Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
All in Columns
At its best, M3gan embodies the unhinged gleefulness of 80’s horror movies like Child’s Play, while keeping it fresh by inverting old tropes and subtly infusing the movie with a critique of our dependence on technology for our emotional needs. And while, for me, there could have been a little more gore, to its credit the movie actually manages to still create thrills while maintaining a PG-13 rating.
In this edition of her column Living Well, Donna Henderson, LCSW, psychotherapist, artist and writer based in Maupin, South Wasco County shares the downlow on how shame might be holding you back from success and tips on how to set successful New Year’s Resolutions.
I hit 183 pounds this winter, and I thought a fight with my stomach might help me out. Well, kinda. But I’m still 183 pounds. Oh, and 5’5. I lost a few inches over the years. It got me thinking. Not about the extra weight, but why? I came up with this, Move. It’s my one-word anthem for the year - move. Anyways, the thought prompted this question of the week as we are six days into the new year. What is your focus for 2023? In one word.
Comedy, music, a fundraiser for a friend. It’s all happening in the Gorge. Check out our latest listings here.
Nancy Turner, local hiker and columnist shares a lesson in the proper use the words “further” and “farther” on the trail.
“It’s kinda hard for me to do this—it’s a lot of work—but I do enjoy doing it, and I do it because the kids come by and they like seeing everything. I have people who will pull up in front of the house at night and stay for 5 minutes just taking it all in,” said Dorothy Waters. “Some years I think, Well, maybe I shouldn’t…But I always do. Recently a neighbor said, Boy, I’m glad you do this every year, it’s so nice to look at.”
Maggie Converse, of Bristol Hospice (Previously Heart of Hospice) is planning to lead a monthly, community grief support group at the Hood River Library, beginning January 4. Weather permitting, the group will meet in person for about an hour each month from 4:00-5:00 pm.
All that shopping and sweating the little stuff needs to take a break. Find a live show or a movie in this week’s roundup of Gorge Entertainment. Jim Drake also offers a little New Year’s Eve Planner to get you thinking.
Donna Henderson, LCSW, psychotherapist, artist and writer based in Maupin, South Wasco County shares tips on navigating the holidays after loss.
For years, our columnist Sarah Cook and her partner have made popcorn and hot chocolate hopped in their tiny Subaru, put on All Classical Portland, and driven around The Dalles as they pretended to assign trophies to the most spectacularly decorated houses. This year Sarah is handing out accolades in CCCNews with four awards. First up: Best Tree goes to the Hutesons.
Entertainment in the Gorge is hitting a fevered pitch in the next couple of days as opportunities for live music, entertainment, comedy and local concerts are coming down the chimney like a bag of toys. Check out the offerings and opportunities for holiday fun here.
This week, I sat down with comedian Jon Bennett, an Australian storyteller who gives an amazingly sordid and bizarre story of his brother’s life with poignant reflection. Bennett will be performing twice this weekend - Tonight, Dec. 16, at the Granada in The Dalles and on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Bingen Theater. Tickets are still on sale. Click here to find out more.
Five years ago as I packed my belongings to move from a large house into a small apartment, I counted over one hundred nativity sets. Good grief. My movers were undocumented refugees from El Salvador and belonged to a local Christian church. When I asked how many families were in their congregation the men shrugged their shoulders but their wives knew. I quickly was able to unload thirty sets. They were delighted, and I was happy too.
We’re coming into a manic weekend as the days count down to Christmas. And the presents are already dropping as art, music and entertainment are piling up like packages at the post office. This weekend brings us Brewer’s Grade, Anna Veimeister and Aaron Myer to name just a few. Check our latest here and stuff your stocking with some good times.
Moe Dixon and Tess and Patrik Barr will play a free show at Riverside Community Church in Hood River on Friday, Dec. 2nd at noon. Dixon will also play The Pines in HR starting at 6 p.m. Miles From Nowhere, a four-piece band from Central Oregon will bring a set filled with Classic Rock, Blues, Country and Alternative to Zim’s in TD on Saturday, Dec. 3, starting at 7 p.m.
Where the movie actually sings is in its dark meditation on grief, loss, and the weight of responsibility left to the living. Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an interesting entry in the Marvel universe, but a mixed bag to be sure.
It’s a gobble-gobble throwdown as local venues stuff the holiday weekend with shows, entertainment, art and music.
Al Hare is kicking it off with a Wild Turkey Party on Wednesday at the Bargeway Pub. Keep it neat, Al. No ice.
Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin, two of the year’s best films, examine the power and cost of art to sublime ends, admittedly through very different lenses. And both films will undoubtedly be strong contenders for the upcoming awards season.
Nothing like a slight breeze and 35 degrees Fahrenheit to make the hands numb, the nose cold and the toes frozen. So, The Dalles, what do you do to get warmed up on a cold day? We asked, and we got some cool answers. Take that Mr. Freeze.
