News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 3 - 27 of 28
A wildfire estimated at between 50 and 70 acres continued to burn uncontrolled as of Tuesday morning, July 25, on the south side of Black Crater within the Three Sisters Wilderness. The fire, which was discovered on Monday morning after a Sunday evening lightning stormswept across the area, is located about 10 miles southwest of Sisters. The blaze roared to life and threw a big plume of black smoke into the sky by noon, alarming Sisters area residents who were threatened by dangerous wildfires in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The... Full story
Voters in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District will be asked to approve a $2.5 million general obligation bond on next fall's November 7 ballot. Proceeds of the bond will be used to fund new construction and renovation of the fire hall at 301 S. Elm St. in Sisters, according to the district board of directors. The decision to place the bond election before voters was made by a unanimous vote of the fire district's board of directors, at their July 18... Full story
Interesting times. Stories in this week's Nugget about the labor shortage in Sisters and Central Oregon highlight some conditions that may not be familiar. A top cut of beef can cost close to $10 per pound. For many in the service sector, that is an hour's work. Even hamburger costs more. Those closer to the edge will buy cheaper cuts, won't buy the leaner grind. They will pass up cherries at $4 per pound. Lettuce and spinach, too…it costs more just to eat. So they eat less. With gas at more than $3 per gallon, a full tank co... Full story
To the Editor: I am in search of assistance for a memorial for my father, Randy C. Davis, who passed away this last January of a massive heart attack. Many who have resided in Sisters for over 20 years may know of him, builder of many homes in Black Butte Ranch, Tollgate and surrounding neighborhoods, avid hunter and fisherman, a great friend to anyone and an awesome family man. He loved Three Creeks Meadows/Lake and the surrounding trails around the forest there. My sisters and I want to take a memorial bench (hand carved... Full story
Help Wanted signs have popped up in Sisters this summer like mushrooms after a soggy spring. From hardware stores and lumber yards to bakeries and restaurants to resorts, jobs are going begging. And it's not just a Sisters phenomenon. In Bend, too, employers are short-staffed and scrambling to meet demands for service (see story, page 19). "It's always tough," said Jeff McDonald, manager of Ray's Food Place in Sisters. "I never get to where I want to be (with summer... Full story
If a major forest wildfire should burn into Sisters from the south or the west or if a multi-structure fire should occur within the city, there might not be enough water available to battle the flames. Faced with a conflagration, firefighters might not have an adequate water supply or sufficient pressure, according to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Marshal David Wheeler. Both the City of Sisters and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District are concerned and action... Full story
The rebuilding of the Glaze Meadow Recreation Complex at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) is on schedule according to Frank Buehler, BBR Program Manager, and Brian Crosby, Superintendent of Construction. The projected completion date is May 1, 2007. The targeted Grand Opening of the complex is Memorial Day weekend, 2007. Built on the same site as the original Glaze Meadow Recreation Complex, the new center will offer significant improvements over the facility that it is replacing. The... Full story
Creekside Park was the site of the sixth annual Sisters Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23. Approximately 80 exhibitors from as far away as New York displayed their handmade arts and crafts. A silent auction held at the event to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation raised approximately $900 for the charity. Event promoter and Sisters resident, Richard Esterman, said that the festival normally draws between 3,000 and 5,000 area residents and tourists.... Full story
Twenty-one-year-old Bethany Benhower, a Camp Sherman resident, has been selected to produce the children's room mural at Sisters Library. "The mural project relates to children," said Benhower. "It will include images of The Wizard of Oz with Dorothy and Toto, Harry Potter, a dragon, castle and knight (found in several childhood stories) and popular picture book characters. The children will enjoy the bright colors, the crisp edges flowing into one another." She is presently w... Full story
It's hard to beat an equestrian Grand Prix for drama and the High Desert Classic delivered that in spades last weekend. More than 40 competitors from across the nation performed in the Saturday evening Eagle Crest Grand Prix held at the J Bar J Youth Ranch. The event was part of an annual two-week series of hunter/jumper shows that benefit the youth program. Bradley Cox of Mobile, Alabama, took the title Saturday night aboard Santa Teresita Dvvalin. The paint horse looked... Full story
• Linda Douthit thanked her family and friends and the medical community for helping her through her ordeal with cancer: "I can't imagine anyone being as thankful and grateful as I am at this time. In January, I was told by Dr. May Fan, after having my yearly physical, that there was a possibility of me having ovarian cancer. She immediately put me in contact with Dr. Joanna Cain in Portland at OHSU for my first consultation. "My surgery was set for February 2 and at that time it was a fact that I did have cancer and... Full story
An arching plume of black smoke rising up from a ridge west of Sisters...the sight is all too familiar. This is the way the Cache Mountain Fire started on July 23, 2002. Lightning struck a tree, a fire blew up and in hours began its inexorable march toward Black Butte Ranch. The Ranch was evacuated as the fire closed in, eventually jumping onto the resort and consuming two homes. More would have been lost if not for a heroic stand by firefighters. The Cache Mountain Fire... Full story
It's been 32 years since I left northern Israel. The "October War" or "Yom Kippur" war was winding down, troops were returning home and Israel no longer needed a youth from Oregon to drive a fork lift in a packing plant. I was a volunteer, though paid, a "Mitnavin," a word I can't find how to spell. I left because I was on my way to India and the man I filled in for was coming home from war. I see Kaytusha rockets are again falling in Kyryat Shmone, the town where I worked, again falling on Kibbutz Ayelet Hashahar where I... Full story
The FivePine campus being developed on the east side of town will soon include a lodge and conference center, which will add to the already existing workout facility, spa and movie house located on the site. The lodge will have 24 cottages and eight rooms and will have upscale amenities such as Japanese soaking tubs, said Mark Yoakum, General Manager of FivePine Lodge and Conference Center. The conference center will have 4,500 square feet of meeting space and there will be... Full story
• Doreen VanTyne is back for good at the Hair Cache. She had been traveling between Hollywood and Sisters working on the movie set, but the movie is done and she is here to stay. Call 549-8771 to make your appointment today. • Cork Cellars is featuring a tasting by Natalie's Estate Winery this Saturday, July 29. Stop in between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 549-2675 for more information. • Rosa Rugosa is closing and moving to Bend. In Bend, the store will have a different focus. Due to the move, items in the store... Full story
Sisters area equestrian enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity to see the magnificent Friesian horse in action at the Friesians Spectacular Friesian Horse Performance and Open Barn hosted by Willows Ranch in Sisters. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2, at 7 p.m. at Willows Ranch, 70190 Indian Ford Rd. "We have invited community members to similar events three or four times over the past 15 years," said Willows Ranch owner Judi Knapp. "Our last performance and open barn was four years ago and we decided it was... Full story
The Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission has paved the way for more home construction in Pine Meadow Village. At last Thursday's monthly planning meeting, commissioners voted to allow an approximately one-third acre lot to be subdivided into four lots. Applicant Richard Carpenter requested the change so that four separately-owned homes can be built in what he calls the Seven Peaks Vista subdivision. The lot is on the corner of South Pine Meadow Street and West Jefferson... Full story
A Prairie Home Companion is as satisfying as a slice of rhubarb pie. Written by long-time public radio host Garrison Keillor, movie goers will not be surprised to find a cast of familiar voices, music which ranges from bluegrass to ad jingles and humor which manages to be a bit old-fashioned and naughty at the same time. The new movie played to packed audiences at Sisters Movie House last week and is coming back to the local theater this week by popular demand. This is a backstage story told almost entirely during one radio... Full story
Deadlines are fast approaching for Sisters Folk Festival "early bird" tickets. On August 1, the All Event Badge price goes up from $60 to $75 and the Americana Song Academy registration fee will increase from $300 to $375. The Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest deadline for entries is July 31 (postmark). The Sisters Folk Festival 2006 is looking forward to another great year of performances, workshops, jam sessions and Night Owl Showcases. The festival welcomes back Ruthie Foster as the 2006 Encore Performer. Foster's... Full story
Jack Palmer died on February 21 at the age of 71. A memorial service will be held on July 31 in Jordan Valley, where he was born. Services will begin at 1 p.m. MDT. Jack Palmer moved his family to Central Oregon in 1970 and made his home in Redmond for over 20 years. After retiring from riding race horses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, New Mexico and Canada, he became the Racing Secretary for the State of Oregon. He operated Tree Top Ranch and Tumalo Farms in the Sisters area. Jack and Darlene, his wife of 51... Full story
Lula Fae Daniels of Bend died on July 15 at the age of 63. She was buried at Camp Polk Cemetery. She was born in Prineville to parents James and Effie (Snable) Stirewalt. She attended college for two years and married her husband, Gib Daniels, in Monument on July 14, 1963. They lived in Spray for a time and came to Central Oregon in 1987. Lula was a homemaker and was affiliated with the Sisters Girls Club and New Creations Life Center. She enjoyed flower arranging, reading the Bible, praying and she loved to cook. She is... Full story
The Sisters duo of Brad Tisdel and Brent Alan, sometimes known as Double Leaner, will take the stage at Café Libri at the Bend Public Library on Thursday, July 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. During this time, regular library services are available. This program is free and open to the public. Café Libri was created to provide a place to meet and mingle, and enjoy food and friends in a casual environment. Café Libri events are hosted once a month throughout the library district. Ti... Full story
Two of Sisters best-known artists will join together in a show titled "Painted Tales" at High Desert Gallery next month. The exhibition featuring Paul Alan Bennett and John Simpkins kicks off on August 4 and concludes August 31. High Desert Gallery will host a special Artists In Attendance Reception on Saturday, August 5 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. There will be live music, refreshments, champagne, treats, art and inspiring conversation. The event is free and open to the public. Simpkins' work draws upon Americana, folk and medieval... Full story
The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce will relocate its Visitors Center and offices to the old library building on the corner of Main Avenue and Spruce Street. The city council voted 4-1 last week to allow the chamber to lease the facility for $750 per month. The chamber will be allowed to lease the building for the next five years and it will have the chance to renew the lease for another five years if approved by the city council after the first contract period is expired. "I... Full story
There's not enough water in Squaw Creek Canyon Estates, a subdivison located some five miles north of Sisters. Residents are worried about having sufficient water both for home use and for fire protection. A rationing system has been in effect since July 1 and now some residents want a public meeting to address the fire protection issue. Residents received notice on the rationing system in a notice mailed to all users in late June by President R. D. Remund. "As you know, we have been experiencing very low water pressure,"... Full story
