🧯Outdoor Fire Regulations

Good morning Saint John! This is SJ Today, and unlike Monday mornings, we’re actually something to look forward to. Quick, snappy, and guaranteed to make your day a little better. 💥

In todays edition:

• New bookstore/cafe coming to Market Square 🤓

• Mealtime can be stressful - free expert help is available 🥣

• New outdoor fire bylaw being introduced at SJ Council tonight 🔥

Here we go!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

⛸️ Library Now Lending Skates for Uptown Rink

Heading to the outdoor rink at Ihtohli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space but missing skates? The Saint John Free Public Library at Market Square now has a few pairs available to borrow—adult sizes 7 and 11, plus one children’s pair. Supplies are limited for now, but with enough interest, the program could grow. The library is also accepting donations of gently used skates to help expand the collection. 

🍎 Free Dietitian Consults for Parents!

Is mealtime a battlefield at your house? Between picky eaters and messy meals, we feel your pain! Luckily, all this week, you have the chance to book a free 20-minute session with a registered dietitian to get personalized advice, food tips, and strategies for smoother mealtimes.

📅 January 26-31, 2025
⏰ Free 20-minute private sessions (limited spots!)
📞 Call 506-643-7239 to register (English sessions only)

It’s your chance to walk away with expert advice that’ll make meals less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. Spots are limited, so don’t wait—sign up today!

👏 Grand Bay-Westfield’s Newest Crown Jewels

A royal round of applause for Cory Ryan and Deputy Fire Chief Doug McLean, who’ve snagged the King Charles III Coronation Medal! At a January 15 ceremony at Brundage Point River Centre, these hometown heroes were celebrated for their stellar contributions to our community. Medals were handed out with flair by Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy and MP John Williamson. Shining achievements, a little royal sparkle—does this officially make them local legends?

LOCAL BUSINESS

📚 New Bookstore Café in Market Square Invites You to Write, Sip, and Relax

A new cozy spot is coming to Market Square this February—The Write Cup, a non-profit bookstore café by local entrepreneurs Amanda Evans and Shannon Dykens. The duo, behind Partridge Island Publishing, aims to create a welcoming space for readers, writers, and coffee lovers. With comfy seating, a large harvest table for writing groups, and a focus on Atlantic Canadian authors, The Write Cup will offer a unique community atmosphere. Plus, enjoy coffee from Whitney Coffee Company and Have Fun Coffee while you explore their expansive collection of East Coast literature. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to write or a local spot to connect, this bookstore café will have something for everyone! (CBC)

Saint John’s Growth at a Glance: 2024 by the Numbers

Saint John is on the rise! The city's growth continued strong in 2024, with impressive numbers from the One Stop Development Shop. Here's a quick look at some key stats:

🏗️ Building Permits: A total of 707 building-related permits were received in 2024, with a construction value of $156 million—up from an average of $113.5 million in the past 5 years.

🏠 Residential Units: 435 new residential units were created in 2024, surpassing the 5-year average of 361.

📈 Future Growth: The city’s looking ahead with 20 upcoming projects that will add over 1,600 new residential units to the mix.

Saint John’s future is looking bright, with more growth on the horizon and exciting development underway.

🧀🍟 Don’t Miss the Gravy Boat—Poutine Week Sets Sail Today!

Ahoy, Saint John! Uptown Poutine Week is here, and it’s time to dive into cheesy, gravy-covered goodness. Check out these tasty creations:

• VEGolution’s Donair Poutine: Vegan tofu, donair-seasoned fries, house gravy, and donair sauce.

• Union House’s Poutine Picks: The "Deluxe" with bacon, candied jalapeños, and BBQ chicken, or the "Loaded" with sour cream, guac, and tomatoes.

You can check out the full list of poutine goodness here. Grab your appetite and your stretchiest pants—it’s time to sail into flavour!

THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETINGS

⚖️ Saint John Council Meeting

On the agenda for tonight’s Saint John Common Council meeting:

• Community Arts Board Funding for Winter 2025
  Council will consider funding proposals to support local arts initiatives during the winter season.

• Scheduling Public Hearings for Zoning Amendments
  Public hearing dates will be set for amendments related to properties on City Line, Bayside Drive, and Loch Lomond Road.

• Outdoor Fires By-Law
  The first and second readings of a proposed by-law to regulate outdoor fires in the city are on the table.

• Medical Education Scholarship Proposal
  A continued discussion on creating a scholarship program in partnership with the NB Medical Educational Foundation.

See the Full Agenda

The meeting begins at 6 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. You can attend in person, watch the live stream online, or tune in on Rogers TV.

📋 Grand Bay-Westfield Council Meeting

Grand Bay-Westfield has a council meeting scheduled for this evening:

The town's website states that agendas are typically posted by 4:30 PM on the Friday before council meetings. However, as of Sunday evening, the agenda for the January 27 meeting has not been posted.

Based on the Council Meeting Schedule, the meeting will include:

• Quarterly Strategic Plan Report

The meeting begins at 7pm in the Community Centrum: Grand Bay Room. You can check for updates to the agenda on their website and watch the meeting via live stream.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

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

TUESDAY

Foggy Docs - The Ride Ahead | January 28
Join Foggy Docs for the third film in their inspiring five-part series. The Ride Ahead follows 21-year-old Samuel Habib as he tackles the challenges of adulthood with the help of disability activists. After the screening, stay for a Q&A with SJ Today’s Geoff Walsh and Karen Powell, a local disability advocate, who’ll share her insights on accessibility in Saint John and beyond. The event takes place at 7:30pm at the BMO Studio Theatre in Uptown Saint John, with tickets available for $15 plus fees.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday Trivia Nights | January 29
Test your trivia skills and enjoy a fun night out every Wednesday at 7pm at Drifter Brew Co. in Rothesay! Join for a chance to win exciting weekly prizes while enjoying great company. And don’t miss the special offer—buy a pint and get wings at half price! Call 506.216.2611 to book your table for up to six players.

THURSDAY

Giving & Receiving Feedback at Work | January 30
Fusion Saint John, in partnership with NBCC, is hosting a professional development session on giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. Facilitated by Diane Burt, Ed.D, this session will take place on Thursday, January 30, from 8:15-9am at Envision Saint John. This is a no-cost opportunity, but registration on Eventbrite is required. Coffee and snacks will be provided!

FRIDAY

Josephine: A Burlesque Cabaret Dream Play | January 31
Experience the award-winning one-woman biographical musical that blends cabaret, theatre, and dance to tell the captivating story of Josephine Baker, the first African-American international superstar. A remarkable figure of the 20th century, Baker’s journey comes to life in this unforgettable performance. The show starts at 7:30pm, with tickets priced at $42.50 for adults and $37.50 for members.

SATURDAY

Introduction to Muay Thai Seminar | February 1
Join Muay Thai New Brunswick for an unforgettable day of training at Victory Jiu-Jitsu in Quispamsis, starting at 9am. Special guest instructor Kruyai Ghafar will lead a 30-minute Muay Boran + Q&A session, followed by 1-hour classes for kids (7-12) and teens/adults (13+), plus open pad work. The seminar is $25 to participate or $35 with an optional Thai lunch ($10 for authentic Chicken Pad Thai). Spectators are welcome, space permitting.

Got an Event to Share?

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SIDE NOTES

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who could use a little more local in their life. 🌍

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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