💰 From Data to Dollars

Good morning Saint John! The Tequila Expo runs this weekend. Time to pretend you can totally taste those smoky, nuanced flavours like pepper, cinnamon, and caramel. Or, skip the drinks and dive straight into some tacos instead 🌮!

Here’s what’s on the rim this morning:

• Provincial social assistance dashboard launched 📊

• Big health ideas funded in Saint John 💡

• Get your buns buttered for next week 🍞

Happy Friday!!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

📊 New Dashboard Tracks Social Assistance Trends in NB 

A new tool is making it easier than ever to understand social assistance trends across New Brunswick. The Human Development Council (HDC) has just launched an interactive dashboard that provides a comprehensive look at data on social assistance caseloads, recipients, and more. With built-in filters and detailed breakdowns by program, the dashboard offers key insights into the rising need for support in the province.

Since 2021, the number of people receiving social assistance has surged by 49%, reaching 39,817 recipients as of April 2025. This increase reflects the growing economic challenges faced by many New Brunswickers, from rising rents to the cost of everyday goods.

Accessible and user-friendly, the dashboard is designed to help policymakers, service providers, and community members better understand these trends. Explore the data and see how needs are changing on the dashboard.

💡 $600K Awarded for Big Health Ideas in Saint John 

The 2025 Medical Innovators’ Challenge packed the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal Wednesday night and handed out $600K to two bold healthcare projects. Dr. Doha Itani’s team scored the $500K top prize for bringing advanced genetic testing back to NB - meaning faster answers, closer to home.

Dr. Sarah Gander’s “Meet the Kids Where They Are” won $100K to put health care help right into local schools. Learn more about the winning projects here.

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FOODIE FRIDAY

🍔 It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Uptown Burger Week is almost here, and we literally could not be more excited! From April 28th to May 4th, 28+ restaurants will be firing up the grills, offering inventive burgers you won’t want to miss. It's truly the most wonderful time of the year for any one who likes meat, or veggie alternatives, between bread, and we’re giving you a taste of some of the most creative options!

Here are just a few of the burgers that have caught our eye so far...

Britt’s Scotch Egg Burger - A breaded ground sausage patty topped with an over-easy egg, mustard, arugula, and onion jam. A breakfast-inspired burger with a twist.

Cask & Kettle’s The Apple Blossom - Spicy marinated lamb burger with arugula, Thai chili relish, apple basil chutney, and garlic aioli on a toasted brioche bun. Sweet, spicy, and totally unique.

Churchill’s Hard Kore Chicken - Korean spiced ground chicken patty, kimchi, cilantro, fried egg, and garlic aioli. For a burger with a kick! Tofu substitution available.

Saint John Ale House’s Elvis Has Left the Building - Smash patty, bacon, and jam between two grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. The King would approve.

East Coast Bistro’s Spaghetti & Meatball Burger - Italian meatball patty (pork, veal, beef), baked spaghetti & tomato sauce, mozzarella, arugula, and roasted garlic aioli. A pasta-lovers dream come true!

Thandi’s Thai Pork Burger - Pork burger topped with kimchi, purple onion, sprouts, and peanut sauce, served with crispy potato wedges. Bold flavors all the way.

York Bistro’s Waffle Chicken Burger - Crispy fried chicken, maple bacon, arugula, and honey-mustard aioli, served between warm waffles. Comfort food at its finest.

These are just a few of the burgers making their debut this year, with many more still to come! Check out the full list of participating restaurants and their menu updates here.

💥 Can’t wait to sink your teeth into these epic burgers? Brush up on the menu…you’ll want to be ready when our $100 Uptown gift card contest launches Monday. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it! Stay tuned for all the delicious details. 💥

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Here are a few events to look forward to as we kick off the good season — warmer days, cool vibes, and lots to do around Saint John. Mark your calendars, because these are the happenings you won’t want to miss!

Queen Square Farmers Market | May 11
Sunny (or foggy) Sundays filled with great food and community are just three weekends away. The Queen Square Farmers Market returns May 11…and it’s a big one, marking 15 seasons of this Saint John staple. From 9am-2pm, you’ll find fresh produce, tasty eats, local makers, live tunes, and that unbeatable market buzz. 

The Trews at AREA 506 | May 17
The Trews are back in Saint John, and they’re taking over the Container Village for one loud, beer-in-hand kind of Saturday night. Seems like a pretty good way to kick off the season’s waterfront concert vibes! General admission is $40, or grab a $60 VIP ticket for deck views and your own bar access. Doors open, volume up.

Roller Disco at Lord Beaverbrook | May 30
Sunshine Rollers is back and ready to groove - their first roller disco of the season hits the Lord Beaverbrook Rink on Friday, May 30. All ages can roll through early, or hang back for the adults-only spin from 8-10pm. Rentals available, helmets required for the under-12 crowd. Pro tip: fill out your waiver ahead of time to skip the lines and hit the floor faster.

Ribfest 506 | June 12-15
Four full days of BBQ bliss are headed for McAllister Drive, and this year’s Ribfest 506 is bigger, smokier, and saucier than ever. Expect ribs, music, local vendors, and that unmistakable backyard-party-on-a-parking-lot vibe. Bonus: they’re still looking for vendors and hiring staff for the summer, so whether you grill or craft, now’s the time to jump in.

Got an Event to Share?

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday we shared this pleasant scene that was taken on a beautiful early spring day at Hammond River Bridge #2! It won’t be long until people are splashing around and cooling off at this very spot. Shout out to the one anonymous person who correctly guessed where we were!

Tag @sjtoday.ca 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 knows to put the cheese on first when assembling a boxed taco at home (gets melty that way) 🧀.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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