Moosehead changes

Kind of sad to see the Moosehead Store empty; it was a nice addition to the "Main Street" feel. Yet it's encouraging to see the expansion at the brewery next door.

Balmy westside weather

There's stuff growing at my place.

High Tide?

Those darn kids .... fooling around at the Irving Nature Park. You can see this from the entrance by the flagpoles.

 

Harbour Bridge opens west bound lanes

Wow! Is it true? West bound lanes open on the bridge? Apparently so according to CHSJ News.

Checking the NB Dept Transportation news release .... still a ways to go.

Santa Parades

I've noticed a lot of conversation lately on the early arrival of Christmas decorations and music in stores, and whether mid November is too early to start reminding us that we should spend our money asap.  I imagine retailers are very anxious to have us spend our money ....  the Lancaster Santa Parade, one of many on the greater SJ area,  is scheduled for November 26th.

Colourful Mailboxes

I've noticed these colourful mailboxes around town, emblazoned with postal codes from across Canada. They are kind of cool.

Everyone's an artist

Sunday was a great day for a stroll on Saint's Rest beach. I happened upon the remains of some sweet artwork left for all to enjoy.  Here's an example below.

Snow fencing or snow plows?

I don't recall ever seeing snow fencing installed during the winter on the overpass on Lancaster Avenue - it is now.   I guess it's an effective way to keep snow off the highway below -  now that there will be fewer plows to do the job.

Moosehead lays off 27 - sounds ominous

CBC posted a story about the layoff announcement made last week by Moosehead Breweries. It doesn't sound good.

Get HECK from SJ Energy

I picked up my free HECK (Home Energy Conservation Kit) at Saint John Energy today. Apparently the promotion went very well and all 2000 kits were spoken for soon after the promotion was announced.

Park at Reversing Falls Bridge

Here's a shot (poor quality - taken from the car) of workers installing what looks like a piece of sculpture at the small park overlooking the Reversing Falls on the east side of the bridge.  This area was the site of an Irving gas station and in 1974 an explosion occurred and tragically lives were lost.  I have heard over the years that a memorial was going to be installed on the site.

I must admit that after all this time I haven't visited the area. It would provide a great  view, no doubt.

Irving Nature Park Seasonal Closing

I was in the INP a few weeks ago and couldn't figure out if it was my imagination or if indeed the park was closing earlier than usual.   I am not sure if this is exactly newsworthy, but CBC has picked up on the earlier-than-usual closing time at the park.

Apparently I wasn't the only person caught off guard.

Lou Murphy Park Walking Trails

I had an opportunity today to explore the new walking trails at Lou Murphy Park off Milford Road.  Emera NB contributed significant dollars to the trails and although I didn't have time to explore each trail I definitely was able to take in some great views.

In August,  Emera and the City completed the transfer of the 27 acre property for development into a park.  There is still work to be done, and markings are not entirely clear, but it's a great addition to the Westside and definitely worth visiting.

The image below is looking toward the North End, across the river from Milford.

Metal Shredder news

A story on News 88.9 indicates there will be a temporary solution to the power needs of AIM's lower westside shredder. And it looks like it won't include running lines along the coast.

Walmart West - still a rumour?

CHSJ is reporting that Walmart is moving into the Zellers westside. (I think I posted previously about this possibility)  Looks like no Target store folks.

Newcomers to the Westside

Welcome to New Brunswick and to the Westside Big Tub Botanicals.  I visited their booth at the Queen's Sq. Farmers' Market.  So glad to see a new business moving in.
 Nice products!

Bleury Street work

Work on Bleury Street has finally begun. It's been in bad shape for some time now.  The street is down to one lane in sections and traffic is controlled with portable stop lights.

Going, Going, Gone

I did not realize that Greco Pizza on Fairville Blvd. had closed. Sorry to see any business, and the jobs go.

And work on removing the Harbour Bridge toll booths is progressing.

