Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Lights Dimming on 2008

Wishing everyone a happy and properous New Year.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Forging Heat

Mission Mill Museum
1313 Mill St SE
Salem, OR 97301
Blacksmithing demonstration.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Cure for Cabin Fever

Firebird Lanes Bowling Center
4303 Center St. NE
Salem, OR 97301

Sunday, December 28, 2008

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.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

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.

Friday, December 26, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Decked for the Holidays...

Willamette University Sky Bridge
12th & Mill Street
Salem, OR 97301
...and covered in snow.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

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.

Friday, December 19, 2008

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.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Stroll With Me

Court Street Footbridge
Mill Creek
Salem, OR

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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.

Monday, December 15, 2008

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

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I Love Parades

PGE Festival of Lights Holiday Parade
"Holiday Dreams"
December 13, 2008
Salem, OR

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Gems & Precious Stones

Oregon State Capitol Building

900 Court St NE

Salem, OR 97301

Display of collection of Oregon's precious gems

Friday, December 12, 2008

Off the Clock

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

Thursday, December 11, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

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.

Monday, December 8, 2008

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.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Brick and Mortar

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


Typical alley cat view of downtown Salem business.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

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.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Empty Tracks

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

Thursday, December 4, 2008

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.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

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".

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

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.