Neighborhood News is a monthly Salem Reporter feature to highlight news or issues of concern to each Salem neighborhood association. Read previous editions here.

Salem is divided into 17 neighborhood associations that meet monthly. They serve as a conduit to city officials for things like park improvements, road projects and planning and building. Learn more and find your association here.

Leaders of each association are invited to submit a brief news item or report highlighting the association’s work, neighborhood concerns, upcoming activities or anything else of interest. Submissions are lightly edited for style and clarity.

Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization

Save the date! CANDO will be hosting a community cleanup event Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. in Marion Square Park. All are welcome for litter cleanup followed by casual basketball to celebrate the newly installed backboards. Supplies will be provided.

Plus: Join us for our monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6:00 p.m., at the Neighbor to Neighbor Office (347 Union St. N.E.) and on Zoom.  This month features updates on the Salem Municipal Court, information on new recycling changes, and a presentation on updates to Salem’s Utility Master Plans for stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water.

If you live, work, or own property in downtown Salem, you are a member of CANDO and are welcome to attend. For more information, follow CANDO on our Facebook or contact us at [email protected].

–Submitted by Spencer Rosenau, chair

Grant Neighborhood Association

A huge THANK YOU to City of Salem Parks for our completed Grant Neighborhood Kiosk in Grant Park on the corner of Cottage and Hood (near the red/pink roundabout street painting).

It offers a unique, non-digital experience accessing Grant Neighborhood Association and city services information, like agendas, brochures and fliers in English and in Spanish. Don’t worry, there are QR codes with links to bring you back to the digital world 🙂  

• Our Oct. 4 meeting included reports from both police and fire. Grant Community School was well represented with the school principal and outreach representative who informed us about volunteer opportunities.
• The final Grant Park Clean-up until spring is scheduled for Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  

Detailed minutes from the October meeting will be posted before the Nov. 6 meeting. Sign up for the GNA newsletter for a preview and the location and link to our hybrid meetings.

The GNA website has information about the board and Grant neighborhood history. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Contact us at [email protected]

-Submitted by Susan Napack, vice chair

Highland Neighborhood Association

The Highland Neighborhood has been buzzing with fall activity and community spirit. Earlier this month, more than 150 neighbors came together for the Highland Fall Festival and Kids Clothing & Costume Swap at Center 50+. Families found new outfits, swapped costumes, painted pumpkins, and enjoyed free fall photos. The event was a true community effort—thank you to SCAN (South Central Association of Neighbors), N2 North Neighbors, Roth’s Fresh Markets, and Center 50+ for partnering with us, and to all the volunteers who helped set up, sort clothes, greet neighbors and clean up afterward. You made this event a success!

Now the Halloween fun continues! Nominations are open for the Highland Halloween Decorating Contest, a neighborhood favorite that celebrates our community’s creativity and spooky spirit. To nominate a home, submit a photo and address by Oct. 27 to [email protected]
 or message us on Facebook or Instagram. Last year’s winners—1930 Church St. N.E. and 2135 Hazel Ave. N.E.—are sitting this one out so we can spread the fun around. Voting will take place Oct. 28–29, and winners will earn bragging rights, a yard sign, and a Paddington’s Pizza gift card.

Highland Neighborhood Association meetings have a new home at Center 50+ (2615 Portland Rd. N.E.). Meetings continue on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., with guest speakers and updates on neighborhood projects.

Finally, join us for the next Highland Peace Walk on Friday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., starting from Highland Park. The walk is an open invitation to connect with neighbors and show support for a peaceful, caring Salem. Everyone is welcome.

-Submitted by Holly Schiefelbein, board member

Northgate Neighborhood Association

As nature’s wand once again twirls to turn summer heat to cool mornings and evenings, it seems we in Salem are gradually entering the rainy season with light introductory rain. This natural rain was so needed for our vegetation to survive without being hosed. Some of us may want to prepare our homes with a barrel to keep the winter rainwater coming through the down spout from being wasted for the next dry season. 

This change in weather made some of us wonder how the people living outside in tents are doing. Over the years, there has been a continued increase of these individuals, affecting those who were already here and our community. Some members of our community have requested action due to concerns that city efforts may be insufficient as many are still living in the elements. Also noted were some homeless people refusing to get into shelters. Sadly, in the middle of severe cold winter, a few could not survive in the past and may happen again. We must do better and help those in need. Perhaps the city could give priority to the most vulnerable older people, women and children or families. Why not allow unused or tagged RVs ready to be demolished to be useful again? Repair the leaks and locks, then place them in designated spots to help those who refuse shelters to be with other strangers, escape the weather. We try to be practical with solutions.

On Sept. 29, there was a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of Kloshe Illahee Haws housing by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. This started with drums and prayer. Some of the outstanding speakers included Delores Pigsley, tribal chair, our own Mayor Julie Hoy and others.

–Submitted by Kaethe Mentrum, secretary and park chair

North Lancaster Neighborhood Association

NOLA held its annual meeting on Oct. 1. We reappointed eight association members to our executive board and still have open positions available. We’d love to see more North Lancaster residents join us—especially those passionate about building community and influencing positive change. Our goals for the upcoming year include expanding translation services and spotlighting local businesses. If you own or work at a business in North Lancaster and would like to share details with the community, please reach out to [email protected].

On Saturday, Sept. 27, NOLA neighbors and members of SOLV joined forces for a park cleanup, starting at Lansing Park and finishing at Livingston Park. Eighteen volunteers removed 220 pounds of trash from the parks and the creek tributaries that run through northeast Salem.

We also joined Washington Elementary School’s 4th graders and staff for Walk to a Park Day on Thursday, Oct. 9. We celebrated a day early, but had so much fun!

NOLA meets the first Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting is Nov. 5th  at 6:30 p.m. at Salem First Free Methodist Church, 4455 Silverton Road N.E. Come meet your neighbors and learn what’s happening in the community!  As always, to stay up-to-date on everything NOLA — visit www.cityofsalem.net/NOLA, follow our page on Facebook or Nextdoor.

-Submitted by Deanna Garcia, chair

South Central Association of Neighbors

SCAN is hosting a pumpkin carving contest during the month of October! To enter, post a picture of your carved pumpkin on social media and tag SCAN on Instagram @scansalemofficial or on Facebook at facebook.com/salemscan. 

Save the date for SCAN’s November meeting happening on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Join us at 6:30 p.m. at South Salem High School, located at 1910 Church Street S.E. In the meantime, give us a follow on Instagram @scansalemofficial and on Facebook at Facebook.com/scansalem. We help you stay connected to the neighborhood by highlighting events, volunteer opportunities and more!

– Submitted by Alma Whalen, SCAN neighbor

Southeast Association of Neighbors

Meet Judge Eleanor Beatty

The Oct. 28 SESNA meeting welcomes new Municipal Court Judge Eleanor Beatty to answer questions about the court and changes she started since becoming presiding judge. (Like, what to do if you get a ticket in the mail.)  Will also hear code enforcement updates on derelict homes, plus city council updates. All welcome, SESNA meets at 6:30 p.m. at Capital Park Wesleyan Church (Sanctuary), 410 19th St. S.E.  Contact Shannon Priem, 503-910-4633.

–Submitted by Shannon Priem, chair

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