The Nugget Vol. XLVII No. 6
POSTAL CUSTOMER
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
www.NuggetNews.com
Sisters man pleads guilty to drug charge
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Please stay off trails when muddy!
By Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
Paul David Weston, 47, of Sisters, pleaded guilty in Deschutes County Circuit Court to a single felony count of possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, but has already served 11, and so will not serve any additional time. A second larger and more serious case involving drugs and equipment theft is still pending. Judge Beth Bagley reset the trial date for that case to July 22, but both prosecutor and defense
PRE-SORTED STANDARD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Sisters, OR Permit No. 15
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Sisters Trails Alliance volunteers and staff are asking hikers and cyclists to be mindful of the conditions and forego hitting the trail in muddy conditions. Trail use when the ground is boggy creates ruts that will make things worse for trail users in the long run.
See WESTON on page 14
Baby delivered in Sisters ambulance On Saturday, January 27, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District paramedics assisted in delivering a baby during a transport to the hospital. Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District crews were dispatched with lights and sirens to a medical call for a woman in labor. Upon arrival, ambulance crews quickly confirmed the patient was in active labor with just a couple of minutes between contractions. The patient and her significant other were assisted to the ambulance and crews began to transport the couple to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. While enroute to the See DELIVERY on page 14
Historic Conklin Guest Sisters’ vulnerability to cyber threat House may have a future By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
It all began in 1911 as a schoolhouse followed by a stint as the Hitchcock family residence and later to be occupied by the Barclay family. The old white house just north of East Barclay Drive on the west side of Camp Polk Road has had a history of ups and downs. Its last life came to be in the 1980s when Frank and Marie Conklin turned it into a quaint bed-and-breakfast. It was described then in travel guides as “Country elegance in a serene pastoral setting. Perfect spot for romantic getaways and weddings. Walking distance to Sisters and local airport. The home is a remodeled 1910 Craftsman style farmhouse with wrap-around porch and deck nestled amid beautiful manicured grounds and stately pines. Entering the house is like stepping into the pages of Country Living and delightful country decor,
Inside...
old-fashioned warmth, a cozy fireplace and soft music.” As time passed, the Conklins ended their run, and the building and grounds went into decline. In 2006 Dutch Pacific Partners planned to revive it as an 85-seat restaurant with panoramic views to be surrounded by 25 rental bungalows. The plan never came to fruition. The 4.6-acre property was sold in 2004 for $800,000, sold again in 2017 for $1.675 million and is currently on the market for $2.95 million Now a new vision for the storied property is coming into focus. Developers are keen to turn the space into a boutique RV park. They held a neighborhood meeting on January 10 for any property owner within 500 feet of the proposed development, as well as any interested member of the community. Jon Skidmore, a planning consultant hired by the See RV PARK on page 16
In testimony to Congress last week — described as chilling — FBI Director Christopher Wray said that China’s hackers are targeting American critical infrastructure, including water treatment plants, pipelines and the power grid, to be able to “wreak havoc” in the U.S. if Beijing ever decides to do so.
Testifying before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Wray also warned that there has been too little public attention on the threat that he says China’s efforts pose to national security. “China’s hackers are positioning on American infrastructure in preparation to wreak havoc and cause realworld harm to American citizens and communities, if and when China decides the time
has come to strike,” Wray told lawmakers. The Nugget asked Sisters Public Works Director Paul Bertagna to assess the threat posed to Sisters. “An advantage to being small is we don’t have complex treatment systems that use a lot of chemicals and controls. We are also able to respond to any disruption quickly and we have See CYBER THREAT on page 14
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
Critical infrastructure is vulnerable in Sisters as it is elsewhere — and local authorities are alert to threats and attentive to security.
Letters/Weather ............... 2 Announcements...............10 Scottie Wisdom & Faith ....19 Obituaries ...................... 22 Crossword .......................27 Meetings .......................... 3 Entertainment .................12 The OWL ......................... 20 Fun & Games ................... 26 Classifieds................. 29-30
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Editorial…
Expand board of Working together in mutual support commissioners
It’s no secret that community newspapers are having a tough time in a changing media landscape, where costs of printing and delivery continue to rise and advertising revenue can’t keep up. Many communities have seen their local newspapers diminish and disappear. The Nugget is healthy — and that’s thanks to you, our loyal advertisers and committed readers. Our Supporting Subscriber program has become a vital and effective way for readers to directly support The Nugget as we deliver it at no charge across the Sisters community. Supporting Subscribers’ contributions are earmarked to support our remarkable cadre of freelance reporters, columnists and photographers, who are deeply committed to covering the life of the community they live in. The Nugget wants to magnify the impact of new Supporting Subscriber contributions
through a program that also benefits Sisters Country nonprofits. When you purchase a Nugget supporting subscription during February or March 2024, 100 percent of your contribution goes to paying freelance contributors AND The Nugget will donate an ad of equal value to the local nonprofit of your choice. The nonprofit can run their ad whenever it is most effective for them, until August 31, 2024. See page 31 for details of the program. More than most places, Sisters is a community that believes in mutual support. Through this program, we hope to keep ourselves and the organizations that make Sisters vibrant going strong long into the future.
Jim Cornelius Editor in Chief
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.
Hometown heros
To the Editor: Here’s a much-needed piece of good news! Pat Burke and Cody Meredith, two of our Sisters-Camp Sherman paramedics, had an unexpected and special moment last weekend. On a call to help a woman in labor they found themselves in the ambulance assisting with the delivery of the baby when she was ready to give birth before they
reached the hospital. The end of the story is the best possible outcome: mother and child are healthy, dad was there, and able to cut the cord, the paramedics were trained and ready. Anyone who can save a life in a pinch and also help to bring in a new life is a hero to me! Candace Brey See LETTERS on page 17
Sisters Weather Forecast Wednesday
Thursday
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Feb. 7 • Mostly Cloudy
Feb. 9 • Partly Cloudy
Feb. 10 • Partly Cloudy
Feb. 11 • Partly Cloudy
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38/22
40/19
43/26
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Feb. 12 • Partly Cloudy
Feb. 13 • Partly Cloudy
Feb. 14 • Partly Cloudy
46/29
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47/28
The Nugget Newspaper, LLC Website: www.nuggetnews.com 442 E. Main Ave., P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759 Tel: 541-549-9941 | Email: editor@nuggetnews.com Postmaster: Send address changes to The Nugget Newspaper, P.O. Box 698, Sisters, OR 97759. Third Class Postage Paid at Sisters, Oregon.
Editor in Chief & Co-owner: Jim Cornelius Production Manager: Leith Easterling Creative Director: Jess Draper Community Marketing Partner: Vicki Curlett Classifieds & Circulation: Lisa May Proofreader: Kema Clark Co-owner: J. Louis Mullen
The Nugget is mailed to residents within the Sisters School District; subscriptions are available outside delivery area. Third-class postage: one year, $70; six months (or less), $45. First-class postage: one year, $110; six months, $80. Published Weekly. ©2024 The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All advertising which appears in The Nugget is the property of The Nugget and may not be used without explicit permission. The Nugget Newspaper, LLC. assumes no liability or responsibility for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories, lists, calendar etc. within this publication. All submissions to The Nugget Newspaper will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyrighting purposes and subject to The Nugget Newspaper’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially, that all rights are currently available, and that the material in no way infringes upon the rights of any person. The publisher assumes no responsibility for return or safety of artwork, photos, or manuscripts.
By Karen Spears Zacharias Guest Columnist
Years ago, while working as a reporter in Oregon, I was tasked with covering the county commissioners. At the time, I had very little understanding of who the county commissioners were or what their jobs entailed. Probably like a lot of voters, I trusted that these public servants were doing their best on the public’s behalf. As a reporter, I learned that is not always the case. Some used the position to enrich themselves or their friends. One commissioner I reported on was investigated by the state ethics board for such violations. Following the money trail is the best way to know if county commissioners are doing their job. Commissioners have oversight to a sizable budget, even in rural areas. Here in Deschutes County the adopted budget for the 2024 year is over $700 million. That’s a lot of money to keep tabs on and to be held accountable for, should some county employee decide to go rogue, which does happen from time to time. Providing better oversight of the county’s budget is just one of the reasons why Commissioner Phil Chang believes the voters of Deschutes County would be better served with a fivemember board. “While we work with a budget committee, ultimately it is the three of us who make the final decisions. We would have better oversight control of the budget with a five-member board,” he said. Commissioners make all sorts of decisions that affect our daily lives: everything from our county roads to our county fair, to our county jails, to our county courts. One recent example of their power has to do with the control they have over whether we have sufficient water to survive. Enough water to survive has been a point of contention since a mere two-toone vote approved plans for another Destination Resort in a semi-arid region where declines in ground water have been well-documented. Citing climate change, water deficits, and the impacts on the Tribes cultural resources, The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs opposed the resort. Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife also voiced their opposition to the resort, as did hundreds of Deschutes County citizens. All to no avail. Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone sided with the developer of the controversial resort, stating that citizens’ concerns — the people commissioners are elected to represent — “have no bearing” on how the resort “mitigates its own water use to ensure no net loss or degradation of habitat.” You don’t realize the power the county commissioners hold over your daily life until you turn on your spigots and no water flows out. The commissioners could have expanded the board by their own vote, but failed to do so. DeBone argued that if voters want better representation among their county commissioners, let them collect the signatures to get it on the ballot and vote for it themselves. That effort is currently underway, and the League of Women Voters is in full support of that expansion. The bottom line for the League of Women Voters goes back to the core of who we are and what we always focus on – voter representation. When Deschutes County was first formed in 1916, the county’s population was 5,000. Today’s population is 210,000. All indications are that Deschutes County is going to continue to grow and our water systems are going to suffer the impact of that. Our current board of three commissioners is simply incapable of mitigating the demands of our growing population. We at the League believe voters would be much better served by a fivemember county commissioner board, with designated population zones assigned to three commissioners and two at-large commissioners. If you, too, would like to see that happen, head over to representdeschutes.com and sign the petition to put it on the ballot for November. When elected officials ignore, or worse, seek to silence the voices of voters, and make decisions that are detrimental to those citizens, voters need to raise their voices even louder at the ballot box. Karen Spears Zacharias is the president of League of Women Voters Deschutes County.
Views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or The Nugget Newspaper.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Sisters sports some ‘Little’ signs of spring
A sure sign of spring — volunteers are at work getting Sisters Little League fields in shape for the coming season. PHOTO BY MATT VAN SLYKE
By Matt Van Slyke Correspondent
Despite a few dustings, the large snow piles are shrinking, revealing previously buried and iced-over lawns, sidewalks and driveways. The grating scrape of shovels will soon cede to the click-clack of cleats on pavement enroute to formerly frozen fields. Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers begin reporting to camp as early as Friday. From Sarasota to Scottsdale to Sisters, we’re
swinging into the spring sports season. Sisters Little League (SLL) is on deck, warming up along with the weather, with temps in the 50s expected next week. “The youth baseball organization has seen a surge of young athletes these past few years, jumping from 179 baseball and softball players three years ago to 249 last year, said Sisters Little League Board Member Tyler Davis.” To accommodate the influx, SLL expanded, adding teams, a new Rookie division and playing-field
locations around town. This year, the league faced increased competition from spring soccer and youth lacrosse. January registration deadlines forced families to choose between known and newer sports leagues. Even so, 220 local children have signed up for SLL’s 2024 season. Based on the latest registration numbers, Davis expects the board will field an estimated 18 teams: four Tee-Ball, three Coach Pitch, See VOLUNTEERS on page 24
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C4C to host leadership academy Have you ever considered running for a local leadership position, but haven’t yet taken the plunge? Do you care deeply about your community, but aren’t sure how to give back? Are you interested in learning more about how your local government works? If so, a new initiative from the City of Sisters might be for you. This spring, the City is partnering with Citizens4Community to
launch the Sisters Civic Leadership Academy. The academy is a civic leadership training model, designed to build a broader, stronger pool of talented future leaders for Sisters’ local committees, boards, and organizations. The City is now accepting applications for the academy. Community members over the age of 16 who reside within the Sisters See LEADERSHIP on page 24
Sisters nonprofit makes name change Sisters Folk Festival, Inc. has changed the name of the organization to SFF Presents to reflect the full scope of their work in the Sisters community. Sisters Folk Festival, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 as the nonprofit organization in charge of producing its signature event, the annual music festival of the same name that takes place each fall in Sisters. The name suited the organization in its early stages, but with the addition of programming over the years, including the implementation of the Americana Project at Sisters High School, yearround concerts, My Own Two Hands (retired after a 20-year run), art and music
classes for youth and adults, artist residencies and guest artists in Sisters schools, summer creativity camps for youth, the Americana Song Academy, the Outlaw Strings Club, the Sisters Middle School after-school creativity club and – most recently – the Big Ponderoo Music & Art Festival, it became clear the time had come for a new name. “With the advent of our newest festival, Big Ponderoo, in June of 2023, we felt the need to change our name to better reflect the breadth of what we do. We celebrate creativity, cultural self-expression, and community building for everyone See SFF PRESENTS on page 16
SISTERS AREA MEETING CALENDAR Sisters Red Hats 1st Friday. For location information, please call: Al-Anon 541-848-1970. Mon., noon, Shepherd of the Hills Sisters Rotary 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Sisters Area Woodworkers First Lutheran Church. 541-610-7383. Noon, Aspen Lakes. 541-760-5645. Tuesday, 7 to 9 p.m. 541-231-1897. Alcoholics Anonymous Sisters Astronomy Club 3rd Tuesday, Sisters Veterans Thursdays, Monday, 5 p.m., Shepherd of the Hills East of the Cascades Quilt Guild noon, Takoda’s Restaurant. 7 p.m., SPRD. 541-549-8846. Lutheran Church 4th Wed. (September-June), Stitchin’ 541-903-1123. Tuesday, noon, Big Book study, Sisters Bridge Club Thursdays, 12:30 Post. All are welcome. 541-549-6061. Sisters Trails Alliance Board Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church p.m. at Sisters Community Church. Meetings take place every other month, Go Fish Fishing Group 3rd Monday Wednesday, 7 a.m.,Gentlemen’s Email sistersbridge2021@gmail.com. 5 p.m. In-person or zoom. Contact: meeting, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 7 p.m., Sisters Community Church. Sisters Caregiver Support Group info@sisterstrails.org. 541-771-2211. Church 3rd Tues., 10:30 a.m., Sisters Episcopal Three Sisters Irrigation District Thursday, noon, Sober Sisters Heartwarmers (fleece blanketmakers) Church. 541-719-0031. Women’s meeting, Shepherd of the Hills 2nd Tuesday, 1 p.m., Sisters Board of Directors Meets 1st Tuesday, Lutheran Church Community Church. Materials provided. Sisters Cribbage Club Meets 11 a.m. 10 a.m., TSID Office. 541-549-8815. every Wed. at SPRD. 509-947-5744. Thursday, 7 p.m., Episcopal Church of 541-408-8505. Three Sisters Lions Club 2nd the Transfiguration Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Spoons Sisters Garden Club For monthly Hero Quilters of Sisters Thursday, Friday, noon, Step & Tradition meeting, meetings visit: SistersGardenClub.com. Restaurant. 541-419-1279. 1 to 4 p.m. 541-668-1755. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. VFW Post 8138 and American Sisters Habitat for Humanity Board Military Parents of Sisters Meetings 541-548-0440. Legion Post 86 1st Wednesday of the of Directors 4th Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. are held quarterly; please call for Saturday, 8 a.m., Episcopal Church of month, 6:30 p.m., Main Church Building Location information: 541-549-1193. details. 541-388-9013. the Transfiguration Sisters Community Church. Oregon Band of Brothers Sisters Sisters Kiwanis Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 Central Oregon Fly Tyers Guild 541-549-1462 (John). a.m., at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Chapter meets Wednesdays, For Saturday meeting dates and SCHOOLS 541-410-2870. 11:30 a.m., Takoda’s Restaurant. location, email: steelefly@msn.com. 541-549-6469. Black Butte School Citizens4Community Community Sisters Parent Teacher Community Sisters Aglow Lighthouse 4th Board of Directors 2nd Tuesday, Builders meeting, 3rd Wednesday of 2nd Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Sisters 3:45 p.m., Black Butte School. Saturday, 10 a.m., meeting by Zoom. every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Visit Elementary School Commons. 541-595-6203 503-930-6158. citizens4community.com for location. 917-219-8298.
BOARDS, GROUPS, CLUBS
Council on Aging of Central Oregon Senior Lunch In-person community dining, Tues. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab-and-go lunch Tues., Wed., Thurs. 12:30 to 1 p.m. Sisters Community Church. 541-480-1843.
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Sisters Area Photography Club 2nd Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Sisters Community Church. 541-549-6157.
This listing is for regular Sisters Country meetings; email information to nugget@nuggetnews.com.
Sisters School District Board of Directors One Wednesday monthly, Sisters School District Administration Building. See schedule online at www. ssd6.org. 541-549-8521 x5002.
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 Tues., 4 p.m., Coffield Center. 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 Thurs., 9 a.m., BBR Fire Station. 541-595-2288. Cloverdale RFPD Board of Directors 3rd Wed., 5:30 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.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Banjo manufacturer moves operation Seed to Table expanding its capacity The Seed to Table Farm team is looking forward to the year ahead, especially after the farm was buried under deep snow and ice these past few weeks. Seed to Table’s 10th anniversary brought an abundance of firsts, including record-breaking harvests feeding hundreds of Central Oregonians weekly and the greatest community engagement yet across Sisters Farmers Market visitors, produce share members, and student field trips. With a strong foundation beneath them, they’re looking ahead to another fantastic year. On January 4, Holly Haddad began her new position as executive director, working closely with Founder and now Farm Director Audrey Tehan. With the Board and Tehan’s guidance, Haddad is digging into the organization’s culture, relationships, past accomplishments, and future goals. Haddad’s first days on the job were spent with Program Director, Hannah Joseph helping students explore flavors of curry made with carrots and squash. The winter cooking classes are some of Seed to Table’s newest extensions into school programming for more year-round programming. The non-profit organ i z a t i o n ’s e x p a n d e d capacity will allow it to sustain and deepen programs. Community offerings tripled over the past three years to better meet demands for fresh food and education. The farm has grown into one of the larger diversified production veggie farms across Central Oregon, which required additional leadership critical for sustainability. Tehan is excited to stay involved
with organizational leadership while having the necessary space to focus on the complex and expanding farm operations. The Board and staff are beyond grateful for everything Tehan has done and continues to do for Seed to Table - grounded by her steadfast dedication to the community. The Seed to Table team of nine staff and six board members are eager to make 2024 the best year ever. With strong community support, they’re thankful to have met their fundraising goals for 2023. “We are so grateful for the investment that our donors, businesses, and foundations are making. With this critical support, we will continue to be a sustainable, successful example of what’s possible with farming, partnerships with food banks, public education, and building community. We are honored to serve and work alongside our community each day,” said Tehan. Seed to Table invites the community to join them by signing up for a produce share (which opens on February 15), stopping by the Sisters Farmers Market, volunteering, or bringing students to the Summer Farm Camp and Little Farmers. Seed to Table is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit entity, tax ID number 82-3795618, with a mission to increase health and wellness of the Central Oregon community through providing equitable access to locally grown, farm fresh produce and offering opportunities in farmbased education. For more information visit www. seedtotableoregon.org or contact Audrey Tehan at audrey@seedtotablesisters. org.
Tom Nechville announced today that Nechville Musical Products (NMP) will wrap up manufacturing operations in Minnesota at the end of February, completing the last phase of Nechville’s long-planned relocation to Sisters. The relocation of the manufacturing operation will enable Tom to consolidate all Nechville operations in his hometown of Sisters. In 2020, Nechville finalized the purchase of his new Nechville company headquarters in Sisters. While managing NMP, Tom remodeled the building, and with his partner, Linda Leavitt, opened a retail sales shop, Nechville Banjos West, offering banjo repair, lessons, events, workshops and a music community gathering place. Ever since Tom arrived in Central Oregon, customers have regularly made the trek to Sisters from Seattle, Portland, the Bay Area and from other far-flung places to visit Tom and Nechville Banjos. Central Oregon is home to an increasing population of musical instrument builders and musicians. Nechville’s connection to Central Oregon runs deep. His father Ed moved to the area during the 90’s, where he manufactured banjo bridges for Nechville. That’s when Tom started envisioning his eventual relocation to the area. Since his move to Oregon, Nechville has become an active force in the Oregon Bluegrass Association and a sponsor of the Sisters Folk Festival. Tom and Linda Leavitt host a monthly jam at his Sisters shop. Touring musicians regularly stop by the Nechville Banjo Kitchen to pick with Tom and to record video for his YouTube series, “Live From The Banjo Kitchen,” including Never Come Down, The Kruger Brothers and Slocan Ramblers. “Sisters provides an ideal
PHOTO PROVIDED
Tom Nechville and Linda Leavitt have become an integral part of Sisters’ music scene. physical and creative climate for the manufacture of musical instruments, as well as a supportive business climate tailored to artisans,” Nechville said. “Sisters is the home of Sisters Folk Festival, which produces two annual music festivals and monthly music events. Our building
is located a half block from Preston Thompson Guitars, which builds guitars for a long list of fine musicians, including Molly Tuttle, Peter Rowan and Billy Strings.” For more information about Nechville Banjos visit https://www.nechville.com and https://banjoswest.com.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Wrestlers gear up for District By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
The Outlaws wrestling squad took part in two competitions last week including its final big tournament in La Pine, prior to the district championships set for this coming week in Burns. Sisters’ boys team finished in eighth place overall with 92 points among 13 scoring teams. La Pine dominated its home tourney and captured the team title with 240.5 points to easily outdistance second place Lowell. The Outlaws had two individuals make it to the championships round in their respective weight classes at La Pine. Tyson Kemp took down three opponents by fall on his way to the title round at 144 pounds. He beat Walter Collier of Henley (3:15), Jesse Norfleet of Summit (2:40), and Jasper Rutledge of Culver (1:25) before facing off against Devon Kerr of La Pine. The pair battled through two periods before Kerr finally got the best of Kemp at the 2:45 mark. In the 165-pound division Jace Owens followed a similar pattern to Kemp, though he pinned his first three opponents relatively quickly. He took down Elijah Wells of Caldera (1:06), Micah Hanke of Cottage Grove (0:26), and Luke Ferry of Cottage Grove (1:31). In the championship match against Estefan Muneton of Henley, Owens battled gamely, making it well into the third period before getting pinned (3:24). Carter Van Meter had a marathon weekend, with four total matches after a firstround bye at 126 pounds. Van Meter beat Aiden Tatsuo of Summit (1:16), but lost in the semi-final round to Kanoa Machin of La Pine in the final seconds of regulation (3:56). He moved back through the consolation bracket, soundly beating Jovanny Jaimes of Caldera (0:34) and Thadius Brown of Culver (1:15) to take third place. Brennan Frutos,150 pounds, had the busiest schedule of all with six total matches and placed sixth. He won against Joel Taylor of Culver (4:00) and then lost quickly to Gabriel Maloney of Summit (0:43). He bounced back with two more wins in the consolation round before dropping the semi-final to Michael Noblitt of Caldera (1:04) as well as the fifth-place match to Josh
Walker (1:10). Scott Henderson (175) also placed sixth. He won his first two matches convincingly over Joseph Jennings of Mazama (0:50) and Dashel Stepp of Cottage Grove (0:12) before getting dropped by Paul Clark of Lowell in a tough match (3:55). He then had to forfeit his final two matches due to injury. Jude Howland, Chris Roach, and Jackson Spor all took part in the tournament as well, and despite not picking up any wins, gained valuable experience according to coach David Kemp. Sisters tied for third among 10 teams in the girls’ competition with 44 points, just behind Caldera (47). Ridgeview won the team title with 65 points. Sierra Jaschke faced the only other competitor in the 170-187 class and took just 48 seconds to complete the pin, earning first place. The remaining three Outlaws each took second place in their divisions. Pidge Henderson took down Carolyn Reyna of Cottage Grove (1:19) and Tenaya Cherrick of Mazama (0:37) in her first two matches, but lost to Nova Danzig of Ridgeview in her final match (0:45) . In the 144-156 pound bracket, Kisten Elbek dropped her first match against Riley Allison, but finished with wins over Mila Wonser of Mazama (0:42) and against Kira Gregory of Ridgeview with a close 14-13 decision. Brooklyn Cooper also lost her first match, but pinned Alexsis Woody of Cottage Grove (0;23) and Caydence Marshall of Ridgeview (3:19) to finish the tournament on a high note. The 3A boys Special District 4 tournament is set for Friday and Saturday February 9 and 10 in Burns. The tournament serves as the qualifier for the OSAA State Championships set for the following weekend in Portland at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum February 22-24. The top three boys wrestlers in each weight class will qualify from Special District 4. For the girls there are two special districts from the 4A/3A/2A/1A classifications. Sisters will compete February 16 and 17 in Special District 2 at Cottage Grove High School. The top five placers at District automatically qualify for the state championships in Portland.
www.NuggetNews.com
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Lady Outlaw skiers notch first place finish By Rongi Yost Correspondent
PHOTO BY BILL BARTLETT
New EV chargers will soon be in place at Three Wind Shopping Center in Sisters.
Tesla leaves mark on Sisters By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Within weeks Tesla will have seven of its Superchargers operational at Three Wind Shopping Center on North Arrowleaf Trail at the north end of the parking lot. Incorporating its Magic Dock connectivity, drivers will be able to charge not only Teslas but any EV with a CCS plug (nearly all EVs made after 2019). Tesla already has two mapped chargers in Sisters, which are obscure from passing traffic. One is at FivePine Lodge, open for public use, and the second, according to its map, is at Sisters Bed and Breakfast on East Jefferson available for customers, neither of which is a fast charger. A Supercharger’s output is 250 kW, meaning you can charge your vehicle to at least 80% capacity, about 200 miles range, in 15 minutes. If you charged at Eagle Crest Resort or Black Butte Ranch by comparison at 13 kW could take as long as 6-10 hours for an 80% charge. Tesla has about 50,000 Superchargers (individual charging docks, not locations) of which some 18,000 are here in the U.S. Charging is not free. It costs $15.52 on average to charge an EV depending on the model, according to Texas A&M. You can’t roll in and say “fill’er up” nor expect to pay with cash or even a credit card. You will need a Tesla app on your phone to get charged. The charging station will be well lighted and
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available 24/7/365. The cost of installing a Tesla Supercharger is about $43,000 per dock, placing the value of the station in Sisters at around $300,000. It operates without employees. Unlike slower charging stations such as the free one at City Hall, drivers will not have time to shop or dine in Sisters, as they will be on their way quickly. It may seem counter intuitive to put seven fast docks in Sisters the same month that Ford, GM and Volvo have all announced major pullbacks in EV production. Rental firm Hertz Global Holdings is selling about 20,000 electric vehicles, including Teslas, from its U.S. fleet about two years after a deal with the automaker to offer its vehicles for rent, in
another sign that EV demand has cooled. Hertz will instead opt for gas-powered vehicles, it said on Thursday, citing higher expenses related to collision and damage for EVs, even though it had aimed to convert 25 percent of its fleet to electric by 2024 end. Tesla is not waiting for federal funding to grow its charging network. According to a December 5 report from Politico, Congress at the urging of the Biden administration agreed in 2021 to spend $7.5 billion to build tens of thousands of electric vehicle chargers across the country, aiming to appease anxious drivers while tackling climate change. Two years later, the program has yet to install a single charger.
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CHANGES FOR COLDWELL BANKER NO CHANGES FOR MY CLIENTS The Sisters office will be joining the Bend Coldwell Banker Bain office. However, in Sisters I will continue to provide the same award-winning customer service and client care you have come to expect. Sisters is my top priority.
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The Outlaws ski team competed in a slalom race at Hoodoo on February 3, and for the first time this season raced under sunny conditions with a smooth racing surface. Sisters girls finished first, second, and third and won the race by a large margin. Presley Adelt took first with a combined time of 1:11.62, Tallis Grummer placed second with a time of 1:13.94, and Ella Eby took third with a time of 1:14.88. Remaining scores were: Pia Grummer, seventh (1:18.48); Ava Riehle, eighth (1:20.40); Kiara Martin, ninth (1:25.15); Brooke Duey, 12th (1:31.18); and Lauren Sitz, 13th (1:32.45). Payten Adelt crashed out on her first run, but got a 45.08 on her second. Gabe Chladek told The Nugget that the Outlaws’ top three girls all kept very clean lines and skied the flatter portions of the course with a lot of aggression, carrying speed and momentum where it counted. The Outlaws boys had some crashes and technical hang-ups, but still managed to log some impressive runs. Spencer Tisdel came in second with a combined time of 1:09.47; Ben Hayner was seventh (1:18.91); Joseph
As we reach the midpoint in the season it’s fun to see the competitive spirit emerging in these athletes as their eyes start shifting to the state championships in March. — Gabe Chladek Derksen, 10th (1:25.22); Daniel Miller, 13th (1:28.98); John Berg, 16th (1:30.69); Finn Stancliff, 24th (1:40.84); and Spencer Davis, 27th (1:55.60). Cooper Merrill scored a third-place finish on run one with a single run time of 37.75, but crashed on his second. Emerson Backus got a 48.48 on run one and was on pace for a third-place finish on run two, but he straddled a gate late in the course and was disqualified. Coach Chladek said, “As we reach the midpoint in the season it’s fun to see the competitive spirit emerging in these athletes as their eyes start shifting to the state championships in March.” The Outlaws’ next race will be a giant slalom at Willamette Pass on Saturday, February 10.
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Three Sisters Historical Society
FIRESIDE SERIES SUNDAY, FEBRUARY UARY 2 25 5•2P PM M Dr. Larry Len Peterson on will be sharing stories and photos from his latest book celebrating the life & works off
Edward S. Curtis, the photographer who documented Native American culture from 1896 to 1927.
Curtis studied 80 Western tribes with 10,000 Indigenouss people proudly participating.. The book takes a deep dive into Curtis’ unique artistry inspired spired by Romanticism and the many cultures that his work reflects.
Sisters Fire Hall, 301 S. Elm St.
Tickets are $10 at the Door (Free to TSHS members) 2 p.m., doors open at 1 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served Questions? Call 541-610-6323.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Page by Paige — Favorite 2023 books By Paige Bentley-Flannery Community Librarian
Do you have a favorite 2023 book? This year I curated my favorite books by themes, debut authors and favorite authors. My recommendations include creating a wife app, searching for a father, and books about books. I’ve been sharing piles and piles of favorites at Library Book Pairing events at Suttle Tea, Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, BrownBag Popcorn, and PCA Art Gallery by matching a scene, event, or place with a specific tea, dessert, popcorn, or art piece. Favorites include “The Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose in which the murder takes place in the hotel’s tearoom floor. I matched art and tea (Mint Meadows) with “North Woods” by Daniel Mason. I paired “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld with sea salt and white cheddar popcorn, and “The Trackers” by Charles Frazier with creamy ranch popcorn. Explore more of my book pairings on the DPL Catalog under DPLpaigeb. Do you enjoy reading a book that takes you to an amazing destination? My favorites included, “The
Wishing Game” by Meg Shaffer, “For Twice in My Life” by Annette Christie, and “What You Are Looking for Is in the Library” by Michiko Aoyama. More traveling with historical fiction included, “The Wildest Sun” by Asha Lemmie and “Homecoming” by Kate Morton. I explored a variety of favorite books that take place in New York City including, “The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis, “Crook Manifesto” by Colson Whitehead, “Lush Lives” by J. Vanessa Lyon, “A Winter in New York” by Josie Silver, and “The Leftover Woman” by Jean Kwok. Also, in NYC with a side of true friendships, “Someone Else’s Shoes” by Jojo Moyes and “The Wife App” by Carolyn Mackler. Family Secrets / Mysteries: “Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim, “Just Another Missing Person” by Gillian McAllister, “What Meets the Eye” by Alex Kenna, “Symphony of Secrets” by Brendan Slocumb, “The Puzzle Master” by Danielle Trussoni (with puzzles in the book), “The Death of Us” by Lori Rader-Day, “The Fiction Writer” by Jillian Cantor, “Hot Springs Drive” by Lindsay Hunter, and “Zero Days” by Ruth Ware. Mysteries with unique
writing styles: “West Heart Kill” by Dann McDorman and “The Biography of X” by Catherine Lacey. Romance: “Picture Perfect Autumn” by Shelley Noble — I always appreciate a romance story surrounded by art — especially when the main character is searching for inspiration and discovers an amazing photographer and an art school. Do you remember reading books by Sophie Kinsella? My favorite is “I’ve Got Your Number.” She has a wonderful new book titled “The Burnout.” Two more: “The Sweetest Revenge” by Lizzy Dent and “Until I Met You” by Amber Rose Gill. An introduction to new authors: A few I heard speak, share their stories, and talk about their writing style: “Y/N” by Esther Yi, “Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward, “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang, “Innards: Stories” by Magogodi oaMphela Makhene. Favorite authors with new books: “Family Lore” by Elizabeth Acevedo, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Vaster Wilds” by Lauren Groff, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See, “The Blonde Identity” by Ally Carter, “Day” by Michael
Cunningham, “The Fraud” by Zadie Smith, and “The Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt Nonfiction: Sometimes my nonfiction reading was filled with history and other times it was filled with animals: “Opinions” by Roxanne Gay, “Of Time and Turtles” by Sy Montgomery, “Astor” by Anderson Cooper, and “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel. Hope and Honesty — Memoirs/Biographies: “Why Fathers Cry at Night: A Memoir in Love Poems,” “Letters, Recipes and Remembrances” by Kwame Alexander, “Year of the Tiger” by Alice Wong, “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig, “How to Say Babylon” by Safiya Sinclair, and “A Living Remedy” by Nicole Chung.
Poetry: “Above Ground” by Clint Smith, “Musical Tables” by Billy Collins, “Rose Quartz” by Sasha taqwseblu LaPointe. What books are on your TBR pile? Start the new year off with a debut author or a cozy mystery book. Join the Winter Reading Challenge at Deschutes Public Library January 1 through March 20, via the Beanstack app. #DPLWinterRead.
MADE-FROM-SCRATCH
C O M F O R T FO O D ! E S E E H C ’ M A C ‘ N
Another Perspective By Pastor Steve Stratos
www.sisterschurch.com | 541-549-1201
Worldview: Where Do I Find Meaning And Purpose
In my last article I explored the subject of origin: What does it mean to be human? Have I evolved through the chance crashing of atoms over space and time to become the person I am? Or am I created by an intelligent design, a creator God, in the image of God, for a purpose that gives my life meaning and a direction? In moments of exhilaration or success you might say, “I was made for this!” Perhaps you are experiencing your purpose! But can you do it consistently? Every man-made object we come in contact with is designed for a purpose. Someone has created it to perform a function. Every design has a designer. The watchmaker, the carpenter, the auto manufacture… each has a purpose in mind for his creation. Most of us recognize that radios are made to listen to, not to be put under car wheels to prevent rolling. A chair has four legs for stability, only two would make it dangerous. Watches tell time, but make horrible hammers for pounding nails. They all have a specific purpose. And so do we.
Once we’ve answered the question of origin, it’s normal to ask: “What gives my life meaning?” And everyone hopes, at the end of their lives, that they’ve lived a meaningful life, left behind a legacy. And I often hear people, in troubled times, ask: “What have I done with my life?” David Brooks in his book “The Second Mountain” writes, “We are experiencing a crisis of meaning. It is a stunning fact of our age that, despite all we have learned about the brain, mental health problems, including depression, mental health struggles are rising, not falling. And things seem to be deteriorating quickly. In 2012, 5.9 percent of young people suffered from severe depression. By 2015 it was 8.2 percent. Today we are calling loneliness an epidemic. We are drowning in a sea of lostness without meaning or direction. In other words, we lack purpose. When we abandon intelligent-design and leave our origination to chance, we forfeit our identity and must create our own purpose but not always consistent or beneficial
for humanity. Hitler’s extermination of the Jewish world was his purpose. This imprisons us to a place of alienation, arrogance, loneliness. Because without purpose we are left to our own devices, to figure it out on the fly. This desperation creates the angst of survival. In a study for his book “The Path to Purpose,” William Damon found that only 20 percent of young adults have a fully realized sense of purpose. Without a consistent and comprehensive worldview these young people struggle to find meaning in difficult times. Where can they find the meaning of life in difficult times if they don’t know where to go for the resources they need? Author/philosopher Albert Camus confessed decades ago, as did psychologist Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, more recently, that the search for meaning is life’s fundamental pursuit; all other questions they deemed secondary. But what if young people are being taught that life is just random chaos… and they stop searching? Why do we yearn to matter, to make a difference, to be
known and loved? As people who are made in the image of God we are created for meaningful relationships. God who is inherently relational has created us in his image and made us relational beings. This is our primary purpose, our meaningful approach to life. To be relational—with Him and those around us. We are made for relational flourishing. God gave us other purposes right from the beginning. He has told us to multiply, to flourish, to take care of one another as well as the earth He made. Later on, Jesus taught us to “Love God and one another.” Then He demonstrated it with truly sacrificial love. He teaches us to love others the way he has loved us. Completely and unconditionally. That doesn’t happen by chance, but it is the meaningful calling for our life. Our highest purpose. History is filled with lives lived with self-centered purposes, and the results are
horrific. When a lackadaisical origin leads to survival of the fittest, the meaning to life is reduced to power struggles, pain and disappointment, and alienation will be the result. When we find our origin in a creator God we discover real purpose. We experience His plan to flourish. Our lives are filled with meaning, morality, and a better future. Even when distractions try to creep in and confuse us, we can pause and re-examine our answers to these questions of origin and purpose. We will discover the answers stay the same. Just as God is the same. The answers remain logically consistent, empirically reliable and experientially relevant. Next week we will explore how origin and meaning influence our morality. Is morality relative or objective. Is my answer logically consistent, empirically reliable, and experientially relevant.
Let’s start a conversation!
I’d love to hear your perspective, email sstratos@sisterschurch.com.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Lady Outlaws pack in another three games By Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Lady Outlaws squeaked out a 48-46 win on the road at Elmira on Tuesday, January 30, and at home three days later defeated Siuslaw 53-25. On Saturday the Lady Outlaws fell 35-40 in a hard-fought battle at Creswell, in a game that was rescheduled from earlier in the season due to the stormy weather. In Tuesday’s action at Elmira the Outlaws played one of their best opening quarters of the year. They moved the ball quickly to attack the hoop. Jenna Lake hit a three-pointer and sank two free-throws and Maggie Lutz and Audrey Corcoran each contributed four points. At the end of the first quarter the Outlaws held an eightpoint advantage at 15-7. Elmira came out hot in the second quarter, held the Outlaws scoreless for fourand-a-half minutes, and in the meantime went on a 0-10 run, and went up by two. Maggie Lutz followed with back-to-back layups that put the Outlaws back on top 19-17. From there the Outlaws outscored the Falcons, with
their last three points coming from Lake, who hit a deep long ball from six feet behind the top of the arc at the buzzer. At the half Sisters held a 28-21 lead. Sisters continued to extend their lead in the third quarter, with points from Corcoran, Ila Reid, Lake, and Shae Wyland. At the end of three the Outlaws were up by nine at 42-33. In the final period Lake connected on another deep long ball to push the Outlaws lead back to 10. Sadly, Lutz collided with an Elmira player head-to-head in a scrum for a loose ball, went down hard, and had to be removed from the game and sat out for the remainder of the contest. Patton said, “We were already without Maggie’s backup, Paityn Cotner, who wasn’t feeling well, so Norah Thorsett was forced into more action and tasked with guarding their best player.” Elmira took advantage of the situation and went on a 10 point run and went up by one, 45-46, with just under three minutes left in the game. Reid was fouled and hit both her shots from the charity stripe to give the Outlaws a one-point edge, but then was called for her fifth foul and had to head to the bench. At that point Sisters was down three of their main players. In a frenetic last couple of minutes the Outlaws held the Falcons scoreless and Corcoran hit a free throw to put Sisters up 48-46. Elmira’s last second driving shot rolled out and Lake grabbed the rebound to secure the Outlaws victory. Lake led the Outlaws with 16 points, and Corcoran followed with 11. Lutz put up eight, Reid scored seven, and Wyland pitched in with six. Wyland led in the rebound effort with 10, and Reid
added six. Patton said, “I was really pleased with how well we played for the first three quarters when we were close to full strength. We faced multiple challenges in the fourth quarter and did just enough to hang on for the win.” Three days later the Outlaws crushed the visiting Vikings. Sisters was focused on defense from the start, and at the close of the first period held a 10-2 lead. Sisters continued to extend their lead and in the final quarter stretched their lead to 30. Bench players got time on the court and played well. Reid had her best offensive game of the season with 19 points, followed by Lake who continued her steady three-point shooting with a long ball in each quarter for 12 points. Corcoran added nine points, and Wyland contributed seven. Wyland and Reid both had 11 rebounds in the contest. Patton said, “Siuslaw is the last place team in our league, and the last time we played them we came out flat and let them keep the game closer than it should have been. So, I was glad to see us start strong and stay focused for the whole game. The win pretty much locked up third place in league for us.” Saturday’s road game against Creswell was a battle from start to finish. The Outlaws were still without Lutz, and Lake got in foul trouble early and spent a lot of time on the bench. The game started with both teams playing tough man-to-man defense, and Sisters did a fairly good job of handling the Bulldogs full court press. Reid scored five of the Outlaws seven first quarter points, and the team held Creswell to six.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA KENNEDY
Shae Wyland makes a move on a defender in Outlaws basketball action. Sisters committed a few errant passes in the second quarter, which allowed the Bulldogs more scoring opportunities, which they took advantage of. Creswell extended their half-court defense out, pressured the ball, and denied passes. The Outlaws had a hard time finding their shots and were outscored 8-12 in the period. At the half Sisters trailed 15-20. The Outlaws had a hard time finding their offensive rhythm in the third, and at the close of the period were down by eight. In the final quarter, Corcoran scored six points, four from the charity stripe after drawing fouls. Wyland also had a strong final quarter and tallied six of her team high 12 points. Creswell was able to keep pace on their end with 11 points of their own and held on for the five-point win. Wyland had her best game of the season, finishing with a double-double, 12 points
and 14 rebounds, and in addition tallied six blocked shots and three steals. Corcoran scored 10 points, and also had three steals in the contest. Reid contributed eight points and grabbed eight rebounds, Cotner added three points, and Lake pitched in with two. Patton said, “We competed well against a good Creswell team that currently sits in second place in our league and is ranked No. 10 in the state. Our top six players played almost the entire game with just a couple minutes of rest due to missing or injured teammates. If we can get our roster back up to full strength and make some adjustments to attack their pressure defense a little bit better, I like our chances on Tuesday.” The Outlaws were to play at home against Creswell on Tuesday, February 6. They will wrap up league play on the road at Harrisburg on Friday.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Community invited to pancake supper By Bill Bartlett Correspondent
Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent in much of the Christian world, fall on the same day this year. Valentine’s Day is always February 14 regardless of the day and Ash Wednesday, the official start of the Lenten season, is always on a Wednesday but the date is cyclical and can vary by as much as a month. Ash Wednesday is always immediately preceded by Shrove Tuesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word ‘Shriven’ meaning to go to confession and repent for wrongs committed. Lent, always being on a Wednesday, people went to confession the day before. This became known as Shriven Tuesday and then Shrove Tuesday. The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent so that people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses in those days were eggs, butter, and milk. A very simple recipe to use up these ingredients was to combine them with some flour and make pancakes. The custom of making pancakes still continues today, and in many U.K. towns and villages pancake
races (where people race with a frying pan while tossing a pancake in it) and pancake tossing competitions are held on Shrove Tuesday. In other countries Shrove Tuesday is known as ‘Mardi Gras.’ This means ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French and also comes from the idea of using up food before Lenten fasting. Many countries round the world have Mardi Gras celebrations and carnivals. Some of the more notable are in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, New Orleans, Venice, Italy, and Sydney, Australia. The Church of The Transfiguration in Sisters is celebrating Mardi Gras with a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and has invited anybody of any faith or none to join in the festivities. Running from 5 to 7 p.m. on February 13, the event menu consists of plain and blueberry buttermilk pancakes, sausage, a variety of syrups, homemade applesauce, orange juice, milk, coffee, and tea. Gluten-free pancakes by request. While free, especially to the homeless or otherwise vulnerable, suggested donations from those who can afford it are $5 for adults, $3 for kids 4 to 12, $12 for a family of four. Kids under 4 eat for free. The supper takes place at the church’s community hall located at 121 N. Brooks Camp Rd.
Commentary...
How can women bridge the retirement gap? Women still need to make up ground in a key area: retirement security. Women’s challenges in achieving a secure retirement are due to several factors, including: • Pay gap – It’s smaller than it once was, but a wage gap still exists between men and women. In fact, women earn, on average, about 82 cents for every dollar that men earn, according to the Census Bureau. And even though this gap narrows considerably at higher educational levels, it’s still a source of concern. Women who earn less than men will likely contribute less to 401(k) plans and will ultimately see smaller Social Security checks. • Longer lives – At age 65, women live about 20 more years, on average, compared to almost 17 for men, according to the Social Security Administration. Those extra years mean extra expenses. • Caregiving responsibilities – Traditionally, women have done much of the caregiving for young children and older parents. And while this caregiving is done with love, it also comes with financial sacrifice. Consider this: The average employment-related costs for mothers providing unpaid care is nearly $300,000 over a lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — which translates to a reduction of 15 percent of lifetime earnings. Furthermore, time away from the workforce results in fewer contributions to 401(k) and other
employer-sponsored retirement plans. Ultimately, these issues can leave women with a retirement security deficit. Here are some moves that can help close this gap: • Contribute as much as possible to retirement plans. Try to contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k) or similar employersponsored retirement plan. Your earnings can grow tax deferred and your contributions can lower your taxable income. (With a Roth 401(k), contributions aren’t deductible, but earnings and withdrawals are tax free, provided you meet certain conditions.) At a minimum, contribute enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered, and try to boost your contributions whenever your salary goes up. If you don’t have access to a 401(k), but you have earned income, you can contribute to an IRA. Even if you don’t have earned income, but you have a spouse who does, you might be eligible to contribute to a spousal IRA. • Maximize Social Security benefits. You can start taking Social Security at 62, but your monthly checks
will be much bigger if you can afford to wait until your full retirement age, which will be around 66-1/2. If you are married, you may want to coordinate your benefits with those of your spouse — in some cases, it makes sense for the spouse with the lower benefits to claim first, based on their earnings record, and apply for spousal benefits later, when the spouse with higher benefits begins to collect. • Build an emergency fund. Try to build an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid account. Having this fund available will help protect you from having to dip into your retirement accounts for large, unexpected costs, such as a major home or car repair. It’s unfortunate, but women still must travel a more difficult road than men to reach retirement security. But making the right moves can help ease the journey. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Karen Kassy CRPC™.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
A N N O U N C E M E N T S Calling All Central Oregon Submariners
The next meeting for Central Oregon Submarine Base will be held on Sunday, February 11 at 1300 hours at the Powers of Automation, 61533 American Loop in Bend, off the Reed Market Rd. exit. Bring your cans & bottles bags for recycling to raise funds for the Treasury. If you need registration forms for the Western Regional Roundup in Silverdale, WA. April 11-14, call Fran at 541-527-5484.
Sisters Area Photography Club meeting
“A Passion for Wildlife Photography” will be presented by guest speaker Irene Sacilotto (website: https:// www.ospreyphoto.com) at the Sisters Area Photography Club meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14. The public is invited to attend this interactive zoom program as Irene discusses photographing engaging images of animals, interwoven with entertaining stories. Location: Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Highway in Sisters. 530-941-7638 for information.
SISTERS LIBRARY COMING EVENTS
Sisters Library Closure
The Sisters Library is temporarily closed due to a water leak. Crews are working to repair the damage so the library can reopen to the public as soon as possible. Curbside service is available in Sisters for customers to pick up their holds. See www. deschuteslibrary.org/about/ news/ for additional updates and instructions for curbside service.
Know Puzzles: Tie-Dye Patterns
Explore the basics of tie-dye patterns at this in-person program at Sisters Park & Rec District on Thursday, February 15, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Produce a t-shirt to take home and rinse out that will delight the eye. Experiment with tie-dye kits and rubber bands to create starbursts, spirals, or stripes. The library will provide a t-shirt, the dye, rubber bands, and a container to work in. Registration is required at www.deschuteslibrary.org.
Family Story Time
Due to the temporary closure of the Sisters Public Library, this will be held at the Sisters Firehouse Community Hall. Interactive story time with books, songs, and rhymes for children ages 0-5 years. These stories and songs are designed to support early literacy skill development, social emotional awareness, and family engagement. This 25-minute program is on Wednesdays, February 7, 14, and 21 at 10:30 a.m.
THIS WEEK’S
HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, February 10 Sisters Garden Club Meeting Sisters Community Church Sunday, February 11 Central Oregon Submarine Base Meeting Powers of Automation in Bend Tuesday, February 13 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Episcopal Church of Transfiguration Wednesday, February 14 Sisters Area Photography Club Meeting Sisters Community Church
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
The Episcopal Church of Transfiguration, 121 N. Brooks Camp Rd., is hosting a pancake supper for the community on Tuesday, February 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu will include buttermilk and blueberry pancakes, sausage links, Gayla’s homemade applesauce, a variety of syrups, orange juice, milk, coffee, tea and gluten-free pancakes by request. Suggested donations: Adults $5; Children under 12 $3; Family of 4 $12; Children under 4 free. Questions call Phil at 541-280-7612.
Three Sisters Historical Society Seeks Volunteers
If you have an interest in local history, please consider donating some of your time to the Three Sisters Historical Society. They are especially looking for members to join the Board of Directors and volunteers in the areas of grant writing, social media, historic preservation, exhibits, or any other talents you are able to contribute. Call 541610-6323 or email museum@ threesistershistoricalsociety.org.
Sunday School for Children
Church of the Transfiguration is now offering Sunday School for children, ages 5 to 12, regardless of church affiliation, during both Sunday worship services. Protestant/ecumenical service is at 8:30 a.m. and Episcopal service begins at 10:15 a.m. The church address is 121 Brooks Camp Rd. Sisters. For info call Margaret Doke at 541-588-2784.
STARS Seeks Dispatch Volunteers
While working from home, help STARS transport Sisters Country residents to nonemergency medical appointments. Needed: A computer, the ability to use online apps, and a telephone. Call 541-904-5545. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.
Free Pet Food
Budget tight this month, but you still need pet food for your dog or cat? Call the Furry Friends pet food bank at 541-797-4023 to schedule your pickup. Pickups available Thursdays, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Located at 412 E. Main Ave., Ste. 4, behind The Nugget.
Sisters Garden Club Meeting
Sisters Garden Club invites the public to their monthly meeting on Saturday, February 10. There will be a presentation by Benji Nagel, founder of Mahonia Gardens, a small vegetable farm in Sisters, on how to grow vegetables in Central Oregon. The meeting is at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy., at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9:30. Call 971246-0404 for questions.
Making a Difference Made Easy in Sisters Country
Age Friendly Sisters Country (AFSC) fiscally sponsors three great Action Teams, and two of them currently need your help to advance their projects to improve livability in Sisters Country. Help the Family Friendly Restroom Team get their project (literally!) off the ground by going to www. agefriendlysisters.com and following the links to volunteer. Go to starsride.org to learn more about their Action Team. Call AFSC directly at 541-241-7910 to learn more about what we do.
Sisters French Club
For people interested in French culture and language, Sisters French Club meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at The Barn, 171 E. Main Ave. All levels are welcome. The next meeting will be August 7. For more information, visit Facebook @SistersFrenchClub.
STARS Seeks Volunteers to Transport Patients
Help Sisters Country residents get to nonemergency medical appointments in Sisters, Redmond, and Bend. Attend a free two-hour training. Emails from STARS dispatchers allow you to accept dates and times that work for your schedule, and a mileage reimbursement is included. Learn more at www. starsride.org. STARS is an AFSC Action Team.
Sisters Rodeo Parade
Want to participate in the parade? There are limited entries, so don’t wait. Deadline is May 15. Visit sistersrodeo.com and fill out the registration.
Free Lunches for Seniors
For those 60+, the Council on Aging of Central Oregon offers a fun, no-cost social lunch every Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. No reservations needed. No-cost Grab-N-Go lunches take place weekly on Wed. and Thurs., from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Call 541-797-9367.
Hunter Education Class
Starts February 14, 2024. Register online at odfw.com For info call Rick Cole 541-420-6934.
PET OF THE WEEK
Humane Society of Central Oregon 541-382-3537
Sisters Habitat Volunteers Needed
Are you looking for something fun to do with your free time? Volunteer with Sisters Habitat for Humanity! Call 541-549-1193 to get connected.
American Legion and VFW
American Legion Post 86 and VFW Post 8138 meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at Spoons Restaurant, 473 E. Hood Ave. Sisters. Call John at 541-549-1462 for info.
Weekly Food Pantry
The Wellhouse Church hosts a weekly food pantry Thursdays at 3 p.m. at 222 N. Trinity Way. Both drive-through pick-up and shopping-style distribution are available. Info: 541-549-4184.
Free Weekly Meal Service
Family Kitchen hosts weekly togo hot meals on Tuesdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Hwy. Visit www.FamilyKitchen.org.
Save the Rubberbands
Business owners: Are you the recipient of a bundle of Nuggets each week? Those fat rubberbands are highly valued by the Nuggeteers that bundle your papers each week. If you can save them, we’d love to use them again. Questions? Call 541549-9941.
ROSIE
Rosie is a 2-year-old Australian cattle dog-Welsh corgi mix with a big smile that will melt your heart. She got along well with another dog in her previous home and, even though she’s little, she is full of energy and ready to go for long walks and then snuggle up with you at home. If Rosie sounds like a match for your family, come to HSCO and meet her today!
— SP SPON SPONSORED ONSO SORE RED D BY —
ALLAN GODSIFF SHEARING 541-549-2202
SISTERS-AREA CHURCHES
Baha’i Faith For information, devotions, study groups, etc., contact Shauna Rocha 541-647-9826 • www.bahai.org www.bahai.us • www.bahaiteaching.org Calvary Church 484 W. Washington St., Ste. C & D • 541-588-6288 10 a.m. Sunday Worship • www.ccsisters.org Chapel in the Pines Camp Sherman • 541-815-9153 10 a.m. Sunday Worship The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 452 Trinity Way • Branch President, 541-420-5670; 10 a.m. Sunday Sacrament Meeting The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration 121 N Brooks Camp Rd. • 541-549-7087 www.transfiguration-sisters.org 8:30 a.m. Ecumenical Sunday Worship 10:15 a.m. Episcopal Sunday Worship The Resting Place meeting at Sisters Community Church, 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. www.restingplace.us • hello@restingplace.us 5 p.m. Sunday Worship
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 386 N. Fir St. • 541-815-9848 11 a.m. Saturday Worship
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (ELCA) 386 N. Fir Street • 541-549-5831 www.shepherdofthehillslutheranchurch.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Church of the Nazarene 67130 Harrington Loop Rd. • 541-389-8960 www.sistersnaz.org • info@sistersnaz.org 10 a.m. Sunday Worship Sisters Community Church (Nondenominational) 1300 W. McKenzie Hwy. • 541-549-1201 www.sisterschurch.com • info@sisterschurch.com 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 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 12 p.m. Monday Mass • 8 a.m. Tuesday-Friday Mass Wellhouse Church 442 Trinity Way • 541-549-4184 https://wellhousechurch.churchcenter.com 10 a.m. Sunday Worship
POLICY: Nonprofits, schools, churches, birth, engagement, wedding, and anniversary notices may run at no charge. Business items do not run on this page. All submissions subject to editing and run as space allows. Email janice@nuggetnews.com or drop off at 442 E. Main Ave. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
11
Outlaws win three on the hardwood Rongi Yost Correspondent
The Outlaws basketball squad posted three wins last week, including a 57-49 win at Elmira on Tuesday, January 30, and three days later a 62-57 win at home over Siuslaw. In a road game on Saturday against Creswell the Outlaws walked off the court with a 48-35 victory for their third straight win of the week. On Tuesday against the Falcons the Outlaws got off to a slow start and immediately found themselves down 0-6 before Oliver Bernhardt made a layup to get them on the scoreboard. However, it didn’t get any better for the Outlaws as the Falcon’s fast break kept them on their heels. Elmira increased their lead, and at the end of the quarter Kale Gardner scored on the final possession to bring the score to 9-20. The second quarter was a different story. The Outlaws’ offense started to flow and the defense held the Falcons scoreless for the first four minutes. Diego Silva started the scoring with a turnaround jumper in the paint, followed by a defensive steal and coast-to-coast layup from Landon Scott. Sisters outscored the Falcons 14-4 in the period and cut the lead to one, 23-24, as teams entered the half. Scoring went back-andforth in the third quarter. Gardner and Bernhardt hit back-to-back long balls from behind the arc to put the Outlaws on top 37-31. Sisters struck first in the final period with a Gardner three-pointer from the top of the key. Brody Fischer hit a free-throw line jumper, followed by a three-pointer to
push the Outlaws to a 47-38 advantage. Sisters wouldn’t let the Falcons get to within six points the remainder of the contest, and the Outlaws walked away with an eightpoint win. Coach Chad Rush said, “This was a good win for the team. To respond the way they did after getting hit in the mouth in that first quarter was a great testament to the growth the team has had.” Scott led the Outlaws with 17 points, Gardner scored 16, and Fischer contributed 11. Bernhardt added seven points and Silva pitched in with four. Three days later the Outlaws posted a 62-57 win at home over the Vikings. Sisters scored early when Silva stole an inbounds pass from the Vikings, took it strong to the basket, was fouled, and connected on both free-throws. Gardner followed with a threepointer, and from there the lead changed back-and-forth between the two squads. Sisters never let the Vikings get closer than five points in the final period. The Outlaws hit timely shots and limited Siuslaw’s offensive possessions by cracking down on the Vikings potent offensive rebounding advantage. Fischer led the team with 18 points and three assists. Scott scored 16 points, and tallied five rebounds and three steals. Gardner also put up 16 points in the contest, and Silva and Bernhardt added six points each. Rush said, “This was an important win as we came into the game a half a game behind Siuslaw in the league standings. In our first match-up we gave up 12 offensive rebounds and
allowed 18 second-chance points, and both of those categories were points of emphasis for the Outlaws. In this game we gave up 10 offensive rebounds and 12 second chance points so we achieved our goals. It was good to see the team make a collective effort on the glass in the second half to help us secure the win.” On Saturday, Sisters notched their third win of the week with a victory on the road at Creswell, in a makeup game from earlier in the season. Teams traded baskets for most of the first quarter, and the game was knotted up several times. Scott put up five points in the period and at the end of one the Outlaws trailed 12-14. It was a lowscoring second quarter with the Outlaws edging out the Bulldogs 7-6. Sisters scored only one field goal when Gardner cut back door and got a perfect pass from Silva, and the remainder came from the charity stripe. Sisters scored the first six points of the third quarter and took a 25-20 lead, which included a bucket from Silva, and a triple from Gardner. After a Bulldog timeout the Outlaws switched to a 2-3 zone to mix things up, however, the Bulldogs scored five points to knot it up 25-25. Sisters switched back to man-to-man, their defensive pressure took over, and they held the Bulldogs scoreless for the final five minutes of the quarter. Sisters scored on four consecutive possession to breakaway to a 10-point lead. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 40-34 with 1:30 left on the clock, but the Outlaws answered with eight straight points to put the game out of
PHOTO BY OLIVIA KENNEDY
Kale Gardner draws a bead on the basket. reach. Scott scored seven of the Outlaws 13 fourth quarter points. Scott led the team with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Gardner followed with 12 points and five assists. Silva contributed seven points and three assists and Fischer finished with six points, six rebounds, and three assists. Rush said, “This was quite possibly the most complete defensive game we’ve put together so far this season. To hold a Bulldog team
that averages 54 points a game to 35 points is a great accomplishment. We executed the game perfectly in stopping Creswell’s inside post game and that took them away from what they wanted to do.” The Outlaws are tied for third place in league with Creswell as teams head into their final week of league play. Sisters was to play at Creswell on Tuesday, February 6. They will finish league play on the road at Harrisburg on Friday.
12
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
COCC Sisters Country birds Foundation offer up record funds for 2024-25 By Douglas Beall Correspondent
The Central Oregon Community College (COCC) Foundation is awarding $2 million in scholarships for the coming 2024-25 academic year — an all-time high for the college’s scholarship fund. The application window, one of two cycles taking place this year, opened February 1 and closes May 1. Visit cocc.edu/scholarship to learn more. Annual COCC Foundation scholarships are awarded based on financial needs and a demonstrated commitment to educational goals. A full $5,000 scholarship is enough to cover an enrolled student’s tuition and fees for 12 credits per term for three terms. The COCC Foundation is offering 400 scholarships for this year’s cycle. “The scholarship criteria has been simplified and students no longer need to be an in-district resident nor do they need to be a documented citizen to apply,” said Brittany Nichols, director of COCC Foundation programs. “Receiving a scholarship is one of the best opportunities a student can have — they take more courses, complete their studies quicker, have higher GPAs and less debt.” At COCC, scholarship students — in programs as diverse as engineering, humanities and nursing — earn an average 3.34 GPA and take two credits more per term than their peers, according to recent data. More than 8% of credit-seeking students at COCC received a Foundation scholarship this past year. The application process allows students to apply during one of two windows: beginning February 1 or August 1. Selected students in the spring cycle can then set their sights on enrolling for fall term; students who enrolled after the spring term have a chance to apply during the fall cycle. The COCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose purpose is to further the educational and charitable activities of the college through financial assistance to students, fiscal support for college programs and in campaigns that support needed college capital improvements. Contact the COCC Foundation at cocc.edu/ foundation to learn how taxdeductible giving can contribute to the advancement of local lives and the community.
The Red-winged Blackbird [Agelaius phoeniceus], is now arriving around Sisters and feeding until they head to mostly wetland areas to begin building nests. After two to six pale blue-green eggs are laid the young hatch in only 10 to 12 days. The young, being fed on insects and seeds, leave the nest in 11 to 14 days. Two to three clutches may be laid every year. The Red-wing can be very protective of their nesting areas and will attack hawks and crows from above, diving with their red and yellow epaulets spread out and visible. They are polygamous and males will attract up to 15 females around his territorial
nest sites. The Red-winged Blackbird will use its brilliant epaulets by spreading its wings for a full show of color when in breeding territory or hiding the colors when feeding in a flock during the non-breeding seasons. This dulling of the red and yellow patches allow the birds to feed in flocks peacefully. From 1966-2014 their population has fallen from 190 million to 130 million, mostly due to habitat destruction. Red-winged Blackbirds are the most widely distributed species in the U.S and Canada with up to 20 subspecies identified. A group of Red-wings are known as a “merl,” “cluster,” or a “cloud.” For more Red-winged Blackbird images, visit http://abird singsbecauseithasasong. com/recent-journeys.
Sisters-Area Events & Entertainment WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 7 Suttle Lodge Live Music: Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets, $15, at www.bendticket.com.
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 8
Frankie’s Upstairs Live Music: Honey Don’t This dynamic duo brings harmonies that hug the listener. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Location is upstairs at Sisters Depot, 250 W. Cascade Ave. Tickets, $20, at www.sistersdepot.com/our-events. Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Noah Kite 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, www.bendticket.com.
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 9
Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 10
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114. The Belfry Live Music: Ron Artis II Event will be partially seated with a dancefloor. Who’s ready to move and groove? This award-winning artist brings a unique soulful-honest songwriting style to the stage. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presented by The Whippoorwill Presents. Tickets, $20, at www.bendticket.com. Sisters Depot Open Mic Night 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monthly open mic gives local musicians a place to hear each other and build musical community. For music lovers, it’s a chance to see a variety of local talent in a lively atmosphere. Info: https://sistersdepot.com/our-events.
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 11
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
TUESDAY • FEBRUARY 13
Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Bob Baker & Mark Barringer 6-8 p.m. Free entry. Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com.
WEDNESDAY • FEBRUARY 14
Frankie’s Upstairs Live Music: Skybound Blue & Kolby Knickerbocker Sweetheart songs to melt your chocolate! 7 to 9:30 p.m. Location is upstairs at Sisters Depot, 250 W. Cascade Ave. Tickets, $20, at www.sistersdepot.com/our-events. PHOTO BY DOUGLAS BEALL
Red-winged Blackbird.
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 15
Suttle Lodge Fireside Concert Series: Alicia Viani & Mark Karwan 6 to 8 p.m. Doors at 5:30. Tickets, $10, at www.bendticket.com.
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Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Live Music: Rock Ridge 6-8 p.m. Free entry. Info: www.sisterstaphousehotel.com. Paulina Springs Books Magic: The Gathering nights 5 to 8 p.m. Booster Draft at 5 p.m. $15 More information at www.paulinaspringsbooks.com. Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 17
Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke with Gaby & Annie 8 p.m. to midnight. Information call 541-549-6114.
SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 18
Paulina Springs Books Sunday Scrabble 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Come to play Scrabble, socialize, and drink coffee. Open to all. Info: paulinaspringsbooks.com.
THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 22
Frankie’s Upstairs Live Music: Brent Alan A local treasure in solo performance. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Location is upstairs at Sisters Depot, 250 W. Cascade Ave. Tickets, $20, at www.sistersdepot.com/our-events.
FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 23
Suttle Lodge Winter Beer Fest 12 to 5 p.m. Tickets and info at thesuttlelodge.com/wbf. Entertainment & Events Calendar listings are free to Nugget advertisers. Non-advertisers can purchase a listing for qualified event for $40/week. Submit items by 5 p.m. Fridays to jess@nuggetnews.com. EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
13
ASPIRE welcomes new coordinator, seeks mentors By Charlie Kanzig Correspondent
One of the goals at Sisters High School is to have each and every graduate have a plan for what they will be doing after graduation. Students can turn to parents, school counselors and teachers for help along the way, but there is an additional place to find assistance: the ASPIRE program. ASPIRE, which is an acronym for Access to Student Assistance Programs in Reach of Everyone, has been available throughout Oregon for many years, including at Sisters High School. Recently, Jessica Sampson took over as the ASPIRE coordinator and her primary goal in her first full year is to replenish the number of volunteer mentors working in the program. In the past, nearly thirty
mentors made themselves available to seniors and juniors for assistance in scoping out post-high school plans. That number has fallen significantly, in part since the pandemic, and Sampson is working hard to get four to eight new mentors in place this school year. School counselor Rick Kroytz worked for seven years as the ASPIRE coordinator, and believes firmly in the model. “The role of our mentor is to work one-on-one with students to develop and encourage students to think about their future. They are a peer, guide, and cheerleader depending on what is being talked about or worked on,” he said. “Mentors are the core of the ASPIRE program, and what makes Sisters High School college and career program so amazing is the relationships mentors form
with students as they help the students begin to take charge of their own futures.” The ASPIRE program provides training for mentors to help familiarize them with their role and boundaries. Mentors are not equated with being professional college consultants, but rather serve as adults who come alongside students to help discuss ideas, do introductory research on colleges and careers, and help kids manage deadlines and more, according to Kroytz. “The ideal mentor is someone who cares about kids and wants to help them form viable plans for posthigh school education and training,” he said. “It is important for kids to know that ASPIRE is not just about applying to four year colleges. Mentors can help support students seeking all kinds of post-high
Sisters GRO adds scholarships Six new scholarships have been added to the offerings through Sisters GRO, pushing the total number of donors to 66, and bringing the overall funds available to the class of 2024 to over $250,000. Scholarships come from individuals, businesses, families, and organizations. Anyone interested in creating a new scholarship may contact Regan Roberts at regan@sistersgro.org. • Marleen & Bruce Rognlien Scholarship: $10,000/year for one female. The Rognliens wish to support a female candidate that shows academic prowess, as well as grit and determination to acquire a four-year degree. This scholarship will be for a total of $40,000 over four years (could be extended to five years/$50,000). • Sisters Astronomy Club Scholarship: $1,000. Sisters Astronomy Club, a committee of Sisters Park & Recreation District, would like to support Sisters High School students who plan to study the physical sciences
including astronomy or astrophysics, math or engineering in their college courses. • Sisters Arts Association Creative Arts Scholarship: $1,000. This scholarship is intended for a graduating senior who plans to attend an accredited trade, technical, or vocational school, or a two-to four-year college or university who will be studying the visual arts. Applicable fields of study include traditional fine arts, painting, drawing, sculpture, illustration, graphic arts, art education, interior design, architecture, or fashion design. • Black Butte Ranch Scholarship: $2,000. Black Butte Ranch wants to support a deserving student in pursuit of their post-high school passion. • Ian Ferguson Memorial Scholarship: $1,000. This scholarship is to honor Ian Ferguson, who was a dedicated Sisters High School athlete. The donors wish to support students who display the qualities of a dedicated athlete and sportsman
in their future academic endeavors. • Sisters Habitat for Humanity: $1,500. In honor of Sharlene Weed’s vision, passion, and leadership of Sisters Habitat for Humanity, this scholarship hopes to support the future of a student who has resided in a Habitat home.
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Jessica Sampson is the new ASPIRE coordinator at Sisters High School. school learning.” Shaina Ross is among the newest mentors for ASPIRE and is motivated by what the program offers students. “I never had anyone sit down with me at this age and explain how to manage applications and deadlines,” she said. “It’s so important to have someone on your side because the process can be intimidating. I really enjoy getting to know the students and I am hopeful I am making a positive impact. ” In addition to the mentor program, ASPIRE helps host a college planning event for juniors and their parents each year and works closely with the local scholarship program for graduates, Sisters
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GRO, which administered over $250,000 in scholarships last year to SHS students (see sidebar, at left). Sampson encourages anyone who is interested in joining the ASPIRE team to contact her via email at jessica. sampson@ssd6.org . “From what I have witnessed already, students truly appreciate the work the mentors do and the mentors get a great deal of satisfaction getting to know the kids and helping them. It’s a winwin,” she said.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
CYBER THREAT: FBI has sounded alarm on infrastructure Continued from page 1
manual capabilities to override our minimal automation,” Bertagna said. The Nugget asked Brent ten Pas, vice president of member & public relations at Central Electric Cooperative (CEC), what this threat might mean for Sisters power. He answered: “FBI Director Chris Wray testified before the House Committee that the Chinese are focused on disrupting a range of critical infrastructure, which includes cyber and the electrical grid — potentially posing a threat to Central Electric’s electric system and members in Sisters.” Ten Pas added, “Securing and protecting CEC’s members’ data and electric grid is a top priority. Over the years, our information technology team has implemented multiple layers of security to protect the co-op and members’ information. Just over 85 percent of data breaches involve a ‘human element,’ as cyber hackers prey on individuals using phishing emails as the primary tool. Our information technology team has implemented extensive technological controls that scan and filter out malicious emails. If a phishing email breaks through, our employees — the human firewall — are trained year-round to recognize them and report them immediately to our IT personnel. “CEC’s electric grid covers 5,300 square miles of service territory and numerous substations, making physical security more challenging. The federal Bonneville Power Administration’s infrastructure, which delivers power to the co-op and other utilities in Central Oregon, poses another layer of complexity. “CEC continually monitors, evaluates and prepares for threats to the grid. We have long-standing layers of security across our system to help protect critical infrastructure from threats. Those efforts are routinely assessed and improved upon where and when possible. “BPA has also intensified its security state, leading its security officers and field staff to increase patrolling of its facilities.” Representatives with TDS Telecommunications, formerly Bend Broadband, who provide roughly 90 percent of all internet to Sisters Country, would not respond directly to our questions, citing security concerns, and not wanting to reveal any defensive measures. “Over the last two years, we have become increasingly concerned about a strategic shift in PRC (People’s
CEC continually monitors, evaluates and prepares for threats to the grid. We have long-standing layers of security across our system to help protect critical infrastructure from threats. — Brent ten Pas Republic of China) malicious cyber activity against U.S. critical infrastructure,” Jen Easterly, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the U.S .Department of Homeland Security, stated in written testimony as she appeared alongside Wray. She added, “We are deeply concerned that PRC actors — particularly a group referred to in industry reporting as Volt Typhoon — are seeking to compromise U.S. critical infrastructure to pre-position for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks against that infrastructure in the event of a conflict, to prevent the United States from projecting power into Asia or to cause societal chaos inside the United States.”
WESTON: Guilty plea resolved one of two cases Continued from page 1
anticipate that the case will be resolved before trial. The case that was resolved January 30 stemmed from Weston’s arrest in November of 2022, after a brief Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team investigation that found Weston in possession of “commercial quantities” of fentanyl — defined as five grams or more. The second case develo p e d f r o m We s t o n ’s December 28, 2022, arrest in connection with a series of thefts of construction equipment. After receiving several community tips and a report from a Deschutes County Sheriff ’s Office Deputy, CODE detectives identified Weston as a suspect in a series of construction and heavy equipment thefts around the Portland and Vancouver, Washington areas. The initial investigation alleged that Weston stole dump trailers, a car trailer, side-by-side ATVs, a skid-steer loader, a bucket loader, and a tractor from various locations around the Portland and Vancouver
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area over a two-month period. Weston then brought the stolen property to his home on Peterson Ridge Road near Sisters, where he obliterated serial numbers and painted the equipment to disguise it. Law enforcement reports that it appears he was later selling or renting the equipment for profit. Estimated value of recovered equipment was $225,000. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Doyle indicated at the January 30 hearing that he plans to resolve the second case before trial. That resolution may not include jail time. Doyle noted that Weston has no prior convictions, and will now have a felony conviction. “The collateral consequences from that are quite severe,” he said. “He will now be a convicted felon for the rest of his life.”
He will now be a convicted felon for the rest of his life. — Deputy DA Andrew Doyle Best selection
DELIVERY: Woman gave birth in Sisters ambulance Continued from page 1
hospital, it became evident that the delivery was imminent and the ambulance crew prepared accordingly. After a few rounds of pushing with the support of paramedics Pat Burke and Cody Meredith, the mother delivered a healthy baby girl with no complications. The ambulance pulled over along the highway and the father was able to come into the back of the ambulance to help cut the umbilical cord and meet his baby girl. The transport was continued to the hospital for postnatal care for the family. “Our paramedics train for this type of scenario, but labor and delivery are not routine calls for service for our ambulance crews,” said Chief Johnson. Captain Cody Meredith said, “The crew considers it an honor to have been part of this special moment for this family.” The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District congratulated the family on their new addition.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Taking science education outdoors By Juhree Kizziar Correspondent
Sisters Country becomes a giant outdoor classroom when Sisters Middle School students venture in the ECoS program. The program is taught by Michael Geisen and Rob Jensen. ECoS started in 2014 when Geisen and Jensen were able to secure enough money to purchase outdoor gear such as tents, backpacks, harnesses, ropes, etc. ECoS stands for earth, community, and self, which reflects the three main levels of interaction in the program. “We wanted to give students a chance to learn in a different environment and to teach science where it makes sense to learn a lot of it: outdoors!” Geisen said. Jensen said, “I think we both have a love of the outdoors, and sharing that with other people.” Before Geisen was even hired, teacher Rima Givot talked to him about “bringing more outdoor learning to the middle school level.” High schoolers had an abundance of outdoor opportunities but, apart from Outdoor School for sixth graders, there was a big gap of time without much activity. Inspired, Geisen and Jensen met for the first time and immediately started setting things in motion to have an outdoor program at the middle school for 13-yearolds. “We want to get middle school kids outside the classroom and outside their comfort zones on a regular basis to experience all that Oregon has to offer, and in doing so help them learn to think critically, grow personally and be part of a community of adventurers,” Geisen explained. To do this, Geisen and Jensen take the students on a wide variety of expeditions in nature including camping, hiking, and caving at
Belknap Crater, backpacking in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, forest canopy exploration (tree climbing) in an old-growth forest, Nordic skiing and avalanche training in the Cascades, snowshoeing and winter camping in snow caves, surfing and oceanography on the Oregon Coast, rock climbing and geology at Smith Rock, and climbing and exploring desert ecology. “We want students to respect the world around them and be welleducated, critical-thinking members of our community,” Jensen said. “Those who play in nature will want to protect it. It’s such a great way to connect students to all of it.” Due to both Geisen’s and Jensen’s strong devotion to benefiting the kids, hundreds of students are being positively educated and prepared for their future years. The Nugget asked how ECoS benefits the community as a whole. Geisen responded, “ECoS has been hugely popular with the families we serve. They recognize the effects that these experiences have on their children and have been incredibly supportive. I’ve had countless parents tell me that their kids are teaching them about forests as they drive over the pass, or wanting to take their parents and siblings on hikes to show them what they’re learning.” Each student coming through ECoS is being positively impacted and gaining
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maturity through their experiences. For example, a current student in ECoS named Verbena Brent said “There is so much support from our ECoS community that really welcomes new ideas, new personalities, and new concepts, which brings everyone together.” “Students who complete our class should be able to work better as members of any community because they have experienced difficult group activities that have challenged them to think outside themselves,” Jensen reflected. “We hope they realize that there are so many different perspectives, uses, and tradeoffs for each possible choice they make and have a wider lens going forth into the world.”
PHOTO PROVIDED
Students trek in challenging conditions in ECoS program.
PHOTO PROVIDED
ECoS participants learn outdoor skills like navigation.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
RV PARK: Project could come online in 2025 Continued from page 1
prospective developers, told The Nugget, “The intent of the neighborhood meeting was to explain the proposed changes to the zoning code, discuss a potential concept for the property, and gather public feedback. This text amendment application will need to be considered by the Planning Commission in a public hearing with a recommendation to the City Council who will also hold a public hearing(s) prior to issuing a decision. No specific development project would be approved through the text amendment application. Future applications would need to be filed with the City to review a specific development project on site.” Skidmore is optimistic that the project will be met with acceptance both by the community and city planners. “This is a landmark property and has a vibrant future,” Skidmore said. “It has all sorts of potential, not just this one concept, to be a gathering space and tourism enhancement for Sisters.” The project could come onstream in 2025.
SFF PRESENTS: Name change reflects scope of work Continued from page 3
to feel included and empowered,” said Creative Director Brad Tisdel. The board and staff went through an extensive rebranding process, both with the help of outside agencies and internally, to come up with a new name. “We wanted to honor our roots and keep the familiarity of our signature event, Sisters Folk Festival, a beloved festival with a 27-year history that’s deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Oregon and beyond. Lots of folks refer to that festival as SFF, and we often use that acronym on posters and event merchandise so it’s familiar to our supporters as well. We landed on SFF Presents, and it really resonated with our community,” said Executive Director Crista Munro. “We are looking ahead to the next decade and seeing a horizon line ready for SFF Presents to continue to serve and produce events and programs that move our community forward,” added Tisdel. The fall festival’s name isn’t changing, only the name of the nonprofit organization that implements a host of year-round music and arts programming. For more information visit SFFPresents.org.
ING C U OD R T S N I
Neighbors Feature-story-rich Themed Special Sections in The Nugget Newspaper We invite you to read about people living life to the fullest in Sisters Country…
FEBRUARY 21
MAY 1
Neighbors
Neighbors
These stories will warm your heart! Think octogenarians sharing their love stories, equine therapists recounting breakthroughs for troubled youth, special animal rescues, families reunited, etc.
Inspiring stories of folks living life to the fullest in Sisters Country. From artists and musicians building their creative dreams on stages and in galleries near you, to adventurers blazing trails for other to enjoy too.
JULY 31
OCTOBER 30
Warmingg hearts
Summer funnin’
Neighbors
Neighbors
The people working hard to keep the cogs of commerce spinning in our community! Passion drives people at all levels, across the spectrum of "work." Expect stories of success, failure, and overcoming diversity.
Stories of teachers and volunteers, innovative programs and options, and the students that benefit. Students — young and not-so-young — who dream big and commit to reaching goals. Learn about them here!
— At work —
— At school —
We would love your input!
