๐ŸŒฎ Salem is active this weekend!

Let's have some fun this weekend Salem.

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Thank you all 10,271 for joining this journey.

I have a question for youโ€ฆ

Who do you want to see us interview on our podcast in 2025?

Let me know by replying to this email.

Weโ€™d also love to see you at our Content Creator Meet-Up on December 9!

If youโ€™re creating content in Salem, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in your community and learn from some of the best local creators.

Registration is freeโ€”click here to sign up and get all the details.

We hope to see you there!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Also, do you have an event youโ€™d like added to our weekly calendar?

Now, letโ€™s see whatโ€™s happening in Salem.

Weather

๐Ÿ˜ถโ€๐ŸŒซ๏ธThu: Mostly cloudy with a high of 41

๐ŸŒซ๏ธFri: Cloudy with a high of 44

๐ŸŒง๏ธSat: Rain with a high of 50

โ˜๏ธSun: Partly cloudy with a high of 49

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What Happened Last Week in Salem?

The Brooks waste disposal plant, owned by New Jersey-based Reworld, is set to close at the end of the year, ending its role as the primary processor of Marion Countyโ€™s garbage and the only medical waste incinerator on the West Coast. The plant handles 550 tons of waste daily, including 90% of the countyโ€™s garbage. Reworld cited stricter Oregon emissions laws and reduced incentives for incineration as reasons for the closure. Marion County is exploring options for the site, while local waste haulers like Lorenโ€™s Sanitation plan to maintain services using alternate facilities. The closure leaves 46 employees facing potential unemployment, with limited relocation opportunities. Medical waste and law enforcement evidence disposal are expected to be particularly challenging. (Keizertimes)

Oregon's Environmental Quality Commission finalized new recycling rules under the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, effective July 1, 2025, aimed at standardizing recycling statewide and incentivizing sustainable packaging. The law introduces fees for companies based on material weight and recyclability, encouraging the use of lighter, more sustainable materials. Local governments and a nonprofit alliance will manage these fees to improve recycling infrastructure. Apartment owners will be required to provide recycling services, and a statewide list of recyclable items will be released this summer. Additional measures include a 2023 ban on styrofoam takeout containers starting in January and upcoming product labeling requirements by 2027. (Salem Reporter)

A Salem-Keizer school district bus caught fire Tuesday afternoon while transporting seven students, all of whom were safely evacuated without injuries. The fire, originating from the engine compartment, occurred around 5 p.m. at Pine Street and Commercial Street NE. Passersby, including Travis Hanson, assisted in evacuating students as smoke filled the area. Fire crews extinguished the blaze within minutes. The bus was carrying students from Parrish Middle School, and parents were called to pick them up. The district is investigating the cause of the fire. (KGW8)


Upcoming Events

Thursday, December 5

๐ŸŽ„Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 5:00PM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 9:00PM

๐Ÿง˜Cheerful Yoga | CreativiTee | 6:00PM - 8:00PM

๐ŸคถMiss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM

Friday, December 6

๐ŸŽŠSalemโ€™s BIGGEST Ugly Xmas Sweater Party | Side Hustle Bar | 9:00PM - 2:00AM

๐ŸคGreeters Hosted by Young Singers Club Salem | 1233 Riverbend Rd NW | 8:30AM - 10:00AM 

๐Ÿ’ฌDiscussion Panel: New Year Wishes for Downtown Salem | 1201 Court St NE | 12:00PM - 1:00PM

๐ŸŽ‰The Holman Hotel Holiday Kick-Off Event | 195 Commercial St SE | 4:00PM - 7:00PM | FREE

๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธFirst Friday Art Walk | Downtown Salem | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽ„Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 5:00PM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽจHoliday Art Market | 254 Commercial St NE | 5:00PM - 8:00PM

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

๐Ÿ’กRiverfront Holiday Lights Kick Off | Riverfront Park | 5:30PM - 8:00PM

๐ŸŽ„Gala of Trees presented by Family Building Blocks | Convention Center | 5:30PM

๐Ÿ˜‚Joe Gatto: Let's Get Into It | Elsinore Theatre | 7:00PM

๐Ÿ“ปA Christmas Carol, a 1940โ€™s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM

๐ŸคถMiss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM

๐ŸŸขGrinch-Mas | Mykieโ€™s Bar | 10:00PM - 2:00AM

Saturday, December 7

๐ŸŒจ๏ธIndoor Winter Market | Wavra Farms and Nursery | 10:00AM - 3:00PM 

๐ŸŽค2025 Season Keizer Homegrown Theatre Auditions | 10:00AM - 5:00PM

๐ŸŽEtsy Team Holiday Market | State Fairgrounds Jackman-Long Building | 10:00AM - 5:00PM | FREE ADMISSION

๐Ÿช™Coin and Stamp Show | State Fairgrounds Columbia Hall | 10:00AM - 4:30PM

๐ŸŒณDeepwood Holiday Open House | Deepwood Museum & Gardens | 10:00AM - 1:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽ„Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 11:00AM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION

  • Photos with Santa | 11:00AM - 7:00PM

๐ŸŽ…Saturday with Santa fundraiser | 1440 Lancaster Dr NE | 11:00AM - 2:00PM | FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA

๐Ÿ–ผ๏ธHoliday Art Market | 254 Commercial St NE | 12:00PM - 3:00PM

๐ŸพPaws & Claus | 340 Leslie St SE | 1:00PM - 3:00PM 

โ˜•Holiday Tea Party with Snow White | Riverfront Park | 2:00PM - 3:30PM

๐ŸฉฐNutcracker Ballet | Elsinore Theatre | 5:00PM

โœจHoliday Sparkles | Powerland Heritage Park | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

๐ŸŽฉChristmas Gala | Willamette Heritage Center | 6:00PM - 9:00PM

๐Ÿ“ปA Christmas Carol, a 1940โ€™s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM

๐ŸคถMiss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 7:30PM

Sunday, December 8

๐ŸŽ„Holiday Village | State Fairgrounds | 11:00AM - 10:00PM | FREE ADMISSION

  • Photos with Santa | 11:00AM - 7:00PM

โœ’๏ธ$60 Tattoo Event | My Living Canvas Tattoo, 392 Liberty Rd SE | 11:00AM - 8:00PM

๐ŸŒ Heroes and Friends from a Galaxy Far Far Away | Riverfront Carousel | 11:00AM - 2:00PM

๐Ÿ“ปA Christmas Carol, a 1940โ€™s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 2:00PM

๐ŸคถMiss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley | Pentacle Theatre | 2:00PM

๐ŸฉฐNutcracker Ballet | Elsinore Theatre | 5:00PM

โœจHoliday Sparkles | Powerland Heritage Park | 5:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

Monday, December 9

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights| State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

Tuesday, December 10

โ˜•Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs | 101 High St NE | 9:00AM - 10:00AM | FREE

๐ŸŸขGreen Chair Chronicles Social | 1110 Commercial St NE | 9:00AM - 10:00AM 

๐ŸงถCrochet & Slay for Teens | Salem Public Library | 4:00PM - 5:30PM | FREE

๐Ÿค–Tinker Tech Tuesday for Kids | Salem Public Library | 4:30PM - 5:45PM

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

Wednesday, December 11

๐Ÿ’กMagic of Lights | State Fairgrounds | 5:30PM - 10:00PM

๐Ÿ“ปA Christmas Carol, a 1940โ€™s Radio Show | Willamette University, Peloton Theatre | 7:00PM

๐Ÿ˜นStand-up open mic | Infinity Room | 7:00PM | FREE

Thursday, December 12

๐Ÿค๐ŸฝLatino Business Alliance Cafe y Pan Dulce Networking | Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry | 8:00AM - 9:30AM

๐Ÿ’ฅA Night At Nakatomi Plaza: A Dramatic Reading Of Die Hard | Historic Grand Theatre | 7:00PM

 Government

Thursday, December 5

Monday, December 9

Tuesday, December 10

Wednesday, December 11

Thursday, December 12

Live Music and Dance

Thursday, December 5

๐ŸทTyler Stenson | Chemeketa Cellars, NW Wine Studies Center | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽคMusic & Poetry Open Mic | Infinity Room | 7:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽปHolidays in Hudson | Willamette University, Hudson Hall | 7:30PM 

