Fog rolls in. Stories spill out. 📚

Good morning, Saint John! Today is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, so if you’ve got a fat cat or a pleasantly plump pup, show them some love with a little extra playtime. They may request a second opinion from whoever keeps sneaking them cheese.

Here’s what we’re hearing today:

Here we go!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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Emergency crews have a practice landing 🚒

Saint John Airport will have extra emergency vehicles and responders on site today, with the stakes thankfully set to practice.

A multi-agency training exercise will help crews sharpen how they work together during an emergency. Everything from specialty response vehicles, aircraft emergency equipment and first response personnel taking part. The fire department says there’s no emergency or public safety concern.

Saint John has some deep synth roots 🌿

One Saint John-born musician gave houseplants their own soundtrack. Your fern has been settling for whatever’s on the radio.

Electronic music pioneer Mort Garson created Mother Earth’s Plantasia, an album intended for plants and the people tending them. His work is among the stories explored in Michael Rancic’s book on Canadian electronic music, which Michael is bringing to Saint John for Fog Lit.

The free literary festival runs October 14–17, bringing readers and writers together for readings, workshops and conversations. Mort’s contribution gives music fans a particularly good reason to turn a page.

Belmont gets down to earth 🌱

Belmont Street’s new garden has a job beyond looking pretty.

ACAP Saint John is planting a rain garden at 105 Belmont Street tonight. The shallow, planted area will catch and filter stormwater before it reaches sewers and waterways, helping reduce flooding. Native plants will also give local pollinators, birds and other wildlife a little neighbourhood hospitality.

Join the planting from 6pm–7:30pm. No experience needed, and planting materials are supplied. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you’re willing to introduce to some dirt.

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

Here are some more events sent to us by our readers. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.

Capital Art Sale | October 14–17
Your walls could use a little local talent. Shop paintings, pottery, photography and more in Market Square’s former museum space, with everything under $500 and many pieces under $100. Admission is free, with Wednesday’s opening reception from 6–9pm and shopping Thursday through Saturday from 10am–8pm.

YMCA Indoor Triathlon | October 18
Swim, bike and run without negotiating with October weather. The Regional Y hosts an indoor triathlon from 8am–2pm, with participants completing 15 minutes in each activity. Register individually for $50 or as a team for $75, with optional pledges supporting the YMCA Strong Communities Fund.

Irish Dance Workshop | October 20
Give your two left feet something new to argue about. Peacock Irish Dance Academy leads an evening at Market Square with céilí dancing from 6–7pm, Irish dance from 7–7:15pm and step dance from 7:15–7:30pm. Come watch or try a few steps yourself, with no experience needed.

Creative Night at Chroma | October 22
That half-finished project could use some company. Members of the queer community are invited to Chroma at 6:30pm to work on creative projects and socialize. Bring your own project or use the supplies available to get something started.

St. Luke’s Fundraising Breakfast | October 24
Your breakfast helps put lunch on someone else’s table. St. Luke’s serves eggs, sausages, home fries, pancakes, toast and a beverage in its Fellowship Hall from 8–11am for $12. Proceeds support the church’s outreach lunch program.

Aspiring Artist and Artisan Fall Show and Sale | October 24
Meet the makers before their work ends up under your Christmas tree. Southern New Brunswick artists and artisans bring paintings, paper crafts, fibre arts, woodworking and more to Exhibition Park from 11am–4pm. Admission is free, and vendors can contact Fred Harrison at [email protected] about booking space.

Halloween Costume Skating Party | October 25
Put your costume on ice. Rothesay Arena hosts a free family skating party from 3–4pm, with face painting, colouring, hot chocolate and treats. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the KV Food Basket.

BGC Greater Saint John Diamond Dinner | November 13
Dinner comes with room to work the room. BGC Greater Saint John’s Mix & Mingle gala brings multicultural food stations, DJ Steve, auctions and beauty experiences to the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre. Open seating keeps the mingling easy, with the evening supporting local kids and youth.

There's plenty more happening. Find all this week’s local events here.

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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. Does this mural, featuring some hard working masons and a crow supervising look familiar? If so, hit reply and tell use where you think this is. We’ll reveal the location and correct answers in Friday’s issue!

You got pics and we got readers. Share your favourite local pics with them. Hit reply and send them our way!

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Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone whose pet has them trained to hand over the treats…🦴!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher