The Mid Columbia Association of Realtors (MCAR) will hold its 6th annual fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity in conjunction with other local events this year, creating a full week of activities during Fort Dalles Days Pro Rodeo in The Dalles, Oregon. The event has previously been held in Hood River at Cathedral Ridge Winery and The Gorge Whitehouse and has raised over $30,000 for Gorge area Habitat projects.  Last year, The Fort Dalles Rodeo Association in The Dalles generously offered MCAR a venue as the group was searching for ways to cut costs for the event in the economic downturn. The Association has once again agreed to host the fundraiser as part of the Rodeo Kickoff Party at Auction Sales at 1400 Hwy 197, Tuesday July 13, 2010. The Mid Columbia Assocation of Realtors consists of... 02/11/2010

I stopped by the  latest Habitat for Humanity house in The Dalles last week as it nears completion. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Murray's Addition is the 15th built in The Dalles since 1993 and is just about ready for its new family.  When I visited, David Neitling and Walt Notter, longtime The Dalles Habitat volunteers, were hard at work on finishing touches. The Dalles affiliate of Habitat usually builds one home per year - once building two with the help of grants.  The families chosen must go through an application process and contribute 500 hours of 'sweat equity' for their homes.  They then receive an interest free loan to payoff the home and the payments from those mortgages are used to build more homes. The houses are simple, affordable and energy-efficient. Many features of th... 02/07/2010

Home buyer education classes for 2010 in the Gorge   01/29/2010

01/04/2010

 As part of Oregon's 150 th anniversary in 2009, The Dalles put on an Oregon Statehood Wagon Train that traveled for 39 days along the 1869 Dalles Military Road. Nine wagons. Some 140 riders. Now that's celebrating and living the history of the area. That's one reason why The Dalles is #10 among True West Magazine's 2010 Top True Western Towns. Virginia City, Nevada, won the top award. The True Western Towns will be featured in the January/February 2010 issue, at newsstands on January 6, 2010. Folks who champion The Dalles work hard to honor the town's past, which includes the Oregon Trail and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Talking art murals grace the downtown, sharing 10,000 years of local history. Numerous institutions-like the state's oldest museum, The Dalles Museum-present a rem... 12/29/2009

WOW! 44 sales in the last 60 days...been a busy fall!Below is the sold summary for the dalles area real estate sales! What a variety of home sales in the dalles! Need more info on the $8000 tax credit? Call today... you could qualify if you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years or $6500 if you currently own a home.   1121 W 2nd, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $65,000 DOM 51   950 Pomona #124 (55 and older community), The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $99,000 DOM 153   950 Pomona (55 and older community), The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $102,000 DOM 320   2312 W 13th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $105,000 DOM 70   950 Pomona #214 (55 and older community), The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $117,000 DOM 240   1516 W 10th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $120,000 DOM 71   406 W 8th, The Dalles... 12/07/2009

On November 5th, President Obama signed legislation entitled "The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009". The new law will extend the $8,000 credit for first-time home buyers for sales contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed by June 30. Further, it has been expanded to include a new $6,500 credit for owners of existing homes who are purchasing a new principal residence. Who is Eligible First-time home buyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the home purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. Existing home owners who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight and... 12/04/2009

Your Guide to Local Happenings 11/24 - 12/3November 21-22 & 28-29 - Hood River Saturday Market Holiday Market; 9-4 @ Westside Elementary School;3685 Belmont Drive, Hood River ;www.hrsaturdaymarket.com 541-387-8349 November 22 & 31 - Holiday Open Show; The Dalles Art Center; Info:  541-296-4759November 26 - Thanksgiving Community dinner; St. Mary's Academy; noon-3:00pm; To volunteer:  296-6417; To have meals delivered:  296-1106 November 27 - Starlight Parade; Downtown The Dalles; Begins at 6:00pm; Pictures w/ Santa, Hot chocolate & chili afterat the Transportation Center, 210 Federal St. November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Weekend Open House Wineries of the Columbia River Gorge; info@columbiagorgewine.comNovember 28 - 3rd Annual Columbia Gorge Cowboy Gathering; Civic Auditorium, noon-5: FREE ... 11/25/2009

Bolton Cellars Tasting Room - 306 Court Street The Dalles, OR 97058boltoncellars.com | boltoncellars@hotmail.com 541-296-7139Summer hours Mon-Fri (closed Tues) 3pm, Sat-Sun 2pm; Fall-spring hours are Thurs-Fri 3pm, Sat-Sun 2pmBolton Cellars Estate Vineyard is located on the northeast edge of the Dufur Valley in Oregon and was homesteaded in 1858 by Absalom Bolton. This fertile farmland is the home of Bolton Cellars. Our family, now in its fourth generation on this land, is proud to bring you our wine. Cascade Cliffs Vineyard & Winery - 8866 Hwy 14 Wishram, WA 98673- cascadecliffs.com | cascadecliffs@gorge.net -509-767-1100 Daily 10am-6pm Since 1986, Cascade Cliffs has grown varietals such as Barbera, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Symphony. Our casual-sophisticat... 10/26/2009

What's Happening!October 22 - Beef & Burgundy Bash, dinner & live auction for Wasco County Republicans; Portage Grill; Info - Jackie Williams, 298-4065 or wascogop@gorge.netOctober 22 - The Dalles Kiwanis Club, TDWHS soccer program; 12:00 Noon, Spooky'sOctober 23 - Kelly Jo Phelps in concert; 8:00PM at The Civic Auditorium; Tickets $25.00 available at Klindt's Booksellers and Columbia River Music; More information 541-890-5433October 24 - Freedom House Annual Banquet/Fundraiser; Info 296-6058 or info@tdfh.orgOctober 24 - Balch & Chain Pumpkin Carving Contest; Balch Hotel; 1:00-3:00PM; Info 541-467-2277October 24 - Dodge Ball Tournament sponsored by No. Wasco County Parks & Rec; 9:00AM; To register or for more info 541-296-9533October 24 - Breast Cancer Awareness Walk; Info Doreen Koch 5... 10/23/2009

10/08/2009

Chenowith Water rates to rise! Residents of Chenowith Water PUD can expect water rates to go up 25 percent in November, another 15 percent next March, and, probably, yet another 15 percent in October next year.     That's what the utility's board voted to do at its September meeting, though only the November and March increases were guaranteed.     The need for a projected October 2010 increase will depend on the budget requirements for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, which won't be determined until next June.      The board plans a public meeting to explain the changes in detail. That meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Columbia Cinemas, where there is comfortable seating and presentations can be made on the big screen for easy viewing.      Those two guaranteed increases will c... 10/06/2009

Renken Farms ~ HARVEST FEST! Saturday October 17, 2009 10AM-5PM 3050 Three Mile Rd, The Dalles, Oregon The fun includes Wagon rides, Scarecrow making, Petty zoo, Fresh apple cider, Childrens story time, Live music, Food and more! Call 541-296-3024 or 541-296-7579. renkenfarms@gmail.com 10/01/2009

On Monday, August 31, 2009 Hire Electric Inc. of The Dalles, OR completed the acquisition of Seraphim Energy. For some time now Hire Electric has been preparing to enter the renewable energy market, through research and sending their employees to solar training classes at the IBEW in Portland, OR. Recently they decided to jump start the process by acquiring Seraphim Energy. In 2003 Seraphim installed their first 10kw Bergey wind machine and since that time they have installed more than 60 small wind and solar electric systems throughout eastern Washington and Oregon. “Seraphim already had the system design and actual rooftop experience we were looking for,” says Ron McHale, Hire’s owner since 1973. Aside from a free and non-polluting fuel source, the primary mover behind renewable ener... 09/29/2009

Boy I can’t beelive its been over 30days since I have posted the sold summary for the dalles area real estate sales! Look at all these home sales in the dalles ! What a great time to buy a home! Need more info on the $8000 tax credit? Call today… you could qualify if you haven’t owned a home in the last 3 years 518 E 13th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $80,000   1016 Irvine, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $96,940   914 E 8th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $97,000   950 Pomona # 174, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $125,000   722 W 12th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $125,000   400 W 15th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $148,000   3408 W 13th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $185,000   1250 Oak Hill, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $272,000   602 E 8th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $3... 09/22/2009

