📵 Phones off the school supply list

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Good morning, Saint John! A truck spilled 120 tubs of cheese balls across a California freeway last week, and drivers stopped to scoop up the survivors. Why can’t a truckload of cheezies magically appear on the MacKay? Nothing dangerous…just a light dusting of orange goodness for a better Monday.

In todays edition:

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Most of us have walked past Place Fort La Tour without ever stopping in. Now might be a good excuse to change that. 

They're among more than 110 museums, heritage sites and galleries taking part in Summer of History, a province-wide campaign that rewards New Brunswickers for getting out and exploring. Every participating visit comes with a contest code for weekly prizes, plus a shot at free admission to participating sites all next summer and a $500 gas card. 

Not bad for a day out close to home.

Phones are flunking out 📵

When New Brunswick students head back to class next Tuesday, September 8, cellphones will be staying out of sight.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 must keep personal devices put away all day. High school phones are banned during class this fall, then for the full school day beginning in February. Exceptions apply for medical and learning needs.

Social media will also be blocked on school networks, while licensed daycares will cap educational screen time at 30 minutes. Children under two get none at all, so it’s back to blocks, books and staring at the kid across the snack table.

Kingston treatment centre opens soon 🛏️

A new live-in addictions treatment facility on the Kingston Peninsula is expected to welcome its first residents this fall, beginning with 35 beds.

Operated by Edgewood Health Network, the centre will treat adults living with complex substance use and behavioural addictions. Residents will stay for four to six months, receiving counselling, education and practical skills to support their recovery.

The province says the facility will open gradually while staff are hired and a therapeutic community is established. Another 15 beds are expected to come online next year, eventually bringing the centre to 50.

Company’s staying over 🚢

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas arrives later this morning at 10am with about 2,000 passengers and won’t leave until 4pm Tuesday. That’s 30 hours of “So, do the falls actually go backwards?”

We can help! Advertise with us and be seen by readers enjoying their morning coffee!

Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!

MONDAY

Catchball in the Park for Women | August 31
Catchball NB is bringing a casual women’s game to Rothesay Common from 7–8:30pm. No experience is needed and all skill levels are welcome, making this a fairly painless way to meet some people and move around on a Monday night. Registration is available here.

TUESDAY

Saint John Exhibition | September 1–5
The Saint John Ex packs five days with midway rides, farm animals, live shows, food vendors, fireworks, chainsaw carving, model trains, Science East, LegoVille and plenty more at Exhibition Park. Admission and daily attractions are free, while ride bracelets are available every day. Gates open from 2–11 PM Tuesday through Thursday and noon–11 PM Friday and Saturday, with opening-night fireworks set for 10 PM Tuesday, weather permitting.

Music in the Park: The Last Call | September 1
The Last Call closes out Quispamsis’s Music in the Park season with a free concert from 7–8 PM at the Arts & Culture Park. Bring a lawn chair and, if the weather turns, head to the McCluskey Brothers Conference Centre at the qplex instead. The show is presented with KV Music Fest.

WEDNESDAY

3rd Annual Artisans in the Atrium | September 2
More than 20 local vendors fill the Market Square Atrium with handmade goods, artwork and specialty products from 9 AM–4 PM. Admission is free, the cruise ships are in, and there should be plenty of locally made temptation waiting inside.

Family Movie Series: Wicked | September 2
Elphaba and Glinda take over the big screen at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village at 6 PM. The outdoor screening is free, family-friendly and presented by DP World, so bring something comfortable to sit on and prepare to spend the evening in Oz.

THURSDAY

Brundage Point Weekly Market | September 3
Local vendors gather with produce, baking, preserves, crafts, international food and live music. The market runs Thursday afternoon at the Brundage Point River Centre, 4 Ferry Road in Grand Bay-Westfield.

FRIDAY

KV Music Fest | September 4
KV Music Fest celebrates its 20th anniversary with Colin James, The Trews, Toque and Raglan Road outside Vito’s KV. Gates open at 5 PM, the music starts at 5:30 PM and the 19+ festival runs under two large tents until 11 PM. Tickets are $115 plus tax and fees, with food available inside and complimentary shuttle service offered.

SATURDAY

Tacos & Tequila | September 5
Tacos, tequila and live music from El Tata y Los Taqueros take over the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village beginning at 2 PM. The afternoon is free and all ages, though only some members of the family get the tequila.

📍 What's happening beyond today's highlights?

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Obediah Francis, “Oobie” to his friends, has perfected the household treat-begging position. Frankly, we’d hand over the whole bag. 🐱

📸 We know your camera roll is full of your furry friend living their best life around the region, so hit reply and send us your favourite shot of them out and about!

Today’s Tides 🌊

🌅 6:444am | 🌇 8:03pm

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who uses their phone with cheesy fingers 🧀!

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher