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.

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.

“In a year of upheaval, administrators and educators have adapted in unexpected ways to the global pandemic. Somewhere in the mayhem lies the critical question of substitutes: what happens when a teacher, administrator, or other school employee calls in sick or needs to take a leave of absence?“

“Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, Adair Homes began in 1969 and now employs 150 people across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Arizona. The company works diligently to keep staff unified across the distance, with regular events, an online leadership book club, and even a competitive potluck between branches.”

The [Mental Health and Addiction Association of Oregon] uses a peer-based model that serves people experiencing mental health and/or addiction challenges. The association’s 32 trained and certified peer support specialists, who identify as having lived the experience of mental health or addiction, walk alongside those seeking assistance on their path to recovery.

“The narrator was charismatic and skilled at working with young audiences, regularly bringing in call-and-response moments to make the performance interactive. How many children can yell “lettuce” at the same time? Turns out, an entire auditorium.”

One of the places Oregon caregivers turn to is Thelma’s Place, an intergenerational day center with locations in Canby and Redmond. The center provides daytime respite for those caring for a loved one at home, incorporating a creative, therapeutic approach to care…