Good morning, Beverly. The winning pumpkin at the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at the Topsfield Fair weighed a whopping 2,507 pounds. The same weight I’ll be after eating my kid’s Halloween candy.

In today’s Beverly Buzz:

• Beverly Y prioritizes safety, paves the way for a new entrance after demolition 🏋️ 

• Some city updates 📰 

• It’s Dining Week at Northshore Mall 🥪 

• Upcoming events 💃 🍺 🎶

Let’s get to it.

— Chase Nussbaum 

THE DIGEST

Beverly Y prioritizes safety, paves the way for a new entrance after demolition 🏋️ 

The Greater Beverly YMCA demolished two historic, uninhabitable houses on Essex Street to eventually provide a safer entrance/exit for its members and guests. The safety risk is due to the bend in the road where the entrance/exit lies, which has drivers turning left without great visibility of the oncoming cars on Essex Street.

The Y's executive director, Tim Flaherty, stated that the action was necessary to improve safety for the facility's 15,000 members and children, overriding concerns from groups that had opposed the demolition plans in recent years. The Y agreed to restore a surviving historic structure on the property, a roadside shoe shop known as a "10-footer," for educational use. There is no timeline yet for when the new entrance/exit will be built. As someone who takes a left out of that parking lot weekly, this is welcome news.

City news 📰 

The Temporary Bridge Street Bridge (Hall-Whitaker) Pre-Construction Public Information Meeting takes place tonight at 6 PM at the Beverly Middle School Auditorium.

Beverly is launching a City-wide Economic Development Action Plan, directed by Mayor Cahill and led by the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Economic and Community Development Council (ECDC). Mayor Cahill emphasized that the City is committed to doing everything in its power to support and sustain our local businesses. You can take this survey to help the City prioritize strategies and future initiatives.

Beverly was awarded $54,850 in public safety and traffic grants as part of the Municipal Road Safety Grant Program. The program makes federal funds available to provide police departments with flexibility in addressing local traffic safety issues.

It’s Dining Week at Northshore Mall 🥪 

Northshore Mall is hosting a Dining Week from October 6 through October 13, offering deals and discounts at several restaurants and food court locations. Participating businesses include Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill, Legal Sea Foods, Chick-fil-A, and more. You need to say "Dining Week" to receive the special offers.

What else is buzzing 🐝 

• 🗑️ Trash pickup next week is delayed one day due to Columbus Day. Leaf pickup will occur on our respective trash days, and appliance/TV pickup will occur next Saturday, October 18.

• 🥕 Whole Foods and the contractors it sued are now collaborating to resolve the issues at the Beverly location. According to a recent court filing, they have mutually agreed to postpone further litigation while they work toward fixes. (Note: This article is behind a paywall.)

• 🚲️ There are no bikes allowed on Newburyport/Rockport Line trains during weekends in October.

• 🏠️ How much does it cost to grow old in your home? Use The Wall Street Journal’s remodeling tool to find out.

• 🏰 Support The Castle by stopping in for a drink, some food, a gift card, or showing some love online. They had some pricey kitchen equipment break down and can use the community’s support!

• 🤝 [Reminder] The Hastings House is hosting a free candidate forum on Thursday, October 16, at 7 PM to provide the community a chance to hear the plans of the candidates running for contested offices in the upcoming Beverly Municipal Election. You will hear from candidates running for mayor, councilors at-large, school committee members at-large, and Ward 6 candidates.

PET OF THE WEEK

Meet Mia, a gentle one-year-old Domestic Shorthair/Mix with a soft heart and quiet soul. At first, she can be a little shy, preferring to observe from a safe spot, but once she feels comfortable, her sweet personality shines through. She loves calm environments where she can explore and build trust at her own pace. Her favorite TV show is The Wire - she’s seen it three times. Learn more and apply for adoption here.

WEATHER

4-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday

67°/42° 🌡️ | 🌧️ Rain | 90%

Thursday

58°/36° 🌡️ | ☀️ Sunny | 1%

Friday

63°/41° 🌡️ | ☀️ Sunny | 3%

Saturday

67°/49° 🌡️ | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 5%

UPCOMING EVENTS

🎃 Halloween on the Hill 2025: 10/3 - 10/30

Long Hill | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | $7 - $30 | Info and Tickets 

🎢 The Topsfield Fair: 10/3-10/13

Topsfield Fairgrounds | Hours and daily schedule | $15-$33 | Info and Tickets

Wednesday, 10/8

🎓 How To Afford College | Beverly Senior Center | 6:30 PM | $25 | Info and Register

🍺 Trivia with Michael | Backbeat Brewing Company | 6:45 PM | Info

📱 Can’t Look Away: Who’s Protecting Our Kids? | The Cabot | 7 PM | Free | Info and Register

Thursday, 10/9

👥 Social Services Navigator | Reference Area, Main Library | 5 PM | Info

🍺 Trivia Night | Coastal Mass Brewing | 7 PM | Info

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

😨 SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw | Ames Hall Salem | 7:30 PM | $145.90 | Info and Tickets 

🎩 Alchemy: Magic in The Grand Salon | Off Cabot | 7:30 PM | $31.47 | Info and Tickets 

🦇 Bat Out of Helloween: Celebrating Meat Loaf and Rocky Horror | The Cabot | 8 PM | $47.50-$69 | Info and Tickets

Friday, 10/10

🎥 Psycho: 65th Anniversary Screening | The Cabot | 7 PM | $13.50-$16.50 | Info and Tickets

🇺🇦 DIVKA Ukrainian Music Concert | Endicott College Center for the Arts | 7:30 PM | $0-$15 | Info and Tickets 

🎸 The Warped Tour Band | The Cut, Gloucester | 8 PM | $27-$47 | Info and Tickets

😆 Comedian Joe Fenti | Off Cabot | 8 PM | $39.68 | Info and Tickets

💃 Liberated: Satirical Burlesque Revue Where Sultry Jazz Meets the Art of Tease | Larcom Theatre | 8 PM | $43-$73 | Info and Tickets

Saturday, 10/11

🐦 Beverly Bird Walks | West Beach | 8 AM | Free | Info and Register

🧟 Used Costume Sale: Most items $10 or less | 90 Colon St | 10 AM - 2 PM | Cash Only | Info 

🎥 Beverly Film Society Presents: 1984 | Sohier Room, Main Library | 2:30 PM | Free | Info

🖼️ The Frame at 198: Forage – Opening Reception | Beverly Bootstraps | 6 PM | Free | Info 

🧑‍🍳 Adult Cooking Class: Handmade Gnocchi | Taste Buds Kitchen | 7:30 PM | $140: Shared table for 2 guests | Info and Tickets

🎵 Living On a Bad Name - Bon Jovi Tribute | Larcom Theatre | 8 PM | $33-$37 | Info and Tickets

🎸 Steve Hackett: Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo | The Cabot | 8 PM | $69-$115 | Info and Tickets

🎤 Booty Vortex - Boston's Finest Funk and Disco Band | The Cut, Gloucester | 8:30 PM | $27-$37 | Info and Tickets

Sunday, 10/12

🏃 Fall Frolic 5K & Fun Run: Benefits Beverly public elementary schools! | Lynch Park | 9 AM Fun Run, 9:30 AM 5K | $10-$99 | Info and Register 

📖 Into the Rose Garden: A Community Zine Workshop | 285 Rantoul St | 12 PM | $25 | Info and Register 

🛶 Sunset Kayak | Crane Wildlife Refuge, Ipswich | 4 PM | $64-$80 | Info and Register

🎥 Screening of The Sting | The Cabot | 6 PM | $13.50-$16.50 | Info and Tickets 

🎸 Toronzo Cannon | The Cut, Gloucester | 7 PM | $27-$42 | Info and Tickets

Wednesday, 10/15

🧩Puzzle Clash 2! | 90 Colon St | 6:30 PM | $30 per team | Info and Register

🧹 Hocus Pocus Trivia | The Castle: Restaurant and Bar | 7 PM | Info and Reservations 

💸 Building A Secure Retirement: Optimize Social Security Claim Strategy | 90 Colon St | 7 PM | $25-$35 | Info and Register 

Thursday, 10/16

🥕 Rooted in Community 2025 | The Cabot | 6 PM | $175 | Info and Tickets

KID AND FAMILY EVENTS

🌽 Crescent Farm Corn Maze: 9/1 - 10/31

Crescent Farms, Haverhill | Monday - Thursday: 12-8 PM; Friday - Saturday 12-9 PM; Sunday: 12 - 8 PM | $10 | Info

Wednesday, 10/8

📕 Book Buzz: Story Time | Conrad Room, Farms branch | 11 AM | Info

📙 Graphic Novel Club: Grades 6-8 | Sohier Room, Main Library | 4:30 PM | Info

Friday, 10/10

🌳 Terrific Toddlers - Tremendous Trees: Ages 2-4 | Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield | 9:30 AM | $13-$15 | Info and Register

🍕 Fuel Up Fridays! Free food for teens ages 11-18 | McPherson Teen Center | 3:30-7 PM | Info

🎥 Scary Movie Night | McPherson Teen Center | 5-8 PM | Info and Vote

Saturday, 10/11

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

🌳 Forest Exploration for Families: Ages 4-11 | Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield | 10 AM | $15-$18 | Info and Register

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

Tuesday, 10/14

📙 Books and Babies Story Time: Newborn to 18 Months | Story Hour Room, Beverly Main Library | 9:30 AM | Info and Register (Registration opens 10/9 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 9/25 at 12 AM)

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

Wednesday, 10/15

🎮 NBA 2K Tournament | McPherson Teen Center | 3:30-7:30 PM | Info and Register

🎃 Mini Pumpkin Painting: Grades 6-12 | Sohier Room, Main Library | 3:30 PM | Info

🏗️ Lego Club | Conrad Room, Farms branch | 3:30 PM | Info and Register 

Friday, 10/17

🍜 Ramen Night | McPherson Teen Center | 3-7:45 PM | Info and Register

TRASH AND RECYCLING

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

THANKS!

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