Someday I hope to be able to revise this rating upward. Quite frankly, Salem Monthly sucks. The writing is tired and uninspired. Since it only comes out monthly, its "news" topics fade quickly. I will continue to read it, hoping it improves - mostly because there's nothing else in town to counter the similarly lame Statesman Journal. read more

This is a free weekly local paper and it's fantastic. One of the best parts is the reader submissions, typically it's the assinine rantings of the local puritanicals, angry hipsters, you name it and its represented in this section and published in its entirety. It's hysterical, and made even funnier by the staff writers responses. The articles are light reading, but entertaining and informative. Revenue for the paper is generated by advertising so you'll see a lot of that. But it also has a pretty decent local calling (Not that anything ever really goes on here) a good way to keep up on local music and such. Hey, its FREE! How can you complain about something someone is just giving you? read more

Now called Salem Weekly--as if adding three papers a month was necessary. The bulk of the magazine/newspaper is ads. Since this is likely how they generate enough money to put out this trash, you can't really blame them. You can blame them, however, for their snarky comments regarding just about anything, but especially in their responses to readers' comments. The best thing about this paper is the fact that it's free. In the winter it (or a stack of 20) makes for a great fire starter. read more

We're quite pleased with this latest issue of the SW. Positivity, City Hall Progressivism, theatre reviews~ all quite good. Too many ads? Perhaps~ yet MOST are advertising an event, activity, or unique shop you might not have known of otherwise. Appreciate the calendar. read more

After having lived in small town midwest and having access to The Northern Express and the great regional articles, advertising, event calendar & local flavor, I was very let down by what could be an asset to Salem. After having lived in Eugene for four years and having access to The Eugene Weekly and its weekly smorgasbord of the arts, music, food and happenings, I'd thought that the Salem Weekly would at least have a wealth of information about local happenings and a heavily skewed rolling commentary written by our local citizenry; again, disappointment followed. I'd like to think that a city our size could put together a weekly showcasing not only itself and its great neighborhoods, but the immediate surrounding area as well. I'd like to think that any number of the students I encounter touting Canons around Willamette would be more than willing to share quirky stills in exchange for recognition. I'd like to think that the local coffee roasters, brewers, bakers, artisans & others would welcome a platform to showcase not only what they are doing, but how they are doing it, why they are doing it. I'd like to think that there are others interested in a magic show at Vagabond, a Maker Faire at the Children's Museum or one of the many other things that I encounter just about every day that I am out and about. It's time for change. read more

horrible "weekly" -- isn't it monthly? or quarterly? who cares...it's crap nevertheless. all ads, etc. no point to this free "weekly". for shame! read more