🌮 Burgerville Update, A Summer Pass for Kids, and More!

April is here! Warmer days and more Salem fun lie ahead. Are you ready?

In partnership with

What’s Up Salem Squad!

We hope everyone made the most of the sunshine this week.

A few updates from around the city…

  • Burgerville Update! They are opening on April 21 and the first 100 customers who make a purchase at the new Salem Burgerville will receive a gift card upon checkout with the value of 52 Original Cheeseburgers. That’s so many cheeseburgers…

  • Wonderland is open, but if you show up be ready to be patient. They are still working on getting their systems in place and ramping up their staff.

  • City of Salem leaders will eliminate the deputy city manager role once Scott Archer steps down next week. Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi plans to release a budget with significant service cuts on April 9. It will be presented to the budget committee on April 16.

  • The Marion Berries just launched a $50 summer pass for kids that is incredible. It will help a lot of families stay active this summer.

  • This is top secret but we are opening a coworking space in the mall. Can’t wait to have our own space. 🙂 

Quick moment of gratitude.

Advantage Heating & AC has been our title sponsor since the beginning. It’s honestly a blessing to work with a company who is so passionate about the community.

They help ensure this remains a free resource and are currently in the running for 2025 Best of the Willamette Valley. 

Who has the best coffee in Salem?

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What's inside:

  • Ladies Night!

  • Salem students design dementia tracker, win STEM contest

  • Get your groove on with SO MUCH live music & dance

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

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Today’s Email is Presented by:

The What’s Happening Salem Business Collective

If you are looking for a great experience, these are the business you should be supporting.

Not only do they help ensure What’s Happening Salem can continue growing, but I’ve either done business with them OR have done background checks to make sure all of you are taken care of.

Salem Tennis and Swim Club - Join me for Pickleball every Tuesday evening. Plus summer is starting soon. I can’t wait to be lounging by the pool.

E-Z Flow Plumbing - When you need an honest and reliable plumber, Zach and his team are the best in the business.

Refined Realty Group - Shannon was born and raised in Salem and has over 20 years of real estate and construction experience, so she knows the neighborhoods and market inside and out.

The Jaycie Collective - Jaycie’s is the go-to spot for cutting-edge hair and lash services, especially extensions. Everyone there is gorgeous. It is amazing.

City to Host Open House on Riverfront Park Playground Upgrade April 12

Salem residents will have the chance to weigh in on the future of Riverfront Park’s playground during a public open house on Saturday, April 12, from 10:00AM to 12:30PM at the Salem Public Library. The 26-year-old playground is slated for a full replacement in 2026, with a focus on improving accessibility and safety. Early design concepts include features like a wheelchair-accessible play structure, inclusive merry-go-round, sensory-friendly spaces, and a turf hill. Attendees can view design plans, learn more about the $1.8 million project, and share feedback to help shape the final layout. (Salem Reporter)

Salem students win regional STEM competition with creative dementia tracking device

Four students from Salem’s Heritage School have advanced to the national finals of the ExploraVision STEM competition with their invention concept Lost Then Found, a wearable micro-patch that uses body heat and quantum tracking to help caregivers locate people with dementia. The second- and fourth-grade team created a prototype, website, and design plans for the device, which features flexible internal circuits and “octopus suckers” to stick to skin. The students, who were inspired by personal experiences with dementia, each received a Chromebook and will compete in the national finals in Washington D.C. this May. (Salem Reporter)

Thursday, April 3

🎶Adult Drop-In Hip-Hop Dance • RJ Dance Studio • 6:30PM - 8:50PM

🎤Music & Poetry Open Mic • Infinity Room • 7:00PM • FREE 

Friday, April 4

🍪The Great Interfraternal Bake Off benefitting Salem Dream Center Charity • Willamette University, outside of Goudy Commons • 11:00AM - 2:00PM

🖼️First Friday Art Walk • Downtown Salem • 5:00PM - 8:00PM • FREE

🖼️Stefani Art Gallery Opening Exhibition • 305 Court St NE • 5:00PM - 8:00PM

💐Spring Gala 2025: Heritage Honors • Willamette Heritage Center • 6:00PM - 8:30PM

