This year’s winners are:

Cascade Acupuncture Center Cascade Acupuncture Center is a stellar example of a regional business that is committed to . . . → Read More: 2013 Sustainability Champions Announced!]]> Thanks to all who nominated locals for the 3rd Annual Tod LeFevre Sustainability Champion Awards! The awards were presented by Tod’s wife Marti on Saturday, April 20th at Springhouse Cellar at the  GO! Earth Day and Launch Party. 

This year’s winners are:

Cascade Acupuncture Center
Cascade Acupuncture Center is a stellar example of a regional business that is committed to reducing its environmental impact, investing profits back into the community, offering products and services that are gentle on the planet — all while running a profitable business. Led by Carola (pronounced like the car) Stepper, Cascade Acupuncture Center has taken steps to significantly reduce water and energy use at its clinics and purchases 100% renewable energy. In The Dalles, it converted the trash and weed-filled land behind its clinic into a community garden, creating a way for locals to affordably grow their own food. Cascade Acupuncture Center offers its services at a sliding scale to community members that cannot afford treatments. And the company donates 1% of NET profits to organizations in the community that are doing work to heal the planet and make the Gorge a better place. Like Tod, Carola and her team do not seek recognition or money: They do these things because they know it’s the right thing to do.
Michael Becker
Michael Becker and the staff at Hood River Middle School have built an incredible resource for students and our community, most notably through the construction of the new math and science wing of the Hood River Middle School. Michael is extremely dedicated to building awareness among students, staff, parents and community members about the value of environmental stewardship. He has personally played a huge role in developing curriculum and leading projects that provide hands-on-learning experiences to help students learn about innovative solutions to environmental problems. He helped with the design concepts behind of the new LEED-Platinum math and science wing, which incorporates onsite renewable energy generation, onsite wastewater treatment, and a native plant arboretum. Like Tod, Michael is dedicated to creating learning opportunities for citizens interested in reducing their environmental footprint.

Paul Cook
Paul Cook leads the Delta Energy Club at Columbia Gorge Community College, a student-led club that aims to provide learning and growth opportunities for students in the field of renewable energy technology. The club is currently working to help develop a solar project for the Discovery Center that will include a 20-kilowatt solar panel system. In his second year of school, Paul has earned his wind technician certificate and is a regular speaker at local events. He is a tireless advocate for both energy efficiency and renewable energy and goes out of his way to help people realize the many opportunities in “green-collar” jobs. Paul and the work he has done with the other members of the Delta Energy Club are great examples of student-led initiatives that are helping grow our economy while conserving resources for future generations. Specifically, Paul’s work as a solar energy advocate speaks to Tod LeFevre’s passion for clean energy.

Congrats to all who were nominated. Read more about all of the nominees by going here.

Enjoy Full Sail . . . → Read More: GO! and Flow Yoga present I AM]]>
Back by popular demand, we’re screening the film “I Am,” an entertaining film that poses two practical and provocative questions: What’s wrong with our world, and what can we do to make it better?  Flow Yoga Studio hosts the film at its studio in downtown Hood River on Tuesday evening, April 2nd.

Enjoy Full Sail beer, non-alcoholic drinks and popcorn.

DETAILS

Tuesday, April 2
Flow Yoga Studio
118 3rd St., Hood River
7:30 – 9 pm, Doors open at 7 p.m.

Cost: $10 suggested donation, $5 Kids under 12

In the last two years, we have:

This will be an . . . → Read More: Gorge Earth Day Celebration Set for April 20]]>

Pitch-in, clean up, and get your groove on this Earth Day with these great events and activities to celebrate the earth, the Gorge, and this wonderful community!

Gorge Owned Earth Day Celebration & Launch Party

Presented by Gorge Owned

Saturday, April 20th, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Springhouse Cellar Winery

This will be an Earth Day Party to remember! Don’t miss out on “fresh and furious” bluegrass by The Student Loan, raffle & door prizes, and presentation of the 3rd Annual Tod LeFevre Sustainability Awards. Arrive early to hear from local innovators, who will deliver TED-style GO! Talks (see below).

TED-Style GO! Talks given by Local Innovators:

• Scott Sorensen, Common Energy and Scott Sorenson Building, Inc: Building a Sustainable Community One Street at a Time
• Michael Becker,Hood River Middle School: Teaching the Next Generation to Invest in Community
• Jay McLaughlin: Mt Adams Resource Stewards: A Community Coming Together
• Seth Tibbott, Turtle Island Foods
• Julie O’Shea, Farmers Conservation Alliance and Gorge Soup
• Moria Reynolds, Casa Verde CSA

Plus, wood-fired pizza provided by Solstice Wood Fire Cafe, local wine and beer (including Pfriem Family Brewers), music and much more!

Kids Activities at Waterfront Park

While adults are weeding and beautifying Waterfront Park, kids can participate in one of numerous activities being planned by our partners:

• Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute

• Mt Adams Institute

• Cascade Mountain School

• Let’s Get Out

• Cascadia Adventure Education School

• Columbia Riverkeeper

• Climb Like a Monkey – Mt Hood Summer Ski and Rock Climbing Camps

Hands to Work Projects

Put on your gloves and boots and give back to the earth by helping in a Hands to Work project around the Gorge.

Earth Day River Cleanup at Squally Point
Hosted by Columbia Riverkeeper
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Meet at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR and carpool to Squally Point
Join Columbia Riverkeeper and help pick up trash and beautify our wonderful Columbia River shorelines at Squally Point. Riverkeeper will provide snacks, free parking, gloves, and collection bags. Please bring your own sturdy shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and water.
Please RSVP by calling 541-399-0769 or Lorri@columbiariverkeeper.org.

Hood River Waterfront Park Cleanup
Hosted by Waterfront Community Park Association
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hood River Waterfront Park, 650 Portway Ave, Hood River, OR

Help pull weeds, cut brush, lay mulch and support this amazing community gathering space! Stay the entire time or just part of it. Bring water, gloves and gardening tools. Leave pets at home. Don’t miss the after work party at pFriem Family Brewers, where a portion of sales benefit the Waterfront Park! For more information, email waterfrontpark@gmail.com.

Lend-a-Hand Stewardship at Mosier Plateau Trail
Hosted by Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Lend a hand and help build a new trail in the Gorge! Help remove fallen tree limbs, and trim vegetation with Gorge Towns to Trails Project Manager Renee Tkach, and enjoy bright wildflowers and wonderful Gorge views. Learn about the non-profit advocacy organization Friends of the Columbia Gorge and the Friends’ land trust that owns this property.
For more information and to register, click here.

Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum Grounds Cleanup
Hosted by Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Wasco County Historical Museum
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR

The land surrounding the Discovery Center and Museum has been restored to native vegetation and is an exhibit in itself with over 90 species of wildflowers that bloom here on the Museum grounds. Help us prevent fire hazard by cleaning up dead vegetative materials and trimming back the abundant growth of trees and shrubs. Bring your own leather gloves, trimmers, loppers, and hand clippers. Lunch provided for volunteers who stay the morning (must RSVP for lunch!)
For more information and to RSVP contact Linda Turner, at 541-296-8600 ext 204 or lmturner@fs.fed.us.

Earth Day Tree Planting at Rooster Rock
Hosted by Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Saturday, April 20th, 2013
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rooster Rock Park Headquarters, Exit 25 off I-84 East

Mother Nature needs your help planting 400 trees of four different species. Their longevity will depend upon the care in which they are planted. You can help – we will work with you so we can be successful together. Our park tools are limited. Please if you can, bring your own garden planting tools, 5 gallon bucket, gloves, water and snacks to suit. Families welcome.
For more information and to RSVP, contact DaveBybee@oregon.sierraclub.org, 360-993-4247.

Lower Jewett Creek Clean-up
Hosted by Underwood Conservation District
Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Lower Jewett Creek in Bingen, WA. 3/4 miles east of the HR bridge on SR14

UCD staff, local students and community volunteers will work along the stream to improve habitat and make the site accessible for student use. Work will include removing weeds, planting trees and light trail maintenance. Orientation at 2 p.m. Please wear appropriate work clothes and sturdy shoes/boots. Tools will be provided. Bring work gloves, water, sunscreen/sun hats.
For more information and to RSVP, contact dan@ucdwa.org, 509-493-1936.

