Category Archives: Events

Larch Mountain Gate Opens 05.27.14!

24 Saturday May 2014

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We have word from a reliable source that the Larch Mountain snow gate will open next Tuesday afternoon!

The gate at milepost 10 is closed from November until the snow clears in late May / early June (in 2008, it didn’t open until July!).  While we are all antsy to get up there starting about April, that area is at or above the same level as Government Camp on Mt. Hood, which is well above snow level.  Plowing it every day would only get you to mile 14  on the road, where you could stand and stare at buried parking and trails.

Put Sherrard Viewpoint on your list for this summer, and we’ll do our best to clear the skies for you so you can see all five mountains : ).

Sherrard Viewpoint_June 2012

Meanwhile, don’t let the closed gate keep you off Larch for the Memorial Day weekend… look for the small trailhead on your right beyond milepost 5, or grab any of the logging access gates with Recreational Use signs posted, and start walking.  It’s beautiful and green up there, and the small wildflowers are already in their second round, with salmon berries coming on, and thimble berries and huckleberries following shortly!

Larch Mountain with dogs and flowers

Remember to make your stick Scout arrows when you get to the forks in the road! (bread crumbs tend to get eaten, and that loaf of bread is bulky in the backpack) – it’s easy to get turned around out there.  I can testify, having had to enlist a friend with a large truck to blow the horn on the road so I could straighten my unreliable directional sense back out a couple weeks ago : ).

Larch with dogs

Enjoy the weekend!
Loree

 

 

All images and words © Loree Harrell; 2012 – 2014

 

Look look! Snow for the tree lighting!!

06 Friday Dec 2013

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Tree lighting

For maybe the first time ever (I made that up, but it’s a decent bet), we’re going to have snow on the ground for the tree lighting tonight at Troutdale’s First Friday Art Walk! No worries about getting there… it’s just blowing about and the streets are easy peasy.

Tree lighting in Mayor’s Square 6:00p, the C-Notes will be singing from 5:30 – 6:30, and Santa will be in the house.  Relax, find a wonderful gift or two at the Art Walk, and, most of all… have fun.

Merry Christmas to you!

Dec FF Dec FF2

 

 

Bah, Humbug! [not]

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

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Scrooge Lives

The Scrooge Lives show at MHCC opens this morning!  A preview walk-through by our resident artist (yeah, that’d be me) last night found LOTS of tables and some great gifts already set up and ready to go under your tree.  See you there!

Scrooge Lives 2

** Looks At Calendar And Gasps…**

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Subtitled:  “…An Annual Tradition”

So.  It’s November (almost 14th).  Which means one week from (almost tomorrow), it will be November 21st.  Which means one week (more or less exactly) after that will be November 28th.  Which is?

Right.  Thanksgiving Day.

REALLY?
Yes.  Thanksgiving Day.  Two (almost) weeks (exactly tomorrow).

Wow.

Here’s what’s up for you around and about…

Larch Mountain Country Artisans Show & Sale
Friday November 22nd – Sunday November 24th
Glen Otto Community Park, Troutdale

LMCA             

This is an annual tradition around these parts and a great show and sale (which, not incidentally, benefits Corbett Schools, Troutdale Parks, and Vista House).  You’ll find everything for everyone on your list among the more than three dozen juried artists and artisans participating.  Hit the site link above to start browsing now, and plan to be here next weekend!  You can have everything wrapped and tucked into the closet before the turkey even comes out of the oven. : )

Black Friday
November 29th
Pretty much everywhere.

If Thanksgiving is November 28th, then November 29th is Black Friday.  While I’ve personally never felt driven to set the alarm for 4 a.m. to go get 2-for-1 socks (or is that the day after Christmas?  That might be the day after Christmas.  Still…), it is my understanding that there are Deals To Be Had and it is therefore Notable.  The Comfort Inn Columbia Gorge Gateway is rumored to be able and willing  to send you off in the wee hours with a bag full of Sustenance so you don’t fall on your nose before you have attended all the needful sales if you think you might need a bed at some point in the festivities.

Scrooge Lives
December 4th and 5th
Mount Hood Community College

I will confess to being a Scrooge Lives novice, however Scrooge Lives has been happening at MHCC for 44 (!) years, so there must be something to it.  Art & craft fair lovers, we’ll see you there…!

Troutdale Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6th
Mayor’s Square; Downtown Troutdale

The Christmas Tree Lighting happens in historic downtown Troutdale in conjunction with the December First Friday Art Walk!  Make the short run up the hill to browse through gifts from local artists and artisans, and enjoy the lighting of the tree.  Don’t eat before you go – our great restaurants will be open!

First Friday Art Walk
December 6th
Downtown Troutdale 5:00p – 9:00p

Troutdale’s First Friday Art Walk for December includes the community Christmas tree lighting, artists out, in, and about the local businesses, great food in the restaurants. and the perfect place for Christmas gifts straight from the hearts that made them without a department store in sight.

YOUR Christmas Tree!
Is a day driving out to those wonderful places on the outskirts of civilization to track down the perfect beautiful tree one of your family’s holiday traditions?

No?  It should be.  While the best tree is always the one farthest from the car (sorry, Dad), there’s something magical about traipsing around in the mud trying to remember where the last good one was and knowing – just being absolutely certain – that the PERFECT tree is just two rows out and four rows over.

It’s a good day.  We’ll point you in the right direction sometime between now and Thanksgiving (acck!  two weeks [almost exactly]!) – promise.

Ease on in, and enjoy this time.

Halloween Hanging! (All Hallows All Welcome)

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

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Mirror 778 Sandy River Gorge

Mirror 778_Sandy River Gorge, Oregon

The Mirror Project was originally installed in the public spaces of the Comfort Inn Columbia Gorge Gateway in October, 2012.   It’s been a great year (how many artists get the opportunity to glance up at the video array while at the day job and see someone standing engrossed in a hall in front of one of their pieces?), and response to the Project has been overwhelmingly on the continuum between positive and delighted.

Halloween evening will be celebrating the renewal of the Installation, and everyone is (yes you are) invited. There will be new Mirrors on the walls, a Treasure Hunt through the halls in search of the critters in the middles, plus Mindy’s great hot cider, the popcorn machine, caramel for the apples, nuts & bolts, and a general atmosphere of good cheer.  No schmoozing required – if you want to just grab your Treasure Hunt cards and wander off in search of, with a cup of mulled cider in your hand, that’s the sort of gathering it is.

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Some of the Treasure Hunt cards

Everyone attending will be entered in the drawings for hotel stays, Mirror Project edition prints, and artist-designed Mirror Project earrings.  The drawings are at 8:00p and you don’t need to be present to win, just to have appeared at some point in the evening.

If you’re taking the kids out trick-or-treating, stop by before or after – we’ll help fill their bags and have a Treasure Hunt game for them, too!

Halloween Basket

The Hands of Steph and Amanda

Fall Foliage Studio Tour Begins Now!

11 Friday Oct 2013

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Event Date: October 12th through the 20th, 2013

Fall Foliage Studio Tour in Oregon’s West Columbia River Gorge

Awe-inspiring views, adorned in the spectacular colors of autumn, will delight your senses as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, visiting the artists as they work in their studios.

 

 

Cascade Locks, Oregon (September 3, 2013) – Fall Foliage Studio Tour invites you to see and meet professional artists in their natural element, the studios in which they fashion their creations. Enjoy a historic and spectacular scenic journey as you experience the communities and meet the artists who live and create here.  Awe-inspiring views, adorned in the spectacular colors of autumn, will delight your senses as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, visiting the artists as they work in their studios. This free, self-guided event is sponsored by the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce.

 
The event begins with the opening of the exhibition gallery in Cascade Locks on Saturday, October 12th at 11:00am.  The gallery will be located at Lorang Fine Art & Gorgeous Gifts. Samples of each artist’s work will be on display October 12th through the 20th, 11:00am-5:00pm. The Reception will be Friday evening, October 18th at the exhibition gallery to meet the artists and mingle with other art enthusiasts. Sample hors d’oeuvres, sip local vintage wine and enjoy live music as you bid on your favorite leaf-themed art pieces and cast your vote for the “People’s Choice Award.”  Maps for the Studio Tour are available that night or anytime the Exhibition Gallery is open.  Artists’ studios will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am-5:00pm. The exhibition gallery closes Sunday, October 20th, at 5:00 pm.

 
Opening Reception:  Friday, October 18th, 2013, 6:00 pm
Open Studios Tour:  Saturday and Sunday, October 19th and 20th, 11:00am-5:00 pm daily
Gallery Hours:   October 12th through October 20th, 11:00 am-5:00 pm daily
Gallery Location:  Lorang Fine Art 360 WaNaPa St. Cascade Locks OR  www.lorangfineart.com

Visit their website:  www.fallfoliagestudiotour.com or contact  Debora Lorang at 541-374-8007; lorangfineart@embarqmail.com

 

   

   

October First Friday Art Walk!

27 Friday Sep 2013

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October Banner

First Friday is always a great time.  Ignore the rain (it will undoubtedly be a balmy clear night, now that I’ve said that) and come on out for great art, food, coffee, and a refreshing adult beverage!

Remember to pick up your Passport at Columbia River Gallery or Marco Polo Designs for a good shot at a ridiculously good basket of goodies. : )

October lineup

The Artful Giving Blanket Concert

23 Tuesday Jul 2013

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The Artful Giving Blanket Concert
July 27th
Noon – 9:30p
29330 SE Stark St, Troutdale, OR
Parking at Mt Hood Community College

The trucks are already rolling in for this wonderful annual event.  8 bands, 15 restaurants, and a dozen or more artists all come together to raise money for the Soulful Giving Foundation, which benefits Randall Children’s Hospital and the Providence Cancer Research Center.

It’s a great day on the Yoshida estate by the river, don’t miss it!

Tickets and information at http://www.soulfulgiving.org.