🌮 It's our birthday, who wants free tacos?

Plus a lot less fun stuff about the city's budget problems.

AuthorAuthor

Ernie Samora & Jacob Espinoza
April 10, 2025

What’s Happening Salem is presented by

What’s Up Salem Squad!

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

A few updates from around the city…

  • IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY! Wild thinking it’s been a year already. We are celebrating this Tuesday at NOON. We will be downtown at Azul’s Taco House. I’m buying TWO tacos for the first 100 people who show up. We will have cake also. Can’t wait to meet a lot of you in person. 🙂 

In news not as fun as free tacos, The City of Salem released it Proposed Budget…

Salem’s draft budget is here, and it’s packed with shake‑ups that hit everyday spots—your library, parks, kids’ camps, and Center 50+. Below is the quick‑take on what’s changing so you’re not caught off guard when summer rolls around.

  • The Salem Public Library will shrink to a 20‑hour week, close its West Salem branch, and lose 23 staff members, so expect a quieter building with far fewer story times and tech‑help sessions.

  • Neighborhood parks are about to feel rougher around the edges—15 maintenance positions are going away, restrooms will be locked in smaller parks, and irrigation gets turned off, meaning brown grass and splash pads on pause.

  • Kids’ summer fun takes a hit too: the city‑run parks program and youth sports camps are being scrapped this July and August, leaving families to hunt for new (and probably pricier) options.

  • Center 50+ will scale back evening and weekend hours, cut two outreach roles, and trim its class lineup, so regulars might find fewer chances to connect or grab caregiver support.

Pressure Points Still Brewing

  • Police need 27‑83 more officers; Fire needs 10 more companies to hit response goals .

  • Street money (gas tax) starts shrinking after 2027 as more EVs hit the road .

  • Downtown paid parking rolls out summer 2025 to help with garage & cleanup costs .

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What's inside:

  • How you can help plant trees in your community

  • Salem’s own professional basketball team plays at home this weekend

  • Get your hands on the freshest, most unique junk around at this State Fairground event

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

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Celebrate Arbor Month by Planting for Pollinators

April is Arbor Month in Oregon, and with spring in full swing, it’s a great time to support the environment by planting native plants and trees. Pollinator-friendly plants help bees and butterflies thrive, while trees offer long-term benefits for clean air and shade. Join the City of Salem and Friends of Trees for a volunteer planting event on April 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Northgate Neighborhood—register online to take part.

Enter Salem’s 2025 Hidden History Photo Contest

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month by capturing Salem’s hidden historic gems! The Historic Landmarks Commission invites residents of all ages to submit photos of Salem’s historic interiors, exteriors, or landscapes by May 5 for a chance to win local prizes. Learn more and enter online or via Instagram using #salemHLC2025.

Salem Card Shop Owner Breakdances for a Cause

Joey, owner of Cosmic Card Shop and longtime breakdancer, is teaming up with The Lotus Studio to support youth through a one-day Breakdance Camp on Friday, April 25, from 6:00PM–7:30PM. A member of the 3HC crew with 20+ years of experience, Joey (aka Bboy Loey) will be teaching hip hop, pop & lock, and breakdance to kids ages 6–17. The registration costs help fund scholarships for the Lotus Entertainment Achievement Program (LEAP), a local nonprofit focused on empowering youth through dance, theater, and mental health support. All Lotus instructors volunteer their time — talk about dancing for good! Register now and learn more at https://www.the-lotus-studio.com/breakdance-camp

Thursday, April 10

😂Stand-Up Comedy: Bo Johnson • Infinity Room • 8:00PM

Friday, April 11

🪙Great Spring Junk Hunt • State Fairgrounds • 4:00PM - 9:00PM

🎶2nd Friday Céilí • VFW Hall, 630 Hood St • 7:00PM

Saturday, April 12

🪙Great Spring Junk Hunt • State Fairgrounds • 9:00AM - 4:00PM

🍒Cherry City Roller Derby Triple Header • The MAD House • 1:00PM - 9:00PM

🏓FREE Adult Drop-In Board Game Day • Salem Public Library • 2:00PM - 4:00PM

🎶Live Music: Curtis Reynolds • West Hills Vineyards • 5:00PM - 7:00PM

🩷Pink Martini with China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour • The Elsinore Theatre • 7:30PM

🌈In The Pink: Portland's Floyd Tribute • Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM

Tuesday, April 15

💵Salem Reporter Town Hall - City of Salem’s Proposed Tax Levy • Historic Grand Theatre • 6:00PM

Thursday, April 17

📚Any Book Club • Taproot Lounge & Cafe • 6:30PM - 8:00PM

🎶Nashville Unplugged Presents: Chad Brock Featuring Joey James • Historic Grand Theatre • 8:00PM

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

🐶PET OF THE WEEK: Ladybug

Meet Ladybug (aka Bug)! Her life mission? Fitting just one more toy in her mouth—current record: 3! She’s also a pro at pretending she’s not nearly 100lbs when trying to snuggle right into your lap. Loyal, goofy, and full of love, Bug is the ultimate cuddle champ. 🐞🧸💛

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.

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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