Good Morning Edmonton!

Happy Thursday, hope you’re having a fantastic week.

After the heartbreaking olympic losses, I think we were all looking for a little solace...and it came in the form of slightly warmer temperatures.

The end of the week is looking up, right?! You’re going to have the best day today, I just know it.

I'm thinking of including a Local Legends section in future newsletters. What do you think of that? Hit reply to this email and let me know your suggestions and contacts. They don’t have to be fancy, famous, or well-known (of course, they can be that, also). They just need to be great people doing great things.

I want to get to know all the amazing people that give Edmonton its character.

Enjoy today.

Today’s Edition:

  • Warm temps today, sharp plunge tomorrow, near-zero by midweek

  • Alberta’s $10.8B education plan hires 5,000 over three years

  • Alberta Block goes co-op; investment deadline: March 2

  • Ice climbing on the riverfront, plus DJ skate nights at City Hall

  • Two city reads: ironworkers who built the skyline, and the Carnegie Library story

This Week In YEG

  • Weather for Edmonton (Thu, Feb 26 → Wed, Mar 4) A wild swing — mild today (4°C), then a sharp plunge tomorrow (-16°C) with a bit of snow, followed by a weekend warm-up (back near -8°C to 3°C), and a chance of snow/flurries Monday before settling around 0–2°C by midweek. ⛅

  • A massive win for education in the province. The Alberta government announces a historic $10.8 billion investment in education, with plans to hire 5,000 teachers, education assistants, and support staff over the next three years.

  • King Edward Park Community League has been saved from closure after a huge outpouring of support and new volunteers stepped up to help continue operations.

After the city rallied around them, this community league now has a surplus of volunteers and a bright future ahead of them. | Photo: CTV News

  • City councillors say drivers should see relief on the roads as warmer weather takes over. “City of Edmonton staff say the focus for the upcoming construction season is to finish what they started.” Am I the only one who laughed when I read this?! Let’s hope it’s true!

  • Central Social Hall, founded by Edmonton businessmen Jerry Rota and Jesse Kupina, has been acquired by restaurant franchisor Foodtastic, who hopes to expand the brand.

  • Downtown Edmonton’s Alberta Block — the historic Jasper Ave building formerly home to CKUA — is being purchased through a new co-operative real estate investment called Homestead Co-Operative. You can own a part of Downtown YEG! Deadline to invest is this Monday, March 2, 2026.

Est. 1909, former home of CKUA; The Alberta Block | Photo: CKUA Radio

Events You’ll Love

A relaxing space to learn. | Photo: MKT Fresh Food | Beer Market

Edmonton Oilers 🔵🟠

  • Oilers road swing continues tonight! McDavid was reportedly not going to play in these first few games back after the olympics…but that news has reversed! Get out and cheer for our boys!

    • Thu, Feb 26 (@ LA Kings) - 8:30PM

    • Sat, Feb 28 (@ San Jose) - 2:00PM

    • Tue, March 3 (Senators @ Home) - 7:00PM Get Tickets

  • Oil Kings also in action 👑

    • Fri, Feb 27 (@ Rebels) - 7:00PM

    • Sat, Feb 28 (Hurricanes @ Home) - 7:00PM Get Tickets

    • Sun, Mar 1 (Broncos @ Home) - 4:00PM Get Tickets

Connor McDavid back at practice. | Photo: @edmontonoilers

Worth Your Time

  • The Cowboys in the Sky: The Story of Edmonton’s Ironworkers

    The title of this article alone had me hooked. Dive into a vivid look at the people who literally built Edmonton’s modern skyline. You’ll learn about the culture and risks around that type of work, something we appreciate so little nowadays (despite our dependence on it).

The Walterdale Bridge project. | Photo: City Museum Edmonton

  • The Carnegie Library
    A story about Edmonton’s long push to build a proper central library — and why civic ambition, timing, and money kept getting in the way.

The Carnegie Library’s main reading room. | Photo: City of Edmonton Archives

Local Finds

  • Mokha Coffee House - 5344 Admiral Girouard St
    One of my favourite places to work and spend time in. Named after the historic Port of Mokha along the Red Sea coast of Yemen. Visit, and be surrounded by the warmth of Middle Eastern culture and charm as you sip on delicious coffee. Located in Griesbach!

From my time at Mokha earlier this week.

  • Foxglove Wellness - 8814 92 St NW
    The depth of character in Bonnie Doon’s french quarter is only amplified by the caring, kind, and compassionate multi-disciplinary team at Foxglove. Owners Jillian and Lindsey have cultivated a space that takes care of all your needs. Massage, acupuncture, and Chinese Medicine. If you’re looking for practitioners who know how to meet you where you’re at, you should check them out.

The team at Foxglove. | Photo: Foxglove Wellness

Suvi's first in-person jewelry display/event @ Bar Oro Caffè & Lounge | Photo: Silver’s Wind

Before You Go…

This week’s newsletter was a lot of fun to put together. So many good stories and finds.

What curating these things each week forces me to do is connect with Edmontonians, and it is so rewarding. In the welcome letter for River City Lights, I ask what you love about the city…so many of you reply with, “the people”.

You couldn’t be more right. Hope you’re finding some connection this week.

Have an incredible weekend.

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