This November, Mt. Adams Institute (MAI), a non-profit based in Trout Lake, WA, is inviting the community to “Invest in Connection and Conservation” with their end-of-year giving campaign. Donations will support MAI’a Vetswork, Land Stewards, and Sense of Place programs which work to strengthen Veterans, youth, and our communities' connection to nature.

All direct lines are now established and in place around the southern fire perimeter. Mop-up operations will continue until these lines no longer pose a threat to perimeter security. Significant operational effort has been put in on the south end of the fire protecting values at risk and fire managers feel great progress has been made in meeting these community objectives.

The evacuation level in the Trout Lake area was also dropped on Wednesday, Aug. 14 from a Level 3 GO NOW to a Level 2 BE SET.  Former Level 2 evacuations are now at Level 1. The 11,000-acre fire burning in heavy timber is now estimated 2 percent contained.

Women are finding their strides in the ultra-running world these days. What, with Camille Heron smashing 12 world distance records at Lululemon’s Further, Jasmin Paris finishing as the first female ever to complete the Barkley Marathon, and Courtney Dauwalter stunning the world with her Triple Crown wins of Hardrock Hundred, Western States Endurance Run, and the Ultra- Trail du Mont Blanc.

Garbonzo smoother than hummus on that six-string - see him tonight, May 3, at the Bargeway in TD, and while you're at it check out the Gorge’s most inclusive ride down entertainment lane right here. Art, Music, Plays, Film. A cultural blooming onion in your outback. Dunk it in Ranch! Want something now? Check out the CCCNews calendar.

April Power brings musical flowers this week as the Bargeway Pub kicks it off with a show tonight, April 5 at 6 p.m. with Sarah Lodge & Dan Polidori playing an eclectic acoustic blend of top R&B, soul, pop and blues music. It’s just one of the dozens of offerings in music, literature, festivals, art, drum circles, plays, movies and more. Our Jim Drake’s been buzzin’ bringing a bouquet of options in this week’s gorge entertainment guide.

Spooky stories, haunted humor, Hallo-wine, pumpkin parade - The Gorge has gone all out Jekyll and Hyde this season. Check out what’s happening here in Gorge Entertainment.

The Marsh Band at The Dalles Civic Auditorium tonight, Sept. 22, kicks off a week of great music at local venues around the Gorge. Check out what’s happenin’ here in arts, entertainment, and untypically good times.

Columnist Jim Drake discovers some super free powers through our local libraries. He also takes a deep dive into local entertainment at venues around the Gorge. Come on and take the ride - Drake is punching your card for free.