News nuggets - 7/14/21

• Numbers tell the story. The recent July 4th event at Sisters Eagle Airport tallied 825 pancake breakfasts served by the Rotary Club of Sisters. The event raised over $4,000 for the aviation program at Sisters High School.

• Record visitors to Smith Rock. The internationally recognized State Park is set to exceed 800,000 visitors this year even with some lost days due to Covid and record heat. In 2019, the last full year of operation, 776,000 visited the park, 23,000 of whom overnighted.

• Rodeo blues? If you need a rodeo fix, the Hermiston Rodeo, August 11-14, is one of the top 50 rodeos in the U.S. in terms of prize money. Cowboys and cowgirls will compete in the $137,500 pool. Over in Canby, it’s August 17-21 for a $70,000 payout. Both are PRCA sanctioned.

• Is there a leash law in Sisters? The short answer is yes. Are there exceptions? Yes. It’s all spelled out in the Municipal Code. The pertinent parts are 6.05.050 with definitions under 6.05.010. Is Sisters “dog friendly”? The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes. In the forest (DNF) there are 1,200 miles of trails, 95 percent of which are open to off-leash dogs.

• Crossing flags prevent injuries. And could save lives. The sponsor and maker of the bright orange-and-yellow-patterned flags at intersections on Cascade Avenue — the Sisters Book Club — asks that townfolk set a good example for tourists and use them, no matter your years of traffic dodging skills.

• Right of way. Speaking of traffic safety, on multi-use trails horses are top dog. Hikers and bikers should yield to equestrians. Bikers are expected to give way to hikers. And uphill hikers get preference over downhill travelers.

• Labor shortage worsens. Eurosports and its food court vendors remain at four days due to lack of workers. Brad Boyd, owner of the shop, has extended his help-wanted ads range to Eugene, Salem, and Portland in hopes of recruiting a qualified bike mechanic but even at $25/hour plus tips up to $100/day, he has no takers. Similar stories can be found across Sisters.

• Sports Card Ink on South Elm – are you sitting down? – claims to have 1 million-plus baseball cards and other sports memorabilia in its upstairs store. This includes a Nolan Ryan rookie card valued between $1,000 and $1,500. Parents are encouraged to bring their young hobbyists to the store. Check for hours.