NEWS

Watching the community bloom at Holding Court

Carol McAlice Currie, and Carlee Wright
Statesman Journal

The weather was a perfect 80 degrees outside and passers-by squinted into the sun as they stepped lightly along the sidewalk. Inside the Court Street Dairy Lunch, it was just as nice as everything was coming up roses. And blueberries and clematis and potatoes and Doug fir seedlings. Also there was Statesman Journal entertainment reporter Carlee Wright, who stepped in for Michael Davis this week.

Oregon AgFest representatives Hanna Krahmer, 9, from left, holds a rabbit named Martin, Faith Wilson, 18, holds Sassy, a lamb, and Mason Krahmer, 6, holds a chick for a photo during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch in downtown Salem on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

With much skittishness, 3-month-old lamb Sassy stayed close to her handler, 18-year-old Faith Wilson, who is a member of the Scio chapter of the National FFA Organization. The lamb and lass were joined by HannaKrahmer, 9, and her mini lop rabbit Martin, her brother, MasonKrahmer, 6, who had a carton of six newborn chicks, their mom, Oregon Ag Fest board member Andrea Krahmer, and Brandi Buxton, Ag Fest volunteer coordinator. The critters and crew in the alley next to the restaurant were hoping to attract attention for this weekend's 29th annual Ag Fest at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.

Mason Krahmer, 6, with Oregon AgFest, holds a chick as his sister, Hanna Krahmer, 9, holds a rabbit for a photo during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch in downtown Salem on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

Rain or shine, the Ag Fest brings together urban families to teach them about the importance of agriculture in the state. This year, it's expected that more than 18,000 people will learn through more than 60 free activities how important agriculture’s economic impact is to the state, Andrea Krahmer said.

More than 30 critters will be on hand to show children where the food they eat comes from, how sheep are raised for their wool to make clothing, and the importance of forests for Oregon's ecology and the health of the state's residents.

Sassy, a lamb, and other animals will be available for viewing at the Oregon AgFest. Photographed during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch in downtown Salem on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

More than 800 volunteers are marshaled to help put on the event, including farmers, ranchers and students from throughout the state. There will be a trade show, too.

And in big news, Andrea said Ag Fest will continue its annual tradition of horse-drawn wagon rides, but in an effort to minimize wait times, officials are adding a second wagon this year.

Additionally, there will be pony rides, the ever-popular digging for potatoes exhibit, mini pedal-tractor rides, fir tree seedlings to take home, an opportunity to meet Nosey the cow, and an opportunity to watch chicks hatch.

Mason Krahmer, 6, with the Oregon AgFest, holds a chick for a photo during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch in downtown Salem on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

Best of all, the Ag Fest, April 23-24, is free to children 12 and younger; parking is free and general admission for everyone else is $9, but a coupon on the Ag Fest website, oragfest.com/attend/, knocks $2 off the adult admission price. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The state fairgrounds are at 2330 17th St. NE, Salem, 97301.

Plantapalooza

If getting your hands dirty is your idea of a grand day out, the Marion County Master Gardeners Association have speakers lined up that should have you running for a can of O'Keeffe's Working Hands balm.

Farouk and Beth Husseini stopped by to promote the Marion County Master Gardeners.

Farouk and Beth Husseini stopped by to say the next two speakers for the series, sponsored by the association and held in the Anderson Room of the Salem Public Library, will be offering fun and informative talks applicable to all types of gardeners.

First up at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, is Lucy Hardiman, a nationally known garden designer. She will be discussing how to grow plants vertically.

"This is perfect for people who have small spaces or who want to cover a wall," Beth said.

The next meeting before the group breaks for the summer (monthly meetings resume in September) will feature Maurice Horn, co-owner of Joy Creek Nursery and one-time board members of the International Clematis Society. Horn will speak at 7 p.m. at the Tuesday, May 24 meeting, also in the Anderson Room at the library.

"He will finally answer the question of whether it's pronounced cle-matis or clem-atis as well as talk about the history and development of the clematis," Farouk said.

