Hello Salem! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Bilingual family puppet show, free play for 6 months, and world beat festival + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Salem’s creative connector: Press Play founder Carlee Wright MBA’26 recently joined Willamette’s MBA for Professionals, championing Salem’s arts and receiving the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award -- read her full story.
Rewards are on the way: Salem-based U.S. Market will launch a new loyalty program July 1. Shoppers can earn points on purchases and redeem discounts through a free app on Apple and Google Play -- see how it works.
Wildfire safety steps: BLM fire restrictions are in effect across Oregon and Washington. No fireworks, exploding targets, metallic targets, steel ammunition, tracers, or sky lanterns. Create defensible space and a family communication plan -- learn what’s prohibited and recommended.
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.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf 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 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Local nature fix: Bush's Pasture Park is the low-effort, high-reward reset you need this week, with meandering trails, flower gardens, playgrounds, and tennis courts that make it easy to mix a quick stroll with a little play. Bring a coffee, loop the paths, and pretend your errands can wait 20 more minutes.
Therapy you can water: Whether your pothos is plotting a takeover or your desk needs a little life, GreenSpaceDesign by jude has thoughtfully curated houseplants, custom soil mixes, and good-looking pots. Pop in for inspiration or a workshop, leave with a plant you’ll actually keep alive.
Press start IRL: Whether you want a quick brain reset or a full-on co-op adventure without leaving town, Virtual Realms VR Arcade is your spot for rhythm slashing, spacewalks, and hilarious party fodder. Perfect for date nights, kid energy dumps, or sneaking in some pixel therapy between errands.
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04 — Our recommendations
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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 Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐭 "La Ratoncita Presumida / The Vain Little Mouse" @ Salem Public Library | Wednesday (6/24) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats a free family outing where kids pick up Spanish, you get Venezuelan tunes, and the star is a diva mouse. This truly bilingual puppet tale courts the sun, wind, and mountain, then circles back to love, all ages, first come, first seated.
🇺 Dawn @ Riverfront Park | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Riverfront Park turns into a world tour, no passport, as World Beat brings over 60 cultures, a Pacific Island spotlight from Samoa to Chuuk to Hawaii, and DAWN showcasing Ukrainian culture with music, dance, and eats. Five bucks a day, ten if you plan ahead.
🎪 Family Carnival @ Free Church | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Free Church is back with its second annual family carnival, free for families with kids from infants to 12th grade. Expect games, corndogs, bouncy castles, and a dunk tank raising money for youth camp, because nothing says community like soaking your favorite volunteer.
⚾ Salem Senators vs Campesinos de Salem-Keizer @ Roto-Rooter Park | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Salem’s Senators are squaring off with the Campesinos de Salem-Keizer, a hometown dust-up with better uniforms and bilingual swagger. Expect scrappy plays, cold beer, and that crack-of-the-bat nostalgia that makes us forgive concession prices, parking hassles, and our questionable foam finger.
🤸 Play Free for 6 Months @ Urban Air Adventure Park | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Urban Air opens in Salem, and if the kids buzz like hummingbirds, this is your moment. Be among the first 200 in line, snag an Unlimited Play Pass, and they jump free for six months, plus birthday perks, DJ, and donuts, while you finish coffee.
🚂 Willow Creek Railroad Open House @ Powerland Heritage Park | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – This open house at Powerland Heritage Park lets Willow Creek Railroad show off its charming mini trains, big on nostalgia and small on stairs. Expect yard wandering, rail buffs, old-iron vibe, and a south parking lot entrance for anyone who prefers arriving on purpose.
⚡ Pokémon Mid-Year Celebration @ Wild Things Games | Sunday (6/28) at 3:00 PM – Nothing beats a mid-year Pokémon dust-up at Wild Things Games, where $5 gets you Standard play, Swiss rounds, and no Championship points to stress over. Winner snags a playmat, top finishers split store credit, and everyone gets a Prize Pack, Trainer Club ID required.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Salem report Weather forecastToday — High: 91°F — Low: 54°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. West wind 1 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind 0 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 79°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 48%
A chance of rain after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 55. This house is wildThis brand-new South-side home sits on 2.83 private acres, just 10 minutes from town. Main-level living includes the primary suite, a second bedroom, and a den, plus 9-foot ceilings and a vaulted living and dining area. Two gas fireplaces, a large bonus room, two covered decks, a 3-car garage, and extra parking round out the appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
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