Vargas wins her way into Hotel California on Saturday, Sept. 3
105 locals entered to win four tickets to the CCCNews’ Hotel California, A Salute to the Eagles, who are set to hit the stage on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Lewis & Clark Festival Park. But there could only be one winner. And the winner is…
105 locals entered to win four tickets to the CCCNews’ Hotel California, A Salute to the Eagles, who are set to hit the stage on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Lewis & Clark Festival Park.
While there could only be one winner, there’s still tickets left at pretty reasonable prices - starting at $15 for adults and $10 for kids, to attend the show. Buy Tickets here.
TD’s own Nolan Hare is bringing this astounding group of musicians to The Dalles with the support of multiple local businesses. Check out our original story here.
Back on August 16, CCCNews started the contest and people could enter merely by selecting their favorite Eagles songs.
Our winner chose the following songs: Desperado, Hotel California, Life in the Fast Lane and Tequila Sunrise.
Hey, what about The Long Run? And Take it Easy? And Peaceful Easy Feeling? - That’s the thing with the Eagles catalog of music - it never disappoints with it’s ability to dive into rock, blues, country and folk.
Now, let’s dive into that winner. TD’s own Celenia Vargas is our winner.
“I never win anything,” she said on Tuesday. “I was driving to get tacos at Mi Pueblito during lunch when you called and I did not even need the tacos after you told me I won.”
Vargas, who is the attendance secretary at Chenowith Elementary said she immediately called Liset Guzman who works at Columbia Gorge Toyota and immediately invited her to join her at the show.
Both have three children and the free tickets are going to provide an awesome break.
And who else are they taking?
Their husbands, of course, Anselmo Hernandez and Rudy Guzman.
It takes a village to bring this kind of talent and performance to The Dalles and Mid-Columbia.
Hotel California is PRESENTED BY:
Bishop Sanitation
with Explore The Dalles
Great Skot Productions
& Discover Rentals
STAGE SPONSOR:
Columbia Gorge Affordable Homes
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS:
Crestline Construction
15 Mile Winery - Featured Wine
Kortge Wheat & Cattle Co.
LODGING PROVIDED BY:
Cousins Country Inn
MAJOR SPONSORS:
C.H. Urness Motor Company
Fun Country Powersports
92.7 KMSW - Official Radio Partner
Little Music City
Bargeway Pub
SPONSORS:
Freebridge Brewing - Official Pre-Party - Featured Beer
Last Stop Saloon - Official After Party
Easy Rider Whiskey - Featured Whiskey
Pro Motions Construction, LLC
PRINTING BY:
Optimist Printers
WITH SUPPORT FROM:
CT Wilson Transport
Hage Electric
A Nolan Hare Production
Eagles Tribute Band is the ticket for Labor Day Weekend
Eagles tribute band Hotel California is set to hit the stage in The Dalles on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, smack dab in the middle of Labor Day weekend. So, if you're running down the road, trying to loosen your load, remember to lighten up while you still can. Don’t even try to understand. Just buy some tickets and make your stand and take it easy … at Lewis & Clark Festival Park in The Dalles. Doors open at 4 p.m. Music starts at 5.
By Tom Peterson
The Gorge is in for some easy-going California Country Rock as Eagles tribute band Hotel California is set to hit the stage in The Dalles on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, smack dab in the middle of Labor Day weekend.
So, if you're running down the road, trying to loosen your load, remember to lighten up while you still can. Don’t even try to understand.
Just buy some tickets and make your stand and take it easy … at Lewis & Clark Festival Park.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Music starts at 5 p.m.
“A spirited blend of originality and the pursuit of excellence have taken Hotel California, “A Salute to the Eagles” to a level of recognition normally reserved for Gold and Platinum recording artists,” according to the band’s press information.
“By respectfully and accurately reproducing the Grammy award-winning sounds of our generation’s Greatest American Songbook, this legendary Southern California group, has touched the hearts of fans all over the world,” it continues. “It is the most successful and longest-running show of it’s kind, and the ONLY show to have ever received “Official Authorization” to perform the Eagles catalog of music.”
Nolan Hare, Steve Kane, and Matt Larsen are the push behind the show, which is being heavily supported by local businesses.
“The Eagles have a unique sound,” said Nolan Hare today, Aug. 10. “It is just really relatable to just about anybody,” noting the great storytelling. “And the production on this tribute band's sound, lights, and video is top notch. It’s the whole thing. It’s the whole experience.”
With a vast catalog of songs that includes Wasted Time, I Can’t Tell You Why, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Desperado, One of These Nights, Lyin’ Eyes, it is easy to see how The Eagles were able to catapult to one of the most successful bands in history in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
And it is from this incredible well of music that Hotel California drinks and rekindles the cool evening California dessert magic that makes time disappear and sends a shiver up your spine like a welcome breeze.
“We are so excited to do another big event since everyone got locked down,” Hare said.
It takes a village to bring this kind of talent and performance to The Dalles and Mid-Columbia.
PRESENTED BY:
Bishop Sanitation
with Explore The Dalles
Great Skot Productions
& Discover Rentals
STAGE SPONSOR:
Columbia Gorge Affordable Homes
HOSPITALITY SPONSORS:
Crestline Construction
15 Mile Winery - Featured Wine
Kortge Wheat & Cattle Co.
LODGING PROVIDED BY:
Cousins Country Inn
MAJOR SPONSORS:
C.H. Urness Motor Company
Fun Country Powersports
92.7 KMSW - Official Radio Partner
Little Music City
Bargeway Pub
SPONSORS:
Freebridge Brewing - Official Pre-Party - Featured Beer
Last Stop Saloon - Official After Party
Easy Rider Whiskey - Featured Whiskey
Pro Motions Construction, LLC
PRINTING BY:
Optimist Printers
WITH SUPPORT FROM:
CT Wilson Transport
Hage Electric
A Nolan Hare Production
This might go good with a beer
Join Fox and Bones for an entertaining evening of folk rock music on the Dalles' waterfront tonight, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Folk Rock tonight, 6:30 p.m. at Bargeway Pub
Join Fox and Bones for an entertaining evening of folk rock music on the Dalles' waterfront!
Famous Oregon Guitar Inventor Creates Vibrations As He Unveils New Jazz Design
Rossco Wright, Oregon master guitar craftsman, has imagined and forged guitar designs so innovative and tough they have traveled the expanse of outer space. In fact, Wright’s SoloEtte has traveled more than 376,000,000 miles and orbited Earth more than 15,000 times. His new design The NiteCat is even more out of this world.
Rossco Wright, guitar-design engineer, has imagined and forged guitars so innovative, they could not be contained on earth. One of Wright’s “SoloEtte” Guitars traveled more than 376 million miles.
This story is sponsored by Rossco Wright
By Tom Peterson
Rossco Wright, Oregon master guitar craftsman, has imagined and forged guitar designs so innovative and tough they have traveled the expanse of outer space.
In fact, Wright’s SoloEtte has traveled more than 376,000,000 miles and orbited Earth more than 15,000 times.
Wright, started his career in St. Louis, Missouri in the late ‘60s as a full-time professional guitar-repair technician said he tired of seeing thousands of broken guitars as the imbalanced head-heavy instruments fell headfirst and broke like spaghetti.
So, Wright tucked the tuning gears back on the other end, and it became shorter and so unbreakable that a “travel-guitar” was born. In 1993, his innovative SoloEtte Travel Guitar began to amass great popularity in elite circles due to its rugged and efficient design.
The quality of this guitar could not be ignored.
It caught the eye of Sharon Isbin, the Department Head of Classical Guitar Studies at Julliard School of Music in NYC.
She played it. She endorsed it, and she now travels the world with it.
Demand for Wright’s high quality jazz guitars picked up. And Wright went from selling a few guitars to having handcrafted nearly 5,320 headless guitars in his woodworking shop in Eugene, Oregon.
The Wright Stuff
Wright’s invention could not be contained. It literally left the planet.
In 1995, Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield saw a young engineer playing the SoloEtte on the Lockheed campus in Houston.
Hadfield landed on an idea.
As part of the gift-giving with Russian Cosmonauts, he decided to bring a SoloEtte when they traveled to the Mir space station. He gave it to Cosmonaut friend Thomas Reiter.
In 2000, Wright licensed the SoloEtte trademark to Aria guitars, which then sold it en masse.
Wright’s attention next turned to a refinement of his headless design that is turning the jazz guitar world on its pegs.
He envisioned the NiteCat design in 2013 and set to work hand-crafting it in his woodworking shop.
What emerged is guitar unlike any other.
Due to careful handcrafting the NiteCat has an easy balance, and easier tuning.
Other advantages include the familiar “hand-stop” at the top, ease of hanging on a guitar stand or guitar hook, and there’s no head to break off or hit on things or your bandmates.
The guitar and the case are also 5 inches shorter than a standard guitar. Meaning the NiteCat can fit sideways in the back of your car more easily than most.
With a hollow body, a Humbucker pickup, and the tone and aesthetic of a fine jazz guitar the NiteCat is the embodiment of progression in modern guitar design.
The appeal of a Wright guitar is simply undeniable, making it perfect for musicians, collectors, and anyone who wants to stand out of the crowd.
In short, this guitar has been handcrafted by the best for the best.
Add this guitar to your collection today by clicking here.
Strange, Panther-Like Creature Prowls the Gorge
Realtors warn their clients that they may encounter an “indescribable black creature” while visiting remote properties in Snowden. A driver in Klickitat canyon spots a hulking black beast with a long tail lurking near roadside homesteads at dawn. Rumors have swirled in Trout Lake for close to three decades about a family of sable-colored, mutated cougars. These paranormal reports received at Margie’s Outdoor Store all seem to be describing the same thing, a beast that is being called the Ebony Ape Cat.
Local business seeks additional accounts of the Ebony Ape Cat.
This content is sponsored by Margie’s Outdoor Store.
By Cole Goodwin
Realtors warn their clients that they may encounter an “indescribable black creature” while visiting remote properties in Snowden. A driver in Klickitat Canyon spots a hulking black beast with a long tail lurking near roadside homesteads at dawn. Rumors have swirled in Trout Lake for close to three decades about a family of sable-colored, mutated cougars. These paranormal reports received at Margie’s Outdoor Store all seem to be describing the same thing, a beast that is being called the Ebony Ape Cat.
“The Columbia River Gorge has always been a supernatural hot spot,” said James Szubski, Chief Operating Officer of Margie’s Outdoor Store. “We know some very strange things are afoot in the Gorge, but the sheer volume of credible reports regarding the Ebony Ape Cat has really caught us by surprise.”
Since late February, Margie’s Outdoor Store has been asking folks living in and visiting the Gorge to file paranormal reports at the store location on Highway 14 just east of downtown Bingen, Washington.
“The creature’s appearance does not match any of the mundane wildlife that live in Washington or Oregon. In fact, according to some reports it doesn’t seem like it matches any commonly known animal at all. That and certain details about the reported encounters lead us to believe that there’s a chance we may be dealing with something paranormal. Whether or not that pans out to be true, one thing is clear, there is definitely something very unusual prowling around in the Gorge.” said Szubski.
CCC news sat down with Mr. Szubski to get more details.
CCC: “Thank you for speaking with us today.”
Mr. Szubski: “My pleasure. Please call me James.”
CCC: “When did you first start receiving reports about this creature?”
James: “The Outdoor Store received the first significant report about the Ebony Ape Cat in early April. I was intrigued and excited by the details, but what really got me was the credibility of the account. Before she died, Margie helped a sick relative of the person who filed the report so there was a personal family connection. Furthermore, he passed all of the subtle tests we employ to determine the truthfulness of a witness. He wasn’t just in the store for fun. He had a real story to tell. You’d be surprised how often that happens.”
CCC: “Interesting. Why are you going public with these reports?”
James: “The next day, I was talking about this report with my employees, and one of them realized they had seen the creature themselves. That’s when I decided it was important to get the word out about the cryptid to see if others had also encountered it. Since then, reports regarding the Ebony Ape Cat (E.A.C. for short) have snowballed. We have well over a dozen reports now, and new ones are coming in weekly. We are making posts on our social media, but that’s so limited. We are starting to think an open house meeting on the topic might be better and are trying to gauge public interest in something like that.”
CCC: “What intrigued you so much about that first report?”
James: “Before I get into that, I should tell you that I will intentionally be altering, mixing, and omitting a few minor details of these accounts. I am doing this for three reasons. First, we want to protect the privacy of those who file reports. Second, it helps us verify future accounts. (Some folks get a kick out of filing made up reports. We see that as harmless fun, but it’s important for us to have ways to separate the wheat from the chaff). Finally, we want to protect the creature itself. This is something that is important to several of the people who filed reports. Giving out too many details about where to find it could turn the area into a three-ring circus. So far there have been no hostile encounters reported. We feel a responsibility to keep both the creature and the public safe.”
CCC: “Fair enough. Please tell us what you can about that first report.”
James: “The report came from a man who was orienteering up near Buck Creek. Most of the sightings have occurred in river canyons on the Washington side of the Gorge. He noticed his compass behaving erratically. Its needle kept bending away from North. He could actually see the needle moving as he held the compass in his hand. That and the location are two of several important supernatural clues (I will cover what I mean in a minute). Shortly after the magnetic compass weirdness, the man glanced across the creek, and that’s when he noticed the creature watching him.”
CCC: “What did it look like?”
James: “The frame of the beast was like that of a heavily muscled, extraordinarily large panther. The creature stood close to five feet tall at the shoulder. It was covered in jet black fur that was four to five inches long. The fur did not lay flat, but instead it stood straight out. Its prominent tail was easily six feet long. (The tail is a characteristic common to all Ebony Ape Cat reports). It had intelligent ape-like eyes and other primate features. He said the best way to describe it was a cross between a huge monkey and a panther. It was completely unafraid of the man and seemed to regard him with great curiosity. They observed each other for at least five minutes before the beast turned into the thick forest and disappeared. The man said the experience of connecting with such an unusual being was thrilling for sure but not really scary. He considers himself lucky to have had what he calls a magical encounter.”
CCC: “What makes you think the Ebony Ape Cat may be paranormal?”
James: “The physical world is not the native home of many paranormal beings. To be seen here, a pathway needs to be open between our world and theirs. That often happens in places where there is a constant flow of energy in the physical realm, like in river valleys and canyons. Many EAC encounters have happened in places like this. The Columbia River Gorge is a supernatural hot spot because strong energy currents have been flowing here for millions of years.
When pathways are open, electromagnetic energy fields in the physical world can get disrupted. Magnetic compasses and sensitive electronics often get fouled during these encounters. The human body itself is incredibly attuned to subtle electromagnetic changes. During paranormal events, people can literally feel that something different is going on. There are certain common sensations, and we are seeing those in many of the EAC reports.”
CCC: “How can people learn more about the Ebony Ape Cat?”
James: “We will be posting updates about the Ebony Ape Cat on Margie’s Outdoor Store Facebook and Instagram pages. We are also considering holding a public meeting with a presentation and Q&A. If people are interested, they should come into the Outdoor Store in Bingen to sign up.”
CCC: “Thank you for speaking with us.”
James: “My pleasure.”
Read more: Is the Columbia River Gorge A Supernatural Hotbed?
Grit Row’s Pothier outpaces pandemic, looks to lift others
This kid’s got moxie. Who starts an exercise business in a pandemic? In a city park, no less. Kathy Pothier, that’s who. And she’s not hoarding that energy. The operator of Grit Row, which has moved to The Dalles Athletic Club, is promoting local business and programs to both improve the economy and our quality of life. The Dalles is starting to crest, she said.
By Tom Peterson
It’s an average Monday at Grit Row next to The Dalles Gorge Athletic Club on Pomona Street.
But it’s anything but average.
Kathy Pothier is wearing her ball cap, electric-orange spandex and chatting up her class as they work through an hour of rowing and upper- and lower-body work.
Black lights have turned the room a dark hue of purple as bright colors pop and rowing machines whir.
Michael Jackson's Thriller jams in the background.
“This is a lot more fun,” said Maggie Justesen, a 19-year-old college student who attends Mount Hood Community College. “Nice atmosphere. Good People.”
And none of the sense that people are watching you.
It’s kind of freeing, she said.
“It’s a little dark. So, no one can see me. That’s kind of nice.”
Two rows away, Carmen Toll, former director at The Dalles Art Center, is stretching out.
The 65-year-old has been working out with Grit Row for 18 months.
“I thought you had to be young to do this,” she said, noting she had not exercised much before meeting Pothier. “I’ve never done sports or anything. I was raised a proper woman and a minister’s wife. And I am a darn good cook and seamstress. I am an expert. But at 65, you have to keep moving, or lose it.”
“I feel great,” she said. “When I was off for a month, I felt a big difference. I used to get brain fog. Not now.”
During the workout, Pothier challenged the class to a 100-meter rowing sprint, and they all dig, bending legs and pulling back on the handle.
At the end of the challenge, Pothier points to the neon 4 written in marker on her forearm. The student with a time ending in 4 has won some free swag - a bar of custom made honey soap from La’Don Homestead - made by another local female entrepreneur - to kick off her “BEE engaged initiative to continue supporting services and organizations that serve The Dalles.
“Rowing is an amazingly effective low impact + full body workout,” Pothier said. “Every stroke utilizes 86% of your muscles allowing you to build aerobic endurance, increased range of motion and muscular strength in a way that is easy on your joints. Grit row pairs rowing intervals with resistance training on the mat, using light weights or bodyweight, for a full body workout.”
Pothier is not only here to pump up her class, but she’s also in The Dalles to pump up the local economy. She buys gift cards and gifts from local businesses to give away to her students for participating in Grit Row and for working on building their own strength.
Win-win, she said.
People have taken notice of her business of late.
She has also been asked to move her studio to Hood River, even Seattle.
And it would mean more money for her.
She gave a “solid no.”
She’s believes in creating and supporting businesses where she lives in The Dalles. Pothier noted there is a strong group of female business owners who are helping to invigorate the area. Pothier pointed to the Workshop, Studio Fit, Sunshine Mill and a number of other businesses with strong women pushing The Dalles forward.
After class, Brenna Campbell points to the wall. She has rowed more than 100,000 meters, and she proudly displays the milestone written on a mirror at the front entrance of the room.
Brenna operates Mosier Market and is also a big supporter of homegrown businesses.
“It’s addicting,” Campbell said of attending class. “I looked around trying to find the right thing. Then I found Kathy and rowing, and I love it. It’s an individual workout where you focus on yourself. And we all talk and have a good time and you don’t have to be self-conscious.”
Pothier also calls out for group rows during the session, where all of the students get into the same cadence of rowing. They sync up.
“It’s intense. It’s great,” said Mo Burford, 34.
And it’s a total workout, he said. On this day students were not only rowing but then going to the mats for lunges, squats and crunches.
“It’s a full body workout,” he said. “I’m a runner and the cardio is pretty good. Sarah (Cook) and I come together. It’s guaranteed exercise.”
Sarah said she was hooked.
“On some level, I'm sure it's just my body telling me it likes being exercised, lol, but I think you're right when you mention some kind of special tone or vibe in the room, and I think that's a huge part of why I'm committed now. There's a way that Kathy instructs that is just innately body positive: there's constant emphasis on listening to your body, and any sense of challenge has to do with our own metrics.”
Students also work together to pick a charity and raise money for a nonprofit which she now calls BEE Engaged, buy local and support services and organizations that support The Dalles community.
