dcnovice
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I'm an inveterate Google geek, so here's some Wikipedia info on Salem. Arts and culture From May through October the Salem Saturday Market, located north of the Capitol, exhibits an emphasis on local products including crafts, baked goods, produce, meat, and other items. In addition to the Saturday Market, there is a Wednesday Farmers' Market hosted downtown in Courthouse Square during the summer, as well a Holiday Gift Market in December. The 60+ year old, indoor Saturday Public Market is open all year round. The annual World Beat Festival , held in June, is sponsored by the nonprofit Salem Multicultural Institute. The event lasts for two days and is held at the Riverfront Park. It features international crafts, music, dance, food, and folklore from every continent, and in recent years has held a Dragon Boat race similar to the ones held during the Rose Festival in Portland. The Salem Art Association sponsors the annual Salem Art Fair & Festival, which takes place at Bush's Pasture Park during the summer. Its displays, interactive exhibits, food, and performances attract thousands of visitors each year, making it the largest juried art festival of its kind in the state. The Bite of Salem, held in July at the Riverfront Park, is an event similar to others such as the Bite of Oregon in Portland. The event consists of a weekend of local restaurants in Salem offering samples of their menus to patrons in a festival atmosphere, with live entertainment and benefiting local charities. Mountain West Group Chef's Nite Out is an upscale wine and food benefit held for the Marion-Polk Food Share. The largest event in Salem is the Oregon State Fair in late summer. Located in the Oregon State Fairgrounds in North Salem, the fair offers the usual exhibits, competitions and carnival atmosphere of a traditional state fair in addition to big-ticket concerts, wine tasting, and rock climning. Other events such as concerts, horse shows and rodeos take place at the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center throughout the year. The Salem Repertory Theatre presents shows at the Reed Opera House. The rustic Pentacle Theatre, which features plays and musicals, is located in West Salem. The historic Elsinore Theatre is also a landmark featuring recitals, concerts, films, and plays. Museums and other points of interest In addition to the Oregon State Capitol building, and adjacent Willson Park, Salem's downtown contains the Mission Mill Museum, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, and the historic Elsinore Theatre. The tallest building in Salem, and the only one taller than the State Capitol building, is the First United Methodist Church.[1] The current sanctuary was completed in 1878. Its tall white spire rises at the intersection of Church and State Streets across from the Capitol grounds. The Oregon Symphony, based in Portland, presents approximately ten classical and pops concerts each year in Salem. The Salem Chamber Orchestra includes professional area musicians as well as students. The Salem Armory Auditorium has hosted touring bands including Korn and Phish. Because Salem is the state capital, it has a multitude of government agencies, departments and boards housed in buildings with architecture designs ranging from the early 20th century to examples of state-of-the-art civil building design. The historic Reed Opera House in downtown Salem has a number of local shops and dining establishments, as well as an art gallery. Salem has been awarded "Tree City USA" status by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 30 consecutive years for its dedication to urban forestry.[9] Salem was the first city in Oregon to receive the award.[10] In keeping with the city's "Cherry City" theme, flowering cherry trees have been planted along many Salem streets as well as on the Capitol Mall across from the Capitol. The Salem Public Library's main branch is located just south of downtown. A branch library is located in West Salem (Polk County). The Library participates in the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, so Salem Public Library cards are also valid in of the member libraries in Yamhill, Polk, Marion, and parts of Linn County. The film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital.
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No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up. JANE WAGNER, THE SEARCH FOR SIGNS OF INTELLIGENT LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE
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