News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 28
Six sixth-grade students of Sisters Middle School climbed to a pinnacle in the world of scientific and engineering creativity, winning the OMSI 2009 DaVinci Challenge. Each winner was presented with a Family Membership to the museum, and occasion to bring 100 students to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) for a day for free. The team was also given the opportunity to spend one night at the museum after hours. The project, funded by the Lemelson Foundation, called for students to take on any idea of Leonardo... Full story
Sisters schools are heading into their budgeting season for the 2009-2010 school year dragging a heavy anchor. As of last Wednesday, the district was operating under the belief that it would have to budget for a $970,000 shortfall. That figure was based on Governor Ted Kulongoski's proposed two-year education budget of $6.12 billion As of this week, that number has fallen to $5.9 billion, meaning the district will have to budget for a $1.5 million shortfall. If the number... Full story
The Sisters Ranger District is ready to start its season of prescribed burning in Sisters forests. The agency has designated 2,600 acres for burning, though the actual acreage burned will almost certainly be far less. "The likelihood that we burn all these acres this year is pretty slim, honestly," said Craig Letz, who is serving as Acting Sisters District Ranger while Bill Anthony is on temporary assignment to the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests in Washington. "We... Full story
Sisters Country residents are being invited to attend what's being called a "strategy session" on Wednesday, April 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Sisters High School Drama Room. The Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS), along with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sisters, are spearheading an effort to involve all residents in the second updating of the Sisters Economic Development Strategic Action Plan. The action plan was last revised back in April of 2005 by CATS with the help of Jennifer Houston,... Full story
To the Editor: This is a brief note to express my appreciation to Sisters and local communities. The response to The Nugget articles (March 17 and 25) regarding interest in a "free" clinic has been overwhelming, to say the least! Obviously, plans and discussions are still in the neonatal stages, and, does the community actually need such a service? The community as a whole should share their views: next meeting April 23, 4:30 p.m. at SOJI Noodle & Rice Restaurant. Or, if you can't make it, present ideas at our Volunteer Table... Full story
"Something Wild" this way comes. On Friday afternoon, April 17, the streets of Sisters will come alive with My Own Two Hands' community parade, followed by an art stroll in downtown Sisters. Based around the theme, "Something Wild," students in all three local schools have been making masks, banners and flags for the march down Hood Avenue. "Everyone in the community is invited to participate," said Events Director Katy Yoder. "We've had so much fun in the Common Canvas classes watching people of all ages create amazing 'para... Full story
Spring break will be one week next year, under a calendar adopted by the Sisters School Board last week. The school calendar in Sisters has traditionally been designed to accommodate several community objectives: a post-Labor Day start; a two-week spring break; and dismissal in the second weekend in June. When Labor Day falls late as it does this year (September 7) it throws a monkey wrench into the works. "When Labor Day is a late date in September, it is impossible - it's nu... Full story
In order to promote a heightened interest in astronomy within the Sisters community, Sisters High School, the Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD), and local astronomy enthusiasts will once again conduct observing sessions of the night sky on selected dates from April through October of 2009. If you have ever been awed by the beauty of seemingly innumerable stars shining overhead on a clear, moonless night here in Central Oregon, and wanted to know more about what's up... Full story
The Outlaws baseball team won three of their five games this week and saw marked improvement at the plate. Sisters started off their week on Monday, April 6, with a 13-2 win over Culver in a non-league game. The following day the Outlaws defeated La Pine 4-3 at home in extra innings. Three days later Sisters notched a 12-2 victory in five innings at Junction City. The Outlaws wrapped up the week with a doubleheader at home against the Huskies of Sweet Home. Sisters beat the... Full story
The boys tennis team defeated Cascade 6-1 on Friday, April 10, and a day later participated in a round robin tournament at Madras. At Cascade, Will Newport played his best match of the season, playing for the first time at the No. 1 singles position. Newport controlled the match and won with scores of 6-3, 6-1. Jake Thomas (No. 3 singles) played a great match with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Justin Johnson. "Jake was so dominating in the match that it was over in about 30 minutes,"... Full story
The boys golf team took third at the tournament held at the Meadow Lakes Course in Prineville on Thursday, April 9. The course was in great condition for the 12 participating teams. Summit took top honors with a team score of 323, Crook County was runner-up one stroke back at 324 and Sisters placed third with a score of 331. Jonathan Standen finished third overall with a score of 40/38 (78). He shot an eagle on the 14th hole (par five, 530 yards); his first eagle in a competitive tournament. Standen drove the ball 300 yards d... Full story
The Outlaws track teams continued their winning ways with two meet victories apiece, including a soaking four-way meet at Marist on Thursday and the Elmira Relays on Saturday. In Thursday's contest against 1A McKenzie, along with Sky-Em foes Marist and Elmira, it was the Outlaws' depth that provided the victory. Team scores weren't sent out, in part due to the terrible weather, according to Johnson. Lee Elder dominated the sprints, winning the 400 (53.6) and the 200 (24.4) and... Full story
The boys lacrosse team had a tough week, with losses to both Churchill and Glencoe. The Outlaws lost 15-2 at Churchill on Tuesday, April 7, and four days later suffered a 12-0 loss to Hillsboro. Assistant Coach Andrew Gorayeb stepped in for Bill Rexford on Saturday, while Rexford was at the hospital with his wife and new baby. Gorayeb told The Nugget that the lacrosse program in Hillsboro was started by Rexford over 15 years ago and is an established program. "The Hillsboro players had a lot of strong sticks and the entire te... Full story
