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Good morning, Saint John! A truck spilled hundreds of gallons of syrup all over a California highway this week, shutting it down for nearly nine hours…so if your weren’t thinkin’ pancake breakfast before, they probably are now 🍁.

Here’s what we’re pouring over this morning:

Quick note before we get into it…yesterday we let a non-local ad sneak in. It came through our platform, but it still got past me. Clearly that’s not what we’re about and I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Thanks for being here!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

The Fundy Sea Shanty Festival returns March 26 to 28 to bring us the 2nd Annual Spring Tide Shantyfest, transforming uptown Saint John into a celebration of maritime music and heritage.

Expect soaring harmonies, a cappella sea songs, Celtic tunes, and lively pub performances across the Delta, O’Leary’s and more. There are workshops including knot-tying sessions, sea glass experiences, whiskey tastings, historical talks and more woven throughout the weekend.

Join us for an authentic East Coast experience as we say hello to spring in Saint John!

💧 Where the water flows

Most of Saint John’s drinking water doesn’t start at a plant…it starts out in the Loch Lomond and Spruce Lake watersheds.

The City just gave more than 4,800 hectares of that land official conservation status, locking in long-term protection on the forests, wetlands, and shoreline that feed the system.

Two things make this interesting. First, it pushes New Brunswick closer to its goal of conserving 15% of land by 2027. Second, it’s practical. Those landscapes act like a built-in filter, helping clean the water before it ever reaches treatment, which can help keep costs down over time.

Not something you think about every day, but worth keeping in mind while you fill the coffee pot or your water bottle this morning.

💼 A push to make pay less secret

A new provincial bill could take some of the mystery out of job hunting in New Brunswick.

The Pay Transparency Act was introduced this week, and if it passes, employers would be required to include salary ranges in job postings, won’t be allowed to ask about your previous pay, and can’t punish employees for talking about wages.

It’s aimed at tackling wage gaps across the province, especially for women and other groups who tend to be paid less on average.

Still early days, but it’s the kind of change a lot of people will notice pretty quickly if it goes through.

🎟️ Not everyone passed the river test

On Tuesday, we asked how long the Hammond River is… and the results were, let’s say, mixed.

The correct answer is about 40 km, and while some of you had it dialled in, others added a few extra kilometres for good measure.

We drew from everyone who took a guess, and one name came out on top.

Congrats to Ainsley S., who’s off to the 6pm Fly Fishing Film Festival at Wasted Day Brewing this Sunday.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

🛠️ Inside the City Market transformation

The City Market shared new renderings this week showing a redesigned interior centred around a new seating area, with plans for live music and more space to sit and eat.

And it’s not just on paper. Construction is expected to start soon, with vendor moves and changes already happening across the floor.

Here’s what we’re watching:

All of it feeds into a longer-term plan to rethink how the Market works day-to-day, especially in the middle of the floor where traffic has thinned out over the years.

It’s still early, but between the new seating, incoming vendors, and some bigger food options, you can start to see how they’re trying to bring people back in…and keep them there a little longer.

Get your brand in front of eager eyes. Partner with us for prime advertising opportunities!

WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY

Sleep & Menopause Workshop | March 19
Women navigating perimenopause and menopause can join Certified Menopause Coach Tammie Black Thursday evening in Hampton for a practical workshop focused on improving sleep during this stage of life. The session runs from 7–9pm at Balance & Beyond on Main Street and explores common challenges like night sweats, insomnia, and early waking, along with strategies to help create more restful nights and energized mornings.

TIFF Third Thursdays Film Series – Blue Moon | March 19
Hampton’s new TIFF Third Thursdays film series continues March 19 with a screening of Blue Moon, directed by Richard Linklater. The film starts at 7:30pm in the McLeod Community Room at the Summit Centre, with doors opening at 7pm. The monthly series brings a curated selection of Canadian and international films to the community, offering movie lovers a chance to catch festival favourites close to home.

SATURDAY

Live Music and Candy at the City Market | March 21

The Saint John City Market has a little something for everyone Saturday from 12–3pm, with live jazz from local duo Joe Hooley and Sebastian Fleet alongside a kid-friendly candy kabob station. While the music fills the market floor, kids can build their own sweet skewers using gummies and marshmallows. It’s a casual drop-in way to spend a couple hours uptown, especially if you’re already swinging through for lunch.

Cat Foster & Volunteer Info Day | March 21
Anyone curious about helping local rescue cats can stop by Global Pet Foods on McAllister Drive Saturday from 10am–2pm to meet volunteers from the Latimore Lake Cat Rescue. The drop-in event explains how fostering and volunteer programs work, while also collecting donations and offering a chance to spin for prize baskets. Organizers say even a spare room can help give a rescued cat a safe place to land.

Superstars of Wrestling - Luck of the Draw | March 21
Live pro wrestling lands on Loch Lomond Road Saturday night as a lineup of local and touring wrestlers hits the ring at RCCG Pavilion of Redemption Church. VIP doors open at 6pm with the first bell at 6:15pm, while general admission starts at 6:30pm with a 7pm bell. Expect a loud, high-energy night featuring championship bouts, big personalities, and plenty of crowd reaction.

Punks 4 Paws Benefit Show | March 21
Haven Music Hall hosts a punk show for a cause March 21 as Punks 4 Paws raises funds for the local SPCA. Bands including Neuroleptix, Baby Land, The Show, and Slugmilk will take the stage, with games, raffles, and merch also planned throughout the night. Admission is pay-what-you-can, with organizers sending 100% of proceeds to support local animal rescue efforts.

SUNDAY

Sew Your Own Easter Basket Workshop | March 22
The Sewist at 62 Water Street is hosting a hands-on sewing workshop Sunday from 9:45am–1:15pm where participants can create their own quilt-lined Easter basket. The session walks through the project step by step, making it suitable for people with some basic sewing experience. Batting, interfacing, and thread are included, while participants bring or purchase their own fabrics for the basket exterior and lining.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

📸 Olena Ivanova | 📍 Irving Nature Park

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who appreciates a short stack of local info in the morning 🥞.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher