“Far too many of our neighbors continue to struggle to afford the cost of housing in Hood River and surrounding areas. We’re anxious to advance our efforts at Rand Rd. and bring this important affordable housing development to a  reality for our community,” said Joel Madsen, Executive Director of Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation.

Columbia Gorge Community College distributed 75 Dell laptops to 10 public libraries in the college’s service area thanks to funding from the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

In this edition of her column Living Well, Donna Henderson, LCSW, psychotherapist, artist and writer based in Maupin, South Wasco County shares the downlow on how shame might be holding you back from success and tips on how to set successful New Year’s Resolutions.

Goldendale City Council approved $1,700 in tourism funding for Goldendale’s 3rd annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration which has drawn hundreds of people from around the region two years in a row. But not before one councilor called the Pride event an attempt to erode and destroy traditional values and morals. 

I hit 183 pounds this winter, and I thought a fight with my stomach might help me out. Well, kinda. But I’m still 183 pounds. Oh, and 5’5. I lost a few inches over the years. It got me thinking. Not about the extra weight, but why?  I came up with this, Move. It’s my one-word anthem for the year - move. Anyways, the thought prompted this question of the week as we are six days into the new year. What is your focus for 2023? In one word. 

— 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.

The shelter will operate Thursday-Monday, check in time is from 6-8 p.m.

Comedy, music, a fundraiser for a friend. It’s all happening in the Gorge. Check out our latest listings here.

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.

Winter sports are underway at The Dalles High School. Senior Wrestler Maisie Bandel Ramirez won the 130 lb. title at Girls Pendleton Red Lion Invitational on the December 21st and TDHS’s girls and boys varsity basketball teams both won their games against Pendleton yesterday, January 4th.

Another move downtown has the commercial district shaking. The Salvation Army is headed east to a leased building on Second Street and their old digs are up for sale for $1.65 million. The 0.29-acre lot with 24,000 square feet of building space and 10,000 square feet of parking provides a lot of potential to a would-be investor. Housing, restaurants, food carts? Who knows. Time will tell.

Welcome the new year by checking out the newly soft-opened Hot Wok Roadhouse Restaurant and Lounge located at 600 State Street in Lyle, WA. 

Nancy Turner, local hiker and columnist shares a lesson in the proper use the words “further” and “farther” on the trail.

A driver who fell asleep at the wheel on New Year’s Day drove a Subaru Forrester through a brick wall and into two different rooms at Spencer, Libby & Powell at 1100 Kelly Avenue in The Dalles. In an AAA survey, nearly all drivers say that drowsy driving is a serious safety threat, yet 3 out of 10 respondents admitted to driving when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open on at least one occasion in the past month.

Justin Moore is stoked with his new role as Executive Chef at the Last Stop Saloon. He said he gained his passion for cooking from his father, Jeffrey Clyde Moore as their large family played host to large family gatherings over the years. Moore was most recently working at the Baldwin Saloon before its closure last fall.

The Four Rivers Early Learning Hub is excited to announce its new Director, Shira Skybinskyy. Shira has served as Interim Director since July 2022 and was named Director of Four Rivers Early Learning Hub last month.

Community Advisory members and the North Wasco County School District in The Dalles met for the fourth time on Wednesday, Dec. 14 as they consider building a new high school to replace the current 1940 facility. 

The discussions have been ongoing since June as community stakeholders advise the School District on the matter of a bond measure for school facilities.

There are some tough decisions to make.  

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. 

It’s time to blow the doors off 2023. Jim Drake gives us a nice little tour of what is happening in the Gorge to ring in the new year. Check out the shows and parties coming up this Saturday, Dec. 31.