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🌡️ The dog days of summer
SJ Today
August 12, 2025
In partnership with:
Good morning Saint John! Dog days of summer continue, and my pooch Frankie thinks the garden hose is a five-star water park. Anyone else? 🚿
Here’s the lowdown for the day:
Burn ban closes parks and trails across the region 🚫
New biz teaching you How to Dog 🐶
Two more local festivals kick off this week 🎉
Let’s get at it!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
SPONSORED
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NEWS NOTES
🚫 Burn ban and park closures stretch across the region
With extreme dry conditions turning the province into a tinderbox, a burn ban is now in effect everywhere throughout the province and our region. That means no open fires, no fire pits, and no fireworks. BBQs (wood or propane) at home are fine, but leave camping, ATVs, and spark-making hobbies for another time.
In Saint John: Trails at Rockwood, Tucker, and Little River Reservoir are closed (beaches still open). Dominion Park remains open for now.
In Grand Bay-Westfield: Town crews are limiting mowing, tree cutting, and use of gas-powered tools, and extra firefighting resources are on standby.
If you see smoke or fire, call 911 immediately. Let’s all keep the sparks out of summer.
🚧 McAllister Drive narrows for eight weeks
Starting Wednesday (August 13), McAllister Drive will have one lane open each way between Mountainview Drive and Loch Lomond Road for water infrastructure upgrades. Expect slower traffic but no business closures. On August 15, northbound lane closes for a day at Mountainview; southbound lane closures run August 16 to October 5. Please drive safely and watch for crews.
🐕 Tin Can Beach gets a tail-wagging upgrade
Saint John’s south-end pups don’t have to hit pause on playtime…a temporary off-leash dog park just opened at Tin Can Beach. This furry-friendly spot fills in while Rainbow Park’s bark park gets a makeover (and a shiny new school). Once the dust settles, the off-leash fun will move back closer to home. Meanwhile, leash up your best bud and hit the coast. The dogs are calling, and they want you to bring the treats.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL BUSINESS
🐾 New biz helps Saint John dogs mind their manners
A new business in Saint John is aiming to make life easier for dogs and their humans.
How to Dog, run by Leigh Giberson, offers one-on-one training sessions with a focus on pups who struggle with anxiety, reactivity, or other behavioral challenges. Giberson was inspired by her own mastiff mix, Orion, whose fear-based aggression led her to develop confidence-building, play-based techniques. She now works with clients across the city to help both ends of the leash feel more connected and confident. Learn more at howtodog.ca
SPONSORED
Be the Talk of the Town! 🏙️
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
🎈Saint John West Days ready to rock the West Side
Saint John West is buzzing with excitement this week as the community comes together to celebrate its rich history and bright future and they’ve packed the calendar with something for everyone during Saint John West Days.
Starting tomorrow and running through Saturday, here’s what’s on tap:
Wednesday, 6:30pm — Opening Ceremony at Lancaster Plaza with Sidekick, urban dance, Casa Latina specials, and more.
Thursday — Throwback seniors’ bingo from 11am to 3pm and Play Ball for PRO Kids at 6pm.
Friday, 1-4pm — Seaside Lawn Bowling Open House. Give it a try (any turkeys involved?).
Friday night — Dance party at Legion 69 from 9pm to midnight.
Saturday, 8-10am — Coffee with a view at Castle Fallsview Funeral Home, featuring local storyteller David Goss.
Saturday, 12-4pm — Family Day at Carleton Community Centre with inflatables, llamas, axe throwing, face painting, and live music.
Saint John West is rolling out the red carpet to show off its past and future…and maybe teach you how to lawn bowl while they’re at it. Get the full schedule and latest updates here.
🎨 Third Shift spins art into uptown nights
Art takes over the streets of uptown this weekend as Third Shift: Revolve runs Friday-Sunday. The theme this year is all the constant motion in our lives: ideas, creativity, community, and change swirling around us like a dance. And what better way to explore that than through art?
Presented by Third Space, Saint John’s local artist-run centre, uptown transforms into a glowing playground of interactive installations, performances, projections, and workshops. It’s contemporary art with a twist, designed to get you moving, thinking, and connecting with the city in fresh, surprising ways.
From night-time exhibitions to community fairs, artist talks, and even a karaoke after-party, this free festival offers something for everyone. Wander the streets, dive into workshops, or just soak up the vibes. Rain or shine, Third Shift is lighting up the city with bold ideas and some local heart.
Ready to dive in? Check out the full festival guide here and installation map here and explore the city in a whole new way this weekend.
*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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📸 Wade Fotherby | 📍 St. Martins
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SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 2:23 AM(Tue 12 August) | 8.02 m(26.31 ft) |
Low Tide | 8:40 AM(Tue 12 August) | 0.67 m(2.2 ft) |
High Tide | 2:47 PM(Tue 12 August) | 7.9 m(25.92 ft) |
Low Tide | 9:01 PM(Tue 12 August) | 0.84 m(2.76 ft) |
Eyes on You!
Want to catch Saint John’s attention? Baseline ads in SJ Today put your message front and center, mingling with the latest news and stories. It’s a simple, effective way to be seen by locals. Ready to stand out? Let’s make it happen!*
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone loves to run through a sprinkler! 💦
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher