The Dalles Wasco County Sheriff partnered with Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) staff and volunteers and anonymous donors from the community to deliver some Christmas magic to two families in need on Wednesday December 21st. 

“We love to hear people say they drove by our house and they loved the decorations or that their kids really like Frosty,” said Stephanie Hoffman. “I would miss coming home in the evening or leaving in the morning and seeing the lights. I would miss watching cars slow down to look at the lights. I believe the decorations help people get in the Christmas spirit. As a kid, my parents used to drive us around to look at lights. It was one of my favorite things to do.” 

With freezing rain, snow, and wind chill temperatures projected to be as low as -15 to -25 degrees in the coming days, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council is opening a temporary warming center using St. Vincent de Paul’s building at 315 W. 3rd St. in The Dalles beginning 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 21st, 2022.

“It’s kinda hard for me to do this—it’s a lot of work—but I do enjoy doing it, and I do it because the kids come by and they like seeing everything. I have people who will pull up in front of the house at night and stay for 5 minutes just taking it all in,” said Dorothy Waters. “Some years I think, Well, maybe I shouldn’t…But I always do. Recently a neighbor said, Boy, I’m glad you do this every year, it’s so nice to look at.”

In Avatar: The Way of Water, we marvel at the beauty of the ocean, as well as the power, majesty and intelligence of its inhabitants. The gift of spending time in Cameron’s alternative world is being able to return to our own and recognize it as just as beautiful, and dangerous, and precious.  

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.

On December 19th, 2022 at 9:45 a.m, a court hearing for the Tara Koch case, presided over by Judge Karen Ostrye, was held via webex in Wasco County, presided over by Judge Karen Ostrye. The hearing was only minutes long and resulted in the scheduling of a plea hearing on March 20th, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.

A recent order by Oregon Administrative Law Judge Jennifer Rackstraw concludes that minimal impacts at most would come to endangered species such as steelhead and Chinook if wetlands are removed in the construction of a Walmart supercenter in The Dalles. She found the public benefits outweighed some degree of wetland destruction and degradation, stream and river pollution, fish mortality, and wildlife mortality and displacement.

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.

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.

This week, I sat down with comedian Jon Bennett, an Australian storyteller who gives an amazingly sordid and bizarre story of his brother’s life with poignant reflection. Bennett will be performing twice this weekend - Tonight, Dec. 16, at the Granada in The Dalles and on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Bingen Theater. Tickets are still on sale. Click here to find out more.

“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

On December 14th, The Next Door partnered with One Community Health and the United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - Portland Chapter to hold a flu, covid, and mpox vaccine clinic geared towards serving the LGBTQIA2S+ community and Queer and Trans Pacific Islanders at the First Methodist Church in The Dalles.

Haven Executive Director Marcee Kukal Manning and advocate Angelica Mendoza, who passed away unexpectedly last year, have both been awarded special honors for the work they’ve accomplished with survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

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.

The app and web-based platform, allows users to easily view and fulfill the needs of Mid-Columbia Community Action Council clients in their communities by purchasing items or making monetary donations. 

The announcement of Bamba’s Indian Food Bar has been posted on the former site of Pho Sai Gon restaurant at 312 Court St. in The Dalles.

The Steltzer family recently purchased the former Chronicle building at 315 Federal Street with the intent of renovating the building for a natural food grocery and deli as well as creating space for six other like-minded businesses. The project will transform the building which has been shuttered since the summer of 2018. They hope to be open in late spring or early summer of 2023.

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.