Get your art on, people, it’s (nearly) fall in Portland—and that means even more art. All flavors of music. Visual art. Performance. Dance. Storytelling. Festivals, shows, and on-going series that will surely amuse, entertain and inspire. All coming at you in rapid succession. Here's a snapshot of the wide-ranging must-see events of the upcoming fall arts season. Enjoy! Sack Lunch Concerts at the Old Church more...

Photo: Heather Zinger What may at first glance seem like a dangerous endeavor is fast becoming a popular hobby for many urban farming enthusiasts, and a small-scale, part-time business for a willing few. With plenty of good reasons to host a hive, urban beekeeping has developed a strong buzz within Portland city limits. Even Mayor Sam Adams has a hive in his backyard. Natural Benefits of Local Beekeeping Bees are more...

Thyme in full bloom Herbs are beautiful choices for both your yard and cooking adventures. Most can be planted from early spring until late fall and need virtually no maintenance once established. The favorites listed here are all drought tolerant, need minor trimming in the winter and are versatile in the kitchen. Use fresh herbs in your soups, salads, cocktails, meat and fish dishes, even desserts. All have medicinal more...

Okay, so we haven't been experiencing the steamiest "Wet Hot American Summer" so far this year. Lately, the morning grey skies and chilly night gusts have it feeling more like October in July. But with warm afternoons and bright, extended evenings—plus a few sweaty heat waves (fingers crossed for at least a few more spikes in the mercury)—it is still decidedly summer in Oregon. And how do we take advantage more...

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We all know that Portland is the bike center of the universe (whatevs, MPLS!), but even though hard cores and commuters ride year ‘round, most of us are merely fair weather cyclists and even more rookies hope to get rolling this summer. Last month, Sunday Parkways kicked off the first of many bike-centric events geared for riders of all stripes. And, there are plenty of other fabulous events throughout the more...

Photos courtesy of Sword + Fern Transforming old or used materials into new and improved products is certainly not a new concept. No doubt you've seen Spoonman and his array of art and jewelry made from silverware at Saturday Market. But just stroll through any of Portland’s numerous art festivals, Northeast Alberta Street's Last Thursday event or Crafty Wonderland, and you’ll see reclaimed, reused, more...

Alberta Art Hop 2010. With warm, sunny days few and far between, summer can't get here soon enough for Portland neighbors. Although summer officially begins on June 21, various neighborhood farmers markets are already busy, outdoor pools will open soon and the outdoor movies and concerts schedules are set. At least our outlook is sunny! The summer festivals schedule has already kicked off, too, with Art Hop, Mt. Tabor more...

Few as five or six years ago, North Williams was merely a commuter corridor through North Portland—a sad strip peppered with dilapidated buildings, vacant lots and very few thriving businesses. Today this zone is a favorite destination for eating, drinking, shopping and, of course, biking. The lightning quick transformation of this neighborhood has been impressive—there's still ample room for growth—but it's more...

Seems like most of us collect all sorts of things in our basements during the cold and dreary months—worn-out clothes, boxes of papers and office supplies, old batteries, defunct electronics, art work never to be hung. It’s amazing just what we collect and never use. But many of these items can and will be used by others, if you just release them to the appropriate sources. Garage and yard sales, thrift and consignment more...

Need ideas for your interior and outdoor spaces? Find inspiration and ideas aplenty at home and garden tours in Portland neighborhoods. more...