Random Notes

• Turkey at Christmas not your thing? How about a hamburger for the holidays instead? The popular American chain Fatburger opens its first Edmonton location in South Edmonton Common on December 18, reports Judy Schultz.
• In this month's Food for Thought, an article about the nutritionists working for the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames also mentions the series of charity cookbooks that have been published by the team. It seems that the Flames have topped the Oilers on this one, printing three to Edmonton's one (remember Cooking with Oil?). I think it's about time we find out what some of the current team members like to eat.
• Gamers of the world, rejoice: the Merriam-Webster word of the year is "w00t".
• Theatre fans, take time to read Paul Matwychuk's article in this week's See Magazine. Addressing a controversial piece by Eugene Strickland appearing in December's edition of Alberta Views, it debates the idea that Edmonton's theatre scene isn't as grand as it appears to be. Matwychuk argues that new works by new or unestablished playwrights are more difficult to produce in Edmonton, and cites the burgeoning Fringe as a factor. I will have to give this more thought, but without real knowledge of what goes on down south, it's difficult to know how true this is.
• The article does mention Workshop West's as a barometer of sorts for the theatre climate in Edmonton. Thankfully, its one-year layoff has come to an end, as the company just announced their 2007/8 theatre season (aptly named "True Grit"). I can't say I've been to any of their productions as of yet, but I will be glad to give them a shot in the new year.