Hood River Library Gets a Giant Boost This is what I blogged in early January: On July 1, 2010, the Hood River County Libary was closed indefinitely when a ballot measure to fund the library failed. But in true Hood River style, the community banded together and got a new measure placed on the November, 2010 ballot and it passed. Of course, the measure provides funds from property taxes, which won't be available until November, 2011. Our stalwart community wasn't about to let that little detail hinder it! Through the tireless work of so many people, the library will be opening on a limited basis this summer, supported by private donations and grants. An Update on March 11th: The Friends of the Library Committee was notified that it will receive the Meyer Memorial Trust's $61,000 grant w... 03/20/2011

Speechless Sunday - Downtown Hood River Home Bursts With Color I drive by this home all the time... finally stopped to take a picture   If you are looking to sell or purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309.   03/20/2011

Friday's Photo - Hood River Winter Orchard A Winter orchard in the Pine Grove area of Hood River If you are looking to sell or purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309.   03/18/2011

Hood River Skate Park... That's How We Roll! It's no mistake that Hood River boasts a completely awesome skate park right in the middle of town. Our region is a mecca for outdoor sports, from skiing, to windsurfing, paddleboarding, hiking, biking etc., so building a skate park was pretty much a no-brainer. In 1996, the City, the Hood River Rotary, other civic groups and strong volunteer groups joined the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District to build and open the first phase of a skate park.  Then, the skate park expanded in 2009 to include a BMX track, permanent restrooms, a playground area, as well as additional skating elements, like a huge bowl and some covered skating areas. There is also a nine hole disc golf course now, starting at the corner of 20th and Wasco and desce... 03/14/2011

Why Should FSBO Sellers Choose ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com? The other night I prepared a blog post when a ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com client successfully completed selling 914 Sherman Ave in Hood River. Each time a client closes a transaction we do a similar posting. This blog was a bit different though due to a comment we received from a real estate agent in Louisiana. The tone of the comment was negative as he questioned the value of the services provided by ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com or anyone who was not a real estate agent/broker.  As I prepared a reply to his comment, I realized I should answer his question in a blog.  His question was "Why should FSBO Sellers Choose ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com? First, let's address one reason why FSBO sellers are not using real estate agents/brokers. The primary reason... 03/13/2011

Another ColumbiaGorgeFSBO Home Sold  - 914 Sherman Ave, Hood River, OR 97031         If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309. 03/11/2011

Hood River Valley Middle School Track Starts Next Week Our sixth grade son will be starting practices on the Middle School track team next week. The Middle School Track Program will begin at Hood River Middle School, March 14, 2011 and Wy'east Middle School, March 15, 2011. All boys and girls, grades 6-8 can participate! Middle School Track will be $65 and includes personal training with volunteer coaches from the community: Parents, teachers and members of the new Hood River Running, Track and Field Club. Former US Olympians who live in Hood River will speak to athletes in small groups about how to be successful, not only in athletics, but as future citizens of our community. Teams will practice separately, but will compete as one team in meets. Competitions will be in the Mt Hood Midd... 03/08/2011

You'll Fall Right Into Love With This Guy Champ is a 12 year old American Eskimo, neutered male dog. His owners need to travel and felt Champ was no longer getting the attention he deserves. Champ has been an outdoor dog most of his life, but he's ready to move inside! He's good with the family cats and other little dogs, but not so friendly to possums and raccoons and sometimes challenges new big dogs. Although he's dealing with typical old age related issues (cataracts, lumps and bumps, and some arthritis in his hips), he is good spirits and, per his last vet visit, the vet reports he is in good health. He probably is past the point of wanting to be around very active kids, but he'll likely make a nice companion dog for somebody willing to give him a little attention. The current owne... 03/06/2011

Happy Days in Hood River, Oregon! - Friday Fotos This is one of my favorite shots of our son, Ben, and "Nana". Hood River is the background.    If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309.   03/04/2011

Hood River County Little League Tryouts! The Parkdale/Odell, Oregon Little League tryouts for Minors and Majors teams were held last night, March 2nd at Mid-Valley Elementary. Every child will make it onto a team... the tryouts are held in an attempt to level out the teams and to determine if the child will play Minors or Majors. I know our son felt so good to get out and play a little baseball, which also means spring is just around the corner. Spring and baseball... like peanut butter and jelly! One last set of tryouts will be held next week... check the Little League website for details. Team coaches will be contacting each member of his team to let each know where he'll be playing, then practices begin the first week of April. Games start two weeks after that, so come out and suppor... 03/03/2011

Another Victim of the Economy Last night we got the sad news that the school board agreed to back Hood River County School District Superintendant's recommendation to close Pine Grove Elementary School. The closure comes after the announcement several weeks ago that the school district budget came up $3.5 million short. For a little school district, that's huge. Pine Grove is the smallest of the elementary schools in the district, while Mid-Valley Elementary school is currently not filled to capacity. Pine Grove students will be moved to Mid-Valley next September. While the closure is not written in stone yet, the recommendation makes a reversal unlikely. Of course, the closure is only one of many budget cuts, but it's the closest to my heart, as I work at Pine Grove in Special Educatio... 02/25/2011

Time To Take A Dip? With the weather cold and dreary, with snow on the way, now is a perfect time to hit Hood River's indoor pool. The Hood River Aquatic Center offers lots of "Open Swim" times, daily, as well as additional "Lap" time, swimming lessons, team practice and even kyaking practice time. The main pool is huge and warm, while a smaller, "Therapy" pool is more shallow and even warmer. For the really little ones, there's even a wading pool with fountains. The main pool has a twisting slide, a rope swing and even a zip line, sure to entertain even the most rambunctious kiddos.   If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and ... 02/22/2011

A Super Gal, Looking For Love: Introducing VAL "Val" is very friendly and will win your heart the minute you meet her. She is currently being offered through the Hood River Adopt-A-Dog program at the Hukari Animal Shelter in Hood River, Oregon. Val is a very sweet little female Dachshund mix. We are treating her for a bad rash over most of her body that must be uncomfortable, but that doesn't stop her from being as charming as can be! She's very friendly and will win your heart the minute you meet her! You can meet Val in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River OR 97031. 541-354-1083. Adoption hours are Wed 5-7 & Sat 9-11. Cash or check only, please. You can download an application at our website: http://www.hoodriveradoptadog.org/, and fax your application to 1-877... 02/20/2011

WyEast Middle School Wrestling: The fight goes strong The WyEast Middle School Wrestling team continued their season this afternoon, facing Estacada at WyEast. WyEast put up a good fight, but lost the meet in the end. We're still so proud of all these young men who truly give it their all. It's a rebuilding year, so we look forward to the team gaining experience and becoming truly formidable in the next year or two. It's such a great program and the coaches are amazing.     If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  ... 02/17/2011

Hood River, Small Town USA Of course, no photo can do justice to downtown Hood River, but below is my attempt. The streets are lined with charming cafes and shops, inviting one to linger, especially on a nice, sunny day. I want to be a tourist visiting here. I want to stay in a charming bed and breakfast, walk to a sidewalk cafe for breakfast, watch kiteboards rise over the great Columbia River. Then I'd shop. And shop and shop. After which I would just have to unwind with a massage at a spa. Then maybe I'd go hiking, swimming or take a ride on the Mt. Hood Train. Maybe I'd browse a couple galleries or taste some local wine. Did I mention I would shop? One of the hardest parts would be choosing among the amazing restaurants for dinner. Oh, to be a tourist, experiencing Hood River for th... 02/15/2011

Another ColumbiaGorgeFSBO Home Sale Pending  - 914 Sherman Ave, Hood River, OR 97031       If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309. 02/13/2011

Mt Hood Spring 2010 - From the Westside of Hood RiverSpring 2011 - Just Around The Corner     If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309. 02/13/2011

Friday Fotos - Mt Hood Cloudcap Sunset If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309. 02/11/2011

Hood River Aquatic Center - Patron Appreciation Breakfast The Hood River Aquatic Center is one of our family's favorite "hang outs". We often swim on Saturdays and spent A LOT of last summer there, as both our boys joined the Hood River Valley Swim Team. Unfortunately, the team's schdule didn't work out with our kids' schedule once school started again. But we continue to swim for the fun of it. The Hood River Parks and Recreation Department will host their Annual Patron Appreciation Pancake Breakfast at Hood River pool, February 15, 7:45-10 a.m. in the party room. Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District will serve free pancakes and juice to say thank you to all the people that make the community a special place to live and work.   If you are looking to purchase a home in the Co... 02/07/2011

Speechless Sunday - Hood River's Full Sail Brewery Pale Ale Not just for the Super Bowl     If you are looking to purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Home and Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers.  Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!.  Call us at 541-716-4254 or 509-540-1309. 02/06/2011