Ugly Ducking Series
- 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 res...
- 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 ...
- 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...
- 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 movi...
- 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 kn...
- 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 cent...
- 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 wa...



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