Nothing quite like travel on the mind as the sun starts setting earlier and the air gets a little more brisk. I wrote five pieces for The Oregonian’s Fall/Winter Travel Guide, which had me dreaming of my next getaway. I hope it gets you thinking about options for yours, including embracing Leave No Trace, which was the focus of my favorite piece in this series.

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $8.2 million, with the ambitious goal of raising another $15 million over the coming years. Funds raised will go toward creating the new Olsrud Family Women’ and Children’s Hospital to help babies, kids, and families across the region.

“Amazing food, amazing wine, amazing people,” says Valot, “Everyone gets to try our wines and the whole time we are raising money for kids. It’s a win-win.”

In this second pandemic holiday season, many Portlanders remain steadfast in their commitment to shop locally. This year, to celebrate the resilience of Portland’s small business community and to showcase many of the city’s independently owned retailers, Shopify’s Power PDX Giveaway provided locals one more reason to avoid the big box stores.

On the Roots and Crowns Instagram page, Turk posts large florals, big colors, and wild, witchy ideas to over 38,000 followers. What began as a “little herbalism course” when Turk first came to Portland has turned into a cross-country celebration of the bounties of the Pacific Northwest, wrapped up in Roots and Crown’s artful packaging and compelling products: skin care, natural perfumes, and other self-care goods. Even the company’s name, which Turk described as “an ode to the trees,” as well as an homage to her Jewish heritage, hints at something small in size becoming majestic.”

In an industry hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, GSM has remained nimble, often managing modified timelines or disrupted supply chains. Part of that flexibility also included finding new ways to support employees and partners.

Camp Fire Columbia’s focus on equity and its positive impact on both its employees and its community have earned the youth-focused nonprofit the honor of being a Top Workplaces winner for a second consecutive year.

The design for The Annex uses trauma-informed principals that inspire safe and healing social areas while maintaining privacy and security. Every unit opens to outdoor stairs and corridors; there are no dark or enclosed spaces. Selected materials such as natural wood promote positive health, intentionally avoiding a cold or sterile ambiance.

Ashland-based Southern Oregon University ramped up its academic and career development offerings with the addition of an array of “micro-credentials,” as well as a new certificate program in cybersecurity. Both opportunities are available to existing SOU students and to mid-career learners who aim to expand their knowledge and skills within a specific field.

At the heart of the 319-unit campus is the wellness center, complete with a year-round, indoor-outdoor pool. For residents with motility concerns, a chair lift ensures safe entering and exiting of the pool and jacuzzi spa. Aquatic therapy, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapies, are available on-site. The wellness center is also home to the Forum’s gym and community event space.

Providence Bridge Pedal and Stride will open Portland’s bridges exclusively to cyclists and pedestrians for a morning of car-free roads and freeways on August 8, marking the 25th year of the popular event. Cyclists and walkers of all stripes aiming to take part in the famous Portland tradition have their choice of routes, each varying in length and crossing a different selection of city bridges.

Those on a quest for a fat-zapping, muscle-building machine may have found their answer in Emsculpt NEO, the latest device to hit the body-sculpting market.

He could communicate only with his eyes and he used them, fiercely, to tell nurse Nikky Oldham to back off. She got the message. Even behind gloves, gown, mask, and face shield, she could tell he was afraid.

“He couldn’t move, breathe, talk,” said Oldham, “He was trapped inside his body and couldn’t communicate with his hands, but any time you came toward his face meant pain. It was hard to reassure him; I don’t think he trusted anybody.”

Residents of the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, supported by leaders of many faiths, have asked the school board to reconsider its decision to hold the first day of school next fall on Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year for Jews.

Rennie’s vision is now going global with Noble Tonic, the company’s newest beverage. At the center of his efforts is the coffee fruit, a generally discarded by-product of coffee farming, which is historically focused only on harvesting the fruit’s seeds for coffee “beans.”

“Storm watching is also a coastal year-round activity that peaks in wintertime, and the southern Oregon coast does not disappoint. At Shore Acres State Park, storm watchers can safely observe the powerful ocean waves crashing ashore from a covered hut sitting atop an 80-foot cliff.”

Running out of options (see what I did there?), I begrudgingly started looking for ways to get my cardio on at home. Though online workouts had always felt like a last resort, it became clear that the situation was calling for me to adapt. However, I have been surprised to find I really enjoy working out at home, and that there are even some advantages to online fitness.

Chicken stewardship had been on my radar for years before jumping on the bandwagon. I regularly proposed the idea to my husband, but, having grown up with hens himself, he was always less than enthusiastic. Fortunately, quarantine + kid enthusiasm + a burning need to have something joyful to focus on = weakened resolve, and he eventually agreed. That said, we did a lot of research prior to jumping in, so the decision was not one made without a solid foundation.

“In a year where so many holiday traditions might have been squandered, the hunt for the perfect tree is a safe, outdoor option for families to spend time together making memories. Many of the u-pick farms go all-out for their holiday offerings, with animals, cider, crafts, and more. This year, it is more important than ever to support local farmers and businesses; consider making a day of it and enjoying the full experience with your crew.”

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to gather with family and friends… except this year. In true 2020 fashion, many of us are upending our plans and foregoing the typical Thanksgiving experience. With so much upheaval in this season, why not take one more thing off your plate (see what I did there?) by ordering your Thanksgiving meal pre-made by a local business? Support our local economy and give yourself one less item on your to-do list!