What’s Up Salem!

Sorry we are a little later here, but better late than never!

How was your week? Anything fun happen?

SALEM, OR – Salem City Council held a work session Monday to shape the city's strategic direction for the next five years, sparking debates about whether current goals are bold enough.

Councilor Paul Tigan called Salem's vision statement "boring" and lacking leadership. "It's written safe," he said. "I don't think it's bold enough of where we want to be in 5 years."

City Manager Krishna Nimburu agreed, emphasizing vision statements should be aspirational and memorable.

Key discussions included:

Affordable Housing: Councilor Vanessa Nordyke urged explicit recognition of the city's commitment, noting Salem Housing Authority serves 8,000 residents who might otherwise face homelessness.

Inclusive Language: Council debated whether to retain explicit "anti-racist organization" language, with Councilor Irvin Brown Jr. arguing it signals important values, while others suggested broader terminology.

Growth as Opportunity: Multiple councilors emphasized embracing Salem's population growth (27,000+ new residents in a decade) rather than resisting it.

Missing Priorities: Members suggested adding resilience, cleanliness, transparency, partnerships, and innovation to strategic goals.

Consultants will incorporate feedback with community input before presenting a draft plan in December for March 2026 adoption.

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)

Oregon’s projected two-year budget deficit has dropped from $373 million to just $63 million after the state received what economists are calling “found money” mostly from adjusted corporate income tax filings by several large companies. The surprise $309.5 million boost also reflects modest improvements in other state revenue sources, dramatically shrinking the deficit by more than 80% since August.

State economists cautioned that the windfall doesn’t necessarily reflect broader economic strength, as the corporate corrections came from prior-year tax adjustments. They also noted that current forecasting is unusually uncertain because federal employment data has been delayed by the government shutdown. Still, officials say Oregon’s economy is showing resilience, with moderate growth expected in 2026 as interest rates continue to fall.

Economists also warned that Oregon’s recovery remains uneven, a “K-shaped economy” where higher-income households are doing well while low-income families continue to struggle. They also flagged a major wildcard ahead: a pending Supreme Court ruling on federal tariffs could reshape state and national economic forecasts early next year.

Oregon will receive six more revenue forecasts before the next biennium begins in July 2027. (Salem Reporter)

 🛍️ Holiday House: Drink, Eat, Shop @West Hills Vineyards • 3:00PM–8:00PM
🏳️‍⚧️ Transgender Day of Remembrance @Salem Public Library • 5:30PM–8:00PM
🧛‍♂️ Evil Dead: The Musical! @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM

🎙️ Women/BIPOC Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs @CreativiTee, 100 Commercial St NE • 9:00AM–10:00AM
🎉 ShowBiz Salem Holiday Market @State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–5:00PM
🎤 Dareyes DLS, Cuisillos, Los Dos de Tamaulipas, & Legado 7 @State Fairgrounds • 7:00PM
🎭 Leslie Jones Live @Elsinore Theatre • 7:30PM
🧛‍♂️ Evil Dead: The Musical! @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
😂 1 Star Revue: An Improv Show Inspired By The Internet's Worst Reviews @Grand Theatre Ballroom • 8:00PM

🔫 Gun & Knife Show @State Fairgrounds • 9:00AM–4:00PM
🦃 Turkey Trot 1K, 5K, 10K @Riverfront Park • 9:30AM
🎄 ShowBiz Salem Holiday Market @State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–5:00PM
🎁 World Beat Festival Holiday Market @Willamette Heritage Center • 11:00AM–6:00PM
🧛‍♂️ Evil Dead: The Musical! @Salem's Historic Grand Theatre • 7:30PM
🎤 Lisa Landucci @Grand Theatre Ballroom • 8:00PM
🕺 Rave River presents Project Plurr & Dancing with Angels @The BAD Space, Santiam Brewing • 9:00PM–1:30AM 

🔫 Gun & Knife Show @State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM–3:00PM
🍷 Sip & Shop @Scenic Valley Farms, 12423 River Rd. NE Gervais, OR 97026 • 12:00PM–4:00PM • submitted by a reader on our Event Submission Form 🎉
🎭 Evil Dead: The Musical! Matinee Show @Historic Grand Theatre • 2:30PM
🎶 Christmas Choral Masterpieces @Elsinore Theatre • 4:00PM
😹 Comedy Competition: Road to Ron @Historic Grand Theatre • 7:00PM 

 🧘 Yoga + Wine @Chemeketa Cellars, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW • 6:00PM–7:00PM
🍑 Fitness Class: Banded Booty Sculpt @The Hot Loft, 285 Liberty St • 6:30PM–9:30PM

🏃 Run'ucopia Turkey Trot 6K/10K/15K @Riverfront Park • 9:00AM
🦃 Thanksgiving @Oregon Garden Resort • 11:00AM–7:00PM
🍽️ FREE Thanksgiving Community Dinner @The River Church, 4675 Portland Rd NE • 2:00PM–4:00PM

Looking for catering? Restaurants open on Thanksgiving? Need a free meal? We got you covered on Em’s FREE THANKSGIVING DAY GUIDE!

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Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

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See you next Thursday,

Ernie