Dec 112015
 

Looking for alternatives and options in gifts for aunt Amber, cousin Dirk, or your new special someone? No need to look high and low; come to Salem Ma this weekend for the 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market. The event will feature local artisanal vendors, indie record labels, and other DIY vendors with products ranging from vegan soap to custom baby tents to punk flags and more.

Witch City DIYThat’s right. Indie record labels and punk flags. This sounds different & interesting. Almost like a punk rock flea market.

Hosted by Creative Salem and Bridge Nine Records, this event will take place from 11am – 6pm, Saturday, Dec. 12th at The Vault, 217 Essex Street on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall. It is a large but intimate setting that is conducive to walking, handling the items for sale and conversing with the creators/vendors.

“We are so happy to bring this alternative market to Downtown Salem this year,” said John Andrews of Creative Salem. “Supporting and providing opportunities to all manners of makers is one of our key missions.”

And this event not only supports the work of local artists, 1st Annual Witch City DIY Holiday Market also inspires people to shop local.

A partial list of vendors (always subject to change…) includes:

Tor Johnson Records
Triple B Records
Better Days Recovery Press
Brandon Gorski Illustration
Arrest Records
Deathwish Inc.
Cave Dweller
Hervor Soaps
Amaranth & Rue
Prospect Records
Timber + Twine
Bridge Nine Records
Sully’s Brand
Bats in the Belfry Crafts
Nightwatch Studio
Beantown Collectibles
Witch City Wicks
Tryptic Press
Meghanisms
Witch DR.

For more info on the Witch City DIY Holiday Market go to the Creative Salem website or Facebook page. It is suggested you use hashtag #WitchCityDIY when sharing info or pictures on favorite finds or any positive interactions at the event.

Could this alternative market become THE North of Boston must-attend annual punk rock holiday event, thus adding to the growing reputation of Salem as a winter holiday shopping destination? You’re invited to make it happen.

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Dec 052015
 
Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Holiday window from 2013. What will you find this year?

Picture taking is an activity that so many more people do these days, especially on their cell phones, that we have added another dimension to our annual Holiday Window Contest which encourages Salem merchants to decorate their storefront windows with images of the season.

Now everyone wins during the Holiday Window Contest! Share YOUR pictures of your favorite holiday windows on Instagram or on our Facebook page with ‪#‎salemholidaywindows‬ – we’ll pick 5 winners between today and Christmas to get a small prize from a local business! (Hint: your chances improve if it’s a window that’s officially competing!).

Holiday Window Participants

Cabot Wealth Management – 216 Essex Street
CinemaSalem – Museum Place Mall
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique – 226 Essex Street
The Coven’s Cottage – 190 Essex Street
Derby Joe – 142 Derby Street
Flying Saucer Pizza Company – 118 Washington Street
For Kids Only Afterschool – 194 Essex Street
Fringe Salon – 73 Wharf Street
Gulu Gulu Café – 247 Essex Street
The Happy Sunflower – 78 Wharf Street
Hedrington’s – 61 Wharf Street
The House of Seven Gables – 115 Derby Street
J. Mode – 17 Front Street
Kan.del –Museum Place Mall
Laura Lanes Skin Care – 242 Essex Street
LightShed Photography – 79 Washington Street
Melita Fiore – 83 Washington Street
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments – 3 Central Street
The New England Dog Biscuit Company – 7 Central Street
Opus – 87 Washington Street
Pamplemousse – 185-189 Essex Street
Re-find – 72 Washington Street
Re-find Men’s – 244 Essex Street
RJ Coins & Jewelry – 68 Wharf Street
Roost & Company – 40 Front Street
Rouge Cosmetics – 322 Derby Street
Salem Arts Association – 179 Essex St
Salem Collective of Artists & Musicians – 179 Essex St
Salemdipity – 86 Wharf Street
Silver Moon Comics & Collectibles–Museum Place Mall
Tibet Arts & Healing – 230 Essex Street
Trolley Depot – 191 Essex Street
Turtle Alley Chocolates – 177 Essex Street
Village Silversmith – 186 Essex Street
Witch City Consignment & Thrift – 301 Essex Street
Witch Tee’s –173 Essex Street

From a downtown holiday tree in Lappin Park to evergreen wreaths with candy cane lamp posts, Salem is dressed for the season and welcomes you. Come, take part in our window contest as you do your holiday shopping.

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Dec 032015
 

We know how it is. You WANT to shop local, but you get home from work too late in the evenings and you’re simply too busy on the weekends. There is so much to see and do in Salem what with plays, movies, music and other entertainment so readily available.

So… Salem Main Streets is encouraging downtown retailers to stay open late every Friday this December leading up to Christmas to help you with your holiday shopping!

And we’re calling it  Festive Friday Nights!

Each week on our Facebook page and Twitter account, we’ll post businesses that have committed to staying open until at least 8 pm — as well as any great deals or special treats being offered!

But that’s not all!!! We’ve got a great list right now of retailers who’ve already made the commitment to stay open till at least 8 pm for this week’s Festive Fridays! (Thank you very much!)  Stay tuned for more related activities.

The Boutique
Caramel French Patisserie
Clever Diva
Coon’s Card & Gift Shop / Penelope’s Pet Boutique
The Coven’s Cottage
Enchanted Shop
The H
Festive Fridaysappy Sunflower
Harrison’s Comics
Hedrington’s
Kan.del
Lady Irene and Company
Laura Lanes Skin Care
Melita Fiore
Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
Mud Puddle Toys
Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar
Pamplemousse Salem
Partridge in a Bear Tree Salem
RJ Coins and Jewelry
Roost & Company
Salem Arts Center
Salem Cycle
Salemdipity
SalemSpice
Trolley Depot
Village Silversmith
Wicked Good Books

Merchants with services, products or retail establishments that wish to join the Festive Friday party should contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at 978-744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org .

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Nov 112015
 

Veterans we support you in Salem MA. In word & deed. Businesses and residents alike.

St Mary’s cemetery will be conducting its first “Blessing of the Flags” and “Salute to our Veterans” on November 11th at 10am outside of the veterans section at Saint Mary Cemetery in Salem.

FlagKim F. Emerling, Director of Veteran Services, Salem MA (Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major) explains “This 20 minute long ceremony will feature an opening prayer, a word of thanks to our attending veterans, a moment of prayer for those who are currently serving, the playing of taps for those veterans who have passed on before us and will finish with the blessing of flags and the unveiling of our new Veterans Memorial.”

Then at 11am on behalf of the Salem Veterans Council, you are invited to attend the 2015 Veterans Day ceremony at the Salem High School auditorium.

Consider that. It takes place on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.

Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day; it was originally designed as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I (which officially took place on November 11, 1918). In legislation that was passed in 1938, November 11 was “dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as Armistice Day.”

But in 1954, the Act of 1938 was amended to honor vets of WWII and Korea by striking out “Armistice” and inserting “Veterans.” It now applies to all our veterans.

CSM Emerling adds, “Once again the city will be presenting the Salem Wartime Service Medal to all eligible Salem veterans. If you recall, these current medals are a replica of a medal the city presented to returning WWI ‘Doughboys’ as a token of gratitude for their service.

(If you have a family member, neighbor, or friend that might be eligible to receive this recognition from the city next year, please contact Emerling.)

Things to do/see in Salem MA on Veterans Day

  • PEM – open
  • House of the Seven Gables, open from 10am – 5pm with a 50% discount for admission with military id
  • Flying Saucer is open, offering a free slice of pizza to anyone with active military or veteran’s id
  • Wicked Good Books is open, 10am – 7pm
  • Jodi Bee Bakes is open 10am – 7pm!
  • Lobster Shanty offering a 10% discount for veterans and active duty members
  • The Ugly Mug offering a 10% discount for veterans and active duty members
  • Maitland Financial Group is open – note that the market is open BUT bond market is not.
  • Salem Spice, and most everyone on Pickering Wharf, are open
  • Ocean Chic – Open! 20% off with a military ID
  • Longboards is open. $5 off lobster rolls all day long. This is available to everyone.
  • Laura Lanes Skin Care is open and offering $10 off any 1 hour Facial or Massage

And if you want to do more, consider visiting a veterans’ hospital. The time you spend speaking with and listening to elderly or injured veterans is a great way to brighten their day.

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Nov 072015
 

Expect to see today a different Salem than you saw last month as we harken back to our “other” historical claim to fame as a maritime power. You are invited to join the Essex county sailing community as it marks the end of the sailing season with Salem’s second annual Downrigging Festival today beginning at 10am.

NPS downThe day-long event features four public sails, an assortment of maritime talks, live demonstrations, wooded boats, ship tours aboard FRIENDSHIP and more! Public sails require a reservation and fee, but all other activities are free to the public.

A better day could not have been selected. Visibility is expected to be 10 miles with one foot waves, good breezes and temperatures in comfortable low 60s.

All vessels will be docked at Salem Maritime National Historic Site (173 Derby Street) or Pickering Wharf Marina (23 Congress Street).

Participants include Schooner FAME, Schooner ARDELLE, Schooner ADVENTURE, Essex National Heritage Area, and Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

NPS2

Schedule of Events

  • 10am – Friendship opens for public visitation
  • 10:30am – A Presentation on Baker’s Island and Essex National Heritage Area with Greg Guckenburg and Mary Hillery and Captain Ed Wolfe. 160 Derby Street, 2nd Floor.
  • 11am – Open ship and demonstrations (each half hour) aboard FRIENDSHIP12:00PM – FAME Public Sail (90 minutes)
  • 12pm – An illustrated talk on the current downrigging of FRIENDSHIP
  • 12:30pm – A conversation with maritime photographer Leighton O’Conner. 160 Derby Street, 2nd Floor.
  • 1pm – ARDELLE Public Sail (90 minutes)
  • 2pm – FAME Public Sail (90 minutes)
  • 2pm – An illustrated talk on the current downrigging of FRIENDSHIP
  • 2:30pm – Steve and Jenny Sail for a Cancer Cure, a Conversation with S/V Ahava. 160 Derby Street, 2nd Floor.
  • 3pm – ARDELLE Public Sail (90 minutes)
  • 4:30pm – A Presentation by Captain Stefan Edick, Schooner ADVENTURE. 160 Derby Street, 2nd Floor.

To purchase tickets for public sails ($10 for adults, $5 for children 13 and under) aboard FAME or ARDELLE online go to www.zerve.com/SchoonerFame/Downrig or call the Schooner FAME at (978) 729-7600.

Visit www.nps.gov/sama for the complete schedule and updated information.

Come see the Salem of the sea!

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