Celebrate Global Culture At Salem's World Beat Holiday Market (Photo) - 11/11/25

Saturday, November 22 | 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Willamette Heritage Center – Spinning Room, Salem, Oregon

SALEM, Ore. – The Salem Multicultural Institute (SMI) and World Beat Festival invite the community to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world at this year’s World Beat Holiday Market. The event will take place Saturday, November 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Willamette Heritage Center’s Spinning Room at 1313 Mill Street SE in Salem.

For just $5 admission, guests can shop a diverse selection of handcrafted works by artisans representing cultures from across the globe—while helping support SMI and World Beat’s year-round cultural and educational programming. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, these events depend on community support to continue fostering cross-cultural exchange, creating economic opportunities, and showcasing global traditions.

“Salem has more than 106 languages spoken in our school district,” said Terry Romero, Marketing Director for the World Beat Festival. “Our diversity is what makes us great—and the Holiday Market is a joyful way to celebrate that together.”

Attendees can browse an extraordinary variety of goods, including:

• Artisan Mexican crafts, Ghanaian drums and jewelry, Celtic and Scandinavian gifts, and Native American beadwork.
   

• Ukrainian art, Micronesian earrings, forged knives, island textiles, organic teas, jams and preserves, candles, soaps, and more.
   

• Live pottery demonstrations, personalized ornaments, and henna art.
   

When it’s time for a break, guests can enjoy delicious global eats, including shrimp or chicken creole from Cajun Cookin’, fresh beignets, and chocolate-covered strawberries with pistachios.

A 50/50 cash raffle will also be held, with the drawing at 5:30 p.m. (winner need not be present to claim their prize).

Follow World Beat on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit WorldBeat.org and SalemMulticultural.org to learn more about exhibits, programs, and upcoming cultural events.

About the Salem Multicultural Institute & World Beat: The Salem Multicultural Institute (SMI) and its signature event, the World Beat Festival, celebrate the cultural richness of our community. Through year-round exhibits, performances, and educational programs, SMI strives to create opportunities for cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of the many traditions that make Salem unique. www.SalemMulticultural.org, 503-581-2004.

Viral Thrift Store Twins To Unveil The World’s Largest Pants In Portland (Photo) - 11/07/25

Updated: MEDIA ADVISORY — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Event Saturday Nov 15

Viral Thrift Store Twins to Unveil the World’s Largest Pants in Portland

What:
A giant pair of jeans — a jaw-dropping 9 feet wide and 20 feet long — will be unveiled in Portland. The spectacle is the latest wild concept from the ShirtzenPantz thrift store twins, known for turning unexpected ideas into viral attention.

Who:
Ethan and Owen Gail, 23-year-old twin brothers, lifelong Oregonians, and owners of Portland’s now-famous thrift stores ShirtzenPantz  (260,000 Instagram followers, @shirtzenpantz). Their original “kicking a rock into a sphere” video launched them into worldwide meme status — and now they’re back with their biggest stunt yet.

When:
SATURDAY November 15, 2025
Event Hours: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm.
Pants Unveiling: 7:00 pm.

Where: Shirtzenpantz St. Johns, 7400 North Lombard St.,  Portland, OR 

Why: To turn attention toward secondhand shopping and sustainability — using humor, creativity, and community excitement.

“These pants are ridiculous — which is exactly the point,” said Ethan. “If massive pants get people in the door and buying secondhand, then massive pants it is.”

“Thrifting gives clothing a second life and cuts down on the carbon footprint of fast fashion and shipping,” added Owen.

Media Visuals + Coverage Opportunities:
• Dramatic pants unveiling — photo + video friendly
• Interviews with Ethan and Owen on sustainability + their viral growth
• Coverage of a signature Portland moment

About ShirtzenPantz

Ethan and Owen Gail are native Oregonians, graduating from Wilsonville High School in 2020. Owen is a graduate of Brandeis University (including a year at Oxford) with a degree in business and economics. Ethan graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in manufacturing engineering. After achieving significant success selling clothing online, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store in the Hillsdale Shopping Center, located at 6343 SW Capitol Highway. They later expanded to a second location on N Lombard. There, you can find “Clothing Heaven,” where everything is $5, and discover the mystery of Grandma’s “Secret Salmon Room,” accessible through a magic wardrobe.

This year, Shirtzenpantz was named the Best Thrift Store in the Portland area by The Oregonian/OregonLive readers. Their brand is built on off-beat, wildly creative ideas: turning an irregular rock (“Christosphere”) round by kicking it for months, serving ice cream and cookies to customers, hosting poetry contests, and featuring their 87-year-old grandmother — “Grandma Shirtzenpantz,” Juanita Gail Hall, who hems, repairs, and bedazzles pieces each Wednesday 4–8 pm at the Capitol Highway location. Both stores are open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm www.Shirtzenpantz.com 

Catholic Community Services And Mission Benedict Food Pantry Launch Merriment At The Monastery To Bring Holiday Cheer To All And Nourish Local Families (Photo) - 10/31/25

SALEM/MT. ANGEL, Ore. (October 31, 2025) – The holiday season is here, and Mission Benedict Food Pantry, in partnership with Catholic Community Services (CCS), is once again rallying the community to make sure every family has enough to eat and a reason to celebrate.
 

Now through December 6, 2025, volunteers and staff are leading Mission Benedict's Annual Holiday Food Drive, inviting neighbors across the Mid-Willamette Valley to give generously and help ease hunger during this special time of year. The drive culminates in a free community celebration, Merriment at the Monastery, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Queen of Angels Monastery, in Agatha Hall, located at 840 S. Main Street, Mt. Angel. All are welcome to attend and enjoy visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus (with a grand arrival at 3 p.m.), cookies, cocoa, and a gingerbread display created by local artists. Guests can also experience a special art exhibit by the Oblates and Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel. 

"The Benedictine Sisters are hoping that many families and friends will come join in the Merriment at the Monastery. This is a great way to start your Christmas celebration and to support the ministries of Catholic Community Services at the Monastery. The sisters are also most eager to share their art and the oblate community's art in a special art exhibit the afternoon of the 6th," said Sr. Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB, Benedictine Sister of Mt. Angel.

Donations of shelf-stable food can be brought to the event on December 6 or dropped off at either Mission Benedict, located at 870 S. Main Street, Mt. Angel, during business hours, or at the CCS Main Office, located at 3737 Portland Road NE, Salem, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Collected items will be assembled into holiday food boxes filled with nutritious essentials and festive food items for many local households.

"In my 33 years at Catholic Community Services, I have not seen a time in history that is as critical as it is right now," said Josh Graves, CEO of Catholic Community Services. "We see families struggling more today than ever before, and many in our community are experiencing escalated food insecurity. Mission Benedict is doing everything we can to support individuals and families in need."
 

How to Help

Supporters can donate food and give online at ccswv.org/mb-food-drive, where they can:

• Choose specific food items that are most needed

• Have donations shipped directly to Mission Benedict

• Contribute funds that help purchase fresh produce and cover pantry operations.

About Mission Benedict: Located in Mt. Angel, Mission Benedict serves more than 2,000 individuals and families each year, offering essential food and resources to those in need. Although designed to assist about 200 people monthly, the pantry consistently supports more than 400—thanks to the generosity of the community.

About Catholic Community Services (CCS): Founded in 1938, CCS serves more than 4,500 people annually across ten Oregon counties. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, CCS is a Christian ministry caring for all in our community, built on  faith, hope and kinship. Learn more at www.ccswv.org.

Oregon’s Capitol Nissan Ranked #1 Dealership To Work For In The Nation By Automotive News (Photo) - 10/27/25

Salem, Oregon's Capitol Auto Group dealerships earn 11 top honors in America's "150 Best Dealerships to Work For"

One Northwest auto dealer is proving that great workplaces are defined by values. Capitol Auto Group has earned top national recognition from Automotive News’ “150 Best Dealerships to Work For” in America. The family-owned, Oregon-based company, representing Toyota, Subaru, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Nissan, received 11 national honors, with Capitol Nissan ranked #1 in the nation overall.

At an awards ceremony held on October 9 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, Capitol’s Human Resources Director Heather Krieves accepted the following distinctions for excellence in workplace culture and employee satisfaction:

Best Dealerships Overall
• Capitol Nissan: #1
• Capitol Subaru: #2
• Capitol Toyota: #4
• Capitol Chevrolet: #8

Best Dealerships to Work For (under 1,000 employees)
• Capitol Nissan: #1
• Capitol Subaru: #2
• Capitol Toyota: #3
• Capitol Chevrolet: #4

Best Workplace for Women
• Capitol Chevrolet: #2

Best Places for Employees Age 30 and Under
• Capitol Chevrolet: #6
• Capitol Toyota: #10

Krieves attributes the company’s success to its focus on character and culture. “We work hard to hire good people, and hold everyone accountable for treating each other with dignity and respect,” she said. “Even if someone doesn’t have the perfect skill set, if they have a good heart and put others first, we can build from there.” To reinforce those values, every Capitol employee receives a coin engraved with the phrase “Believe or Leave,” a daily reminder of the standards that define the dealership. “You either believe in our values and live them out, or you’re not a good fit,” Krieves added. 

Capitol Auto Group is a family-led business guided by dealers Matthew and Alex Casebeer. “We’re redefining what it means to buy a car from a dealership,” said Matthew Casebeer. “It’s not just a one-time transaction; it’s the start of a relationship. Our employees live right here in Salem; they’re selling to their friends and neighbors. Customers return year after year because they trust us, not only for the value of the vehicle, but for the care, service, and community connection that come with it. Empowering our employees is the real secret to our success. They don’t have to ‘check with a manager’ to do the right thing; they have the freedom to take care of people. Whether that means treating a customer to lunch or giving a child a small gift, it’s those personal touches that make our dealership special,” Matthew Casebeer added.

“Capitol Auto Group continues to set the gold standard for what Oregon dealerships can achieve when they put people first,” said Greg Remensperger, President of the Oregon Auto Dealers Association. “Their commitment to culture, character, and community makes them an exceptional employer and elevates the entire auto industry in our state. Earning 11 national honors, including Capitol Nissan's #1 dealership in America, is a testament to leadership that truly walks the talk.”

Capitol Auto Group has been recognized by Automotive News every year since the “Best Dealerships to Work For” program launched in 2011, making it the only Oregon dealership to achieve that distinction. Capitol Toyota, Subaru, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Nissan are all conveniently located off the Salem Parkway/Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway. For more information, visit www.Capitolauto.com or call 1-800-888-1391.

About Capitol Auto Group: For more than 98 years, Capitol Auto Group has proudly served the Greater Salem, Oregon area. The group includes five dealerships: Capitol Toyota, Capitol Subaru, Capitol Chevrolet/Cadillac and Capitol Nissan, plus Capitol Collision Center. For the past 14 years, Automotive News has recognized the company among the nation’s “Top 150 Best Dealerships to Work For in America.

Locations:

Capitol Toyota: 783 Auto Group Ave. NE
Capitol Subaru: 920 Auto Group Ave. NE
Capitol Chevrolet/Cadillac: 2855 Maple Ave. NE
Capitol Nissan: 3235 Cherry Ave. NE
Capitol Collision Center: 2815 Silverton Rd. NE