Photos by Cheryl Landes Updated December 25, 2019 Corvallis, in the heart of Oregon's Willamette Valley, is best known for its rich agricultural heritage and Oregon State University. It's also the only place in the Pacific Northwest where you drive through a barn to see a beautiful Christmas light display. The Pastega Christmas Light Display … Continue reading Drive through a barn to see this holiday light display in Corvallis

Featured image: Wildcat Mountain Ski Area near Jackson, New Hampshire (photo by Cheryl Landes) In skiing, what goes down must go up again. And that means hopping a chairlift for another downhill glide. Now there's another option for skiers seeking the ultimate aerobic workout. Instead of catching a ride to the top, they walk up … Continue reading Tired of downhill skiing? Go uphill instead.

Featured image: The Church of the Nativity (photo credit: Neil Ward, from Creative Commons) In Bethlehem, Israel, believed to be the birthplace of Jesus, you won't find glamorous Christmas decorations to celebrate the holiday. Instead, the remembrance is mostly a quiet affair, with prayers and mass. Some visitors stop at the grotto at the Church … Continue reading Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace, beautifully simplified

Photos by Cheryl Landes The holidays are a few days longer this season at the Oregon Zoo, as it keeps its ZooLights display open longer than usual after the new year begins. Typically, the zoo's last illumination is on New Year's night, but this time, it closes on Sunday, January 7. Wander through the glittering … Continue reading On 30th anniversary, Oregon Zoo extends ZooLights until January 7

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