Salem Celebrates the 4th!

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is pleased to announce that there will be a full afternoon and evening of exciting entertainment and events at Salem's 4th of July celebration at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf. This family event has proven to be one of Salem's signature events, drawing crowds numbering 40,000 to 50,000 people.

This $60,000 Independence Day celebration is totally privately funded. Salem's residential and business community has come together to ensure that this first-class event continues even in this difficult financial climate.

Mayor Driscoll stated, "I am truly grateful that Salem's residents and business community continue to generously support this annual event. I’d like to express a special thank you to Walmart, Dominion Salem Harbor Station, Salem Five, along with Tache Real Estate, Market Basket, Eastern Bank and Tavern in the Square. Without their generosity, this event would not be possible."

The pre-concert festivities at Derby Wharf will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the opening of Kids' Space, where youngsters will be entertained with activities, games, contests and prizes and face painting all free of charge from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. provided by, The Gathering, The MeetingHouse Church and Parents United. Rita's Italian Ice will be on site during the afternoon distributing free product samples. Food tents open at 4:00 p.m., with plenty of hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn and much more.

Beginning at 5:00 p.m., appearing in front of main stage will be Undercover, a Salem based band that plays a wide variety of top 40 dance music and hits from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Their high energy is contagious and a perfect way to start Salem’s July 4th celebration.

This year Mayor Driscoll is dedicating this event in memory of Sergeant James Anthony Ayube, II, the Salem soldier that was killed in Afghanistan this past December. A tribute to this fallen hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country will take place during our opening ceremonies at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Kimberley Driscoll accompanied by the Salem Veterans Color Guard and Salem Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops will march down the wharf. Salem will also have a flyover by the 104th Fighter Wing from the Barnes Air National Guard unit while the National Anthem is being sung by Trevor C. Sullivan, a recent high school graduate who has performed at Symphony Hall, Boston and sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park.

The crowd will then be entertained with a two-hour “Pops” concert performed by the 40-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO). The HFO has become a widely acclaimed Pops orchestra in the greater Boston area. Dr. Dirk Hillyer, the orchestra's conductor, promises an exciting program this year with performances by Mike Girard and Rich Bartlett from the Fools, a~legendary New England rock n' roll institution that came to birth in 1976. Since then they've traveled the planet and over the years opened~for countless~mega acts such as The Doobie Brothers, The Ramones, and Van~Halen.

Highlighting the stage during the second act will be Neil Chayet narrating the Lincoln Portrait. Chayet is best known for Looking at the Law™, a daily radio feature nationally syndicated by CBS and heard locally on WBZ News Radio 1030 AM. In addition, he has appeared on numerous television programs, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Montel Williams Show, the Dick Cavett Show, House Party, Nightline, and WBZ-TV News. Chayet has previously performed the Lincoln Narration with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, and has entertained and informed many audiences with his speech, “A Conversation with President Lincoln.”

During intermission there will be a special treat. Members of the Marblehead Little Theater will perform highlights from its recently concluded, fun rock musical Hairspray, directed by Steve Black and Tom Edmonds, with his deep baritone voice, will give the audience a taste of its new show, Richard Rodgers:The Sound of His Music which opens at the end of July.

At 9:15 p.m, to end our Independence Day celebration and begin the spectacular fireworks display, the Hillyer Festival Orchestra will play the 1812 Overture and continue playing live patriotic music throughout the entire fireworks display that is shot right above our heads from Derby Wharf.

Come Hear the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Historic Salem Common
For those of you that are early risers, or visitors that would like to spend the day in historic Salem, Massachusetts, join Mayor Kimberley Driscoll on Salem Common at 9:00 a.m. for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Dressed in period garb, Andrew Winson with his articulate and powerful voice will recite the words of this historic document. The program also includes the crowd being led in the singing of the National Anthem by Salem High School's award-winning a cappella group Witch Pitch, America the Beautiful being sung by Maureen Dalton and musical selections by Robert Kendall.

For more information check www.salem.com or call Salem City Hall at 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.

It's a Mystery

For about the last week or so, a young couple with two small children has been hanging out in the parking lot next to the building in the evenings. The couple talk while the kids run around the lot and the dumpster. This would not be an unusual thing except for the fact that Markwood Management is unaware of anyone with two small children living in the building. We're not sure if one of the couple live in the building and the other is visiting, or if either of them even live in the building. Last night a car was parked out there and the children were out running around yelling in the rain at 1:30 am. This is unusual, and constitutes a disturbance. After the dumpster fire a couple of weeks ago, (which started around 2am), the Management is a bit skittish about anyone being out in the parking area after hours.
If anyone knows who they are, or, if you are the couple, could you please call Markwood Management at 781-639-4080 and let them know? It will save a lot of trouble in the long run.
Thanks.

Salem Power Plant Feasibility Study

Public Meeting Notice

The City of Salem will hold a public meeting on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 6:30 PM at the Bentley Elementary School, 25 Memorial Drive regarding the feasibility study for the reuse of Dominion Energy’s Salem Harbor Power Station site that is currently underway. At this meeting the City will provide an update on the progress of the feasibility study and solicit input from the public.

The purpose of this study is to understand the site context, review current economic trends and power demands in the region, and explore potential scenarios and alternative land use concepts for reuse, including associated costs, benefits, and issues.

The City has retained the services of Jacobs Engineering Group, in conjunction with Sasaki Associates, LaCapra Energy Consultants, and Robert Charles Lesser & Co. to help facilitate this study. The study is being paid for with a grant the City obtained from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center.

SALEM INSTALLS TEMPORARY SCULPTURES

Salem continues to build its reputation as a vibrant arts community. On Monday, June 13, 2011, four contemporary sculptures by Massachusetts artist Rob Lorenson were installed downtown. Three pieces are located on the Essex Street pedestrian mall and the fourth was placed by the intersection of Front and Washington streets (see image). The sculptures will be in place through early November.

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll said, “One of the things we heard earlier this year at the Essex Street pedestrian mall meetings was that people would like to see more public art. We’re looking at a number of ways to accomplish that, and one was to install these sculptures for the season. We see it as a way to test some ideas before moving forward with a full public art program.”

Salem is home to the world renowned Peabody Essex Museum, several galleries and theatres, and hosts many arts related festivals. In addition, the City sponsors the Artists’ Row program which began its eighth season this year.

Yikes! A Dumpster Fire

Last Saturday night (June 4th) Police and fire crews responded to the rear of 24 Norman St. on a report of a Dumpster on fire. The metal trash container was fully engulfed, and the Fire Department doused the flames at 2:02 a.m. It may have been deliberately set.


















The top of the dumpster was completely melted and the tree branches above it were singed.
The dumpster is close enough to the building that the fire could have damaged it or even caught the building on fire.


















If you see any suspicious activity around the dumpster or the building, call the Police, Fire Department, or Markwood Management immediately.
Photographs are courtesy of Ben Arlander, a resident of 10 Norman Street who happened to see the fire on his way home.

Salem Farmers Market Starts this Thursday!

Come downtown Salem Thursday, June 16 for opening day at the Salem Farmers’ Market and enjoy delicious local fruits, vegetables, lobster, breads, pastries, cheese and much more. The market bell will ring promptly at 3 p.m. signaling the start of the market. The market is located in Derby Square on Front Street downtown Salem, MA Thursdays June 16 – October 20. For more information visit the website www.salemfarmersmarket.org or call market organizer Salem Main Streets (978)744-0004. The market will host many of the same farms and vendors from last year as well as numerous new vendors. EBT card accepted.

Opening Day Festivities

Opening Day Festivities include (beside fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, and so on …)

At 3:30 p.m. Chef Tony Bettencourt from 62 Restaurant and Winebar will do a cooking demonstration

At 4:15 p.m. the Kiwi Kids
What are Kiwi Kids? They sing songs about Recycling and what we can all do to help our Earth. There will also be a basket of instruments for the little kids in the audience to use.

From 5 – 7 p.m. there will be live music by Qwill.

And something new, Diane DeGuzman will be at the market. She is a Health Coach and will be talking about healthy ways to use the things you buy. This week, Strawberries for Breakfast. Learn how to spice up those all important whole grains with delicious strawberries. No need to bring a pen and paper, recipes will be available. (Maybe bring a pen.)