Good morning, Beverly. The Lunar New Year kicked off yesterday, in addition to Fat Tuesday and the beginning of Ramadan. It’s the year of the fire horse. Let’s hope that the fire horse can help melt down some of this snow.

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• Beverly Bootstraps Recognized by Sincere Foundation 🤗 

• The Report Card: Various School Updates ✏️ 

• Mayor Cahill Signs New Immigration Proclamation 📜 

• Upcoming events 💃 🍺 🎶 🎥 🧑‍🍳 🎤 

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum

THE DIGEST

Beverly Bootstraps Recognized by Sincere Foundation 🤗 

The Sincere Foundation, which supports Massachusetts-based nonprofits, just hit a major giving streak, surpassing $1 million in total grants since its 2023 launch. Their latest $250,000 round supports 20 Massachusetts nonprofits, including our very own Beverly Bootstraps, with new grants to support food security, housing stability, and safe spaces. Beverly Bootstraps stated, “We are honored to be recognized by Sincere Foundation for our work to provide critical resources to families and individuals so they may achieve self-sufficiency.”

The Report Card: Various School Updates ✏️ 

Time-Out Rooms: Massachusetts is awarding $3.6 million in grants to 78 educational organizations to help them phase out "time-out rooms" in favor of modern de-escalation and trauma-informed support strategies. The Northshore Education Consortium in Beverly will receive $50,000.

Lottery Admissions: Essex Tech has transitioned to a state-mandated lottery admissions system, resulting in a record 1,746 applicants vying for fewer than 600 seats. Superintendent Heidi Riccio highlights a desperate need for the state to expand vocational and agricultural education capacity.

Supplemental Funding: Essex Tech has launched the Essex Tech Education Foundation to bridge the gap in declining public grants and fund essential projects, including program expansions, teacher-led initiatives, and campus facility upgrades.

College Scholarships: The Beverly/Peabody Elks Lodge #1309 is now accepting applications through April 1 for five distinct scholarships supporting local 2026 graduates pursuing careers in fields ranging from medicine and education to vocational plumbing.

Reminder: Upcoming Restaurant Deals 🥘 

Restaurant Week Beverly kicks off this Friday and runs through March 1. As we shared last week, some local restaurants are participating with fantastic deals, like Delphine's Kitchen, A&B Burgers, El Jalisco, and more. Beverly Main Streets is updating its participating menus daily.

Dine Out Boston, Boston’s restaurant week, is returning this month from February 22 to March 7. More than 100 restaurants are participating, offering you the chance to try some of Boston’s best menus at reasonable prices.

Mayor Cahill Signs New Immigration Proclamation 📜 

Mayor Cahill signed a proclamation restricting ICE activities on municipal grounds. The new policy, which was created in consultation with Police Chief John LeLacheur, City Council President Julie Flowers and School Committee Chair Lorinda Visnick, bars federal immigration arrests in non-public city areas without a judicial warrant. The order follows in the footsteps of Governor Maura Healey, who previously moved to keep ICE officials out of "safe havens" like schools, churches, and hospitals across Massachusetts.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• 🗑️ Trash and recycling pickup is delayed one day this week. Also, appliance/TV pickup can be scheduled with Republic for this Saturday.

• 👶 Newborn patients in Beverly Hospital’s Special Care Nursery spread the love this Valentine’s Day by rocking adorable heart-themed outfits while receiving expert care!

• ⛸️ Get your ice skating in: The SBLI Rink at MarketStreet is shutting down for the season after February 22.

• 🏢 Mayor Cahill‘s next office hours are this Thursday at 5 PM on the third floor City Council Chambers at City Hall.

• 🚆 Using the commuter rail this weekend? Note that on February 21-22, local and express shuttle buses will replace regular weekend train service on the Newburyport/Rockport Line between North Station and Swampscott to allow for signal improvement work.

• 💰️ To avoid a lengthy refund freeze starting this tax season, ensure you update your IRS Online Account with direct deposit information, as the agency is phasing out paper checks for most taxpayers in 2026.

• ⛵️ New Hampshire ranks first among states in which to retire for your health.

PET OF THE WEEK

Meet the gentle giant, Buddy! At just under 3 years old, this sweet soul is a volunteer favorite known for his calm, patient heart. Buddy is a true family man — he’s successfully lived with everyone from infants under 1 year old to elderly adults. Whether he’s soaking up the sun or relaxing by your side, he’s the ultimate easygoing companion. Ready to meet your new best friend? Learn more and apply for adoption here.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

39°/24° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 💧 14%

Thursday

37°/24° 🌡️ | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 💧 6% 

Friday

37°/29° 🌡️ | 🌨️ PM Snow | 💧 94% 

Saturday

31°/21° 🌡️ | 🌨️ AM Snow Showers | 💧 32%

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, 2/18

🪡 Sip & Stitch | Coastal Mass Brewing | 6:30 pm | Info

🎯 Trivia with Michael | Backbeat Brewing | 6:45 pm | Info

😆 Art of the Scene Improv Class: Weekly Classes through 4/15 | Off Cabot | 7 pm | $320 - $340 | Info

Thursday, 2/19

❄️ Snowshoe Rentals | Crane Beach | 8 am - 4 pm | $10 - $20 | Info

❤️ 3 in 30: Love Remembered | Cabot House | 12 pm | Free | Info

🃏 Vintage Board Game Night | Cabot House | 5 pm | Free | Info

🪵 DIY Wood Sign Workshop | Hammer & Stain | 6:30 pm | $40 - $65 | Info

🍺 Pub Trivia | Coastal Mass Brewing | 7 pm | Info

😆 Improv Night | Off Cabot | 7 pm | $24 | Info

🎵 Live Music: Irish Session | Backbeat Brewing | 7-10 pm | Info

📖 Beverly Farms Book Discussion Group | Loring Room, Farms branch | 7 pm | Info

🎹 Third Thursday (music) Therapy with Big Ol' Dirty Bucket | The Cut | 7 pm | Free | Info

🎬 A Bronx Tale with Chazz Palminteri: One-Man Stage Play | The Cabot | 8 pm | $58.50 - $115 | Info

Friday, 2/20

🩸 HAVE A HEART Blood Drive |  North Shore Music Theatre | 12-5 pm | Info

🎶 Live Music: Mike Miksis Trio | Sala Restobar | 6-9 pm | Info

🧑‍🍳 Adult Cooking Class: Mexican Fiesta | Taste Buds Kitchen | 7 pm | $74.20 | Info

🎥 Screening of Frankenstein (2025) | The Cabot | 7 pm | $13.50 - $16.50 | Info

🎵 Live Music: Dexter Handy Organ Trio | Backbeat Brewing | 7-10 pm | Info

Saturday, 2/21

🚶 USMC Walking Tour, Part 2 | Cummings Center | 2 pm | $5 - $10 | Info

🎨 Resin Sun Catchers Workshop | Hammer & Stain | 4 pm | $65 | Info

🎵 Live Music: Irish Session, then Jazz Jam | Backbeat Brewing | 12-3 pm, 4-8 pm | Info

🎤 Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti | The Cabot | 8 pm | $41 - $73 | Info

🎸 Rebels: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Tribute Band | Larcom Theatre | 8 pm | $32.50 - $38.50 | Info

Sunday, 2/22

🧘 A Sound Bath for Two | 186 Cabot St | 10 am | $80 | Info

💘 Galentines Mini Spa Day | 186 Cabot St | 12 pm | $55 | Info

📃 Microsoft Word 101 | Sohier Room, Main Library | 2 pm | Info

🧑‍🍳 Adult Cooking Class: Julia's Kitchen | Taste Buds Kitchen | 5 pm | $74.20 | Info

🎭 Midnight at the Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner! | Off Cabot | 6 pm | $72 | Info

🎥 Screening of When Harry Met Sally… | The Cabot | 6 pm | $13.50 - $16.50 | Info

Monday, 2/23

📚 LGBTQ Book Discussion Group | Fogg Room, Main Library | 7 pm | Info

😀 Improv Jam and Jelly | Off Cabot | 7 pm | $6 | Info

Tuesday, 2/24

💪 Boot Camp: Outdoor Strength Training (8 weeks) | Beverly High School | 6 am | $155 | Info

🧑‍🎨 Time to Create: Resin Pour Clock Workshop | Hammer & Stain | 6 or 7 pm | $85 - $120 | Info

Wednesday, 2/25

🚙 JOYRIDE! The Future of Transportation in Beverly | The Cabot | 6:30 pm | Free | Info

🐕 Paint a Pet Portrait | Coastal Mass Brewing | 7 pm | $50 | Info

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

🍝 🍫 🥟 Eat Around the World - Free Food Daily: 2/16-2/20

McPherson Youth Center | February Break Special | Free Food Daily from 1-4 pm | Info

Wednesday, 2/18

📙 Books and Babies Story Time | Story Hour Room, Main Library | 9:30 am | Info 

📗 Toddler Story Time | Story Hour Room, Main Library | 10:30 am | Info

👷 Lego Club | Conrad Room, Farms branch | 3:30 pm | Info

🍓 Crafternoon: Chocolate Covered Strawberries | Sohier Room, Main Library | 4 pm | Info

Thursday, 2/19

🐐 Barnyard Story Hour | Appleton Farms | 10:30 AM | $5 - $10 | Info

📘 Book Buzz: Story Time | Conrad Room, Farms branch | 12 pm | Info

🎨 Anti-Boredom Art Club: ZINE-Making Mega Event! | Sohier Room, Main Library | 12-2:30 pm | Info

Saturday, 2/21

🥨 Caregiver & Me Cooking Class: Soft Pretzel Twists | Taste Buds Kitchen | 9 am | $37.10 | Info

📗 Sensory-Friendly Family Story Time | Story Hour Room, Main Library | 10:30 am | Info

🍁 Children's Maple in the Barnyard | Appleton Farms | 10:45-11:30; 12-12:45; 1-1:45; 2:15-3:00 | Free - $20 | Info

🍔 Kids Eat Free | A&B Burgers | 11:30 am - 3:00 pm | Info

Monday, 2/23

📘 Book Buzz: Story Time | Jackson Room, Farms branch | 11 am | Info

🐕 Hangin' with Hootie the Therapy Dog | Story Hour Room, Main Library | 3:30 pm or 4:15 pm 

Tuesday, 2/24

🍁 Maple Story Hour | Appleton Farms | 10:30 | Free - $10 | Info

Wednesday, 2/25

🎮 2K Tournament | McPherson Youth Center | 4 pm | Info

TRASH AND RECYCLING

Visit the 2026 City of Beverly Holiday and Leaf Pickup Schedule for more information on each icon.

THANKS!

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