The Skylight Theatre in Hood River Presents FREE Christmas Movies!     Now that the kids are out of school for Winter Break, take them to free Christmas movies all next week in Hood River. Starting on December 19th at noon, the Skylight will show "The Santa Clause", followed by "The Polar Express" the next day.  Then the two movies will alternate days through the 24th. Get out of the house and get into the Christmas spirit and all for FREE. You can't beat that deal! Located at 107 Oak Street, Hood River.       12/17/2011

  Speechless Sunday - The Duck in Hood River... The Season For Giving   "The Duck" is a clothing store in downtown Hood River offering clothing and accessories for the whole family. The store is located in a classic Victorian home built in 1893, but dressed up for the holidays, it becomes downright magical. For more information, visit The Duck Website. Located at 504 Oak Street.       12/11/2011

  Speechless Sunday - Oak Street Hotel All Decked Out For Christmas   The Oak Street Hotel is a classic Victorian hotel in downtown Hood River and they really go all out decorating for the holidays. Built in 1909, the hotel has been impeccably restored to its former glory and is situated in the heart of downtown, walking distance to shopping, galleries and restaurants. For more information, visit the Oak Street Hotel Website. 610 Oak Street, Hood River.       12/11/2011

  If An Older Lady Is Your Style... Meet Sandy!   This sweet lady finds herself at the shelter later in her life as her owner's living situation changed and she had to be given up. Sandy is about 11 years old, about 15 pounds and an AKC registered poodle. She is very smart, playful and bouncy. Sandy has lots of tricks in her repetoire, loves to go for walks and is quite the cuddler. The only signs of her age is the need for a good dental cleaning and the possible start of a cataract in one eye. She is still full of energy and is in great health. She is, of course, completely house-trained, up to date on her shots and spayed. She has lived with other dogs, cats, and birds, but she'd probably be happier not having to put up with the shenanigans of young whipper-snapper dogs or high-energy... 12/10/2011

  Friday's Foto - Ready To Ring In The Holidays   This is our 11-year-old son, Ben, in his Christmas hat and Gretchen's chihuahua, Jessa, in her new Christmas dress, ready to head to the Hood River Christmas Parade last Friday. We just love this time of year and I think Ben's eyes are just shining with anticipation. Jessa seems to be thinking "Can we just get this over with?"   12/09/2011

  Good News Gardening Helps Dress Up The Holidays   Preparing for the holidays brought another visit to our favorite Hood River nursery, Good News Gardening. Offering a huge variety of fresh Christmas trees, the nursery brings in fresh trees weekly in every shape and size imaginable. They even offer local delivery of trees up to 12 feet tall. Be sure to browse their other decorating items and ideas to help deck out your house. Nursery Hours: Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sun: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden Cafe Hours: Everyday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1086 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon   12/08/2011

  Last Chance Holiday Bazaar! This Weekend At The Hood River County Fairgrounds   Just in time to finish up that Holiday shopping and decorating, the Hood River County Fairgrounds is hosting its annual Last Chance Holiday Bazaar. This Saturday and Sunday, December 10th and 11th, from 10 to 4, shop local vendors for handmade arts & crafts, other gifts, baked goods, fruit, jewelry, decorations etc. Also indulge in yummy food and wine tasting of local offerings. Parking and admission are free. The variety is huge and there is sure to be something to fit everyone's need! 12/08/2011

  Just Raring For Fun & A Family To Love... Meet Buzz!   The folks at the shelter named this little guy Buzz because he is always ready to "fly into infitity and beyond". He is really fast and lots and lots of fun. He could just play all day. He's very loyal, cuddly and would make a great companion. And have you taken a look at that face? How adorable is he?! Buzz is about two years old, a chihuahua mix, is completely housetrained, has all his shots, is neutered and microchipped. He is so ready to go! Buzz's adoption fee is just $180, cash or check only, please. Wouldn't you just love to travel to the Hukari Animal Shelter in Odell at 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River OR 97031 to meet Buzz? He is so worth the drive and would love to show off for you! Call the shelter for more information 541-35... 12/04/2011

  Speechless Sunday - "Bella Bliss" in Hood River, All Dressed Up For Christmas   Bella Bliss is a beautiful little store in downtown Hood River and when I passed by on Friday night, I loved their Christmas decorations so just had to take a picture. Bella Bliss is a wedding planner and wedding supply store, located at 311 Oak Street, Hood River.     12/04/2011

  Hood River's Christmas Parade Rings In The Holidays In Style!   Last night, Friday December 2nd, was Hood River's annual Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony. The weather cooperated by being clear and wind-free, the temperature a "balmy" 35 degrees. Local groups and businesses particpated as hundreds in the community lined Oak Street to watch. Small towns just seem to offer an especially "homey" feel and as carols blared and lights twinkled, it truly felt like the holidays had officially arrived. I must say my favorite was the alpacas... I don't know, I just always get a kick out of them. I also like the Grinch, although my photo of him was blurry. Following are more of the highlights:                 12/03/2011

