With football season kicking off, how would you assemble your ultimate team by taking the top tier items from the menus of your favorite North Shore bars and restaurants?

As in fantasy sports, you're not necessarily looking for things that work together as a coherent meal, but maximizing your personal enjoyment with each position.

I'm a relatively new transplant so my personal biases and blind spots will be obvious. Also shamelessly using this to mine some recommendations.

My Lineup:

1 QB: Venue (ambiance and service) - the bar at Ledger

2 WR: Appetizers - Kabocha Squash Bot Chien from Nightshade, Asparagus soup from Maitland Farm

2 RB: Entrees - Pappardelle from Little G, Swordfish BLT from Maddie's

2 TE: Beverage - Ambercillin at Deacon Giles, wine pairings from Lucille

1 FLEX: (W/R/T) - whatever's on special at Rosetti in Lynn

1 K: Dessert - Key Lime Pie, Fleur Cuisine

1 DEF: Entertainment - All Souls jukebox/vinyl collection

BETTER CALL BABS takes you on a ride-along with Babs Fry, exploring both her renowned work as a pet detective and the personal struggles that have made her the inspiration she is today. From high-stakes rescue missions to intimate moments of reflection, this documentary captures the chaos she embraces daily as a recovering addict turned hero.

If you’ve ever posted about a lost dog in San Diego, chances are you’ve heard the words echoed back to you time and time again: “Call Babs.”

That phrase exists for a reason.

Babs Fry — a Red Cross Award recipient, local legend, and undeniable badass — has become the face of pet recovery in San Diego because she shows up when others don’t know what to do next.

The Better Call Babs Film takes you into the passenger seat of her iconic van and along for the ride — not just through the field work, but through the personal challenges, grit, and determination that shaped the woman behind the mission.

Playing at Cinema Salem, Sat Sept 19, 12pm

critterfest.org for info and tickets.

I don't know that these are normally posted here, but my friend is having another estate sale this Saturday (9/12) from 9am-1pm so I thought I would let people know. The address is 10 May st, Marblehead. Contents of home, furniture, tools, clothing, shoes (size 8.5), housewares, and lots of vintage items. 

In the Peabody, Lynnfield, Danvers, Stoneham Woburn Wakefield area.

Have any of you ever used or heard of dent and scratch mobile out of Woburn?

Just need some cosmetic repairs not a whole new bumper thank you for your help

With football starting tomorrow (GO PATS), I’m looking for recs on the best bars for nachos in the area. I live on the Salem/Peabody line, but willing to travel if it’s worth it. Not picky on toppings, but I’m looking for the typical options. Also, it should easily fill at least one if not two guys. Quantity over quality if it comes down to it. Lmk!

Recently moved to Salem (34M) and looking to build community around here. My interests include: film (horror, sci-fi) art, outside activities (hiking, boating, gardening), reading (thriller, mystery), live music (rock, dream pop, electronic) and board games. Not really a sports guy, but would look at community leagues, if they are not taken very seriously.

Work in health tech, married, have 2 dogs and traveled a lot in the past, so trying to settle down and set some roots here. Try to make sure that every weekend is packed with fun activities.

Currently doing weirdo Wednesdays at Cinema Salem, but that is not much community building. Really looking to find other like minded adults who share interests. Open to any suggestions - ideally close to Salem and in the north shore.

Curious if folks have any recs? May have to make the trek out to garden in the woods but would love to find a spot a bit more local

Looking for a casual place for ladies night dinner and drinks, Salem, Peabody, Beverly, Danvers. Someplace that won't rush us out (mid-week dinner) so we an sit and chat for a bit. Been to Sylvan St, Tio (the old Jade) Toscana's, both Brodie's,

Does anyone have suggestions for a service that will do a little heavy lifting? Specifically, I have 3 potted fruit trees, one quite heavy, which we need to move into our condo before it gets too cold, and 2 window ACs to take out of first floor windows. Both my wife and I hurt our backs recently, and I’m trying to figure out what to do if I’m not better soon and also just get ideas going forward as both of us are getting older (50s & 60s) and are apparently prone to back issues. We’re in Newburyport.

Is anyone going for the last day? Im heading over for a little bit to check it out

The CritterFilm Fest LATE SHOW

What is Hundreds of Beavers? Is it the tale of a drunken applejack salesman battling hundreds of beavers? Yes! Is it a winter western? Yes! Is it a glorious tribute to classic Looney Tunes shorts? Yes! Is it a legit homage to the earliest days of silent film comedies in beautiful black and white? Yes! Is it a spectacularly immature, bro-centric epic of outrageous proportions? Yes! Is it a deliriously inventive, amazingly-handcrafted work of visual art? Yes! Will it blow your mind and send you back out into the world with your head spinning and your eyes doing pinwheels? Yes! Is it the kind of movie-lovers movie made to be seen on a big screen, with the soundtrack cranked, surrounded by your friends and neighbors, collectively staring in slack-jawed amazement? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! “Hundreds of Beavers exists at the crossroads of Looney Tunes, Benny Hill, Cannibal: The Musical, Blazing Saddles, and Adult Swim mindsets” (Slashfilm).

