Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this action-packed episode, Jacob Espinoza sits down with Mason Reeves from the Dax robotics team and Salem's Strongest Man to discuss:

1. The incredible feats of strength you won't believe (card tearing, frying pan rolling, and horseshoe bending!)
2. How Dax security robots are keeping Salem safe at Pringle Park and Salem Center Mall
3. The future of robotics in community safety and sidewalk assessment
4. The vital importance of human connection in an increasingly automated world
5. Technology's role in our community while maintaining person-to-person interaction
6. How to interact with Dax robots around Salem (hint: say hi and take a selfie!)

Timestamps:

00:23 - Live recording introduction and meeting Salem's Strongest Man

01:26 - Tearing a deck of cards in half (incredible feat #1)

03:05 - Rolling a frying pan (incredible feat #2)

05:15 - Introducing Mason Reeves and the Dax robot

12:00 - What is a Dax robot and how does it work?

18:45 - Security applications at Pringle Park and Salem Center Mall

22:30 - Sidewalk assessment technology and community benefits

28:30 - The importance of human interaction in an automated world

29:52 - Jobs and industries least affected by automation

31:22 - How to interact with Dax around Salem

34:00 - The grand finale: bending a horseshoe into a heart!

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this live episode, the hosts sit down with Danielle Bethell, current Marion County Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate, to discuss:

1. Her journey from county commissioner to running for Oregon governor
2. The challenges of navigating politics while maintaining neutrality and integrity
3. How local issues across Oregon communities mirror Salem's struggles
4. The disconnect between state leadership and local realities
5. Her experience on the Salem-Keizer School Board during COVID-19
6. The complexities of ethics complaints and political targeting
7. Building the Carousel Skate Center and investing in Salem's community
8. Personal stories of loss, grief, and finding purpose through tragedy
9. Her unique lived experience with homelessness and mental health systems
10. Why she believes her commissioner role has prepared her for the governorship

Timestamps:

00:00 - Pre-show conversation about MMA and local fighters

01:35 - Introduction and campaign journey discussion

02:30 - What a Salem-area governor would mean for Oregon

04:45 - The tightrope of political neutrality

06:25 - Learning to separate campaigns from governance

13:47 - Building the Carousel and community investment

43:49 - Personal stories of loss and finding focus

51:29 - Community service and involvement

1:00:45 - Ethics complaints and political targeting explained

1:06:29 - Daily Deal with Bethell: Why she's running for governor

Welcome to this week's episode of What's Happening Salem!

In this episode, Jacob sits down with Jeff Whaley from Uptown Music to discuss how a local music shop has become the beating heart of Salem's creative community for over three decades. From teaching kids their first guitar chords to helping veterans find healing through music, Jeff shares the stories, challenges, and unexpected moments (like removing a remote control from a baritone!) that come with running Salem's beloved music hub.

Topics include:

1. Uptown Music's journey from a tiny shop with a storage locker to Salem's community gathering space
2. Why open mic nights matter for young musicians who can't play bars
3. The Guitars for Vets program and its impact on mental health
4. How local retail survives (and thrives) in the Amazon era
5. Unforgettable instrument repair stories
6. Celebrating 35 years with an extended open mic event

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 - Live recording at Metronome introduction
2. 05:01 - The history and evolution of Uptown Music
3. 06:03 - Taking a community-first approach to music retail
4. 20:04 - The challenges and rewards of running a local music shop
5. 28:47 - Open mic nights: Creating performance opportunities for young musicians
6. 33:04 - Guitars for Vets: Bringing music therapy to veterans
7. 36:23 - The diversity of local musical talent in Salem
8. 39:12 - Navigating instrument scholarships and less common instruments
9. 40:18 - Memorable instrument repair stories