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Hi Salem, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: HB 4149 school protections, Oregon Lottery’s responsible gambling award, and Napoleon Dynamite 20th anniversary celebration + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Removing barriers to school participation: HB 4149 passed in February, writing McKinney-Vento protections into Oregon law so homeless students can enroll and get transportation help. About 4% of students identified in 2024-25 keep supports — read what the bill changes.
Excellence in gaming stewardship: The Oregon Lottery recently earned the World Lottery Association’s top responsible gambling certification for a third time, highlighting safer play and player protection while funding education and services across Oregon — learn more about the award.
Shaping Oregon’s clean energy future: DLCD’s draft Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap is out for public review. Community meetings continue this month along the coast, with input shaping recommendations to be sent to lawmakers by mid-2026 — see how to share input.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Smash-burger fix, solved: Craving crispy-edge patties and wild toppings? At Bo & Vine Burger, build-your-own smash burgers meet Tillamook cheddar melts, shareable fry piles, and legit shakes. Great for a chill weeknight, a post-game hang, or that takeout splurge when cooking energy disappears.
Roll into some joy: Traveling Wheelz Pop Up Roller Skating Rink keeps Salem gliding with themed open skates, great tunes, easy rentals, and plenty of zero-judgment wobbling. Low-pressure, high-smile fun to shake off the week and remember you’ve still got moves.
Sneak in some culture: Between rotating exhibits and a standout Northwest collection, Hallie Ford Museum of Art is an easy midweek reset. Steps from the Capitol, it’s calm, thoughtful, and consistently engaging… just enough to spark curiosity and keep you returning.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Salem for grown ups
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.
🎉 2026 YMCA Signature Event @ Salem Convention Center | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – Dust off your flannel, and prepare to party like it’s 1999 at the YMCA’s Signature Event at the Salem Convention Center, where business folks and do-gooders mingle, dance, and give back. Snag tickets or, better yet, a table of ten, costumes optional, nostalgia encouraged.
🏷 Garage Sale @ Morning Star Community Church | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – If your garage is full but your heart loves a good rummage, hit Morning Star’s one-day-only mega sale. Thousands of finds, from antiques to air fryers, plus a huge Christmas decor trove, and every dollar backs local teens. Prices drop after lunch, patience rewarded.
🐦 Urban Birding @ Clark Creek Park | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Think you can tell a chickadee from a nuthatch before coffee? Join Salem’s Park Ranger for a free, first-Saturday birding walk that visits a different city park each month, co-hosted by Just Walk Salem and Salem Audubon Society, and you need to register in advance.
🍺 Fermentation Celebration 2026 @ LifeSource Natural Foods | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to celebrate good bacteria, this is it. One-day Fermentation Celebration at LifeSource offers free samples, giveaways, and flash sales, with kimchi, kombucha, and sourdough proving that time, salt, and bubbles do the heavy lifting.
🌸 Spring Family Market @ Salem Center | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Spring fever calls for a family stroll through Salem Center’s expanded digs, now spilling into the North and South Buildings. Kids hit bounce houses and crafts while you browse 60+ vendors, grab a photo op, and get in free. Makers, applications are still open.
🌱 Plant and Seed Swap @ Salem Public Library | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Spring gardening energy is spilling into the library with a plant and seed swap, co-hosted by OSU Extension, Marion County. Bring extra cuttings, mystery seeds, and that spider plant army, or come claim green roommates while Master Gardeners answer questions. Free, first come, first served.
🎬 Napoleon Dynamite 20th Anniversary Celebration @ Elsinore Theatre | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – Napoleon Dynamite turns 20, and the cast is in town for a full screening and a family-friendly afterparty. Jon Heder, Jon Gries, and Efren Ramirez will field questions, improvise, and play games, so dust off the Pedro shirt, and own how much you quote it.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Salem report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 49°F – Low: 42°F – Precip: 81%
Rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 47 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Later: Rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 51°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 75%
Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 51. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
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Take a peek inside →
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