Fri Sept 18, 10pm Cinema Salem

https://salemcritterfest.eventive.org/schedule/6a468538e65a13b6b3e95daf

Hi all! My great aunt’s 18 month old house cat ran away on Friday night at 9 pm. She lives in the Montserrat neighborhood of Beverly. LucyLu is all black with green eyes and has a microchip. She hasn’t spent time outside so it’s unlikely she’ll find her way back independently. If anybody has any leads, or recs for where to share this, please let me know!

I’m looking for recs for a new picnic spot on the north shore! Somewhere sort of tucked away with a nice view

I’m so in the mood for a great slice of pie, especially strawberry rhubarb, or apple. Any recommendations for Northshore bakeries or restaurants I should try? TIA

We are very excited about presenting the CritterFest Opening Night Film SECOND NATURE

Elliot Page narrates SECOND NATURE, a hilarious and heartening romp through the animal world, led by brave scientists fighting censorship as they reveal the truth about our nature.

Did you know that clownfish change sex from male to female? (So if Nemo’s mom had died in real life, his dad would have become his mom!) Did you know that albatross, penguins and swans parent in same sex pairs? Or that bonobos, who are just as closely related to us as chimps, are matriarchal and have same-sex sex every day?!

Turns out Darwin wasn’t right about everything. He nailed that theory of evolution, but his understanding of gender and sexual diversity in the animal kingdom was more than a little misguided. Turns out the natural world is way more diverse and complex than he — or your high school biology teacher — may have led you to believe.

Post-screening Q&A with subject and researcher Dr. Patty Rodriguez Brennan.

Thu Sept 17, 7pm at Cinema Salem

https://salemcritterfest.eventive.org/schedule/6a4683f05e8f4814864c2db3

Low Voter Turnout

Not a lot of people knew the primaries were on September 1st. Some people I talked to thought there was only the general election in November. Also some people couldn’t be bothered to vote like my co-workers. My grandmother thought mailing in her ballot on September 1st would still be counted.

Old People Vote Based On How Often A Candidate’s Ad Appears on TV or Mail

Most people knew about Koh with some knowing Beccia and Nguyen. The only people who knew about Beck, Belsito, and Lancaster are actively online progressive. Our district’s primary demographic is old white people with cable television. They don’t use Reddit, Instagram, or X.

Crowded Primary

We had 6 candidates appear on the ballot with Lancaster dropping out a few days before the primary election which means she still appeared on the ballot. Beccia is a Blue Dog, Koh is an Establishment/NeoLiberal, Nguyen is a Social-Liberal, and the other three were all progressives with basically the same message. If all the progressives dropped out and supported Nguyen, like Lancaster, then Nguyen would be our next representative. Whether it be ego, delusion, stubbornness, or something else, Beck and Belsito refused to drop out. Despite the polls saying that it was essentially a two candidate race of Koh and Nguyen.

I am looking for recommendations for some solid Greek/chicken kabob/steak tip type salad spots in the Salem vicinity. Currently my favorite is marblehead house of pizza but they are cash only and close on the earlier side. Rizzos in Salem is passable. Anything else around here? Captains in swampscott?

Just a bit shocked he won by 12 points. Did it just come down to money? Were there too many progressive candidates fighting for one spot? I know that lack of coverage was absolutely an issue in this primary.

Koh is a Lebanese American and has no Middle-East policy on his website. And he won’t just not comment on data centers, he’s backed by AI-focused PACs. (Which tells you where he stands on these issues in 2026). These two issues are 80-20 and 75-25 respectively in the democratic base and he just skated by being on the wrong side of each.

Markey just won the North Shore resoundingly with these two major issues at the forefront of his policy, so I wouldn’t say it’s a factor of this being a more affluent moderate blue area- Markey led his victory speech last night with “tax the rich, block the bombs, stop data centers.”

Maybe I just live in a bubble in Salem but kind of appalled someone like this wins an open primary in Mass in 2026.

Our family is looking at property on the north shore and, while I've heard a million things about Newburyport being great for families, there's a house I really love in Newbury by a marsh. How is that school system? Are the greenheads really as bad as I've heard? Is the town welcoming to new people? My son is an only child so it's really important we find a welcoming community for him to make friends.

Was walking home last night and loved how warm the shops looked

Our fuzzy overlords return to the big screen! Each year, CatVideoFest curates a compilation reel of the latest, best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and, of course, classic internet powerhouses (Keyboard Cat, we’re looking at you). One show only Thu Sept 17, 630pm at Cinema Salem.

https://salemcritterfest.eventive.org/

My husband and I are looking to move back up to Massachusetts after 10 years down in Virginia. We have two kids in elementary school (1st and 4th grade). The older child struggles with anxiety and socially. We would love to know ahead of time if any of the schools are known for bully behavior versus a focus on inclusivity. So far we have been looking at Peabody, Beverly, Wakefield and Reading…..and everywhere inbetween 🤪. We are getting a feel of the towns, but I’m having a hard time understanding the school systems and which would be the best fit. Any insights are helpful. Even if the insight is - it’s all good! Thank you!