Featured image: The curtain waiting to rise for The Nutcracker at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts in Eugene, Oregon Photos by Cheryl Landes, except where noted The Nutcracker is one of my treasured holiday traditions. For years, wherever I travel, I attend performances by different ballet companies. Sometimes I even plan a trip … Continue reading Eugene Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker a masterful tale in dance

Featured image credit: Creative Commons, via pixabay The Mercer Island Art Council needs performers for its Mostly Music in the Park concerts, which start Thursday, July 19, 7-8:30 p.m., for five weeks. Performances are held at Mercerdale Park in downtown Mercer Island, east of Seattle. A sound system will be provided. The deadline for applications … Continue reading Performing artists wanted for Mercer Island summer shows

Photos by Cheryl Landes It's that time of year again when more than 20,000 gray whales travel to their breeding grounds off the Baja Peninsula, and it's possible to see them on the Oregon Coast. Look for water spouts from their blowholes and their long bodies arching as they surface and dive. And, if you're … Continue reading It’s Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast

Featured image: The Queen Mary (photo credit Wikimedia Commons) Welcome the new year aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, with live entertainment featuring Sir Mix-A-Lot and Los Chicos Del 512, a Selena tribute band. Other entertainment includes dueling pianos and country music, dancing, and casino gambling spread over multiple decks and ballrooms of … Continue reading Celebrate the new year’s arrival aboard the Queen Mary

Featured image credit: Mount Hood Meadows Happy New Year from Mount Hood Meadows! The ski area kicks off 2018 with a big celebration commemorating its 50th season, and you're invited Ski late. Lifts run after midnight. Buy a special New Year's Eve lift ticket for $49. Go to the Shipyard for Party in the Park, … Continue reading Mount Hood Meadows celebrates 50th season with New Year’s Eve bash

Featured image: Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon (photo by Cheryl Landes) Ice in the steep west hills of Portland prevented the Pittock Mansion from opening today. If conditions improve, the mansion will reopen tomorrow for its annual Christmas display. Check the Pittock Mansion's website for updates. Each year, from the Monday before Thanksgiving until New … Continue reading Pittock Mansion closed today due to icy conditions in Portland’s West Hills

One of many giant lighted ornaments at the Oregon Garden's Christmas in the Garden Photos by Cheryl Landes Updated April 20, 2020 From the day after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, the Rediscovery Forest at the Oregon Garden in Silverton transforms into a European-style holiday wonderland called "Christmas in the Garden". Stroll trails decorated in … Continue reading Snowless tubing, ice skating, food, music, and more fun at Christmas in the Garden in Silverton

Featured photo: Light from the Milky Way reflects in Stanley Lake in the new Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, 130 miles northeast of Boise (photo credit: Wally Pacholka, AstroPics.com) The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, more than 1,400 square miles northeast of Boise, is the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the nation and the third … Continue reading Nation’s first International Dark Sky Reserve chosen in central Idaho

Featured image credit: Mount Hood Meadows Ski Area From December 23 through February, the Mount Hood Meadows Ski Resort has a free shuttle going from the Hood River Event Site to the ski area. The shuttle runs daily through New Year's Day and on weekends throughout January and February. The shuttle also operates on Martin … Continue reading Mount Hood Meadows runs free shuttle from Hood River to ski area