News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 18 of 18
The canyon wren [Catherpes mexicanus] is a small wren found in arid, rocky habitats from southern British Columbia throughout the western United States and Mexico. The canyon wren is visually inconspicuous but easily detected during the breeding season by its loud, distinctive song, often heard throughout canyonlands of western North America. Few terrestrial birds are as restricted to rocky cliffs or outcrops as this one. It inhabits the same territories year-round, commonly... Full story
Editor’s note: The Nugget continues its series of recommendations for reading and viewing during the pandemic shutdown. “The Vegetable Gardener’s BIBLE” by Edward C. Smith. I’ve read my fair share of gardening books (during college I worked at a delightful garden store in downtown Seattle where we were encouraged to borrow the books) and this is the one that I open again and again — for the last 10 years! In this 350-page reference book complete with full-colo... Full story
Easy — and free — seed-starting pots can be placed into a standard seed flat or whatever salad clam shell, large food storage container, etc. that you may have on hand. The only supplies needed are a couple copies of The Nugget (it’s printed with non-toxic soy-based inks, in case you’re wondering) that you’re done reading, an empty toilet paper roll (or tomato paste can), scissors, pencil and a ruler. If you have kiddos, this is a fun activity to do together &mdas... Full story
If you’ve started running or gotten back into it in the last few weeks during the pandemic, you’re not the only one. Cities across the country have seen a rise in the number of people walking, hiking and biking outside as social distancing guidelines have taken hold. Runners across the country are still hitting the pavement and the trails even while most races are canceled or postponed, including the Boston Marathon. Sisters resident Virginia Silvey, a marathoner who has been running/walking for nearly 40 years, had been rece... Full story
As one of four focus areas of the Sisters Country Vision, “resiliency” has been top-of-mind for the Vision Implementation team this month, as Sisters Country grapples with changes to our daily lives, including the ways we connect with one another, plan for the future, care for the most vulnerable among us, and support our local economy. In these unprecedented times of global pandemic, the Vision Team has been inspired and encouraged by many examples of positive, community-led action. I had the honor of speaking with a few... Full story
Jeff Larson had assembled what may have been the most talented team of track boys in Sisters High School many years with a real shot to make a lot of noise at the state meet. The season ended without a single report of a starter’s gun after Governor Kate Brown officially shut down schools across Oregon due to the coronavirus on Wednesday, April 8. “From an athletic standpoint,” said Athletic Director Gary Thorson, “this has no doubt been extremely tough and difficult on our athletes, their parents, and our coaches. I saw a l... Full story
In addition to earning a handsome salary with robust benefits as a freelance writer*, I do some coaching, readings, and creativity guidance for folks around the U.S. and UK. In the last few weeks, friends and clients have brought up the strange reconnecting brought about by the Recent Weirdness, or RW. (I can’t bear to call it C19 or come with a new corona pun). Some of it’s literal: long-lost pals seek each other out on social media. Distant cousins gather for Zoom dance par... Full story
MidOregon Credit Union is preparing for a move across town to a site between N. Arrowleaf Trail and Highway 20, across from the Ray’s Food Place parking lot. The Planning Commission, with a vote of 5-2, approved a review of MidOregon’s site plan and conditional use request for a 3,206-square-foot building with a drive-through and supporting infrastructure, as well as a shared 23-space parking lot. The property is 0.78 of an acre and is currently vacant. The site and sur... Full story
Sitting at our dining room table with two happy but confused pups looking at us lovingly, I’m feeling grateful for having a home and family to help move through these strange times. Like so many folks, business is waning and opportunities for freelance work is disappearing faster than toilet paper at Costco. I have my work-music playing: instrumental folk with gentle guitar played by artists like Brooks Williams and Adam Rafferty. The calming cords soothe my nerves as I listen and watch news revealing the escalation of the co... Full story
Lisa May has experienced profound loss, and suffering so acute that it made her question her close-held faith. Seeking to make sense of it all — and to find ways to help others — sent the Sisters artist down a path that has led to a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign to produce her book “Transformed by God’s Nature: Finding Hope In God’s Character In The Midst Of Suffering.” “Honestly, what I did, I spent the last months of 2016 doing a lot of searching about wha... Full story
Following the March 13 shutdown of all in-school education as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sisters School District students were able to virtually return to their studies on Monday, April 13. While elementary school students are being taught by their parents with videos and materials provided by their teachers, the high school students have been able to have a somewhat normal school day — from the safety of their homes. From Monday through Thursday, the... Full story
West Coast states have agreed on a pact for a consistent, coordinated approach to pivot away from locking down to “flatten the curve” and toward recovering our economic and cultural life. This is good news. Central Oregon should craft a coordinated recovery plan as well. For life cannot indefinitely be decoupled from making a living. I am at pains to make myself clear here: I take this virus very seriously. I do not want to get it; I dread the very thought of my loved ones get... Full story
Testing is the key to getting America working and living again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every responsible roadmap to opening up the country places as its topline requirement “the ability to monitor and protect our communities through testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed,” as California puts it — and Oregon and Washington are aligned with that approach. Though more extensive testing capability is coming onl... Full story
To the Editor: I would like to take a moment to thank you all as a community for the love and support you’ve given to the Health Care system during this COVID-19 time. As an ICU RN I find myself overwhelmed with appreciation and joy from all the support through donations, thoughts, letters, masks, prayers and just your smiles. It truly brings us peace and strength as we walk in to do what we are all honored to do. I hear often how thankful we are as caregivers the respect our community has given for the Stay Home request. A... Full story
Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) “Action Teams” received a $5,000 grant from The Ford Family Foundation (TFFF) to focus on their COVID-19 response. The grant will be split between the STARS “Action Team” and the newly formed Linked Villages — Sisters “Action Team.” Launched March 1, the Sisters Transportation and Ride Share (STARS) provides a free, all-volunteer ride-share service for round-trip transportation for non-emergency medical appointments in Sisters, Bend, and Redmond. The TFFF grant and the active coop... Full story
Two candidates are vying for the office of Deschutes County Sheriff. As the only two candidates filed, they will bypass the May 19 primary election and face off in November. Bend Police Officer Scott Schaier is challenging incumbent Sheriff Shane Nelson for the position that Nelson has held since being appointed by the Deschutes County Commissioners in 2015 and then elected by voters in 2016. Nelson recently presided over the negotiation of a significantly revised contract... Full story
Teachers and students across Oregon are adjusting to a new way of doing school as the “Distance Learning for All” is being rolled out. Here in Sisters, creativity, flexibility, and learning new approaches to teaching through technology are abundant. Distance teaching looks a bit different depending on the grade level and subject matter, but a common theme runs throughout: adaptability, patience, and humor are required. Sisters High School art teacher Bethany Gunnarson explained that firing up “distance” art required a ton of... Full story
St. Charles Health System is now offering a drive-through specimen collection service for COVID-19 testing outside of the St. Charles Family Care clinic at 2600 NE Neff Rd. in Bend. Those taking advantage of this service must have a provider’s order and call 541-699-5107 to schedule an appointment. The ordering provider does not have to be employed by or affiliated with St. Charles. Individuals who do not have a provider’s order will be referred to their primary care pro... Full story
