'Edmontonians'
            May  2008

I certainly never have a problem of drawing ‘writers blank’ when I stay as busy as I can during our ‘extended’ winter/spring in Edmonton.  

This last month, for example,  I covered the city ‘like a blanket’ and touched base with many top “Edmontonians.”
For instance.  Our radio stations hosts a series called “Lunch and Learn” often where we bring in guest experts to discuss their areas of expertise..  

I ‘borrowed’ the idea from the ex top guy  at the Royal Bank, Bill Bannister,  a few years ago when we worked together in the United Way of Northern Alberta.

In April, two days after the release of the Edmonton arena report,  Lyle Best spoke to
our group and outlined the many benefits of such an ‘entertainment’ complex.  

Past guest hosts in our series have included Jim Taylor from the Downtown Business Association,  Martin Salloum from the Edmonton Chamber,  Stephen Boyd from the Royal Alexander Hospital Foundation, Rick Carter, from Northlands – and we’ve enjoyed presentations from several other high level Edmontonians over the past two years.

This new arena/entertainment complex certainly will be debated for a good period of time in our city, however when you hear Lyle point out all the benefits I’m sure you’ll understand the many positive elements of the issue.

I ran into Lyle a few days later again at the Natalie Cole benefit. This man doesn’t sit still for ‘a minute’ and should be saluted for ALL that he does for our city.  Then I met the 'other Lyle" - Lyle Lovett at another Winspear Gala. This man defines the word "cool."

As well, I attended the Sorrentino’s “Garlic Festival” with my wife Kim.  We ran into several old pals, including 630 CHED’s legendary Bryan Hall and his wife Lillian.  Rob and Diane Christie are old veterans of this event.  Ed Plazier and former CFRN morning co-host Cynthia Charles also graced the evening.  

This past month (Mar/April) we lost ‘two of the good ones’ in the broadcasting business with the passing of Gary McGowan (ex K-97), and Gord Robson (ex-Corus).  Both contributed much to our industry.  Many of Edmonton’s behind the mic people were on  hand at the tributes held for Gary and Gord.  

Those included long time Corus CHED Cool people  Bob Layton, Chuck Chandler,  Keith James Jr., Jim Johnson,  Boyd Leader,  former Power 92 morning show staff like  the multi talented Randy Broadhead, Audie Lynds, Rogers Susan Reade,  and my  Astral Media co-workers Bryn Griffiths, Marc Stevenson, Len Theusen,  Rob Vavrek,  and several others.  Both gents will be missed greatly.   (There's also a big benefit for Gary McGowan on May 2nd - if you're reading this in Edmonton I know they'd appreciate your support.)

As hockey’s second season is well underway I think it’s appropriate to thank both Kevin Lowe and Coach Craig McTavish for the ‘entertainment’ this past season by the very young Edmonton Oilers Hockey club.  Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, and Tom Gilbert (to name just a few) certainly took up the ‘mantle of responsibility’ with the injuries to our usual team leaders and the race to the playoffs was as fine a brand of hockey as we’ve seen here in many years.  

I had lunch with Oilers/Oil Kings big wig Stew McDonald during the month and was very proud to be part of Year One of the very successful Junior Edmonton Oil Kings too.  Can't wait for "Year two" - Tomas Vincour is my 'bet to make it big" player.

With the Oilers, to think with more than 325 ‘man games’ lost during the season to only miss the playoffs by “three points” is surely an amazing achievement.  

As we finally head into the ‘summer season’ we go into high gear for the many fund raising events this city is known for.  It’s hard supporting them all, as the price gets a little prohibitive, but often just a ‘donation’ to a cause is a way to get involved.

A couple of my favorites are on the horizon, with the 630 Ched Gary Draeger Memorial  Golf Tournament goes Friday, May 23rd at the Links in Spruce Grove – and the Edmonton Motorcycle Ride for Dad goes Friday, June 13th from the River Cree Resort & Casino.

Finally, I had a great catch-up lunch with Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association (AMPIA) big guy Allan Brooks this past month.  Allan and I used to bump into each other when he ran the television newsroom at CTV (then CFRN) here.   The AMPIA awards are on the horizon and these are very important awards in that they recognize some of the finest work in Alberta television and film.   Allan tells me that we’re one of the ‘lowest funded’ Provinces in Canada and that it’s really a ‘labour of love’ that Alberta Film producers use to motivate themselves.  I run into my cousin Doug Forbes, from time to time and he has  worked his entire life in movies and television, and he certainly is witness to that.    

I firmly believe Alberta can attract more ‘big’ projects with a healthy industry and certainly the quality we produce in this province can qualify as ‘world class’ with the proper funding.  There Allan.  Hope that helps.

Marty Forbes is VP and general manager of The Bear,
EZRock and The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio.
Contact
marty@edmontonians.com



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