City Politics

Yes, even small little cities like Salem have city politics.

Of course they do. Every group of people gathered together to form any kind of organization finds that there are dynamics between people and groups that create what we consider "politics". Who's in charge of what? Who holds power in this or that area? Who is in the "in" crowd? Who has the ear of the decision makers? Heck, even families have political dynamics.

Well, there's a new mayor in Salem. Anna Peterson was sworn in as the mayor earlier this month. So that means its time for people to vie for her attention. We also have new city councilors, the other decision makers people like to try to influence. It will be interesting to see how everything turns out.

All I really want out of this whole thing is some twinkle lights downtown. Now I wonder who the decision maker is on that?

Salem Neighborhoods

So, I had an interesting conversation with Nancy (one of the owners/managers?) at Super Pho in the new downtown location the other day. She mentioned that she has noticed what a close knit group the downtown people are.

Everyone seems to know each other, or at least know of each other, and people talk to each other a lot. The first time I went into the restaurant, for instance, I knew two of the other patrons. We talked about a third person who has an office down the street and had become a regular.

Personally, I love living downtown and it feels a lot like a small town in a lot of ways. I enjoy running into other people I know, chatting with people in downtown businesses, waving to acquaintances on the street. I'm sure its lack of anonymity isn't for everyone, but it makes it feel like home to me.

It's not something I think about a lot until someone mentions it, but it got me wondering. Are the other Salem neighborhoods like this? Is it unique to downtown? Do people from other Salem/Keizer neighborhoods feel the same about their little corner of the city? Tell me your thoughts on this.

Vote for Restaurant of the Year!

It's that time of year again. You, as a Salemite get to vote for the best restaurant of the year on eatsalem.com. If you aren't a regular reader of EatSalem and you didn't nominate a restaurant, remember to bookmark the site and nominate next year.

For this year, you'll just have to vote for the restaurants already nomited. Oh, and I'd love to see Salem's only tapas restaurant, Andaluz, win this year (hint, hint)! If you haven't already checked out their little morsels of deliciousness, go visit with a friend, and then vote for it!

A Little Blogging Break

Sorry folks, I've been on a bit of a holiday hiatus. Let me just explain what has been keeping me so busy.

The holidays!! Yeah, I know, they happen every year, but every time it seems to sneak up on me! This year I was even more surprised by my brother and his family showing up for the Christmas season from overseas. It was great fun to be able to spend some time with my nephews. Oh, and my brother and his wife, of course. :)

I also got a nasty cold and found out that my asthma is coming back. I haven't had an asthma episode since I was a teenager and suddenly it wants to come back and attack me every time I get sick. And that just completely drains me.

So, there you have it. For those of you who were wondering, yes, I'm still alive. And I'll get back to my regular blogging about Salem in no time I'm sure!