I have a real weakness for old-school country fairs.    The Benton County Fair fits that bill, with small animal exhibits, a bustling (albeit small) amusement area, and (my favorite)- the best little rodeo around.   The fair runs from today, July 29th through Saturday,  August 1st.

Benton County Fair 2007

You couldn’t have paid me to be out there today in that insane heat, but with cooler temperatures on the way, I’ll certainly be there for the Friday night Bull Riding event and to check out The Edgar Winter Band, who will be performing that night.

Benton County Fair 2007

Fair admission runs $8.00 (amusement rides tickets and reserved seating at shows may be purchased at an additional cost.)  More info at the Benton County Fair website.

Fellow Corvallis blogger, Kate has presented an enticing challenge to those of us who live here in the Corvallis/Albany area.  Her new site, Mid-Willamette Valley Eat Local Challenge encourages us to make an effort to include locally produced ingredients when preparing our meals.    Whether you prepare one meal of local ingredients per week or simply include local ingredients in every meal you make-  your participation helps our local economy- especially local farmers.  There are added ecological benefits as well.   For me-  well the choice is simple:   local produce hasn’t been trucked across state line and hasn’t been sitting in a box in a grocery warehouse.   Local produce is fresh and delicious- the very characteristics that I value most in any dish I prepare.
 

With the delectable bounty that the fertile Willamette Valley offers each year, it’s easy to ‘eat local’.   You can find local produce, meats, and eggs at the Corvallis and Albany Farmers’ Markets- both of which open next weekend (Aug 19th).   You can also find local ingredients at any of the number of area fruit / vegetable stands, some area supermarkets (Richey’s carries local produce!), and even from your own garden.   

Over the course of the challenge, I will be documenting my progress here at GBTL.    I will also be including recipes and photographs (duh!) of the dishes I prepare.    The challenge actually runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day (May 26th - Sept 1st), but I plan to begin chronicling my participation immediately following opening day of the Corvallis Farmers Market.

I encourage you to check out the Challenge website, sign up for the challenge, and do your part to support our local economy.  It’s a delicious and healthy way to start the summer!

That is the salutation that I wish to offer to the naer-do-wells and criminals that have recently taken up residence in our fair town.  

This evening, as I read this article in the Corvallis Gazette Times, I find myself disheartened to learn that a local man, Arik Santiago, 19, was arrested in connection with a pipe bomb found on Northwest 20th Street this last Friday evening. 

I am a fair, reasonably compassionate, thoughtful person.  If you have joined my community to be a hardworking, good, fair, respectful, and law abiding neighbor, then we shall get along fabulously.   I will respect your right to personal cultural, religious, and moral views as I am sure that you will respect mine.     But, if you have come to Corvallis, looking for a free ride as you bring drugs and crime to our neighborhoods, litter our streets with your filth, and threaten the safety of our children and ourselves, then I have one word for you…  “Leave”.

Just leave.