Featured image: Mini-trees on display at a previous Providence Festival of Trees in Portland (photo 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 in Portland today and tomorrow. More than 100 beautifully decorated … Continue reading Get Christmas decorating ideas, help needy patients at Providence Festival of Trees in Portland

Featured image: Big Horn Brass on stage at Skyview Concert Hall in Vancouver, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Big Horn Brass, the Northwest’s premiere 15-piece brass and percussion ensemble, returns for a holiday musical journey on the Polar Express Saturday, December 17, at the Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th Street, in Vancouver, Washington. Hear … Continue reading Take a musical trip on the Polar Express with Big Horn Brass December 17 in Vancouver, WA

Featured image: The 5Wits live-action game venue at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Massachusetts (photo by Cheryl Landes) Why simply play a game when you can experience it? Stop an evil corporation from taking over the world. Capture an escaped dragon for a beautiful Medieval princess. Answer a distress call from an abandoned starship in deep … Continue reading 5Wits’ immersive games the ultimate challenge

Featured image: Ballerinas from The Nutcracker on the cover of the 2013-2014 Commonwealth Ballet's program (copyright Commonwealth Ballet Company) My introduction to The Nutcracker came during my first job after graduating college, when I offered to watch a co-worker’s eight-year-old son for an evening. He was interested in ballet, so we went to a performance … Continue reading Commonwealth Ballet’s Nutcracker a fun Christmas tradition

Featured image: Oregon Expo Center in Portland (photo by Cheryl Landes) Updated November 24, 2018 Looking for quality, handcrafted gifts? Want to support small businesses? Do both at America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar at the Portland Expo Center for two weekends after Thanksgiving. The event features two halls filled with more than 900 booths of items … Continue reading Find fantastic gifts, support small businesses at America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar

Featured image: The Holiday Express awaits another journey on the Oregon Pacific Railroad in Portland (photo by Cheryl Landes) The chilly air on this Saturday morning after Thanksgiving isn’t stopping anyone from their morning walks and jogs along the paved trails in the Oak Bottom Wildlife Refuge in Portland. Ducks enjoy an early swim in the pond on … Continue reading Traveling with Santa and the elves on Portland’s Holiday Express

Featured image: Winter Wonderland's wreath arch flanked by poinsettias at the Portland International Raceway. (photo by Cheryl Landes) Updated November 21, 2018 It’s that time of year again when speeding cars take a break at the Portland International Raceway and the track transforms into the Winter Wonderland, one of the largest drive-through Christmas light shows … Continue reading Winter Wonderland a slow, festive ride on the raceway that pays forward

Featured image: NYPD officers march along Central Park West during the 2001 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (photo by Cheryl Landes) After hearing the reports on the national news today about the extra security in New York City for this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I thought about the first time we attended a parade there … Continue reading Watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live: A chilly experience that warms the heart

Featured image: Beautiful fall colors near Stevenson, Washington (photo by Cheryl Landes) Dust off those hiking boots and pack your camera for a fun-filled weekend in the Columbia River Gorge. From Friday through Sunday, certain Stevenson, Washington, businesses are offering a 10% discount on food and other products when you show a picture on your … Continue reading Hike the Columbia River Gorge this weekend and enjoy Stevenson merchant discounts