🏀 Nothing but net

Good morning Saint John! Somewhere in Tennessee, a bear has broken into the same candy store four times, which feels less like a crime spree and more like a loyalty program. Sometimes those candy cravings are just unbearable. 🍬

Here’s what we’re unwrapping this morning:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🏀 Hoop dreams…again

Pro basketball is giving Saint John another shot and this time it’s starting smaller and smarter. The Port City Power are back on the court next month as part of The Basketball League, after a previous version fizzled before tip-off last year.

The new plan ditches big, expensive barns in favour of intimacy. Games will be played at UNB Saint John, not TD Station, where ice conversions alone can cost thousands per night. The league says a few hundred fans in a packed gym beats chasing thousands in an oversized arena.

The goal now isn’t flashy. It’s sustainable. Fill the seats, build a following, and make hoops stick this time.

🏫 Grand Bay school site doesn’t make the grade

The bell is ringing on the former WorkSafeNB building as the future home of a new K–5 school for Grand Bay-Westfield. The province has officially ruled it out after a feasibility study found converting the aging office space into a modern school would cost more and take longer than building new.

That sends planners back to reviewing other options, with Colonel Nase Boulevard once again shaping up as the local favourite. The province has money set aside for site selection and early design work, with construction now targeted for 2027 and an opening pencilled in for 2029. After years of false starts and near-misses, the message is familiar but important. The school is still happening. Just not there. ($)

🏕️ Summer brain activated

It’s January. It’s dark. Someone just scraped ice off their windshield. And yet, today we’re all being gently invited to mentally time-travel to summer. Seasonal camping bookings with New Brunswick Parks officially open today, running from January 13 through January 27, which means it’s perfectly acceptable to start picturing campfires, beach days, and arguing over who forgot the marshmallows.

This first round is for seasonal sites, with regular nightly camping bookings opening in February. Consider this the soft launch for summer optimism. You don’t need sunscreen yet, but you might suddenly feel the urge to talk about lakes, trails, and that one perfect campsite we had that one year.

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Theatre Talk Tuesday 🎭

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour | January 22
Big mountains, big stories, and plenty of armchair adventure roll into the Imperial Theatre for one night only. The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings a curated lineup of outdoor, adventure, and human-powered storytelling to the big screen. The 7pm screening is $37.50 and perfect for anyone craving travel, thrills, and inspiration this winter.

Circus Incognitus | January 24
A one-man circus with big laughs and jaw-dropping skill lands at the Imperial Theatre for a family-friendly afternoon show at 2pm. Performer Jamie Adkins blends clowning, juggling, balancing, and physical comedy into a playful, old-school style that works just as well for kids as it does for adults. Tickets start at $25, with family pricing available.

Games & Grooves | January 25
Résonance New Music turns up the heat on a winter afternoon with percussionists Joël Cormier and Jocelyn Blanchette, delivering a rhythm-driven performance that’s playful, bold, and full of energy. Presented as part of the Virtuoso Series through a partnership between Saint John Theatre Company and Symphony New Brunswick, the show starts at 2pm at the BMO Studio Theatre. Tickets are $35, or $20 for students.

Ghost Light | January 28–31
A heartfelt, hometown-rooted one-man show takes the stage at the BMO Studio Theatre. Written and performed by Shawn Wright, this intimate production reflects on family, memory, and the moments that shape a life in theatre, with warmth and humour woven throughout. Presented by Saint John Theatre Company, performances run nightly at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $35–$45.

Coming Soon…

Hamlet | February 3
Shakespeare’s classic gets a sharp, modern edge in this National Theatre Live screening starring Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera. Witty, stylish, and darker than you might expect, this reimagining follows a young Hamlet caught between power, privilege, and that very famous question. Part of the SJTC Extras series, the 7:30pm screening takes place at the BMO Studio Theatre, presented by Saint John Theatre Company in partnership with National Theatre Live. Tickets are $25, or $20 for subscribers.

March Break movie makers camps are back
Lights, camera, March Break. InterAction School of Performing Arts has opened registration for its popular Movie Makers camps, where kids don’t just watch movies — they make them. Running Monday–Friday, March 2–6, the camps are split by age (4–6 and 7–11) and guide young creatives through storytelling, performing, and on-screen fun. It all happens at their German Street studio, and spots tend to disappear fast once registration opens.

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📸 @sjxposed | 📍 January nights, uptown

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Today’s Tides 🌊

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher