The Dalles residents talk hopes for 2022 in this question of the week column. It was a pretty upbeat crowd, we must say, as our friends and neighbors never seem to let us down on optimism even those who are living in some of the toughest circumstances. Here’s to all of you, wishing you health, happiness and hope.

So instead of sitting around and watching the icicles grow longer, I took this opportunity to get out in The Dalles and meet some of the folks working and playing in the snow. I met business owners, bus drivers, mailmen, and others on this fantastic voyage. Some you may even recognize.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. This New Year’s Eve will have you tapping your toes and sipping champagne with the best of them. Events include Sugar Daddies, DJ Budget Money, Al Hare, Nightlife, Bridgid’s Crossing, Brady Goss, ‘SPOT’, and Norman Sylvester Band.

This week's question of the week asks us to share in our families, neighbors, and friends culinary traditions, culture...and gives us some ideas of what we might cook for ourselves this Christmas.

There is a super cool opportunity being offered by the Columbia Gorge Community College’s Creative Writing Club, for students both past and present, to have writing and visual art published.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Curtis James, Willy and Nelson Trio, Sugar Daddies, hapa hillbillies, Al Hare, BBLake, MegaNeil, Megan Alder, Chazing Ebenezer, DJ Budget Money, Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Nightlife, Igor and the Red Evlises, toys, Santa, SantaCon, Brigid’s Crossing, Lord of the Rings, Fire Truck Parade, Taylor Beeks and Sam Grotte.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including magic, Scott Pemberton O Theory, roller skating Santas, AC/DC Tribute, Amber and the Pale Ales, Al Hare, Lindsay Walters, Photo contest, TDHS Jazz Ensemble.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including photos with Santa, Al Hare CGOA Brass, Untethered Soul, Cruise the Gorge, Voci Choir, Cascade Singers, Comedy of Andrew Sleighter, Organ Crawl, Christmas Train, Groove Project, CGCC Online Auction.

There was a little devil in the details that recently hit me square in the face as we prepared for a blood drive here at Columbia Gorge Community College. And as President of the Associated Student Body and championing the mission of inclusivity, we needed to respond.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Polyrhythmics funk, Chihuahua slide guitar, Al & Nolan Hare, Casey Wykes soulful Americana, Robert Henry Country, Erisy Watt Indie Folk, Legend of Johnny Cash and tributes to Patsy Cline

Our own Ryan Lawrence takes us inside The Hub, likely the most spectacularly muraled building in The Dalles. And while the block and mortar are assuredly art on the outside, there are some pretty crafty things going on in the interior. So, come on in for a little tour.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Collision of Rhythm, Jose Maya, Willy & Nelson, Brigid’s Crossing, P.K. Hoffman, Schwag, Southern Sons, Jamie’s Rock and Roll Legends, Tassie Mack, Peggy Ohlson, Jen Smith and Jennifer Takahashi

Ryan Lawrence has given us an in-depth piece here about people saving people through the simple act of blood donation. And while we may not know the outcome of laying on a cot and filling a pint bag for those who need it most, Ryan does a great job of making it explicitly clear in this two-part series. Here is his second story.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Smock Dogs, Damn Yankees, Sasquatch Portrait, Honey Badgers, Tim Ortlieb, Ronnie Ontiveros, The Green Room and Tony Furtado.

Jim Drake has dug up a few more interesting events this weekend for Halloween. So put on your best Beetle Juice and target some dancing and libation to get your jack-o’-lantern lit.

Its massive arms held the saw as a toy, and its head twisted and contorted, with greasy hair and a countenance that bared sharp teeth and eyes that reflected orange. A maniacal laugh cut through the sound of the saw as the blades cut deeper into the wood.

I dipped my rolls into creamy peanut sauce with a bit of the provided chili oil on top for some heat. This makes for the most wonderful bit. The peanut butter provides fat to the dish that compliments the vegetables in the roll. The Thai basil has the most wonderful aromatic smell. It makes you wonder where Montira’s garden is located in the restaurant.

CCCNews’ Ryan Lawrence takes you inside the lives of four Columbia Gorge Community College students and local residents who are changing their lives, careers, and prospects for success through the use of local scholarships.

When it comes to live music, Jim Drake can get you plugged in. Our local columnist for entertainment Gorge-wide has a good sampling of coming shows and events, including Katie Pearlman, Cornhole, Chicken $#it Gamblers, Al Hare, Dead Lee, Night Harvest, Sasquatch, Thunder Island, Discovery Center