Alaska celebrates 50 years of statehood (The Oregonian)

Terry Richard/The OregonianA 50th anniversary Alaska license plate on a vehicle parked on the streets of Portland. When Alaskans found out that the U.S. Senate passed the Statehood Act in June 1958, sirens blared, crowds gathered and celebrated around bonfires....

Adlington heads New Year honours (BBC News)

Double Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington is made an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

AUGUST 2008 REVIEW (Sporting Life)

1st Under-fire Paul Collingwood hit a gutsy 101 not out to give England hope in the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Outbound Escapes (The Sacramento Bee)

Outdoor reels Raft down the Colorado River and learn about its water shortage or watch Kamchatka Peninsula grizzlies, all from the sidelines; the environmental films are hitting the road. • "Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D," above, at Esquire Imax, 1211 K St.; $8-$10. 12:15 and 3:30 p.m. daily. (916) 446-2333. • The Banff Mountain Film Festival, 7 p.m. April 8-9 at the ...

Outdoor-sports experts can help someone on your list get in the groove (Seattle Times)

Straddling my mountain bike atop a short, steep hillside in Seattle's Woodland Park, I watched as Baker, my 9 ½-year-old son, biked...