Last week, I was invited to talk about Politics on Serf City, a local community radio show about politics and culture in Saint John.

The show takes place Thursday nights on CFHM 107.3FM in Saint John (also available streaming online).

Check out their Facebook group, and listen to the interview below:

It’s a sad story; but, a baby monkey was stolen from the Cherry Brook Zoo on Tuesday night.

The monkey, a marmoset from South Africa, was less then a year old and part of an international breeding program.

The zoo is asking for the monkey back and does not plan to press charges, “We will not give a name, just please, please bring this animal back”.

A Facebook group has also been started to show support for the baby monkey.

One comment on the group is quite troubling, “We were told they baby would not survive long away from it’s parents and is on a strict diet and feeding schedule.”

Anyone with information should contact the zoo immediately at 634-1440!

It’s hard to believe; but, the Saint John Sea Dogs are heading into the QMJHL semi-finals in only their third year as a franchise!

They have been playing solid hockey and it’s been great to watch.

While tickets for games 3 and 4 against the Rouyn-Noranda Hukies go on sale tomorrow, I thought I would share a video montage for our team heading into the semis:

Playoff Round One Intro Video

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Ladies and Gentlemen

Hockey Night In Saint John

As I had mentioned in my previous post, I did a CBC radio interview on Information Morning the day after the Aliant Business Pitch Competition.

It was really early in the morning actually, I got up at 5:30am so that I would be awake enough for the interview at 6am!

Now, thanks to Megan MacAlpine at CBC, I have copy of the interview which you can now listen to below:

Again, another reason I haven’t been blogging is due to the Aliant Business Pitch Competition that took place last night. I had been revising my business pitch at home and practicing it with co-workers during the day. All of this work paid off after successfully pitching my idea to judges inside of two limousines while driving around uptown Saint John!

The Telegraph-Journal has a story in todays newspaper (in the Business) section, you can read the full story here:

Thursday evening’s event was a new twist on what has become something of an institution in Saint John.

Aliant’s business plan competition, held for the past three years in an elevator, emerged this time around in the back seat of a stretch-limo. The evening was charged with the tension of a Donald Trump-style boardroom drama, without the in-fighting.

The stakes in this case were a little more modest, with sponsors investing a total of $1,000, which may be divided among several competitors.

Beyond the gimmick of Thursday evening was an underlying effort to support the development of small business in the city.

And that effort stretches province-wide, as economic development agencies and universities continue a long-standing campaign to identify New Brunswick’s up-and-comers, provide them with mentorship and find them capital.

…

There was an expectation Thursday evening that this ongoing effort to provide exposure to small business in the province will reap some rewards.

“It’s that whole concept of picking yourself up by the bootstraps and, as we go along, there’s going to be more stories of successes here,” said Oland, a judge and the executive chairman of Moosehead Breweries Limited. “And that success breeds success.

I had competed during last years event, the Aliant Elevator Pitch Competition, and finished outside the top three; however, I took what I had leaned last year to improve my pitch this time around.

It was a very well run and organized event, where I was able to make contact with several key people who can really help move this idea forward with their experience and contacts. I look forward to using this success to open more doors in getting this idea from the idea stage to a working product!

Add Higga, a member of Foot Clan, is an up-and-coming hip-hop artist based right here in Saint John the Port City (or as he likes to call it “No Support City”).

After buying his CD, I decided to ask him some questions - from how he got started to what he is working on next. Read on for all of the answers.

Add Higga first became involved in the music scene by listening to music. He describes it as the first step - and what a step it has been. Since then, he has gone on to produce his own record, “Peripheral Visionary”. The album features Foot Clan’s J-Smirl , Archetype, Donnie Nimfo, Gorgeous Geordie, and 16th Avenue’s Adam Williamson.

The response for has been quite positive, with over a hundred records sold. The CD is currently being sold uptown at Syndicate and Backstreet Records, along with online at his MySpace page.

He will be performing next at Harbour View High School on Feb 28th, along with Foot Clan and 16th Avenue. It is all ages and starts at 7:30pm and is only $5. You can find out more on the Facebook event page.

As for Foot Clan, they are working on their first debut record called “GhettoBlaster”. You can listen to sample tracks on their MySpace page. Add says you can expect to hear the brand new face of Maritime hip-hop.

That’s not the only album that is in the works; he has also started work on his next solo record “Debt From Above”. He also co-hosts the Def Republic, Saint John’s number one hip-hop radio show (Saturday nights 7-9pm). You can listen in at 107.3 FM in Saint John, or online at SHOUTcast - search for CFMH, or click here.

I bought the CD last weekend and have been listening to it all week. It’s incredible that this much talent exists in our city; however, we have to keep supporting them, and the best way to do it is to buy a CD and to tell your friends about it. Support our local artists and watch them explode across this country!

Listen to some of the songs from the debut album Peripheral Visionary below:

I don’t understand why it keeps happening. I know that I can’t be the only one who has been in this situation.

Once again, tonight around 11pm, I was passed on Loch Lomond Road while driving towards Saint John. Not only did the car fly by me, going at least 100 - 120 km/h; but, soon passed another car after waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass. The main issue is the fact that the road is one lane with a solid yellow - making it illegal to pass. The legality isn’t even my main concern, it’s the fact that the road is so busy and dangerous to start with!

My other issue is directly related to one of my favorite quotes - “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it“. Just look back at the past car accidents and the number of people killed on that road. Keeping that in mind, people who keep up with this behavior are just asking for an accident. Unfortunatly, they are usually the ones causing them and killing someone in the process.

As for this particular car, I wasn’t able to see much of the plates, and it was going too fast to tell what make of car; however, it did look silver, and I think the plates started with GNA. Take that with a grain of salt though.

I just hope people realize how stupid it is to be passing on that road, and I hope that next time someone does it - they actually get caught.

Here is just another reason why I’m proud to call Saint John home - thanks for the find Stephanie!

In light of the terrible accident in Bathurst this weekend, two hotels in Saint John (Fort Howe Hotel and Courtenay Bay Hotel) are allowing school groups free accommodations when the roads are unsafe to travel. This plan will hopefully prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“We were all reeling in this and commenting on just how horrible it is,” said Didi Lombard Lloyd, sales manager for the hotels. Lombard Lloyd said her son often travels on the province’s wintry roads with his hockey team. “I guess we’re all just thinking it could have been us,” she said. “It could have been anyone.”

The idea to open the hotels’ doors to schools that need a place to bed down during a storm was the owner’s idea, Lombard Lloyd said, and it is hoped other hotels will follow suit.

“Whether it’s a public school, middle school, high school even the universities, if they are in town for whatever reason … if in the run of the day it looks like the weather is going to change and it looks like unsafe driving conditions, we just want to offer them a place to stay so that nobody leaves leave the city unless it’s perfectly safe for them to do so,” she said.

I hope that if the situation does comes up, groups will take the hotel up on their offer and stay the night instead of risking the drive home. I also applaud the hotel for their decision. They are going out of their way to make sure that kids arrive home safe and sound. If anyone ever needs a place to say while in Saint John these are the hotels I would recommend.

Finally, to the staff and management of the hotels - thank you! You are another reason why this city is so great.

Most of the happiest cities in Canada are on the East Coast, not surprisingly, Saint John is at the top of the list.

According to the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Canadians are most likely to be satisfied with the quality of life in places like Saint John, Moncton, N.B., and Charlottetown, all of which placed in the top five of a survey of 18 Canadian cities.

In fact, knowing your neighbours — and trusting those around you — is a key reason why a city like Saint John tops the list, said John Helliwell, a University of British Columbia economist who led the research project. He said his ongoing work, which has not yet been published, suggests a correlation between lower levels of life satisfaction in some of the country’s most affluent cities — Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary among them — and the lower levels of trust among neighbours in those cities. “They’re more inclined to feel harried. They’re more inclined to feel pressured,” Helliwell told CBC News. “They have a little less time to build these positive relationships.”

All the same, Helliwell said the findings suggest that cities with a static population and deep roots are happier places. “It’s really the extent to which people feel connected to each other, committed to each other and open,” he said.

So what do you think? I’m not surprised one bit, just look at the cost of living alone. You may not make as much as you would in Alberta, but your money goes a long way when it comes to essentials such as housing. You can’t beat the pace of life either. I can bike to work in a little over half an hour, or drive within twenty. Try explaining that to someone from Toronto!

PS - Thanks for the link Steph.

Mattel recently announced the release of improved limited-edition Barbie Dolls for the Greater Saint John market.

Rothesay Barbie - This princess Barbie is sold only at Rothesay shops and specialty boutiques. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey, and a cookie-cutter house. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.

Quispamsis Barbie - The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.

South End Barbie - This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a Meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small untraceable bills), unless you are a cop, then we don’t know what you are talking about.

Millidgeville Barbie - This Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Tim Horton’s cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won’t be able to afford any of them.

St. Martin’s Barbie - This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of her house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.

North End Barbie - This Barbie now comes with a stroller and infant doll. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.

Maces Bay Barbie -This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set. She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken’s butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get an Oilers bumper sticker absolutely free.