Friday in E-town: cold snap, good music, and a long weekend ahead

Morning, Edmonton. It's -1 out there and feels like -2, so the coat stays on, but this is a pretty mild November morning for us. UV is barely there at 1.0, so you won't need to worry about the sun today. Sunset is 5:52 tonight, which gives you about nine hours of daylight to get your errands done before it's dark. If you've got plans that involve being outside after supper, bring a warm hat and some good boots.

For getting around, nothing in today's reports is going to slow you down, so you can take your usual route and skip the detour planning. Give yourself a little extra time on the Ave or downtown in the evening, since it's Friday and the streets will fill up once people start heading out.

A few stories worth knowing this morning. Tenants at Parkside Village Square have gone a week without heat and water, and they're pushing for repairs, which is a rough way to start a cold week. The city's WIN House is breaking ground on a 64-unit housing project for women leaving violence, which is a good-news story that deserves a nod. Police are still looking for the driver in the October 8 hit-and-run on 99 Street near 64 Avenue, so if you were around there that day, get in touch with them. And Elections Alberta says the separation referendum came in at $84 million, nearly $50 million over budget, which is the kind of number that gets people talking at the coffee shop.

If you're looking for a bite today, there's some new energy around town. Elio's has opened on the south side with Filipino comfort food and a real gathering feel, which sounds like the right kind of place for a Friday supper with friends. Hazeldean Bakery has reopened in south Edmonton with its new owners, so a stop there for something sweet on the way home is a solid plan. Paperbirch by Chartrand is closing its stall at the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market after two years, so if you've been meaning to go, this is your last chance to say goodbye.

Tonight the live music scene is firing on all cylinders. SonReal and Michael Minelli are at Double Dragon at 7:00, Tyler Braden with Steven Lee Olsen is at Midway at 7:00, and Surf Hat with special guests is at The Starlite Room, also at 7:00. The Golden Bears and Pandas take on the TWU Spartans in volleyball at Saville Community Sports Centre at 6:00 if you'd rather catch some campus sports before the night gets going. This weekend Elks playoff football is on Saturday, Blue Rodeo is at River Cree, and Gatsby the Musical is running all weekend, so if you're planning ahead, there's a lot to pick from.

Enjoy the weekend, Edmonton. Stay warm and get out there.