Clematis is perennial buttercup-family plant that has brightly colored flowers of varying size and form.

Both speakers offer question and answer time after their discussions, and as always, the Marion County Master Gardeners provide light refreshments and door prizes to anyone interested in gardening.

The MCMG Association is part of the Oregon State University Extension Service. For more information, call 503-588-5301. The library is at 585 Liberty St. SE.

Save lives and time

Michele Vanderyacht of southeast Salem's Epic Fitness wants to do more and give more back to the community, so starting May 6, she's hosting a Red Cross blood drive at the gym and then she'll repeat the event every 56 days -- the minimum amount of time allowed between blood donations.

Michele Vanderyacht, with Epic Fitness, is hosting a blood drive next month, and wants to hold one every 56 days thereafter.

"When the weather gets nicer it gets harder to get folks in to donate blood. But nice weather doesn't mean the need for blood decreases. This is my way of helping out," Vanderyacht said.

She wants to remind the public that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and that approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed daily in the U.S.

According to the American Red Cross, although an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, less than 10 percent of that population actually does. This is an alarming statistic because blood cannot be manufactured, it can only come from human donation.

So roll up your sleeve. The O blood type is especially needed since it is the universal blood type that can transfused with A, B, or AB blood types.

The Red Cross also now allows blood donors to save time by completing a RapidPass on the day of their donation. Answering questions prior to arrival reduces the process. The blood draw typically takes about 12 minutes, Vanderyacht said, but the process can take about an hour and 15 minutes because all donors must provide a medical history and are given a mini physical and have their temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin checked.

"After you donate, they give out great cookies," Vanderyacht said. "So workout before you give blood to work them off and remember no heavy lifting afterward."

Anyone who stops by to donate will be given an all-access one-week pass to Epic Fitness, she said.  The pass is good for all of the gym's facilities and classes.

"Ultimately, it'd be nice to build up a group of regulars who'll come every 56 days," Vanderyacht said.

An appointment is "strongly recommended," she said because last time, several people without them arrived close to quitting time and they were turned away.

There are currently 24 appointment spots open between 1 to 6 p.m. May 6.

To schedule an appointment or get more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org (use sponsor code Epicfitness) or call 800-733-2767. Epic Fitness is at 706 Madrona Ave. SE.

Hear the music, help the community

Shari Crawford, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Council of the Mid-Willamette Valley, came by with a plea.

The society's emergency services fund is being tapped heavily these days. It is currently serving 800 families from our community monthly with food supplies and rent and utility assistance. Crawford said the society is getting at least 10 requests daily with these life essentials.

"The job market is not meeting the demand and so many people are working part time," Crawford said. "The need is increasing daily."

Shari Crawford, with St. Vincent de Paul, stands for a photo during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court.

To help replenish the fund, St. Vincent de Paul is hosting a folk concert with Massachusetts singer and guitarist David Roth, who is known for combining song, spirit and speech in person and on CD.

"He's very inspirational and entertaining," Crawford said. "He's a storyteller, and makes you laugh and think."

The benefit concert will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at St. Edward's Church, 5303 River Road N, Keizer. Tickets are $15 each and available at the door.

Sister-city love

North Salem senior Carly Gould, from left, sophomore Chris Deatherage and French teacher Ben Wolcott are hoping the community will help the school's delegation finance some of its trip to Kawagoe, Japan, Salem's sister city, coming up in June.

Carly Gould and Chris Deatherage, students at North Salem High School, stopped by with French teacher Ben Wolcott to promote three upcoming fundraisers that will help a group of students preparing to take a trip to Salem's sister city in Kawagoe, Japan.

On June 18, a group of eight students and three teachers are traveling to Kawagoe through the Kawagoe Cultural Exchange program, which has been ongoing since 1987, Wolcott said.

Gould, a fourth-year Japanese student, said about 30 students applied for the exchange, which sends North Salem High students to Japan every other year. During the off year, Japanese students visit Salem. The students stay first with host families and then in youth hostels.

Wolcott said the 30 applicants were then whittled to the eight, and several criteria beyond GPA were considered for the cut.

"We send a delegation that best represents our student community; not all are in Japanese classes," Wolcott said.

The students have been fundraising frenetically for months, and thanks to those efforts and the generosity of the North High community, plane tickets have been purchased for the delegation.

"But they need to eat and sleep while they're there, and we need to prepare for a reception we give to the Japanese students when they arrive next fall, to extend to them the same courtesies they give us, which is why we're having these fundraisers," Wolcott said.

Gould and Deatherage said they hope the entire Salem community will come out to support the effort to send a delegation to Salem's sister city.

The first fundraiser is a Mexican dinner that will begin at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles lodge, 371 S Pacific Highway,  Woodburn, OR 97071. The cost is $6 for any item on the fundraiser menu.

The next benefit is a dessert night at 7 p.m. May 3rd in the North Salem High School library. The minimum donation of $15 per family is suggested. Wolcott said several local businesses are being tapped to provide desserts with proceeds benefiting the delegation.

The final fundraiser is a movie night set for 7 p.m. in the North Salem High School auditorium. The cost to see the movie, "My Neighbor Totoro," (in Japanese with English audiotrack) is a suggested donation of $3 per person. A concession stand will also be set up with profits again going to the delegation's trip fund.

For more information, contact North business teacher Sherry Chidwick at Chidwick_Sherry@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Get your greens

Are you ready for spring time planting? Get your starts and more at the Friends of Bush Gardens annual plant sale 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the pavilion at Salem's Riverfront Park, 200 Water St. NE.

Bob Ziegen and Gretchen Carnaby, with Friends of Bush Gardens, stand for a photo during the Statesman Journal's Holding Court at the Court Street Dairy Lunch in downtown Salem on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

According to volunteer Gretchen Carnaby, the sale has the "most incredible" organically grown tomato plants and the "widest selection" of herbs available, plus an unusual selection of perennials, shrubs and trees.

“The sale offers really well grown, good quality plants at good prices,” Carnaby said, noting that funds raised support local growers - there are 15 of them involved this year - as well as the friends who work in Bush’s Pasture Park.

For information, call 503-588-2410 or go to friendsofbushgardens.org.

Join a club

It’s membership month at the Four Seasons Social and Recreation Club.

John Jost, from left, Janice Phillips, Dave Thoreson, Darlene Williamson, Dee Hoekstre, Paula Smith and Jim Caton, with the Four Seasons Sports and Recreation Club, are looking for new members with new ideas for fun.

“We are always looking for new people. New people bring new ideas and new activities,” member John Jost said.

From beach trips to bowling to ballgames, the social club, which is open to anyone 21 and older, is all about fun. The group has even gone ziplining. Activity ideas are generated by club members.

“The beauty of the club is that any member can come up with an idea,” John said.

The group meets at 6 p.m. on the first Monday of every month at Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE. It’s a social time for members to meet, visit and have the opportunity to sign up for future events. Dessert is served and coffee is available.

For information, email 4seasons4fun@comcast.net or go to 4seasons4fun.com.

Tea time

It’s tea time - or at least it will be at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church's “High Tea with Mum and Me” 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Masonic Lodge, 1625 Brush College Road NW.

Cindy Nielsen, left, and Mary Knutsen, with the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, talked about an upcoming high tea.

Adorned in their fancy hats, event organizers Cindy Nielsen and Mary Knutsen were bubbling over with news of the sweet and savory delights attendees can expect from the second annual tea, which conveniently falls near Mother’s Day. A variety of mini sandwiches, scones and Devonshire cream, plus a couple of gluten-free options are just a few of the treats to be relished. There will also be a fashion show featuring children’s attire, sponsored by Mother Goose Resale, and adult wear, sponsored by Rags to Riches, beginning at 3 p.m. And a talk about brewing proper tea.

“We pack a lot in there,” Mary said.

And don’t forget to wear your bonniest bonnet for the hat contest at 3:45 p.m. No chapeau? No worries. If you do not have a hat, there will be plenty to borrow. Gloves are also encouraged.

Cost is $20 for adults; $15 for children 10 and younger. Proceeds benefit the community work, mission and ministry of the Prince of Peace Episcopal Church.

Call 503-585-1479 or 503-363-3458 to reserve your spot.

Calling all volunteers

Catherine Webber, recently returned from presenting at the International Research Society for Public Management in Hong Kong, stopped by Holding Court to put in a call for volunteers and support.

Katherine Webber, with the Institute for Modern Government, is looking for volunteers.

Webber, a former state senator, is part of the Institute for Modern Government, a local nonprofit organization that analyzes issues and problems facing government and collaborates on solutions. The organization is looking to recruit volunteers to assist with its website and content. Additionally, it is seeking fundraising support.

The organization has been presented with a variety of opportunities, said Webber, but lacks the financial backing to take action.

“We think we can make Oregon the capital of modern government,” she said. “We are doing stuff no one else is doing.”

For information, call her at 503-362-0197. Visit the organization’s website at instituteformoderngovernment.org.

Make note of a move

Not only has Legal Aid Services of Oregon - Salem Regional Office moved, it’s also updated its name. The office is now located at 105 High St. SE.

The office merged with Legal Aid Services of Oregon about 10 years ago, said Angelica Vega, and decided the move was a good time to update the name.

“We are excited about being downtown, right across from the courthouse,” Vega said.

Legal Aid Services of Oregon is a nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals residing in Marion and Polk Counties or with active cases in one of these two counties.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday; and 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday. Walk-in intake hours are 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday.

For information, call 503-581-5265 or go to lasoregon.org.

Art awaits

Lorraine Dye and Scott Gordon Woodhouse filled us in on what’s coming up at Red Raven Gallery, 155 Liberty St. NE Suite 140.

The April artist reception, which had to be rescheduled due to illness, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. April 28. April’s featured artists are watercolor painter Susan Bourdet and mixed media artist Scott Gordon Woodhouse.

Lorraine Dye and Scott Gordon Woodhouse, with the Red Raven Gallery, talked about upcoming featured artists and works.

Originally from the Bay Area, Scott moved to Salem about a year ago after living in Portland for a few years. “I had a hard time connecting in Portland, but an easy time here. It’s more accessible,” he said. “It’s a wonderful place. Everything here is making me want to paint and paint and paint.”

On the same night as the artist reception, there will be a spring/Mother’s Day themed Make-N-Take card event hosted by the gallery and Runaway Arts & Craft Studio. All ages are welcome. Materials will be provided and Christy from Runaway will be there with ideas and offering assistance.

The gallery is also seeking submissions for its next show, which takes place May 4 through 28. The theme, “Textiles from art to apparel,” includes felt, fabric, knitting, crocheting, lace making, basketry, weaving and any other textile art form that is artistically employed. Entry fee is $10 for one item or $25 for three. Drop off your goods 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.

For information, call 503-798-9973 or go to redravengallery.com.

Well-deserved recognition

Court Street Dairy Lunch owner Marlene Blanchard returned from her vacation to find the restaurant had been given celebrity status. Alert the media. Oh wait; we are the media.

Marlene Blanchard, owner of the Court Street Dairy Lunch, stands with a Willamette Heritage Center award for being the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the city.

While she was gone, the Willamette Heritage Center awarded the Dairy Lunch its 2016 Heritage Enterprise Award for being the "oldest continually operating restaurant" in Salem. It has been in operation since 1929, which has it edging out White's Restaurant on SE Commercial Street by eight years.

Hats off to both for their staying power, and our heartiest congratulations, Marlene and crew.

ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com; 503-399-6746 or follow on Twitter at @CATMCurrie or cwright2@StatesmanJournal.com, call 503-399-6671, or follow on Twitter @CarleeWrightSJ