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.

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.

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

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.

Meet Wyld Lee, known as the Feral Oracle of Parkdale, Oregon. As a seer, reiki (energy healing) practitioner, map maker, priestess and Tarot reader she offers a unique blend individually tailored services to help individuals heal, grow, reinvent themselves, and find their path in life.

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 Hares have been spearheading a collaborative effort between local restaurants and musicians to bring live music every night to The Dalles. It’s getting noticed. And now it’s getting statewide coverage.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Five years ago as I packed my belongings to move from a large house into a small apartment, I counted over one hundred nativity sets. Good grief. My movers were undocumented refugees from El Salvador and belonged to a local Christian church. When I asked how many families were in their congregation the men shrugged their shoulders but their wives knew. I quickly was able to unload thirty sets. They were delighted, and I was happy too.

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.