post, should you be inclined to share them.

EEDC was announcing new board members at their Annual General Meeting so I clicked the link to a media release that listed their names. I saw the name of a guy I know. Really nice guy too – and a successful local business owner. Good for him. Good for us in Edmonton to have him on the EEDC board.

But, wait a minute. Four new appointments and all of them are men? What the rest of the EEDC board looks like, I wonder to myself. So I checked the EEDC website. Turns out the EEDC has only 2 women out of 11 board members. So there’s 2 women members and 4 vacancies and EEDC added 4 men to their board. Not 3 men and 1 woman, but four new male board members.

Now, don’t get me wrong here. I’m a huge fan of the EEDC. I know a number of the board members personally and I have a soft spot for the organization because of the warmth with which they welcomed our family to Edmonton when we moved here 4 years ago. Plus, I support the organization’s mandate and want it to succeed.

Nor am I a culture warrior or a raving feminist who believes in quotas and reverse discrimination.

I’m just disappointed.

As a business person and a member of this community, I want women to be better represented in leadership positions. I think it’s good for our economy and our community.

As a parent of both male and female children, I would like to see a more even playing field in business for women and men. Especially as a parent of a daughter that has chosen engineering as a profession.

Please, don’t dismiss me by convincing yourself that this isn’t about discrimination or chauvinism.

I find it hard to believe that the EEDC couldn’t find one or two qualified female business leaders to sit on its board.

But often women don’t put their hands up, I’m told. So go find them, I say. I bet the four guys that are joining the EEDC board didn’t line up for the job. Someone asked them.

I’m not advocating for tokenism here. There are qualified female business leaders in this community who would be good candidates for the EEDC board. Maybe some of these women leaders are lacking in board governance experience and need some mentorship. Here is an opportunity to pay it forward. Step up, gentlemen.

This problem is bigger than the EEDC

But this isn’t just an EEDC or an Edmonton issue. There seems to be a problem with female representation in many areas of business in Alberta.

Just look at Alberta Venture magazine’s 50 most influential list. For the past several years, I have reviewed the list with anticipation each July, only to be disappointed by the absence of women of influence.

For this post, I went back and actually counted the women that were included in the list in recent years. I was gobsmacked.

2007 – 9 women out of 50 most influential people
2008 – 6 women out of 50 most influential people
2009 – 11 women out of 50 most influential people
2010 – 7 women out of 50 most influential people
2011 – 7 women out of the 50 most influential people
2012 – 9 women out of 50 most influential people

Alberta Venture also compiles a forward-looking Next 10 list of influencers which by 2012 had finally reached parity between men and women.

I like Alberta Venture magazine. I think it’s a great business publication and I think highly of its publisher, a successful and influential female business leader who, by rights, deserves to be on her own magazine’s 50 most influential list. But adding one more name to these lists wouldn’t change the reality.

The fact is, Alberta is behind the rest of Canada in terms of women in business leadership. We’re dead last. According to the 2012 Catalyst Census, Alberta has the lowest percentage of women as senior officers in companies at 12.5%. The leading province in Canada is Nova Scotia in which women hold almost twice as many senior officer positions. Here’s a short video from Catalyst Canada explaining why this negatively impacts our economy.

Averaged across all provinces, women hold 18 percent of senior officer positions in Financial Post 500 companies.

Considered in this context, you could say the EEDC’s board composition and Alberta Venture’s most influential lists are consistent with national averages for women’s participation in business leadership.

Let’s make women in business leadership a priority in Edmonton

However, my point is this: If we’re serious about making something in Edmonton – about building a stronger, more diversified economy and healthier, more engaged communities – we have to aim higher than national averages.

If we want to really make something that matters in Edmonton, we need to make it a priority to get more women in business leadership positions. We need to make Edmonton and Alberta FIRST in the country for women in business leadership – not last.

And that happens one board position at a time.

So I’ve been looking at pictures today of some of my favourite things to do in Edmonton in the summer.

I can’t wait to cycle the Edmonton river valley.

It’s one of my favourite things about Edmonton. Heck, it’s most people’s favourite thing about Edmonton. The river valley is magnificent in the summer. The trails can take you from one end of the city to the other end, winding back and forth and across the river’s many bridges.

