🏓 More Pickleball Courts

Good morning, Saint John! It’s International Day of Happiness and a Friday -coincidence? I think not! Add in those spring vibes, and we’ve got the ultimate trifecta. Enjoy the weekend!

Here’s what’s happin’ this morning:

• Rothesay Arena revamp announced 🏟️

• What you clicked this week 🔗

• Who’s ready for fried chicken? 🐔 

Let’s get cookin’!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🎾 Old Arena Gets a $7M Glow-Up

Rothesay’s old rink is getting a second act…and this time, it’s more than just ice time. Thanks to a $7 million federal investment, the over 50-year-old Rothesay Arena is being transformed into the Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex (say that five times fast).

The new space will feature indoor courts, green upgrades, and room for multicultural and intergenerational programs, basically, a hub where a pickleball-loving grandparent and a soccer-playing teen might just cross paths.

MP Wayne Long and Mayor Nancy Grant made the big announcement, celebrating a project that’ll keep Rothesay residents active, engaged, and maybe even learning a new sport. No word yet on whether they’ll preserve the faint smell of Zamboni exhaust for old time’s sake.

🚧 King Street Closed, Buses Detoured – Plan Accordingly!

Heads up, King Street is, once again, taking a timeout from traffic today (March 21) as crews work at 99 King. A concrete truck will be doing its thing from 7am to 5pm, meaning no through traffic between Charlotte and Germain. Pedestrians? You’re good to go. Businesses? Still open. Drivers? Expect detours.

Saint John Transit riders, take note: no buses on King Street or City Hall stops from 6am-4pm. Routes will shuffle through Charlotte, Broad, and Water streets instead.

🏆 Top Clicks of the Week

My favourite part of the week is seeing what grabbed your attention most. This week’s top clicks prove you’re all about speed, sharks, and sprucing up the city. From race results to megalodon teeth (yes, really), here’s what had everyone buzzing.

Monday: 32nd Annual Pete’s Pub St. Paddy’s Day Dash Results
Tuesday: Six Megalodon Teeth Up for Grabs!
Wednesday: New Design Layout for Rain Park
Thursday: Our Region, Our Home Regional Inclusivity Campaign

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FOODIE FRIDAY

🐔 YES Fried Chicken Opens Tomorrow - Get Ready for a New Local Fried Chicken Fix! 🍗

If you're like me, every once in a while, you get a hankerin' for fried chicken. You know, that moment when you’re scrolling through Facebook and bam!...you stumble upon a post and think, “Whoa, this is it!”

If you’ve missed the YES Fried Chicken posts, consider this your wake-up call. They open TOMORROW(March 22), and I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some crispy goodness. The countdown is on, and while I haven’t been able to get a chat with them in person yet (they’re busy making chicken), the hype on Facebook has got me thinkin’ about wings and things…so let’s go try some. 

So, what’s cooking? It looks like YES Fried Chicken has all the comfort food staples, crispy fried chicken, fries, rice, and...wait for it...spaghetti. Yup, spaghetti. If that doesn't scream "Jollibee vibes," I don’t know what does. They’re also serving up burgers, family size portions, and all the other sides you can imagine!

Tomorrow, they’ll be serving up the goods at Prince Edward Square starting at 11am, and if you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit. I can’t say for sure if you’ll fall in love at first bite... but it’s fried chicken - so it’s worth a shot! 

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

Port City Beer Run | May 31

Run first, beer later…or just skip to the good part. The Port City Beer Run is celebrating 10 years of bringing Saint John together for a little exercise and a lot of craft beverages, and this year’s event is set to be the biggest yet.

Lace up for a 5K or 10K run starting at Moosehead Breweries, then cruise along Harbour Passage before crossing the finish line at the Marco Polo Cruise Terminal - where the real party begins. Foaming over with excitement, the finish line leads straight to an epic brew fest, where 20+ local producers will be pouring craft beer, cider, wine, and spirits.

Not into running? That’s what Fan Tickets are for! You can get straight to the good stuff at noon, no sneakers required.

This event isn’t just about beer (though there’s plenty of it). Proceeds go to Top Corner Hockey SJ, a program that gives kids a shot on the ice, who might not get to play otherwise.

🚨 Early bird pricing ends March 31! Secure your spot now and save before prices go up.

📚 Less Running, More Reading?

For those who prefer a good book to a good jog, here’s where you can rest your legs and feed your mind this weekend.

Meet the Author: Zev Bagel | Saturday, March 22
Swing by The Write Cup Bookstore Café this Saturday, 11am-4pm for a visit with Zev Bagel, author of multiple books, including his newest cozy mystery, The Romanian Cleaning Lady. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or just love a good story, it’s the perfect chance to grab a drink, get a book signed, and chat with the author himself.

Saints Rest Launch | Saturday, March 22
Get ready for a dose of gritty noir as local author Luke Francis Beirne launches Saints Rest, his latest thriller. Follow private eye Frank Cain as he peels back the layers of a case that’s darker than it seems—where the fog of Saint John hides more than just the view. Join Beirne at the Saint John Free Public Library at 1pm for a deep dive into crime, mystery, and suspense.

Got an Event to Share?

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday, we were hanging out at YSJ for an upcoming story and finally got the chance to check out the L’Arche Saint John art exhibit – YSJ: Home! Congrats to Rachel, Gail, Cindy, Holly, Gina, and Amy for guessing exactly where we were! Whether you're coming or going, take a moment to enjoy these incredible pieces at the airport before they’re gone!

Tag @sjtoday.ca 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 knows their way around a pickleball court! 🏓

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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