Featured image: Tacoma Art Museum (photo by Cheryl Landes) Thanks to more than 70 supporters and donors, the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) began offering free admission to active-duty military personnel, reservists, veterans, and their families on Veterans Day weekend. The offer continues year-round. Stop by the museum at 1701 Pacific Avenue through November 29 to see … Continue reading Tacoma Art Museum now offers free admission to the military and their families

Featured image: Dancers celebrate at the Christmas party during the Commonwealth Ballet's production of The Nutcracker (photo by Mike Nyman Photography) On November 24-26 and December 8-10, the Commonwealth Ballet returns with one of my favorite small community productions of The Nutcracker. All performances this year are at the Eleanor Welch Casey Theatre on the … Continue reading Commonwealth Ballet returns to Regis College with 20th season of The Nutcracker November 24

Featured image: The Venersborg Schoolhouse, the oldest continuously operating community building in Washington State (photo credit: Venersborg Community Club) Get a head start on holiday gift shopping with local artisans at the Venersborg Schoolhouse's first annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, November 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. If you're interested in renting a vendor … Continue reading Historic Venersborg Schoolhouse hosts first Holiday Bazaar November 18

Featured graphic credit: Holt International Christian music's largest annual tour is in full swing in the western US, and it's stopping at the Moda Center in Portland on Friday, November 17, at 7 p.m. This year's tour features a wide range of popular Christian talent, including Lecrae, Mac Powell, Andy Mineo, Building 429, Family Force 5, … Continue reading Winter Jam stops in Portland on November 17

Featured image: A historical reenactment during a lantern tour at Fort Vancouver, Washington (photo credit National Parks Service) Experience Fort Vancouver in a different light with a 90-minute Saturday evening stroll through the reconstructed fort buildings or the barracks. Visitors ages 10 and older carry lighted candle lanterns for the walks led by National Parks … Continue reading Explore Fort Vancouver by candlelit lantern through February

Featured image: A snowman greets visitors strolling Peacock Lane's holiday displays in Portland (photo by Cheryl Landes) On Monday, residents of Peacock Lane announced that the National Park Service approved its neighborhood to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The four-block lane, from SE Stark to SE Belmont Streets, is best known … Continue reading Peacock Lane, Portland’s Christmas Street, granted national historic status

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