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There’s something about this stretch of the year that makes Salem feel extra alive. Maybe it’s the color coming back, or maybe it’s just more reasons to get out of the house.
Either way, this week delivers a little bit of everything, from longtime local favorites to fresh reasons to explore. We’re especially excited about a familiar steakhouse making its return. Some places just feel like home when they come back.
🌳 Green Streets & Golden Anniversaries: Celebrating Arbor Month
The Gist: April is a meaningful month for Salem’s tree canopy, with the City celebrating 50 years as a Tree City USA and getting ready for Earth Day on April 22. Our trees do a lot for the community, from shading our streets to helping keep local water cleaner for people and wildlife alike. Neighbors can pitch in this month by joining a litter cleanup at Cascades Gateway Park on April 19 or Wallace House Park on April 25, or by teaming up with Friends of Trees to help plant for the future.
Why It Matters: Small acts close to home can make a real difference. Whether it’s picking up trash, planting a tree, or choosing to bike instead of drive, these are simple ways to care for the place we share and help keep Salem healthy, beautiful, and welcoming for years to come.
📬 Don’t Let The Mail Slow Down Your Refund
The Gist: If you’re planning to mail in your 2025 tax returns, you’ll want to head to the post office by tomorrow, April 9, to guarantee an on-time postmark. Because of recent USPS changes, the IRS is warning that anything mailed later might not get stamped by the official April 15 deadline, which could lead to pesky late penalties. If you miss the window, you can still visit the Department of Revenue headquarters in Salem or regional offices in cities like Gresham and Portland between April 13 and 15 to get your return hand-stamped.
Why It Matters: Filing electronically is the best way to skip the line, especially since the Direct File program was recently discontinued, leaving many of us hunting for new free-filing alternatives. Taking an extra minute to double-check your mailing date ensures you keep every penny of that 9.9% credit instead of handing it back in fines.
What’s Next:
📬 April 9: Suggested "last day" to mail returns via standard post to ensure an April 15 postmark.
🏢 April 13–15: Staff will be available at the Revenue headquarters in Salem from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to manually date-stamp returns.
⏰ April 15: The final deadline to file your 2025 federal and state income tax returns.
🥩 The legendary steakhouse return at Creekside
6250 Club House Dr SE, Salem
Rudy’s Greenside Steakhouse “reopened” at Creekside Golf Club under new owners Daniel Hill and Justin Cabrera, reviving a piece of local history. They stayed true to tradition, aging beef in-house and hand-cutting steaks daily just like the original.
The menu features the expected signatures: center-cut sirloin, crisp crab cakes, and those scratch-made sauces regulars remember. Dinner overlooking the greens, finished with a warm marionberry cobbler, makes for a fun and full night out.
🍳 A Kitchen Shop That Has Outlasted Nearly Everything Else
333 Chemeketa St NE, Salem
For over 40 years, Willamette Valley Kitchen Co. has been doing something most retail shops can't: making people genuinely happy to walk in the door.
Tucked under the Chemeketa Parkade in the heart of downtown, this kitchen store carries the kind of well-chosen tools and gourmet goods that you didn't know you needed until you're standing there holding them.
The lineup of cooking classes with Chef Amy, Chef Alisha, and Chef Reba covers everything from Indian butter chicken to French macarons, and they sell out for a reason. Ready to cook something ambitious this weekend?
Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!
🔢 Family Bingo Night | IWingz | 04/09 | More
Lively evening of competitive games, prizes, and community dining for all ages.
🎠 Happy Hour $1 Rides | Salem’s Riverfront Carousel | 04/10 | More
Affordable Friday afternoon joy featuring hand-carved animals and river views.
🍫 See's Candies 45th Anniversary | See's Candies Shop | 04/10 | More
Celebrating nearly 5 decades of sweetness with heritage chocolates & giveaways.
🛍️ The Great Junk Hunt | Oregon State Fairgrounds | 04/10–04/11 | More
Vintage finds, home decor, live music, and food bars across the fairgrounds.
👶 Baby Rave! | Salem Public Library | 04/11 | More
Joyful tiny tot dance party featuring dimmed lights and baby-sensitive pop music.
👕 Spring Kid's Clothing Swap | Center 50+ | 04/11 | More
Sustainable exchange focused on reducing waste and supporting local families.
💥 Rocky Mountain High Experience | Elsinore Theatre | 04/08 | More
Celebration of nostalgic folk-pop classics and soaring, singer-songwriter melodies.
👽 Area 51: Glow Party | Southside Speakeasy | 04/10 | More
Immersive dance experience: neon aesthetics, costume contests, and more!
🦙 The CABA Classic | Oregon State Fairgrounds | 04/10–04/12 | More
Alpaca showcase, livestock competitions, and a unique artisan marketplace.
🎶 Harmonies of the Heart | Elsinore Theatre | 04/12 | More
Radiant music with sparkling waltzes and tender, passionate vocal performances.
✨ $50 Tattoo Event | My Living Canvas | 04/12 | More
Choose from over 300 flash designs at this exclusive all-female studio pop-up.
Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!
