What’s Up Salem!

The challenge of life is making time to appreciate the incredible things around us while still acknowledging real difficulties.

Sometimes I worry that my focus on the positive makes people think I'm oblivious to the challenges our community faces. I promise that's not the case. I'm grateful to have a small team helping keep Salem informed about what's happening and how you can get connected.

Anything happening in Salem right now you think we should be talking about? Let us know by replying to this email.

Thank you all for being here. Now let's look at what happened at last week's city council meeting…

Council celebrated the approval of a pilot project pairing paramedics with mental health professionals to respond to crisis calls. Marion County will provide the mental health professional for this groundbreaking initiative.

Council unanimously approved a $20,000 donation to help address the local food crisis caused by federal SNAP benefit disruptions. Food Share CEO Rick Gaupo reported seeing record-breaking demand, with visits to pantries jumping from 10,000 per month pre-COVID to 18,000 currently—with even higher numbers during the recent crisis.

Key statistics shared:

Council voted to continue the seasonal "no-mow" policy in Bush's Pasture Park's upper oak grove to protect historic Oregon white oak trees. The plan includes:

In a 7-1 vote, council approved $200,000 to begin planning for a paved path through Wallace Marine Park's natural area. The project will include:

Total project cost could reach $729,000, funded by parks system development charges (not general fund).

Salem will suspend all paid on-street parking downtown on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 8AM–8PM in honor of Small Business Day and the kickoff of the 2025 holiday shopping season. The city hopes the free parking boost will encourage shoppers to explore local stores, dine downtown, and support the small businesses that power Salem’s economy.

City Manager Krishna Namburi said small businesses are “the heart of Salem’s economy,” and the city wants to make it easier for residents to celebrate and shop local during the holidays. Visitors can enjoy downtown’s mix of unique shops, entertainment venues, and accessible walking and biking routes. (City of Salem)

Salem-Keizer Superintendent Andrea Castañeda delivered a stark message to local business leaders this week, warning that Oregon’s education system needs urgent improvement. Speaking at a Salem Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, she pointed to statewide test results showing only 29% of Oregon 8th graders proficient in math with just 23% in Salem-Keizer.

Still, Castañeda said she’s optimistic about the district’s direction. Early data shows slight gains in reading and math after years of decline, and new efforts, including teacher training, consistent in-class testing, and a new elementary reading curriculum launching next fall, are aimed at long-term, meaningful growth.

Her plan calls for steady improvement of 3–5 percentage points per year, focusing not on quick fixes but on lasting progress for all 3,000 third graders in the district. “These are solvable problems,” she said. “Salem-Keizer is on the way.” (Salem Reporter)

The best way to make new friends? Show up.
No planning, no pressure — just good food and great conversation.

Here’s how it works:

Brings Salem’s community spirit offline.

Hope to see you there!

🛍️ Deepwood Holiday Market Preview Night @Deepwood Museum & Gardens • 5:00P–7:00PM
🎶Jan Michael Looking Wolf @Salem Public Library • 6:00PM–7:00PM
💃 Line Dance Lessons @Honky Tonk Bar & Grill • 7:00PM–9:00PM • submitted on our Event Submission Form!
🍀 2nd Friday Céilí @VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE • 7:00PM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🏊Open Skate: Pool Party Night @ The Madhouse • 7:30PM–10PM 

🛍️ Deepwood Holiday Market @Deepwood Museum & Gardens • 10:00AM–4:00PM
🧩 Indoor Winter Market @Wavra Farms, 7882 Jordan St SE • 10:00AM–3:00PM
🎭 Roller Derby November Double Header @Cherry City Roller Derby • 4:30PM–9:00PM
🎻 Thunder and Starlight (A Far Cry musicians) @Willamette University, Hudson Hall • 7:30PM • submitted on our Event Submission Form!
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🎉 Where TF The Function @Side Hustle Bar • 10:00PM–2:00AM

🛍️ Deepwood Holiday Market @Deepwood Museum & Gardens • 10:00AM–4:00PM
💗Live Auction Fundraiser for Elsinore Framing and Gallery @Elsinore Framing and Gallery, 444 Ferry St. SE • 1:00PM • Submitted on our Event Submission Form!
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! (Matinee) @Historic Grand Theatre • 2:30PM

💃 Line Dance Lessons @The BAD Space, 2572 19th St SE • 5:30PM–8:30PM

🧺 Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaway @The River Church, 4675 Portland Rd NE • 10:00AM (FREE, while supplies last)
🧵 Friends Open Sew @Rosedale Friends Church, 452 Hylo Rd SE • 10:00AM–4:00PM
🍿 Skweezy Jibbs Makes a Movie Premiere @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM • Meet the PNW Internet Personality Skweezy Jibbs!

🍕 Ribbon Cutting – Mountain Mike's Pizza @4635 Commercial St SE • 2:00PM–2:30PM
🧑‍🍳 Salem Emerging Leaders FriendsGiving @Miller’s BBQ & Café, 4600 25th Ave NE • 5:00PM–7:00PM  • FREE
📚 Any Book Club @Taproot Lounge & Cafe, 365 State St • 6:30PM–8:00PM

☕Salem Emerging Leaders Coffee Social (Sam Skillern) • IKE Box, 201 Commercial St NE • 8:30AM–10AM • FREE
🍷 Holiday House: Drink, Eat, Shop @West Hills Vineyards • 3:00PM–8:00PM
💜Transgender Day of Remembrance @Salem Public Library • 5:30PM–8PM
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM

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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