🌱 Patch AM: Which Salem indoor playground fits your kid, schedule, and budget?

Hello Salem! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which Salem indoor playground fits your kid, schedule, and budget?
• What’s changing as Rudy’s Steakhouse makes its Salem comeback at Creekside?
• Why your West Salem tap water might taste a little different now

Also on today's calendar: Xmas Eve Clam Chowder, Bread, & Pie Lunch and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A morning shower; cloudy, with a high of 47 and low of 41 degrees.
• Wednesday: Windy with a little rain, temps: high: 49, low: 37.
• Thursday: Cloudy with a few showers, with a high of 47 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Rainy days ahead? Check out these kid-friendly indoor spots in Salem (statesmanjournal.com) — If your kids are climbing the walls this rainy season, Salem has a full lineup of indoor spots to burn off their energy, from trampoline parks and giant playgrounds to the public library and Gilbert House Children’s Museum. This guide breaks down locations, hours, and prices for popular family destinations across the city, including southeast, northeast, and West Salem options.
   

2. New owners revive Rudy's Steakhouse at golf club (salemreporter.com) — A beloved Salem dining spot, Rudy’s Steakhouse, is set to return in early 2026 as Rudy’s Greenside Steakhouse at Creekside Golf Club, under new local ownership. The revived restaurant will keep many favorite menu items, rehire existing staff, and operate six days a week, while the city continues separate legal and leasing issues tied to the former downtown location.
   

3. Salem warns of possible change in water taste, color after storms (statesmanjournal.com) — Some Salem residents, especially in West Salem, may notice a temporary change in their tap water’s taste, color, or odor as the city blends Keizer groundwater with North Santiam River water after recent storms. Officials say the water remains safe to drink while Geren Island’s treatment capacity is limited, and they’re planning more wells and infrastructure to strengthen Salem’s future water supply.
   

4. Can motorcycles drive between lanes in Oregon? What law says (statesmanjournal.com) — After noting that motorcycles were involved in a disproportionate share of Salem’s fatal crashes in 2024, this piece walks riders through key Oregon laws. It explains that lane splitting and riding between rows of cars are illegal, outlines limited situations where motorcycles can share a lane, and stresses safer positioning and passing rules.
   

5. Oak-killing pest spreads through Willamette Valley, threatening native trees (salemreporter.com) — An invasive beetle that kills oak trees is spreading through the Willamette Valley between Portland and Salem, threatening native oaks that shade neighborhoods and support local wildlife. State forestry experts say there’s no proven treatment yet, and stressed trees in Marion and nearby counties are most at risk. Residents are urged not to move firewood between counties and to watch for signs of infestation.
   

📸 Around Salem

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 24

• FREE RIDES CHRISTMAS EVE
  Salem's Riverfront Carousel, 101 Front St NE, Salem
  10:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• Xmas Eve Clam Chowder, Bread, & Pie Lunch
  Center 50+ , 2615 Portland Rd NE , Salem
  11:30 am
• Salem Tuba Holiday
  Elsinore Theatre , 170 High St SE , Salem
  12:00 pm

Friday December 26

• No Greeters
  Salem Area Chamber of Commerce , 1110 Commercial St NE , Salem

Sunday December 28

• Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles
  Willamette Heritage Center , 1313 Mill St SE , Salem
  8:30 pm

Wednesday December 31

• "Noon" Year's Eve
  Gilbert House Children's Museum , 116 Marion St NE , Salem
  10:00 am

Saturday January 3

• Wrestling: G/V
  North Salem High School
  7:00 am

📣 Salem Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Tuesday String Band: Gilgamesh Brewing: The River
  Gilgamesh Brewing: The River , 370 S Main St , Independence
  5:00 pm
• Greater Northeast Keizer Neighborhood Association
  Keizer City , 930 Chemawa Rd NE , Keizer
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Indy Coffee Club for Business Owners
  Indy Commons , 154 S Main St , Independence
  9:00 am
• Stayton Area Rotary Weekly Meetings | Santiam Golf Club
  The Hickory Spoon , 8724 Golf Club Rd SE , Aumsville
  12:00 pm
• Pocket Dimension
  Gilgamesh Brewing: The River , 370 S Main St , Independence
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Looking for forever home 11 months old, golden lab and retriever, possibly pit Bull mix puppy.
  Very well-known in our community because he's very social and active. Gets along well with other dogs, cats Any animals as well as people. I am… (Nextdoor West Hills Estates)
• This adorable snowman rock was adopted by Espresso Road on South Commerial.
  He will be smiling out the window at you when you drive through! (Nextdoor Woodmansee Park)

• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Salem. Apply here.
• McDonald's posted a job opening for Custodian in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook