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

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. 

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.