Santa has sent us letters and drawings from local 2nd and 3rd graders to help us rekindle the magic of this holiday season through these innocent and hopeful writings. Santa has quite a group of pen pals from The Dalles, Dufur, Mosier and Lyle. Check them out here.

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.

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.

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.

The pandemic has taken a toll on Second Hand Rose thrift store in Bingen, Washington.

“During her tenure, she has served hundreds of hours, volunteering her time to inspire others with ShelterBox’s global humanitarian work. From constructing tents and displays to delivering inspiring presentations at Rotary Clubs and conferences, Lora has raised more than $100,000 in donations,” said ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray

In a surprise announcement this week, WAGAP learned that effective immediately, Second Harvest is discontinuing service to food assistance programs across rural communities in Washington.

Two outstanding youth vocalists, Emma Ortega, and Wren Greeley-Havard from the Columbia River Gorge have been selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City as a part of the 2023 Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series. The young women are currently raising money on GoFundMe to cover the costs of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

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.

The Snow Sisters and Goldendale Reindeer Farm are creating a ton of holiday magic for local youths this Christmas Season as they offer events around the Gorge. Tegan Shermikas takes along for the ride as the Sisters work their magic. Sounds pretty fun. We wish we were 5 again.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in the Central and Western Columbia River Gorge from 4 p.m. Nov 29th to mid morning Nov. 30th.

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.

Twenty-three-year-old Gabe Eldredge said the halls were a bit lonely when he moved into the new dormitory on the Columbia Gorge Community College campus in The Dalles last year. Not anymore.

Keeping children warm in cold weather is a goal of local winter clothing drives throughout the region. Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) partners with the efforts of Coats for Kids and Skyline Health’s Winter Outerwear Drive to keep kids safe.

MCEDD is now seeking public input on opportunities to create a regional transit system in the Gorge with an online public open house – open now through November 27, 2022. The online open house includes a map that includes new and expanded services and destinations. The survey gives residents the opportunity to add to or modify that map.

UPDATE NOV. 17th 2022 at 11:11 p.m.: As of November 17th, 2022 at 11:11 p.m there is an estimated 1 vote left to count in Klickitat County and the voter turnout in Klickitat County is at 72.52%. Klickitat County will certify the election results on the 29th and then send them to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office,. The Secretary of State Office has until Dec. 8th to certify the statewide results.

It’s that plush time of year - holidays on the horizon and great music to be had everywhere. Check out this week’s listing of great arts and entertainment throughout the Gorge. Carrell, Johnson on tap for Saturday, Nov. 19 at Bargeway

From the Columbia River Gorge Commission:

For the first time in the history of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, a member of a federally recognized tribe will lead the organization. During the November 8, 2022, Commission meeting, Carina Miller, of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, was elected as Chair of the Commission.

Columbia Bank is poised to sell off several bank branches to First Security Bank of Washington, including two branches in the Gorge, including branches at 202 West Main Street, Goldendale and 390 Northeast Tohomish Street in White Salmon, according to prnewswire.com on Nov. 7