The best part of cycling in the summer in Edmonton is the late sunsets. This picture was taken at 10:00 pm one summer night in June. Ahhh…I can’t wait to get out there again.

Summer road tripping

Driving in the winter in Alberta is, well, a crap shoot. You never know when the weather will turn against you. And when the winter storms push through, you don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere.

Come summer, we load up the van and hit the road. So far, since moving to Edmonton, we’ve driven west to Jasper (3.5 hours) and Kelowna (9 hours), south to Banff (4 hours) and Calgary (3 hours), and east to Toronto (35 hours) and back. Drive 10 hours south and you’ll be in Helena, Montana. Drive another 10 hours and you’ll be at Rapid City, South Dakota. Keep on heading south on I-15 and you’ll be in Salt Lake City then Las Vegas and then the California desert.

Glorious summer storms

Truth is, I don’t love those storms when they mess up my summer plans. But there is no debating that Alberta has some amazing extreme weather. And, boy, does it change fast. One minute, the sun is shining and you’re planning an adventure. The next, the sky is turning dark and ominous.

When it comes to summer weather in Edmonton, the best motto is: hope for the best, but plan for the worst. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see a double rainbow all the way!

Patio dining

We don’t get much time to sit outside and enjoy the weather, so when summer comes we Edmontonians love to do it. Whether it’s an Earl’s or a Delux Burger Bar or our favourite downtown coffee shop, as soon as the weather permits, we’re out there.

Baking in the sun at Heritage Days

Who doesn’t love spending 3 days baking in the hot sun at Hawrelak Park and watching your friends and neighbours dancing and singing? OK, so it can get a bit much, but right now wouldn’t that relentless sun and heat feel good?

Spectacular sunsets

Riding late into the evenings in the summer, I see a lot of sunsets and some of them just take my breath away.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival

One of my favourite summer festivals is the EFMF. The vibe is relaxed and fun and people come out to let their folky freak flags fly. I wish I attended this festival back in my folky heyday, but if the music is good and the sun is shining this is one summer event that is hard to beat.

Birthday celebrations in June and July

Our family celebrates lots of birthdays and anniversaries during late June and early July, so the summer is always a season we look forward to.

It’s also home made card season and my daughter makes some of the nicest cards you’ll ever see.

Soccer (and mosquito) season

With the approach of the warm summer weather, soccer starts and the mosquitos come out to feast. Last summer wasn’t quite as bad, but the summer before was scary. I like the soccer, but I could lose the mosquitos, most of which are usually gone by summer.

Take me to the river

Is it just my imagination or do we live at the river’s edge in the summer in Edmonton?

Can’t wait for those long warm days when we have to retreat into the valley for some cool water to play in.

What about you? What are you longing for this summer?

Love to hear your comments and thoughts.

It’s probably not the first time this idea has been discussed, but I’m still kind of newish here.

It is, I believe, an idea whose time has come.

And with some creativity we can probably figure out how to do it with minimal ecological impact and maximal beauty. Maybe we could incorporate LED lighting and power it with solar panels fueled by our 2299 hours of sunlight per year. I`m sure there are some even better ideas out there.

So let’s do it, Edmonton. Let’s make this happen.

Turns out he’s no relation to Jamie. But it got me thinking about my favourite songs by Jamie Cullum, all of which come from his 2004 album Twentysomething.

I share them here for your listening enjoyment.

Postscript:

After some musical exploration this evening, I came across a really cool version of High and Dry:

Here are the top 5 funniest lines I heard while walking gingerly around Churchill Square in front of Edmonton City Hall:

1. “These shoes are more comfortable than I thought.”

2. “Did you practice before today?” “No, but this isn’t my first time in heels.”

3. ”Please put your hand up if you’re the guy who needed the size 20s.”

4. “Should someone tell that guy that the event is not called walk a mile in her mini skirt and thigh-highs?”

5. ”These shoes are killing my feet, but at least my ass looks great.”

As of today, we’ve raised just over $60,000 for programs to support women and children getting out of violent homes in Edmonton.

If you haven’t already done so, please sponsor me.

And yes, I like women in high heels. But after standing around and walking in them for less than an hour, I have renewed respect for women who endure them and significantly greater concern for the well-being of their feet.

