Nov 162013
 

When exactly are things supposed to slow down in Salem?

We just finished Fall Restaurant Week. Well, actually two weeks of fine dining.

We are in the midst of Winter Market, Thursdays (except Thanksgiving week) from 3-6pm at Old Town Hall.

The soon to be Turner’s Seafood Restaurant will be opening this week (or next, everything needs to be just right). Yes, another different flavor of dining comes to Salem. Described in their own words, “Salem experiences the heritage, dedication & expertise of our family’s four generations… sourcing, preparing & serving the freshest, best tasting seafood at our authentic New England seafood restaurant & market in storied Lyceum Hall.”

Brunonia BarryBrunonia Barry (The Lace Reader and The Map of True Places) noted author from Salem —a New York Times Best-selling author we may add—  Baccante award winner & Strand Fellowship recipient will close out the 2013 “Seven Lectures at Seven Gables” series at (where else) the House of Seven Gables, Wednesday at 7pm.

CinemaSalem is running a special double feature this Thursday on the 8pm premiere of Catching Fire by preceding it with the original Hunger Games movie at 5pm.

Another celebrity comes to town on Thursday, when Jenny Johnson, the Emmy Award Winning producer and television host of TV Diner visits J. Mode for a “Girls Night Event,” 6-8:30pm. The evening’s guests will enjoy wine, small bites and a beautiful spread offered by Pretzel Crisps, plus of course shopping. Space is limited and the first 25 guests will receive a swag bag filled with surprises. Attendees will also be treated to a raffle and the opportunity to earn double points in J. Mode’s customer loyalty program.

But before that you might want to visit the Peabody Essex Museum for Members’ Appreciation Day. This holiday season, the Museum Shop wants to thank members for their support with a special gift and additional discounts. Visit the shop and receive your exclusive PEM swag bag!

Join then from 1-3pm for a book signing with Benneville Strohecker, founder of the Salem-based Harbor Sweets. He’ll sign copies of his new children’s book, The Day the Ocean Changed to Chocolate. Also meet a representative from Tea Forte, and sample delicious teas.

Close out the evening with the latest in the PEM/PM after hours gathering. This month Anime and Manga; these are Japanese comic books and animation that have taken America by storm. Come celebrate this fascinating medium from 6:30-9:30pm with a visual music performance, drawing with professional graphic artists and an engaging conversation organized by the Tannery Series. Members and Salem residents (with ID) free, non-members $10. Cash bar. Refreshments available for purchase in the Atrium Cafe.

And that is just this week.

On Nov. 30 we take part in Small Business Saturday, but that’s another blog.

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Oct 092013
 

What exactly are you planning to do with last year’s costumes? Will you arrive again at cousin Jerry’s party as Bigfoot? And what about little Jack & Jill? Maybe they’ve outgrown “Toy Story.” If you’re like most people, as much as you don’t want to, you will end up tossing the costumes into the trash and buying new ones. But there is an economic and ecological alternative: swapping costumes. And you can do it Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, right here in Salem.

The City of Salem Recreation Department will be accepting costumes for its 2nd Annual Salem Costume Swap at the Salem Senior Center. You may drop off gently used adult, kid or pet costumes Thursday from 8am to 7pm and Friday from 8am to 4pm. They will also accept Halloween accessories.

In return, you will receive one swap ticket to claim a new-to-you costume at the actual Salem Costume Swap on Saturday, October 12th at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, 13 Hawthorrne Blvd.

No costume to swap? Still want to shop? No Problem! Stop by the Salem Boys & Girls Club that day from 10am to 1pm to purchase any costume for $5. Proceeds will benefit Salem youth programs.

Green Halloween®, a non-profCostum Swapit community initiative set up to create healthier and more sustainable holidays, began sponsoring National Costume Swap Day in October 2010. In partnership with Kiwi Magazine and Swap.com, parents, young adults and kids across America can come together to swap out once-used Halloween costumes and walk away with something new.

According to their website “Swapping half the costumes kids wear at Halloween would reduce annual landfill waste by 6500 tons, equal to the weight of 2500 midsize cars.”

So, make it an eeek-ological and eeek-onomic Halloween.

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Jul 252013
 

Festival time approaches! No not Haunted Happenings. That celebration of Halloween is reserved for October. Right now we in Salem need look no further than August and Heritage Days (Aug. 1-11 in various places throughout Salem).

Heritage Days has been a tradition in Salem for over 50 years and this year we have 11 days of fun-filled events for kids of all ages,” announced Mayor Driscoll recently. “I would like to thank all of the event organizers for their commitment to ensuring that this long-standing community celebration continues.”

And we at Salem MainStreets echo that praise for local businesses and attractions.

For example, new this year is a Bridge & Back 10K Road Race, sponsored by Tavern in the Square, with all proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem. Also new is the Ladies Night Out Run, where flowers await runners at the red carpet finish line and mouthwatering fine chocolates, hors d’oeuvres, and wine will also be available.

For those that are craft enthusiasts, the Salem Collective of Artists and Musicians will offer a free button and card making workshop at Artist Row.

The Salem Council on Aging will also host activities exclusively for seniors including an ice cream social, a wellness fair, a picnic at Winter Island, and a dinner dance.

mariasweet53Among the consistent big crowd drawing events are the Best Pizza Competition where over a half dozen local eateries offer samples, and on another night the Ice Scream Bowl features just as many ice cream establishments & restaurants offering something cool and sweet. Both events on the Salem Common.

And don’t forget the Essex Street Fair. This street festival has fun items for all ages, with something for everyone. Crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and more will be featured along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall on Saturday & Sunday.

Truthfully there are too many activities to list in this blog. A complete schedule of Heritage Days events can be found on www.salem.com in the Events Calendar section.

 

 

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Feb 282013
 

We have an exciting Salem First Friday on tap this Friday night March 1st!  Over 30 stores are staying open later than usual just for you!  Do you believe in magic— well of course you do if you live in Salem— close your eyes, tap your heels and join us for a magical night!

Downtown and Pickering Wharf businesses host special events including cooking demonstrations, live music, art showings and all manner of creative events!  And (did you note our reference to tapping heels?) we have a special added attraction of an “Oz the Great and Powerful” scavenger hunt with prizes,  special extended movie preview at Cinema Salem, live Spanish Flamenco dance and guitar demonstration in Museum Place Mall, face painting at Cinema Salem as well as sales and promotions in many of the stores and restaurants.   Most events begin at 5pm.

“Oz The Great and Powerful” Scavenger Hunt

Check into at least 8 of the 30-plus participating businesses on the Salem First Friday listing and bring your completed card (available online or in the stores) to Cinema Salem between 6:30-8:30pm that night to enter a special drawing for an “Oz in Salem” prize package. Additional prizes will be drawn including special 3D pre-screening tickets and swag!

For more details, times and a printable list of participating businesses please visit Salem First Friday on Facebook and on the web!

No purchase necessary and you do not need to be present to win. Enjoy!

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Feb 272013
 

Has it been a month since the last one? Yes, and as much fun as that one was, expect more surprises, bargains and samples this Friday, March 1st. Merchants in Salem are saying thank you for your patronage by staying open late and offering special extras.

 

Capt’s –Premium Steak and Seafood Grill-94 Wharf St: Offering 20% off any food ordered at the Bar or High Tops between 5:30 & 7:30pm. Just mention First Friday

 

Finz Seafood and Grill-76 Wharf St.: $1 oysters 5-7 pm, & The Soul review project performance at 8:30pm

 

Picklepot-75 Wharf St.: Cooking demo with Katelyn Madden

 

RJ Coins and Jewelry–‐68 Wharf St.: Join us for Chocolate and Wine samples.

 

Salem Waterfront Hotel -225 Derby St.: Enjoy appetizers at 50% off from 4-5:30pm

 

The Scarlet Letter Press -102 Wharf St.: Crafts and Activities for the little ones. Create your own version of OZ and enjoy some exclusive OZ activity sheets.

 

Victoria Station -86 Wharf St.: Special acoustic performance by Erinn Brown, offering $1.00 Shrimp Cocktail ($1.00 per shrimp) 6-8pm

 

Artemisia Botanicals–3 Hawthorne Blvd.: Join us for a special tea tasting and interesting tea facts!

 

Salem Theatre Company – 90 Lafayette St.: Advanced ticket pricing at door for concert with Montana Skies, mention First Friday save $3.00

 

Witch DR-109 Lafayette St.: Glass blowing demo & discounts, Gallery display

 

Boston Bead Company-10 Front St.: Please join us for a mid-winter Stone and Pearl Trunk Show

 

Maria’s Sweet Something-26 Front St.: Stop in for some chocolate samples while enjoying the photography of local artist Luke Randall. Also enjoy 10% off anything in the store.

 

Caffé’ Graziani-133 Washington St.: Circolo Italiano- Meeting and dinner with Italian speakers discussing all manner of topics

 

Gulu-Gulu Cafe-247 Essex St.: Gulu favorite, DJ Seth! Specializing in Indie Rock/Pop, New Wave/80′s, Punk, Garage, Mod/British Invasion, Soul, original R&B (the classic stuff only) and more. 8pm No cover charge.

 

Flying Saucer Pizza Company-118 Washington Street- Join us for a night of sci-fi board games! We’ll have our games out for you to play while you try one of our pies. Choose from Star Wars to The Walking Dead board games!

 

Laura Lanes Skin Care-242 Essex St.: Merlot and Manicures! Book a Manicure or CND Shellac with our new Nail Tech, Evie, and enjoy a glass of wine

 

Mud Puddle Toys-217 Essex St.: Hosting Game Night for ages 6-adult, try out some new and old favorites. 15% discount on any one game. Refreshments/snacks too!

 

3 Potato 4-Museum Place Mall: Mention First Friday Freebie for free space sauce!

 

Milk and Honey Green Grocer -32 Church St.: We will be hosting Rachel Dziedzic Registered Dietitian/Licensed Nutritionist of “The Fitness Recipe” who will show you how to make nutritious food choices using “the healthy eating plate”. We’ll have free samples from 5-8pm. Mention First Friday for 10% off purchase.

 

Museum Place Mall: Join us from 5:30-6:30pm for live Spanish Flamenco dance and guitar with Jamie La Damasquina, Baile and Antonio Tiriti, Tocar.

 

Pamplemousse- 185 Essex St.: Winetasting

 

Peabody Essex Museum & Gift Shop –Essex St.: PEM Gift Shop will be serving Tea Forte samples for the evening. Special member reception for the Nick Cave exhibition. Contact PEM for exhibition details.

 

Village Tavern Grill and Oyster Bar – 168 Essex St.: 50% off appetizing appetizers (5:30-6:30pm)

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