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Good morning, Saint John! Divers off England have recovered a 162-year-old bottle of Guinness from a shipwreck. Researchers hope to recreate the 1864 recipe and determine whether the original is still drinkable. We’ll happily hold up our glass for a sample, especially if it means a trip across the pond.
Here’s what we’re hearing today:
68 apartments nearly shovel-ready 🔑
Rothesay puts conditions on growth 🚦
Four days of west side pride 🎉
Let’s get it!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
SPONSORED
Summer camp grew up with you 🛶
Campfires, waterfront activities and a couple of nights where someone else handles the cooking. Camp Glenburn is opening the cabin doors to adults 50+ for its first-ever Grand Adventurers camp from August 26–28.
This new two-night getaway lets campers choose their own pace. Explore the outdoors, get creative, spend time by the water or simply relax and enjoy being at camp again. Comfortable accommodations, meals and all programmed activities are included.
Come as a couple, gather a group of friends or set out to meet a few new ones. Private accommodations may also be requested, subject to availability.
Grand Adventurers is open to anyone 50+ for $230 per participant. Space is limited and accommodations are first come, first served.
NEWS NOTES
🏗️ West side apartment project moves ahead
Plans for 68 apartments beside the Jamia Riyadhul Jannah mosque are moving closer to construction. The City of Saint John issued a foundation permit last month and is reviewing a second application covering the rest of the building, as reported by allNewBrunswick. The Islamic Society of New Brunswick hopes to break ground within a month at 920 Fairville Boulevard, a two-acre parcel subdivided from the mosque property. The development would be the society’s first housing project and include an unspecified number of affordable units. Project representative Shabahat Shakeel says discussions are underway with CMHC, NB Housing and other organizations, with the society interested in developing more affordable housing down the road. The project’s estimated cost has not been released. ($)
📊 Rothesay wants growth with guardrails
Rothesay residents are happy with where they live, but they don’t want growth getting ahead of the roads, services and housing needed to support it. Of 631 survey respondents, 95% rated life in Rothesay as good or excellent. Asked to place the town’s future on a scale from zero for preserving it as-is to 10 for strategic growth, the average answer was 4.4. Growth management and traffic tied as the biggest concern, followed by taxes and affordability. Trails and walkability topped the priority list. Housing produced the clearest warning: only 16% rated the availability of affordable housing as good or excellent, while 33% called it poor. Several residents said seniors want to downsize but can’t find suitable smaller homes, condos or apartments in Rothesay.
💬 The Results: Where Saint Johners Make A Splash
Yesterday, we asked where you most like to jump in the water when Saint John turns up the heat. New River Beach made the biggest splash, while Dominion Park and “somewhere else, completely” finished in a dead heat. The comments also delivered plenty of write-in contenders, from Mispec and Bayshore to Gondola Point and the Deep Hole.
29% picked New River Beach
21% chose Dominion Park
21% said somewhere else, completely
11% voted for Tucker Park
7% picked The Res
4% chose Renforth
3% voted for Meenan’s Cove
3% picked Lily Lake
2% chose Westfield Beach
1% voted for Fisher Lakes
Some of your comments:
“New River Beach is great for cooling off on a hot day. You can walk for ages on the beautiful sand, then cool off just by getting your feet in the water.”
“Dominion Park is the best spot for evening swims. The sun sets directly in front of you.”
“Fundy Trail beaches, especially Long Beach.”
“Mispec Beach and Park, down Red Head Road. It should have been on your list. It’s not exactly a secret place.”
“Gondola Point Beach.”
“Bayshore Beach.”
“Crystal Beach.”
“The Deep Hole in Hammond River and The Cuts in Springfield.”
“Any pool for me. I’m not a freshwater swimmer.”
“Somewhere with clear water, please! I prefer to see my feet.”
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored. ($) indicates a third-party subscription may be required.
SPONSORED
Time to Shine! ☀️
Your business deserves the spotlight. Advertise in our newsletter and be part of the morning buzz!
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
WEST SIDE DAYS BEGIN!
Saint John West Days is packing four days with live music, family fun, community competition and a whole lot of west side pride. Here’s the complete lineup running August 12–15. Don’t forget to submit your events any time by clicking here.
WEDNESDAY
Sunset Social | August 12
Saint John West Days kicks off at Lancaster Plaza with an opening ceremony followed by live music from SideKick, Casa Latina specials and a performance from Urban Dance. The celebration gets underway at 6:30pm.
THURSDAY
Seniors’ Bingo | August 13
Saint John and Fundy Region Seniors are bringing bingo, lunch, entertainment and a 50/50 draw to Legion Branch 69 at 714 Wilson Street. Doors open at 11am and tickets are $12. Limited tickets remain, with Jean at 608-3318, Donna at 651-3359 or Patricia at 214-0774.
Market Place Ball Game and BBQ | August 13
Players of every skill level are invited to grab a glove and join the community ball game at Market Place Ballfield from 6–7:30pm. Friends, families and enthusiastic benchwarmers are welcome, with Rob Scott Insurance working the grill.
West Side Memorabilia Display | August 13
Take a trip through local history with a special collection of West Side memorabilia at Legion Branch 69. The display begins at 7:30pm at 714 Wilson Street.
FRIDAY
Seaside Lawn Bowling Open House | August 14
Give lawn bowling a roll during this open house at Seaside Lawn Bowling Club from 1–4pm. Newcomers can learn the game, pick up a few pointers and enjoy hot dogs from the grill. Flat-soled footwear is required.
45s Card Tournament | August 14
Cards, friends, laughs and a little friendly competition are waiting at Assumption Centre, 721 Chapel Street. The tournament runs from 1–4pm, everyone is welcome and admission is $5, with prizes up for grabs.
Carleton Forces Booster Dance | August 14
DJ Niles Miles takes over Assumption Centre for a Friday night filled with dancing and favourite tunes from 8:30–11:30pm. Tickets are $10 in advance from any Carleton Allstar athlete or $15 at the door. Details are available at [email protected].
SATURDAY
Coffee and Goss | August 15
Start Family Day with coffee, treats and tales from Saint John West storyteller David Goss. Castle Funeral Home hosts the gathering from 8:30–10:30am at 309 Lancaster Avenue, with stories served on the deck overlooking the falls, river, lower west side and Uptown.
West Side Family Day | August 15
The week wraps with four packed hours at Carleton Community Centre from 12–4pm. Expect live music, inflatables, face painting, henna, a petting zoo, axe throwing, a 360 photo booth, cheerleading and a BBQ. The music lineup includes SideKick, DJ Niles Miles, Frank James and Austin Gautreau, Old Skool and Radio Factory.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸
Watch this spot every Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know. It may look like a close-up of a fly’s eye, but we promise it’s somewhere local. Think you recognize it? Hit reply with your best guess. We’ll reveal the location and name everyone who got it right in Friday’s issue!
Got cool local pics in your camera roll? Hit reply to share them with us, and we’ll feature them here!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:21am | 🌇 8:35pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 5:57 AM(Wed 12 August) | 0.51 m(1.67 ft) |
High Tide | 12:09 PM(Wed 12 August) | 7.79 m(25.56 ft) |
Low Tide | 6:19 PM(Wed 12 August) | 0.85 m(2.79 ft) |
Low Tide | 5:57 AM(Wed 12 August) | 0.51 m(1.67 ft) |
Reach Readers Daily!
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who knows the only shipwreck is having to get up for work on a Wednesday. 🍺
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher