Hazel Patton is one of Salem’s greatest champions. Because of her unpretentious nature, you may not have heard of her, but she has played an integral role in making Salem the vibrant, growing community it is today. She...
Author - Tracy Torres
Tracy Torres
Aaron Naden: Man About Town
Aaron Naden is taking Salem by storm—one business at a time. If you have been downtown since 2016 you have probably seen at least one, if not more, of his companies. He started Bearded Oregon in July 2016 and his...
Jasmine White: New-ish Kid on the Block
Meet Jasmine White. Fairly new on the Salem scene, she has hit the ground running. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, and raised in New Jersey, she moved to Washington, DC for graduate school where she decided it was a...
Take a hike with Dino Venti
Venti’s Restaurant has been a Salem staple for more than 20 years. The name is synonymous with great food and beer, but there is more to this local restaurateur than keeping us well fed and with brew in hand. Dino Venti...
Vanessa Nordyke: A Salem Super Hero
Vanessa Nordyke doesn’t need an invisible jet to help the citizens of Salem. She does it all through civic involvement and advocacy. Vanessa is the current Salem City Councilor for Ward 7, a mental health advocate, and...
Jessica and Cecilia Ritter:
A Wild Pair
For 20 years, the Ritter sisters have been delighting Salem with delicious delicacies and surprising us with original dishes. Jessica and Cecilia Ritter began their culinary journey together opening their first...
Exclusive with the Illusive V/V
V/V is the Salem-based band you’ve never heard of even though it’s been making music since 2011. It is composed of Salem natives Jarred Venti and Blaine Vogt. And while they have been performing together for...
Jacob Espinoza:
From “The Kid” to The Man
Jacob Espinoza is Oregon’s Homeboy. In 2007, Jacob may have better been known as local hip-hop artist “The Kid Espi.” He made a name for himself in the northwest hip-hip scene with the song “Oregon Homeboy” and even...
Salem’s soulful son: Jon Fro
Salem musician and music producer Jon Fro hopes to find a national audience with his newly released single, “When You Come.” The song, and accompanying video, which was directed and shot by husband-wife team Mark and...
Katy Ogdahl:
More Than Glitz & Glamour
“I hope she will be a fool — that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” — Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Katy Ogdahl is one of the sassiest dames in this here city. She will get you...
