News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 201 - 225 of 571
If you or someone you know suffers from severe anxiety, you know how difficult it can be to get through the day. And just like people, dogs can experience anxiety, which can be provoked by fear, separation, and environmental changes. Anxiety affects all breeds of dogs and can lead to serious behavioral problems if left untreated. Dogs are individuals, and each manifests anxiety differently. The anxiety can range from mild (crouching, hiding, tail-tucking) or moderate... Full story
Ready to take on the new year? Resolutions are a great way to start the year off, whether they are a list of things to accomplish or fun ideas to make 2018 your best year yet. So many of you are animal lovers and pet parents; shouldn't you be including your furry friends among your top priorities for the new year? Just as your pets can improve your physical and mental health, there are many ways that you can improve the lives of your cats and dogs in return. Make this new... Full story
The mission of Circle of Friends, a nonprofit mentoring program in Sisters, is to provide friends/mentors to make sure Sisters' most vulnerable kids develop life skills, social skills, academic success, and their own individual talents. And last week 15 little friends had the opportunity to express their holiday shopping talents by searching for unique gifts for their families, with gift certificates for Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store donated by ZoselHarper Realtors. This... Full story
Always up for a puzzle to solve, local author Lanagan Vitaceae is particularly engrossed in writing "cozy mysteries." And inspired by the real town of Sisters, one of her series, "Murder at the Tumbleweed Tea B&B," is a murder mystery that entertains. Most cozy mysteries are set in small towns, like Sisters, and involve a sleuth who is not in a profession related to crime-solving. "A cozy mystery needs to have that small-town feel," Vitaceae told The Nugget. "That kind of... Full story
Anyone who has ever stroked a dog's soft ears or felt the gentle rumble of a cat's purr knows the calming feeling an animal can offer. Animals offer companionship and unconditional love. They also have the ability to improve health and general well-being, especially in the older adult population. The most serious problem for older adults is not disease; it's loneliness - especially during the holidays. Elderly people, especially those living in residential care facilities,... Full story
Even with the threat of rain, hundreds of folks, including the furry kind, came out in true Sisters style lining both sides of Hood Avenue on Saturday for the annual Sisters Christmas Parade. Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and Hayden Homes sponsored this year's parade, and the theme "Winter Wonderland" certainly described the combination of festive floats, fire trucks and amazing animals. The Christmas parade had children and big folks applauding, laughing, and cheering. It... Full story
A job you have a passion for gives you extra motivation to meet your goals. Ben Redlich, a new Sisters resident and owner of Bullseye Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, loves his profession and has been cleaning textiles for over 25 years. "The sense of accomplishment I feel after every cleaning is outstanding to me," Redlich said. Redlich is a people person, and his game plan is fairly simple: Do a great job cleaning carpet while getting to know your customers. Redlich's most rewa... Full story
Paul Stark is a nationally renowned wood carver. His son Jon is carving out a name for himself in the same trade. Patricia Molesworth, who has owned Village Interiors Home Furnishings and Design Center since 1991, is longtime friends with Paul Stark. "We raised our kids together and Paul's son Jon, also a chainsaw sculptor, is very good friends with my son," said Molesworth. "Over a year ago Jon began bringing in his handcrafted benches in my shop and now we are very... Full story
Just about everyone has heard the phrase "winter blues." Some individuals are negatively affected by the shift into winter. Serious depression of this nature is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that affects one to 10 percent of the population depending on the specific location. The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. The decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression... Full story
What is your dog trying to tell you? Because dogs don't speak human language, the only way to really comprehend and communicate with them is for pet parents to understand and appreciate what they are telling us through their body language and vocalizations. Canines communicate using a complex language of body signals that indicate what they are thinking and feeling. Even though a dog's face and head come in many shapes and sizes, your furry friend's basic facial expressions... Full story
Halloween can be loads of fun for kids and adults. And as spooky little monsters, ghosts and ghouls begin their trick-or-treating, it can be the scariest night of the year, especially for your pets. For all the fun Halloween offers for kids, it can be unsettling and even dangerous for pets. But here are some common-sense precautions to keep in mind for your furry friend's safety this year. Not only will your door be constantly opening and closing on Halloween, but all those... Full story
The sunny autumn weather helped attract thousands of treasure-seekers into town for the 42nd annual Harvest Faire hosted by Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce on Main Avenue last weekend. Folks from all over the Pacific Northwest came to browse through an abundant harvest of handmade items, from handcrafted dried floral arrangements to whimsical cloth dolls. And with over 165 juried artisan vendors, there was something for everyone's taste. First-time vendor Randy Snow, from... Full story
Maybe you've had that extra-special pet, the one you just couldn't bear to say goodbye to. What if you didn't really have to? You might remember when Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1996. It's been over 20 years since Dolly made the headlines, and cloning has come a long way. Scientists have managed to clone a variety of animals, including cats, cows, horses, mice, mules, pigs, rabbits, and rats but had been unable to successfully clone a dog due to the problematic job of... Full story
The crisp fall air was fragrant with fresh hop aromas all around Village Green Park, attracting hundreds of folks to the eighth annual Sisters Fresh Hop Festival on Saturday. The event was presented by Three Creeks Brewing Company. It's that time of the year when brewers delight in rubbing sticky, leafy cones between their fingers, picking apart the petals to reveal a bright yellow oily pollen. For beer drinkers it's the time when they get to sample the short-lived product in... Full story
Neuroscientists have finally taken a look inside the mind of man's best friend by training dogs to lie motionless in an MRI scanner. After scanning the brains of dozens of dogs, neuroeconomics professor Gregory Burns said he's left with the inescapable conclusion that "dogs are people, too." Burns' work is providing evidence that our furry friends experience consciousness and emotions at a level comparable to humans. Maybe you've noticed that Rover seems to enjoy doing nearly... Full story
If you've ever had a cat you probably already know how much joy they bring to your life. Yet, cats sometimes don't get the credit they deserve. They are often seen as solitary, aloof creatures. And this can be far from the truth. Cats can thrive in a family with children and can even learn to play games that you'd think are associated with dogs, such as fetch. Many cats love to be petted, held, and cuddled. Give them a bit of attention and you'll get love in return. Cats love... Full story
Private pilot John Dunlap of Sisters loves to fly and has owned his own small aircraft, a Cessna 180 Skywagon, for six years. He volunteers time maintaining backcountry airstrips in Oregon as a member of the Oregon Pilots Association. The airstrips support rural communities. And now Dunlap is donating time and resources to help unwanted animals in distant places find their forever homes. Dunlap left Sisters Eagle Airport on August 24 for his very first flight as a volunteer fo... Full story
Black Butte Ranch Art Guild has been supporting art in Sisters schools with scholarships from the proceeds of the annual Art at the Ranch show for over three decades. Last Friday evening, the guild held its annual artist reception and silent auction at the Black Butte Ranch Lodge Brooks Room, where guests mingled with artists and bid on their works in a fundraising silent auction. However, due to the unhealthy air quality forecasted for last weekend, the outdoor art fair sched... Full story
The smoky conditions on Saturday didn't stop folks from getting out to browse through the 10th annual Sisters Fall Street Festival that lined Oak Street and Main Avenue with a bright blend of eclectic merchandise from some 47 vendors. Each year the festival gives folks that last chance to savor the final days of summer. The festival featured unique showcases of handcrafted arts and crafts. From rake birdfeeders to hand-designed jewelry, there was something for everyone.... Full story
Cascade Avenue between Oak and Pine streets was taken back to a time when the "Old West" was alive and well. With 140 feet of Western town façade, folks did a double take and sat for a spell to watch the Deschutes Desperados, formerly The Pine Mountain Posse Reenactment Players, and a rowdy bunch of new players entertain with skits for the 5th annual Sisters Wild West Show last weekend. The Deschutes Desperados reenactment player Mick Howard, aka Mojave Mick, was back... Full story
Last March Harmony Farm Sanctuary (HFS) in Sisters rescued a baby calf. When three-day-old "Norman" arrived at HFS, he developed scours and pneumonia, both of which are major causes of young calf death. Since he was a dairy calf, he was pulled from his mom at birth and did not get the colostrum essential for health and, often, survival. "When a female dairy cow is born she is a future dairy cow but the male isn't useful so they either go to veal crates, dog food companies or... Full story
You should always have a disaster plan for your pets, no matter what their size. Make sure that your cats and dogs are wearing collars and identification tags that are up to date. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with Rover or Kitty if they get lost by having them microchipped. During disasters in Central Oregon the Pet Evacuation Team (P.E.T.) works under the direction of Red Cross and Emergency Services during Central Oregon evacuations. The regional... Full story
Last Thursday evening dark clouds congregated over Sisters, creating a tropical island flavor for the 4th annual Hawaiian Luau presented by Sisters Park & Recreation District and the Rotary Club of Sisters. The Village Green blossomed into an island paradise with traditional luau décor, including tiki torches. And the aroma of authentic cuisine filled the air as over 300 guests gathered to have an authentic Hawaiian meal with entertainment featuring traditional... Full story
Art enthusiasts browsed through an eclectic display of fine art Friday evening at the juried art show and silent auction that kicked off the 22nd Country Fair, held at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. Patrons mingled with the artists while tasting wine and munching on hors d'oeuvres. Guests enthusiastically bid on items that showcased the entryway that lead into the art show. The auction - with items donated by artists and local businesses - was run by Jennifer... Full story
Every time you and Rover spend the weekend with your friend and her dog, the two dogs have a great time together. And each time when you return home your dog seems down for a couple of days. Should you consider having a playmate for Rover or a second dog? Since dogs are pack animals, they enjoy being around others. Some miss having companionship so much when their pet parents are away that they bark incessantly or become destructive. A dog can benefit from having another pet... Full story