🌮 Are you ready for this weekend in Salem?

Presented by The Forge

Welcome to the 1057 new subscribers who have joined us since last week.

A few updates:

As I write this at 3:23 on September 26, we have 7,632 Subscribers (with a 60% open rate) and 26,569 followers on Instagram.

That is a big deal and I don’t take it for granted at all. 

I’m grateful for this opportunity to connect people in Salem and recognize the things going well.

I also want to thank AJ Nash and Chris Blackburn for believing in this project and signing on The Forge as our title sponsor over the last 6 months. Your support has been really appreciated and I can’t wait to announce all of the exciting things you have coming downtown soon. 

In October, this torch is being passed to Advantage Heating and AC, who will be our title sponsor for at least the next 12 months. This is a big deal!

As such a new publication, we feel extremely blessed to have so much support from the community. 

If you are interested in getting your message in front of our audience, reach out and let’s connect. (Just reply to this email.)

Now, let’s see What’s Happening in Salem.

Weather

• ⛅Thu: Partly cloudy with a high of 75

• ⛅Fri: Partly cloudy with a high of 75

• ⛅Sat: Partly cloudy with a high of 73

• ⛅Sun: Partly cloudy with a high of 69

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City seeks developer to create “exciting new project” on vacant downtown lot 

Salem is looking for a developer to build on Block 45, one of the last vacant lots downtown, located near Pringle Creek, Riverfront Park, and with views of the Willamette River. The site is zoned for mixed use, allowing for housing, retail, and commercial space. City officials envision the development contributing to the vibrancy of the area, potentially with at least 15% affordable housing. This project is part of Salem’s broader effort to revitalize underutilized downtown blocks, joining other redevelopment efforts such as Block 50 and the former Wells Fargo lot. Developers must submit proposals by November 4. (Salem Reporter)

Potato Named Oregon’s Official State Vegetable

State officials gathered in Salem on September 23 to officially recognize the potato as Oregon's state vegetable. Although often linked with Idaho, Oregon ranks fourth in U.S. potato production, harvesting 45,000 acres in 2023 and generating $200 million annually. Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, passed in 2023, designated the potato as the state vegetable, honoring the contributions of local farmers. Oregon potatoes are a top-selling vegetable and a key international export, reaching countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico. In 2023, Oregon farmers produced 600 million more potatoes than were needed. (KOIN6)

Starting September 29, 2024, two northbound lanes on Liberty Street SE between Oak Street SE and Trade Street SE will close for repairs and improvements, including ADA curb ramp replacements, sidewalk resurfacing, and enhanced bicycle safety features. The project, part of the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond, will last approximately four weeks, with both daytime and nighttime work scheduled. The first week involves nighttime excavation, followed by daytime concrete work in the second week. By November 2024, the project is expected to be completed. Drivers should plan for delays and monitor the City of Salem's road conditions map for updates. (City of Salem) 

Thursday, September 26 

🤑GROW 2024: A Financial Education Event for Women | Broadway Commons, 1300 Broadway St NE | 6:00PM - 8:00PM

🍺Barre + Beer | Lively Station, 3635 River Road South | 6:00PM - 7:00PM 

📖Any Book Club | Salem Public Library | 6:30PM - 7:30PM 

🎭All’s Well That Ends Well presented by Struts & Frets Theatre Co. | Eola Hills Wine Cellar | 7:00PM - 10:00PM

🧅Jamie Shriner @ Infinity Room | 8:00PM

Friday, September 27 

🌱Sustainability Summit | Keizer Civic Center | 8:00AM - 4:00PM 

🏡Greeters Hosted by B2 Community Care | The Yard Food Park | 8:30AM - 10:30AM 

🗣️Pop Up & Pitch | Chemeketa Community College Agriculture Hub, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE | 3:00PM - 6:00PM | FREE 

📕Storybook Character Adventure | Gilbert House Children's Museum | 6:00PM - 8:00PM

🎭All’s Well That Ends Well presented by Struts & Frets Theatre Co. | Eola Hills Wine Cellar | 7:00PM - 10:00PM

⚡🥖All Ages Improv with Electric Baguette | Infinity Room | 7:00PM 

😂AJ Wilkerson's "Get In The Van" Comedy Tour! | Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre | 8:00PM

😶‍🌫️Leave Your Troubles at the Door @ Infinity Room | 9:30PM | 21+ 

Saturday, September 28

💃🌮¡Viva Salem! Todos Unidos, Hispanic Heritage Festival | Riverfront Park | 12:00PM - 6:00PM | FREE

✍️Story Seed Fiction Workshop | Salem Public Library | 1:00PM - 3:00PM | FREE

🎭All’s Well That Ends Well presented by Struts & Frets Theatre Co. | Eola Hills Wine Cellar | 7:00PM - 10:00PM

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

🔪🧐Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn | Elsinore Theatre | 7:30PM

Sunday, September 29

🔊2024 IASCA West Coast Satellite (Car Stereo) World Finals SPL | Oregon State Fair Multi Purpose Pavilion | 9:00AM - 4:00PM

✂️Edward Scissorshands: Matthew Bourne’s dance version of Tim Burton’s classic | Salem Cinema 1127 Broadway Street NE | 1:00PM

Monday, September 30

🌲Genealogy Class: How to Get Started | Center 50+ | 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Tuesday, October 1

📚Brown Bag Book Club - Bomb Shelter by Mary Laura Philpott | Salem Public Library | 12:00PM - 1:00PM 

🏠Ribbon Cutting - Contract Furnishings Mart | 2545 25th St SE | 4:30PM - 5:00PM

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

Wednesday, October 2

📚Preschool Storytime | Salem Public Library | 10:15AM - 10:40AM 

📖Infant/Toddler Storytime| Salem Public Library | 11:00AM - 11:20AM

Thursday, October 3

🖐️Sensory Storytime | Salem Public Library | 4:00PM - 4:30PM 

🧑‍🎨Evening with the Curator: Steph Littlebird | Bush Barn Art Center + Annex, 600 Mission Street SE | 6:00PM - 7:00PM 

 Government

Friday, September 27

Ranked Choice Voting: How would it change Oregon’s Elections? | Willamette Heritage Center Dye House | 12:00PM - 1:00PM 

Tuesday, October 1

Planning Commission | Council Chambers, 555 Liberty St. SE, Room 240 | 5:30PM - 8:30PM 

Southwest Association of Neighbors Meeting | Westminister Presbyterian Church, 3737 Liberty Rd S | 6:30PM - 8:00PM 

Wednesday, October 2

North Lancaster Neighborhood Association Meeting | Blanchet Catholic School, 4373 Market St NE | 6:30PM - 8:00PM

Thursday, October 3

West Salem Neighborhood Association Meeting | Roth's Fresh Market, 1130 Wallace Rd NW | 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Grant Neighborhood Association Meeting | Broadway Commons, 3rd Floor, 1300 Broadway St NE | 6:15PM - 7:45PM

East Lancaster Neighborhood Association Meeting | First Free Will Baptist Church, 1390 45th St NE | 7:00PM - 8:30PM

Thursday, September 26

🎸FOLKLORE: An Epic Taylor Swift Singalong | Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre | 7:30PM

🎶A World of Music | Chemeketa Community College Theatre Auditorium | 7:30PM - 9:00PM

Friday, September 27

🎷Grand Jazz and Swing Band | Center 50+ | 7:00PM - 9:30PM

🎙️Last Friday Open Mic | RiverCity Rock Star Academy 2769 19th St SE | 7:00PM | All ages | FREE

Saturday, September 28

🎼Salem Orchestra Fallfest Fundraiser | Scenic Valley Farms | 1:00PM - 6:00PM

💃Fall Pick up party: A Celebration with Flamenco Flair | West Hills Vineyards | 2:00PM - 4:00PM 

