Saint John Has Missed Out On Money For Partridge Island

A Saint John historian says the 5.1 million dollar plan by Saint John Waterfront Development to restore Partridge Island is achievable but there have been lost opportunities in the past.

Harold Wright says back in 1984 then Trudeau cabinet minister Romeo Leblanc was to make a three million dollar announcement for Partridge Island that was cancelled. Then on two separate occasions, the city turned down offers of 9 million dollars.

Wright tells CHSJ News Partridge Island has been neglected for years and the vandalism over the past five years has been worse than during the previous 50.

The money went instead to Pier 21 in Halifax where a museum was built.

Shelter Says Abuse Is Still An Issue

A safe haven for a women living with abuse marking another year of service to the area. At Hestia House's annual general meeting, Executive Director Elaine Northrup telling CHSJ News its services remain vital even 31 years after it was first founded.

Outgoing president Kelly Ferris tells us since 1981, the shelter has sometimes seen three generations of women come through its doors as the cycle of abused is passed down from grandmothers, to mothers, and their children. The women come to them in desperate straits, she says, and need everything from pyjamas, toiletries and toys to help finding work or a more permanent place to live.

Hestia House provides shelter and support for up to 24 women and their children.  It is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with ten full-time and three part time staff.

Because the shelter is housed in an aging building, Northrup adds, and needs a lot of repairs to be kept comfortable for the women and children living there. For more information about you can help, visit their website here

Plan Unveiled To Open Up Partridge Island

Saint John Waterfront Development rolling out a 5.1 million dollar plan to restore Partridge Island so people can get there and wander about. 

General Manager Kent McIntyre tells CHSJ News one of the big challenges is to provide access to the island along the breakwater. 

The breakwater would be levelled and covered over with a walkway able to withstand the weight of a half ton truck. McIntyre says people could either walk from the mainland to the island or be taken there in golf cart type buggies.
 
Once on the island, McIntyre says there would be a series of trails for people to use with interpretive signs detailing what was there at one time.

 Most of the buildings are gone but there are still some military installations still standing which could be restored. 

A local fundraising campaign will be launched and he estimates from 100 to 150 thousand people would visit the island each year.

McIntyre concedes there would have to be some funding help from government and right now budgets are too tight.

Disney Magic Kids To Paint Mosaic Tiles

Kids on the Disney Magic cruise ship will be having a whale of a time this summer as they participate in creating a mosaic at the NB Museum.
 
Aquila Tours President Beth Kelly tells CHSJ News the pieces the kids paint will be assembled into a mosaic of a whale, which will have its permanent home at the new cruise ship terminal.

She says the children and their parents go to the museum and paint tiles which will be included in an art peice by Sheryl Crowley.

As part of Aquila Tour's 30th anniversary celebrations this year, Kelly tells us the company will also be adopting a Right Whale each day the Disney Magic calls on the Port City.    The Disney Magic cruise ship makes its second call to Saint John tomorrow morning, arriving in port about 8:30am.

Police Issue Warning To Partiers

Graduation is certainly a milestone worth celebrating--but the Rothesay Regional Police are warning parents and guardians to keep a close eye on the kids this time of year. 

Constable Eugene Belliveau says it's a time when parties can get out of hand.

He says things can get out of control with damage and thefts to the house and with social media and people texting their friends all of a sudden 20 to 30 people show up who were not invited.

Belliveau tells CHSJ News last year an officer had a bottle smashed over her head--and there are steep fines in Rothesay and Quispamsis for both noise violations and underage drinking.

Hampton RCMP Remind You To Lock Your Vehicles

Hampton RCMP reminding you to remove items from your car that may be tempting to thieves.

Sometime between 1:30 and 4:30 yesterday, the Mounties were called to the Florida Beach in Upper Loch Lomond where a car window was smashed and a purse was taken.   

The owner had taken her wallet to the beach with her.

The black Saturn was parked along Route 820 at the time.
 
If you can help police or Crimestoppers, call RCMP at 832-5566 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Commission Issues Cease Trade Orders

The Provincial Securities Commission issuing permanent cease-trade order against MI Capital Corp of Hong Kong and One Capital Corp Limited of Singapore.

The commission received complaints from several people in the province who received many calls in an effort to get them to invest in gold options.
  
The commission says the number of salespersons is unknown, and at least one of the callers may be using different names.

Executive Director Rick Hancox says you should be particularly suspicious of people offering deals over the telephone.

None of the people reporting the suspicious activity invested any money but, the commission wants to hear from any residents who got calls from the companies or who may have given money to them.

For more info, click here

Seal Pup Born In Shippagan

A seal pup has been born at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan.

Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp says the birth of a seal in captivity is rare in this province.

The baby seal is being named "D'Amour".

No Injuries After Train/Tractor Crack Up

No one got hurt but the vehicles after a train/tractor crack-up in Passekeag.

RCMP responding to the collision at the railway crossing on the Bettle Point Road about 1:30 yesterday afternoon.

The 22-year-old driver of the tractor was hauling a load near the railway crossing when he noticed the train approaching.
In trying to move the tractor off the tracks, the trailer jack-knifed.

The train clipped the forklift equipment on the front of the tractor causing extensive damage to both the train and tractor. 

Chow Campaigns With Cardy In Rothesay

Provincial NDP Leader Dominic Cardy getting more federal support as Monday's by-election in Rothesay draws closer.

Toronto NDP MP Olivia Chow tells CHSJ News that accountable government is important weather it's Ottawa or Fredericton.

She says it's important to have a New Democrat voice to keep the government honest which is why she is here to support Cardy.

Cardy says its an honour to have Chow with him on the campaign trail in Rothesay and it shows the New Democrats are united.

Blaney Appointment Dominating Rothesay Byelection

The Conservatives can't have it both ways on the appointment of former Rothesay M-L-A Margaret Ann Blaney as President and C-E-O of Efficiency NB. 

So charges the Liberal candidate in the Rothesay byelection John Wilcox who points out they were bragging about saving the taxpayers 200 thousand dollars by eliminating the job and having the Deputy Minister take over the duties. 

Wilcox tells CHSJ News people have been venting as he campaigns door to door and alot of people who have voted Conservative in the past have told him they're not going to be doing that next Monday.
 
Elections NB, meantime, is reporting 846 people in the riding cast ballots in the advance polls.

  

New Revenue-Generating Bus Routes Suggested

City Council looking for ways to generate revenue with new bus routes. The routes would run from the outlying communities to the Sussex Potash Mines and Point Lepreau.

Councillor John Mackenzie tells CHSJ news it would help the commute for Saint John residents who work in those areas and it's a good money making opportunity for Saint John Transit.  
 
Mackenzie adds fares wouldn't be raised, but it would generate revenue for long term sustainability. He also believes such a move could restore funding cuts to bus routes in priority neighbourhoods.

City Authorises New Approach to Pension Deficit

Now that Premier David Alward has signed off a repeal of the city's Pension Act, Mayor Mel Norton taking a cue from the province's collaborative approach to hammering out the best reforms. 

Common council carrying Norton's motion the city enlist the provincial pension task force to consult with labour groups, personnel, and plan members to restructure the city's nearly $200 million dollar pension deficit.

Norton says a cooperative approach will provide long term security for plan members, ensuring funds will be there "forever and a day," in the mayor's words.

The move that was recently approved by the Legislature is believed to give to City more control over the pension plan. Norton making it clear whatever the task force comes back with, the decision remains with the City of Saint John.

Grand Bay Westfield Thief Busted

A teen getting busted for a string of thefts from unlocked vehicles in Grand Bay Westfield over the past week.

Several youths were noticed lurking around vehicles in a parking lot. A 17-year-old boy from Saint John was arrested and later released to his parents’ custody. Charges are pending. Further arrests and charges are possible.

Cpl. Patrick Cole of the District 3 RCMP calling it a crime of opportunity.

Police are unsure how many vehicles were hit but have been able to recover some stolen items.

Road Trip To Hit Saint John

A journalist and author is making a cross Canada road trip.

Mark Richardson writes for Maclean's Magazine, and left St. John's, Newfoundland on June 4th before heading to New Brunswick and beyond.

Mark tells CHSJ News the trip commemorates two significant anniversaries... 50 years since the Trans Canada Highway was completed ...and 100 years since the first cross Canada road trip.

Richardson expects to arrive in Victoria on August 8th and will write a book about his trip.

The trek will hit Saint John on Thursday night.

Families In Province Are Running Short Of Food

Back in World War Two, there were victory gardens planted and now the provincial government has launched its Community Food Action Programme.

Grants of up to 2 thousand dollars are available to set up community gardens, collective kitchens, greenhouses or cooking programmes to get us to eat better.

Wellness Minister Trevor Holder making the announcement in Crescent Valley where they have a neighbourhood garden. He says 10 per cent of households in the province experienced food insecurity in 2007 and 2008 which means they were unable to afford enough food, at times, to meet the nutritional needs of their family members.

Holder says the programme is based on what they've been doing for a few years now in Manitoba. 50 thousand dollars in grants will be handed out.

Dairytown Church Hit By Vandalism

Sussex RCMP want your help in finding who smashed windows at the Sussex Baptist Church on Church Avenue.

Just after 8 pm on Friday and early on Saturday morning someone or some people smashed two windows at the church.

If you know anything call Sussex RCMP or NB Crime Stoppers, click here or call 1-800-222-TIPS.

 

The War of 1812 Flag & Book Mark 200th Anniversary

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and its being remembered by the restoration of a flag and a new book.


Retired soldier Bob Dallison wrote "A Neighbourly War" and tells CHSJ News the story of the 104th regiment is remarkable and should be shared.

He says the regiment marched from Fredericton to Kingston, Ontario--a distance of more than 1100 kilometres in 52 days.

Museum Chair John Irving says by contrast today we would be bundled up for any activity in winter.  Irving says they were marking in February in wool and in leather boots.


The 104th regiment flag was returned to New Brunswick by a descendent of one of the soldiers in 1939 as World War 2 was beginning. 

Recycling In Province Said To Be At A Crossroads

The recycling industry in the province is calling for a public forum on what the future of the programme looks like with a warning the next few years will be challenging ones as operationalf costs increase.

Encorp Atlantic's Pierre Landry tells CHSJ News even though an estimated 2.7 billion non-alcoholic beverage containers have been kept out of the landfills around the province, there is a need for the programme to be renewed.

He would like to see other streams brought into the system such as electronic waste.

Landry says market surveys are sending the message the redemption centres themselves could be made alot more attractive and cleaner for consumers.

Provincial NDP Calls For Elimination Of Small Business Tax

Provincial NDP leader Dominic Cardy is wondering what the heck is going on at Efficiency NB and why have their been four Presidents and C-E-O's there in just one year.

Cardy is running in the Rothesay byelection next Monday.

Patronage has been a major issue of Cardy's campaign but he's now talking about making life easier for small businesspeople.

That's why Cardy tells CHSJ News he likes what the NDP government did in Manitoba when it got rid of the small business tax to generate more hiring.

McAlary Has A Bone To Pick With Bad Roads

Potholes and cracks in the roads need to be fixed before they do more damage--that from common councillor Shirley McAlary. She says you'd be hard pressed to find a single person in the city who's pleased with the condition of the roads.

McAlary says the problem isn't getting any better, an ordinary drivers are the ones paying the price, with damage being done to people's vehicles on a regular basis.

McAlary tells us even if we can't repave all the roads, council should find money to undertake spot-work on the worst areas.

T-S-N Sportscaster Brings Message About Mental Illness To Quispamsis

T-S-N sportscaster Micheal Landsberg is on a mission to persuade people to take mental illness more seriously and not view it as a weakness. 

Landsberg, hosted an "Off the Record" at the Q-Plex over the weekend, has suffered from severe depression for years which he describes as taking who you are and turning you into someone else you don't like as well as eroding your self esteem and confidence.

Landsberg brought his show to Quispamsis to raise money for MindCare New Brunswick. He believes a majority of people still don't see depression  in the same light as an actual physical affliction.

Firefighters and Police Unions Support Mayor On City Pension Plan

The Firefighters Union and Saint John Police Association are on board, at least for the time being, on this new direction for fixing the city's pension plan

Police Association President Jamie Hachey says it's going to be a while before they know specifically how the plan will change with recommendations expected in September after meetings are held over the summer with the provincial task force that came up with changes to the provincial government's own pension plan.
 
The President of Local 771 of the Firefighters Association, Paul Stackhouse says so far, so good.
 
Hachey says, from what he has been told, it seems to be a plan the provincial task force has come up with under promises and over delivers which will be good for both the plan's beneficiaries and city taxpayers.

Councillor Wants Pension Board Disbanded

Mayor Mel Norton is sold on the provincial pension reforms that he wants Common Council tonight to authorise the city to ask the provincial task force for help with the city's financially beleaguered plan.

Norton is hopeful this could be a way out of the financial quagmire and even lower the plan's unfunded liability which is in excess of 190 million dollars.
 
In the meantime, Councillor Susan Fullerton will be putting forward a motion tonight to disband the Pension Board which would be replaced by an interim board made up of members she describes as qualified financial professionals. 

Councillor Shirley McAlary wants a meeting to be set up with the Superintendent of Pensions to make clear what the city can and can't do with changing the pension plan.

Higgs Thinks Hwy 1 Work Will Improve The Commute

Despite changes to the plans for improving Highway 1 in the much travelled stretch between Saint John and Quispam..the finance minister thinks the work that is being down now will help commuters.
 
Blaine Higgs says the project is going well with work on three lanes across the bridge at the Dolan Road exit.

He says it will be a major improvement to get highway traffic off the ramp when commuters are heading back to the valley at night adding 85 per cent of that traffic swings in Quispamsis.

Higgs adds lengthening the entry ramp at Fox Farm Road will also help with traffic flow.

Advance Polls Open In Rothesay

The advance polls are officially open--- and votes are coming in for the town of Rothesay's new leader.

Paul Harpelle of Elections Canada tells CHSJ News over 400 votes have already been cast since the advance polls opened Saturday. Advance polling continues on Monday at the Our Lady of Perpetual Hope polling station. 

There are five candidates: Progressive Conservative Ted Flemming, Liberal John Wilcox, and NDP Leader Dominic Cardy are joined on the ballot by Sharon Murphy of the Green Party and independent Marjorie MacMurray.


The official election day is June 25th.

Teens Caught Doing Drugs By Q-Plex

Some young men getting arrested over the weekend for using drugs in the area of the Q-Plex.

Police getting the call around 11pm that there were 3 young people hanging around using drugs.

No word yet on what that drugs were or what, if any charges will be laid--although two 18 year olds and a youth were busted.

Queen Square Market Kicks Off

Fresh, local, and sustainable--that's the idea behind the annual Queen Square Farmer's Market, which is celebrating its second year on June 17th. It's a popular event with 60 vendors already signed, up, and fun activities from hula hooping to yoga and live entertainment. Jody Kliffer is organizing the market with his friend Brian Irving. He tells CHSJ News he's pleased with the variety of vendors this year as well as the level of interest the community has shown.

"It's going to be a good range, we're going to have more produce vendors than we had last year. We're going to have a lot of interesting ethnic foods, hot foods, baked foods."

Kliffer says it's important to get people thinking about buying local, as well as enjoying a little-used green space in the South End. 

Fire In The South End

Five apartment dwellers are back in their building after a fire  last night.

Saint John City Police tells CHSJ news they received the call to 228 Britain Street.

Police are unsure what caused the blaze. There were no injuries.

The blaze is under investigation.

One Person Dies In St. Andrews

One person is dead in St. Andrews after an incident involving a toxic substance.

The Saint John Fire Department's Haz Mat unit was requested to provide assistance at the scene by the St. Andrew's Fire Department.

No word yet on the victim's identity or what the toxic substance may be.

Crews from the City's fire department have returned to Saint John and the investigation is being handled by St. Stephen RCMP.

Mayor Has Police And Firefighters Union On Board

The city is moving ahead with the strong possibility of adopting the same made in Europe reforms to its pension plan as the provincial government. 

Premier David Alward stopping off at City Hall to present Mayor Mel Norton with the official repeal of the City of Saint John Pension Act. 

The Premier is talking as if there is a new and better working relationship with the city since the municipal election saying there is no level of government that can do it alone without collaboration.
 
The Presidents of the local Firefighters Union and with alot of work still to be done.

Mike Kelly Is The Dogs New Coach

It's official...Gerard Gallant is leaving the Saint John Sea Dogs to become an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadians.
Gallant's departure leaving a vacancy that will be filled by Mike Kelly as the new Head Coach and GM for the Sea Dogs.
Kelly tells CHSJ News it's an exciting challenge at a different time for the team.

He says as the older players graduate they are losing a lot of skill but they are excited about the young players coming in and some of the players drafted last year that didn't play on a regular basis.

Kelly says Gerard Gallant has earned his opportunity with the Habs adding he became a close friend over 3 years and he couldn't be happier for him.

City Police Investigate Birdland Armed Robbery

Police are looking for two men after another armed robbery in Birdland.

Two men forced their way into a Wren street home about 11:30 last night where a 66 year old homeowner was not hurt but they did get away with some cash and the man's car.

The men are described as about 5 foot 8 weighing about 160 pounds.

They left in the victim's grey 2011 Chevrolet Impala with a provincial plate of # JCI-640. 

If you can help identify the men call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or Major Crime at 648-3333.

Volunteers To Pull Weeds On The Peninsula

If you have a few free hours tomorrow, the Nature Conservancy of Canada would love you to help them to pull weeds.

Volunteers will be gathering in the Shamper's Bluff area of the Kingston Peninsula.

Shauna Wallace tells CHSJ News they will be removing Woodland Angelica which is an invasive species.

She says it's a plant that normally wouldn't be growing there and was introduced as a garden plant that takes over.
She adds they want to remove it so the native plants can establish.

The volunteers will be meeting on the Shamper's Bluff road at 9 tomorrow to pull weeds in the morning then break for lunch and go for a hike in the afternoon.

If you would like to sign up call 1-877-231-4400 by 5pm today or just show up tomorrow morning on the Shamper's Bluff road at 9am.

Doucet Denouces Closure Of Marine Traffic Centre

How will the loss of Fundy Traffic in Saint John affect Charlotte County fisherman?
 
MLA for Charlotte-The Isles Rick Doucet says the safety of the Bay of Fundy will be at risk if Nova Scotia is in control.
 
He says it will have an impact on the local fisherman because instead of making their marine calls to Fundy Traffic, they will make their calls to Nova Scotia to someone who may not know exactly where they are in the Bay.

Interim Ruling Made On Search Warrants In Oland Murder Investigation

Businessman Richard Oland was murdered almost a year ago and the arguments are continuing on whether the information from search warrants in the investigation should be made public. 

An interim order has been made by Provincial Court Judge Leslie Jackson to keep those search warrants sealed until a full hearing is held June 27th. 

There will be police testimony at that hearing about why the search warrants should remain from public view but media lawyer David Coles says that likely will be delivered without anyone else in the courtroom but the judge. He warns too much secrecy undermines faith in the adminstration of justice.
 
Prosecutor John Heneffer told the court releasing information from the search warrants would compromise an active investigation and he adds police have not been sitting on their hands. 

Judge Jackson issued the original order back in December to keep the search warrants sealed for six months.

NBSC Warns Seniors Of Investor Fraud

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the New Brunswick Securities Commission is drawing attention to how that abuse can relate to the finances of seniors.
 
Executive Director Rick Hancox tells CHSJ News it happens all the time with 44 per cent of fraud investment victims being over the age of 55.

He says folks need to be aware that investment fraud happens and they need to protest themselves.
 
Hancox says seniors, caregivers and others can learn more about the signs that some is being targeted for fraud on their website.

To find the link, click here

The Premier Will Be At City Hall Today

The Premier will be in the City today to take part in an event to mark the signing of an act to repeal the City's pension act.   It's happening at city hall at 3pm.

The move that was recently approved by the Legislature is believed to give to City more control over its decision regarding the pension plan and how it might solve the nearly 200 million dollar deficit.
 

Cleaves Win Gold

A celebration for a St. Stephen Gold Medalist.
 
18-year-old Allyssa Cleaves winning the gold at the Junior Pan-Am Wrestling Championship in Guatemala.

She tells CHSJ News how it felt to bring the medal back to her hometown.

She says she was really proud to represent Canada for the first time.

Cleaves says she felt intimidated at first, because this was her first international competition, and she was the youngest girl competing.

Driscoll Says City Money Means They Stay Open

Anne Driscoll of the Crescent Valley Resource Centre tells CHSJ News this $22,000 will be used to hire a full-time executive director.

She says they are a small non-profit serving 300 famillies and the money will allow them to stay open 5 days a week.

The other recipients are Quality Learning New Brunswick, ONE Change Inc, the Teen Resource Centre for Youth and the Village Association/East Side Motivaters.

Also receiving funding today are Westside PACT, P.U.L.S.E. and the Anglin Drive Tenants Association for their story tent.

A Warning About Safety In Bay Of Fundy

Safety of marine traffic in the Bay of Fundy is being jeopardised by the Harper Government's decision to close the Saint John marine communications and traffic services centre. So says Rick Doucette, the Liberal M-L-A for Charlotte-The Isles. 

Doucette charges Premier David Alward is refusing to stand up and fight for people in the province which happened earlier with the proposed changes to Employment Insurance. 

Federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair is accusing the Prime Minister of treating Maritimers with disdain and warns a low key approach when dealing with the Harper Government doesn't work.
 
Doucette calls the Bay of Fundy the most treacherous body of water on the eastern seaboard because of the high tides and rocky geography and fishermen need help navigating.

City Hands Out $150K In Grants

The City of Saint John distributing $150, 000 dollars through neighbourhood stimulation grants.
 
Councillors Donnie Snook and Susan Fullerton happily handing out the cheques at City Hall to 9 different local groups.
 
Snook tells CHSJ News its great to be able to support community initiatives around the City.

He says the groups receiving the money are the frontline organizations in the City making a real difference.

Councillor Susan Fullerton was thrilled to hand out the money saying its the most fun she has had in the three weeks since she was elected.

Vacancy Rate Rises In Saint John

The vacancy rate for renters in Saint John is going up, in large part, because the population isn't increasing. The vacancy rate in Saint John is at 8.4 per cent. 

Claude Gautreau of Canada Mortgage and Housing calls that a bit high with the ideal being between 4 and 5 per cent, although renters may disagree because a higher vacancy rate is better for consumers.

The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Saint John is 696 dollars which is below the provincial average. Fredericton has the lowest vacancy rate in the province at 3.8 percent with Moncton at 5 percent. 

The average rent for a two bedroom apartment in Fredericton is $755. In Moncton, it's $721.

Moncton is the fastest growing city in the province.

Gas Prices Continuing To Go Down

With the world price of oil dropping, the price of gas in our area is also becoming less expensive after the weekly setting. 

Self serve regular in the city is now down to $1.22.8 a litre. That's a reduction of under half a cent. 

Diesel dropping by the same amount to $1.23.8 a litre. 

Propane is also down a bit with the listed price of 92.3 cents a litre and heating oil is at $1.07.6, which is a decline of half a cent.

Holder Raves About Disney's Inaugural Visit

The Province's Tourism Minister is just as excited as Captain Mickey to see the Disney Magic in Saint John for the first time.


Trevor Holder tells CHSJ News the average cruise ship passenger spends about $80 in the City.

He says with 200,000 passengers on average every year that's 16 million that wasn't being spent in our economy and huge for the businesses uptown.

Man Flees on ATV After Break And Enter

RCMP in St. George are investigating an armed break and enter that occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on June 10.  A man wearing a balaclava entered a residence on Main Street in St. George armed with a knife, demanding a number of items from the resident.  A struggle ensued and he fled on an ATV.  The resident sustained an injury to his hand.  Officers searched the surrounding area with no luck.

Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to contact the RCMP.

Province Gathering Healthcare Feedback

 You can give the province your thoughts on the next provincial health plan next month.

Public meetings will be held between Monday and July 5th and the province is offering the public a chance to speak out.

The stops begin Monday in Edmunston and wrap up in Woodstock on July 5th.

The Saint John stop is coming up on July 3rd at the Delta.

To register, click here or call 1-877-795-3789.

Minnie And City Woman Share Fashion Tips

As mentioned Minnie and Mickey paid a surprised visit to the Paediatrics Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital this afternoon.
Erin Conley who works at the Regional met Mickey and Minnie during the visit - Minnie paused to have her picture taken with Erin who is wearing an outfit she says reminds of her of the kind of outfit Minnie would wear.
The two appear to have hit it off with their similar tastes in fashion.

Disney Magic Makes Inaugural Call

A historic day in Saint John as the Disney Magic Cruise Ship makes her first call to Saint John.

Captain Mickey and the ship's crews presenting welcoming gift to the province, the Port of Saint John and the cruise volunteers.

The ship's Captain John Barwis tells CHSJ News they are thrilled to be there.

He tells us it's very exciting as its a new itinerary for them not only sailing from New York but coming to eastern Canada.

Mickey and Minnie made a surprise visit to the pediatric unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital this afternoon.

Today's call by the Disney Magic is one of 9 the ship is making to Saint John between now and September.

Ping Pong Champs Duke It Out

It's going to be an epic battle for dominance and glory---on the ping pong field, that is. 

Saint John is resurrecting the nostalgic pastime with an event called the Ping Pong Getalong. Organized by Jody Kliffer and Sarah Ritchie, it's a quirky event for the younger crowd.  Ping pong players will compete, of course and entertainment and finger food will be provided. DJ Lauchland Ough will play live tunes and homebrew will be on tap.

Ping Pong King and organizer Jody Kliffer tells CHSJ News the whole idea is to get together and have fun in the uptown. He says whether you love or hate ping pong, it's going to be a fun chance to cheer people on and do something different with your Friday night.

According to the event description on Facebook, you can "show off your loop and your lob. Impress your friends with your flip and fish abilities. Enroll to compete in the tournament and show off your mad paddle skills! " The event happens Friday, June 15 beginning at 8:30 at 89 Canterbury Street.

Tickets for the Ping Pong Get  Along are available at the Feel Good Store and Backstreet Records--and according to organizers, they're going fast.... You can also contact Kliffer or Ritchie directly through their Facebook group, here