Good morning, Beverly. Say goodbye to the penny. The US Treasury will soon stop producing new pennies because it costs 3.7 cents to make a one-cent coin, which led to $85 million in losses last year for the US. You can still use pennies to make purchases, but businesses will need to start rounding up or down to the nearest nickel for cash transactions.

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• The Farms branch library reopens on Monday 📚️ 

• City updates 🏢 🌈 🎭️ 

• A change to admissions for CTE schools 🏫 

• Upcoming events 💃 🍺 🎶 

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum

THE DIGEST

The Farms branch library reopens on Monday 📚️ 

The Farms branch closed on January 21 due to HVAC repairs that caused a small fire. The library leadership team originally estimated a reopening in mid-March, but the work took longer than expected. The branch will open this upcoming Monday, June 2.

Thank you to the leaders of the Farms branch for continually providing updates and working hard to reopen the library. Beverly is better when the Farms branch is open to the community. And in the words of Gene Wilder:

Let’s talk food 🍦 🍔

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York-based ice cream chain, is opening in the Northshore Mall this summer.

May is National Burger Month, and today is National Hamburger Day! Northshore Magazine wrote about 12 Great Burgers to Try North of Boston. Beverly had a strong showing with The Sweet & Salty from A&B Burgers and The Smash from Rev Burger. The Double Burger at Ledger in Salem is also fantastic. (I’ve had it about 23 times.) Also, check out some sweet deals from national chains like Wendy’s and Burger King.

Check out 31 great spots on the North Shore for outdoor dining you can take advantage of this summer.

City updates 🏢 🌈 🎭️ 

Independence Park Community Meeting is occurring on May 29. Beverly 400+ will share their proposal for the final design of the "new" Independence Park, based on input from the community, the Mayor's Office, the Department of Public Services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Bev400+ History Committee. You can join live here by using the Zoom link in the Facebook event.

Beverly will host a Pride Month flag-raising ceremony on June 5 at City Hall at 5 PM to honor the history and contributions of the city's diverse LGBTQ+ community.

The Cabot is hosting a 1960s Marquee Celebration next Tuesday, June 3. “This summer, The Cabot will be honoring our century-long history by returning to a theater sign in the style of the 1920 original. Before the renovations, come get photos with the marquee, connect with your neighbors, and enjoy the free movie!

A change to admissions for CTE schools 🏫 

The Massachusetts Board of Education has approved a "weighted lottery" system for admissions to career technical education (CTE) high schools, aiming to create a more equitable selection process. This decision, passed with an 8-2-1 vote, moves away from the current interview-based system. Under the new weighted lottery, students will be chosen randomly, but factors such as good attendance, a clean disciplinary record (from seventh grade onward), and demonstrated interest in vocational careers will increase their chances of selection.

The change has sparked debate. Supporters, like Salem Public Schools Superintendent Steve Zrike, believe it will lead to student bodies that better reflect the demographics of the districts they serve. Conversely, opponents, such as Essex Tech Superintendent Heidi Riccio, argue that the interview process is crucial for understanding a student's readiness to thrive in a career technical environment and that a lottery removes this "human connection."

Riccio also emphasizes that the core issue is the lack of available seats to meet high demand, noting that Essex Tech received 1,127 applications for 497 spots. All parties generally agree on the need to increase the number of seats to meet overwhelming demand.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• Next week is the last scheduled leaf pickup until September, so get those bags out!

• Want sand in your car year-round? New England’s Largest Sandbox, Sandmagination, is now open at Northshore Mall. This one-of-a-kind indoor play space invites kids 10 and under to dig, build, and explore all year long.

• Hollister is now open at Northshore Mall as well.

• Former Beverly Bootstraps Executive Director Sue Gabriel has joined the Boys & Girls Club of Salem as its new executive director.

NORTH SHORE EATS

This week, I’ll share some of the amazing food I had over Memorial Day weekend.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

78°/55° 🌡️ | ⛅️ Mostly Cloudy | 3% | 💨 SW 12 mph

Thursday

61°/54° 🌡️ | 🌧️ Showers | 42% | 💨 SE 10 mph

Friday

74°/56° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 23% | 💨 SW 11 mph

Saturday

64°/52° 🌡️ | 💨 Scattered Thunderstorms | 61% | 💨 WSW 13 mph

Source: Weather.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, 5/28

🎨 Rockport Artist Demo | Emerson Inn, Rockport | 4 PM | Info 

Thursday, 5/29

🎵 Live Music: Henley Douglas Jr Trio | Sala Restobar | 6 - 9 PM

🎶 Live Music: Bluegrass Jam | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

😂 Comedy Open Mic | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $5 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 5/30

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

🎵 Live Music: Resonating Americas | Backbeat Brewing Company | 7 PM | Info

🇦🇺 🕺 Thunder from Down Under | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $114.50 | Info and Tickets

😆 Off Cabot Comedy Showcase | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $36.60 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 5/31

🌷 🧁 Plant and Bake Sale | Turtle Creek Apartments | 9 AM - 1 PM | Info

🌱 Beverly Plant Swap | Friends Forever Studio, 285 Rantoul St | 12 - 2 PM | $10 | Info and Tickets

🎶 Live Music: Jazz Jam | Backbeat Brewing Company | 4 PM | Info

🎵 Live Music: Adria Smith Trio | Sala Restobar | 7 - 10 PM

🎸 The Machine Performs Pink Floyd | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $58.50 | Info and Tickets

😵‍💫 Frank Santos Jr. – R-Rated Hypnotist | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $30 | Info and Tickets

Sunday, 6/1

🛒 Todd Farm Flea Market | 275 Main St, Rowley | 5 AM - 2 PM | $5 Parking | Info

🧑‍🌾 Newburyport Farmers’ Market | Tannery Marketplace, Newburyport | 9 AM - 1 PM | Info

🎶 1st Sunday Jazz Brunch with Krewe de Roux | CK Pearl, Essex | 11 AM - 2 PM

🏳️‍🌈 🎵 North Shore Pride Presents: Pride through Music | The Cabot | 5 PM | $41.50 - $79 | Info and Tickets 

🍝 A Taste of Italy Cooking Class | Taste Buds Kitchen | 5 PM | $140+ | Info and Tickets

🎶 A Night of Soul, Blues, and Rock & Roll with Barrence Whitfield | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $36.60 - $52.02 | Info and Tickets

Monday, 6/2

🎤 Le Grand Finale of Vi-Broadway Bar | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $14 | Info and Tickets

Tuesday, 6/3

🎭 Free Community Event: 1960s Marquee Celebration | The Cabot | 6:30 PM | Info and Reservations

Wednesday, 6/4

📹 The Power of Story: Creating Video Content that Connects | BevCam | 6 - 7:30 PM | $15-$30 | Info and Tickets

Thursday, 6/5

🎶 Live Music: BluNote Soultet | Sala Restobar | 6 - 9 PM

😆 Stand-up comedy: The Austin Leclaire Benefit | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $31.47 | Info and Tickets

🎵 Suzanne Vega: Flying With Angels 2025 Tour | The Cabot | 8 PM | $47.50 - $69 | Info and Tickets 

Friday, 6/6

🎭 Salem Arts Festival | Historic downtown Salem | 6/6 - 6/8 with many events | Info

🎸 Changes in Latitudes: Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show | Larcom Theatre | 8 PM | $31-$35 | Info and Tickets 

🎵 😀 Kristin Key: Musical Comedian | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $69 | Info and Tickets

😂 Comedian Jim Colliton | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $36.60 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 6/7

🚗 Driven: The Art & Culture of Classic Cars | Manninen Center for the Arts at Endicott College | 8 AM | Info

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

Wednesday, 5/28

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

🌸 📗 Spring Storytime: Ages 0-3 | Children's Room, Manchester Library | 10:30 AM | Info

🃏 Family Mystery BINGO! Ages 5-12 | Community Room, Peabody South Branch | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

Thursday, 5/29

📕 Baby Storytime: 0-18 months | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 10 AM | Info and Register 

📗 Toddler Storytime: 18 months - 3 years | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 11 AM | Info and Register 

Friday, 5/30

🐄 Family Cow Connection | Appleton Farms | 4:15 PM | $24-$30 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 5/31

🌷 Woven Flower Craft: Ages 5+ | Community Room, Peabody West Branch | 11 AM | Info and Register 

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

🧑‍🎨 Anti-Boredom Art Club: Patchwork Printing-Palooza: Grades 6-12 | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 1 - 3:30 PM | Info and Register

📇 Self-Care Bingo: Ages 5+ | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 3 PM | Info and Register

Sunday, 6/1

🚲 North Shore PMC Kids Ride (Raise money for cancer research and treatment!): Ages 2-15 | Masconomo Park, Manchester | 9 - 11 AM | Registration fee: $20; Required fundraising minimum: $40 | Info and Register

Monday, 6/2

🎨 Mini Art Show Month Kickoff: Ages 3+ | Children's Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | All day | Info

🎵 CFCE of the North Shore Music and Movement | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

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

🎨 Drop-in Kids' Arts & Crafts: Lion Frame Art | Arts & Crafts Room, Beverly Main Library | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Info

Tuesday, 6/3

🧘 Children's Yoga | Tech Lab, Peabody Main Library | 10 AM | Info and Register 

📙 Toddler Storytime: 18 months - 4 years | Community Room, Peabody South Branch | 10 AM | Info and Register

🐐 Barnyard Story Hour: Infants - Age 6 | Appleton Farms | 10:30 - 11:30 AM | $5-$10 | Info and Tickets

Wednesday, 6/4

📗 Graphic Novel Club: Grades 3-5 | Sohier Room, Beverly Main Library | 4 PM | Info and Register

TRASH AND RECYCLING

Holiday and Leaf Pickup Schedule

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

THANKS!

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