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I have a question for you…
Who do you want to see us interview on our podcast in 2025?
Let me know by replying to this email.
We’d also love to see you at our Content Creator Meet-Up on December 9!
If you’re creating content in Salem, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in your community and learn from some of the best local creators.
Registration is free—click here to sign up and get all the details.
We hope to see you there!
👉 Also, do you have an event you’d like added to our weekly calendar?
Now, let’s see what’s happening in Salem.
Weather
😶🌫️Thu: Mostly cloudy with a high of 41
🌫️Fri: Cloudy with a high of 44
🌧️Sat: Rain with a high of 50
☁️Sun: Partly cloudy with a high of 49
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What Happened Last Week in Salem?
The Brooks waste disposal plant, owned by New Jersey-based Reworld, is set to close at the end of the year, ending its role as the primary processor of Marion County’s garbage and the only medical waste incinerator on the West Coast. The plant handles 550 tons of waste daily, including 90% of the county’s garbage. Reworld cited stricter Oregon emissions laws and reduced incentives for incineration as reasons for the closure. Marion County is exploring options for the site, while local waste haulers like Loren’s Sanitation plan to maintain services using alternate facilities. The closure leaves 46 employees facing potential unemployment, with limited relocation opportunities. Medical waste and law enforcement evidence disposal are expected to be particularly challenging. (Keizertimes)
Oregon's Environmental Quality Commission finalized new recycling rules under the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, effective July 1, 2025, aimed at standardizing recycling statewide and incentivizing sustainable packaging. The law introduces fees for companies based on material weight and recyclability, encouraging the use of lighter, more sustainable materials. Local governments and a nonprofit alliance will manage these fees to improve recycling infrastructure. Apartment owners will be required to provide recycling services, and a statewide list of recyclable items will be released this summer. Additional measures include a 2023 ban on styrofoam takeout containers starting in January and upcoming product labeling requirements by 2027. (Salem Reporter)
A Salem-Keizer school district bus caught fire Tuesday afternoon while transporting seven students, all of whom were safely evacuated without injuries. The fire, originating from the engine compartment, occurred around 5 p.m. at Pine Street and Commercial Street NE. Passersby, including Travis Hanson, assisted in evacuating students as smoke filled the area. Fire crews extinguished the blaze within minutes. The bus was carrying students from Parrish Middle School, and parents were called to pick them up. The district is investigating the cause of the fire. (KGW8)
Upcoming Events
Thursday, December 5
🎄Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 5:00PM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 9:00PM
🧘Cheerful Yoga | CreativiTee | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
🤶Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM
Friday, December 6
🎊Salem’s BIGGEST Ugly Xmas Sweater Party | Side Hustle Bar | 9:00PM - 2:00AM
🤝Greeters Hosted by Young Singers Club Salem | 1233 Riverbend Rd NW | 8:30AM - 10:00AM
💬Discussion Panel: New Year Wishes for Downtown Salem | 1201 Court St NE | 12:00PM - 1:00PM
🎉The Holman Hotel Holiday Kick-Off Event | 195 Commercial St SE | 4:00PM - 7:00PM | FREE
🖼️First Friday Art Walk | Downtown Salem | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE
“Something Red” Exhibit & Awards | 444 Ferry St SE | 6:00PM | FREE
🎄Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 5:00PM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION
🧑🎨Holiday Art Market | 254 Commercial St NE | 5:00PM - 8:00PM
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
💡Riverfront Holiday Lights Kick Off | Riverfront Park | 5:30PM - 8:00PM
🎄Gala of Trees presented by Family Building Blocks | Convention Center | 5:30PM
😂Joe Gatto: Let's Get Into It | Elsinore Theatre | 7:00PM
📻A Christmas Carol, a 1940’s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM
🤶Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM
🟢Grinch-Mas | Mykie’s Bar | 10:00PM - 2:00AM
Saturday, December 7
🌨️Indoor Winter Market | Wavra Farms and Nursery | 10:00AM - 3:00PM
🎤2025 Season Keizer Homegrown Theatre Auditions | 10:00AM - 5:00PM
🎁Etsy Team Holiday Market | State Fairgrounds Jackman-Long Building | 10:00AM - 5:00PM | FREE ADMISSION
🪙Coin and Stamp Show | State Fairgrounds Columbia Hall | 10:00AM - 4:30PM
🌳Deepwood Holiday Open House | Deepwood Museum & Gardens | 10:00AM - 1:00PM | FREE
🎄Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 11:00AM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION
Photos with Santa | 11:00AM - 7:00PM
🎅Saturday with Santa fundraiser | 1440 Lancaster Dr NE | 11:00AM - 2:00PM | FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA
🖼️Holiday Art Market | 254 Commercial St NE | 12:00PM - 3:00PM
🐾Paws & Claus | 340 Leslie St SE | 1:00PM - 3:00PM
☕Holiday Tea Party with Snow White | Riverfront Park | 2:00PM - 3:30PM
🩰Nutcracker Ballet | Elsinore Theatre | 5:00PM
✨Holiday Sparkles | Powerland Heritage Park | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
🎩Christmas Gala | Willamette Heritage Center | 6:00PM - 9:00PM
📻A Christmas Carol, a 1940’s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM
🤶Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM
Sunday, December 8
🎄Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 11:00AM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION
Photos with Santa | 11:00AM - 7:00PM
✒️$60 Tattoo Event | My Living Canvas Tattoo, 392 Liberty Rd SE | 11:00AM - 8:00PM
🌠Heroes and Friends from a Galaxy Far Far Away | Riverfront Carousel | 11:00AM - 2:00PM
📻A Christmas Carol, a 1940’s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 2:00PM
🤶Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 2:00PM
🩰Nutcracker Ballet | Elsinore Theatre | 5:00PM
✨Holiday Sparkles | Powerland Heritage Park | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
Monday, December 9
🗨️Forum Speaker Series: “A Generational Discussion: Hopes, Dreams & Responsibilities" | Convention Center | 11:30AM - 1:00PM
💡Magic of Lights| State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
Tuesday, December 10
☕Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs | 101 High St NE | 9:00AM - 10:00AM | FREE
🟢Green Chair Chronicles Social | 1110 Commercial St NE | 9:00AM - 10:00AM
🧶Crochet & Slay for Teens | Salem Public Library | 4:00PM - 5:30PM | FREE
🤖Tinker Tech Tuesday for Kids | Salem Public Library | 4:30PM - 5:45PM
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
Wednesday, December 11
💡Magic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM
📻A Christmas Carol, a 1940’s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM
😹Stand-up open mic | Infinity Room | 7:00PM | FREE
Thursday, December 12
🤝🏽Latino Business Alliance Cafe y Pan Dulce Networking | Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry | 8:00AM - 9:30AM
💥A Night At Nakatomi Plaza: A Dramatic Reading Of Die Hard | Historic Grand Theatre | 7:00PM
Government
Thursday, December 5
Grant Neighborhood Association Meeting | Broadway Commons, 3rd Floor | 6:15PM - 7:45PM
West Salem Neighborhood Association Meeting | 1130 Wallace Rd NW | 6:30PM - 8:00PM
East Lancaster Neighborhood Association Meeting| First Free Will Baptist Church | 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Monday, December 9
City Council Meeting | Council Chambers | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Salem Housing Authority Commission Meeting | Council Chambers | 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Urban Renewal Agency Meeting| Council Chambers | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Tuesday, December 10
Southeast Mill Creek Association Meeting | Paradise Island Recreation Hall | 10:00AM - 11:30AM
Appointment Committee | City Manager’s Office | 1:00PM - 2:00PM
Cultural and Tourism Advisory Board Monthly Meeting| Salem Public Library | 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Wednesday, December 11
Morningside Neighborhood Association Meeting | Morningside United Methodist Church | 6:30PM - 8:00PM
South Central Association of Neighbors Meeting| South Salem High School | 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Thursday, December 12
