Check out who's putting Hood River on their lists of the best places in America to live, play, and work.

information provided by Hood River Chamber of Commerce

Hood River has received an astounding number of accolades from major media outlets recently. Of course, those who are lucky enough to live, work, and play here already knew that our lovely city is one of the very best places in the world. But now, millions others know that as well, as such major publications as Outside Magazine, Men's Journal Magazine, and Skiing Magazine have included Hood River in their lists of the best places in America.

Here are a few of our most recent honors: Men's Journal Magazine, April 2006 Issue: "Best Places to Live: The 50 Healthiest, Sexiest, Most Adventurous Towns." Hood River is named at the top of their list for the "Most Active Towns - Multisport hubs with something for everyone."

After including Hood River in their list of "Top 20 Dream Towns" at #11 last year, Outside Magazine is back again - including Hood River in their list of "100 Adrenaline Hot Spots" in their April 2006 issue. Hood River is listed as an "Adventure Mecca - Ultimate Cascades" in the listing, citing the easy access to whitewater, windsurfing and kiteboarding, summer skiing, and mountain and road cycling.

And earlier in the year, Progressive Farmer Magazine placed Hood River County at #10 in their list of the "Top 200 Best Places to Live in Rural America." The article's author, Jim Patrico states, " It's almost unfair (to those of us who don't live there) that one place could be so beautiful. Those lucky souls who live in Hood River County, Ore., awake each morning to vistas of snow-capped Mount Hood to the south, stately Mount Adam to the north and the gorgeous Columbia River gorge between. Through this beauty flows the Hood River valley with its cliffs and crags and improbably round hills formed by volcanic bubbles." And we couldn't agree more!

Last year, Skiing Magazine also placed Hood River in their "Top Ten Ski Towns" list. Hood River actually placed #5, following Jackson, Wyoming, Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Vail, Colorado and Bozeman, Montana.

And just this week, (March 20, 2006) BugetTravelOnline.com placed Hood River in their list of "The Coolest Small Towns in the U.S.A."

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1. Immediate access to world class recreation: kiting, biking, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, fishing, hiking
2. Abundant natural resources
3. Small town convenience
4. Prosperous rural agricultural region
5. Safe close knit community
6. Distinct four seasons
7. Strong entrepreneurial spirit
8. Easy access to Portland, the coast and the airport
9. Involved and giving community
10. Diversity of our residents

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Art, Theater, Music, Dance and Museums are an integral part of our community.

• Columbia Art Gallery
• CAST- Community Theater
• First Friday Art Walk
• Mid- Columbia Sinfonietta
• Hood River Saturday Market
• Community Concerts
• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center
• Hutson Musem
• Gorge Heritage Museum and Historical Society
• Hood River Chapter of Sweet Adeline's
• International Museum of Carousel Art
• Hood River County Historical Museum
• Columbia Gorge Dance Academy
• Families in the Park
• Columbia Jr. Orchestra
• Wasco County Historical Museum
• Maryhill Museum
• The Fruit Heritage Museum

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Ok. A few words about Food In Hood River

Yes, we have good restaurants. But when all is said and done, Hood River and the Columbia River Valley offer more. Much more.

I can say, with a moderate amount of authority, that our region is one of the greatest growing regions on Earth. Period.

I do not mean to be overly effusive, but it is hard to describe the bounty that flows from the Hood River, Willamette and Columbia River Valleys.

World class. Morels, Asparagus, Salmon, Tuna Crab, Beef, Lamb, Shellfish, apples, pears, game, cheeses, charcuterie, you name it, we have it. In abundance.

The Dean of American Cooking, James Beard, came from Oregon. And I know why.

Coming to Hood River, Dining in the restaurants, and enjoying yourself with our food and wine is great. But there is so much more to it, you could literally, spend a lifetime and not see it, and taste it all.

Trust us. We try every day, and you can too.

The favorite restaurants spots of the Copper West team are:

• Hunter: Abruzzo's and Sushi Okalani
• Maui: The Bagel Company and Dog River, following closely on their heels is Ground...
• Bill: Breakfast, lunch and dinner spots — Ground, HR Tacqueria, Abruzzo's and Celilo
• Judy: Eliot Glacier Brew Pub for Taco Monday's, Viento and Sixth Street Bistro
• Carmen: The Mesquitery, Ground and Crazy Pepper

Can you believe this? There is about one dining seat per ten people in the entire valley, and in the City of Hood River, there is about 1 seat for every three people.

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Columbia River Gorge Region Property Tax Rates

information provided by Columbia Gorge Economic Development Association

Tax Per $1000 of Assessed Value:

• Hood River County, OR: $9 - $13
• City of Hood River: $12.5389
• City of Cascade Locks: $11.3508
• Wasco County, OR: $10.2367 - $ 18.3942
• The Dalles: $10.2367 - $18.3942
• Sherman County, OR: $12 - $18.16
• Klickitat County, WA: $8 - $16
• Goldendale: $12.256
• Bingen-White Salmon: $9.65
• Skamania County, WA: $8.47 - $13.54
• Stevenson: $9.37

This information is subject to change. Please consult the county assessor's office for current rates in a specific area.

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