🪕Roundhouse Band | West Hills Vineyards | 5:00PM - 7:00PM 

Sunday, September 29 

🎻Salem Classical & Jazz meetup | 8126 Lakeside Dr NE | 2:00PM - 4:00PM 

🔊The Greg Nestler Band | Trinity Vineyards | 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Thursday, October 3

🌦️The Weather Machine at Salem's Historic Grand! | Salem's Historic Grand Theatre | 7:30PM 

Thursday, September 26

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: Cascade vs. Stayton @ Cascade High School, Turner, Oregon | 6:00PM

🏐Varsity Girls Volleyball: Cascade vs. North Marion @ Cascade High School, Turner, Oregon | 6:00PM

🏐Varsity Girls Volleyball: Sprague vs. South Salem @ Sprague | 6:30PM

🏐Varsity Girls Volleyball: North Salem vs. McNary @ North Salem High School | 6:30PM

🏈Varsity Football: West Salem vs. North Medford @ West Salem High School | 7:00PM

Friday, September 27

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: Sprague vs. McNary @ Sprague High School | 4:00PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: Western Christian vs. Salem Academy @ Western Christian | 4:15PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: North Salem vs. West Salem @ North Salem High School | 4:30PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: McNary vs. Sprague @ McNary High School | 5:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: West Salem vs. North Salem @ West Salem High School | 7:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: McNary vs. Sprague @ McNary High School | 7:00PM

🏈Varsity Football: Sprague vs. North Salem @ Sprague | 7:00PM

🏈Varsity Football: McKay vs. Battle Ground @ McKay High School | 7:00PM

🏐College Women's Volleyball: Willamette University vs. George Fox @ Willamette University Henkle Gymnasium | 7:00PM

Saturday, September 28

🚲Super Casual Saturday Salem Bike Ride | meet at Bush Park, bottom of the soap box roller derby hill | 11:00AM | FREE

🏈College Football: Willamette University vs. Simpson (Calif.) @ McCulloch Stadium | 1:00PM

Sunday, September 29 

🏃Run for Recovery | Riverfront Park | 10:00AM

⚽College Men's Soccer: Willamette University vs. George Fox @ Willamette University Sparks Field | 12:00PM

⚽College Women's Soccer: Willamette University vs. George Fox @ Willamette University Sparks Field | 2:45PM

Monday, September 30 

🏐Varsity Volleyball: South Salem vs. North Salem @ South Salem High School | 6:30PM

🏐Varsity Volleyball: McNary vs. West Salem @ McNary High School | 6:30PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: West Salem vs. MMAA (CO-OP) @ West Salem High School | 7:00PM

Tuesday, October 1

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: Cascade vs. North Marion @ Cascade High School, Turner, Oregon | 4:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: Lebanon vs. McKay @ Lebanon High School | 4:00PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: Salem Academy vs. Dayton @ Salem Academy Soccer Field | 4:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: Salem Academy vs. Dayton @ Salem Academy Soccer Field | 6:00PM

🏐Varsity Volleyball: McNary vs. West Salem @ McNary High School | 6:30PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: McNary vs. North Salem @ McNary | 7:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: Sprague vs. South Salem @ Sprague | 7:00PM

⚽Varsity Boys Soccer: North Salem vs. McNary @ North Salem High School | 7:00PM

⚽Varsity Girls Soccer: South Salem vs. Sprague @ South Salem High School | 7:15PM

Wednesday, October 2

🏐Varsity Girls Volleyball: North Salem vs. Sprague @ North Salem High School, Main Gym | 6:30PM

I’m really excited to be partnered with Brandon Sommers of Advantage Heating and Air Conditioning to bring our podcast to life.

Spend 20 minutes every Friday with us and get caught up on everything happening in Salem.

Advantage Heating and Air Conditioning is changing the contracting world with empathy, love, and kindness while providing safety, comfort, and peace of mind to the Willamette Valley since 1992.

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