Featured image: Tables set for Thanksgiving dinner (photo by Cheryl Landes) If you're prefer stuffing yourself over stuffing the turkey, the Oregonian has compiled a long list of restaurants open in Portland on Thanksgiving Day to choose from. Some require reservations, so check on availability before showing up. On the north side of the Columbia … Continue reading Don’t want to cook on Thanksgiving? Portland-Vancouver restaurants got you covered.

Featured image: A view from Thunder Hole at Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine (photo by Cheryl Landes) This is the third year of REI's #OptOutside campaign, which encourages us to replace shopping on the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) with exploring the outdoors. This year, more states are joining the campaign by offering free … Continue reading Get outside on Black Friday with free state parks admission, events

Featured image: A classic car, a common sight in Cuba, parked in front of La California Restaurant in Havana (photo by Cheryl Landes) Because of lower demand and President Trump's tightened restrictions on US citizens traveling to Cuba, Alaska Airlines announced yesterday that it would end its flights to Cuba on January 22. Read Alaska … Continue reading Alaska Airlines to end flights to Cuba January 22

Featured image: Hello, Vancouver! host Temple Lentz behind the scenes at the September 2017 show (photo credit: Bloom Photography NW) Vancouver, Washington's live home-grown variety show, Hello, Vancouver!, returns tomorrow, November 15, to the Warehouse 23's event space at 100 Columbia Street with an eclectic lineup: Susan Armitage, Washington State University Professor Emeritus and author … Continue reading Turkey bowlers and Unicorn Tamers join the lineup for the next Hello, Vancouver! on November 15

Featured image: A view of Mount Hood on the road to Timberline Lodge and Ski Area (photo by Cheryl Landes) It's official! Ski season is now underway at Timberline Lodge and Ski Area at Mount Hood, an hour's drive southwest of Portland, Oregon. Season passes are now on sale. Prices increase November 27. For more … Continue reading Ski season starts at Timberline Lodge

Photo by Cheryl Landes The Suburban Times reported today that two Metro Parks Tacoma attractions, Point Defiance Zoo and Northwest Trek, are collecting non-perishable food for the Emergency Food Network. In return, they're offering a 50 percent discount on adult and children's admissions through November 19. To get the discount on admission, bring two or … Continue reading Donate food to needy, get half-off admission at two Metro Parks Tacoma attractions through November 19

Featured image: Tacoma Art Museum (photo by Cheryl Landes) Thanks to more than 70 supporters and donors, the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) began offering free admission to active-duty military personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families on Veterans Day weekend. The offer continues year-round. Stop by the museum at 1701 Pacific Avenue through November 29 to see … Continue reading Tacoma Art Museum now offers free admission to the military and their families

Featured image: Dancers celebrate at the Christmas party during the Commonwealth Ballet's production of The Nutcracker (photo by Mike Nyman Photography) On November 24-26 and December 8-10, the Commonwealth Ballet returns with one of my favorite small community productions of The Nutcracker. All performances this year are at the Eleanor Welch Casey Theatre on the … Continue reading Commonwealth Ballet returns to Regis College with 20th season of The Nutcracker November 24

Featured image: The Venersborg Schoolhouse, the oldest continuously operating community building in Washington State (photo credit: Venersborg Community Club) Get a head start on holiday gift shopping with local artisans at the Venersborg Schoolhouse's first annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. If you're interested in renting a vendor … Continue reading Historic Venersborg Schoolhouse hosts first Holiday Bazaar November 18

Featured graphic credit: Holt International Christian music's largest annual tour is in full swing in the western US, and it's stopping at the Moda Center in Portland on Friday, November 17, at 7 p.m. This year's tour features a wide range of popular Christian talent, including Lecrae, Mac Powell, Andy Mineo, Building 429, Family Force 5, … Continue reading Winter Jam stops in Portland on November 17