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.”

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

“As COVID-19 swept across the country, killing patients and medical staff alike, it posed a painful question for senior nurses no longer serving in emergency rooms or intensive care units: Did they want to go back? How much should they risk their own health, or the health of their loved ones, to save perfect strangers?…”