Hi Salem, we made it to Thursday! In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Christopher Cross, a 2nd Friday Ceili, and a 1863 wedding scandal talk + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Salem evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. -- take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Hands-on heritage experience: Step into 1870s farm life at Aurora's Stauffer-Will Farm. Farm Days will be June 16 and 17 with activities 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., hands-on projects, and advance tickets required -- see what’s included and ticket info.
Emergency readiness checklist: With wildfire season already here, Oregon’s emergency management agency urges Salem-area residents to have an evacuation plan, build a go-bag, and prepare for drought emergencies, burn bans, and cell outages -- learn how to prepare.
Relief program winding down: Oregon’s Homeowner Assistance Fund will stop taking new applications at 8 a.m. June 15 as funds run low. Homeowners 90+ days behind with a participating mortgage servicer may still qualify -- learn who still qualifies.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill:If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your next statement piece: Furbish is where Salem folks score character-rich vintage furniture, architectural salvage, and other one-of-a-kind home goods that don’t feel cookie cutter. Wander the aisles, find something with real history, then give that neglected corner some love. Your living room will act like it planned this all along.
Tapas and tipples, Salem: If your week needs a little Basque flair, Pintxo's In The Alley: Bull Run Bar serves shareable Spanish-style bites and rotating seasonal cocktails, plus whiskey and wine, all tucked into a cozy downtown alley that feels like a secret you get to keep.
Tiny trains, big nostalgia: Trade your screen time for the hum of vintage engines at Powerland Heritage Park, where open-air exhibits, a mini-train, and the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum scratch that oddly specific itch for old iron. Call it history therapy, perfect for a chill afternoon loop before dinner back in town.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
You guard your wallet and lock your door. Your data deserves the same: You wouldn't leave your address and daily routine posted on a bulletin board downtown, but that's effectively what data brokers do, for anyone willing to pay. DeleteMe takes it down for you. Real people, not bots, find every listing, submit the opt-outs, and keep watch so brokers can't quietly relist you. 100 million-plus removals and counting. Readers save 20%. *Lock down your information →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
Plastic and wood are no good: Every time you use a plastic cutting board, microplastics end up in your food. You can’t see it, but it's happening and it’s gross. Wood isn't any better since it absorbs bacteria so deep into the grain you can’t get it out. More than 50,000 people have already ditched both for something better. *See what they're using instead →
The card that pays you to pay down debt: Most balance-transfer cards skip the rewards. Most rewards cards skip the long 0% intro APR. This one has both — 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), plus 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and up to 6% in a category you pick. No annual fee, and there's a $200 bonus after $1,000 in spending in the first 90 days. *Worth a look →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Salem for grown upsThe best events and nightlife experiences for adults this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📰 Negative Press Project @ Christo's Pizzeria & Lounge | Thursday (6/11) at 7:00 PM – Trade the breaking news for broken time signatures when Negative Press Project turns Christo's Pizzeria & Lounge into a jazz nook. Smart, groove-forward originals, a little edge, and your favorite pie, because grown-up night out should come with both melody and marinara.
🎤 Christopher Cross @ Elsinore Theatre | Thursday (6/11) at 7:30 PM – Escape the grind and sink into nostalgia with Christopher Cross, the five-time Grammy winner who swept the Big Four with his 1980 debut. Expect smooth sailing, no yacht required, Ride Like the Wind, and that Arthur’s Theme chorus you still know by heart.
💃 2nd Friday Ceili @ VFW Marion Post 661 | Friday (6/12) at 7:00 PM – Think your two left feet can handle a jig? On second Fridays, Cucunandy supplies the tunes while callers Elisa Chandler and Lydia Goodman guide the moves, no partner needed, just comfy shoes, light snacks, a small fee, and a taste for craic.
🧘 Yoga Nidra & Kirtan Music Meditation @ Common People Yoga | Friday (6/12) at 7:45 PM – Trade the buzzing brain for guided meditation, chair yoga, breathing, Yoga Nidra, and live kirtan, all free, with homemade baked goods and herbal tea. Led by Ramai and Alaya, it stays easygoing and first-timer friendly, eases anxiety, and sends you home calmer, cookie in hand.
🏮 Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop @ Salem Convention Center | Saturday (6/13) at 10:00 AM – If your cupboards could use less plastic and more personality, this relaxing, beginner-friendly workshop in Salem lets you hand-paint a ceramic bowl or plate, all materials included. Think mindful doodling meets grown-up arts class, with zero pressure, plenty of color, and bragging rights.
🍺 28th Annual Barley Cup Brewfest @ Thompson Brewery & Public House | Saturday (6/13) at 11:00 AM – If your idea of cardio is lifting a tasting glass, the 28th Annual Barley Cup Brewfest is your kind of workout. Expect Oregon craft pours, easygoing crowds, and that familiar Salem mix of neighborly small talk and quietly judging whose pretzel necklace shows true experience.
Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Salem report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 51°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 51. North northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 52°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 80. Later: Clear, with a low around 52. This house is wildThis bright new-construction home in the friendly Illahe community pairs elegant style with everyday ease. A gourmet kitchen anchors the open great room, complete with a large island, 48-inch range, double ovens, and custom hood. The main-floor primary suite shines with a heated wet room and freestanding tub, while the covered patio, firepit area, golf cart garage, bonus room, office, and built-in storage add extra appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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