Information Session on Scrap Metal Shredder & Power Transmission Lines

City representatives will be hosting an information session on the "proposed scrap metal shredder operations and the proposed power transmission line"  (I thought it was a fait accompli by now) on Wednesday evening.

Public Information Meeting about Lower West Side Power Transmission Lines 

Common Council will host a meeting to provide information to the public on the proposed scrap metal shredder operations and the proposed power transmission line. Members of Common Council and representatives from various stakeholders will be on hand to provide details on the project and to address residents’ questions.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Carleton Community Centre, 120 Market Place

For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 658-2912, or visit saintjohn.ca.

Ye Old Renaissance Faire

The fog added a bit of atmosphere to the Saint John Renaissance Faire today at the Sheldon Point Barn on Sand Cove Road.  I couldn't stay for the Shield Throwing, but it looked like everyone was having a merry time.

Sobeys Gas Bar - Fairville Blvd.

I guess I was on the right track,

Urban Plans for Saint John and Beyond: Queen Square Farmers' Market

Urban Plans for Saint John and Beyond: Queen Square Farmers' Market

I dropped by the Sunday Farmers' Market in Grand Bay Westfield at Brundage Point a few times this summer. They've done a nice job; it's small, some cool vendors, great breakfast, beautiful view of the river - gotta start somewhere. Check it out.

Development at Fairville Blvd. Plaza

I haven't been by the construction site at the Fairville Plaza in a week or so, but it looks to me like a gas bar is going in this spot.

New stores / business at Sobey's Plaza

I have noticed construction activity in the parking lot of Sobey's Plaza.  Looks like a couple of businesses are going up - and fast.

In the right place

At the right time. Grabbed this shot from the Irving Nature Park earlier this week.

Does this mean Walmart is coming to Lancaster Mall?

Walmart Canada signs deal with Target Canada for 39 Zellers locations.

House lights on

As of tonight - the doors were locked at Blockbuster.   Sad to see it go.

Another one bites the dust

My friendly neighbourhood Blockbuster staff - at Lancaster Mall Plaza - have told me they are closing on June 18.  And Frenchy's "annex" on Ludlow Street closed a few weeks ago. It was  a great  source for used books of all kinds.
Sorry to see these businesses close.

Fog in the harbour this evening

There was some serious Stephen King fog happening in the harbour around supper time tonight. I have never seen it roll in as fast and as thick as I did tonight.

Two information sessions for Westsiders

From today's T-J

Town hall for west side tonight  at the Carleton Community Centre, will start at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. Hosted by PACT, the Saint John Police Force, the Market Place Wellness Centre and the City of Saint John.

Public sessions to be held today about a west side harbour cleanup project. Construction crews are expected to install a sewage pipe and lift station, which will pump wastewater through the system, from June to October near Riverview Avenue West. The project is expected to affect Edward Avenue, Riverview Avenue West and a section of Lancaster Avenue. The public can learn more about the project today at the Carleton Community Centre, 82 Market Place West. Sessions run from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.

Westside View meet the Westside View

I got a kick reading Tuesday's T-J about the painting by Lynn Wigginton entitled Westside View (View from Martello Tower).  It was selected as the final Saint John 225 legacy piece. I'd like to think it was named after this blog, alas it wasn't.

According to Wigginton:

she entered Westside View (View from Martello Tower) in the competition because "I really felt it was specifically Saint John and it was a site that had a lot of history going back to when the city was first settled. You can see Fort Dufferin and Partridge Island ... And it's a view that will very likely change in the foreseeable future because of Canaport LNG, housing developments and any number of projects in the works."

The plan is to have the piece displayed permanently in an area easily accessed by the public. Nice.

What more can I say?

Market Place road work

Detours are in place for the extensive work going on in Market Place, lower West. It should prove interesting when the Harbour Bridge work is happening at the same time.

Storefront signs installed at the new Liquor Store

on the weekend, at Sobey's Plaza.

Upcoming community meetings on the Westside

There are a couple of community meetings happening this month.  

Plan SJ has a meeting at Barnhill Memorial School at 750 Manawagonish Road, from 5:30-9:30pm on Thursday, April 14th, 2011.

and

A Town Hall Session, Wednesday, April 27th, at the Carleton Community Centre from 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m. This will be hosted by PACT, SJPD, Market Place Wellness Centre and the City of Saint John. According to the email I received "It will be a time to gather ideas/get feedback from the community, as well as share events that will be happening in the future."

Thai Hut West is Open

They opened this weekend in the strip mall on Lancaster Avenue. I snapped this pic driving by.

Ice Fishing at Dominion Park

If this is your idea of fun - it was a great day to do some ice fishing.  The shacks at Dominion Park beach were busy with folks arriving with supplies ... I didn't see anyone leaving with fish.

No to the U-Pass / Yes to Car Pooling?

I recently posted about the vote happening at UNBSJ for a universal bus pass for full time students. The student body has rejected the proposal, 300 votes for and 700 against. Apparently this is the second such proposal, the last was held a few years ago and was defeated by a slim one-half percentage point.

I understand there are lots of complaints about the cost of parking and the lack of parking spaces  on campus, so .... I can't figure this one out.

U-Pass - not the Me Pass

I was disappointed and somewhat surprised to hear the reactions from UNBSJ students on CBC Information Morning today. They were asked if they were voting in favour of the Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass) proposal from SJ Transit. The proposal will allow all pass holders to have unlimited access to the city transit, including Comex, for the academic year (September - April). Almost all said they would not vote for the pass. Most gave expenses related to owning and operating a car as the reason.

I thought these were the very individuals who advocated a greener, cleaner, responsible attitude toward the environment? Mighty short sighted of them.

Most universities have a similar pass built in their annual fees. It is mandatory for all full-time students, as it would be here. The cost in Saint John would be $200.00 per year (8 months) - that’s a paltry $25.00 per month- a steal of a deal.

Perhaps down the road the decision will be made at a higher level for the students, with the three levels of government – funders of universities of varying degrees – building the fee into tuition; sort of a tax.

Thai Good to be True?

I've been bemoaning the loss of the Asian Kitchen on Lancaster Ave.  The owner had family concerns in southeast Asia that needed his attention and was forced to shut the restaurant. I am still not over it - the food was delicious.   Apparently he is considering opening in the uptown area.  I hope that happens, it would be a great addition to uptown.

On a positive note for the Westside, I have heard through the grapevine that the Thai Hut is opening very soon on the Westside.  That would be cool.

The Remains of Detroit

A few weeks ago I stumbled across an online article about the demise of urban Detroit.  Sean Hemmerle: American Rust Belt features amazing images of what looks like a decaying movie set.  They are images of formerly stunning buildings abandoned and left to rot.  Really quite sad.
The site is  worth viewing.

Michigan Theatre, built in 1926 and functioned as a performance space until 1976 when it was converted into a parking lot, Detroit, Michigan, March 20, 2008 

What Ever Happend to Motel 6?

I think it was Motel 6.

In any case, the land is once again for sale. It's on the corner of Catherwood St. and Fairville Blvd.

Meanwhile, according to the check-out chit chat at Dave's No Frill's, when the Co-op building is removed, the Aquarius is going too. 

It remains to be seen.

Liquor Store Construction

I dropped by the site of the new liquor store today and construction is coming along.
I think the new store will definitely impact parking availability in the Sobey's parking lot.

Retail Developments

The City has received an application to rezone a piece of land on Fairville Blvd. from  Industrial to Shopping Centre, according to a posting in today's TJ. The area is located on the strip of land behind / beside Staples, The Colour Center, Papa John’s. etc. 

Also, in  today’s TJ  a brief article on the purchase of Lancaster Mall.  I get the impression that flipping properties such as malls and shopping centers is a common business practice.

A Great Start to 2011

Happy New Year. 

Today's great weather was a nice way to start 2011. I took a run over to the Irving Nature Park, lots of activity going on, families, walkers, people kayaking, and wildlife, like these guys.