News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Articles from the April 8, 2014 edition


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  • City ponders East Portal improvements

    Sue Stafford|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Interested citizens discussed possible improvements to the East Portal at a City Parks Advisory Board workshop April 3. The workshop began with a field trip to the East Portal, located on the triangle of land bounded by Hood Avenue, Highway 242 and Highway 20/126. The 6.6 acres, owned by the U.S. Forest Service, contains public restrooms (closed in the winter), parking for nine cars, a covered shelter that houses a graphic about Highway 242 (a scenic byway), and the labyrinth... Full story

  • Sisters gets set to celebrate the arts

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Sisters is set to launch its annual celebration of the arts with a parade, an art stroll, and a fundraising auction. My Own Two Hands, the annual fundraiser for Sisters Folk Festival's educational outreach programs, begins on April 11, with a parade, art stroll, and performing arts evening at The Belfry. This year's Parade & Rally will be "detoured" due to road construction in downtown Sisters. Students, artists, musicians and others will parade their artwork in the area of... Full story

  • Young Eagle takes flight in Sisters

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Every pilot remembers the first time they took to the skies without the security of an instructor sitting beside them. The solo. "It's all up to me now." That's what 16-year-old Cammi Benson said to herself, as she maneuvered through her first solo flight last Friday, April 4. It was a day she will always remember. Benson, a sophomore, is the first student to solo out of the new Aviation Science program offered at Sisters High School this year. The course is a science... Full story

  • Letters to the Editor 04/09/2014

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    To the Editor: My letter to the editor on March 26 was not meant to defend the actions of any one person working for the City of Sisters. My letter was intended to acknowledge a good job of managing a city campground that eliminated hazard trees and enhanced the overall park health. My comments were based upon walking through the park and observing the results of the finished product. In addition to looking closer at the cut stumps that were cut to ground-level, I based my observation and comments on my 45 years of... Full story

  • City of Sisters should poll on ideas

    Submitted by Jan Daggett|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    The City of Sisters' increasing interest in community input is tremendously encouraging, but before they jump into action on the narrow list of community suggestions gathered at the February "summit," I suggest they tidy up the process that was used that night and poll the community as a whole. At the economic summit, the audience was asked to verbally make proposals to replace the unpopular amphitheater plan. Each idea was written on a separate poster and the audience was then given stickers to place on their favorites. The... Full story

  • Parks Advisory Board weighs in on projects

    Sue Stafford|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    A little-known group that functions under the City of Sisters umbrella is the City Parks Advisory Board, established in March 2012 and meeting for the first time in August 2012. The seven-member board serves in an advisory capacity to the city council on matters pertaining to the acquisition, development, maintenance and preservation of public parks, trails, and open-space areas. No more than three members of the board may live outside Sisters city limits, and they must... Full story

  • Sisters Habitat set to 'go global' again

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Next stop, Kyrgyzstan. Sisters Habitat is seeking volunteers to join a Global Village trip scheduled to start on September 6, 2014. The team of 10 volunteers will build a home in Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia. Sisters residents Jack and MaryAnne McDonnell will lead the team. In 2012, the McDonnells were among seven people who represented Sisters Habitat at Habitat International's Everest "Big Build," where 400 volunteers from all over the world built 40 homes in an... Full story

  • Landis takes first in swim races

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Last weekend masters swimmer Tom Landis competed in the Oregon Association Championships at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham. Landis, swimming in the 70-74 age group, took first place in all six of his events and also swam on three relays for his team, Central Oregon Masters. Tom, who lives in Camp Sherman and works out at Sisters Athletic Club, won the 400 individual medley and 1,650 freestyle on Friday. On Saturday he was victorious in the 200 individual medley and 100-yard butterfly. On Sunday his winning events were... Full story

  • Construction enters new phases

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Construction of the new Cascade Avenue is entering new phases as contractor Knife River placed crushed rock for the road, installed new curbs, and is installing four-inch slabs of concrete for pavers. "They will continue setting forms for the decorative features," said community liaison Anne Fisher. "They will also be working on the northwest corner of Cascade and Elm Street, in front of Sisters Market, to make that side of Elm Street fully functional prior to the... Full story

  • Boys tennis suffers first loss of season

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    The boys tennis team traveled to Bend and faced the Lava Bears on Thursday, April 3. Six of Sisters' top players were not able to attend due to vacation or college visitation plans over spring break, and the Outlaws fell 7-1 for their first loss this season. Paul Fullhart was the Outlaws' lone bright spot. Paul won at No. 1 singles to remain undefeated this year. Coach Bim Gander commented, "The absence of half the starting team allowed several of the younger or less experienced players to step up and represent the team for... Full story

  • Outlaws crowned champs at Arizona tournament

    Rongi Yost, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    The Outlaws took top honors at the Salt River Baseball Classic held in Scottsdale, Arizona, over spring break. This year marked the sixth consecutive year Sisters has participated in the event. Sisters started the tournament with a tough 6-5 loss to Sierra Canyon, out of California. The Outlaws held a three-run lead as they headed into the final inning, but couldn't hold on for the win. "We were a little rusty and didn't play a very good defensive game," said Coach Steve... Full story

  • Boys lacrosse earns two big wins

    Rongi Yost, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    The boys lacrosse team had a good week and earned convincing wins over Redmond and McNary. Sisters defeated the Panthers 19-1 at Redmond on Wednesday, April 2, and two days later earned a 17-10 victory at home against McNary. The tide turned and on Saturday the Outlaws got clobbered 13-3 at Sherwood. Sisters dominated play in all aspects in their games against Redmond and McNary. Coach Bill Rexford told The Nugget that the Outlaws played with energy and poise and played the... Full story

  • Sisters Country getting 'connected'

