Good morning, Beverly. I’ve taken my winter coat out of storage, and leaf pickup is back this month. Welcome back, November. We haven’t missed you.

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• We’re in the midst of a critical drought ☀️

• 10% increase in price for water and sewer service in ‘26 🚿 

• Restaurant updates 🍔 🧑‍🍳 

• Beverly trivia 🧠 

• Upcoming events 😆 🍺 💃 

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum

THE DIGEST

We’re in the midst of a critical drought ☀️ 

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has declared a Level 3 drought, also known as a "Critical Drought," for the Northeast region, which includes Beverly. All nonessential outdoor water use is prohibited in Beverly.

“Nonessential Outdoor Water Use: generally includes watering your lawn or flower garden, washing of cars, washing of exterior building surfaces, driveways or sidewalks.”

There are four levels of drought, so a Level 3 drought is nothing to sneeze at. Mass.gov states that a Level 3 drought means rain has been at lower levels in recent months, streams and groundwater are very low, fire potential increases, and there are potential fish and wildlife impacts.

The ban went into effect yesterday, April 8th, and will remain in effect until the state notifies Beverly city leadership otherwise.

10% increase in price for water and sewer service in ‘26 🚿 

We’re likely to see a 10% increase in water and sewer service rates in 2026. A significant contributing factor is “$7.5 million in new water meter purchases and installation designed to more accurately measure water use and to replace aging meters.”

City officials anticipate that the new meter project will directly contribute to a 3.37% rate increase in 2026 and a 2.87% increase in 2027. The City Council approved borrowing for this project early to potentially avoid increased costs due to federal tariffs and the impact they may have on required supplies. Officials believe tariffs “could add $300,000 to $350,000 to the project.”

Let’s talk food 🍔 

🗺️ A long drive: Three restaurants and chefs were named finalists this year by the James Beard Foundation.

• Outstanding Chef: Cassie Piuma, Sarma, 249 Pearl St., Somerville

• Best New Bar: Merai, 14 Harvard St., Brookline

• Best Chef in the Northeast: Erin Miller, Urban Hearth, 2263 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

🚗 A short drive: Crazy Good Kitchen, a burger restaurant, opened in Salem in October. The burger joint is located within the East Regiment Beer Co., so you can have a beer and a burger before running out to grab some TUMS.

🧠 Some good ideas: Northshore Magazine released a list of great spots across the North Shore you can venture to for some good eats.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• 🏫 On April 2, the Beverly School Committee voted to name Peter Cushing, Jennifer Turner, and Sean Gallagher as the finalists for Superintendent of the Beverly Public Schools. The School Committee is scheduled to vote to appoint the next Superintendent on April 17. May the odds be ever in their favor.

• 🏃 The Beverly Beat provided a great breakdown of upcoming elections this year and the candidates running in the respective races.

• 🎒 The Hopeful Journeys school on Tozer Road lies just below the contaminated Varian site. It's tangled up in a dispute between MassDEP and the property owner.

• 👮 Massachusetts State Police installed new "Safety Cloud" technology in 233 cruisers to help prevent collisions. The system uses transponders that activate when a trooper turns on their lights and sirens, and it triggers a digital alert that is sent to nearby drivers through their car's infotainment system about 30 seconds in advance.

BEVERLY TRIVIA

EVENT OF THE WEEK

Are you a bit bloated after eating a sleeve of Girl Scout Cookies last night? I know I am.

Check out the Mini Vegan Market at Bridge Nine Records in Beverly this Saturday! There will be 10 vendors serving up great food and delicious treats. Vendors include Rastarant, Veeg My Eats, La Pheegan Chef, Midcoast Vegan, Soul Good Confections, Beraka Juice, Laura's Bakery, Feasty Vegan, Belmont Vegetarian, Rooted Body Co., and Amsuka.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

46°/28° 🌡️ | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 WNW 16 mph

Thursday

48°/37° 🌡️ | ⛅️ Mostly Cloudy | 1% | 💨 S 12 mph

Friday

48°/38° 🌡️ | ☁️ Cloudy | 24% | 💨 E 12 mph

Saturday

40°/38° 🌡️ | 🌧️ Rain | 73% | 💨 NE 16 mph

Source: Weather.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday, 4/9

🧀 Boards for Days: Charcuterie Workshop | Create & Escape DIY Workshops, Peabody | 6 PM | $82 | Info and Tickets 

👩 Hormones, Hot Flashes and Healthy Aging | The Cabot | 6:30 PM | Free | Info and Register 

🤣 Essex Improv Class Show – Art of the Scene | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $10 | Info and Tickets

Thursday, 4/10

🎶 Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $69.00 | Info and Tickets

🪄 🐇 Alchemy: Magic in the Grand Salon | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $25 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 4/11

🎶 Eagle in the Attic - 10 Year Bandiversary Show | Old Planters Brewing Co. | 7 PM | Info

🎥 Clue: 40th Anniversary Screening | The Cabot | 7 PM | $12.75 - $14.75 | Info and Tickets

🎵 Sailor Down & Tiny the Bear – Live Music | Gully’s Bar on Endicott’s Campus | 7 PM | $10 - Public; $5 - Students | Info 

😆 Comedian Don Zollo | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $30 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 4/12

🎨 Slow Art Day: Think Differently | Cabot House | 10 AM - 3 PM | Free | Info and Register 

🏡 Long Hill House & Garden Tour | Long Hill | 10:30 AM on 4/12 and 4/13 

• Info and Tickets for 4/12 | Info and Tickets for 4/13

• Member Adult: $12; Member Child: $6

• Nonmember Adult: $20; Nonmember Child: $10

🥕 Mini Vegan Market | Bridge Nine Records | 11 AM - 3 PM | Info

🧘 Yoga and RastaRant | Gentile Brewing Company | 11 AM - 4 PM | $30-$50 | Info and Tickets

🎷 Intercollegiate Jazz Fest with EC Jazz Band | Manninen Center for the Arts at Endicott College | 3 PM | $10 - $15 | Info and Tickets

🎭️ The Grand Descent: Titanic Masquerade Weekend | Hawthorne Hotel, Salem | 7:30 PM | $146 | Info and Tickets

👽️ Ancient Aliens Live | The Cabot | 7:30 PM | $58.50 - $114.50 | Info and Tickets 

🎶 Nirvani – A Nirvana Tribute Experience | Larcom Theatre | 8 PM | $25-$29 | Info and Tickets

💄 Drag Me To Broadway | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $20 - $25 | Info and Tickets

Sunday, 4/13

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

🛒 Amesbury Winter Market | BareWolf Brewing, Amesbury | 12 PM - 4 PM | Info

💃 😆 Dick Kayin & Peewee Vermin’s “Worst Show In Town” | Off Cabot | 7 PM | $20 | Info and Tickets

🎸 Tom Rush Club 47® - Feat. Cheryl Wheeler, Kenny White, Monica Rizzio | The Cabot | 7 PM | $47.50 - $78.50 | Info and Tickets

Monday, 4/14

🎥 Roman Holiday – Free Screening | The Cabot | 1 PM | Info and Register 

😂 Laughter Therapy | Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 7 PM | Info

Tuesday, 4/15

📕 Tuesday Evening Book Discussion | Fogg Room, Beverly Main Library | 7:30 PM | Info

🌮 Taco Tuesday | La Qchara | 11 AM - 9 PM | $2.95 per taco | Info

Wednesday, 4/16

🎥 Screening of Eephus (100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) | The Cabot | 7 PM on 4/16 and 4/17 | $12.75 - $14.75 | Info and Tickets

Thursday, 4/17

🤣 🪄 Comedy and Magic of Eric Eaton | Off Cabot | 6:30 PM or 9 PM | $35 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 4/18

🎶 Foreigners Journey - A Tribute to Foreigner and Journey | The Cabot | 8 PM | $35.75 - $58.50 | Info and Tickets

🤣 Spread The Love Comedy Show | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $30 | Info and Tickets

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

Book Easter Bunny Photos Through 4/19

🐇 Easter Bunny Photo Experience | Northshore Mall | Times vary | Info and Reservations 

