Cast off the rainy stormy weather blues and plan to visit the Salem Farmers’ Market Thursday from 3 – 7 p.m. in Derby Square. Enjoy shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables…including fresh juicy peaches, summer squash and much more. Get your corn on the cob, fresh lobsters, artisan bread, specialty pies and local cheese for the perfect compliment to any Labor Day picnics. For more information visit www.salemfarmersmarket.org.
Salem has been busily preparing for Irene. As a result, both the A.H.H. festival and Classic Boat Festival area cancelled for the weekend. For updates and emergency information visit the city’s website www.salem.com.
Information for businesses preparing and dealing with the storm affects can be found here.
The city lists the folowing recommendations:
In preparation for the storm, residents are advised to carry in all outside light objects and lawn furniture, clear catch basins near their property, and are encouraged to log onto the Fire Department and Health Department pages on www.salem.com to access information ranging from how to protect your home from damage to creating an emergency evacuation bag, what types of food to stock up on in case of an emergency to what you need to know if you lose power.
In case of an Emergency, dial 911
To report downed wires and power outages, call the Salem Fire Department at 978-744-1235.
To get assistance with basement pump outs, call the Salem Fire Department at 978-744-1235.
To report downed trees, call the Department of Public Services at 978-744-3302.
The festival, organized by The Dejas, will be a day of Arts and Holistic Health, and the A.H.H. acronym is reflective as well of a play on the exhalation of breath, ahh… the universal sound of contentment and peace, as well as a component of meditation breath exercises and yogic breathing.
The day’s events, to be held on the Salem Common, will feature music, visual and performance art as well as presentations by practitioners of the healing arts. The festival will all be 100% free, with volunteer vendors providing a diverse range of services for those who attend. The holistic and health side will include massage, Reiki, acupuncture, Henna Tattooing, a project adventure ropes course and Yoga instruction for the entire family. The arts side will feature paper making, magic for kids, sculpture, the Junk Funk Jam (a percussion circle using recycled materials for instruments) and belly dancing.
Throughout the festival, the Dejas will be providing ambient music, from the gazebo in the center of the commons, creating a harmonious musical atmosphere and constantly changing backdrop to the many activities, for the participants.
This week is MA Farmers’ Market week. Stop by the Salem Farmers’ Market Thursday in Derby Square from 3 – 7 to show your support for local farms. The regularly scheduled cooking demonstration and music have been cancelled this week. We apologize for any inconvenience. This past Thursday the market celebrated a Tomato Festival which was judged by Chive Catering and Farmer Bill Clark (Clark Farm’s tomatoes were not entered into the contest since Mr. Clark served as a judge.)
Tomato Festival 
Winners:
#2 First Light Farm
Best Slicing Tomato
Winner – Maitland – Variety – Brandywine
#2 Grants Plants
Salem Main Streets Director Jennifer Bell and Represenative John Keenan inspecting tomatoes in the tomato contest.
Photos taken by Dick Scott.
This weekend enjoy the free Salem Jazz and Soul Festival at the Salem Willows.
The festival line-up includes three of New Orleans’ hottest musical acts – Bonerama, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and the legendary Charles Neville – along with jazz/funk/electronic innovators Club d’Elf, Bobby Keyes and more. DJ Radio Scotvoid will spin between sets. This free concert series also offers music education classes, a kid’s tent, an artisan fair and a 21+ beer garden. Here’s a link to a printable schedule.
MUSIC SCHEDULE
11:30 Salem High School Jazz Band
12:15 Bobby Keyes Trio
1:30 Nicky Egan
3:00 Charles Neville & Harvey Diamond Quartet
4:30 Bonerama
Saturday, August 20, 11:30 am – 6 pm
Sunday, August 21, 11:30 am – 6 pm
11:30 North Shore Jazz Project Allstars
12:15 Goldberg, Miksis, Langone with Scott Aruda
1:30 Thaddeus Hogarth
3:00 Club d’Elf
4:30 Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Henley Douglas Jr. will MC both days, DJ Radio Scotvoid will spin between sets, there will be an artisans fair featuring jewelry, photographs, a belly dancing performance by OmBellyCo and more.