HOOD RIVER
INCLUDES MOUNT HOOD PARKDALE & ODELL
Hood River Community Advantage Magazine
DEC 2024 / JAN 2025
Published by
Active Media Publishing Group
PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002
info@ActiveMediaUSA.com 503.825.2111
ADMINISTRATION
Matthew Nelson, Publisher Catrina Nelson, CFO
Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant
Raeann Van Arsadall, Business Development
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Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director
Donovan Darling, Creative Project Manager
Brittany Jungenberg, Director of Marketing
Kate Astle, Copyeditor
Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Hilary Berg Sean Carver
Brittany Jungenberg Morgan King
Shawn Schmidt
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Dani DeGraw, Justin Nelson, Kaity VanHoose
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher
Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren
Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb
Peter Murphy Edward Novak
Malia Riggs Kelly Romo
Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker
Alice Williams Justin Woomer
Kerry Yu
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter
Tyler Francke Angie Helvey
Brittany Jungenberg Malaina Kinne
Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley
MJ Media Productions Andrew Sambuceto
Henry Schifter Hayley Starkey
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Don Ormsby Bill Kistler
Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs
David Long Chris O’Brien
John Zobrist Brad Marti
Shelley Zeman Tina Toney
Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott
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22 THE ANGLE Riparian Forests
BUSINESS FEATURE Affordbale Floors / Abbey Carpet & Floors
COVER PHOTO BY HENRY SCHIFTER
Wine, Wood, and Wonder
The art of Leoni Montenegro
something that Leoni finds impossible to replicate. The experience of opening a barrel evokes memories of vineyards, the sun and the rain, the fruits and the work that goes into making the wine — which all create a connection between his work and the natural world.
Since turning his passion into a full-time business in 2011, Leoni has built strong relationships with local wineries, where he even creates custom pieces to promote their brands. His work is featured at Art on Oak Gallery and at ACE Hardware Store in Hood River, where visitors can admire and purchase his craftsmanship. He also operates a workshop where people are invited to enjoy coffee or wine while seeing his work in progress.
By Kelly Romo, Active Media
Leoni Montenegro is a talented wood crafter and designer who discovered his passion for woodworking at a young age. As a child in Guatemala City, he often visited a local carpenter and marveled at the transformation of raw wood into beautiful pieces. Though too young to participate directly, those early experiences left a lasting impression on him and sparked a lifelong connection to craftsmanship, which led him toward a degree in drawing and construction.
After moving to the United States, Leoni eventually returned to his passion for woodworking by creating small pieces like nightstands and coffee tables. His journey took a pivotal turn when a customer asked him to make a chair from a wine barrel for her wedding. When he opened the barrel, he was struck by the curve of the wood, the deep color and the rich aroma within. That moment became the foundation for his art and led him to repurpose wine barrels into unique furniture and art pieces.
Leoni works primarily with French wine barrels. When barrels develop leaks or can no longer be used for wine, wineries sell them. The beauty of these barrels lies not only in the wood’s grain but also in the colors created by wine soaking into the wood. The wine stains the wood and creates a natural signature,
Looking ahead, Leoni envisions expanding his unique artistry to the East Coast, where demand for his wine-barrel creations has steadily grown. With many visitors from across the U.S. discovering his work in Hood River, Leoni sees an exciting opportunity to connect with new audiences who value sustainable art and handcrafted furniture.
For Leoni, this growth isn’t just about business — it’s about honoring the journey that brought him to this point. His customers’ enthusiasm and encouragement fuel his creativity and deepen his gratitude for those who see beauty in his work. Leoni credits his success to God’s blessings and feels that each step has been guided by faith and the support of family, friends and patrons.
Leoni invites everyone to visit his website at www. leonimontenegro.com for a closer look at his collection or stop by his woodshop at 2795 Cascade Ave. in Hood River for an up-close experience. He is also featured at Art on Oak Gallery and ACE Hardware Store in Hood River.
Tues - Sat: 10am to 5pm Sun: 10am to 3pm
2795 Cascade Ave. Hood River
Inheritance 101
What your heirs should expect
In the popular imagination, receiving an inheritance always sounds like a good thing — after all, who doesn’t want a financial windfall? And inheritances can certainly be lifealtering events. But they can cause challenges, so you’ll want to help your heirs be prepared.
To assist in this preparation, try to address some key questions affecting your heirs:
Do they know what’s in your estate plans?
Your family and other heirs will be much better prepared to deal with an inheritance if they know what to expect. That’s why it’s so important that you share your estate plans with everyone involved. You need to let them know the wishes and decisions you’ve expressed in your will and other legal arrangements, such as a living trust. Of course, sharing this information doesn’t necessarily mean that all your heirs will be completely satisfied with your choices — but at least they won’t be surprised, and perhaps will be less likely to cause disputes when the time comes to settle your estate.
Will they know what to do with the money or other assets?
You may be planning to leave your grown children a sizable amount of assets, possibly including cash, stocks, real estate, IRAs, 401Ks or other types of valuable personal property. But this inheritance brings with it several possible questions: Do your heirs already have an investment platform ready to accept
inherited stocks? If you do leave behind rental property or a vacation home, can it be easily sold? These types of issues are generally not hard to resolve, but the more prepared your heirs are for their inheritance, the quicker they can take whatever actions are needed.
Are they prepared to handle any taxes that may result from the inheritance?
Unless you have a very large estate, your heirs likely won’t face federal estate taxes. (In 2024, the first $13.61 million of an estate is exempt from federal estate taxes.) However, other types of taxes may apply. A few states assess state inheritance taxes, and your heirs could incur federal and/or state income taxes when they withdraw money from inherited assets funded with pre-tax dollars, such as some retirement accounts. They could also face capital gains taxes when they sell inherited assets, such as stocks, for more than they were worth at the time of the inheritance. In any case, inheritance-related taxes can be complex, so you and your family and other heirs should discuss these issues with your tax advisor.
Will they be liable for any outstanding expenses?
If you’ve developed a comprehensive estate plan, it’s unlikely your heirs will be on the hook for any outstanding expenses, such as credit card balances or funeral costs. If you do still carry a mortgage, though, and you are planning on leaving your house to your heirs, they may want to be prepared to act quickly to sell it.
When leaving an inheritance, there’s a lot involved — emotionally, financially and legally. So do whatever you can to make the entire process as easy as possible for your loved ones. By communicating your wishes regarding the inheritance, and by considering all the issues that may arise, you can go a long way toward achieving the outcomes you desire.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
--- Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate-planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
I love Christmas! I love the story, the lights, the music, and buying gifts, and feasting with family and friends. But Christmas can be a mixed bag for many of us. Perhaps you feel anxious about spending a day with a family member who’s not very nice — to put it mildly. Or maybe you have no one to spend Christmas with, or are missing a family member, and the idea of a bright celebration doesn’t feel very good right now. Sometimes in the middle of caring for others, or struggling with our inner selves, we need to pause and take care of ourselves. For me, that might be an evening with a good book, a long conversation with a friend or, maybe, buying myself a gift.
If you’re looking for a gift for yourself, stop by our store and check out our back aisle. It’s easy to miss all the lovely things we have back there. Perhaps your skin needs a little treat. NOW® has a lovely line of top quality skin care products, with researched and clean ingredients, that are amazingly priced. I’m in my 60s, and for my aging skin, I love the NOW® Bakuchiol Skin Renewal Serum, which contains bakuchiol, a plant extract that acts like retinol without drying out or irritating the skin. Over time, it helps fade age spots, triggering collagen growth and
new skin cell production to make your skin look younger and firmer. I use the serum first and then apply Wrinkle RescueTM Moisturizer — it contains SepilliftTM and bluegreen algae extract to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I call it my mini face lift! NOW carries skin care products for all ages and skin types. Please come by to check them out!
If you love beautiful scents, come smell the Heritage Store Rosewater products scented with Bulgarian rose waters and oil. They are heavenly! Or try out Abra Therapeutics bath salt scrubs infused with aromatic essential oils to give yourself an at-home spa day.
Speaking of essential oils, we have a lot of them! Both individual oils and blends are highly popular, and we have testers for many of them so you can smell before you buy. As an ultimate self-care gift, buy yourself one of our beautiful oil diffusers — just add a couple of your favorite oils, and fill your home with hope and joy during this festive season.
Happy holidays, one and all!
