Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Salem Offers Free 30-Day Bluebikes Memberships For October
Be sure to catch Abraxas – The Ultimate Santana Tribute on the Salem Patch calendar

Hello Salem! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Free 30-day Bluebikes rides offered to Salem residents and workers
- Fee-free adoptions for big dogs return to Salem this weekend
- What the new 115-unit Exchange Salem project means for downtown
Also on today's calendar: Abraxas – The Ultimate Santana Tribute and 13 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 81 and low of 55 degrees.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny and not as warm, temps: high: 68, low: 49.
- Sunday: Periods of clouds and sun, with a high of 62 and low of 52 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Salem Offers Free 30-Day Bluebikes Memberships For October (patch.com) — Salem residents and workers can snag a free 30-day Bluebikes membership for the busy October Halloween season, with unlimited 45-minute rides from the city's 17 stations. Passes are limited and require a credit or debit card, and interested locals must email the city's transportation planner with proof of Salem residence or employment to receive a unique signup code.
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2. MA Shelters Extend Fee-Free Adoptions After Nor'easter Weekend Washout (patch.com) — Dog lovers in Salem can visit the local MSPCA-Angell adoption center this weekend for fee-free adoptions of dogs weighing at least 40 pounds, after a recent nor'easter disrupted the original event. The statewide effort aims to open shelter space while challenging misconceptions about larger dogs and helping them find permanent homes.
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3. Exchange Salem 115-Unit Housing Project Clears Key Financing Hurdle (patch.com) — A 115-unit mixed-income apartment building called The Exchange Salem is moving forward next to the city's commuter rail station after securing $48 million in financing. With affordable, middle-income, and market-rate units plus parking, retail, and improved links between North Salem and downtown, the project is expected to finish in early 2028 and reshape this gateway area.
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4. Salem Public Schools Issues Special Education Records Notice (patch.com) — Salem families who used special education services before June 30, 2018 should know that Salem Public Schools plans to destroy those records after Nov. 15, 2026. Parents, guardians, or eligible former students can request their files within 30 days of the Sept. 30 notice by contacting the district's Special Education Department at 978-740-1249.
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5. 8 Foods You Need to Try While Visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October (juliescafebakery.com) — If you're braving Salem's October crowds, this guide points you toward some of the city's most beloved bites, from clam chowder at Turner's and lobster rolls on Pickering Wharf to pumpkin ravioli, maple-glazed scallops, and classic local candies. It's packed with specific restaurant names and dishes to help you plan where to eat between tours and photo stops.
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📸 Around Salem
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Abraxas – The Ultimate Santana Tribute →
Larcom Theatre, 13 Wallis St, Beverly
8:00 pm - BLIND SIGHT with Ivy George - Book Release and Reading - →
Ken Olsen Science Center, 255 Grapevine Rd, Wenham - All Saints Annual Community Blessing of the Animals Oct. 3 from 1 - 3 PM →
All Saints Episcopal Church, 13 Holten St, Danvers
1:00 pm - Silent Auction Fundraiser →
Wenham Insight Meditation Center 72 Grapevine Road, Wenham MA,
4:30 pm - Dueling Pianos →
The Cut - Stage • Studio • Restaurant • Bar, 177 Main St, Gloucester
8:00 pm - A Celebration of St. Francis with the Blessing of the Animals →
Grace Church, 385 Essex St, Salem
7:00 am - What Is Christian Nationalism? →
Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, 28 Mugford St, Marblehead
2:00 pm - Commonwealth School Virtual Open House →
Virtual,
6:30 pm
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
Sunday October 4
Tuesday October 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Rooted in Community →
1 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers
9:00 am - Jammin' with Jessica storytime for children ages 0-5 →
Salem Public Library, 370 Essex St, Salem
10:00 am - Art + Design Faculty Showcase →
1 Meier Dr, Salem
10:00 am - Graphic Novel Book Club for Grades 6 and Up →
Salem Public Library, 370 Essex St, Salem
3:30 pm - Timmy's Angels Coat Drive →
Timmy's Angels 14 Preston Rd, Salem, MA, 01970
9:00 am - Family Circle Time to Celebrate Neurodiversity for ages 3-8 →
Salem Public Library, 370 Essex St, Salem
10:30 am - The Making of a Witch--A Play in One Act →
24 St Peter St, Salem
2:00 pm - Decade 80s Night Halloween Thriller →
Koto Restaurant Salem, 90 Washington St, Salem
9:30 pm
Friday October 2
Saturday October 3
📣 Salem Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible:
- Uncharted — 8444807100
- CRoy Plumbing and Heating LLC — (978) 979-9236
- MiraMar Print Lab — (617) 840-8424
- Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church — (978) 774-3163
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Help Wanted in Beverly: Experienced Alzheimer's Caregiver Needed Part Time
Please note: We do not use caregiving agencies. We are seeking a compassionate, experienced, and reliable Personal Care Assistant (PCA) to provide... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Anyone have a 24' extension ladder?
I have a loose wood shingle that's about to fall off my siding. How much to come nail it back in? (Nextdoor Loring Ave)
- Dunkin' posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager in Peabody. Apply here.
- Dollar Tree posted a job opening for assistant manager II in Lynn. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.
Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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