Featured image: Mini-trees on display at the 2016 Providence Festival of Trees in Portland Photos by Cheryl Landes Updated November 21, 2018 Looking for fresh ideas for decorating your home for Christmas? Get inspired at the Providence Festival of Trees at the Oregon Convention Center's Hall A in Portland November 30-December 1. More than 100 … Continue reading Providence Festival of the Trees inspires holiday decorators, helps needy patients

Featured image: Kuma, a beautiful Siamese, snuggles on a scratching post shelf at Animal Aid in Portland, Oregon. Kuma is one of several cats looking for a forever home at this no-kill shelter. (photo by Cheryl Landes) If you're in the Portland metro area next weekend and want to find unique holiday gifts from local … Continue reading Shop holiday gifts, save lives at Artisans for Animals November 19 in Portland

Featured image: Father of the Forest at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park, 25 miles northwest of Santa Cruz (photo by Cheryl Landes) Here's a challenge from the Save the Redwoods League: Ditch shopping on Black Friday and escape to the outdoors with a free California State Parks pass. To get your … Continue reading Replace Black Friday shopping with a free California State Parks pass

Featured image: A winter view of the Stanger House (photo credit: Jane Weber Evergreen Arboretum) The John Stanger House, Clark County, Washington's oldest privately built home that's still at its original location, will open its doors to the public today, November 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The home, a … Continue reading Stanger House in Vancouver, WA, opens November 12 for 150th anniversary

Featured image: Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) In honor of Veterans Day, the US National Parks Service and National Forest Service are offering free admission to national parks and forests that charge an entrance fee to the public today and tomorrow. Find a national park near you. Find a … Continue reading Free admission to national parks and forests this weekend

Featured image: Museum of Flight in Seattle (photo by Cheryl Landes) Several tourist attractions on the West Coast are offering free admission to Veterans and active-duty military personnel this weekend in honor of Veterans Day. Washington Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma offers free admission today and tomorrow for all active-duty military personnel and … Continue reading West Coast attractions offering free admission to honor military personnel this weekend

Featured image credit: Shari's Cafe & Pies In honor of Veterans Day, Shari's Cafe & Pies is offering a free breakfast for Veterans and active-duty military personnel. The breakfast includes three pancakes, two eggs cooked to your preference, bacon or sausage, and hashbrowns. To get your free breakfast, show your military ID or proof of … Continue reading Free breakfast for veterans and active-duty military personnel all day at Shari’s

Photo by Cheryl Landes I rarely check bags, but didn't have a choice this week. I wasn't concerned, because I was flying into the Portland International Airport, and the waiting time for retrieving checked bags isn't long. Usually I'm reunited with my bags within 10 to 20 minutes. Yesterday, after a flight from Anchorage to … Continue reading A warning for PDX travelers who check bags

Photos by Cheryl Landes In the spring, the Willamette Valley has a constantly changing colorscape. Daffodils, berry blossoms, and tulips appear, and almost as soon as they pass peak, the iris start to bloom. By mid-May, Schreiner's Iris Gardens reach full bloom and open for the season. The sight resembles a bright giant patchwork quilt … Continue reading It’s Bloom Season at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in Salem, Oregon

Featured image: Entrance to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma (photo by Cheryl Landes) In celebration of Mother's Day, the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma is offering half-price general admission to moms from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. These tickets are available at the gate. The Point … Continue reading Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium offers half-price admission for moms on Saturday