Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category
October 1st, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Washington County, Ore., has a storied history, with eerie tales from pioneer days of the area’s earliest settlers. The most bone-chilling stories, however, are about ghostly spirits from more recent times.
The Haunting of Knight Hall
Pacific University’s Knight Hall (which is now the admissions building), reportedly is haunted by a young woman named Vera. As the legend goes, Vera, who was a music student at the university, died in Knight Hall. There are various stories about this eternal student and how her spirit came to inhabit the university, including one tale that she took her own life over an ill-fated love affair.
What is known about Vera is that for several decades there have been many sightings of her. She has been heard singing and playing piano and voicing her displeasure at some students’ performances by audibly sighing or telling the budding pianists to “please stop.”
Each Halloween, Pacific University students hold an event, “A Night in Knight Hall,” where students spend the night in the building and attempt to communicate with Vera’s ghost.
Haunted Hotel
McMenamins Grand Lodge is a stately European-style hotel with a storied past. Built in 1922 as the Masonic & Eastern Star Home, the property originally served as a rest home for Master Masons, their widows and orphans. It has since become synonymous with many strange happenings, aided in part by the colorful décor of the walls of this hotel, which are adorned with Masonic imagery and symbols and historical photographs, giving the hotel a uniquely eerie feel.
Various locations throughout the property have been witness to alleged paranormal and unexplained activities. Perhaps the best-known spirit at the Grand Lodge is the “Lavender Lady,” whose presence is known not just by the guest room named in her honor, or by her likeness painted on a wall mural. When the “Lavender Lady” is around, an unmistakably, strong scent of lavender permeates the hallway.
Stories of the Grand Lodge’s haunting have flourished for years and have become folklore for ghost hunters . The hotel’s guests and staffers have shared their tales and sightings in the “ghost log,” which is kept at the front desk to record the strange happenings at the property.
The Phantom of the Theatre
The Venetian Theatre and Bistro, a movie and live performance theatre, bistro and wine bar, has been a site for recent paranormal activity. The history of the building, located in downtown Hillsboro, is unknown, and the disturbances within it — unexplained water leaks, lights and music magically being turned on, apparitions and more — spooked enough people to warrant bringing in professional ghost hunters.
This summer, a team of paranormal investigators were called in to check out the otherworldly happenings in the building. During the investigation, one especially chilling event happened in the projection room of the theatre. The lead investigator asked the spirit in the only climate-controlled room in the building, to change the temperature. The spirit obliged, and raised the temperature from 70 degrees up to 78 degrees, then down to 68 degrees, the preferred temperature for the room.
So intriguing was the story of the haunted theatre, the Hillsboro Argus ran an article in August detailing these paranormal events.
Long after Halloween is over, these spooky spirits remain, with sightings year-round. So grab your gear and check it out for yourself. The next time you smell lavender, it just may be the Lavender Lady welcoming you to Washington County.
Tags: Forest Grove, ghost sightings, Grand Lodge, haunted places, Hillsboro, mcmenamins, Pacific University, theater, theatre, Venetian
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September 16th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Is tax-free shopping your bag? If so, have we got a new hotel for you. The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport opened its doors to guests this month, bringing a new, luxury hotel to Washington County, Ore. Located within walking distance of Bridgeport Village, a premier shopping destination, the hotel provides a much-needed respite for weary travelers … and shoppers.
In addition, the hotel is easily accessible from Interstate 5, which means it’s a hop, skip and a jump from downtown Portland and the Portland International Airport.
The Grand at Bridgeport pulls out all the stops at this 124-room hotel, with some rooms boasting in-room Jacuzzi tubs, energy-efficient kitchens and other amenities to make any stay at the hotel as warm and comfortable as possible.
Guest amenities include: complimentary, chef-prepared breakfast; indoor pool and workout room; room service; shuttle service and an on-site parking garage, with complimentary parking.
As part of its commitment to sustainable business practices, the hotel uses earth-friendly cleaning solutions and laundry services, as well as compact fluorescent light bulbs throughout the hotel. In addition, the hotel has a recycling program in all guest rooms and public areas.
“Just imagine staying in a healthy, guest-centric environment right next to Bridgeport Village and all of its offerings,” said Josh Sanders, general manager of The Grand at Bridgeport. “Now that would be a ‘Grand’ experience.”
You don’t want to forget to bring your walking shoes, since the hotel is located about 500 ft. from Bridgeport Village, a European-style shopping, dining and entertainment experience, complete with high-end shops, spa and salons, bookstore, movie theater, nearly a dozen restaurants and a wine bar.
After a full day of shopping (or wine tasting, or whatever meets your fancy) sit back, relax and unwind in style at The Grand at Bridgeport.
Read previous post >
The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport
~ NOW OPEN ~
7265 SW Hazel Fern Rd., Tigard; (503)968-5757
www.grandhotelbridgeport.com
Tags: bridgeport village, luxury hotel, tigard
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August 28th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
There are plenty of shopping options in Washington County to ensure you get what you need to send your kids to school in style.
First off, I have to admit that I love to shop. So, it is with excitement that it is, once again, time for back-to-school shopping. With only 11 days left until my daughter starts school – her freshman year of high school, at that – I am feeling the rush to finish up the back-to-school shopping.
If you’re anything like me, you’re feeling that rush too. Before you head out for your own last-minute shopping, why not make a quick visit to Washington County, Oregon? It’s a shopaholic’s dream, with its multitude of boutiques, brand-name fashion clothing stores, and top-of-the-line retailers. Need more convincing?
There’s no sales tax in Oregon! None. Zero. Zilch. Oregon has no sales tax, which makes back-to-school shopping a bargain (especially for those who are visiting from out of state).
Special offers and discounts are available to out-of-town shoppers! Bridgeport Village and Washington Square both offer discounts and incentives to out-of-town visitors, and Macy’s has a savings pass, specifically aimed at both domestic and international travelers. (Visit Washington Square’s website and Bridgeport Village’s site for more information and a list of participating partners and packages.)
Parking is FREE (and there’s lots of it)! Parking is a breeze at the major retail centers, such as Washington Square, Streets of Tanasbourne and Bridgeport Village, so you can spend more time shopping, instead of looking for a parking spot. Plus, you will have more dollars in your wallet for fun stuff, not parking tolls.
The art of shopping is always in fashion (and easy on the wallet) in Washington County. And with three major shopping and retail centers (each easily accessible from major highways) there is a large variety of stores to choose from, including many of the nation’s best-known shops, as well as local favorites.
Visit the shopping section of our website for a list of the myriad shopping experiences you can have all year round.
Tags: beaverton, bridgeport village, Hillsboro, mall, Shopping, shopping packages, streets of tanasbourne, tigard, Tualatin, washington county, Washington Square
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July 9th, 2009 by Sunyi
J O I N U S Friday, July 10 – Saturday, July 11 at Barnes & Noble to support Beaverton students participating in the Battle of the Books. Enjoy FREE in-store fun activities all day Friday and Saturday at the Tanasbourne location. Harry Potter Costume Party from 4pm – 6pm on Friday at Tanasbourne, including free wand making. Shop early during the Early Bird VIP Hour on Saturday from 8am – 9am. Meet local authors; Susan Fletcher – The Dragon Chronicles, Shadow Spinner Walk Across the Sea, Marianne Monson – Finding Fairies and Josie Seid, There’s a Frog in Swan Lake(authors scheduled Saturday from 1pm-2pm).…AND MUCH MORE!
Purchase/Donate a book off the Battle of the Books Wish List and receive a FREE gift, while supplies last!
Present this > bookfair code: 566901 prior to checkout at Barnes & Noble Tanasbourne or Barnes & Noble Washington Square and a percentage of the net sale will be donated to the Beaverton Education Foundation.*
*BOOKFAIR HOURS:
Barnes &Noble Booksellers (Tanasbourne)
Friday 9am – 11pm & Saturday 8am – 11pm; BEF VIP SHOPPING HOUR 8am -9am
Barnes & Noble Booksellers (Washington Square)
Friday & Saturday 9am – 9pm
Tags: beaverton, Events, Tanasbourne, washington county, washington square mall
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May 8th, 2009 by Sunyi
Writing personalized inspiration cards
Yesterday a few of us went to Washington Square to volunteer for the ‘Dress for Success’ organization of Oregon. For those of you who haven’t been keeping up, ‘Dress for Success’ is an international non-profit promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
(Learn more.)
It was a big day, all 67 shopping centers owned by Macerich (they own Washington Square Mall), had a coordinated effort for Dress for Success. The goal was to bag 500+ ‘personal interview kits’ at each location to help a woman get primped and otherwise prepared for that job interview. And thanks to volunteers and all the donations, they achieved the goal. These efforts will reach a lot of women in need in our state. A worthy cause to support and promote!
- Allison & Heather of WCVA filling kit bags
While we were there we also had to check out the Titanic mobile museum. Warning: this museum is larger then meets the eye. We walked up to find a line had formed in the little break of sunshine we had and were treated to a VIP tour. Something to occupy your time while doing some shopping at Washington Square. It’s here and then gone on Sunday. It is headed down to Salem next week and then its off to another state. Tell your friends and family! 
Tags: Events, Museum, tigard, volunteer, washington county oregon
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May 4th, 2009 by Sunyi
Hey Portland & Metro residents and visitors,
Here’s something free to check out while you’re out and about. Titanic: Treasures from the Deep, a new mobile museum featuring over 50 authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site of the legendary RMS Titanic, tells the personal stories of its passengers in a setting unlike anything seen before. This experience will be on display at Washington Square in the parking lot near the Newport Bay Restaurant on the following days and times:
Thursday, May 7: 12pm – 8pm
Friday, May 8: 12pm – 8pm
Saturday, May 9: 12pm – 8pm
Sunday, May 10: 11am – 4pm
To learn more about the mobile museum, and to follow the Titanic: Treasures from the Deep tour, visit www.countrytitanic.com.
Kill two birds with one trip - shop and experience the Titanic!
Tags: Arts & Culture, mobile museum, Museum, Shopping
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April 22nd, 2009 by Julia Adam
Mt. Hood from a hill.
Mt. St. Helens (left) and Mt. Adams from the route.
Yesterday, in the glorious sunshine, I had the chance to drive our new Vineyard and Valley scenic tour route. It’s a brilliant glimpse into Washington County’s past, present and future. Historical sites include the Old Scotch Church and the Joseph L. Meek land claim historical marker. The plethora of vineyards, nurseries and farms attest to the perseverance of early settlers and demonstrate just how much of a player Oregon has become in the agriculture industry. All of this bucolic splendor has been preserved for the future through fortuitous legislation limiting urban sprawl and ensuring that our open spaces are protected. In these last few days of sunshine, myriad trees and plants have burst into bloom, and it is truly a perfect time to explore the area; if you’re lucky, the mountains might come out for a photo op for you, too!
Tags: agriculture, driving routes, farms, history, itinerary, Nature, nurseries, tour route, Vineyard & Valley scenic tour route, Wineries
Posted in Arts & Culture, Biking, Family Fun, Food & Drink, Shopping, Wineries | 2 Comments »
April 14th, 2009 by Allison George
Hey, it’s time for the 2009 OACVB Auction! That stands for the “Oregon Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus.” Whew, that’s a long one! The auction will be held at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Salem, Oregon on April 20, but if you can’t be there don’t worry- the auction is also on line.
All proceeds will directly benefit the Oregon Association of CVBs, so don’t hold back! You’ll be helping the Oregon Association of CVBs fund their work to make sure that Oregon’s Convention and Visitor Bureaus are the best in the nation and give the highest quality of service to our Oregon visitors! Insider tip: you’ll notice that most auction packages have either ridiculously low bids- or no bids at all- so you just may sneak up on some great stuff!
Here’s what the Washington County Visitors Association donated: (with a special thanks to Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club!!):
- A round of golf for four (4) players at the Ghost Creek Course at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club plus two (2) Nike Golf Storm-Fit Caps and two (2) Nike Ball/Valuables Pouches. Ghost Creek is hailed as one of the nation’s premier semi-private golf courses. The Robert Cupp-designed layout emulates traditional golf course architecture with gently rolling terrain and a creek that reappears throughout. Ghost Creek was home to the NIKE TOUR Championships in 1993 and 1994 and was rated in 2005 in Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Places You Can Play.
- One (1) Nike Women’s “Brassie” Carryall Bag, one (1) bottle of Beran Pinot Noir, one (1) bottle of Appolloni Dolce Vino wine, and two
(2) boxes of chocolate covered hazelnuts. This is a stylish, sophisticated athletic bag that’s suitable on the golf course or the runway. Inside the bag, you’ll also find chocolate covered hazelnuts and two bottles of wonderful wine produced in Washington County, Oregon. However, bringing the wine to the golf course is not recommended. FORE!
Happy bidding, and good luck!
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April 14th, 2009 by Sunyi
The Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route is a 50-mile driving route that leads visitors through Oregon’s lush Tualatin Valley. The route showcases 17 wineries tucked into the countryside west of Portland, plus a bounty of farms (some with stands offering seasonal fresh produce and/or u-pick), pioneer and historic sites, wildlife refuges and scenic viewpoints of the Cascade Mountains and snow-capped Mt. Hood.
Nearly all the wineries are independent, family-owned operations where visitors often taste wine with the winemaker or owner. Some wineries specialize in producing organic and biodynamic wines. One makes traditional and specialty saké (rice wine) andthe only American-owned and operated saké producer.
Download a printable PDF of the Scenic Tour Route Map
Participating Wineries:
The new Vineyard & Valley Scenic Tour Route is part of the “Discover Oregon Scenic Byways” program. The Washington County Visitor Association spearheaded the development of the tour route, working with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and supported by a wide range of other organizations.
The ODOT-signed, two-way route runs between the town of Sherwood in the southern part of the Tualatin Valley and Swiss-settled Helvetia at the northern end. It is best enjoyed during a full day of discoveries along the way; from wineries to such attractions as the scenic Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. The route offers hospitality at historic country taverns and old-time general stores and easy access to Sherwood, Forest Grove, Gaston and other towns for dining and lodging.
Tags: Apolloni Vineyards, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, David Hill Vineyard and Winery, Elk Cove Vineyards, Helvetia Vineyards, Montinore Estate, Oak Knoll Winery, Patton Valley, Ponzi Vineyards, SakeOne, Shafer Vineyards, washington county oregon, wine tasting, Wineries
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events, Food & Drink, Shopping, Wineries | 3 Comments »
March 11th, 2009 by Rhiannon
In a perfect world I would be surrounded by fabulous shopping … because I live to shop (my husband can attest to that). Oh wait … I am in a perfect world. I live in Washington County where the shopping doesn’t get much better.
Minutes from my home is The Streets of Tanasbourne in Hillsboro with its lovely old-time Main Street atmosphere and where each of the stores, no matter what size, exudes a certain charm. Or I can stroll my way through Bridgeport Village in Tigard/Tualatin which reminds me of shopping in several European towns I’ve visited over the years. Much as I enjoy both locations, my heart really belongs to my first mall shopping experience after moving to the area 20+ years ago … Washington Square in Tigard. It was wonderful then and continues to be wonderful with Oregon’s largest Nordstrom and many other distinctive retailers.
No matter what my shopping fantasy, I can be sure to find it at one of these locations … or at any of a number of specialty shops sprinkled throughout the county (but that’s a whole other article). And, best of all, there is no sales tax in Oregon. Think of all that lovely money I’m saving so that I can do more shopping!
The only thing that would make this more perfect for me would be an unlimited charge card or a winning lottery ticket. My husband would probably vote for more closet and storage space.
Come visit, enjoy and shop Washington County. I think you’ll be glad you did.
By Marie Prins, visitor information specialist and shopping connoisseur
Tags: bridgeport village, department stores, Hillsboro, mall, nordstrom, Shopping, streets of tanasbourne, tigard, Tualatin, washington county oregon, washington square mall
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