I’m grateful for 10 years of Salem Weekly

Gratitude.

 

So many times (like every issue), I’ve been grateful that Salem has an alternative newspaper voice. Salem Weekly makes me realize that there are many people in this town who think and feel like I do, even though I’m not in personal touch with them. 

 

I remember a quote from someone whose name I’ve forgotten: “We read to know that we are not alone.” So true. Salem Weekly has made me feel less lonely over the years. If all I had to read here was the Statesman Journal, it’d be more than a little depressing.

 

I think you do a great job. “You” including everybody at Salem Weekly. But especially you specifically. I don’t really know how much effort, time, and commitment it takes to keep the paper going. I can sort of guess, though. And that impresses me.

 

A few months ago I was in my car, first in line at a stop light in downtown Salem, idly gazing at the familiar intersection of Court and Liberty. 

 

Then an unfamiliar sight wheeled past. It was A.P. Walther on his cargo bike, delivering the new issue of Salem Weekly (which comes out every two weeks) to the paper boxes scattered around downtown. 

 

Until then I wasn't aware that the publisher personally distributes copies of his free newspaper. On a bike, no less.

 

Marvelous! 

 

The image is still clear in my mind of A.P. pedaling by, blond ponytail and all, pulling a box filled with Salem Weekly copies. I remember thinking, "There's no way the Statesman Journal publisher would be doing this."

 

Today I met A.P. walking down a Liberty Street sidewalk as I was heading the other way toward my Tai Chi class above the Court Street Dairy Lunch. We had an enjoyable conversation. I'm always impressed with how well A.P. is tuned-in to Salem goings-on. 

 

Salem, like a person, has many sides.

 

Our city isn't unidimensional. What I love about Salem Weekly is the newspaper's commitment to revealing sides of Salem that go underreported and undernoticed. After all, this is the job of an alternative publication: presenting viewpoints that aren't getting enough attention from the mainstream media. 

 

I'm pleased to play a part in this. I've got to confess that when I first looked at the cover of the 10 Year Anniversary issue my non-humble mind zeroed right in on the top left corner. 

 

Dude, I said to myself, it's the Strange Up Salem cover! Your debut column.

 

Sweet. I'll guote from that kickoff piece.

At the risk of sounding like a phone sex line… I know what you want. You’re hungry for it. You’re hot for it. You’ve gotten tantalizing glimpses of what you lust for, but it’s been frustratingly out of reach.

What I’m talking about is a stranger Salem. Meaning, a city with sights, sounds, people, places, and other delights that make us go ooh, ah, and give me more rather than ho-hum, so lame.

Through this Salem Weekly column and other ways, I’m out to Strange Up Salem. In the very best sense of “strange.” Our city can be out of the ordinary: creative, passionate, energetic, artistic, forward looking, individualistic, vibrant, soul-satisfying.

We no longer need to accept Salem being the blandburger stuck between the spicy buns of Portland and Eugene. This town can be excitingly meaty (or tofu’y; I’m a vegetarian) in its own sensuously special ways.

How will this happen? What will speed up the evolution of Salem into the place we long for it to be?
Us. You and me. Everybody.

Especially including… Salem Weekly.