Hey Salem,

Last week we asked you what day of the week we should bring back our Dinner Club, and the results were TIED. So… we had Instagram chime in and vote between our top three answers.

And the winner is….Friday!

Our next Dinner Club meet up will be Friday, March 20.

That text above is a link, click on it to learn more and get registered.

We have a new partner for our mayoral debate, and will be streaming live from the podcast studio at CC Media.

Excited to have them on board.

This event will be free and streaming live on Tuesday, March 10.

Register here to ensure you don’t miss it.

Jacob

Our new series of Salem profiles is presented by

In the heart of a Salem "Agra-hood", between shared gardens and community greenhouses, sits Prismatic Coffee. Serving coffee that is worth a detour on the way to that next meeting. At the center of it all is Kyle Layton: co-owner, head roaster, and a man whose journey into the "owner’s chair" has been as much about self-discovery as it has been about the bean.

Kyle’s relationship with coffee didn’t start with a business plan. It started with the nostalgia of Cracker Jacks and open mic nights in West Linn. Watching his father work as a sound technician, Kyle was captivated by the cafe setting. A unique stage where locals gathered to watch other locals sing a song or test out a comedy set.

He describes his early years as a barista as an "unpaid therapist for much of the community." However, moving from behind the bar to owning the building shifted his perspective from the creative to the logistical.

"As a former barista, I’d practice latte art and not necessarily think about the waste,” he told me. “ I was doing cool designs and pouring pennies down the drain. Now, I see the cost of the green coffee (raw, unroasted beans) and the overhead. My eyes have changed. I’d have a heart attack now if someone tossed ten drinks in a row."

Kyle is candid about his ADHD, referring to his neurodivergence as both his "villain origin story" and his greatest professional asset. While he jokes that finishing a mundane organized task can be a struggle, it is his passionate hyperfixation that drove him to master the chemistry of roasting.

Roasting is a game of seconds and degrees, and Kyle’s obsessive drive was sparked by a single "aha" moment. A pour-over made by a roommate with beans fresh from Mexico. "What the heck was that?" Kyle recalls. "It was so delicious." 

From that single cup, his entire personality pivoted. He traded a $90 "Mr. Coffee" machine for a deep dive into extraction science, eventually competing in the Latte Art World Championship Open.

If you walk into Prismatic, don't expect a corporate greeting. Kyle despises the "corporate script" or the high-energy hype typical of drive-thru chains. To him, authentic service means meeting people exactly where they are.

Kyle told me, "That vibe of hype service just feels so inauthentic, and that offends me because I like to do it really real... I want to operate out of that just very realness."

Even with a charismatic staff and a mastery of the roast, every entrepreneur faces what Kyle calls "The Vortex." This is the crushing reality check that hits when grand intentions, like deep education classes and take-home brew kits, meet the relentless day-to-day grind of operations.

Surviving the Vortex has required Kyle to embrace the "fail forward" mentality, learning to be "okay at sucking" until the systems catch up to the vision. It is this grit that is fueling Prismatic’s expansion toward a second location in Monmouth, where Kyle hopes to bring that same high-bar coffee to a new student and local population.

Despite the growth, Kyle remains grounded in the community that raised him. Whether it’s organizing food drives (a cause personal to his own upbringing) or collaborating with wineries to support health insurance for harvesters, the mission remains clear, "To continue to learn, continue to grow... and to raise the bar of coffee here in Salem."

(Hope you enjoyed our new monthly profile series presented by Habaneros, if you have people you think we should highlight, please let us know by replying to this email. 😁)

The Oregon Battle of the Books regional tournament is coming to Liberty Elementary in Salem on Saturday, March 7, and it is shaping up to be a big one. OBOB is a statewide reading competition for students in grades 3 to 5, where teams work together all year to read and study a set of 16 preselected books covering a wide range of themes and topics. Students first compete within their own schools, and winning teams advance to regional tournaments. This year, 29 schools will be competing at Liberty, making it an exciting day for young readers 📚

The tournament is run entirely by volunteers, and organizers are currently looking for help to make the day a success. Volunteers are needed as scorekeepers, timekeepers, and moderators. If you love books, kids, or supporting literacy, this is a great way to get involved.

👉 Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!

Feel free to share and help spread the word.

Join the Rave River Family for a night of EDM, lasers, and good vibes. With multiple djs and genres, the party is sure to go all night! This event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Wildly Kind so bring your friends, bring the energy, and help support a good cause. Buy your tickets early!

Kick off your Super Bowl Weekend with a night of all of Bad Bunny’s greatest hits! With all the hits ranging from the X 100PRE days, to the Grammy Award Winning Debi Tirar Mas Fotos this is a night you won’t want to miss. 

Brunch, drinks, and glorious views makes for a perfect date night. The theme for the painting is “Come Together”. Experienced painters and nonpainters alike can join; you’ll be walked through the process step-by-step. Contact the Willamette Queen directly to reserve your spot on the brunch cruise: 503-371-1103

♥️A Valentine’s Market
Salem Center Mall (South Building) | 12:00PM – 5:00PM 
30+ Vendors featuring: sweet treats, flowers, jewelry, handmade goods, and more! Brings the kids for the Kids Zone with crafts, music, and Twisty the Great!

🐉Market for the Strange: Dark Desires & Twisted Tails
Historic Grand Theatre Ballroom | 11:00AM – 6:00PM
A dark fantasy themed market designed for those with more peculiar hearts. Local authors will be there sharing excerpts from their stories. Pick up a gift and a new book for that special someone in your life. 

Test your knowledge of your state’s history in celebration of Oregon’s 167th birthday! Come for an interactive trivia program hosted by Heritage Center Curator Kylie Pine! Come show off your knowledge or learn something new!

🐊 Alligator Roast & Super Bowl Party @SOB Brewery, 2027 25th St SE • 12:00PM
🏈 Benito Bowl @Xicha Brewing North • 12:00PM — 4:00PM
🍔Tailgate & Watch Party @Johnny’s Bar & Grill, 1729 Center St NE • 2:30 | Free cheeseburgers and fries while supplies last
📺 Watch Party @Half Court Sports Bar • 3:00PM
🥗 Sober Super Bowl Watch Party & Potluck @Painted Horse Recovery, 1800 State St • 3:00PM | Bring your favorite side dish!
🍷Super Bowl Open House @Cória Estates, 8252 Redstone Ave SE • 3:00PM — 8:00PM
🍻Seahawks Super Bowl Watch Party @Mykie’s Bar & Lounge • 3:30PM | Pull up early, stay late 🦅100” projector, multiple TVs, pool, darts

Salem Horror Club presents your spooky Friday the 13th date night for Valentine's weekend. From bloody burlesque, to clowns and comedy, spend a sexy, horrific evening at the BAD Space.

Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a specially crafted romantic dinner in the West Hills tasting room. Taking place on both Friday and Saturday night, this event will easily fit into your weekend plans. Sip a little (or a lot) and soak in the romantic vibes. 

Looking for something more active? A new experience? Or even to meet friends or a potential special someone? Look no further! For beginners, lessons start at 7:00PM. For those already experienced in Céilí, the dance begins at 8:00PM. Come one, come all, and dance the night away.

Are you and your boo active? If so, this is the perfect start to Valentine’s Day! The meet begins at 11AM at the bottom of the Soap Box Derby Hill. After a bit of socializing, the ride begins at 11:30. Rides go for as long as you want and are decided while on the ride. Like the name suggests, it is super casual. No cost, just bring your partner (or come alone) and get that heart bumpin’ n’ pumpin’. 

In the mood for love, laughter, and chaos? This is the perfect night for you! With a blend of improv, stand-up comedy, and audience inclusion with interactive games, this will sure to be a gas for couples, situationships, and best friends alike. Singles are welcome too! 

Grab a glass, soak in the gorgeous vineyard views, and enjoy an afternoon of feel-good music with that special someone. Eric John Kaiser brings lively, French-inspired sound for a set that is charming, upbeat, and fun. 

Get ready for a night full of energy and historical hits! The famous Norteño band from Mexico, most famous for the cultural phenomenon La Chona, headlines the State Fairgrounds. Three opening acts ensures the party will last all night!

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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