Cheerio ~ 

It’s finally December! Have you recovered from your Thanksgiving food coma? Gotten all the deals from Black Friday? Personally, I felt like the deals weren’t as good savings this time around… But I did get most of my presents and restocked on the things I’d been waiting all year for over the weekend anyway. 

If you read our newsletter last week, I listed out a lot of holiday events happening throughout the month. But for those of you who don’t care about Christmas, you’re in luck: me too! This week, I’ll be sharing the events around town that are not holiday-related. 

But before I get into it, I’m hosting a White Elephant on Dec. 11, at The Reed Underground at 6 p.m.! Please register online and it’s $5 to participate. The event cap is 25 people, and would love to see the event at full capacity! For questions or to talk about holiday versus non-holiday happenings, I’m reachable at [email protected]. 

Wrapping presents, 

Em Chan

I didn’t really grow up with Christmas as a religious holiday (I am Buddhist) so gift giving was just fun for the sake of gift giving. But I don’t always want to go to holiday events in December, like I know so many of you too. So here’s some activities you can enjoy that are not related to the seasonal and religious holiday. I’ve expanded the proximity to include more of the smaller towns outside of Salem, just for more variety. Enjoy!

5, Hallie Ford Museum of Art First Friday Art Walk at 5 PM: Free admission at the HFMA from 5-8 PM. 700 State St. 

10, Looking in the Mirror: Seeing Ourselves in Art Session 3: Local art history teacher Philip Nickel continues his series of art lectures at Bush Barn Art Center. Session 3, and the last in the series, is titled “Where is Home - Cultural Diffusion in the Modern World”. Admission is free, tickets are reservable online. Event will be from 6 to 7 PM. 600 Mission St SE.  

11, All-Abilities Workshop with Living Studios Staff at Hallie Ford Museum of Art: Individuals of various abilities are welcome to join in this art workshop at the art museum. The event will run from noon to 3 PM. 700 State St. 

13, Garden University: Insect Coloration Workshop at 11 AM: The Oregon Gardens is hosting this class about the coloration in insects, including making pendants out of real beetle wings and glass beads. General admission is $45, $35 for Oregon Garden members; these also include Garden admission. Tickets are purchasable online now. 879 W Main St, Silverton.

13, Garden University: Wet Felting for Scarves Workshop at 11 AM: Come to the Oregon Garden and join artist Michele Ballantyne’s workshop on wet felting a scarf. Materials and tools will be provided and no experience is necessary. General admission is $125, and Oregon Garden members are $115, and are available online now. 879 W Main St, Silverton. 

13, Enso and Haiku with Cynthia at 1 PM: The Art Department is hosting this Enso and Haiku class, taught by Cynthia Herron. This class is 14+. Admission is $45 per person, and available online now. The class will run until 4 PM. 254 Commercial St NE.

6, Another True Edge Event, Inconceivable! at 2 PM: Iron Phoenix Athletics is hosting a day of challenges inspired by the Princess Bride. Winning games earns tickets to bid on different Princess Bride-themed prizes. Admission purchased online is $15 per adult, $7 per child; purchased day-of is $20 per adult, $10 per child. The event runs until 5 PM. 4240 25th Ave NE Ste A.

17, Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk at 8 AM: Birders come join this field trip to tally birds for the upcoming Count. A wide variety of resident and wintering migrant species are to be expected. Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, binoculars and appropriate footwear for considerable walking. Walk expected to finish between 10:30 and 11 AM. For more info, check the event details online. 2200 Minto Island Rd SE. 

21, Yoga + Mimosas at Eola Hills Wine Cellars at 10 AM: Eola Hill’s Barrel Room will be hosting an all-levels flow class followed by community time and possible choice of brunch beverage or glass of wine (alcohol purchased is separate). Please bring your own mat and towel. Registration for the class is open online now, and admission is a suggested donation of $5-$10. 501 S Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall.

6 - 7, The Annual Aurora Wine & Chocolate Walk: Downtown Aurora is fundraising for its local non-profit Old Aurora Colony Museum with this wine, chocolate, and more. Passports are good for two attendees, and admission includes souvenir glasses, tastings for two at multiple shops, reusable shopping bag, and $24 in gift certificates redeemable at local shops. The event will run the whole weekend, from 11 AM to 5 PM. Tickets are available online now. 15018 2nd St NE, Aurora.

6, Salem Aerial Dance Company’s Elements of Winter at 7:30 PM: The SADC’s youth performing company will be performing Elements of Winter, choreography, feeling and costuming inspired by the season and elements. The performance will be held at the Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium. Tickets are available online now. 

6, Caught Dead Handed (Grateful Dead tribute) at Elysium Botanicals at 6 PM: The tribute band will be performing at Elysium Botanicals until 9 PM, bringing the spirit of the Grateful Dead to life. Admission is free and event is 21+. 8175 Buena Vista Rd, Independence. 

9, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Benefit Screening for OSH Museum of Mental Health: Salem Cinema is hosting a screening of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. There will be speakers, the screening and a Q&A with a set coordinator, as it was filmed at Oregon State Hospital. Tickets are available now online at $15, day-of will be $18. Event begins at 6 PM. 1127 Broadway St NE.

12, 2nd Friday Ceili at 7 PM: Enjoy Irish music and dance at VFW Hall. Doors open at 7 PM, and dance lesson begins at 7:15 - no partner or prior dance experience is needed. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Admission is $10 per adult, $5 per students, free for children ages 12 and under. Family rate is $30. Event will run until 11 PM. 630 Hood St NE.

19, A Master Pianist at Cristom Vineyards at 5 PM: Cristom Vineyards is hosting master pianist David Seamon for the evening. Wine and small bites will be available for purchase. Admission is $15 per person, $10 for members; tickets available online now. 6905 Spring Valley Rd NW. 

28, Candlelight Concert: Tribute to The Beatles at 8:30 PM: Candlelight concerts are bringing the music of The Beatles to Salem. The candlelight concert will be performed by string quartet Listeso at The Spinning Room at Willamette Heritage Center. Admission is dependent on seating zone in the venue, purchasable online now.  

11, Murder at the Pink Elephant at 6 PM: Transport yourself into a 1920s whodunnit murder mystery party! Come dressed in 1920s attire. The event will run until 9 PM. Admission is $55 and event is 21+. Tickets available online now. 115 Lancaster Dr SE.

13, Salem’s First LGBTQ+ Center Fundraiser at 7 PM: This fundraiser by Rainbow Youth is free to attend, and will have an info session on the project and a silent auction to raise funds for it. There will be a YouTube livestream for those unable to attend. You can RSVP online now. 5090 Center St NE.

21, Salem’s Premier Trading Card Showcase & Collectible Show: This showcase and show will be held at the Salem Scottish Rite Center from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free for all. You can find sportscards, Pokemon, Star Wars products, Disney items and other pop culture items. 4090 Commercial St SE.

Hopefully you all can find some reprieve from the onslaught of holiday happenings. It’s amazing how much can be done in just one month for one holiday… Me? I have a headache for it by the middle of the month. 

Anyway, I hope to see many of you on Dec. 11 for WHS’ White Elephant event! 

Baking some sweet treats, 

Em Chan