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Good morning, Saint John! Whenever someone hits 100, we immediately want the secret. More vegetables? Less stress? A mysterious daily spoonful of cod liver oil? Anne Angioletti is 101, still runs her jewelry store and credits loving life, not worrying too much and having one beer every week. Finally, a longevity plan we can get behind.
Here’s the lowdown for the day:
Suite dreams have lots of cars 🏨
Rothesay raises the wine bar 🍷
Frozen seats ready to thaw ❄️
Let’s get it!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
P.S. - Yesterday we had Queen Square Farmers Market under the Saturday events listings, which clearly was mistake….if you’re not eating dumplings or jerk chicken in Queen Square on SUNDAYS, do you even live in Saint John? Thanks to Kathryn for flagging it!
SPONSORED
Come for the pours. Bid for bragging rights.
The glasses won’t be the only things getting raised at Sip & Savour.
Rocmaura’s signature fundraiser returns to Market Square on September 26 with hundreds of live and silent auction items and experiences waiting for a winning bid. Add in the Cooler Draw, 50/50 and samples of beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks from around New Brunswick, and you’ve got a Saturday night with plenty of ways to come out ahead.
General admission is $75 and begins at 6:30pm. The $150 VIP experience starts at 6pm with charcuterie, reserved seating and exclusive tasting seminars. Every guest also receives a souvenir sipping glass to take home.
Funds raised help Rocmaura give its residents their best life.
NEWS NOTES
🏨 Hyatt checks in on Loch Lomond Road
A five-storey, 121-room hotel proposed near Commerce Drive has cruised through its first two council votes without a peep of opposition.
The plan calls for a Hyatt Studios, the chain’s apartment-style brand built for longer stays, at 615 and 631 Loch Lomond Road. It would include 121 parking spaces, plus nine spots for bikes.
The rezoning still needs a third and final vote, expected August 31. The developer would also chip in $25,000 toward future traffic improvements, which may come in handy once all those cars arrive and need to drive around the corner to the mall. ($)
🚏 There will be a new shelter here
Work begins this Thursday, on a new bus shelter outside City Hall and should take about a week. It’ll feature better lighting, visibility and accessibility, all while reflecting Uptown’s historic character.
The City Hall stop will be closed during construction, with riders redirected to King and Germain streets.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored. ($) Indicates a third-party subscription may be required.
LOCAL BUSINESS
🍷 Rothesay’s getting a wine bar
A Paris-trained chef and sommelier is opening a 24-seat wine bar in the former Benjamin’s Books location at 1 Gondola Point Road.
The Bottle Poet is the work of Eugene Di Rocco, who has 25 years in fine dining, including time at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe. He plans to pair a curated wine list with small plates that get just as much attention as whatever’s being poured. Wine flights will start around $20.
The Bottle Poet is aiming to open in October, pending permits. Books out, bottled poetry in. ($)
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored. ($) Indicates a third-party subscription may be required.
SPONSORED
Eating local is easier when it shows up at your door.
LifeDirt takes some of the planning out of groceries with regular produce boxes filled with fruits and vegetables sourced from Maritime farms. The new season begins September 10 and carries right through the winter, with delivery and pickup options available in Saint John.
No wandering the produce aisle wondering what looks good. Just open the box and see what the season brought you.
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
Theatre Talk Tuesday
Casting Call: We Were Here
Saint John Theatre Company is casting eight performers for the return of We Were Here, Clyde A. Wray’s stage production celebrating influential Black figures from Saint John and beyond. No acting experience is required, a small honorarium will be paid and the production runs February 4–6 at the BMO Studio Theatre. Interested performers can contact Wray at [email protected] to audition.
Summertime Serenade | August 26
The Buckley Ensemble and friends perform a summer program featuring cello, violin, viola, piano and the ney, an Iranian folk instrument. The concert begins at 7:30pm at 22 Church Street in Hampton and raises money for the St. Alphonsus Refugee Committee. Admission is $20 by cash or cheque.
Coming soon…
Frozen Tickets Go On Sale | September 1
Single tickets go on sale September 1 for Saint John Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical. Anna, Elsa and Olaf take over Imperial Theatre November 25–28, with tickets priced at $70 for adults, $65 for seniors and $40 for students.
Thane Dunn’s Final Saint John Performance | September 12
Two-time world champion Elvis tribute artist Thane Dunn returns to Imperial Theatre for his final Saint John performance. Backed by a hand-picked band of Maritime musicians, he’ll cover favourites from across Elvis Presley’s career with authentic replica jumpsuits, plenty of audience interaction and the big sound of the King’s legendary live shows. The show begins at 7:30pm and tickets are $54.75.
Come From Away | September 15–20
Saint John Theatre Company and Rogue Productions bring Come From Away back to Imperial Theatre following stops in Moncton and Fredericton. An all-New Brunswick cast, including Broadway’s Tony LePage, tells the true story of the thousands of airline passengers welcomed into Gander after 9/11. Tickets range from 75–85, with evening and weekend matinee performances available.
*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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📸 Nicole V. | 📍 Sea Dog Cove
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SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:37am | 🌇 8:14pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 4:45 AM(Tue 25 August) | 1.66 m(5.45 ft) |
High Tide | 10:54 AM(Tue 25 August) | 6.83 m(22.41 ft) |
Low Tide | 5:02 PM(Tue 25 August) | 1.89 m(6.2 ft) |
High Tide | 11:10 PM(Tue 25 August) | 7.3 m(23.96 ft) |
Eyes on You!
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone you’d like to have a beer with this week 🍺!
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher