Cirque Du Soleil Returns Next Year

If you want to hear a squeal Christmas morning, tickets to Cirque Du Soleil could do the trick.

The latest show called Dralion is coming to Harbour Station next May in 8 performances.

More than 8 million people worldwide have seen the show since it premiered in 1999.
Dralion is the fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde style of Cirque du Soleil with the dragon, representing the East, and the lion, representing the West.

The international cast features 52 world-class acrobats, gymnasts, musicians, singers and comedic characters.    Tickets go on sale this Saturday.

For more info:   click here here

Anti-Shale Gas Petition To Be Presented In Legislature

The Conservation Council is calling it one of the largest petition campaigns it has been involved with in its 42 years of existence.

A petition, started last spring, has gathered 15 thousand names calling on the Provincial Government to abandon plans for shale gas exploration and development. 

The Conservation Council's Stephanie Merrill tells CHSJ News the Alward Government seems intent on pressing ahead because of what it sees as the economic windfall for a province in dire financial straits. 

The opponents claim any economic benefits could be offset by problems with drinking water, damage to roads or to peoples' health.
 
The petition, itself, will be presented in the Legislature, ironically, by a Conservative M-L-A, Kirk MacDonald of York North.

Fists Fly At Hampton Arena

 Punches being thrown Sunday at the Hampton Arena after two spectators got into it.

RCMP arriving on the scene about 1:30 in the afternoon to find two men hitting each other.
One man is from Hampton and the other from St. George and he left with a broken nose.

The Mounties tell us charges are possible.

Bullying Appears To Be Down In School District 8

The number of reported cases of bullying is down in School District 8.

Learning specialist Jill Jollineau says the district has begun hammering home the message in kindergartern about what constitutes acceptable behaviour with the belief, the earlier you do this, the better

She feels they're making inroads in tackling the problem although it's alot tougher to guage the psychological impact when the bullying does not involve physical injuries.

Jollineau tells CHSJ News there should be no confusion about the policy and consequences which are, in her view, clear.

City Police have said they would like to see more consistency in how that policy is interpreted and acted upon by the various schools around the district.

City to Get Millions of Dollars From Gas Tax Fund

Common Council meets tonight and will be hearing from Cherry Brook Zoo which will be looking for some funding from the city next year, the River Road Community Alliance on efforts to make that part of the city safer and the Saint John Community Arts Board which will be reporting on the state of the arts in the city. 

Common Council has also heard from Local Government Minister Bruce Fitch that the city will receive 21 million dollars from the Gas Tax fund to help pay for 28 million dollars worth of projects which include the installation of new water transmission lines under the Reversing Falls Bridge.

Cyber Monday Shoppers Should Be Wary Of Fraud

Many in greater Saint John will be shopping in their p.j.'s today hoping to take advantage of Cyber Monday deals.
The online shopping phenomenon is growing in popularity with 52 per cent of Canadians more aware of it this year than last.
Nicky Mezo of PayPal tells CHSJ News in addition to using different passwords for banking, shopping and email, Cyber Monday shoppers should update their security as well.

She says your should make sure your computer is updated with the latest anti-virus software and your internet browser is also up to date.

Mezo says shoppers should be aware of online scams and keep an eye out for phishing emails which are often fraudulent and often come with the words "urgent" and "act now" in the subject line.

For more info:  click here

Canadian Services CEO Says NB Won't Be Able To Sell Blood

The CEO of Canadian Blood Services wants to dispel further misinformation about its decision to move a blood production lab to Darthmouth.

Dr. Graham Sher tells CHSJ News the idea that the province can establish its own blood system and sell products to the U.S. is incorrect because there is simply no market for it in the U.S.
 
Sher says according to a third party study, it would cost New Brunswick up to 40 million dollars to run its own system.

Stonehammer Geopark Gets International Recognition

Stonehammer Geopark is hammering home New Brunswick's status as a national tourism destination. The park showcasing the fossils and unique geology of the region spans more than 2,500 square kilometres. On Thursday, it received the national tourism association's Deloitte Award for Innovator of the Year.

Chair Bill Merrifield says that the park's unique appeal lies in its diversity. Every site offers something new from a geological perspective, he says--and you can see it all in a day.

The award is given out to tourism or business organizations that develop the most innovative product. The 2,500 square kilometer park includes more than 60 major geological sites across Southern New Brunswick, ranging from Lepreau Falls, Norton, the Irving Nature Park, and the Fundy Trail.

Red Cross Disaster Response Team Seeking Volunteers

The Canadian Red Cross wants you to join its disaster response team for the greater Saint John area.

The organization trains members of the public to emergency situations. Volunteers are on call for a few days each month to assist people who need help. That could mean arranging emergency shelter, clothing, food or other support for folks affected by disasters.

An information session will be held Monday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 at the Red Cross office at 70 Landsdowne Avenue.

According to Red Cross disaster associate Mark Belliveau, it'll be a great opportunity to learn more abut what the service does locally, and how you can  volunteer.

Two Parades Today

It's double parade day in the city and out in the valley -- the Lancaster Santa Claus Parade kicks off at 1pm on Main Street West and will make it's way towards Catherwood Street and Fairville Boulevard.

Parade Chair Blaine Harris tells CHSJ News 65 floats are taking part this year.

For those in the valley, the 13th Annual Santa Claus parade kicks off tonight at KVHS at 6 o'clock.  The parade will go along the Hampton Road.

You're being asked to bring food donations to both events.

Report Says CBS Move Will Have Huge Economic Impact

Enterprise Saint John commissioning a report on the economic impact of Canadian Blood Services moving to Dartmouth on the city and province.


Jupia Consultants of Moncton finds the business case for moving does not seem strong and questions why New Brunswick taxpayers should foot a large portion of the cost when it's the Nova Scotia facility that needed to be replaced.

The report also says decisions like this should include an assessment of the local economic impacts.


In terms of numbers, Jupia Consultants claims the move will result in 1 million dollars in direct employment income lost and 31 jobs.


It says the lost GDP impact will be over 1.2 million dollars and lost taxation to government exceeds $400,000.

Drug Bust In Rothesay

This had to turn a few heads...RCMP and the Rothesay Regional Police arresting three people in a mall parking lot on Lacey Drive about 7 last night.
It's the result of a joint investigation into the trafficking of prescription drugs.

A 28-year-old woman and man along with a 34-year-old man taken into custody without incident and police seizing a quantity of prescription drugs and cash.

The two 28-year-olds are due in court in March while the other man remains in custody for a parole violation.

Port Makes $4000 Food Donation

The food banks in every corner of Saint John will have full cupboards for a while thanks to a donation from the Saint John Port Authority.
Esther Shanks of the Community Food Basket on Charlotte Street tells CHSJ News it began as a temporary measure in 1984.

She calls that an absolute disgrace but, she's not blaming the city adding she's never been in a city more generous than Saint John.  Saint John Port Authority CEO Jim Quinn says part of the reason they can provide this help to the food banks is because of the support already given to the Joshua Group.

Quinn says they raised $36,000 for the Joshua Group ahead of schedule and we able to divert fundraising efforts to other local groups.

The Port Authority giving a donation of food and other goods totalling $4000 to the North, West, East and Uptown food banks.

Tree Lighting Ceremony Tonight

The city will be getting into the Christmas spirit tonight with its 27th annual tree lighting ceremony.

There will be carollers, treats, and a visit from Santa.

Everyone is invited and it gets underway at 6 o'clock at the Loyalist Plaza next to Market Square.

Housing Alternatives Celebrates 30 Years

Housing Alternatives getting honoured with a community breakfast today as it celebrates 30 years of helping to develop affordable housing in Saint John.

Brenda Murphy is the Coordinator for the Urban Core Support Network and she tells CHSJ News while great strides have been made, more affordable housing is needed in the city as there are hundreds still on waiting lists.

She says the group is the unsung hero on this issue.

Housing Alternatives manages 550 units in the city.

President Of One Change Honoured By The "Y"

The YM-YWCA is honouring the President of One Change, Scott Crawford with its 2011 Peace Medal.

Crawford says residents of the old north end are not just sitting back and waiting for others to make their neighbourhood better.

The projects on the go include setting up a computer training centre and, with the help of doctors, a new model health centre to better deliver primary healthcare in the priority neighbourhoods.
 
One Change also has made a proposal to the city to take over the day to day running of the North End Community Centre.

Seinfeld To Visit Saint John

Now here's a stocking stuffer to get excited about: Tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld when he visits Harbour Station next year.

The actor most famous for his show about nothing is returning to his first love--stand-up comedy.

The tour will visit Saint John on February 3 and tickets go on sale next Saturday at 10am.

Ticket prices ranges from $55 to $105 dollars.

For ticket info, click here

Bus Strike Averted For Time Being

It was feared bus service between cities in this province and Prince Edward Island might be disrupted by strike action within 72 hours but that's not going to happen.    

The union representing Acadian Lines employees gave the company strike notice  yesterday but has now withdrawn it.

A new offer will be presented to the union on the issues still in dispute and a vote on that proposal by bus drivers, mechanics and maintenance workers will be held Sunday and Monday.

If the offer is rejected, December 2nd is being talked about as the new date for strike action if it comes to pass.

    

Prostitution Arrests Made By City Police

City Police making another sweep through the Village area around Waterloo and Cobourg Streets where the sex trade seems to flourish. 

Two women in their thirties will be charged in early January with communicating for the purpose of prostitution.

Province Releases Totals For Unconditional Grants

Municipalities, rural communities and local service districts will receive $69,012,690 in unconditional grants in 2012.

Saint John will be receiving about 19 million dollars while Quispamsis is getting over 800-thousand and Rothesay a little over 400-thousand.

Rothesay Mayor Bill Bishop tells CHSJ News with these figures coming in along with provincial assessments, the town budget for next year will be finalized soon.

He believes the town will be able to hold the tax rate.

There was a slight reduction in funding overall and local service districts will see a slight increase in taxes to reflect administration costs in LSD's.