THE WEST SIDE
By Jennifer Halley
The West Side Newspaper
is closed to traffic during construcnew utility infrastructure, including water, storm, and sewer, to support a due to the location and depth of utilof Salem Public Works Department, said.
By Jennifer Halley The West Side Newspaper
Marion Polk Food Share’s mission is to bring people together to end hunger and its root causes.
Especially when a crisis is on the horizon, like the uncertainty that
surrounded the distribution of SNAP down.
Vice-President of Programs Ian Dixon-McDonald said the food share saw a 19 percent uptick in traffic coming through the food banks during
By Jennifer Halley The West Side Newspaper
When Mike Light noticed there
email to the publication. “I said, ‘hey, said. “And the publisher said, ‘sure,
that stressful time, particularly toward the end of October and into the beginning of this month. “Just in the weeks there were huge amounts of panic and confusion in the community about what’s going to happen to SNAP bene-
With no answers in sight, and a potentially unprecedented horizon, the organization went into emergency response mode. Once word got out about the looming crisis, the community responded too. “We saw a huge outpouring of support from the commuwere huge amounts of food coming in, large amounts of people coming in to
specifically for food that was then distributed through schools, so that families with young kids could eat.
the Oregonian.
Art is Light’s biggest passion. He has been drawing since he was a little kid. His inspiration came from combing through comic books. He’d get home from school, turn on the radio and crack one open.
how I trained myself to draw, by looking at my heroes and copying the
be featured in the paper’s future said.
ous publications, his work has been a website called Portland Metro, a couple of
guy was just amazingly talented. I was just obsessed with his work. -
as well as
Jerusha Lee Malaer West Side Profile
FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican or Italian food.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN WEST SALEM?
Most of my life except for a short time in South Salem and Bend, Oregon. I used to fly somewhere in US or Canada out of PDX every Monday and back every Friday for nearly 20 years, so I feel I have lived everywhere even though my home was mostly in West Salem..
PROFESSION? Owner of Senior Nation Group as a Real Estate Broker for Senior Citizens. I work at the John L Scott office in South Salem. Their mission is “Living life as a contribution” which resonates with my passion perfectly. I love it!
OTHER PROFESSIONS? I worked in the Senior Living industry for most of my adult career as Director of Marketing internationally.
FAVORITE MOVIE AND/OR MUSICAL? Movie- Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. Musical- Sound of Music. Julie Andrews’ voice is just incredible!.
FAVORITE ACTRESS/ACTOR? Actress: Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. Actor: Mark Wahlberg in Invincible. It's a true story and he portrays the heartache and accomplishment so well. Always makes me cry.
FAVORITE TV SHOW? The Chosen- Love it! I binge watch every season over and over.
FAVORITE BOOK? The Shack- wow, does that address a lot of tough questions or what!?
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC? I love Christian, Instrumental, Jazz, Bluegrass.
FAVORITE HOBBIES? Music, Turkeys, Cats and Adventures! My father and I recorded an album together called “30 Years in the Makin’” and then I recorded my own album titled “Mechanic’s Daughter” in honor of my dad. Our duo album actually went big on a radio station in Dublin, Ireland. My album played on Whiskey Blues Radio in Spain. Music, whether singing or playing guitar, is my favorite hobby. My second favorite is being with my three pet turkeys and have them sit on my lap and fall asleep or snuggling my 7 kitty cats. My third, but not least, hobby is traveling with my husband. We love to go on new adventures annually. We always have a good time.
IF OFFERED A DREAM VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO, AND WHY? My dream vacation is two part. I’m hoping to go on a castle tour in Ireland where you actually sleep in the castles, not the hotels. My other dream would be a small yacht, no rush, tour around the Mediterranean and Biblical lands.
BEST LESSON LEARNED AS A CHILD? Swallow a pill with a lot of water! I choked on an aspirin once, and my older brother, Joel, gave me the Heimlich maneuver and saved my life. I’ll never forget that moment..
DEFINING MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE OR YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? I think my greatest accomplishment was recording an album with my father, Lee, who everyone knows from West Gate Auto. They were all songs that dad wrote when I was born, and I was blessed enough to grow up and be dad’s backup singer and harmonizing with him. It was such a peaceful, inspirational album. People were inspired seeing the love between a father and daughter, and the Lord..
A MEMORABLE DINNER? During a month-long medical mission in the Brazilian, Amazon, I had one of the best experiences of my life! All humanitarian. Nothing plush. We slept in hammocks on an open-air boat. We sailed along the river treating tribes for free. One tribe wanted to honor us with a special meal. The only thing different is this tribe didn’t wear clothes like western civilians. They wore belts and feathers. They’re river Amazonians! We had to act normal. That was definitely unusual! But they were very grateful for the free medical treatment!.
A FUNNY MOMENT FROM YOUR LIFE THAT YOU CAN SHARE Oh gosh, my life is full of funny moments. But one particular time, I was in Hawaii as a young, on-fire bible student. My parents had flown out to watch me get baptized as an adult in the ocean. I’ve never been too graceful. The pastor called me out for my turn, and the whole crowd on the beach, along with my parents, were watching. I was so excited that I took off running into the ocean, tripped on an underwater sandbar, and fell face first into the sand. Total face-plant. I accidentally dunked myself! The pastor laughed and said I was supposed to wait for him to do it. My parents were so embarrassed and the whole crowd laughed. I had to laugh too as I wiped the sand out of my face. Then, I continued forward, and officially got baptized officially by the pastor instead.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANYONE (PAST OR PRESENT) TO DINNER, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHY? I would invite my mother, Jody Barfknecht. She was such an incredible, inspirational woman. She passed nearly 10 years ago. I would sure love to catch up with her. I bet she’s having the most amazing time in Heaven.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD? Sincere. I serve senior citizens with their real estate transactions. I have spent my life serving whether in Japan after the Kobe Earthquake serving in the Red Cross soup kitchen, or serving with doctors offering free medical in Ethiopia or Amazon. I just signed up to clean or possibly translate if needed. I had no medical training. But I sincerely love to serve any way I can. I like to live life to serve others. I think my dad, LeRoy Barfknecht from West Gate Auto taught me that. Life is best when giving to others.
WHEN YOU’RE NOT READING THE WEST SIDE NEWSPAPER, WHAT DO YOU READ? I try to read the bible as much as possible as I need all the help I can get in this world. Other than that, I like reading cooking magazines.
IF YOUR LIFE WERE MADE INTO A PLAY OR MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE? “Life is Short! Live Life to the fullest!” PET PEEVE? People walking into the home with shoes on. They are so dirty! I lived in Hawaii and Japan for a while and we always took shoes off! I never understood how dirty shoes are until living in those cultures.!
BAD HABIT YOU’D LIKE TO BREAK? When I need to do a task that I’m just dreading, I choose to take a nap instead. Total procrastination. I need to just get the task over with.
FAMOUS PERSON(S) YOU HAVE MET, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES? I got to meet Wynonna Judd at a concert once. I had a bouquet of flowers for her. She’s had a heck of a life and was also quite an inspiration. She called me up front and I handed her the bouquet.
FAVORITE QUOTE? ““Wherever you are, be all there.” It means to be fully present and focused in the moment, wherever you are. Jim Elliot is famous for this quote. He was a famous Christian missionary to Ecuador who was martyred. He gave life his all for the benefit of others. When my husband was hired at the same company I worked for, he had this quote in his email signature! I couldn’t believe it… and had to meet him. We’ve been married 11 years now.
FAVORITE PART OF THE WEST SIDE NEWSPAPER? My favorite part of the West Side news is reading about all that’s going on in this bustling part of town.
Food Focus
Lien Cuisine: CAFÉ IULA
By Wally Lien
For The West Side Newspaper
Welcome back to the Westside Newspaper!
am back too, but not on a regular basis. I will chime in when something hits me that you readers
about food, restaurants, satire, not to mention the April Fool’s Day spoofs. My contributions in the future will hopefully hit on all those areas. I will be fully retired as which might warrant a column or two here.
Like Phoenix rising, the Westside Newspaper is back, and coincinew gem of a restaurant. work in Western Polkmulated many friends there. I recently got a call from a dear friend of mine new spot that just opened in Monmouth.
I am always up for a trip to Monmouth, and my years at the college delightfully surprised
French Bistro, with great food and reasonable pricing. I was so enamored with this joint that the urge to write about it back on these pages.
Street W. in the heart of dear old Monmouth. It is a small restaurant with diners at a time. It is only open for dinner, and only from Wednesday through
they are not yet set upand operated by Nick the chef, and it appears to please, and warm and friendly folks.
French inspired, with some continental dishes
thrown in. Seasonal inspirations appear on the chalk board as additions to the set menu, and generally will be exactly what you should be ordering.
table started with Eufs Mayonnaise, which is a Parisian bistro classic. It is hard boiled eggs French mayonnaise, and is incredibly delicious. A
I started my dinner with a French staple, -
gnon (French Onion Soup). It was hearty, almost a meal in itself, with a nice onion broth and sliced homemade baguette topped with just the right amount of Gruyere cheese. You can get the cup of soup like I
the appetizer menu is
goat cheese salad with honey and rosemary) for
with its mix of French with cornichon pickles
Board comes in two sizes
For my entree I had Hachis Parmentier, which is a French style
wine sauce with onion and carrots topped with
dish is finished with cheese and run under the broiler to get a nice caramelized melting on the top. Such a nice presentation and with a side salad
Each of these dishes far exceeded expectations, and are highly recommended.
My companion had the
green beans, roasted potatoes, and a greenous, and was reported
Another companion had choice of red wine shallot potatoes and a green
perfectly, a chore that that thin slice of steak.
traditional chocolate which is an upside-down caramelized apple tarting calories, or just don’t like sweets, then try the Assiette de Fromages (cheese plate) which is is a Dessert du Jour, and
on my dining night I had the special poached pear. perhaps a Bosc, poached
Exquisite.
Other entrees include Joues de Porc, which is a braised pork cheek and the Escalope de Saumon
ful salmon in a creamy sorrel sauce with boiled potatoes and green beans
the house staple Salade Parisienne which is a large mixed green salad cornichons, eggs, boiled potatoes, sliced mushrooms, and tomatoes, tossed in a tangy French
I was blown away by the Vins Menu (Wine -
feature an assortment of beers and ciders, coffee, and tea.
If you want a real taste of excellent French cooking, then take the short a try. You will not be disappointed. You can reach them by phone at
www.cafeiula.com/. In the next few months I will be checking out the new French restaurantopment of the old building in downtown Salem tuned for my thoughts Iula.
can be purchased by the glass, with an offering of different size pours, or by the bottle. All bottles on to pair perfectly with our dishes, and tasted incred-
VIEWS FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK
Hello, West Salem!
Thank you to everyone who reached out after the first reborn issue of the West Side Newspaper was mailed out. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and I can’t express how much that means to us. When I decided to purchase the paper, it truly was a leap of faith—one fueled by hope that we could bring it back to life for this community. Of course, there’s always that inside voice asking, What if it doesn’t work?
But thanks to you—local residents, community leaders, and many West Salem businesses— our first issue was a resounding success. Your encouragement, support, and genuine excitement have been humbling. I’ve already met so many incredible people in the West Salem area, and I’m looking forward to meeting many more.
Now that we have our first issues behind us, I have one request: let’s build this paper together.
Here’s how you can help make the West Side Newspaper even stronger:
1) Share Your Local Stories
Do you have a story tip, historic nugget, or community spotlight idea? Please send it our way.
We are looking for as much local content as we can fit.
2) Send Us Your Milestones
Anniversaries, engagements, birthdays, retirements, births, memorials—big or small, these moments matter. Help us celebrate and remember the people who make West Salem special.
3) Calling Local Writers
We are looking for a freelance writer who lives in the West Salem area. If you or someone you know is interested in writing for the paper, please reach out to: kaity@activemediausa.com
Our mission is simple: to publish a newspaper packed with news, people, and events that truly matter to West Salem residents. With your help, we can make this the community paper we all can be proud of.
Let’s make it our paper—together.
Matt Nelson Owner & Publisher, The West Side Newspaper
Legislator’s Letters
Inside Salem
An Update from Representative Paul Evans
By Representative Paul Evans, District 20
For The West Side Newspaper
the history books, and what a whirlwind it has been. As we prepare to
to share brief updates from the federal and a few local highlights.down has finally ended, and agencies will begin reopening in the coming the layoffs announcedtwo months. Still, we should soon see a gradual return to “mostly especially at airports, in the distribution of support education, healthcare, and elder care.
Here in Oregon, we’re preparing for our finaling legislation for complex fiscal realities as we craft a balanced
By Senator Deb Patterson, District 10
For The West Side Newspaper
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
budget. Unlike the Oregon is constitutionally prohibited from running a deficit. We and any unanticipated forecast margin must be returned to taxpayers through the “income
misunderstood as a in reality, it’s a rigid budgetary requirement that few states year, that rule means Oregon will return -
million from the current biennial budget due tocasts. In practice, this means small refunds for taxpayers while we
simultaneously reduce funding for the Oregon schools, and critical programs for seniors and people with special needs. It’s a frustrating and uniquely Oregon
tics that no longer fits today’s needs.
Some of us are brac-
the impacts of federal tariffs. Unemployment is rising, and other key indicators are softening. While this is not a time for panic, it is a time for careful, deliberate stewardship of public finances.
On a brighter note, local news brings a -
Street Bridge rehabil -
the final planning and pre-construction stages. When completed, the bridge will be the only lifeline bridge in the Mid-Willamette Valley designed to withstand
connection for moredents on the west side
We’re working closely with staff to minimize construction impacts and maintain community accessibility during the project. First gratifying to see real progress at last.
An Update from Senator Deb Patterson
people impacted by the
of the shutdown rippled through our economy, with federal employees furloughed or working without pay, and SNAP benefits significantly
Oregonians who rely immense strain on families’ household budgets. Amidst uncertainty
met with local leaders and food bank reprelocal response to keep people fed. I also took action to urge Oregon’s utility companies to for households affected shutdown. In response, Pacific Power, PGE, Natural Gas, Idaho agreed to temporarily pause disconnections for households whose
finances are hit hard by the federal shutalways come together to take care of each other during times of crisis, and I am grateful for these companies’ swift commitments to help keep customers connected.
As we approach the end of the year, preparations are also which will begin in-
for committee hearings about issues that will be important for upcominglenge will be addressing the state’s large anticipated budget shortfall. In order to balance the budget as required intion, the Legislature budget cuts to state agencies, which will -
If you want to track the issues the Legis-
Finally, I want to express heartfelt gratand military families.one who did, thank you. Your sacrifice, courage, and dedication continue to strengthen our communities.
Please take good care, enjoy the holiday season, and reach out if our office can assist you in any way.
lature is working on, you can find materials and recordings foring online through the Information System. You are also welcome to reach out to my office with any comments or questions at Sen. DebPatterson@oregonto hearing from you.
ACE Hardware Salem Holiday Happenings
By Justin Andress
The West Side Newspaper
Salem is gearing up for a
want to make the most of the holidays and support their local community will find few better spots to shop than East and West
year, the store arranged an array of holiday celebrations that will brighten your spirits, support the
We spoke to store President Jeremy Mackay about all the goodies lined up for the month of December.
day season, Salem’s Lions
trees on the south side of the parking lot. Proceeds will go to support next
Park, a weeklong musical
“If you want to get a to do so while supporting the Lions here in West
ware has any other accessories you might need outside the tree. In the store, they sell an expan-
tools and gadgets for the
handy people on your holiday shopping list. “We're sales this season on power tools, barbecues, and anything people need for
explains Mackay.
trees from Black Friday until they run out of stock. Support the Salem
Like many other businesses throughout the
sor a child and purchase
packed holiday schedule directly.
OHSU’s Doernbecher
widely considered to be one of the best pediatric hospitals in the country.
care to those in need isn’t
esteemed institution. the opportunity to round purchases to the nearest dollar. Proceeds will benefit the hospital and the research conducted there at Doernbecherl.
Not content to limit outreach to the store itself, Mackay and members of his family will also do someing at the Salem location
campaign with the Mira-
display a wood palette tree replete with ornaments that display the wishes of a child in need. Mackay calls it “a really easy way for the community to be able to buy presents for -
“We are responsible forarea’s small businesses. us, with the support they down to it, we're only primary function of our
Be sure to support the West Salem community this holiday season by -
sure to pack a few quartersing money) for Mackay and all the other locals and cold to ensure the
location this December.
What has your CERT Team been up to?
By Mark Wardell
members
our counterparts in the by another name). While deployment exercises up at our staging area and setting up as if a real emergency had occurred, this time we opted for a
For these training scenarios, we define refresh our skills. Past
bus Day-style windstorm and a tornado, to practicing a response
because we often train for the worst-case scenario, most of our deployments focus on earthquakes.
centered on a moderate earthquake and assessed what our response would look like two days after
While we had twenty-one dedicated participants in West Salem, fantastic turnout of expand participation here in Salem as well.
ensure that when something happens, when we get called upon, we won’t
some practice and experience to draw on.
New CERT Logo
Perhaps not as exciting as an earthquake drill, I want to recognize one of our own West Salem
designed and mandated by FEMA for use nationwide, programs are permitted to modify it to reflect local identity by adding the city name and changing the skyline.
took on this task and successfully updated our logo, which was just accepted by the Salem
local talent making our
How to Get Involved and Contact Information
tions about this article, preparedness in
general, or would like to inquire about joining
gmail.com. You may also contact me about scheduling a presentation for to groups such as HOAs, neighborhood groups, and communities of faith. Our next general meetin West Salem). All
member to attend. Looktraining class is tentayou posted as dates are For general inforSalem, you can search
tions about this article, or would like to sched-
ule a presentation for your HOA, neighborhood group, or community of them!), please contact me, com.
One last thing before I go… won’t be writing to you again until after the holidays. So I would like to wish you all Happy Holiand a Happy New Year!
For The West Side Newspaper
A & B Salem Library
ESL Beginner Class | 3pm Collaboration Studio Salem Library
Preschool Storytime | 10:15am Story Room A Salem Library
Infant/Toddler Storytime | 11am Story Room A Salem Library
ESL Beginner Class | 3pm Collaboration Studio Salem Library Tattoo Art &
By Dianne Collette
For The West Side Newspaper
So here I am writing for the West Side Newspaper again. Seems my connection to West Salem is permanent, regardless in and out of West Salem
city with my mom and dad, my brother, and my
Community West Salem and Me
house on the corner of Edgewater and Kingwood across from the Kingwood Market and behind the gas station, where we bought our bottles of coke from the red machine to enjoy with popcorn made
My uncle soon brought his family to a house, complete with a small cherry orchard, that he’d bought on Wallace
at the Bachler Farm at friends that lasted a lifetime. I started school in
West Salem Elementary, which was an eight grade space is now home to a
When we bought a permanent home in Salem it was in Keizer,
uncle, aunt, and cousins high school, I passed through frequently on my daily commutes totion in Monmouth.
West Salem came back into my life when I was grade son and a job with a duplex on 8th Street, followed by purchasing a home on 8th , about a
block from Walker Middle School. Shortly thereafback to West Salem as well.
Part of my springing at the hot dog stand during the Little League baseball games at the roped into being on the Little League Board one of that social life was meetings at Walery’s. My son, my mom, and I had a standing Saturday morning date for the best breakfast and fastest waitresses around, Express occupies that morphed into Annette’s. Later, tradition saw
our family migrating to the waitress was my son’s former babysitter. Walery’s remains my go-to pizza place.
boat, all of which took their turn being moored at the Boat Barn Marina, at the far west end of Edgewater, just before Barn was a tiny backwa-
an illegal poker game there. When I knew it, it was the home of a big
marina sold some snacks and soda, did boat motor moorage rental for a few small boats, mine among moored there became
rats that camped on the and sing-alongs, and of Engineers wouldn’t do brief life span ultimately the water so much that I left West Salem to buy a home on the waters of
month...
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.
By Destree Thompson, LPC, CRC
For The West Side Newspaper
As the holiday season approaches, many experiwhile planning gatherings, celebrations, and
This can be a very rich
(Experience Camps/Harris Poll, 2021), the holidays
Mental Wellness
Facing Loneliness and Grief During the Holiday Season
There are many gentle
to remain that way: creat-
that chronic loneliness
comparable to smoking 15 isolation is linked to higherdisconnected are nearly 50% more likely to experience depression, and those report heightened stress
that creating connection
ing a postcard to someone
also be healing to consider can create emotional space and help release long-
also choose to create new holiday traditions by or starting a gentle new has several organizations
expression and peer-lead
health and emotional
Protect your bottom line with Complete Managed IT. Pay for your uptime, not your downtime,
The Whole Tooth: What Do Warts Have to Do With the Mouth?
By Michelle Aldrich, DMD
For The West Side Newspaper
I chose a catchy title in hopes you’d
of it as a little “click-
oral health concern in our community that many years, oral cancer
mainly affected older men with long histories of smoking and alcohol use. But today, younger people are increasingly at risk. So you might be
HPV: More Than a Common Wart Virus
Most of us know that the Human Papillomaskin and genital warts. What many don’t realize is that there are more and a few of them can lead to serious disease.
well-known for causing
recommended for most
cancer.
The Connection to Oral Cancer
In recent years, -
cant rise in cancers of the tonsils and upper throat, especially among younger men.
often linked to the exact same HPV strains thating young men of high school and college
age. Vaccination helps protect against HPV-related oral, throat, and other cancers before
Your Dental Team Is on the Front Lines
Dentists and dental hygienists are trained to screen for early signs of cancer in the mouth, head, and neck. Sometimes that means spotgrowths or unusual lesions. When we find
biopsy them so a pathologist can determine exactly what they are.
Most of these growths
simple oral papillomas caused by non-dangerous strains of HPV. with the high-risk cancer-causing types.
But when it comes to your health, it always pays to be safe rather than sorry.
By Val Luukinen
Newspaper
Discover the Art of Acting with Jo Dodge: A Pentacle Theatre Legacy Since 1981
-
By Steven Trahan
For The West Side Newspaper
thrilled to announce
Workshop with Jo Dodge, a transforma-
one of the region's most respected theater artists, is returning this spring. Since founding the class in 1981, Jo Dodge has trained and inspireding an indelible mark on
spirit and stagecraft.
Jo Dodge's class is more than an acting workshop - it's a journey.
Jo has helped students
and most importantly, understand the power of human connection. Her unique approach focuses
"Jo's most important gift lies in the intangibles," says a Pentacle
"She helps us expand of the human condition. Her direction is insightful and deeply human,
scene, and ultimately
• Interpret scripts with precision - word for word, with no paraphrasing
• Find emotional truth in performance
understanding of character, subtext, and story
Whether you're an experienced actor or a curious beginner, this
class offers an opportunity to grow as an artist and as a person. Many of Jo's former students and direct at Pentacle
greater sense of confidence and connection. Join us for this powerful, personal, and inspiring workshop and become
years in the making.
atre.org
Spring session begins on Saturday, January limited, and Jo's classes
heart?
Join Jo Dodge's Acting Workshop at Pentacletion since 1981!
students trained, Jo
teaches more than acting. She teaches truth, trust, and the art of connection. "She helps her the truth, not relying on the gimmick - and, in truths about themtheatre.org
Local News
Quali-T Men’s Health: Bringing Personalized Testosterone Care to Salem
By Dwayne Hilty
For The West Side Newspaper
a dedicated local resource for men’s health, hormone optimization, testosterone replace-
personal cell phone number, ensuring direct communication and
pricing with no hidden
should come before cost.
“We’re a small, local business, and we intend to stay deeply connected to the communities we
honesty, respect, and
comes to something as foundational as their
• (with full patient education on FDA status and safety)
• Ongoing hormone monitoring and optimization
and personalized. Unlike large corporate outsource its patient relationships. Follow-ups are thoughtful, accessible, and tailored to the patient’s symptoms, goals, and lab results.
WHO MIGHT NEED TRT?
Many men experience low testosterone
• maintaining muscle
• Unexplained weight gain, especially around the midsection
•
• Brain fog or reduced mental clarity
• workouts
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability or increased stress sensi-
While testosterone naturally declines with age, many men experience symptoms earlier
each man’s physiology and lifestyle. Although
like to focus on symptom
WHY PATIENTS CHOOSE QUALI-T MEN’S HEALTH
Men from across Salem and the surround-
• Local care, not a franchise
• Personalized communication with the
• Straightforward,
factors, chronic stress, poor sleep, and certain medical conditions can also contribute.
family nurse practitionerence in men’s hormone health. He takes a hands-on, patient-cen -
to the Willamette Valley with a mission that is simple but rare inHealth, patients are
WHAT QUALI-T MEN’S HEALTH DOES
• -
• Erectile Dysfunctionment
• Protocols
• for ED and Musculoskeletal Injuries
symptoms as just part of getting older. In reality, a medical condition that can be safely and effec-
• Low energy or persistent fatigue
• Erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual performance
• Decreased libido
fits-all treatment. At
patients undergo ation including a detailed medical history, symp-
optimized testoster -
treatment plans are
• • in men’s hormone health
•ment
Perhaps most imporstrongly in transparency. Patient safety and ethical practice always know what your bill will be.
To Lower Your Taxes, Make a List and Check it Twice
By Wilma L Eichler, CPA West Salem Tax
For The West Side Newspaper
holidays, please take the time and plan to lower
those goals
tions and credits
and what other bene-
ing?
options
mail any paper checks, starting with 2025 tax
One tool is a list to check any hidden savings that
being proactive is better than being reactive,
have a tax preparer-doa year end tax planning
Individual’s YearEnd Checklist or somebody that knows
are some tax- saving topics that might be that session might look
ble Donations (QCD)
give, QCDs can be a great way to take those
period or allow a roll-
A Business Owner's Year-End Checklist
year-end tax planning
patterns that can better-
casts & goals
pros and cons- how
income and keep the gains at a lower rate make them happen
FOOD SHARE
From Page 1
Oregon also allocated 5 million dollars to the
income earners that
Conversions are some-
tax rates in coming
gains - timing is everything! Trying to minimize the higher capital gains rates by taking losses in the same year
meeting can potentially
strategizing with somebody that knows the
short term & long term
plan
assets to maximize bene-
ness shortcomings and
strengths and weaksame page?
down?
times report twice the write the invoice, and reports - comparisons to prior year, month-to-
additional team member that will help more?
last year?
to convert now?
planning can optimize these important reviews, into the new year!
On November 12, reinstated when the government opened
According to theirto more than 70 local pantries and meal sites,that connect people and the organization reliesnity to keep its doorsmaking the choice to
already seeing a really high need and that need has not gone away,” he
people, yes, things are many others that are
tion or have already been important to keep in there are over 40,000According to banks are already seeing record high
hamstring the organiza-
grants no longer eligiblecan every day, by making state government representatives and advocat-
share are trying to do
For more information, on Marion Polk Food Share, visit marionpolkfoodshare.org/ or call 503-581-3855. They are located at 1660 Salem Industrial Dr NE in Salem.
Capitol Nissan Ranked Number One in Workplace Culture
By Jennifer Halley
The West Side Newspaper
Want to know the secret ingredient to earning top national recognition as a car dealership?
tude, according to Alex
“Our employees are number one, ahead oftake care of our employthey’re super happy, because that will bleed out to how we treat our
11 national honors for excellence in workplace culture and employee
tol Nissan being ranked
accepted the award on October 9 on behalf of the autogroup at a cere-try Music Hall of Fame this award because of the relationship they
employee that walks a difference beyond our walls and learn the bene-
cation called Automoin-depth confidential Group employees, as well as to employees of other dealerships across the nation, and those results are compiled to form a
dential until the night of
the ceremony. Awards are handed out to the -
the only Oregon dealer-
out that Nissan was what we’re trying to do
“We preach all the time that we are a hospitality company, not an automo-
One way that the dealership encourages their hospitality focus is through an internal -
ees can take one of company credit cards and use it to do something nice for a customer.
great experience, how do you take it from great to said.
the idea behind this said, “A customer had to cancel an appointment for the following morning because his daughter
was going into labor, so he dropped his car off at
the credit cards, went to Fred Meyer and grabbed a whole bunch of diapers, wipes, onesies, toys, and just left it in the car customer described that experience as unforgettable, which is what
“Blow their minds if great-grandfather had a similar mindset for how he wanted the companynal mission statement, which has since been still retains some of the atmosphere.
Auto Group as a place tostarted with the company eight years ago, said.
“Almost all of my closest met while working here.
had before. With how you truly feel the rewardincludes respect, integIn alignment with speakers and companies to lecture on the topic of hospitality and hosts employee trainingtional literature to stay current on the subject. a culture of taking care of each other, taking care of the customers, and taking care of the community through -
“We want this to be a place where you don’t just come and punch a time clock. It needs to be
Business Spotlight Remodels to Last Generations
the Salem area since Ken Miller started the businesses 17 years ago.
tion company offers quick of showers and bathtubs, and also offers walk-in shower styles that can help make a home more accessible to an aging owner. “Maybe they’re getting older and trying to stay in their home longer
ucts are acrylic-based, but look like tile or stone, so they’re easier to maintain.
Miller has been in the -
tion business his entire life. “I started beating
rate world and working as a salesman for bigger companies, he decided he wanted to start his own business.
“I worked for a couple
of large national companies and sometimes you feel lost in the corporate world. I wanted to focus on the things that are important to me, like integrity and customer
wanted to build someKeeping his business family-owned and -operated is important to Miller. He says this model allows him to treat his employees well and run a business that’s accountable to customers.
“When we say family-owned and -operated, His son works for the
are other fathers who on to work with them, and a husband, wife, and daughter who work in different support roles. the greater community.
tions recently became a Little League team. And for the past two years, the company has fundraised
their October sales to the cause, and this year, they were a sponsor for the Making Strides Againstland.
When he looks toward retirement on the horizon. But the company’s years away, and he wants to stay at least until then to witness that milestone. For now, he’s grateful to
After obtaining 6-7 bids for a tub/shower replacement in a basement bathroom, we liked the professionalism and reasonable price that Miller offered us. Their record with the CCB was very clean and they are a member of the BBB, important items with us. I liked the color choices that were offered from Miller. Sabrina, who made the initial proposal, wanted the business and provided us with options. I wanted to see some color options on a full sheet so I visited Miller in Vancouver and met with Brittany who stopped what she was doing and showed me some full panels of the colors I was considering. She was terrific and discussed her own experiences with redoing a shower. The communication from Brittany was outstanding. The installer, Austin, did a great job. He was on time and worked until the job was done. We had dogs secured while he was here and he cooperated with me when I needed to let them run in the yard for a break. He let me know when the water needed to be turned off and it wasn't off long. Again, the communication piece was excellent. We are very happy with the end result. I am eyeing redoing a master bath in the future and Miller will be the first business I call.
remain at the helm of the company he built. “17 years ago when I
I’d be where I am, with happened without the support of many differMiller Home Renovations is located at 6109 E 18th Street Suite A in Vancouver, WA. You can reach them at (855) 335-9772 or visit their website, millerhomerenovations.net.
Not knowing what to do or what to expect we took a chance and hired Miller Home Renovations. We have some friends who had chosen Miller Home Renovations and loved the wonderful and professional job they had done. That aside, we received the most wonderful and professional installation job. The employees were absolutely the most respectful, courteous, and friendly folks we have ever dealt with. There was Jared, the plumber Lance, and another young man, Spencer. These guys were amazing, wonderful, and always on time. Friendly, positive, and thought of things that we had not thought of to do. Excellent, beyond what we expected, and kept us informed on everything they were doing. Always answered all of our questions. And informative on everything. Thank you so very much.
ery that really got me
In school, he’d get in trouble for doodling on the margins of his work assignments, something he laughs about now. “I said.
wife from Grants Pass eighties and got a job in construction. After that grueling world, he retired and the family in West Salem. He’s happy to be done, but way for me to do all the other stuff I wanted to do, whether it be art or
Music. His other passion. From 1998 to performed all around Portland and the Northrecording three albums with Floater, who just recently sold out at the Halloween. “We were a
“Our sound was a combiwith Black Sabbath at the party. It was really a staple in the Light bands he listened to then ended up playing we went to write music with the band.
“I’m a deadhead, so the Grateful Dead had a huge influence on me in terms of making music said. “It had to come from the heart and be
can listen to music from Mexico and not know the words and still get into it. It's just one of always music in my house. If my wife wants to know where I'm at on the property, she just has to open the door
always got my boombox
During this period in his life, Light stayed busy with his full-time job, his band and rais-
Meet the Artist
ing two kids. Somehow, in the midst of all of that, he managed to keep drawing. He always came back to it. “I would get up at four in the morning, go to work, come home, play was in my house for 11 with it in the basement
added with a chuckle,
would be exhausted and I would stay up until midnight and draw and
He finds inspiration for his comics from the people he interthings that are ridiculous, which, he laughs,age of. He enjoys acrylic painting too. Often, he’ll take his easel up into the solarium of his home and paint. Windows look out onto his property and a gas heater is there in case the cozy
Light says.
An easy person to talk to, Light’s energy
he talks about them. He has no shortage of facts about what he’s passionate about, like when he starts talking about MAD Magazine.
started out as a comic then morphed into a parents’ generation read it, and then all those hooligans that came up through those years, like Weird Al people that were rebellious and anti-authoritarian, they grew up reading MAD because it was always questioning
much he has a tattoo of the magazine’s mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, on his right shoulder.
Getting published with MAD Magazine was always Light’s goal, “but it just didn’t -
ting things to other comic book companies
More important than getting published, though, is what his art can say to people. “If
you can create some-body, that’s what it’s alltion he had in his twenties with his late uncle, who’d gotten cancer from asbestos poisoning during his time as a construction worker.
“When he was dying, he was like, Mike, no matter what else, go out know what’s going to Mike added, “His and see and be as much for me. Gotta squeeze as much as I can out of
Green Oak by Mike Light
