Turtles are flying at Ye Olde Pepper Companie on Derby Street.
Ever since the store got a plug in the November issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, chocolate turtles have been flying off the shelf.
The nutty caramel treats made "The O List" of items that make great gifts.
The store manager, Amanda LeClerc, said she isn't sure how Oprah's staff heard about them but just knows they got a phone call a few Saturdays ago from someone at the magazine saying they had been selected.
Not only have tourists been coming off the streets asking about the turtles, but the store even got an order from South Korea.
"We're very fortunate and very excited," LeClerc said.
Hog wild
A few thousand bikers will roar into Salem on Sunday for an annual charity motorcycle run.
The 21st annual Halloween Witch Ride was originally scheduled for last Sunday but was washed out by rainy weather.
Last year, the 30-mile ride drew an estimated 3,000 riders and raised $55,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The ride is sponsored by Bruce Rossmeyer's Boston Harley-Davidson in Everett and the Boston HOG (Harley Owners Group) chapter.
The ride starts at the Everett motorcycle dealership and travels through Revere, Lynn, Swampscott and Marblehead, and then into Salem, where there is a post-ride party at Shetland Park.
The riders are scheduled to arrive in downtown Salem between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
From Salem to Nepal
Local restaurateurs Antonio and Valerie Bettencourt hosted a fundraiser with global appeal at Sixty2 on Wharf.
Maiti Nepal (translation, "Mother's house") is a Nepali-run organization that combats the trafficking of women and girls from Nepal to India for prostitution.
The group's founder, Anuradha Koirala, traveled to Salem for the fundraiser, held on Columbus Day.
Event organizer Kiki Larouge, a local photographer, said the event at the Pickering Wharf restaurant generated $10,000 for Maiti Nepal to fund emergency medical care, vocational training and basic housing needs for the women and girls.
Guests watched a documentary about the child sex trade narrated by Winona Ryder and Tim Robbins and participated in an auction and a raffle.
Today in Salem
Salem rolled out the red carpet for NBC's "Today" show, which filmed around the city on Saturday for a segment that will air sometime next week, during Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb's segment of the show.
"Today" show correspondent Sara Haines toured Salem all day, judging the pumpkin-decorating contest at Pickering Wharf and shopping for a Halloween costume, among other activities.
The employees at Rouge Cosmetics, including makeup artist Manda Carco, dolled up Haines and producer Susan Tahsler with hairstyles and makeup for a big costume ball at Rockafellas on Saturday night.
Destination Salem director Kate Fox said it was a fun day.
"We can't wait to see the segment," she said.
Name your destination
There is still a week to go in the second annual Food for Thought raffle, which will land the lucky winner a dinner for two anywhere in the world.
The contest is a fundraiser for the Foundation for Salem Public Education, and volunteers have been polling people who have bought tickets about their dream destinations.
"Most popular destination (is) Paris, France," foundation volunteer Marcie Clawson said. "Runner-up Italy."
Other places that were mentioned include India, Tibet, Africa, Wisconsin and Peabody ("No kidding," Clawson said), and a number of people have mentioned taking a cruise.
The grand prize includes airfare for two, a fancy dinner and two nights in a hotel anywhere in the world. The raffle generated $18,000 last year for the foundation.
The winner will be drawn on Essex Street on Halloween. There are also about 30 secondary prizes of gift certificates to local restaurants.
Tickets are $5, or five for $20.
They'll be for sale at tonight's Homecoming game at Bertram Field and the Harvest Fest at the Salem YMCA tomorrow, or you can buy them at Waters and Brown, Pamplemousse, Crunchy Granola Baby, and the Salem YMCA until Oct. 30.
Tickets are also available online at Foundation's Web site until midnight on Oct. 30 at www.salemedfoundation.org.
Phantom of the courthouse?
Only in Salem — or perhaps Hollywood — is one likely to see someone make a court appearance like the one made by a Boston Street man yesterday.
The fellow was on his way to work at one of the downtown attractions, but first had to attend a clerk-magistrate's hearing on a dog ordinance violation.
He wouldn't have time to change before work, so he arrived in a cape and full-bore gore makeup, asking nervously if the court would be offended by his appearance.
Staffers at Salem District Court told him, well, it would be OK this one time, since he wouldn't be going before a judge.
Can I help you?
The all-volunteer visitors booth at Essex and Washington streets has been busy.
How busy?
Well, they've helped more than 7,000 visitors during October weekends since the booth was set up a few years ago.
And here's an interesting fact. Last Saturday, they talked to visitors from South Africa, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Montreal, California, Texas, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Bell at Main Streets and Michelle Blees at the National Park Service both manage the booth.
Staff reporter Julie Manganis contributed to this column.
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
