Vernonia, Oregon: An example of holiday celebration in American life

[caption id="attachment_18943" align="alignleft" width="391"] Vernonia, Oregon on July 4, 2013[/caption]

Carol Forsloff — While big cities have their large events to celebrate holidays, it is often in small town America that one finds the roots of America's traditions, especially on such occasions as the Fourth of July. That is certainly true in Vernonia, Oregon, a small town of a few thousand people who keep the traditions alive.

The town boasts a variety of restaurants, such as a Subway, Greek, Chinese,  and western style barbecue all on its main thoroughfare, and other eateries that increase the variety of offerings for townspeople and visitors alike. And several festivals during the summer underline this location as being one for family fun and for that easy, getaway site that makes time turn back a bit and bring old memories made new again.

While Americans coast the nation's highway over the holiday weekend, on one of the worst days for traffic problems, that short drive from Portland, Oregon brings a special sense of wonderment on a day when the nation celebrates its independence. But it is one of those everyday towns that makes a fine time any time, and a welcome mat that everywhere says, everyone belongs.

Red state Louisiana gives Portland the blues

[caption id="attachment_6399" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Blues on the River"][/caption]

Carol Forsloff - It was hot on the river with the sun overhead and the folks swaying to the blues Louisiana style.  If you think New Orleans has  the blues, you might want to wander West and find where that great Southern city has sent its favorite sons.

Portland, Oregon has been jumping and jiving in an annual blues festival that brings thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to the Oregon Food Bank.  This weekend the crowds were brimming over onto streets, boulevards, and city parks from all parts of downtown, but the park along the Willamette River held most of the multitude of fans.

Those fans sure got the blues, as some of Louisiana’s finest musicians merged with Oregon artists to bring a blues concert considered among the biggest and best on the West Coast.

The party started Friday and will continue through the 4^th of July with fireworks and other celebrations spreading out along Portland’s famed river front.  The beauty of the river combined with the colors and flavors of Portland’s own special melting pot have made the occasion something  special for residents and tourists alike.

On nine different stages from Friday July 1 through July 4 the blues will be part of Portland weekend fun with such noteables as Jaceo Parker, Lucinda Williams and Buddy Guy  just some of the name groups in town.

For the Zydeco fans Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys had them rocking in the aisles and all the way down to the water.

Yes, this City of Roses for sure got the blues  on a weekend of red, white and blue.