What’s Up Salem!

Sorry the email is late.

But on another note, today is my birthday.

I’m feeling really blessed for the last year and proud of that things our team is accomplishing. Thanks for being here. It genuinely means a lot.

Also, November 18 we are throwing a dinner party. Sign up. Get plated with a group of 6, depending on the answers you send to the short survey you take before. We will take care of the reservations. You just show up and get ready to meet a new group of friends. Plus everyone will be invited to a meet up happening after.

Hope to see you there!

Now, lets see what’s happening in Salem this week!

Marion County commissioners expressed support this week for funding a full-time county mental health specialist to join a new Salem Fire Department–led crisis response team downtown. The pilot program, expected to launch Jan. 1, would send trained responders to 911 calls involving people in mental health or substance use crises who don’t pose a threat to the public.

The county would contribute about $150,000 annually, mostly from opioid settlement funds, to cover the specialist’s salary and support costs. The city of Salem has already approved $626,000 through June 2026 for the initiative, which is part of its broader downtown safety and livability plan.

Details on coordination with law enforcement and the specialist’s work schedule are still being finalized, with city and county leaders set to meet again Nov. 17. Fire Chief David Gerboth said the goal is to divert crisis calls from police and emergency rooms while connecting people to services like housing, treatment, or the county’s new Behavioral Health Crisis Center. (Salem Reporter)

 🎱 Drag Bingo @Southside Speakeasy • 7:00PM–9:00PM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🔥 Drag Show w/ Riri Caliente @Southside Speakeasy • 9:00PM–10:30PM

🦉Park After Dark @Minto-Brown Island Park • 5PM–7PM
🏀 College Men’s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs La Verne @Willamette University, Sparks Center • 5:30PM
🎬 Movie in the Vineyard: The Sandlot @Ankeny Vineyards • 6:00PM
🍳EggFest featuring the hottest hip hop artists in the PNW! @The BAD Space, 2572 19th St SE • 7:00PM
💃 Line Dance Lessons @Honky Tonk Bar & Grill • 7:00PM–9:00PM • submitted on our Event Submission Form!
🏀 College Women’s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs Warner Pacific @Willamette University, Sparks Center • 7:30PM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🧑‍🎤 Open Skate: Punk Rock Night @The Madhouse, 1335 Madison St NE • 8PM–10PM 

🏃‍♂️ Veterans Day Walk/Run @YMCA • 7:45AM–9:15AM
🏃‍♂️ Fanciest 5K Ever @West Coast Strength • 9:00AM
🏃Eola Hills “No Hills” 5K/10K @Eola Hills, 501 S Pacific Hwy W • 9:00AM
🛍️ Holiday Bazaar @Bethany Baptist Church, 1150 Hilfiker Lane SE • 9:00AM–4:00PM
🔫 Concealed Handgun License Class @Sportsman's Warehouse • 9:00AM–1:00PM
🎯 Extreme Turkey Shoot Outdoor Airsoft @Extreme Velocity, 5201 State St • 10:00AM–1:00PM
🧩 Indoor Winter Market @Wavra Farms, 7882 Jordan St SE • 10:00AM–3:00PM
⚽ College Women’s Soccer: Willamette Bearcats vs Pacific @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 11:00AM
🏈 College Football: Willamette Bearcats vs Whitworth @Bush's Pasture Park • 1:00PM
📚 Read to a Pet for Young Readers @Salem Public Library • 1:00PM–2:30PM
🥣 CROCKTOBERFEST – Soup Wars! @Pentacle Theatre • 1:00PM–3:00PM
⚽ College Men’s Soccer: Willamette University vs Pacific @Willamette University, Sparks Field • 1:45PM
🎲 Adult Game Day @Salem Public Library • 2:00PM–4:00PM
🧤 Veterans Concert @Willamette University, Hudson Hall • 3:00PM
🏐 College Women’s Volleyball: Willamette Bearcats vs Pacific @Willamette University, Sparks Center • 6:00PM
🎱 Bingo Loco Early Show @Historic Grand Theatre • 6:00PM
🎤 Nate Jackson: Big Dog Comedy Tour @Elsinore Theatre • 7:30PM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🎱 Bingo Loco Late Show @Historic Grand Theatre • 10:00PM

 🛍️ Chanukkah & Craft Bazaar @Temple Beth Shalom, 1274 Cunningham Ln S • 9:00AM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! (Matinee) @Historic Grand Theatre • 2:30PM
📚 Drop-In Chess Club @The Yard Food Park • 2:30PM–4:30PM
🧤 Veterans Concert @Willamette University, Hudson Hall • 3:00PM

 🎤 “Salem-Keizer’s Plan to Boost Reading and Math Scores” Forum Speaker Series @Salem Convention Center • 11:30AM–1:00PM
🎥 Monday Mystery Movie @Salem Cinema • 7:00PM–9:00PM

🥪 Veteran’s Day Luncheon @Center 50+ • 11:30AM
🎟️ Veterans Day Fundraiser Gala – Stay Alive Vets @Salem Convention Center • 6:00PM
🎭 Moms Unhinged Stand-Up Comedy @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM
🎭 Chemical Malpractice: Willamette Student Improv @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM

🥞 Ribbon Cutting – Black Bear Diner @5005 Commercial St SE • 8:30AM–9AM
🎭 Shakespeare On The Rocks @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🎙️ Bricked Up Comedy: Weekly Open Mic @Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM
💪 Girls Night Out Show @Fuego Latin, 3393 River Rd N, Keizer • 9:00PM–11:30PM

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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