🤣Slay 'Em: A Comedy Showcase of Local Killers • Infinity Room • 7:00PM

🕺Swing Dance Night • The BAD Space @ Santiam Brewing • 7:00PM - 10:00PM

🎵Live Music: La Arrolladora Banda el Limon Y Mas Concerto • State Fairgrounds • 7:30PM

🛼Traveling Wheelz Open Skate Disco Night! • Cherry City MadHouse • 7:30PM - 10:00PM

Saturday, April 5

🦸‍♀️Mid-Valley Comic Art Expo • State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM - 7:30PM

📚Love Your Library Day! • Salem Public Library • 1:00PM - 2:30PM • FREE

🏎️Pinewood Derby • Salem Center Mall Food Court • 1:00PM - 5:00PM • FREE

🐩Pints for Pups: Adoption Event • Ratchet Brewery • 2:00PM - 6:00PM

💸Underground Market • Blast Off! Vintage • 3:00PM - 7:00PM

🍇Live Music: Eric John Kaiser • West Hills Vineyards • 5:00PM - 7:00PM

🙋‍♀️Ladies Night Market & Party • Honky Tonk Bar & Grill • 6:00PM - 9:00PM

🎶Salem Philharmonia Orchestra presents "150 Years of Ravel" • East Salem Community Center • 7:00PM

🚨Live Music: CODE RED • South Liberty Bar • 8:00PM

Sunday, April 6

🦹‍♂️Mid-Valley Comic Art Expo • State Fairgrounds • 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Wednesday, April 9

😂Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic • Infinity Room • 7:00PM

Thursday, April 10

🫱🏽‍🫲🏽Latino Business Alliance hosts Cafe y Pan Dulce • Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry • 8:00AM - 9:30AM

🥗Lunch with Leaders - Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield • Ritter’s Housemade Foods • 11:30AM - 1:00PM • FREE

Discover More Events: Check out EVERYTHING happening this week on our BRAND NEW event calendar right here.

🐶PET OF THE WEEK: Sweetie

Meet Sweetie! This 5-year-old mini Doxie is soooo sweet - just like her name says! She lives for attention, treats, and chasing squirrels like it’s her full-time job. She’s all bark and no bite—though in her mind, she could totally take on a wolf. 💕🐾🦴

Monte Carlo is looking for Salem Talent!

As businesses increasingly rely on data to power digital products and drive better decision-making, it’s mission-critical that this data is accurate and reliable. Monte Carlo, the data reliability company, is the creator of the industry’s first end-to-end Data Observability platform. Named an Inc. Best Workplace for 2024, a DBTA Readers Choice for Best Data Observability Solution for 2024, a G2 Best Product for 2023, and the “New Relic for data” by Forbes, we’ve raised $236M from Accel, ICONIQ Growth, GGV Capital, Redpoint Ventures, IVP, and Salesforce Ventures. Monte Carlo works with data-driven companies like Fox, Pepsico, Amazon, American Airlines, and other leading enterprises to help them achieve trust in data.

Click below to learn more about each role:

Do you have positions you need to fill in your business? We can help.

Apple's New Smart Display Confirms What This Startup Knew All Along

Apple has entered the smart home race with its new Smart Display, firing a $158B signal that connected homes are the future.

When Apple moves in, it doesn’t just join the market — it transforms it.

One company has been quietly preparing for this moment.

Their smart shade technology already works across every major platform, perfectly positioned to capture the wave of new consumers Apple will bring.

While others scramble to catch up, this startup is already shifting production from China to its new facility in the Philippines — built for speed and ready to meet surging demand as Apple’s marketing machine drives mass adoption.

With 200% year-over-year growth and distribution in over 120 Best Buy locations, this company isn’t just ready for Apple’s push — they’re set to thrive from it.

Shares in this tech company are open at just $1.90.

Apple’s move is accelerating the entire sector. Don’t miss this window.

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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