Sisters swimmer Taylor Tucker, 12, took home a bronze medal and broke into USA Swimming's National Top 100 rankings two weeks ago at the Northwest Age Group Championships. About 175 USA Swimming Club teams were represented in the three-day meet held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way, Washington, which featured about 1,000 of the fastest young age group swimmers from eight western states, including Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Tucker, who swims for the... Full story
The Sisters High School varsity softball squad ran its win streak to five games before losing the second game of a non-conference double-header at Sweet Home on April 11. The Lady Outlaws won the first game against Sweet Home 7-2 before losing the second game, 10-9 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning. Prior to the non-league twinbill, the Lady Outlaws recorded a pair of Sky-Em League wins, defeating La Pine, 9-7, and Junction City, 7-1. The two league wins tie the locals with No. 1-ranked Marist. Each team is... Full story
Sisters Little League starts the 2009 season Saturday at 10 a.m. Thirteen teams, 135 players, and their parents and spectators will meet at the Sisters Community Church ball fields for Opening Day Ceremonies. All players are introduced, team pictures taken, and by 11:15 a.m. the first pitches will be thrown. "Teams must arrive, in uniform, by 9:45," said Cara Hudson, the league's player agent. "All players take the Little League pledge, parade, and then we start games. Our season runs from April 18 to June 15, then there is A... Full story
Whychus Creek could be the beneficiary of a $50,000 grant to build trail and replant native species. The National Forest Foundation is one of several candidates up for the second annual Greater Outdoors Project $50,000 Grant, created by Redwood Creek wines and Planet Green, a 24-hour eco-lifestyle network. Over the last three months, environmental nonprofits were invited to submit grant proposals for consideration in this year's selection process. A judging panel of outdoor experts-including Redwood Creek Winemaker Cal Dennis... Full story
Twelve artists, members of the High Desert Art League (HDAL), are exhibiting their art at Aspen Lakes from April 11 to September. An Artists' Reception with light appetizers will be held for the group on May 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Brand 33 Restaurant. Two award-winning members of HDAL are photographers Vern Bartley and Richard Frederick. Artists who paint mainly in oils and acrylics are Vivian Olsen, Barbara Slater and Pam Jersey Bird. Helen Brown, Cindy Briggs, and Jacqueline Newbold are watercolor painters. HDAL... Full story
Last November, I wrote about the Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society's annual Winter Weather Meeting, held at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry in Portland. At that event a group of meteorologists and climatologists shared their opinions about the kind of weather that Old Man Winter might dish out to the Pacific Northwest, and Oregon in particular, in 2008-09. Well, winter's over now and it's time to render a verdict on how they did. First, a brief forecast review is in order. Each of the four... Full story
Patriotic spirits ran high at the Ray's Food Place Community Room for a monthly meeting of The Military Parents of Sisters, held Wednesday afternoon. The group, founded by Carla Merrell in 2007, provides support and education for those with family in the military. There are currently over 200 sons or daughters from Central Oregon actively deployed around the world. Merrell moderated the meeting and began by thanking people for the success of their first "pack-out" to the... Full story
The Lady Outlaws golf squad was runner-up at the five-team tournament held at the Arrowhead Golf Course on Thursday, April 9. The weather was a bit cool and the girls played in rain for a portion of the round. Molalla finished first, with a team score of 350, and Sisters took second place at 401. Seaside shot a 460 for third, Silverton a 472 for fourth and The Dalles rounded out the scoring at 475. Shelby Ross, who was fighting a cold and sore throat, led the Outlaws with a 44/41 for a total of 85 to finish third overall.... Full story
After only one outdoor practice on the tennis courts and two weeks off for spring break with no practice, the Lady Outlaws had a tough time on the court this past week. Sisters lost to Junction City on Tuesday, April 7, and had no winners in the match. Coach Marti Dale said, "Being able to get in only one outdoor practice really hindered the kids' performance today. Considering that and being off for two weeks, I thought the girls did really well. They won some of their sets in the match but not enough to win." Three days... Full story
Steve Frandsen has contributed a piece of art to the My Own Two Hands arts celebration and Americana Project fund-raiser for years. It's his way of giving back to the community that is his heart's home. "(Sisters) has always been my community; it's where I raised my family," he said. "Even though I live in Terrebonne now, Sisters is always the community for me." This year's contribution uniquely fits this year's theme of "Something Wild." Frandsen created a stunning mask made... Full story
Colleen Shultz has a heart for people and access to a big kitchen. She's combined the two into an endeavor to bring encouragement and a great dinner to those in the Sisters community who need one or both. "It's Just Dinner" is held twice a month at Sisters Community Church. The next gathering is Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Shultz is quick to explain that while it's held at the church, it's not a church activity. This is something she's spearheaded, with help from friends, and it's at the church because they have a licensed... Full story
Sisters community members are invited to hear results of a survey of residents of Sisters School District at an April 28 evening meeting. The town hall meeting will also include time for attendees to comment on new proposed mission, vision and goals statements. These documents, once finalized, will guide school policy for the next ten years. The survey, conducted in January and February, gathered input on three key questions: what school stakeholders think students need to learn to be successful in the 21st century; what... Full story
