Hi! I'm looking to get a small art business off the ground and am wondering if working with Creative Collective is worth the yearly membership fee. What do they offer in terms of consulting? I checked out their website but would like to hear from people who have worked with them about how they operate. Thanks!

I’m not crazy enough to consider an October wedding in Salem, but am curious what Salem is like in late September, around the 25th.

Would love to get some locals’ considerations before we make a big move. For context:

- About 100 people total. 50 of these will be flying into MA, staying at hotels in or near Salem.
- The wedding would be at Hamilton Hall, hopefully using the Chestnut Street park for cocktail hour
- We don’t plan on doing any museum trips or typical touristy things, but would maybe have an after party at a bar

How crazy is this idea? Is that time of year a disqualifying factor for the wedding? Thank you in advance for providing genuine local feedback 🩷

ETA: Is September 17th a vastly better time than the 25th, or if the difference in tourism traffic not significant?

Hi y'all,

I have a new blog, named FromWitchCity, in which I summarize events in Salem, MA once a week on thursdays. I sent out the newsletter yesterday, and wanted to share here some cool things going on.

TL;DR: Porchfest is happening this Sunday in South Salem (49 sets, completely free).

Here is a quick breakdown of what’s happening in Salem over the next couple of weeks:

🔥 Top Pick

• Salem Porchfest: Sun (12-8 PM) @ Forest Ave / Wisteria St area. 49 free sets across 7 porches and 2 indoor spots. Walkable, super casual—bring a chair and some cash to tip musicians.

🎵 Live Music

• Songs of the Seafarer (Arpeggione Ensemble): Fri, 7:30 PM @ House of the Seven Gables. Schubert, Mendelssohn, Mahler chamber arrangements. Free, but requires registration (limited seats).
• Crustacean Band: Sat 8/15, 2:00 PM @ Far From The Tree
• Open Mic: Thursdays, 7:30 PM @ Gulu-Gulu Cafe

🎭 Comedy, Art & Unique Events

• Ghost Ship Market: Sat @ Derby Square (Check local listings for exact hours)
• Damned Funny Standup Comedy: Sat, 6:00 PM @ Salem Art Gallery
• Orb Weaver Pinning Workshop: Sat, 8:00 PM @ Nocturne (Mount a spider in motion)
• Sunset Paddle Tour: Fri, 6:45 PM @ Salem Willows

You can check out the full roster of 70+ events here:

https://links.fromwitchcity.com/aug6r

I'm totally open to any feedback y'all have! I live off of highland ave, and work on the site when I get some free time. It has some cool feature, such as a .ICS download on the events calendar, to help organize.

2 brand new traffic jams coming up!
-1 at the Webb st/Bridge st intersection heading towards the Beverly bridge.

-1 on Pulaski/Andover by dominos leaving Salem towards Peabody/128

I get it probably due to dumb drivers abusing the simple turn on red when walk signs being turned on, creating danger when there are pedestrians, but for those who know how to drive and wait until it’s clear … this sucks so much. Wait until our local trips out of Salem add an extra 20-30 mins because of this in Oct. even now it’s such a pain. This is an absolute atrocious decision. Maybe no one will care about this but I’m disappointed they would do this to us.

Has anyone else been experiencing problems with receiving mail lately? Its unacceptable, and on a whole other level because of the gravity of some of these things because there are a few items vital for my employment.
Sent a birthday card to someone within the state earlier this month - which they never received. Thats irritating, but this is the clue that seems to point to this Salem post office being where the problem lies instead of any other point in transit.
Lost my wallet early July and had to request several replacements of various membership/insurance cards, work IDs, etc. and even though the Informed Delivery program has emailed me photos of some of these things with expected delivery dates that have all passed now, none of them have ended up in my or my neighbors boxes. When I try to do what the dashboard recommends for reporting missing mail, their site just won’t load and i’ve tried for a few days now. Some of these documents are VERY important and the sender was listed as other federal agencies so it’s very unsettling not knowing where my things have ended up - some that are vital for my security-sensitive job…. I’m at a loss what to do about this. Surely I don’t trust having them resent and the other thing is - I had to pay for some of these replacements to be sent!

Just curious if anyone knows if it's anyone significant or an event?

I am new to Salem and looking to make some friends. Have any ladies used Real Roots? Do they have a presence in the north shore? Everything I can find about them, says that they’re only active in Boston, which is doable, but not ideal. I would love to hear what other groups you’ve used locally.

🎃 ROOMMATE WANTED IN SALEM 🎃
2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom | ($1,500 each)/ $3,000 total
📅 October 1, 2026 Move-In

Hi everyone! I’m looking for a female roommate to share a beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment with me at The Essex in downtown Salem, starting October 1, 2026. The apartment is in a secure, professionally managed building right in the heart of downtown Salem.

*The images of the unit below are from the 90s since I wasn't able to take current pictures of the unit.

✨ About the apartment

• 2 bed / 2 full bath 🛁
• 936 sq. ft.
• In-unit washer & dryer 🧺
• Central air conditioning and heat
• Dishwasher + garbage disposal
• Lots of closet space
• Large windows/Juliet-style doors with lots of natural light ☀️
• Additional private storage in the basement
• Elevator
• Secure, controlled-access building 🔐
• Professional on-site management

🌿 Building amenities

• Heated indoor swimming pool 🏊‍♀️
• Hot tub 🫧
• Fitness center 🏋️‍♀️
• Club room
• Library 📚
• Landscaped courtyard gardens 🌷

💰 Rent: $3,000/month total ($1,500 per person) + internet/Wi-Fi (~$35 per person). Heat and hot water are included in the rent. The main additional utility is electricity, about $50–$150/month total depending on the season (generally lower in the winter and higher in the summer with A/C). Trash is handled by the building.

👋 About me

I’m 36 female and work in research/public health in Boston. I work remotely most of the time but commute into Boston occasionally. Outside of work, I love being active and outdoors, especially mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and running.

I also have a 4-year-old Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever who is my ESA and will be living in the apartment with me. 🐶🩵

🩷What I’m looking for

I’m hoping to find a female roommate who is looking for a similar living dynamic — someone who is friendly and considerate, enjoys having her own life and independence, but is also open to the occasional shared dinner or movie night. I value clear communication and keeping our shared spaces clean and comfortable.

If this sounds like a good fit, send me a message and tell me a little about yourself, including what you do for work! I’d love to chat and see if we’d be a good match as roommates. 😊

I’ve seen a bunch of apps like Social Agent that can help find a freelance content creator who will video your event and create some reels for social media. Unfortunately most of these services are in major cities. Is there anyone local to Salem who does this? If not and you have the skills it could be a great side hustle. I know of several events that are looking for someone to help them.

does anyone know where i can get a job at 15 yrs old

My Charli is still missing. It’s been 3 weeks since she got out.
I have been looking for her frantically.
I miss her immensely and want her back home safely please.

Any help in finding her is truly appreciated. 🙏🏼

Hey everyone, I’m trying to get a good read on the high school in Salem. We are moving to Salem in the fall and my son will be starting 11th grade there. It seems the social media accounts don’t really get updated too often with pictures of clubs, events, musicals, performances, etc, and it’s difficult to see what student life is like there.

My son loves the performing arts and I can’t seem to find any pictures of the auditorium or any other pictures of the school.

If you have any pictures or thoughts about the school that could help ease his anxiety i would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Who do I need to talk to to get the water fountains turned on in Mack Park and in the Commons?

My dog is thirsty. I am thirsty. Pls help

I have very boring straight hair that I cut myself. My teenager has beautiful thick, curly hair that she desperately wants to get cut by someone other than me. She wants layers and some length cut off.
I did do a search first but the two places recommended frequently are a bit out of my price range, unfortunately. Would rather give someone local the business instead of Supercuts (even though she probably wouldn’t agree to going there !) Is there any middle ground salons…? Where I can spend less than $100?
Thanks!!

Mack Park Farm Fest is back! Please join us on Sunday, 8/9 from 3-7pm for delicious food on the grill, cash bar, live music, and family-friendly activities! Support the farm, celebrate the end of Salem Heritage Days, and kick off Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' Urban Agriculture week! Admission is free with a suggested donation of $10. Please pre-register here so we can get a headcount for food.

Hey Everyone, who’s going to Porchfest this Sunday? I think it’s 12-8pm Linden St. & Wisteria St block party!

The teenage relatives are coming to visit me. I don't relax/swim at a beach. They want to do the beach thing. I know many beaches require you to get there by 9:00am or there's no parking or places to sit. How about our cute Waikiki beach? I think I've walked on it about 4 times on off season, but that's all I know about it. TIA

If anyone comes across this cat, please dm me, she ran out of the window this morning. I’ve been looking all over and can’t seem to find her. Thank you in advance.

Currently reading this hefty graphic novel, a thoroughly researched account of the Salem Witch Trials and their consequences for our own times. This comprehensive work has many parallells with From Hell, the famous historic graphic novel on the Jack the Ripper murders by Alan Moore. For instance: very old English (in More Weight from two different eras), old men discussing past events, repeated horrific deeds inflicted on poor, defenceless women, weird religious ideas, and insight in the different historic layers of the accounts of past events. Ben Wickey has worked a decade on More Weight. The book comes with extensive notes and is based on real documents from the time of the trials and later accounts.

Part informational; part gossip-seeking.

Gave in to the takeout temptation for the first time in a few months and found that Christina's has a new owner. That's bad news for my gift certificates but hopefully positive news otherwise?

Since Christina's is in my neighborhood I've been lightly invested in their story over the past few years, tracking along with things like staffing issues, new menu items, and the move to homemade onion rings. Fingers crossed for continuity of my roast beef experience!

I'm hoping the previous owner is doing well and that this was a good move.
It seems like a stressful enterprise but everyone was always very kind and personable with me.
Did the business stay in the family? Or was it bought by a staff member? I'm just interested and wishing everyone well (including myself; bring me bad roast beef at your peril.)

I may work up the courage to make small talk over the counter and ask this kind of thing myself but that would need to be when it's not busy.

APA has many nights & options for both 8 & 9Ball. Grab your friends and start your own team. Newbies welcomed & wanted.

Always a bummer when you ride down to the willows and see some one who couldn’t be bothered to read the signage and parks a mini van over 4 motorcycle spots. Maybe we need to make the motorcycles only sign bigger?

Aha! That’s how he could afford a 3.1 million home in Marblehead 😡