Featured image credit: NorthStar Air Tours San Juan County Commissioner Rick Hughes wanted to take his wife from Friday Harbor, Washington, to Victoria, British Columbia, for a romantic Valentine's Day weekend a year ago. But to get there in the winter, he realized that it would be a tough journey. The two cities are only … Continue reading North America’s shortest international flight taking off on Groundhog Day

Featured image: The night sky frames a native oak tree in the Santa Monica Mountains (photo credit: National Park Service) Conditions should be perfect for the Winter Star Party at Paramount Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on Saturday, January 20. That's because there's a waxing crescent moon, a slivered crescent allowing … Continue reading Winter stargazing party at Paramount Ranch in California’s Santa Monica Mountains, January 20

Featured image by Artturi Mantysaari, via Creative Commons When my aunt-in-law was alive, she made wassail, a delicious hot non-alcoholic apple cider beverage,  for our family's annual Christmas Eve celebration. She said it was a custom in her native Norway. I didn't know that the term, wassail, also referred to a celebration until I looked it … Continue reading Wassail Cider Fest coming to a barn January 20 in Hillsboro, OR

Featured image credit: KBOO Community Radio, Portland, Oregon In a world where radio stations face tough competition and many struggle to survive, Portland's pioneer in community radio continues to thrive as it celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018.  A fully listener-supported, non-commercial, volunteer-staffed gem, KBOO is independent in every sense of the word. And they're … Continue reading KBOO, Portland’s first community station, celebrates 50 years with an exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society through July 29

Featured image by Candiix, via Creative Commons Check out five brand-new mini musicals running 15 minutes each at Portland's Mini Music Festival Thursday, January 18, through Sunday, January 21, at the Brunish Theatre. The musicals, directed by Diane Englert and Kelly Wetherald with music direction by Darcy White, feature work by these talented local writers … Continue reading Portland’s Mini Musical Festival takes center stage at the Brunish Theatre January 18-21

Featured image by Cheryl Landes Update, January 9, 2019: The opening has been delayed until February 11, 2019, but the exact date depends on when the government shutdown ends. The delay appears to be caused from the approval of an updated air service environmental assessment about the impact of offering commercial flights at Paine Field. … Continue reading Alaska, United to start commercial flights from Everett’s Paine Field

Featured image: The curtain and stage inside McCaw Hall in Seattle for the Pacific Northwest Ballet's new production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by George Balanchine with set and costume designs by Ian Falconer. Olivia the Pig, Falconer's famous children's book character, sits in the balcony on the left. Photos by Cheryl Landes I confess, I'm … Continue reading Pacific Northwest Ballet: A tale of two Nutcrackers in Seattle

Featured image by Cheryl Landes Enjoy beautiful floral designs inspired by art from arrangers throughout New England at the 16th annual Floral in Winter exhibition, Thursday-Sunday, January 25-28, at the Worcester Art Museum. In addition to the floral displays, the museum will host a variety of activities, including a lecture about the lost gardens and … Continue reading Brighten your day at Flora in Winter 2018, January 25-28 at the Worcester Art Museum

Featured image: Scallop plate from a previous Cape Cod Scallop Festival (photo credit: FCTV) For 48 years, the Cape Cod Scallop Festival attracted thousands of locals and tourists to Massachusetts' famous summer playground to enjoy fresh seafood, arts and crafts, a car show, and live entertainment. But this year, the event has been cancelled. The … Continue reading 2018 Cape Cod Scallop Festival in East Falmouth, MA, cancelled

Featured image: Harriet, who enjoys hanging out on the guest sign-in book at Animal Aid in Portland, Oregon, is among the 19 cats currently looking for a forever home. (photo by Cheryl Landes) Cats are masters of yoga. Watch one stretch as it works out every kink in its body, and you'll understand. Cats know … Continue reading Find your center at Yoga with Cats in Portland on January 21