For a Fun & Sweet Addition... Meet Sparky!   If you're looking for a fun addition to your family... Sparky is the one!  Still just a puppy at 10 months old, Sparky is a Chihuahua mix and loves to romp and play the day away, but also loves to settle down and cuddle. He is also very gentle and sweet and just needs the right family and love. Sparky is current on his shots and is microchipped, while he is scheduled to be neutered next week. The fee to adopt this snuggly charmer is $180, plus neuter deposit, cash or check only, please. You can meet Sparky in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River OR 97031. Call the shelter for more information 541-354-1083. Adoption hours are Wed 5-7 & Sat 9-11. You can download an application at: www.hoodriveradoptadog.org. You can f... 10/30/2011

  Visit Your Nearest Hood River Valley Pumpkin Patch   It's easy enough now days to pick up your Halloween pumpkins at your nearest grocery store or even Walmart, but around here, there's nothing quite like visiting a local pumpkin patch. Our favorite is at Rasmussen Farms because they not only have acres of pumpkins, but decorative gourds of all kinds, corn, fruit, jams, and the list goes on. They also have a hilarious, whimsical fairy tale display of scenes made out of gourds and pumpkins. And their corn maze is not to be missed. Open now, until November 11th, Pumpkin Funland at Rasumussen Farms is located at 3020 Thomsen Road, just five miles south of the town of Hood River. The Hood River Valley Fruit Loop is a tour of the region's fruit stands, which includes lots of other great sp... 10/27/2011

  Speechless Sunday - Autumn on Whiskey Creek Road   This is one of my favorite roads around Hood River and it's never prettier than in the autumn. I took this photo on Whiskey Creek Road, just off Highway 35, this morning and I love the mix of autumn and green colors, as well as the early morning light. Hood River is such a beautiful area any time of year. I never get tired of the views!   10/23/2011

  Hood River Fire Department Presents Its Annual Haunted House   For two frightening evenings only, the Hood River Fire Department presents it's annual haunted house. Don't miss the thrills and chills on Saturday, October 29th and Monday, October 31st, from dusk to 10 p.m. Located at 921 12 Street, Hood River, in the haunted E & L Building. There is a $5 suggested donation per visitor and all proceeds will benefit the local chapter of the Muscular Dystophy Association. Come! If You DARE!               10/23/2011

  Speechless Sunday - One Last Football Shot As The 2011 Season Ends   The Hood River Middle School/Wyeast 7th grade football team ended their 2011 season on Friday with a heartbreaking loss to The Dalles. But, as this photo demonstrates, the team fought hard and ended the season with dignity and grace. Thanks for all your hard work this year... you guys rock!   10/23/2011

  Hood River Middle School Teaches Environmental Sustainability... Hands On!   In 2010, the Hood River Middle School greenhouse and science & music building opened. Built for $1.6 million, the new structure is the envy of the state and a role model for buildings of the future. The 6,300 square foot building is completely self-contained and powered by the massive solar panels on it's roof and includes a complex irrigations system gathered from rainwater and which waters the gardens and supplies the building's sinks and toilets. Many of the building materials were salvaged from older, collapsing buildings, demonstrating that what is old can be made new again. Then, there are the gardens and greenhouse. An obvious function is to feed the community, while providing an unending source of hea... 10/23/2011

  Sweet & Charming, This Older Lady Needs You... Meet Mandy!   Mandy is a mature 13 years old, but is still pretty playful and endlessly charming. She just may be the sweetest gal you'll ever meet and would make a perfect older companion to anyone. At a very small six pounds, she's easy to take anywhere. Mandy especially enjoys watching the world pass by her window and she can't get enough of riding in the car where she has perfect manners. For an older gal, Mandy is quite healthy, although does require a special diet and regular grooming as her hair gets long and matted. Mandy is house trained, current on shots, spayed and microchipped. She is currently in a foster home, so call ahead to see her. The fee to adopt this little angel is $80, cash or check only, please.  See her in Odell a... 10/22/2011

  CALLING ALL HEROS! Hood River Fire Is Now Accepting Applications For Volunteer Firefighters   When you live in a small town, the volunteer fire department is the heart and soul of the community. Not only do they protect us all and save our homes in case of a fire, but they are made up the most trustworthy and sturdy of our citizens. Everyone has a friend in the department. These are guys who have day jobs, they are teachers, waitresses, businessmen, loggers etc., but are on call at all times to leave at a moment's notice to fight a fire, go to the scene of an accident or administer first aid. They also take part in charity drives, community barbeques, parades etc. And now the department is in need of more firefighters. This is a calling that is near and dear to my heart, as my father ... 10/21/2011

  Friday's Foto - Sam's Football Team At Season's End   Our son, Sam, plays on the Hood River/Wyeast Middle School's 7th grade football team. Their last game of the season was last night and it was a heartbreaking end to a difficult season. They lost the game to The Dalles by one touchdown and their quarterback's helmut landed LITERALLY one foot from the end zone on that last tackle. One foot and they could have tied up the game. But they played hard and were great sports so we're endlessly proud of them. Sam's on the front row, second from the left.   10/21/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Sunset on Mt. Adams   I took this photo at Ben's football practice last night at Hood River Valley High School. We're ending practices by 6:30 these days as it's pretty dark by then, a sure sign fall is well underway. The football post-season ends this weekend with the playoffs in White Salmon, Washington.     10/19/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Autumn Colors Begin In Hood River   I took this photo yesterday on my way into work at Hood River Middle School. Although colors have been vivid in the higher elevations for a couple weeks now, in Hood River, leaves are just starting to turn. I also like this picture because it may be one of the very last sunny days we'll see this fall.       10/19/2011

  Be Prepared To Lose Your Heart To This Guy... Meet Fargo!   This sweet guy can't quite figure out how he ended up at the pound and is pretty sad about it. All he wants is someone to love! Don't you just want to hug him?! Fargo is around two years old and is so sweet all the volunteers at the shelter have fallen for him big time.  Fargo is painfully shy and quiet so meeting new people is not his thing, but he's quick to warm up to gentle, caring folks then is content to snuggle the day away. He is probably a chihuahua mix, is neutered, current on on his shots and is microchipped.  He also just got into a foster home, so please call ahead to meet Fargo in Odell at the Hukari Animal Shelter 3910 Heron Dr, Hood River OR 97031. Call the shelter for more information 541-354-1083. Adoption h... 10/15/2011

  Arts & Crafts In Hood River For Harvest Fest 2011   Hood River Valley Harvest Festival is going on all weekend in Hood River. It's the perfect time of year to tour the valley, see the fall colors, taste local wine and stock up on fresh fall fruit. And while you're at it be sure to check out the Arts & Crafts at the Hood River Valley Fairgrounds. The fair boasts a huge variety of handmade goods from baked goods, to jewelry, quilts, clothing, decor, Christmas fares, pottery and so on. There is also an abundance of fruit available, as well as lots of bulbs and plants for fall planting. Don't miss the best of what the valley has to offer. The festival continues through tomorrow, Sunday, through the valley.           10/15/2011

  Friday's Foto - Autumn Sunflowers   I took this photo in the community garden near Mel's office in Hood River. There are a lot of apartments in the area, so the town provides small family plots to grow fresh veggies and flowers, right in the heart of town. Sunflowers are just so very autumn to me... I love the color!   10/14/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Over the Hood River   I took this photo driving home the other day. The bridge crosses the Hood River, on Tucker Road, about 5 miles south of the town of Hood River.  Leaves are just starting to turn colors and the rain has set in, true signs that autumn is here. I also love this old concrete bridge, which I've posted photos of before.       10/12/2011

  Wordless Wednesday - Rainbow Gazing, Part 2   I guess it's that time of year... lots of rain is arriving, so lots of rainbows come along, too. I took this photo last night at our son Ben's football practice at Hood River High School. Rainbows are supposed to symbolize the end of the rain, but it continued to pour through practice, a detail the players didn't seem to mind a bit. Even to this mom, somehow, football in the rain and mud just seems so very autumn.   10/12/2011

  Speechless Sunday - Fall Decorating Is All In The Details   We stopped by the Good News Gardening nursery in Hood River yesterday and I loved their autumn displays. This photo shows the vivid colors, shapes and textures of fall... you can almost smell the sauteeing squash and baking pumpkin pie. And there's a little Halloween whimsy thrown in for fun.   10/09/2011

  This Older Lady Makes A Great Companion... Meet Sheeba!   What a great opportunity for someone who just doesn't have the energy for a puppy. Sheeba is an older lady, maybe 7 years old, and is what you'd expect with age... calm, well-mannered, loveable and so sweet. She's very loyal and fun and arrived at the shelter with her best friend, Theo, a standard poodle. They were surrendered to the shelter as their owner didn't have the time to give them that they deserve. Consequently, Sheeba is a bit over weight and needs a new owner who can exercise her regularly. She's already really enjoying her daily walks at the shelter. Sheeba will be spayed this week, is housetrained, current on all shots, and microchipped.     The fee to adopt Sheeba is $130, or $230 for both her and Theo, cash or c... 10/08/2011

  Local Fruit Stands Are At Peak Season In The Hood River Valley   Harvest season is in full season and is huge around this valley... local fruit stands are in their element. It's the time of year that car loads of folks head up from the city for the weekend to stock up on fall fruits, especially the valley's world famous pears. This is McCurdy Farms' fruit stand on Tucker Road, just south of Hood River and they are part of the famous Hood River Valley Fruit Loop, a tour of the fruit stands and wineries of the valley. They specialize in pears and apples so opened for the season in late-August and will stay open through November 1st, 10a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. They also offer award-winning Eau de Vie de Poire (pear brandy in a bottle) and Eau de Vie de Pomme (apple brandy) from Clear Creek ... 10/08/2011

  Good News Gardening Greets Fall With a Burst Of Color   Good News is one of the most popular nurseries in the Hood River Valley and its autumn selections do not disappoint. I loved stopping by this morning to get some great autumn decorating ideas to maximize fall color. The nursery's expert staff has great ideas and information on fall planting and fertilizing to also maximize your spring growing. The other reason Good News Gardening is so popular is for it's Garden Cafe, right at the nursery. The cafe features all organic and fresh, carefully and artfully prepared dishes sure to please any appetite. Soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee and desserts make up the menu, which can change daily based on what's best in the garden at the time. Nursery Hours: Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Su... 10/08/2011