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Good morning, Saint John! We’re giving your inbox the long weekend too. After today’s issue, SJ Today is shutting things down until Tuesday, August 4, so everyone can get outside and enjoy a massive few days across the region and province!
In today’s issue:
Saint John’s $50M power play 🥅
NB makes it easier to dig up family dirt 🔎
The long weekend starts here ☀️
Happy long weekend!!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
SPONSORED
Everybody has an East Side Mario's order.
Maybe it's Chicken Parm. Maybe it's a mountain of pasta. Maybe you're just there because you know the Garlic Homeloaf is coming before anything else.
Whatever brings you back, there's a good chance it's been way too long. So next time somebody asks what's for supper, make it easy. East Side Mario's is proudly locally owned and operated, serving up all your Italian favourites, generous portions and enough Garlic Homeloaf to make everyone at the table happy.
NEWS NOTES
🏒 Nearly $50M locked in for new rec facility
Saint John’s long-discussed multipurpose recreational facility just took a giant leap off the drawing board. Ottawa announced Wednesday it will contribute up to $29.8 million toward the project, with the City chipping in another $20 million. Planned beside the Irving Oil Field House, the new facility will include two ice surfaces, a library and dedicated space for community support services, all connected to the existing field house. The two buildings will also share an integrated heating and cooling system designed to help Saint John inch closer to its net-zero targets. The announcement brings nearly $50 million in committed funding to a project the City has been trying to move forward for years. Ottawa and the City must still sign the formal funding agreement.
🚧 Water Street closes for festival weekend
AREA 506 gets things started between King and Duke at noon Thursday, July 30, while the remaining section from Duke to the cruise terminal closes July 31 for International Culture Fest. Both festivals will fill the waterfront through Sunday, with the full road reopening by 8am Monday, August 3. Drivers will need another route, but anyone arriving hungry, ready for music or looking to spend an afternoon travelling the world without leaving Saint John should be in excellent shape.
🕵️ New Brunswick history gets easier to snoop
If you’re curious about what your ancestors were getting up to, you now have a much better rabbit hole. The Provincial Archives of New Brunswick has launched a new search platform offering faster access to more than one million historical vital statistics records, including births from over 95 years ago and marriage and death records over 50 years old. Users can also track requests and access new self-service tools, with online payments coming soon. The archives’ searchable photo collection has also jumped from roughly 2,200 images to more than 150,000 in less than a year. New Brunswick first put historical vital statistics online in 1998 and has logged 44 million searches since 2008, so apparently digging through family business is already a provincial pastime.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
THURSDAY
AREA 506 Festival | July 30 to August 2
AREA 506 takes over the Saint John waterfront for four nights of live music, headlined by The Dead South Thursday, Soul Asylum Friday, Marianas Trench Saturday and The Glorious Sons Sunday. Kathleen Edwards, Crash Test Dummies, Wheatus, Wolf Parade and a packed lineup of Canadian and local artists are coming too. Single-day, two-day and weekend passes are available.
Saint John Alpines vs. Fredericton Royals | July 30
The Saint John Alpines are back at Memorial Field Thursday night for a key home matchup against the Fredericton Royals. Grab a seat, cheer on the home team and enjoy a summer evening of local baseball as the Alpines look to defend their home turf. First pitch is at 7:30pm.
Brundage Point Weekly Market | July 30
Shop produce, preserves, baking, crafts and foods from around the world at the Brundage Point Weekly Market. Vendors set up from 1pm at 4 Ferry Road in Grand Bay-Westfield, with live music and plenty of reasons to stay after the shopping bag is full.
Concert in the Common | July 30
Ethan Ash plays a free outdoor set from 7pm to 8pm on the Rothesay Common stage. Bring a chair or blanket and park across the road at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Bad weather moves the concert to the Wells Community Centre at 75 French Village Road.
Astronomy by the Lake | July 30
Look up this Thursday as the YMCA's Astronomy by the Lake series continues with a hands-on session all about astronomy equipment. Learn the differences between telescope types, how to use one properly and why a good pair of binoculars can be one of the best tools for exploring the night sky. Weather permitting, the evening may also include outdoor skywatching and telescope demonstrations. Runs 6-8pm at the Glenn Carpenter Centre and is open to YMCA members.
FRIDAY
New Brunswick Marathon Weekend | July 31 to August 2
Grand Bay-Westfield hosts a full weekend on the move, starting with Friday’s Family Mile at Flavours and a Saturday morning community bike ride. Sunday brings the main event, with a marathon at 8am, 25K at 9am and 13K and 5K races at 10am. The road-and-trail course loops through the community, with food, drinks and finish-line medals waiting afterward.
BBQ for BGC Kids | July 31
Scholten’s Loch Lomond is firing up the grill from 11am to 3pm in support of BGC Greater Saint John. Stop by 835 Loch Lomond Road for lunch, with all money raised helping fund programs for local children and youth. Fly or Dine tickets will also be available.
Hampton Brewing Outdoor Concert Series: Garrett Mason | July 31
Hampton Brewing Co.'s Outdoor Concert Series continues Friday with Juno Award-winning blues guitarist Garrett Mason. The son of Canadian blues legend Dutch Mason, Garrett has built a reputation for fiery guitar work inspired by everyone from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Buddy Guy. Bring a lawn chair, grab a pint and settle in for an evening of live blues under the stars. Music starts at 8pm at Hampton Brewing Co., 64 Robertson Rd.
SATURDAY
International Culture Fest | August 1-2
Take a trip around the world without leaving Water Street during the Saint John Newcomers Centre's International Culture Fest. The free, family-friendly celebration features live music and dance from more than 20 countries, a Cultural Village showcasing local cultural organizations, international food vendors, hands-on activities for kids and plenty of opportunities to meet neighbours from around the globe. The festival runs 11am-4pm both days on Water Street alongside AREA 506, turning the waterfront into one big multicultural street party.
SUNDAY
Celebrate New Brunswick Day | August 3
Celebrate New Brunswick Day with an evening of music, games and local stories at the Arts & Culture Park in Quispamsis. Enjoy live Celtic music from Farraige, giant lawn games with prizes, sweet treats from Taste-T-Treats, then join local storyteller David Goss for a guided Walk and Talk exploring Kennebecasis Valley legends and folklore. Free family fun runs from 6:30-8:30pm, with a rain location at the qplex's McCluskey Brothers Conference Centre.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
YOUR PICS
@SJTODAY
📍 On Wednesday we shared this pic of a brick wall with some unique features, but it turns out they’re not thaaat unique. We got a ton of guesses about where in the city this particular wall and icon is, but only a few correct answers. Shout out to Ann L., JMR., Lora S., and Lynn K. for knowing it’s St. Marks United Church on the west side!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:06am | 🌇 8:53pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 00:58 AM(Thu 30 July) | 7.56 m(24.8 ft) |
Low Tide | 7:16 AM(Thu 30 July) | 1.23 m(4.04 ft) |
High Tide | 1:23 PM(Thu 30 July) | 7.23 m(23.72 ft) |
Low Tide | 7:30 PM(Thu 30 July) | 1.54 m(5.06 ft) |
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who’s ready to celebrate our province by doing more than just being…in this place 🙄.
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher