Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program to Hold Public Meeting on Dec. 13th

News from Our Sponsors

By Morgaine Riggins

The Dalles, OR. December 8, 2023 - The Steering Committee of the Tri-County (Hood River, Sherman, and Wasco) Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program will hold a meeting on December 13th, from 9 AM to 11 AM. The meeting can also be accessed virtually upon request.

Representatives from the member agencies of the counties of Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River, and the cities of The Dalles, Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Dufur, and Maupin will hold their meeting to discuss the following agenda items: [Approval of Minutes, Progress Reports, Financial Reports, and other miscellaneous items.]

The nine governments signed an intergovernmental agreement in November 2003 to build and operate two permanent household hazardous waste collection facilities in Hood River and The Dalles and conduct satellite collection events throughout the region. Wasco County is the lead agency. The facilities and events collect hazardous wastes from households; businesses and institutions, which are Very Small Quantity Generators, as well as pesticide wastes from farmers and ranchers. The program’s grand opening took place on July 29th, 2006.

For more information, call Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program at (541) 506-2632.

Scruggs joins Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District

Irene Scruggs joins NWCPUD’s executive management team as Chief Legal Officer

From Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District:

The Dalles, Oregon – Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District has selected Irene Scruggs as its new Chief Legal Officer. In this role, Scruggs will serve as general counsel to the NWCPUD’s Board of Directors and as a key strategic leader and partner to the General Manager and executive management team with programmatic responsibilities in several key areas of the utility. Scruggs will assume the position in January of 2024.

“Irene brings legal, regulatory and policy prowess to the District’s executive team,” said General Manager and CEO Roger Kline. “Her depth of expertise, combined with her ability to see the big picture and deliver results, will benefit the District’s strategic execution as we meet the needs of our customers and our growing community.”

Prior to joining NWCPUD, Scruggs was the Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel of the Public Power Council, the region’s largest association of consumer-owned utilities. For more than a decade, Scruggs advised the PPC board and members on a broad range of critical issues pertaining to the procurement and delivery of affordable, reliable, and clean electric power to communities across the Pacific Northwest. She advanced the interests of PPC’s members in a variety of forums and her advocacy and legal work contributed to hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for Northwest consumer-owned utilities that purchase wholesale electricity and transmission service from the Bonneville Power Administration. Scruggs also advised PPC board and staff on policies related to corporate governance, employment, and contracts issues.

“I’m thrilled to join the team at Northern Wasco County PUD as it embarks on so many exciting opportunities,” said Scruggs. “I look forward to working with such a progressive-minded leadership team and Board in implementing strategies that enhance the quality of products and services the District provides to its customer-owners.”

Prior to joining PPC, Scruggs was in private practice with large firms in Portland representing business clients in commercial litigation. As Chief Legal Officer, Scruggs will support the NWCPUD’s evaluation of future power supply agreements, enterprise risk management and corporate governance.

“This role allows me to contribute to the District’s key strategic decisions as it evaluates opportunities, manages risks and capitalizes on its competitive and geographic advantages while considering cost discipline, rate impacts and environmental benefits,” added Scruggs.

Scruggs holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science, with minors in analytical finance and business, from Gonzaga University, and a Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School. She is a member of the Oregon State Bar and the Washington State Bar.

Goldendale's Art Festival to draw thousands; Vendor booths still available

Photo of mural Courtesy of Toss Products Facebook Page

The Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting vendors to be a part of it’s Goldendale Art Festival on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The Festival intends to bring thousands to town who want to view or get involved with numerous art projects within the community, according to Teja Finch, business and events specialist for the Chamber.

Artist booths are $45 and food booths are $75. Click here to register. 

This event will celebrate the arts - the expression of human creativity, skill, and imagination, such as painting, music, literature, dance, sculpture and producing works to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional impact.

Expect rock carving and Scott Gray will be giving pottery demonstrations. Yep, throwing clay in the street!  

Toss Products will also be on hand for a paint party.  

File photo - murals have been being created throughout Goldendale over the past year and now Goldendale’s Art Festival on Sept. 23 intends to bring thousands to town to enjoy them as well as food, events and music centered around the town’s blossoming art scene.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on East and West Main Streets in Downtown Goldendale.

The Intersection of Columbus Avenue and Main Street will be closed to vehicles between noon and 3 p.m. for photo ops and a ceremony to honor locals who have worked diligently to improve the community. 

The event will also feature a community dance with The Growlerzz with a mix of rock, blues, and an occasional ballad sponsored by Windermere Columbia Gorge Real Estate.

Hot Rods, Simco Cafe, Honkey Tonk Bar and Restaurant and D’Avonzo’s Italian Food will also be in the mix of places to visit during the day. 

Here’s the Schedule:

8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Vendor/Demo Setup

11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Art Market/Vendors

7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Vendor/Demo Breakdown

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Interactive Art Experiences - Demonstrations, Performances, & Workshops

1 p.m. - Commemoration Ceremony

2 – 5 p.m. - Interactive Art Experiences & Live Music by The Growlerzz

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Sunset Yoga - BYO Yoga Mat

7 – 9 p.m. - Community Family Dance - Main Street

STRAIGHT TALK FROM KPUD, part 6 in a series

News from our Sponsors:

Part 6 of a series by Jim Smith and Rodger Nichols

Last week, we reminded you that right now 54% of KPUD meters are self-read. It can be a chore, and if people forget, then we have to use estimates, which can be off, high or low. That means you’ll either be billed for more than you actually used, or have to come up with a larger sum later to catch up.

This is a particular problem for snowbirds and others who have second homes in the area.

AMI, which again means Advanced Metering Infrastructure, eliminates this problem with accurate readings.

Customers can sign up for automated alerts for outages or when usage goes above a certain amount.

Knowing when your electricity use is highest will let you assess what's going on within your home to drive the usage up. KPUD knowledge about your usage stops at the meter, so it is up to customers to identify what is driving usage, so they can schedule those activities to take advantage of lower power costs.

Should you relocate, whether inside or outside of our service area, the advanced meters can also give the office an up-to-the-minute reading to close out the account while you are checking out in the office. That way, you don't have a final KPUD power bill chasing you to your new address.

AMI is a great benefit to KPUD operations, which is, in turn, a benefit to you. That’s because we are not beholden to a bunch of shareholders. We have a vested interest in Klickitat County and are governed by locally-elected officials.

One of the best ways these new meters can help is by immediately detecting and reporting outages.

Not only will we know there’s an outage without having to wait for someone to call it in, knowing which meters are affected will tell us exactly where the outage is located. That saves time getting crews to the right location to make any needed repairs quickly to get you back online, whether inside our outside to get you back on line. 

These meters can also detect and report momentary outages which can help us troubleshoot problems that can improve our service reliability.

With the information about usage allowing customers to shift usage to off-peak hours, it will reduce the amount of electricity the PUD has to purchase at more expensive peak prices. And that keeps rates down, which benefits everyone.

STRAIGHT TALK FROM KPUD, part 5 in a series

News from our Sponsors:

Part 5 of a series by Jim Smith and Rodger Nichols

What is AMI and what does it mean to me?

Last week we presented our five-point plan to deal with rising electrical demand sending costs higher.

This week, a closer look at a key part of that plan, AMI. That stands for Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

Simply put, it means Klickitat PUD will be installing new meters throughout our service area.

Here’s the background: KPUD is one of the last utilities to require customers to read their own meters. In fact, more than half of the meters in our system are read by rural customers.

This comes with its own set of problems. Life is busy, and sometimes it’s easy to forget. When that happens, KPUD has to estimate your usage, based on similar months in previous years.

But estimates are just that. They will either be too high or too low. And if you forget for a couple months in a row, you might either have paid too much, or have a large payment to catch up.

And if you don’t have to read your own meter, that means a stranger has to come on your property to do so.

Advanced meters will put an end to both problems. After they are installed in your home or business, you won’t have to read them or have someone come on your property to do so.

The new meters actually are empowering to our customers. The current meters only keep a running record of how much power you have been using since the last reading.

The new meters will give you data about your electric use, and you can use that to make choices about when you run heavy power-consuming appliances like dishwashers or washing machines. Doing so at night when the demand is low will save you money, because it means KPUD won’t have to buy as much electricity during expensive daytime hours.

To be clear, the only thing these advanced meters record is electrical usage. They can’t identify what the power is being used for, and they can’t connect with any devices that may be inside the home.

And you will have access to the same information as the PUD. If you are away from home, you can set the system to notify you if there is an outage, or if your usage is higher than a limit you can set. This is very helpful to snowbirds, landlords and working families.

Next week: more on AMI and how it benefits you.

The QR code will take you to more information online or book a PUD expert to talk to your group at 509-493-2255.

The Hot Ticket: Fundraiser goes Country at United Way shindig on July 21 in TD

Jessie Leigh is bringing her Rock ‘N Roll attitude and country music to the United Way Auction and Concert at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles on July 21. It is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Wasco-Sherman Council of the United Way of the Columbia Gorge. Last year locals donated some $30,000 at the event which then went to local nonprofits helping youth, victims of violence and people without food and shelter.

By Tom Peterson

It’s good to give.

Even better when you can do it with 400 friends.

Add a live show, great food, and adult beverage, and a chance to go big at a live auction in the best venue in The Dalles.

Well, now, that’s a recipe to get you on the dance floor. 

The United Way of the Columbia Gorge kicks it into high gear in The Dalles at the Bargeway Pub for its biggest annual fundraiser on July 21 with a power punch of country music and fun from skyrocketing country performers Jessie Leigh of Clackamas and Reno-based Huckleberry Road.

Jeff Heater

The event is growing bigger and better each year, said Jeff Heater, United Way Board Member and President of the Wasco-Sherman Council.

“This is our third or fourth year working with Steve Kane at the Bargeway. Their event space is unique being right on the river… and this is the first time we’re having country bands. We’ve got two headliners, and I have heard them both - they’re really good.”

Tickets are on sale now, and they’re going fast as the Wasco-Sherman Council of United Way is putting together the prizes and surprises for the Concert and Auction. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. It’s a 21 and older event.

Heater said the event raised some $30,000 last year, about $8,000 more than the preceding year. That money then goes to 27 vetted local nonprofits such as Meals on Wheels that spend the money wisely to help locals. 

Last year the event drew about 300 people, and with recent expansions at the Bargeway, there is potential to increase it to 400 this year, Heater said. 

Tonya Brumley

Tonya Brumley with the United Way Wasco-Sherman Council said that was the best part of the event. 

“It is not a huge crowd… That makes it palatable for people,” she said. “It is a fun and enjoyable time to eat and partake in auction items and adult beverages and then do some dancing - It’s great on the waterfront, and you get to see top-rated bands. It’s a high-energy night, and there is a ton of positive energy to do the best for United Way.”

Who’s on Tap?

Jessie Leigh

Jessie Leigh

Jessie Leigh of Clackamas, Oregon has been bending her vocals for years through church and gigs, and finally making the step from small-town teacher to big-time musician after college at Eastern Oregon. She infuses her rock and roll attitude into her country style and has been praised for her fresh, unique sound, and her small-town big-heart appeal through songs such as Small Town Fight which details the struggle of Clackamas residents under siege by wildfire in 2020. 

Huckleberry Road based out of Reno will hit the stage with great songs and musicianship.

Huckleberry Road 

“Even in duo mode, Huckleberry Road centers on great songs and musicianship. Both Robert Clark and Anthony Vairetta are excellent pickers. Vairetta in particular can shred like a metal maniac when it’s warranted. Add on the duo’s gift for deft lyrics—presented in Clark’s rich, tuneful voice—and you have a recipe for great country rock that sucks you in with its classic song-craft and storytelling, according to a story written by Mark Earnest in the Reno News & Review. They are joined on stage by longtime friend and drummer Dillon Secklin.

