Hazardous waste recycle event set for The Dalles, Hood River on Nov. 15 & 16

The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 1, 2024 — The Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program is holding hazardous waste collection events at Hood River Garbage and The Dalles Disposal on November 15th and 16th from 9 am - 2 pm. These events are open to households and small businesses of Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman Counties.

Pre-registration is required to attend, visit www.tricountyrecycle.com/HR&TD to get signed up.

Accepted materials at these events are products that are labeled “caution”, “warning”, “danger”, or “poison”, septic field/drain cleaners, oven cleaners, gasoline, kerosene, and other fuels, automotive fluids, pool and spa chemicals, fluorescent lights, thermostats and thermometers, art and hobby chemicals, and much more. For a full list of accepted items and an event schedule, visit www.tricountyrecycle.com.

For more information, call Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program at (541) 506-2529.

About Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling:

The Tri-County Hazardous Waste & Recycling Program was formed as 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.

Rebound Physical Therapy taking patients in Hood River

Aim of their game: putting you back in shape for a better life

From Right to left: Physical Therapist Aid Blake Hobbs, Reception Erin Keefe, Physical Therapist Sally Muir, Rebound Chief Operating Officer Christina McManigal and Physical Therapist Andrew Roof in their newly renovated and equipped PT room in Hood River.

By Tom Peterson

You may have heard of Rebound Orthopedics and Neurosurgery.

They treat injuries of the U.S. Ski Team, The Portland Trailblazers and the Portland Winterhawks. 

Pretty heady stuff. 

But did you know they are now offering physical therapy in Hood River?

The new office intends to keep its patients in the game - whether that is mountain biking in Post Canyon or dealing with some angry muscles after too much time behind a computer.

Chief Operations Officer Christina McManigal for Rebound said it made sense for them to make physical therapy more easily accessible to the residents of the gorge.

The office opened on June 19 at 1700 12th Street, Suite C,  across the street from Walgreens. 

That location is convenient for McManigal too. 

She lives in Hood River, and several of Rebound's surgeons have homes in the immediate area as well.

She said the need for more access to physical therapy in the gorge prompted Rebound to open the newly renovated therapy center providing Physical Therapists Andrew Roof and Sally Muir with a state-of-the-art clinic.

“We have quite a few patients who drive from the gorge to Vancouver or Portland for treatment,” she said. “This will be more convenient for them.”

The office is also taking new patients, whether with Rebound currently or not, who can likely be seen within a few days - that’s not an easy find in the gorge. 

McManigal said access has been an issue for several years, and the situation was exasperated when COVID tended to curtail non-urgent care.

Physical Therapist Sally Muir

“There’s a real need for physical therapy now,” said Muir who first got into physical therapy after experiencing an injury in high school. A native of White Salmon, she’s an avid kiteboarder, skier, and mountain biker. Oh, and she is great at fitting bikes, to optimize performance and reduce chances of injury. “It’s about educating people not just on moving but how they move,” she said.

“I got into it because I like to help people,” McManigal added, noting she fell off a horse in high school and needed physical therapy. That sparked her career in physical therapy before becoming an administrator.

Roof, who has lived in Hood River for 20 years, said his aim is to keep people doing what they love. For him that’s mountain biking and back-country skiing. 

He noted his parents had both had joint replacements and noted how their quality of life improved thereafter. 

Physical Therapist Andrew Roof

“My mom was dancing the other day,” he said. “It’s been two years since her hip replacement. She’s so good. She was stoked.”

Both Roof and Muir are generalists in physical therapy, meaning they can treat most patients. For example, they see patients for concussions, spinal issues, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and vertigo.

People experiencing pain from repetitive motions such as musicians or dental hygienists can also gain relief or prevent injury through physical therapy and guides to movement and muscle-building exercises.

Maybe it's just taking the pain out of the tasks in daily living - they can help.  

And if you think you can’t move or do a sport or activity, because it causes too much pain or you are worried about reinjury, think again.

The whole point is to improve movement, reduce or manage pain and restore function and most of all prevent disability.

“If a new pain pops up, go see a PT,” Muir said. “Everybody should have a PT.”

Rebound Physical Therapy Hood River is open Mon. - Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can be reached at (360) 449-8700 or click here for the website.

National study seeks participants in TD, HR to receive free cancer early detection test

These early detection tests for cancer are being studied in our area and are free to qualifying participants. You might just help yourself by helping others through volunteering for the study.

By Tom Peterson 

Cancer affects us all.  

We either have dealt with it ourselves or know others who have. 

Personally, I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer when she was 63 in 2002.  

I felt cheated to lose her that early. I’m not the only one.  

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and it took the lives of more than 600,000 in 2022  according to the National Cancer Institute.  

Early Detection of Cancer Can be Key to Treatment  

What is being done to find cancer and treat it early? 

You need to look no further than One Community Health in The Dalles and Hood River to participate in a new test that screens for early-stage cancer. Multi-cancer early detection tests, or MCEDs, are tests that have the potential to find more than one type of cancer from a single sample of blood. Too often, cancer isn’t found until it’s advanced and harder to treat. MCEDs may detect cancer when it is in a lesser stage and more treatable. Increasing early detection of cancer is part of the national Cancer Moonshot initiative, which has the goal of cutting the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years. 

One Community Health, in collaboration with the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, is recruiting volunteers in the Columbia  River Gorge for the PATHFINDER 2 study. The study is testing a MCED test called Galleri, designed to detect many types of cancer. The goal of the PATHFINDER 2 study is to recruit more than 20,000 participants nationally.  PATHFINDER 2 was created to follow up the initial PATHFINDER 1 study on a broader scale with more participants,  including people from diverse and underrepresented populations. This is an opportunity for rural Oregonians to be part of something bigger in the development of cancer detection strategies. 

One Community Health Site Director Jason Bradley

One Community Health Site Director Jason Bradley says: “Cancer does not care what color you are, where you come from, or what you believe in. This research needs to include everyone to ensure the test is accurate for all.” The study team includes coordinators that are fluent in Spanish and English and participants do not have to be One Community  Health patients to be in the study. 

Bradley says: “Access to healthcare and resources is different for rural populations compared to those that live in urban areas. Including rural communities in this important research not only provides better diversity in research, it can also help  to determine limitations in treatment, where and how resources may best be targeted, and provide better understanding of  rural health needs.” 

Kate McKenna, M.D., M.P.H.

Kate McKenna, M.D., M.P.H. is a family medicine physician at One Community Health. She says: “Cancer screening is a  crucial aspect of primary care and even more important to catch up on after years of being in a pandemic that has delayed care for everyone. As a rural community, we are lucky to have access to cutting-edge cancer screening technology through the study from Oregon Health & Science University. I am glad that the researchers are specifically making efforts to reach  our Spanish-speaking community in The Gorge.”  

The PATHFINDER 2 study provides opportunities for volunteers to contribute to the scientific development of MCEDs and learn about the latest tests being developed. This research includes people from all walks of life - including those who live in rural areas, are underserved or are underrepresented. 

Laura Ferrara, a Research Project Manager

Laura Ferrara, a Research Project Manager who works for the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network,  collaborates with a team from One Community Health and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to manage the study in The  Dalles and Hood River. As a resident of Hood River, Ferrara says she understands the challenges and barriers to access healthcare and innovative clinical trials. “For years I have dreamed of increasing access to highly innovative clinical trials in the Gorge and I'm living the dream working on this one,” she says. “The response from the community  has been incredible, with friends telling friends and family about the study.” 
How You Can Help 

Study participants must be 50 years or older, have never been diagnosed with cancer or be cancer free for the last 3 years,  and be willing to come to One Community Health in Hood River or The Dalles for a scheduled study appointment that includes surveys and a blood draw. You do not need to be a One Community Health patient to participate. 

How to enroll 

Contact the Gorge Pathfinder Team via phone or email to see if you are eligible. 

Call (541) 399-9059 or email Gorgepathfinder@gmail.com 

Participants will receive a $50 gift card for travel to One Community Health in Hood River or The Dalles.

Estudio nacional busca participantes en TD, HR para recibir prueba de detección temprana de cáncer gratis

Escrito por Tom Peterson

El cáncer nos afecta a todos.

O hemos tenido que manejarlo nosotros mismos o conocemos a alguien que lo ha hecho.

Personalmente, yo perdí a mi mama al cáncer del páncreas cuando ella tenía 63 años en 2002.

Sentí que no fue justo perderla tan temprano. No soy el único.

El cáncer es la segunda causa destacada de muerte en los estados unidos, y ha tomado las vidas de más de 600,000 en 2022 según el instituto nacional de cáncer.

La detección temprana de cáncer puede ser la clave para tratamiento

¿Que se está haciendo para encontrar cáncer y tratarlo temprano?

No necesitas buscar más lejos de la clínica One Community Health in The Dalles y Hood River para participar en una prueba que busca señales de cáncer en etapas tempranas. Pruebas de detección de varios tipos de cáncer, también conocidas como MCEDs por sus siglas en inglés, son pruebas que tienen el potencial para encontrar más de un tipo de cáncer de solo una muestra de sangre. Demasiadamente, el cáncer no se encuentra hasta que ya está avanzado y más difícil para tratar. MCEDs pueden detectar cáncer cuando está en una etapa más temprana y más tratable. Aumentando la detección temprana de cáncer es parte de la iniciativa nacional llamada el Cancer Moonshot Initiative, que tiene la meta de cortar la tasa de mortalidad de cáncer por lo menos 50% durante los próximos 25 años.

One Community Health, en colaboración con el instituto de cáncer de Knight en OHSU, está reclutando voluntarios en el Columbia River Gorge para el estudio PATHFINDER 2. El estudio está investigando una prueba MCED que se llama Galleri, diseñada a detectar varios tipos de cáncer. La meta del estudio PATHFINDER 2 es reclutar más de 20,000 participantes nacionalmente. PATHFINDER 2 fue creada como seguimiento al estudio inicial PATHFINDER 1 pero en escala amplia con más participantes, incluyendo gente de populaciones diversas y subrepresenteda. Esto es una oportunidad para Oregorianos rurales para ser parte de algo más grande en el desarrollo de estrategias de detección de cáncer.

Director de sitio de One Community Health Jason Bradley dice: ‘Al cáncer no le importa que color tu eres, de dónde vienes, o en que crees. Este estudio necesita incluir a todos para asegurar que la prueba es precisa para todos.’ El equipo del estudio incluye coordinadores que hablan inglés y español con fluidez y no es necesario ser paciente del One Community Health para participar en el estudio.

Bradley dice: ‘Acceso a cuidado de la salud y recursos es diferente para populaciones rurales en comparación a esos que viven en áreas urbanas. Incluyendo comunidades rurales en esta investigación importante no solo provee mejor diversidad para el estudio, también puede ayudar determinar las limitaciones a tratamiento, donde y como recursos deben ser concentrados, y proveer un mejor conocimiento de las necesidades de la salud rural.

Kate McKenna, M.D., M.P.H. es una doctora de medicina familiar en One Community Health. Ella dice: ‘la revisión de cáncer es un aspecto crucial de cuidado primario y aun más importante para ponerse al corriente después de años de estar en una pandemia que ha atrasado el cuidado para todos. Como una comunidad rural, estamos afortunados de tener acceso a tecnología innovadora de detectar cáncer por el estudio de la Universidad de Salud y Ciencias de Oregon. Estoy contenta que los investigadores están haciendo un esfuerzo especifico en alcanzar nuestra comunidad que habla español en el Gorge. ‘

El estudio PATHFINDER 2 provee oportunidades para voluntarios a contribuir al desarrollo científico de MCEDs y aprender sobre las últimas pruebas que se están desarrollando. Este estudio incluye gente de todas etapas de su vida – incluyendo ellos que viven en áreas rurales, son subrepresenteda o subservidas.

Laura Ferrara, una manager de proyectos de investigaciones, que trabaja para el Red de Investigaciones basadas en prácticas rurales de Oregon, colabora con el equipo de One Community Health y el Instituto de Cáncer de Knight en OHSU para manejar el estudio en The Dalles y Hood River. Como residente de Hood River, Ferrara dice que ella entiende los retos y las barreras en obtener acceso al cuidado de la salud y ensayos clínicas innovadoras. ‘Por años he soñado en aumentar el acceso a ensayos clínicos que son sumamente innovadoras aquí en el Gorge y ahora estoy viviendo ese sueño con este estudio,’ dice ella. ‘La respuesta de la comunidad ha sido increíble, con amigos diciéndole a sus amigos y familia sobre el estudio.’

Como Usted Puede Ayudar

Participantes del estudio tienen que tener 50 años o más, nunca haber sido diagnosticado con cáncer o ser libre de cáncer por los últimos 3 años, y ser dispuestos a venir a One Community Health en Hood River o The Dalles para una cita del estudio que incluye encuestas y una muestra de sangre. No necesita ser paciente de One Community Health para participar.

Como Inscribirse

Contacte al equipo de Pathfinder del Gorge por teléfono o correo electrónico para ver si califica.
Llame al (541) 399-0959 o mande un mensaje a GorgePathfinder@gmail.com.
Participantes recibirán una tarjeta de $50 para el viaje a One Community Health en Hood River o The Dalles.

A Huge Thank You to All in the last days of The Ranch Drive In

It’s always hard to say goodbye- but the Prideaux family is offering a final farewell as the 46-year run of The Ranch Drive In comes to a close at the end of Sunday, Oct. 31. Above, Ed and Patsy Prideaux, who started the business in 1975, with current operators daughter Brenda Windsor and Kevin Beeson and grandkids Milo and Chase and great-grandkids, Jack and Scarlett

“Everybody grew up on The Ranch.”

- Ed Prideaux

The Ranch Drive In at 1950 12th Street in The Heights of Hood River.

By Tom Peterson

Behind the Baby Buckos, SuzieQs and Burst Cones, the Prideaux family has created a family icon for 46 years at The Ranch Drive In in Hood River. 

Not just a place to eat great fish & chips, but meet with friends, family, and grab those moments that make life worth living. 

So, it was with a heavy heart that the family announced the upcoming closure of the community hub at the end of the day Sunday, Oct. 31. 

The announcement has sent a wave of sadness, nostalgia and prompted great stories throughout communities in the Gorge.

“I will miss ordering my favorite Baby Bucko from you but plan to set a new 5-day record before you close. Thank you Ed, Patsy, Brenda, Kevin and Chase for the many years of delicious meals and for showing us what customer service looks like. Wishing you the best in your future endeavors,” posted Earline Millsaps on the restaurant's Facebook page. 

Grandkids Milo and Chase enjoyed the family business.

“It just blows my mind away because it has always been my business - 7 days a week 8 hours a day -  for 40 some years,” said Ed Prideaux earlier this week. “We put the announcement up that we were closing, and it got 30,000 hits on the internet. People were saying thanks for their first jobs and how they learned a lot and were able to move up. “

“It is an icon,” he said. “Everybody grew up on The Ranch.”

“Wow. My heart is breaking!” posted Audra Moffett. “Thank you for the sweet memories with my son and the memories he shared there with his grandma! We'll be by for a bite before you guys close!!”  

“It’s most rewarding as we’re retiring to get all these people saying, we'll miss you and it’s hard to replace you,” Ed said. “It makes you feel very humble. We have to thank everybody. If it was not for them, we would not be successful as we are.”

The Ranch Drive In sported a playgound in the early days.

“Just heard the news, so sad!” posted Janet Hall. “Hope to get there one last time this weekend to fill up on Baby Burgers, SuzieQs with fry sauce and Burst Cones! Going to miss my trips to Hood River just to eat at The Ranch!”

Ed’s daughter, Brenda Windsor and her partner Kevin Beeson currently operate the business but have decided to branch out in other business pursuits in internet sales. 

And the last year has been extremely difficult to keep the restaurant in operation as supplies have been difficult to get and employees hard to find. 

Prideaux said they hope to sell the restaurant in weeks to come. 

Watch CCCNews for details as that story unfolds. 

Ed and Patsy grew up in The Dalles and graduated high school in the early 1960s. He and his wife worked at Johnny’s Cafe, currently, the location of Petite Provence on Second Street in The Dalles. They also owned The Dalles Fitness and Court Club in the late 1980s.

The couple has no intention of moving.

The couple owns several commercial properties in Hood River, including Key Bank in The Heights. Ed said he would continue to maintain those buildings, doing the painting when necessary. 

“We might go to Palm Springs for a month and go to Lincoln City, otherwise we’re staying home and taking care of the rentals.”

But the memories of The Ranch will linger on with them forever.

Alas, all good things come to an end.

“It’s a heartwarming story,” Ed said. “It's sad because it's stopping, but everything comes to an end, and new doors open.”

Small Biz, Big Heart: Five Element Acupuncture reopens its doors

Rachel Moore-Beitler and Five Element Acupuncture is reopening on the Heights in Hood River.

Rachel Moore-Beitler is the Gorge’s only Five Element Acupuncturist.

After a year out of the office doing outdoor house calls for clients, she is heading back to the treatment room next week on the Heights in Hood River.

Five Element acupuncture is unique because the needles are gently inserted and then removed right away, making for interactive sessions.

Rachel started her private practice in 2016 and has delighted in offering compassionate care to a variety of clients over the years.

“Each treatment is different because everyone’s stress shows up so differently. I love caring for caregivers because I believe we all win when we lift each other up.”

You can find out more on her website at www.rachel5element.com

…

Did you enjoy this information? Great. Did you know your agency or business can share important information like this for just $35, and it will live on our website forever. Better yet, when we publish your piece we put it out on social media, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Click here to get started.  

Free Hiring and Training Webinar for Small Businesses

4 Proven Steps for Attracting, Training, and Retaining Quality Staff Who Accelerate the Growth of Your Business

Samantha Irwin of Kaizen Coaching & Consulting can help you transform your hiring process.

By Samanth Irwin

Hiring. Is that a four-letter word to you? This 90-minute webinar teaches four steps to help transform and improve your hiring and training process. No more wasting time, resources, and money in your hiring and training process. You CAN feel empowered, energized, and excited about creating a team that is invested and contributes to your business success!  

In this webinar you’ll learn

1. Mindset: The mindset shift that needs to happen in order to reduce your stress around hiring
   

2. Attracting: The characteristics and qualities of the people you want to attract, where these people are, and what they want
   

3. Bait: How you can easily use your existing tools to add a few easy steps that will make sure the most highly qualified and interested people are sitting in front of you for an interview
   

4. Training: The key differentiator that needs to be trained in order to really equip staff to become engaged and excited contributors to your business growth

The webinar is on Feb. 17th and 19th, registration required.

For details about what will be covered visit: https://kaizen.zone/masterclassregistration/

Or email Samantha@Kaizen.Zone Samantha is a local business coach and consultant, former owner and developer of the Historic Balch Hotel.  She helps small businesses to scale and is passionate about the power of employee training!

…

Did you enjoy this information? Great. Did you know your agency or business can share important information like this for just $35, and it will live on our website forever. Better yet, when we publish your piece we put it out on social media, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Click here to get started.  

Tax season open; get your money fast, but do it right

Tax season is upon us and Bruce and Brenda Derryberry of Books by Bren are available to make it quick and painless, offering both tax services and bookkeeping services. Brenda is certified to prepare taxes in all 50 US states.
Brenda Derryberry, EA , LTC / Oregon License # 33986C

As thousands are now receiving their W-2s from employers, the rush to get tax refunds is on, said Brenda Derryberry of Books by Bren. 

Derryberry, an enrolled agent with the IRS, and operating from a home office in The Dalles, said there are several options for receiving your refund.  We are offering appointments by ZOOM and pick-up service, as well as features such as DocuSign, in light of COVID. 

It’s your money. It’s time to get it back.

They have options for folks who do not have the cash to pay for the filing - payment can be taken out of the refund.  “It all depends on what a client wants,” she said.

Derryberry has been providing expedient income tax preparation and bookkeeping services with a personal touch since 2010. Having more than 10 years of experience in the industry, Brenda and Bruce have the knowledge and skills necessary to help the clients fulfill their tax-related obligations in a more efficient and less stressful way.

 Brenda is also a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor. “We provide bookkeeping services designed to make sure that your transactions are recorded properly and accurately, providing a smooth and stressless tax filing experience,” Brenda said. The service is cloud-based and customized to meet your needs.

 “Brenda's work is thorough and complete. She has never taken a shortcut and puts in
whatever amount of time is needed to make sure my taxes are filed correctly and with the largest refund possible. She's available to answer my questions year-round and she never makes me feel like I'm inconveniencing her. She has excellent customer service! I highly recommend Books by Bren” said Nicole Peterson.

 “I know the owner personally and can say with the utmost confidence that you are getting quality, reliable service when you work with Books by Bren. Don't settle for 2nd best, make the right choice and make an appointment today” said David Malakowski. 

Book your appointment at booksbybren.com
Phone: (541) 506-9153
Email: booksbybren@gmail.com