Hike & Seek: Sprouts of Spring: 4/13 - 4/27

🍂 🥾 Hike & Seek: Sprouts of Spring | Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens | 9 AM - 5 PM | Member Family: $9; Nonmember Family: $15 | Info and Register 

Discounted Play! Spring Afternoons through Memorial Day

🛝 🧒 Create & Play Kids | 100 Cummings Center- Suite 206K | Monday - Friday, 1-5 PM | $12 Open Play

Mondays from 1/6 - 6/2

🔬📙 Steam and Stories | TOHP Burnham Free Library | 9-10 AM | Free | Info

Wednesday, 4/9

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

👶 Bouncing Babies Storytime: 0 - 15 months | Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 9:30 AM | Info

📗 Toddler Tunes Storytime: 15 months - 3 years | Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 10 AM | Info

📘 Preschool Story Time: Aged 3 and older | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 11:15 AM | Info and Register 

🍕 Annual Pizza Taste Off | Cruiseport Gloucester | 5 PM | $10; $5 for Children 5 and under | Info

• Limited to 300 tickets, which will be sold at the door on event night

Thursday, 4/10

📘 Little Listeners Storytime | Two locations (below) | 10:30 AM | Info

• Children's Garden, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers

• Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers

🏗️ Lego Club: Ages 5 - 11 | Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 3:30 PM | Info

🌕️ CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes | Castle Hill on the Crane Estate | 7 PM | Member Family: $36; Nonmember Family: $45 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 4/11

🎵 Jammin' With Jessica: Age 0-5 | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

👨 Dad & Me Playgroup | Children's Play Area, Salem Public Library | 11 AM | Info

Saturday, 4/12

🥚 🐇 Salisbury Egg Hunt | Salisbury Elementary School | BYOB -  Bring your own basket! | Info

• Kids Ages 2-5 | Hunt begins at 9:45 AM

• Kids Ages 6-8 | Hunt begins at 10:15 AM

🐕️ Cuddle with Bentley the Therapy Dog | Children's Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 10 AM | Info

🖼️ Second Saturday - Free Museum Admission | Lynn Museum & Arts Center | 10 AM - 2 PM | Info

🪁 Kite Day  | Cogswell's Grant, Essex | 10 AM - 4 PM | Info and Tickets

• Free for flyers and spectators and $10 for the kite-making workshop

🥚 🐇 Easter Egg Hunt With The Easter Bunny | Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester | 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM | $5 per parent; $15 per kid | Info and Tickets

🍩 Dads and Donuts Storytime: Ages 0-5 | The Lois M. Anderson Community Room, Newbury Town Library | 10:30 AM | Info and Register 

🎵 Debbie and Friends: Kids at The Cabot | The Cabot | 10:30 AM | $7.50 - $17.50 | Info and Tickets

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

📙 Saturday Storytime: Ages 0-5 | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

Sunday, 4/13

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

🐐 📗 Barnyard Story Hour: Infants to Age 6 | Appleton Farms | 10:30 AM | Info and Tickets

• Member Adult: $5; Member Child: $5

• Nonmember Adult: $10; Nonmember Child: $10

• Children under 2 are free

Monday, 4/14

🧑‍🌾 Guided Farm Walk: Reconnect & Recharge in Nature | Goats To Go, Georgetown | 10 AM | $5 - $10 | Info and Tickets

Tuesday, 4/15

🎶 Music and Movement with CFCE of the Northshore: Ages 0-7 | Gordon Room, Peabody Institute Library of Danvers | 10 AM | Info and Register 

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

🧒 Sensory Bins: Ages 18 months - 3 years | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 10 AM | Info and Register

📚️ Storytime with Miss Simone: Ages 0-5 | Children's Program Room, Salem Public Library | 3:30 PM | Info and Register

Wednesday, 4/16

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

• Registration for this event opens Thursday, April 10, at 12:00 AM

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

• Registration for this event opens Thursday, April 10, at 12:00 AM

📘 Preschool Story Time: Aged 3 and older | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 11:15 AM | Info and Register 

• Registration for this event opens Thursday, April 10, at 12:00 AM

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!

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