Pothier said they were able to donate almost $3,000 in total to Haven + SafeSpace last year and hundreds in cash and in gifts for the holidays to The Next Door from Grit Row along with donations from many who row with her.
And here’s something Pothier would never tell you.
She’s too humble.
So, I will.
The kid’s got moxie.
Who starts an exercise business in a pandemic? In a city park, no less.
Kathy, that’s who.
That’s because it takes stamina, character, and, well … grit. She comes by it rightly.
The former division1 NCAA rower for the University of Massachusetts has been digging in since July 2020 with the business, pouring profits back into the community and more equipment. And recently, she moved her studio, which now includes 10 WaterRower machines and 9 stationary bikes, to The Dalles Gorge Athletic Club, 731 Pomona St.
She is leasing the old dance studio at The Dalles Athletic Club. She said of new owners, Tim and Colleen Dahle,
“They have been doing great work here,” noting courts had been resurfaced, the parking lot re-paved and they were looking to work with Denae Manion to paint a mural in the near future.
“The Dalles is rapidly changing,” Pothier said. “It feels like The Dalles is cresting. People are getting energized, engaged and inspired. I am proud to be a part of that.”
Grit Row offers three different classes: Grit Row, Grit Ride & Grit Power.
For more information click here - Grit Row.
$500 Reward offer for Return of Wedding Album left in Grass Valley
Vic Berkshire is offering a $500 reward for the return of his wedding album. His late wife, Marilyn, was the daughter of Glenndene Mann. Her house in Grass Valley was recently sold and was emptied. Berkshire is praying that someone may have seen his wedding album. The letters “L A K E T A H O E” are cut out of the wooden cover of the wedding album.
$500 REWARD for the return of my wedding album.
My name is Vic Berkshire and my late wife, Marilyn, was the daughter of Glenndene Mann. When my amazing wife passed away in March 2017, Glenndene took all of our photo albums and other important memorabilia.
Her house in Grass Valley and was recently sold and was emptied. I am praying that someone may have seen my wedding album. The letters “L A K E T A H O E” are cut out of the wooden cover.
I’ll also offer an additional $300 for the return of the photo book on K-9 nosework. Our sire, Spyder Mann of the Berkshire Clan, is the featured dog, center and back cover.
After 12 years with the best person in the world by my side, I am only left with 1 photo of my wife and my memories!
I wrote “My Wild Sorrel Filly “, as a tribute to my wife, the love of my life. If you are interested in the whole story, my book can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
”If you have any information regarding any items listed, please call (206) 851-3693 and leave a message, so that I can return your call. Thank you “
Going, Going, GONE! TDAC Art Revival Sale Ends Jan 29th!
There’s only a few days left in The Dalles Art Center is hosting their 2022 Art Revival Sale! The sale will end on Saturday January 29th. Want to support TDAC? Check out the sale and get some cool new art from your home!
There’s only a few days left in The Dalles Art Center is hosting their 2022 Art Revival Sale!
The sale will end on Saturday January 29th, making the last few daysyour last chance to support TDAC and get some cool new art from your home from the Revival Sale.
What makes the revival aale so special?
TDAC has received donated artwork throughout the year from artists, art appreciators, and supporters and is using this donated work to fundraise. There are original pieces by Gorge artists including Rowena Sanford, Beth Lyons, Beulah Lindell, John Maher, Jocelyn Weeks and many others.
Art for sale includes ceramics, glass work, jewelry, photographs, prints, and paintings.
“This is a great opportunity to support the center and revive your home with gems from the annual Art Revival Sale,” said TDAC.
Legacy Orchard Leads the Way in COVID Safety for Migrant Workers
When Covid-19 hit in the spring of 2020, Erin Roby of Legacy Orchard in Hood River County knew the harvest season would be different than ever before. As farmworkers arrived, Roby adapted to meet OSHA regulations to ensure everyone was protected.
The story of how one orchard stepped up to protect its workers during the height of Covid-19
by Judy Bankman
When Covid-19 hit in the spring of 2020, Erin Roby of Legacy Orchard in Hood River County knew the harvest season would be different than ever before. As farmworkers arrived, Roby adapted to meet OSHA regulations to ensure everyone was protected. This included reducing the density of her accommodations, securing more forms of transportation, ensuring all vans were equipped with sanitizer, and purchasing more hand washing stations and bathrooms, among other precautions.
Still, she worried about the health and wellbeing of her employees and their families.
“[I thought], is everybody safe?” says Roby. “Are they worried, sleeping?”
Roby participates in the H-2A program, which offers temporary work visas to agricultural workers outside the United States. Legacy Orchard has a relationship with a recruiter based in the US who hosts recruiting events in Mexico, and pre-pandemic, Roby would visit Mexico every year to meet with her workers. She’s had a an excellent employee retention rate with 90% of the same employees returning annually for the last eight years.
“We communicate regularly throughout year, send Facebook messages. We get lots of referrals from people [we know].”
Protecting her workers during the pandemic was a top priority, so when Ashley Thompson of OSU Extension got in touch with Roby about joining a Workers Safety Workgroup led by The Next Door, Inc., Roby took the opportunity. The Workgroup met once a week and served as a place for orchardists to communicate their challenges and concerns to community organizations like The Next Door and Community Health Workers from various agencies. Together, they would all work to address those concerns.
For example, when orchard employees were confused about the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine, The Next Door, Hood River County Health Department, and other community partners put together a fact sheet to address the topic.
Many organizations collaborated in creative ways to support the safety of migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs) during harvest seasons in 2020 and 2021. For example, because workers were required to socially distance inside their housing accommodations, bunk beds were removed, which reduced already limited housing options. In one response, Hood River Shelter Services reached out to the Workgroup and hatched a plan for growers to lease warming shelter pallet homes that were not in use. The Gorge Makers Collective also reached out to offer homemade masks at the very beginning of the pandemic when it was difficult to get medical masks. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), a state agency, came to workgroup meetings and answered questions about reimbursements for expenses related to Covid-19 safety, like barriers, extra beds, and extra bathrooms.
Beyond the concrete ideas and collaborations, Roby also came away with another important takeaway. “The amount of energy and true care and effort all these different groups brought - I didn’t expect it,” says Roby. “They cared as much about our employees as we do.”
When the Covid vaccine became available in the spring of 2021, Roby and her team surveyed all employees and asked if they would be interested in getting the vaccine. Roby’s team utilized One Community Health’s webpage specifically for growers, which answered a lot of questions about the vaccine. Roby and her team then registered her employees and gave them paid time off to get the vaccine. She also tried to schedule vaccination appointments so her employees could get the vaccines together rather than alone.
Roby has not had any outbreaks at Legacy.
While the community of orchardists in the Columbia Gorge has always been tight knit and supportive, the pandemic increased awareness of everyone’s needs and more communication helped make the community even tighter. For example, if someone had a worker but nowhere to house them, another grower might offer an empty quarantine house. Or if someone knew there was Clorox at the grocery store, they’d send a group text saying “go now!”.
“It felt really good to be a part of this community that was so intentionally involved with each other, trying to help,” says Roby.
As the Covid pandemic continues into 2022 with the new Omicron variant, there are still many unknowns. But Legacy Orchard made it successfully through the challenges of 2021, which gives Roby hope.
“We made a big dent in the challenge,” says Roby. “No one got sick. Everyone was happy, safe, healthy, got to return home to families. I feel like yes, we did it!”
Local Brewers go Virtual in Roundtable talk and tasting on Jan. 20.
Join The History Museum of Hood River County as brewers Matt Swihart of Double Mountain, Dan Peterson of Ferment, Bryan Keilty of Gorges Beer in Cascade Locks, and Jordan Hunt of Mountain View Brewing in Mt Hood/ Parkdale conduct a roundtable talk and tasting.
Virtual Brewers Talk and Tasting
Thursday, January 20th at 6 p.m.
Join The History Museum of Hood River County for a virtual brewers roundtable talk and tasting, inspired by the current museum exhibit, Cheers! From Teetotalers to Tasting Rooms, the third and final installment of which covers the fascinating history of craft brewing in Hood River County. Brewer participants will include Matt Swihart of Double Mountain, Dan Peterson of Ferment, Bryan Keilty of Gorges Beer in Cascade Locks, and Jordan Hunt of Mountain View Brewing in Mt Hood/ Parkdale. Purchase selected beers ahead for the virtual tasting:
Ferment’s selections:
Barleywine: a premium series beer, aged for over a year in French oak wine barrels; hand-labeled and wax-dipped ($13/bottle)
Bière de Garde: a French farmhouse beer, bottle-fermented with our wild-caught yeast strain from Mount Hood; ($5/bottle)
Ferment Brewing Company, 403 Portway Ave, Hood River
Gorges Beer Co.’s selections:
Day Hike Pale Ale, with notes of citrus and pine, and bitter undertones ($5/16oz can)
Stout of the Gods, part of their annual experimental stout release series, aged 3 months in 503 Distilling Rye Whiskey barrels, ($9/16oz can)
Gorges Beer Company, 390 Wa Na Pa St., Cascade Locks
Details and Zoom link on the museum website: www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org. Suggested donation via the website is $10 per person.
Questions? Email info@hoodriverhistorymuseum.org or call 541-386-6772.
Reclaiming the Holidays: From Estrangement to Discovery
Not everyone experiences the holidays as sugarplums and roasting chestnuts in front of the fireplace. We dread the endless decorating and cheer from October through the New Year. Bah Humbug!
by Imma Royal
Not everyone experiences the holidays as sugarplums and roasting chestnuts in front of the fireplace. We dread the endless decorating and cheer from October through the New Year. Bah Humbug!
Even the most securely attached folks with healthy family dynamics experience stress around the holidays. Family drama gets exposed as we revert back to the same roles our parents projected on us, no matter how accomplished we become in adulthood.
Approximately 60% of the population come from securely attached families, intact where family gives a sense of identity, security and joy. This is not the case for the 40% of us where there is misunderstanding, betrayal and trauma. A sense of self and safety must be met outside the family structure. Healing must be undertaken to break the chain of generational trauma. Many of us in this category experience the holidays with dread. This was case for me. I avoided everything about the holidays, refusing to participate.
When I met my kindred spirit, we had much in common around our attitudes about Christmas in particular. We both came from estranged families burnt out around the commercialism. This gave us both freedom to unplug. I found my spiritual path and used this time for sabbatical. Avoiding all the unpleasantries associated with family. This became a particular point where hiding in the upper chakras became a spiritual bypass. The old traumas still lay dormant.
Now that we have opened our business Nana I Ke Kumu to the community, following our mission of building communication and community, we had to face our core family issues that cut us off from family and ultimately humanity. I had to digest my deepest pain around severed attachment and abandonment. I had to integrate a world where my sense of family has shifted to healthy attachment with self, which opened the doors for new types of family with loved ones and friends.
These are strange times indeed and many more of us are experiencing despair, especially around times that previously were of celebration. Our world will never be the same after COVID. Families have been shaken to the core, and we need one another to draw from our strengths rather than our differences. We need our communities now more than ever. How can we get to that place of interdependence?
Traditionally, as the days grow shorter and the air is colder, we created ritual that brought us together indoors, creating the warmth that we desire. A time of giving and receiving.
How do we stay centered during the hustle and bustle as Christmas draws near without being swept up in the mania?
You cannot give anymore than you have if your reserves are low. Self care, self love are not selfish acts. Your cup must be full in order to care for others. This can be an especially difficult concept if you are a caregiver. My advice, take self care seriously, like your life depends on it. What ever it is that gives you that inner calm, begin or maintain a practice that fills your vessel.
Something shifted for me this year in my journey of the self. Through pain, I brought in the self love that I was looking for on the outside. As I approach the Holidays this year, I find myself looking forward to celebration and joy, looking through my eyes with freedom, with the inquisitiveness of a child.
If you would like to know more about the work we do at Nana I Ke Kumu: Life Coaching, Astrology, Meditation, Yoga and Tarot, contact me at www.indigotravellers.net, (541) 980-7286, 413 E 2nd ST, The Dalles, OR 97058.
TD Civic Auditorium Hosts Day for Children ages 5 to 12 on Dec. 20
The Dalles Civic is offering a fun-filled day with Santa on Dec. 20 for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Drop them off and do some shopping or join in the holiday cheer. Cost is $45. But scholarships through the Shannon Tatum Memorial are available and there are also family rates. The day includes lunch, arts and crafts, and a ride on Santa’s sleigh. Ho, Ho, Ho!
The Dalles Civic Auditorium will host a Day with Santa on December 20th from 2 PM to 5 PM for children ages 5 to 12.
Santa’s helpers will assist with crafts and activities, lunch by Carol Malcolm, and participants can visit and take a ride with Santa on his sleigh.
It promises to be a fun-filled afternoon. Parents are welcome to join their children or to take a little time for errands or shopping.
The Civic Auditorium is at 323 E. Fourth St.
The cost is $45. Family rates and scholarships are available made possible by the Shannon Tatum Memorial Fund. This fund was started through donations by Shannon’s parents and contributed to by friends and the Kiwanis Club.
Shannon Tatum was well known for her love of children and her kind and caring ways with people. Like Santa, Shannon loved to give gifts to children. The fund continues her gifts to children.
Join the fun by signing your children up on the websitethedallescivic.com.
WIC - Your connection to free good food for you and your family of little ones
Food can do powerful things. It can prolong your life. It can turn you from sad or angry to happy.
And it can change lives forever. Good news - free tasty food is readily available to local women, infants and children. And it is simple to access in Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties with a simple phone call. Read more here.
By Tom Peterson
Food can do powerful things.
It powers that supercomputer running your body.
It can prolong your life. It can turn you from sad or angry to happy.
And it can change lives forever, especially for pregnant or nursing mothers and children growing and learning.
That is why the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) has been investing in families with nutritionally balanced meals since 1972.
And good news, it is simple to access in Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties with a simple phone call.
It is for folks who are doing their best but are still not making ends meet.
So, if you're having to choose between paying bills and buying groceries, this could be a huge relief for you and your family.
WIC provides healthy foods, health and growth screenings, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and community health referrals for needs such as dental care.
It’s a targeted program that provides a nutritional balance to make children and adults thrive when they need it most.
And it is amazing what it can do for the overall well-being of a family.
“I am a working mom of one hungry baby with a limited income and a partner with physical disability and times have been tough for us trying to support a happy healthy home…, said a local recipient of the program in an email on Nov. 3.
“Food is very important to my family as it provides comfort, healing, family time with enjoying meals and cooking yummy meals together. WIC… has helped to support my family financially with offsetting the cost to purchase necessary groceries while I was pregnant and after my baby was born… This program has taken some of the financial burden of trying to feed a growing baby and myself while I nurse.
The increase in fruits and veggie limit and the Farmers Market Checks have been greatly appreciated as it has allowed me to purchase fresh fruits and veggies to turn into homemade baby food and healthy meals for myself.”
… WIC has provided for us with decreasing our stress of being able to afford enough food for our growing family…”
Maricela Elias, Janna Hughit and Cynthia Rojas manage the program in our three-county area, and they are not ‘scary’. Rather helpful actually. WIC staff are skilled in providing participant-centered counseling resulting in conversations with families versus yes or no questions and answers. Maricela, Janna, and Cynthia work with families to balance the program requirements with real-life situations.
“We have families and children and we understand what moms go through,” said Maricela, who is the Program Coordinator. “We have great staff, we are caring and compassionate, and we strive to make WIC very easy to understand and use.”
And there’s no judgment, simply help where people need it, said Hughitt, a WIC Certifier.
Maricela said eliminating food insecurities can greatly improve the well-being of a mother as well as her new or unborn child, and for children, it leads to improvement in school with better behavior and retention of information.
How it Works
Simply call the WIC office at 541-506 -2610 and schedule a phone appointment to see if your family qualifies.
Applicants who are interested must meet four criteria to be eligible for WIC:
Live in Oregon
Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old
Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit. As an example, a family of 4 can have a monthly income of $4,086. (Individuals who can prove eligibility for Oregon Health Plan/TANF,SNAP/Food Stamps or FDPIR are automatically income eligible for WIC)
Have a nutritional need or risk
Depending on your needs, you may receive help on breastfeeding or a well-designed nutritional plan, perhaps some assistance from a dental hygienist.
Participants are issued eWIC credit cards to purchase USDA-approved foods at local grocery stores. They have streamlined the process, making it easier to shop without hiccups at the checkout. They even have an App for your phone to ensure what you’re purchasing is an approved food for the card before you get to the checkout.
They’ve made it much simpler than the vouchers used in the past, said Cynthia, Front Office Lead.
It is making a huge difference for this mother of 2.
“I am very thankful to have WIC,” she said in an email. “The appointments are very helpful; the ladies guide me to make sure that my girls are being taken care of properly with nutrition facts. Not to mention the ladies are very sweet! Having WIC is a blessing, having the opportunity to have milk provided and cereal and other yummy foods that are healthy for my kids is a blessing.”
Cornelison spends second life protecting Gorge, looks to hand off baton
The Gorge made a lasting impression on Peter Cornelison in 1976. Enough to sell a family business and move here 24 years later. And enough to stand up and protect it.
Editors note - Peter Cornelison, 70, is stepping down from his position at Friends of the Columbia River Gorge. The Organization is now currently looking to fill his shoes as a conservation organizer for its Hood River office. To learn more about the position click here and read below about the man currently holding the position. The deadline to apply is Dec. 3.
By Tom Peterson
Peter Cornelison was not always the Hood River Field Rep. for Friends of the Columbia Gorge.
The 70-year-old came from Ohio to attend the University of Oregon in 1972. And he had a chance to visit the Columbia Gorge in 1976.
It made a lasting impression.
Enough to sell a family business and move here in 2000.
And enough to stand up and protect it.
“The Gorge is a magnificent place unlike any other in the world,” he said earlier this week. “And it has been my privilege to do what I can to steward it during my brief time here.
I have always felt like I was standing on the shoulders of others. Oregon is a special place because there has always been a special attitude here. Starting with the pioneers that chose to come here to farm rather than get rich quick in California - to Oswald West who created public beaches to Tom Mcall who created our land-use system to keep much of the state’s beauty intact and productive for farming. And Nancy Russell who dedicated the last part of her life to creating the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area and preserving this magnificent resource.”
Russell became widely recognized as one of the principal figures responsible for the passage of the 1986 federal legislation protecting the Columbia River Gorge as a National Scenic Area. She then dedicated the next 20 years of her life to ensuring that the Columbia Gorge would in fact remain a place apart, an unspoiled treasure for generations to come.
During the last days of her life in 2008, Russell called Cornelison to her bedside.
“She asked, with a steely gaze and a firm voice, if I would dedicate myself to preserving the Gorge,” Cornelison said. “ Of course, over-awed, I said yes and have continued to fulfill that promise.”
After 18 years, Cornelison will be stepping down to enjoy more of what drove his work as a protector of the Scenic Area. He and his wife Jill Kieffer kayak, hike and windsurf whenever they get the chance.
“It’s my church,” he said.
In the beginning
“Both of my parents were conservation-minded,” Cornelison said. “ I went into business after college and helped my dad form a small company that we ran for 15 years - but all that time - I was volunteering in various conservation movements and founded one of them, a land trust that created an 8-mile rail trail between communities in Northeastern Ohio.”
The family business, named Condar, produced a temperature gauge for wood-burning stoves, and Cornelison eventually became the president before selling the business and moving to Oregon.
That thread of community service has led Cornelison down a path of natural resource conservation and building coalitions to fight for sound land-use decisions and ward off threats to the environment.
