Good morning, Saint John! We've all seen a black bear or a moose on the highway...but have you ever seen a black bear chasing a moose? That's exactly what happened just down the road in Maine this week, and can you guess who the winner was?
Here’s what we’re hearing today:
Beach please...don't drive 🚌
Don't blow your cool 🌡️
Berry hard to say no 🍓
Happy hump day!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🚌 No car needed to hit the beach this weekend
Getting to Dominion Park will be a little easier this weekend. The City of Saint John is offering free shuttle service on Saturday from 12:30 to 4:30pm as part of its Passport to Parks event, with buses looping between King Square, the YMCA of Greater Saint John and the Carleton Community Centre.
The free event runs from 1 to 3:30pm and features swimming, face painting, yard games, kayaking and canoeing, live music from the Pandemonium Steel Band and more. If the weather doesn't cooperate, everything shifts to Sunday.
🎨The city’s investing in creativity
Saint John's arts scene is getting a little extra fuel this summer and fall. The City has awarded grants to seven organizations through its Community Arts Funding Program, supporting everything from the Saint John Contemporary Dance Festival and THIRD SHIFT to the free Music at Portland concert series and the Saint John Palestinian Film Festival.
The funding also helps launch the new Yellow Door Community Gallery, a harbour-view space for exhibitions, workshops, performances and community events. It's one more sign the city's arts calendar isn't slowing down anytime soon.
🏡 Heat pump help could be back
If you missed the June 30 deadline for New Brunswick's heat pump program, don't put those renovation plans on ice just yet. The province says it's working on an agreement to join Ottawa's new Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, which would provide free energy-efficiency upgrades for eligible low- and middle-income households.
Exactly what's covered in New Brunswick, and who qualifies, is still being negotiated. But unlike previous programs, the new one could also include renters and won't require homeowners to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
Here are some more events sent to us by our readers. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.
Summer Stage at Unity Park | July 8
Pack a lawn chair and head to Unity Park for a free evening of outdoor music featuring Vince Dixon. The weekly Grand Bay-Westfield concert series continues throughout the summer, with performances moving to the Brundage Point River Centre if the weather doesn't cooperate.
St. Luke's Strawberry Festival Takeout | July 9
Dinner's taken care of. St. Luke's Anglican Church is serving up roast pork, baked potatoes, vegetables and strawberry shortcake during its annual drive-through fundraiser. Meals are $20, but don't wait too long. Advance tickets are required and the event regularly sells out.
Glow Night at Broken Pieces Rage Room | July 10
Ever wondered what it would be like to smash things under blacklights? Broken Pieces Rage Room's Glow Nights add neon lighting to its destruction sessions, turning stress relief into a colourful Friday night outing. Sessions run every Friday evening through December.
Quispamsis United Church Strawberry Tea & Book Sale | July 11
Strawberry season meets homemade baking at Quispamsis United Church's annual Strawberry Tea. Enjoy local strawberries, fresh biscuits, whipped cream, tea and coffee before browsing the book sale. Adults are $15, children under 10 eat free, with proceeds supporting community outreach and church programs. No advance tickets are required.
The River Was the Road | July 11
Experience Saint John from a different perspective on this guided e-bike adventure led by First Nations Storytellers. The three-hour tour explores the region's Indigenous history, stories and traditional travel routes while riding electric-assist bikes from Tin Can Beach. Registration is $130 plus tax.
Stop the Clock: Immersive Piano Experience | July 12
Slow things down for an afternoon of live piano music paired with large-scale nature projections at the Saint John Arts Centre. Becky Reesor's immersive performance blends original music and visuals into a 90-minute experience designed to help audiences unplug and reset.
The Audience | Aug. 11
See Helen Mirren's acclaimed performance as Queen Elizabeth II on the big screen when the Saint John Theatre Company presents National Theatre Live's The Audience. The award-winning production follows the Queen's private meetings with 12 British prime ministers and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the woman behind the Crown. Tickets are $25.
Cricket Cove Knitting Circle | Fridays
Bring your latest knitting project, or borrow some yarn and start a new one, at The Write Cup Bookstore Café's weekly knitting circle. It's a relaxed evening of stitching, conversation and coffee with fellow fibre artists, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned knitter.
*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 every Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John region. Where are we? Only true locals will know. Summer has us eyeing every empty lawn chair we pass...but do you know where this one is? Hit reply with your best guess. We'll reveal the location and everyone who got it right in Friday's issue!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 5:45am | 🌇 9:13pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 00:10 AM(Wed 08 July) | 1.58 m(5.19 ft) |
High Tide | 6:18 AM(Wed 08 July) | 7.18 m(23.56 ft) |
Low Tide | 12:31 PM(Wed 08 July) | 1.53 m(5.02 ft) |
High Tide | 6:44 PM(Wed 08 July) | 7.51 m(24.64 ft) |
🖼️ $1,000 up for grabs
Professional visual artists in the greater Saint John region can soon apply for a $1,000 grant to help cover expenses like studio rent, art supplies, exhibition costs or research travel. Applications for the Greater Saint John Professional Visual Artists Fund open July 15 and close August 15with the recipient to be announced on August 28. If you've been looking for a little help bringing your next project to life, this might be your canvas.
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who needs a daily, local moose-read 🫎!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher