💸 New Brunswickers have lost $6.2M

Good morning, Saint John! It’s Monday and just like Garfield… we ain’t here for it. But it it’s also International Rescue Cat Day, so if you respect a little stubborn sass, show some love to Stray Cats Strut Rescue and the Shamrock Shuffle at Picaroons on March 15. 🐈🍀

Here’s what we’re pawing at this morning:

Let’s get to it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🤖 Scam Alert Goes High Tech

If Sidney Crosby suddenly DMs you about a “can’t-miss crypto opportunity,” it’s not a power play…

New Brunswickers reported losing more than $6.2 million to investment scams in 2025, most of it online. Now regulators say AI and deepfakes are making it easier to fake familiar faces and voices, making scams look very real.

As part of Fraud Prevention Month, the Financial and Consumer Services Commission is hosting a free webinar, Fraud Has a New Face, on March 17 (English) and March 18 (French). It’ll break down how these scams work and what red flags to watch for.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

📦 Port Posts Big Year

Saint John’s waterfront cranes got their reps in last year. 

Port Saint John says 2025 was a banner year at the DP World container terminal, with volumes jumping 29.4% over 2024. That’s 239,364 containers moved through the west side terminal last year, up from 184,879 the year before. Since 2021, traffic has climbed more than 175%.

It follows the completion of $247 million in upgrades at the terminal.

The port now handles service from global carriers like Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM, with rail connections linking cargo inland through CN, CPKC and CSX.

Looks like we’ll be seeing more steel boxes, more global reach and more movement on the harbour in 2026.

📖 Fifth Grader Goes to Print

Most of us didn’t finish a chapter book until middle school. Richard Akindeji just published one.

The 10-year-old Seaside Park Elementary student has released Navigating Through Life: Frill’s Story, a 38-page novel that started as a class project and quietly turned into the real thing.

The book follows a young kid sorting out school, friendships and big career dreams. Richard even slipped a real-life friend’s name into the story. (The friend approved.)

His teacher once told him she’d buy the first copy if he ever wrote a book. In January, he walked into class with it.

He’s already working on four more.

🎸 Stompin’ Tom Update

The Stompin’ Tom statue idea is officially moving ahead at City Hall.

Council voted to send the proposal from Greg Hemmings, Scott Gogan, Mike Bravener and Jason MacLean to the civic commemoration committee, which reviews monuments and public tributes. If it gets the nod there, staff will work with them on a location, with the waterfront and King’s Square both in the mix.

The four say the project would be privately funded, with donations covering the build and long-term maintenance.

Next steps…committee review, fundraising, then maybe a little bronze heel uptown.

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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!

MONDAY

Bingo on the Boardwalk | March 2
Grannan’s is running Bingo on the Boardwalk on Monday at 6:30pm at 1 Market Square. It’s open to the public, and $20 gets players a welcome drink plus their bingo card. Expect prizes, a loud room, and at least one person who takes B12 personally.

Retro Film March Break Movie Space Jam | March 2
Imperial Theatre is doing a March Break matinee on Monday at 2pm with Space Jam on the big screen. It’s family-friendly, free, and a solid excuse to let the kids get their movie fix while the adults pretend this is “for nostalgia.”

Stage Combat with Jean-Michel Cliche | March 2
Imperial Theatre is hosting a beginner-friendly stage combat workshop on Monday from 6:30-8:00pm, led by Heroine fight director Jean-Michel Cliche. It’s $10, pre-registration is required, and it’s open to all ages and experience levels who want to learn the basics of theatrical sword fighting.

TUESDAY

KV Camera Club Exhibition Launch | March 3
Kennebecasis Valley Public Library is launching a new KV Camera Club photography exhibition on Tuesday from 4-7pm. Drop in to see local shots from around the Valley, grab some light refreshments, and chat with photographers who’ll be there to talk about their work. The exhibit runs all month, and the photos are for sale.

2026 CCAA Badminton Championships | March 3-7
UNBSJ is hosting the 2026 CCAA Badminton Championships this week, bringing college teams in from across the country to compete right here in Saint John. If you like high-skill, fast-paced matches (and the quiet intensity of a gym that suddenly gets very serious), this is the city’s big national sports moment of the week.

WEDNESDAY

Port City Power vs Newfoundland Rogues | March 4
Port City Power is back on the court Wednesday at 7pm at Rothesay Netherwood School, taking on the Newfoundland Rogues. Doors open at 6pm, it’s all-ages, and tickets range from youth general admission to courtside seats. If you need a midweek outing that feels loud in the best way, this is an easy pick.

Midweek Makers Studio | March 4
Hampton Visitor Information Centre is hosting Midweek Makers Studio on Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm, a drop-in night for anyone who wants to work on their own creative project around other humans. It’s free, there’s no instruction and no pressure, and an Artist at Work will be creating in the space while you do your thing.

THURSDAY

Let’s Paint a Cardinal in Acrylic | March 5
ArtLab DCI is running a guided acrylic painting session at Kent Theatre on Thursday at 6pm, focused on painting a Northern Cardinal step-by-step. It’s $20, no experience is needed, and you’ll leave with a finished canvas ready to hang. Registration is required, so this one’s best for people who like a plan.

SATURDAY

International Women’s Day 2026 Celebration Give to Gain | March 7
PRUDE Inc. is hosting an International Women’s Day celebration on Saturday from 10am-1pm at 1 Market Square, Unit W301 (3rd floor). The theme is Give to Gain, with speakers and conversations focused on gender equity and inclusion in the community. Registration is required, and it’s built for anyone who wants an uplifting, thoughtful morning out.

SUNDAY

Author Reading and Book Signing with Luke Francis Beirne | March 8
The Write Cup at 1 Market Square is hosting local author Luke Francis Beirne on Saturday at 6:30pm for a reading, Q&A, and book signing. It’s a cozy, in-store kind of night where you can meet the author, hear the stories behind the work, and leave with a signed copy if you’re the type who likes your books with a little extra meaning.

International Women’s Day 2026 in St. Martins | March 8
St. Martins & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an International Women’s Day gathering on Sunday from 1-3pm at The Station (Irving Gas Station) in St. Martins. It’s open to the public, drop-in style, and built around celebrating women’s contributions locally while making space for real community connection and conversation.

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📸 Bonny Culley | 📍 St. Martins, NB

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves cats as much as they do a nice lasagna 🐈.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher