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April has arrived in the Willamette Valley, bringing perfect weather for cherry blossoms, park days, and time outdoors. Whether you’re browsing the Saturday Market or walking the trails at Minto-Brown, there’s a real sense of energy returning to downtown.
In this week’s edition, we’re sharing local updates and events to help you stay informed and connected to what’s happening around the community.
📈 Oregon Is "Open For Business": Governor Signs Key Economic Bills
The Gist: On April 8, 2026, Governor Tina Kotek signed a suite of new laws aimed at revamping Oregon’s economic engine. These bills focus on streamlining permitting for major projects, modernizing environmental regulations, and launching a micro-enterprise tariff adjustment grant to help our smallest businesses handle global price pressures. The package even looks toward the horizon by establishing a Blue Economy Task Force to explore growth in ocean-related industries.
Why It Matters: These moves are designed to bring more resources back into our schools, healthcare, and housing. It’s a commitment to keeping our community competitive and ensuring that "Made in Oregon" stays a point of pride.
What’s Next: The conversation moves to Pendleton today, April 15, where the Prosperity Council will meet to keep the momentum going. Looking further ahead, the Council is set to deliver its final recommendations by June 30, 2026, to help shape even more growth-focused laws for the future.
🏆 Chamber Celebrates 75 Years of First Citizen Awards
The Gist: The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce has named its honorees for the 75th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet, scheduled for April 18. Since 1950, the awards have recognized individuals whose volunteer work, business leadership, and philanthropy make the city a better place to live and work. The 75th edition includes special surprises to mark this milestone anniversary.
Why It Matters: The First Citizen Awards are one of Salem's longest-running community traditions, and the 75th year is a huge milestone. Whether you're attending or simply watching from afar, these honorees represent the kind of quiet, sustained community investment that rarely makes headlines but shapes the city over generations.
🥘 A communal feast worth the short drive
2927 Broadway St NE, Salem
When Azi Hussen and his wife opened Gursha Eats, they brought Salem a vibrant, communal dining experience that previously required a trip to Portland.
Named for the Ethiopian tradition of feeding a guest a hand-rolled morsel as a gesture of hospitality, the space feels intentionally personal. The Awdamet Gursha platter is the essential order, featuring rich Doro Wot and spiced Awaze Tibs atop tangy, house-made injera.
Use the bread to scoop up every bit of the slow-simmered lentils and savory stews. It’s soulful, tactile cooking that warrants a lingering visit.
📚 Exploring worlds built on ink and paper
3240 Triangle Dr SE, Salem
South Salem has been home to Escape Fiction Books since 1994, where the shelves are packed with enough mystery and science fiction to fuel a whole season of afternoon reading.
Find some peace browsing the deep stacks of new and used titles, especially knowing the shop usually offers 15% off all new hardcovers. Trade-ins for credit keep the habit affordable, and with Independent Bookstore Day approaching on Saturday, April 25, it is a perfect time to stop by.
Special orders arrive quickly if you visit early in the week, making it easy to support local roots while finding that next great escape!
Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!
📚 Spring Book Sale | Salem Public Library | 04/17 | More
Find low-cost literary treasures and media at this community-driven library fundraiser.
🧸 Bethany Kids Rummage Sale | Bethany Baptist Church | 04/18 | More
Shop a variety of donated treasures to support local youth and family ministries.
🧱 LEGO Party for Kids | Salem Public Library | 04/18 | More
Unstructured creative building session for young imaginative minds.
🎨 Mid Valley Comic Art Expo | Oregon Expo Center, Jackman-Long Building | 4/18–4/19 | More
Biggest pop culture and comics event of the spring is back at the fairgrounds!
🃏 Trading Card Showcase & Collectible Show | Scottish Rite Center | 04/19 | More
Gathering of hobbyists featuring rare cards, collectibles, and friendly trading energy.
🎻 Peter and the Wolf | Hudson Concert Hall | 04/19 | More
Beloved Russian folktale brought to life through orchestral music and narration.
🌀 Playdough Playtime | West Salem Branch Library | 04/22 | More
A fun, hands-on morning of imaginative sculpting.
👑 New Moon Ball | Willamette Heritage Center | 04/17 | More
Regency-era elegance with waltz, period magic, and sophisticated "ton" social energy.
📀 Record Store Day 2026 | Harvest Music | 04/18 | More
Exclusive vinyl releases and musical fanfare for dedicated collectors and audiophiles.
📜 Paper Arts Fair | The Grand Theater | 04/18 | More
Celebration of traditional analog processes featuring workshops, poetry, and more!
🎸 Tommy Emmanuel Live | Elsinore Theatre | 04/18 | More
Dazzling acoustic fingerstyle guitar with incredible technical precision and warmth.
🎭 Silent Film Series: Battleship Potemkin (1925) | Elsinore Theatre | 4/19 | More
Sergei Eisenstein's landmark 1925 masterpiece, one of the most influential films ever.
👨🍳 Chefs’ Night Out | Convention Center | 04/19 | More
Premier culinary gala featuring regional wine, craft spirits, and gourmet bites.
🎹 Mutable Landscapes | Rogers Rehearsal Hall | 04/21 | More
Spontaneous electronic music and improvisation: an experimental atmosphere.
Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!
