These adorable animals were the inspiration for Pikachu, but their habitat may be threatened by climate change.

From D21 Interim Super speaking on the reopening of schools to wildlife Biologist Bill Weiler and the proposed Ulka trail are all hot topics at The Dalles Kiwanis Thursday meetings. Check it out here.

Step inside with artist Edourd Vuillard this April. He gives you that feeling of being a fly on the wall. Kerry Cobb’s April Art News also features authors Margaret Atwood and Timothy Egan, the art of Vuillard, and the music of Brenda Lee, Jerry Vale and Nat King Cole. Click here to get the entire newsletter.

An auction to benefit Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association opens on April 8th and runs online through April 11th. The event features almost 100 items: fine art from local artists, delicious and creative dining experiences, and fun outdoor excursions. The nonprofit presents a variety of music via concerts and stage productions in The Columbia Gorge throughout the year. Read more here.

Thirteen Juniors are competing in the Wasco County Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Program set to go off tomorrow, Saturday, March 20. Talents including tap dancing, singing, violin, a monologue, color guard, even balance beam will be on display. The program has been year’s in the making. Read all about the participants here.

Just over thirteen months since the global pandemic brought an end to live performances, the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is poised to present its first new theatrical performance, Tom Jones’ and Harvey Schmidt’s beloved romantic comedy The Fantasticks.

“St. Pat’s at St. Pete’s” is going virtual this year. It is the 23rd-annual St. Patrick’s Day concert benefiting St. Peter’s Landmark after last year's COVID-19 cancellation. The videotaped program will be posted to YouTube on March 17.

Spring is on its way and considering the oddness of the past year, everyone seems ready for some light and color in their lives. So, this month I’ve chosen some art that celebrates life and renewal that I hope you will enjoy. As always, send me your thoughts, poems, and ideas. I love hearing from you. Warm regards, Kerry Cobb

The Sunshine Mill Winery and Drive-Up was chosen for the seventh edition of the Oregon Short Film Festival that will take place from February 25 through February 28, 2021. Learn more about it here.

The acoustics at the Bingen Theater enticed a couple of Pigs on the Wing to start mixing it up with bands at the site. Jason Baker and Dave Lindenbaum are operating Sasquatch? Recordings at the Theater where they can get ‘Led Zepplin’ sound. And what about that name? Sasquatch? It’s real. Don’t kid yourself.

Join Mt. Adams Institute for a virtual Sense of Place event, Magical, Menacing, and Magnificent Wildlife: How to Ensure Their Future in the Gorge, January 13, 2021, at 7 p.m. on Zoom featuring biologist Bill Weiler. Click here to read more and register for the lecture.

Jim Drake takes us on another adventure in media for just $3.59. Be careful, you might learn something, punk. This week takes a look at Eastwood’s Firefox, balancing world power and the problem with VHS tape.

Regular work ain’t so regular, but local drummer Jeff Minnick puts a foot to his bass drum and will brandish his guitar to fill a room. Jeff recently took the opportunity to talk to CCC News about his unique “one-man-plus-one” collaborations, his encounters with famous blues and rock personalities on the road, and the musical philosophies that were implanted in him so long ago, right here in The Dalles.

Thanks, COVID... No, really! No sarcasm here. If you ask people how COVID-19 has negatively impacted their lives, they could undoubtedly list off a slew of examples. So what about when people were asked about how COVID-19 has positively impacted their 2020 year?

This wonderfully hilarious production from the comfort of your own home

“The Radio Play Disaster” will be available to watch online at Broadway On Demand on November 13th-14th, and November 20th-21st ONLY and tickets are AVAILABLE NOW. To order yours follow the link. Money from the play will go to funding future high school drama productions.

Columnist Jim Drake takes a look at local entertainment- online and off. Two drink minimum required before entering. Mark Daly, Hapa Hillbillies, Granada Theatre, Freebridge Brewing, Bargeway Pub, Mandolin Camp, Lesley Saunders

Jim Drake takes a swing at Gorge Indie Rock Band Sundiver’s new album, Orion, with this review. The album was funded through a Kickstarter campaign and was released on Halloween. The review almost never happened thanks to some well-placed stars and galaxies.

Columbia Community Connection News presents a new weekly roundup of honest local news. Featuring The Dalles' own Yahaira Alvarez, CCC's newest video journalist.

The Dalles Artist Chris Pothier began installation of the All Together The Dalles Mural at 811 E. Second Street this morning. The mural is a painting of a photomontage of iconic buildings in The Dalles area that are stacked into a mountain within the landscape of The Dalles. Everything seems out of place giving our historic places and landscape an entirely different look and, perhaps, appreciation.