🍂 Fall festing starts now

Good morning Saint John! Fall is here, which means it’s now officially socially acceptable to order a pumpkin spice bevvy. But Halloween decorations already? Let’s give the pumpkins a week to just be gourds before we carve them into something spooky 🎃

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

• Slim council idea gets heavy pushback 🙃

• Gas savings coming… or going? ⛽️

• From barn lofts to brainiacs 🎓

Here’s to another Tuesday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🙅‍♂️ Council shuts down raise and resize plan

Turns out, Saint John councillors won’t be downsizing their team…or upsizing their paycheques. Earlier this month, council voted down Brent Harris’s pitch to slim the roster from 10 members to 6 and boost salaries from $34,500 to $59,000. Harris argued it would let councillors treat the job like full-time work. Most colleagues weren’t sold, citing workload worries and the need for public input. In the end, only Harris and Joanna Killen backed it. Everyone else? Hard pass.

⛽️ Holt’s pump promise back on

Remember that campaign vow to scrap the carbon “adjuster” fee tacked onto every litre of gas and diesel? Premier Susan Holt just dusted it off and circled December as the deadline. That’s about $3 a tank in savings for drivers, but petroleum companies are sounding the alarms…one rep even warned of “catastrophic” fallout if the fee disappears. Holt says consumers come first, and the industry? Well, they’ll just have to adjust.

🎓 From hay bales to health hubs

UNB Saint John is celebrating more than 60 years of shaping young minds and some of those early lectures actually took place in a converted barn with hay still lingering in the air. When the campus opened in 1964, just 97 students made up the Class of ’68, cramming into church basements, YMCA gyms, and even a library above a tire shop. Now, the Tucker Park campus is building a shiny new Health and Social Innovation Centre.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Today’s events come straight from our readers. If you’ve got an event coming up, be sure to send it our way!

Grand Bay-Westfield Thursday Market | September 25
It’s the last official Thursday Market of the season in Grand Bay-Westfield, running 1-6pm at Brundage Point River Centre. Rain or shine, the market offers handmade crafts, tasty treats, and local goodies for everyone. The market will return for special October Fall Fest dates and the November holiday market. 

Moon Glow 2025 | September 26
Corvette fans, start your engines! Moon Glow 2025 is back to light up the night at Coast Tire. Join fellow enthusiasts for a night of cars, BBQ by donation supporting Romero House, prize draws including a $1,500 tire gift certificate, and a silent auction. It’s free to check out and registration is $25 per vehicle, and early birds have a chance to win a free hotel night or gas gift cards. Saturday brings a Poker Run at 10am for those ready to hit the road.

UCOF Fall Fashion Festival | September 27
Celebrate culture, creativity, and style at Saint John’s UCOF Fall Fashion Festival, themed Falling Into Identity – Layers of Us. The Saint John event is scheduled for September 27 at Kent Theatre. Enjoy vibrant runway shows, youth performances, music, and art that explore heritage, migration, and personal stories through fashion. Cheer on your favourite designers at the Viewer’s Choice Awards, connect with local artists, and support initiatives empowering immigrant and BIPOC communities. A colourful, inspiring night for fashion fans of all ages.

Beat the Heat – Public Engagement | September 26 & October 7
Summers in Saint John are heating up, and the city wants your input! Share where you feel the hottest spots in your daily life, from bus stops to playgrounds, and help guide climate adaptation efforts. Join an in-person session with Drumming for Connection at Harbourfront Extension on September 26, 2-4pm (rain location: Theatre, 1 Market Square), or a virtual session via Zoom on October 7, 7-8:30pm. Refreshments provided.

A Serenade for Strings | September 28
Symphonette by the Sea – sur mer teams up with the Senior String Orchestra of ASD-South for an evening of Mozart, Respighi, and Wirén at Saint John High School. Conductors Hok Kwan and Ali Leonard lead this celebration of local talent across generations. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for 16 and under, and free for kids under 12.

You Can Call Me Roger | September 30
The Imperial Theatre is hosting a free screening of You Can Call Me Roger in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day. Sponsored by Port Saint John and VanBuskirk Law, the film offers a moving chance to reflect, learn, and gather as a community. Admission is free, but tickets are required from the Imperial Theatre box office. Starts at 7pm.

Horizons Fundraiser Gala | October 3
Shining Horizons is hosting a western-themed gala to support their equine-assisted wellness programs. The night kicks off at 6:30pm with welcome drinks, followed by dinner from Cask & Kettle, live tunes from 5th Gear, and inspiring speakers. Guests can also bid on auction items while helping unlock a $25,000 matching donation. Tickets are available now!

British Invasion | October 4
Get ready for a night of Brit-pop magic at Yip Cidery! Caboose will take you on a journey through the best of British music across the decades, followed by Sequin Stars performing a special tribute to Oasis, covering all their hits straight from the band’s “Live 25” tour. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $35 with limited availability, so grab yours online or at the door!

Howl-O-Ween Hysteria | October 23-26
Get ready for four nights of thrills and chills at Market Square with BGC Greater Saint John’s Howl-O-Ween Hysteria! Younger goblins (11 & under) can enjoy the sensory-friendly Castaway Chaos Trail, while teens and adults can tackle the full-on Trail of Terror. Both trails are accessibility-friendly, and you can grab a Scare-Shots photo to capture your fright. Tickets are $20 ($30 with photos), available in advance only. Dare to face the darkness and support a great cause!

Got an Event to Share?

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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 just can’t help themselves and are ready to get the skeletons out of the garage. ☠️

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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