FFWD Weekly
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| NEWS Calgary considers commuter lanes to ease traffic woes The city is looking into designating commuter lanes as one option to help alleviate traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush hours. About 100,000 people work in the downtown area, and more than 20,000 vehicles travel to the city's centre each hour during the morning rush. Car pool lanes would likely be similar to existing programs in other cities such as Vancouver, where one lane is set aside for vehicles meeting the minimum number of occupants required (two or three, depending on the route). Buses and motorcycles can also use the car pool lane, while other vehicles must travel in the remaining lanes. The city is also aiming to increase the number of commuters using transit to 50 per cent from the current level of about 40 per cent. Future goals include extending the LRT system, purchasing new buses and C-Train cars, and improving the road system, which would cost approximately $870,000. Any recommendations regarding the transportation system would have to be approved by council prior to implementation. Testicle festival returns to Buzzard's Cowboy Cuisine Buzzard's Cowboy Cuisine will host its fifth annual Testicle Festival throughout Stampede and running until the end of summer (or until the cows come home). Organizers say they've "ironed out the wrinkles" for the event, which offers the tender traditional delicacy known as prairie oysters or calf fries prepared three different ways: au natural, Italian stallion style, or mixed nuts. "I guarantee you'll have a ball," says local restauranteur and pub owner Stuart Allan. "If not, I'll go nuts." Buzzard's recently earned critical acclaim in the July 1998 issue of the gourmet food magazine Bon Appétit, which features Canada's Wild West. The magazine described the menu as "pure Canadian cowboy, with considerable refinement," and refers to Chef Paterson's "intriguing" prairie oysters, which are not prepared in the usual battered and deep-fried method typical of steak houses in the US. Stampede for charities Local charities will get a boost this Stampede thanks to Montana's Big Sky Saloon, located next to Montana's Cookhouse (5562 Richmond Road SW). The traditional Stampede beer garden will be host to musical acts such as The Skydiggers, The Tremblay Brothers, Michael Wyatt and the Saddlesores, Hazard County, and Jason McCoy, and various charitable organizations will share in the door proceeds. The shows will run all 10 days of the Stampede (July 3 to 10) from noon until midnight, and the charities that stand to benefit include Children's Wish Foundation, Girl's Hockey Canada, C.U.P.S., Big Brothers and Big Sisters, S.T.A.R.S. and The Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society. Local musical landmark re-opens Calgary's legendary National Hotel will open its doors to music once again starting on Thursday, July 2. The venue, which through the '70s and '80s hosted and helped nurture the city's local punk and indie scene, is starting fresh as The Nash Blues and Jazz Bar. Kelly Jay & Friends and Xtra Large will be the first musicians to play the new and improved room. Those two acts will perform for the remainder of the Calgary Stampede, as well as Joe Rondeau, and Vicki Allen & Friends. Hike in minimum wage expected The Alberta government caucus has approved in principle a plan to increase the minimum wage to $5.90 from its current level of $5, which was set in 1992. The increase will be phased in beginning with a 40-cent increase effective October 1, 1998, with further increases of 25 cents on April 1, 1999, and October 1, 1999, bringing the minimum wage to $5.90. The increase is being phased in to provide businesses time to prepare for the increase. Minister of Labour Murray Smith says Albertans had told the government it was time to adjust the minimum wage. "With this adjustment our minimum wage continues to be an equitable entry level rate of pay for both workers and employers." The increase to the minimum wage reflects increases to other economic indicators such as the consumer price index, average weekly earnings and the gross domestic product. Since 1992, the province's gross domestic product has increased by approximately 19 per cent. The increase to Alberta's minimum wage represents an 18-per-cent increase. The adjustment also includes the removal of the student differential. Previously the minimum wage for students under 18 years of age was $.50 less than the minimum wage for those over 18. Effective October 1, 1998, Alberta will have one minimum wage for all workers, thereby simplifying the regulation. "Students are better trained and better skilled than ever before. Most students are working and contributing towards their post-secondary education and they should be paid the same rate as workers with comparable skills," says Smith. Performance-based funding awards announced Alberta's post-secondary institutions will receive $15 million in provincial funding based on their performance. Allocated through the Performance Envelope, the funding rewards improved accessibility, responsiveness, affordability and, for universities, research excellence. "An adult learning system, focused on excellence, is key to Albertans' ability to take advantage of economic opportunities and enjoy a high quality of life," says Clint Dunford, minister of Advanced Education and Career Development. "Performance funding focuses on results. Albertans told us what they want in the adult learning system, and we are supporting institutions who share those goals." The allocation represents about two per cent of total operating grants provided to 26 universities, colleges and technical schools across the province. All institutions receive a system award, an allocation of one per cent of their operating grant. This year, 20 are noted for excellence (up from 17 last year), and receive an additional performance award of either 0.63 per cent or 1.26 per cent. In the Calgary area, performance award funding included: University of Calgary, $3.2 million, 2.26 per cent of total 1998/99 operations grant; Mount Royal College, $632,000, 2.26 per cent; SAIT, $1.26 million, 2.26 per cent; Alberta College of Art and Design, $125,000, 2.26 per cent; and Banff Centre (based on similar but different performance indicators), $146,000, 1.63 per cent. |