After moving to Hood River, he worked and volunteered for the conservation group Thrive.
“We worked to prevent a destination resort on the other north side of Mount Hood,” he said. “Mount Hood Meadows had a long history of trying to develop a destination resort there. on the north side of Mt. Hood. It would have affected watersheds, and I was working against that.”
“I knew about Friends,” he said. “and I volunteered for them, but I had not done much.”
But his friend Joanie Thompson would change all that. She was in the position that Cornelison has now, and she pushed him to interview for the job.
He was hired in 2003 by Michael Lang and Kevin Gorman.
The Thin Green Line
“The people piece is more important,” Cornelison said of building broad coalitions and taking on major corporations such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad through litigation. “The relationship piece with people is such an important piece. You have to be willing to listen and work together with others - to create coalitions - that is where you make real change.”
Using this strategy, Friends of the Columbia Gorge was able to take on coal and volatile crude oil threats in recent years, some of which later burned down a portion of Mosier.
“The Idea came across - all the conservation groups came together to develop the thin green line,” he said, noting Sightline Institute in Seattle came up with the term. “We were basically successful in pooling our resources and knocking out all the coal terminals and oil terminals in Vancouver… It was a full-on fight.”
“The coal dust was several inches thick in places,” he said of the property next to the Columbia River where coal dust had blown from rail cars. “They ended up paying a fine and establishing money to set aside some conservation area. There are massive amounts of cleanup. They had to use a giant vacuum truck to suck all the coal dust they could find along the river.”
And crude oil was being shipped in tankers that were outdated and unsafe, Cornelison said. And some crude was coming from Canada’s tar sands - a crude oil that is a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen - the binding agent in asphalt. It is sticky and impossible to remove if spilled in an estuary.
“There is a number of problems with that. The fact that this oil is as explosive as gasoline and the railroad cars were weak and not designed to carry hazardous material. It’s not adequate to transport highly dangerous cargo. We saw what can happen in Mosier in 2016.
A train was hauling oil from Eastport, Idaho, and was headed for Tacoma, Washington when it derailed in Mosier in July of 2016.
It was carrying Bakken crude oil, a type of oil known to be highly volatile. Fourteen tankers derailed, and several caught fire, shutting down traffic on Interstate 84 and burning portions of the town's infrastructure.
Looking to the Future and Climate Change
“We’ve got to stay hopeful about the future,” he said. “We can’t lose hope and positive momentum. Every fraction of a degree matters and we have to keep working for de carbonization.”
Cornelison said the Build Back Better act being considered in the US Senate has $555 billion for wind and solar.
That gave him hope.
“It’s Incumbent on all of us to do everything we can. We have to maintain that hope - otherwise it’s just depression and a downward spiral.”
This also gives him hope.
“I absolutely love hiking in the Gorge and local mountains,” he said. “This is the best place I have ever lived with so many lovely areas. It’s kind of like the Gorge has so many microclimates and areas that can be explored. It is a wonderland.”
“Hood River is my home, and I can't imagine living anywhere else,” he said. “I now look forward to handing off the baton to not only a new conservation organizer in the Gorge, but to several new, younger staff members who have joined us recently, helping point the way toward the future. I will continue to help protect the Gorge as a volunteer and fulfill my promise to Nancy: to be a friend to the Columbia Gorge.”
Bulk up on local food with Fall Haul
Winter is coming… load your larder, pack your pantry, fill your freezers with the best local foods in the Gorge! Join the Gorge Farmer Collective - a farmer-owned cooperative - in a bulk buying extravaganza at the Mount Hood Town Hall this season in lieu of the Rockford Grange's annual Fill Your Pantry event.
Bulk up on local food with Fall Haul.
Winter is coming… load your larder, pack your pantry, fill your freezers with the best local foods in the Gorge! Join the Gorge Farmer Collective - a farmer-owned cooperative - in a bulk buying extravaganza at the Mount Hood Town Hall this season in lieu of the Rockford Grange's annual Fill Your Pantry event.
Offerings include bulk deals on potatoes, garlic, ginger, onions, leeks, shallots, winter squash, fruit, beef, lamb, pork, turkey, chicken, seafood, mushrooms, tea, vinegar, baked goods, honey, compost, and more!
How it works
Pre-order your bulk local goods online at gorgefarmers.com between now and Tuesday, November 9th.
Then, pick up your order on Sunday, November 14th, between 12-3 p.m. at the Mount Hood Town Hall in Parkdale: 6575 Hwy 35, Mt. Hood, OR
Gorge Farmer Collective is thrilled to accept SNAP/EBT (food stamp) payments at our Fall Haul event. Simply bring your EBT card to the welcome tent at pickup to process your payment (eligible for grocery items only)
A Huge Thank You to All in the last days of The Ranch Drive In
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 take in those moments that make life worth living. And now they are saying goodbye and thank you.
“Everybody grew up on The Ranch.”
- Ed Prideaux
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.
“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.”
“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.”
Stay warm this fall and winter while keeping energy costs down
Just as we head into fall and winter, energy costs are rising across the country. According to the Consumer Price Index, energy costs nationally are up 25% from this time last year. Here are some tips to save an average of $283 or more every year.
From The Energy Trust of Oregon:
Just as we head into fall and winter, energy costs are rising across the country. According to the Consumer Price Index, energy costs nationally are up 25% from this time last year. That can cut into family budgets and mean less money for holiday shopping.
Energy Trust of Oregon, a nonprofit that helps people cut energy use, has some easy ways Oregon families can use less energy while also keeping their homes warm. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tips like these could help save an average of $283 or more every year.
“If your home is leaking air, it can feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle to heat your home,” said Scott Leonard, residential spokesperson with Energy Trust. “By taking steps like sealing leaks, adding rugs to cover bare floors and simply opening the blinds, you can save money on your energy bill and keep your family comfortable.”
Here are Energy Trust’s top tips for keeping your home warm while saving money on your energy bill this fall and winter. It’s also a great time to schedule maintenance service. With product shortages and busy contractors, planning ahead will keep you warm. For more energy-saving DIY tips, visit energytrust.org/residential/DIY.
1. Set the temp: At night or when no one is home, save on energy costs by lowering your thermostat to 58-60 degrees. When you’re home, keep the thermostat at 65-68 degrees.
2. Seal those gaps: Small gaps and cracks in a typical home can add up to the same loss of energy and comfort as leaving a window open year-round. Use caulk or spray foam to seal small holes and cracks and use weather stripping and door sweeps to seal drafty windows and doors.
3. Take advantage of the sun: Heat your home with help from the sun by leaving window shades or blinds open during the daytime. At night, close the window coverings to help keep the heat in.
