 |
  |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
What's Happening Corvallis Energizing
Corvallis The Willamette Valley has a reputation for cloudy skies, but harnessing the energy of the sun is easier than you think. Corvallis-based Solar Creek has been helping residents cut down on their electric bills and convert to the earth-friendly power source for years.
At Solar Creek, no one gets paid. Since 2003, the entirely volunteer organization has installed photovoltaic solar collectors, or PVs, on both of the First Alternative Co-op grocery stores as well as Lincoln Elementary School. Upcoming projects include this year's Green and Solar Homes Tour and a PV array on the new Corvallis High School. Solar Creek was founded in honor of Jack Dymond's work towards raising awareness of solar power and building sustainable communities. An early environmentalist, he worked to make people realize the link between burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and pollution. "People who want to have an impact on their community, those are the people who go for it," said volunteer Kirk Bailey of Solar Assist. Jonathan Carroll is a Solar Creek volunteer and a manager at First Alternative. He explains how the co-op's principles motivated the management council to install a 2.6 kilowatt system on each store last winter. They've got a rooftop patio on the south co-op where customers can check out the solar panels in action. "It's about giving awareness to the public," he said. "I can't tell you how many people come in to ask me about the solar panels. For businesses, with all the incentives, it's a no-brainer." But for Carroll, the environmental awareness didn't stop at the office. He made major changes at home, too. His first step towards energy independence was decreasing wasted energy. He got rid of his heated water bed and added skylight tubes, an on-demand water heater, and an efficient refrigerator. Those small changes brought his energy use down from 10 kilowatt hours per day to two. After adding an adjustable 1.9 kilowatt PV array that's also connected to the power grid, his house now produces four times the energy that he uses in a year. And he never has to worry about running out of electricity if it stays cloudy for days on end because the grid-tied PV works with power from the power company to ensure he has electricity. While such a complete system isn't the right choice for everyone, the variety of options means all customers, regardless of budget, can find something that will help reduce electrical use. A simple solar-powered attic fan pays for itself by reducing summer cooling costs and increases the value of your home. A typical solar panel has a 25-year warranty, which means that long before the panel stops working, it's paid for in energy savings. The growing demand for PV installations encouraged Corvallis resident James Reismiller to earn his electrician's license and start his own company, Abundant Solar. He said a lot of people don't realize how various subsidies can dramatically reduce the total cost of a typical business installation. "After you subtract $6,000 for the Energy Trust of Oregon credit, $1,400 for the Federal Investment Tax credit, and $7,000 from the Oregon Department of Energy, the price of a 3,000-watt PV system drops from $20,000 down to about $5,600," he said. That's not counting the sale of Green Tags to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF). Green Tags, also called Renewable Energy Certificates, are bought by the BEF from renewable energy providers and then sold to conscientious energy consumers who want to support renewable energy but can't afford their own systems. "This is part of a larger movement, including bio-diesel and wind-power," Reismiller said. "People want to take responsibility for their lives." Solar Creek's next big project is installing solar panels that will generate 50 to 100 kilowatts at the new Corvallis High School. Since community tax dollars fund education, solar powered schools can allocate their savings to improve education. Plus students at these schools benefit from first-hand experience with a modern technology. The most inspiring characteristic of all these local volunteers is how much their values harmonize with their work. Each of them acts on their belief in a cleaner, healthier, stronger community for us and our children. In fact, the Creek in Solar Creek stands for "Clean Renewable Energy for Everyone's Kids." Corvallis is one of 11 Oregon cities participating in this year's "Green and Solar Homes Tour." On Sunday, Sept. 18 join the Corvallis Solar Tour to see the installations in action. For information visit www.solarcreek.orgTo learn about financial assistance for installing solar visit http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGYand http://www.energytrust.org
You've
Come a Long Way, Baby For Marlan Carlson, the trim, energetic man of boundless energy and enthusiasm who's headed up the Corvallis-OSU Symphony for nearly 20 years, one story sums up his biggest challenge over the last two decades. Sitting back in his cluttered office in the OSU Music Department, he recounted a tale of a trip to Eugene a few years ago. Carlson was on a scouting trip in search of promising students he could lure to the OSU campus. A colleague from Eugene was very helpful, but somewhat reserved. Carlson had brought along some cassette recordings of his symphony, which he offered to play for the skeptical colleague. However, in loading his cassette player, Carlson inadvertently inserted a tape of a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic, one of the finest symphonies in the world.
"Well, he listened for a few minutes then, you know, he had to admit that we did sound pretty good ... for a small-town community orchestra!" Carlson said. "That's probably the biggest downside; you're always fighting that perception of what a small symphony should sound like. It used to bother me, but it doesn't anymore." With the Corvallis-OSU Symphony set to begin its 100th continuous season of bringing classical music to Corvallis music lovers, the orchestra is doing fine. In fact, it's stronger than ever. Sure, it might be nice to get past the whole "small town" condescension, but eventually Carlson realized that delivering a solid roster of outstanding music was what made him happy in his job. "Our regular audience contains many very knowledgeable people," Carlson said, "So when several of these people approach me and tell me that our performance of Beethoven's Ninth is among the best they've ever heard, then I'm not going to argue with them. Now, we all know the quality is not going to match a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic, but for a group our size to stage it at all is amazing in itself." In fact, Beethoven's popular final symphony is not performed as often as you might think, even by large city philharmonics, because a proper production requires a full orchestra, a full chorus and several soloists. That the Corvallis-OSU Symphony was able to produce it might come as a surprise to people who still think of Corvallis — as Carlson's colleague did — as "just a small town." But if you live here even a short time one thing is clear: Corvallis may have grown up around an agricultural college, but the "cultural" has always been as important as the "agri." The citizens of Corvallis take their classical music seriously and always have. The current Corvallis-OSU Symphony has its roots in an entry in the 1906 Oregon Agricultural College student catalog. According to the catalog, Corvallis at the time was "a city of two thousand inhabitants, many churches and NO SALOONS." Student enrollment was 833, with 615 men and 218 women, who were greeted by the following announcement: "An orchestra has been formed for the benefit of the students of the School of Music, but it is also open to all other students of the college, as well as to all other persons in town whom the teacher may deem properly fitted for membership. There is no charge for belonging to this orchestra, and both young men and young women are admitted." The first known photo of the orchestra was taken in 1907. It shows an ensemble of two violins, three cornets, one trombone, two clarinets and a drum — all men. But a photo one year later shows a more versatile outfit of 17 men and women. A Music Department bulletin from the time noted that the orchestra gave frequent public concerts and had at least one rehearsal a week. As the years passed, the orchestra progressively grew by a few members each year, and performed where it could, often in one of Corvallis' "many churches," always playing to enthusiastic audiences who often had to be turned away for lack of space. It's important to note that while the orchestra has been in continuous existence for 100 years, 1917-1918 saw a greatly curtailed performance schedule because many of the male orchestra members went off to serve in WWI. As the orchestra grew, so did the ambitions of the various orchestra leaders. In 1924, the orchestra took one of its largest strides toward becoming the organization that it is today. Led by Marguerite MacManus, four orchestras were formed — advanced, preparatory, junior and beginning, with a concurrent rise in performances of "pop" and symphonic concerts, both in town and out-of-town, as well as Sunday concerts broadcast across the state on KOAC. Although the performances and broadcasts were popular, a note in a concert program hints that quality might not always have been what one would hope it to be. The note seems to be a plea for leniency on the part of listeners: "The OAC Orchestra was founded primarily to give pleasure to themselves and to be a medium for self-improvement through the gaining of first-hand knowledge of the finest orchestras. The Orchestra prepares ambitious programs. ... it is sometimes necessary to sacrifice something of artistic finish to the breadth of the field to be covered. It is realized that under these conditions perfect performance is not possible." All that changed, Carlson said, in the early 1980s when the orchestra got something it had never had: a permanent home acoustically designed for orchestral performance, the Austin Auditorium in LaSells Stewart Center. After that, Carlson said, good enough just wasn't, well, good enough anymore. "It's one thing when the orchestra is playing in Gill Coliseum; you don't expect it to sound good there. You give a lot of leeway. But if you're on a stage as good as the one at LaSells, if it doesn't sound good, it really doesn't sound good." Along with that change, Carlson, who took over the orchestral reins in 1985, realized that if he was to get the sound up to par, he needed to augment the orchestra with professional players. Many of those players were readily available right in town — the orchestra is still the same "town-gown" mix it's always been, with students and faculty playing right alongside community members. But now the company is completed by a core group of professionals who ply their trade in orchestras from Portland to Eugene.
"A symphony orchestra is a delicate instrument," Carlson said. "If you are weak in one section, the whole orchestra can't really cover it up. Plus, with students constantly coming and going in the lineup, you can never be sure of your balance of instrumentation. For us to function as we do, we have to be sure of a basic continuity." It's paid off. The Symphony has frequently been visited by some of the world's top musicians, and under Carlson's leadership the "small-town" orchestra has been building relationships with larger orchestras in Germany and China. "We're really working hard at developing a strong exchange program and getting sister city relationships going." he said. "Whatever some of the big city orchestras are doing, we're doing it here, too, getting our presence out there. We're not world famous, but with people that matter we are building a reputation; that's how we've been able to attract some of the guest talent that we have." Now he books high profile musicians a couple of years or more in advance. And though the 100th season won't open until Oct. 13, Carlson is already preparing the outline for the 101st season and trying to book concerts and talent that, in some cases, won't happen until 2007. The 100th season is built around five piano concertos, with guest pianists coming from around the U.S. and Europe. Carlson chose the season because "Corvallis is a piano town." Corvallis teenager Amy Wu, who placed third in the nation in the 2004 Yamaha Piano Competition, has packed Austin as the featured soloist in three concerts, and Corvallis has many piano teachers locked in friendly competition. Corvallis students consistently place first or second in the annual statewide Wiscarson competition in Salem. "Our Corvallis audiences love the concerts where we've presented piano concertos on the program, so we're rewarding them with a whole season of piano. We've got Andreas Klein (from Germany), Alexander Tutunov (a Russian now teaching at Southern Oregon University), Craig Sheppard, Rachelle McCabe (one of the aforementioned Corvallis piano instructors), and Per Tengstrand, who will be coming from New York City." For more information about season tickets for the centennial season, call 737-4061, e-mail syminfo@peak.org, or log on to the Corvallis-OSU Symphony website at symphony.peak.org
Off
the Beaten Path We're all familiar with traditional public art — prominent fountains, proud monuments, abstract forms of commanding size. But for years observant pedestrians have been appreciating a more subtle version in the alleyways along Madison Avenue: Alley Art.
It's tucked away, slightly hidden from the downtown foot traffic, against the unnoticed walls of the alleyways. Alley Art is about looking closer and in turn, finding a pleasant surprise. It stems from a desire to embellish our surroundings and take pride in our sense of place. Alley Art began in 1990 when Jim and Ruth Howland created the Howland Foundation Fund in the ArtCentric Endowment. They had just returned from Europe and were inspired by little sculptural vignettes that adorned alleyways. Why not translate such an idea to Corvallis? So the Madison Avenue Task Force and then-director of the Corvallis Arts Center, Susan Johnson, worked together to create the Howland Foundation Fund for public art. Between 1993 and 1999, four Alley Art works were installed in alleyways along Madison Avenue. Any artist could submit a proposal, and the Public Art Selection Commission made the final choices. The project continued at a slow pace, occasionally acquiring more artwork, until 2004 when the Madison Avenue Task Force decided to formally finish the Alley Art Project. They paired up with ArtCentric and received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The two Corvallis organizations matched the grant from the NEA to reach the $20,000 needed to complete the project.
The latest additions are from artists who were formally invited to participate and include six silkscreen reproductions, six photographs and three poems. The photographs and the poems came from the 2001 exhibition Marys' Peak: Sentinel of the Coast Range, curated by the Willamette Valley Photo Arts Guild. Owen Bentley, a member of the guild whose artwork is featured in the Alley Art Project, doesn't see much of a difference between a gallery and the alleyway. "It's an outdoor gallery," he said. "It is more accessible to more people so I think it is a great venue for any artist's work." A new technique involving enamel on metal has allowed for the installation of silkscreen, photography and poetry; media uncommon for public art. With this technique, the silkscreen prints of Bonnie Hall, a beloved Corvallis artist who passed away last year, serve as a kind of memorial of her life and work. Her prints of local wildflowers can be found on the brick wall outside the City Hall. Whereas her work was often placed in gallery exhibitions, the wildflowers appropriately reside in the open air, her "Giant Purple Trillium" placed next to the green two-hour visitor parking sign. "Cities are known for their art, so Corvallis is getting its own little art show," Bentley said. The artists involved are local artists responding to their perceptions of Corvallis. Hester Coucke, a member of the Public Arts Selection Commission who acts as the city liaison, said Alley Art reflects a "bond between artists and their community." Though unified as one project, the separate pieces are diverse in both subject matter and medium. "It gives opportunity for identification because it goes from rock forms to river otters to a dog," she said. "There is opportunity for anybody to identify themselves with one piece or another. There is even an old drive-in movie theater sign featuring poems by local poets."
According to Coucke, the alleyway becomes "a little gallery for that particular moment." Suddenly the brick walls and graffiti below the tangled lines of telephone wires are interesting and worth noticing. This time of year, the streets downtown are crawling with people. You can watch someone walk by the alleyways, notice the walls, duck in, and enjoy a moment out of the routine. "The thing about Alley Art," Coucke said, "is it is really like your art collection." Alley Art can be found in alleyways along Madison Avenue in downtown Corvallis. The official self-guided tour starts at ArtCentric (700 SW Madison Ave.) where you can also pick up a brochure.
RENAISSANCE
MAN Eugene might have Nike, Prefontaine and high-profile running events throughout the year. But Corvallis has a race of an entirely different kind: The Kinetic Sculpture Race.
And when it comes to new ideas and innovation 61-year-old David Ullman has been leading the pack for the last three years with his fantastic human-powered walking creatures. A retired OSU engineering professor, Ullman also has his own mechanical engineering design business. He holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering design from Ohio State and an MS in aerospace controls from the University of Cincinnati. "I've wanted to be an engineer since I was 3 years old … my father was an electronics guy and he put a hammer in my hand and I started banging on things," he said. After working as the Kinetic Sculpture Race's chief engineering judge for 10 years, he finally decided to enter it himself. Except he wanted to do something different — build a sculpture that actually walks. The race is part of Corvallis' annual three-day festival, da Vinci Days, held in July. To reach the finish line, the sculptures must travel more than 10 miles of city streets, climb a sand dune, get across 3,000 feet of clay pasture, 200 feet of deep mud and finally float down two miles of the Willamette River. "A group of us got to talking, saying 'Let's see if we can build something that doesn't have any wheels,' … was it even possible to build a human-powered walking machine?" Ullman said. A team member built a model with Legos, and it walked, which seemed promising. So the group began talking about the idea in November of 2002, building in February and the final product, a kinetic ant, was ready just in time for da Vinci Days in July 2003. Anywhere from eight to 10 people worked on the project in a given week. That first year, the goal was to get the ant across the starting line, says Ullman. And it did just that, walking about 50 yards before breaking down. The second year the team had two goals: to break the world record for the fastest speed and the farthest distance that a human powered walking machine could travel. They met both goals, maybe because there were no pre-existing records. "We contacted the Guinness Book of World Records and they seemed interested, but then never called us back," Ullman said. But if they did create the categories, the kinetic ant would hold both records: It reached the speed of 5 mph for 50 meters and walked 1.2 miles. This year, the ant was broken down into two separate entries. Ullman's was "like a dragon skeleton pulling a chariot," he says. Will he design more kinetic sculptures in the future? Maybe, if someone thinks of an interesting idea. "We've pushed the one idea about as far as we can technically, and nobody has a better idea at the moment," he said. If the Kinetic Sculpture Race invokes the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci, certainly Ullman can be called a Renaissance man because his true interest lies in design. "So that's what I've made my career," he says. "I designed bicycles, I designed kinetic sculptures, I designed software. I like creating stuff. I don't much care what it is." He's worked as a design consultant for many different companies including Boeing, Hewlett Packard and Harley Davidson. Ullman also holds the patent for a type of recumbent bicycle. "The whole creative process is fun because you give birth to ideas and you see if they work or not," he said. "As long as you don't get hung up on your ego, if they work, they're fine. It's like writing. Some things you write are really good … other things you look back at and think — who wrote this crap?"
