— Jan. 19 Carina Miller, the first indigenous chair of the Columbia River Gorge Commission, will speak about her work with the commission and various groups dealing with Native American issues. — Jan. 26 Lucille Begay, Native American Liaison at Columbia Gorge Educational Service District, will discuss land acknowledgments.

If you are looking for a way to make a difference in your community, you might want to consider becoming a volunteer with Circles of Care to help older adults in your area. Circles of Care will host an informational meeting for interested volunteers on Tuesday, January 10th at 1:00 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center in The Dalles, OR.

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. 

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.

Grants are available to individuals and organizations for projects in the arts, humanities and heritage. Applications and guidelines can be found on the website. The deadline for applications is February 17, 2023. Click here for the link and more information.

Downtown TD will be bustling tonight, Friday, Dec. 16 as some 25 businesses stay open until 8 p.m. for the Sip & Shop event. Pubs will follow this event with Santa Con on Saturday, Dec. 17 with special drink prices and contests for those holly and jolly enough to don a red and white suit.

Like most foster children, Christopher arrived at the Klahre House, one of The Next Door's two alternative schools, with severe trauma, a challenging family life, and drug addictions. He needed treatment, support, and a place he felt he belonged. The Klahre House Alternative School was that place.

North Central Public Health will hold a COVID and flu vaccine clinic this Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 15-17, in The Dalles at 523 E. 3rd St., at the former Griffith Motors building, across from Sawyer’s and Grinders Coffee. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. No appointment, insurance, or ID is needed.

Jennifer Joseph, of Windermere Real Estate and Kata McNulty of Kiddie City Child Care have raised $1,000 for Mid-Columbia Community Action Council with their “Photos with Santa” fundraiser.

A bunch of energetic Colonel Wright Elementary students - 20 to be exact - were caroling throughout the community last week in The Dalles. It was a cool 10-show, city-wide tour as they performed for different groups, ranging from retirement homes to service groups to public locations. Another public performance is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15.

Portland musician Kathryn Claire's performance of “Winter Songs” set for tonight, Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. at The Dalles UCC Church in The Dalles has been postponed to a date uncertain.

Hood River, OR - In November, Lake Taco, an authentic family Mexican restaurant run by Maria and Enrique Ortega, was in danger of closing down forever. Now, thanks to donations from the community, Lake Taco now is in the process of moving into a new location in downtown Hood River.

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.

Cascade Singers to spread the music with six concerts in TD

Check out our Give Guide for Giving Tuesday in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Dalles celebrated the 33rd Starlight Parade and Community Tree Lighting on Friday, Nov. 25th as well as a Shop Small event and a Family Night at The Dalles Civic which included socializing, sleigh rides, a showing of the Grinch, cookie decorating, ornament painting, and a letters to Santa writing station.

The Second Annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk Family Fun Run in The Dalles got underway this morning, our day of the bird, Nov. 24. More than 200 people showed up in their best Thanksgiving duds. This year, all proceeds will go toward the TD Backpack program and then those dollars will be matched by Columbia Gorge Motors up to $5k.

The Dalles Salvation Army will host their annual free community thanksgiving meal at St. Mary’s Academy in The Dalles from noon to 3 p.m. on November 24th, 2022. The event will be in-person for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.

Monday, November 14th, 2022 marked the first day of practice for winter sports at The Dalles High School. TDHS students are now hard at work training to compete in basketball, swimming, and wrestling this winter.