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Our Neighborhood

The Quiet Clean Resolution

This week SESNA passed a resolution supporting the Quiet Clean Salem movement in reducing the effects of noise and air pollution of yard tools on all our lives. This follows the SCAN neighborhood who joined in February, and hopefully just the first of manny to follow. Gas-powered tools like lawnmowers and leaf blowers have become […]

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Our City Our Neighborhood

Backyard birds

People love watching birds. If you’re ready to give this hobby a try, a good place to start is learning about the small birds you’re most likely to spot in your own backyard. That’s what I did. Over the span of a couple of weeks, I kept records of the birds visiting my own yard’s […]

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Our Neighborhood

A heron in the neighborhood?

We got sightings, and a video, of a juvenile heron in our neighborhood. And a pretty rare one to boot. The Audubon Society confirmed this particular bird as a Green Heron. The tranquil ambiance of a backyard pool takes an enchanting turn as a juvenile Green Heron makes an unexpected visit. The vibrant yet slightly […]

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Our Neighborhood

The Tale of the Domestic Rabbits Running Wild

Once upon a time, there was a quiet neighborhood where people lived in harmony with their pets. Dogs barked, cats roamed, and birds sang. However, something strange started happening one day – domestic rabbits started running wild! It all began when a few families decided to get rabbits as pets. They were cute, fluffy, and […]

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Our Neighborhood Our State

World Bee Day with Honey Bees

It is World Bee Day once more! Oregon is home to about 500 species of bees. You can find them in forests, fields and our own gardens. These busy insects are the main pollinators for 90% of plants, so keeping them healthy is important. Maybe you know somebody who keeps bees in their yard. It is […]

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Our City Our Neighborhood

Invasive Tree of Heaven spotted

Considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest because of its aggressive growth and ability to outcompete native plants, the Tree of Heaven is spreading fast south of Mission St. This tree originates from China but has been introduced to many parts of the world, including North America, as an ornamental plant. It is highly adaptable to […]

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Our Neighborhood

Many tiny libraries make for a big read

One of the most heartening aspects of modern urban life is the rise of the neighborhood tiny library. These charming little book depositories, often created and maintained by dedicated volunteers, serve as a testament to the human desire for knowledge, community, and connection. They bring people together around a shared love of reading and learning. […]

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Our Neighborhood

A brand new Little Free Library

Attention all book-lovers and knowledge-seekers! We are thrilled to announce the opening of a brand new neighborhood tiny library. This delightful little structure, located east on the Willamette Heritage Center grounds, is bursting with books for all ages and crafts for children. The library’s initial offerings focus on history, but the Heritage Center invites donations […]

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Our City Our Neighborhood

Backyard chickens and city wildlife

Sadly enough, we have no more chickens roaming the backyard. What happened? As many other neighbors, we kept a small amount of chickens both for company and fresh eggs. Salem allows up to 7 feathered backyard dwellers if they are allotted sufficient space to roam and no roosters are included in the party. That makes […]

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Our Neighborhood Our State

World Bee Day in Oregon

Oregon is home to about 500 species of bees. You can find them in forests, fields and our own gardens. These busy insects are the main pollinators for 90% of plants, so keeping them healthy is important for the production of food and protection of our environment. But the past decades the little fellows have […]