  It's A Holiday Storytime & Candy Cane Hunt In Hood River   Little ones will love to ring in the holidays with this special holiday storytime and candy cane hunt at the Hood River Library. Please join us on December 3rd, at 2 p.m. at the library, located at: 502 State Street, Hood River. After the hunt enjoy hot cocoa and special prizes for extra lucky searchers. The library offers regular preschool storytimes weekly on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. The Hood River Community is pleased to have the Hood River Library back open since this summer after previously being closed for lack of funding. Hood River county voters elected in November of 2010 to reopen the library and the "Friends of the Library" was formed to continue funding and staffing efforts. For information and operating hours, visi... 11/27/2011

  See Santa In Hood River At The Hood River Hotel  Visit with Santa himself every afternoon from 11 to 3 p.m. December 3rd through the 17th at the Hood River Hotel. Then, while you're there enjoy a fresh, gourmet lunch or dinner, or better yet, check in a for a quick getaway. This year, the Hood River Hotel celebrated its 100th year in Hood River. The hotel has been lovingly restored so it just oozes old world charm, but with all the modern amenities it should have. Located in the heart of downtown Hood River, the hotel is central to restaurants, shopping, galleries and wine tasting. 102 Oak Street, Hood River.   11/27/2011

  His Name Says It All... Meet Sweet William     This little guy may be just about the sweetest guy you'll ever meet. Just a baby at only seven weeks old, this tiny chihuahua mix could cuddle all day long. He's also a true puppy and wants to play and play and play. He's a little slow to join the fun as he watches his siblings first, but then when he sees all is safe he joins right in. Sweet William needs a home where he can be taught the discipline he needs, proper puppy manners and where he can use up that puppy energy. Sweet William is current on his shots and is microchipped, but he's too young to be neutered yet.   The fee to adopt this sweetie is $180 plus neuter deposit, cash or check only, please. Please call ahead to meet Sweet William in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 ... 11/26/2011

    Ring In The Holidays At Hood River's Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony       It's a tradition in Hood River that is worth joining. Gather with the rest of the Hood River Valley community on Friday, December 2nd at 5:00 p.m. for Hood River's annual Holiday Parade along Main Street (Oak Street) in Hood River.   Then follow the parade to State Street where the town's Christmas tree will be lit, officially ringing in the season.   Afterwards, be sure to browse the shops and galleries on Main Street to see the lights and decorations and indulge in a little holiday shopping. Taste a little wine, view some art or try out one of Hood River's many great restaurants.             11/23/2011

  Friday's Foto - The Hood River As It Reaches The Town Of Hood River   I took this photo this afternoon from Highway 35 of the Hood River as it reaches the town of Hood River at Bridge Street. There is still some fall color left and a dusting of snow on the hills across the Columbia. The snow level is supposed to get down to almost sea level tonight so the town of Hood River itself should get its own dusting of snow tonight.   11/18/2011

  Speechless Sunday - A Tree On Fire! Autumn At Its Best   I actually found this photo among some pictures I shot a couple weeks ago, but thought it was so vivid I wanted to share it anyway. Around here, colors like these are pretty much gone as autumn moves into winter. The higher elevations of the Hood River Valley even got its first dusting of snow yesterday morning.       11/06/2011

  Hood River Middle School Presents... Warren Miller's "Like There's No Tomorrow"     Don't miss the premiere of Warren Miller's 2011 ski film, "Like There's No Tomorrow", 4 p.m., Sunday night at Hood River Middle School.  The showing is a fundraiser for the middle school and the Hood River School District Community Education. The film features athletes like Jes McMillan, Daron Rahlves and Steve Nyman around the world to places including India, Chile and New Zealand. In addition to the film, there will be prizes and swag, courtesy of sponsor Doug's Sports. Tickets are $11 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Other sponsors include Mt. Hood Meadows and Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital.           11/05/2011

  Bring Home This Curious Baby... Meet Kate the Great!   The shelter has nicknamed this little dynamo "Kate the Great" and with good reason. Kate is curious and brave, always the first to check out something new and she's ready for whatever adventure is ahead. Just seven weeks old, this chihuahua baby knows how to have fun and is also just as sweet as can be. A true puppy, Kate has lots of enegy and needs lots of lessons on manners and is only just starting housetraining. She's going to need some patience and a firm, but loving hand. She's not spayed yet as she is still too young, but she's up to date on her shots and is microchipped. The fee to adopt Kate is $200, cash or check only, please. Please call ahead to meet Kate in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River ... 11/05/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Trick Or Treating Main Street In Hood River   Mel, our boys and I spent Halloween trick-or-treating Main Street in Hood River. It's such an awesome event... they close the street off, everyone comes and it's like a huge block party. The businesses that line the street lavish the kids with candy and there is every sort of costume you could imagine, on kids, adults and dogs alike. Gotta love holidays in small towns!       11/02/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Such A Sweet Little Witch!   This is Jessa, my sweet little chihuahua, all dressed up as a witch on Halloween. She was quite the hit at trick-or-treating down in Hood River on Main Street. She was also far from the only pup dressed up and hitting the street! I saw a pumpkin, bumblebee, cow etc. Note: This is Gretchen writing... Mel wouldn't want anyone thinking he'd dress up my girl!       11/02/2011