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Hey Salem, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Heat pump mandate for new homes, The Lost World with live organ, and Oregon barbecue classics roundup + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Salem protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

State energy strategy in action: Oregon’s building board approved Feb. 18 code updates that will require heat pumps in new homes, supporters say align with West Coast states and could save Salem households $125 monthly — see what’s changing statewide.

Plans for better mobility: Andrea Salinas, Ron Wyden, and Jeff Merkley announced $3 million for a new Salem bus transit center to improve safety and accessibility, adding to more than $6 million already secured — read the full story.

Unmissable smokehouse standouts: A recent roundup highlights 10 Oregon barbecue classics worth the drive, from Portland royalty Podnah’s Pit to Salem favorite Roger That BBQ. Smoky brisket and slow-cooked pork lead the cravings — check out the full lineup.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Experience The Lost World with live organ
• Celebrate the Playgrounds Café grand opening
• Buy, sell, trade Pokémon and sports cards

🫶 We got your back

Trails for days: When your brain needs a long exhale, Minto-Brown Island Park comes through with 29 miles of loops, a roomy off-leash dog area, and wildlife lookouts. Cross the pedestrian bridge, wander until the to-do list quiets, and rack up more steps than your watch bargained for.

Collectors and kiddos unite: Radar Toys fuels Salem’s toy and pop-culture cravings with plushies and puzzles for kids, plus model kits, figures, and comics for grown-up nerds. Need a gift or a quick mood boost? The constantly rotating selection keeps shelves fresh, surprises frequent, and fandoms happy.

Salem lunch upgrade: Whether you’re building your perfect stack or grabbing a tried-and-true classic (hi, The Gobbler), Little Lois Cafe delivers fresh sandwiches, hearty deli salads, and sneaky-good desserts. A dependable weekday hero for Salem lunch, it keeps things quick and satisfying so you actually reclaim your noon break.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

♿ PAL: Programs for Accessible Learning @ Salem Public Library | Thursday (3/12) at 11:00 AM – Spend a sensory-friendly hour built for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Expect puppets, bubbles, a giant color wheel, and low-key creativity stations, all materials included. It’s free, pleasantly mellow, and you do need to register: https://cityofsalemlibrary.libcal.com/event/15328748.

🎶 Forest Bailey @ Chemeketa Cellars | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Patio weather or not, the Chemeketa Cellars tasting room hosts Forest Bailey, a one-man rhythm section who taps, thumps, and makes a solo acoustic sing. Free and all ages, with student-crafted wines, beer, cider, and light bites. Seats go fast, so beat the dawdlers.

🤝 Connections: A Place to Belong @ Journeys… A Center for Your Soul | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Connections is carving out a relaxed spot for people living with disabilities to make friends and feel at home, no icebreakers required. Expect rotating activities, think board games, bonfires, movies, and music, plus connections to local resources, all free on the second Thursday each month.

🧸 DIY Franken-stuffies for Teens @ Salem Public Library | Friday (3/13) at 2:00 PM – Got a teen home on a no-school day? The library’s letting them play mad scientist with stuffed animals, stitching together Franken-stuffies from provided materials, for free, and yes, needles are involved in a supervised way. Middle and high schoolers welcome, space is limited, registration required.

🧘 Yoga Nidra & Kirtan Music Meditation @ Common People Yoga | Friday (3/13) at 7:45 PM – This mellow meditation class blends guided relaxation, chair-friendly stretches, breathwork, Yoga Nidra, and kirtan to turn down the mental static. It is free, with homemade baked goods and herbal tea, so bring your stress, your creaky knees, and your sweet tooth. No pretzel poses required.

🐶 Read to a Pet @ Salem Public Library | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Whether your kid devours chapters or stumbles through page one, the library pairs young readers with friendly, four-footed, furry volunteers, plus their humans. Free, first come, first served, and zero judgment from the audience, which reliably wags, sits, and listens.

🍻 Magoos Sports Bar @ Magoos Sports Bar | Tuesday (3/17) at 4:30 PM – Bluegrass took a semester in Paris, came home with swagger, and now Syco Billy’s is tearing up Magoos with high-energy newgrass that actually grooves. Five killer pickers, Americana, folk, and a French twist. 21 plus, no cover, bring your good ears.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Salem report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 48°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 90%

A chance of rain before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 10am, then rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. South southwest wind 3 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. South southwest wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 52°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 97%

Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 52. South wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 49. South southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Oregon but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 5-bed extensively updated T. Wheeler custom home places the primary suite on the main with fireplace and private patio. The chef’s kitchen has quartz counters, an oversized eating bar with gas cooktop, double ovens, and coffee bar. A double-sided fireplace connects living room and cabinetry-lined study. Outside are patios, sprinklers, and a chicken coop, plus HVAC and water heaters.

Take a peek inside →