Featured image by Cheryl Landes Once again this year, some of Portland's most talented architectural firms and professional bakers accept an important holiday mission. They form teams to create the most challenging, innovative gingerbread houses based on a theme. The results are magical. And now, you can see these mouth-watering masterpieces and vote for your … Continue reading The tasty science of gingerbread returns to OMSI in Portland

Photos by Cheryl Landes Typically ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma is open on Christmas night, but this year, it's closed from snow and ice. If conditions improve, the zoo will reopen tomorrow. During the winter break, the zoo's hours are 9:30-4 p.m. daily, and 5-9 p.m. daily for ZooLights. ZooLights features … Continue reading ZooLights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium closed tonight due to inclement weather

Photo by Cheryl Landes Car accidents caused by colliding with moose aren't unusual in New England but happen the most in Maine. Each year, the Maine Department of Transportation compiles and publishes statistics from moose crashes. MaineDOT reports that from September 2016 through Labor Day 2017, the number of crashes dropped and are most likely … Continue reading See where moose crashes happened this year in Maine

Photos by Cheryl Landes If you're celebrating Christmas in Portland and are looking for something to do tonight, Winter Wonderland is open at the Portland International Raceway. Enjoy more than 250 light displays while driving around the track. It's one of the largest drive-through Christmas light shows west of the Mississippi River, and all proceeds … Continue reading Winter Wonderland open at Portland International Raceway tonight

Featured image: A scene from the 2017 America's Classic Jazz Festival (photo credit: Greater Olympia Dixieland Jazz Society) For 27 years in late June, thousands of fans came to Lacey, Washington, for America's Classic Jazz Festival. Now the festival has been cancelled, and organizers and sponsors are worried that it might not continue in 2019. … Continue reading 2018 America’s Classic Jazz Festival cancelled in Lacey

Featured image credit: UK Guardian At Christmas time, many homeowners show their spirit through elaborately decorated homes. In the United Kingdom, The Guardian recently posted this article with pictures of some of the finest home holiday light displays. Designs range from colorful candy wonderlands to blocks of Christmas scenes neatly arranged across two stories to … Continue reading View beautiful home holiday light displays throughout the United Kingdom

Featured image: Piper in action at the Cherry Capital Airport (photo credit Great Big Story) Birds and airplanes aren't compatible. If a bird collides with a plane when the plane is on the runway or taking off, the results can be devastating. A bird sucked into a plane's engine kills the bird and could cause … Continue reading Dog protects airplanes from bird strikes

Photos by Cheryl Landes Updated November 21, 2018 For two weeks in December, a historic Victorian mansion near the Portland International Raceway dresses in festive decorations and opens to the public. This Miracle of a Million Lights at the Victorian Belle, 1441 McClellan Street, lives up to its name as one million colored lights adorn … Continue reading Miracle of a Million Lights in Portland delights all ages

Featured photo credit: Boston Caroling Mob This is a short-notice post, because I just learned about it. Today, at 4-6 p.m., more than 100 volunteer carolers will gather at the Jackson Street T (subway) station on the Orange Line in Boston to sing in the neighborhood. If the weather conditions are terrible, they'll sing in … Continue reading Sing, support Puerto Rico hurricane victims today with the Boston Caroling Mob

Featured image: A sea lion rests on a dock. (photo by Cheryl Landes) Update on December 25, 2017: The cove is open again. Park officials advise all swimmers that marine mammals are wild animals in their natural habitat. If you see any while swimming, allow plenty of space. Never approach a wild animal! ------------------------------------------------- In … Continue reading Popular San Francisco swimming cove closed after marine mammal attacks