🎞️ The credits keep rolling in NB

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Good Morning, Saint John! If your 2026 goal was to get in shape but you didn’t know why, perhaps it’s to compete in the Canadian armwrestling nationals. They’re coming back to New Brunswick this summer for the first time in nearly 20 years, turning Moncton into the country’s capital of extremely serious table gripping. Time to start training that elbow. 💪

Here’s what else we’re pumping this morning:

Here we go!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Vanessa King wakes up most mornings in Smithtown to a wall of fog outside her window.

“I wake up and there’s fog in front of my house. It’s creepy… but beautiful,” she says.

Most people would call that weather. Vanessa thinks of it as a genre.

Her new miniseries The Slack, premiering this week on Bell Fibe, leans into that mood. Shot in St. Martins, Hampton and Smithtown, the series follows Mae, a natural resources officer recovering from a brain injury while trying to solve the disappearance of a fisherman. Mae can’t fully trust her memory, and the mystery unfolds inside her head as much as it does on the water.

Vanessa co-wrote the script and stepped into the director’s chair for the first time, drawing from her own experience recovering from a brain injury after a car accident.

“It not only changes who you are as a person, your personality actually changes, but your perception of the world around you also changes,” Vanessa explains.

The series was filmed in just four days last October with an all–New Brunswick crew. The cast reads like a local all-star lineup, led by Saint John-raised Lenny Parker alongside Maestro Fresh Wes, Clem McIntosh and Fredericton performer Ryan Griffith.

But for Vanessa, the show is bigger than a premiere. After 22 years working in New York, she’s part of a growing wave of film professionals returning home to build a real industry here. One that keeps talent, jobs, and training in the province.

And she’s already helping make that happen.

👀 Click here to read how The Slack is turning Fundy fog into a blueprint for New Brunswick film

The Saint John Region is shaped by the people who call it home, including those who have chosen to build a new life here. Our Region, Our Home shares real stories from newcomers who are helping to strengthen our communities and create a deeper sense of belonging across the region. By listening, learning, and reflecting, we can all better understand one another and continue building a place where everyone feels welcome.

🥫 Valley food basket gets room to grow

Big upgrade news for a place that’s been carrying a lot of weight for a lot of local families. The province is investing up to $370,000 to expand and modernize the Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket, helping it keep up with rising demand across the valley. The project means a larger, better-organized space for receiving and storing food, faster hamper prep, and dedicated room for workshops on budgeting, nutrition, and meal planning. The expansion aims to make services more efficient, respectful, and reliable at a time when more residents are leaning on community help to get by.

🚢 The scale of Saint John’s tanker traffic

An industry report says more than 450 oil tankers call at Eastern and Atlantic Canadian ports each year, including about 115 in Saint John alone. Despite the traffic, serious tanker pollution incidents in the region are rare. The last major spill tied to an oil tanker happened in Nova Scotia more than 45 years ago, and the last recorded minor spill was in Labrador 25 years ago. Safety upgrades like double-hull ships, local marine pilots, and dedicated spill response crews are credited for keeping accidents uncommon.

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⚖️ Quispamsis Council Meeting | 6pm

Quispamsis council meets tonight, but the full package wasn’t posted by our deadline. We’ll dig into the items once it’s released and break it down in tomorrow’s issue.

See the agenda (when posted)

Meeting starts at 6pm at Town Hall, with the public welcome in person or watching live on YouTube.

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🎭 Theatre Talk Tuesday

Hamlet | February 3
Shakespeare gets a sharp, modern remix as National Theatre Live brings Hamlet to the big screen at BMO Studio Theatre. This dark, stylish reimagining blends humour, tragedy, and big emotional swings in a nearly three-hour cinematic stage experience. A rare chance to catch world-class theatre without leaving the city. Show starts 7:30pm.

A Sip of Strength Mental Health Coffee House | February 6
Local artists take the stage for an evening of music, warmth, and open conversation around mental health. The coffee house vibe is intentionally cozy, focused on connection and breaking stigma during the winter months. A welcoming night built around support and community. Runs 6–8pm at the BMO Studio Theatre.

The Heterosexuals | February 7
A sharp, sold-out comedy hit lands at the Imperial with a satirical deep dive into straight culture told through undercover “research.” Blending storytelling and absurd humour, this one-person show has toured internationally and built a cult following. Expect big laughs and playful discomfort. Show starts 7:30pm.

Coming Soon….

Between the Lines | February 19–21
Rothesay Netherwood School presents its Senior School Musical, Between the Lines, in Théâtre Susan B. Ganong. Performances run Thursday through Saturday at 7:30pm, with a special 2pm matinee on Saturday. Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult, the show follows 17-year-old Delilah as a favourite fairy tale begins talking back, blurring fantasy and real life while exploring friendship, self-acceptance, and finding magic in everyday moments.

March Break Movie Camp | March Break
InterAction School for the Performing Arts hosts a theatre camp where kids create and star in their own music video, building confidence and creativity along the way. The week blends performance, teamwork, and big imagination, ending with a finished on-screen project families can celebrate. A fun spotlight moment while school’s out. Registration now open.

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📸 Saint John Energy | 📍 City power poles following the Groundhog Gale in 1976

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🌅 7:41am | 🌇 5:34pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

First Saint John schooner sets sail ⚓
On this day in 1770, the Betsy became the first schooner built on the St. John River to head out to sea. Constructed at Portland Point, she sailed for Massachusetts and helped kick off Saint John’s long shipbuilding story.

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves lifting their phone first thing in the morning 📱.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher