The Nugget Vol. XLIII No. 38
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
Sisters firefighters help save homes By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
When homes and businesses are under threat from wildfire, firefighters mobilize across the state to help. Sisters firefighters David Ward and Emily Spognard were part of Central Oregon Task Force 2 that rolled out on the afternoon of September 9 to assist with structure protection operations in Santiam Canyon, where fire driven by heavy winds out of the east had ripped through the Highway 22 corridor. The task force included firefighters from Crook and Jefferson counties, Black Butte Ranch, Redmond and Bend. Spognard and Ward manned a small Type 6 brush engine and were assigned to stage in Idanha, where they linked up with a crew of Prineville Hotshots. “Our primary goal was just structure protection,” Ward explained. “And then
if there were some spot fires that were getting tossed around, extinguish those.” Ward said that debris from the heavy winds littered the highway before they hit the fire zone. “We had to cut a couple of trees out of the way, “Ward said. Then they started seeing melted powerlines and poles on fire. Smoke became dense and visibility dropped. Once they arrived, it was clear that “fire was definitely coming down toward Idanha.” The firefighters conducted burnout operations to create firebreaks around structures. They were aided by one bit of good fortune: “Idanha still had working fire hydrants, we were able to be liberal with water,” he said. Their operations were successful. “We didn’t lose any structures in Idanha while we were there,” Ward said. Detroit was in much
Our primary goal was just structure protection, and then if there were some spot fires that were getting tossed around, extinguish those. — David Ward
Sisters Woodlands wins first approval By Sue Stafford Correspondent
The first step in the long process of developing the middle section of the Forest Service property has been taken. On Thursday, the Sisters Planning Commission approved — with conditions — a request by developers for a rezone from Public Facilities to Multi-Family Residential. Five commissioners voted in favor and one abstained. The area is now called Sisters Woodlands. There are no development plans yet, although the applicants and their representatives offered some possible scenarios they are
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considering. The applicant’s land use planner, Tammy Wisco, painted a picture for the commissioners of the possible development, with 25 acres of workforce housing made up of cottages, town homes, and multi-family units in the interior of the property. She called it a true community that will be walkable and bikeable. The staff report presented by Senior Planner Nicole Mardell recommended approval with conditions to the City Council for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map to redesignate and rezone See WOODLANDS on page 28
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
Felling the wrong tree can be costly By Sue Stafford Correspondent
saving homes. But Ward acknowledged that the area was very hard hit. Damage was “pretty extensive,” he said. “Definitely it catastrophically impacted the town.”
On May 7, Sisters lost a 130-year-old healthy ponderosa pine tree, measuring 100 feet tall with a diameter of 39 inches. It had been here since before Sisters was settled. The tree stood in the Cityowned right-of-way on South Larch Street and, therefore, was the property of the City of Sisters. The adjacent property owner had previously approached the City about removing the tree because the needles were dropping into his yard. The permission from the City was denied. The homeowner at 425 E. Washington Ave., and the tree service employed to remove the mature ponderosa, were presented with demand letters from the City on June 8, concerning the timber trespass committed by them. The amount demanded by the City was $26,865. Cascade Tree Works
See FIREFIGHTERS on page 14
See TREE CUTTING on page 29
PHOTO COURTESY SISTERS-CAMP SHERMAN RFPD
Central Oregon firefighters deployed to some of the areas hit hardest by last week’s catastrophic fires. tougher shape, Ward said. Smoke was very dense. “It got to the point where you couldn’t see 15 feet in front of your bumper,” he said. Fire crews spotted smoke coming out of basements of homes and stopped and extinguished fires,
Smoke created dire air quality locally By Reecy Pontiff Correspondent
The hazardous air quality in Sisters — and much of the western U.S. — over the past week has been apparent from the permanent haze across town. When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is rated as hazardous or unhealthy, “everybody should be staying indoors as much as possible” said Laura Gleim, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. “Folks that are at the most risk are people who are over 65, young children, and people with heart and lung conditions.” Even people without preexisting conditions can feel the effects of wildfire smoke. Symptoms may include
PHOTO BY REECY PONTIFF
Sisters had the worst air quality in the world at times during the past week, according to the Air Quality Index. Air quality was expected to improve through this week. respiratory and sinus issues, headache, burning eyes, scratchy throat, increased heart rate and even fatigue, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can help with indoor air quality, as can running air conditioning with See SMOKE on page 31
Letters/Weather................ 2 Hike................................... 8 Entertainment.................. 11 Of a Certain Age...........18-25 Classifieds.................. 26-28 Meetings........................... 3 Announcements................10 State of the City........... 16-17 Crossword . ..................... 25 Real Estate................. 28-32
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Sisters Vision Team seek new members By Janel Ruehl Guest Columnist
Letters to the Editor… The Nugget welcomes contributions from its readers, which must include the writer’s name, address and phone number. Letters to the Editor is an open forum for the community and contains unsolicited opinions not necessarily shared by the Editor. The Nugget reserves the right to edit, omit, respond or ask for a response to letters submitted to the Editor. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. Unpublished items are not acknowledged or returned. The deadline for all letters is 10 a.m. Monday.
To the Editor: Last week Bill Kemp asked those readers of The Nugget, that are also supporters of Trump, “What would it take for them to abandon their support of him?” My immediate response to that question is: What is my choice? I refuse to have to flip a coin between two basic idiots to decide which one gets my vote. I also refuse to make that decision based on the lesser of two evils; in my opinion all politicians are evil so I’ll vote for the guy that after four years still does not qualify as a politician, let alone a mental giant. Trump is the least politically correct person I have ever known to hold any political office; I don’t consider this a character flaw but a virtue, I wish more politicians held that view. What I don’t like about him are the same things most Americans don’t like: He is inarticulate, his exaggerations are justifiably interpreted as lies, his crudeness and his divisive rhetoric are just a few examples that I’m forced to ignore over the traits that I am more
than willing to accept. A better question asked by Bill Kemp might have been “why do any of us have to choose between these extreme differences?” Political parties were not this divisive, say, when Nixon and Kennedy ran in the 1960s. The answer to all of this is we are a republic; run by a runaway partisan democracy where the divide seems to be irreversible. Terry Coultas
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To the Editor: I know we don’t teach much history anymore but maybe it would be good for people to remember that the last president who was pilloried and lied about by Democrats as much as President Trump was President Lincoln. He proved himself to have been one of the best presidents ever and he was the man who freed the African Americans over Democrats’ objections. See LETTERS on page 30
Sisters Weather Forecast
Courtesy of the National Weather Service, Pendleton, Oregon
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Editor in Chief: Jim Cornelius Production Manager: Leith Easterling Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May Owner: J. Louis Mullen
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The Sisters Country Vision Implementation Team (VIT) is a collaborative group of community members, representing a variety of local organizations, who are working together to bring the 2018 Sisters Country Vision to life. Over the past year, the team members have begun work on all 20 Vision Strategies. Now starting their second year together, the team members are excited to launch a new progress dashboard at www.sistersvision.org and welcome a new staff person, Emme Shoup from the RARE Americorps program. The VIT is also announcing the launch of a small grant program designed to help catalyze community-led action on Vision strategies. Interested in learning more, or getting involved with this powerhouse local team? There are three openings for new team members this year! The City of Sisters successfully applied to host a new AmeriCorps position this year, from the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) program. Emme Shoup starts her post on September 14, and will be with the City for the next 11 months. During that time, she will primarily support the Sisters Country Vision and the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update. Along with those major projects, Emme will serve as Community Engagement Coordinator. Emme grew up in Vancouver, Washington and attended Portland State University where she earned a degree in Community Development. In 2019, she studied abroad in Llupa, Peru, earning a certification in Permaculture Design. Along with her interest in food systems and nutrition, Emme has a passion for urban planning and design, and lifelong love for the arts. “I spent most of middle and high school at an art school, which really encouraged interdisciplinary work, crossing art with academics. I love to draw and find artsy ways to be creative, like sewing. A big part of
Sisters is incorporating art into community. It’s nice to be with people who have that artistic mindset,” says Shoup. The Vision Team is also excited to announce the launch of a local small grant program this year. The VIT seeks funding requests from organizations, businesses, or individuals in Sisters Country who are actively working toward completion of a Vision Strategy, or who would like to start work on a Vision Strategy this year. Applicants can apply for up to $1,500 to support their efforts. Visit the vision website at www.sisters vision.org to find the application link. While there, be sure to check out the brand new progress dashboard and annual Vision Progress Update from the VIT. With such great momentum for the Sisters Country Vision in 2020, the team is seeking to add a few new members this year. The newly created Arts and Culture seat will help the team stay connected to the arts community and progress happening on the many Vision Strategies connected to public art. The team is looking for someone currently representing a local art organization or nonprofit. The Youth Member represents the younger voices of Sisters Country, and will work with Emme to engage more students and young residents in the Vision. Last year, this seat was filled by local SHS student Olivia Bertagna, and this year the team has decided to create a formal internship through the Youth Career Connect program. The internship is open to any Sisters Country resident under the age of 30. Finally, the team seeks to add one more community member at-large to their ranks. This seat doesn’t require any affiliations or special skills, just a passion for community-building, time to serve, and a desire to roll up your sleeves and get involved in the future of Sisters Country! Links to the application for all three positions can also be found at www. sistersvision.org. The team will be accepting new member applications through October 31.
Opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.
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Sisters School District at a glance By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
ILLUSTRATION BY CARLY GARZÓN VARGAS
Sisters artist Carly Garzón Vargas designed this original piece for Sisters Farmers Market. You can view her work at www.carlygarzonvargas.com.
Raffle will support market, fire relief By Caroline Hager Sisters Farmers Market Manager
The Sisters Farmers Market is hosting a Fundraising Raffle for COVID-19 expenses and Oregon Wildfire Relief funds, featuring three large prizes with values totaling nearly $3,000. Prizes consist of: • A 2021 large Seed to Table produce share or $800 gift certificate to the Seed to Table booth at Sisters Farmers Market. • Private tour and dinner for four on Seed to Table Farm prepared by a local chef.
• Grand prize basket filled with nearly $850 worth of goods from vendors featured at the 2020 Sisters Farmers Market. Tickets can be purchased through the end of September either online at www. sistersfarmersmarket.com/ raffle or in person at Sisters Farmers Market, Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fir Street Park. Winners will be drawn during a live Facebook event on October 1. With a growing local population and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market anticipated the See RAFFLE on page 12
• Sisters Education Association (union) President Michele Hammer thanked the school board and Superintendent Curt Scholl for working cooperatively with the teaching staff on solving issues related to working conditions during COVID-19. Hammer also expressed how much the teaching staff looks forward to being back, doing in-person instruction. • Teachers are largely working from the school buildings this year during the distance-learning phase as opposed to from home as they did last spring. • Beginning fund balance
of the budget for the 2020-21 school year came in higher than expected according to Finance Director Sherry Joseph. The extra money resulted from greater returns from the local option tax ($300,000) and from less spending last spring on items such as transportation, new hires, substitutes and athletics, as the district operated under distance learning. • Building principals reported a good start to the first week following a lot of outreach to students and families, including socially distanced meet-and-greets, school tours, and home visits to help welcome new and transitioning families. • All three principals conveyed a hopefulness that
the health metrics related to COVID-19 infection rates will continue to drop so that students can return to in-person learning. If low rates in Deschutes County hold, K-4 students will return to class on September 28 and Sisters Middle School and Sisters High School students will return October 19. • The school board passed a proclamation emphasizing commitment to equity and anti-racism and resolving to establish specific goals and policies to support equity and anti-racism. • Enrollment numbers are not final yet, but the middle school reported 50 new students resulting in See SCHOOLS on page 12
Modified ‘seasons’ for SHS athletes By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
Outlaws athletes are going to be able to get in some modified sports activities this fall. In the topsy-turvy world of COVID-19, guidelines and rules are ever-changing. High-school athletics have been subject to constant flux since March. When schools first shut down last spring, hope remained that they would reopen before the end of the year and spring sports would be allowed to complete a truncated season. That dream
didn’t pan out and high school athletes were left to fend for themselves when it came to staying active. Summer came and things didn’t get any better regarding gathering in an organized way. In July, the Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) conferred with school leaders to come up with a plan for the 2020-21 school year; that resulted in a “four season” approach. The plan originally called for Season One to be open with no organized OSAA activities, followed by Season Two (winter sports,
December 28-March 7), Season Three (fall sports, February 22-May 2) and Season Four (spring sports, April 19-June 27). Plans have shifted again and Season One is now open for limited practices and competitions at the discretion of local school districts, according to Gary Thorson, athletic director and head football coach. According to Thorson, the change allows students and coaches to participate in any OSAA-sanctioned activity permitted by directives from See SPORTS on page 12
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to affect gatherings, please contact individual organizations for current meeting status
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR East of the Cascades Quilt Guild 4th Wednesday (September-June), Stitchin’ Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Al-Anon Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. / Thurs., 10 a.m., Friends of the Sisters Library Board Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 9 to 11 a.m., 541-610-7383. Sisters Library.www.sistersfol.com. Alcoholics Anonymous Thurs. & Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday, Sun., 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of the 7 p.m. Sisters Community Church. All Transfiguration / Sat., 8 a.m., Episcopal ages welcome. 541-771-2211. Church of the Transfiguration / Mon., Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 1 p.m., Sisters City Church / Big Book study, Tues., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Hall. Materials provided. 541-408-8505. Gentlemen’s meeting, Wed., 7 a.m., Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, 1 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / 4 p.m. 541-549-1028 or 541-719-1230. Sober Sisters Women’s meeting, Thurs., Citizens4Community, Let’s Talk noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church / Step & Tradition meeting, Fri., 3rd Monday, 5:30 to 8 p.m. RSVP at citizens4community.com noon, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. 541-548-0440. Military Parents of Sisters Meetings are held quarterly; please call for details. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver 541-388-9013. Support Group 1st Tuesday, noon, SPRD bldg. 800-272-3900. Oregon Band of Brothers – Sisters Chapter Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Bridge Club Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m., BBR community Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-549-6469. room. Partner required. 541-595-6236. SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings & Enrichment) Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild to 4 p.m. at Sisters Park & Recreation For Saturday meeting dates and District. 541-549-2091. location, email: steelefly@msn.com. Sisters Aglow Lighthouse Central OR Spinners and Weavers 4th Saturday, 10 a.m., Ponderosa Lodge Guild One Saturday per month, Jan. Meeting Room. 503-930-6158. thru Oct. For schedule: 541-639-3217. Sisters Area Photography Club Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch Tuesdays, noon, Sisters 2nd Wednesday, 4 p.m., Sisters Library Community Church. 541-480-1843. community room. 541-549-6157.
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Sisters Area Woodworkers 1st Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-639-6216. Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846. Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 p.m., The Pines Clubhouse. Novices welcomed. 541-549-9419. Sisters Caregiver Support Group 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., The Lodge in Sisters. 541-771-3258. Sisters Cribbage Club Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ray’s Food Place community room. 541-923-1632. Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors 4th Tuesday, 6 p.m. Location information: 541-549-1193. Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 a.m., Brand 33 Restaurant at Aspen Lakes. 541-410-2870.
Sisters Trails Alliance Board 1st Monday, 5 p.m. Sisters Library. Public welcome. 808-281-2681. Sisters Veterans Thursdays, noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 541-903-1123. Three Sisters Irrigation District Board of Directors 1st Tuesday, 4 p.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd Tuesday, noon, Ray’s Food Place community room. 541-419-1279. VFW Post 8138 and American Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-903-1123. Weight Watchers Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. weigh-in, Sisters Community Church. 541-602-2654.
SCHOOLS
Sisters Parent Teacher Community 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at Sisters Saloon. 541-480-5994.
Black Butte School Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Black Butte School. 541-595-6203.
Sisters Parkinson’s Support Group 2nd Tuesday, 2 p.m., The Lodge. 541-668-6599.
Sisters Christian Academy Board of Directors Monthly on a Friday. Call 541-549-4133 for date & time.
Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. Location information: 541-279-1977. Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Thursdays, Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645.
Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wed. monthly, SSD Admin Bldg. See schedule online at www.ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.
Sisters Speak Life Cancer Support Group 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 1 p.m. Suttle Tea. 503-819-1723.
Sisters Middle School Parent Collaboration Team 1st Tuesday, 2 p.m., SMS. 541-610-9513.
CITY & PARKS Sisters City Council 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022. Sisters Park & Recreation District Board of Directors 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m., SPRD bldg. 541-549-2091. Sisters Planning Commission 3rd Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Sisters City Hall. 541-549-6022.
FIRE & POLICE Black Butte Ranch Police Dept. Board of Directors Meets monthly. 541-595-2191 for time & date. Black Butte Ranch RFPD Board of Directors 4th Thursday, 9 a.m., Black Butte Ranch Fire Station. 541-595-2288. Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 7 p.m., 67433 Cloverdale Rd. 541-548-4815. cloverdalefire.com. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Tuesday, 5 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 541-549-0771. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Drills Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St. 541-549-0771. This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to lisa@nuggetnews.com
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Your Story MATTERS
Audry Van Houweling, PMHNP Columnist
Challenging confirmation bias After my years working in mental health, I have come to recognize that people tend to find what they are looking for. It is the conscious and subconscious quest to validate our worldviews, justify our positions, and hold on to our territory that can be both transforming and very limiting. Multiple people can have the same experience and have vastly different interpretations and reactions. Most of us want to believe our interpretation is valid and therefore, tend to side with information that reinforces our mindset regardless of whether that information is based in fact or not. This tendency has been termed “confirmation bias.” Research suggests that even when presented factual information in opposition to our worldview, we rarely reconsider, but in fact, identify even more with what we want to be true. So basically, it takes a whole lot of
diligence to change our own minds. I had a client once who wanted to run a marathon. Problem was that she had technically not run more than a mile in the past five years. She also believed herself not to be “good” at running. “I get winded walking up stairs,” she said, and “I am bad at following a routine.” Her confirmation bias sought out ways to justify her belief of not being a good runner and the prophecy was fulfilled. We began the work to challenge her narrative. After initial resistance and doubt, she eventually, again and again, began voicing, “I am a good runner” — “I can do hard things.” She ran a marathon the next year. She had succeeded in replacing her confirmation bias from something limiting to something empowering. Simple in theory; not always easy to implement. Exploiting our confirmation bias has major political, economic, and social implications. Political campaigns are expertly crafted to embolden our confirmation biases. Whether based in actual truth or not, if a campaign validates what we wish to be true, we are likely to side with it. In behavioral economics and marketing, confirmation bias plays a major role in how we choose to spend our money depending on how a company aligns its product with our wished-for-worldview. Social media may be the most efficient at exploiting our biases. Using algorithms and tracking to follow our
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preferences, what is presented on our Facebook wall or the ads that bombard our screens has been customized to prey upon our individual biases. It does little to challenge our worldview and instead generally reinforces our territorialism. Perhaps if we knew how much our minds were being hijacked by computerized code or quite possibly a 20-something Russian with nothing better to do, we would all be a bit more disturbed... We are presented with an idea that we must choose a side and that each side must be associated with particular ways of behaving, believing, and voting. When we fall victim to such rigidity, we often give up growth, the opportunity for connection, and progress. We have so too been presented with illusory correlations. We perceive a relationship between variables when actually none exists. Just because a cluster of variables appear together at times, does not mean they are by definition correlated. According to the Pew Research Center (2016), the top two negative stereotypes Democrats had about Republicans were: 1. Dishonesty; 2. Closed
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mindedness. Vice versa, Republicans felt Democrats to be: 1. Lazy; 2. Closed minded. While a Democrat may have had an experience with a Republican that revealed dishonesty, there have likely many occasions when said “Republican” has also been perfectly honest. Additionally, a Republican may have encountered a Democrat who may not have been the most industrious, but very likely also Democrats who were hard at work. There may be many exceptions to our stereotypes, but often confirmation bias can filter what we actually acknowledge. It can become dangerous when our confirmation bias and perceived illusory correlations seek to validate hate or unjustified violence. In Nazi Germany, Hitler provided millions of vulnerable citizens with a way to project their deep desperation after Germany’s financial collapse. He played upon the confirmation bias that the German people were not to blame, that they were victims, that Germany could again be a great nation. He propagated the illusory correlations that Jewish
citizens, intellectuals, and others were terrorists, thieves, liars, and a driving force behind Germany’s perils. The relief that came with a scapegoat rather than personal responsibility resulted in the deaths of over 11 million. Ultimately, you are absolutely entitled to your side of the fence. You can wave your banners, post your yard signs, march in protest, and drive around town with flags on the back of your truck. Thankfully, this is America and such things are protected. It is also just fine to be sitting on the rails observing with curiosity and perhaps a little shock and awe. I find myself here often. It is how we uphold the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for those on the other side of the fence that tests our true character as citizens of this country. As Oscar Wilde puts it, “to define is to limit.” Can we take pride in our side of the pasture while also making room for and, by the grace of God, even embracing those on the other side? Is the truth you seek open for interpretation? Perhaps you should start telling yourself it’s possible.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Commentary...
Unfathomable losses across our beloved state By Carol Statton Columnist
Unfathomable. That is the word that continues to describe all that has and is happening within our beloved state. As I continue to read updates and pray for all who have been affected by the fires, I think back to my own special places. Many of us have created important memories and rituals in the areas affected; areas that also contained unique and beloved businesses and communities that became a part of us. So many lives have been affected and there has never been a more necessary time to respond. How many of us here on the east side of the mountains always stopped at Rosie’s in Mill City when traveling towards Salem? (According to the Statesman Journal, Rosie’s is still standing). How many of us heading to Eugene waited to have breakfast until arriving in Vida, to eat at the Vida Café (which appears to have survived)? How many families made it their annual ritual to buy a new cherished ornament at Christmas Treasures or find their Christmas tree at the beautiful Spring Creek Holly Farm? How many
people simply looked forward to the drive west on any of these two main highways, because of all the beauty that encompassed every single mile. Every single mile held some of the most tremendous beauty one could hope to find. Just recently, my husband and I traveled both of these highways while going to and coming home from the coast. Heading towards Mill City, and despite not even being hungry, we planned our stop at Rosie’s. There was simply no question of if we would stop — we always stopped. And, we almost always ran in to someone we knew from our area. This day was no different and we saw our friends, the Weston family. We visited for a few minutes and then continued on. My husband turned off Highway 22 and drove towards Scio, en route to Lebanon so that I could visit the farm of my early childhood. The beauty of the land was captivating but we also noticed how dry all of the areas were. Uncharacteristic for the “wet” side of the mountain. We couldn’t have imagined that many of the areas were about to sustain unfathomable losses. So many people have lost their homes and
businesses; so many are still at risk of loss. Lives have been taken, precious belongings and irreplaceable keepsakes have been destroyed, people’s sense of security has been shaken, and yet through the kindness of strangers, reborn on some level. We’ve been here before and no doubt will be again, but this time the level to which our state is suffering, along with all of our fellow states in the West, is unparalleled. All of this is happening just as we remember another unparalleled attack, devastation and tragedy: 9/11. I remember thinking that there would never be anything equivalent to that in my lifetime; no equivalent threat, fear, challenge or loss. I truly believed that our country would never have to walk through, heal from or overcome anything even close to those events. And yet, although very different, here we are in 2020, walking through unparalleled times. Do you remember the beginning of this year? Many of us were planning our vacations and celebrations, many had wedding dates secured with invitations sent out. So many people making so many plans... without any idea
that everything earthly was about to change. We could never have imagined a pandemic shutting down our country and taking so many lives throughout the world; we could never have believed that unresolved racial tension would catastrophically worsen and send some into a state of violence the likes of which we couldn’t believe still possible... and then, the fires came. All of these events are still happening; all are still impacting and threatening life as we know it. However... there is so much more happening within it all. And just like 9/11, the darkness will only be parted by the light of the human spirit responding to the needs of others. God designed us to respond, to reach out from the depth of our spirit to take care of one another, to right the wrongs, to heal the wounds, to meet the needs of all who are suffering. We are capable of being a light that will pierce through even the darkest of times. God’s light, hands and heart... responding where needed and without thought to how we may or may not feel qualified. We are all qualified to respond; we are all qualified to be the love that provides a healing balm to any wound, no
matter how deep. We must remember what we have walked through, we must remember the lessons and examples, we must treasure the special places and people, while striving to rebuild when all seems lost. We must go on while helping others to go on. We must meet the needs of those who have lost so much... we must be the light in this seemingly impenetrable darkness. It is only when coming together that we will find our way through the unfathomable... when the human spirit can meet unparalleled needs through response, compassion, kindness and selflessness. It is our mindful response that creates hope even in the worst of times and defines us most clearly. I pray that at times such as this, we remember enough to compel us to do all that we can do, for others.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Commentary...
Officials battle wildfires and misinformation
Discovering a hidden gem By Lawrence Stoller Guest Columnist
My friend Gary and I have been exploring the wilderness of our Three Sisters Cascade range for years. The other day we started at a trailhead in an area we are generally familiar with. After a short time following the trail, we spontaneously veered off into the underbrush in a direction that we never explored, letting curiosity be our compass. This kind of adventuring combines the elements of wonder, surprise, and uncertainty with a hefty dose of hardship and potential danger. (We have about 80 years of combined wilderness experience and do not recommend others follow our lead without proper experience, gear, a GPS and a developed sense for adventure.) We found ourselves walking several hours up and through rugged overgrown terrain, following deer trails and trusting our innate sense of adventure. We ascended the flow of a rushing creek, climbed over endless firefallen trees, waded through thick masses of head-high snowbrush, bouldering ever higher. As we rounded a bend, with the echo of the creek increasingly amplified, we saw an impressive series of cascading waterfalls. As we got closer, maybe a few hundred yards away, we saw a large slab rock that had come off the side wall of the canyon. It was planted in the middle of the upper falls and was beautifully carved by eons of winter runoff of the rushing creek. But as we neared, the wonder and beauty of the moment disappeared in an instant. It looked as if someone had sprayed bright neon green paint on the rock. Who would have come all the way up here to deface this magnificent rock? We continued our approach with a mix of dismay and angst. As we got closer, the graffiti became obscured by the terrain, and we lost track of the defaced boulder. The ravine was steep, with
By Ali Swenson Associated Press
PHOTO BY GARY TOWNSEND
A pair of local explorers discovered an interesting geological phenomenon out in the woods. many drop-offs, which made getting to creek level too dangerous. But as I looked across the ravine, I could see that there were traces of color on some of the surrounding rocks as well. Excitement clicked in triggering my mineralogical mind, and everything changed. (I have been an artist working with gems and minerals for almost 40 years.) The color in the formation appeared to be chrysocolla, a close mineralogical relative of turquoise. Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper phyllosilicate mineral, or more simply stated, a strikingly beautiful rock. Over time, traces in the copper mineral had oxidized, turning a beautiful
blue-green. As we climbed closer, we found a safe section of the creek where we could both cool off and cross to the other side. Once across, we paralleled the falls, looking for the colored stone. And there it was… the old masterpiece. Mother Nature had painted a three-foot splash of color directly in the center of the rock slab. A thin, vivid patina layer of chrysocolla. There were little wisps of chrysocolla in the surrounding rock formations. Apparently, eons ago Mother Nature was testing her color palette and dabbed this lovely blue green mineral on the canvas of gray slab rock.
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S E AT T L E ( A P ) — Emergency responders in the Pacific Northwest are fighting misinformation along with raging wildfires as people spread unsubstantiated social media posts blaming coordinated groups of arsonists from both the far left and far right for setting the blazes. The FBI said Friday, September 11, that it’s investigated several claims and found them to be untrue, while officials in Oregon and Washington state have turned to Facebook to knock down the competing narratives — some posts blamed far-left antifa activists and others claimed the far-right group the Proud Boys was responsible for the fires scorching wide swaths of the region. “I am physically and emotionally exhausted. We’ve been working really hard to protect people’s lives and homes,” firefighter Matt Lowery wrote Thursday night on the Facebook page for the East Pierce Fire & Rescue union south of Seattle. “I also want to address an issue that keeps coming up, even from some of the public that we
are talking to while working. It is hot, dry, and fire spreads quickly in those conditions. There is nothing to show it’s antifa or Proud Boys setting fires. Wait for information.” The Mason County Sheriff ’s Office urged Washington residents to stop spreading rumors as isolated incidents of apparent arson led to widespread, unfounded claims that antifa agitators were conspiring to start fires along the West Coast. Antifa is short for anti-fascists, a range of far-left militant groups that oppose white supremacists. “Though some agencies have made arrests related to arson recently, they appear to all be separate individuals, however as with many incidents, it will be an ongoing investigation in each
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Commentary...
Gratitude is critical to well-being By Mitchell Luftig | Columnist During challenging times it is helpful to remind ourselves that we still have reasons to be grateful. But many of us — even in the best of circumstances — find it difficult to sustain a feeling of gratitude. There are important reasons to raise your gratitude I.Q. Grateful people experience: • Increased happiness and positive mood. • More satisfaction with life. • Less materialism. • Less burnout. • Better physical health. • Better sleep. • Less fatigue. • Lower levels of cellular inflammation. • Greater resiliency. • More patience, humility, and wisdom. When practiced by groups, gratitude: • Increases pro-social behaviors. • Strengthens relationships. • May help employee effectiveness. • May increase job satisfaction (www.positivepsychology.org). One way to become more grateful is to study the characteristics of individuals born with an abundance of gratitude and to model our behavior after them. Grateful individuals: • Recognize the thoughtful actions of others. • Express their appreciation to those who treat them with generosity, kindness, and helpfulness.
• Reciprocate good deeds and pay them forward to strangers. • Use their gratitude to discover the conditions for happiness in their lives. Gratitude itself is a social glue that: • Helps grateful people find individuals whose thoughtfulness makes them a good candidate for a relationship. • Reminds grateful people of the goodness of their existing relationships. • Binds grateful people — through their expressions of appreciation and acts of thoughtfulness — to their friends and partners. If you want to become more grateful: • Value your relationships, especially the people who act in a thoughtful manner, more than your prosperity or the material goods that you possess. • Recognize the conditions for happiness that already exist in your life rather than fantasizing how happy you would be if you could only live someone’s more glamorous life. • Replace the cynical view that people will only look out for their own selfish interests with the optimistic view that people often treat each other in a thoughtful manner. • Value acts of generosity, kindness, and helpfulness as a gift, given to you freely, rather than something “due you” because you are so much more important than everyone around you. We can also learn to become more grateful by practicing evidencebased gratitude exercises. Gratitude exercises have been shown to have
positive benefits for our well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, grateful mood, grateful disposition, and positive affect. Gratitude exercises may also result in decreases in depressive symptoms. Here are some of the bestresearched gratitude exercises. Keeping a gratitude journal According to Robert Emmons, you will receive the most benefit from writing about your experience of gratitude when you: • Make a conscious decision (set your intention) to become happier and more grateful and you view the act of journaling as a valuable tool to get you there. • Elaborate on a particular thing for which you’re grateful (rather than constructing a superficial list). • Focus on the people to whom you are grateful rather than the things people have given you or you’ve acquired. • Reflect on what your life would have been like without certain blessings that you’ve received. • Record events that were unexpected or surprising as these often elicit higher levels of gratitude. • Keep the experience “fresh” by writing in your journal just once or twice a week. • Take the time to really relish and savor the gifts of thoughtfulness that you receive. Gratitude visits can make us feel significantly happier a month later, according to Martin Seligman. Here are the steps to take for a successful gratitude visit: 1. Recall the face of someone who
years ago did or said something that changed your life for the better— someone whom you never really thanked but with whom you could meet in the next week or so. 2. Write a letter of about 300 words in which you very specifically describe just what this person did for you and how it affected your life. 3. Arrange to meet (or Zoom) with this person, remaining vague about the purpose of the visit. 4. Read the letter to them, noting both their reaction and your own. 5. After you finish reading the letter discuss its contents and the feelings they evoked in each of you. If you’re not quite ready for a gratitude visit, follow the first two steps of the gratitude visit and write a gratitude letter. Simply the act of writing the gratitude letter, whether or not you mail it, is likely to make you feel happier. Seligman also recommends the What-Went-Well Exercise (Three blessings). Every day for a week, before you go to bed, write down three things that went well that day and why you think they went well. If something special happened that day, be sure to include it, but the events you write about don’t have to be earthshaking. Participants who persisted, despite their initial awkwardness about explaining why they thought an event went well, usually found themselves still completing the What-Went-Well Exercise six months later. What are you grateful for? Time to find out!
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Little Three Creek Lake is a nice family hike By Craig F. Eisenbeis Columnist
Last week, we had planned to hike on the west side of McKenzie Pass, but since all the roads were closed due to the fires, we had to come up with a different plan. My hiking buddy, who was already sheltering at our place due to Camp Sherman’s uncertain fire evacuation status, suggested we keep it simple with a short hike to Little Three Creek Lake. Off we went. This is a great little hike for a spur-of-the-moment outing. Also, this trail might be a good choice for your visiting out-of-town relatives whose idea of an outdoor experience has previously been limited to a backyard barbecue. It’s definitely more challenging than a city sidewalk but still suitable for toddlers. My three-yearold daughter didn’t have any problem with this trail, although that particular hike took place 44 years ago. The trail begins at a deadend loop at the far end of the Driftwood Campground at Three Creek Lake (the larger one). The trail is definitely easy, but there are a couple of short, steep pitches, with some rough, rocky stretches. The trail itself is well-worn but not particularly wellmarked or maintained. In many spots, the trail is braided by informal shortcuts that (usually) re-converge. Since the fires were apparently discouraging or preventing much recreational travel, there was plenty of parking at the trailhead. On some other occasions we have had to park as far away as the lot at the beginning of the campground access road; so additional walking could be required on a more crowded day. As it happened we did not encounter a single soul on the trail or at the lake; we had the whole place to ourselves. The hike to Little Three Creek Lake is billed as being about a mile one way, but it’s hardly that if you don’t do some additional exploration. In other words, this is a very short hike; but it still offers a sense of genuinely being in the mountains. Not every hike needs to be an endurance contest. One of the features of this hike that always strikes me is that, at 6,700 feet, this is genuinely an alpine experience. Even in summer, there is always the feel that winterlike mountain snows may lurk just around the corner. The trail from the campground turnaround loop winds through a mixed conifer forest that bears witness to the stress of surviving at such a high elevation. Alpine fir, mountain hemlock, and
whitebark pine are the predominant tree species. Many of the trees are twisted and stunted. Some of the trees look like bonsais; some hemlocks grow flat like ground cover; still others manage to grow straight and tall. One wonders what determines the fate of an individual tree. About the time you’re starting to feel warmed up, you’re almost there. You’ll see a little lake ahead on your left. Stop to enjoy its beauty, but don’t stop there. That’s not your destination. This little water feature is even littler than Little Three Creek Lake, which is just a little bit farther. The expansive rock wall rising above these lakes is Tam McArthur Rim, which rises to more than 7,700 feet. It is the same high rock ridge, which, from Sisters, can be seen leading up to the east side of Broken Top. This distinctive geographic feature is named for Lewis A. “Tam” McArthur. In 1914, Gov. Oswald West appointed McArthur to the Oregon Geographic Names Board. Two years later, McArthur became the board’s secretary, a position in which he served for the next 33 years. During that time, he literally wrote the book on “Oregon Geographic
Names.” Ironically, the rim that bears his name is probably one of the few prominent geographic features in Oregon that he never visited! Little Three Creek Lake offers spectacular views and photo opportunities and also presents a great little crash course in the natural world, including plenty of wildflowers earlier in the season. From August into October, it’s common to see thousands of tiny toads and frogs testing their new land legs. When these little creatures emerge from the water, they’re not much bigger than a pinkie fingernail. On previous visits, we have often seen dark masses that look like fresh cow pies, but they turned out to be swarming, seething globs of tiny toads. When approached, these swarming amphibians madly dash away through the grass in a toadlet stampede. On this occasion, there were only “mere” hundreds of (mostly) frogs. When our second son visited the lake at age five, he was fascinated with the swarm of little amphibians. Due to an earlier incident that involved a cape, climbing a tree, and an unexpected inability to fly, his arm was in a cast; and several of the
PHOTO BY CRAIG F. EISENBEIS
Tam McArthur Rim rises above Little Three Creek Lake. tiny creatures slipped inside the cast, causing yet another unexpected problem. This lake is very shallow in spots, and it’s a great place to take a swim in the shadow of the mountains. It’s also a perfect site for a woodsy picnic lunch and family outing in the great outdoors. Plus, the “real” wilderness is literally only a few yards beyond the lake. In 2012, the Pole Creek Fire reached nearly to the lake but stopped just short of it. Vestiges of the fire are quite apparent on the drive to the trailhead, but are hardly noticeable during the hike or at the lake itself. To visit Little Three
Creek Lake, take Elm Street south from Sisters. After crossing Whychus Creek, the road becomes Three Creek Lake Road (Forest Road 16). Follow it for a total of about 16 miles, the first 14 of which are paved. Those two miles of gravel road are in poor shape this year but still passable in a regular passenger car. Turn right onto Forest Road 900 just before reaching Three Creek Lake. The trail begins at the end of this short road. This has been a fee use area, but I did not see any signs to that effect. I’ve seen several sites where pass requirements have been suspended this year.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
9
Commentary...
Governors Keeping a promise want more say in habitat rule for at-risk wildlife By Edie Jones Columnist
Associated Press
See WILDLIFE on page 14
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different than their parents at an early age the easier it is for them to transition into kindergarten and learn. I now know that preschool is essential — for all children. Lack of this kind of experience will influence more than how they adapt to kindergarten. It will also have a profound effect on how they learn as they continue through the grades. I encourage anyone who has a preschool-aged child, who even wonders if they might qualify, to apply for the Preschool Promise. Your child’s learning will be enhanced. In celebrating the Preschool Promise opportunity it is well worth mentioning there are now several other well-run preschool programs in Sisters. Please, if you are a parent of a preschooler, check them out. Your child will thank you. In addition to preschools, there is another important program for parents with young ones in Sisters. Together For Children welcomes all families with children birth through 3 years old to join them for play and parent education. The website www.together-forchildren.org provides information about time and dates and ways to access their services during the pandemic. Even though this article is specifically talking to
parents of preschoolers it is also intended for everyone else in our community. Schools can’t allow kids in the building on a normal basis while the virus is present. I implore all of us do our part in wearing masks, washing hands, and keeping our distance so schools can get back to normal operation. Remember the book “All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum? Let’s change those words to … Learned In Preschool… “Learn to share, play fair, don’t hit, put things away, cleanup your own mess, hold hands and stick together” are extremely important lessons. If all of us adults had learned them well I venture to guess many of the messes we’ve experienced this past summer would cease to exist. Let’s do our part so this important promise can be kept.
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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Governors from 22 Western states and Pacific territories want a bigger say in how the Trump administration defines habitat for wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The new definition could have implications for how states manage imperiled animals and plants, the Western Governors Association said in a letter Thursday to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The governors insist they are “co-sovereigns with the federal government“ and need an equal role in the decision. The Trump administration is seeking to restrict what land and waterways can be protected as habitat for wildlife facing extinction, one of the latest ways it’s sought to roll back environmental safeguards. The government is trying to redefine what habitat means for the purposes of enforcing the Endangered Species Act, the landmark law that has dictated wildlife protections in the U.S. since 1973. It released a proposed rule in early August. Governors said they’re having to express their views through a public-comment process on the proposed rule, saying that isn’t enough input and they want the federal government to consult with states. “It is important for federal agencies and state wildlife managers to maintain a close working relationship to ensure that any new interpretation or application of the term does not result in unintended consequences for state management of species,” according to the letter signed by Democratic Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, chairwoman o f We s t e r n G o v e r n o r s Association, and Republican Idaho Gov. Brad Little, who’s vice chairman. Once an imperiled species is listed under the act, federal officials designate critical habitat that it needs to survive. That can include where a species lives and areas where they don’t live but are deemed essential for survival. Such designations can come into conflict with private landowners and those
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By Keith Ridler
In the August 26 issue of The Nugget we learned about a promise that has been granted to Sisters. A promise that will change the lives of 3- and 4-year-olds living in our school district. However, it is a promise that can’t be kept while schools are mandated to keep their doors closed. That promise is money that has been awarded to the Sisters School District to provide 18 preschool spots to families that apply and qualify. Preschool Promise, awarded through the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division, is designed to make available publicly funded, highquality, local and culturally relevant early childcare and education programs. The concept that we would have enough families living in Sisters eligible to receive the grant may seem unrealistic to many. After all, it has been several years since our district has been able to meet the guidelines that allow the federally funded Head Start program to be here. However, demographics are changing and I applaud Joan Warberg, principle of the elementary school, and others who diligently put forth the effort to apply for the grant.
Receiving this money is a really good thing! Research indicates the benefits of such a program are far reaching, especially when they make the opportunity of early childhood education available to many who otherwise could not afford it. Appreciation of the value of preschool has not always been recognized. I clearly remember quitting a preschool teaching assignment when three year olds were admitted into our program. Fully believing it was unwarranted, I exclaimed to my aunt, an elementary school principle, “Those babies should be home with their mommas!” She quickly admonished me with, “That depends on the mommas! If those mommas don’t play with their children, engage them in imagination, and allow them to get their hands dirty, those babies are far better off in school.” How right she was, and how shortsighted I was, thinking all parents thought parenting was the most wonderful job in the world. We now know that the more exposure kids have early on to the rich environment of a well-run preschool is invaluable! When it happens, kids are far better equipped to face all learning that will come their way. The more children interact with peers and adults
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
A N N O U N C E M E N T S City of Sisters Seeks Board Members
The City of Sisters is accepting applications for volunteers to serve on its Boards and Commissions. There are open positions on the Planning Commission, Budget Committee, Housing, Parks, Public Works and Urban Forestry Boards. Information on open positions can be found at www.ci.sisters.or.us/bc. The City will be accepting applications for these positions until Friday, November 6 at 5 p.m. Interviews for open positions will occur in late November, and appointments will happen at the first City Council meeting in December. If you are interested in serving please complete an application form and return to Kerry Prosser, City Recorder at P.O. Box 39, Sisters, OR 97759, or kprosser@ci.sisters.or.us.
SMS Selling Sisters Strong Shirts/Decals
The student leadership group at Sisters Middle School is hoping to make a difference in our community. They are selling shirts and decals featuring a newly designed Sisters Strong logo. The proceeds of the sales will go to Kiwanis Food Bank, Family Advocate Network, and the school’s leadership program. So far they have raised $1,200, although they are still hoping to raise more money for these organizations. Shirts and decals can be purchased online and picked up downtown at either Paulina Springs Bookstore or Canyon Creek Pottery. Please go to sistersstrong.org to purchase your items. Shirts are $15 and car decals are $4. For more information email jeff.schiedler@ ssd6.org.
Free Weekly Grab-N-Go Lunches For Seniors
The Council on Aging of Central Oregon is serving seniors (60+) free Grab-N-Go lunches on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week. The lunches are distributed on a firstcome, first-served basis drivethrough style from 12 to 12:30 p.m. at the Sisters Community Church, 1300 W Mckenzie Hwy. Seniors may drive through the parking lot and pick up a meal each day of service. Come on by, no need to make a reservation. For more information call 541678-5483.
Antiques & Jewelry Donations Needed
Sisters Kiwanis takes donations of antiques, collectibles and jewelry throughout the year for its annual Antiques, Collections & Jewelry Sale, held on Saturday every Memorial Day weekend. Your donation is tax-deductible! New jewelry donation drop-off box at Washington Federal Bank in Sisters. For more information and to arrange for pickup of large or small items, please call Pam at 541-719-1049.
Organ Donor Awareness
A new nonprofit is in the planning stages to educate the community on the importance of organ donation. Fundraisers and events will be discussed. If you are interested in taking part, please call Fifi Bailey at 541419-2204.
Weekly Food Pantry
Wellhouse Church has a weekly food pantry on Thursdays. For the next several weeks, food will be distributed drive-through style from 12:30 until all food is distributed at the Wellhouse Market building, 222 N. Trinity Way. People in need of food may drive through the parking lot and pick up a bag of food for their household. Other Sistersarea churches are joining with Wellhouse Church to contribute both financially and with volunteers to help sustain the program. Info: 541-549-4184.
Virtual Race to Benefit Central OR Symphony
The Virtual Beat Beethoven’s 5th 5k & 1-mile race will be held Sunday, October 11. A virtual race is done “on your own” between Sunday, October 11 through Sunday, October 18. You can run on your own or use the route at Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Proceeds benefit the Central Oregon Symphony, which has canceled concerts because of the virus. For just $25 you can register for either distance: www.beatbeethoven5k. com. Registrants will receive a printable bib and be entered into a raffle. If you have questions, call the Central Oregon Symphony Assoc. office at 541-317-3941.
Mentor Children in Sisters
Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth (COPY), a program of the Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office, is offering a class to prepare volunteers to become mentors for children with an incarcerated parent. After initial training and comprehensive background checks, volunteers are matched with a child in Sisters that shares similar interests and commits to spending a few hours a week together for a minimum of one year. This time is often spent working on homework, attending art programs, exploring the community, or simply hanging out and talking. On Saturday, September 26, COPY will offer a virtual orientation/training class. This 3½-hour class covers program policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families, and communication skills. Additionally, we will be spending time talking about safety and best practices for mentoring in a COVID-19 world. There is no cost to attend, but advanced registration is required. Call 541-388-6651 or go to www. sheriff.deschutes.org/jail/copyprogram/ for more information or to register.
Meet the Candidate
Join Indivisible Sisters to meet Carina Miller, Democratic candidate for Oregon Senate District 30. This is an opportunity to hear her positions on issues facing Sisters Country and the State of Oregon. Ask questions and get answers. All are welcome. There are two virtual opportunities: Thursday, September 17 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. (https://buff.ly/3bOYMlL) and Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m. via Zoom. (https://buff. ly/3aHMGu6) For more info about the event on September 17 call 541-904-0730. For more info about the event on September 24 call 541-400-8312.
Sisters History Museum
Three Sisters Historical Society seeks history enthusiasts to volunteer in our new museum. Don’t know anything about Sisters history? No problem, we will provide training so that you can lead our guests through the museum and its exhibits. Enjoy sharing our Sisters history and learning those special stories that few people know! Interested? Call 541-904-0585 or email to tshsvolunteers@gmail.com.
Snow Plow Service Bids Panoramic Access Special Road District Board Vacancy The Sisters-Camp Sherman
Letters of interest are being accepted for a volunteer position on the PASRD 3-member board of commissioners. Board members are appointed by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and serve 3-year terms. Applicants must be a resident and a registered voter of the district for at least 90 days at the time of appointment. Send applications to panoramicroads@gmail.com; or to PASRD, PO Box 1226, Sisters, OR 97759. The application deadline is November 1. Info: 541-549-1150.
R.F.P.D. is soliciting sealed bids for snow removal of parking and access areas until 4 p.m. on Friday, October 9. Solicitation details can be obtained by request at 541-549-0771 or online at www.sistersfire.com.
Volunteer with Habitat!
Sisters Habitat for Humanity’s Thrift Store, ReStore, and Construction sites need more volunteers! Are you interested? New Volunteer Orientations take Clippity Clop Fundraiser place every Tuesday, Wednesday Clippity Clop To Snip ‘Em Off is and Thursday at noon in the a judged or non-judged trail ride in Sisters on Saturday, September Creating an Outdoors for All Sisters Habitat office, upstairs at On Thursday, September 24 at 141 W. Main Ave. CDC protocols 19. The 10-mile course uses the 5:30 p.m. join the Deschutes Land are followed. RSVPs are required Metolius-Windego trail loop out Trust for a panel discussion with as space is very limited in the of Cow Camp. Your refundable local leaders working to create socially-distanced meeting (if event is canceled due to more inclusive and equitable room. Each person must wear wildfires or COVID-19) fee of outdoor spaces in Central a mask and sanitize their hands $45 helps Equine Community Oregon. We’ll learn from panelists’ when entering the building. A Resources cover most of the personal outdoor experiences in mask will be provided if needed. costs of the annual spring lowCentral Oregon, connect with Please contact Marie at marie@ cost Gelding Clinics. E.C.R. has local organizations working to sistershabitat.org or 541-549-1193 gelded 50 horses to date. Due to create more equity outdoors, to save your spot. COVID-19 restrictions, only the and discuss how we can all play Saturday ride will be held, prizes a part in fostering an inclusive will be delivered to riders’ rig, no concessions and face coverings are environment on our favorite trails, Humane Society of Central Oregon required when social distancing is mountain lakes, ski lifts, and local 541-382-3537 not possible. Register & pay online parks. Registration is required at www.deschuteslandtrust. at equinecommunityresources. org/hikes-events/hikes/creatingorg or at the event with correct outdoors-for-all-co to receive the change required. Info: 541-214virtual event link. Only one person 8368. per household needs to register Furry Friends Has Moved! for this event. Info: 541-330-0017. The Furry Friends office is now Let’s Talk! Examines located at 412. E. Main Ave., Ste. Schools Amid COVID 4 behind The Nugget office. Though the office is closed to the Citizens4Community invites residents to Let’s Talk! — a public, the pet food bank is still monthly discussion series open for no contact porch pick where attendees learn about ups. Call to order your pet food and exchange diverse views on for pick up during our regular weekly pickup time on Thursdays topics of interest. On Monday, Meet LEONARDO, a very September 21 from 6 to 8 dapper Scottish Fold kitty who from 12:30 to 4 p.m. or by is eager to meet his forever appointment the rest of the week. p.m. Let’s Talk! (held via Zoom family! Leonardo is very For more information call or text videoconference) will feature leaders from the Sisters School friendly with humans and is 541-797-4023. always ready for a good head District answering questions scratch! This handsome man Sponsor an Impoverished and discussing challenges and would love to be the only pet in Child from Uganda priorities amid COVID-19. To the home so he can be king of Hope Africa International, based RSVP and receive the Zoom the castle! If you are looking for in Sisters, has many children link prior to the meeting, a handsome and affectionate awaiting sponsorship! For more email citizens4community@ cat to add to your family then information go to hopeafricakids. gmail.com. Get more details at Leonardo is the kitty for you! org or call Katie at 541-719-8727. Citizens4Community.com/events. Come meet Leonardo today!
PET OF THE WEEK
Memorial Service
A Memorial Service for Jim Morgan will be held on Saturday, September 19 at 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. Donations in Jim’s name may be made to Chapel in the Pines; mail to 300 W. Hood Ave., Sisters, OR 97759.
Sponsored by
Sisters Veterinary Clinic 541-549-6961
Please call the church before attending to verify schedules as buildings begin to reopen.
SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 10 a.m. Sunday Worship shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 10 a.m. Sunday Worship (with signing) sisterschurch.com | info@sisterschurch.com St. Edward the Martyr Roman Catholic Church 123 Trinity Way • 541-549-9391 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 9 a.m. Sunday Mass 8 a.m. Monday-Friday Mass Calvary Church (NW Baptist Convention) 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship | ccsisters.org The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 68825 Brooks Camp Road • 541-549-7087 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare) 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship (Sunday school, childcare)
Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-549-9971 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Road • 541-389-8960 | sistersnaz.org 10:45 a.m. Sunday Worship | 2sistersnaz@gmail.com Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 | wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10am Sunday Worship (Indoor & Outdoor Venues available) Vast Church (Nondenominational) 541-719-0587 • 9:37 a.m. Sunday Worship Meeting virtually and in small groups. See vastchurch.com for details. Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir Street • 541-595-6770, 541-306-8303 11 a.m. Saturday Worship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting Baha’i Faith Meetings Devotional Gatherings, Study Classes and Discussion Groups. Call for location and times • 541-549-6586
POLICY: Business items do not run on this page. Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding and anniversary notices may run at no charge. All submissions are subject to editing and run only as space allows. Email lisa@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Your text must include a “for more information” phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
MISINFORMATION: Rumors can spread like wildfire Continued from page 6
jurisdiction,” the agency wrote Thursday night on Facebook. While some arson arrests have been made, it’s not yet clear how all the scores of fires in Washington state and Oregon started. Officials say high winds and dry conditions have made them worse in a region with a cool, wet climate that’s historically protected it from intense fire activity. Both Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee have called the wildfires “unprecedented.” The false claims come as left- and right-wing groups have clashed during protests in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in Portland where a caravan of President Donald Trump’s supporters drove pickup trucks through the liberal city last month. An antifa supporter shot and killed a member of a right-wing group and was fatally shot by Washington state authorities a week later. The FBI said it worked with local authorities to investigate claims that extremists set wildfires and found them to be false. “Conspiracy theories and misinformation take valuable resources away from local fire and police agencies working around the clock to bring these fires under control,“ an FBI statement said. “Please help our entire community by only sharing validated information from official sources.” Officials in Oregon also debunked claims last week of widespread arrests affiliated with the Proud Boys or antifa. “Remember when we said to follow official sources only,” the Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office posted Thursday. “Remember when we said rumors make this already difficult incident even harder? Rumors spread just like wildfire and now our 9-1-1 dispatchers and professional staff are being overrun
with requests for information and inquiries on an untrue rumor that six antifa members have been arrested for setting fires in Douglas County, Oregon.” Medford police knocked down a fake graphic spreading online that used the department’s logo and a photo from an unrelated 2018 arrest to falsely claim five Proud Boys had been arrested for arson. A social media post shared widely on Thursday featured a picture of a woman along with claims that she tried to start a fire near a high school in Springfield. Springfield police told The Associated Press that they spoke to the woman Wednesday and that wasn’t true. Another post claimed a landowner called police after arsonists threw Molotov cocktails on his land in Clackamas County and they got into a shootout. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office told the AP that no such reports existed. Freelance journalist Justin Yau tweeted Thursday that he was told to leave Molalla by an “armed group” that feared outsiders after seeing rumors of arson nearby. Thousands of Twitter and Facebook users shared posts trying to link the fires to antifa activists, including from Paul Romero, a former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Oregon. Reached by phone, Romero blamed the surge in fires statewide on a coordinated “army of arsonists” but
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
It is hot, dry, and fire spreads quickly in those conditions. There is nothing to show its antifa or Proud Boys setting fires. Wait for information. — Firefighter Matt Lowery offered no evidence to support that claim. The posts also are being shared by social media accounts associated with QAnon, a conspiracy theory centered on the baseless belief that Trump is waging a secret campaign against enemies in the so-called deep state and a child-sex-trafficking ring. Police are investigating a fire that originated in Ashland as a potential arson after finding human remains, Jackson County Sheriff Nathan Sickler told reporters Wednesday. However, Ashland Deputy Police Chief Art LeCours confirmed to the AP that the case has “no connection whatsoever to antifa.” The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t made any arrests and its investigation shows no evidence at this point of a coordinated effort, spokesman Mike Moran said. “These investigations take time,” he said. “They’re intense. They’re fast moving. And so people ought to consider: ‘Does this even make sense?’ They should question anything they see in a social media setting.”
THANK YOU FIREFIGHTERS! OUR SUPERHEROES www.blackbutte chiropractic.com 541-389-9183 392 E. Main Ave., Sisters
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activities. “Seed to Table educators are here to keep kids safe, help kids create positive relations with nutritious foods, and to foster experiential education. Our field trips are filled with nature exploration, creative play, and a whole lot of fun! Come learn about our native pollinators, plant life cycles, dig for worms, munch on a delicious garden snack, and so much more,” Tehan said. “A lot of hard work and brainstorming has gone into this program, with the safety of students at the center of the discussions. After watching great examples of other organizations carrying out successful and safe field trips in our area, we know we can help keep kids’ hands in the earth, getting experiential education while also keeping social distance.” Register online: https:// www.seedtotableoregon.org/ field-trip-signup. If families do not have access to the internet they can call to register over the phone at 541-203-0152.
Entertainment & Events SEPT
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Edward Jones Virtual Event Future Trends & Strategies Webinar 5:30 p.m. 25-minute free Zoom class to discuss how to see beyond today’s headlines. Pre-register by calling Karen Kassy at 541-549-1866.
Paulina Springs Books Virtual Event Books In Common Regional Literary Event Series with Jason Diamond & Andi Zeisler 6:30 p.m. For more information call 541549-0866 or go to BooksinCommonNW.com.
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Food Cart Garden at Eurosports Friday Car Show 5-6:30 p.m. Bring your cool or vintage car for the free Friday car show. For more information call Eurosports at 541-549-2471.
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Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every Sunday: fresh local produce and more. Pre-order and details at sistersfarmersmarket.com.
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Soccer & Flag Football
Casey Gardner • 110 S. Elm St.
Seed to Table Farm will host free fall field trips in the afternoons for youth in second through fifth grades. S t a r t i n g T u e s d a y, September 22, people can sign up for free field trips from 1 to 4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Seed to Table is committed to ensuring students get their hands in the dirt and have opportunities for experiential learning during these difficult times. The fall field trips offer exploration opportunities with the safety of the community as a top priority. “We are excited to host small groups (no more than seven) of students for experiential field trips this fall, free of charge!” said Seed To Table Director Audrey Tehan. Seed to Table Farm is a place students can play and let their imagination go wild. Exploration and learning on Seed to Table farm allows students to connect with nutrition, science, and art through farm-based
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Seed to Table offers free fall field trips
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Paulina Springs Books Virtual Event Books In Common Regional Literary Event Series with Ginger Gaffney & Pam Houston 6:30 p.m. For more information call 541-5490866 or go to BooksinCommonNW.com. Sisters Area Sisters Arts Association Artist Studio Tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free self-guided tour of 26 private artist studios. Go to www.sistersartsassociation.org/ sistersstudiotour for more information. Paulina Springs Books Virtual Event Books In Common Regional Literary Event Series with Craig Johnson Noon. For more information call 541-549-0866 or go to BooksinCommonNW.com. Sisters Area Sisters Arts Association Artist Studio Tour 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free self-guided tour of 26 private artist studios. Go to www.sistersartsassociation.org/ sistersstudiotour for more information. Fir Street Park Sisters Farmers Market 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every Sunday: fresh local produce and more. Pre-order and details at sistersfarmersmarket.com. Events Calendar listings are free to advertisers. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to lisa@nuggetnews.com
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
SPORTS: Families’ level of comfort to be respected Continued from page 3
the Governor’s Office, OHA and ODE. This participation may include conditioning, practices, and interscholastic competitions in those permitted activities provided schools adhere to OSAA policies. Health protocols and other guidance are clearly outlined by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Education (ODE), which are subject to county phase requirements. Sisters has decided, starting September 15, to offer three four-week “mini-seasons” beginning with traditional spring sports (baseball, softball, tennis, golf, track and field, and lacrosse). In October, fall sports will run for another four weeks, followed by winter sports. Sports considered “full contact” — such as football and lacrosse — will be offered as conditioning only unless the health metrics change during Season One. Other districts are making different plans, but Thorson and other district leaders believe this plan works best for Sisters.
RAFFLE: Funds will help community-building efforts Continued from page 3
heightened need for community members to access a bounty of essential goods in a manner that would be accessible and safe. It took a great effort to continue the market this year in the face of COVID-19. These challenges required doubling the number of hours to organize and manage the market, and required more resources to ensure safety and social distancing inside of the market. Additional physical
Thorson explained, “Our district has recognized the need for our students to get safely engaged again, and has set a plan which is a healthy compromise on the engagement spectrum. With us still in the distance-learning mode, it did not make sense for us to have opened things up for athletics on August 31 and dive right into competition with other schools. Our priority is getting the kids back in their seats for class and that means limiting contact and exposure as much as we can.” The plan adds up to teams being together for about 20 practices during the mini-season and the possible potential for some limited competition. “In terms of competition, we have scheduled some events for some of the spring sports teams but we are in a ‘wait and see mode’ for those and will only conduct these if the health metrics are continuing in a positive direction,” said Thorson. The district is working out ways to safely have middleschool activities available as well, according to Thorson. “We also want to start to get our middle-school student-athletes involved and have opened up middleschool-track ‘practice only’ sessions for them,” he said. Thorson understands well the complexity and balancing
act of keeping students and staff from spreading COVID19, while also giving students the opportunity for activities that promote physical, as well as emotional, health. “These opportunities for our students to engage in athletics and other activities for the district are of course optional,” he explained. “Our coaching staff will be following all of the required protocols to safely run our practice sessions and have communicated to the parents that these are not mandatory practices.” Being outdoors, keeping distance from one another, conducting health checks and working in small cohorts are all part of the plan for safety. “We realize the comfort levels and health issues vary from family to family and we respect and support everyone’s position, but want to make athletics and other activities safely available to our students,” Thorson said. “Our youth need the physical and social benefits of activities now more than ever, and some positivity for them right now will go a long way.” Families can register for Season One activities through Family I.D. at no cost, according to Thorson. “We see this offering as a good way to get kids active again and to try something new,” said Thorson.
procedures and digital infrastructure were developed — exceeding national safety standards and leading as an innovator in the region — incorporating an online preorder option with curbside pickup for contactless access to healthy foods and locallysourced products. Despite the ongoing challenges of this time, market attendance has continued to increase, providing vendors with an essential marketplace and further stimulating the local economy. With the mission to support a healthier community in mind, Sisters Farmers Market sees an urgent need for those impacted directly by the catastrophic wildfires, and hopes
to provide an avenue for Central Oregonians to support our devastated communities to the west. Fifty percent of ticket sales from raffle entries will be distributed to wildfire relief efforts through the end of September. The Sisters Farmers Market continues to draw high-quality vendors and enthusiastic customers from in and out of town. The funds raised through the raffle will allow the Sisters Farmers Market to recover some of this year’s extra costs brought on by COVID, keeping fees low for vendors and leaving the market in a stronger position to continue in the 2021 season.
SCHOOLS: District proclaimed diversity and anti-racism Continued from page 3
a net gain over last year of 30. The elementary school has had a continuous flow of kindergarten enrollments, along with other grades, and stood at a total of 322, which includes some families who have opted for the district’s full-time online option and full-time distance learning. The high school reported a total of 25 new students to the district. More accurate enrollment numbers will be available soon. • The preschool has not yet begun operations as the district awaits the signing of a contract from the Oregon Early Learning Division which oversees public preschools in Oregon. Principal Joan Warburg said, “We have staff hired and are ready to rock and roll, but have to wait for the state to finish the contract.”
• Special education director Martha Hindman reported on summer activities, including the Youth Transition Program and the extended school year academic skills class. Teaching and paraprofessionals took part in a “Special Education 101” course in August to enhance understanding of special education law and best practices. • The board approved a minor adjustment to the school calendar, necessitated in part due to the high school and middle school operating on six-week segments rather than traditional terms. The updated calendar will be available on the school district website soon. • The new transportation facility west of SPRD is completed. • Curt Scholl expressed the district’s commitment to supporting the social/emotional needs of students during the challenges of the pandemic and distance learning. • The next school board meeting is set for Wednesday, October 7 at 6 p.m.
DO YOU HAVE A TEACHER THAT HELPS YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND MATH? OR ONE THAT TAKES AN INTEREST IN YOUR UNIQUE ABILITY? OR DID YOU VOLUNTEER IN A CLASSROOM AND WERE AMAZED AT HOW THE TEACHER CONNECTED WITH THE STUDENTS?
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SISTERS OUTLAWS
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THANK Write your personalized thank-you message* and send it to leith@nuggetnews.com or drop it off at The Nugget office, 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters. It may appear in a full-page salute in the Sept. 30th issue of The Nugget!
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Best wishes, Jim Anderson!
Thank you for the immeasurable richness you have brought to Sisters Country. — The Nugget & the Sisters Community
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
FIREFIGHTERS: Local team assisted with structure protection
Commentary...
WILDLIFE: Government has scaled back protections
Bull by Bull
Continued from page 1
By Judy Bull
Ward said that the damage reinforced the message that keeping properties clear and creating defensible space is critical to fire defense and survival. In a catastrophic blaze such as the one that hit the mountain towns last week, nothing can guarantee that a house is going to survive. But preparation at least gives firefighters a fighting chance. “People that prepped their property had the best chance,” Ward said. Ward also noted the importance of having a plan for evacuation. In the fires that struck the Cascades, residents often had only minutes to get out of their homes before the fire was upon them. “Living in the wildland/ urban interface like this, it’s something that definitely has to be in the forefront of everybody’s mind,” he said. The Sisters firefighter has deployed to catastrophic wildfires before, including a massive blaze that devastated Sonoma, California. As he experienced in Sonoma, Ward was astounded at the appreciation expressed to firefighters by people who had been through an almost incomprehensible trauma and loss. He acknowledged that the impact is greater when the fire has devastated an area you grew up visiting. “It’s a bit more of a personal fire when it’s close to home,” he said.
Columnist
• I got lost in Sisters the other day, after living here for over 34 years. When I needed to return from where I’d just come, my plan was to hang a U-turn on Brooks Camp Road, knowing it was a dead end. Not only is Brooks Camp Road now a through street, I was met by huge apartment buildings and houses on both sides of the street. McDonald’s Golden Arches ahead was the only thing I recognized. • It’s beginning to feel a lot like fall in Cloverdale. The acrid smell of hemp fields and the smoke from wildfires permeate the air, the nearby elk can be heard bugling, and the Three Sisters are as bare of snow as I can remember. Oh, and the badgers are back. • George Carlin once said, “When I was a kid, if a guy got killed in a Western movie I always wondered who got his horse.” Somehow, it makes me wonder, too, who gets all those beautiful horses on the controversial statues that have been torn down. • Around this time of the year I always enjoy stacking my pellets and getting hay in for the upcoming winter. This is the first year, however, that I have felt the need to lay in books for the winter to come. Thus far I have stashed 14 whodunits, three autobiographies, and 99-year-old Raymond Alden’s newest release,
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“Exploring the God Idea.” • Some nights before going to bed in the summertime, I drag my bare feet through the newly watered lawn to remove the day’s dust. Works great, especially right after I’ve mowed. Talking mowing, Lee Christensen found me the greatest used mower on Craig’s List (who is Craig, anyway)? Just one pull and I’m good to go. Seeing my old mower going down the road in the back of Lee’s pickup, though, made me feel like I was attending my own estate sale. • The doc has me monitoring my BP lately. I feel as though I’m taking a lie detector test every time I check it; it’s impossible to fool. Talking docs, some of the best advice I ever got from one a few years back: “When it gets in the way of your bowling, call me.” I was all signed up to get my knee replaced this summer and decided to take care of a big toe problem before surgery. Long story short, fixing my toe allowed me to use my entire foot properly for the first time in many, many years and straightened my leg right up. Bingo: no knee surgery and back to bowling — for now. • One day after COVID house arrest I came across a tiny, dead, dried up, shriveled mouse in the carport closet. Instantly, I realized it looked exactly like I felt when we were first set free from stay-at-home orders.
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using public lands for recreation, grazing or energy development. The U.S. Supreme Court called into question the definition of “critical habitat” in a 2018 ruling. The Trump administration this year put forward a definition it says will “balance effective, science-based conservation with common-sense policy designed to bring the ESA into the 21st century.” Critics say the administration’s definition appears to rule out land or water that needs restoration work or sites that could become suitable for imperiled wildfire in the future, particularly when climate change is considered. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has sought to scale back environmental protections in favor of industry, ranging from shrinking national monuments to opening up areas for oil and gas drilling. He’s also lifted or suspended environmental regulations intended
to prevent pollution during the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, the administration released a proposal that would change the Endangered Species Act to allow the government to deny protections for critical habitat to benefit development. Trump has also sought to scale back or alter endangered species rules, including lifting blanket protections for animals newly listed as threatened and setting cost estimates for saving species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for example, designated critical habitat earlier this year for slickspot peppergrass, a rare desert flower in southwestern Idaho, that protected about 65 square miles. But that’s about 30 square miles less than the agency proposed in 2014. We s t e r n Wa t e r s h e d s Project, an environmental group, blasted the decision as reducing critical habitat to only places where the plant already grows rather than including enough uninhabited areas where the plant could expand to and recover. A final decision on the definition for habitat is expected by year’s end.
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PINES By T. Lee Brown
What a great year It’s been a tough year for kids, including mine. Tough year for parents, including me. Tough year for educators. Guess who’s not having a tough year? Multi-zillion-dollar tech corporations, that’s who. The smoke-choked, politically divided, pandemic mess that is 2020 has brought riches of users and data to companies that make money from digital device use. If you’re Fortnite, Amazon, TikTok, or Google, this year is for you! For the rest of us? Dang, 2020 suuuuuucks. We don’t have normal concerts and parties and school. Fun vacations and hugs from grandparents are a rarity. It’s
understandable that we’d turn to some extra tech for comfort, though we know it’s kinda unhealthy. Our family usually shuts off devices from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. That way we get 24 hours of real presence and togethertime. It’s called Digital Shabbat. Even something so basic feels harder to do nowadays. This week we cheated, leaving my husband’s phone on in case my family in Lane County had to evacuate. By Saturday night I was glued to the fire websites, weeping over the loss of my favorite spot on the McKenzie River. Kinda unhealthy, yes. Also understandable, given the circumstances. But what if our tech use in general goes far beyond kindaunhealthy? What if we’ve entered an era of deep, corrosive wrongness that’s destroying our culture, our democracy, and our kids? Experts believe we have entered that era. People are starting to catch on. Soaring into the Top Ten on Netflix this week came a documentary called “The Social Dilemma.” It features high-level technologists from companies like Google, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook/Instagram/ Whatsapp. These folks were trying to create something good — or at least cool
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon — while making lots of money. Instead they created a monster. Big-name investor Roger McNamee explains that for 50 years, tech companies made money selling hardware and software — a nice, simple business. Then everything changed. “For the last 10 years,” he says in the film, “the biggest companies in Silicon Valley have been in the business of selling their users.” Wait, what? Who? Yep, they are selling us. We the People. They’re not just selling ads targeted at us. They’re not just selling information about us. They are selling our attention and behavior — which they’re remarkably good at nudging, shifting, and changing. They’re selling our choices, our focus, and our future. Even the people who build the technology find themselves unable to resist its influence. Brewing a great beer doesn’t make your liver magically immune to alcohol. Tech giants unleash a constant barrage of scientific experiments on users. As the wolf told Little Red Riding Hood: the better to manipulate you with, my dear. “You are a lab rat,” explains Sandy Parakilas,
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former operations manager at Facebook and product manager at Uber. “We’re all lab rats.” He points out that we’re not lab rats for something positive, like developing a cure for cancer. “We’re just zombies,” he says, “and they want us to look at more ads so they can make more money.” Call it Big Data or call it Surveillance Capitalism. In the end, tech companies are selling you and me. They not only learn everything about our behavior — who our friends are, where we drive, what images we look at, what links we click — they modify that behavior. Being aware of the manipulation does little to prevent it. They’re selling our kids, too. Parents who try to be responsible about their kids’ screen time are finding it hard during Covid. When we checked in with Sisters School District last week, we were handed a Google Chromebook and a login to the Canvas platform. Canvas is a cloud-based learning management system that received a crummy privacy rating of 63 percent and a Warning label from Common Sense Media. The Chromebook tablet allows Google to aggregate behavior data about children
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worldwide, insuring a lifetime of future corporate earnings. Most users have no idea how their data is used and abused. I don’t have that excuse. I’ve been researching and sounding the alarm about all this for several years. I quit social media and Amazon Prime. We don’t play video games. Geolocation is turned off on my phone. Etcetera. But my family still gets sucked in. Trapped in our house (that we are fortunate to have), keeping distance (from germs and humans alike), looking through pea-soup smoke at a dim salmon-orange dot in the sky (apparently it’s called the sun), it’s hard to imagine disconnecting any further. And so the Chromebook comes on for math. Zoom — notorious for privacy problems — brings relatives together for video chats. YouTube — one of the worst tech media offenders — offers groovy old music videos. A series on Netflix takes our minds off the social infrastructure crumbling around us. Glued to my screen, falling down the rabbit hole, I can almost believe that 2020 is tolerable. Yeah, sure. It’s been a great year.
LEARNING AT HOME THIS YEAR?
DAVIS TIRE
Best wishes to all our Sisters students!
541-549-1026 Serving Sisters Since 1962
541-549-1026 | 188 W. Sisters Park Drive | In Sisters Industrial Park
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
SISTER S C O UN TR Y V ISIO N
State of the City
The Sisters Country Vision consists of 20 major goals (in four focus areas) to encourage a more: 1. Connected, 2. Prosperous, 3. Livable and 4. Resilient Sisters Country.
By Mayor Chuck Ryan Our great City of Sisters is entering its 75th anniversary in 2021. We are well-positioned financially and infrastructure-wise due to the thorough planning by your City staff, elected Council, and our volunteer advisory boards. We recently completed our FY 2020/21 budget, and despite the challenging headwinds created by the pandemic, Sisters is in a very healthy position to withstand these unique pressures and maintain our quality of service and life that is so special for this community. The detailed budget is available on the City’s website. A few highlights of our budget — it is an $18M plan, but keep in mind that 70% of that total is for capital improvements and reserves for future infrastructure expenditures; City staffing is level at 17.5 positions, and no new debt is planned at this time. Maintaining and improving our infrastructure (water/wastewater/streets) and having the appropriate reserve funding is so important considering that our population has tripled since 2000. There is so much to be proud of in regard to accomplishments over the last few years, and you can see many of them on these pages with the Council Goals and selected accomplishments and the Sisters Country Vision and selected progress. I am especially proud of the visioning process, which is entering its third year and making tremendous progress on the 20 key strategies that you, our Sisters
CONNE C T ED SIST ER S
Key project: Create a Multi-purpose Community Center A wide range of potential user groups came together to explore the feasibility of locations, services, and funding options. Sisters School District is researching costs of conversion of the elementary school, and Sisters Parks & Recreation District (SPRD) boosted their operations capacity with a new strategic plan, executive director, and the reactivation of the Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) Foundation.
PR OSPER OUS SIST ER S
Key Project: Develop the Forest Service Property City of Sisters and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) successfully helped facilitate the sale of the north parcel in 2019. USFS decided to build their new District Ranger Station on the south parcel, and the City is beginning work with Oregon Department of Transportation to transform the “east portal” into a community space and transportation amenity.
KEY PARTIES MEETING
NEW FOREST SERVICE RANGER STATION
EAST PORTAL COMMUNITY SPACE
affordable housing grant to Habitat for Humanity to help with System Development Charges on three homes; the ClearPine development and Habitat are partnering on six new homes; and First Story, in partnership with Hayden Homes, has recently completed three houses in the McKenzie Meadows Village subdivision.
Key Project: Expand and Improve the Recreational Trail System in Sisters Country Successful partnerships have led to new methods of outreach, new funding opportunities, and a new regional, multi-use-trail-system plan. Local trail improvements include a bridge replacement over Indian Ford Creek on the Sisters Tie Trail and a new gateway trailhead to the Peterson Ridge Trail System.
RE SILIENT SIST ER S
EXPANDED PROGRAMMING FIRE FREE
UPDATED CODES STATE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
SEE MO R E V ISI O N PR O GR E S S :
W W W. SISTER SV ISION .OR G
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALDOCK
Deschutes County’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee presented recommendations to the Oregon State Legislature on hazard mapping updates, new state building standards, and new land-use protocols. The Fire Free Program more than doubled their impact with a second free brush disposal event, and Deschutes County was awarded a grant to engage more community members in next steps.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
17
COUNCIL GOALS Livability and Growth
communication and help in any way within our means. One of those initiatives was for the City to allow businesses to create “parklets” on City right of ways to help expand customer capacity. I also need to mention the tremendous support our residents receive from the many nonprofit organizations that are active in Sisters. They are mostly volunteer organizations that do so many great things for our community, from youth-oriented programs to helping the disadvantaged and homeless. The City Council just this month awarded almost $40,000 to 23 nonprofits to help promote their many initiatives. In closing, you can be assured that the City will continue its hard work and focus on forward planning to ensure our inevitable growth is well-balanced with required infrastructure funding while preserving our small-town feel and quality of life that we cherish. I am so proud to have served as your Mayor for the past four years and am incredibly proud of our City Council and City staff.
PARKS Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the City partnered to fund and build a new play structure at Village Green Park. One of the important features of the new structure is ADA accessibility. A second park improvement project will take place at Creekside Park to retrofit the pedestrian bridge ramp to meet ADA requirements.
Projects aim to ensure there are adequate supplies of buildable land within the City and preserve the small-town feel of the community. An update to the Comprehensive Plan will begin this fall. This project is a large undertaking that will update the City’s guiding legal document for growth and development for a 20-year timeframe. The project builds on the 2019 Community Vision and will explore topics related to housing, the economy, natural resources, and community character among other topics.
Public Safety
Strategies include expanded service for law enforcement, improving traffic safety, particularly around bicycle and pedestrian amenities, and building on past wildfire resiliency planning. A Traffic Safety Study is currently underway in the City to identify intersection and roadway issues. The City’s Traffic Engineer will analyze the traffic data and provide recommendations for the best ways to invest future capital funds to improve vehicle, pedestrian, and bike safety throughout the City.
Essential Infrastructure
This strategy is focused on investing in water, wastewater, streets and parks as the foundation of our community. The City is in the process of developing a fourth municipal groundwater supply (Well 4). The new well will produce 2.15 cfs or approximately 950 gallons per minute. Phase I is the development of the actual well with drilling anticipated to be completed by December 2020. Phase II is the construction of the pumpstation and associated piping with project completion scheduled for spring 2021. This project is funded with water System Development Charges collected from new development to offset their impact to the water system.
Good Governance
These initiatives support a fiscally responsible, transparent, and responsive local government organization for the community both now and strategically into the future. The City has six boards to help guide staff and the City Council. They include the City Parks Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Urban Forestr y Board, Housing Policy Advisory Board, Budget Committee and a new Public Works Advisory Board.
LAZY Z The City will be working on a master plan for the future development and preservation of the City-owned south portion of the Lazy Z Ranch. The purpose of this project is to provide long-term planning for the enhancement of the existing wastewater effluent system and future view corridor and open space on the property.
Key Project: Improve Wildfire Preparedness
NEW FUNDING ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT
Country residents, created and endorsed. We could not have been successful without the Vision Implementation Team’s dedicated support that includes key organizational partners across all disciplines in our City. We planned to do a community celebration summer event, but it had to be postponed due to COVID-19, same with this State of the City shifting to this format. As I said, there are many accomplishments your City staff and elected officials have made, but there are a few that I am most proud of. First is public safety and the new five-year contract with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, which includes a dedicated lieutenant (de facto police chief) and three dedicated deputies providing the kind of community policing that we have sought more of for quite a while. Second, we have made great strides in providing affordable housing and attaining our goal of at least 10% of housing being affordable; Lastly, we have, with the help of EDCO, made significant progress in diversifying our local economy, which is extremely important for economic sustainability and maintaining the strength of our school enrollment. We understand that many of our small businesses have suffered tremendously during the pandemic, and I would like to commend them in their tenacity and resiliency to maintain viability. We reached out to many of our businesses to promote
AFFORDABLE HOUSING The City awarded an
LIVABLE SIST ER S
NEW TEAM WILDFIRE MITIGATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Economic Development LAW ENFORCEMENT
In 2020 the City entered a five-year contract with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services to the City. Sisters will now have three permanent deputies and a lieutenant assigned to the City.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.CI.SISTERS.OR.US
This goal builds on past successes to maintain Sisters as a tourist destination and attract traded-sector businesses for a diverse, sustainable economy that supports the community’s creative culture while spurring investment and adding living-wage jobs.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
SISTER S C O UN TR Y V ISIO N
State of the City
The Sisters Country Vision consists of 20 major goals (in four focus areas) to encourage a more: 1. Connected, 2. Prosperous, 3. Livable and 4. Resilient Sisters Country.
By Mayor Chuck Ryan Our great City of Sisters is entering its 75th anniversary in 2021. We are well-positioned financially and infrastructure-wise due to the thorough planning by your City staff, elected Council, and our volunteer advisory boards. We recently completed our FY 2020/21 budget, and despite the challenging headwinds created by the pandemic, Sisters is in a very healthy position to withstand these unique pressures and maintain our quality of service and life that is so special for this community. The detailed budget is available on the City’s website. A few highlights of our budget — it is an $18M plan, but keep in mind that 70% of that total is for capital improvements and reserves for future infrastructure expenditures; City staffing is level at 17.5 positions, and no new debt is planned at this time. Maintaining and improving our infrastructure (water/wastewater/streets) and having the appropriate reserve funding is so important considering that our population has tripled since 2000. There is so much to be proud of in regard to accomplishments over the last few years, and you can see many of them on these pages with the Council Goals and selected accomplishments and the Sisters Country Vision and selected progress. I am especially proud of the visioning process, which is entering its third year and making tremendous progress on the 20 key strategies that you, our Sisters
CONNE C T ED SIST ER S
Key project: Create a Multi-purpose Community Center A wide range of potential user groups came together to explore the feasibility of locations, services, and funding options. Sisters School District is researching costs of conversion of the elementary school, and Sisters Parks & Recreation District (SPRD) boosted their operations capacity with a new strategic plan, executive director, and the reactivation of the Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) Foundation.
PR OSPER OUS SIST ER S
Key Project: Develop the Forest Service Property City of Sisters and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) successfully helped facilitate the sale of the north parcel in 2019. USFS decided to build their new District Ranger Station on the south parcel, and the City is beginning work with Oregon Department of Transportation to transform the “east portal” into a community space and transportation amenity.
KEY PARTIES MEETING
NEW FOREST SERVICE RANGER STATION
EAST PORTAL COMMUNITY SPACE
affordable housing grant to Habitat for Humanity to help with System Development Charges on three homes; the ClearPine development and Habitat are partnering on six new homes; and First Story, in partnership with Hayden Homes, has recently completed three houses in the McKenzie Meadows Village subdivision.
Key Project: Expand and Improve the Recreational Trail System in Sisters Country Successful partnerships have led to new methods of outreach, new funding opportunities, and a new regional, multi-use-trail-system plan. Local trail improvements include a bridge replacement over Indian Ford Creek on the Sisters Tie Trail and a new gateway trailhead to the Peterson Ridge Trail System.
RE SILIENT SIST ER S
EXPANDED PROGRAMMING FIRE FREE
UPDATED CODES STATE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
SEE MO R E V ISI O N PR O GR E S S :
W W W. SISTER SV ISION .OR G
PHOTOS BY JERRY BALDOCK
Deschutes County’s Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee presented recommendations to the Oregon State Legislature on hazard mapping updates, new state building standards, and new land-use protocols. The Fire Free Program more than doubled their impact with a second free brush disposal event, and Deschutes County was awarded a grant to engage more community members in next steps.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
17
COUNCIL GOALS Livability and Growth
communication and help in any way within our means. One of those initiatives was for the City to allow businesses to create “parklets” on City right of ways to help expand customer capacity. I also need to mention the tremendous support our residents receive from the many nonprofit organizations that are active in Sisters. They are mostly volunteer organizations that do so many great things for our community, from youth-oriented programs to helping the disadvantaged and homeless. The City Council just this month awarded almost $40,000 to 23 nonprofits to help promote their many initiatives. In closing, you can be assured that the City will continue its hard work and focus on forward planning to ensure our inevitable growth is well-balanced with required infrastructure funding while preserving our small-town feel and quality of life that we cherish. I am so proud to have served as your Mayor for the past four years and am incredibly proud of our City Council and City staff.
PARKS Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the City partnered to fund and build a new play structure at Village Green Park. One of the important features of the new structure is ADA accessibility. A second park improvement project will take place at Creekside Park to retrofit the pedestrian bridge ramp to meet ADA requirements.
Projects aim to ensure there are adequate supplies of buildable land within the City and preserve the small-town feel of the community. An update to the Comprehensive Plan will begin this fall. This project is a large undertaking that will update the City’s guiding legal document for growth and development for a 20-year timeframe. The project builds on the 2019 Community Vision and will explore topics related to housing, the economy, natural resources, and community character among other topics.
Public Safety
Strategies include expanded service for law enforcement, improving traffic safety, particularly around bicycle and pedestrian amenities, and building on past wildfire resiliency planning. A Traffic Safety Study is currently underway in the City to identify intersection and roadway issues. The City’s Traffic Engineer will analyze the traffic data and provide recommendations for the best ways to invest future capital funds to improve vehicle, pedestrian, and bike safety throughout the City.
Essential Infrastructure
This strategy is focused on investing in water, wastewater, streets and parks as the foundation of our community. The City is in the process of developing a fourth municipal groundwater supply (Well 4). The new well will produce 2.15 cfs or approximately 950 gallons per minute. Phase I is the development of the actual well with drilling anticipated to be completed by December 2020. Phase II is the construction of the pumpstation and associated piping with project completion scheduled for spring 2021. This project is funded with water System Development Charges collected from new development to offset their impact to the water system.
Good Governance
These initiatives support a fiscally responsible, transparent, and responsive local government organization for the community both now and strategically into the future. The City has six boards to help guide staff and the City Council. They include the City Parks Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Urban Forestr y Board, Housing Policy Advisory Board, Budget Committee and a new Public Works Advisory Board.
LAZY Z The City will be working on a master plan for the future development and preservation of the City-owned south portion of the Lazy Z Ranch. The purpose of this project is to provide long-term planning for the enhancement of the existing wastewater effluent system and future view corridor and open space on the property.
Key Project: Improve Wildfire Preparedness
NEW FUNDING ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT
Country residents, created and endorsed. We could not have been successful without the Vision Implementation Team’s dedicated support that includes key organizational partners across all disciplines in our City. We planned to do a community celebration summer event, but it had to be postponed due to COVID-19, same with this State of the City shifting to this format. As I said, there are many accomplishments your City staff and elected officials have made, but there are a few that I am most proud of. First is public safety and the new five-year contract with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, which includes a dedicated lieutenant (de facto police chief) and three dedicated deputies providing the kind of community policing that we have sought more of for quite a while. Second, we have made great strides in providing affordable housing and attaining our goal of at least 10% of housing being affordable; Lastly, we have, with the help of EDCO, made significant progress in diversifying our local economy, which is extremely important for economic sustainability and maintaining the strength of our school enrollment. We understand that many of our small businesses have suffered tremendously during the pandemic, and I would like to commend them in their tenacity and resiliency to maintain viability. We reached out to many of our businesses to promote
AFFORDABLE HOUSING The City awarded an
LIVABLE SIST ER S
NEW TEAM WILDFIRE MITIGATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Economic Development LAW ENFORCEMENT
In 2020 the City entered a five-year contract with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services to the City. Sisters will now have three permanent deputies and a lieutenant assigned to the City.
LEARN MORE AT WWW.CI.SISTERS.OR.US
This goal builds on past successes to maintain Sisters as a tourist destination and attract traded-sector businesses for a diverse, sustainable economy that supports the community’s creative culture while spurring investment and adding living-wage jobs.
Living with
passion
By Jim Cornelius | Editor in Chief
“I’ve always lived life with passion,” says Erik Dolson. The Sisters man, one-time publisher of The Nugget Newspaper, is a writer, an automobile racer, a sailor — and at age 70, he still feels the need for speed. Dolson has been racing a vintage Corvette with considerable success over the past 25 years. Over the Labor Day Weekend, Dolson was the recipient of the Zupans Markets Historic Races Pete Lovely Award, voted upon by the crews who work the races. “This means much to me,” Dolson wrote in a reflection on the honor. “You who work the flag stations, the starting grid, the tow trucks ... you not only make racing possible, you see it all, for long hours in bitter cold or blistering heat, risking your own well-being to keep drivers safe, sometimes saving lives. Your recognition is something I value more than any checkered flag.” Last year, Dolson was awarded the Wemme Trophy, a lifetime-achievement award recognizing significant contributions to Portland vintage racing. Dolson took up racing at age 45 — and sailing at age 65. Is the drive toward pursuing new adventures later in life a choice or something innate? Hard to say. “There are a lot of options,” Dolson told The Nugget. “One is to not do anything — by choice, I suppose. Take it easy. There are those, unfortunately, who can’t do what they used to do or want to do. I am incredibly fortunate that I am able to pursue passions that I’ve had for decades — and pick up some new ones.” The passions may be innate, but the effort to pursue them takes deliberate effort. “The conscious choice is when I go run the river trail two or three times a week, or I go to the gym three times a week to maximize my physical capabilities — or as I prefer to say — make the world a lighter place.” In addition to maintaining physical health, there are advantages to age that enhance mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. “I am more grateful now — for so many things — than at almost any other time of my life,” Dolson said. “I think this comes with perspective, which comes with age. Gratitude displaces a lot of negativity, which can be so corrosive.” A recently-acquired joy is riding an electric unicycle. The unit, which is steered off the rider’s balance, can achieve speeds of 35 miles per hour — which is quite a lot when there’s nothing separating the rider from the pavement. Dolson uses it to run into town from where his sailboat docks — and to simply enjoy himself. Whenever the unicycle comes out, there are stares — and even friends can be a little aghast at what he gets up to. “I occasionally get the rueful shake of the head,” he
Erik Dolson, 70-going-on-15, whipped around the parking lot at Fika Sisters Coffeehouse last week on his electric unicycle. acknowledged. “They’ve probably been shaking their head at me for the last 40 years. Acting my age has never been my strong suit.” The septuagenarian can’t quibble with their judgment. “I don’t disagree with them,” he said with a wry laugh. He noted that when he crashed on his unicycle a few months ago and injured his shoulder, “I wondered if I’d taken it a step too far. But the shoulder healed.” And Dolson climbed back up on the wheel. He’s not planning on stopping. One of the advantages to taking up avocations that some might find outlandish when you’re past middle age is that you’re well past worrying about what others think about it. “I’m there to feel the joy of balanced movement,” he said. “And it doesn’t matter if someone thinks I’m indulging in risky behavior.” It’s not risk per se that drives Dolson. He noted that he gave up flying because he considered himself a mediocre pilot. “And I thought that was a bad thing to be,” he said. More than risk, Dolson is drawn to challenge — the challenge of pushing himself and a race car to the limits, or learning to sail, navigate, and maintain a sailboat as a way of life. “There is joy in doing something well,” he said. “There is challenge in learning new skills and there’s satisfaction from meeting that challenge.” And a fellow rider recently told him about a wheel that does 45 mph…
PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS
Living the best years of your life in Sisters
Of a certain age Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Of a certain age...
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Of a certain age 19
Services for seniors more critical than ever By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
The population of Sisters Country is aging — and the challenges of aging are exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Seniors who might be facing a higher degree of isolation due to lack of transportation or connection are even more inhibited by the need to stay socially distanced. Central Oregon Council On Aging (COCOA) has worked to bring Sisters seniors out of isolation with senior lunches at Sisters Community Church. Those activities have been curtailed — but the organization has pivoted to keep connecting seniors with services and social interaction. COCOA Communications Director Denise Labuda noted that the organization is specifically designated to assist struggling seniors
— those who don’t have the resources and wherewithal to access the services they need. They serve as a primary point of contact for seniors and their families to work through issues with housing, food access, in-home care, medical assistance, transportation and help for caregivers. “We have a variety of services we can connect people to and in some cases pay for — but we are not the provider of those services,” she said. COCOA is noted for its lunch program in Sisters, which switched over to a to-go model in order to maintain COVID-19-safe protocols. Labuda noted that they are actually serving three times more people than they were with their sit-down dining. The service is offered at Sisters Community Church from noon to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
...we believe we’re going to see more with isolation and loneliness… We’re trying to get ahead of what we think is going to be a hard winter for seniors. — Denise Labuda
“I’d say we’re feeding about 70 people in Sisters right now,” Labuda said. Maintaining that social connection is critical to the mental, emotional, and ultimately physical well-being of the seniors COCOA serves, and Labuda and the rest of the staff are acutely aware that more challenges await as Sisters Country slides into winter. She said the program may move to a delivery model when weather makes it dicey for seniors to be on the roads. COCOA also connects seniors to Meals-on-Wheels delivery. “Meals-on-Wheels drivers no longer go into the home to drop off the food or sit down to have a conversation,” Labuda said. However, she said, they’ll still talk outside, and “we are also dedicating staff to call them once a week.” Labuda said that COCOA is also developing a volunteer-based calling program to offer seniors some connection during the cold months, when isolation is expected to increase. Labuda told The Nugget that food insecurity is the biggest issue for seniors in Sisters, “and we believe we’re going to see more with isolation and loneliness... We’re trying to get ahead of what we think is
going to be a hard winter for seniors.” Individual seniors are only part of the picture when it comes to caring for the elderly population. Their families play a big role too. Labuda said that COCOA helps families come up with a plan for loved ones as their needs change — needs for housing, food, medical care and more. And for family members who are carrying the load of care, the organization can connect them with respite care services. COCOA offers Medicare counseling, and the season for that service is fast approaching. “ We ’ l l s t a r t t a k i n g appointment requests on October 1,” Labuda said. “This year will be phone only, again because of COVID-19 safety concerns.” COCOA is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteer inquiries are welcome. Labuda wants families in Sisters to know that, whatever their need, Central Oregon Council on Aging should be their first point of call, making it easier to navigate through the range of services available to ensure and enhance quality of life for Sisters’ seniors.
Nutrition essential for health By Jodi Schneider Correspondent
When you’re enjoying a great slice of pizza, you’re probably not thinking about the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrition it provides: the lycopene in the tomato sauce, iron in the meat, calcium in the cheese. Or the carbs, fat, and protein that help your body run. Basically, your diet is like your medicine cabinet. Every time you reach for an apple, chips, or peanut butter, it’s like taking a drug that’s promoting health or hurting it. Eating a well-balanced diet is an important part of remaining healthy as you age. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, stay energized, and get the nutrients you need. Nutrition has a huge impact on the physical health and well-being of older adults. Many people may not realize that nutrition needs vary depending on a person’s age. Just like toddlers have different dietary needs than teenagers, nutritional needs for older folks are different See NUTRITION on page 25
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Of a certain age Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Sisters man defies ‘numerical age’ taking second in bike race Jack Addison thinks that the Sisters Stampede is a perfect venue for folks in Sisters to defy the limitations of “numerical age.” Usually held on Memorial Day Weekend, the Stampede, organized by Mudslinger Events, was moved this year to Labor Day Weekend due
to COVID-19. The event was held under modified protocols to address COVID-19 safety. The course was one length for all for a staggered start. The course was 18 miles, plus an additional two miles biking to the starting line. “My time was one hour, 46 minute, no stops, no aid
...preparation for even one mountain biking annual event causes a year-round preparation and participation in truly healthy living. — Jack Addison
American flag taped to his helmet to remind people of the “why” of the event. Addison, a fighter pilot in Vietnam in 1966 says he specifically dedicated his racing effort to honoring the veterans that died in military action and those who almost died torturous deaths as POWs. “Certainly, it would be great if more veterans or veteran supporters wore flags on their helmets on next Memorial Day in the next Sisters Stampede 2021,” he said. Addison notes that, “this type of vigorous activity is encouraged by cardiologists supporting cardiac rehab for many of their patients. Of course, persons who have had cardiac events should query their surgeons directly regarding the level of activity recommended for the individual patient. The staff at St. Charles has programs for cardiac patients that support exercise at levels that might surprise many patients, as
well as support better nutrition that is very complementary to a vigorous lifestyle.” The Sisters athlete says that, “it’s never too late to adopt the double application of real exercise and a diet that one can adopt as a lifestyle rather than a temporary diet ‘to lose weight’ that simply returns for the vast majority. We can individually stop the life-shortening obesity epidemic that marches on. Sisters is fortunate to have multiple sources of gyms and individual trainers that have core development and sound core workouts.” There’s no getting around aging — but Addison defies “getting old.” “Aging is numerically automatic, but getting old involves lots of insidious choices and media-sponsored cultural habits that do not serve us well. In short, get even by unplugging the TV, eat well and move, move, move,” he said. “There is no need to fall victim to any particular numerical age.”
Are you happy with your ability to balance?
PHOTO PROVIDED
Estate planning during a pandemic The coronavirus pandemic has certainly caused havoc and concern for many people, particularly in regard to their health and their finances — and these two areas intersect in estate planning. So, if you haven’t drawn up your estate plans yet, or you think they may need to be revised, now may be a good time to act. This suggestion is not strictly based on issues of morbidity — after all, the vast majority of people who contract COVID-19 will survive. However, even if you never become ill or need to be hospitalized, wouldn’t you be glad to know your affairs are in order? If you already have estate plans, you may need to revisit them if your family situation has changed because of marriage, divorce, remarriage, new children, new financial goals, and so on. Of course, estate planning can be complex, so there’s not a “one size fits all” approach. Nonetheless, here are some of the most commonly used documents and arrangements:
stations — due again to COVID,” Addison, age 78, reported. That was good for a second-place finish in his age group of Over 70. Addison advocates more local participation in all categories, but especially the Over 60 and Over 70 (new this year) categories. “Just as the Sisters school athletic programs spend most of the energies getting ready for actual contest events, for us ‘post-high-schoolers,’ preparation for even one mountain biking annual event causes a year-round preparation and participation in truly healthy living,” Addison said. He describes that way of living as “full of self-generated optimism and energy much more rewarding than a blue and white handicap parking decal which isn’t hard to talk one’s doctor out of.” Since the Sisters Stampede is normally held every Memorial Day, Addison conspicuously wears a small
Financial power of attorney: A financial power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone the authority to conduct your financial affairs – pay bills, write checks, make deposits, sell or purchase assets – if you were unable to do so yourself. You can establish the financial power of attorney without giving your representative any ownership in your assets. Last will and testament: With a last will and testament, you can choose how you want your assets distributed, appoint an executor to oversee the distribution and name a guardian to take care of minor children. If you don’t have a will, a court might assume these functions, with results you might not have wanted. Living trust: A living trust allows you to leave assets to your heirs without going through the time-consuming, public and often expensive probate process. Also, a living trust gives you significant See ESTATE PLAN on page 24
Do you ever experience dizziness, vertigo, motion sensitivity, nausea, difficulty with visually complex backgrounds, imbalance or difficulty keeping visual focus with movement? Your vestibular system might need a tune up, as it declines over time (faster than visual). There are simple exercises that can make a tremendous difference. Please contact our office with any questions you may have. Cheers to staying safe, engaged, confident, and doing what you love! — Annie McDonnell, PT - Trained in Vestibular Rehabilitation at Emory 541-549-3534 | 325 N. Locust St., Sisters | www.greenridgept.com
Open Enrollment Starts November 1! Have questions before enrolling or changing plans? Call our local COUNTRY Financial® Representative, Linda Alldredge at 541-549-6946. Your appointment is FREE! LLinda Alldredge 541-549-6946 5
1 S. Elm St., Ste. 100, 178 0 Si Sisters t llinda.alldredge@countryfinancial.com | countryfinancial.com/linda.alldredge Health insurance policies are purchased through CC Services Inc., from a third party insurer not affiliated with COUNTRY Financial. Availability differs by state. 0720-160
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Of a certain age 21
The high price of living out loud By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
In his 20s, Jack McGowan had a dream job. “I was an FM DJ for Portland’s top rock station,” he recalled. He spent four hours each day with headphones on, cranking up the music now considered “classic rock.” He interviewed many of the luminaries of the rock-androll world and reveled in an era of music whose breadth, depth, and quality may never be repeated. But he paid a price. “I think that was the origin of my hearing loss,” he said. He’s not alone. Many people of his generation are living with the consequences of a youth spent at high volume in every activity. “When you’re doing that as a young guy, you have no thought for what it’s going to be like when you’re 70,” he said. What it’s like is not nearly as cool as rock and roll. Hearing loss can mean increasing social isolation, frustration with yourself and loved ones — and a diminished quality of life. “The highs completely rolled off in my hearing,” McGowan recalled. “Crisp sounds were no longer there; it was like I had socks in my ears.” Conversation got more and more challenging, especially in a crowded restaurant or when the person speaking wasn’t looking directly at him. “I’d have to say to Jan (his wife), ‘Would you turn around and talk to me,’” he said. Finally, friends sat him down and told him he clearly needed to address his hearing
loss. They told him: “We know your quality of life is suffering.” McGowan’s scenario is one that Lanie Tandy of All American Hearing in Redmond sees over and over again. Either through complacency, stubbornness or fear of the expense of acting, people choose to live with hearing loss that has an obvious negative effect on their lives. She sees couples whose relationship has become strained because of constant misunderstandings, or the sense that your partner is not listening to you. One partner will repeat himself over and over and end up shouting. None of that is beneficial. “For most types of hearing loss, louder is not better,” Tandy notes. The problem isn’t volume; as it was with McGowan, it’s about the ability to distinguish sounds. “It causes a tremendous amount of frustration and conflict,” Tandy said. So often, she has heard a patient say, “It’s not that I don’t want to hear you.” Hearing aids can provide a life-changing improvement to the deteriorating quality of life associated with hearing loss. Tandy feels a calling to encourage people to act as early as possible when they notice diminishment in their hearing. Get tested; identify exactly what is going on and seek correction. “No one is excited to come in for their first set of hearing aids,” Tandy acknowledges. Once they’ve done so, though, Tandy hears a common refrain: “Almost everyone says, ‘I wish I’d known sooner.’” McGowan admits to some
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resistance to getting hearing aids. It’s hard to acknowledge diminished capacity. He also recognizes that that outlook is silly. “Hearing aids are glasses for your ears,” he said. “That’s all it is. There should be no embarrassment.” Perceived cost is another significant barrier for some people who are convinced that they just can’t afford hearing aids. “I never, ever want cost to be the reason someone doesn’t come in and get their hearing addressed,” Tandy told The Nugget. “We can find a solution.” Hearing aids can range from quality refurbished devices to state-of-theart “smart” units that have onboard artificial intelligence that can monitor your degree of social interaction. That social interaction is more and more important as we age and social isolation becomes a bigger and bigger issue. The longer a person has retreated into the isolation imposed by hearing loss, the harder it is to come out. “Isolation and social disengagement is probably the biggest thing I see my patients struggle with,” Tandy said. “They’ll get hearing aids, but they won’t engage in social activity or expose their ears to new listening environments. It’s become such an issue in hearing loss that (monitoring of interaction) has actually been incorporated into the new technology. “Aural rehab” becomes part of the process of regaining quality of life.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Jack McGowan spinning vinyl in Portland. Decades of rock and roll are hard on the hearing. “A big part of that is involvement of the family,” Tandy said. “Getting someone back into the world of hearing is a family ordeal.” Coming back into that world of hearing is a beautiful experience. “I think it’s akin to watching a black and white TV,”
McGowan said. “All of a sudden the black and white TV turns into beautiful color.” The Sisters man is adamant that getting hearing aids is worth the effort and whatever expense is entailed. “It changed my life,” he said. “It really did.”
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Of a certain age Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Housing options for seniors in Central Oregon By Sue Stafford Correspondent
For those of us of a certain age, we may be addressing questions like: Should I downsize or can I stay in my current home? Where am I going to live if I move? If I become incapacitated or need help with some activities of daily living, who will help? How do I find help and how will I pay for it? There are numerous resources out there to help make these decisions. Educate yourself about what’s available before you need it. Some housing choices may require getting yourself on a waiting list or paying a deposit. Familiarize yourself with the websites that are full of valuable information and resources to help you. ADRC, Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon, is a treasure trove of information to aid in accessing information, tools, and guidance to help plan for future needs before they arise, or to explore options to meet
current needs. Find them online or call 1-855-6732372 where professional options counselors will speak with you. Their services are free and available to everyone. The website has direct links to everything from housing options and longterm care services to information about Oregon Project Independence and community-based services. If you elect to stay in your current living situation, be sure you can afford to do that. Do you have enough money to cover the rent or a mortgage, property taxes and insurance, and maintenance of the property AND deal with any potential major medical costs? Is your house manageable for you as you age – are there stairs, for instance? If you can afford it, modifications can be made to a home to make it more elder friendly and safe. Possible changes might include adding grab bars, ramps, replacing twist water faucets with levers, changing to linear door handles instead of round knobs, widening hallways,
and converting a downstairs room to a bedroom. Vi s i t t h e c o n s u m e r help section of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board website or contact Central Oregon Builders Association for information on hiring a contractor to make those changes. Available online is the free AARP Home Fit Guide, which contains information and tips for a comfortable, safe, and livable home. It also provides guidelines for hiring a contractor. Another possibility would be to consider selling your home if you own it, and moving to a smaller house, a condo, a retirement community, an apartment, or move in with family or friends. If you plan to age in place, start making small modifications to your home so it won’t require a great deal of work if or when you need adapted surroundings. As the ability to live independently begins to decline, it may be time to find some inhome help. Friends and family may be available to assist or you can hire a professional
home care worker or contract with a licensed agency that will provide their workers to be of assistance. Should you decide to privately hire your caregiver, one source is the Oregon Home Care Commission that maintains a statewide registry of potential home care workers and a guide for hiring and working with the care provider (www.or-hcc. org). You can also utilize their Homecare Choice program, which takes care of paying the workers (with the client’s money), withholding and reporting payroll taxes, and providing workers’ compensation coverage for their caregivers. To learn more, call toll-free 1-844-494-4227 and speak with a Homecare Choice Specialist. When hiring a home care worker through a local in-home care agency, the caregiver(s) is assigned by the agency that also schedules visits and is responsible for employer taxes. Services vary depending on a person’s needs and abilities and can be short-term while recovering from an injury or illness
or long-term over months or years. The service can be as simple as regular welfare checks to much more indepth services like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, shopping and transportation. Most in-home care is paid for by the client, although some long-term care insurance plans cover these services. The client pays the agency, not the caregiver. Oregon Project Independence (OPI) serves seniors and people with physical disabilities by providing services while they are living in their own homes. OPI traditionally serves those who are 60 years of age or older or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder and meet the requirement of Oregon’s long-term care services priority rule dealing with level of impairment. They cannot be on Medicaid but can be receiving food stamps and supplemental Medicare beneficiary benefits. A majority of OPI recipients are 125 percent of the Federal poverty level.
Variety of housing options to suit needs, lifestyle of Sisters-area seniors • Independent senior living apartments are suitable for seniors who are in good health and can go about their daily activities without assistance from others. Residents enjoy a carefree lifestyle enhanced with a selection of amenities and helpful services. Apartments are available from studios to two-bedroom, two-bathroom units. Residents can fix meals in their apartments or visit several dining facilities within the complex. The Alexander in Bend is a newly-opened senior independent living apartment facility that offers an indoor pool and hydro spa, massage room, concierge services, movie theater, salon and barber shop, fitness center, fenced pet-friendly areas, game room, yoga studio, and Seven Dimensions of Wellness program. If living independently is not feasible or desired, there are many facility-based options that provide different levels of support, services, and amenities. • Adult foster/care homes are licensed single-family settings with care for up to five people. Adult foster home settings serve a range of needs in a home setting and are rated 1, 2,or 3 depending on the care they are able to provide. Not covered by Medicare. • Assisted living and residential care facilities are licensed settings providing housing and care services
to six or more people. A registered nurse is on staff or under contract but does not have to be there 24/7. Caregivers do not need to be certified, but they are trained in providing care services. Not covered by Medicare. The Lodge in Sisters offers independent apartments, assisted living, and respite care. • Continuum of care facilities build in future changes in the resident’s need from the outset. Transitions are possible from independent living to assisted living, providing help with activities of daily living (ADLs). If medical conditions arise, some facilities are able to provide skilled nursing visits. Still later, memory care might be added. The facility is able to provide updates to the level of care for life. Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor is such a facility in Bend. • Nursing facilities give licensed 24-hour supervised nursing care and their caregivers must be certified as nursing assistants. The State Board of Nursing must approve their training. Nurses and certified nurse aides provide personal, therapeutic, and nutritional care. Certain number of days covered by Medicare. • Memory care communities are environments where staff cares for people with dementia who have needs that require a more secure setting. Each setting is licensed by the state as a
residential care, assisted living, or nursing facility. The state also requires memory care facilities to train staff to care for residents with dementia and provide specialized services. Not covered by Medicare. Long-term care insurance plans cover all these options except the independent
senior living apartments; how much and for how long depends on the provisions of the policy. If you have limited income and resources, there may be state programs that help cover some of your costs in some long-term care choices. Call your Medicaid office for more information. ARDC and private
placement agencies are among the organizations that can answer questions and give you resources to locate the facility that is right to meet your care needs. Make visits, ask questions, and get references before making your decision. Some information from the ARDC website.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Of a certain age 23
Pushing hard through adversity encouraged them to challenge themselves. I found that through photography, I could make a difference in the lives of young people by capturing their greatest or most memorable moments in a picture... That’s how I started; then I came here.” Baldock feels deeply invested in the community he chose. “What a godsend Sisters, Oregon, was to us,” he said. Asked why he chose to work so hard at his photography instead of retiring and taking it easy, he said simply: “My job wasn’t done yet.” He acknowledges feeling driven by “something inside me.” “My family thought I was crazy,” he said. But “this is what I really want to do. I haven’t been sorry a moment.” Jerry acknowledges the support of his wife, Marlene, who understands his drive to capture moments — and
never let one pass him by, from a Habitat for Humanity Editor in Chief home dedication to a touchNobody who knows Jerry down on the football field. Baldock is surprised to see “She let me do this all that not even a serious health these years when we were crisis can keep him down. in our prime time,” he said. The 79-year-old photogra“There were a lot of times pher is still out on the streets she had to sacrifice things of Sisters documenting the maybe she wanted to do life of his community, despite because I was working for a tough cancer diagnosis. Habitat or something.” “It is what it is and you Baldock feels a particular do your very best with it,” he connection to youth sports, told The Nugget, the newsinspired in large part by his paper to which he has conson’s legacy. tributed for over a decade. “He was an amazing “In that way, my life hasn’t example to the community,” changed at all... I think you he said. “You want to live to can be an example for people. that example.” I think you can be an examHe worries about the ple just not to be fearful.” effects the coronavirus panWhile he worked with demic shutdown is having great success as a fire medic, on young people who are a home inspector, and a conmissing big moments in their tractor, Baldock came to his lives. He acknowledges that greatest calling relatively late he has modified his activiin life. ties due to the threat of the “My interest in photogradisease, especially to a canphy started shortly after my cer patient, but — typically youngest son passed away — he is more concerned for in 2005,” he told the kids than he is for The Nugget in 2018. himself. “My son Brian was “For a man 79 My family thought I was crazy, a coach and trainer years old, that’s not at Marshfield High but this is what I really want to do. so hard as it is for School, but more than them,” he said. that, he was a mentor Baldock just for Marshfield’s athrecently flipped the letes. He was truly calendar on his 79th a gift from God in year, and his birthday — Jerry Baldock provided an indicathe way he mentored young people and tion of how much By Jim Cornelius
I haven’t been sorry a moment.
Jerry Baldock is a familiar sight in Sisters as the man behind the camera shooting all kinds of community events. PHOTO PROVIDED
students and parents in the community value what he has given over the years. He has a tall stack of birthday cards noting, “that they missed what I was doing and they appreciate the moments I captured in their children’s lives. I was caught off guard when I got that stuff.” Baldock was out on assignment for The Nugget a week ago, shooting at the
Sisters Street Festival and the Sisters Farmers Market. “It was really fun doing what I did last Sunday,” he said. “I had a great time.” And he plans on keeping on having a great time doing the work he loves, no matter what the obstacles. With his trademark grin, he told his editor: “I don’t really see an end to what I do.”
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Of a certain age Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
How to know when it’s time to seek help for seniors By Sue Stafford Correspondent
More and more of us are living longer. People celebrating their century mark are no longer an oddity and those living to 85 and beyond are much more common. These changing demographics give rise to the question: “Where are all these people going to live and be cared for? Perhaps you are facing that question for yourself or for a senior loved one. How do you know when it’s time for in-home care, or a move to a senior community, or assisted living, or memory care? Before initiating the conversation, do your homework to know what facilities and services are available in the area where your loved one wishes to live. Take tours, know what programs and amenities they offer, and what the costs are. Families often put off making the decision to seek help while parents’ or spouse’s care needs escalate and their own caregiving stress increases. They don’t know how to have a conversation about living arrangements. The loved one may be worried about losing their independence, or they may be attached to their current home or pets and be understandably reluctant to even consider the idea of parting with treasured possessions and memories in order to move into a smaller space. Admitting they need to make that move can feel like the
ESTATE PLAN: Pandemic has enhanced need for forethought Continued from page 18
flexibility in dispersing your estate. You can direct your trust to pass your assets to your beneficiaries immediately upon your death or to distribute the assets over time and in amounts you specify. Healthcare surrogate: A healthcare surrogate, sometimes known as a healthcare proxy or healthcare power of attorney, is a legal document that appoints a person to act for you if you become incapacitated. Your surrogate has the authority to talk to your doctors, manage your medical care, and make medical decisions for you if you cannot. Living Will: A living will, also known as an advance health care directive, lets you specify what end-of-life treatment you do or don’t want to receive if you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
beginning of the end and that is scary. Acknowledge and discuss their fears. Once your loved one can articulate his or her worries, make a list of their concerns to assure them they are being heard and let them know they can count on you to be their advocate. Then you can work together to discuss living options that address their concerns and value residents’ dignity, independence, and privacy. Your prior homework will pay big dividends at this point. Have discussions early and often so your loved one doesn’t feel pressured. Get the family involved, if possible. Decide who will be the main point of contact or the key decision maker. Be sure your loved one is as involved in the decision-making process as possible. After all, it’s their happiness, health, and safety that is being discussed. Those discussions need to take place in a quiet, comfortable environment, free of disturbances or other obligations. Encourage your loved one to take a couple of tours with you to facilities they think they might like and that meet their needs and their budget. If you haven’t had discussions before the need arises, or even if you have, and you are beginning to notice signs that it might be time for inhome care, or a move to a senior living community, or for them to move in with a family member, start the conversation with something like, “I’m concerned about some things I’ve been noticing lately and I want you to
All these estate planning tools can be complex, so before taking action, you’ll need to consult with an attorney and possibly your tax and financial advisors, too. However, during a pandemic, you may encounter a special challenge: Documents such as wills and powers of attorney typically need to be notarized and witnessed – and that may be difficult during a time of social distancing and self-imposed quarantines. But this problem may be solvable because many states have now enacted executive orders or passed laws that permit “virtual” notarization and witnessing of legal documents. In any case, if the coronavirus pandemic has raised your concerns about the legacy you’d like to leave, take the time now to launch or update your estate plans — you’ll be glad you did. This article written by Edward Jones (Member SIPC), provided to The Nugget by local Edward Jones Financial Advisor Karen Kassy, 541-549-1866.
be safe and healthy in your living situation.” Then share your concerns and let them know that you will be their advocate. Explicitly state that you want to fulfill their wishes and they can depend on you, and that you want to maintain their way of life and need their help to make the right decisions. Let them explain, ask questions, share their fears, and open the door by asking them, “What should we do about that?” If this is the first conversation, you can share what you have found from your research and explain all the benefits offered by senior living communities or by moving in with family. Be sure to end the conversation with a plan for the next steps. This may be possible to do in one meeting but more likely it will be a process. Having conversations proactively and a plan in place for when the time comes, means it doesn’t have to be an emergency with the move being made under duress. Signs that it may be time to move, or arrange in-home care, could include your loved one’s difficulty walking and being at risk of falling, trouble shopping and preparing meals, difficulty taking medications, inability to perform activities of daily living, struggling to keep up the house, and feelings of isolation, depression, or boredom. For some families, having an elderly or loved one living with them works out well, but not for everyone. Sometimes the caregiving burden becomes too much.
Marriages and family life can be negatively impacted. If living with elderly parents isn’t working out for the caregiver, chances are the elder is having some of the same feelings. Ask the elder how they feel about the arrangement. Deciding against living with elderly parents doesn’t mean you don’t love them or you are shirking your responsibilities. Help them find a new living situation that benefits you both, and be supportive throughout and after the move. Caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s can present some serious challenges as the dementia worsens. Some signs that it is probably time to move a loved one with dementia to assisted living or memory care include aggression,
caregiver stress because of escalating care needs, they are unsafe in their current living situation, they are experiencing “sundowner’s syndrome” – very agitated behavior particularly later in the day or evening, or they are wandering if the caregiver isn’t always present, increasing the possibility of falls, injuries, and getting lost. The most loving thing families can do for their loved ones is to be sure they are in the proper place for getting the care they need. Sometimes the best decision for the health and happiness of the caregiver and the care receiver is putting your loved one into a care facility that can meet their needs, be those physical, emotional, social, or mental.
Caregiving takes a toll The psychological costs of caregiving can give rise to avoidance behaviors, disabling anxiety, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts in the caregiver. The psychological, emotional, and physical toll of caregiving can be especially high for spouses of those needing care. Exhaustion from sleep deprivation and emotional overload can give rise to anger and resentment as well as multiple health issues, particularly if the caregiver is elderly. The thought of moving someone to a facility can cause feelings of guilt.
Anticipatory grief can also impact the caregiver. Too many times the caregiver gets sick or burns out, and sometimes dies before the one receiving care. The best way to be a good caregiver is to take care of yourself, ask for help, and seek support for yourself in groups for caregivers. Arrange for respite care by either sending your loved one to a facility for a few days so you can get a break or have someone come into the home and care for your loved one so you can get away for a few days. The Lodge in Sisters offers respite care services.
Hospice of Redmond, serving all of Central Oregon: Hospice and Palliative care • Transitions Program Bereavement Support • Veteran Focused Care Call of us today at 541-548-7483 • hospiceofredmond.org
NUTRITION: Staying hydrated is vital for seniors Continued from page 19
than that of young adults. As people age their metabolism slows down, so you need fewer calories than before. Your body also needs more of certain nutrients. That means it’s more important than ever to choose foods that give you the best nutritional value. Poor nutrition can lead to undesired weight loss and jeopardize the immune system, making a senior more susceptible to infections like the common cold or the flu. Older adults need the same nutrients as their younger selves, but in differing amounts. In fact, some nutrients are needed in increased amounts. The challenge is to develop an eating plan that supplies plenty of nutrients but not too many calories. Eat foods that are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Limit foods that are high in processed sugars, saturated and trans fats, and salt. You may also have to adjust your diet to manage chronic health conditions. The Food Guide Pyramid is a helpful guide for your food choices. Daily calorie needs vary depending on age and activity level, but for many older adults 1,600 calories will meet energy needs. Calcium is important at any age and may need special emphasis as you grow older. Calcium is a mineral that builds strong bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. Eat at least two to three servings of calcium-rich foods every day. Low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese are good choices. Some dark green, leafy vegetables, canned salmon with edible bones, tofu made with calcium sulfate, and calcium fortified soy milk can add a significant amount of calcium to your diet. In addition, do some weight bearing exercise like walking for a total of 30 minutes each day. A good daily dose of dietary fiber is a great way to start each day. High-fiber foods are generally low in fat and calories yet packed with essential minerals and vitamins that promote healthy bodily functions. Numerous studies have proven that fibrous foods help older adults age healthier because they lead to lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels, normalize bowel movements, and help them manage a healthy weight. Fiber is found in a lot of foods — fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, grains, and cereals — so it’s easy to add to daily meals. Try eating these super foods on a regular basis for optimal health benefits. A super food is like a bundle of
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Of a certain age 25
goodness, packed with nutrients that have health benefits. Berries: These are a great superfood, loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. According to research, eating berries may help prevent and control cardiovascular disease and boost brain health. Frozen berries are readily available year-round. Fish: Loaded with omega 3s, fish like salmon and sardines have a lot of the fatty acids that your body needs to stay heart healthy. Yogurt: Low-fat yogurt is an ideal way to get the calcium your body needs to maintain healthy bone density, as well as some of the proteins you need too. Also, yogurt can be very helpful in regulating digestion. Tomatoes: Chock full of lycopene, a natural anti-cancer chemical, you can also derive other fabulous vitamins and minerals. Some studies suggest that you’re better off with cooked tomatoes, as the cooking process releases more lycopene. Legumes: Black beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans, lentils, split peas, kidney beans — they’re all a great source of filling fiber and protein. Nuts: Omega 3s, fiber, protein and unsaturated fats. A handful of this heart-healthy snack is a great way to supplement a diet. Don’t forget to hydrate! Water is vital. We’re 60 percent water and if you are dehydrated, your cells won’t work properly. As you age you may not realize that you are thirsty as quickly, leading to dehydration. That can lead to fatigue, cognitive issues (thinking clearly), headaches, constipation and that’s just with mild dehydration. Chronic or severe dehydration can lead to impacts on organs, including the fluid surrounding the brain, joint and muscle damage, an even death. You can’t stop the aging clock, but you can improve how you feel.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
ALL advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. CLASSIFIED RATES COST: $2 per line for first insertion, $1.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1 per line 10th week and beyond (identical ad/consecutive weeks). Also included in The Nugget online classifieds at no additional charge. There is a minimum $5 charge for any classified. First line = approx. 20-25 characters, each additional line = approx. 25-30 characters. Letters, spaces, numbers and punctuation = 1 character. Any ad copy changes will be charged at the first-time insertion rate of $2 per line. Standard abbreviations allowed with the approval of The Nugget classified department. NOTE: Legal notices placed in the Public Notice section are charged at the display advertising rate. DEADLINE: MONDAY, noon preceding WED. publication. PLACEMENT & PAYMENT: Office, 442 E. Main Ave. Phone, 541-549-9941 or place online at NuggetNews.com. Payment is due upon placement. VISA & MasterCard accepted. Billing available for continuously run classified ads, after prepayment of first four (4) weeks and upon approval of account application. CATEGORIES: 101 Real Estate 102 Commercial Rentals 103 Residential Rentals 104 Vacation Rentals 106 Real Estate Wanted 107 Rentals Wanted 200 Business Opportunities 201 For Sale 202 Firewood 203 Recreation Equipment 204 Arts & Antiques 205 Garage & Estate Sales 206 Lost & Found 207 The Holidays 301 Vehicles 302 Recreational Vehicles 401 Horses 402 Livestock 403 Pets 500 Services 501 Computer Services 502 Carpet Upholstery Cleaning 503 Appliance Repair & Refinish 504 Handyman 505 Auto Repair 600 Tree Service & Forestry 601 Construction 602 Plumbing & Electric 603 Excavations & Trucking 604 Heating & Cooling 605 Painting 606 Landscaping & Yard Maint. 701 Domestic Services 702 Sewing 703 Child Care 704 Events & Event Services 801 Classes & Training 802 Help Wanted 803 Work Wanted 901 Wanted 902 Personals 999 Public Notice
C L A S S I F I E D S 101 Real Estate
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102 Commercial Rentals
CASCADE HOME & VACATION RENTALS Monthly and Vacation Rentals throughout Sisters Country. (541) 549-0792 Property management for second homes. CascadeVacationRentals.net In the Heart of Sisters 3 Vac. Rentals – Quiet 1-2 Bdrm Sleep 2-6, start at $145 per nt. vrbo.com/442970 or /180950 or /337593 • 503-730-0150 ~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com
MINI STORAGE 201 For Sale Sisters Storage & Rental New leather sewing machines. 331 W. Barclay Drive Cowboy Outlaw, $1,295 each. 541-549-9631 Call 503-843-2806, text for pics. Sizes 5x5 to 15x30. 7-day access. FREE LASERJET PRINTER Computerized security gate. HP LaserJet 5200 (black and On-site management. white laser printer), plus two U-Haul trucks, trailers, moving 16A cartridges. boxes & supplies. Stop by The Nugget to look at STORAGE STEEL or pick up. CONTAINERS Almost-new HiSense FOR RENT OR SALE free-standing portable AC. Delivered to your business or Easily cools 1-2 rooms. Simple property site installation. $300. 360-771-7774 Call 541-678-3332 STORAGE WITH BENEFITS 202 Firewood • 8 x 20 dry box SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS • Fenced yard, RV & trailers DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • In-town, gated, 24-7 • SINCE 1976 • Kris@earthwoodhomes.com Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Juniper HEATED GARAGES DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES Leases, Private, 24-hr. Access, – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – Hot-wash Room, Bath, Lounge. SistersForestProducts.com Jack At 541-419-2502. Order Online! 541-410-4509 Prime Downtown Retail Space 204 Arts & Antiques Call Lori at 541-549-7132 Cold Springs Commercial Shop Online! Office space for lease. The Place chaforthefinest.com on Main. 101 Main Ave. in Old Navajo Rug 3' x 4' Sisters. Three spaces available. $575/month and up. Call Ralph Spinning wheel w/sheep feet legs Arrowhead collection from 541-390-5187 NM, sorted, labeled & CASCADE STORAGE ready to sell (541) 549-1086 • (877) 540-1086 Prehistoric button collection 581 N. Larch – 7-Day Access Materials for craftsman/knife 5x5 to 12x30 Units Available makers: Fossil walrus ivory 5x5 - 8x15 Climate Control Units and beautiful old bone On-site Management Trade beads–strands or individual Ground-floor suite, 290 sq. ft. Private Showings by Appt. 581 N Larch St. Available now, Call Cha at 541-549-1140 $325/month. Call 541-549-1086.
103 Residential Rentals
PONDEROSA PROPERTIES –Monthly Rentals Available– Call Debbie at 541-549-2002 Full details, 24 hrs./day, go to: PonderosaProperties.com Printed list at 221 S. Ash, Sisters Ponderosa Properties LLC
104 Vacation Rentals
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Moving Sale in Squaw Creek Estates! 17475 Mountain View Rd . Fri & Sat, 9-4 1992 F-350 dually pickup w/ camper, 1976 horse trailer, 1970 12' boat, boat motors, winches, work bench, tools, furniture and house decor. View pics on estatesales.net – Hosted by Happy Trails – Happy Trails Estate Sales! Selling or Downsizing? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150 –THE NUGGET–
HOUSE SWAP We’re interested in swapping our Lincoln City/Devil’s Lake lakefront home 2-4 times a year with a Black Butte Ranch homeowner. Home is 5 bdrm, 4 bath, playroom with pool table, ample kitchen and dining room, living room with wood-burning fireplace and music system, TV 301 Vehicles room and much more. Deck overlooks 180° view of the lake. We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Use of the 8-passenger jet boat & Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 private dock is possible. We do Sisters Car Connection da#3919 not rent this home. SistersCarConnection.com Email srkatz@hotmail.com.
401 Horses
ALFALFA TRITICALE MEADOW GRASS HAY ORCHARD GRASS HAY New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $195-$250/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895 Certified Weed-Free HAY. Orchard Grass or Alfalfa Hay, Sisters. $275 per ton. Call 541-548-4163
500 Services
~ WEDDINGS BY KARLY ~ Happy to perform virtual or in-person weddings. Custom Wedding Ceremonies 20+ years • 541-410-4412 revkarly@gmail.com • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279 GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE “A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871 SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Tecumseh
Junk removal, garage & storage clean-out, yard & construction debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-598-4345. BOOKKEEPING SERVICE ~ Olivia Spencer ~ Expert Local Bookkeeping! Phone: (541) 241-4907 www.spencerbookkeeping.com Black Butte WINDOW CLEANING Commercial & Residential. 18 years experience, references available. Safe, reliable, friendly. Free estimates. 541-241-0426
501 Computers & Communications
SISTERS SATELLITE TV • PHONE • INTERNET Your authorized local dealer for DirecTV, ViaSat HS Internet and more! CCB # 191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729 Computer Repair Services kdmpcs.com • 541-480-6499 Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for business, home & A/V needs. All tech supported. Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329 FREE LASERJET PRINTER HP LaserJet 5200 (black and white laser printer), plus two 16A cartridges. Stop by The Nugget to look at or pick up.
502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090 BULLSEYE CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING New owner of Circuit Rider Carpet Cleaning Over 30 years experience, specialize in rugs & pet stains. Licensed & Insured – Sisters owned & operated – bullseyecarpetcleaning.net • 541-238-7700 • GORDON’S LAST TOUCH Cleaning Specialists for CARPETS, WINDOWS & UPHOLSTERY Member Better Business Bureau • Bonded & Insured • Serving Central Oregon Since 1980 Call 541-549-3008
504 Handyman
LAREDO CONSTRUCTION 541-549-1575 Maintenance / Repairs Insurance Work CCB #194489 Home Customizations, LLC Res. & Commercial Remodeling, Bldg. Maintenance & Painting Chris Patrick, Owner homecustomizations@gmail.com CCB #191760 • 541-588-0083 JONES UPGRADES LLC Home Repairs & Remodeling Drywall, Decks, Pole Barns, Fences, Sheds & more. Mike Jones, 503-428-1281 Local resident • CCB #201650
600 Tree Service & Forestry
TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT Tree care and vegetation management Pruning, hazard tree removal, stump grinding, brush mowing, certified arborist consultation, tree risk assessment qualified, wildfire fuels assessment and treatment, grant acquisition, lot clearing, crane services. Nate Goodwin ISA-Cert. Arborist PN-7987A CCB #190496 * 541.771.4825 Online at: www.tsi.services Sisters Tree Care, LLC Preservation, Pruning, Removals & Storm Damage Serving All of Central Oregon Brad Bartholomew ISA Cert. Arborist UT-4454A 503-914-8436 • CCB #218444 Top Knot Tree Care can handle all of your tree needs, from trims to removals. Specializing in tree assessment, hazard tree removal, crown reduction, ladder fuel reduction, lot clearing, ornamental and fruit tree trimming and care. • Locally owned and operated • • Senior and military discounts • • Free assessments • • Great cleanups • • Licensed, Insured and Bonded • Contact Bello @ 541-419-9655, Find us on Facebook and Google CCB#227009
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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C L A S S I F I E D S
4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Custom Homes Native / Non-Native Tree Residential Building Projects Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Concrete Foundations Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Becke William Pierce Storm Damage Cleanup, CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 Craning & Stump Grinding, Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Mowing, Mastication, Tree Thinning, Large & Small Scale Projects! Serving Black Butte Ranch, Camp Sherman & Sisters Area since 2003 Lara’s Construction LLC. ** Free Estimates ** CCB#223701 Owner James Hatley & Sons Offering masonry work, 541-815-2342 fireplaces, interior & exterior 4brostrees.com stone/brick-work, build Licensed, Bonded and Insured barbecues & all types of CCB-215057 masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate. 601 Construction 541-350-3218 CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Earthwood Timberframes Factory Trained Technicians • Design & construction Since 1983 • CCB #44054 • Recycled fir and pine beams 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553 • Mantles and accent timbers Carl Perry Construction LLC Kris@earthwoodhomes.com Residential & Commercial CCB #174977 Restoration • Repair – DECKS & FENCES – CCB #201709 • 541-419-3991 CENIGA'S MASONRY, INC. Brick • Block • Stone • Pavers CCB #181448 – 541-350-6068 Pat Burke www.CenigasMasonry.com LOCALLY OWNED JOHN NITCHER CRAFTSMAN BUILT CONSTRUCTION CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 General Contractor www.sistersfencecompany.com Home repair, remodeling and JERRY WILLIS DRYWALL additions. CCB #101744 & VENETIAN PLASTER 541-549-2206 All Residential, Commercial Jobs SPURGE COCHRAN 541-480-7179 • CCB #69557 BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 SIMON CONSTRUCTION To speak to Spurge personally, SERVICES call 541-815-0523 Residential Remodel McCARTHY & SONS Building Projects CONSTRUCTION Bruce Simon, Quality craftsman New Construction, Remodels, for 35 years Fine Finish Carpentry 541-948-2620 • CCB #184335 541-420-0487 • CCB #130561 bsimon@bendbroadband.com
SUDOKU Level: Hard
Answer: Page 31
603 Excavation & Trucking
Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
Custom Homes • Additions Residential Building Projects Serving Sisters area since 1976 Strictly Quality CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 541-549-9764 John Pierce jpierce@bendbroadband.com LAREDO CONSTRUCTION 541-549-1575 For ALL Your Residential Construction Needs CCB #194489 www.laredoconstruction.com
602 Plumbing & Electric
R&R Plumbing, LLC > Repair & Service > Hot Water Heaters > Remodels & New Const. Servicing Central Oregon Lic. Bond. Ins. • CCB #184660 541-771-7000 CURTS ELECTRIC LLC – SISTERS, OREGON – Quality Electrical Installations Agricultural • Commercial Industrial • Well & Irrigation Pumps, Motor Control, Barns & Shops, Plan Reviews CCB #178543 541-480-1404 MONTE'S ELECTRIC • service • residential • commercial • industrial Serving all of Central Oregon 541-719-1316 lic. bond. insured, CCB #200030 SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587
BANR Enterprises, LLC Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls Residential & Commercial CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 www.BANR.net ROBINSON & OWEN Heavy Construction, Inc. All your excavation needs *General excavation *Site Preparation *Sub-Divisions *Road Building *Sewer and Water Systems *Underground Utilities *Grading *Snow Removal *Sand-Gravel-Rock Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #124327 (541) 549-1848 TEWALT & SONS INC. Excavation Contractors Sisters’ Oldest Excavation Co. Our experience will make your $ go further – Take advantage of our FREE on-site visit! Hard Rock Removal • Rock Hammering • Hauling Trucking • Top Soil • Fill Dirt Ground-to-finish Site Prep Building Demolition • Ponds & Liners • Creative & Decorative Rock Placement • Clearing, Leveling & Grading Driveways Utilities: Sewer Mains, Laterals Water, Power, TV & Phone Septic System EXPERTS: Complete Design & Permit Approval, Feasibility, Test Holes. Sand, Pressurized & Standard Systems. Repairs, Tank Replacement. CCB #76888 Cellular: 419-2672 or 419-5172 • 541-549-1472 • TewaltAndSonsExcavation.com
Cascade Bobcat Service is now SCHERRER EXCAVATION Lic. & Bonded – CCB #225286 scherrerexcavation.com Mike • 541-420-4072 Logan • 541-420-0330 Your Local Online Source! NuggetNews.com
604 Heating & Cooling
ACTION AIR Heating & Cooling, LLC Retrofit • New Const • Remodel Consulting, Service & Installs actionairheatingandcooling.com CCB #195556 541-549-6464
605 Painting
~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. Refurbishing Decks CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 www.frontier-painting.com
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & trouble-shooting, general cleanups, turf care maintenance and agronomic recommendations, fertility & water conservation management, light excavation. CCB 188594 • LCB 9264 541-515-8462
From design to installation we can do it all! Pavers, water features, irrigation systems, sod, plants, trees etc. 541-771-9441 LCB #8906 J&E Landscaping Maintenance LLC Clean-ups, raking, mowing, hauling debris, gutters. Edgar Cortez 541-610-8982 jandelspcing15@gmail.com All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling... Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740. – All You Need Maintenance – Pine needle removal, hauling, mowing, moss removal, edging, raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, gutters, pressure washing... Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 Austin • 541-419-5122
701 Domestic Services
BLAKE & SON – Commercial, Home & Rentals Cleaning WINDOW CLEANING! Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897
Hope for a child. Change for a nation. Extended lockdowns have created extreme difficulty for many people in Uganda who depend on their daily wages to eat. Hope Africa International has been able to meet these desperate physical and emotional needs by providing food and through outdoor, small group education. Janith is 10 years old and has been waiting for a sponsor for a year. Would you consider investing in Janith’s life?
Sponsor Janith today at HopeAfricaKids.com Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down, and each small nine-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Your monthly gift of $39 will provide Janith with school fees, uniforms, shoes, food, medical care, and the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ. Your sponsorship pledge makes an impact on your child’s life that is both immediately transformational and eternal. Learn more about Sisters-based Hope Africa International at HopeAfricaKids.com. This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper Newspaper.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C L A S S I F I CE DL SA WOODLANDS: S S IPlanF I E D S 999 Public 802 NoticeHelp Wanted
999 Public Notice
PUBLIC NOTICE LOCUST Sisters Graduate Resource PUBLIC NOTICE LOCUST STREET BRIDGE SEWER is looking for a Organization STREET BRIDGE SEWER LINE RELOCATION part-time, nonprofit Program LINE RELOCATION SeptemberManager 11, 2020 to manage the September 11, 2020 Per Executive Order 11988 day-to-day operations of Sisters Per Executive Order 11988 relating toGRO. floodplain Please contact us at relating to floodplain management andinfo@sistersgro.org public noticing or at management and public noticing requirements, City1546, of Sisters POtheBox Sisters, OR 97759 requirements, the City of Sisters (City) is providing notice for public further information and (City) is providing public notice for pending 2021 Locustof Street details job description. for pending 2021 Locust Street Bridge Sewer Line Relocation Bridge Sewer Line Relocation AQUA CLEAR SPA SERVICE Project (Project). This Project Project (Project). This Project Hot tub servicing technician will relocate aneeded. pressure Training sewer line provided with will relocate a pressure sewer line which is currently suspendedfor on advancement. which is currently suspended on opportunity the upstreamCompetitive side of the Locust the upstream side of the Locust pay. Clean driving Street Bridge over Whychus Street Bridge over Whychus record required. Serious Creek. Theapplicants sewer line will be Call or email for Creek. The sewer line will be only. relocated under the streambed541-410-1023; to relocated under the streambed to interview: protect theaquaclearoregon@gmail.com floodplain and protect the floodplain and community.Electronic The existingHardware sewer community. The existing sewer Engineer: line was constructed in 2001. line was constructed in 2001. Bird Gard LLC, the world leader Since then, there have been two Since then, there have been two in electronic bird control, is highwater events where extensive highwater events where extensive seeking an experienced amounts of Electronic debris in Whychus amounts of debris in Whychus Hardware Engineer. Creek have damaged the pipe'swill be full-time Creek have damaged the pipe's Employment protective insulation. protective insulation. and will be based in the The City believes that further The City believes that further company’s facility in Sisters. debris impacts due to highwater debris impacts due to highwater Duties will be varied and flow pose a seriousatrisk to the flow pose a serious risk to the times fast paced. pipe and floodplain. If very large pipe and floodplain. If very large The ideal candidate will have a or fast-moving debris were to or fast-moving debris were to great attitude, solid work ethic, break or severely damage the break or severely damage the excellent work skills and pipe, the resulting damage and pipe, the resulting damage and experience and be a team player loss of function would be loss of function would be throughout the organization. significant to the community significant to the community with To applywith please email obvious environmental impacts. obvious environmental impacts. info@birdgard.com to request a Please direct comments or Please direct comments or job application form and formal questions to Paul Bertagna at questions to Paul Bertagna at job description. pbertagna@ci.sisters.or.us or pbertagna@ci.sisters.or.us or Troy Rayburn at Troy Rayburn at trayburn@ci.sisters.or.us trayburn@ci.sisters.or.us THE NUGGET THE NUGGET NEWSPAPER NEWSPAPER C L A S S I F I E DHelp S!! Wanted C L A S S I F I E D S!! They're on the Web atsend an email to They're on the Web at Please www.nuggetnews.com www.nuggetnews.com sistersfencecompany@gmail.com Uploaded every Tuesday Uploaded every Tuesday with letter of interest or afternoon at no extra charge! afternoon at no extra charge! call 541-588-2062. Call 541-549-9941 Call 541-549-9941 Sisters Habitat for Humanity Deadline for classified is Deadline for classified is Join our fun team & make a Monday by noon Monday by noon difference in our community! Construction Assistant The Construction Assistant is responsible for helping the Construction Manager in planning, scheduling and executing new building construction, as well as renovation and repair projects. Part-time, hourly position, $15/hr. Email cover letter, resume and references to Darleene@sistershabitat.org. See job description at sistershabitat.org/hiring. Stitchin Post is hiring. Sales position, 3 days/week. Sewing, quilting, knitting experience helpful. Pick up application at the store (311 W Cascade) or email vjwells@stitchinpost.com. Construction Contractor Licensing Oregon law requires that those who work for compensation (except bona fide employees) in any construction activity involving improvements to real property to be licensed with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. (There are several exemptions.) An active license means the contractor is bonded and insured. For information go to www.oregon.gov/CCB
for development still in the works Continued from page 1
the property from its current Public Facilities, Urban Area Reserve, and Landscape Management/Open Space to Downtown Commercial, Multi-Family Residential, North Sisters Business Park, and Open Space. Mardell outlined for the commissioners what some of the changes would look like for the 35.89-acre parcel. The Comprehensive Map would include 25.06 acres of residential multi-family, 4.96 acres North Sisters Business Park, 3.85 acres open space, and 1.97 acres downtown commercial. The two acres of Downtown Commercial along Highway 20 would allow for businesses as well as apartments and condos to act as buffers from the highway. The northern five acres would provide a buffer zone of Light Industrial and live/work housing across Barclay from the other Light Industrial development currently under review. The west corner by the Highway 20/Barclay roundabout, designated Open Space, could be used for park amenities. Paul Hodge, of Laird SuperFood, and one of the partners in PX2, the applicants, talked about the need to diversify the Sisters economy and the need to provide housing for workers and their families. Hodge pointed out the statistic that only 14 percent of people who work in Sisters live here.
“We d o n ’t w a n t t o change the community,” said Hodge’s partner Paul Schneider, a 20-year resident of Sisters. “We want to expand on it, providing workforce housing.” Kevin Eckert, the architect for the Sisters Woodlands, believes they will be providing responsible growth with no change to the city limits. He said they are committed to careful integration into the community. Commissioners had a range of questions and concerns for both staff and the applicants. They ranged from concern over impacts to livability, to how can they be sure that houses go to intended workers and not investors. Hodge answered, saying that Laird is looking at a housing assistance program within his company. Commissioner Scott Davidson questioned if the city can absorb more traffic generated by Sisters Woodlands and maintain the quality of life, a concern shared by Commissioner Bob Wright, the commissioner who abstained. Davidson also pointed to the latest housing needs analysis which suggests there is more than enough land available zoned for MFR and not enough for single-family residential. Planning Commission chairman Jeff Seymour thinks the zoning changes will be positive for the city but encouraged the applicants to be mindful of the
We don’t want to change the community. We want to expand on it, providing workforce housing. — Paul Schneider issues raised during the hearing. Wright explained his concerns to The Nugget, summarizing the points contributing to his vote to abstain rather than deny or approve the application: “The application I feel met the Statewide planning goals as they pertain to strictly meeting zoning requirements. I feel that it did not meet the Livability and Safety that are so critical in meeting the goals of the Sisters Vision Plan and TSP for Sisters. I feel that members of the Planning Commission have an obligation and responsibility to further the goal of providing a ‘quality of life’ both economically and in housing for all residents of Sisters. At least that has been my goal for the past eight years and is my goal for the future in the decisions that I make as a planning commissioner.” All materials for the project can be found on the project website, www. ci.sisters.or.us/communitydevelopment/page/ sisters-woodlands-rezone.
GLAZE MEADOW 412 • $750,000 • mls 220101523 Large private corner lot with filtered views of Black Butte.
GOLF HOME 13 • $999,000 • mls 220108804 Custom home located in quiet, secluded setting yet close to Lodge amenities
Exclusive Onsite Realtor for the Ranch Don Bowler, President and Broker 971-244-3012 Gary Yoder, Managing Principal Broker 541-420-6708 Ross Kennedy, Principal Broker 541-408-1343 Carol Dye, Broker 541-480-0923 | Joe Dye, Broker 541-595-2604 Corrie Lake, Broker 541-521-2392
Open daily, 9 to 5, by the Lodge Pool Complex 541-595-3838 Black Butte Ranch 541-549-5555 in Sisters, 414 W. Washington Ave. see all our listings at blackbutterealtygroup.com
TREE CUTTING: Contact City before doing any cutting Continued from page 1
did not hold a current City business license at the time the tree was cut down and faces a $100 fine for that infraction. The healthy tree was deemed to contribute to the city landscape by providing shade control, positive effect on property values, and general aesthetics. A formula, developed by the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) that derives an appraised value from a loss of or damage to a tree, was used to determine a dollar amount for restitution. The formula includes the basic minimum replacement cost, the cross-sectional area, the species of the tree, as well as the tree’s condition and location. The formula used by the City Forester, Dan Galecki, indicated that the total value of the tree came to $26,865. Section 8.15.180(2) of the Sisters Municipal Code prohibits trimming or cutting trees in the right-of-way without first obtaining the City’s permission. Violation of that code makes a person subject to a fine not to exceed $500 per violation. On top of the fine is the actual value of the removed tree determined by the above formula.
The part of the law the City is not enforcing in this case is the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 108.810, which states that any person who unlawfully removes trees from the property of another, which includes trees within public right-of-way, is liable to the tree owner for three times the value of the removed tree. According to that same statute, a timber trespasser may also be liable for investigation costs, court costs, attorney fees, and reforestation expenses. Upon receipt of the demand letter, the homeowner contacted the City, admitted he was in the wrong, wanted to make things right with the City, and avoid legal costs. He and City Manager Cory Misley had several meetings and reached what was determined to be an equitable compromise. Misley tried repeatedly to reach Cascade Tree Works and has only been able to have a brief conversation. Cascade Tree Works
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon stated that if the City demanded the full $26,865 amount, they would involve their lawyers and that was the last word from them. At this time, it is not known if the homeowner has worked out any kind of agreement with the tree service. The City and the homeowner reached a settlement agreement stating that the property owner will pay the City $13,431.50 in two equal payments of $6,716.50 each, one payable now and the other no later than November 30, 2020. City Council approved the settlement agreement at last week’s meeting. There are well over a thousand trees in the City that are in the public rightof-way and inventoried by the City Forester, noting their location, size, species, and health. There are thousands more on private property, many of them significant trees (based on size and age). At last week’s Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Ryan
expressed his frustration over the loss of another big ponderosa. “I don’t want this (the unpermitted cutting of a tree) to happen again,” he stated. Over the winter, Misley said the City will look at revising/tightening the City code pertaining to trees. Councilor Andrea Blum suggested requiring citizens to obtain a tree cutting permit and a list of City-licensed arborists. When site plans are submitted for approval, the builder must submit a map indicating which trees they plan to remove. That site is subject to inspection by City staff or the City Forester to see if those slated for removal really need to be removed and those remaining are being protected from damage. The unlawful cutting of significant trees is not a new phenomenon in Sisters, but the City is intent from here on out on enforcing the code and fining violators. The word from City Hall is abundantly clear.
According to Misley, if a citizen or builder wishes to cut down any tree, for any reason, whether on private or public land, the first thing to do is contact Nicole Mardell, senior planner, to notify her of their desire for tree removal and ask permission in writing or email. Depending on the situation, they may be granted immediate permission. In other situations, a representative from the City may come out to visually assess the situation. In some cases, permission or denial may be required from the Urban Forestry Board. With steady growth in population and increased building in the City, plus disease, drought, and age claiming a number of the ponderosas, more trees in town are facing necessary removal. Sisters takes pride in its urban forest and has received the designation of Tree City USA for 10 years. The trees in town, particularly the towering ponderosas, are considered an integral part of the ambiance of Sisters.
RESIDENTIAL FARM & RANCH
A Partnership Beyond Your Expectations
PATTY CORDONI
541.771.0931 patty.cordoni@cascadesir.com Principal Broker Residential Sales, Farm and Ranch Division
Stop by and visit with Tiana Van Landuyt & Shelley Marsh. 220 S. Pine St., Ste. 102 | 541-548-9180
CascadeSothebysRealty.com | Each office independently owned and operated.
290 E CASCADE AVENUE | SISTERS 541.588.6614 MLS #202003227
MLS #220108290
MLS #202002299
CUSTOM HOME & SUPREME SHOP
PARK SETTING & DELUXE RV SHOP
4 BD | 3 BA | 3,044 SF | 2.17 AC | $1,195,000
4 BD | 2.5 BA | 3,457 SF | $1,189,500
Huge Cascade Mountain views on 33+ acres with pond and water rights. Home has cathedral ceilings, chef’s kitchen, 555+ bottle wine room, master suite and office on main level, and outdoor living area. Elite horse facility has 2 state-of-the-art barns, office, guest quarters, and room for your car collection!
Custom, lodge-style home on 2.17 acres with a 4,630 square foot dream shop! Main home is single level with an upstairs bonus area and bedroom. Great room with cathedral ceiling and cook’s kitchen with pantry. 200-amp shop has 12-X10-foot &and 9X10-foot RV rollup doors, 7,000-pound 4-post lift, and air compressor.
Craftsman home on 4.85 acres. Living room, family room, office, dining room, breakfast area, cook’s kitchen, and butler pantry. All appliances and mounted TVs included! Covered deck and waterfall. 3,220 square foot RV Shop with an office, guest area, kitchenette, 1½ baths, and more! Private park on Whychus Creek.
Suzanne Carvlin, Broker | Patty Cordoni, Principal Broker 818.216.8542 | suzanne.carvlin@cascadesir.com
Suzanne Carvlin, Broker | Patty Cordoni, Principal Broker 818.216.8542 | suzanne.carvlin@cascadesir.com
Suzanne Carvlin, Broker | Patty Cordoni, Principal Broker 818.216.8542 | suzanne.carvlin@cascadesir.com
ELITE EQUESTRIAN FACILITY 5 BD | 4 BA | 5,485 SF | $2,920,000
HORSE PROPERTY ON 9.5 ACRES
2889 NW WILLIAMS LOOP
Mark Morzov Broker Farm, Ranch, Vineyard Division 307.690.7799
MLS MLS #0000000 #20101905
MLS MLS #0000000 #220104574
SOLD PENDING IN 3 DAYS
3 BD | 2 BA | 2,134 SF | $605,000
ZONED TO BUILD | CORNER LOT | $397,000
Unobstructed Panoramic Cascade Mountain views on 4.91 acres! Enjoy sunset views from Mt. Bachelor to Mt. Jefferson from the comfort of your overstuffed chair. Bring your family and live the private, country life. Plenty of room for RV parking and all your toys! Great room has vaulted ceilings to capture the views of 8 peaks.
Mountain views! Perfectly located between Sisters and Bend in the heart of Central Oregon. A fantastic horse property with trees to seclude your home and riding area. Only 1.3 miles to plenty of BLM. No HOA, no CCRs. The MUA10 zoning = ready to build. Electrical power at street, standard septic approved in 1991.
Ellen Wood, Broker 541.588.0033 | ellen.wood@cascadesir.com
Mark Morzov, Broker 307.690.7799 | mark.morzov@cascadesir.com
Patty Cordoni Principal Broker Residential & Ranch 541.771.0931
Ellen Wood Broker 541.588.0033
Marcea DeGregorio Broker Farm, Ranch, Vineyard Division 541.408.5134
Joanna Cooley Broker 541.588.0886
Sandy Goodsell Principal Broker 541.480.0183
Phil Arends Principal Broker Black Butte Ranch 541.420.9997
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Chris Scott Broker 541.999.5614
Sotheby’s International Realty© is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated. All associates are licensed in the State of Oregon.
Jonathan Hicks Principal Broker 865.335.6104
Suzanne Carvlin Broker 818.216.8542
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Coronavirus complicates evacuations By Rebecca Boone and Sara Cline Associated Press
SALEM (AP) — Tens of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as destructive wildfires roar across the West Coast, and many of them could end up in shelters, raising potential health risks during the coronavirus pandemic. The shelters’ impact on public health is “an unusually important and underresearched topic,” said Karl Kim, executive director of the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center, which trains first responders. “People are really scrambling right now to figure out how this affects the guidance and messaging and so forth.” Large disaster response o rg a n i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e American Red Cross are requiring masks and trying to keep evacuees at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart, but it can be difficult for people already reeling from a disaster to consistently follow the rules. Kathy Gee, 68, has diabetes and other conditions that make her vulnerable to the virus, but that didn’t kept her from evacuating from her farm in Molalla, Oregon, to a shelter in Portland. “If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. I’m tough,” she said. “I’ve survived lots of things. I can survive that.” At the Oregon State Fairgrounds in the capital of Salem, groups of maskless evacuees gathered in a parking lot and a barn Friday, talking about the unprecedented wildfires that have destroyed an area greater than the size of Rhode Island. Volunteers wearing disposable masks walked from group to group, taking down their information and asking what they need for the days ahead. Signs plastered the doors of the exposition center, where cots were set up, with safety guidelines for both wildfires and the pandemic. Inside, nearly everyone wore masks, likely because volunteers manning the door reminded them to do so. The fires in California, Oregon and Washington state have killed several people and left dozens missing. In the three states, 6,300 are already in emergency Red Cross shelters and hotels and as many as 50,000 more could be before the blazes are under control, said Brad Kieserman, vice president of disaster operations and logistics for the American Red Cross. Normally, they’d be gathering in school gymnasiums and meeting halls, sleeping on cots and eating at buffet lines, all provided by organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other faith and community groups. But because COVID-19 is
airborne and easily spread in close quarters, gathering places are potential hotbeds of transmission. That’s got disaster assistance groups taking a different approach. “Noncongregate shelters is a new pandemic thing,” Kieserman said. “The last thing we want to have happen is people to remain in the path of a wildfire or hurricane because they think it’s safer to do that than risk a shelter.“ The Red Cross is trying to prevent the virus from spreading at shelters by regularly testing staffers, cleaning and disinfecting often, requiring masks and screening evacuees for signs of illness. Those who are sick or have symptoms are sent to special isolation shelters. When possible, displaced residents are sent to hotels instead of group shelters. Instead of buffet lines, box lunches are delivered. “We’re not using a gym, we’re renting a hotel room at 120 dollars a night. And hotels charge for parking — it’s all those things you never think about during a disaster,” Kieserman said. In central California, where thousands of residents had to flee the Creek Fire, more than 1,200 evacuees are
staying at 30 hotels, said Tony Briggs with the Red Cross in Fresno. In group shelters, plastic pipes strung with clear shower curtains are being used to separate evacuees but allow them to see out from their socially distanced areas. Mass evacuations of this scale are incredibly difficult, said Kim, who’s also director of the Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Program at the University of Hawaii. Generally, he said evacuees either leave early and quickly or aren’t as mobile and require some help getting out. They might decide to wait it out longer and also are more likely to need shelters, he said. Some of them could be at greater risk of COVID19 complications. In Oregon, group shelters are set up at churches, colleges, and community buildings, while malls, golf courses and other businesses opened parking for evacuees who can stay in recreational vehicles. It will likely be weeks before officials know if the evacuations contributed to the virus spreading, and even then, it may be difficult to tell as families scatter to new locations.
Backs to Indian Ford Meadow!
15868 W. Meadow Lane Updated 4-bedroom, 3-bath, 5,361 sq.. ft. home on 1.16 acres. Entertainment room with kitchen area/large screen/ projector and sound system – great for entertaining! Close to Sisters. Just 1/4 mile from Deschutes National Forest! $989,000. MLS#220105960
Sheila Reifschneider, Broker, 541-408-6355 Licensed Broker in Oregon | sheila@reedbros.com Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. Realty 291 W. Cascade Ave. | 541-549-6000
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
Anger and hate is tearing this country apart. Who is better off for this? To quote Rodney King: Can’t we all just get along? Jean Nave
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To the Editor In a time of intense crisis, fear, sickness, and unrest, I am so thankful for the people who have rallied together to serve others. I am thankful for all the men and women of law enforcement who stand guard to protect us. These men and women selflessly lay down their lives for complete strangers. I am thankful for all the medical professionals who open their doors and risk their own health to welcome those in need of physical care. I am thankful to the thousands of firefighters who courageously battle the wildfires and work tirelessly to keep our state beautiful and protect our homes. I am thankful to the local Christian pastors who know that eternal salvation through Jesus is humanity’s most essential need. They have vowed to keep their doors open to serve our community—proving that the church has never, nor ever will be closed. I am thankful for the friends and family who have endured these difficult times with patience and thoughtfulness as they seek to remain in community with one another. I am thankful to have an eternal hope in Jesus that no fire can destroy, no mask can hide, and no looter can steal. I am thankful to belong to an eternal kingdom whose king is not up for election. If you are isolated, scared, tired, or weary reach out for help. If your hope is resting on the results of November 3, I would urge you to place your hope in Christ — the only true savior. We don’t have to go through these times alone, there is much to be thankful for, and there is a hope that is unshakable. Jensen Newton
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“Ross is an excellent Realtor and overall great guy! He communicates effectively and promptly and is professional and knowledgeable. Most importantly, he genuinely cares about his clients and strives to help them sell their home or find a home within their budget that fits their needs! Buying and selling a house can be stressful but Ross makes it fun! Every member of my family highly recommends Ross!” — Robine B.
One Point of Contact...
Principal B Broker & Loan Originator
Ross Kennedy Principal Broker
Loan Originator NMLS #1612019 Licensed in the State of Oregon
541-408-1343
Brasada Beauty! $1,494,000
Suzanne Carvlin, Broker & Realtor Licensed in the State of Oregon
818.216.8542 | Suzanne@HomeinSisters.com 454 E. Wapato Loop | Sisters, OR
SOLD! Serving ALL of Central Oregon’s Real Estate Needs Call Jen McCrystal, Broker
541-420-4347 • jen@reedbros.com Reed Bros. Realty 291 W. Cascade Ave. Sisters, OR 541-549-6000 | www.reedbros.com Each office independently owned and operated.
MLS#220108215
Whychus Creek views inside & out! Nestled on 0.47 creekside acre, this Southern-inspired, single-level home has 2,446 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a finished 450 sq. ft. bonus space, cook’s kitchen, sunroom, deck and 3-car heated garage. Turnkey! $799,000. Each office is independently owned and operated.
cascadesothebysrealty.com
SMOKE: Take care of yourself and stay informed Continued from page 1
the fresh-air intake closed, said the CDC. People who would normally let nature cool off their houses should keep windows and doors shut according to Gleim. A do-ityourself box fan filter can be helpful, though she warns “you don’t want to put it in your window because then you’re bringing smoky air in from outside” (instructions in sidebar). Air quality tends to be worst in the evening. “The primary pollutant of concern in any kind of wildfire smoke is very tiny particles that scientists call PM 2.5,” which is particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers — that’s 30 times smaller
than the width of a hair off your head,” said Gleim. “It’s very, very tiny and so when we inhale it it goes deep down into our lungs” and can cause inflammation, shortness of breath and coughing, as well as exacerbate heart and lung conditions. “We’ve been trying to stress to people that cloth and paper masks that people have been wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 do not protect you from the harmful particles in wildfire smoke. Those particles are just too small and go right through that mask.” Though heavy-duty N95 masks can be effective against ambient smoke inhalation, they come with their own challenges and may be in short supply due to use by frontline workers during the pandemic. Unlike their cloth counterparts, N95s can be
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon problematic for people who already have breathing issues. Since they are designed to create a seal around the face, they should not be used by children or over facial hair. Also, N95s with a plastic vent will not contain the wearer’s germs from others, according the Food and Drug Administration. “When we’re breathing air in our homes and our businesses that has high levels of these smoke particulates, I think the most important thing for your health is… eating well, drinking lots of water and upping your supplements,” said Jinny Reed, a retired assistant fire management officer with the Sisters Ranger District. “Every individual has access to real-time data” on the internet, Reed said. She recommends people regularly check smoke outlooks and
forecasts so they “can make informed decisions about what they’re going to do today, tomorrow, and sometimes in the future.” (Links to resources are available at the end of the story below.) Currently “there is no clean air between Canada and Mexico in the Pacific states,” said Reed. “If you have a health condition, maybe… you need to go visit family far away and wait it out.” A dramatic shift in the winds last week led to unusual easterly winds that blew wildfire smoke in the west away from Sisters but was part of the same windstorm that fueled the fires, according to Reed. “It’s hard to pinpoint where smoke is coming from because we have a bunch of
very important to turn the fan off if you leave the house. To limit possible hazards, you should: • Turn off and unplug the fan and contact the retailer or manufacturer if you notice a burning smell or unusual noises. Do not continue using the fan with or without the filter. • Make sure to change filters as the manufacture recommends or when visibly dirty to limit strain on the fan motor. • Do not balance the fan on the edge of the counter, or anywhere that it could fall. • Prevent children and pets from chewing on or pulling the fan cable. • Always unplug the fan from the socket when not in use. • Ensure that you have functioning fire and smoke alarms installed in your home. The National Fire Protection Association provides recommendations on where to place fire and smoke alarms (https://www. nfpa.org/smokealarms). The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Air Quality Program attached two filters to the fan in a triangular manner, which reduces the load on the fan motor. You might consider this setup as well.
$529,900
Links: Triangular box fan filtration system video instructions: https://www.cct-enr. com/box-fan-filter. OregonAir mobile app (free air quality index tracking): available at your mobile app store. Oregon Smoke blog (coordination between local, state, tribal and federal organizations about wildfire smoke affecting Oregon communities): oregonsmoke. blogspot.com Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program (detailed maps, charts and forecasts for the US): https://sites. google.com/firenet.gov/ wfaqrp-external/home.
those big fires burning up and down the western side of the state,” said Gleim, who is based in Bend. The Lionshead fire around Mt. Jefferson and the enormous fires on the other side of the Cascades are likely the biggest contributors to the poor air quality in Sisters, Gleim said. “Those fires in the uplands, they’re going to continue to burn and emit emissions until it rains or snows,” said Reed. “A season-ending event where it actually rains a quarter-inch or a half-inch doesn’t typically occur until [mid-to-late] October.” “Your best line of defense is your personal health,” Reed said. “Do what you can to take care of yourself and stay informed.”
THE ARENDS & SCOTT REALTY GROUP
Seeking DIY relief from smoky conditions Indoor air cleaners filter smoke particles out of the air. You can do this by attaching a furnace filter on a box fan so that the fan surface is completely covered by the filter. One example would be a 20-inch by 20-inch box fan with a 20-inch by 20-inch furnace filter attached to it. You can attach the filter firmly to the fan using tape, a bungee cord, or another method. Make sure to attach the filter so that the arrow on the filter points in the direction of the air generated by the fan. Here are important tips for proper filtration and safety: 1. For good filtration, you need a furnace filter that is HEPA or rated MERV-13 or higher. These filters remove more particles from the air than lower-rated ones. Filters with lower ratings offer inadequate protection from smoke. 2. Filters three to five inches thick will last longer than thinner ones. They have more surface area and will trap more particles with time. Change the filter as the manufacturer recommends or when visibly dirty. 3. A filter can put strain on the fan motor and could cause the motor to overheat or catch fire. Therefore, it is
Discover the Difference
Phil Arends
Chris Scott
Principal Broker
Broker
541-420-9997
541-588-6614
phil.arends@cascadesir.com
chris.scott@cascadesir.com
Licensed in the State of Oregon
Licensed in the State of Oregon
! G N I D N E P 1
SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 27
Comments? Email editor@nuggetnews.com
$730,000
$430,050
Commercial Building & Business 250 W. Cascade Ave., Sisters $899,000 Highly visible downtown Sisters location 2,400 sq. . (approx.) commercial building Main-level dining & kitchen
Sold in Sisters! Sold in Sisters! Sold in Bend! “There’s no place like home!” Mayfield Realty 809 SW Canyon Dr., Redmond
Khiva Beckwith - Broker
541-420-2165
khivarealestate@gmail.com
www.khivasellscentraloregon.com
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Second-level office and bathroom with potential living quarters Outdoor patio Successful, well-known restaurant (currently closed)
Affatati Real Estate Rentals Call Ralph at 541-390-5187 or wildwingsbigbear@gmail.com
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Serving the Sisters, Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch Areas
Ponderosa Properties R E A L T O R S
A N D
LIKE-NEW TOWNHOME! Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths. Ultra-modern interior design features upper-level living. Light and bright greatroom with south-facing windows, cozy propane fireplace and high vaulted ceilings. Sunny patio with mountain view and feeling of openness. Comfortable upper-level master suite with high ceilings, plenty of closet space and spacious bathroom. Also, a half-bath plus utility room upstairs for convenience. Lower level has 2 bedrooms plus guest bathroom. Heat pump on upper and efficient in-floor radiant heating on lower level. Single attached garage. $449,000. MLS#202000010
MOUNTAIN VIEWS! Mountain views from this 83-acre parcel. Tree groves or open skies…choose your estate-caliber homesite. US Forest Service public land borders one-half mile for added privacy. A water hookup available if desired or drill your own. Horses, hermits or homebodies, a beautiful spot to create your custom dream. Eight miles to the Western town of Sisters. $980,000. MLS#220103712
1087 E. CREEKSIDE COURT Premier building lot in one of Sisters' finest neighborhoods. 12,320 square feet of level land with city utilities available. Nicely treed with native pines. Whychus Creek access. A quiet corner of Sisters, yet easy access to town. $235,000. MLS#220102860
M A N A G E M E N T
At Ponderosa Properties… …It’s About the People
New Listing
3190 SW 28TH ST. - REDMOND Spacious single-level floor plan in SW Redmond’s Parkland. Fantastic kitchen with solid-surface counters, stainless-steel appliances and long island. Relax on the peaceful patio and enjoy the well-appointed master suite in this efficient cottage. Pahlisch Homes is known for its quality construction and this rare single level lives larger than its square feet with the greatroom floor pan, vaulted ceilings, and bedrooms located at opposite ends. Location is convenient to everything Redmond offers you, the lucky buyer. What a wonderful opportunity for your future at record-low interest-rate financing. $299,500. MLS#220108583
P R O P E R T Y
LAKE CREEK LODGE, #18-U2 Turnkey in every sense of the word! 1/4 interest in this 3-bedroom, 3-bath cabin at historic Lake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman. Set on a small rise overlooking the creek basin, this vacationready cabin offers quality throughout. Knotty-pine paneling, plank fir floors, stone/gas fireplace, butcher-block countertops, stainless appliances, farm kitchen sink, tile bathroom & showers, cedar decks, stone exterior accents & locked owner storage. Enjoy the common area, tennis, pool, creek & open spaces. Nearby trails lead to the Metolius River and U.S. National Forest. $224,500. MLS#220103280
Kevin R. Dyer 541-480-7552
CRS, GRI, Principal Broker
ABR, CCIM, CRB, CRS, GRI, Principal Broker
Debbie Dyer 541-480-1650
Shane Lundgren 541-588-9226
GRI, Broker
ALL THE RIGHT REASONS... Buy this home for all the right reasons! Mountain views to be had from this 1,782 sq. ft. home. Single-level, 4-bedroom house on just shy of 1/2 acre inside the Sisters city limits. Room to park all of your toys, and add an ADU. Or take a big step and split the lot for 2-homes and 2-ADUs. No CC&R's. This 1994 manufactured home is complete with a vaulted ceiling, separate family room, spacious master bedroom, oversized double garage and covered front porch. The backyard is fenced with landscaping, additional graveled parking, deck and patio — the perfect spot to sit and watch the sun set over the Three Sisters Mountains. $362,950. MLS#220107430
RIVER FRONT PROPERTY In the City of Sisters with water, power & sewer to the property (hooked up) & storage shed. Large Ponderosa Pine & Cottonwood trees plus 200± ft. of River frontage, accessible at multiple points of the River bank. Peterson Ridge Trail system to USFS Trail system 1/4 mile± away with miles & miles of walking, jogging & mountain bike trails through the US Forest Service just a short distance down the road with additional access to the River on public land; and yet, merely walking distance to downtown Sisters. Truly a rare find! $479,900. MLS #202002392
COMING SOON! Oversized lot in prime location smack in the middle of town — convenient to all that Sisters offers. Spacious, older manufactured home with newer woodstove and furnace. Three bedrooms, two baths plus sunroom and mudroom access. Darling detached apartment/ADU includes kitchen. Plus additional structures for home business or additional quarters for family. Call for all the details and experience the magic of this gardener's delight with drip irrigation. Owner will carry. $359,950.
Rad Dyer 541-480-8853
Broker
Carol Davis 541-410-1556 ABR, GRI, Broker
Greg Davidge 808-281-2676 Broker
Catherine Black 541-480-1929
CRS, Broker, Realtor Emeritus - 40+ years
Jackie Herring 541-480-3157 Broker
541-549-2002 1-800-650-6766 www. P onderosa P roperties.com 221 S. Ash St. | PO Box 1779 | Sisters Guy Lauziere 541-410-9241 Broker
The Locals’ Choice!
BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN VIEW Beautiful mountain view acreage located in the secluded Lower Bridge Basin near the Deschutes River. Views of all mountains from Mt. Jefferson to Broken Top. There is a very private elevated building site in the NE corner of the lot with huge mountain views and southern exposure. Lower Bridge Estates offers paved streets, electric power and phone. The lot is approved for a standard septic system. There is abundant BLM land in the area and the nearby Deschutes River corridor is great for hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing. $229,000. MLS#201702313
7773 NW 89TH COURT Views of the Cascades and Black Butte from 9.07 acres of gently sloping land. This property is located within the highly desirable Lower Bridge Estates just outside of Terrebonne. Your dream home project has been given a head start here as the improvements to date include a private well, septic system installed in 2003 and power available. These significant improvement expenses have already been invested on behalf of this property’s lucky new owners. Outdoor lovers will also appreciate the close proximity to public land access and the fishing opportunities to be realized on the scenic Deschutes River. $320,000. MLS#220108557
40 ACRES – 17672 WILT ROAD Private, yet close in, less than 10± miles from downtown Sisters. Forty acres with elevated building site and modest mountain views. Mix of pine and juniper. This property would be a great candidate for off-grid power, but power access is available. Call listing agent regarding power. Has septic feasibility. Conditional-use permit to build a home. Borders government land, State of Oregon, BLM and Deschutes County on three sides. Owner will consider short terms. $275,000. MLS#201908158
MOUNTAIN-VIEW ACREAGE! 11.5 acres slope gently to the northwest with great mountain views and high-desert beauty. Paved access, electricity and approval for a septic system, this acreage is ready for your Central Oregon dream home. The property offers views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Black Butte, Mt. Washington, Black Crater and the Three Sisters, plus elevated views of the surrounding area. There are adjacent parcels for sale on either side that expand the possibilities. BLM lands are nearby and the fishing is great along this stretch of the Middle Deschutes. $239,500. MLS#201910345
