This Week in Gorge Entertainment by Jim Drake, Dec. 7

By Jim Drake

Scott Pemberton O Theory

‘SPOT’ plays Ruins NYE

Is it too early to talk about New Year’s Eve? Get ready to rock out to a unique “brand of progressive roots music” with the Scott Pemberton O Theory on Friday, Dec. 31, at the Ruins in Hood River. This nimble Power Trio blends jazz, blues, rock/grunge, funk and more creating an entirely fresh concert experience. Discount advance tickets available. Proof of vax required for entry.

Santa Skate at HR Elks Lodge

Roller Skating Santas? Dress up, Bring Your Own Skates, and join like-minded skaters at the Hood River Elks Lodge on Friday, Dec. 10 for a Santa Skate - all to the music of ENFDJ and DJ Swoop. 7:30 start, 21+ only. 

Gigs Here and There

Amber and the Pale Ales: Friday, Dec. 17, 6-9 p.m., The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River.

Al Hare: Tuesday, Dec. 7, Zim’s Brau Haus, The Dalles.

Legato Gusto: Friday, Dec. 10, at 9 p.m., at River City Saloon in Hood River.

Soul Prophet: Monday, Dec. 13, 6-8 p.m., at Everybody’s Brewing in White Salmon.

Lindsay Walters at Bargeway Dec. 9

Up and coming guitarist Lindsay Walters will be at Bargeway Pub in The Dalles on Thursday, Dec. 9. The show starts at 6 p.m. Critics say Walters “is a special talent with a rare blend of precision and passion.” Also on the bill: The TDHS Jazz Ensemble featuring Ethan Pope (Tenor Sax), Silas Parsons (Trumpet), Juan Diego Contreras (Trombone), Noah Sorenson (Guitar), Layne Ellison Brown (Drums), Asher Young (Drums). The show is sponsored by Music Matters, an organization that raises money for music education in The Dalles, showcasing the talents of local musicians and students.

Live Wire at Eagles Dec. 11

AC/DC tribute band Live Wire to rock the Eagles on Saturday, Dec. 11 in The Dalles.

AC/DC tribute band Live Wire will Rock the Eagles Lodge in The Dalles on Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. There’s a $5 cover and the event is open to all members and guests. Visit the band here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063786607177

Sense of Place lectures continue Dec. 8

Ready to learn about fascinating local history and in-depth environmental topics from around The Gorge? The Sense of Place lectures are just the thing. On Wednesday, Dec. 8, learn about Debris Flows from Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. Coming up Jan. 12: Native Bees of the Gorge. Lectures begin at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River. Register at mtadamsinstitue.org.

Jazz Collective Big Band plays Feb. 13

Yes, you read that right, The Jazz Collective Big Band is already planning 2022 gigs, at the Hood River Elks Lodge. The Sunday Night Concert Dance Series is currently planned for Feb. 13, March 13, and April 10. Music starts at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars Now and you’ll be miles ahead of the Dance Planning Curve*. (*Covid schedule/variant restrictions still may or may not apply).

 Ugly Sweater Xmas Party Dec. 17

It’s a Hip-Hop Themed Ugly Sweater Christmas Party at the River City Saloon in Hood River on Friday, Dec. 17. The festivities start at 9 p.m. with music from the Vitamin D Tribute Band. Expect Ringin’ Jingle Bells and a Booty Shakin’ Holiday Party. 21+ only. Advanced tickets at:

https://m.bpt.me/event/5319148

Winter location for HR Farmers Market

The Hood River Farmers Market starts the Winter Season on the First and Third Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon in the breezeway next to Ferment Brewing at the Hood River waterfront. Expect lots of local foods and selections of handmade gifts and art.

Ride Thru Christmas Party Dec. 11

Motorcycle enthusiasts once again gather in The Dalles on Saturday, Dec. 11, starting at 5 p.m. for a Ride Thru Christmas Party event featuring music from the Smock Dogs (music from 7-10 p.m.). The gathering is at 3224 W. 2nd St.

Life in the Gorge Photo Contest

The Mid Columbia Economic Development District presents “Life in the Gorge” Photo Contest - submit up to five high-resolution photos of Life in the Gorge, Nature or Landscape, Downtown, People or Community, and Business categories for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local business.

The deadline is Dec. 20. https://www.mcedd.org/photocontest/

Magic the Gathering at HR Library (or A Journey into Dice Research)

Most of the stuff I bring home from the local thrift stores is self-explanatory. But recently, this single green 20-sided die - found in a basket of colored plastic easter eggs - prompted some intense research. “What the Heck is that “symbol” on the spot where the “20” should be,” I wondered. 

Although I never truly embraced the game Dungeons and Dragons, when I was younger I managed to collect the handbooks, miniatures, and the strange multi-sided dice used for the role-playing game. Little did I know then that the game required tons of work by a Dungeon Master to create a world that would be interesting and playable for a dedicated group. But the main point of that story: I knew these kinds of dice existed, so this green object must be for a similar game, or maybe a new element to the same game from the past?

And down the rabbit hole I jumped into the world of Googling 20-sided dice and symbols. It might be 10:30 p.m. on a school night, you know how that goes. 

Actually, out of Desperation, the first thing I tried was to associate dice with Battlestar Galactica. Yes, at that exact moment in history, I was Binge-Watching Season 3, and I swear I saw what looked to be the strange logo on the die resembling a part of a badge or pin on one of the pilot’s uniforms. Although I did find a Battlestar board game that had dice, there were no 20-sided dice to be found.

But then, persistence started to pay off. I came across some kind of listing for “20-sided dice-guild-logos.” Hmmm, super similar! 

The frustrating thing: my die had a dot, or “period” after the 6 and the 9, and none of these dice were facing the correct way to verify that detail. Hmmm.

Bonus Fact: Did you know that there’s a way to search the internet for “symbols” by crudely drawing your symbol with a “paint” program? I didn’t either. My search results were showing me I had drawn some kind of Discontinued Greek Mathematical Symbol.

Seconds, minutes, it could have been hours later…. the Google Gods came up with a listing that associated the green die with a game called Magic the Gathering. Which I thought was odd, because I believed Magic was primarily a trading card game. (Or was that Pokemon?!)

More information is searched, and behold: my mysterious symbol appeared - albeit on a 6-sided die. 

I now have access to words like “Planeswalker Symbol,” “Planeschase,” and a second reference to dice used in the Magic game.

Now, with keywords in hand, we all know where the Googling road leads: eBay. 

My single green die seems to be part of a set of 20-sided Life Counter Dice with the Planeswalker Symbol. 

More facts are learned, such as the numbers on this die are actually arranged differently from the 20 sided dice used in Dungeons, because the Magic Dice apparently are not “rolled,” but used as a counting mechanism for numbers of lives, and the die can easily be turned for counting. Hmmm.

Of course, all this information about one die is interesting, but it turns out, I was so focused on finding out information about the dice, that for a few days I failed to recognize the fact that this strange symbol was in fact at the Heart of the Game, so to speak. 

The Logo was staring me in the face all along. 

Learn More: On the First Wednesday of every month at the Hood River Library Magic, the Gathering players meet at 6 p.m. An interesting qualification: Registration is required, and player age is recommended to be 10-20.

That’s right, 20. Just Like the 20-sided Dice. Fact, or Magic Coincidence?