Lights Dimming on 2008

Wishing everyone a happy and properous New Year.

Forging Heat

Mission Mill Museum

1313 Mill St SE

Salem, OR 97301

Blacksmithing demonstration.

Cure for Cabin Fever

Firebird Lanes Bowling Center

4303 Center St. NE

Salem, OR 97301

Tons of Steel

Railroad Crossing

Mill & 12th Streets

Salem, OR

The snow has melted and other than the debris in our backyard, life has resumed normalcy. Now I have an opportunity to post my backlog of snowy, wintery pictures.

Snowy Magic

Magic at the Mill

December 19-23, 2008

Mission Mill Museum

1313 Mill St SE

Salem, OR 97301

Pictured is the same snowy magic that felled the tree that knocked out electricity to our power grid for six days. We now have electricity, heat, and the wonderful internet back running. Thanks Tanya for sending me your good juju.

Socked in with No Power

Hoping everyone has had a wonderful holiday. Without electricity, ours was very rustic. Hopefully, we'll be back on line before the year's up.

Decked for the Holidays...

Willamette University Sky Bridge

12th & Mill Street

Salem, OR 97301

...and covered in snow.

Snowy Salem Saturday Scene

Downtown Salem, OR

As you can see, no skyrise buildings in Salem. As a matter of fact. the top of the steeple in the background makes Salem First United Methodist Church the tallest building at 188 ft. The Capitol Building, the landmark just left of the steeple, is the runner up at 173 ft.

Geometry of Architecture

The Barquist House

ca. 1895

1363 Court Street

Salem, OR

Queen Anne - Eastlake Style home in the Court-Chemeketa Residential Historic District.

Tis The Season, Part II Outdoors

Salem , OR

Stroll With Me

Court Street Footbridge

Mill Creek

Salem, OR

Brrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Mill Creek
Salem, OR

Oregon's in a bit of a cold spell. Snow and chill are expected to last through the week. Schools will probably close for the week, travel around town has been treacherous and I spent today scanning holiday catalogs waiting to see if I would be picked to serve on a jury...I wasn't.

Gothic Revival

Waller-Chamberlin House

ca. 1860

1658 Court NE

Salem, OR

Holiday Season Open House Tour

Court-Chemeketa Residential Historic District

December 14, 2008

I Love Parades

PGE Festival of Lights Holiday Parade

"Holiday Dreams"

December 13, 2008

Salem, OR

Gems & Precious Stones

Oregon State Capitol Building

900 Court St NE

Salem, OR 97301

Display of collection of Oregon's precious gems

Off the Clock

Oregon State Capitol Building
900 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301

Gatke Hall - 1903

Willamette University
12th & State Streets
Salem OR 97301

Before being moved to its current location, this building played home to Salem's Post Office. It is currently used as the Laboratory for the Excercise Science Department. Sometimes you can see some rather bizarre activities through the windows as you pass.

Hear the Choirs Sing

Oregon State Capitol

900 Court Street NE

Salem, OR 97301

"Holidays in the Northwest"

Judson Middle School Choir

An array of musical performances and Christmas...oops! holiday decorations can be seen at the Capitol from Dec 1st - 23rd. Since I work within walking distance, I've had the pleasure of being entertained by the talent of the various local school choirs during my lunch hour.

They All Lived Together in a Little Crooked House

The Crooked House Playground

Bush's Pasture Park

600 Mission Street

Salem, OR 97302

This Dr. Seussian playground normally swarming with fun-loving children during warmer months seemed very empty (me being the only one there) yesterday. Located in Bush's Pasture Park, a 90-acre park that is a hive of activity for numerous Salem events and activities, visiting Bush House Museum and playing in the Crooked House to name a few.

Holiday Open House

Bush House Museum

600 Mission St SE

Salem, OR 97302

Built in 1878, this house belonged to Asahel Bush and stayed with his family for 75 years. Bush founded Salem's newspaper, The Statesman Journal (I'm sure he'd be disgusted with it's current lack of content and inflated price tag, which lends itself to its more common nickname, The Statesman Urinal.) and Ladd & Bush Bank. Efforts by the City of Salem and Salem's Art Association have kept this house, the Bush's possessions in the house and the surrounding grounds intact. Yesterday, the Art Association held an open house and extended free admission to the public. Normally, admisson is $4.00/adult, which is a very reasonable exchange for the wealth of historical information and beautiful interior decor provided.

Brick and Mortar

Macedonia Greek Cuisine Restaurant
189 Liberty St NE
Salem, OR 97301

Typical alley cat view of downtown Salem business.

On Your Marks

Speedway Kart Races

December 6, 2008

State Fair & Exposition Center

2330 17th St NE

Salem, OR 97301

These kids are waiting for the green light to start their race. They actually really got to moving at high speeds. The races take place in an area that normally houses livestock during the State Fair. Other races featured kage karts and 1/4 midgets.

Empty Tracks

Salem Amtrak Station
500 13th St. Se
Salem, OR 97301

Nativity Scenes

8th Annual Community Nativity Festival

December 4-7, 2008

LDS Stake Center

4550 Lone Oak St SE

Salem, OR 97302

Below, over 400 displays depicting nativity scenes from around the world in various different media. There was even one nativity from Hawaii made from a coconut.

String Quartet

1st Wednesday of December

Something Red Art Walk Reception

Reed Opera House

189 Liberty St. NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

Bird's eye view of the quartet entertaining guests at the "Something Red" Art Walk Reception. The Art Walk highlights the work of local artists in downtown galleries and retailers. The artwork will remain on display through Dec 31. I've seen a handful of pieces and they are indeed "Something Red".

Beautiful Sunset

As seen from the Salem hills

Oddly enough, we've been experiencing a relatively dry season. Ritual late November skiing, storm watching and jumping in puddles have all been postponed. Until the clouds open up and the temperatures drop, I'll continue to be punished with beautiful sunsets like this. Darn.

Theme Day : Circles

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Tis The Season

Survived two November birthdays and Thanksgiving. Now I'm prime to conquer the December holiday season.

Dramatic Entry

Stangeland Vineyards & Winery
Open House
November 28-30, 2008
8500 Hopewell Rd NW
Salem, OR 97304

Cookie Cut Condos

South of Madras & Commercial Streets

Salem, OR

I found this new tract of condos while trying to find a detour around the Walmart shopping frenzy today. They sure do look cute and clean though a bit too crowded for my taste. Not enough space in the front yard to kick the soccer ball around.

One That Got Away

Ankeny Wildlife Refuge
2301 Wintel Road
Jefferson, OR 97352-9758

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Where Barn Meets Sky

Liberty Road

South Salem

Serving God

Salem First United Methodist Church
Est 1878
600 State Street
Salem, OR 97301

Lights were on tonight in the Church. This structure's steeple make the church the tallest building in Salem. I wasn't able to photograph the entire building, with it's impressive steeple, tonight. One of these night's I'll have to return tripod in tote.

Our Lady

Queen of Peace Catholic Parish
4170 Pullman Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97302

South for the Winter

Geese

Salem, OR

Wine Cellars

Fall Open House
November 22-23, 2008
Evesham Wood Vineyards
3795 Wallace RD. NW
Salem, Oregon 97304

SLM

Salem Amtrak Station

500 13th St. Se

Salem, OR 97301

Built by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1918.

Good Fortunes

The Arbor
367 State St
Salem, OR 97301

Hanging in the front window display at this downtown retailer were these lanterns, symbolic of good luck and hope for a prosperous future.

Thanks To You

Riverfront Park

101 Front St NE

Salem, OR 97301

My very exact sentiments every Wednesday. Inspite of my best recycling efforts, I still do need to have the garbage haulers of Marion County remove a can of refuse each week. For their achievements, I do give thanks.

Our Historical Theater

Elsinore Theater

170 High St SE

Salem, OR 97301

First opened 1926.

Watering Hole

Pete's Place
356 State St.
Salem, OR 97301

Salem's longest running drinking establishment, lining 'em up so Salemites can knock 'em back since 1860.

Kiss Me

Al's Garden Center
1220 N Pacific Hwy (99E)
Woodburn, OR 97071

Interesting ceramic planters.

Cobalt Blue

The Daue House Gift Shop

Historic Alexander Daue House

1095 Saginaw St. S

Salem, OR

One of my favorite past times, especially during the wet, cold, blustery season, is antiques shopping. Today, neither wet or blustery, was just as good day as any to browse through the gift shop for additions to my collections. This shop is maintained by the Assistance League of Salem, a non-profit organization that supports various community programs, and housed in the 100-year old Daue House.

Below, colored glass merchandise for sale along the bay windows of the converted dining room.

Bubble Gum Pink

Al's Garden Center

1220 N Pacific Hwy (99E)

Woodburn, OR 97071

Al's Gardens grows over 50,000 and over 50 different varieties of poinsettias each year. A large portion of the annual crop go to worthwhile school, church and hospital fundraisers throughout Oregon and Washington. I did resist the urge to bring holiday cheer in mid-November. I promise to return and pick up my favorite Bubble Gum Pink Poinsettias after all the Thanksgiving leftovers are eaten.

Meet the Newest Seasonal Addition

Riverfront Carousel

101 Front Street

Salem, OR

This palomino's name is Happy Holiday, he's only visiting for the winter. Salem's Riverfront Carousel just underwent a makeover, changing decorations from harvest to yule tidings, the installation of a brass ring dispenser and the addition of Happy Holiday. I'm terribly impressed by the craftmanship of all the hand carved animals, the bright color of the carousel and the all smiles the ride seemed to bring to each child's face. I must confess, though, that I wasn't able to muster enough courage to go for a ride. Things that go round and round take its toll on both my head and the contents of my stomach. I wasn't in a gambling mood.