HOW is it possible...

That the Red Lion Hotel on Market Street is placing third for "Best Wedding Location" over beautiful local venues like wineries and other parks and locations? The fact that Willamette Valley Grill - a part of the Red Lion property is placing in so many categories - even those that it doesn't really qualify in - suggests that this voting once a day, as many times as you care to, is only going to show how many computers and employees you have under your control.
I'd like to believe that this process has some semblance of what Salem residents really think... but I'm starting to resent having to beg people to vote more than once to keep the playing field somewhat level.
Oh well, off to the next dilemma... because as a wise colleague pointed out - Does anyone really believe that that chain restaurant out on Lancaster is "real Italian"?
So, just in case you feel the urge to go in and vote everyday, please help out some of our friends:

• Willaby's Catering (under Professional Services)
• Coldstone Creamery (LOCALLY owned and operated, even though it's a franchise)
• Grand Vines - Best Place to Buy Wine, also under Entertainment - Best Place to Taste Wine
• Word of Mouth Neighborhood Bistro - great people serving great food :)
• Venti's Cafe - cool bar, great expanded menu (try the Honey Pepper Pork!)
• Caruso's - SO GLAD they are leading in Italian! We wouldn't begrudge them winning this category at ALL!

I'm sure there are many more quality, locally owned places that I'm missing, but these are some of our favorites! Feel free to comment and share your favorites too - wouldn't it be cool if locally owned places could place over corporate chains?