A few days ago, someone left a comment on one of my posts. They're generally pretty critical of my work, so I braced myself. But then found myself agreeing with most of it:

"If you've lived here and loved it, warts and all, you know it can be great. But it's not Paris. It's not even Portland. If people are looking for something they don't have to actively work with and work on, they shouldn't move here."

First, I’d never tell someone they shouldn't move here. But this post does align with something I’ve thought about this city for a long time. 

Salem is a group project, and part of what makes the city great is that you can be part of the project if you want to.

If you want to make something happen here, you can. People are accessible. Doors that would be closed in a bigger city are open to anyone willing to show up and get their hands dirty for a while. It's also a place with a lot of work still to be done. 

To me, that's part of what makes it worth showing up for. 

And I honestly feel like the people who get the most out of Salem are the ones who want to be part of the project. 

That's my take. But I don't want this article to be just my opinion.

I reached out to a group of community leaders and got their take. 

Some pushed back hard, especially on one uncomfortable question: if the door really is open, why does it feel so much easier to walk through for some people than others?

I'll share what they said in the full piece. But first, I want to hear from you.

Does the "group project" idea ring true to your Salem? Vote below, and if you've got a minute, tell me why in the response box. The best responses may end up in the article.

Whether you've built something here or you're brand new and still looking for the door, I want to know how it actually feels from where you stand. Reply to this email anytime. I read everything and try to make time to respond to it all as well.

Thanks for being part of the project.

Jacob

There is still plenty of summer left to celebrate! Summer officially ends Tuesday, Sept. 22, and you can count on Salem to keep the fun going throughout August and into September. So get outside, meet some folks, soak up the sunshine, and if you have kiddos, squeeze in a few more summer adventures before they head back to school.

🎸 Capital City Retro Fest: It all starts THIS WEEKEND with three nights of live music at Riverfront Park.

🎶 Music at the Mill: Two $10 outdoor concerts remain at the Willamette Heritage Center, with PDX Preachers on Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Phoenix on Tuesday, Sept. 8, both from 6–8PM.

⚾ Mavericks League Baseball: There's still time to catch some baseball this August before the Championship Series begins Friday, Aug. 28.

🎬 Movies in the Park: Catch the final free movie of the summer, Zootopia 2, at 8PM Friday, Aug. 21, at Riverfront Park. Movies in the Park are always free, but consider donating if you can to help keep this beloved Salem tradition going.

🎡 Oregon State Fair: And, of course, we're counting down the days until the fair! From Aug. 28 through Sept. 8, enjoy 11 days of rides, fair food, entertainment, and live music, with performers including Nate Smith, BigXThaPlug, All Time Low, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and more.

Summer isn't over yet, Salem. Get out there and enjoy it while you can! ☀️

There is still more baseball fun to be had this month. Don’t miss out!

Upcoming Games:

Fri, Aug 14 | 6PM
Campesinos vs. Volcanoes
Roto-Rooter Park

Sat, Aug 15 | 6PM
Senators vs. Mavericks
Roto-Rooter Park

Sun, Aug 16 | 5PM
Game 1: Mavericks vs. Senators
Game 2: Volcanoes vs. Campesinos
Roto-Rooter Park

Turn back the clock for three nights of classic hits at Riverfront Park. Capital City Retro Fest features tribute acts celebrating Def Leppard, Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Duran Duran, Tom Petty, U2, Alanis Morissette, The Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates, and more, plus food carts and a 21+ bar.

Oregon music legend Curtis Salgado brings more than five decades of blues, soul, funk, gospel, and R&B to the Grand. The award-winning singer and songwriter has performed alongside artists including Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Roomful of Blues, and Santana, and even played a role in inspiring the creation of The Blues Brothers.

Get moving for a cause with your choice of a 10K run, 5K run/walk, or 1K family fun run. The annual Hope Run raises support for women, babies, and families while offering a morning of outdoor fun at Minto-Brown.

Put your strength to the test for a good cause at the Valor Pull. Individuals and teams will race to pull a vehicle a specified distance in the shortest amount of time. All equipment will be provided, just bring your courage, strength, and gloves.

All proceeds from the challenge will go toward sponsoring a room at VETcare for a veteran in need.

Hot rods, classics, lowriders, motorcycles, and modern cars take over Capitol Park for a free evening cruise-in. Check out the rides while enjoying live music and food trucks. No registration is required.

Run into the weekend with a free three-mile community run through downtown Salem, then keep the night going at a ticketed rooftop after party with DJs, food, drinks, merch, and plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Run RSVP and after-party tickets are separate.

Championships are on the line as Portland Wrestling returns to Salem for another hard-hitting night at the Grand. Expect larger-than-life personalities, title matches, and plenty of professional wrestling action.

Chicago comedian Tyler Fowler brings his fast-paced stand-up to Salem for a night of jokes about marriage, kids, jobs, and other things he admits he has no firsthand experience with. His comedy has appeared on PBS, Dry Bar Comedy, and the Billboard Comedy Charts.

Keep your Saturday night going with house, club, and dance music from DJ Sticky Ohm, mixed with hip-hop, Latin, and throwback favorites. Expect a packed dance floor, food and drink specials, and late-night summer energy downtown.

Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: a big-screen compilation of the internet's best cat videos, animations, music videos, and feline chaos. Even better, a portion of ticket proceeds supports local cats in need through Friends of Felines.

Join What's Happening Salem at Liberty House Salem campus, for a fast-paced evening designed to help neighbors become actual friends. Through meaningful, rotating small group conversations and 1:1 moments, you'll leave knowing more people in your city than when you walked in.

​This month we're also making space to highlight Liberty House, a Children’s Advocacy Center serving Marion and Polk counties. Since 1999, they've been providing free assessment services to children when they may have been hurt by abuse or neglect.

Interested in connecting with our audience and supporting the growth of this publication? Simply reply to this email and we can help you get started.

Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie