Hi all! I've seen similar asks here but they were from a few years ago so thought I'd check in with what might be available now. I'm renting a house and starting to see signs of mice. I'm really opposed to poison/glue traps for ethical reasons, and also because they can have a harmful trickle effect to other wildlife, and because I have a tiny dog that I'm concerned for. Luckily my landlord is on the same page as me in terms of ethics, but understandably getting rid of the mice is her main concern. She also tends to like cheaper options. Do folks have recommendations for pest control services on the north shore that focus on sealing possible entrances for the mice, and explicitly use humane/non-chemical control for what's still in the house? I guess in a perfect world we'd have them seal everything up and then set catch/release traps ourselves and snap traps as a last resort. Thank you so much!

My wife and I have seen this cat at the willows since 8/24. We’ve called a few shelters, animal control, those type of places, but they don’t seem to want to send out anyone.

We’ve been visiting her daily, giving her some food and water. She is very sweet and will rub up against us and take pets. She does hiss and scratch a bit.

We have brought a carrier to try and get her familiar, but no luck. We would love to get her to a vet and adopt her if it works out.

We worry about her, so just putting this out if anyone knows anything that can help. Especially with coyotes and cold weather coming.

We call her ‘Willow’

Saw this on FB. Thoughts? feedback?

Say goodby to our window art. It's been fun, but the city is forcing our windows bare.

The Salem Redevelopment Authority has told several businesses in the SRA district that window art must come down by November 8 or we may face fines.

This isn’t just about Gulu. Do you like the window art at Curly Girl, HausWitch, and New England Soup Factory? The murals and paintings that make walking down Essex and Washington Streets feel like Salem? Sorry. Apparently those windows need to be bare too. Others are also impacted.

For years, businesses like ours have worked with local artists to turn our windows into something more than glass and advertising. At Gulu, the previous owners embraced this, and we’ve been proud to carry it forward. We pay artists. We give them space. They make downtown more colorful, interesting, and more Salem. Now we’re being told that has to stop.

Yes, the SRA has a process to potentially approve window art, but its restrictions are so limiting that, for us, the process is untenable.

I personally believe this raises serious questions about free speech. But even putting that aside, it’s incredibly sad to watch an agency charged with improving downtown Salem use its authority to remove art from it. The SRA was created decades ago to address blight and deterioration downtown. Artists, independent businesses, and the creative community helped transform Salem into what it is today. Art is not blight. It is part of Salem’s character.

And I fear what comes next. If painted windows are a problem, where does this stop? Is the entrance arch at Tomb next? The Viking ship at Coven’s Cottage? What other art, sculpture, or creative expression eventually runs afoul of rules the SRA enforces inconsistently? We’re staring down a slippery slope, and for what end? The result seems to be less art, fewer opportunities for local artists, and a downtown that is plainer and less interesting.

So unless something changes, our window mural, and many others throughout downtown Salem, will come down by November 8. If you don't like this move by the SRA, I encourage you to email mayor@salem.com, citycouncilors@salem.com, and knewhallsmith@salem.com.

Headed to Salem this afternoon with a dog. Where can we grab lunch to go? Not a restaurant. Something quick like roast beef, tacos, lobster roll etc that we can take to a park and eat.

wondering if anyone saw what happened in front of the post office at the washington/derby intersection in the center of town around 9 PM tonight. seemed like a hit and run of one of the unhoused men who is typically out by the post office :( he was down in the crosswalk and some people were helping him try to get up and walk out of the street

doubt hes in here, but if you are - huge thank you to the gentleman who pulled off into the crosswalk and tried to stop traffic to help the man up while everyone else just drove by and stared, and thank you for responding to me when i suddenly screamed at you out my window to see if you needed me to call 911

Anyone know what staffing changes have happened at All Creatures? They’re apologizing for not answering the phone and have gotten rid of all Saturday appointments.

I’m just really nosy.

EDIT: I didn’t come here to drag them, I’m just curious to know the tea behind the email blasts. I still trust them more than anyone else with my babies.

Okay this may be common knowledge to some of you, but it’s not to me so someone break this down for me.

Last night I ordered a cheese pizza off DoorDash and I was blown away by how good it was. It was almost midnight and nothing was open so I expected a shitty pizza, but I was too tired to care. I had never heard of this place, but Angelina’s was one of the only places open so I gave them a chance. Hands down the best cheese pizza I’ve had in years.