Everyday is Earth Day School Garden Symposium

Presented by Gorge Grown Food Network

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Hood River Middle School

This full-day, school-based symposium will give youth, educators, and community members from seven different schools an opportunity to connect and share experiences, ideas, and helpful hints on how to run successful educational garden and Farm to School programs. Participating students will have a chance to tour the new greenhouse, garden, learning kitchen, and science classrooms at Hood River Middle School; enjoy hands on experiential learning opportunities, workshops with OSU Master Gardeners, and a lunch with local farmers. Not open to the public! If you’d like to participate, please contact info@gorgegrown.com.

18th Annual Community Pride Cleanup Event

Presented by White Salmon-Bingen Rotary Club and Gorge Owned

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 27th & Sunday, April 28th, 2013, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Marina Way, Across from Bingen Point Industrial Park, Bingen, WA

Join this community effort to clean up Bingen and White Salmon! For just $5 donation, WA residents can responsibly dispose of reusable household items, appliances, building materials, recyclables, yard debris, tires, garbage, computers, electronics and more! Household hazardous waste not accepted. >More Info

It’s easy to make the . . . → Read More: Take the GO! Local Pledge]]> It’s not too late for New Year’s resolutions! Make a pledge to shift 10% of your spending in 2013 to locally owned, independent businesses — including local nonprofits, artists, restaurants, farmers and more — and you could win a GO! t-shirt or one of many other prizes from local businesses.

It’s easy to make the GO! Local Pledge > Go here to fill out a simple form. Then start spending locally.

By shifting 10% of your spending from national chains to local nonprofits, you will be helping ensure more money stays in our local economy. That’s because local businesses buy goods and services from OTHER local businesses, keeping THEIR money here too.

10% of your spending is just $10 of every $100 you spend. It adds up!

Remember this . . . → Read More: Shop the GO! Local Holiday Auction]]> The GO! Local Holiday Auction is now open! From November 23 – December 9, bid on unique auction packages, individual items, and unique experiences from numerous local, independent businesses. Items range from a year’s supply of bagels from Hood River Bagels to a Beer Lovers Package from Full Sail, Grow Organic and Resource Revival.

Remember this is a fundraiser!
We appreciate your willingness to bid above the item’s retail value! You are helping us raise critical funding for GO!’s year-round programming.

Why shop the GO! Local Holiday Auction?
Gorge Owned Business Network (GO!)—a program of the Columbia Gorge Earth Center—is the only Gorge-wide business network promoting local ownership and environmental and social responsibility. With more than 130 business and individual members, GO! is connecting community members and businesses who both want a healthy, viable economy comprised of unique businesses.

Proceeds from the auction support our ongoing programs, which include Gorge Green Drinks, Gorge Bike Month, Sustainable Systems at Work, GO! Local Month and much more.

Questions? Email becky@gorgeowned.org

(PS – It’s not too late to donate. Let us know if you’d like to be part of the auction and we’ll plug you in!)

Gorge Business Network is gearing up for GO! Local Holidays, a Gorge-wide “buy local” campaign that aims to educate consumers about the benefits of shopping at, banking with, and investing in local enterprises. Through a series of coordinated events and marketing tools—including print, online and social media—GO! Local Holidays helps customers easily identify companies, . . . → Read More: Join GO! Local Holidays]]>  

Gorge Business Network is gearing up for GO! Local Holidays, a Gorge-wide “buy local” campaign that aims to educate consumers about the benefits of shopping at, banking with, and investing in local enterprises. Through a series of coordinated events and marketing tools—including print, online and social media—GO! Local Holidays helps customers easily identify companies, artists, and nonprofits that are locally owned, and creates opportunities for them to connect with one another.

In its inaugural year, 164 people and 50 businesses participated, resulting in more than $47,500 in tracked spending. The impacts to the local economy likely went well beyond these numbers.

GO! Local Holidays includes the GO! Local Challenge, where local residents can win prizes for shopping locally, donating to local nonprofits, supporting local artists, and choosing other local enterprises during the holiday season.

The campaign is only as powerful as those who participate. 

Grow Organic, a new organic gardening supply store in The Heights, is the site of the next Gorge Owned Business Network (GO!) Cash Mob. On Wednesday, August 29 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., cash “mobsters” will flood Grow Organic to shop, enjoy light refreshments and meet the . . . → Read More: Grow Organic to Host Cash Mob Aug. 29th]]>

Jeff and Ketrina Jerome, owners of Grow Organic

Grow Organic, a new organic gardening supply store in The Heights, is the site of the next Gorge Owned Business Network (GO!) Cash Mob. On Wednesday, August 29 from 5:30-6:30 p.m., cash “mobsters” will flood Grow Organic to shop, enjoy light refreshments and meet the owners. Participants spending $20 will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.

“Cash mobs are sweeping the nation as a fun way to encourage spending at local, independent businesses,” says GO! director Becky Brun. “It’s a fun, social shopping experience that brings new customers in the door.

Grow Organic opened in the Spring of 2012 just in time for the summer gardening season. It’s fast become the source for organic farm and garden supplies and a variety of related products. They provide research-based, up-to-date information about growing organic food in the Gorge. “This community has been very welcoming—from the farmers supplying us with plant starts to the backyard gardeners looking for soil tests,” says Jeff Jerome, who owns the store with his wife Ketrina, a Master Gardener.

Grow Organic is located at 2035 12^th Street in Hood River. Normal business hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

STEP #1 - Register at bikecommutechallenge.com.

STEP #2 - Create a team for your organization and encourage your co-workers to . . . → Read More: Get Set for Gorge Bike Commute Month]]>

September is Gorge Bike Commute Month!

Pump up those tires! The annual Bike Commute Challenge starts September 1st! Last year, more than 60 people logged more than 2400 miles during the Gorge Bike Commute Challenge. Let’s make this year even bigger!

STEP #1 - Register at bikecommutechallenge.com.

STEP #2 - Create a team for your organization and encourage your co-workers to sign up too! Are you solo? Join the GO! team (team #2879).

STEP #3 – Make sure your team joins the Columbia River Gorge League. Then size up the local competition.

STEP #4 - Start logging trips. Every trip logged gives you more chances to win prizes in weekly drawings.

STEP #5 – Cash in rewards. That’s right folks. Register for the challenge, log 20 miles and receive a free cup of coffee from 10 Speed Coffee. Log 50 miles and receive a free yoga class from Flow Yoga. Log 75 miles and receive a gift certificate for a local farmers market. Note: All prizes will be mailed as gift certificates at the end of the challenge. 

Bike Commute Month Events

Celebrate bike commuting in the Gorge by attending one of many fun events throughout the month of September.

• Bike to First Friday in Hood River 
  On Friday, Sept. 7th, GO! members will be lining Oak Street and we’ll be signing people up for the Bike Commute Challenge. Come say hello!
• Attend the Bike Month Film Series
  Thurs., Sept. 6th, 7:30 p.m. – “With My Own Two Wheels,” at Hood River Middle School - Tickets $10, $5 for kids 12 and under.
  Thurs., Sept. 27th, 7:30 p.m. - “Ride the Divide,”  at 10 Speed Coffee Roaster – Tickets $10, $5 for kids 12 and under.
• Enter the Bike Art Contest
  Show off your creative talents using recycled bike parts. Entries due by Sept, 27th. Artwork will be on sale at the October Rural Craft Revival at Dog River Coffee.
• Take the Bike Commute Challenge
  Starts Sept. 1st. Register your team today or join the GO! team (team #2879). Be sure to then join the Columbia River Gorge League to be eligible for prizes for top commuter and top team. Prizes will be awarded on Thursday, Sept. 27th at 10 Speed Coffee (7:30 p.m.) to the Top Commuter and Top Team. Prizes include tune-ups at local bike shops, an entry into the Hood River Harvest Ride, a session with Motion Therapy and more.
• Join the Super Commuter Bicycle Race
  On Sunday, Sept. 23rd at 10 a.m., join this family-friend scavenger hunt around Hood River. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Tsuruta Park. Register before Sept. 21st and save $5.
• There are many other “non-official” Bike Commute Month events taking place in September. Check out the full calendar of events.

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