Jan 9

Jan 9 Bold and Beautiful: Victor's Iris & Rainbows in January

Iris don’t typically bloom until April. But these, given to us by Victor Johnson, had a mind of their own this odd year as temperatures have been unusually warm.

Jan 9

Jan 9 Photo of The Day: The Rush is On As Old Man Winter Extends an Icy Grip Upon TD

Tom Peterson

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles

Leo Ruis, Jose Ledesma, and Aurelio Marquez, above, were putting down their footprint at The Foley in The Dalles on Tuesday, Jan. 9 as strong winds and rain pelted the area. The three work at Schuepbach Builders of Hood River, which is now into building forms to pour a new walkway at the restored Plantation-Colonial Revival at 106 E. Fourth Street.

Jan 8

Jan 8 The Dalles Elks Donate $15,000 to Meals on Wheels

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County, Positive News

The Dalles Elks Lodge 303 presented a $15,000.00 check to Meals on Wheels on Thursday January 4, 2024. The Elks annual donation has become especially important in the last two years due to funding cuts.

Jan 8

Jan 8 Preparing for tomorrow: CGCCollege engages civic and industry partners

Columbia Gorge Community College

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles, Education

Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC), in collaboration with local and industry partners, is happy to announce a new grant award and a productive community event that engaged local civic and business leaders in guiding the school’s strategic planning.

Jan 6

Jan 6 Prince and Princess Tea Party Draws 150 Families to The Dalles Library

Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page, Positive News

Over 150 people dressed in their finest royal robes attended The Dalles Wasco County Public Library's second annual Prince and Princess Tea Party on December 29.

Jan 4

Jan 4 The Next Door Inc. Recognizes Gorge Local, Lars Reierson, As 2023 Philanthropist of the Year

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, Positive News, Wasco County, Hood River County, Skamania County

As 2023 comes to a close, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is thrilled to announce Lars Reierson as the recipient of our Philanthropist of the Year award! This recognition celebrates Lars’ exceptional generosity, significant community involvement, and outstanding philanthropic impact on The Next Door and the Gorge communities we serve.

Jan 4

Jan 4 Column: It’s Never too Late: Therapy and Aging

Donna Henderson

Columns, Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles

Misconceptions about mental health and aging include the idea that we can become “too old” for therapy to be of any benefit, as though we were a piece of petrified wood someone was trying to water back to life! It’s worth noting that…older adults often benefit more —and more quickly— from therapy than younger people do.

Jan 3

Jan 3 10th Annual Dancing with The Gorge Stars: Local Celebrities Take the Stage for a Good Cause

Columbia Community Connection

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles

Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association (MCCCA) is proud to bring back by popular demand, the 10th Annual Dancing with The Gorge Stars fundraiser. Six local Gorge Stars will compete for your votes at this mid-winter event. Like the reality TV dance show, our contestants learn a dance routine before show time.

Jan 3

Jan 3 Focus on families expands at WAGAP

Washington Gorge Action Programs

Klickitat County, Positive News, Home Page

When a family struggles to make ends meet, the small things taken for granted can make a huge difference in their quality of life. The Family Resource Center in Goldendale helps to stabilize families with children under age 18 in Klickitat County to prevent child abuse and future houselessness.

Jan 3

Jan 3 From Villain to Victor: History of the Bald Eagle Watch

Amber Tilton

Home Page, Positive News

Amber Tilton, US Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist at The Dalles Dam, delves into the history of a bird who’s bad reputation was nearly it’s undoing.

Jan 2

Jan 2 Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps Blanket Drive Underway

Columbia Community Connection

Positive News

The Wasco County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has launched its annual blanket drive, with three convenient drop-off locations, and will continue collecting blankets through February. Help those in need stay warm this winter by donating warm blankets and adult-sized socks to benefit St. Vincent de Paul. All items must be new, or gently used and washed and in good condition.

Jan 2

Jan 2 The Dalles Kiwanis January Programs

Columbia Community Connection

Positive News

The Dalles Kiwanis January Programs

Jan 1

Jan 1 Hood River Farmers Market is Open for the Winter Season

Cole Goodwin

Positive News, Hood River County, Home Page, Business

Hood River Farmer’s Market will be open on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays, of December through April, from 10 a.m. - noon.

Dec 27

Dec 27 Organizations Partner to Bring Holiday Meals to Native American Community Members

The Next Door

Home Page, Positive News

This holiday season, The Next Door Inc.'s (TNDI) Native Supports team has been joined by community partners, Gorge Native American Collaborative (GNAC) and Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), to bring comfort and joy to Native American community members in the Mid-Columbia region.

Dec 22

Dec 22 Dear Santa: Letters to Santa From Colonel Wright, Dry Hollow, St. Mary's and Dufur Schools

Columbia Community Connection

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page, Positive News

Oh, ho, ho, ho. The Season is merry with the wishes of our local children!

Santa has sent us their letters from local 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-graders to help us rekindle the magic of this holiday season through their innocent and hopeful writings to Santa.

Dec 21

Dec 21 Solstice Pizza fired up at 6th Street Station in TD

Brittany Drewett

Home Page, The Dalles, Positive News

Solstice Wood Fire Pizza ads to diversity at food carts in The Dalles - Growing up, we would occasionally go out and grab a “fast food buffet.” We would drive to multiple fast-food restaurants and pick up different items that sounded good to one or more of the people in the car. No need anymore with 6th Street Station food carts covering a ton of culinary ground in TD.

Dec 20

Dec 20 The Dalles Library Celebrates Community with 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Event

Joshuah Albert

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles

The Dalles Public Library hosted its gingerbread house-making event for children and families, witnessing a significant turnout. This year marks the second successful run of the event, with all preordered gingerbread houses being claimed before the event started.

Dec 20

Dec 20 Column: Embracing Change- Danielle Barriga's Journey from Love in Chile to Community Building

Columbia Community Connection

Columns, Positive News, The Dalles, Home Page

Whenever we consider a change in our lives, even a positive one, we encounter the paradox of transformation. On one hand, we are on familiar ground. It may not be the best, but it’s what we’re used to. When we think of making a change, we run the risk of losing our stable ground. We tend to settle for what is familiar. Why rock the boat?

Dec 18

Dec 18 46th Annual Live Nativity Scene Lights Up Sorosis Park

Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Positive News

There was a live nativity scene in Sorosis Park this weekend, with lively music and even hot chili being served. This year marks their 46th year hosting this fundraiser, but it will be the 3rd year using live actors. This production was hosted by The Last Days of Jesus Inc., there were also many Churches that helped with the event.

Dec 18

Dec 18 It's Almost Eagle Watching Time in The Gorge Again!

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, Positive News, The Dalles, Wasco County

January brings the peak season for bald eagle migration in the Columbia Gorge. This January there will be two events celebrating the bald eagle migration: Wings Over the Columbia Gorge, a free webinar featuring eagle experts on January 4th followed by the 14th annual Eagle Watch at The Dalles Dam on January 20th, featuring live raptor demonstrations, eagle watching, and educational activities.

Welcome, friends.