News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 23 of 23
Cloverdale firefighters knocked down a blaze last Tuesday that started at an electrical box and spread to burn several cords of firewood. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, the Cloverdale Fire Department, sheriff's deputies and the Oregon State Police were dispatched on July 20 at about 1:20 p.m. to a brush fire at 62755 Rabbitbrush Dr., just off Highway 20. The caller advised that a large pile of firewood was burning along with a grass strip between the property and Rabbitbrush Drive. Cloverdale... Full story
In David Mamet's 1997 survival-thriller, "The Edge," Anthony Hopkins warns that "Most people lost in the wilds, they die of shame. Because they didn't do the one thing that would save their lives.... thinking." There may be some elemental truth to that thought and with the recent rash of lost hikers and climbers needing rescue assistance, it's high time to examine the intrepid men and women who comprise the Deschutes County Search and Rescue (SAR) crews in the Sisters... Full story
In a 3-2 vote on Thursday, the Sisters City Council agreed to send a letter of support for Aspen Lakes to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. The decision came over the strenuous objections of local citizens who turned out to comment. "The Sisters City Council wishes to express its support for retaining Aspen Lakes cluster development on the county's map of destination resort-eligible lands," the letter reads. Despite the fact that the discussion of the letter did not appear on the advance copy of the council agenda... Full story
AT&T is seeking to site a new 150-foot cell phone tower in the Panoramic neighborhood east of Sisters. Eagle Consulting Group, who represents the telecommunications giant in its site-acquisition process, will hold a neighborhood meeting on the proposed project on Thursday, July 29, at 6 p.m. at the Sisters Library. Such meetings are required by law. The proposed tower would be located on property owned by Edward Bork at 69385 Green Ridge Lp. According to the public meeting notice sent to neighbors, "The site will consist of... Full story
Sisters Mayor Lon Kellstrom has appointed three new members to the seven-member Sisters Urban Area Planning Commission. Steve Auerbach will hold the in-city position, while Doug Roberts and Darren Layne will serve in the at-large (outside the city limits) positions. "We had nine applicants (for the at-large positions) and I had to disappoint seven people somehow, no matter what we did," Kellstrom told The Nugget. In appointing Layne and Roberts, Kellstrom passed over... Full story
The Sisters Arts & Crafts Festival was the spot to find rustic metal cowboys for the yard, an alpaca sweater, a beautifully handcrafted flute, or just a good book to read. The grounds sported several wet dogs who found the creek in Creekside City Park. People took time to relax in the shade where a light breeze made it pleasantly cool. Longtime Sisters exhibitor Molly Kubista has added ledger art to her offerings after attending a juried artist-in-residency program with D.A.... Full story
Creekside City Park turned into a classic car concourse on Saturday. People crowded in early in the morning hours, even before the Sisters Arts & Crafts Festival at the park was officially open. Tony Madrigal's music from the '50s and '60s floating across the air added to the sense of nostalgia the cars evoked. The Iron Maidens - Classy Women, Classy Rides - were in charge of the "Classic Car Cruise-In," and event organizer Richard Esterman said he was more than happy... Full story
Former governor John Kitzhaber will make an unprecedented campaign appearance in Sisters on September 7. The Democratic candidate for governor will speak at FivePine Lodge and Conference Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at a campaign fundraising dinner that will feature an extensive question-and-answer period. FivePine developer Bill Willitts, who organized the event with former Deschutes County Sheriff Les Stiles and Bend Democratic party activist Ethel Stratton, called the event "an opportunity for Governor Kitzhaber to hear... Full story
Misty River will headline the third concert in the "Live at the Ranch" summer concert series at Black Butte Ranch on Sunday, August 8, at 4 p.m. Opening the show will be Sisters resident Jena Rickards. Emerging out of the burgeoning Portland acoustic music scene nearly 13 years ago, Misty River has gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the most entertaining groups in the Pacific Northwest. Misty River mixes a unique blend of folk, bluegrass, country, Celtic, and their... Full story
Economic development-wise, Sisters might learn something from Maupin. With a year-round population of about 490 residents (5,000 if you include the entire school district), Maupin is one of six incorporated cities in Wasco County and is situated in the "south county" which also includes the cities of Antelope and Shaniko. Maupin's economy is based almost entirely on its one major asset: the Deschutes River. Important access points for whitewater rafters, kayakers, anglers and bird watchers abound along the river, and the... Full story
Shanon and Greg Pozovich What a treasure we have in the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue volunteers! Greg became lost during a hike to Tam McArthur Rim last week and spent a night in the forest. Upon being notified he was missing, the response of these rescuers was outstanding. Sheriff's deputies quickly arrived, gathered information and patrolled nearby roads. SAR volunteers - 31 highly skilled and trained individuals - mobilized into teams and worked throughout the night, tracking Greg th... Full story
While members of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters admit to having a lot of fun along with the work of preparing for their upcoming community fundraiser, they will tell you the best part of it all is the opportunity to give it all away. The church members are preparing for the 15th Annual Country Fair & Art Show, a two-day fundraising event which solely benefits local community outreach agencies. Held annually on the second weekend of August, this year on August 13-14, it is the biggest undertaking of... Full story
Sisters Folk Festival has joined with OPB in a sponsoring partnership that will extend the reach of both organizations. "Sisters Folk Festival is thrilled to be partnering with OPB as a media sponsor. Both organizations share a common value of honoring the arts, cultural programming and education as well as celebrating the great state of Oregon," said Executive Director Brad Tisdel. Sponsorship has remained steady for the event and several new businesses have come on board as sponsors. Black Butte Ranch will be a premier-leve... Full story
One of the country's top Western music and poetry acts, Nevada Slim and Cimarron Sue, will hit the stage at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 30, at Slick's Que Co. in Sisters. Nominated for six different awards by the Western Music Association, these "Minstrels of the Old West" deliver a spirited interpretation of traditional Western music, honoring working cowboys and cowgirls, as well as those who rode their ranges in the movies. Slick's Que Co. owner Roy Slicker said, "Getting this act here is a big win for Sisters and Central... Full story
Poor Man's Roses will be playing Thursday nights on the Bronco Billy's patio stage through August. The group first performed as a duo with singer Beth Gengenbach and Brian Cash on acoustic guitar at the 2010 Sisters Rodeo locals' party. Recently, the band added Greg Young on piano. The resulting three-part harmony has prompted goosebumps in audiences since. Gengenbach grew up in the Midwest but has made Sisters her home. "I just love the outdoors, the climate here, and I have made so many friends." Cash has been a part of... Full story
Most of us travel over Santiam Pass on a fairly regular basis, and we've seen the devastation caused by the 2003 B&B Fire. However, it's now been seven years since nearly 100,000 acres were blackened in that fire, and the forest's recovery is interesting to observe. To fully appreciate what is happening in the burn, it's necessary to see it up close. A good way to do that is to hike from Santiam Pass to Square Lake. This is a relatively short hike, at less than 2.5 miles each... Full story
Twenty-three adults and 11 children were drawn to the Metolius River on Saturday for the second annual Plein Air Paint Out. Artist Kathy Deggendorfer was approached by the National Forest Foundation, the non-profit arm of the U.S. Forest Service, last year to support trails events in the Sisters Country. She was excited about doing it, with one caveat: she wanted to incorporate the arts. Thus grew the first paint out, which was held on Whychus Creek as part of a restoration... Full story
Sisters Cascade of Gifts owner Barbara Turner and her husband John have watched the economy of Sisters ebb and flow for the past three decades. Through three recessions, she's learned a few things about survival in the tough world of retail in a tourist town: "It's knowing that you've got to go with the flow," she said. "I've been through several recessions, but this one is by far the worst." Turner has cultivated a loyal client base over the years. Her formula for success is... Full story
A group of about a dozen women has been drumming in each other's homes in the Sisters Country for nearly 10 years, sometimes bringing a daughter or a grandmother. Honoring the earth, Gaia, and native traditions, the women meet to find a centeredness, an inner peace and a calm not easily found in today's world. "There's a certain sacredness to coming together," said Kim Kinney, member of the drumming group for three years. Kinney often brings her daughters Josie and Sonja to... Full story
Just a hop, skip and a jump from the Sisters Post Office, New York West Hair Designs is now open for business. In opening the new salon, New York native Bernice Rossana is finally realizing her dream to work in Sisters - the town she chose to live in 20 years ago. "I've been looking for a great location to own and operate a small, personalized salon," she said. Bernice specializes in creating hairstyles that combine a natural look with a European flair, country with... Full story
A mother and her two sons from California ran into trouble on South Sister on Friday, July 23, and search and rescue teams turned out to help them. According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports, at approximately 6 p.m. Deschutes County 911 received a phone call requesting assistance from three stranded hikers on the South Sister just below Prouty Glacier, near the summit. Sharla Erich, 45, Robert Erich, 22, and Stephen Erich, 20, started up Green Lakes trail at approximately 10 a.m. The group then ascended South Sist... Full story
Folk performer and songwriter Chuck McCabe passed away peacefully on Friday evening, July 23, in Santa Clara, California. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier in the year, and chose to walk through the final stage of his life privately with his wife Cindy, close friends and Blah Blah Woof Woof musical cohorts at his side. The aggressive nature of this disease made his last days blessedly swift. Chuck McCabe's life began on the road. Born August 24, 1944 into a... Full story
Brian and Courtney Kipp are happy to announce the birth of their son, Parker Michael. Born June 17 at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Parker weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. and measured 20.5 inches. Proud grandparents are Rod and Diane McClain of Sisters, and Kevin and Sharon Kipp of Lake Oswego, Oregon.... Full story