Melissa Binder
The Oregonian
Portland, OR, United States
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Past articles by Melissa:
2016 Rose Festival Queen is Grace Ramstad of Centennial High School
Electing a Rose Festival Queen is a century-old tradition in Portland. This year, 15 high school girls were elected as princesses. → Read More
Ramadan 2016: What's the spiritual purpose of fasting?
"The best way I can explain Ramadan is this: to act as if we are standing in front of God 24 hours a day. How would you act?" → Read More
What's up with the giant spinning lantern in Hillsboro?
A 10-foot-tall lantern in downtown Hillsboro has attracted some attention from passersby. Sri Lankan Buddhists constructed the lantern for Vesak, a Buddhist holiday. → Read More
Portlander chosen as one of America's most inspirational rabbis
Rabbi Joey Wolf of Northwest Portland's Havurah Shalom was among 32 men and women honored by The Forward as this year's most inspirational rabbis. → Read More
Upcoming Atheist Festival hopes to coax non-believers out of the closet
"Atheists and agnostics are good people and shouldn't be subject to stigma," said organizer Charlie Ringo. "There are millions of Americans who don't believe in God but are resistant to say that." → Read More
Anti-Islamic church sign causes stir in Hood River
The sign says: "Wake up Christians. Allah is not our God. Muhammad not greater than Jesus." → Read More
Sidewalk Talk: Portlanders find healing in 'free listening'
Sidewalk Talk trains and deploys volunteer listeners in cities across the country. "When we all feel heard, that actually promotes mental wellness," said Traci Ruble. "When there's a listening ear, people feel like they matter." → Read More
Heads up, Blazers fans: Rose Quarter could be be extra packed due to graduation
Next door in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Lewis & Clark college will be hosting a commencement ceremony for undergraduates, which could mean parking in the area will be more limited than usual. → Read More
Speeder ditches deputy til they meet again at crash site
A 22-year-old driver successfully evaded a deputy Friday night by swerving through a suburban westside neighborhood -- only to get busted minutes later for crashing into a parked car. → Read More
Woman dies in Southeast Portland house fire
Rescuers arrived at a burning home near Southeast 33rd Avenue and Southeast Salmon Street around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. → Read More
Portland Metro Saturday Weather: Soak up the sun
Get out the hiking boots, lawn mower, kayak or picnic blanket -- Saturday will be warm and sunny. → Read More
A guide to Muslim veils
Americans tend to refer to all Muslim women's head coverings as hijab, but there are actually at least seven distinct articles of clothing worn by female followers of Islam. → Read More
Yom HaShoah: Why these Jewish women read Holocaust victims' names
A survivor and Jewish community leader explain why reading the names of Jews killed in the Holocaust is important. → Read More
Methodists are coming to Portland to talk homosexuality, reconciliation with Native Americans
Thousands of United Methodists will descend on Portland in the coming days to hash out key church issues, such as policies on gay clergy, during a 10-day conference at the Oregon Convention Center. → Read More
15 Methodist leaders just came out together to protest church's LGBT policy
In an open letter to The United Methodist Church, 15 clergy members and clergy candidates came out Sunday as gay, lesbian, bisexual and queer -- a bold act of defiance against a church that defrocks clergy for marrying same-sex couples or coming out. → Read More
Pagans find belonging in blossoming congregation
Dozens of pagans came together to celebrate Beltane with songs, offerings and a maypole dance. → Read More
Passover 2016: Scenes of Oregon seders
In honor of the final day of Passover, we compiled photos of seder tables and meal preparation from around Oregon. → Read More
Should Christians hold seder dinners for Passover?
The Religion News Services reports there's a growing interest among Christians in the faith's Jewish roots. Some Christians even hold seder dinners -- with a Jesus-friendly script -- for friends and family. → Read More
Good news, Flying Spaghetti Monster followers: New Zealand legalized Pastafarian weddings
New Zealand formally approved the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's request to solemnize marriages, and the first-ever wedding was held Saturday. → Read More
'On Being' host Krista Tippett advises millennials: Be compassionate to yourself (Q&A)
Krista Tippett, host of popular radio show-podcast "On Being," sits down for a one-on-one conversation with The Oregonian/OregonLive's Melissa Binder about wisdom in young adulthood. → Read More