Take your pick. From Pink Martini to Nerve Damage. From Lord of the Rings to Saturday Night Fever. Fun facts, bad movie jokes and secret salsa are all part of the gamut this week in the Gorge’s most inclusive listing of entertainment options, including country and western. You can’t go if you don’t know. Check it all out here.

Food is a global issue with local impact. During the pandemic, emergency allotments helped keep households and 42 million Americans afloat by providing a 15% increase in food benefits. Now that those allotments are ending experts warn that the decrease in food benefits, climate change and international conflict will exacerbate the issues of hunger, food shortages, and food costs both locally and around the world.

The Mendoza family is working toward a dream with Columbia Gorge Habitat For Humanity. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath Habitat home in The Dalles is nearing completion, and Rey Mendoza and Veronica Gonzalez are looking forward to move-in day.

Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, president of Columbia Gorge Community College announced her resignation effective June 30, 2023. CCCNews learned of the resignation earlier this week through rumors and requested an interview to discuss her departure and the current status of the college in regard to transition, enrollment and finances. No dice.

Members of the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative are preparing for the 2023 Point in Time (PIT) Count, which will take place in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania Counties between Monday, January 23rd—Friday, January 27th. 

If you’re considering a cannabis career, or your profession involves the emerging cannabis industry in other ways, Columbia Gorge Community College now offers the skills for success.

Federal funding to stabilize people during the COVID-19 public health emergency is set to run out. This reduction will affect some 300,000 people utilizing the Oregon Health Plan who will no longer qualify. In addition, extended long-term support, providing extra food benefits are also coming to an end. Find out what to do here.

This year's winning grant recipients demonstrated a commitment to equity, expanding access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) or STEAM (STEM plus Arts) opportunities, cost-effectiveness, and the potential to create a lasting impact for local students. 

CCCNew’s Jim Drake interviews Irish Roots Band Kalos. The trio goes deep into how they make their music and what influences them and most importantly who gets to carry the accordion.

Games abound in this week’s round-up of local social events, music offerings and local shows. Scrabble, pool and poker options sit along side productions such as Dancing with the Gorge Stars at The Dalles High School Auditorium or “Ripchord” at the Bingen Theater.

“Far too many of our neighbors continue to struggle to afford the cost of housing in Hood River and surrounding areas. We’re anxious to advance our efforts at Rand Rd. and bring this important affordable housing development to a  reality for our community,” said Joel Madsen, Executive Director of Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation.

Comedy, music, a fundraiser for a friend. It’s all happening in the Gorge. Check out our latest listings here.

CGOA’s Stages Musical Theatre is gearing up for this season’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, one of the most popular Broadway musicals of all time. Auditions for the May, 2023 performances are Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 7 and 8 at 1 p.m. at the Bingen Theater. 

It’s time to blow the doors off 2023. Jim Drake gives us a nice little tour of what is happening in the Gorge to ring in the new year. Check out the shows and parties coming up this Saturday, Dec. 31.

With a major uptick in flu cases, the U.S. Center for Disease Control has sent out a Health Advisory to healthcare providers regarding the importance of prescribing antiviral medications for patients with the flu this year. Flu shots are available. Click here to find out more.

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.

Christmas week at Riverside Community Church, United Church of Christ in Hood River begins with a Thursday Longest Night campfire and ends with a Christmas Day worship service. Check out the details here.

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.