Salem-News.com Holiday articles Page 17

Fire up the Grill, Not the Patio; BBQ Safety for the Memorial Day Weekend

There are many ways to have a good time and be safe.

(TUALATIN, Ore.) - There's nothing better than a backyard barbecue. Unfortunately, charcoal briquette and propane barbecues can pose a fire hazard if not used safely. Annually in the United States there are over 6,000 fires and 170 injuries due to barbecue grills.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue reminds Oregonians of several safety tips.

Memorial Day Events in Oregon

One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Each year on Memorial Day, Americans pay honor to all of those who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

In recognition of the holiday’s rich history, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is announcing the Memorial Day celebrations occurring statewide of which the agency has been made aware. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868 as a day in which the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers would be decorated with flowers.

Death on an Oregon Highway - Video by Tim King

Too many people die each year on Oregon's roads, here is a look at what those tragic scenes look like: the point is to remind everyone to drive safely.

(SALEM, Ore.) - You have no idea what races through my mind each time I hear a siren wailing in the background, rushing to some traumatic incident and a person desperate for their assistance. I think of the myriad fatal crashes I have covered in my twenty years as a news reporter and photographer, and all the tragedy and grief that accompanies them.

Fortunately, I do not have to go to these incidents anymore; not very often anyway. Instead, police in Oregon have become extremely helpful to the news media by sharing photos of the crash scenes that they already take for their investigations.

Mothers Day is Sunday - Don`t Forget Your Mom

Americans will spend approximately $2.6 billion on flowers, $1.53 billion on pampering gifts — like spa treatments — and another $68 million on greeting cards for Mothers Day.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Mother's Day, a day we honor our mothers is this Sunday, but did you know that it is celebrated on various days in many places around the world.

Different countries celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins. In the United States, Mother's Day was loosely inspired by the British day and was imported by social activist Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War.

Happy Cinco de Mayo From Lolitaville

Design Diva Lolita has the perfect margarita for May 5th.

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) - A new line of beautiful, hand painted glassware goes perfectly with any holiday celebrating independence south of the border. Designs by Lolita offers a most stunning lineup of glasses that are sure to spice up your margarita all by themselves.

The hand-painted creations by Lolita acknowledge moments throughout our lives like birthdays, hobbies, new jobs and – thankfully – holidays like Cinco de Mayo. Available on a variety of drinkware, (from wine glasses to hot beverage mugs) Lolita has something for everyone.

420: Marijuana Users Get Their Own Holiday

(SALEM, Ore.) - I remember first hearing about the 420 reference for marijuana when a friend of mine was traveling back and forth frequently between the U.S. and Russia, South Korea and New Zealand back in the early 90's. I just recall him telling us that it would come to represent the cannabis herb that is the center of so much attention around the world.

St. Paddy`s Day Makes Driving More Dangerous

Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, nearly half of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or above.

(SALEM, Ore.) - For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large volume of impaired drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous, so it will also be a big night out for increased saturation patrols targeting impaired and dangerous drivers.

Following a few simple precautions can prevent much of the death and destruction from drunk drivers.

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama: The Great Need of the Hour (VIDEO)

The nation's first black Presidential contender talks about another black American who changed the face of his nation.

(ATLANTA, Ga.) - Senator and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama gave what many are describing as a stirring speech Sunday morning at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s church in Atlanta. He spoke about the need for unity in the fight against our common challenges -- war, poverty, injustice and inequality.

Kaiser Permanente Employees Honor Dr. King with Day of Service Fighting Hunger

Employees will also provide free medical care to uninsured patients, refurbish donated bicycles, prepare food, gather clothing and hygiene items for farm workers and paint school classrooms and community centers.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Nearly 250 Kaiser Permanente employees from the Portland-Vancouver area will honor the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by spending his national holiday volunteering to repack bulk food into family-sized portions in OFB's Maybelle Clark Macdonald Volunteer Action Center.

"We thank Kaiser Permanente for helping to fight hunger," says Rachel Bristol, OFB's CEO. "OFB faces a major food shortage due to declining donations from USDA and the food industry. Kaiser Permanente's donation and volunteer support come at a vital time as we work to fill the gap."

More DUII Deaths and Arrests in Oregon this New Year

Oregon State Police and the state's highway department release preliminary post-New Year's holiday statistics.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's roads and highways saw a slightly worse New Year season in terms of traffic related DUII deaths and arrests. Police say enhanced patrols were successful.

Early numbers indicated a slight jump in the number of traffic-related deaths and an increase in DUII arrests during this year's 102-hour New Year's holiday period between 6:00 PM, Friday, December 28th, and 11:59 PM, Tuesday, January 1st.