4. Check air filters once a month and schedule maintenance: During the coldest months when your heating system is working its hardest, check your air filter and change it if it looks dirty. A dirty air filter will slow airflow and make the heating system work harder and waste energy. Now’s the time to schedule maintenance service for your heating system. An HVAC specialist can help catch issues before you’re left in the cold.
5. Find support: If you need assistance with utility bills, check with your utility for options and programs. And the Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally funded program that provides low-income households with home weatherization services. Learn more and see if you qualify at bit.ly/3iDdj8S.
Sunshine Mill to hold Halloween Drive-in Movie-thon
This year Sunshine Mill Winery is hosting a Halloween Movie-thon featuring some of the most beloved classics including Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coco, Practical Magic, and IT (2017). The event will take place October 29th-31st and the cost is $20 per car, with a $10 add-on option that will include a soda, popcorn, candy and hotdog.
This year Sunshine Mill Winery is hosting a Halloween Movie-thon featuring some of the most beloved classics including Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coco, Practical Magic, and IT (2017). The event will take place October 29th-31st and the cost is $20 per car, with a $10 add-on option that will include a soda, popcorn, candy and hotdog.
For showtimes, see below:
Friday, October 29th:
6:30 pm - Nightmare Before Christmas
8:30 pm - Practical Magic
Saturday, October 30th:
6:30 pm - Hocus Pocus
8:30 pm - IT (2017)
Sunday, October 31st:
6:30 pm - Coco
8:30 pm - Hocus Pocus
There are 39 open car spots total and the screen is an impressive 30 x 40 feet. For photos visit, https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Jiy57iP74m9_1SfIYaoWxoUwNVIkZSq4 and for more information, visit https://www.sunshinemill.com/drive-up-movies.
5 tips improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency during wildfires
While fire season is an anxiety-inducing time, Energy Trust of Oregon is offering tips for improving indoor air quality and reducing energy use now, which can help reduce stress later.
From Energy Trust of Oregon:
With wildfires burning across Oregon, including the nearby Bootleg fire, and above-normal fire activity predicted for the western U.S., communities across Oregon and Washington are facing the threat of another smoke-filled summer.
Wildfires can pose health threats due to the microscopic particles from smoke. And that smoke can also make your heating and air condition systems work harder, contributing to increased energy use and higher bills.
While fire season is an anxiety-inducing time, Energy Trust of Oregon is offering tips for improving indoor air quality and reducing energy use now, which can help reduce stress later.
“Sadly, many Oregonians are again coping with smoke and other impacts of devastating wildfires,” said Scott Leonard, residential spokesperson for Energy Trust. “With these dry, hot conditions expected to continue through the summer, we want to make sure everyone has information on how to improve their indoor air quality while keeping energy costs low.
Here are Energy Trust of Oregon’s top five tips for keeping your loved ones healthy, maintaining the comfort of your home and saving on energy costs during wildfire season.
Replace your air filter frequently
Typically, you should replace your filter every three months. During smoke events, your filter may need to be replaced every six weeks to maintain healthy indoor air quality and avoid extra energy use. Check your filter for dust and debris buildup at least once a month during heavy use and more often in heavy smoke conditions.
Filters with a high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) have a much finer weave that catches far more particles compared with standard filters.
High-rated MERV filters can also make some HVAC systems work harder, which can increase energy use. Consult the manufacturer’s manual or website for the best advice on the filters you should be using.
Make sure to switch back to a standard filter after wildfire season. If your HVAC system is designed to work with a high-rated MERV filter, this isn’t an issue, but you should still replace the filter regularly.
Switch to “fan only” mode temporarily
It is a good idea to use your HVAC system in “fan only” or “on” mode during wildfire season. This ensures your system is operating continuously to run your indoor air through the filter.
Remember to go back to “auto” mode before cold weather returns and heating season starts, so that the system kicks on only when needed. That way, you will avoid increasing your energy use and raising your costs.
Tighten seals around windows, doors and window air conditioners
If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor air damper. If you cannot close the damper, do not use the window air conditioner. Make sure the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible.
If you have a portable air conditioner with a single hose, typically vented out of a window, do not use it in smoky conditions. If you have a portable air conditioner with two hoses, make sure that the seal between the window vent kit and the window is as tight as possible.
Avoid creating more fine particles & air out your home after a smoke event
Avoid activities that create more fine particles indoors: smoking cigarettes; using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces; spraying aerosol products; frying or broiling food; burning candles or incense; vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
When air quality improves, air out your home by opening windows or the fresh air intake on your HVAC system.
Use a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency filter to remove fine particles from the air
Run it as often as possible on the highest fan speed.
For more information on indoor air quality during wildfires, check out these resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
You can also find low- and no-cost ways to save energy and money any time from Energy Trust of Oregon.
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Gorge Farmer Collective Makes Buying Local Food Easy
It doesn’t get any easier than this. Place your order online each week from Thursday through Sunday at gorgefarmers.com, and then pick up your bounty the following Wednesday afternoon between 4-6 p.m!
The Gorge Farmer Collective - a farmer-owned cooperative - makes buying local food easy
The Gorge Farmer Collective (GFC) is an online marketplace with selections of produce, flowers, meats, eggs, teas, and more locally produced goods.
It doesn’t get any easier than this: place your order online each week from Thursday through Sunday at gorgefarmers.com, and then pick up your bounty the following Wednesday afternoon between 4-6 p.m. at six pickup locations conveniently located throughout the Gorge: The Dalles, Lyle, Mosier, White Salmon, Parkdale, or Hood River.
GFC is a farmer-owned Cooperative in its second year of operation, with 25 farmers and growing strong! Being a Cooperative means that each participating farm equally owns the business, and has an equal vote in its governance - a truly grassroots and autonomous approach to building our local food system. Its mission is rooted in promoting and fostering local family farmers while providing customers with a diverse selection of some of the finest and freshest foods sustainably grown in the Gorge. The Cooperative strengthens connections between producers and consumers, simplifying the process from farm to table. The Cooperative recognizes that the Columbia Gorge food system is unique and dynamic, and aims to build its richness, health, equity, and resilience through broad collaboration.
Some of the Cooperative’s notable endeavors:
Supplying fresh produce to our neighbors in need through partnering with Gorge Grown Food Network’s Veggie Rx program
They’ll soon be able to accept SNAP/EBT (formerly known as food stamps)
Partnering with local food banks to regularly donate local products
Exploring the creation of a wholesale program, to supply restaurants and institutions (hospitals, schools, etc.) with the convenience and efficiency of a one-stop shopping hub
News From Our Sponsors
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