Ruth Maletz RN,
& Jonathan Maletz,
Vote of Confidence
We want you to be our next satisfied customer!
By Patti Jo Brooks, Active Media
by Henry Schifter, Active Media
Affordable Floors and Abbey Carpet is excited to be nominated as the Best Floor Covering Shop in the Columbia River Gorge for the 2nd straight year. This special honor is voted by the community, and Affordable Floors takes great pride in the recognition by its patrons. The Best of the Gorge contest, presented by Biocoastal Media Radio, highlights the best local businesses and services within the Columbia River Gorge region as valued by the community.
When they aren’t being nominated for awards, Affordable Floors has been doing business in the area for 32 years. Offering the best possible prices, on-site design professionals, complimentary in-home consultation, and free estimates, as well as professional installation, we have it all covered and there is no reason to shop anywhere else. Stop by and visit our new showroom where we offer our customers the best and largest selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, L.V.T., and ceramic tile in the gorge!
Visit Affordable Floors Abbey Carpet Showroom at 1512 Osprey Dr., Unit B in Hood River. Give them a call at (541) 386-7799 or email floors@gorge.net. For additional information or to use the room visualizer, visit their website at hoodriver.buyabbey.com.
Photos
Sparkling Season
Community spirit shines bright
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
Small-town Christmas celebrations are always the most magical, reminiscent of Christmas morning in Whoville when everyone gathers around the tree and joins hands to harness the collective holiday spirit. The White Salmon Tree Lighting is a treasured yearly event for the local community that brings the childlike wonder of Christmas to people of all ages!
The White Salmon Arts Council organized the tree lighting for many years, but the Community Partners of BingenWhite Salmon have been running the show since 2010. The event occupied several locations over the years, finally settling on the Riverview Bank property, which everyone agrees is the perfect spot. “It’s a corner location, which makes it a nice, central spot so everyone can enjoy the lights through the holiday season,” says Lloyd Dekay of the Community Partners. “The bank is always gracious and happy to have us.”
The White Salmon Tree Lighting is truly a combined effort. Before tree lighting night, the community pulls together to prepare, and it’s quite a process. A local typically donates the tree, while Izak Riley of Riley Materials and Ryan Kreps of Radcomp provide the crane and man-lift essentials for felling, transporting and decorating the gigantic tree. A whole group of volunteers
strings the lights, hangs hundreds of large and whimsical tree ornaments and, of course, the shining star at the top. Another team also decorates Dock Grade, and the Community Partners work to ensure the adornments rotate, so every year is a delightful surprise!
On the night of Dec. 5, the excitement of the holiday season will be in the air as friends and families gather around in anticipation! The event typically occurs from 4 to 6 p.m., with the tree lighting between 5:30 and 6 p.m. But this enchanting evening has other surprises in store, like a special visit from Santa as he rolls into town on his big red fire truck to greet the children with smiles and candy canes. Firepits are placed throughout the parking lot, and roasting sticks are provided with marshmallows and all the fixings for making warm, gooey s’mores. The local church brings a cookie spread, and other festive providers are invited, especially the one who brings the delicious hot cocoa!
The White Salmon Tree Lighting typically draws a local crowd of over 300 people, and it’s a time to gather with friends and neighbors to celebrate being together. “It’s a lot of fun for kids, but the whole town comes to enjoy the tree lighting, whether they have kids or not,” says Lloyd. “It’s just a good old-fashioned community celebration.” The tree is on a timer, so even if you miss the main event, the dazzling display will be lit every night until January 2025.
For more information on the Community Partners of Bingen-White Salmon, please visit their website at communitypartnersbws.org.
Scout the Forest
Exploring the landscape around our rivers
By Lucas Holmgren and Radagast Jones, Active Media
The river systems in the Pacific Northwest, west of the Cascade Crest, are home to some of the most diverse forests in North America. Even those of us that have lived here for decades can’t help but be awestruck by the majesty of 150-foot Douglas firs, western red cedar, and western hemlock that line our pristine rivers. Not to mention the lush red alders, bigleaf maples and willows that can grow all the way to the river’s edge.
The dominant trees generally are coniferous evergreens that can commonly reach ages of 500 to 1,000 years or more. There are also many common species of both deciduous and evergreen broadleaf trees and shrubs that contribute to the lush beauty of our riparian forests. Some of these trees can harbor more than a thousand species of other species of plant life, such as mosses and lichens.
These trees and shrubs are vital to the abundant wildlife that inhabit the forest throughout the year. They provide both food and shelter for everything from birds and rodents to deer, elk, bears and cougars.
No attempt to describe the beauty of the forests of the Pacific Northwest could possibly be complete without mentioning the hidden jewels of the forest floor and the stunning decayers on the dead, dying wood that are a vital part of the completion of the circle of life. They are a necessary element in the continued survival of our magnificent forests. They are the mushrooms. The Pacific Northwest is second only to the predominantly hardwood forest of the Great Smokey Mountains, approximately 3,000 miles to the east, in the
number of mushroom species that can be found anywhere in the continental United States.
They can be gloriously delicious or fatally toxic, stunningly beautiful to downright ugly, range in color from black to bright white, from minuscule to relatively large. Certain specimens weigh 100 pounds or more. Just remember there is one cardinal rule about wild mushrooms: never eat any wild mushroom unless you are absolutely certain it has been correctly identified.
On the days when the steelhead are ghosts and the Coho that were in the river yesterday just ain’t there, take a break and go for a walk in the fore — and then get out there for that next push of chromers.
A New Era for Hood River’s Largest Toy Store
New ownership at powersports and bikes store
also joined the team to provide even better support and service for these exciting outdoor sports.
Post Canyon Bikes, located right next door, focuses on e-bike sales and service, featuring the largest and most capable manufacturer of e-bikes in the world: Yamaha. Most people
Story and Photos by HRP
Please welcome Hood River Powersports & Marine and Post Canyon Bikes to Hood River! Established in 2024 and owned and operated by Jamie Hull of Mt. Hood & Parkdale, they are bringing a new kind of adventure and community to the Gorge.
At HRP and Post Canyon Bikes, they’re here to help families and folks make the most of their time outdoors, whether you’re enjoying the outdoors solo, with friends or exploring with loved ones. Everything they offer is designed to help you enjoy life, build your skills, and recharge — while always delivering the best service and support to keep the adventure going.
In just a few months of ownership, Jamie has already made huge changes to the dealership, including a major rebrand (with new signage coming soon!). They are also carrying even more world-class brands, such as RH Fishing boats, G3 Boats, Kawasaki, Sherco offroad and trail bikes, Kove Adventure and Rally bikes, CFMOTO UTVs, ATVs & motorcycles, Arctic Leopard Electric motorbikes, and Kayo pit bikes and ATVs.
For all you boaters and fisherman out there, they have big plans in the works, bringing 20+ years of boat design and building experience to ensure HRP becomes the go-to store in the Portland and Gorge areas. The Big Fishing store launches early 2025! New staff from the Hood River area — with professional expertise in moto and mountain biking — have
are not aware that Yamaha has built more e-bikes than any other manufacturer in the world, and just recently began to focus on the US market with the introduction of the very best e-bikes available. Post Canyon Bikes also sells RFN and RAWRR (similar to Surron), with even more brands coming soon!
Jamie Hull is a Mechanical and Marine Engineer, life-long gearhead and outdoorsman. So naturally he saw this opportunity as the holy grail of combining many of his outdoor activities and passions under one roof, as well as the chance to build a venue and share this experience with the Hood River community he loves so much.
Formerly MidColumbia Marine & MotorSports (MCM), this company has been in the Hood River’s boating, fishing and powersports culture for more than 30 years, and HRP & Post Canyon Bikes is excited to continue this legacy! A big shout out to Jim Drennen for making this possible!
HRP and Post Canyon Bikes provides sales, service and parts support for powersports, MTB and road bikes, e-bikes, marine and fishing. Hood River PowerSports & Marine and Post Canyon Bikes are located at 3335 Cascade Ave. in Hood River. For more info, visit our website at www. hoodriverpowersports.com/ or give us a call at (541) 386-2477.
Jamie Hull, Owner
All Seasons has recently partnered with Northwest Auto & Marine Detail and is offering packages for cars, trucks, vans, RVs and boats. Packages can include paint correction and ceramic coatings as well as interior steam cleaning of seats, carpets and headliners. Give us a call today for a special price quote! *Mention you saw this ad for an additional discount.*
