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Good morning Saint John! It’s hump day… and a camel beauty contest just disqualified a bunch of contestants for Botox and fillers. So while you’re humped over your desk this morning, just remember… at least yours is natural 🐪.

Here’s what we’re hearing today:

🎂 Happy birthday Kellie Harrison!

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

For a lot of Saint John families, the YMCA is just part of life.

Maybe it’s where the kids learned to swim. Maybe it’s the place you go to clear your head on a treadmill after work. Or maybe it’s the one place in the city where fitness, family time, and community all happen under the same roof.

Right now is a great time to jump in.

The YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick is offering $0 joiner fee on new memberships until March 31, so you can start swimming, lifting, joining group fitness classes, or finding your wellness groove again without paying the usual sign-up cost.

Your membership also includes access to three local locations - the Saint John Regional Y, Irving Oil Field House, and the Glenn Carpenter Centre.

If getting active again has been on your mind, this is a great time to start. Become a Member Today.

🚧 Bridge season is back

Just when you get used to breezy rides over the Harbour Bridge, construction season rears its ugly head. Starting March 23, a section of Harbour Passage between Hilyard Street and Fort LaTour is closing so crews can work underneath the bridge ramps.

The bigger story here is what isn’t happening. No long-term lane closures are planned on the bridge this year. You’ll still see the odd short-term lane reduction and some ramp closures as work continues through 2028, but nothing like the multi-month headaches we’ve been dealing with.

There could also be brief full bridge closures, capped around 20 minutes, so expect the occasional short delay.

🩺 Women’s health bookings just got easier

Horizon just rolled out online booking for the Women’s Health Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which means you can now book appointments yourself at horizonnb.ca/book. No referral needed, but providers can still book on your behalf if that’s easier.

Appointments are available most Thursdays from 8:30am to 2pm and cover things like pap tests, family planning, and period concerns.

It’s part of a broader push to modernize booking across the system, with a goal of fewer missed appointments, shorter wait lists, and one less thing to put off.

🚨 Think before you click 

Feels like we’ve been hearing a lot about scams lately, and now Saint John Police are adding their voice to it as cases keep piling up. Canadians reported more than 112,000 fraud cases last year, with losses topping $704 million.

What’s changed is how convincing this stuff has gotten. Fake websites, cloned voices, even deepfakes are being used to impersonate banks, government, businesses, and sometimes even people you know.

If there’s one tip to live by it’s slow down. Unexpected messages asking for money, info, or urgency should all be cues to pause, not panic. Never send money, gift cards, crypto, or personal details without verifying who you’re dealing with.

If something feels off, it probably is. And if you do get caught up in something, report it. You won’t be the only one.

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

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination | March 20
PRUDE Inc. is hosting a community gathering Friday from 12–1:30pm at Market Square (3rd floor, Unit W301) to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The lunchtime event focuses on reflection, conversation, and ongoing work toward a more inclusive Saint John, with space for learning, dialogue, and community connection. All are welcome to attend and take part.

Timeless – Boys & Girls Club History Talk | March 21
Local author Carl A. White will be at the Saint John Public Library Saturday at 1pm to present Timeless, a look at how the Boys & Girls Club movement in Saint John helped shape youth programming across Canada. The free talk explores the organization’s local roots and national impact, with copies of the book available for purchase following the presentation.

Right Good Clothing Swap + Pop-Up | April 4
A fresh closet without the price tag is the idea behind the Right Good Clothing Swap happening April 4 at the Trojans Clubhouse on Sandy Point Road. Ticket holders can trade in pre-loved pieces and leave with up to 10 new-to-them items from a curated community collection, while a free vendor market downstairs brings music, drinks, and a mix of local sellers into the space.

May Day Tea at Lily Lake | May 2
The PSAC Saint John Regional Women’s Committee is hosting a May Day Tea on May 2 at 2pm at the Lily Lake Pavilion, marking International Workers’ Day with a focus on labour rights and women’s leadership. The event features PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa as keynote speaker, with proceeds supporting Hestia House. Tickets are $15 or $100 for a table of eight.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

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. It’s the time of year where we just want more flowers in our life, but for now we’ll have to just settle on the painted ones. Do you know where this flower lives? Hit reply with your best guess and we’ll name the location and corrects answers in Friday’s issue.

Tag @sjtoday.ca on Facebook to get your photos featured!

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who spits the best game in town 🐪.

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher