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