News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 25
An army of self-described "dirt nerds" were in Sisters Country last week. The occasion was the National Intercollegiate Soil Judging Contest. More than 130 undergraduate students from all over the country competed in the five-day event. Youths competed from such far-away places as Clemson (South Carolina), Auburn (Alabama) and Delaware Valley College (Pennsylvania). In total, 21 universities sent teams, with only one located west of the Rocky Mountains: California Polytechnic... Full story
"There is no joy in this year's budget," said Chris Jones, school board chair, as she opened the first budget committee meeting for the 2011-2012 school budget. "Our choices are between bad and worse." The district cut more than $500,000 out of the 2010-2011 budget, and then, with the governor's directive, the district lost an additional nine percent at the end of the school year after the budget committee had concluded their work. This was on top of a major reduction in the 2009-2010 budget. Superintendent Jim Golden's... Full story
Golfers from across the region teed it up in Sisters in the ninth annual Central Oregon Shootout held last Friday, Saturday and Sunday on three local golf courses. The Big Meadow Golf Course at Black Butte Ranch, Aspen Lakes Golf Course and the Resort Course at Eagle Crest hosted what has become the second-largest annual tournament in Central Oregon. "The field has grown each year," said Jeff Fought, the director of golf at Black Butte Ranch and the tournament co-founder. The... Full story
To the Editor: I am writing today in support of the sitting board members of Black Butte Elementary School. The incumbents (Dean Potter, Marti Dale, and Lee Morgan) are committed and are doing good work that is moving in the right direction. In short: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This school board is awesome, and is deeply involved, and there is just no reason to lose momentum with a change right now. I am brand-new as a full-time resident, having just recently moved into town to live with my partner Erin Conway, who... Full story
Volunteers young and old are being mobilized for the annual "I Heart Sisters" community service event scheduled for this Saturday, May 7. Working together, members of seven local church congregations will be rolling up their sleeves to serve their neighbors in a number of practical ways. "Our target is mostly seniors, single moms, veterans and disabled folks," says coordinator John Gerke. "Most of the work is raking pine needles and clearing debris from rain gutters, and there will also be some window washing." Gerke says... Full story
In an innovative act of charitable alchemy, folks in Sisters can turn their "worn out" shoes into fresh water wells in Kenya. Sisters businesswoman Cheryl Clemans has launched a Central Oregon drive through Shoeman Water Projects to collect used shoes. The shoes are given a second life when the Shoeman exports the donated shoes to retailers in the developing world. The resale of shoes provides jobs and affordable footwear. Funds generated from the export of shoes provide... Full story
Winter has been reluctant to depart the Sisters Country, but last Thursday Mr. Hewett's fourth-grade class defied the old man to undertake an annual ritual: they planted trees in honor of Arbor Day. The trees are part of the landscaping for a big berm pushed up in the Sisters Overnight Park, right along Locust Street, where the plantings will screen the view of campers and cut down on road noise. The City of Sisters Public Works Department moved 350 cubic yards of soil, salvag... Full story
U.S. Forest Service personnel took to the trees earlier this month to install a pair of artificial raptor nests at Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School to help combat the runaway mice, gopher and ground squirrel infestation. Climbers scaled a massive ponderosa pine to set up a sheet of hogwire and sticks to entice raptors to set up housekeeping high in the branches. Leland Bliss, director of operations with the Sisters School District, saw this as a way to stay in com... Full story
The Sisters City Council approved a temporary four percent water rate increase Thursday night - but no one seemed too pleased with the partial resolution of a months-long conflict. In a workshop earlier in the week, the council seemed to have worked out a compromise concept to use the rate increase to stabilize the water fund by reestablishing a viable contingency. No capital improvements to the water system would be initiated. The second part of the compromise was to be the appointment of a "blue ribbon" committee or TAC... Full story
The Lady Outlaws' tennis team completed six of eight matches to record the 5-1 win in their match at Bend High on Thursday, April 28. Becky Thomas (No. 1 singles) and Amity Calvin (No. 2 singles) won their matches and Megan Minke (No. 3 singles) and Chloe Stein (No. 4 singles) were both leading in their matches before they were called due to snow. Thomas beat Kendall Holiday in two sets with scores of 6-3, 6-1. Thomas' effective net play, deep, strong corner shots, and her consistent serving were key in the win. Calvin's ace... Full story
After two years of discussion and research, the Sisters School District will install a bio-mass pellet boiler at Sisters High School next month. Installation of the 1.3-million-BTU boiler will start early in May, and the boiler will be operational for the 2011-12 school year. According to district facilities manager Leland Bliss, the new boiler could save the district $35,000 to $50,000 per year in heating costs. The new boiler will be integrated into the existing heating... Full story
Getting big run-producing days from seniors Marissa Calavan and McKenzie Cooper and sophomore Tiffany Milliman, Sisters High School's (SHS) varsity softball team inched closer to securing a postseason playoff spot with a 10-3 win over La Pine on April 26. The Sky-Em League victory improved the Lady Outlaws' overall record to 5-6, but more importantly tied the locals with Junction City for third place in league standings. Each team is 5-4, with Junction City reeling with three straight defeats. Both SHS and Junction City trail... Full story
