Newberry Volcano has been erupting for thousands of years. The last eruption was 1,400 years ago but the volcano is considered to be still active today.
The Sisters Oregon Quilt Show is a must see for anyone who makes quilts or dreams of doing so. This is the biggest outdoor quilt show in the world with over 1200 quilts on display.
The Pittock Mansion in Portland will be decked out for Christmas again this year with 15 decorated trees and other holiday decor throughout the house. This year's theme is Christmas customs from many different countries. You can tour the decorated mansion December 21st through January 2nd but the house will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.Hours are 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. From December 17th through January 1st you can take a shuttle bus to the mansion from the Portland State University Parking Garage #3.
Entrance fees: $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 youths, free for children under 5.
Enjoy a Tuba Christmas this year in both Portland and Salem. Tuba and euphonium players will gather together to play Christmas music for you to enjoy and sing along with. It takes place in Portland at Pioneer Courthouse Square at 1:30 pm on Saturday, December 10th. In Salem it begins at 12:00 noon at the Historic Elsinore Theater, 170 High Street, NE on Saturday, December 10th.
A Tuba Christmas is performed in almost every state across the USA. If you are not going to be in Oregon during this time, it is possible you will find a Tuba Christmas near you. Check here for your area.
Buy beautiful handmade Christmas gifts for those special people in your life at the Super Colossal Holiday Sale at the Oregon Convention Center. The sale will be held December 10th and 11th. The doors are open from 11 am to 6 pm both days and admission is free. There are special "goody bags" for the people that get there early.
The Convention Center is located at 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Begin your Christmas season, November 25th, the day after Thanksgiving in downtown Portland. First you can watch My Macy's Holiday Parade and the arrival of Santa Clause from the North Pole. The parade with its inflatable floats will wind its way through the streets and end at Macy's where Santa will open Santaland.
The parade begins at 9:00 am at NW Park and Davis. It then travels east to Broadway where it will head south to SW Alder.
Then you can do some Christmas shopping and enjoy the 2011 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pioneer Square. The tree is 75 feet tall and will be covered with lights. Sing carols with Pink Martini, muscians from the Oregon Symphony, and the Pacific Youth Choir.
This year's Holiday Ale Festival at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland will take place Wednesday, November 30th through Sunday, December 4th. It's all outdoors under a huge tent but don't worry, no matter what the weather is, indoor heaters will keep you cozy and warm. This year you will be able to taste ales from over 40 different breweries.
Advance tickets are available that will give you expedited entrance unless capacity has been reached. To get your tickets see Holiday Ale Festival Tickets.
The Seaside Oregon Downtown Wine Walk is a great way to taste some of Oregon's best wines. The wineries will be set up in individual downtown stores. Before you begin the walk, you purchase a commemorative wine glass for $6 and get your ID bracelet showing that you are 21 or over. These are available at three different locations. You are also given a map telling you which stores are participating and which winery is set up in that store. Most wineries do charge a minimum fee for tastes.
The Wine Walk begins at 3:00 pm and ends at 7:00 pm on November 12, 2011.
Black Butte Ranch Vacation Rentals are a popular choice for family vacations and golfing vacations. The dry weather of Central Oregon allows many outdoor activities
The annual Chowder Cook-Off in Lincoln City takes place Saturday, November 12th. The chowder will be prepared by some of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest. You get to vote for your favorite. Samples are $.50 each and you can have a full portion for $3.00.
This event takes place at The Culinary Center in Lincoln City, 801 SW Hwy 101. Parking is available at the City Hall.
Hours: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
This is a great way to eat lunch and enjoy the Oregon Coast. Don't forget to look on the Lincoln City beaches to see if you can find one of those hand-blown glass fishing floats that are hidden every morning. If you find one, it is yours to keep.
You can enjoy the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and Multnomah Falls and also learn about salmon. A wonderful activity for the whole family.
The third annual Salmon Festival will be held at Multnomah Falls on November 6th from 10 am to 4 pm. Learn about the importance of Salmon to the environment and view them spawning in the creek. Native American, Ed Edmo, will tell some interesting stories about salmon. The event is hosted by Mt. Hood Community College and the U.S. Forest Service.
America's Largest Christmas Bazaar - Portland Expo
Another "get ready for Christmas" event to put on your calender. America's Largest Christmas Bazaar is held at the Portland Expo Center on Marine Drive. It is huge. You will find handmade gifts for all of those hard to buy for people on your list and you very likely will save some money as well.
The bazaar is held in Halls D and E over two weekends beginning in November.
The first show is: Friday, November 25th - 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, November 26th - 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, November 27th - 10 am to 5 pm
The second show is: Friday, December 2nd - 10 am to 6 pm Saturday, December 3rd - 10 am to 6 pm Sunday, December 4th - 10 am to 6 pm
Admission is $7.00 for adults; $6.00 for seniors; $3.00 for children ages 12 to 17. Children 11 and under are free. On December 2nd adult admission is free if you bring two cans of food for the Sunshine Division of the Portland Police.
Parking is $8.00. If you have three or more adults in your car, parking is $7.00. The MAX yellow line goes directly to the Expo Center and there is a covered walkway to the exhibition buildings.
The Expo Center is located west of I-5 on Marine Drive. Take Exit 306B from Interstate 5 and follow the signs.
It's almost Holiday Bazaar season again. Put this one on your calender for your Christmas shopping. The bazaar is sponsored by Handmade NW and brings artisans and their unique handmade items together in one place for two days in November.
Dates: November 29th and November 30th
Center for Health & Healing at OHSU's South Waterfront District3303 SW Bond Ave.Portland, OR 97239
Cirque du Soleil presents the creative genius of Michael Jackson - his music and lyrics brought to life.
The show is appearing at the Rose Garden in Portland on November 18th, 19th, and 20th. Ticket prices begin at $98 and as of this writing there are still plenty to choose from.
Watching a Portland Trail Blazers basketball game in the Rose Garden arena is an exciting experience. Especially with the Portland crowd of crazed basketball fans.
You can still have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this year even if you don't want to cook. All of McMenamins major locations will be serving their Thanksgiving buffet. My husband and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at The Grand Lodge in Forest Grove one year when we were in the middle of moving to a new house on turkey day. I was amazed at the number of other people who were doing the same. It wasn't just couples like us, but large families spanning three generations were enjoying the comfortable atmosphere and delicious food.
The menu is close to what you would find in most homes on Thanksgiving:
Herb-Roasted Turkey
Stuffed Pork Loin
Soy-Ginger Marinated Salmon Fillet
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Baked Yams with Marshmallows
Garlic Green Beans with Almonds
Tossed Green Salad
Relish Display
Dinner Rolls
Pumpkin Pie and Assorted Petit Fours
Dinner is served from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. You must have reservations.
A mushroom festival is the place to go to learn about those strange looking mushrooms you found. The Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mushroom Festival will be held at Mount Pisgah Arboretum, 34901 Frank Parrish Road, Eugene, OR on October 30th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Mushroom experts will be on hand to answer your questions. The mushroom display is the largest on the West Coast. Learn the difference between the classic Yellow Chantrelle mushroom and the White Chantrelle found in Oregon's Cascade Mountains.
There is a suggested donation of $5. Children under 12 - free.
Do something different to celebrate Halloween this year. Take a Shanghai Tunnel Ghost Tour with the people that do Portland Underground tours. See Portland's Old Town underground tunnels and hear information that is not presented during the regular tours. The ghost tours are held through November 5, 2011. This is not a spook house type thing but rather information on the paranormal type things that happen in the tunnels.
There are some great deals on Sunriver vacation rentals right now. These Sunriver vacation homes are giving two nights free when you book two nights. You can have a four-day vacation for half price.
You can save big time with this offer from the Oregon Symphony. Just pick three concerts you would like to attend and get your tickets for only $19. Choose from:
Kids love trick-or-treating on Halloween and the Oregon Zoo is a safe place for them to have a good time and celebrate the tradition. All they have to do is arrive at the zoo between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm on October 29th and 30th in their Halloween costume and participate in a scavenger hunt which will lead them around the zoo. At the end they receive a bag full of treats.
Heceta Head Lighthouse | Heceta Head Keeper's House
Heceta Head Lighthouse, the most photographed lighthouse in Oregon, is located just 13 miles north of Florence, Oregon. A very romantic spot, it is the scene of many marriage proposals and weddings.