If your child suddenly develops a barking cough in the middle of the night, it can be scary. That seal-like sound is one of the telltale signs of croup, a common illness in young children. While it can sound alarming, most cases of croup are mild and manageable at home with some simple care strategies. Here’s what you need to know about croup, including what causes it, how to spot the symptoms, and how to care for your child when it strikes. What is Croup? Croup is a respiratory illness that affects the upper airways, including the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It’s usually caused by a viral infection called parainfluenza, but can also be a result of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and influenza (flu). The swelli…

Salem Furniture Shopping? Here’s What to Look for at Sid’sIf you’re looking to upgrade your home with new furniture, don’t settle for mass-produced imports that won’t last. At Sid’s Home Furnishings in Salem, we help homeowners like you find furniture that combines timeless design with long-term durability.The difference is in the details. From solid wood frames and hand-finished edges to full-extension drawer glides and top-grain leathers, we stock pieces that are made to endure daily use and still look great after years of wear.One of the best ways to identify quality furniture is to inspect it in person. At our showroom, you can feel the weight of a solid wood dining table, test the spring tension on a custom leather sofa, and examine fi…

Your baby’s first year is full of intense growth and change, both for them and for you. Every coo, smile, and step is a milestone that marks different stages of their development. But it’s also common to wonder: Is my baby developing “on time?” The truth is that babies grow at their own pace. Think of milestones as helpful benchmarks, not strict deadlines. Understanding what to expect in each stage can help you support your baby while reducing unnecessary worry. Month-by-Month Highlights Here’s a general guide to common milestones, according to the CDC: By 2 months old: Lifts head briefly during tummy time Responds to sounds and faces Starts to smile socially Calms down when picked up By 4 months old: Holds toys when given Brings…

Creating a Positive and Supportive Foundation Talking to kids about health and body image can feel tricky, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have. Kids of all ages are constantly picking up messages about their bodies, food, and what it means to be “healthy.” As a parent or caregiver, you have a powerful role in shaping how they view themselves. The goal isn’t to focus on weight or appearance, but to help your child build a positive relationship with their body, food, and overall well-being. Start Early and Keep It Age-Appropriate You don’t have to wait until your child is a teen to start these conversations. In fact, early and ongoing discussions make it easier for kids to develop confidence and self-awareness. Young…

How to Choose Long-Lasting, High-Quality Furniture in Salem.When shopping for new furniture in Salem, it can be difficult to know what truly makes a piece high quality. At Sid’s Home Furnishings, we believe your furniture should last for decades, not just a few years.That’s why we’ve put together a helpful guide to walk you through how to identify long-lasting, heirloom-grade furniture.Start by checking the materials. Solid hardwoods like oak, maple, and walnut resist wear and warping far better than cheaper softwoods or veneers. Top-grain leather provides breathability and durability that bonded leather simply can’t match.Next, look at the construction. Kiln-dried hardwood frames, reinforced corner blocks, and eight-way hand-tied springs a…

Looking for a Home Inspector You Can Trust?Thinking about buying, selling, or maintaining a home in Salem?Let Keen Eye Home Inspection help you make confident decisions with expert, honest evaluations.With over 35 years of experience in home repair, we provide clear, detailed reports so you know exactly what you're working with no surprises.We offer:Pre-purchase home inspectionsPre-listing (seller) inspectionsNew construction inspectionsMaintenance checkupsMulti-family property inspectionsLicensed and local. No fluff. Just real info you can use.Schedule your inspection today: keeneyehomeinspection.com👍 If you’ve worked with us, give this post a clap or share it with a neighbor who needs an inspection!

You might not think much about your bones unless something feels wrong. But just like your heart or your teeth, your bones need regular care to stay strong. World Osteoporosis Day (observed every year on October 20) is a reminder to take your bone health seriously, especially as you age. Osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent” disease because it develops slowly and can go unnoticed until a bone breaks. That’s why staying informed and proactive is key, particularly if you’re over 50 or have risk factors. What is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become thin, brittle, and more likely to break. It develops when the body loses too much bone mass or doesn’t make enough new bone to replace it. Over time, this can lead to f…

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Yesterday, we had the opportunity to lead a 3-hour hands-on AI workshop for Chamber of Commerce executives and leaders from across Oregon.It’s always humbling to guide sessions like this and then watch local leaders dive in and apply the tools and systems we’ve been working so hard to build.Thank you to the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce for having us.We truly enjoyed the time together and appreciated the chance to build new relationships with people working hard to help their communities thrive.

💪 Team Rojo Takes on the Oregon State Chamber Conference! We're proud to represent the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce this week at the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Conference, diving into the future with WhirLocal AI training!It's all about learning how to better serve our members, support local businesses, and strengthen our community with the help of smart tech and stronger connections.Let’s go Team Rojo! Thanks to everyone who makes events like this possible.👏 Clap to support local leadership, innovation, and hometown pride!

🎃 Looking for a fun and safe way to take the kiddos trick-or-treating this Halloween?Join us on Main Street in Silverton for the Silverton Goblin Walk — a family-friendly evening hosted by the Silverton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center!🧡 Safe trick-or-treating 🧡 Entertainment 🧡 Scarecrow Showcase favorites announced🕓 When: October 31, 2025 | 4:00–6:00 PM 📍 Where: Main Street, Silverton, ORLook for the orange pumpkins to spot participating merchants!Let’s make this Halloween a memorable one for our little goblins! 👻

Most women are familiar with the concept of menopause, but fewer know much about perimenopause—even though this stage can last for several years and cause noticeable changes in your body and mood. Perimenopause is the transitional time leading up to menopause, when the ovaries begin to slow down estrogen production. It typically begins in your 40s, though it can start earlier, and ends when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. Understanding this phase can help you recognize what’s happening in your body and take steps to manage your health. Perimenopause vs. Menopause It’s important to know the difference between these two terms: Perimenopause: The stage before menopause when hormone levels start to fluctuate. You m…

At Salem Balloons and Flowers, we believe in celebrating responsibly. That’s why we’ve partnered with TerraCycle, a company that creates recycling solutions for items your local recycling service won’t accept.After each event, we collect the balloons, place them in a TerraCycle Zero Waste Box, and send them off to be recycled into new products. While not every balloon can be retrieved, we provide clients with info on safe disposal so less waste ends up in landfills.While many decorators do nothing, we’ve chosen to invest in recycling because we care about our planet and the joy balloons bring. When you hire us, you’re choosing a business that values both celebration and sustainability, leaving a brighter legacy for future generations.✨ Cele…

🌟 Welcome to Devine Shine Auto Detail in Frisco! We’re excited to bring high-quality auto detailing to our community. At Devine Shine, we believe every vehicle deserves to look showroom-ready, and we treat each car with the care it deserves.We offer top level vehicle protection. Ceramic paint protection coatings, Paint protection film, tint and more. If you want your car looking its best, I’d love to help. Shoot me a message to chat or book your detail!

Helping Local Businesses Shine Online! At Sidekick Creative Company, we know first impressions matter. That’s why we’re offering website design and AI automation solutions that help local businesses grow.Did you know 75% of people judge a company’s credibility by its website?Adding clear calls-to-action like “Get a Free Estimate” can increase conversions by 200%.With over 60% of searches happening on mobile, a site that isn’t mobile-friendly could be losing customers every day.For a limited time, local businesses can talk directly with our owner, Gabby, to see if they qualify for our Local Business Website Package.We’re proud to be a local marketing company bringing effective, efficient solutions right to your doorstep.👉 Clap for this post…

High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a health condition that affects nearly half of adults in the United States, but many people are unaware that they have it. This is because high blood pressure doesn’t typically present symptoms until it leads to serious health problems. Commonly referred to as “the silent killer,” hypertension can increase your risk for heart disease or stroke. Being informed about high blood pressure, its dangers, and management strategies can help protect your long-term health. What Does it Mean to Have High Blood Pressure? When a medical provider takes your blood pressure, they’re measuring the force of your blood pushing against your artery walls. Over time, consistently high pressure can dam…

When your child has a sore throat, you might start to wonder whether they have a common cold or something more serious. Strep is a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics to clear up, so knowing the signs can help you decide when to call your child’s healthcare provider. What Is Strep Throat? Strep throat is caused by bacteria. In this case, specifically group A Streptococcus bacteria. It spreads easily through respiratory droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or shares eating utensils. While anyone can get strep, it’s most common in children between 5 and 15 years old, especially during the school year when germs spread quickly. However, unlike a cold or allergies, strep throat doesn’t lead to a cough or runny nose. Instead,…

If you’re in your 40s or 50s, you may have noticed that the same eating and exercise habits you’ve had for years no longer give you the same results. This isn’t your imagination; your metabolism really does change in midlife. Understanding why this happens can help you make adjustments that keep you feeling healthy and energized. Why Metabolism Changes with Age Metabolism is your body’s natural process of turning food into energy. As you get older, several factors can cause it to slow down: Reduced muscle mass: Without strength training, adults naturally lose muscle over time. Less muscle mass means you could be burning less calories throughout the day, even when your body is at rest. Hormonal changes: Shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and…

If you’re raising children while also caring for aging parents, you’re part of what is sometimes referred to as “the sandwich generation.” The sandwich generation isn’t another generation based on birth year like Gen X or Millennials; instead, it’s made up of adults (typically between the ages of 40-50) who are balancing the responsibilities of parenthood and being a primary caregiver. It’s a role filled with love, but also one that can feel emotionally and physically exhausting. Balancing the needs of your kids and your parents—while still taking care of yourself—takes planning, patience, and lots of support. Understanding the Challenges Caring for children and aging parents at the same time can bring unique stresses.You might find yoursel…

Bringing AI to Main Street: The Heart of Local TourWe’ve been speaking with local Chamber of Commerce and association groups as part of our Heart of Local AI Tour. It’s been a powerful opportunity to connect with business and nonprofit leaders in communities just like yours.Our goal is simple: help main street organizations understand and apply AI tools so they can save time, reduce costs, and get better, more consistent results in their day-to-day work.Why it matters: Small businesses and nonprofits are often left behind during major technology shifts. This tour is about helping them catch up and move forward with confidence.Now Booking:We’re currently adding new dates and locations. If you're part of a chamber or association group and wan…

If you’ve ever gotten the dreaded “head lice” notice from your child’s school, you know how the panic can set in. Lice are a common problem among school-aged children, and they can spread quickly in group settings. Take a deep breath! While they may be unsettling and cause itching, they’re not dangerous. They’re also not a reflection of cleanliness or your parenting. You can tackle lice effectively and avoid future outbreaks with these simple strategies. How Head Lice Spread Head lice are tiny insects that live close to the scalp and feed on small amounts of blood. They can’t jump or fly and instead move by crawling. This is why they primarily spread through direct head-to-head or contact. Children, who tend to sit or play close together, h…