Escaping from the snow in Salem

The historic Hawthorne Hotel

I have to share this post from the Hawthorne Hotel's Facebook page...

I slept here last night and can absolutely assure you that our beds are SO comfy, our pillows nice and fluffy and "smushable" and the water pressure is excellent in the shower. Our docking station/clock radio is awesome if you have an iPhone or the like, and our flat-screen TVs with HBO are terrific.

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites

We're having a bit of a snowstorm here (the media has dubbed it the "January Nor'Easter") and when my neighborhood lost power, I immediately started to consider where I would evacuate to - should the power not come back on.  We have a dog, so the Hawthorne would be perfect.  We also have two kids, so the Waterfront Hotel & Suites - and its indoor pool - would also fit the bill.  

The Waterfront was, as of yesterday, offering a "Snow Deal" to help people get out of the weather.  Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Fortunately, our power came back on this morning and I was able to get the coffee, hot chocolate and pancakes going, to warm my snow-removal team up when they came back inside.

Both hotels are open today, serving up hot coffee, hot chocolates, and those stronger libations that you may just need after shoveling yourself out! 

2011 PEM Sale of the Year!

Mark your calendars! It starts next week!

Mark your calendar for Salem's So Sweet!

Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival features 18 ice sculptures!

Organizers Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses invite you to attend the 9^th annual Salem’s So Sweet, Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival, held on Saturday, February 5^th & Sunday, 6^th.  Over 35 downtown businesses will offer discounts and free chocolate during the weekend.  The festival officially kicks off with a scrumptious Chocolate and Wine Tasting event in Hamilton Hall February 4 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Don't miss Salem's sweetest event of the year, a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures and Valentine’s Day shopping! 18 sparkling ice sculptures will grace downtown Salem and Pickering Wharf starting February 5 as part of the 9^th annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival.   Sculpture Themes will range from the Rapunzel, the Salem Witch, a Mermaid, a Fish, a Dragon and Champagne Glasses, and the Museum Place Mall is dedicating their Ice Sculpture to the memory of Pep Cornacchio (featuring a football).  Maps showing the locations of the ice sculptures can be picked up at participating retailers and restaurants.

For the first time this year, Salem Trolley will be offering free trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting on February 5 & 6 from 12 – 4. Pick up locations include the Salem Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf and Washington Street (near Eastern Bank).

The festival kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 4 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street.  This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from restaurants, stores and sweet shops. The Chocolate and Wine Tasting is sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites.  Participants include 62 Restaurant & Winebar, Adriatic Restaurant & Bar, Busa Wine & Spirits, Café Polonia, Café Valverde, Caffe Graziani, Capt.'s Waterfront Grill & Pub, Captain Dusty's Ice Cream, Coffee Time Bakeshop, Coven Artisanal Market, Finz Seafood & Grill, GreenLand Café, Gulu-Gulu Café, Maria's Sweet Somethings, Milk & Honey Green Grocer, Pamplemousse, Rockafellas, Salem Waterfront Hotel, Salem Wine Imports, Victoria Station, and Ye Olde Pepper Co.  Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex Street.  

In celebration of the chocolate weekend, many of Salem’s finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces.  Participating Salem retailers will offer in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine’s Day.  Once again, Golden Tickets will be available in downtown Salem.  Pick up your Golden Ticket and have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary) then enter to win a Salem's So Sweet gift basket.  The Salem's So Sweet gift basket features many fine items from area retailers.

For more information please contact Salem Main Streets / Salem Chamber of Commerce at T. 978-744-0004 or visit www.salem-chamber.org

Painting Salem, MA Yellow

Join Salem and the Yellow Umbrella Organization for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month. From January 7th, 2011 to January 15th, 2011 the entire town of Salem, MA will join together to raise awareness for cervical cancer during the first-ever weeklong event, “Painting Salem Yellow.” Throughout the week participating Salem restaurants, businesses, politicians and local celebrities will partner with the “Yellow Umbrella Organization” to empower and educate women about HPV and cervical cancer prevention.

The “Yellow Umbrella Organization” was founded by Salem resident, musician and cervical cancer survivor, Christine Baze, as a means to bring hope and raise awareness for cervical cancer. Since 2002, Christine, with the “Yellow Umbrella Tour” has made over 100 stops across the U.S. and Canada, and now she’s bringing the cause back home with “Painting Salem Yellow.”

Once called “The Next Best Thing to Come Out of Boston” by Boston.com, Christine will be performing seven different shows, sharing her music, story and message with all of Salem. The week will be filled with many fun and educational activities, such as a special assembly at the Salem Academy Charter School, and musical performances by Christine Baze and other Salem musicians including Qwill, Erinn Brown, Christopher Keating and 80’s cover band, Safety. There will also be a “yellow” line through Salem that will guide you to local retailers who are showing their support for “Yellow Umbrella.”

On January 10th, 2011 “Paining Salem Yellow” will kick off with a press conference and luncheon at FINZ Restaurant with a special appearance by Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who will be reading a Proclamation for Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, with Baze sharing her music and message. In addition to several musical performances throughout the week, the fun will continue with a very special evening on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at the award-winning 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar as they host Yellow Umbrella “Night for the Ladies”, featuring celebrity make-up artist Debra Macki, and Salem’s newest clothing boutique, Glitterati. Chef Antonio Bettencourt is hosting the evening with a special three course “Yellow Umbrella” prix fixe menu and mixing up an exclusive “Yellow” cocktail which will be served throughout the week in honor of “Paint it Yellow!” While Christine performs her original songs, guests can browse Glitterati’s newest yellow fashions, get their makeup done by celebrity make-up artist Debra Macki, and enter to win make-up, accessories and other fun prizes! Please note: 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar’s “Yellow” cocktail will be available for the entire week, while “Yellow” fashions at Glitterati will be on sale for the entire month of January; a portion of the proceeds will benefit Yellow Umbrella.

Schedule of Events

 

Monday, January 10th, 2011

 

FINZ Restaurant

11:30AM-1:00PM 

Luncheon for Cervical Cancer Prevention with Mayor Kim Driscoll, Christine Baze will be sharing her music and message.

FINZ Restaurant

7:30PM-11:30PM 

Girls for the Hooch! with Christine Baze, Erinn Brown, Sarah Seminski, The Dejas, Catfish Lucy, Colleen Connery, and Capper will jump under the umbrella and share their music for the cause.

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

62 Restaurant & Wine Bar

5:00PM-10:00PM 

“Yellow Umbrella” special prix fixe menu and exclusive “Yellow” Cocktail will be available.

From 7:00PM-9:00PM get your makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Debra Macki and shop the latest fashion from Glitterati, while listening to a one-of-a-kind performance by Christine Baze. Come in for fun, food and a chance to win prizes! A portion of the proceeds benefit Yellow Umbrella.

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

In A Pig’s Eye

9:00PM-11:30PM 

Guys for the Hooch! at Qwill and Christopher Keating step up and sing for the cervix, with special guest Christine Baze.

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Vic’s Boathouse

8:00PM-11:00PM 

“The Baze Band” Baze with band and special guest Ross Livermore play favorite chick rock covers

        

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

Rockafella's 

9:30PM-12:30AM 

Safety, an 80’s cover band will play for Yellow with special guest Christine Baze. 

Make reservations now for Caffe Graziani's International Wine Dinner

Caffe Graziani has just posted the menu for their International Wine Dinner on February 10, 2011.  Make your reservations before they are all gone!

CAFFE GRAZIANI INTERNATIONAL WINE DINNER

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2011  6 P.M.

FIRST COURSE

Assorted Bruschette

Insolia “Case Ibidini” – Italy

SECOND COURSE

Filet of Salmon with Oyster Mushrooms on a bed of young spinach in walnut oil

Bordeaux Blanc “Chateau Barat” – France

THIRD COURSE

Fresh Pasta Casarecci in Homemade Arugula Pesto

Malbec “La Posta Cocina” - Argentina

FOURTH COURSE

Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb in warm herb vinaigrette

Minervois Rouge “Chateau Coupe Rose” – France

DESSERT COURSE

Chocolate mousse

Banyuls “Les Clos de Paulilles” – France

Important details... Contact Giovanni or Paula at 978.741.4282 or at paula@caffegraziani.com to make your reservations. $75.00 per person (includes tax & gratuity). Reservations and prepayment are required.VISA/MC accepted.  Due to limited seating, reservations not paid within 10 days of booking will be automatically cancelled.  

The Emperor's Last Hurrah!

EXTENDED HOURS ANNOUNCED FOR FINAL WEEK OF PEM’S BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBITION

THE EMPEROR’S PRIVATE PARADISE: TREASURES FROM THE FORBIDDEN CITY OPEN UNTIL 8 PM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4 – SATURDAY, JANUARY 8

*SPECIAL $10 ADMISSION*

LAST CHANCE TO SEE WORLD PREMIERE OF NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FORBIDDEN CITY TREASURES

TIME Magazine calls it “a fascinating glimpse of one man’s rich personal paradise.” The Wall Street Journal proclaims it’s “not so much a show as an experience,” and The Boston Globe heralds it as “a tremendous coup.”  Now it’s New Englanders’ last chance to see the highly acclaimed world premiere of The Emperor’s Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City at the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM).

PEM honors the final week of The Emperor’s Private Paradise, which closes on Sunday, January 9, with extended exhibition hours from Tuesday, January 4, through Saturday, January 8. The exhibition will be open until 8 pm each night, with music, cash bar and a special admission price of $10! As always, members, children and Salem residents are admitted free. Visit pem.org for details.

What's open, and what's not, in January

I never like to promote what's closed (there must be a way to spin this to feature what's open, right?), but for these first two weeks of January, so many things in Salem are closed for cleaning, restoration, and repair that it's worth mentioning. 

In the spirit of wanting you to have a good experience in Salem, I submit to you the January 2011 list of

what's open, and what's not.

Visitor Center

Salem Regional Visitor Center, 2 New Liberty Street, is closed for repair and construction work until January 17.  The Orientation Center, 193 Derby Street, will be open during the vistior center closure.  The Orientation Center has public restrooms, a short, free film about the maritime heritage of Salem, and National Park Rangers on staff from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily. 

Salem Maritime, the National Park in Salem, will be offering regular tours of the historic buildings and tall ship Friendship on the weekends throughout the winter. nps.gov/sama

Activities...

CinemaSalem is open year-round.  Stay tuned for more details on the annual Salem Film Fest in February! 

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery is closed until March. 

The House of the Seven Gables is closed through January 13.  They will reopen with regular hours, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM on January 14. 

The New England Pirate Museum is closed until April 1. 

The Peabody Essex Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and Holiday Mondays (like January 17, which is Martin Luther King Day) throughout the year.  This week they are open late - until 8:00 PM - so you can see the final week of The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City before it leaves for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 


The Phillips House on Chestnut Street is open weekends, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with tours on the half-hour.  Please call ahead, (978)744-0440, during a snow emergency, as they don't have parking when there is a parking ban.

The Salem Wax Museum is closed until Thursday, February 2nd, and will be open Thursday through Sunday in February and all of February vacation (February 21 - 25) from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Salem Witch Museum is closed be closed Monday, January 3 through Thursday, January 6 and Monday, January 10 through Thursday, January 13.  It will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

The Salem Witch Village is closed until February 20, when it will open for February vacation week 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Witch Dungeon Museum is closed until April 1. 

The Witch History Museum is closed until April 1.

The Witch House is open by appointment only in January.

Tours...

The Salem Trolley is on a well-deserved winter vacation. They re-open in April.  There are walking tour options during the winter, however.

Salem Strolls offers walking tours by appointment year-round, weather and ice permitting.

Hocus Pocus Tours depart at 3:30 PM in January and February. Advanced reservations (by 10:00 AM on day of tour) are required via phone, 781.248.2031, or Web site.   

Shopping... 

Artemisia Botanicals on Pickering Wharf is open daily year-round.

J.Mode on Front Street is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sundays 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM.  Check out their "Serious Winter Sale" in January for savings of 30-75%!

Quintessentials on Pickering Wharf is open Fridays and Saturdays 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Sundays 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM and Monday holidays 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

Salemdipity on Pickering Wharf is open Thursday through Monday, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Trolley Depot is open Monday - Saturday 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM, and 11:00 - 5:00 PM on Sunday.

Ye Old Pepper Companie is open daily 10am - 5pm.  Come February, they'll have extra hours for Valentine's Day!

Food and Cheer...

Most of our restaurants are open year-round, and many, including Gulu Gulu Cafe and Green Land Cafe have live music during the week.   Adriatic Restaurant is planning a Game Dinner and a Wine Dinner - stay tuned for more information on those! 

Embrace winter by warming up fireside at Capt's, Finz, The Lyceum or The Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel.  The cold weather is nothing a comfy chair and a fabulous cup of coffee (or a Hot Toddy) can't cure.  

Accommodations...

The Hawthorne Hotel, The Salem Inn, The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites, Northey Street House Bed and Breakfast, Morning Glory B&B and Clipper Ship Inn are all open year-round. This is a great time of year for getting away, enjoying Salem's restaurants (there are more than sixty of them now), lingering over exhibits at the Peabody Essex Museum, and taking walks on the waterfront and Salem Common.