🏙️ Cash, Culture & The Course

Good morning Saint John! I overheard a couple hashing out Halloween costumes last week…she wants to be Lance Armstrong, and I assume he’s going as her “last-place finish.” Wonder if Spirit sells that couples costume? They’ve already picked their new haunt at 212 McAllister Drive and are hiring 🚲 🎃 .

Here’s what we’re teeing up this morning:

• Last call for culture stars 🌟

• City offering cash for curb appeal 💸

• Putting Saint John on the map ⛳

Let’s get to it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🎉 Performers Still Wanted

Saint John’s International Culture Fest is back August 2 and 3 on Water Street and they are still looking for a few awesome performers to light up the stage. Music, dance, magic tricks, interpretive breakdancing, if you have it, flaunt it!

If you have been waiting for a sign to show off your skills, this is it. But don’t wait too long because applications close July 25. Step up, get noticed, and help make this year’s fest the most vibrant yet.

Apply now before someone else takes your spot!

🪴 Fresh Paint and Free Money? Yes Please.

If you live in the Old North End or along Douglas Avenue, the City of Saint John wants to pay you to make your place prettier. The 2025 Beautification Grant Program is back and it's handing out cash for projects like fresh paint jobs, landscaping upgrades, or just adding some plant power to your yard.

DIYers can get 100% reimbursed for materials, while contractor-led projects get 35% covered up to $4,000 or $6,000 if you’ve got a corner lot. Just make sure you get the green light before you start scraping paint. Since 2016, the city’s shelled out over $100K through this little curb appeal booster.

Applications are open now…and yes, the form still says 2023, but we called to confirm: that’s the one they’re using, apparently.

🏌️‍♀️ Local Champ Tees Off

This week, 156 of the world’s best amateur women golfers are teeing off at Riverside Country Club in Rothesay for the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.

Among them is Quispamsis local and reigning NB champ Callie Taylor who is taking full advantage of the home-course edge by practicing from spots she would normally steer clear of just in case. She is joined by fellow Team NB players Alex Wong and Addison McClune plus Riverside’s own Rachel Steeves who earned a host exemption.

The five-day tournament runs through Friday, it is free to attend, and the field includes rising stars from 10 countries including 10 of the world’s top 100 amateurs. 

It runs through Friday. It’s free to watch and the field includes rising stars from 10 countries including 10 of the world’s top 100 amateurs. You just might catch a future LPGA star mid-swing beside the Kennebecasis River. ($)

🏒 Fair Play on the Way in Quispamsis

If you’ve ever tried to book a rec space in Quispamsis and felt like you were playing sport schedule roulette, help is (finally) on the way. The town’s working on a new policy to make things fairer and clearer…who gets the ice, the courts, the prime-time pickleball slots.

Locals told consultants they want transparency, equal access, and maybe fewer mystery bookings. A draft policy is expected in August.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

TODAY

Discover Space | July 22
Curious kids can explore the cosmos at the Kennebecasis Library with a member of the Saint John Astronomy Club. There’ll be a short presentation, hands-on experiments, and a chance to win a telescope with each session attended earns one entry. This one runs 10:30–11:30am in the Children’s Program Room. Call (506) 849-5314 to register, spaceship not required.

Walk the past at Shaarei Zedek Cemetery | July 22
Join Katherine Biggs-Craft, Executive Director and Curator of the Saint John Jewish Historical Museum, for a 90-minute guided walk at Shaarei Zedek Cemetery on Westmorland Road. Starting at the entrance opposite Ellerdale Street, hear up to 18 stories from community members recorded in the 1980s. This event is part of the Walks ’n’ Talks series, sponsored by Fernhill Cemetery. 7:15pm start time. 

WEDNESDAY

KV Police - Support a Friend Night | July 23
Teens aged 12-18 are invited to a relaxed, info-packed evening at the Quality Inn Quispamsis, 6:30-8pm. It’s all about learning how to help a friend through tough stuff…mental health, relationships, addiction, and more. Local groups like KV Oasis, CMHA, and NB COPES will be there to share support tips and resources. Questions welcome, and one-on-ones after the session are encouraged. Email [email protected] for details.

Save the Date: SJPD 5K Pursuit | September 21
The Saint John Police are hosting the 5K Pursuit - Run for a Cause on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 10am in Rockwood Park. The family-friendly route starts at Lily Lake Pavilion and ends at Fisher Lakes Beach. A $10 donation gets you in, with all proceeds going to the Holiday in a Box campaign supporting vulnerable adults. Sign up here.

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SIDE NOTES

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who is still in summer concert mode 🤘.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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