It's Portland Beer Week!

Thursday is the start of Portland Beer Week.  Of course, a week is usually 7 days but when you're celebrating beer, it's 10 days! There are tons of events going on to celebrate Beervana, including an official beer, brewed by Deschutes and Hopworks.  There are several tastings and mini-festivals, even a progressive dinner where beer is the focus.  KXL Beer Goddess Lisa Morrison says Portland Beer Week is like a special date night for a married couple.  You know you still love your spouse but every once in awhile, you have to carve some time out for that person.  You can check out a list of all the events here.
Beer is a huge part of the Portland economy.  According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, Oregon has 107 brewing companies.  48 of those breweries are located in Portland, more than any other city in the world.  So get out there and have fun (responsibly!) and support your local businesses!
--Lacey

Seat Buddy

Another airline is trying to customize your traveling experience.  Latvia's national airline is launching the SEAT BUDDY system offering passengers three FLIGHT MOODS to choose from.  The first one is "work" for those who want to get something done; the second is "business talk" for those who want to network; and the third is "relax" for those who don't want to deal with a chatty neighbor. Hobbies and interests will also be taken into account.   A spokesman for the airline tells news.com.au that they are the first airline to do this.   He also mentioned that passengers would not be allowed to ban people from sitting with them.  The first "SeatBuddy" test flights will take off later this month.  Where would YOU like to sit?

~Rebecca

Kyron Horman Two Years Later

June 4th has become a day we all remember in the KXL newsroom.  That is the day we all learned that a young boy named Kyron Horman was missing....he was last seen with his step mom at a science fair at Skyline School.  For months, his face was pasted all over the media and on billboards as police desperately searched for him.  His step mom, Teri Horman, became the focus of the investigation but charges were never filed.   Kyron's body has never been found.  His birth mom Desiree Young is now suing Teri Horman for custodial interference meaning that she has kept Kyron from her for an extended period of time.  Kyron's father, Kaine Horman, continues to believe his son is alive and asks us all to keep looking.   Lacey Evans sat down with Kaine and talked to him and you can hear that interview on Portland's Morning News and Afternoon News on Monday.  We will be thinking about Kyron this June 4th and for many June 4th's to come.   Our hearts go out to the family.

~Rebecca Marshall
KXL Anchor and News Director

44 Cents Can Save a Child's Life

Pocket Change Can Save A Life...Literally.

Are you traveling for Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is fast approaching which means many Americans are packing bags and planning a road trip.  According to AAA, 11% of Americans will take a trip this weekend.  That is up from last year, but AAA notes that a lot of people are cutting back in other ways.  For example, the distance people are driving is down drastically, 150 miles less than last year.  Also, the majority of travelers over the holiday weekend are visiting family and friends, possibly saving money on lodging.
What are you doing this weekend?  Are you flying somewhere?  Driving?  This is a big camping weekend...maybe you're headed into the woods.  Leave your comments below and tell me where you're going.  Was it easy to find a camping spot?  Are gas prices holding you back?  Personally, I'm headed to Central Oregon for the holiday weekend, but I will be back in plenty of time for a holiday edition of Portland's Afternoon News!
-Lacey

Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon This Weekend

Let me start this blog by saying, I hate running.  BUT, I will add that there is no better feeling in the world than finishing a race! While I've never done a half marathon, let alone a full marathon, I understand why people do.  The sense of accomplishment at the end is great! This Sunday, 14,000 people will have that feeling while they run Portland's first Rock and Roll half marathon.  It's set to become a signature Rose Festival event.  The race will start and end at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, but the majority of the race will take place on Portland's east side.  There will be dozens of bands along the route, entertaining racers and spectators, and cheering people on.  If you're not participating, that could mean some traffic delays for you, so click the map here so you can be prepared.
After the marathon, there will be a concert on the Waterfront, kicking off the Rose Festival Ro'Zone concert series.  After that, expect a daily Rose Festival event! Soon the rides will be set up on the Waterfront (I'm not riding the Mega Drop!) and volunteers will be working on the floats for the Grand Floral Parade.  What a great time of year for the Rose City!
-Lacey