• Ugly Duckling to Swan: Crooked House Bistro I always thought Chablis was something that came in a box.   Well, that is until I had dinner at the Crooked House Bistro.   Many years ago my husband and I were down in Bandon, Oregon with my in-laws.  We dined at this small restau...
  • Ugly Duckling to Swan: French Press "Well this sure is a crap-hole," I said. "Gee hon, what do you really think?  It's not that bad," chided my husband jokingly, as he opened the door to go inside. "Hmmpf," was all the retort I could muster that day.  It was early in the morning and I r...
  • Ugly Ducking to Swan: Salmon Run As you drive down high street here in Salem Oregon, the mustard yellow building kind of jumps out at you.  The first time I saw this finished building I wasn't sure what to make of it.  Was it seriously ugly or seriously cool? Salmon Run was built in...
  • Ugly Duckling to swan: The Salem Cinema As you head out of downtown on high street you will see some carpet warehouse buildings off to the left.  Head just a bit further and you will hit the Broadway revitalization area.  My swan feature this month is the Salem Cinema. I'm a fan of movies ...
  • Ugly Duckling to Swan: the Kroc Center Unless you have lived under a rock in Salem Oregon, you know something big happened in the Northgate Neighborhood of Salem Oregon:  the Kroc Center. Salem is one of 8 cities across the nation that was awarded a Kroc center by the Kroc family...you know ...
  • Ugly Ducking to Swan: Part II Last month I talked about the recent renovation to the Union Street bridge that was converted into a pedestrian bridge in the first part of my series, but I have to say this this project was a real change for downtown Salem Oregon...the convention center ...
  • From ugly duckling to swan... Ten years ago or so now, we decided to leave our beloved West Hills of Portland and head down to Salem for a great opportunity for my husband.  I was not thrilled, which is an under statement, about leaving Portland because everyone knew that Salem was u...