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board | 1457 23rd St SE | 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Highland Neighborhood Association Meeting | 945 Columbia St NE | 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Live Music and Dance
Thursday, December 5
🍷Tyler Stenson | Chemeketa Cellars, NW Wine Studies Center | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE
🎤Music & Poetry Open Mic | Infinity Room | 7:00PM | FREE
🎻Holidays in Hudson | Willamette University, Hudson Hall | 7:30PM
🎅Leslie Odom, Jr. – The Christmas Tour| Elsinore Theatre | 7:30PM
Friday, December 6
🍕Paula Byrne Quartet | Christo’s Pizzeria & Lounge | 7:00PM
🎻Holidays in Hudson | Willamette University, Hudson Hall | 7:30PM
❄️Low Bar Chorale Presents: Snow Bar Chorale: Winter Warmup | Historic Grand Theatre | 7:30PM
Saturday, December 7
💃Salsa Lessons | VFW Marion Post 661 | 1:00PM - 5:00PM
🍇Dylan Santiago | West Hills Vineyards | 5:00PM - 7:00PM
🎅Swing Time Christmas | 3278 25th St | 5:30PM - 9:00PM
🧑🎤Rivercity Rock Star Academy End of Season Show | The Bad Space @ Santiam Brewing | 6:00PM - 9:00PM | FREE
🎶The Yard Anniversary Party | 7:00PM - 11:00PM | NO COVER
🎵Finding Dani | South Liberty Bar | 8:00PM | NO COVER
👄Lip Bomb | Westside Station | 8:00PM - 12:00AM | FREE
🫂Friendship is Rad Album Release Party | Infinity Room | 8:00PM
🎁Jenner Fox Band: A John Prine Christmas | Historic Grand Theatre | 8:00PM
Sunday, December 8
🧑🎤Rivercity Rock Star Academy End of Season Show | The Yard Food Park | 1:30PM - 8:00PM | FREE
💃Salsa Bachata Night | Fork Forty | 6:30PM - 10:00PM
Monday, December 9
❎Putting the X back in XMAS | Elsinore Theatre | 8:00PM
Thursday, December 12
🎶Story and Tune Duo | Chemeketa Cellars, Northwest Wine Studies Center | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE
🎙️Shelly Rudolph: Swank Soul, Swank Snow | Christo’s Pizzeria & Lounge | 7:00PM
🎄Girl Named Tom: The Joy of Christmas Tour| Elsinore Theatre | 7:30PM
Sports
Friday, December 6
🏀College Men’s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs. Lewis & Clark @ Willamette University, Sparks Center | 6:00PM
🏀Varsity Girls Basketball: South Salem vs. Roseburg @ South Salem High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: West Salem vs. Barlow @ West Salem High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Girls Basketball: Sprague vs. Southridge (WA) @ Sprague High School | 7:00PM
🏀College Women’s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs. Lewis & Clark @ Willamette University, Sparks Center | 8:00PM
Saturday, December 7
🏀Varsity Girls Basketball: South Salem vs. Southridge @ South Salem High School | 1:00PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: Sprague vs. Caldera @ Sprague High School | 2:00PM
Roller Derby Double Header @ Cherry City Roller Derby “The Madhouse”
Game 1: 4:00PM
Game 2: 6:00PM
🏈Big Ten Championship Football Watch Party: Oregon vs. Penn State | Side Hustle Bar | 5:00PM
Sunday, December 8
🐢Slow Runners of Salem | Location TBA, check page for more info | 9:00AM
Monday, December 9
🏐Adult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM
Tuesday, December 10
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: South Salem vs. Corvallis @ South Salem High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: North Salem vs. McMinnville @ North Salem High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: West Salem vs. North Salem @ West Salem High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: Sprague vs. Roseburg @ Sprague High School | 6:30PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: Salem Academy vs. Blanchet Catholic @ Salem Academy | 7:00PM
🏀Varsity Girls Basketball: McKay vs. Roseburg @ McKay High School | 7:00PM
🏀Varsity Boys Basketball: McNary vs. Mountainside @ McNary High School | 7:00PM
⚽Drop-In Co-Ed Soccer | Capital Futbol Club | 8:00PM
🏐Adult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM
🏀Adult Basketball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM
Wednesday, December 11
🐢Slow Runners of Salem | Location TBA, check page for more info | 6:00PM
🏐Adult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM
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