Early last fall weather forecasters across the region were eyeing changes that were taking place in the tropical Pacific Ocean. A strengthening easterly trade wind was pushing warm surface water westward, allowing colder and deeper water to rise to the surface in eastern sections of the Pacific. A potent La Niña was brewing that local meteorologists and climatologists believed would impact our upcoming winter. At the American Meteorological Society's winter weather meetin... Full story
Current Sisters School Board chair Christine Jones is running unopposed for school board position number one, a seat she has held since 2007. "There is a fairly steep learning curve in being a board member," said Jones. "In the last four years I have learned a lot about school budgeting, Oregon laws and the way schools work." Jones indicates that she would like to see though some of the programs that she helped start and nurture. "New board members can come in with the idea... Full story
The Sisters Outlaws have been a sports powerhouse over the past 15 years, despite the small size of the district. Sports are important to the community, evoking passion in students, coaches and parents alike. But as school funding dwindles, those sports programs are under threat. On Monday night, community members and school staff met to discuss a plan that would change how sports are administered in Sisters, creating a partnership between the school district and Sisters Park... Full story
The Friends of the Sisters Library Art Committee is bringing naval aviation history to life at Sisters Library. As you walk into the foyer you can't help but notice the group of Navy aircraft models on display in the glass cabinets along the wall. They are the work of Sisters resident Roscoe Creed, a master modeler with a keen interest in aviation history. Creed built 12 of the models, and purchased three because they are one-of-a-kind. One is a pre-World War II small-scale... Full story
• Cinematographer and writer Todd Moen of Catch magazine will show his "fish porn" movies on a big-screen TV on Wednesday, May 4 at 6 p.m. in an event sponsored by Poppies Gourmet Garden Market & Café and The Fly Fisher's Place to present an evening of great food, beer and the latest fly fishing gear for the Central Oregon angler. There will be a casting contest in the backyard, including prizes and gift certificates to both businesses for the winners. Call Poppies at 541-549-1033 to reserve tickets. •... Full story
"I get by with a little help from my friends..." These words from a Beatles song could well sum up the philosophy of "life coaches," people who specialize in helping others realize their potential, improve relationships and become better leaders. Life coaches don't offer therapy, and they focus on what's to come, not what's been. There's a whole toolbox of techniques to use, but one of the more unusual integrates the concept of "horse whispering" into a coaching session. Koelle Simpson, a young woman from Scottsdale,... Full story
The boys lacrosse team battled back to earn a 14-9 victory over Mt. View on Monday, April 25. The Outlaws were down 6-4 at the half but went on a 10-3 scoring spree in the second half to notch the league win. Scott Nelson had an outstanding game, leading the Outlaws with four goals and three assists. "I guess we have the Tasmanian devil playing attack for us," said Coach Bill Rexford. "He seems to like getting banged around a bit, kind of reminded me of Godzilla and... Full story
The driver in a single-car crash that killed a Sisters teen last August has reportedly reached a plea deal that will put her in prison for over six years. The wreck occurred on Highway 20 near Black Butte Ranch on August 17, when Stacia Roberts, 23, of Bend, failed to negotiate a curve and plowed into a tree. Joshua Herrin, 19, of Bend, was killed in the wreck. Nina Blackmore, 18, was transported to the hospital via AirLink. She died of her injuries. Roberts and another passenger were not seriously injured. KTVZ-TV reported... Full story
The Brace Place - Central Oregon Orthodontic Specialists, has found a part-time home here in Sisters and introduced themselves to the community at a Friday open house. Doctors Vincent Quas, DDS, David Kang, DMD, and Neil Wiater, DMD, are excited to expand the practice and include Sisters as part of their network already operating in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and La Pine. They will be sharing office space on Fridays only, every four to six weeks, with Dr. Ben Crockett and... Full story
Although the weather finally seems to be on a warmer trend, the snow is still six to eight feet deep at pass levels, which leaves a continuing window of opportunity for spring cross-country skiing. Lower-elevation trails are beginning to shed their snow, but the high elevations remain completely buried and are likely to remain so for some time. It's easy for an outdoor enthusiast to feel conflicted during this overlap of seasons. Even though I've already enjoyed several hikes... Full story
You'd think that after roaming around on this beautiful old planet Earth for 83 years a guy would get wise to "surprise parties." But I got caught in another one last March when my wife, Sue dragged me off to the Sunriver Nature Center on my 83rd birthday. Our dear friends Jay and Teresa Bowerman were there, along with several others, including Kathy Pazara, who runs the Nature Center, and they were grinning like the cat who'd swallowed the canary. In the midst of opening... Full story
Kathleen Eddy, daughter of Eleanor and the late Warren "Cy" Simonsen, died Saturday, April 23. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, on November 28, 1957, she spent her early years in New Jersey and Connecticut before settling in Sisters in the early 1970s. Apple was known for her generous spirit and gracious hospitality, having been known to cook and bake for dozens of otherwise unengaged friends (and strangers) on holidays and special events during her previous marriage to Anthony... Full story
Bill Birnbaum has always had an adventurous spirit. Now the Sisters man has compiled his account of his explorations in the book "A Lifetime of Small Adventures," available at local bookstores and online sellers. Birnbaum freely admits that he hasn't always channeled that spirit in the most socially acceptable ways. "As a kid, some of that adventure got confused with mischievousness," he allows with a twinkle in his eye that lets you know that he doesn't feel too bad about... Full story