I set out to raise $500 and now we’re closing in on $1,000 for this worthy cause. Thanks to all who’ve donated so generously!

If you want to add your support, please complete the online donation form.

Come on down to Churchill Square Tuesday Sept. 11 at noon if you want to see some styling dudes in high-heeled shoes.

The event involves me and a bunch of guys walking around Churchill Square in pumps.

Why? (As if we need a reason.)

We’re raising money for YWCA’s programs supporting women and children who are trying to walk away from family violence and stabilize their lives. This is important work for all of us to support – but especially for us as men to get involved in.

So, I need your help in 3 ways:

1. Please make a donation.

Give me half a donation and I will match yours until we reach my target. So, we just blew through the $500 target which has now been adjusted to $1,000. Keep it coming people, your contribution will go to support good work.

2. Share this.

<— Use the buttons on the side.

3. Help me find some really cool shoes.

I’m a men’s size 9 and a half if you have something in mind.

The true sign of this nesting instinct is the development of some reliable culinary favourites around which I rather narrowly plan my life. Not that I’m against trying new things, but once I find something I love I tend to stick with it.

So, I’ve compiled a list of the foods and places I’ve come to love and, dare I say, rely on in Edmonton. If any of them are new to you, I hope you will try them. And if you have new suggestions for me to consider, please do share in the comments below.

Here are my Edmonton culinary “must haves”:

1. Taste the cappuccino at Transcend.

You will find, among other things, I LOVE well-made coffee, particularly cappuccino. Transcend makes one of the best cups in the city and is right up there with any other coffee shop in Canada. The three locations offer a range of environments as well as geographic options. I often take into consideration proximity to a Transcend when planning business meetings around town.

2. Eat a cinnamon roll at the Sugar Bowl.

I’d heard rumours about this celebrated cinnamon roll, but tried to ignore them. You see, cinnamon rolls combine my favourite things: cinnamon, sugar and doughy bread. I find them quite irresistible. Eaten warm with butter takes me to a primordial place of pleasure. When Todd Babiak suggested we meet there recently, I agreed and finally tried the cinnamon roll. It was a religious experience.

3. Try the fish tacos at Tres Carnales.

I’ve never really thought much of fish tacos and I can’t remember what about Chris LaBossiere’s Tweets prompted me to want to try them here. But Mexican cuisine will never be the same for me. Plus, the atmosphere is fun and friendly. Avoid the lunch/dinner rushes if you want to linger and enjoy the Mexican wrestling masks and general ambiance of this cool spot.

4. Make a habit of a falafel at Dahlia’s Bistro.

This place is about as new to the city as I am. Owner/operator Fadi Smaidi came to Edmonton from Montreal where his family is also in the restaurant business. In addition to one of the best falafel’s in town, Fadi brings a friendly and hospitable flare to everything he does. Truly a gem of a guy and a great place for lunching and lingering for a chat.

5. Eat the big pretzel thing at Tony’s Pizza Palace.

One of the first authentic Edmonton dining experience was at Tony’s on the way to an Oiler’s game. Someone ordered this big pretzel thingy made of what tastes like pizza dough cooked with spices and anchovies. Yum! But what keeps us coming back is the honest, well-made pizzas and tasty, family-style Italian salads. Oh, and the kids love watching through the glass as the pizzas are being made.

6. Savour the Rocket Salad at Cactus Club.

While the west end of Edmonton can sometimes feel a bit like a culinary wasteland, we find the Cactus Club a reliable and stylish option. A simple salad of greens tossed in a salty vinaigrette served atop a chicken cutlet is flavourful and surprisingly filling. While the menu is full of other tasty stuff, I find a good Rocket Salad does the trick most times. We’ve met Rob Feenie a few times and love the downtown Vancouver Cactus Club, so this place feels very familiar.

7. Taste the cappuccino at Credo.

Another fine brew can be had at Credo and it gives me an excuse to hit 104th St. which is among my favourite streetscapes in town. The place is full of regulars, a few I know and many I just recognize because I see them almost every time I go there. This place was introduced to me by Mack Male, who suggested we meet there when I emailed him out of the blue almost 3 years ago and asked him to have a coffee with me. Thanks, Mack.

