Good morning, Beverly. I hope you all enjoy the 4th of July with those closest to you. It’s time to reply to work emails with the always useful “Let’s circle back on this after the holiday.”

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• Ongoing strike: Don’t put your trash and recycling out yet 🗑️ ♻️

• Two parents sue over Beverly teachers' strike 🏫 

• Neighbors clash over proposed homeless services at the Second Congregational Church ⛪️ 

• Beverly Bootstraps is kicking off its 24th annual Back-to-School Backpack Program 🎒 

• Upcoming events 💃 🍺 🎶

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum

THE DIGEST

Ongoing strike: Don’t put your trash and recycling out yet 🗑️ ♻️ 

Beverly city representatives were notified yesterday that the Republic Services workers union, Teamsters Local 25, has announced that they are on strike as of midnight July 1st, resulting in a work stoppage in Beverly and several surrounding communities. Residents are instructed not to put out their trash and recycling until further notice, and those with Wednesday pickups should bring their bins back inside.

The city emphasizes that this is a private dispute between Republic Services and its union, with no involvement from the city or its unions. Per Commissioner Collins last night, “They [Republic] have promised to find alternate drivers and resume collection on Monday, however, this arrangement is not acceptable to us, and we are in conversation with Republic demanding immediate action.” The city will provide updates as more information becomes available.

The Stanley Street Yard Waste Compost Site is also closed. Those who participate in curbside food composting are not affected by this strike, and compost will be picked up as scheduled.

Let’s talk food 🍚 🥑 🍗 

Qué Mas was voted Best Restaurant North of Boston by Boston Magazine. If you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for? They make some truly fantastic food there.

Cava is now open in the North Beverly Plaza! Cava is one of my favorite restaurants, specializing in Mediterranean fast-casual food. Cava offers bowls, pitas, and plenty of flavorful dips.

Gloria Food Store’s last day is this Thursday, July 3rd, per an update they shared on Facebook. They will be sorely missed!

Two parents sue over Beverly teachers' strike 🏫 

Two Beverly parents have filed a class-action lawsuit against the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA), seeking damages for students and parents impacted by last year's illegal 19-day teachers' strike.

The lawsuit claims the strike caused educational and emotional harm and financial burdens for families. It also names the Massachusetts Teachers Association and other unions for supporting the strike, and aims to rescind the new teacher contracts, arguing they were illegally obtained. The parents contend the $810,000 in fines against the BTA is insufficient and are pushing for a jury trial and economic compensation.

Neighbors clash over proposed homeless services at the Second Congregational Church ⛪️ 

A contentious community meeting took place at Second Congregational Church in Beverly regarding its sale to Lifebridge North Shore, a non-profit that plans to use the building to offer services for homeless individuals, excluding overnight shelter. Roughly 100 residents attended, many expressing safety concerns and fear that the site could eventually become a shelter.

Despite the heated atmosphere, some attendees spoke in favor of Lifebridge's mission, emphasizing the existing issue of homelessness and the need for support services. The sale now awaits approval from the state Attorney General's public charity division and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, a process expected to take at least six months. Mayor Mike Cahill stated he'd hold another meeting to address neighbor concerns, and Reverend Adam Isbitsky promised to create a website with information on the process.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• 📱 State Senator Brendan Crighton is advocating for a statewide "bell-to-bell" ban on student smartphone use in Massachusetts schools, citing academic and mental health concerns.

• 🚗 Traveling by car for your July 4th plans? July 2 and July 6 are expected to be the busiest travel days, according to transportation data provider Inrix. Plan accordingly.

• 🏠️ The missing Salem girl we highlighted last week was found safe.

CAUSE OF THE WEEK

Beverly Bootstraps is kicking off its 24th annual Back-to-School Backpack Program, aiming to equip students in Beverly, Essex, Hamilton, Manchester, and Wenham with essential supplies.

This year, the need is greater than ever. In Beverly's public schools alone, approximately 32% of K-12 students (over 1,440 children) come from low-income households and may require assistance. Last year, the program distributed just over 900 backpacks, but with growing demand, Beverly Bootstraps has set a higher goal of 950 backpacks for the upcoming school year. There are two ways to donate:

1. Order online through July 23 here. All supplies ordered will be delivered to Beverly Bootstraps.

2. Shop locally and drop off donations by July 13 at one of the Community Collection Sites.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

86°/66° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 15% | 💨 WSW 10 mph

Thursday

86°/62° 🌡️ | ⛈️ Isolated Thunderstorms | 31% | 💨 W 9 mph

Friday

80°/61° 🌡️ | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 3% | 💨 NW 11 mph

Saturday

82°/66° 🌡️ | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 2% | 💨 SW 8 mph

Source: Weather.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

👠 🧹 🧙The Wizard of Oz: 7/8 - 7/20

North Shore Music Theatre | $75 - $95; Kids 4-18 get 50% off tickets | Info and Tickets

Wednesday, 7/2

🖥️ Digital Literacy Drop-In Hours | BevCam | 2-5 PM | Free | Info 

🏋️ Free Fitness in the Park: Presented by BAC | Lynch Park | 6:30 PM | Free | Info 

Thursday, 7/3

👭 Votes For Women: A Portrait of Persistence | Historic Beverly | 2 PM | Free | Info 

🎵 Summer Concert Series: Tilt-a-Whirl Unplugged | Beverly Commons Gazebo on Dane St | 6 PM | Free | Info

🎵 Live Music | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

🎶 Live Music: BluNote Soultet | Sala Restobar | 7-10 PM | Info

Friday, 7/4

🎈 Beverly Horribles Parade | 8 AM | Oak Street | Info 

🏃 4th of July Races and Games | West Beach | 2 PM | Info

🎵 4th of July Musical Entertainment | West Beach | 5 PM | Info

🎶 Live Music | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

🇺🇸 Beverly Farms Pride 4th Of July Fireworks | West Beach | Fireworks begin at 9 PM | $20 in advance or $25 day of | Info

Saturday, 7/5

🎸 GA-20 with Jay Aptt and The MaliCaminos | The Cut, Gloucester | 8 PM | $27-$42 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 7/5

🎶 Live Music: Mike Mele Trio | Sala Restobar | 7-10 PM | Info

Sunday, 7/6

🎶 Live Music: Mike McGowan Band | The Community House, South Hamilton | 5-8 PM | Info

🎵 Free Summer Concert Series: Supersonic Soul Project | Lynch Park | 6 PM | Info

🎷 Live Music: Cape Ann Big Band | Stage Fort Park, Gloucester | 6:30-9 PM | Info

🎤 Zach Nugent's Dead Set | The Cut, Gloucester | 7:30 PM | $32-$42 | Info and Tickets

🐸 Free Summer Movie Series: The Muppets | Lynch Park | 8:15 PM | Info

Monday, 7/7

🎙️ Podcasting Drop-In Hours | BevCam | 12:30-3:30 PM | Free | Info 

🧑‍🌾 Beverly Farmers’ Market | Veterans Memorial Park (Odell Park) | 3-7 PM | Info

Tuesday, 7/8

🧘 Summer Community Yoga! | Lynch Park Point | 6:30 PM | Free | Info

Thursday, 7/10

🎵 Free Summer Concert Series: The Avocates | Beverly Commons Gazebo on Dane St. | 6 PM | Info

🎤 Live Band Karaoke Party with The Inbetweeners | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $21.19 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 7/11

😆 Comedian Amy Tee and Friends | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $36.60 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 7/12

😂 Comedian Mike Koutrobis and Friends | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $36.60 | Info and Tickets

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

Wednesday, 7/2

📙 Books and Babies Story Time: Newborn to 18 Months | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 9:30 AM | Info and Register 

📗 Toddler Story Time: 18 Months to 3 Years | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register 

🎵 Music & Movement Presented by the CFCE of the North Shore | Conrad Room, Farms Branch Library | 10:45 AM | Info and Register

Thursday, 7/3

📕 Book Buzz: Story Time | Farms Branch Lawn or Conrad Room | 12 PM | Info 

Saturday, 7/5

🐐 Learning with Livestock | Appleton Farms | 10-10:45 AM; 11-11:45 AM; 1-1:45 PM; 2-2:45 PM | Free | Info

📘 Sensory-Friendly Family Story Time | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register

🍔 Kids Eat Free | A&B Burgers | 11:30 AM - 3 PM | Info

Monday, 7/7

📕 Book Buzz: Story Time | Farms Branch Lawn or Jackson Room | 11 AM | Info

🥒 Snack Attack: Pickles: Grades 6-12 | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 2 PM | Free | Info and Register

🍉 Drop-in Kids' Arts & Crafts: Watermelon Pinwheels | Arts & Crafts Room, Beverly Main Library | 3:30 PM | Free | Info

Tuesday, 7/8

📗 Books and Babies Story Time: Newborn to 18 Months | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 9:30 AM | Info and Register (Registration opens on 7/3 at 12 AM)

📕 Toddler Story Time: 18 Months to 3 Years | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register (Registration opens on 7/3 at 12 AM)

🎵 Evan Haller of Music at the Blissful Family Concert: Ages 7 and Under | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 3 PM | Info and Register

🧹 🍕 Downtown Clean Up (Free pizza!) Grades 6-12 | Winter Street Courtyard, Beverly Main Library | 3:30-5 PM | Info 

Wednesday, 7/9

🎸 Sing and Dance with The Music Man | The Community House | 10 AM | $10 donation per family recommended | Info

📘 🎶 Book Buzz: Story Time | Farms Branch Lawn or Conrad Room | 11 AM | Info

🐅 Animal Adventures | Conrad Room, Farms branch | 2-3 PM | Info

Thursday, 7/10

🎵 Music with Dara | Farms Branch Lawn or Conrad Room | 10:30 AM | Info 

🔫 Water Wars! | Farms Branch Lawn | 3-5 PM | Info 

👷 LEGO Club: PreK-5th Grade | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

TRASH AND RECYCLING

Visit the 2025 City of Beverly Holiday and Leaf Pickup Schedule for more information on each icon.

Note: This schedule should not be followed until the strike mentioned above ends.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Beverly Buzz today. If you found this newsletter useful, please share it with your friends and family.