Good morning, Saint John! Americans celebrated their 250th birthday this weekend with fireworks and Joey Chestnut eating 66 hot dogs. Meanwhile, we’re eating $66 lobster rolls and saying ‘that’s summer in the maritimes’.
In todays edition:
Dog days are here 🐾
Gridlock o'clock 🚘
Full steam ahead ⚓
Let’s get into it!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🐶 Hot cars, cool heads
After Friday's record-setting heat, summer is just getting started. Today we’re expected to reach 26°C, Thursday could climb to 29°C, and the rest of the week looks ideal for patios, beaches...and keeping an eye on your four-legged friends.
The NBSPCA is reminding pet owners that parked cars can become dangerously hot within minutes, even with the windows cracked or parked in the shade. It's also a good week to bring plenty of water, avoid the hottest part of the day for walks, and remember that pavement can get much hotter than the air and burn sensitive paws.
🚧 Traffic woes this week
Today’s commute comes with a couple of extra headaches. The biggest one is the Harbour Bridge, which will close twice for about 20 minutes each between 6pm and 10pm while crews complete bridge work. Combined with ongoing lane reductions, expect the after-work drive west to slow down and backups to build on Chesley Drive and around the Reversing Falls Bridge.
On the east side, overnight paving begins at Kane's Corner, reducing traffic to a single lane in parts of the intersection for the next three weeks.
🚢 Port posts another big year
Port Saint John says container traffic climbed nearly 30 per cent in 2025, while the city also welcomed a record 196,000 cruise passengers. The numbers come as the port marks the completion of its $247 million West Side Modernization Project, which expanded terminal capacity and positions the port to handle significantly more container traffic in the years ahead.
🏳️🌈 New Brunswick's hidden history goes online
Every province has stories that never made the history books. Now, thousands of New Brunswick's LGBTQ+ stories have a home online.
The Queer Heritage Initiative of New Brunswick has launched a new website featuring decades of photos, newsletters, posters, oral histories and other archives documenting queer life across the province, from the 1970s through today. The project also includes an interactive timeline stretching back to the 1800s, preserving everything from Pride milestones to community spaces and everyday experiences that might otherwise have been lost.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETINGS
⚖️ Saint John Council Meeting | July 6, 2026 - 6PM
On the agenda for the Saint John Common Council meeting this evening:
New council committee structure
Council will consider creating four standing committees: Finance, Public Safety, Quality of Life and Service and Operations, changing how issues like parks, housing, streets, sidewalks and policing move through City Hall.
More sidewalk plows on the way
Council will review an $882,249 purchase of four Trackless tractors, including two extra machines meant to improve sidewalk clearing and add backup capacity after the Winter Management Plan audit.
Belyea Village heads to public review
Council is expected to send the Belyea Village rezoning on Woodville Road and Lowell Street to the Planning Advisory Committee, with a public hearing planned for July 27.
Glen Road reconstruction contract
Council will consider awarding a $1.14-million contract to rebuild Glen Road between Simpson Drive and Connaught Avenue, including new curb, sidewalk and roadway work.
The public is welcome to attend in person, view on Rogers TV, or watch via live stream.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!
MONDAY
Employment Workshop | July 6
The Work Room is hosting a free employment workshop at Hampton Community Library for anyone brushing up a resume, tackling a cover letter or making a career move. Registration is required, so this is a good one for anyone who keeps saying they’ll “fix the resume this weekend” and then absolutely does not.
TUESDAY
Paint Your Own Cake Canvas | July 7
Market Square’s Try-it Tuesdays get delicious with Artisserie leading a cake-painting night in the Atrium. Participants get a four-inch cake, buttercream, frosting, sprinkles and tools to create their own edible masterpiece. Spots are limited to 30 and registration is $10.
Tales of the West Side Waterfront | July 7
Historian Greg Marquis leads this free Goss Walk through more than 400 years of west side waterfront history. The 90-minute walk begins at Li’l Gelato and Sweet Shoppe on Winslow Street. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water and show up ready for a little local lore.
WEDNESDAY
Family Movie Series: Elio | July 8
AREA 506’s free Wednesday night family movie series screens Elio on the big screen at the Waterfront Container Village. Bring your own chair or blanket, grab a treat nearby and claim your patch of grass before the little movie critics get restless.
Unity Park Summer Stage featuring Vince Dixon | July 8
Vince Dixon plays Unity Park in Grand Bay-Westfield as the free Summer Stage series continues. Bring a lawn chair, settle in by the river, and let someone else handle the midweek playlist. The rain location is Brundage Point River Centre.
THURSDAY
St. Luke’s Strawberry Festival | July 9
St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Gondola Point hosts its annual drive-through Strawberry Festival at 12 Quispamsis Road. Tickets are $20 and include roast pork, baked potato, veggies, roll, applesauce and strawberry shortcake. Call Terry at 847-7609 before this one sells out.
Concert in the Common featuring Jarrett Gautreau | July 9
Jarrett Gautreau plays the Rothesay Common as Concert in the Common continues for the summer. Bring a blanket or chair and make a proper evening walk out of it. Rain location is Wells Community Centre, because even summer concerts need a Plan B around here.
FRIDAY
Ribfest 506 | July 10
Ribfest 506 fires up at the TD Station outdoor lot with ribs, live music, midway rides, family fun and daily prize draws. Friday’s lineup includes Southern Comfort, a Billy Joel tribute and That Zepp Band. Admission is $5, and kids 12 and under get in free.
SATURDAY
Atlantic Entertainment Expo | July 11
Atlantic Entertainment Expo takes over the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre with gaming, cosplay, panels, vendors, VR, LEGO displays, Pokémon fun, Star Wars characters and special guests including Hedy Burress and Sandy Carruthers. Kids 13 and under can attend free with a paying adult.
SUNDAY
Stop the Clock: Immersive Piano Experience | July 12
Live piano meets large-scale nature projections in this immersive performance at 20 Peel Plaza. If you’re looking for a quieter way to wrap the weekend, this one offers something a little different.
Can You Sing Auditions | July 12
Can You Sing holds Saint John auditions at Imperial Theatre for performers hoping to land a spot on the Imperial stage next March. Auditions are open to all ages, but singers must apply through the registration form before showing up.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. I’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
YOUR PICS
PETS ABOUT TOWN 🐾
Teddy getting an early start on becoming a Harbour Passage regular. Now he just needs to discover the natural stick depository at the boat launch.
📸 Who's next? Reply to this email with a photo of your pet exploring the Saint John Region and we'll feature our favourites every Monday!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 5:43am | 🌇 9:14pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 4:39 AM(Mon 06 July) | 7.34 m(24.08 ft) |
Low Tide | 10:55 AM(Mon 06 July) | 1.43 m(4.69 ft) |
High Tide | 5:05 PM(Mon 06 July) | 7.34 m(24.08 ft) |
Low Tide | 11:19 PM(Mon 06 July) | 1.65 m(5.41 ft) |
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who knows the plate is always worth the pinch 🦞
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher