👙 The great Saint John cover-up

Good morning, Saint John! A bunch of Colonel Sanders’ personal stuff went up for auction Tuesday, including his pressure cooker, black bow tie and a handwritten recipe that KFC insists was probably just for stuffing. But the real bombshell…the bow tie was a clip-on. Forget the 11 herbs and spices, that may have been the Colonel’s most closely guarded secret.

Here’s what else we’re hearing today:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🏘️ Belyea Village clears another hurdle

A plan to replace the former Hilton Belyea Arena with 195 rental units has moved one step closer after Saint John council unanimously approved first and second reading Monday. The three-storey townhouse development would roll out over eight to 10 years, with rents expected to start around $1,300 to $1,350 and some units designed for seniors and accessibility. Nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, parking and losing one of the neighbourhood’s few recreation spaces. Developer Ali Farahani said the proposal was trimmed from 214 units to preserve more green and shared space, with picnic areas, a walking path and one new tree required for every unit. The project still needs third reading before the shovels can officially start hitting the dirt.

🦽 Rockwood’s trails get more accessible

Rockwood Park’s rocks, roots and hills are opening up to more people with the arrival of two all-terrain wheelchairs now available to book for free. The ePush is an electric-assist chair operated with help from an attendant, making it a solid choice for hills, uneven ground and longer adventures. The eTrike is built for users with upper-body mobility and can be powered manually, electrically or with a bit of both. Together, they’re designed to help people with limited mobility explore the park’s rugged trails, gravel paths and outdoor spaces with family and friends. Bookings are available until October, and first-time users will need to complete a brief orientation before heading out. Reservations can be made online.

👙 The great Dominion Park cover-up

The long arm of the local law got itself tied in a knot after an awkward call at Dominion Park beach Saturday. A lifeguard asked Lacey Tompkins to cover up, police were called and an officer repeated the request, despite being unable to identify what rule she had broken. Tompkins complied, then filed a complaint. The city says it has no regulation prohibiting topless sunbathing, while Saint John police acknowledge exposed breasts aren’t considered nudity under the Criminal Code. A civil-liberties expert confirmed women have the same right as men to go topless in public. That leaves Saint John officials caught with their policy down and Tompkins with a fair question about why her chest apparently required more government oversight than the average pothole. ($)

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Here are some more events sent to us by our readers. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.

BBQ for BGC Kids | July 31
Scholten's Loch Lomond is firing up the BBQ in support of BGC Greater Saint John, with all proceeds helping fund programs for local children and youth. Stop by for lunch, grab a combo and help support local kids while you're at it. Runs 11am-3pm at 835 Loch Lomond Rd.

Latimore Lake Cats NB Day Yard Sale | August 1-3
Support Latimore Lake Cat Rescue by browsing eight tables of donated treasures, filling a bag of clothing for just $3 and enjoying a BBQ lunch. Everything is by donation, with proceeds helping care for local rescue cats. The sale runs daily from 9am-2pm at 26 Susan Dr.

Celebrate New Brunswick Day | August 3
Head to Quispamsis for an evening of live music by Farraige, giant lawn games, lemonade, cotton candy and more. At 7:30pm, local storyteller David Goss leads a Walk and Talk sharing Kennebecasis Valley legends and folklore. Free family fun runs from 6:30-8:30pm at the Arts & Culture Park.

Monarch Butterfly Monitoring Blitz | August 6
Join Nature NB at the Saint John Public Gardens to help monitor monarch butterflies and milkweed as part of an international community science project. No registration or experience is needed, and the data collected helps researchers protect one of North America's most iconic pollinators. Runs from 1-3pm.

Fundy Sea Shanty Festival | August 7-9
The Fundy Sea Shanty Festival celebrates five years with three days of waterfront concerts, more than 30 free pop-up performances, workshops, artisan vendors and maritime storytelling throughout Fundy-St. Martins. Organizers also want visitors to know the Hardscrabble Covered Bridge closure does not affect access to the festival, with all events proceeding as planned.

There's plenty more happening. Find all this week’s local events here.

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Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know the answer. If you think you know this place, hit reply and give it your best guess. We’ll reveal the location and correct answers in Friday’s issue.

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who prefers fried chicken by Felix 🍗

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher