Florence will commemorate the 56th anniversary of one of Oregon’s most unusual historic moments with a weekend of film screenings, live music and community gatherings Nov. 14-15.

The celebration honors Nov. 12, 1970, the day when the Oregon Highway Division (now the Oregon Department of Transportation) attempted to remove a beached whale from Florence’s shores using explosives. The event became legendary after news coverage documented the dramatic results.

The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus (Octopus paxarbolis) is an extraordinary cephalopod that has adapted to life in the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula.

Unlike its aquatic cousins, this remarkable species has evolved to live in the forest canopy, moving between trees using its eight powerful tentacles. The tree octopus divides its time between the branches and the forest's freshwater streams, where it hunts for its preferred diet of insects, frogs, and small rodents.

You don’t have to have the right equipment, or a secret location, or a car to start foraging. Plenty of tasty foraged foods are easier to find than you might think: your backyard, parks, and local trails.Alexis Nikole Nelson, also known as the @BlackForager on TikTok, wants to make it easier. She has a new cookbook that teaches expert and novice foragers how to find and eat the mushroom, berries, and flower petals. "Happy Snacking, Don’t Die!" is packed with delicious and informative recipes for every season."Seattle Eats" host Brandi Fullwood spoke with Alexis live at Town Hall Seattle as part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures speaker series.

The new trains feature ergonomic seats, upgraded WiFi, and a sleek new cafe car. They'll go into service on both the Seattle to Eugene and Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. routes. More trains are set to arrive by the end of the year, dramatically increasing Amtrak Cascades capacity.