In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
Alberta Teachers Took the Government to Court And Lost. But This Is Far From Over
Thousands of striking teachers were forced back to work last year. Today they asked a judge to push back. The judge said no, but his words stung the government.
⚡ The Moment: Justice Mah ruled against the Alberta Teachers Association's bid for an injunction to pause the province's back to work legislation, but explicitly stated teachers suffered "harm, if not despair and disrespect" at the hands of the government.
The full constitutional challenge is still scheduled for September 2026, this fight is nowhere near finished
Teachers across Edmonton, Parkland, Elk Island and St. Albert divisions have all been affected
Premier Smith's government has not commented on the judge's characterization of harm caused to teachers
If a judge says the government caused teachers "despair and disrespect", does that change how you feel about how this was handled? Tell us.
💔 She Held Him As He Collapsed. Now She Is Being Handed a 16-Point Report.
Prashant Sreekumar was 44 years old with three kids. He waited eight hours at Edmonton's Grey Nuns ER with chest pain. He never made it home.
After Acute Care Alberta released 16 recommendations following an investigation into his death, his widow Niharika had two words for the report: "absolute crap."
"He said Niharika I'm dizzy and he collapsed right in my hands" she told CBC
She says no one from the Alberta government has reached out to her personally
A fatality inquiry is not scheduled until October, answers are still months away
A 44-year-old father of three died waiting in an Edmonton ER. Does a 16-point report feel like enough? Tell us what needs to actually change.
🌿 Hawrelak Park Is Back, And Edmonton's River Valley Just Got Its Heart Back
Three years. Countless joggers sneaking past the barriers. One very patient city. Today it was finally worth the wait.
⚡ The Moment: William Hawrelak Park officially reopened today after a three year rehabilitation project that transformed one of Edmonton's most beloved green spaces.
A brand new lakefront promenade, modernized pavilion and a year round restaurant called Lift Me Up on the Lake operated by Tiramisu Bistro
A Grand Opening celebration is planned for May 30, mark your calendars
The river valley trail connections have also been upgraded as part of the rehabilitation
What is your favourite memory at Hawrelak Park? And what is the first thing you are doing when you get back there this spring? Tell us below. 💛
🏀 St. Albert's Bellerose Girls Just Won a Provincial Championship, And They Did It the Hard Way
Nobody handed them anything. They earned every point of it.
⚡ The Moment: Bellerose Composite High School's senior girls basketball team brought home the Division 4 provincial championship title, delivering St. Albert its biggest high school sports moment of the year.
The championship win caps a standout season for a program that has quietly been building toward this moment
Bellerose is one of St. Albert's most celebrated high schools with a strong athletics tradition across multiple sports
St. Albert, this team deserves a standing ovation. Do you know anyone on this squad? Tag them in the comments and let them hear it from their community. 🏆
Canada Just Wrote a $37.7 Million Cheque for Lebanon, Here Is Why It Matters
While the Middle East burns, Canada is doing what Canada does.
⚡ The Moment: The federal government announced $37.7 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon today, responding directly to the Lebanese government's request for emergency support as the Iran war continues to destabilize the entire region.
Funding covers food, medical services, shelter and clean water for displaced Lebanese civilians
Lebanon has seen nearly 760,000 people displaced since Israeli strikes began last week
Canada has one of the largest Lebanese diaspora communities in the world — many of them right here in Alberta
Do you have family or friends in Lebanon right now? How are they doing? Our community wants to know. 💛
Edmonton local Weather
Day⬇ 11° lower than historical avg., ⬇ 11° lower than historical avg.
🌤️ Edmonton Weather — Saturday March 14
The forecast is looking like a cool and quiet day with a high of around -9°C and only a 10% chance of flurries. Not bad at all for mid March in Alberta. A great day to head out to Hawrelak Park for the first time in three years or catch Arts District Day downtown. Sunday looks similar before a colder snap returns Monday. Layer up and enjoy it! ❄️☀️
Do you have an event coming up, share it with the community here.
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🧪 Science FUNday at U of A Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
📍 University of Alberta, Edmonton
A free, hands‑on science day with tours of world‑class labs, live demos, and 100+ kid‑friendly experiments like DNA from strawberries, flying tea bags, and giant dry‑ice bubbles.🎨 NOA Spring Artwalk at Bonnie Doon Centre Details
🗓 March 14–15 · ⏰ Mall hours
📍 Bonnie Doon Centre, Edmonton
A free indoor artwalk with more than 3,000 works on display, live music, and interactive activities—an easy, stroller‑friendly way to expose the family to local art.🎭 Arts District Day Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Art Gallery of Alberta, Winspear Centre & Citadel Theatre
A free block‑party‑style celebration downtown with pop‑up performances, hands‑on activities, and family‑friendly programming across three major arts venues.🧱 Home Depot Kids Workshop: Build a Leprechaun Trap Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
📍 Participating Home Depot stores, Edmonton
A free kids’ building workshop where children construct and decorate their own wooden leprechaun trap to take home.🐣 Family Easter Egg Hunt & Open Gym Play Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ Single time slot (see listing)
📍 Wild Rose Gymnastics, Edmonton
An indoor Easter‑themed event with an egg hunt, open gym time, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny—best for younger kids who need to burn off energy.🍿 The Princess Bride Big‑Screen Screening Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Capitol Theatre, Fort Edmonton Park
Watch the cult classic The Princess Bride on the big screen inside the historic Capitol Theatre—a fun, quotable movie night the whole family will love.🎭 Bloom & Bind Live Art Show Details
🗓 March 14 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Westbury Theatre, Fringe Theatre Arts Barns
A playful, creative live art show blending theatre, visual art, and lighthearted storytelling—suitable for older kids and families.🍽️ Downtown Dining Week Details
🗓March 14, 2026 10.00 am to Sunday, March 22, 2026 10.00 pm
📍 68 restaurants offering prix fixe menus from $15 to $65.Book now before your favourite fills up.
🎭 Les Misérables at the Jubilee Tickets
🗓 March 14 - 15 · ⏰ 7.30
📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
The blockbuster musical continues its Edmonton run, with big‑production staging and a classic story that’s perfect for a weeknight night out🎭 SkirtsAfire Festival 2026 Details
🗓 March 14-15 · ⏰ Various times
📍 Old Strathcona & other venues
A women‑led theatre and arts festival with performances, exhibits, and events tied to International Women’s Day.🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 March 13 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
It is a crisp Monday morning and you have the whole day to yourself. Which one are you choosing?
Story Corner
Nobody in the nursing home knew much about Gerald.
He was 81, quiet and had not had a visitor in nearly two years. He sat by the window every morning with his coffee and watched the parking lot like he was waiting for someone who was never coming.
One Tuesday a young nurse named Priya sat down next to him during her break. Not because it was her job. Just because something about the way he stared at that parking lot made her chest hurt.
She asked him what he was thinking about.
He was quiet for a long moment.
"I spent forty years building a career" he said finally. "I was very good at it. Very respected. I just wish I had spent a little more of that time building people instead."
Priya did not say anything. She just reached over and put her hand on his.
She came back the next Tuesday. And the one after that. She brought her lunch and he told her stories, about the places he had been, the mistakes he had made and the small kindnesses he wished he had given more freely when he had the chance.
Six months later Gerald passed away peacefully. He left a handwritten note for Priya on his bedside table.
It said simply: "You gave an old man his Tuesdays back. That was everything."
The most important thing you will ever build is not a career. It is the people who remember you sat down. 💛
Got a story of your own that belongs in Story Corner? Reply to this email and tell us. You might just end up in the next issue. 😊