News – Page 4 – Salem Main Streets

New Year’s Eve Destination: Salem’s LAUNCH!

Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 272015

Where else but Salem MA could you welcome the New Year while at the same time celebrate the past? And still have time to welcome the New Year again! No, we haven’t started sampling the bubbly stuff yet.

The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our third annual New Year’s Eve party, this Thursday, Dec. 31 from 4 pm to 6 pm at historic Old Town Hall, Derby Square. Let’s repeat the times, 4-6pm. Bring the entire family – yes the kids too, it’s early enough!

“When we organized LAUNCH! for the first time, it was immediately clear that this needed to be an annual tradition where the community could truly come together,” states Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director. “Plus, there’s still plenty of time after our early countdown to get to your own party, or catch one of the many other great events happening all over town on New Year’s Eve!”

Attendees can ‘rock the night away’ with local musical favorites including The Dejas, BlacKat, and Kevin William, as well as a number of “rising star” teen musicians. There will be New Year’s Eve related activities and crafts for kids of all ages, thanks to event partners The Gathering, The Phoenix School, and Creative Salem.

Kylie adds, “I’ll be honest, this is truly one of my favorite events of the year. We conduct many events which might arguably have a greater impact, but I love that this event is simply about celebrating together as a community. We’re also so lucky to partner with the City of Salem in using Old Town Hall – there’s something lovely and symbolic to me about getting to use this beautiful public building that celebrates the past, and then throw the doors open to the community to welcome the year to come.”

Speaking of Old Town Hall, we’re also still looking for a few helping hands to join us this Thursday, especially for:

Set up (2 to 4pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.
Craft activity support (4 to 6 pm): Help activity leaders as needed.
FACE PAINTERS (4 to 6 pm): We’re not looking for high levels of artistic talent – ability to paint hearts, stars, and “Happy 2016!” is sufficient. We’ll provide the paint and brushes.
Break down (5:45 to 7pm): Volunteers should ideally be able to lift up to 25 pounds.

This event is free to all and family-friendly, with a $5 suggested donation to help support the Salem Main Streets “Holiday Happenings” initiatives, including the wreaths and ribbons around the downtown, the Holiday Tree, and LAUNCH!

There will be an early countdown promptly at 6 pm.

For more info about New Year’s Eve Salem, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Manager, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/ and follow Salem Main Streets on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

And have a Happy New Year!

Salem Holiday Window Contest Has Invitation for You

Contests, History, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, SMS News No Responses »

Dec 052015

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.

Stand Up & Be Counted in Support of Veterans

History, Salem Event No Responses »

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.

Kim 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.

Derby Wharf Exhibits Should They Stay or Be Deep-Sixed?

History, Salem Event No Responses »

Sep 202015

The National Park Service is looking to possibly shake up the look of Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and it wants your input.

Residents & tourists alike have come upon “interpretive exhibits” along Derby Wharf which consist of five units of vertical text/image panels, a small mast and yard arm, an outdoor stage, and a collection of eight hands-on activities. They were installed in 2010. But time & tide (and weather) have taken their toll on them.

According to the NPS website:

The National Park Service proposes to remove or modify a collection of outdoor interpretive exhibits on Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Massachusetts. The principle component of the proposed action is the removal of exhibits that are damaged, inoperable, in poor repair or potentially unsafe for public use. A portion of the exhibits not meeting this criteria are also being considered for removal due to their effects on the park viewshed and visitor experience.

The questions posed are:

1. Do the exhibits enhance or detract from the visitor experience and views along the wharf?
2. Should the outdoor stage adjacent to Derby Beach be removed or relocated? If so, why?

The Salem Maritime National Historic Site was designated in 1937 as the first National Historic Site in the National Park system. The nine-acre site includes the homes of merchants and mariners, the Salem Custom House in which the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked, and a replica of the three-masted cargo vessel Friendship of Salem.

The time to offer comments ends on 9/22/15. How do you feel about those exhibits?

Release the Beest and Have a Creative Fun Night at PEM/PM

Salem Event, Salem Festivals No Responses »

Sep 162015

Followers of our blog are well aware of the monthly “Night at the Museum-like” parties that take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the renowned Peabody Essex Museum. This Thursday is no different as PEM/PM invites you to take part in/and enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeests exhibition at PEM; you will explore ideas through action, motion, demonstration and participation.

What are Strandbeests? They have been described as large mechanisms constructed out of PVC that are able to move on their own. What? Move on their own? (Well, this is Salem MA…). They are the creations of Theo Jansen and by clicking the link below, you will see them in action.

Intrigued? You are not alone. And the PEM staff have cleverly woven into the framework of the PM event several activities related to the Beests. Even going so far as extending the evening which usually goes from 6-9pm to 11pm!

ALL NIGHT LONG BUILD YOUR OWN STRANDBEEST
Maker Lounge
Create a mini-beest with everyday materials (while supplies last).

THE BIG REVEAL
Special Exhibition Galleries | Level 2
Enjoy a sneak peek of the Strandbeest exhibition before it opens to the public September 19! PEM staff anticipate a large crowd and you might experience a wait to get into the Strandbeest exhibition gallery.

RACE A BEEST
Art Nook
Make your own battery-operated fan and move a mini-beest to the finish line with our Maker Lounge team (while supplies last).

SILENT DISCO
Studio 1, Create Space
Celebrate 25 years of Strandbeests by keeping your body moving like a beest, dancing the night away to some of the best ’90s jams (50 headphones available; first come, first served).

WHAT’S YOUR STRANDBEEST NAME?
Atrium
Head to the PEM/PM welcome table to use our Latin-based name generator and title your inner Strandbeest!

DJ NOEL SNOW
6-7:30 and 9:30-11 pm | Atrium
Party like a Strandbeest with digital mashups.

BEER TASTING
6-10 pm | East India Marine Hall
Sample popular Dutch brews!

PLANK WALK
6-10 pm | Bartlett Gallery
Participate in this team challenge to coordinate multiple joints to walk in sync with Beverly’s Project Adventure.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD DEMO
6:45, 8:15 and 9:45 pm | East India Marine Hall
Just as Strandbeests were originally created to protect the Dutch coastline, hear from Jim Turner, owner of Turner’s Seafood in Salem, discuss efforts to conserve and grow the oyster population in Massachusetts.

BOSTON PERCUSSION GROUP
7:30-8:15 pm | Atrium
A lively performance combining traditional classical instruments and found everyday objects.

ART IN MECHANICS
8-9 pm | Morse Auditorium
Join Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and artist Theo Jansen, exhibition curator Trevor Smith and photographer Lena Herzog for a lively discussion about the similarities between Strandbeests and watchmaking. Seats are limited; tickets at information desk.

LIVE MUSIC AND VIDEO ART
8:30-9:30 pm | Atrium
Boston-based post-rock band I/O performs its latest album Saudade amid video projections created by Somerville artist Mark J. Stock.

OPERATE AN ORDIS
8:30-11 pm | Axelrod Walkway
Animaris Ordis is the foundation for all Strandbeests. Watch and learn how this multifunctional beest moves.

As always, a cash bar and small plates menu is available courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel. Admission for members and Salem residents (with ID) free, nonmembers $10 at the door . For more details call 978-745-9500, (Toll Free) 866-745-1876. PEM is located aT East India Square (161 Essex St) Salem, MA.

(Photo of Theo Jansen taken by Loek van der klis)

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