What’s lurking on Princess? 💀

Good morning, Saint John! In honour of Spain’s World Cup-winning goal against Argentina in the 106th minute yesterday, we’re instituting 106 minutes of extra time to enjoy your coffee before starting the work week. Your boss has not been consulted.

In today’s edition:

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🌉 Avoid the bridge on the way home

The Harbour Bridge will fully close twice this evening while crews carry out jacking operations. Both closures will happen sometime between 6pm and 10pm and last about 20 minutes.

Lane closures are also planned on the bridge approaches, so expect delays or take another route if you’d rather not spend Monday evening admiring brake lights.

💍 Skip the parking lot jewellery sale

Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP are warning about a suspected scam involving strangers, sob stories and supposedly valuable jewellery. A man recently tried selling someone a gold ring in a River Valley Drive parking lot, while a similar pitch involving a gold chain and gas money was reported in Sussex.

The sketchiest encounter happened in Saint John, where a man and woman offered someone a ring, then stole his necklace.

Police say to avoid unsolicited jewellery deals, especially when there’s pressure to act quickly. Anyone with information can call Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP at 506-757-1020.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride takes over Saint John

Saint John Fundy Pride is in full swing, with events happening across the city through July 26. The week ahead includes drag bingo, queer prom, live music, theatre, lip-sync battles, brunch and plenty more.

Saturday is the big one. The Pride Vendor Market and live entertainment run throughout the day at Market Square, followed by the 24th annual Pride Parade at 1pm. It starts at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal and finishes at Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space, where the celebration keeps going. Then Rêve, stars from Canada’s Drag Race and a big lineup of local drag talent hit the waterfront for the Prismatic after party. Check out the full Pride Week schedule here.

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🌿 The Forgotten Fern finds its people

Artist and soapmaker Sasha Selby has opened one of Uptown’s most wonderfully unusual new shops at 96 Princess Street. The Forgotten Fern, Herbs and Oddities is filled with botanical perfumes, pinned insects, etched vintage mirrors, handmade soaps, pottery, D&D goblets, dragon skulls and teapots with the timeless message, Not Today Satan.

Sasha moved here from Vancouver last year after spending a decade living and raising her kids aboard a boat. Starting over in Saint John wasn’t exactly the plan, but the city quickly felt right.

“For a smaller city, it doesn’t feel that small,” she said. “There’s always something going on here, and the art community is huge.”

She also plans on opening the shop’s back room to D&D campaigns, book clubs, craft nights, tarot readers and maybe even a stitch and bitch (knitting club), giving people with common interests somewhere to find each other.

“Where do you meet people as an adult?” she said. “I want to be part of the community.”

Sasha says the door is always open to curious shoppers, local artists, quirky gift hunters and anyone with an idea for using the space.

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Here are a few things to look forward to this week. Don’t forget to send us your events any time!

MONDAY

Monday Music Night with Ron Maloney | July 20
Ron Maloney brings songs from the 1940s through the ’80s to Trinity Anglican Church at 6:30pm, backed by his keyboard, vocals and enough musical ground to keep several generations happy. The hour-long concert takes place at 115 Charlotte Street, with freewill offerings accepted.

Studio Ghibli’s The Cat Returns | July 20
The Imperial Theatre heads to the wonderfully weird world of Studio Ghibli with a screening of The Cat Returns at 7pm. The animated adventure follows a teenager whisked into a kingdom of cats after saving one from danger. It screens at 12 King Square South.

TUESDAY

Try-It Tuesdays with Saint John Swing Dance | July 21
Market Square is trading window shopping for swing dancing from 6pm to 7:30pm. Saint John Swing Dancers will teach the basics before giving everyone time to try their new moves. No partner or experience is required, so two left feet are perfectly acceptable. It’s free in the Market Square Atrium.

Music in the Park with Eddie Chase and Graffiti Four | July 21
Eddie Chase and Graffiti Four take over the Arts & Culture Park in Quispamsis for a free outdoor concert from 7pm to 8pm. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for an evening of live music. Rain moves the show inside to the McCluskey Brothers Conference Centre at the qplex.

WEDNESDAY

Canadian Ball Hockey Association Nationals | July 22 to 25
Canada’s top ball hockey players descend on Saint John for four days of national championship action beginning Wednesday at 9am. Teams will battle their way through the tournament before champions are crowned Saturday.

THURSDAY

Summer Astronomy Series | July 23
Spend Thursday evening looking well beyond the usual Saint John scenery during the Summer Astronomy Series. The YMCA is hosting this skyward series at the beautiful Glen Carpenter Centre with introductions to the stars, astronomy equipment, astrophotography basics and more!

FRIDAY

Glow Night at Broken Pieces Rage Room | July 24
Broken Pieces Rage Room is dimming the lights and turning up the glow for a Friday night smashing session. Glow Night begins at 5pm in Saint John, giving you a bright and slightly destructive way to shake off the week.

SATURDAY

Musquash Paddle | July 25
Celebrate 20 years of the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area with a guided paddle through one of the Bay of Fundy’s most remarkable ecosystems. The group launches from 175 Shipyard Road at 8:30am, with wildlife, tidal landscapes and a close-up look at the protected estuary along the way.

Youth Interview Preparation and Job Readiness Workshop | July 25
Young job seekers can sharpen their interview skills during a free workshop for ages 15 to 30 beginning at 9am. Participants will practise communicating with confidence, preparing for interviews and making a stronger first impression. It takes place at 1 Market Square, Suite W301, with advance registration required.

📆 Explore the full community calendar.

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Chase out for a stroll in Queen Square West

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🌅 5:55am | 🌇 9:04pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who has worked hydration breaks into their work day 🥤.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher