Western States Folklore Society Meetings

Having been asked to do so, I am very pleased to help spread news of next spring’s Western States Folklore Society Meetings, which are slated to be held at Willamette University (WU) in Salem, Oregon. The dates are April 16-17, 2010. Details on the meeting follow the break and more information on the society and its meetings is also found on the WSFS website, at: http://www.westernfolklore.org . Founded in 1941, WSFS in an important professional society for folklorists and is the publisher of Western Folklore, a key journal that is widely read in the field.

2010 MEETING WESTERN STATES FOLKLORE SOCIETY

The Western States Folklore Society (WSFS) annual meeting will be held at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon 16-17 April 2010. The deadline for abstracts is February 28, 2010.

Theme: The theme of this year’s meeting is “Asian and Asian American Folklore, but any topic on folklore studies is welcome to be presented..

Submitting an abstract: If you are interested in organizing a panel or submitting a paper on any topic, please contact Dr. Juwen Zhang via email: juwen@willamette.edu or telephone: 503-370-6256, or by mail at Department of Japanese and Chinese, Willamette University, 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon 97301, USA.

All submitted abstracts must be accompanied by registration fees. These should be sent to Prof. Zhang by mail and be received within a week of electronic submission of the abstract. Checks should be made out to WSFS. Anyone who becomes a member of the Society at the time of submitting an abstract can pay the reduced member registration rate. They will also get a year’s subscription to Western Folklore. For member and non-member registration fee schedule, click on “Meetings” button on Society website. For membership fee schedule click on “Membership” button. (www.westernfolklore.org).

Hotel information:

Directions to Willamette University campus are available online:
http://www.willamette.edu/map/travel/index.html
Lodging:  Salem Convention Center or the Phoenix Grand Hotel is the best hotel in town.  It is less than ½ mile from the campus.
Phoenix Grand Hotel
Downtown Salem Oregon
201 Liberty Street SE 
Adjacent to the Salem Conference Center
Salem, Oregon 97301 
Phone: 503-540-7800 
Reservations: 1-877-540-7800 
Website: http://www.phoenixgrandhotel.com
Conference rate of $119.00 plus tax, with 10 upgrades for graduate students – same rate for 3-4 people.  Mention “Willamette University conference” when making reservation. Reserve at least 30 days before the conference to ensure this rate.

Other nearby hotels/motels:

Travelodge Salem Capitol.
1555 State Street (Less then 1/2 mile from campus)
503-581-2466
Discounted rates: $51-54 for one bed room; $56-62 for two-bed room.
Complimentary continental breakfast. Free wireless internet.
(Mention “Willamette University conference” when making reservation.)

Getting to Salem

The closest airport is Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon.
There is the Hut Shuttle (http://www.portlandairportshuttle.com/) from the airport to Salem. Round trip costs $64.00.

If a group is arriving at the same time, a university van might be arranged to reduce waiting and cost. Participants must provide their flight information by March 31 in order to coordinate group transportation.

The Hut Shuttle schedule is:

To Salem: Depart PDX, Arrive Salem (leaves every two hours, takes 45 minutes)
between 4:45 AM and 12:45AM
To PDX: Depart Salem, Arrive PDX (leaves every two hours, takes 45 minutes)
between 3:15 AM and 11:15 PM 

From the shuttle bus station (Red Lion Hotel) to campus, it is about 2 miles. Take a taxi or pickup  may be arranged (call: 503-383-4620)