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Good morning, Saint John! Today is National Lazy Day, which sounds like official permission after another stretch of heat. Find a shady spot, pour something cold and let the lawn judge you for doing absolutely nothing.

In todays edition:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Saint John West Days returns August 12–15 with four days of music, food, friendly competition and full-on West Side fun. It all starts Wednesday with the Sunset Social at Lancaster Plaza, followed by seniors’ bingo, a community ball game and BBQ, lawn bowling, cards, and a Friday night dance. Saturday brings the grand finale at Carleton Community Centre with live music, inflatables, face painting, a petting zoo, axe throwing, a BBQ, and plenty more for the whole family. Clear some room in the calendar. The west side is keeping busy this week.

🚰 East side pipes get a power wash

Saint John Water begins its annual watermain flushing program today, starting in East Saint John before working through other parts of the city over the next several weeks. Crews will flush pipes between 8am and 8pm, which could temporarily leave tap water looking cloudy or water pressure feeling a little less powerful than usual. The City says the water remains safe to drink, and customers should not lose service completely. Running the cold-water tap for a few minutes should help clear any cloudiness. Locations and schedules will be updated as the summer program continues. Questions can go to the City’s Customer Service Centre at 506-658-4455 or [email protected].

🏒 Arkells showoff Saint John at Moncton Concert

Arkells frontman Max Kerman brought a little Saint John energy to Moncton Saturday while opening for the Jonas Brothers at Croix-Bleue Medavie Stadium. Kerman hit the stage wearing a Saint John Sea Dogs jersey, believed to be the same one he picked up at uptown vintage shop Exit 98 when Arkells played AREA 506 last summer. That is one way to make an entrance in Wildcats territory. After the show, Kerman acknowledged the wardrobe miscalculation on Facebook: “Thought I was making friends in Moncton with the jersey. Oops. Great to see you all!” Even on Moncton’s biggest stage, Saint John still found a way to steal the show.

🏛️ Rothesay Council Meeting | August 10, 2026 - 7PM

On the agenda for the Rothesay Council meeting this evening:

Four rezonings before council - Council will review Planning Advisory Committee minutes covering proposed rezonings at 37 Chapel Road, Sagamore Heights, 9 Clark Road and 88 Hampton Road.

Future road projects on the agenda - Council will consider Rothesay’s participation in the Provincial Municipal Highway Partnership Program for 2028–2030.

Municipal well assessment complete - Council will review the final hydrogeological assessment and environmental approval report for Well TH90-1.

Sagamore Point lagoon work - Council will consider a report on infilling the lagoon at Sagamore Point, following a Finance Committee discussion about desludging the site.

Rothesay considers community survey - Council will review plans for the 2026 Rothesay Community Survey.

See the full agenda here.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting in the Town Hall Common Room.

🏛️ Grand Bay-Westfield Council Meeting | August 10, 2026 - 7PM

On the agenda for the Grand Bay-Westfield Council meeting this evening:

Wildfire resiliency plan returns - Council will continue its consideration of the municipality’s Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

River Valley Drive study - Council will review a River Valley Drive study and a proposal involving a crossing guard.

Route 177 contract considered - Council will consider awarding a tender for work under the Provincial Municipal Highway Partnership Program on Route 177.

Second-quarter finances reviewed - Council will receive second-quarter financial forecasts for both the general and sewer funds.

RCMP delivers quarterly update - Sgt. Ben Comley will present the RCMP’s fourth-quarter report to council.

See the full agenda here.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting in the Grand Bay Room at the Community Centrum.

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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!

TUESDAY

Alpines playoff opener | August 11
The AJ’s Saint John Alpines begin their playoff run against the Moncton Metropolitans at 7:30pm at Memorial Field. It’s Game 1 of the series, with the Alpines calling on Saint John to pack the stands, make some noise and put the home in home-field advantage.

Exploring native plants at Lonewater Farm | August 11
First Nations Storytellers co-founder Dave Smith leads a free walk through Lonewater Farm in Nerepis from 6:30–8:30pm. He’ll share documented medicinal histories, personal reflections and stories about the plants growing there, with possible cameos from monarchs, owls and bald eagles. No registration is required and cameras are encouraged.

Sunset Yoga at Renforth Rotary Park | August 11
Stretch out beside the Kennebecasis River during a free community yoga session at 7pm in Renforth Rotary Park. All ages and experience levels are welcome, but bring your own mat. Overflow parking is available at the Bill McGuire Centre, with the following evening reserved as the rain date.

WEDNESDAY

Summer Stage with 4 Amigos | August 12
The 4 Amigos bring the next free Summer Stage concert to Unity Park in Grand Bay-Westfield at 6:30pm. Bring a lawn chair and claim your spot by the river. Rain sends the music inside to the Brundage Point River Centre.

THURSDAY

Concert in the Common with Big River Ramblers | August 13
The Big River Ramblers roll into Rothesay Common for a free outdoor concert from 7–8pm. Bring a blanket or chair and park at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Wet weather moves the show to the Wells Community Centre.

FRIDAY

Third Shift | August 14–16
Saint John becomes the canvas during Third Shift, a contemporary arts festival packed with installations, projections, performances and interactive works. The after-dark celebration transforms spaces around the city into a creative playground, with programming continuing through August 16.

SATURDAY

Taste of KV | August 15
The first Taste of KV festival fills Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park from 4–8pm with local and multicultural performances, food vendors, crafts, henna, calligraphy, DJ entertainment and a Dickie Dee bike. The Rothesay-Quispamsis Community Network is serving up the free celebration at 12 Landing Ct., with everyone invited to bring an appetite.

SUNDAY

Founders Cup | August 16–22
Canada’s top Junior B lacrosse teams are coming to TD Station for a full week of big hits, fast breaks and a national title on the line. Hosted by the Saint John Rapids, the Founders Cup begins August 16 and runs through the championship final on August 22. Day passes are available.

📆 Explore the full community calendar.

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Benito Diablo took over Queen Square for a little fresh air, a good romp and some very important neighbourhood sniffing. Thanks to Denise McIllwraith for catching this tiny devil out in the wild.

📸 Got a furry local celebrity at home? Hit reply and send us their best photo and they could be our next Pet About Town. 🐾

🌅 6:19am | 🌇 8:38pm

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who just needs one more day of weekend ☀️.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher