News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 1 - 19 of 19
Hammered by the economic downturn and the near collapse of the real estate market in Central Oregon, Bank of the Cascades has weathered some of the most trying times the banking industry has seen since the Great Depression. Ordered by the federal government to raise capital, the bank's parent company, Cascade Bancorp, recently announced the $177 million capital raise with four leading investors acting independently. Private placement investors who have entered into separate agreements with Cascade Bancorp include: David F.... Full story
The Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) has a lot to be proud of as they wrap up their first year under the watchful eye of Business Manager Anne Heath. "Last November we had cut back to operating three days per week with three staff members," said Heath. "We were in real financial difficulties." There's been a dramatic turnaround since then. One of the major factors in SPRD's success was the board of directors developing a new business plan that created stainability while continuing to offer quality community... Full story
Residents entering the Sisters Post Office through the back entrance on Cedar Street last Monday were greeted by a little surprise - a bold new red and white "Do Not Enter" sign and a Deschutes County Sheriff's cruiser stationed nearby handing out warnings. The original blue "Employee Entrance Only" sign has suddenly been replaced with a much larger one prohibiting entry via that direction. "We put the new sign in last week," said Postmaster Yvonne Balderson. "Nobody was... Full story
A sign to the right of the front door bids "WELCOME" while another sign to the left commands "KEEP OUT." The landmark residence once known as Conklin's Guest House - treasured by Sisters residents and visitors for its history and charm - has weathered several years of uncertainty. Renovation work was suspended in 2006 when the owners' plans to transform the former bed-and-breakfast into an upscale 85-seat restaurant ran aground. "I spent quite a bit, purchased plans and... Full story
We Americans set great store by happiness. Its pursuit is enshrined in our founding manifesto as an inalienable right. Those who are not by nature and temperament "upbeat and positive" are often looked upon with some suspicion, as though their "negative attitude" might be a contagious disease that will spoil the party. And yet life really isn't on the side of the upbeat and positive folks. Through the centuries the wise have counseled against clinging to the ephemeral.... Full story
Thanks to the efforts of Principal Planner Eric Porter, the City of Sisters will be sponsoring a free course this January called "Seven Weeks to Starting Your Business." About a year ago the city applied for and was awarded an $89,000 Oregon Community Development Block Grant. This grant is used by cities and counties around the state to implement "Microenterprise Assistance Services Programs." The state defines "microenterprise" as a commercial enterprise with five or fewer employees, with one or more of them who own the... Full story
Newspaper articles detail major ongoing budget shortfalls for public schools. National TV news and major news magazines decry the floundering public schools screaming alarm at 30 percent dropout rates. Bill Gates is championing the hotly debated movie "Waiting For Superman" which sends a dire message about the state of our public school system. Gates followed up last week in the national press with a strong call for education funding reform which included a call for the elimination of teacher's automatic seniority increases.... Full story
Sisters Elementary School fourth graders condensed the past 10,000 years of human occupation of North America into an educational celebration of the culture of Oregon's first peoples last week. The school presentation began with fourth grade teacher Clay Warburton speaking to the assembled students, parents and faculty: "Hello everyone and welcome to the Sisters Elementary 24th annual celebration of Oregon's First People... Our goal is to celebrate our learning with our... Full story
Wine in the Pines, held November 13 at FivePine Conference Center, was a fundraising venture organized by Sisters Rotary. Organizer Kathi Johnson, past president of Rotary, was enthusiastic about the night. "The event was well attended and everyone had a good time," she said. Some 138 people sat around tables set for eight that were decorated with pine boughs and bottles of wine. The catering team at FivePine produced a delicious Italian dinner, a jazz trio set up in the corner, and raffles of various wine-related items... Full story
Managing pain is a daily challenge for some people, and Rick Judy, DMD, is offering another option in Sisters. The modality is called Auricular Therapy, and it uses low-amperage electrical current on specific points in the outer ear to target pain areas within the body. Developed in the 1950s by a French neurosurgeon, the technique can be used alone or in conjunction with other treatments. "It's another approach to pain management and a diagnostic tool that allows me to... Full story
It couldn't have been closer. The Lady Outlaws soccer team lost 1-0 to Mazama in the state championships, held at Liberty High School in Hillsboro on Saturday, November 20. It was a heartbreaking loss for the Outlaws, who came into the game undefeated at 17-0. Although it may have been small consolation in the moment, the girls made school history in being the first girls soccer team ever to make it to the big game. Two rooter buses with more than 100 students, along with... Full story
After six workshops, the Sisters City Council is still trying to hammer out a way to close a roughly $90,000 shortfall in the city's water fund. The city currently charges a base rate of $19.80 for the first 1,337 cubic feet of water and 99 cents per 100 cubic feet over the base. Most water users in the city don't use anything close to 1,337; residential users consume an average 450 cubic feet in winter and 600 in summer. Commercial users such as restaurants and car washes... Full story
The Sisters Folk Festival has announced the lineup for the 2011 Winter Concert Series. This year's lineup is an exciting mix of music styles and encompasses an award-winning bluegrass group, a legendary songwriter and an artful women's ensemble steeped in Appalachian and Eastern European melodies. The 2011 series begins Monday, January 10, with a return of the Steep Canyon Rangers from Brevard, North Carolina. After bursting onto the bluegrass scene in 2001, they were named IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year in 2006. They have... Full story
• Greg Willitts of FivePine Lodge led his team to an overall first-place finish in the Sportsman Motorcycle Class at the 43rd running of the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race held November 17-21 in Ensenada, Mexico, completing the brutal course in just over 25 hours at an average speed of 41 mph. • Hats off to the road crews - city, county, state and private - who keep our streets and highways plowed during winter storms. It's cold, hard work (we know it's kinda fun, too) and everyone who... Full story
Richard Wayne Christiansen died peacefully on November 14, 2010. Richard was born on December 11, 1937 in Alpena, Michigan to Elsie Sommerfield and Fritchoff Christiansen. After Richard graduated high school he enlisted in the Army in October 1956 and served until July 1958, when he received an honorable discharge. Richard completed office machine repair classes while he was in the army. On February 6, 1960 he married June Marie Wilferd and they had 50 wonderful years together. He was in the insurance business for 50 years.... Full story
The Outlaws boys basketball program heads into the season as a very young and inexperienced team, but all 40 players who came out for the sport are excited about what lies ahead. John Erickson and Jalen Miller are the only returnees with substantial varsity experience and will be an anchor on the team. Jordan Hodges and Eli Harrison, who played limited roles last year as swing players, will join Erickson and Miller as full-time players on the court. Hodges and Zech Mickel (seniors) are expected to give excellent leadership... Full story
Snow is falling in Sisters Country. As we move into the winter running season there is much to recap from the local running scene. Sisters produced some top-notch results on the running trails this fall, including an epic win for Sisters Middle School teacher Josh Nordell in the Bizz Johnson Trail Marathon near Susanville, California in early October. Nordell squeaked out the win in 2:51:21 for a margin of just over a minute in the scenic and rugged 26.2-mile race. Stefan... Full story
One of the things I enjoy most about writing this column is the feedback and "heads-up" I get from people who are keyed in to what's going on around them; like right now with this sudden appearance of what may be "lots of" varied thrushes. From the phone calls and "Hey Jim...!" being stopped in the grocery store, at Divine Earth, and the library, where people are asking about these "orange birds in my backyard," it sounds as though the varied thrush had a banner year last... Full story
The Magical Voices of Christmas, on December 5 at Sisters High School, is one way Sisters Country residents can get into the holiday spirit. In its 14th year, the musical event features local and regional talent. Singing, dancing, instrumental music and a sing-along at the end gives the audience a feeling of hometown warmth in the midst of busy holiday preparations. And the homemade cookies at intermission, all baked by local Rotary Club members, add to the cozy atmosphere. There's also an altruistic focus to the evening.... Full story
