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Mother of Salem

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RiRi  Calienté        RiRi  Calienté is one of the most well-known drag performers in the Mid-Valley area. Although most known by her iconic stage name, she is known outside performances as Richard Arias Jr. Born in Klamath Falls, Oregon, he was later raised and schooled in Marysville, California. Arias and his good friend Dwayne Wood were two of the only males to try out for the cheer team, resulting in discrimination and bullying from those around them. However, after graduation, the two decided to move to Portland, Oregon, following Arias' parents as they moved to Salem.  It was there that Wood sparked the idea for him to start drag, upon noticing how animated he'd become while cleaning to music.  On his deathbed in 2003, after his long battle with HIV, Wood asked Arias to promise he would. It wasn't until ten years later that Arias began performing.      On July 29, 2012, Arias made his first debut as RiRi  Calienté at the Southside Speakeasy. During the show, she wa
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On the Job

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The Book Bin, Salem OR:      This local Court Street store has been open in Downtown Salem since 1983. The Book Bin offers a wide range of books, stationary, and gifts. This weekend, it was among many small businesses that participated in Trunk-or-Treat, handing out candy to those in costume. Pictured are employees Tristain (right) and Kendal (left) working on the Information Station computer. Tristan has been a team member for a year and a half while Kendal was welcomed aboard a year ago.       Rose has been the resident cat since 2013. She can be found throughout the store, often curling up on displays in far corners. It's easy to miss her, so visitors must be prepared for a lovely game of I Spy while browsing the isles.  Roast Runners, Albany OR     Roast Runners is the on-campus, student-run coffee shop at Linn-Benton Community College. Being part of the Work Study program, the job allows student workers more flexibility while managing classes. Shianne, to the right, began trai
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E.Z. Orchards HarvestFest, Salem OR

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            The annual HarvestFest at E.Z. Orchards has been a tradition for this family farm for three decades. Opening in the fall of 1994, it has become a much larger festival expected to attract thousands of visitors this month. Until the thirtieth of October, the farm showcases many fall attractions including hayrides in the afternoon.       Friendly farm animals can be found in the mini petting zoo tent. Alongside the piglets are two goats, a calf, a sheep, and a few chickens. The farm reserves this adorable meet-and-greet for the HarvestFest only. Other activities include ring toss, pedal tractors, gold mining, and duck racing.             E.Z. Orchards showcases a spectacular pumpkin set up in their fields with a beautiful wall of sunflowers among them. Visitors can peruse the patch to find the perfect one for forty-nine cents a pound. Wandering around, educational signage is posted about the state of Oregon and the local agricultural practices as many schools take field trips
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Riverfront Park

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       The EcoEarth Globe is a sculpture at the south end of Riverfront Park, along the bank of the Willamette River. It's comprised of thousands of hand-painted tiles skillfully crafted by local artists; many of which were high school students under director Mary Heintzman.       This dinosaur mosaic is a close-up of one of the pillars that keeps the EcoEarth Globe steady. According to the City of Salem, the piece aims to promote global awareness, world peace, and cultural diversity. It took 5 years to complete and was released for public viewing in 2003. In 2017, it went under restoration efforts due to the elemental conditions.       The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge was opened for public use in November of 2017. It's a pedestrian bridge that is pivitol in connecting 3 parks in the Historic Downtown Salem area: Riverfront, Minto-Brown, and Wallace Marine. Alongside being a recreational and tourist attraction, the bridge and corresponding trail partake in habitat restora
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Welcome Post

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  (W.T. Caserta, Ankeny Hill, August 2nd, 2024) Welcome to my page!      I'm currently enrolled at Linn-Benton Community College where I'm working towards my Associate's of General Studies. I've been interested in the arts for a great portion of my life and have finally been able to take courses that align with that passion. In high school, I leaned more on my love of English and planned on pursuing it in my higher education. Unfortunately, the pandemic disrupted these plans and I put a pin in all my creative endeavors. I instead opted to join the workforce where I have gained nearly three years of experience in office settings. After this time, I've decided to return to school to both strengthen my resume and explore my career options.       This semester, I enrolled in JN134 to learn more about the world of photography. I noticed that in my spare time, I've been driven by documenting the world around me. With my camera roll filled with moments I've capture
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