❄️ Sidewalks are on thin ice

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Good morning, Saint John! It’s International Coffee Day…same daily grind, just with a holiday attached. Drink up!

Here’s the drip this morning:

Enjoy the day!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

No velvet rope, no guest list and, for today, no $5 price tag.

The refreshed Uptown VIP Card launches today, and every participating business has 10 complimentary cards to surprise customers throughout the day. No purchase is required, but quantities are limited.

The little card unlocks 20 offers at Uptown restaurants, retailers and businesses, covering everything from lunch and sweet treats to shopping, wellness and services. Simply show the physical card when making an eligible purchase to claim the deal.

Miss the giveaway? Cards are only $5 and stay valid through September 30, 2027.

See the offers and find participating Uptown businesses.

Good sports. Great support. 🥏

Saint John’s newest ultimate tournament has a packing list with a purpose…cleats, jerseys and tampons.

The inaugural Tampon Tournament brings nine teams from across the Maritimes to the Irving Oil Field House on October 3, with teams donating menstrual products to Code Red.

Organizer Lindsay Graves, an ultimate player for more than a decade, helped launch Saint John’s women’s league, Foggy Ultimate, this spring. The tournament grew out of the confidence and connections they found there.

“Someone suggested we host a women's tournament and we outlined it in minutes,” Lindsay shared with SJ Today. 

Founding member Brooke Cheeks volunteers with Code Red, making the local initiative a natural fit. It distributes free menstrual products through Saint John community organizations to help people facing period poverty.

“When we started brainstorming tournament ideas, Code Red came up almost immediately as an opportunity to support the women in our city,” Lindsay said.

Games run from 8:30am–4:30pm, with finals toward the end of the day. Spectators and donations are welcome throughout the tournament. Tampons are most needed, but pads and panty liners are welcome too. Your throwing skills can stay home.

Snow clearing needs a backup plan ❄️

Saint John’s snow-clearing fleet is skating on thin ice. An independent audit found too little equipment and backup capacity to reliably meet city standards, especially on sidewalks.

Proposed fixes would add $520,200 to the 2027 operating budget. Three of four new sidewalk plows would help keep existing routes clear, delaying the planned expansion to 75% sidewalk coverage until winter 2028–29.

The priority is to clear what’s already on the list before making it longer. The audit is heading to council for review, but the spending still needs approval. ($)

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Weekend Preview

THURSDAY

Sustainable Saint John Relaunch | October 1
Sustainable Saint John is gathering people at the Saint John Arts Centre from 4 to 6pm to talk about what comes next for the city. Greg Hemmings will give the keynote, followed by a panel with representatives from the airport, city, port and Bloom Funding. Admission is free, with light snacks, a cash bar and music. RSVP through the event listing.

Mark Drive Mini Forest Planting | October 1
ACAP Saint John could use a few more hands to turn 248 Mark Drive into a mini forest. Starting at 6pm, volunteers will plant native trees, shrubs and other plants close together to create habitat for birds and pollinators. No experience or equipment is needed. Wear closed-toe shoes, dress for the weather and bring water.

FRIDAY

Loch Lomond Villa Golf Tournament | October 2
The Loch Lomond Villa Foundation is heading to the course at 68 William Bell Drive in Hampton for its second annual tournament, beginning at 8:45am. Golfers of all skill levels can take part, with proceeds going toward improving life for Villa residents. Gather a team and find registration details through the event listing.

Grapevine Fall & Winter Baby and Kids’ Gear Sale | October 2–3
Little ones outgrow everything. Grapevine’s pop-up consignment sale at 37 McAllister Drive puts clothing, toys and gear from 200 local families in one place, sorted by size and style. The event is listed for 1 PM on both Friday and Saturday, making it a useful stop before you buy another winter coat at full price.

Games Night with Chroma NB | October 2
Chroma NB is opening its Carmarthen Street space for a free evening of board games, card games and low-pressure socializing. Guests ages 16 and older can choose from the games available or bring a favourite from home. The queer-friendly gathering runs from 6:30pm-8:30pm at 200 Carmarthen Street, with advance registration available online.

Halloween Handbuilt Pottery | October 2
Make something for the snack table before the Halloween candy takes it over. In this 6pm workshop, participants will hand-build a ghost serving plate and a pumpkin-shaped dipping bowl, then decorate them with underglaze. The pieces will be fired after class and ready for pickup later. No pottery experience is required.

Morning Glory: A Tribute to Oasis | October 2
Oasis fans can spend Friday night singing along with Morning Glory at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village. The all-ages tribute show begins at 8:00pm, with doors opening at 7:00pm. General admission tickets cost $32, while VIP tickets cost $48. All ticket sales are final.

WHARF RATS at Hampton Brewing | October 2
Hampton Brewing Co. is giving Grateful Dead fans a Friday night to stretch out. WHARF RATS play the first of two October nights of Dead music at the brewery, 64 Robertson Road, starting at 8pm. Expect familiar songs and room to dance among the fall leaves.

SATURDAY

Nutcracker Yard Sale and Bottle Drive | October 3
Clear some space in the trunk before heading to Rothesay. A multi-family yard sale at DATA/Rothesay Ballet School will raise money for this year’s production of The Nutcracker, with shoppers invited to bring refundables for the bottle drive. It runs from 8:00am-12:30pm at 63 Marr Road and admission is free.

Mrs. Roper’s Romp for Cancer | October 3
Pull out the caftans and costume jewellery for a Mrs. Roper-inspired fundraiser at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village. The Saint John chapter of the International Order of Mrs. Roper is hosting the romp in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. It begins at 5:00pm, with admission by a minimum donation of $25.

Saint John Flames Home Opener | October 3
The Saint John Flames begin their season against the Fredericton Express at the LBR. Puck drop is at 7pm for the first home game on the schedule and an early chance to see how the new season stacks up against a familiar rival.

SUNDAY

Black Beach BioBlitz | October 4
How much life can a group of neighbours find around the Musquash Estuary in one afternoon? ACAP Saint John is inviting people to Black Beach at 1pm to photograph plants, birds, insects and other finds for a community species count. Download iNaturalist before you go, charge your phone and wear shoes suited to the shore.

Saint John Sea Dogs vs. Halifax Mooseheads | October 4
Sunday afternoon hockey is back at TD Station as the Sea Dogs host the Halifax Mooseheads. Puck drop is at 3pm, leaving plenty of time to get home before Monday starts asking things of you.

🎟️ Looking for something else? Browse all of this weekend’s local events.

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📸 Fred Johnston | 📍 St. George

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who is enjoying a good brew this morning ☕.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher