Over 150 people dressed in their finest royal robes attended The Dalles Wasco County Public Library's second annual Prince and Princess Tea Party on December 29. 

Bingen City Council gives Craig Trummel the nod to fill the vacant council seat. The insurance underwriter has a background as a private practice lawyer and currently works for WFG National Title Insurance. Trummel expressed his interest in the city’s street and water systems, praising the recent work done on Humboldt Street and noting the unique relationship between the Bingen and the City of White Salmon.

This month, we're highlighting several important community initiatives and programs. From new opportunities for youth and adults to essential training for healthcare workers and resources for families, there's valuable information available for all. We encourage you to read on and find out how you can participate in or benefit from these offerings. Stay informed and get involved in making our community a better place for everyone.

Accused former Executive Director of Haven from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Tara Koch is scheduled to appear on theft, forgery, and identity theft charges in a settlement conference on January 12, 2024. 

As 2023 comes to a close, The Next Door Inc. (TNDI) is thrilled to announce Lars Reierson as the recipient of our Philanthropist of the Year award! This recognition celebrates Lars’ exceptional generosity, significant community involvement, and outstanding philanthropic impact on The Next Door and the Gorge communities we serve. 

The Skamania County Emergency Warming Shelter in Stevenson opens on January 11, 2023. It is expected to be available through mid to late March, depending on weather conditions. The shelter is located near the Hegewald Center and is operated by Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).

Musitizen Kane and the Gang at The Bargeway Pub, The Dalles Premier music venue, send 2024 on another harmonic hoorah, coupled with some slick c’tales and steller platters. Need to giggle-proof your week- grab your gig here sans frog con guitari. We got the Gorge’s most comprehensive guide to arts and entertainment here.

Tacos Del Rio, a family Mexican restaurant known for their $1.50 Taco Tuesday specials, closed unexpectedly last month after more than ten years of operation at their downtown location at 421 Union St. in The Dalles.

Sense of Place will feature Salmon at a Crossroads on January 17th, 2024. This event will be offered in person at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, Oregon, and via livestream. In recent years, sockeye salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers have experienced devastating mass die-offs, because water temperatures were too hot. The Little White Salmon River and nearby tributaries in the Gorge have also experienced tragic losses.

Misconceptions about mental health and aging include the idea that we can become “too old” for therapy to be of any benefit, as though we were a piece of petrified wood someone was trying to water back to life! It’s worth noting that…older adults often benefit more —and more quickly— from therapy than younger people do.

“We understand that the most fragile in this community will be the ones who feel the most pain, and it is our hope that this action will lead to resolving the city’s concerns quickly. Our last day of operations, until further notice, will be January 5, 2024. We will close at 2:30 PM that day.” - St. Vincent de Paul Society on shuttering its ministry at 315 W. Third Street, The Dalles

Breastfeeding is a complex process that can be a frustration for new moms, but now WIC clients of North Central Public Health District have a certified breastfeeding expert in their corner. Janna Hughitt, a WIC Certifier for NCPHD, recently obtained her certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association (MCCCA) is proud to bring back by popular demand, the 10th Annual Dancing with The Gorge Stars fundraiser. Six local Gorge Stars will compete for your votes at this mid-winter event. Like the reality TV dance show, our contestants learn a dance routine before show time.

When a family struggles to make ends meet, the small things taken for granted can make a huge difference in their quality of life. The Family Resource Center in Goldendale helps to stabilize families with children under age 18 in Klickitat County to prevent child abuse and future houselessness.

Amber Tilton, US Army Corps of Engineers Public Affairs Specialist at The Dalles Dam, delves into the history of a bird who’s bad reputation was nearly it’s undoing.

“My god, it’s raining cats and dogs! What do you think? Shall we go?” I asked the trio poised silently beside me. Four-year-old Elena quipped, “I don’t see any cats and dogs… I whispered, “We need to be quiet, everybody. No talking. Got that, Angela? Toby, you hold her hand. I'll take Elena. Ready? When we get to the end of the dock, we’ll light the candles and put the rafts in the river.”

Join Underwood Conservation District and partners and learn something new at the 5th annual Winter The Workshop Series continues. The December Winter Workshop was a success and covered wildfire resilience in the central Columbia Gorge. UCD has two remaining educational workshops taking place on the second Thursday of the month in January and February.

The pipeline is the main feed for The Dalles Water Treatment plant, known as Wick’s, on Mill Creek Road, which supplies more than 50 percent of the potable water to residents and businesses in The Dalles. It’s one of the primary reasons we’re all neighbors.

Hood River Farmer’s Market will be open on the 1st & 3rd Saturdays, of December through April, from 10 a.m. - noon.

Human trafficking is a global crisis. During the month of January, it is officially recognized to raise awareness in order to create change for a better world. Acknowledging and showing support during National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month helps contribute to rescuing victims, catching perpetrators, and improving the lives of survivors.