I've only skim read it so far as I'm short on time, but I've bookmarked it for later.

I didn't get the
“Pedestrians Only – Last Thursday on Alberta.”
either.

Maybe 1 doesn't need to and it's just that she saw a message which seemed to be talking to her specifically (last thursday & pedestrian & Alberta)

Not sure how important art was to her story?

And the link to all that was intriguing, but then confusing

I googled it and got
"Arts Showcase on Alberta. Last Thursday is an art walk in Portland, Ore., that stretches 15 blocks along Northeast Alberta Street. In 2016, its 19th season"

So now I know WHY the sign, but not why her?

Also isn't it IN Alberta ?

So I wonder fi it might not be even more powerful if it just said

"Last Thursday in Alberta..."

because then it could be several things;
) she dies right there and it really was her last Thursday, anywhere.
) it is a sign (for story 2) where something/someone was telling her to go that way
) it was a taunt or a connection to her micro world
) it signifies an event about to unfold, in her or a new story following behind her, of someone else
) and more besides.

"last Thursday in Alberta"

anyway it seems to open it up beyond any art festival/event

wdyt ?