Salem Massachusetts insiders information guide to restaurants, bars, nightlife, shopping and living for tourists and residents.

Burn Baby Burn

Written by Glen Hughes on January 5th, 2010 No Comments

If you are anything like me you are thankful that the Christmas (holiday) season is behind us. All the rushing around getting last minute presents, making and eating a ton of food, drinking too much egg nog can finally be put to rest for a year. Now its time to get back on track and start hitting the gym, go on that annual new years resolution diet or stop smoking, saving more money – whatever you tell yourself you will change this year. Along with that comes cleansing ourselves of 2009. In Salem, the best smelling way to do that is by setting it ablaze.

Salem’s 7th Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire

Tomorrow night Wednesday, January 6th – on Dead Horse Beach at the Salem Willows – 6:00 p.m. (Rain/Snow/Wind Reschedule Date: Thursday, January 7th) you can say good bye to O’ Tannenbaum.

When we were rebellious youths we’d  patrol the streets at night the first week of January and pick up all the dead Christmas trees, throwing them in the back of Bills truck. Once we had a good sized stack we headed off to the park where we would construct some sort of tree art and set match to tree.  It seems as though the Mayor was watching (or participating who knows) because our new years pastime is now city sponsored family fun.

From the city of Salem:

Bring your Christmas tree with you that evening, drop it off at the beach after January 1st or leave it out for curbside pickup beginning January 4th
Please don’t forget to remove all decorations and lights from your tree
(FYI – Citywide Christmas Tree Curbside Collection will also take place as scheduled January 4–8, 2010)

Sponsored by the City of Salem, Salem Park, Recreation & Community Services Department & The Gathering

This is a good time for all, complete with free hot chocolate! So head down to the Willows and say goodbye to 2009 and hello to what is going to be a great 2010.

Salem Wine Women with Miss Mouse

Written by Jessie on December 18th, 2009 1 Comment

Editors Note: Jessie is a Salem resident, one of the top food bloggers and author. Her new book “The Hungry Mouse presents A Holiday Feast” would make a great Christmas present *hint hint*. Thanks for sending us this great write up of a fantastic Salem event.

Salem Wine Women

So you guys know that we recently moved just the tiniest bit north of Boston, to beautiful Salem, Massachusetts.

Now, while Salem may be most renowned for hosting the biggest month-long Halloween party known to man, there’s also a lot of stuff going on here up here during the off-season.

Last night, I hit my favorite local kitchen store, Pamplemousse (that’s French for “grapefruit”), for a wine tasting and bead event with Salem Wine Women and Beadworks.

Pamplemousse is located in the heart of the Essex Street pedestrian mall, across the street from Witch City Ink. We had a little wine and everyone got to put together a beaded wine stopper.

(If you know me at all, you know that this little thing will get put to *very* good use at The Mouse House.)

Around Salem’s Pamplemousse

Disclaimer: The gals that own Pamplemousse aren’t paying me to say all this. I truly do love this store. It’s one of those cool, indie kitchen shops that sells a bunch of really neat ceramics and home goods…

…as well as harder-to-find kitchen tools and bakeware. (Hey, if I ever have a mini-springform pan emergency, I know where to go!)

I’m absolutely in love with this little guy.

I’m not sure where I’d put him, but I’m pretty sure he needs to come home with me soon.

This bristle-y kitty is a close second.

Pamplemousse is also the only place I can think of where you can get a witch hat with matching apron.

Let’s not forget all that wine

In addition to all those glorious goodies, Pamplemousse has a surprisingly good selection of wine, beer, and mead.

The staff is really knowledgeable.

Colleen’s turned me on to a handful of great bottles I wouldn’t have otherwise tried. (I’m thinking specifically of Le Faux Frog by Toad Hollow Wines, which is one of my favorite reds right now.)

I think it’s safe to say that everyone had a blast.

If you’re ever in the area, definitely stop in and poke around.

Pamplemousse
185-189 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970
978-745-2900

Thanks to everyone for a fabulous evening!

Whats up?

Written by Glen Hughes on December 2nd, 2009 1 Comment

Where the F have we been?

Good question, here’s the skinny. As you know many of the businesses take a week off after Halloween.  We usually take a week also.  This year when our week was up there were a few changes.  One of our contributors is doing a semester abroad starting in January but headed out to scope living conditions and get all set up. Also, our photographer; another  major contributor just had a baby!

Thanks for the update, what’s next?

Glad you asked. We can’t do this alone so its time to ask for your help. We are currently looking for a few bloggers to help The Salem Insider and write a regular column.  Sound like something you want to do? Please read on…

Looking for Salem MA bloggers

We are one of the most read sites about Salem MA and offer a helpful service to both Salem residents and tourists looking for inside information about Salem Mass. In an effort to expand upon that we are looking for bloggers willing to discuss subject of specific interested to those groups.  Subjects include womens/mommy/family issues, Salem’s music and/or arts scene, and Salem history.

If you currently blog about those subjects and would like to expand your readership to the tens of thousands of readers we have per month let us know.

Not already a blogger? You don’t have to be currently blogging, if you are interested and willing share your insights with our readers on a regular basis drop us a line and we will be happy to give you the low down.

It takes a village (and all those other metaphors) so please, help spread the word and share insider views.

This is Halloween

Written by lizzie on October 31st, 2009 No Comments

Today is the big day, Halloween in Salem Mass.  Friends who just got into town said that the MBTA Commuter Rail from North Station to Salem was almost 100% full.  The streets must be cleared of all vehicles by noon and all traffic will be blocked off by 4pm.

Hundreds of cops from surrounding communities will be patrolling town so be on your best behavior.

Have fun and follow us on Twitter today @saleminsider as we post photos and give updates.  Feel free to send us some of your favorite photos and we will do a big photo post tomorrow.

Halloween week fun

Written by Glen Hughes on October 28th, 2009 No Comments

Even though there are only a few more days until Halloween there are still plenty of cool things to do. Here are a few events worthy of checking out.

Wednesday October 28th, 2009

SYNTH: 80’s party with Darq

Tonight from 8:30-12:30 at Bangkok Paradise we get a special treat and get enjoy a decade with a DARQ twist! DJ Alvis, DJ Zombi and VuDu DJ will spin your 80’s favorites only spookier! And the 2nd annual Halloween Thriller Costume Contest will be held. Cash & prizes for best 80s costume, best non-80s costume & a grand prize for best in show! And best of all: NO COVER CHARGE. More info at myspace.com/decade80snight

Thursday October 29th, 2009

The Dumb Supper: Dinner with the Dead

The Hawthorne Hotel plays host to one of the most interesting events of the Halloween season, the Dumb Supper.  This dining event presented by the Salem Witches honors the dead with a “sumptuous dinner” observed in silence as touching music plays. The concept behind the Dumb Supper is great, by remaining quiet, you will open your heart and mind to those who have crossed over.  However the $100 a head price tag behind this vegetarian only meal will leave foodies an people concerned with the recession perplexed.

For more info about the night including the menu and to buy tickets check out FestivalOfTheDead.com.

Friday October 30th, 2009

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball

Join DJ Addambombb (you may remember him from last weeks Vampyre Ball)  as he spins a mix of pop, rock and goth at the Hawthorne Hotel from 7:30pm – 12:30am.  Unlike many Salem events during the Halloween season Witches’ Halloween Ball is an 18+  party.  Tickets are an exorbitant $150 but for many this is the best Halloween party out there and only event they will attend.  You can also win a $1,000 prize in the mythical monsters themed costume contest.