Tickets

What’s Up For Bid?

“A new thing this year is a balloon ride and then a winery visit,” Heater said. Hosted dinners for groups of 10 or 12 are also on the block among other items. 

Heater said he bid on and won a dinner last year that was hosted by Fun Country’s Mike and Lisa Erland who then put on a seafood boil at their party barn complete with vintage motorcycles. 

“We invited 8 friends along and had a blast,” he said. “There were a bunch of Honda Trail 90s. I wanted one of those in the worst way as a kid. My parents said they were too dangerous and they bought me and my brother three-wheelers. We rolled them all the time.”

Tickets

Don’t Forget the Raffle 

They will also be raffling off another E-bike this year, which was hugely popular in 2022. And odds are good. Only 104 tickets will be sold.

Tickets

You Don’t have to Break the Bank

Brumley said a paddle raise will be held where people can commit to contributions as low as $50 if bidding is not within the budget. “Usually items are further along in the auction of what I want to spend,” Brumley said laughing. “It usually does not take that long.” 

Tickets 

A Very Good Cause

United Way of the Columbia Gorge concentrates our energy and focus into 3 main areas, said United Way Executive Director Caroline Grew. 

• Basic Human Needs: providing food, housing, transportation for medical needs, self-sufficiency and finding access to housing, jobs and treatment 

• Keeping Youth on Track: teaching youth the skills needed to make smart choices and become responsible, productive, caring members of our community 

• Safe from Violence and Abuse: Keeping families safe; protecting our most vulnerable citizens; reducing isolation and providing resources for victims 

“United Way of the Columbia Gorge was started in 2006, and since then has given over $2.75 million towards our focused causes. We are run by a board of local volunteers and have councils in each of our 5 counties (Hood River, Klickitat, Sherman, Skamania & Wasco). The power of all of these community members working together is the magic behind our fundraising and we are so grateful for our donor support,” Grew said.

In 2022 United Way of the Columbia Gorge distributed over $200,000 back into our community, to help 27 non-profit groups in need of funding in Hood River, Klickitat, Sherman, Skamania & Wasco Counties. 

The United Way of the Columbia Gorge is a registered 501(c)3 with FEIN #93-0834020. 

These are the organizations that it funded in the 2023-2024 funding cycle. It distributed $75,000 to these organizations in our 1st quarter. We will be distributing a similar amount of funding in the next 3 quarters.

• WAGAP

• Columbia Gorge Food Bank

• Helping Hands Against Violence

• CASA

• Skamania Council on DV

• SafeSpace Children's Advocacy Center

• The Dalles Community Back Pack Program

• Klickitat Senior Services

• CultureSeed

• The Dalles Meals on Wheels

• FISH

• The Dalles Farmer's Market

• Youth Empowerment Program

• Six Rivers Dispute

• Hood River Valley Adult Center

• Community Meals

• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

• HR Xmas Project

• HR County Prevention Dept

• New Hope Farms

• Play Frontier

• First Book Wasco

• Keeping Kids Involved in Developmental Sports

• Backpacks for Kids

• First Book HR

• SMART Reading

• Boy Scouts of Goldendale

Tickets

Pick of the Week: Comedian Sean Jordan at Bingen Theater Friday, Jan. 20

Sean Jordan killed at the Granada Theater in The Dalles on Jan. 6. His self-deprecating and honest stories take you on a gut-busting journey through his travails in life. Catch this one if you can.

From DD Comedy:

Sean Jordan Comedy at Bingen Theater

The Sean Jordan Comedy show makes a stop at the Bingen Theater on Friday, Jan. 20, featuring Sean Jordan, Dianna Potter and Thomas Lundy. Jordan has been named Portland’s Funniest Person by Willamette Week Magazine, has written for Comedy Central, and was named one of the “Comics to Watch” by Splitsider Magazine.

This is a recommended 18-year-old plus show.

Tickets at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/comedy-at-the-bingen-tickets-490695241677?aff=erelexpmlt

More about the comics.

You can drive to Portland and see SEAN JORDAN in Mercury's Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy at Revolution Hall or see him at your own Bingen Theater. Sean was named Portland’s Funniest Person by Willamette Week Magazine, has written for Comedy Central, and was named one of the “Comics to Watch” by Splitsider Magazine. In 2019, Sean's debut album charted at #2 on iTunes . Sean has performed in top comedy festivals around the country, including the High Plains Comedy Festival, Bridgetown Comedy Festival and Sketch Fest in San Francisco. His stand up comedy has been described as “You get the sense this is sincerity, not shtick. His buoyancy can be hard to crack.”Sean has recently been practicing how to swaddle his new daughter. Ask him for swaddle tips anytime.

Dianna Potter

DIANNA POTTER started doing stand-up shortly after celebrating her 60th birthday and hasn’t had time to look back. Audiences can’t resist her unique views of sex, drugs, and crime in the late 70’s; some unintentional incarceration in the 80’s; and more destruction into the 90’s. Dianna cleaned it all up by getting sober in 2000. In 2019 Portland Mercury chose Dianna as one of the Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy, and she took 1st Place in the 2021 Western Oregon Comedy Competition. Recently, Dianna retired after 20 years of flipping blizzards at Dairy Queen.

Thomas Lundy

Is THOMAS LUNDY the smartest dumb guy you know, or the dumbest smart guy? Thomas’ comedy is a captivating blend of hilariously relatable anecdotes and finding the comedy in the small parts of life that make us laugh. He can be lighthearted and charming in one breath, then thought-provoking and witty in the next. He’s a Philadelphia-born Florida boy who moved to Oregon on a bus, to be a comedian, so he’s bound to have some stories.

Recommended: 18+

Tickets are $5 more at the door

Keep your gut rolling in 2023 with Comedian Sean Jordan at TD's Granada on Jan. 7

From Big Britches Productions and the Granada Theater:

The Granada Theater in The Dalles presents a comedy show with Sean Jordan, Tory Ward and Dylan Jenkins on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. Stand-up comedian and podcaster Sean Jordan hit the comedy charts with his iTunes album “The Buck Starts Here,” in 2019 and has performed at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, High Plains Comedy Fest and Sketch Fest.  See him perform below on the James Cordon Show.

For tickets, click here.

About the show

SEAN JORDAN , who was recently selected as one of Mercury's Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy 2023, was named Portland’s Funniest Person by Willamette Week Magazine, has written for Comedy Central, and was named one of the “Comics to Watch” by Splitsider Magazine. In 2019, Sean's debut album charted at #2 on iTunes . Sean has performed in top comedy festivals around the country, including the High Plains Comedy Festival, Bridgetown Comedy Festival and San Francisco. Sketch Fest . His stand-up comedy has been described as “You get the sense this is sincerity, not shtick. His buoyancy can be hard to crack.” Sean has recently been practicing how to swaddle his new daughter. Ask him for swaddle tips any time.

DYLAN JENKINS has become a favorite in the Northwest comedy scene and was recently chosen as one of Mercury's Undisputable Geniuses of Comedy 2023. From working as a feature at Helium Comedy Club, to performing in weed stores or rural country bars, Dylan’s relentless yet empathetic comedic style makes him a crowd favorite wherever he performs. Dylan has appeared on IFC’s Portlandia, San Francisco Sketch Fest and The 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival. Dylan’s comedy will leave you attempting to tell his jokes to your friends the next day. They probably won’t work as well, but that’s not his fault.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, TORY WARD combines her amiable, light-hearted personality with sardonic humor creating an experience that is singularly hilarious. She is a regular host at Helium Comedy Club, was voted one of Portland’s Funniest People by the Willamette Week. Tory has performed in festivals such as The All Jane Comedy Festival, 208 Comedy Festival, and Limestone Comedy Festival. She was also selected to perform at SF Sketch Fest.