🌮 8 Mother's Day Events Celebrating Our Wonderful Mothers

What’s Up Salem Squad!

What's inside:

• 8 Mother’s Day Events, there’s something for every mom!

• Our Community Connectors Awards is SO SOON

• Minor League baseball is BACK this weekend!

And much more. Let's explore what's happening, Salem. 🤜🤛

But first…There is not better way to get the weekend kicked off than with a couple BUDGET MEETING UPDATES! LETS GOOO!!!

Salem-Keizer School Board Budget Meeting Snapshot (May 6 Meeting)

• Reserve now: Last year’s $70 M cuts left a $99 M (14 %) ending balance, giving one-time breathing room.

• Big stressor: Payroll will eat 96 % of next year’s general fund, leaving a $46 M gap unless more vacancies stay unfilled.

• Superintendent’s caution: Andrea Castañeda says reserves must grow now to avoid a steeper 2027 cliff.

• Staffing puzzle: Enrollment may drop ≈700 students, yet the budget adds 66 positions (behavior specialists, special-ed interns, dual-language teachers).

• Student supports rising: Mental- & behavioral-health spending + $13 M; class-size relief still unfunded (15 % of K-5 classes > 30 kids).

City of Salem Budget Committee Meeting Snapshot (May 7 Meeting)

• Deficit reality: Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi reminded the committee the General Fund faces a $13.8 million gap in FY 26, with larger shortfalls beyond if nothing changes.

• May 20 “Livability Levy”: A five-year local-option levy on the ballot would generate ≈ $14 million in its first year and move Library, Parks and Center 50 Plus into a dedicated fund; failure means deep cuts.

• Community services on the line: Public speakers urged members to spare library programs—such as the first-grade Bookmobile—and warned that cutting hours to 20 per week would hit kids and seniors hardest.

• Public safety protected: Leadership said trimming police or fire “wouldn’t save money without dropping service levels,” so no sworn positions were cut.

Last Week’s Poll

Last week’s poll about Danielle Bethell running for governor was pretty close.

• 31% of the votes said they would not vote for her

• 30% of the votes said they would vote for her or were optimistic

• 25% said they did not know who she was.

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May 2025 Election Preview: What Salem-Area Voters Should Know

In the upcoming May 20 special district election, Salem-area voters will weigh in on key local decisions including four open seats on the Salem-Keizer School Board, a new Salem city councilor, and a proposed property tax increase to maintain funding for city services such as parks, the library, and Center 50+. Voters will also decide on renewing a Chemeketa Community College bond to support career education facilities across its campuses. In Polk County, a separate tax proposal would fund repairs and upgrades to the county fairgrounds in Rickreall.

Turnout in local elections tends to be low—23% in Marion County and 29% in Polk County during the May 2023 election—but the outcomes can have significant impact on public services. The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, April 29. Ballots will be mailed starting April 30.

Read the full article on the Salem Reporter for the complete 2025 ballot guide.

Blossom Gardens Opens to Welcome Refugee and Low-Income Families in Salem

Refugee families from Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan will be among the first residents of Blossom Gardens, a new 90-unit affordable housing complex that just opened in northeast Salem. Managed by Salem for Refugees, the complex is the nonprofit’s first foray into property management, offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom units with modern amenities and culturally responsive support services. Residents must meet income requirements, with some units reserved for extremely low-income households. The $29.4 million project, funded by a state grant, aims to help address Salem’s affordable housing shortage and support refugees already living in the community. (Salem Reporter)

FREE Event at the Grand!

Community Connectors Awards — May 15

What is it?
• Rapid, late-night-style interviews with Salem’s top community builders
• Zero boring speeches — all energy, all heart

📍 Where: The Grand Theater, Salem
⏰ When:
• 6 PM – Pre-party (drinks, apps, live DJ)
• 7 PM – Showtime

Onstage fun:
• 🎤 Comedian Eleanore Ryan
• 🎶 Manny Martinez Jazz Quartet
• 🎙️ Emcee Bank Sinatra
• 🤫 Surprise moments sprinkled in

Hosts: Jacob Espinoza + Jazmin Hayworth

Presented by: Advantage Heating & AC with support from It’s Bin Clean

Get your ticket: Network, laugh, and celebrate the people shaping Salem. See you there!

RSVP now to save your spot

8 Mother’s Day Activities - Sunday, May 11

Momchella • The Side Hustle Bar • 10:00PM - 2:00AM • FRIDAY, MAY 9

Y2K Mothers Day Reggaeton Brunch • The Side Hustle Bar • 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Mother's Day Brunch • Coria Estates • 11:30AM - 2:00PM

Island Getaway for Mom • Trinity Vineyards • 12:00PM - 6:00PM

Oregon Ballet Theatre's OBT2 • The Elsinore Theatre • 4:00PM

Minor League Baseball: Mother’s Day Double Header • Volcanoes Stadium • 5:05PM

Mom Jokes: An All-Moms Comedy Show for Mother's Day • Infinity Room • 7:00PM

Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show • The Elsinore Theatre • 7:00PM • TUESDAY, MAY 13

Friday, May 9

2nd Friday Céilí • VFW Hall. 630 Hood St NE • 7:00PM

Open Roller Skate: 80's/90's Night • Cherry City MadHouse • 7:30PM - 10:00PM

Saturday, May 10

Moms & Mimosas • GA At Home, 5711 Gaffin Rd SE • 10:00AM - 3:00PM

Children's Mental Health Acceptance Day Celebration • Riverfront Park Carousel • 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Spring Into Summer Kids Clothing Swap • Center 50+ • 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Read to a Pet for Young Readers • Salem Public Library • 1:00PM - 2:30PM

Adult Game Day • Salem Public Library • 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Roller Derby Double Header: Blossoms v Rose City • Cherry City MadHouse • 2:00PM - 6:30PM

Mrs. Oregon America & Miss Oregon for America Strong 2025 • The Elsinore Theatre • 4:00PM

Minor League Baseball: Mavericks vs. Campesinos (Kids Day) • Volcanoes Stadium • 6:00PM

Nashville Unplugged Presents: William Michael Morgan Featuring Joey James • Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM

Wednesday, May 14

OSD Welding Projects Sale • Oregon School for the Deaf Welding Lab • 9:00AM - 3:00PM

🐶PET OF THE WEEK: Stan

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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