Oregon Ag Fest kicks-off Saturday at Oregon State Fairgrounds

This is a great event for all ages to enjoy. It's especially good for children, as an educational experience with regard to agriculture.

Rally against Monsanto planned in Salem on March 26th

by Nate Rafn

The "Millions Against Monsanto" rally is a nation-wide event scheduled for Saturday, March 26th. A central rally will occur on The White House Sidewalk in Washington DC, with several simultaneous demonstrations across the country. Rallies are planned for Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Atlanta, among other major cities.

Monsanto is a multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation based in the United States. Monsanto is the creator of the herbicide Roundup; co-creator of Agent Orange; creator of synthetic bovine growth hormone rBST; and is the world's leading producer of genetically engineered seeds. Monsanto's disturbing track record has made them controversial throughout the world.

Local farm shares story of founder, family history

This week E.Z. Orchards celebrates the birthday of its founder, Edward Zielinski, a family farmer who's life-long efforts have had a major impact on business and agriculture in the Mid-Willamette Valley.


Edward's grandson, John, shares this fascinating story about the Zielinski family and the history of E.Z. Orchards.

Founders Day

by John Zielinski

This Valentine's Day marks the 106th anniversary of the birth of our founder, my grandfather, Edward Valentine Zielinski, born February 14th 1905. It was an hour long bumpy wagon ride into the Salem hospital, so like his brothers and sisters before him he was born in the family home on Hazel Green Road. He was the 12th of 13 children in a farm family that was typical of the day. They were self sufficient. They grew almost everything they needed, had their own cows, hogs, chickens, orchards, vegetables, and grain. Surplus beyond what they needed was sold and bartered for the things that they did not grow. Ed grew up working on his father's farm. He also worked on neighboring farms. Education was important but not crucial to survival in those days, so Ed started working full time when he completed the 8th grade.

Chef Marc Nassar to host KMUZ benefit dinner

Salem's new community radio station, KMUZ 88.5, needs to raise additional funds to begin broadcasting. 

A benefit dinner will be held on February 12th. Food will be prepared by well-known Salem chef, Marc Nassar; updates on the station's progress will be given by KMUZ board member, Melanie Zermer; with entertainment provided by belly dancer, Sherry Calahan.

The meal will consist of traditional Lebanese fare, including rolled grape leaves, lamb riblets, spanikopita, hummus, lentil soup, Arabic salad with vinaigrette and feta, and Marc's famous baklava.

Salem's blogging community tackles Super Bowl Sunday

Salemites.com will see a spike in traffic on Super Bowl Sunday. The Salem-based web ring is planning a "Super Blog Sunday" on February 6th 2011, featuring new posts from dozens of local websites.

For the Living Culture Blog, we plan on sharing Super Bowl themed recipes for snacks and appetizers.

Salemites.com features an up-to-the-minute feed from blogs that cover a wide variety of interests, including food, photography, family life, sports, cycling, local government, etc. A few blogs we recommend looking at are Desperately Seeking Salem, Eat Salem, Sally and Her Teacakes, and Savor The Taste of Oregon.

Visit Salemites.com for Super Blog Sunday!

Portland to get a dose of Mid-Valley cuisine

Living Culture now airs on Willamette Valley Television (KWVT) throughout the Portland metro area.

KWVT recently installed a transmitter on Portland's Skyline Ridge. The new signal covers the entire metropolitan area. Viewers will find KWVT on DTV channel 17.2.