๐ŸŽ…Leslie Odom, Jr. โ€“ The Christmas Tour| Elsinore Theatre | 7:30PM

Friday, December 6

๐Ÿ•Paula Byrne Quartet | Christoโ€™s Pizzeria & Lounge | 7:00PM

๐ŸŽปHolidays in Hudson | Willamette University, Hudson Hall | 7:30PM

โ„๏ธLow Bar Chorale Presents: Snow Bar Chorale: Winter Warmup | Historic Grand Theatre | 7:30PM

Saturday, December 7

๐Ÿ’ƒSalsa Lessons | VFW Marion Post 661 | 1:00PM - 5:00PM

๐Ÿ‡Dylan Santiago | West Hills Vineyards | 5:00PM - 7:00PM

๐ŸŽ…Swing Time Christmas | 3278 25th St | 5:30PM - 9:00PM

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽคRivercity Rock Star Academy End of Season Show | The Bad Space @ Santiam Brewing | 6:00PM - 9:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽถThe Yard Anniversary Party | 7:00PM - 11:00PM | NO COVER

๐ŸŽตFinding Dani | South Liberty Bar | 8:00PM | NO COVER

๐Ÿ‘„Lip Bomb | Westside Station | 8:00PM - 12:00AM | FREE

๐Ÿซ‚Friendship is Rad Album Release Party | Infinity Room | 8:00PM

๐ŸŽJenner Fox Band: A John Prine Christmas | Historic Grand Theatre | 8:00PM

Sunday, December 8

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽคRivercity Rock Star Academy End of Season Show | The Yard Food Park | 1:30PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐Ÿ’ƒSalsa Bachata Night | Fork Forty | 6:30PM - 10:00PM

Monday, December 9

โŽPutting the X back in XMAS | Elsinore Theatre | 8:00PM

Thursday, December 12

๐ŸŽถStory and Tune Duo | Chemeketa Cellars, Northwest Wine Studies Center | 6:00PM - 8:00PM | FREE

๐ŸŽ™๏ธShelly Rudolph: Swank Soul, Swank Snow | Christoโ€™s Pizzeria & Lounge | 7:00PM

๐ŸŽ„Girl Named Tom: The Joy of Christmas Tour| Elsinore Theatre | 7:30PM

Sports

Friday, December 6

๐Ÿ€College Menโ€™s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs. Lewis & Clark @ Willamette University, Sparks Center | 6:00PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Girls Basketball: South Salem vs. Roseburg @ South Salem High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: West Salem vs. Barlow @ West Salem High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Girls Basketball: Sprague vs. Southridge (WA) @ Sprague High School | 7:00PM

๐Ÿ€College Womenโ€™s Basketball: Willamette Bearcats vs. Lewis & Clark @ Willamette University, Sparks Center | 8:00PM

Saturday, December 7

๐Ÿ€Varsity Girls Basketball: South Salem vs. Southridge @ South Salem High School | 1:00PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: Sprague vs. Caldera @ Sprague High School | 2:00PM

Sunday, December 8

๐ŸขSlow Runners of Salem | Location TBA, check page for more info | 9:00AM 

Monday, December 9

๐ŸAdult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM

Tuesday, December 10

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: South Salem vs. Corvallis @ South Salem High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: North Salem vs. McMinnville @ North Salem High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: West Salem vs. North Salem @ West Salem High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: Sprague vs. Roseburg @ Sprague High School | 6:30PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Girls Basketball: McKay vs. Roseburg @ McKay High School | 7:00PM

๐Ÿ€Varsity Boys Basketball: McNary vs. Mountainside @ McNary High School | 7:00PM

โšฝDrop-In Co-Ed Soccer | Capital Futbol Club | 8:00PM

๐ŸAdult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM

๐Ÿ€Adult Basketball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM

Wednesday, December 11

๐ŸขSlow Runners of Salem | Location TBA, check page for more info | 6:00PM

๐ŸAdult Volleyball Open Gym | NPJ Sports Complex | 9:15PM - 11:15PM 

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