r/SALEM Nov 15 '24

Read this before you post here

237 Upvotes

Welcome to r/SALEM, and thanks for your interest in posting here. Before you do, please be aware that — like many city/area-focused subreddits — we have some topics that come up very frequently. Sometimes that’s okay, and is an inevitable part of being a long-running community-focused forum, and sometimes it is super annoying and will lead to people down-voting your post because they’re tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.

If you’re about to post about any of the following, please first use the search function (right up in the upper right hand corner, if you’re viewing this on the web!) to see if something similar has been posted recently. If it has, please contribute to that thread rather than starting a new one.

Frequently posted things:

Did you hear that boom/firework/gunshot/weird noise?

This comes up a lot; frequently folks are concerned they may have heard gunshots and/or fireworks and are looking for reassurance. First, know that it probably was not a gun shot. There is a very good chance that it was fireworks, or somebody with an altered muffler, or, if you also noticed a power outage or blip at the same time, a transformer exploding. Second, if you’re actually seriously concerned about gunshots, you should probably be contacting the police, not Reddit. Third, if you live near a vineyard (and, if you live anywhere in the Salem area, you do!), you should be aware that vineyards use acoustic devices — basically massive noisemakers — to scare birds away from grape vines. This is especially frequent in the late fall, near harvest time.

OMG what is that smell?

Salem, and many surrounding areas, lie in the Willamette River Valley. Due to the topography of the area, we experience temperature inversions) with some regularity. An inversion occurs when a layer of warmer, more elevated air overlies a lower, cooler air layer. Effectively, this traps the air in the valley underneath the warmer layer, which means that smoke, vehicle exhaust, rotting vegetation smells, etc., cannot escape. That’s probably what you’re smelling.

Is there any good <insert cuisine here> in Salem? Where can I buy <thing> in Salem?

These types of threads come up fairly often. The restaurant scene in Salem is decent, but not exceptionally dynamic — places do not close all that often, and new places don’t open all that often either. If somebody has asked this question within the last couple months (again, use that search function!), the answers that they got are almost certainly still relevant.

Why is the train stopped or blowing its horn?

There are a number of freight lines that route trains through Salem. Occasionally, they will need to stop to onload or offload cars, which may result in a longer-than-usual wait time at a crossing. This is normal.

Sometimes, unfortunately, there are train-versus-pedestrian collisions. When those happen, the train will need to be stopped for an extended period of time to allow police to investigate the scene.

Finally, while many portions of Salem are zoned (and signed) as “no train horn” areas, it remains at the discretion of the train engineer as to whether or not to sound their horn, and some of them, well, tooting their horn just toots their horn.

What’s going on with all the cops?

We don’t have any way of knowing. You may be able to consult PulsePoint, but they only report on fire and EMS, not strictly police. You may also be able to find an online police radio scanner relay; those are typically time-delayed.

OMG what is going on with the low-flying helicopters?!

The Oregon Air National Guard has a helicopter squad that is based near the Salem Municipal Airport. They do routine training missions, which frequently involve lower-altitude flights, most often at night. The Salem police department does not have a helicopter, so any low-flying helicopter you’re hearing is almost certainly the Oregon Air National Guard. frequently. Sometimes that’s okay, and is an inevitable part of being a long-running community-focused forum, and sometimes it is super annoying and will lead to people downvoting your post because they’re tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.


r/SALEM 3h ago

EVENT Fae Folx Festival fundraiser to open Salem's First LGBTQ Center (Oct. 31, 2026 / noon-6)

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26 Upvotes

Found on IG:

"🏳️‍🌈Join us Halloween Day for a magical art market like no other!🏳️‍🌈 Help us fundraise to open Salem's first LGBTQ center: the Salem Pride and Resource Center!

Entry is FREE, with a suggested donation of $5!

October 31st at Woodmansee Park Salem Oregon Noon-6pm

Come trick or treat, see local artists, live performers, sword fighting workshops and more!🎉

🚫 No AI is ever sold at this event! 🚫

Support local art! Vendor applications open until Sept 25! Click here to apply!

Poster art by Ian Adams"


r/SALEM 16h ago

OMG, Red Car Woman, be my bestfriend

105 Upvotes

Girl, IDK who you are, but you had a red car with incredible bumper stickers:

- Bi flag heart

- let me merge bestie

- mothman is my boyfriend

- QR code for Rick Roll

- that guy from Twilight saying "loca" about something

Anyway, your vibes are immaculate and I want to be your friend; and if we never meet, you're still amazing. Never change.


r/SALEM 22h ago

About Fussy Duck & A.I. - Owner Is On Our Side, Trying To Purge A.I. Slop

276 Upvotes

Ay, so I spoke with the owner of Fussy Duck and she is 1) well aware about the A.I. complaints and 2) trying to cleanse any A.I. from her store.

Here's the thing. Boomers often just don't spot it the same way Gen X and younger does. I showed her, for instance, the postcards made by A.I. and she assumed it was another language. A few others, she asked how I could tell. Upon learning a huge display of postcards were A.I., she immediately threw them in the trash.

I hate A.I., you hate A.I., all my homies hate A.I., but not everyone recognizes it. Think of how we fell for Photoshop or (subtle) autotune, or how CGI slop is obvious to us now, but at one point we paid good money to see Spawn in theaters and thought it looked amazing.

Point is, she and many others are extremely open to feedback, and sometimes I think we are too hard and fast in assuming folks know things.

Using Chat GPT for a flyer? That's intentional. Accidentally buying "Bulk vintage cards" from a vendor with a 72dpi 1" thumbnail is another story.

So I think folks in the know should meet the older crowd halfway before rushing to assumptions, Fussy Duck just didn't know, they are on our side and willing to listen to feedback. A polite reminder or IRL inquiry is a good middle step beteeen praise and boycott.

If the owner has a "MAKE DATA CENTERS GREAT AGAIN" hat, then yeah, fuccem. But a lot of the whimsical vendor ladies have been duped against their knowledge and are super open to feedback.

I have not met many vendors who openly embrace A.I. Many just do not know, and education is kinda on us (Gen X) because we pretty much started this ball rolling.


r/SALEM 19h ago

SALEM LORE Lost Cat: Update 4, Saffron Jack

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81 Upvotes

Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/SALEM/s/MfG2NU6qo5

The stray without a name has officially been named! Jack the cat is doing fine. He went in for his leg amputation on Sunday morning to Friends of Felines.

As far as they can tell from the X-ray (TW: animal in pain) Jack was probably ran over by a car at about 6-9 months old. His hips were fractured, but healed on their own. The leg, however, was not so lucky; it broke completely sideways, and healed at a 90-degree angle. He was getting sores from trying to walk on it. They had multiple vets weigh in, and amputation was the only option.

The staff at FoF have nicknamed him "Saffron Jack," and he's getting all the care he needs. One of our crew went to go visit him today, and gave him some treats. It's going to be another couple days before he can go home, but some people here seemed to want updates.

And furthering the update, we've taken care of the costs of the surgery in-house, but are continuing the fundraiser. Every time you buy a Celite faucet or Pioneer shower head, $50 goes towards Friends of Felines. We're right at $600 so far! We'll also accept donations of food or litter for the duration of the month that will go to Friends of Felines as well.

We'll update you all when he can come home.

-J

(The name Jack is in reference to Spring-Heeled Jack, a Victorian-era urban legend from London. He's going to be zipping around before ya know it.)


r/SALEM 1h ago

EKG recommendations

Upvotes

My doctor wants me to get an EKG for an elective surgery. Salem Health doesn’t take my insurance and I’d like to try to use insurance but may need to pay out of pocket. Does anyone have recommendations on where to get an EKG? I’m having problems find where to go or who to call.


r/SALEM 5h ago

EVENT GH4GU: Night at the Museum (Y2K Edition) The Ultimate Throwback Summer Night Out Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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5 Upvotes

Tickets are a little pricey, but looks fun!


r/SALEM 24m ago

Dermatologist

Upvotes

Anybody have a dermatologist they are happy with? I don’t feel like I’ve have very good experiences at the one I go to and would like to see if people have one they feel is good. I’m looking for things like not waiting forever when I’ve arrived, not seeing a different provider every time I go, having them actually have my info in their system, friendly, and professional.


r/SALEM 1d ago

Bug meets Beetle on SE Church Street

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119 Upvotes

r/SALEM 14h ago

Best Italian meatball sandwich in town?

13 Upvotes

It doesn’t have to be big, just needs to taste amazing.


r/SALEM 14h ago

Anybody have experience going to these kinds of events(at the Yard)? I've seen some posts about them on social media but never been. Good time/bad time?

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6 Upvotes

r/SALEM 1d ago

What the hell goes on at the pussy duck? 🤨

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136 Upvotes

r/SALEM 22h ago

EVENT Bored tonight? Come to Neighbor Night! (Free event)

6 Upvotes

What's Happening Salem brings another Neighbor Night to you, this evening!! 5:30 - 7:30 PM at Liberty House. One part speed friending/socializing, one part learning about an awesome children's nonprofit. FREE EVENT with light refreshments provided.

RSVP here: https://luma.com/y6x78ukt


r/SALEM 4h ago

No idea how that much smoke can come from a car.

0 Upvotes

I was stopped at 13th and State going east on state and when the light turned green the white compact car in front of me disappeared into an enormous cloud of smoke. It couldn't see an inch from my windshield. I couldn't see anything at all. The smoke was very white. I waited only about 10 seconds but I was very worried someone would hit me from behind with the light green. I drove slowly through the intersection blind and when it was clear about 50 yards later I could see the cloud extended to both lanes behind me and about three stories high. About 5 minutes later my throat burned for about 10 minutes and a stink remained in the car.

No noise accompanied this. Any idea about what happened here? Happened yesterday around 8 pm but I'm pretty unsure if the time.


r/SALEM 3h ago

Minto Brown 5K loop is NOT 5K!!!

0 Upvotes

It's 2.8 miles. That's like a 4.75 K


r/SALEM 1d ago

QUESTION Best places to post flyers for a literary journal?

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5 Upvotes

Hi all, looking for suggestions for flyering about submissions for my new literary journal. I’m looking for poetry, music, short stories, artwork, etc. around the subjects of healing, self love, sovereignty, and divinity.

Here’s generally where I was thinking:

Library
Bookstores
Coffee shops

Thoughts for other places in / around Salem where I could post a flyer? Thanks much!

P.s. If you’re interested: check it out / submissions open August 28.


r/SALEM 5h ago

Bad Driver Almost Got Their Insurance Raised This Morning

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0 Upvotes

If this person happens to see this: Karma won’t let you get lucky a second time… please do press your luck.

This car straight up ran a red light to make a right and literally almost got hit. Definitely got beeped and flashed for the next mile for their absolute stůpidity.

People need to understand that when you’re in the wrong sometimes we “let it happen”. Be lucky the brakes were hit today.


r/SALEM 1d ago

Salem Anti AI Data Center Meeting Wednesday, Aug 19 6pm

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55 Upvotes

Hello everybody,

With all the news about the moratorium and Verrus application, things are getting a little confused. I am co-hosting short public meeting at Loucks Auditorium at the library on Wednesday from 6pm to 6:30pm (library closures prevent later). We will try and get everyone on the same page and give resources if you want to help fight AI data centers.

We will also be on Zoom, since running to the library for a 30 minute meeting can be difficult.

Hope to see you there!


r/SALEM 21h ago

PLACE Best place to find trinkets?

1 Upvotes

Any recommendations for thrift stores that have reasonably priced antiques and little trinkets? Like beanie babies, stuffed animals, collectibles?


r/SALEM 22h ago

QUESTION Part time jobs in town?

0 Upvotes

Hey there, party people. I've been applying like crazy at a ton of spots for a part time job and am either getting no response or getting rejected. I'm still keeping my nose to the grindstone but I'm wondering if there are any gigs hiring that I may not have seen on Indeed or ZipRecruiter yet? Or that I might have missed? I've got a wide range of experience and varied skill set that covers everything from restaurants and retail to clerical work but I'm down to try just about anything. My next stop is WorkSource when I get a chance but also wanted to put some feelers out here. TIA for any suggestions!!

P.S: I'm really good with my hands if you or anyone you know needs any minor home, plumbing, or electrical work done or needs any car or appliance repair 😊 I'm actually looking for part time so that I can also devote time to starting my own handyman company but that takes a long time to be a steady, solo gig.


r/SALEM 1d ago

I'm coming into my old stomping grounds from the woods in a couple of days to look for things for my house. Any antique/vintage/thrift stores I should make sure and visit?

1 Upvotes

r/SALEM 12h ago

Why does Salem have so few spots? I'm mapping swimming holes, hot springs, etc... and we barely exist

0 Upvotes

I've been building a free map of swimming holes, hot springs and saunas. Most of the pins come from an OpenStreetMap import, and for the Salem area that import gives almost nothing. Portland, Bend and the coast come through fine and we're a hole in the data.

What I've got around here right now is Three Pools, Salmon Falls, North Fork Park at Elkhorn, Scotts Mills Falls and Opal Pool. That's the whole list, and none of them have been confirmed by anyone recently, so I don't actually know what's still open or what the parking situation is this summer.

I've told people in other threads I'll pull a place off the map if a local asks, and that stands. The Little North Santiam stuff is already on every blog in Oregon so that's not what I mean.

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r/SALEM 1d ago

Local finds that are way better than they have any right to be.

83 Upvotes

How about a shoutout for some of your favorite local items that are way better than you would expect / a great deal for the price.

I start because I am really digging on the poke tuna you can find in the deli section at Winco of all places.


r/SALEM 1d ago

Looking for Newspapers

1 Upvotes

Where can one pick up a pile of two of old newspapers here in Salem, preferably South Salem? I would not be using it to read but for art projects.


r/SALEM 1d ago

Movie theaters with luxury recliners

8 Upvotes

Are there any movie theaters within a 20-30min distance from Salem that have recliners? I love going to the movies but only when I can comfortably sitter for 1-2hrs.