Rockin'
for Everyman A union such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) is an odd place to find a band. But back in the early 20th century, the IWW used music for political expression, arguing for the rights of the common man through song, and was labeled with the slang term Wobblies. In 2002, a Corvallis-based political punk band adopted the name and the dogma of the IWW, using music to express the political views of the working class.
Brothers AJ and Ty, who wouldn't reveal their last names, moved from Springfield to Corvallis to attend OSU. AJ, the band's guitarist and lead singer, was spending a year in England and writing songs like mad, so he and Ty decided to form a band when he returned to Corvallis. During the time AJ was away, Ty met Portlander Charles, also an OSU student, and the two started playing together. Though other members have come and gone, the trio is the core of the band. All three members are self-taught, though Ty jokes that it's punk rock and not too complicated. The group takes pride in their stripped-down simplicity. Their subject matter, the class perspective of the working man (dissatisfaction with government and the state of society, etc.), works well with this bare bones sound (more The Clash than Green Day), creating a sort of everyman's music. They released their first CD in 2003 and hope to release their second one, Flames of Discontent, in the very near future as they begin a tour this month. Flames consists of 10 raw punk anthems for the average Joe. Throughout the new album, the beat is inconsistent and the lyrics are often unintelligible. If that doesn't bother you, then pick up a copy. If nothing else, it will make you think. The album paints a bleak picture of a world in which people are losing rights and falling victim to the gross corruption of those in power. "Corporate Criminal" hits the heart of the matter with the lines, "I'm not a criminal, a millionaire is / I'm not a terrorist, the Pentagon is / I'm not a liar, but the President is / I'm not a traitor, but your leadership is." These opening four lines illustrate the theme and spirit of the entire album: Money corrupts, the government is corrupt, and the very people who are supposed to be helped and protected are being betrayed. The last line of "Swindle's Victim" emphasizes the theme of using the everyman as a pawn, a disposable piece. It claims, "You are the swindle's victim, you are the price / They pay to keep their dirty deals alive." One song, "Lexington Rebels," compares the attitude of modern wars to that of the American Revolution. It goes so far as to claim that what today's patriots are fighting for is in exact opposition to what the patriots of the Revolution wanted. "Lack of compassion is the fashion of the day," the liner notes read. "The sons of liberty are turning in the grave." Perhaps the most poignant song is "Half Mast." Short, but pointed, the song in its entirety is, "Over and over again, they steal our liberties and then they grin / Our freedom lies down in her shallow grave / When the wake is over we walk away and fly that flag at half mast." There's nothing quite like the accusation of killing freedom being screamed to the music in your local pub. As do so many bands, The Wobblies want their music to speak for itself. Charged as it is with highly political and socially-aware content, the music definitely has a message for those who can pick it out of the enthusiastic screaming. "What we're trying to accomplish as a band," Ty says, "is for people to have fun at shows, but to leave them with something to think about and to hopefully stimulate conversation."
The
Hounds, Take Two Winners of the very first OSU Battle of the Bands, The Southtown Hounds have been reborn after a bit of a makeover as simply The Hounds and returned straight to the top of the Corvallis music scene. After three years as the original group, The Southtown Hounds bid farewell to the world in February of 2003, and almost exactly one year later, The Hounds made their debut, reinventing themselves for a new musical journey.
The band consists of Jefé Contreras (bass, vocals), Jordan Lucas (percussion and vocals), Rigel Woodside (drum, vocals), Curtis Monette (guitar) and Charlie Parker (keyboards and trombone). The five members' musical backgrounds are diverse. From 20 years of formal experience and Ph.D. work in computational musicology to learning from the flashing lights on a Casio keyboard, each one of them has traveled his own musical path to land at something they call Booglism (a term that reflects the unique and inventive attitude of the band). Onstage, however, audience members are likely to see many more than the five official members of The Hounds. The group enjoys inviting guest musicians to jam with them at shows and has enjoyed a wide variety of their fellows' talents, from saxophonists to harpists (yes, a harpist in a funk band…you figure it out). Rising quickly in popularity, like the first incarnation, the group took top honors at this year's fifth Battle of the Bands with their "Super Groovalistic Sophistafunktification," guaranteed to make anyone dance on the spot. The unique blend of funk, reggae, rock and soul is designed, according to the band, "for the express purpose of defeating…The Square, who wants to put everything in a box and sell it on the Internet for $19.95." In the quest to defeat The Square, The Hounds have been touring the Pacific Northwest spreading their Sophistafunktification (warning, may cause partyphilia) to music lovers near and far. The band has also opened for larger acts that tour through the humble city of Corvallis, such as reggae group Natural Vibrations, setting the tone with their jam-band sound. The Hounds spent much of the summer touring around the western United States, and will be grooving their way back to Oregon this week.
Nightlife
After Kids My first daughter was born and I imagined fun days were over. I could see myself trying to take kids to a late-night rock concert: screaming, embarrassing meltdowns, repeated tearful complaints. "Daddy, can we go now?" or "Daddy, my ears hurt!" Then I would be thrown in bad-parent prison.
I read the entertainment section in many newspapers, and felt as if I were living on a different planet. I sadly resigned myself to my new, boring life. Plus, I was getting older — can't stay up late, don't even want to. I still love live music and dancing, but the world doesn't seem to cater to families. Then I made an important discovery: Corvallis has a decent selection of early evening music events. Decaf and Deadwood My first choices are the Downtown Corvallis Beanery or the New Morning Bakery on Friday and Saturday nights. The Beanery has live music every Friday and Saturday night from 8 to 10; New Morning has music most weekends from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Folk, rock, blues, jazz, swing — I've seen it. The shows are free, which fits nicely with a tight budget. Other parents and kids are there and my girls have made fast friends. A couple weeks ago, I went to the Beanery with my two daughters (ages 2 and 4) and we watched Deadwood Revival, a bluegrass/old-timey duo that got my girls shrieking and dancing in front of the stage Being a musician myself, I appreciated the energetic, percussive performance and tight vocal harmonies. Just before 9, it was time to go. My youngest was ready for bed and approaching the inevitable "meltdown." Back in May, we went saw Melange at New Morning. A combo of fiddle, a hammer-dulcimer and guitar, Melange played a fascinating mix of gypsy, swing and Russian folk tunes. We got our desserts and sat at the back of the room near the play area. The girls weren't very interested in the music, but they were contented playing with blocks and toy trucks while I listened. The play area saved the day. It's the Bomb Another early-evening entertainment venue is Bombs Away Café, with frequent live shows and great food. Bombs Away has restaurant-style seating in the front and a bar in the back. The bands play on a stage in the restaurant area and the sound is piped back into the bar through the sound system. Thursday evenings expect to see some really fine jazz, with two artists alternating weeks. One week it's Neal Grandstaff and friends, the next it's the John Bliss Xtet. The sound system is kept down to a dull roar, good for sensitive young ears. The girls are less tolerant of loud music than my fundamentalist grandma was! Deli Style Perhaps the most involved my kids have ever been in one of these events was when we went to Old World Deli on a Saturday night for the Old-Time Fiddlers. I brought my guitar, my oldest daughter brought her ukelele and we sat in the song circle playing along with the rest of the "old-timers." Up on the stage, about 10 people sat down with their instruments. We went around the circle, each one of us choosing a song to play and then "performing" it as a group. Sometimes, the songs sounded pretty good. Other times, well ... at least we were having fun. No matter how the songs came out, though, the audience was appreciative and the atmosphere was light-hearted.
Early Bird Corvallis Entertainment THE BEANERY. 500 SW 2ND, 753-7442 All shows start at 8 pm
NEW MORNING. 219 SW 2ND, 754-0181 Music is not yet scheduled, but they plan to have music every Friday and some Saturdays starting in September. Check their website: www.newmorningbakery.com BOMBS AWAY CAFE. 2527 NW MONROE, 757-7221
OLD WORLD DELI. 341 SW 2ND ST., 752-8549
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Listings in the Eugene Weekly calendar are free. We don't list workshops, classes or events that cost more than $30. Submit listings to cal@eugeneweekly.com by noon on Thursday the week prior to publication. Note: Continuation dates for events are listed under the first day of the event.
THURSDAY, AUG. 11 Asleep at the Wheel, 7pm, Monteith RiverPark, Albany. FREE. Steel Magnolias, 7:30pm tonight, tomorrow and Aug. 13, Withycombe Theatre, OSU. $9, $5 stu., $6 sr. Better Hearing support group, 3:30pm, Corvallis Senior Center. Ron, 754-1377. FREE. Allan Byer, 8pm, 2nd St. Beanery. FREE. Neal Grandstaff & Ray Brassfield, 7pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. "The Men/The Women," work by Jonathan Day, Mark Allison, Gordon Dobbie, Jim Adams, Diane Widler Wenzel, Diane Hoff-Rome, Jan Dymond and Kathi Smith, through Aug. 31. An opening is 6:30pm tonight. 10:30am-5:30pm Tu-F; 10:30am-4pm Sa, Pegasus Gallery. FREE. "Landscapes and Portraits: Digital Prints," work by Richard Helmick, through Aug. 31, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. FREE. "Lizard Prints: Kevin Clark," through Aug. 31. 9am-5pm M-F, Giustina Gallery, OSU. FREE. Work by Kathy Jederlinich and Randy Milstein, through Aug. 30. 7am-11pm M-Th; 7am-12am F; 7:30am-12am Sa; 10:30am-11pm Su. Concourse Gallery, Memorial Union, OSU. FREE. FRIDAY, AUG. 12 Camping With Henry and Tom, 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Aug. 18, 19 and 20; 2:30pm Aug. 14 and 21, Majestic Theatre. $10, $8 stu., sr. Jezebel, 7pm, 103 Owen, OSU. FREE. Lava Lake Heritage Hike, 8am-5pm, Sweet Home Ranger District. 367-9206. Wine tasting and appetizers with music by Pete Ballerstedt, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Oregon Pinto Breeders Horse Show, 7:30am-7pm today, tomorrow and Aug. 14, Linn County Fair & Expo Center. www.oregonpinto.comFREE. Artist reception, 6pm, Atrium Gallery. FREE. The David Samuel Project, 49 Fingers, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $5. Joe Stevens, 8pm, 2nd St. Beanery. FREE. The Noah Peterson Duo, 8:30pm, Big River Restaurant. 757-0694. SATURDAY, AUG. 13 27th Annual Mid-Valley Bicycle Club Covered Bridge Tour, 40 mile family ride or 68, 85 or 101 mile scenic rides, 7am-8:30am registration for long rides, 7am-9am registration for family ride, meet at Timber Linn Park, Albany. $13 family ride, $23 longer rides. Corvallis Cruisers Volkswalk, 6.2 mile non-competetive walk, start between 8am and 1pm, Weaver Tree Farm, Blodgett. Clark, 753-7644. FREE. Corvallis Farmers' Market, 9am-1pm Saturdays through Nov. 19, First & Jackson. FREE. Albany Farmers' Market, 8am-noon Saturdays through Nov. 19, Water Ave. & Broadalbin St. FREE. David Rogers, 10am, Albany Saturday Market. FREE. Tuff Truck Competition, 7pm, Rodeo Grounds, Philomath. $10, $5 kids. Lisa Landucci, 8pm, 2nd St. Beanery. FREE. Sam Holmes, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. SUNDAY, AUG. 14 Effective Cycling 2 with Jerry Rooney: The Bike, 1pm, meet at Franklin Park. 752-6588. MONDAY, AUG. 15 Corvallis Youth Symphony, 7pm, Monteith RiverPark, Albany. FREE. Avery Park rose garden tour with Frank Cochrane, 7pm, meet at kiosk near Avery Park Drive. 766-8649. Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, AUG. 16 Corvallis Community Band plays Selections from the Classics, 7pm, Central Park. FREE. Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17 Walk with the Doc, learn about women's health issues from Dr. Michelle Curtis, 7:30am, Benton County Fairgrounds near Oak Creek Entrance. 758-2747. OSU Summer Choir concert, 7:30pm, First Congregational Church. FREE. Book Club discusses Leap of Faith by Queen Noor, 7:30pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. FREE. Corvallis Farmers' Market, 8am-1pm Wednesdays through Nov. 23, Benton County Fairgrounds. FREE. Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Eric Dickey's Plus One, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. The Hounds, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. 738-6996. Songwriters in the Round, hosted by Sam Holmes, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. THURSDAY, AUG. 18 Riders in the Sky, 7pm, Monteith RiverPark, Albany. FREE. Velo-Natural Tour of Corvallis area, 15 mile bike ride, 5:30pm, meet at Howland Plaza. Bob, 737-1242. Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. John Bliss Xtet, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. 9/11 Memorial Tapestry exhibit, through Sept. 17. Noon-5pm Tu-Sa, ArtCentric. An opening is 5:30pm tonight. www.artcentric.orgFRIDAY, AUG. 19 Star Wars, dusk, Downtown Albany. 928-2469. FREE. Willamette River Festival, boat races, sidewalk sales, kiddy carnival and more, today, tomorrow and Aug. 21, Downtown Albany at the river. 928-0911. FREE. Wine tasting and appetizers with music by Phil Kauffman, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Family Adventure Days, noon-10pm today and 9am-5pm tomorrow, Happy Valley Tree Farm, Lebanon. 451-5322. Gordon Meadows Heritage Hike, 8am-5pm, Sweet Home Ranger District. 367-9206. Nancy Ream & Mercury's Refrain, 8:30pm, Big River Restaurant. 757-0694. Tim Avilla, 8pm, 2nd St. Beanery. FREE. SATURDAY, AUG. 20 La Fiesta De Su Biblioteca, English/Spanish event for youth of all ages, make Aztec fans, hear stories and sing songs, 11am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Bicycle Birding with Don Boucher of the Audubon Society, 9am, Avery Park Rose Garden. 753-7689. Family Bike Cruise, 10am, start at Campus Way between 11th and 14th Streets. 766-6030. Miss Hawaiian Tropic International Model Search, 9:30pm, Platinum. 21+ show. 738-6996. The Wobblies, CD release party, 9pm, AJ's. 21+ show. 758-4582. Wendy James & Dan Andrews, 8pm, Iovino's. FREE. SUNDAY, AUG. 21 Bald Hill family ramble, easy 4 mile hike suitable for children, 9am, Bald Hill. Barry, 929-6272. Effective Cycling 3 with Jerry Rooney: Traffic Situations, 1pm, meet at Franklin Park. 752-6588. MONDAY, AUG. 22 Tree Walk with Pat Breen, 6:30pm, Central Park Gazebo. Deb, 754-1734. TUESDAY, AUG. 23 Corvallis Community Band, 7pm, Central Park. FREE. PainPals support group, 7pm, Corvallis Senior Center. Namita, 760-0894. FREE. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 24 Walk with the Doc, learn about women's health issues from Dr. Amy Card, 7:30am, Benton County Fairgrounds near Oak Creek Entrance. 758-2747. String Loaded, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. THURSDAY, AUG. 25 Neal Grandstaff & Ray Brassfield, 7pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. FRIDAY, AUG. 26 Molly's Revenge, 6:30pm, Tyee Wine Cellars. $8. Berry Picking Bonanza hike, 9am-4pm, Sweet Home Ranger District. 367-9206. ACTeens present David and Lisa, 8pm today, tomorrow and Sept. 1-3; 2:30pm Aug. 28, Albany Civic Theater. $9, $6 sr. and under 18, Wine tasting and appetizers with music by Eric Nicholson, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. 6th Annual Wah Chang Northwest Art & Air Festival, activities, marketplace and more, 6am-10pm today, 6am-11pm tomorrow and 6am-3pm Aug. 28, Albany Municipal Airport and Timber Linn Park, Albany. Los Lobos performs at 8pm Saturday. FREE. Mid-Life Crisis, 8pm, 2nd St. Beanery. FREE. Ala Nar, 9:30pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $6. SATURDAY, AUG. 27 Sweet Home Highland Games and Clan Gathering, 8am-8pm today and tomorrow, Sweet Home Events Center. 367-3487. Reser Stadium open house, tour the newly expanded stadium, get football players' autographs, 10am-1pm, Reser Stadium, OSU. FREE. DJ Krusty, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. SUNDAY, AUG. 28 Effective Cycling with Jerry Rooney: Graduation Ride, 1pm, meet at Franklin Park. 752-6588. TUESDAY, AUG. 30 Corvallis Community Band plays Community Band Favorites, 7pm, Central Park. FREE. Summertime BBQ, 1:30pm, Corvallis Senior Center. RSVP by August 26 to 766-6959. $4. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31 Corvallis High School Jazz Combo, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. Innerwound, 49 Fingers, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $3. Thriving Theatre! Improv Night, 9pm, Iovino's. $5. THURSDAY, SEPT. 1 John Bliss Xtet, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. "Debutante's Ball," work by Barbara Anderson, Susan Binder, Diana Coomes Reynolds, Shelley Curtis, Nancy Hagood, Beth Norris, Janet O-Doherty-Hessel and Tammy Tasker, through Sept. 30. 9am-5pm M-F, Giustina Gallery, OSU. An opening is 5:30pm Sept. 9. FREE. "Kurt Norlin & John Maul," through Sept. 30. An opening is 6:30pm Sept. 15. 10:30am-5:30pm Tu-F; 10:30am-4pm Sa, Pegasus Gallery. FREE. "The Fan Club," Quilt County Exhibit, through Sept. 30, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. FREE. FRIDAY, SEPT. 2 The Wizard of Oz, dusk, Downtown Albany. 928-2469. FREE. Wine tasting and appetizers with music by Future Roots, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. First Friday, evening to 8pm, Downtown Albany. 928-2469. "A Stitch in Time: Quilts Inspired by the Horner Collection," through Oct. 15. 10am-4:30pm Tu-Sa, Benton County Historical Museum, Philomath. FREE. SATURDAY, SEPT. 3 OSU football, Beavers vs. Portland State, 3pm, Reser Stadium, OSU. $36. Dan Reynolds, 8pm, Iovino's. FREE. TUESDAY, SEPT. 6 Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7 Youth Fall Poetry Festival, poems on display through Sept. 17. Noon-5pm Tu-Sa, ArtCentric. www.artcentric.orgInfant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Alex from Costa Rica, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. Open mic night, music, poetry and comedy, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. THURSDAY, SEPT. 8 Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Neil Grandstaff & Ray Brassfield, 7pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. FRIDAY, SEPT. 9 3rd Annual Habitat for Humanity "Fun" Raiser, wine tasting, dancing, raffle and gourmet appetizers, 5:30pm, Tyee Wine Cellars. www.tyeewine.comWine tasting and appetizers with music by Eric Nicholson, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. An opening for "Debutante's Ball," 5:30pm, Giustina Gallery, OSU. FREE. Who Squealed on the Blind Pig?, 6:15pm tonight, tomorrow and Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and Oct. 1, Flinn's Living History Theater, Albany. $27.50 with dinner; $10 show only. Artist reception, 6pm, Atrium Gallery. FREE. All Rights Reserved, 9:30pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $4. SATURDAY, SEPT. 10 Antiques and Art in the Streets, 8am-4pm, Downtown Albany. 928-2469. FREE. "Country Roads," the Quilts in Gardens walking tour of local showing of quilts, 11am-5pm, start at Corvallis Country Club. www.mcfallstudio.biz/quiltsingardens2005.htm Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire, 10am-6pm today and tomorrow, Kings Valley. Jousting Knights & Noble Steeds are at noon and 4pm daily. www.shrewfaire.com $9. Third Annual Polk Fall Fling, all-day educational gardening experience, lunch and door prizes, 8:15am, Dallas High School, Dallas. 503-361-2671 OSU football, Beavers vs. Boise State, 3:30pm, Reser Stadium, OSU. $36. Sam Holmes, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. SUNDAY, SEPT. 11 Musical performance with a capella group Absolute and special guests, in conjunction with the 9/11 Memorial Quilt exhibit, 2pm, ArtCentric. www.artcentric.org Harvest Music Festival, music, food & wine, benefit for the Old Mill Center for Children and Families and the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra, 5pm, 4790 NW Walnut Blvd. www.harvestmusicfestival.org MONDAY, SEPT. 12 Teen Game Night for ages 12-18, PlayStation2 and Xbox games, 5pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, SEPT. 13 Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 14 Random Reviews: Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, reviewed by Stephen Schuetz, noon, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. FREE. Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Dan Bregar, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 Parkinson's support group, 2pm, Corvallis Senior Center. Jerry, 752-3238. FREE. Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. An opening for "Kurt Norlin & John Maul," 6:30pm, Pegasus Gallery. FREE. John Bliss Xtet, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 Wine tasting and appetizers with music by Pete Ballerstedt, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Fall Youth Poetry Festival presents an open mic poetry reading, 7pm, ArtCentric. www.artcentric.org The Hounds, Jive Kitchen, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $5. SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 Rhapsody in the Vineyard wine walk, 4pm-7pm, Downtown Corvallis. 754-6624. $5 wine glass, $.50 tastes. Kids' Day for Conservation, hands-on activities and fun, 10am-4pm, Benton County Fairgrounds. 929-2477. FREE. La Fiesta De Su Biblioteca, English/Spanish event for youth of all ages, Dragon Art Studio performs a Chinese rod puppet show, 11am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Picco Fest 2005, musical benefit in honor of John Picco, overnight event with entertainment, camping, food, prizes and more, noon today through noon tomorrow, Rockin' Red Ranch, Sweet Home. www.piccofest.com$15. Rollin' Oldies "Fifties in the Fall" Car Show, 9am-5pm, River Park, Lebanon. FREE. Oregon Covered Bridge Festival, 9am-7pm today and 9am-5pm tomorrow, Pioneer Park, Stayton. www.covered-bridge.orgFREE. Bill Beach, 8:30pm, Iovino's. $5. SUNDAY, SEPT. 18 Collector's Market, 9am-3pm, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, Albany. 399-0477. MONDAY, SEPT. 19 Low Vision/Macular Degeneration support group, 2pm, Corvallis Senior Center. Vision Northwest, 1-800-448-2232. FREE. Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 Bilingual Book Club/Club Bilingue de Lectura for grades 3-6, 6:30pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Work by Ted Ernst and Kristi Mitchell, through Oct. 22. Noon-5pm Tu-Sa, ArtCentric. www.artcentric.org Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 Book club discusses A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, 7:30pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. FREE. Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Middle school book club meeting, book to be announced, 4pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Ben Mutschler, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. The Hounds, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. 738-6996. Songwriters in the Round, hosted by Sam Holmes, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. THURSDAY, SEPT. 22 Teen book club meeting for high school ages, book to be announced, 4pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Storyhill, 8:30pm, Bombs Away Café. $8. "Music Made Visible: The Visual Poems of Neil Jussila," through Oct. 22. An opening is 5:30pm tonight. Noon-5pm Tu-Sa, ArtCentric. www.artcentric.org FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 The Seven Year Itch, 8pm tonight, tomorrow and Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 6, 7 and 8; 2:30pm Oct. 2, Albany Civic Theater. $9, $6 sr. and under 18. Wine tasting, appetizers and live music, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Judge Waldo Heritage Hike, 8am-4pm, Sweet Home Ranger District. 367-9206. My Life in Black and White, Evelate, 9pm, Platinum. 21+ show. $5. SATURDAY, SEPT. 24 Corvallis Fall Festival, arts & crafts, music, children's activities, entertainment and more, street dance 6pm tonight, 10am-10pm today and 10am-5pm tomorrow, Central Park. www.corvallisfallfestival.comFREE. Albany Rose Society Rose Show, 11am-6pm today and tomorrow, Heritage Mall, Albany. FREE. 2nd Annual Paws in the Park Petwalk fundraiser, 10am-2pm, Timber Linn Park, Albany. www.safehavenhumane.com OSU football, Beavers vs. Arizona State, 7pm, Reser Stadium, OSU. $36. DJ Down, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. MONDAY, SEPT. 26 Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, SEPT. 27 Kids' book club meeting for grades 3-5, book to be announced, 4pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28 Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. String Loaded, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. Thriving Theatre! Improv Night, 9pm, Iovino's. $5. THURSDAY, SEPT. 29 Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Neil Grandstaff & Ray Brassfield, 7pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 Wine tasting, appetizers and live music, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Johnny D and the Badfish Band, 10pm, Bombs Away Café. $3. SATURDAY, OCT. 1 OSU football, Beavers vs. Washington State, time TBA, Reser Stadium, OSU. $36. Soroptomist of Albany Walk for the Cause, 9am, Linn County Courthouse steps, Albany. 917-6849. Tall Jazz, 9pm, Iovino's. $5. SUNDAY, OCT. 2 Eric Bogle, 7:30pm, Unitarian Fellowship Hall. cfs.peak.org MONDAY, OCT. 3 Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, OCT. 4 Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 5 Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Alex from Costa Rica, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. Open mic night, music, poetry and comedy, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. THURSDAY, OCT. 6 Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. John Bliss Xtet, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. FRIDAY, OCT. 7 First Friday, evening to 8pm, Downtown Albany. 928-2469. Wine tasting, appetizers and live music, 4pm-6pm, First Alternative Co-op Main Store. FREE. Women in Music showcase, 10pm, Bombs Away Café. $5. SATURDAY, OCT. 8 Corvallis Model Train Swap Meet, 10am-5pm, Benton County Fairgrounds. 760-5245. Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief, 7:30am-3:30pm, Linn County Fair & Expo Center. www.oregonmennofest.org FREE. Melodious Funk, 10pm, Bombs Away Café. $3. Ben Muchler & Steve Willis, 8pm, Iovino's. FREE. SUNDAY, OCT. 9 Pumpkin Festival & Scarecrow Contest, noon-5pm, Gathering Together Farm. Scarecrows must be set up between noon and 6pm on Oct. 8. ww.gatheringtogetherfarm.com $4/family. MONDAY, OCT. 10 Quartetto Gelato, 7:30pm, LaSells Stewart Center, OSU. $20. Bedtime Storytime for kids of all ages, 7pm, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. TUESDAY, OCT. 11 Toddler Storytime for ages 1 to 2.5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12 Infant Storytime for kids up to one year old, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Dan Bregar, 7:30pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. Sam Holmes, 9pm, Iovino's. FREE. THURSDAY, OCT. 13 Preschool Storytime for ages 2.5 to 5, 10am, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. 766-6794. FREE. Neil Grandstaff & Ray Brassfield, 7pm, Bombs Away Café. FREE. An opening for Chi Meredith & Friends, 6pm, Pegasus Gallery. FREE.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
