Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
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.
“My husband Nathan and I started decorating the year we purchased our home (2003),” said Nancy Hansen. “We started out with a lot of inflatables and then slowly moved to what you see today in our yard and part of our neighbor’s yard. (Yes, part of what’s in her yard we do for her since we had extras, and she loves it. She added the snowman this year.)”
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.
Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association (MCCCA), is proud to bring back by popular demand, the ninth Annual Dancing With The Gorge Stars competition on January 13th, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the The Dalles High School auditorium.
Donna Henderson, LCSW, psychotherapist, artist and writer based in Maupin, South Wasco County shares tips on navigating the holidays after loss.
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.
For years, our columnist Sarah Cook and her partner have made popcorn and hot chocolate hopped in their tiny Subaru, put on All Classical Portland, and driven around The Dalles as they pretended to assign trophies to the most spectacularly decorated houses. This year Sarah is handing out accolades in CCCNews with four awards. First up: Best Tree goes to the Hutesons.
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.
