🍷 This feels like a Friday

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Good morning, Saint John! Fridays are great because for most of us, it’s the end of the work week. But unless you’ve trained your dog to vacuum and load the dishwasher, the real shift is just getting started 🧺.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Have a fantastic weekend!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

The 2025 Outlander clearance has officially landed at Loch Lomond Mitsubishi.

All in-stock, fuel-powered 2025 Outlanders now come with FREE winter tires, rims and sensors PLUS a FREE remote start… Because nobody wants to say we should’ve got the remote start.

Award-winning Super All Wheel Control. Full-size SUV comfort. Serious winter confidence. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading this year, this is the window.

But move quickly. It all ends March 2. Drop by 1265 Loch Lomond Road or browse inventory online.

🏃 Province says let’s move it

The province has launched a new physical activity plan called Let’s Get Moving New Brunswick!, aimed at getting more of us off the couch and into, well… motion.

Right now, only about a third of NB youth hit the daily activity target, and roughly half of adults meet weekly guidelines. That puts us near the bottom nationally.

The pitch isn’t just sports. It’s walks, stretches, gardening, dancing in the kitchen.

So if you want to be a good New Brunswicker, go for a walk today.

🏒 Sea Dogs change course behind the bench

The Saint John Sea Dogs are making a late-season switch, parting ways with head coach Travis Crickard, with assistant Mark Lee also stepping aside.

Crickard had been with the organization since 2021 and was behind the bench for the past four seasons, including the 2022 Memorial Cup run. But with the Dogs sitting 20-30-5-0 and 15th overall in the QMJHL, the club has decided it is time for a different voice.

Brian Casey takes over for the remainder of the season. He brings university and Junior A coaching experience, a decade of pro hockey in Europe, and two Spengler Cup wins with Canada’s national team. There is also a family tie. His son and nephew have both worn a Sea Dogs jersey.

🏆 Top clicks of the week

Monday - Cops launching senior safety program
Tuesday - Quadball coming - here's how it works
Wednesday - Flair flights return to SJ in April
Thursday - Tickets for 2027 World Curling in SJ on sale

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🦪 Shucking For Saint John

Tonight from 7–9pm, Executive Chef Stephanie from the Saint John Ale House will be behind the bar shucking oysters for a buck. But this isn’t just a Friday night special.

She’s heading to Toronto in March to compete in the John Bil Oyster Shucking Competition, a national event held in memory of Jon Bil, a three-time Canadian champion who spent summers working at Grannan’s Seafood Restaurant and mentoring young hospitality professionals in Saint John. Bil was also a close friend of Ale House owner, Jesse Vergen.

“Jon was a legend and a very dear friend of Jesse’s, and it was a very big loss to the restaurant community,” Stephanie said. “It is an honour to compete in a competition that is held in his memory.”

As for why she signed up in the first place?

“I love oysters and thought it would be fun to shuck around with some competitive peers.”

Training isn’t glamorous.

“A lot of back and arm exercises,” she said.

Before Stephanie faces what she calls “the best of the best from across Canada,” she’s warming up at home with Buck-A-Shuck nights tonight, February 27, and again March 6.

What can people expect if they show up?

“As many oysters as they can eat,” she said. “And some sassy shucking and commentary if that’s what you’re into.”

She says she’s grateful for the opportunity to represent both the city and the restaurant. “It is my honour to get to compete with them.”

So, enjoy mollusks and help a local chef shine on a national stage with a little Saint John swagger in her oyster knife.

Can’t make it tonight? Round two goes March 6.

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WHAT WE’RE DOING THIS WEEKEND

FRIDAY

Port City Power vs Tri-City Tide | February 27
Rothesay Netherwood School hosts Port City Power as they take on the Tri-City Tide on Friday, February 27 at 7pm. The home game features youth, adult and courtside ticket options for fans looking to catch fast-paced basketball and a spirited Saint John versus Moncton matchup inside the RNS gym.

Glow Night at Broken Pieces Rage Room | February 27
Broken Pieces Rage Room, 10 Tim Street Unit 3, hosts its recurring Glow Night on Friday, February 27, turning smashing sessions into a neon-lit experience. Under blacklight, participants safely break items in a high-energy, two-hour stress-relief session designed for memorable nights out in Saint John.

The Rose Ball Swing Dance | February 27
Kent Theatre welcomes Saint John Swing Dance for The Rose Ball on Friday, February 27 with a 7:30pm drop-in lesson followed by social dancing from 8-10pm. This pay-what-you-can fundraiser invites dancers Uptown for a rose-inspired evening celebrating community and the love of swing.

SATURDAY

Coldest Night of the Year Walk | February 28
Market Square hosts the Coldest Night of the Year Walk on Saturday, February 28 from 5-7:30pm. Participants can choose a 2k or 5k route to raise funds supporting Outflow Ministry and local homelessness initiatives, gathering beforehand to receive fundraising toques before heading out across the city.

Golden Girls The Laughs Continue | February 28
Imperial Theatre presents Golden Girls The Laughs Continue on Saturday, February 28 at 2pm and 7:30pm. This 18+ stage comedy revisits the iconic characters in an adult-themed theatrical production, returning to Saint John after a previous sold-out run.

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📍 The couple of weeks it seems we’ve been exploring never previously discovered sections of the Saint John Region because IDs of our Where are We Wednesday posts have been sparse. This week we hit the Rothesay Common for some pickup and the answers came out of the woodwork! Shout out to Sharon K, Ed D., John M., and Gina W. for getting it right! 

Tag @sjtoday to get your photos featured!

🌅 7:05am | 🌇 6:08pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who’s pooch can at least fetch ‘em a beverage at the end of the week 🧃.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher