My Salem friends,

I had a good conversation with Rachel Alexander of the Salem Reporter on the podcast this week.

She shared something that stuck with me: the Salem Reporter is often perceived as biased, not because they are, but because they always ask the tough questions. That approach can make them look like they're against whoever they're covering.

I realized I have the exact opposite problem.

When I sit down with elected officials or candidates, I lean toward friendly and casual. No hard questions. And as a result, WHS has often been seen as a supporter of whoever we're talking with, rather than a neutral voice in the community.

There are upsides to our approach. But I'm honestly not sure it's been a net positive, for us or for Salem.

So I'm thinking through some things: How should WHS approach local politics going forward? Should we ask harder questions? Or step back from political coverage altogether?

No answers yet. But I'd love to hear your thoughts.

If you have kids in your life, you have probably seen the wave of 3D printed dragons and fidget toys taking over local markets. Cassy Can Craft is bringing something fresh to that trend with original, eye-catching designs you will not find everywhere else.

While many vendors rely on widely available files, Cassy Can Craft focuses on creating something unique. New designs drop weekly, all created by Cassy’s husband Ryan, with the goal of making each piece feel playful, different, and exciting. Recent standouts include expressive moody frogs in a variety of poses and emotions, along with pocket worlds, tiny ecosystems with miniature animals that create full play scenes that fit right in your pocket.

That creativity starts long before anything hits the table at market. Designs often begin as an idea sparked by a customer request or something fun the couple wants to try. From there, they model it in CAD, test material use and print time, and go through multiple rounds of adjustments before producing a small batch to see how people respond. Both Cassy and Ryan contribute to the design process, working on whatever project excites them most and continually introducing something new.

Their kids are part of the process too, helping test designs and offering insight into what other kids are excited about right now.

The business began at the Salem Saturday Market in 2020, originally selling Cassy’s art. After finding strong success with their 3D printed creations, the couple made the leap into a full-time business. Cassy, who previously worked as a tax expert auditing businesses, now runs Cassy Can Craft alongside her husband. After operating out of the Reed Opera House, they shifted to a market-based model and now travel across Oregon, popping up at events like Market for the Strange, the Silverton Christmas Market, the Reptopia Reptile Expo, and the Salem Saturday Market.

A big part of what keeps them going is the community they have built. Customers return week after week to see what is new, and with affordable prices and constant fresh designs, there is always something fun to take home. For Cassy and her family, it is about more than just toys. It is about bringing joy, sparking imagination, and showing their daughters and other kids that it is possible to chase what you love.

As they put it, “the sooner you start doing the things you love, the easier it is to keep doing the things you love.”

Ernie

Art, music, and a downtown full of creativity. First Friday Art Walk brings local artists, pop-ups, and live performances to spaces across downtown Salem.

Grab a map, wander between stops, and make a night of it with food, drinks, and local art.

Basketball, community, and a chance to give back. The Salem Capitals face the Lilac City Legends in a matchup that also supports Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Bring a new stuffed animal to donate to Liberty House and show up in your comfiest gear for Pajama Night. Pack the stands and bring the energy.

Basement vendors, vintage racks upstairs, and plenty of one-of-a-kind finds. The Underground Market returns to Blast Off! Vintage for another round of local makers, artists, and creative vendors.

Browse handmade goods downstairs, then head upstairs to dig through racks of vintage clothing. Treasures galore at Blast Off!

Packed rooms, big laughs, and a show that keeps people coming back. Tyler Smith and The Dope Show return to The BAD Space for another high-energy night of comedy.

This tour has a history of selling out, so grab tickets early if you want a seat.

Latin music, smooth moves, and a full night on the dance floor. Bachata Night at the VFW kicks off with a beginner-friendly lesson before the music takes over.

Come solo or bring the family after the Easter celebrations. It will be a night to remember!

A powerful story of resilience, healing, and the impact of compassion. Loving Karma comes to Salem for a special screening in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The film follows Tashi, a once troubled child whose life is transformed through care and community in a children’s home in the Himalayan foothills of India. Stick around after for a live Q&A with director Andrew Hinton.

Egg hunts, Easter Bunny photos, and a full afternoon of family fun downtown. Easter at Salem Center Mall kicks off at noon with a main egg hunt in the former Macy’s building, followed by a second hunt at 12:30PM just for kids under 5.

Families can also grab free photos with the Easter Bunny and explore a vendor market filled with handmade goods, desserts, and more throughout the mall.

Big crowds, big prizes, and a full day of Easter fun. This Riverfront Park festival features a humungous egg hunt, games, and giveaways. You could win air pods, an Xbox, or even a car!

Bring your baskets, chairs, and get ready for fun with this all day Easter party!

A classic neighborhood egg hunt with a welcoming community feel. Kids can search for eggs, win door prizes, and hunt for a golden egg.

Head to Sunnyslope Church afterwards for a lovely community lunch.

Thousands of eggs and two of the biggest hunts around. This large-scale Easter event brings out more than 8,000 eggs with multiple locations, age divisions, and photo ops with the Easter Bunny.

Egg hunt sessions run every 45 minutes at both locations. Registration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time.

Make your own “forever flowers” in this relaxed, hands-on crafting workshop. Participants will design an everlasting bouquet while learning simple techniques in a social, creative environment.

Registration is required, so be sure to sign up early for a spot.

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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