Image by congerdesign from Pixabay Every month, Downtown Camas has a theme for its First Friday. This month, it's "Spring into History". Take a self-guided historic walking tour, enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants, and see the exhibits at the art galleries. The shops are open late and some will be offering Easter goodies. … Continue reading Spring into history at the April First Friday in Downtown Camas, Washington
The Krewe du Jazz float house, a memorial to great jazz and blues artists, at the corner of Laurel and Webster in New Orleans (photo credit: Jazz Foundation of America) Mardi Gras in New Orleans looks very different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city cancelled the parades and closed Bourbon and Frenchmen … Continue reading See pictures of the 2021 Mardi Gras Float Houses
Chinese dragon by artyangel, courtesy Pixabay Celebrate the Year of the Ox with the Portland Chinatown Museum on Saturday, February 21, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Pacific time. This virtual celebration is a rountable community event featuring highlights from past Chinese New Year parades in Chinatown in Portland, Oregon. Community members will share about … Continue reading Celebrate the Chinese New Year virtually with the Portland Chinatown Museum on February 20
For couples, celebrating Valentine's Day is more challenging this year because of restrictions from the COVID pandemic. Here's an idea that's fun, allows you to learning something new, and can be done at home. The Eugene Ballet is hosting a Bachata dance class on Saturday, February 13, 6-6:45 p.m. Pacific time. Florabelle Moses teaches this … Continue reading Learn bachata dance at home in time for Valentine’s Day
The 2021 Portland Shamrock Run is going virtual this year due to the State of Oregon's restrictions on large gatherings due to COVID-19. Register by Friday, February 12, to ensure you receive your run swag before Sunday, March 14, the day of the event. Ten percent of all registration fees goes to the OHSU Doernbecher … Continue reading Portland’s Shamrock Run goes virtual in 2021
Looking for some solace on Valentine's Day this year? The San Antonio Zoo has an answer at its second annual Cry Me a Cockroach fundraiser: Symbolically name a cockroach or frozen rodent after your ex, and a zookeeper will feed it to the animals during a streamed feeding frenzy on Sunday, February 14. The price … Continue reading San Antonio Zoo’s Cry Me a Cockroach a remedy for broken hearts on Valentine’s Day
Image by Goran Horvat from Pixabay One of my traditions during the holidays is to catch a performance of the Commonwealth Ballet's version of The Nutcracker during my trips to New England. With large gatherings restricted this year due to COVID-19, the Commonwealth Ballet could not hold live performances this year, so they created a … Continue reading Stream the Commonwealth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker en Masque” for free through January 31
The giant globe at the Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts Editor's note: The Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine was cancelled in 2020 due to safety concerns from COVID-19. While it's uncertain yet whether the festival can return this year, I'm posting photos from a … Continue reading Festival of Lights at Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Holliston, Massachusetts
Decorations on one of the Christmas trees inside Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut Photos by Cheryl Landes In November and December, volunteers decorate the Gillette Castle inside and out for the holidays. The 24-room mansion overlooking the Connecticut River Valley resembles a medieval-style castle. It's the former home of William Gillette (1853-1937), an actor … Continue reading Christmas at the Gillette Castle
A pair of swans at the entrance to WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle Photos by Cheryl Landes The Woodland Park Zoo's new WildLanterns exhibit has been a hit this year. When I bought a ticket shortly after the event opened on November 13, they were selling fast. I checked again tonight, and … Continue reading WildLanterns at the Woodland Park Zoo delights all ages
