🍸 ANBL changes price tags

Good morning Saint John! Looking to switch up your morning routine? Take a squeeze out of baseball player Bryce Harper’s tube….he’s stunned fans online by demonstrating how he squirts toothpaste straight into his mouth rather applying it to the toothbrush like a normal person.

In todays edition:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🍷 ANBL thinks we’re confused

After nearly 30 years of letting New Brunswickers enjoy the extremely complicated experience of “seeing a price and paying that exact price,” ANBL is changing course.

Starting this fall, shelf prices at ANBL stores will no longer include HST and deposit fees, meaning the total will be calculated at the register instead.

The Crown corporation says the move will “reduce confusion” and better match grocery store pricing practices introduced all the way back in 2019 when supermarkets were allowed to start selling booze.

This may come as shocking news to residents who somehow survived walking into a liquor store, seeing $21.99 on a bottle of wine, and then paying...$21.99 for the bottle of wine.

ANBL says customers won’t actually pay more overall, although some suspect the lower-looking shelf prices might make those increasingly painful liquor prices feel slightly less painful for about… three seconds.

🚛 Wide load coming through

A heavy load will be moving through the Lower West Side this month...and we don’t mean you leaving Romano’s with a fully loaded pizza. 

The City says oversized industrial loads will travel between the Port’s Lower West terminal and the pulp mill area from June 1-19, with some weekday moves expected through the Lower West Side between 6-7am and 1:30-2:30pm.

Police escorts, parking restrictions and some traffic delays are expected along parts of Ludlow Street and King Street West.

♿ A busy week for accessibility

The Saint John Ability Advisory Committee is bringing a full week of events and activities to the city for National AccessAbility Week.

Things kick off Sunday with a Family Fun Day at the Irving Oil Field House featuring games, crafts, face painting, disability support organizations, a quiet room and a free BBQ from the Kiwanis Aktion Club Saint John.

Other events throughout the week include a City Hall flag raising Monday, a “Sports For All” sledge hockey event at St. Malachy’s, and an “I Spy Accessible Uptown” challenge encouraging residents to visit participating Uptown businesses and learn more about accessibility around the city.

Wednesday marks Red Shirt Day across Canada, while Friday’s Walk and Roll Challenge along Harbour Passage wraps up the week with what organizers hope will become a “Sea of Red” across town.

National AccessAbility Week runs through June 5.

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⚖️ Saint John Council Meeting - June 1, 2026 | 7pm

On the agenda for Tonight’s Saint John Common Council meeting:

Election of Deputy Mayor - Council will vote to choose Saint John’s next deputy mayor during Monday night’s meeting. The role no longer automatically goes to the councillor with the most votes, with councillors now voting internally to decide who takes the position.

Charlotte Street Infrastructure Upgrades - Council is being asked to approve a funding agreement for more than $12.5 million in water and sewer upgrades on Charlotte Street between Broad Street and the harbour. The project includes sewer separation work and a new stormwater outfall aimed at supporting future housing growth in the South End.

Lower Cove Loop Sewer Renewal Phase 1 - A nearly $5 million sewer renewal project on the Lower Cove Loop terminal property is also up for approval. Part of the city’s share of the funding is being redirected from the proposed Loch Lomond Road and airport roundabout project, which staff say is not expected to move forward before at least 2029 due to a lack of provincial funding.

Rockwood Reservoir Rehabilitation - Council will consider awarding a $1.2 million contract to rehabilitate the Rockwood Park water storage reservoir. The work is aimed at extending the life of the infrastructure and improving long-term water system reliability.

See full agenda

The meeting begins at 7pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. The public is welcome to attend or watch on Rogers TV or via live stream. 

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Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!

MONDAY

Rothesay Wellness Fair | June 1
The 3rd annual Rothesay Wellness Fair takes over the Rothesay High School gym from 6-8pm with health checks, giveaways, snacks, raffle draws and more than 35 info booths. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket. Use the gym entrance on the left side of the building.

TUESDAY

A Celebration Of Porpoise Song | June 2
Ocean Week is getting a lunchtime soundtrack at the Saint John Arts Centre from 12:15-12:45pm. Deanna Musgrave will talk about her painting Porpoise Echo, Andrew Reed Miller will perform a related music composition, and ECW will share more about porpoise research in the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area. Drop by on your lunch break and learn why our local waters are louder than they look.

WEDNESDAY

Krown Saint John Job Fair | June 3
Krown Saint John is holding a job fair from 3-7pm at 5 Seaton Street for people interested in full-time or seasonal rust-proofing work. There will be on-the-spot interviews, multiple positions available and training provided, so no previous experience is required. Bring an up-to-date resume and be ready to chat with the team.

A Celebration Of Saint John Jewish Writers | June 3
The Saint John Jewish Historical Museum is hosting an evening of readings from 7-8:30pm at 91 Leinster Street. The program features Diane Koven, Jon Everett, Ancil Kashetsky, Harry Rajchgot, Sandra Paikowsky, Jan Zatzman Orlansky, and Dan and Anne Elman. A literary night with a very Saint John sense of place.

THURSDAY

Saint John Region Chamber AGM & Luncheon | June 4
The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce holds its 2026 AGM and luncheon from 10:30am-2pm at the Delta Hotel. The AGM is free to attend, while the luncheon is ticketed and features keynote speaker David Campbell of Jupia Consultants talking regional economic growth, momentum and resilience. Tickets are $64.95 plus HST for members and $74.95 plus HST for non-members.

Happy Hour Headshots | June 4
Fusion Saint John and Rightwell Media are helping people update the old LinkedIn face from 4:30-6:30pm at Wasted Day Brewing. Tickets are $50 and include a five-minute session, one lightly retouched headshot, on-site photo selection and delivery within five business days. The event overlaps with Fusion’s free First Thursdays networking night, so you can freshen up the photo and the contact list.

FRIDAY

Ven Y Baila | June 5
Casa Latina is bringing a no-cover dance night to 1286 Manawagonish Road on Friday, with a live DJ and drink specials. The invite is simple: come dance. A good one for anyone who likes their Friday plans with music, movement and zero cover charge.

SATURDAY

Flower Swap At Rothesay Commons | June 6
Rothesay Commons gets a little more colourful from 9-10am with a free, all-ages flower swap. Bring cut flowers from your garden, the grocery store or a generous neighbour, lay them out on the swap table and build yourself a new bouquet from what others bring. The event is weather permitting, because flowers may be lovely but they are not into sideways rain.

YMCA Fishing Derby | June 6
The YMCA is hosting a family-friendly fishing derby at the Glenn Carpenter Centre, with registration at 8am, catch-and-release fishing from 9am-12pm, a BBQ by donation and prizes at 1pm. Tickets are $12 for individuals or $25 for families, with proceeds supporting the Y’s Strong Communities Campaign. Bring a rod if you have one, a costume if you are brave, and patience if the fish are feeling smug.

SUNDAY

Passport To Parks At Rockwood Park | June 7
Saint John’s free Passport to Parks series returns to Fisher Lakes at Rockwood Park from 1-3:30pm. Families can check out activities including canoeing, kayaking, face painting, bouncy castles, Benny Bubblz and more. There is no rain date, so Sunday is the day to make it happen.

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Willow was spotted at The Gathering Space looking like she was about to give a press conference on waterfront development.

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher