Hi all! I’m Rena (pronounced like ree-nuh). I moved to south Salem from Southern California when I was 13, graduated from Sprague at the end of the millennium, married my husband 24 years ago, had children in 2007, 2010, and 2016, graduated with my masters in clinical mental health counseling in 2013 from George Fox, and opened my private practice, Front Porch Counseling, in Turner in 2021. Looking forward to getting more involved in the Salem area community. 🙂

If you're reading this, you're already part of what makes Salem great.

Thank you!

For those interested, there is also an opportunity to go a bit deeper.

Becoming a Premium WHS Community Member unlocks the full community: Introductions, Local Events, Food & Drink, and Buy / Sell / Recommend — the channels where locals swap recommendations, find out what's happening around town, and actually connect with neighbors.

But it's about more than access. Membership is how independent local media stays alive in Salem. Your support directly funds the reporting, the newsletters, and the work of keeping this city in the loop.

Here's what membership gets you:

• Full access to the WHS community and every channel

• The inside track on events, food, and what's happening this weekend

• A direct line to your neighbors--recs, deals, and trusted local pros

• The good feeling of keeping Salem covered

It's $20/quarter. Cancel anytime.

👉 Become a member here

Thanks for being here. However you decide to show up.

It means the world to keep doing this for Salem.

Consider this the first post in General, the main hub for anything and everything Salem. No agenda here, just neighbors talking.

To kick it off, a question I ask everyone: what's your go-to Salem spot that you'd send an out-of-town friend to? Could be a restaurant, a trail, a coffee shop, a view. Whatever you'd be a little proud to show off.

I'll start: I'm over in South Salem, and I'll always point people toward Minto-Brown for a walk and then Wild Pear for lunch.

Curious what you all come back to.

Drop yours below 👇

Hey, and welcome! This is where Salem locals swap recommendations, find out what's going on around town, and connect with neighbors. Glad you're here.

Here's how to get started:

• Say hello in Introductions — tell us what neighborhood you call home.

• Hang out in General — the main hub for anything and everything Salem.

• Browse the topic channels — Local Events, Food & Drink, and Buy / Sell / Recommend for recs, deals, and trusted local pros.

A few house rules:

• Keep it local, keep it kind. We're neighbors first.

• No spam or self-promo outside the channels made for it.

• Recommend generously — that's what makes this place useful.

That's it. Jump in and introduce yourself — we're happy to have you. 🍒