Happy Friday, Salem. In today’s edition: Well repair grants, Silverton Christmas Market, winter crafts for adults, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Relief for water-limited homeowners: The Oregon Water Resources Department offers grants up to $40,000 to repair or replace dry or wildfire-damaged wells for low- to moderate-income homeowners. $1.4 million is available, awarded first-come, first-serve — see eligibility and how to apply.

Shift threatens housing stability: New HUD rules require mandatory treatment and anti-camping enforcement, clashing with Oregon’s voluntary approach and forcing providers to choose funding, risking service cuts and displacement — get the details and impacts.

Big changes for haulers: Polk County finalized land use approval for ReHub Polk, a waste transfer facility at the former Rickreall Dairy. The project needs permits, facing opposition and likely higher garbage rates — get all the details.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Find bargains at library book sale
• Shop 250 local makers in Salem
• Sip gluhwein under 1.5 million lights
• Sip holiday wines with Santa
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Festive weekend shopping bash: Salem Holiday Market returns Dec 12 to 14 at Jackman Long and Columbia Hall with 250+ local vendors, live music, kids activities, and great eats. Entry is free (parking $10). Vote on gingerbread houses, snag door prizes, or even adopt a pet. A 20+ year tradition, so bring the crew. Get dates and event details.

Festive family breakfast fun: Kick off the holidays at Bridges Oregon’s 4th Annual Pancakes with the Grinch on Saturday, Dec. 6, 9 am–noon, at Columbia Hall, Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center in Salem. Admission and parking are free, with all-you-can-eat pancakes, a Grinch visit, silent auction and 50/50 raffle, plus Spanish and ASL interpreters. Read the full event details.

Pints pulled the old way: When the week calls for pub comfort, Santiam Brewing pours cask-conditioned ales from traditional beer engines, plates crisp fish and chips, and keeps things lively with a heated patio plus an event room for trivia, comedy, and live music. It’s an easygoing reset for you and the crew.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🌌 Seeing! A Photon’s Journey Across Space, Time, and Mind @ Chemeketa Community College | Friday (12/5) at 7:30pm – Whether you geek out over galaxies or just like reclining in the dark, the Chemeketa planetarium has a Friday show that tracks a photon from star to eyeball, narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Five bucks, cash only, small crowd, Salem sky talk included.

🎤 Ron Funches @ Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre | Friday (12/5) at 8:00pm – Ron Funches brings his unmistakable charm and warm, joyful energy to Salem for one night only. From TV hits to animated icons, he’s everywhere—and now he’s bringing the good vibes straight to your weekend. Don’t miss the chance to see this certified delight live.

This weekend

🇨🇿 Memories of a Czech Christmas – Memorias de una navidad checa @ Woodburn Public Library | Saturday (12/6) at 2:00pm – Trade the chaos for a cozy deep dive into Czech Christmas, en español y in English, where old-world traditions, family stories, and a little nostalgia do the heavy lifting. Think warm memories over noise, culture over kitsch.

🌙 Winter’s Eve: Magic & Moonlight @ Abbey Road Farm | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – This is your chance to dress up, sip something fancy, and feel like you’ve stepped into a holiday movie—minus the predictable plot twist. Enjoy an elegant dinner, live entertainment, and an auction benefiting families living with cystic fibrosis.

🕯️ 100 Candles Dinner @ Domaine Drouhin Oregon | Saturday (12/6) at 6:00pm – Lean into the longest nights with a candlelit feast in Domaine Drouhin’s Fermentation Hall, complete with a welcome reception and a multi-course dinner. Expect standout pours from Domaine Drouhin, Roserock, and Maison Joseph Drouhin. Moody, elegant, and unforgettable.

🍺 Paint and Sip @ Heroes Tap House | Sunday (12/7) at 1:00pm – Swap screen time for canvas time at Heroes Taphouse for a paint-and-sip. Enjoy a drink, follow simple brush prompts, and walk out with art you can hang, gift, or proudly display.

🎄 Silverton Christmas Market @ Oregon Garden Resort | Sunday (12/7) at 5:00pm – Whether you’re in it for gluhwein by the fire or to tire out the kids on the snowless tubing hill, this market delivers 1.5 million lights and an authentic German market. Tickets are online only; package deals make parking, breakfast, and bedtime easy.

Next week

📘 10 Essential Career-Boosting Skills Workshop @ Co.W | Monday (12/8) at 9:00am – Ready to level up your professional game? This one-day crash course packs in practical, trainer-ready skills designed to make you sharper, more confident, and way more effective at work. Think of it as a productivity power-up—minus the corporate snoozefest vibes. Perfect for anyone looking to stand out in their career without waiting for the new year to “start fresh.”

❄️ Winter Crafts for Adults – Manualidades de invierno para adultos@ Woodburn Public Library | Tuesday (12/9) at 2:00pm – This winter crafts workshop keeps it adult-friendly, bilingual, and blissfully free of popsicle sticks. Make cozy decor or small gifts, trade tips with neighbors, sip something warm, and head home with a handmade piece that passes the five-foot test.

🖌️ Christmas Sign Class @ Long Bros. Building Supply | Tuesday (12/9) at 6:00pm – Nothing beats a little pre-holiday crafting, especially when someone else handles the supplies, cleanup, and design ideas. Make your own fall or Christmas sign, sip something cheerful, and leave with porch-worthy decor. It counts as quality time, and your mantel will thank you.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/6 Shara Nova @ Western Oregon University – 7:30
• 12/10 Movie Night @ Dallas Cinema – 6 pm
• 12/13 Jenner Fox Band @ Salem’s Historic Grand Theatre – 8 pm
• 12/14 Winter Wine-derland with Santa @ Domaine Willamette – 11:30 am
• 12/14 How the Grinch Stole Christmas @ Chemeketa Community College – 4 pm