Photos by Cheryl Landes From April through June, the wildflowers bloom in the forests and meadows of Dog Mountain. When you hike along the steep 6.8-mile Dog Mountain-Augspurger loop and shorter trails, you'll find some of the best wildflower viewing and panoramas in the Columbia River Gorge. And, on clear days, you'll see a fantastic … Continue reading Permits required to hike Dog Mountain on weekends during wildflower season

Spring doesn't seem like spring without those sweet marshmallow candies called Peeps®, which magically appear everywhere in time for Easter. Some love to eat them; others do not. Whatever your preference, you might be interested in learning that Peeps are not just a sweet treat. With a little creativity, Peeps can become amazing masterpieces worthy … Continue reading This peep show is appropriate for the entire family

Featured image: A slice of Curry On My Wayward Son by Old Town Pizza (photo credit: Portland Mercury's Pizza Week) Tantalize your tastebuds and immerse them in some unusual combos of pie during Pizza Week in Portland April 15-20. This year, 45 restaurants are featuring their own special editions to tempt and delight you at … Continue reading Expand your tastebuds’ horizons at Pizza Week in Portland

On Saturday, April 27, get a jump start on Oregon Wine Month when iHeartRadio and Young’s Market Company host the first annual Corks + Carts wine and food tasting experience. The event features 15 of the Oregon's finest wineries and nine of the best food carts in Portland. Culinary selections include barbecue, macaroni and cheese, … Continue reading Get a head start on Oregon Wine Month at Corks + Carts in Portland

Photos by Cheryl Landes The Cabot, a historic theater in Beverly, Massachusetts, is accepting applications for artists to work on a large mural project. The theater has formed a partnership with Beyond Walls to install murals on the exterior walls. "We aim to create a mural installation that reflects The Cabot’s past, present, and future, … Continue reading The historic Cabot theater in Beverly seeks artists for new mural project

Featured image by Cheryl Landes Stock up on plants for your garden and buy gifts for Mother's Day at Sprouts & Sparkles in southwest Portland. You'll find hundreds of plant starts for sale, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers. Shop for gifts handcrafted by local artisans Art by Reets, Funky Knits by Georgia, Pawsitively Posh Jewelry, … Continue reading Stock up on plant starts, buy Mother’s Day gifts at Sprouts & Sparkles in Portland

Enjoy live storytelling throughout Portland and several cities in Washington County during the Art of the Story Festival on April 27 through May 4. The festival is sponsored by the Washington County Cooperative Library Services and features 14 unique storytelling performances at Oregon libraries and art centers. This year's professional storytellers are: Reverend Robert B. … Continue reading Art of the Story Festival celebrates live storytelling in 14 performances

Photos by Cheryl Landes Updated March 5, 2020 The winter rain in central California's high deserts delivered beautiful spring scenery. Carpets of yellow and purple flowers cover hillsides, mountains, valleys, and meadows. Nature's show at Carrizo Plain National Monument is absolutely brilliant. The flowers started blooming in mid- to late March and are now at … Continue reading The colorful superbloom show at the Carrizo Plain National Monument

Bassist Dean Mueller and his partner, vocalist Julie Amici, enjoy performing live jazz, blues, and country music dating from the 1940s to 1960s for seniors at retirement communities, assisted living centers, and memory care facilities. Their music delivers nostalgia for their appreciative audiences, resulting in smiles and tears of joy. Mueller and Amici have seen residents … Continue reading Fly Me To The Moon brings music to seniors

Featured image: The reconstructed North Bridge at Minuteman National Park in Concord, Massachusetts (photo by Cheryl Landes) The third Monday of April is a state holiday in Massachusetts. It's Patriot's Day, which commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. These battles near Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, marked the beginning of the … Continue reading Free concert to celebrate Patriot’s Day in Concord, MA