Friday, April 30, 2010

More for Mom... Mother's Day in Salem

Mother's Day is just more than a week away. Are you ready? Here's some inspiration from this bewitching seaport...


Hotel Packages

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina

225 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970
SalemWaterfrontHotel.com | 978.740.8788

Mother's Day Brunch Package

Get away to the Salem Waterfront Hotel with the mom in your life for the night of May 8th and receive one full free Brunch per room based on availability.

Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport
One Cathedral Ave, Rockport, MA 01966

EmersonInnbytheSea.com | 978.546.6321

Treats & Pampering Fit for a Queen

Spoil Mom rotten with two nights accommodation for two anytime between May 7-10. Package for two includes flowers, champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries upon arrival, breakfast in the dining room on Saturday, and Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet. A late check-out will be arranged, so you can enjoy a leisurely brunch. This package is available from $399-$899, plus tax and gratuities depending on room type.

Mother's Day Programs & Specials

The Phillips House
34 Chestnut, Salem MA 01970
HistoricNewEngland.org
| 978.744.0440

Free admission for Moms!

Free admission to all mother's on Sunday, May 9. Tours will talk about the history of Anna Phillips as the "mother of the house."

Rouge
322Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970

Rouge.com | 978.740.1044

Mother/Daugher Mother’s Day Makeover Special |$75 for two (a 50% savings)
Book a makeup lesson for yourself, and your m
om get hers for Free! Enjoy a fun get-beautiful day with your mom. Are you interested in learning makeup

techniques from a pro and treating your mom too? Enjoy a personal makeup lesson for both of you at Boston’s best makeup boutique, Rouge Cosmetics. For just $75, you’ll get a private lesson with one of the award-winning experts at Rouge. They recently won “Best of Boston 2009 ” for Makeup Shopping by Boston Magazine, Improper Bostonian’s “Worth the Trip ” award, and the 2009 Best of Northshore editor’s choice award for bath & beauty. Book soon as appointments will fill up quickly! Valid for May only.

Sophia’s of Salem

105 Essex Street, Salem MA 01970
SophiasOfSalem.com | 978.741.1809

Mother's Day Weekend Honeystar Designs Trunk Show & Sale Visit Sophia's of Salem and find a gift of romance and artistry for Mom this year. Saturday, May 8 will feature a trunk show with handcrafted jewelry by Honeystar Designs. There will be complimentary refreshments on Saturday and Sunday, and all weekend you can enter a drawing for a Sid Dickens Memory Block! On Mother's Day all store merchandize will be 20% off. For more information and the Mother's Day weekend schedule, visit SophiasofSalem.com.

Treasures Over Time

139 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970

TreasuresOverTime.com | 978.745.2330

Treasure Mom Drawing

Shop for Mother's Day at Treasures Over Time where you will find bead bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, gemstone earrings, rings and pendants in silver and gold, pashmina scarves, salt tea lights, Skagen watches, and natural stone vases (to fill with flowers, of course!). Stop in to shop or browse and enter the Mother's Day drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Caffe Graziani! No purchase necessary to enter raffle. Winner will be drawn on Saturday, May 8, 2010.


Mother's Day Brunch

Finz Seafod
76 Wharf St, Salem MA 01970
HipFinz.com
| 978.744.0000

Mothers Day Buffet
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. $34.99 per person, $15.99 kids under 12. Price per person does not include tax & gratuity

The Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square , Salem, MA 01970

HawthorneHotel.com | 978.825.4311

Mother’s Day Brunch
10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Adults $39.95 Children (3-12) $14.95. Price per person does not include tax & gratuity

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina

225 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970
SalemWaterfrontHotel.com
| 978.740.8788

Mother's Day Breakfast Brunch - Treat Mom!

8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. $29.95 Adults, $14.95 Children (12 and Under). Price per person does not include tax & gratuity. Reservations are recommended. Outdoor Patio Seating Available based on availability and weather permitting.


Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport
One Cathedral Ave, Rockport, MA 01966
EmersonInnbytheSea.com
| 978.546.6321

Sumptuous Brunch Buffet

10:30 a.m – 2:30 p.m. $45 for adults and $22.50 for children, prix fixe, in the Grand Cafe at the Emerson Inn.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Improv Comedy at the Griffen Theatre

I wish I could go to this, but I'm double booked tomorrow night.

If you need some side-splitting laughs, check out Not playing with a full deck: An evening of Improv Comedy presented by the Griffen Theatre.

Laugh along with local favorites Erik Rodenhiser, Bruce Whear, Ted Neary and others, as they get suggestions from the audience and perfom some side splitting improv games, just like the TV show, "Whose line is it, anyway?"

One night only!

Friday, April 30th at 8pm
Griffen Theatre, 7 Lynde Street, Salem.
Tickets are $15, includes complimentary beverages.
Reservations are recommended - it will sell out! 978-317-1169, email
griffentheatre@gmail.com, or visit the event's page on Facebook.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!!

For all you ice cream lovers, on Friday April 30th, 2010 Maria's Sweet Somethings will be having a complimentary soft serve ice cream day to kick off the season!


You must come in person to receive your complimentary soft serve ice cream while supplies last.


If you need more convincing on why you should go to Maria's (like the free ice cream isn't enough!!), here's Maria's Top Ten:


10. 32 Flavors of Richardson's Premium Ice Cream.

9. Rich, super thick real fruit frozen Smoothies!

8. Outrageous variety of scrumptious truffles, fine chocolates and yummy candies.

7. Fabulous gifts and unusual gourmet items too numerous to mention. Doggie gourmet treats, too!

6. Chocolate body paint! Yeah, baby!!

5. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!

4. Luscious desserts; coffee, tea, Belgium Hot Chocolate, white chocolate frozen smoothies!

3. Baklava, Baklava, Baklava! (homemade). Enough said.

2. Open everyday from 10 AM - 10 PM with indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting!), friendly service and charming atmosphere.

And the #1 reason is:

It's the most decadent place in town!


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Map of True Places - Book Signing, Reading, Meet Brunonia Barry!

The eagerly anticipated second novel from Brunonia Barry, author of The Lace Reader, arrives Tuesday May 4th! Cornerstone Books will host the book launch event for The Map of True Places at The House of the Seven Gables at 115 Derby Street, Salem, on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:oo PM.

Author Brunonia Barry will read from the novel, answer questions, and sign books at the event. The House of the Seven Gables is the perfect location for the book launch, as much of the novel takes place in a home on Turner Street, across the street from the Gables.

Admission is free and books will be available for purchase at the event.

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, The Map of True Places is an emotionally resonant novel of tragedy, secrets, identity, and love. The moving and remarkable tale of a psychotherapist who discovers the strands of her own life in the death of a troubled patient, The Map of True Places is another glorious display of the unique storytelling prowess that inspired Toronto’s Globe and Mail to exclaim, “Brunonia Barry can write. Boy can she write.”

“Masterfully woven…The Map of True Places is a gripping quest for truth that kept me reading at the edge of my seat to the very last page.”
—Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice

For more information on Brunonia Barry, visit brunoniabarry.com.

Discover the Ancient Maya at PEM

WEEKEND FESTIVAL CELEBRATES

FIERY POOL: THE MAYA AND THE MYTHIC SEA EXHIBITION

SATURDAY, MAY 22 – SUNDAY, MAY 23

Celebrate the Peabody Essex Museum’s (PEM) groundbreaking exhibition, Fiery Pool: The Maya and the Mythic Sea with a weekend of Maya-themed activities, exploration and fun for all ages! Discover Maya dance, weaving, puppetry, storytelling, boat building and more. On Saturday, be sure to join us for a special hieroglyphic workshop led by guest scholar, Marc Zender. Learn how to decipher Maya glyphs and then create your own!

All activities FREE with Museum admission | Reservations: 978-745-9500 x3011

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Maya Dugouts Demonstration | 1 - 4 pm

Boat builder Wade Smith reconstructs a large-scale, speculative model of a dugout canoe based on ancient Maya designs.

Weaving the Waterways | Ongoing

Using back strap or stick looms, skilled weavers of Maya descent create a traditional huipil, a blouse with water motifs.

Guatemala Maya Sawdust Carpet | Ongoing

Master artist Ubaldo Sanchez creates an alfombra from hand-dyed sawdust, rice, dried beans and flowers on the Atrium floor. Help make the border!

Docent Led Gallery Tours of Fiery Pool | 11:30 am and 1 pm

Tickets are available at the admissions desk on the day of the tour.

Dance Performance by Grupo Awal | Noon and 3 pm

Young members of Grupo Awal represent the Maya culture of Guatemala through folk dances, dress and cultural traditions. At PEM, see dance tributes to Maiz, or corn.

Puppet Theater Performance | 1:15 and 4 pm

Gustavo Boada and members of the dance troupe Grupo Awalperform the Maya creation story — El Popol Vuh — with life-size puppets.

SATURDAY ONLY

STORY TIME | Rain Player | 2 pm

A boy named Pik challenges the Maya god of rain to a game of pok-a-tok — a cross between soccer and basketball — to avert a drought. For children ages 5 to 9 with accompanying adult. Reservations by May 20th

PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP | The Decipherment of Maya Hieroglyphics

Presentation | 2 - 3pm | Morse Auditorium

Workshop | 3:45 - 4:45 pm | Art Studios

Marc Zender, a research associate at Harvard's Peabody Museum and an eminent scholar of Maya hieroglyphs, talks about the ancient writing system and deciphering techniques. Afterward, join a beginner's workshop and make your own glyphs! For adults and teens. Reservations by May 20th

FILM | Breaking the Maya Code | 4:45 - 6:45 pm

The complex and beautiful hieroglyphic script of the ancient Maya was until recently one of the last great undeciphered writing systems. Based on the best-selling book by Michael Coe, Breaking the Maya Code traces the epic quest to unlock the secrets of the script across 200 years, nine countries and three continents. Reservations by May 20th

SUNDAY ONLY

STORY TIME | Abuela’s Weave | 2 pm

This story portrays the loving rapport between a Guatemalan child and her grand-mother. For Children ages 3 to 9 with accompanying adult. Reservations by May 20th

ABOUT THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM

The Peabody Essex Museum presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings) and outstanding Asian, Asian Export, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime and Photography collections. In addition to its vast collections, the museum offers a vibrant schedule of changing exhibitions and a hands‐on education center. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens and 22 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200‐year‐old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture on display in the United States.

HOURS: Open Tuesday‐Sunday and holiday Mondays, 10 am‐5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

ADMISSION: Adults $15; seniors $13; students $11. Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang: $5. Members, youth 16 and under and residents of Salem enjoy free general admission and free admission to Yin Yu Tang.

INFO: Call 866‐745‐1876 or visit our Web site at www.pem.org.

Monday, April 26, 2010

How We See Salem

This is the first in a new blog series that I hope will give you a sneak peak at how we (those of us who are lucky enough to live, work, and play here on a daily basis!) see Salem.

First up...

Ada Robers, Innkeeper
Amelia Payson House

Where are you from originally?
Billerica, Massachusetts

How long have you lived or worked in Salem?
26 years


What is your favorite thing about Salem?
The vitality of the community and being a tourist city that attracts people from all over the world.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Salem?
Salem Beer Works


What’s your favorite place to shop in Salem?
Sophia's

What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town?
Walk about town and then take them for a Trolley ride.


* * *

Do you want to shop, dine, and explore Salem like Ada? Here are links to the places she recommends:

And, don't forget, you can talk to Ada in person at...

Thursday, April 22, 2010

A lovely lunch at the Shanty

I wish I could say no lobsters were harmed in the writing of this blog post. But I can't. A mighty tender lobster gave itself to be my lunch.

There were twenty more just like it in the tank, too. Plenty for all of us.

It's school vacation week in Massachusetts, so while I had to work today, I did get to enjoy a lovely, relaxing lunch at The Lobster Shanty with my kids. The Shanty opened for the season on April 1st, and this was our first meal back... so now it really feels like spring.

The Shanty has a new menu that is quite awesome, laminated, and crisp - and they have a new menu for dogs, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend to dine adjacent to you on the patio.

We left the dog at home, it was just me and the boys today. While there are not any children's selections on the menu, per se, my youngest ordered the Macaroni & Cheese ("Careful! The casserole is really hot!") and when we got the check, I noticed it was priced as a "Kid's Portion," which was a nice surprise.

My eldest ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich and devoured it. The fries that arrived with the Mac & Cheese and sandwiches are some of the best fries I've had in Salem, or anywhere else.

Enough about them, though. Let's talk about me. I contemplated the lobster roll, because it's a personal favorite, and I oggled the fried clams, but ultimately I went healthy and ordered a green salad topped with lobster meat. And,well, let me tell you, the greens were covered with lobster. And I don't think it was because Chef Diane saw me sitting on the patio. I think she puts that much lobster on all the salads. It was so good. And I didn't have to crack a claw.

The Shanty has live music, weather permitting, at night, and if the weather is inclement, there is seating inside - complete with a bar scene and televisions showing the latest news, sports, and whatever.

Welcome back, Lobster Shanty! It's been a long, cold (and rainy) winter. It's good to have you back.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Junior Ranger Day on April 24


Mark your calendars for Free Family Fun at Salem Maritime National Historic Site! On Saturday, April 24 the National Parks will be celebrating Junior Ranger Day, and Salem Maritime National Historic Site will have free family activities at the Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street) and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site (160 Derby Street).

But wait - there's more! April 24 is also Earth Day so the National Parks in Massachusetts are working with the MBTA to encourage you to take public transportation to your National Parks. NPS Rangers will be meeting trains at the Salem Depot on April 24th between the hours of 10am - 3pm and leading passengers on a guided, narrated walk from the Depot to the Visitor Center. Visit nps.gov/sama for a complete list of activities, and the train schedule.







Usher in Spring wtih a Week of Eco-Friendly Fun at PEM

APRIL SCHOOL VACATION WEEK AT PEM

MONDAY, APRIL 19TH – FRIDAY, APRIL 23RD

Enjoy an action-packed and animal-filled April School Vacation Week at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) Monday, April 19th through Friday, April 23rd. Every day brings new activities and explorations focused on the environment, recycling, and the animal world. Collaborate with artists featured in PEM’s Trash Menagerie exhibition to transform recycled plastic, newspaper and discarded makeup into puppets and works of art to take home. Participate in interactive theater performances, help construct a giant spider web and even learn how to draw scorpions from real life!


All activities are FREE with admission | More information at www.pem.org/events


MONDAY

Drop-in Art Activity: Recycled Puppets | 10 am – 4 pm

Transform a sock or recycled bottle into a one-of-a-kind puppet with expert guidance from puppet artists Kathleen Jacobs and PEM educators. Then, create a performance with your puppet in the Art Studios.

Interactive Theater: Magic Pots and Recycled Bottles | 11 am & 2:30 pm

Award-winning performance artist Kathleen Jacobs transforms trash and found objects into expressive puppets as she reinterprets folktales from South America, Europe and Asia. Meet Tide the cow, Kodak the bee, and Minute Maid the good fairy in an entertaining performance encourages audience participation and thinking outside the box.

TUESDAY

Artist Demonstration: Recycled Makeup Portraits | 10:30 am – 3 pm

Mixed-media artist Heidi Aishman’s latest work includes a series of remarkable animal portraits created with discarded makeup, currently on view in Trash Menagerie. Watch her create new portraits inspired by live animal models and objects from PEM’s collections.

Live Animal Presentation: Creature Feature | 11 – 11:30 am

Dean Kosch of Curious Creatures introduces unusual wild animals that might be considered unattractive, even ugly. Kosch explores why people consider some animals beautiful and others less so, while artist Heidi Aishman creates an animal portrait using discarded makeup.

Drop-in Art Activities: Creature Portraits | 11:30 am – 1pm

Use discarded makeup to create an animal portrait inspired by live models from Curious Creatures. Artist Heidi Aishman provides advice and encouragement.

WEDNESDAY

PEM Pals: Trash Music | 10:30 – 11 am

Follow a raccoon family on a frolicking nighttime foray for garbage during a reading of Nancy Shaw’s Raccoon Tune. Then, make a drum from recycled materials to play and take home.

Artist Demonstration: Recycled Makeup Portraits | 10:30 am – 3 pm

Mixed-media artist Heidi Aishman’s latest work includes a series of remarkable animal portraits created with discarded makeup, currently on view in Trash Menagerie. Watch her create new portraits inspired by live animal models and objects from PEM’s collections.

Live Animal Presentation: Creature Feature | 11 – 11:30 am

Dean Kosch of Curious Creatures introduces unusual wild animals that might be considered unattractive, even ugly. Kosch explores why people consider some animals beautiful and others less so, while artist Heidi Aishman creates an animal portrait using discarded makeup.

Drop-in Art Activities: Creature Portraits | 11:30 am – 1pm

Use discarded makeup to create an animal portrait inspired by live models from Curious Creatures. Artist Heidi Aishman provides advice and encouragement.

THURSDAY

Collaborative Sculpture: Spider Sculpture and Web | 10 am – 4 pm

Help paper sculptor Nnenna Okore create a unique environment of recycled paper spiders on a giant trash paper web! Experiment with Okore’s technique to transform found materials into the types of spatial forms seen in Spiders, Okore’s installation piece in Trash Menagerie.

Live Animal Presentation: Creepy Crawly Meet and Greet | 11 am – 1 pm

Get up close with tarantulas, scorpions, hissing cockroaches and other creepy crawlies from Bugworks! You’ll discover amazing facts to help you make a recycled bug or a spider for the giant trash paper web in the Atrium.

FRIDAY

Collaborative Sculpture: Spider Sculpture and Web | 10 am – 4 pm

Help paper sculptor Nnenna Okore create a unique environment of recycled paper spiders on a giant trash paper web! Experiment with Okore’s technique to transform found materials into the types of spatial forms seen in Spiders, Okore’s installation piece in Trash Menagerie.

EVERYDAY: MONDAY – FRIDAY

Drop-in Art Activity: Recycled Critters | Noon – 3pm

Construct animals out of different types of recycled materials each day. Make one of each and create a trash menagerie collection to display at home!

Family Gallery Exploration Tours: Animals in Art | 1 – 1:30 pm

For families with children ages 5 and up | Reservations by April 17th

Discover fascinating animals in PEM’s galleries and exhibitions.

ABOUT THE PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM

The Peabody Essex Museum presents art and culture from New England and around the world. The museum's collections are among the finest of their kind, showcasing an unrivaled spectrum of American art and architecture (including four National Historic Landmark buildings) and outstanding Asian, Asian Export, Native American, African, Oceanic, Maritime and Photography collections. In addition to its vast collections, the museum offers a vibrant schedule of changing exhibitions and a hands‐on education center. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens and 22 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200‐year‐old house that is the only example of Chinese domestic architecture on display in the United States.


HOURS: Open Tuesday‐Sunday and holiday Mondays, 10 am‐5 pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.


ADMISSION: Adults $15; seniors $13; students $11. Additional admission to Yin Yu Tang: $5. Members, youth 16 and under and residents of Salem enjoy free general admission and free admission to Yin Yu Tang.


INFO: Call 866‐745‐1876 or visit our Web site at www.pem.org.

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The Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, Salem, MA 01970 United States