HISTORIC THE DALLES DAYSSeptember 18-19, 2009 Sept. 17 - 20   Trailboss Chuckwagon BBQ lunch, open to the public Sun. Sept. 20 from 11 AM to 2 PM., $12 per person. OREGON STATEHOOD WAGON TRAINOn Thursday, September 17, The Dalles will be welcoming the Oregon Statehood Wagon Train at the end of this historic 7-county journey across Eastern Oregon. The wagon train will be encamped 5 days from Sept. 17 through Sept. 20 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center along the Riverfront Trail, 5000 Discovery Drive. The public is invited to visit the wagon train, talk with the wagon master, pet the horses and learn about pioneer life. CHUCKWAGON BBQ: The public is invited to a BBQ lunch served by the wagon train's chuckwagon Sunday, Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $12 for your grub! This is... 08/26/2009

  Residential The Dalles Oregon   Total 9 Active   High List: $425,000   Low List: $109,900   Avg List: $198,844   Avg SQFT: 2120 Avg L$/SQFT: $94     Total 3 Pending High DOM: 169 High List: $310,000 Low DOM: 83 Low List: $199,999 Avg DOM: 136 Avg List: $239,666   Avg SQFT: 2647 Avg L$/SQFT: $91 Total 2 Sold High DOM: 61 High List: $275,000 High Sale: $245,000 Low DOM: 0 Low List: $98,500 Low Sale: $96,940 Avg DOM: 30 Avg List: $186,750 Avg Sold: $170,970 Avg SQFT: 1878 Avg L$/SQFT: $99 Avg S$/SQFT: $91     Total 14 High DOM: 169 High List: $425,000 High Sale: $245,000 Low DOM: 0 Low List: $98,500 Low Sale: $96,940 Avg DOM: 36 Avg List: $205,864 Avg Sold: $170,970 Avg SQFT: 2199 Avg L$/SQFT: $94 Avg S$/SQFT: $91         08/26/2009

Look at all these home sales in the dalles recently! What a great time to buy a home in The Dalles, Oregon! Need more info on the $8000 tax credit? Call today... you could qualify if you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years :   421 E 11th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $94,000 205 E 8th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $142,500 1205 Verdant, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $150,000 250 Lone Pine Ln #2, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $198,500 535 Summit Ridge Rd, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $245,000 1661 E 21st, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $310,000 2700 E 18th, The Dalles Oregon Closed Price $556,500     These real estate sales are from The Dalles real estate sales that a REALTOR was involved in The Dalles real estate market. The statistics are provided to help you u... 08/21/2009

Look at all these home sales in the dalles recently! What a great time to buy a home in The Dalles, Oregon! Look at these deals that closed in the last month:   910 Union, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $35,000 Asking Price $69,900 600 E 12th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $47,000 Asking Price $59,900 755 Division #315, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $50,000 Asking Price $60,000 407 E 10th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $76,410 Asking Price $154,900   2432 E 10th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $100,000 Asking Price $134,900 901 Snipes, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $105,000 Asking Price $109,000 1707 Riverview, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $120,750 Asking Price $107,000 412 W 2nd PL, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $110,000 Asking Price $137,500 1314 E 15th, The Dal... 08/05/2009

Look at all these home sales in the dalles recently! What a great time to buy a home in The Dalles, Oregon! Look at these deals that closed in the last 3 weeks:   1030 Irvine, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $ $44,000 Asking Price $44,900Days on the Real Estate Market 36 1323 E 15th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price:  $89,500 Asking Price $95,000Days on the Real Estate Market 136 3992 Browns Creek, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $ 116000 Asking Price $127,500156 Days on the Real Estate Market 1621 E 13th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $154,000 (included buyers closing) Asking Price $147,7502 Days on the Real Estate Market 1411 E 15th, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $167,000 Asking Price $174,500883 Days on the Real Estate Market 1180 Sunflower, The Dalles Oregon, Closed Price: $1... 07/10/2009