HAPPENINGS

March 7–9 Chocolate lovers, unite! Head down to Ashland for the weekend to partake in all things chocolate with more than 1,500 vendors at the Oregon Chocolate Festival. ashlandspringshotel.com

March 15 Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River is holding its 7th Anniversary Party, including live music by five different bands, activities, and, of course, delicious beer! doublemountainbrewery.com

March 16 The Shamrock Run might be sold out, but Bend’s 4th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dash is still in full force! The race begins and ends at Deschutes Brewery and Public House, so you can partake in  the timeless tradition of drinking and running. bendstpatsdash.com

Remember, March is Portland Dining Month, so pick from one (or many) of nearly 100 local restaurants and dig in to a $29 three-course meal. Choices include everything from Besaw’s to Racion. downtownportland.org/dining-month

COOL NEW STUFF

Downtown's 109-year-old Governor Hotel is rebranding as Sentinel. View a slideshow of their remodeled guestrooms here. 

A new softcover book, Man & the Sea, chronicles the stunning (and strangely beautiful) shipwrecks of Oregon's past. Read our preview here. 

DEALS

March 15–17 In honor of St Patricks Day, downtown's Benson Hotel is partnering with Kell's Irish Restaurant and Pub to bring you the "Luck o' the Benson": deluxe guestroom, 2 tickets to Kell's Irish Festival, 2 Kells t-shirts, and overnight valet parking for one vehicle. Email [email protected]

For only $169, receive a two-night getaway to Cannon Beach at one of two beachside inns near Haystack Rock. That's a 45% savings. travelzoo.com

Thru April 1 Coast Hotels has a bonanza of deals centered on "family getaways" and Northwest deals abound. Skiing? Check. Pirate-themed? Check. LEGOs? Check check check. coasthotels.com/family-packages/