News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 29
It was a clear and cold Tuesday morning - just nine degrees - and 20 sophomores from Rima Givot's biology class were all bundled up and eagerly hiking from the high school to take part in a new adventure in the recently refurbished greenhouse located on the east side of Sisters Middle School. They were about to get the jump on spring by planting seeds for what will become 1,600 seedlings of native sulfur buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum, a species of wild buckwheat known by... Full story
The leaders of an Oregon charter school network that included academies in Sisters are facing accusations of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering in a lawsuit that seeks nearly $20 million in compensation to the state. Education entrepreuer Tim King of EDChoices founded Sisters AllPrep charter school in Sisters, which ran the Sisters Web Academy. The pre-existing charter school Sisters Academy of Fine Arts was also brought under the AllPrep umbrella. The charter schoo... Full story
The Sisters Recycle Center may get a five-year lease on life. At the close of a lively roundtable workshop discussion between Sisters city councilors and councilor-elects, the three Deschutes County Commissioners and High Country Disposal President Brad Bailey on Thursday, there was an agreement to develop a proposal that could extend the life of the Sisters Recycle Center for another five years. Public Works Director Paul Bertagna began his review of the city's recent... Full story
To the Editor: There are somewhere between 250 and 300 million privately owned guns in the United States of America - one gun for three out of every four people in the country. There are over 25,000 gun-caused deaths each year in the USA. This number includes suicides (more than 15,000/year), homicides (more than 10,000/year) and accidental deaths. In the United Kingdom there are around 4 million guns, less than one gun for every 15 people in the country. In the United Kingdom, civilians are not allowed to possess semi-automa... Full story
It's estimated there are as many as 300 million guns in the US; that's about one for every citizen, and the number increases daily. It's unlikely that any meaningful "gun control" will be acceptable to those who believe it is their right to keep and bear arms, and it's unlikely that any acceptable gun control will have much impact on keeping weapons away from individuals with a deranged mind. The Second Amendment simply states "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people... Full story
The ski season is off to a fast start this year at Hoodoo, with skier visits totaling almost five times the figure for the same period the previous year. December 2011 was a dismal, rainy month that saw a total of only 3,612 skier visits. In fact, last season the resort remained closed almost the entire month of December. This season, however, has been an entirely different story. December 2012 saw a total of 17,885 alpine skiers flock to the popular family ski resort at the... Full story
Nomination forms are now available for the annual Sisters Country Awards. Participants in the process may nominate a business and an individual that has gone above and beyond in their service to the community throughout 2012. "The Sisters Country Awards are an excellent way to represent the best of the best of our great community," said Erin Borla, executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. "This community is full of businesses and individuals that bend over backwards for the benefit of our small town. This... Full story
Slavery: It was a tumor in the bones of the nation from its infancy; a bloody Civil War cut it out, yet it took another 100 years for real healing to begin. And, according to two authors who will speak this weekend in Sisters, the healing and recovery is far from finished. Tom DeWolf and Sharon Morgan will visit Paulina Springs Books in Sisters at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, to share their book "Gather at the Table." "Gather at the Table" is described as "the chronicle... Full story
The Lady Outlaws tallied a 52-32 road win at Molalla on Friday, January 4. Sisters jumped out quickly and knocked down three easy buckets to take an early lead. The Outlaws also executed a tenacious defense which put Molalla in a tough situation. At the half Sisters held a 27-13 advantage over the Indians. It was a physical game from start to finish and the Outlaws handled the physicality well and pushed back with muscle of their own. Coach Julianne Horner was able to get... Full story
Hundreds of basketball players and their families will descend upon Sisters January 19-20 in the first of a series of winter basketball tournaments sponsored by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD). Teams come from all over the state and Washington to participate in the Shootout Series Tournaments. Sisters Park & Recreation District anticipates bringing in 30-50 teams and 1,000-1,500 visitors each weekend. The influx of visitors provides a welcome burst of economic activity in Sisters' during the winter months. The... Full story
Four acting roles in "Play On," Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD)Community Theatre's first stage production, are still open. Two of the characters can be played by women or men and two are female roles. Interested thespians can contact Angela Lund at [email protected]... Full story
The Outlaws lost 39-21 to the Indians at Molalla on Friday, January 4. Sisters just couldn't hit the bucket and missed shot after shot. On the flipside, they had a strong defensive performance. Sisters held a 10-5 lead at the close of the first quarter and scored a bucket at the start of the second period to go up 12-5. However, the Outlaws' offense went cold from there and they were held scoreless the remainder of the second quarter and trailed the Indians 16-12 at the half.... Full story
Anne French is on a mission to help folks in Sisters find a healthier way of life. The health coach has launched Rasa Wellness at Sisters Art Works in Sisters. She'll be sharing the basics of her practice with the public (along with healthy snacks, of course) at an open house on Saturday, January 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. Rasa Wellness carries the message of French's work in its name. Rasa "means to taste the divine nectar - so, to taste life," she explained. Her coaching centers... Full story
Long revered as a visionary in American music, Danny Barnes is joining with mandolinist Matt Sircely for a Northwest tour, including The Belfry in Sisters on Friday, January 11 at 8 p.m. Placing poetic songwriting alongside instrumental mastery, Barnes and Sircely together form a powerhouse duo that conjures great traditions in American music right before launching into some of the most innovative acoustic music that's never been heard. Friends for 10 years, most of their collaboration has taken place in Barnes' kitchen, incl... Full story
The Outlaw Swim Team is off to a strong start this year under new Coach Brittany Baldessari. With five meets down, and a sixth this Friday at Albany, the swimmers are paving the road for an excellent season. "Although we welcome many veteran swimmers back to the team, focus can be put on a handful of up-and-coming freshmen," Baldessari said. Freshman Karly Vial has proved her strength by repeatedly placing in the top four in the 500-yard freestyle, and Mary Stewart is chasing... Full story
According to preliminary data received by NOAA's National Weather Service in Pendleton, temperatures at Sisters averaged slightly warmer than normal during the month of December. The average temperature was 31.2 degrees, which was 1.2 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 38.7 degrees, which was 0.2 degrees below normal. The highest was 53 degrees on December 11. Low temperatures averaged 23.7 degrees, which was 2.5 degrees above normal. The lowest was seven degrees, on December 29. There were 24 days with the low... Full story
HarmonyHouse will host David Jacobs-Strain in a return engagement on Saturday, January 12. His powerful voice and extraordinary guitar work, blended with his haunting and profound lyrics, make for a night to be remembered. "David captivated the audiences of this past Sisters Folk Festival, and it is always such a pleasure to bring him back to the HarmonyHouse," said Katie Cavanaugh, who hosts the HarmonyHouse house concert series with husband Doug. "He has been touring all... Full story
The Sisters Science Club is presenting another of their Frontiers of Science programs in January. The program will be held at The Belfry, located at the corner of Spruce Street and Main Avenue. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for those who would like to enjoy food and drink before the program begins. Angeline's Bakery & Café is providing light entrées, beer and wine. There will also be crackers and milk for those who don't take to alcoholic beverages. Forrest Towne, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Central Oregon Community... Full story
Sisters promoter Richard Esterman is adding to his roster of events for 2013. In addition to Sisters Art in the Park, Sisters Art & Crafts Festival, Sisters Antiques in the Park, and Sisters Fall Street Festival, Esterman will bring a Quilt Show weekend event July 12-14 called Sisters Artist Marketplace, and an August 24-25 Sisters Wild West Show. He is also putting on a new Redmond Street Festival in that city June 15-16. Esterman, a professional photographer, has run events... Full story
It's all a matter of timing. A good snowfall at the right time makes a big difference in the Sisters economy. This year, everything lined up perfectly. Snow fell in prodigious quantities right in time for Christmas, and cold temperatures ensured that it stuck around. Folks turned out in big numbers to ski and enjoy other winter recreation (see related story, page 3) and that translated into a brisk holiday-period trade for many local businesses. "It was awesome," said Jeff... Full story
Recently, The Nugget published an interesting letter to the editor addressing the current national gun-ban debate. The piece was authored by a member of a profession (psychology) that has direct bearing on the issue of mass-casualty gun violence. Perhaps my professional experience might also offer some insight into the issue. I served as a police officer in Los Angeles County for almost 25 years and have attended far too many violent crime scenes to count. Many of these scenes had multiple victims. I was also involved in... Full story
As we begin a new year and look back to the holidays, we can't help but think of the horrendous act of violence that happened in a small Connecticut town, one not unlike Sisters. It isn't hard to relate to the parents and community that suffered such an unimaginable loss. What in a person's upbringing, make-up, or life could cause anyone to commit such an act? Of course, we don't know. What we do know is the importance of positive interactions between caring adults and their children in the development of a child's brain in... Full story
If you have something scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m. this coming Monday, January 14, cancel it. You don't want to miss "Bumbling Science" and the other scheduled events that will begin in the Sisters Elementary School - sponsored by Sisters School District, Sisters Park & Recreation District and Sisters Science Club (SSC). At 4:30 p.m., there will be an open house in the SSC Discovery Lab, where the children will explain and share the scientific facts they have been gathering... Full story
The article in last week's Nugget about the elusive wolverines found scampering about northeastern Oregon and other parts of the West brought back memories of Fred Painter, Sisters lawman from the '50s - and that in turn brought to mind his wolverine. The wolverine, AKA "Glutton" named for its scientific name, Gulo gulo, and eating habits, is the largest member of the mammalian family scientifically known as the mustelids (mustelidae, from Latin 'mustela,' weasel) - mammals wi... Full story
Paulina Springs Books in Sisters will host a celebration honoring the life and work of the late William Stafford, Oregon's most famous poet, on Friday, January 18, at 6:30 p.m. Oregon writers will read a Stafford poem, as well as one of their own pieces written in the spirit of Stafford's works. Members of the audience are invited to read a favorite Stafford poem or share a personal anecdote. Featured writers are: Kit Stafford, Jerrold Ramsey, Lorna Cahall, and Marean Jordan.... Full story
