News – Page 71 – Salem Main Streets

So, Anything Going On This Week in Salem Ma?

Haunted Happenings, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Oct 012014

Step right up, though this may not be the “greatest show on Earth,” Salem Ma does try its best to give residents, North Shore neighbors and visitors the most for their time & money spent here during the month of October. Just this week we are opening our Info Booth to be staffed with ambassadors of goodwill to assist fun-seekers and officially kicking off festivities with the Chamber of Commerce 19th Annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, as well as once again launching the Mayor’s Night Out and Trick or Treat with the Mayor events.

Practically speaking there are more activities scheduled for the first three days of October than we have room for in this blog. We suggest you look at the calendar information supplied by at least these three great community websites. Mix and match the information.

Specifically we would like to point out that:

The 19th Annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, presented by the Salem Chamber of Commerce steps off Thursday, Oct. 2nd at 6:30pm. This year’s parade theme is “Fantasy.” Children from grade school through high school and perhaps a big kid or two from college will march through our streets in costume as a tip of the hat to all the activities to follow this month. The spotlight, though, is where it should be, on the young people who keep Halloween alive with their imagination.

The Mayor’s Night Out is Oct. 3rd and that Friday Mayor Kimberly Driscoll, in partnership with Salem’s attractions and museums, encourages Salem residents to leave their homes to sample attractions, museums and even parking (at East India Mall garage after 4 pm) free of charge! Just bring your Salem ID and be on the look-out from 3 – 10 pm for “Mayor’s Night Out” signs at participating businesses.

Trick-or-Treating with Mayor Kim Driscoll at the East India Fountain takes place from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Bring the kids, join the Mayor as the procession will Trick-or-Treat along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, The Museum Place Mall Shops, and beyond. Trick-or-Treat Bags provided. Costumes encouraged. And of course, it is another free of charge event.

Salem’s Downtown District is prepared to show you a good time this month, this 5th season of our calendar year. We welcome “kids of all ages,” to explore and be entertained.

It Waits… For You… The Info Booth

Haunted Happenings, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News, Volunteer Opportunities No Responses »

Sep 292014

Hauntingly standing in and out of the shadows, the Salem Main Streets Haunted Happenings Information Booth waits patiently on the corner of Essex and Washington Streets. It waits for you.

For resident and tourist alike, young and old, American and foreign traveler, it does not discriminate in its need to feed— you information. Now that it has been dropped into place, the booth sits day and night awaiting the launch of our season of service. Volunteers will start staffing Thursday from 4:30 – 6:30 pm to coincide with the Haunted Happenings kick-off Grand Parade.

Stephanie Hagyard, a volunteer since 2008, and coordinator of this year’s SMS info team says “Our shift schedule will be 2 – 6 pm on Fridays (noon – 8 pm on Halloween), 10 am – 6 pm on Saturdays and noon – 5 pm on Sundays (might vary to 11 am on Sundays depending on staffing). The only holiday is Columbus day which will be a 10 am- 4 pm effort.”

She adds, “Most shifts are filled but there are a few dates/shifts that I would like to get a third/fourth person on- and November 1st is a new addition this year that needs people.” If you would like to volunteer, contact Stephanie at shagyard@yahoo.com.

You would become part of a community of ‘community volunteers’ who have provided direction and support to nearly 140,000 visitors since 2008. And this year with Halloween on a Friday, we can expect record numbers to cross Washington Street at Essex Street (which is the location of our booth).

Asked for advance advice to offer 10/31 visitors, Stephanie offered “Park once, wear comfy shoes, walk around, dress in layers, pay attention to your surroundings; if you are at an establishment getting lunch/dinner/coffee use the bathroom even if you don’t think you need to because who knows how long lines will be at other restrooms that are public.”

That’s the kind of straightforward, we believe useful info, you need from the booth volunteers, along with where the “witch this” and “witch that” are located.

The Info Booth beckons you….

Why Do People Come To Salem?

Haunted Happenings, History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Workshops No Responses »

Sep 262014

Simple question. Complex answer. Do they come for the witches and magic and monsters and such? Or is it “much, much more” as has been put forth by others (like in these star-studded video shorts)?

One strong possibility (at least from the looks of our blog entries) is the literary aspect. Everybody knows about Salem’s Nathaniel Hawthorne and House of Seven Gables connection. But in the last week or so, we’ve written blogs about Salem’s relationship with:

1- Edgar Allan Poe. It appears that “A Tell-Tale Heart” might have been based on the grisly murder of Capt. Joseph White in 1830 Salem. And in the midst of our Haunted Halloween Happenings next month there will be interactive events fostered by The Scarlet Letter Press & Gallery to honor Mr. Poe.

2- Charles Dickens. Dickens scholars from around the world, as well as local & international performers, historians and artists have been invited to attend Pickwickian Endeavors, a weekend long conference Sept. 26-28 to held at the Salem Athenaeum and other city spots. This conference is scheduled to feature over 20 presenters and performers. All topics Dickens will be up for discussion.

3- Banned Books. Banned Books Week, has been taking place all week at Wicked Good Books, ending Sept. 27th. According to the American Library Association (ALA) “Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community –- librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types –- in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.”

4- Book Swap. What can you do with a book? Read it, of course. And then? Use it as a paperweight. Or use two as bookends. The city of Salem offered a more community-minded suggestion recently with a Free Book & Media Swap

And also worthy of note is November’s upcoming Salem Literary Festival.

Proof enough that you can’t judge the Salem book just by its cover.

Playing With Your Food – Week 15

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Sep 252014

Fishwives - Mandy's Chowdah - cred Barb Taylor

Mandy from Mandy’s Wicked Chowdah, serving up the good stuff.

“Playing With Your Food” is a weekly post highlighting a few of the many great uses for the wide range of produce and artisan food at the Salem Farmers’ Market, a Salem Main Streets project. The Salem Farmers’ Market takes place every Thursday from June 12 to October 23 from 3 pm to 7 pm on Derby Square. While we can never predict exactly what our farms will be able to bring each week, we do our best to reflect some of the fun items we’ve found recently and what’s likely to be available for the upcoming week. Hopefully this will give you a few new ideas to play with, and inspire you to try some new things at the market.

There’s still a wealth of fresh produce and ingredients pouring in every week, but let’s face it – some weeks you just don’t want to overthink it. Some weeks you’re just not up for cooking. Some weeks, you need someone else to take over. Thankfully, our Salem Farmers’ Market vendors have you covered yet again!

Valicenti Organico will always have friendly advice for pasta and sauce pairings.

One of your surest stops for an easy meal is sure to be Valicenti Organico. From lemon basil linguine to squid ink spaghettini to chard ricotta ravioli, any of Valicenti’s amazing pasta options will cook in under 10 minutes. Pair it with a jar of red gravy, “alla Norma” sauce with eggplant, or (if you’re lucky), some of their amazing butternut squash based Golden Gravy and you’re good to go!

If you need a snack RIGHT NOW, consider swing by Milk and Honey for some of their amazing empanadas, or cheese and spreads to take home as hors d’oeuvres.

Rowand’s Fish Market has more than just fresh fish – they also have a number of prepared dishes ready for you to take home. Grab some shrimp cocktail ready to go for an appetizer, salmon burgers or fish cakes for a main course, or even a cup of seaweed salad for the perfect light snack.

Not only is it looking a little grey today (perfect for a cup of delicious, gluten-free chowder), but Mandy’s Wicked Chowdah is thinking ahead! Buy 5 or more packages for $6 each and start stocking up for winter. She said it, not me.

Need dessert? Market newcomer Jodi Bee Bakes has been hitting it out of the park week after week with any array of seasonal goodies baked with locally-sourced ingredients. While Jodi has a number of gluten-free and vegan options, those of you who might be suspicious of such labels won’t question it again after sampling any of her wares.

You read that right – maple donuts with almond glaze from Jodi Bee Bakes. They just happen to be gluten-free and vegan, as well!

Dickens Conference in Salem This Weekend- Online Reservations Extended

History, Salem Event 1 Response »

Sep 242014

“It’s in vain to recall the past, unless it works some influence upon the present.” Those words of Charles Dickens (from the novel David Copperfield) give significance to Pickwickian Endeavors, a weekend long conference Sept. 26-28 to held at the Salem Athenaeum and other city spots. Online reservations have been extended to Sept. 25th.

Dickens scholars from around the world, as well as local & international performers, historians and artists have been invited to attend this conference which will feature over 20 presenters and performers. All topics Dickens will be up for discussion. His words and thoughts are still relevant today.

It is hosted by the North of Boston Branch of the Dickens Fellowship. And you may see more than a few people in period costume.

Morning session will be held at the Salem Athenaeum each day. The House of Seven Gables and other selected sites around the city will serve as gatherings for afternoon and evening sessions.

One expected highlight is the scheduled appearance of Gerald Dickens, the author’s great-great-grandson, of London, England. This Mr. Dickens will recreate performances of his ancestor throughout the weekend.

The Keynote speaker will be John Jordan, Prof. of English at the University of California in Santa Cruz.

There are also optional side trips to Boston and Worcester included in the program.

There may still be seatings available for some of the events. For group or individual rates, please call 978-979-0574.

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