Good morning, Saint John! It’s National Dog Day, so naturally we’re itching behind the ears to celebrate our favourite local pooches. If you’re not as dog-obsessed as we are and something else is itching…well, it’s National Toilet Paper Day too.
Here’s a few things we’re circling this morning:
That’s one costly cracker 🛢️
Musquash draws some attention 🎨
A fiery history lesson 🔥
Time to pop a squat!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
⛪ Church could make room at the inn
The former St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church at 90 Douglas Avenue could become a 10-room accommodation with common space, an office and a caretaker’s unit.
Owner Mostofa Iqbal is seeking to rezone the vacant north end property for commercial use. The conversion would reuse the existing building and goes to a public hearing at Common Council on September 21. ($)
🛢️ Major refinery unit getting $235M overhaul
Irving Oil is putting $235 million into infrastructure replacements and equipment upgrades at its Saint John refinery, including a major overhaul of the unit responsible for turning heavy crude into gasoline and diesel.
The Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit has been operating since 2000, when it was added through the refinery’s $1-billion Operation King of Cats project. Work begins in early September and will involve approximately 2,100 additional skilled workers over 75 days, with an estimated $14 million in economic spinoff across New Brunswick.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
Here are some more events sent to us by our readers. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.
506 Firesides | August 26–27
Brent Mason hosts two more free, all-ages acoustic evenings beside the water this week. Bring a chair, settle in near the fire and enjoy about 90 minutes of live music, or pack an acoustic instrument and join the jam yourself.
Quispamsis: August 26 from 7–8:30pm at Meenan’s Cove Beach
Grand Bay-Westfield: August 27 from 7–8:30pm at the Brundage Point River Centre
Basketball: Drop-In Adult Sports | August 26
Adults can drop by River Valley Middle School for a casual night of basketball from 7:30–9:30pm. It costs $5 to play, with no registration, league commitment or elaborate pre-game ritual required. Just show up at 33 Epworth Park Road in Grand Bay-Westfield ready to hit the court.
Fibre Fest 2026 | August 27
Crocheters, quilters, rug hookers, embroiderers and assorted people who know their way around a ball of yarn can work alongside fellow fibre fans from 6:30–8:30pm. The free, all-ages gathering takes place in the River Valley Room at the Grand Bay-Westfield Community Centrum. Bring your own project and materials; registration isn’t required.
Musquash MPA Art Contest | October 9
Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to mark the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area’s 20th anniversary by creating something inspired by the landscape and their connection to it. New and previously completed works are welcome, provided the Musquash MPA supplied the inspiration. Entries must be completed by October 9 and will be displayed during a gallery event this fall. Participation is free, with registration available through the event listing.
Breasts Ahoy’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament | September 13
Breasts Ahoy takes its fundraising from the dragon boat to the golf cart with a Texas Scramble at Midland Meadows Golf Club in Norton. Tee-off is at 2pm, with prizes, a 50/50 draw, golf-basket draw and barbecue planned throughout the day. Registration is $160 per foursome, with room for up to 24 teams. Contact Jenn Calvin at [email protected] or 506-696-3650 to register.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸
Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know the answer. Tooth be told, we’re expecting a lot of guesses. If you think you know where this is, hit reply and give us your best guess. The location and correct answers will be revealed in Friday’s issue!
We know you’ve got some great local photos to share. Hit reply and send us your favourite local pic on your camera roll and we will feature it in a future issue!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:38am | 🌇 8:12pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 5:29 AM(Wed 26 August) | 1.45 m(4.76 ft) |
High Tide | 11:37 AM(Wed 26 August) | 7.04 m(23.1 ft) |
Low Tide | 5:44 PM(Wed 26 August) | 1.66 m(5.45 ft) |
High Tide | 11:51 PM(Wed 26 August) | 7.49 m(24.57 ft) |
Today in history
On August 26, 1841, a fire broke out aboard the Jane Duncan at the Owens and Duncan shipyard in Portland, now part of Saint John. The flames destroyed the shipyard, 60 homes and a Methodist chapel.
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves dogs and knows TP is supposed to hang overhand…🧻!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher