In my research on Oregon, over the last couple of years; I came across a story about one of the coastal sites, setting out glass globes…hiding them like easter eggs. Where does this take place, or does it anymore?

You’re definitely thinking of Lincoln City, where they set out more than 2,000 colorful blown glass “floats” between October and May. The program began in 1999, to celebrate the millennium, and now the “Float Fairies” are at work every year. The floats are modeled on the traditional Japanese blown glass fishing floats, in green and blue, that used to wash up on these beaches. They’ve expanded the program to include a “blow your own” glass foundry, and local galleries also specialize in these floats. Happy hunting! http://www.oregoncoast.org/glass-art-blowing/

My husband and I are planning to move to Oregon toward the end of next year. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what cities/towns are with in commuting distance of the Portland area?

Commuting distance is relative, of course. Much of close-in Portland is actually quite residential, so you could consider that. Nearby suburbs include Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, etc. Like Rogue Ales says, traffic can be bear – but it really depends on your own tolerance for it. The Portland area has some good transit too, so the first three suburbs I mentioned, for example, there’s light rail into Portland.