🚢 Brilliant Lady Returns

Good morning Saint John! Thanksgiving weekend is almost here…just a few days left to grab your turkey, steal Mom’s stuffing recipe, and get cookin’. Fun fact: back in 1957, Canada officially settled on the second Monday of October for the holiday. Consider this your gentle (and delicious) reminder: the countdown to cranberry sauce is on! 🦃

Here’s what we’re hearing today:

• Stop sparks before they start ⚡

• Speak now or swim later 🐟

• Three shows, one epic theatre season 🎟️

Enjoy the day!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

SPONSORED
Make Your Mark! ✍️

Get your brand in front of eager eyes. Partner with us for prime advertising opportunities!

NEWS NOTES

☀️ Solar Made Simple in Saint John

Council’s cutting through the red tape and letting the sunshine in. A new zoning tweak means small-scale solar projects can now set up in rural Saint John without going through the long, expensive rezoning process that once stood in the way. City staff call these “low-impact” developments…no towering turbines or loud whooshes, just quiet panels soaking up rays and sending clean power back to the grid.

It’s good news for Saint John Energy, which is already backing a 10-megawatt solar project with Neqotkuk (Tobique) First Nation on Old Black River Road. Fewer hurdles mean faster builds and more local energy. As Mayor Donna Reardon put it, the city-owned utility keeps innovating and evolving — “they’re movers and shakers.” Now, add a few more sun-catchers to the list.

🏥 Healing Space on Waterloo Street

Saint John’s getting something the city’s long needed, a recovery stop between the hospital and the street. A new convalescent care facility on Waterloo will give people without housing a place to heal after hospital stays. Six private units will open in early 2026, helping up to 18 people a year at first, with plans to add more down the road.

🔥 Charge into fire safety

It’s Fire Prevention Week, and Saint John’s firefighters are ready to spark your interest…safely, of course. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety,” is all about lithium-ion batteries like the ones keeping your phone charged, your tools spinning, and occasionally, your couch smouldering (not what you want!).

The Saint John Fire Department wants everyone to know that you should always buy certified, charge smart, and recycle right. And if you want to meet the folks who actually know how to use a fire extinguisher properly, a number of city fire stations are opening their doors today (Oct. 8) from 2-7pm for tours, trucks, and family fun.

You can find the full list of station open houses here.

💧 Your water, your say

Here’s your chance to make a splash. The province is reviewing the Clean Water Act and wants your ideas on keeping lakes, rivers, and wells clean. From permits and enforcement to watershed management and drinking water protection, they’re taking feedback on just about everything that involves H₂O (except ocean stuff, that’s federal).

Drop your thoughts online, in writing, or in person at Saint John’s session on October. 28, 6:30–8pm at the Delta. Submissions are open until November 27.

Triple Ship Day! 🚢

Saint John’s waterfront is getting lit…literally. Virgin’s Brilliant Lady returns today after its inaugural visit a couple of weeks ago, when it wowed everyone with I ❤️ Saint John glowing across its decks. Will it switch up the message this time? There’s only one way to find out. Also in port: Brilliance of the Seas and Allura, making it a triple treat for ship-watchers and photographers alike.

^{_{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

SPONSORED
Time to Shine! ☀️

Your business deserves the spotlight. Advertise in our newsletter and be part of the morning buzz!

EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Community Wellness Fair | October 8
If your fall routine could use a little tune-up, the Saint John Regional Y is the place to be today (October 8) from 10am–1pm. The YMCA is hosting a free Community Wellness Fair with experts from the Y, Shoppers Drug Mart, and the Irving Oil Field House offering fitness tips, glucose testing, blood pressure checks, and more. Stop by 191 Churchill Blvd and take some small steps toward big changes.

🖼️ Fall Gallery Hop

Saint John’s galleries are throwing open their doors and your evening just got way more colorful. On Friday, October 24 from 4–7pm, you’re invited to enjoy the Fall Gallery Hop and stroll uptown, peek into seven local spots, and soak up everything from paintings to sculptures and so much more, some galleries even keeping the lights on past 8pm (Mitote’s going all night!).

🎭 Stage Set for Subscriptions 

Saint John’s theatre scene hits a new milestone. ARC, the professional theatre wing of the Saint John Theatre Company, is launching its very first 3-Show Subscription Series, marking eight seasons of bringing high-quality productions to the city. This inaugural season features Billy Bishop Goes to War (Dec 2–7), the moving solo Ghost Light (Jan 28–31), and Ibsen’s The Master Builder (Apr 21–26) starring R.H. Thomson.

Subscriptions go on sale October 10 pre-sales for existing Main Stage subscribers start Oct. 1. Grab your seats for a year of drama, laughs, and standing ovations.

Full details and tickets here.

Quick Correction: Casino Night is actually on Friday, October 24. Here’s the full listing:

Casino Night | October 24
The Vocational Training Center is hosting a fun casino night at Exhibition Park with support from the Knights of Columbus. The evening runs 7–9pm and promises games, prizes, and plenty of fun. Tickets are $25 and can be picked up by calling 506-847-4759 or through their Facebook page.

Got an Event to Share?

^{_{*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. If you think you recognize this sculpture, hit reply and let us know where in the region it’s located. We’ll revel the answer and any correct guesses in Friday’s issue.

Tag @sjtoday.ca on Facebook to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

Reach Readers Daily!
Need to get the word out? Our baseline ads give you the perfect spot to connect with Saint John readers. With your message right next to the latest local buzz, it’s a great way to make an impact. Let's chat about getting you featured here!*

^{_{*indicates sponsored content}}

Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who takes a slice of pumpkin AND apple pie for dessert (guilty) 🥧.

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Did I Miss Something?

^{*Today’s web cover photo courtesy of Stephen Goguen}