Happy Valentine’s Day to all you lovers out there. Hope you’ve had a wonderful week and are looking forward to an extra day off this weekend.
Nature wanted us outside these past two weeks, did you take advantage of it? Looks like winter will rear its head once again in the days to come. But we’re from Edmonton…we can take it…right…?
Enjoy!
Today’s Edition:
A private tree protection bylaw receives overwhelming support
“Burning Mom” opens at the Citadel for a mainstage winter run
Fort Edmonton hosts Family Day activities this Monday
Local-history deep dive; City Archives’ “Flood of 1915”
One lovely local book store tucked away in the heart of McCauley
This Week In YEG
A key set of proposed infill housing amendments was sent forward without a committee recommendation, putting the decision back in front of the full chamber after two days of hearings.
A private tree protection bylaw drew strong support at committee, with advocates framing it as overdue canopy protection and opponents raising concerns about added process.
City of Edmonton releases new winter access maps for amenity hubs at Gold Bar, Laurier, Victoria and Rundle parks.
City council’s executive committee backed a proposal to designate 78 Avenue (between 100 Street and 99 Street) as an entertainment district — teeing it up for a full council decision.
The Edmonton Design Committee’s February 17 agenda includes a public-facing design review for the Athlone Fire Station (a City project), a useful window into how major civic builds are being shaped before shovels go in.
Events You’ll Love
Burning Mom — Feb 14 to Mar 8
A new mainstage run about reinvention and late-life ambition, with performances starting this weekend.
An Arts Club Theatre Company, Vancouver production.
Family Day at the Fort — Feb 16
A Family Day program centred on Inuit culture and teachings, presented as an all-ages day at the park.On the Edge: Emerging Scholars — Feb 24, 7–8:30 p.m.
A University of Alberta public talk series highlighting new research from emerging scholars (this session is online via Zoom).
Worth Your Time
A Winding Trail (Lost Ones) — A quiet, memorial-style profile of Dr. Darren Markland, and the life he lived in Edmonton with specificity and care.
Bridging Alberta: Dilip Dasmohapatra’s YEG Origin Story — A deeply local profile of an engineer and community organizer whose work spans literal bridge-building and the quieter work of building community.
The Flood of 1915 (City of Edmonton Archives) — A tightly curated slice of local history that pairs primary photos and context on how the river reshaped daily life and infrastructure, and what the city learned the hard way.
Edmonton’s worst flood in recorded history (I did not know we ever had a flood…oops).
Local Finds
TZiN Wine & Tapas — An intimate room built for sharing plates; a good pick if you’re looking for a quiet, late-night Valentine’s Day with your lover.
Paper Birch Books — A small, carefully stocked neighbourhood bookstore in beautiful McCauley. Say hi to Ben, the owner, when you visit.
Paper Birch Books. Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 11AM-5PM.
OCICIWAN Contemporary Art Centre — Indigenous modern art gallery. Something new to see this week. Open Weds-Saturday, 12-5PM.
Before You Go…
Something my parents made clear when I was growing up: Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance, it’s a celebration of love. I realized growing up that not everybody knew that.
If that’s you, I’m telling you now. It includes loving yourself, too.
You are loved.
