This Week in Gorge Entertainment by Jim Drake, Dec. 15
By Jim Drake
Nightlife plays NYE at Eagles
The Dalles Eagles Lodge welcomes the Nightlife Band to its New Year Party on Friday, Dec. 31. All members and guests are welcome. Tickets, available at the bar, include party favors, hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast. Couples $25; Singles $15. 21+ only.
Igor and the Red Elvises at Ruins
Ready for Siberian Surf Rock? The Ruins in Hood River presents the return of Igor and the Red Elvises for an evening of “humorous lyrics and groove that will force you to dance,” on Thursday, Dec. 16. Claiming a vision of Elvis told band leader Igor Yuzov to start playing rock and roll, Igor and the Red Elvises have been rocking the States since 1995. Tickets in advance at Ticket Tomato. Proof of vax required for entry.
https://www.tickettomato.com/event/7282/igor-amp-the-red-elvises-at-the-ruins
Share the Joy Give a Toy
The Donation Deadline is Thursday, Dec. 16, to drop off an unwrapped toy for local foster children via local organization CASA. Drop off in The Dalles at Tonkin Subaru, Cascade Sotheby’s or The Foley.
More information at: https://www.thefoley1906.com/post/the-giving-tree
Sensory-Friendly Santa Dec. 18
Playworks in Hood River is hosting a Sensory-Friendly Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Reserve a 10-minute spot for children with sensory differences, as Santa is trained for interacting with children with special needs. This is an Autism and Sensory-friendly event. Call 541-716-1316 for more information.
Live Music at The Pines
Live music at The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River happens on Fridays, from 6-9 p.m. with local and regional acts.
Dec. 17 - Amber and the Pale Ales (Folk-rock)
Dec. 31 - Brigid’s Crossing (Irish Folk)
Lord of the Rings Trivia Night, more at Hood River Library
Coming up at the Hood River Library: It’s a Teen Lock in on Wednesday, Dec. 29, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Registration Required and Food, Friends, Fun are Expected.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Lord of the Rings Movies with the Lord of the Rings Trivia event, on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. It’s hard to believe that the Lord of the Rings saga started with The Hobbit, first published in 1937. Somehow, I managed to avoid reading that book until this Last Decade. Have I Watched the Movies, You Ask? Well, there was a time when I had VHS tapes of the first three movies, but sadly, they were lost in a move. Plus, I can’t remember if I got through all of them. The Point of all this? I would Miserably Fail in any Trivia Contest. However, recent Black Friday Sales at a Local Retailer prompted me to Plunk Down a Wallet Busting $12 Bucks for All Six Films on the Convenient DVD Format. They’re Still Sealed, as you can tell, but at least they’re here in the Pile of Unwatched Movies and I am betting 2022 will be My Year for Catching Up.
Lastly, don’t miss the upcoming Solstice Celebration at the Library on Tuesday, Dec. 21, from 5-7 p.m. A free book and small gift is promised for everyone.
Christmas Fire Truck Parade returns
Local Hood River Fire Departments will collaborate for four nights of lighted fire truck parades from 6-9 p.m. traveling throughout the County:
Monday, Dec. 13 – Odell / Pine Grove
Tuesday, Dec. 14 - Parkdale / Dee
Wednesday, Dec. 15 – Westside / Hood River
Thursday, Dec. 16 – Cascade Locks
Botsford, Beeks at Bargeway
Coming up on Wednesday, Dec. 15, Portland singer-songwriter Nate Botsford brings his country-rock set to Bargeway Pub, starting at 6 p.m.
The Dalles’ Taylor Beeks (pictured) plays Bargeway Pub in The Dalles on Thursday, Dec. 16, starting at 5:30 p.m. Show is sponsored by Music Matters, an organization that raises money for music education and showcases the talents of local musicians and students.
SantaCon on Tap Dec. 18
Six local Pubs are on Tap for this year’s SantaCon Pubcrawl event on Saturday, Dec. 18. Dress Up as your Favorite Santa Claus Character and meet up at Rivertap in The Dalles at 6 p.m. Take a selfie with the Grinch and email pictures to tdmainstreetsantacon@gmail.com for a chance to win Gift Cards (drawing Dec. 20). Pub Stops include Rivertap, Freebridge Brewery, Zims Brau Haus, Liberty Tap Works, Route 30 and Last Stop Saloon.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Little Music City Shuttle is going to provide FREE RIDES for people from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the SantaCon event. The driver will be Kenny and his phone number is 541-980-5775.
Sam Grotte at HR History Museum
The History Museum of Hood River County presents a free virtual book talk with Sam Grotte Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m.
The following information is provided by Hood River County History Museum.
Sam will talk about his life, as documented in his book, “A Life; Or as Much of It as I Can Factually Recall.” Sam’s book has been described as a “captivating autobiography about an ordinary man who witnesses extraordinary events.” People who know Sam would argue that he is extraordinary too, just modest.
Sam was born in Northwood, ND in 1933 and moved to Montana at age 14. He grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, and he shares vivid details of what life was like. He writes about his experiences fishing and hunting elk, helping to build a fire lookout tower in Idaho and working as a smokejumper. Music was his early passion, and he earned a degree in music from Montana State University. After graduation, he set aside his trumpet and joined the Air Force, where he served in active duty for 13 years and in the reserves for seven years. During that time he and his family lived in Alaska, and he writes about living through the 9.2 magnitude “Good Friday” earthquake in 1964 and flying an Air Force jet up to 55,000 feet during a magnificent aurora borealis. After the Air Force, he went on to fly for American Airlines for 25 years. The book recounts Sam’s adventures around the country and world, including a life-changing trip to New Zealand and his return to work at the fire lookout tower he helped to build, at age 61.
Sam moved to White Salmon in 1985 and has been a Gorge resident ever since, where he has continued his passions for flying and music. After not playing music for 35 years while working as a pilot, he picked up his trumpet and French horn again and went on to direct the White Salmon Jazz Band and the Gorge Winds concert band. Sam also played with CGOA’s Sinfonietta orchestra and the Whiskey Flats Band, among others.
This book talk, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m., is a free community event.
Zoom Meeting Links
Zoom link can be found on the museum website: www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org
Online version: Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97061319575?pwd=K09ZMElXWE5ZNkFwU3pBVC9HcGJOQT09)
