WE’RE A BIT late for Valentine’s Day, but, with this weird COVID time warp we’re in, it really doesn’t seem to matter. One day just flows into the next until they all look the same – and a little chocolate always seems to help.

Thus, The Magpie brings you Brooklyn Cooper‘s guide to Valentine’s Day for people who are brave enough to go out, those who would rather stay home, and for the rest of us, who regard this Hallmark holiday as just an annual nuisance.

And, speaking of COVID, an issue without any mention of the coronavirus would be like a February without misery, so …

Brendan Collinge looks at how we have served or failed the homeless through the pandemic, and how strategies have changed over our year of living dangerously. And managing editor Ben Hollihan complains that the UCP’s allegiance to its rural base is putting people in the cities in jeopardy.

Meanwhile, Austin Schuster explores the city’s plans (or lack of them) for the big empty space left behind by the Baccarat Casino. And  Brittany Burridge probes a few fine arts students for their opinion of some controversial public art.

That’s it for now. It’s reading week, and we’re off to chill – literally – for a few days. We’ll be back March 5 with a new issue of The Magpie.

Meanwhile, take our guide for the brave, the fearful and the Valentine’s haters with a grain of salt … add some caramel and a bit of dark chocolate, and make this a week to revel in love.

Between the cold and the COVID, what else is there to do?

Brian Gorman PhD
Associate Professor
MacEwan journalism
gormanb3@macewan.ca