8. Order a Dynamite Roll at Kobe.

Again, if you’re stuck in the west end and looking for sushi, Kobe Bistro is a very respectable option. My kids love the place because they serve Japanese pop with a little glass marble in it and they can eat with sticks. I love the place because of the Dynamite Roll of cooked salmon and spicy sauce. There’s lots of other good dishes too, but this one is remarkable.

9. Eat any scone at Duchess Bake Shop.

It took me a while to get to the Duchess and, strangely, I tend to avoid it now. That’s because it’s too good and it assails me at my most vulnerable: baked goods. In particular, the scones are to die for. Unfortunately, I’ll either have to be feeling very skinny or too fat to care anymore before I make this place a regular spot.

10. Pick up a poppyseed challah from Bon Ton Bakery on Friday.

Visit on a Friday and pick up your weekend supply of baked goods such a bagels, pies, breads and other treats. But do not leave without a poppyseed challah, the so-called Jewish ”egg bread” customarily eaten on Friday evenings to bring in the Sabbath. Slather it with butter and enjoy. Buy a big one and you’ll have enough for French Toast on Saturday morning.

11. Have lunch at MRKT.

What can I say? This little place has charm and wickedly tasty grub. Very stylish and hip with the group dining experience. It’s on my list for regular lunch visits.

12. Drop in at Kitchen by Brad Smoliak when he’s prepping for a party later that evening.

Most people can’t do this, but I can because Brad needs some tech help from time to time — and somehow I turned into his tech guy. “What’s cookin’,” I say to Brad and next thing I know he’s offering me a taste of something delectable he’s cooking for dinner. And all I meant was “what’s going on?”

13. Try the Ahi tuna club with the watermelon and feta salad at Hardware Grill.

I’ve been here several times over my 3 years in town and it wasn’t until I tried the Ahi tuna club at lunch that I became a true believer. This is a creative dish from the sandwich to the side which, as odd as it may sound, is killer wonderful. Salty and sweet and very summery.

14. Savour the smoked tuna from Ocean Odyssey Inland.

This was featured in one of those Avenue editions of the 25 best things to eat in town. Smoked fish is one of my favourites, but this tuna is really a great variation on the bagel, cream cheese and lox standard. Highly recommended for lovers of smoked fish. It comes frozen so you can buy a bunch a store it until you need it.

15. Finish off at DaCapo for a cappuccino.

One of my first loves, DaCapo’s cappuccino is as good as any in the city. And there’s parking.

Love to hear what food you die for in Edmonton. Hope I added just one thing to your must have list.

You’re probably wondering where I disappeared to. The last thing I wrote was about brand name coffee and George Clooney (trust me, I wasn’t intending to publish linkbait, it just came out looking that way) back in February.

I feel like I’ve let you down — all 25 of you who might read this post. But you’ve been with me since the beginning and I feel I owe you something of an explanation.

It’s not like I haven’t been writing and publishing — just not here. On my other blogs.

Somewhere back there, I decided that my parenting posts deserved their own blog site, so I created homemadedad.ca. Then, more recently, I’ve created another blog site called jaypalter.ca for my professional content.

If that is not enough, I have been writing a column for Advisor.ca on social media strategies for advisors as well as curating curating and publishing content on AccretiveInvestor.com.

Recently, some of my Home Made Dad posts have been republished by The Good Men Project and Role Reboot.

I’ve also noticed that lately a lot of my Edmonton-centric observations have been Tweeted and shared via Instagram photos instead of full blog posts.

In case you want to catch up, here are some recent posts that may be of interest:

• Today would have been my mom’s 72 birthday, so I wrote a post for her: 3 things my mom taught me about being a dad.
• We love the show Modern Family in our modern family and this post explains why.
• While on vacation recently, I had to come to terms with my average male physique.
• And over on the professional site, I’ve written an extensive post on how to curate great content and the importance of having a strategy to guide your social media efforts.

So, I’m not abandoning you, dear reader. I’m just trying to do more with less — more creating and sharing with less time. The amazing TT100 project celebrating the 100th anniversary of the kids’ school took up an enormous amount of my time and energy over the past year, but now that it’s over maybe I can get down to more blogging about life here in Edmonton.

And no, I’m not changing the title of the blog. That’s why I didn’t call it “New in Edmonton”.