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Hope you all stayed safe during our brief heat wave this week - perfect timing since it ended right before yesterday's ribbon cutting for our new Capital of Oregon sign!
Yesterday I attended the ribbon cutting for our new Capital of Oregon sign.
The original typo has been updated, but I learned why it took almost 6 years for the sign to be completed.
Well it turns out the Salem has a very rigorous sign approval process, but there wasn’t a way to approve the sign because it was on ODOT land and not land owned by the City of Salem.
The city actually had no sign code or permitting process. So they actually had to amend their own code to finally permit the sign’s installation.
ODOT also had issues with the original design, stating it had too much Oregon symbolism and not enough Salem specific symbolism.
But now that the sign is up, we have a much nicer way to welcome people to our city.
Next time you're at trivia night and they ask about Salem's most bureaucratically complicated sign, you'll be the smartest person in the room!
Salem City Council Meeting Summary - August 11, 2025 Key Highlights
The council continued discussions on improving downtown and Northeast Salem safety and livability. Key developments include:
Immediate Actions: Increased police visibility in hotspots implemented in July through overtime assignments "We've temporarily implemented a temporary measure to increase presence downtown through overtime assignments... we had about 40 different shifts filled by overtime officers" - Police Chief Trevor Womack
Co-Response Model: Plans to pilot a mental health crisis response team pairing police with behavioral health professionals starting January 2026 "The code response model that we talked about... adding two homeless services and then pairing emergency medical care with mental health intervention" - Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi
Community Engagement: Multiple forums held with business owners, with plans for additional meetings with homeless advocates and residents "Our intention from the beginning has been to engage different stakeholders... our plan is to have a forum for homeless advocates and hopefully we can schedule something sooner than later" - Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi
Bloomberg Partnership: Salem was selected for Bloomberg Harvard's competitive city leadership program, which will provide free coaching and collaboration support for developing comprehensive solutions "Through the collaboration track, we will focus our collective energy to co-create a new approach, one that promotes shared responsibility and inspires action for a safe, livable and vibrant Salem for everyone... This is again fully funded by Bloomberg, no cost to the city" - Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi
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Youth Farm Breaks Records, Feeds More Families Than Ever
Salem’s Youth Farm just wrapped its most productive summer yet, delivering fresh produce to 120 families through Farm Share Rx—a 20% jump from last year. The program gives teens ages 13–18 hands-on agricultural training, leadership skills, and often their first paychecks, all while supplying healthy food to low-income patients in Salem, Grand Ronde, and the Santiam Canyon. Farm Manager Ava Ryan says the secret is the teens’ creativity and ownership of the six-acre farm’s daily operations. (Salem Reporter)
Here’s what’s happening this weekend in beautiful Salem, Oregon
🎒 Back to School Backpack Giveaway – FREE for All K–12 Students
📍 Knudson Boys & Girls Club Branch, 1395 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
📅 Saturday, August 16, 2025 • ⏰ 10:00AM–2:00PM
As students gear up for a new school year, the Boys & Girls Club is making sure no child starts without the essentials. Stop by for free backpacks filled with school supplies, toothbrush kits, water bottles, and more. Supplies are available while they last — walk-up only, and students must be present (one backpack per student).
Thursday, August 14, 2025
🧘 Yoga in the Park @ Bush’s Pasture Park, The Bush Barn Art Center • 6:00PM–7:00PM
⚾ Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs. Campesinos de Salem Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM
Friday, August 15, 2025
🩸 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive @ Salem Police Department, 333 Division St NE • 8:30AM–1:30PM
☕ Women/BIPOC Coffee Club @ CreativiTee, 110 Commercial St NE • 9:00AM–10:30AM
🎡 Big Bash Carnival @ Salem’s Riverfront Park • 4:00PM–10:00PM
⚾ Portland Mavericks vs. Salem Senators @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM
🎭 Hairspray the Musical Opening Night @ Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW • 7:30PM
Saturday, August 16, 2025
McNary Estates Garage Sale and Food Drive @ McNary Estates, Keizer
• 8:00AM–4:00PM
🏃♀️STRIDE 5K Run/Walk @ Bush’s Pasture Park • 9:00AM
🎡 Big Bash Carnival @ Salem’s Riverfront Park • 10:00AM–10:00PM
🌽 Aumsville Corn Festival @ 1105 Main St, Aumsville • 12:00PM–6:00PM
⚾ Portland Mavericks vs. Salem Senators @ Roto-Rooter Park • 1:00PM
⚾ Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs. Campesinos de Salem Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM
🎭 Hairspray the Musical @ Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW • 7:30PM
🦕 Jurassic Dark: All-Ages Dance Night @ Radness Ensues, 3837 River Rd N, Keizer • 6:00PM–10:00PM • Smoke-Free, Alcohol-Free
Sunday, August 17, 2025
💪 Every BODY 5K Run/Walk @ Minto-Brown Island Park • 9:00AM
🎉 ServeFest: Free Family Carnival, Music, Food, School Supplies & More @ Lakepoint Community Church, 2856 Broadway St NE • 10:00AM–1:00PM
🎡 Big Bash Carnival @ Salem’s Riverfront Park • 10:00AM–10:00PM
🎥 Get Outta My Swamp! Night Market @ Salem Convention Center • 11:00AM–6:00PM
🚗 Sunday Funday Custom Car & Truck Show @ Roto-Rotter Park • 11:30AM–5:30PM
⚾ Salem-Keizer Volcanoes vs. Campesinos de Salem Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park • 5:05PM
📦 Infinity Room Equipment Auction @ 210 Liberty St SE • 5:30PM
🥊 MicroMania Midget Wrestling @ Honky Tonk Bar & Grill, 2275 McGilchrist St SE • 7:00PM
💃 Sunday Westie’s West Coast Swing Lesson & Social @ The REC: Grange, 441 Chemawa Rd N, Keizer
• 6:30PM–7:30PM All Levels Class
• 7:30PM–8:30PM Social Dancing
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
⚾ Portland Mavericks vs. Salem-Keizer Volcanoes @ Roto-Rooter Park • 6:00PM🕺 Queer Salsa in the Park @ Riverfront Park • 7:00PM–9:00PM
🍽️ Forks & Films: Female Trouble @ Southside Speakeasy, 3529 Fairview Industrial Dr SE • 5:30PM & 7:30PM
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
🎓 Paying for College: Free Class for Teens & Parents @ Salem Public Library • 4:00PM–5:00PM
Introducing: Photo of the week!
🌴 Photo of the Week: Summer Vacay Edition 📸
All August long, we’re celebrating summer through your lens.
Each week through August, we’ll feature two dreamy snapshots:
✨ One landscape or scenery pic (think sunsets, beaches, trails…)
✨ One with people living their best summer lives (pool days, picnics, road trips, you name it!)
☀️ Send your favorite vacation vibes to [email protected]
Include your name, a short caption, and where it was taken.
Let’s show off how Salem does summer. 😎
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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