🚽 Draining Your Account

Good morning Saint John, this is SJ Today! And while we can’t always keep it together, we try to at least keep it interesting. 🤭

Here’s what you need to know today:

• Port Saint John sayin’ ‘cool story, bro’ 🧊

• The Sewist is patching things up for fabric hunters 🪡

• Unclogging costs going up in Grand Bay-Westfield 🪠

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🏗️ Heads Up - King Street Traffic Note

Attention, King Street shoppers! Despite the crane relocation today between Charlotte and Germain, businesses on King Street are still open and ready for your visit!

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., expect some lane closures as the crane moves for the 99 King project. But don’t worry—sidewalks will stay open, and all the shops are ready to greet you.

Drive safely, follow detour signs, and remember: Saint John’s local businesses are always open for you!

💩 Sewer Bills Are Flowing In!

Grand Bay-Westfield residents, your 2025 sewer bills are flowing into mailboxes this week. If you’ve moved recently and didn’t update your info, don’t worry—it’s not lost, just stuck in the pipes.

This year’s bill is up to $380—just $10 more than last year. That’s about the cost of a package of whatever toilet paper is on sale this week. But hey, small price to pay for keeping things flowing smoothly, right?

Bills are due upon receipt, so pay by April 1st, or interest will pile on faster than a sewer backup after Taco Tuesday. No one wants that.

Step Into the Spotlight at Fundy Fringe! 🎭✨

Got a show-stopping performance idea? The Fundy Fringe Festival is back for its 13th year, and applications open Friday, January 31! Whether you’re bringing comedy, drama, music, or something wonderfully weird, this is your chance to be part of Saint John's most unpredictable, offbeat, electrifying and fun festival!

Submit your sensational show at www.fundyfringefestival.com and get ready to fringe like you mean it!

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LOCAL BUSINESS

🚢 Here Comes That Big Chill at the Port

Americold, the global heavyweight in refrigerated logistics, is bringing a $75-million cold storage facility to Port Saint John, creating a first-of-its-kind import-export hub. Translation? More frozen fries, seafood, and whatever else needs to stay chilly while zipping between Canada, Europe, South America, and beyond. With backing from DP World and CPKC, this project means more shipping, more jobs, and more economic growth—all while making our port an even hotter (or, in this case, colder) global player. Construction kicks off soon on this seriously cool business in Saint John!

🧵 The Sewist Unravels Plans for a New Fabric Store

The thread’s in the needle, and it won’t be long before The Sewist has the fabric room to match! Jacquie Woodruff, the creative force behind Saint John’s favourite sewing school, is adding a fabric store right below her Uptown studio at 62 Water Street, opening this spring.

After years of sewing up a storm in the community, Jacquie is bringing the fabric directly to the people—filling the gap left by Fabricville’s closure last year. The store will offer everything from apparel fabrics to quilting supplies, making it a one-stop shop for beginners and seasoned sewists alike.

“We’re not just adding a store, we’re building a hub for creativity,” says Woodruff. Get ready to stitch, sew, and create your next masterpiece with high-quality materials right at your fingertips.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

FUNDY WINTERFEST
🗓️ It's week three with only one major event this weekend, but lots of events throughout the week next week. Here's what we're looking forward to!

🎆 Rockwood Park Glows
Saturday, February 1, 4-7pm | Rockwood Park – Near the Lily Lake Pavilion
Kick off February with a magical evening at Rockwood Park! Enjoy a variety of activities including trolley rides, face painting, and First Nations storytelling. You can try out snowshoeing, ice skating, and even watch a grand fireworks finale at 7:00pm. A true winter celebration with something for everyone. Be sure to register ahead of time!

🏒 Sea Dogs Skills Competition
Tuesday, February 4,  5:30-8pm at the Peter Murray Arena
Come cheer on your favourite Sea Dogs at the 3rd Annual Skills Competition! Watch for the fastest skater, hardest shot, and more. You can even test your own skills with the "Shoot From Centre Ice" challenge for a prize! Enjoy live music, food, and the chance to meet the team during the autograph session. Non-perishable food donations for a local food bank appreciated.

⛸️ Costume Skate
Wednesday, February 5, 6-8pm at the Rothesay Common
Step back in time to the Winter Carnival on the Common in 1945! Dress up in your best costume and enjoy a fun skate on the Common ice. It's a free, family-friendly event, and hot chocolate will be served! Don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item to support the KV Food Basket.

❄️ Winter Carnival on the Common
Saturday, February 8,  2-4pm at the Rothesay Common
Celebrate over 80 years of Winter Carnivals with ice dancing, snowshoeing, tractor rides, face painting, and more! Take in the international ice dance performance at 2:30pm, followed by public skating. Enjoy a heritage walk and join in the fun with kids' activities like balloon animals and marshmallow roasting. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, February 9.

🍀 Leprechaun Leap Returns for Round 2!

Better grab your shamrocks - the Leprechaun Leap is back for its 2nd year, and it's ready to bring more green than a four-leaf clover in a St. Paddy’s Day parade! This fun-filled event invites you to hop between local pubs, collecting tokens for drinks, food, and plenty of festive fun along the way. And this year, it’s bigger and better—more locations, more chances to leap, and a whole lot more celebrating!

Ooh and don’t forget about the golden twist! Thanks to Saint John Airport and Flair Airlines, you could win 2 round-trip flights with luggage included! ✈️

Call your friends, mark your calendar, and get ready for a day full of fun, shenanigans and community spirit, all while supporting a great cause—the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. This event is already 25% sold out, so don’t wait to leap into action!

Got an Event to Share?

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸

Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Do you know where this poster hangs? Only true locals will know the answer. This may be the trickiest one yet. Reply with your best guess or let us know on FB or IG

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

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who needs something interesting to read. 📰

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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