    Sue Stafford|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Community connectivity within Sisters Country was showcased at the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting held at Sisters City Hall on April 3. Presentations by local representatives and a walking tour of the Cascade Avenue improvement project allowed committee members to see the many ways in which Sisters is promoting and ensuring bicycle, pedestrian, and equestrian traffic and safety. Sisters Mayor Brad Boyd pointed out that one of the... Full story

  • Sports doping subject of talk

    Jim Anderson, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    If you find yourself trying to make sense out of the all-too-familiar news flashes about high-profile sports figures using performance-enhancing products, come to The Belfry on Thursday, April 17, where COCC Assistant Professor of Exercise Science John Liccardo will present: "Physiology, Doping and Ethics in Sports." Doors open at 6 p.m.; lecture starts at 7 p.m. With advances in nutritional technology, scientists synthesizing and manufacturing nutrients, and many of their met... Full story

  • Track teams busy over spring break

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Spring break did not mean vacation for many of the Sisters Outlaws track and field athletes. Hard work and dedication are beginning to pay dividends just in time to face the heart of the competitive season. Michaela Miller began her "break" with an historic flair as she competed in the Sweet Home Heptathlon, where she squared off against multi-event athletes from around Oregon in the two-day, seven-event competition.   Miller, a sophomore, placed second overall among... Full story

  • Book helps expand capabilities

    Jim Cornelius, News Editor|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    All of us want to live with passion and vitality - but so often we create our own impediments. Our own habits, tendencies, addictions dissipate our energy. Sisters resident Jeff Sanders has developed a year-long program to help people "master the art of vitality," laid out in his new book, "The Discomfort of Happiness." People often become comfortable with habits, patterns and behaviors that are unhealthy or even harmful. Getting outside those zones into greater capabilit... Full story

  • Does your dog need a job?

    Jodi Schneider, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Fido stays home five hours a day while you're working. He naps most of the day on his usual spot that is now worn down on the couch. He's bored because he has nothing to keep him mentally and physically stimulated. Dogs are amazing creatures and they are our wonderful loving and nonjudgmental friends, but they also have an innate and instinctual need to work. Dogs need a job that provides appropriate release for their mental and physical energies. Even before domestication,... Full story

  • Raising awareness on child abuse

    Jodi Schneider, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    April is Blue Ribbon Month for the national fight against child abuse, and on Tuesday, April 1, Circle of Friends mentors tied blue ribbons on trees and fences on Hood Avenue to increase awareness for the prevention of child abuse. Circle of Friends mentors are individuals and families that provide training, support and resources to mentor children. The mentors spend quality one-on-one time with each of the children and build nurturing relationships to help them thrive. They w... Full story

  • Bedouin has been offering something for everyone for years

    Jim Fisher|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Janit Brockway and her employee Katelyn Andrade greet visitors to Bedouin each day. It is one of the most unique and interesting shops in Sisters, offering gifts, clothes, and jewelry to both local residents and tourists. Janit and Jim Brockway, owners of Bedouin, are enjoying their 28th year of doing business in their rustic log-style store at 143 E. Hood Ave. Bedouin's wares are best described in an online buyer's guide: "An eclectic collection of women's clothing, jewelry,... Full story

  • End of an era for Bronco Billy's

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    After nearly 29 years of operating Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon in the historic Hotel Sisters, John Keenan and John Tehan have sold the business and are now looking forward to a slower pace of living. Effective April 1, the new owners of the business are Bill and Tammy Falconer, owners of Pilot Butte Drive In and Pilot Butte Drive In West Side, both in Bend. The Falconers live in the Sisters community. Ownership of the building remains in the Reed family. Keenan and... Full story

  • Firefighters 'fill the boot' for landslide victims

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    On Sunday, April 6, members of the volunteer firefighter associations of Black Butte Ranch, Cloverdale, and Sisters-Camp Sherman fire districts met in Sisters to raise funds for those affected by the Oso, Washington, mudslide. In a little over four hours of fundraising, these volunteers raised $3,774.93 to send to Oso to aid survivors and rescuers. Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Fighters Association President Damon Frutos said that the fire department that protects the Oso area is... Full story

  • Sisters man keeps folks on their feet

    Jim Cornelius, News Editor|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    We Sisters Country folks spend a lot of time on our feet. If we're not working on our feet, we're out hiking on them or on the court or doing something that demands good foot health. John Neal's Right Step Orthotics is here to make sure we can continue to do what we love to do, free of pain and the damage that can come from being "out of whack." Orthotics aren't just about soothing your aching dogs. A lot of orthopedic problems can be traced to how you get around. "A lot of... Full story

  • Mushers run on Sisters Country trails

    Jodi Schneider, Correspondent|Updated Apr 8, 2014

    The weather was a tad warm, at 35 degrees, Saturday morning for the fourth annual "Mush without Slush" based at Zimmerman Butte just west of Sisters. Sled-dog enthusiasts and their eager dogs were getting geared up for a snowless "fun run" on forest roads and trails. Polly Riley, Mush Without Slush timer, commented on the weather as she handed out purple-and-white bibs with numbers for each participant. "We would like it to be a little cooler; it's better for the dogs," she... Full story

  • Frances B. Hogan January 15, 1928 - March 31, 2014

    Updated Apr 8, 2014

    Frances B. Hogan passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, March 31, 2014, surrounded by her loving family and caregivers at her longtime home in Palo Alto, California.  Fran had been a summertime resident of Camp Sherman for many years. Born January 15, 1928, in Portland, Oregon, to John and Martha Beckwith, Fran spent her childhood years in the Portland area. In the late 1930s, the Beckwith family built a vacation cabin on the Metolius River, which soon became and alw... Full story