Colleen Bergsma

It's that time again! Home At Last's annual Bone Soup fundraiser has been transformed this year into an elegant evening of gourmet soups, dancing and silent and oral auctions. Saturday February 4,th 2012 at The Dalles Civic Auditorium, The Dalles, Oregon

Don't miss it!

It's fun, it's fancy, it's for the animals!

See you there!

Colleen

Not familiar with The Dalles? The Dalles, Oregon is a small rural town steeped in history, 80 miles East of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. It has been a meeting place for native tribes of the Northwest for over 10,000 years. Lewis & Clark camped here and it is on the Oregon Trail. The Dalles sits right on the Columbia River, the border between Oregon and Washington, 20 miles East of Hood River, one of the windsurfing/kiteboarding capitals of the world. We're one to 3 hours away from mountain climbing on Mt. Hood, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, shopping and dining in Portland or walking the Pacific Coast Beaches. Google has a large data center here, next to the Columbia River to access its cooling water supply. Real Estate in The Dalles is scenic and varied. There are lots of wonderful, affordable homes for sale in The Dalles, contact me for info - and join us on Facebook at Colleen Bergsma Real Estate!

"Take another road to a higher place" Jimmy Buffett. It was one of calmest days in the Gorge when we decided to take a favorite drive over Dalles Mountain Road and have a picnic. Just past The Dalles Bridge into Washington, Dalles Mountain Road climbs up over the Klickitat Hills unveiling some of the best views of the area you will ever see. There are sweeping river and mountain views but also many scenic old abandoned farmhouses. We have often picniced at the Centerville School grounds with the large lawn for strolling next to the tiny antique church. Today we stopped by but had chosen another spot to picnic.

We saw more and more windmills in that Goldendale/Centerville area of Washington, many right down to the houses and the roads. We made the loop from Dalles Mountain Road through Centerville and onto 97, then down to Highway 14, past Maryhill Museum (more on that next week - it's time for the Art Festival there!) and stopped in at Maryhill Winery. There was a gentle breeze on the patio so we pulled out the picnic and had a bottle of rose' in the latticed shade. The amphitheatre was quiet then but was really jumping last Saturday night for the Yes and Styx concert so I've included pics of both.

We drove back to The Dalles along Hwy 14, past Avery Island and some great views of Mt. Hood, then over the bridge back to Oregon! It is a beautiful drive, give it a try!

Colleen

Not familiar with The Dalles? The Dalles, Oregon is a small rural town steeped in history, 80 miles East of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. It has been a meeting place for native tribes of the Northwest for over 10,000 years. Lewis & Clark camped here and it is on the Oregon Trail. The Dalles sits right on the Columbia River, the border between Oregon and Washington, 20 miles East of Hood River, one of the windsurfing/kiteboarding capitals of the world. We're one to 3 hours away from mountain climbing on Mt. Hood, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, shopping and dining in Portland or walking the Pacific Coast Beaches. Google has a large data center here, next to the Columbia River to access its cooling water supply. Real Estate in The Dalles is scenic and varied. There are lots of wonderful, affordable homes for sale in The Dalles, contact me for info - and join us on Facebook at Colleen Bergsma Real Estate!

It was one of the great days in The Dalles when we stopped by the Farmer's Market this morning, sunny and warm but not hot and NO WIND! We'd just finished a wonderful walk along the river on Riverfront Trail and decided to see what the market was offering. Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with farm fresh eggs and straight from the farm lamb, chicken an beef. There were interesting crafts too as well as fresh baked goods. You can visit the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning this summer from 8AM to 1PM in the City Park at 5th and Union Streets.

Today is also the kickoff for 10 days of activities for Fort Dalles Rodeo so there were lots of people out and about. Don't miss Jammin' July downtown this evening starting at 5pm. Lots of music, crafts and food there too!

Maybe we'll see you there,

Colleen

Not familiar with The Dalles? The Dalles, Oregon is a small rural town steeped in history, 80 miles East of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. It has been a meeting place for native tribes of the Northwest for over 10,000 years. Lewis & Clark camped here and it is on the Oregon Trail. The Dalles sits right on the Columbia River, the border between Oregon and Washington, 20 miles East of Hood River, one of the windsurfing/kiteboarding capitals of the world. We're one to 3 hours away from mountain climbing on Mt. Hood, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, shopping and dining in Portland or walking the Pacific Coast Beaches. Google has a large data center here, next to the Columbia River to access its cooling water supply. Real Estate in The Dalles is scenic and varied. There are lots of wonderful, affordable homes for sale in The Dalles, contact me for info - and join us on Facebook at Colleen Bergsma Real Estate!

There will be plenty of action this weekend at the Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles, Oregon. This year's schedule of events features many new activities and sponsorships. Here is a sampling:

Rivermark Community Credit Union's NEW Children and Family Center features Bouncy Houses,
the Natonal Guard's Climbing Wall, OMSI Children's Center and Renken Farms Petting Zoo.

The annual Parade, this year's theme, Cherry Groove, sponsored by Bob Stone Freeway Auto Center is Saturday April 9th at 11AM. Grand Marshals are former mayor Robb Van Cleave and his wife Lisa. The Cherry Groove theme poster (see left) was desiged by Artist Joy Tigges of The Dalles.

The NEW Wasco County Farm Bureau Ag Fest will be held at the Civic Auditorium Saturday from noon to 5PM, featuring local farmers and orchardists and ag related businesses.

First ever Juried Art Show will be held at Westwind Frame and Gallery at 412 E. 2nd St.

The Lone Pine Village Vendor Market will be located on East Fourth Street, featuring local and regional vendors . In the center of the market, check out the great music at The Entertainment Stage featuring Hit Machine, Escapade and Joe Stoddard on Saturday from 11AM to 5PM

Rogue Ales is sponsoring the Hospitality Garden at the Entertainment Stage. Their ales feature barley gown in Wasco County!

The annual Classic Car Show sponsored by KODL has moved to Saturday in downtown The Dalles.

Sunday is the St Mary's Academy"s 7th annual "Cherry of a Ride" offering many scenic options for bicycling throughout the area.

So visit the Columbia River Gorge this weekend for this great event! Not familiar with The Dalles? The Dalles, Oregon is a small rural town steeped in history, 80 miles East of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. It has been a meeting place for native tribes of the Northwest for over 10,000 years. Lewis & Clark camped here and it is on the Oregon Trail. The Dalles sits right on the Columbia River, the border between Oregon and Washington, 20 miles East of Hood River, one of the windsurfing/kiteboarding capitals of the world. We're one to 3 hours away from mountain climbing on Mt. Hood, white-water rafting on the Deschutes River, shopping and dining in Portland or walking the Pacific Coast Beaches. Google has a large data center here, next to the Columbia River to access its cooling water supply. Real Estate in The Dalles is scenic and varied. There are lots of wonderful, affordable homes for sale in The Dalles, contact me for info - and join us on Facebook at Colleen Bergsma Real Estate!

The Warming Place has recently opened in The Dalles, Oregon. The purpose of the Warming Place is to give homeless people in the city a warm place to sleep during the cold weather. It is located at 315 W. 3rd Street, home of the St Vincent DePaul Community Meals. The site will open when temps go below 28 degrees or when there are heavy winds or snow.

When the site is open, hours will be 7pm to 7 am. Doors will lock at 9pm and no one else will be allowed in that evening. An "open" flag will be posted and the local media, police and other agencies will be notified on days the Warming Place is open. No meals are provided but coffee will sometimes be available. Patrons can leave at any time but cannot return that night.

The Warming Place started with 11 vinyl covered mats to soften the floor and 50 blankets which, when given, then belong to the recipient. The space has a capacity of 58 which organizers feel is adequate for The Dalles. The site is primarily for adults, if a family with children needs shelter, other arrangements will be made. Volunteers man the site, many from local churches and service groups.

According to Mike Kilkenny, Chairman of the St. Vincent Paul board, "It was open for a week in November and everything went well, normal start up issues to work through." Mike says they did hire a person to clean in the morning so the volunteers won't have to do as much in the mornings prior to leaving for the day but they can always use new volunteers!