⛷️ Winter is Back

Good morning, Saint John! Good news—just when you thought getting up on a Monday was hard enough, today you get to shovel, too! 💪

Here’s what’s going on today:

• Bus stops are back to normal Uptown 🚏

• Changes at Beer Bread 🍕

• KV Daytime Transit pilot on Quispam council agenda 🚌

Let’s go!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

❄️ Well, it’s a Snow Day!

Looks like it’s time to dust off the "work from home" excuse or just take the day off altogether! With snow piling up (and more on the way), it’s a good idea to check if your kids’ school is closed today. You can find the latest updates on school closures here.

We’re no meteorologists, but Environment Canada predicts the snow will wrap up around noon today, followed by temperatures dropping to minus 10 (-19 with the windchill). If you must be out, take care—plan ahead, slow down, and expect delays.

And when you're out braving the snow, tag us in your best winter shots on Instagram @sjtoday.ca! We want to see how Saint John is handling this storm!

🚍 Uptown Transit Stops Return Today

Good news for Saint John Transit riders! Starting today, transit stops at Kings Square North, King Street, and the bottom of King Street (City Hall) will reopen after months of construction detours.

A few changes to note: the Charlotte Street stop (beside RBC) is permanently closed—use nearby stops at King & Germain or Sydney Street at the Golden Ball. Riders on Route 21 (South End) will see a new stop on Charlotte between King and Princess.

If you're driving Uptown, be cautious—pedestrian traffic is expected to increase in the area.

💳 Plastic’s Back, Just in Time for the Snow!

ANBL and Cannabis NB have officially rejoined the 21st century—debit and credit are back, folks! After over a week of cash-only transactions, they flipped the switch, just in time yesterday as people were stocking up on storm chips and bevies.

No more scrambling for cash or fishing out change from the car console—payment life is officially back to normal. While ANBL and Cannabis NB are still tidying things up behind the scenes, it’s business as usual at the checkout.

LOCAL BUSINESS

🍷 Beer Bread Is Back (Soon!)

Big things are bubbling at Beer Bread Pizza – scratch that – Beer Bread Restaurant! With a two-week hiatus starting today, they’re gearing up for a reimagined debut on February 5. Expect a whole new vibe, thanks to their fresh menu, curated cocktails, and new executive chef Alex Newton, whose culinary chops hail from Italy and Vancouver. They're promising unreasonable hospitality and a dining experience worth the wait. We’ll share more details as their reopening gets closer, but in the meantime, snag a Valentine’s Day reservation to be among the first to experience the transformation!

THIS WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETINGS

⚖️ Saint John Council Meeting

On the agenda for the Saint John Common Council meeting this evening:

• South Bay Well Field Emergency Pump Purchase
  Council will review a recommendation to purchase an emergency pump for the South Bay Well Field to enhance system reliability.

• Housing Accelerator Fund Amendments
  Final readings for zoning and subdivision by-law amendments tied to the Housing Accelerator Fund, aimed at supporting new housing projects.

• Proposal to Expand Tuk Tuk Tours
  Discussion on a proposal to expand Stevie Go Go Tuk Tuk sightseeing tours into Saint John, with potential referral to the Chief Administrative Officer.

See the full agenda here.

The meeting begins at 6 PM in City Hall’s Council Chamber. The public is welcome to attend in person, watch online, or view on Rogers TV.

🏠 Quispamsis Council Meeting

On the agenda for Tuesday’s Quispamsis Town Council meeting:

• ICT Incubator for Youth Presentation
  A presentation by Isurabil Zakaria on establishing an ICT incubator for youth, with a staff report from the CAO for review.

• Rezoning Proposal for 236 Hampton Road
  Consideration of a rezoning application for properties at 236 Hampton Road from R1 to Integrated Development (ID) zoning, including proposed municipal plan amendments.

• KV Daytime Transit Pilot
  Council will review and discuss a letter to the Minister of Local Government regarding the 2025 Kennebecasis Valley daytime transit pilot project.

See the full agenda here.

The meeting begins at 6 PM in the Quispamsis Town Hall Council Chambers. Members of the public are welcome to attend or watch the live stream online.

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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!

TONIGHT

The Roast Michelle Petite | January 20
Prepare for a night of savage humour as Michelle Petite faces the fiery wrath of her closest friends at Wasted Day Brewing at 8pm. This one-night-only event follows the great Friar's Club Roasts tradition, featuring a lineup of roasters like Cive Lucas, Katelin Dean, Shane Ogden, and more. With special musical guests Port City Junk, Sarabande Strings, and DJ Analog, this darkly comedic evening is hosted by Jeff Pinnell. Pay what you can, with proceeds supporting Forward House.

TUESDAY

TIFF Film Selection: Anora | January 21
Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she marries the son of an oligarch. But when the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Catch this gripping film at Imperial Theatre as part of the TIFF series! 7:00pm, Tickets are $12.50.

WEDNESDAY

Comedy Time w/Austin & Dan | January 22
Join hosts Dan Theriault and Austin Hill at 8:00pm for a night of laughs at Five and Dime, featuring hilarious local comics. This pay-what-you-can show is your chance to enjoy live comedy and refreshing brews in a laid-back setting. Think you’ve got what it takes to take the stage? Shoot them a message and get on a future show!

THURSDAY

Texas Hold'em Poker | January 23
Join the Kennebecasis Legion Branch 058 for a night of Texas Hold'em Poker every Thursday. Registration begins at 6:00pm, with games starting at 7:00pm sharp. The $20 buy-in plus the option for one rebuy and top-ups. Enjoy the game with a cash bar available.

SATURDAY

Robbie Burns Day Celebration | January 25
Get ready to raise your glass and toast the great Robert Burns at Hopscotch Whisky Bar! Celebrate with Scottish poetry, live music, and a whisky tasting that’ll have you feeling like you’ve been transported to the Highlands. It’s a night of lively traditions, hearty laughs, and top-notch whisky. The fun kicks off at 5:30pm—don’t miss out!

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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’s driveway is already shovelled out! ☃️

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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