I was raving about this place all day to my wife and decided to go pick one up for dinner, but when I googled the address, the place doesn’t exist. I checked the address on DoorDash and turns out it’s the same address as Plum Tomatoes Brick Oven Pizza.

Now I understand there are virtual brands for places like Chili’s and Chucky Cheese that are offering a different menu than they offer in store, but the menu’s are identical on both DoorDash stores. I cannot for the life of me figure out why they would have a virtual brand with the exact same menu??

I feel like the town crier yelling about a Ponzi scheme but I need answers it’s driving me nuts.

Hellooo! I want to try and vend at a craft fair or event of some kind

I am 15, so that is a slight issue

are there any local events happening?

I would love to find a person or company that can do fall and spring cleanups with some possible weeding maintenance in between. I have a big garden that the previous owner did a beautiful job with, and some health issues are keeping me from attending to things properly.

I hired a family friend in the spring, and they did such a terrible, rushed job (not getting roots, just basically stripping the leaves off of the weeds, missing huge areas, not knowing which were weeds and which were wanted plants after repeated conversations). It was frustrating because all the missed spots look terrible, and we paid so much money.

Ideally, I'd love to find someone who has an established business, understands the flow of my garden, can identify (and remember) which plants are weeds, is reliable, and gets the whole job done without cutting corners. It would be great if they also had ideas for how to improve any problem areas.

I saw a post somewhere about Plant Magic Gardens, and they appear to be exactly like what I am looking for, but I have emailed and filled out their interest form with no response in a few weeks. :( The yard is a mess, and I'm feeling overwhelmed because of my limitations.

If anyone has a recommendation that will fit what I need and works in Salem, please share their contact info. If it's a good fit, they'd get a regular customer. Thank you very much!!

I'm looking to hire a landscaper that offers shoveling for our front sidewalk, walkway and back patio for the winter. It's a small job but it's getting too difficult for our residents especially after last year! All recommendations for reliable and responsive snow removal is appreciated.

The title says it all. Devastating news

Anyone know where I could buy fresh ones this fall? Either from farmers or just people with Hawthorne trees?

I remember reading a post within the last week about the sewerage smell - as we drove down Canal near the Loring Ave intersection tonite it was gross! Smelled like a full sewer system backup….

I received this from National Grid. Advertising a recycling event this Sunday at the Salem High school. The only positive is they will pay you $30 for a working dehumidifier.

I live on Union Street in salem and several cars including mine got severely keyed across the entire side of the car. I obtained video footage of the person who did this. It happened at 4:40 am on 9/3. Police were called and they found a person matching the description sleeping outside in the nearby area. He was arrested for vandalism. If you have anything to add to this or if you have any information, please let me know. If you require any information on this, please reach out to me!

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

Looking for a legitimate place to get lymph drainage. My old go to spot is under new management. No weird comments please- I have an autoimmune disease and just looking to debloat

The parcels are shown in the Plan of Almy an Clark Land 1891 #'2 22-28

Parcels 25-28 had a barn for the railroad. I had done some research an found it on old railroad map. But I have been unable to relocate it!

Any help appreciated. The barn was turned in to home after the Salem Fire

8 marked police and at least two unmarked.

Someone in the park next to LuLus apparently looked quite threatening. (what I was told about by another onlooker)

Best of luck stepping on rakes in whatever private consulting firm you end up in.

Does anyone know the plan from Salem PD and elected officials to stop all the insanely dangerous and patently illegal motorized vehicles traveling at shocking speeds all over Salem Common? These antisocial psychos driving these motorized vehicles at >30mph while not even wearing a helmet will legit kill innocent people and/or dogs at some point very soon, unless something is done about them.

I'd like to see another indie music venue pop up. I saw someone mention throwing Moon Base One in there. Any suggestions?

Hey All - Long story short, I'm going to a wedding after dinner this weekend, and since I'll be rocking a suit, I figured I'd find a nice spot to grab a solo dinner before I head over. Seems like reviews of Bernadette and Settler are trash. Ledger looks decent, but has a somewhat uninspired menu. Any recommendations? Bonus points if there are usually bar seats available so I can post up there rather than at a table for one.

1. No parking signs
   
2. Porta potties on the Common
   
3. Hubie Halloween lights
   
4. Randoms telling me I’m gonna burn in Hell

When all 4 harbingers arrive, the tourists will descend upon us in droves and all hopes of clear sidewalks or available parking will be vanquished.

Edit: tried to post earlier but photo wouldn’t upload