🌸 Is This the Cutest Patio Uptown?

Good morning Saint John! So, what’s worse: the morning crawl in or the evening escape out? Whether you’re burning through podcasts or just sarcastically applauding your fellow driver these days, stay strong out there…your patience is the real MVP.

Here’s what we’re driving into today:

• Rick Mercer announced SJ stop 🎤

• What’s a road diet anyway? 🛣️

• New patio spot uptown ☀️

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🎭 Imperial Theatre Season 32 is Here

The Imperial Theatre just dropped its Season 32 lineup, and wow…this one’s got range. From ballets to stand-up to Bear Grease, the upcoming season is basically a greatest hits playlist for live performance, and we're already stressed about what to buy tickets for first.

Season members got the first peek last night, and early ticket access is now open for the chosen few. For the rest of us, general sales kick off soon, so get your calendar ready and your budget flexible.

Some of the biggest names? Tom Morello (of Rage Against the Machine & Audioslave!) brings stories and songs in November. James Barker Band kicks things off in September. Sloan, Rhys Nicholson, Tom Papa, and even a tribute called Grateful Bread are all coming through. And if you're into festive stuff, just wait for A Holly Jolly Jill Barber Christmas, Barra MacNeils’ 25th anniversary show, or the crowd-fave Holiday Sing Along.

Plus: acrobats, drag queens, hip hop, ballet, and a musical about Don Juan…this lineup truly has everything.

🔥 Help Keep Our Drinking Water Fire-Free 

Nobody wants to drink smoky water…which is why Saint John Water is raising the alarm about wildfire risk near the Loch Lomond Watershed, our city’s primary drinking water source. The forest around those lakes doesn’t just look nice in fall; it acts as a giant leafy shield that helps protect what comes out of your tap.

Here’s the deal: If a wildfire takes hold in that area, it’s not just bad for trees, it’s bad for the water we all depend on. So yes, trimming dead branches and soaking your campfire before bed is actually about drinking water. Surprise!

The City is replanting parts of the watershed with more fire-resistant trees, but protecting this essential resource starts at home, with your backyard burn barrels, your fireworks displays, your dirt bikes, and your suspiciously crispy grass.

In short: Be FireSmart. 

🛣️ City Road’s Going on a Diet, But it’s Not What You Think

No, it’s not cutting carbs. It’s cutting lanes. A “road diet” is coming to Station Street and City Road next year, trimming the stretch between Smythe Street and the Stanley Street pedestrian bridge from four lanes down to three, and adding bike lanes while they’re at it.

Here’s the recipe:

• Two lanes for traffic (one each way)

• One center lane for left turns

• Brand-new bike lanes hugging the curbs on both sides

The goal is a safer, saner ride for everyone, cyclists, pedestrians, and yes, even drivers. Think fewer crashes (road diets reportedly cut collisions by up to 47%), calmer speeds, and fewer “what lane am I supposed to be in” moments.

This stretch links up key points in Saint John’s active transportation network, from Harbour Passage to Rockwood Park. If you've ever biked it and thought “this would be great without the four-lane freeway vibes,” well, your wish is being granted. City staff say traffic will still flow just fine, despite fewer lanes.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

🧋Bubbly Cup’s Patio is Here

Need a new summer photo spot uptown? The Bubbly Cup on Prince William just opened their patio for the season…and in their words, it’s the cutest cafe patio in town. With pastel drinks, pretty pastries, and a pink-toned backdrop just begging for a reel or two, it’s giving early summer energy in all the right ways.

Eunice and the crew say the only thing missing is some patio lights and you. So if you’re looking to sip something cold and colourful in the sun, you know where to go.

thebubblycup

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Is the summer calendar filling up yet? From drop-in playground fun to Broadway dreams and outdoor movies on the waterfront, there’s no shortage of ways to keep kids (and their grownups) entertained this summer. Here’s what’s poppin’, no registration panic required.

Therapy Dog Visit | June 11
Finals got you frazzled? Take a study break with some four-legged friends from St. John Ambulance. Their therapy dogs will be posted up at the Saint John Free Public Library from 11:30am-12:30pm, offering tail wags and calming energy during exam week. No appointment needed, just drop in!

Broadway Bootcamp | June 23–27
Got a drama queen (or king) in the house? This weeklong camp is made for kids 6 to 16 who love to sing, dance, and steal the spotlight. Hosted by Music from the Heart and led by veteran music pro Elaine Boulanger, it’s a fun, high-energy intro to theatre with a final performance to show off those jazz hands. No experience required, just bring the flair.

Area 506’s Family Movie Nights Are Back
Wednesday nights are for lawn chairs, popcorn, and the biggest family flicks of the summer. Starting June 25, Area 506 is hosting weekly outdoor movies on the waterfront…Despicable Me 4, Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and more. It’s free, just BYO-chair! So grab the snacks, round up the kids, and settle in for a lineup of big-screen hits under the sky.

Rothesay Drop-In Playground Program | All Summer
No summer plans? No problem. Rothesay’s Drop-In Playground Program is back with water days, crafts, games, and goofy theme fun for kids aged 5–12. No commitment required, just grab a punch pass and drop in when it works. Sessions run all summer at Wells, K-Park Elementary, and Rothesay Park Middle. It’s the easy win for busy parents.

Ascension Acrobatics Summer Camps | June 30–August 29
Got a kid who’s bouncing off the walls? Send them somewhere it’s encouraged. Ascension Acrobatics is running 9 weeks of full-day summer camps with gymnastics, trampoline time, big games, and non-stop movement. Camps run out of their Westfield Road gym and are open to kids 6 and up. Early drop-off and late pick-up options available if needed.

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸

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. If you think you know where in town you might stumble upon this stained glass, be sure to hit reply and give it your best guess! We’ll reveal the location and correct guesses in Friday’s issue!

Tag @sjtoday.ca on Facebook to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who always tries to take a shortcut on the commute 🚗.

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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