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Hood River, OR Real Estate News

By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Speechless Sunday - It's Front Porch Weather! Finally, FINALLY summer seems to have arrived and so far it's been glorious. I'm not a big fan of hot weather either so our 75 degrees is pretty much perfect. We pretty much live on our large, wrap-around porch during the summer...   The view from our front porch:  
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Hood River County School Year Comes To A Close June 17th marks the last day of school for the Hood River County School District 2010-11 school year.  It's pretty bittersweet for me, as I leave my beloved Pine Grove School which has been a school for over 100 years is now closing due to budget shortfalls. At the same time, my kids and I are excited for the break, too, and for all we have planned this summer.
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
A Quaint Hood River Valley Country Church This is one of my favorite churches in the area. It's not fancy, but is quite charming in its old fashioned, country grandeur. It's the Pine Grove Methodist church right next to Pine Grove Elementary School in, you guessed it, Pine Grove (which is just five miles south of Hood River). The church was originally built in 1907 and has been restored and added onto over the years. The church is located at 2415 Eastside, Hood River.
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Hood River Little League Season Ends;  All-Star Tryouts Are Next Week This last week brought the end of the Little League season regular play for 2011. I don't know if it's just me, but the season positively flew by. Tryouts for the Hood River Valley All-star team will be held on Monday, June 13th at 5:30 p.m. at the Hood River Major League field. Our son, Ben will be trying out and any Little League member who played at least 8 games this season is eligible for consideration. Mel and Ben have been heading to the batting cage and to practice catching every evening after work to get ready for the tryouts. The photo below shows Ben batting at one of his last games.      
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Hood River's Own Ken Jernstedt Airfield Set To Grow With The Times Hood River is lucky to have it's own local airfield and luckier still that since it's 1976 ownership take over by the Port of Hood River, plans were set to place to grow its business and capabilities. Since 1976, the Port has invested $4 million in capital projects, which went towards adding hangar spaces, removing underground fuel tanks and adding additional runways, acquiring additional property, as well as typical maintenance projects like sealing runways and painting facilities. The airport is now a "Basic Utilitity, Stage II Airport", which can serve 95% of single and small twin engine airplanes which are most typically used for personal and business purposes. That, of course, means no commercial airlines. The airpo...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
No Ocean? No Problem... Surf Or Board Our River! Did you know that Hood River, Oregon is considered by many to be the wind-surfing and kite-boarding capital of the country!? In case you don't know, wind-surfing involves a surf board with a sail, while kite-boarding is more like a wake board and the rider holds onto the cording attached to a large parasailing-type "kite". I had grown up around wind-surfing and even did a little myself, but kite-boarding was new to me when I moved here. The Columbia River Gorge was perfectly formed to channel the wind into a funneling jet stream that blasts right through the Hood River Gorge. These are not sports for the weak at heart, though. I've personally witnessed kite-boarders become airbourne up to 25 feet off the water. And the Columbia River's fr...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
It Wouldn't Be Summer Without Hood River's Saturday Market I finally got by the Saturday Market today, one of my favorite summer activities in Hood River. It's smaller now than it will be later in the season since few vegetables and fruits are in season yet. But the artisans, bakers, jewelers, crafters, lunch and boutique item sales folks etc. were there. Carinne Carpenter also performed live today, singing and accompanying herself on the guitar. Hood River has a huge movement encouraging healthy, organic and locally grown eating and the Saturday Market is the perfect way to indulge that philosophy. Located in the Hood River News parking lot, at 419 State Street in Hood River, the market is open Saturdays from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m., May through September. To become a vendor at the market, g...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
The Oregon "SuperD" Bike Race Series  Hits Hood River This Weekend! Oregon, and Hood River specifically, are known as national leaders in bike racing. For the second year in a row, Hood River will play host to the Oregon Super D Bike Race series, which is already gaining a reputation as one of the top events in the country. To simplify, a Super D / Enduro race can best be described as a mountain biking,  cross-country, down hill bike race where the racers reach speeds of up to 35 mph. It's an extreme, daring sport Our mountains here in Hood River were practically made for this race. The course drops almost 3,000 vertical feet in 7 miles, while offering about 400 feet of climbing.  Talk about an adrenaline rush! It's a super fast, challenging race through a diverse network of technical t...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Wordless Wednesday - A Taste Of Hood River's Elegant History I pass this house all the time in downtown Hood River... it's one of my favorites. It's a Colonial Revival and I find it to be not overly extravagant, but elegant, slightly regal and classy. It's name is the Orrin B. Hartley House, it was built in 1905 and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It's at 1029 State Street, Hood River. For other historical sites in Hood River, visit Wikipedia's quick rundown of registered places.
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Relay For Life of Columbia Gorge  Fundraiser This Saturday As many of you might know, Relay For Life is a nationwide, annual marathon with its proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. Locally, individuals recruit friends and family to be members of their relay team, then they run the race together. The Columbia Gorge race won't occur until mid-July at the Hood River County Fairgrounds, but teams are being assembled now and fundraising has begun. How can you help now? Attend the car wash this Saturday, May 28th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westside Fire Station, 1185 Tucker Road, Hood River, Oregon If you are interested in joining a relay team, please visit the Relay For Life website for more information.    
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Wordless Wednesday - Mt. Hood In All Its Spring Glory Mel totally rocked this shot. I had noticed thumbnail previews of shots of Mt. Hood in the photos he passed on to me to edit, but just sort of thought 'Great. Another shot of Mt. Hood'. But then I opened them and saw them full size. Judge this one for yourself...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Good News Gardening, Hood River, Oregon It's that time of year... time to get planting, both flower and vegetable gardens. Here in the mountains, we're still getting frost at night, especially higher up like in Parkdale (where we live). So we're putting in the cold weather veggies like green beans and peas, as well as flowers like pansies that can stand the cold better than most others. One of the most popular nurseries in Hood River is Good News Gardening. They have a huge selection of annuals, perrenials, rose bushes, trees, shrubs, herbs, berries, grapes, veggies etc. They also have expert staff to help make the best decisions for your garden and to advise on subjects like insecticides and fertilizers. The other reason Good News Gardening is so popular is for it's Garden Cafe, right ...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Hood River Rotary Club's First Annual Wine & Pear Fest This Weekend At WAAAM The annual Wine & Fear fest is a great opportunity to showcase our region's luscious fruit, locally grown wines, exquisite restaurants, live entertainment, arts and crafts. Saturday, 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 22, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Taste wine from 22 local wineries, food from 6 restaurants, local fruit displays and beer from a local brewery. While you're there, enjoy the world renowned display of antique cars and planes at the WAAAM Museum. This event benefits the Rotary Club of Hood River Scholarship Program, funding scholarships to area youth for higher education.  
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
It's The Final Fiesta For Pine Grove Elementary If you've read many of my blogs you've heard that the elementary school where I work three hours a day is closing at the end of this school year due to the school district budget shortfall. We are all still a little shell shocked as the reality is sinking in. After over 100 years, there will no longer be a school in Pine Grove, so students are being transfered to Mid Valley Elementary in Odell, Oregon. Everyone is invited to the last big celebration, The Final Fiesta, at our dear school before we leave forever. The celebration will be May 20, 6-9 p.m. at the school The party is featuring food by Michoacan Restaurant, music by Los Cazadores, dancing by the Mid Valley Mexican Folk Dancers and there will be a bounce house for the kids.  A tim...
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Friday's Foto - Hood River Valley Middle School Track Finally... a photo of our son, Sam, competing in Thursday's middle school track meet at Hood River High School. Sam is in the 6th grade and this is his first year on the team. He seems to be a natural. We can barely believe this was the last home meet of the season. Sam placed third in this race, the 6th grade boys 200.
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Old Trunk Antiques: A Slice Of History Just Outside Hood River It's one of those places that simply cannot be missed. I live here and still visit every now and again. I feel like I've barely broken the surface of all there is to see... the book section alone could occupy me all afternoon. The Old Trunk Antique store is bursting with treasures and great finds, all situated in the heart of the Hood River Valley orchards and forests. Come for the drive, then shop to your heart's content! 2958 Dee Hwy, Hood River, OR 97031                                                                                            
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Hood River Valley Middle School Track Team Our 12-year-old son runs for the Hood River Valley Middle School Track Team, which is made up of students from both WyEast and Hood River Middle Schools. We love having Sam involved in sports... it gives him something to do, an excuse and motivation to exercise, while being with friends. He also wrestles. We feel so blessed to live some place that offers so many extra-curricular activities year-round. I went to Sam's track meet yesterday, where he ran the 200 meter. I missed getting a picture of him, as he raced earlier than I thought he would, but he placed 3rd. Below are a couple photos I did get.
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Speechless Sunday - Hood River Bridge Across The Columbia River Mel took this photo yesterday toward Hood River from the town of White Salmon, on the Washington side of the Columbia River.                                                                                                                                                                                              
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
The Town of Hood River Has Character... 3 Rivers Grill Hood River is blessed with gorgeous architecture and artistic touches. The 3 Rivers Grill restaurant right in the heart of downtown (601 Oak Street) is definitely part of that. The intricate mosaic mural displayed on the retaining wall in front of the restaurant is part of the town's artistic setting. Oh, and by the way... 3 Rivers Grill's food is fantastic, too! Don't miss the calimari!      
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By Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate, Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs
(Kelly Right Real Estate)
Easter Egg Hunt in Hood River  The Mid-Columbia Evangelical Association will be hosting their annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at Jackson Park at 11:00am. The public is welcome to join us.  
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