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Among the racks of donated clothes at Helping Hands Resources, Laura Crofoot has tears in her eyes. She’s talking about how the organization, dedicated to providing clothing, housewares, and other supplies to unhoused people, low-income families, and anyone else in need, tries to never turn people away empty handed. She’s seen volunteers take the jacket off their back to make sure a client can stay warm. “Every day, someone says, ‘I love you,’” Crofoot said. Helping Hands

The West Salem High School Education Foundation is looking for volunteers. WSHSEF board members support the foundation’s work in fundraising, conducting meetings, and supporting the school’s booster clubs, which include Choir, Orchestra, Athletics, Academics, and the Grad Party. Each booster club also has volunteers who support fundraising and event planning. The foundation is currently seeking applications for a board president and treasurer. The president is the organizat

Pentacle Theatre is pleased to announce the continued offering of its live captioning services through an ongoing partnership with Cue Captions, a locally founded company dedicated to making live theater accessible to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing audiences. This partnership reflects Pentacle Theatre’s commitment to ensuring that all members of the community can experience the magic of live performance without barriers. Cue Captions was founded by Ben Cavaletto, a professional in

For more than three decades, Capital Manor has been a cornerstone of senior living in West Salem, offering far more than retirement and memory care services. Under the leadership of David Lewis, Capital Manor has grown into a vibrant, close-knit community known for its warmth, laughter, and deeply rooted sense of connection. Capital Manor is a long-term living and memory care facility that has served residents for over 30 years. A proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a team of near

Most people have a general understanding of dental implants, but a few misconceptions still linger. Today we’ll briefly review what a dental implant actually is and discuss the key factors that influence its long-term success. What many people call an “implant” is a three-part system . 1. The implant: The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone and functions as an artificial tooth root. It is made of titanium and has threads on its surface that interact directly with th

Here is a summary of many of the biggest changes in our taxes, although not all are represented. You can read more here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions 1. Raising the Standard Deduction- an increase of $1,000 for single filers to make it $15,750 for single filers and a $2,000 increase for married filing jointly which makes $31,500 for them. 2. Limitation on Itemized Deductions- limits itemized deduction at 35% for those at 37% rate. 3. Adop

In the era of TikTok doctors, YouTube “biohackers,” and fitness influencers built like they were handcrafted by Zeus, testosterone has become one of the most myth-filled topics in men’s health. A quick scroll online can leave men confused, worried, or with expectations that belong in a Marvel movie. As a local men’s health provider in Eugene and Salem, I spend a lot of time helping men sort fact from fiction. Here are some of the biggest testosterone myths circulating online

Place of birth: Portland Oregon How long in West Salem: Although I grew up and currently live in Amity, I worked in West Salem for Judy Vivier, CPA since 2007, where we started West Salem Tax. I moved away for a bit, then moved back and bought West Salem Tax from Judy. I love West Salem: it has a small town feel, but is part of a big city. Profession: CPA Other prior professions: CFO, controller, longshoreman, farmer, truck driver, stay at home mom. Favorites: Movie/and o

Salem Police Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office collaborated in late November in a joint mission to address retail theft in West Salem. “There was a discussion going on about theft in the area, especially theft with the businesses along the Wallace Marine Park area,” said SPD Chief Trevor Womack. “And so [PCSO] Sheriff Mark Garton and I talked and we decided to do a joint mission to have an increased presence to try to prevent crime.” The stint, which was targeted a

In the world of content creation, Matty Tingles is a household name. Known primarily for his YouTube Channel filming ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) videos, Matty, whose last name isn’t actually Tingles, but Almendinger, jumped on the podcast scene three years ago. “I had all the equipment for it, and I was like, let’s just try it,” Matty said. “It’s been really fun to see it grow and see it take on its own life, separate from all of my other channels.” Already

There is another new restaurant in town, and I couldn’t resist a visit. Encore opened on November 14 at 195 High Street NE, adjacent to the Grand Theatre. It has been a space with many uses over the years, including hosting a wine bar, Paradiso, and other restaurants that came and went too quickly to remember. Encore fits nicely into its location adjacent to the Grand Theatre, and includes a glass door between the theatre and the restaurant, making it convenient to dine and

As of November, the West Salem Library has doubled its opening hours, from 10 to 21 hours per week. The West Salem branch will now be open on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. The increase in hours comes after the passage of the Salem Parks and Library Services Tax Measure in May, which brings new funding to the library system and other city programs for the next five years. Hours at the main library in downtown Salem have also inc

What Comes First? If you ask someone what the first steps are to becoming better prepared, you'll likely hear answers like making a plan, building a kit, achieving two weeks (or more) of readiness, and being informed about risks. These are good; they are all bedrock activities for becoming better prepared. Making an emergency plan involves discussing with your family where to meet if separated, how to communicate, and what tasks each person is responsible for, ensuring everyo

This month, history came alive at Brunk Farmstead. A guided tour over the weekend of December 6, led by volunteers clad in period costumes and armed with a wealth of knowledge about the century farm, transported participants back to the eighteen-hundreds, when the area was just getting on its feet as an established county. The Brunk House, owned by the Polk County Historical Society and located just off the Salem-Dallas Highway, was built for original owners Harrison and Emi

I chose a catchy title in hopes you’d keep reading — think of it as a little “clickbait” for a good cause. There’s a growing oral health concern in our community that deserves attention. For many years, oral cancer mainly affected older men with long histories of smoking and alcohol use. But today, younger people are increasingly at risk. So you might be wondering: “What does this have to do with me?” HPV: More Than a Common Wart Virus Most of us know that the Human Papilloma

Salem residents have a dedicated local resource for men’s health, hormone optimization, and evidence-based testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). Quali-T Men’s Health, led by Chris Mckeown, FNP-BC, FNP-C, provides expert services to the Willamette Valley with a mission that is simple but rare in modern healthcare: treat every patient as an individual, communicate clearly, and deliver care that fits real life. At Quali-T Men’s Health, patients are never just a number. Chris i

Pentacle Theatre is thrilled to announce that its beloved Acting Workshop with Jo Dodge, a transformative experience led by one of the region's most respected theater artists, is returning this spring. Since founding the class in 1981, Jo Dodge has trained and inspired over 2,000 students, leaving an indelible mark on our community's creative spirit and stagecraft. Jo Dodge's class is more than an acting workshop - it's a journey. For over four decades, Jo has helped students

Dear Friends and Neighbors, November was a very difficult time for people impacted by the federal government shutdown. The effects of the shutdown rippled through our economy, with federal employees furloughed or working without pay, and SNAP benefits significantly delayed for the 737,000 Oregonians who rely on them. The result is immense strain on families’ household budgets. Amidst uncertainty in Washington, D.C., I met with local leaders and food bank representatives about

Miller Home Renovations is based in Vancouver, WA, but has been serving the Salem area and other parts of Oregon since Ken Miller started the business 17 years ago. The bathroom renovation company offers quick installs and conversions of showers and bathtubs, and also offers walk-in shower styles that can help make a home more accessible to an aging owner. “Maybe they’re getting older and trying to stay in their home longer – we can help with that,” Miller said. Their produ

As the holiday season approaches, many experience a flurry of excitement while planning gatherings, celebrations, and moments of connection with friends and family. This can be a very rich and joyful time of year. For approximately 36% of adults, however, according to a recent national survey (Experience Camps/Harris Poll, 2021), the holidays bring reminders of grief and loss of loved ones, feelings of loneliness and isolation, and, for some, the long felt absence of “normal”