If you have any story ideas for our new special sections, please us a call at the Nugget office, 541-549-9941 or email Jim Cornelius, editor @nuggetnews.com.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
LETTERS
Continued from page 2
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Fish for roundabout
To the Editor: I read with interest Bill Bartlett’s story about the delightful fish artwork on the Sisters Elementary School fence being moved to a temporary location because of the roundabout construction (The Nugget, January 31, page 1). How about moving it back when the roundabout is finished and making it the artwork in the center? I can see a mound in the middle with a fountain spurting up water at the top representing Whychus and the Metolius waters, lots of river rock for the water to fall down on, and the fish swimming around the center supported on stakes which sink down into the rocks. Plants representing the riverbanks could be placed around the base of the perimeter. It would be a nice representation of our Sisters riparian features and the fish could happily return to their original habitat. Let Brad Tisdel know if you think this is a good idea! Sue Anderson
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We are living in a different age
To the Editor: In response to Mr. Campbell’s letter “Who’s Dangerous?”: Sir, I did not label my article (must have been the editor). What I wrote was not disinformation, everything can be proven. I know exactly what ANTIFA stands for and I also know that they have done nothing but cause harm and destruction. The Republican Party inherited a lot of things, so has the Democrat Party. Yes, President Johnson did sign the civil rights bill, however he did not want to, he had no choice. And Senator Biden voted against it every time it came up for a vote. I, too was a Democrat until after I retired from the Navy (1992) and I didn’t like the way the party was headed. Ever think why we do not hear that
much from the American Communist party any more? It seems that the Democrat party has pretty much taken their platform. We are living in a different age. It is not the south or the north that want to destroy all of the statues or rewrite history, it’s people promoting socialism. Lastly, if Paul Harvey told all the folks that Biden won the election fairly, would they believe him. Thomas Nitcher
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Might makes right
To the Editor: They say don’t discuss religion or politics with friends. But I’m going to do both, in response to a previous letter to the editor. (The Nugget, January 17, “Israel History”). The author of the letter bases much of his “history” on the Bible. Mixing religion and history together. Making his point that much of the Mideast once belonged to the Jewish people. And using their religion to justify their permanent right to the holy land. The author saying, “This (land) is forever (given) to the Jews” and “Israel is (for) God’s people for eternity.” Suppose you applied that logic to the USA? Then it’s time for nearly all of us to climb back into the boats and leave. Using the author’s logic, Native Americans were here long before the arrival of us “foreigners.” And therefore they have a permanent right to this land for eternity. And all Indian groups had religious reasons for their claim to their homelands, too. Even attaching their creation beliefs to the landscape and landforms. Very similar to the Jewish people’s claim, but based on their own, Indian religious beliefs. Simply put ...this land is their land forever. The Native Americans! But we took it and have no intention of ever returning it. It’s the height of hypocrisy to say a certain rule only applies to other countries, such as Israel and not to ourselves. But it’s even far more complicated than that. Many, if not all, Indian tribes took land from each other through the centuries. (See Utes, Navajo,
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and Apaches.) How far back do we want to go? Who’s claim to the land is more valid? It soon gets incredibly complicated and hard to justify ownership. I can see no alternative to “might makes right,” in the Mideast and in America. The way the world has always worked. Simply put, Israel belongs to the Jewish people ...for as long as they can keep it. The same goes for the Palestinians. Barry Clock
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No to Trump
To the Editor: It is time to let the facts and the truth speak. We have a choice as to who we will vote for in the upcoming election, and, for me, it won’t be Trump. The reason is simple, as follows: 92 criminal charges; twice impeached; business found guilty of financial crimes; his foundation found guilty of illegally using funds, fined $1 million; his now defunct university was closed due to lawsuit by students and had to pay $25 million; he is indicted for stealing classified documents from the government; he is indicted for trying to steal 11,000-plus votes in Georgia; he abused power by taking in $7.8 million from foreign entities while President. He was recently found civilly liable for sexual abuse, owes $5 million to E. Jean Carrol (judge confirmed he committed rape), and found guilty of defamation, owes $83.3 million to E. Jean Carrol; he is accused by NY DA of paying hush money to Michael Cohen (who served time for helping Trump) described as legal fees, when in fact, they were campaign expenses meant to keep his campaign untarnished (first criminal case); he reveres fascists Putin, Orban, and Jong Un; he cheated on all of his wives (three) and he has lied over 30,000 times, confirmed, and continues to lie. He belittles and demeans anyone who challenges him. Now, if that doesn't bring you some pause as to who you want in the White House, then remember See LETTERS on page 21
Portraits OF SISTERS Ryan Moffat
In 2010, glanced at the Sisters mountains and found a sense of renewed peace. He would soon call Sisters home. “All I knew was the grind of suburban life,” he says. That grind was a tenuous, but lesson-giving, short career in pastoral ministry in Boring, Oregon. It was the logical next step after a degree at Multnomah University in Bible Theology and Adolescent Psychology. He had followed a spark ignited in high school that drove him to his studies — a sudden passion to know anything and everything about God. A job with the Sisters Park & Recreation District brought him to Sisters in August of 2010, and then he would find himself behind a pulpit until 2013 with Vast Church, and now today with Sisters Community Church after the two merged back together in 2022. Despite the challenges Ryan says his call to ministry compels him to return to it. “God made it really clear that leaving isn’t an option,” he says. Ryan has an authentic care for people and an educated drive to help people answer their deepest questions that Ryan says are ultimately found in Jesus. “Most people live a life of quiet desperation,” he says, and his heart’s calling is to encourage, equip, and see people thrive out of that. PHOTO AND STORY BY
Cody Rheault
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Oregon needs more money to fight big wildfires By Alex Baumhardt Oregon Capital Chronicle
The Oregon Department of Forestry needs more and consistent funding to fight wildfires. That much was clear following the 2020 Labor Day fires that burned nearly 850,000 acres of forests and became the state’s most expensive disaster in history. But lawmakers are split on how to pay for it. Two Democratic senators recently unveiled competing proposals to address long-term wildfire funding. Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, wants a tax on the value of industrial timber harvests to pay for protection that he says disproportionately benefits private forest owners. “There is a segment of the timber industry that’s more than able to shoulder more of the load, and when we think about the protection that they get from ODF, they should be picking up more of the baggage here,” Golden said. Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, wants to charge every property owner in the state an annual fee to pay for what she sees as a statewide issue. “This is an all-Oregon problem now, and that’s different from where we were 10 years ago,” Steiner said. Both will introduce their proposals during the short legislative session in February. Golden will seek a vote for a ballot referral, which would allow him to avoid a constitutional
requirement that threefifths of the House and Senate approve any new or increased taxes. Steiner will need the three-fifths vote in both chambers for her proposal to pass. Funding woes In 2021, the year after the historic fires, the Legislature allocated $220 million for wildfire prevention and response. Two years later, after a couple of mild fire seasons, they approved just $87 million. The part of the budget meant to help Oregonians harden their homes and neighborhoods against wildfires went from $35 million in 2021 to $3 million in 2023. “It’s very clear to me we are stumbling into the future without an adequate source of funding for wildfire,” Golden said. Wildfire protection on private land in Oregon is generally split between landowners and the state’s General Fund. But in the case of catastrophic fires, like those seen in 2020, it’s the General Fund that covers the bulk of catastrophic costs. Golden and Steiner say General Fund money is needed for other pressing statewide priorities such as housing and substance abuse response, and both senators want to find other less competitive funding sources for wildfires. About 30 percent of the 16 million acres of land that the forestry department protects is privately owned by industrial timber companies,
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according to Joy Krawczyk, a public information officer with the agency. The rest is owned by ranchers, rural residential homeowners and state, federal and tribal governments, all of whom pay varying fees per acre of land for the department’s fire protection. Between 2023 and 2024, the average per-acre price of that wildfire protection went up 29 percent, Krawczyk said. Increases were highest for eastern Oregon landowners and grazers, according to Steiner. Everybody’s problem Steiner argues that everyone should chip in more for the forestry department’s wildfire fighting budget because wildfires are becoming everyone’s problem. “It’s an issue that no longer just affects the people in the immediate area of the fire but rather an issue that affects every single Oregonian, one way or another,” she said. She recently convened a group mainly of large private landowners from around the state, including timber companies, ranchers and the nonprofit The Nature Conservancy, to discuss rising wildfire protection costs on private lands and the concerns of landowners. “This is an all Oregon problem now, and that’s different from where we were 10 years ago.” – Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland Steiner said large landowners in the eastern part of the state are most concerned about the rising per-acre
costs of fire suppression. They feel they’re paying a premium for protection that’s more valuable for counterparts in the western part of the state, who have timber holdings worth billions. But rather than shifting more of the per-acre costs on large timberland owners, Steiner is proposing a “communal” solution: A $10 annual fee added to the 2 million property owners in the state, sending an additional $20 million to the forestry department each year for wildfire suppression. She also proposes bringing up-to-date for the first time in 15 years two fees that private landowners pay to the state as well as the timber harvest tax. This would bring in an additional $4 million each year. This additional $24 million would allow the forestry department to cut almost in half the per-acre fees forest and grazing landowners pay for their wildfire protection each year. Sara Duncan, a spokesperson for the Oregon Forest Industries Council, said in an email that Steiner’s proposal is welcome, but that most other Western states do not directly charge private landowners for additional wildfire protection like Oregon does. Other states instead rely more heavily on their General Funds.
It’s very clear to me we are stumbling into the future without an adequate source of funding for wildfire. — Jeff Golden “We appreciate Senator Steiner’s thoughtful proposal to address the wildfire funding affordability crisis,” Duncan said in an email. “Currently, Oregon private forest landowners directly pay more for fire protection than in any other state, and will continue to do so under Sen. Steiner’s proposal.” While other states do rely more heavily or entirely on General Funds for wildfire response on private lands, private landowners in many Western states pay higher property and harvest taxes, and severance taxes, into those General Funds. Jody Wiser, founder and president of the nonprofit tax watchdog group Tax Fairness Oregon, said Steiner’s proposal continues a long-term trend of shifting costs from forestland owners to the public. “They’re not paying for my property insurance, so why should I be paying for theirs?” she asked. “It’s shifting the burden of See MORE MONEY on page 27
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Dear Property Guy By Mike Zoormajian
Shedding some light on the heat of short-term rentals This is part 2 of an ongoing series on the subject of short-term rentals. Part 1 ran in the January 17 edition of The Nugget. Last time we learned what a Short-Term Rental (STR) is and the local rules surrounding them. Now we’ll take a closer look at some of the concerns surrounding STRs and how they are or are not being addressed. Nationally, most controversy centers around how STRs do or don’t affect housing affordability or property values. The thought being that STRs reduce supply for residents, making housing and rent more expensive. Supply and Demand: It’s more than just a good idea, it’s the law. Increased property values are generally a good thing for existing homeowners. For buyers or renters… not so much. So again, different Sisters residents may feel differently about the same situation. Less opinion, more data. Turns out the big brain people at businesses like Zillow and AirDNA, as well as institutions, like UCLA and USC, were kind enough to provide that. All credible studies agree that STRs can affect housing prices. But even among experts, there is little agreement on how much. Every study is full of caveats, assumptions and unknowns. Economics is, after all, an inexact science. The most quoted study is from 2017 (a lifetime ago in economic terms) and showed a .18 percent increase in rents and a .26 percent increase in housing prices for every 10 percent increase in STR listings. More recent research shows that STRs account for 1 to 4 percent of total housing price increases in the past several years. So, if Sisters allowed 10 percent more STRs (11 units), the average housing price would increase about $2,000. Or,
of the $350,000 run-up in average price in Sisters since 2020, less than $10,000 could be attributed to STRs. But hold on, it’s not even close to that easy. National statistics rarely translate into local markets, especially small markets like Sisters. This is also a time to note the high percentage of nonowner-occupied houses in Sisters. Non-owner-occupied can mean a rental. Or can also mean a vacation home or second home. Common in all tourists town, these can definitely affect housing prices as outside money scoops up desirable houses, which sit empty most of the year. One area of agreement among researchers was that owner-occupied STRs had a negligible effect on rents or housing prices. What is an owner-occupied STR? This is when the owner’s primary residence is used as an STR on a part-time basis when the owner is away. And this is what is generally happening in Sisters. This looks like a local family escaping the drama of Quilt Show, Rodeo Week or other event, and putting a few bucks into their own vacation fund. I spoke with Joe Morgan, Owner of Streamline Vacation Rentals. Joe is a Sisters local, realtor, and expert on the STR market. “The majority of Sisters STRs are owned by locals who rent their homes for occasional events and some summer weekends,” he said. “Current prices, interest rates, and rental rates make it harder than ever to operate a profitable full-time STR. Doable, but much more difficult than 2-3 years ago.” Airbnbust? After a massive COVID-fueled run-up, STR investors are facing a reckoning as both occupancies and rates are down nationwide. Many investors who purchased STRs in the past couple years are not meeting profitability goals, and are turning them into long-term rentals or selling them outright. This despite continued growth in national STR inventory. Conclusions? It seems both the quantity and the nature of STRs in Sisters are not materially affecting property values or affordability. In a purely economic sense, the tourists (and the money that they bring) likely affect our town more than the STRs themselves. Next time, we’ll take a look at some other externalities of STRs, focusing on neighborhood livability. Stay tuned. Mike Zoormajian is principal at WetDog Properties in Sisters. Providing local real estate, property management and investor services. Questions and comments to: letters@wetdogpnw.com.
Scottie Wisdom&Faith Jean Russell Nave
Cold kindness November and December of 2023 felt like April, warm, lots of sun, and all the plants were turning green. But January 2024 quickly blew in like a lion charging a mule deer buck. It could have taken us all down but for one important thing. Difficult times usually bring out the best in people, and Sisters Country people are the best ever. My husband and I contracted a very nasty cold around the first of January. It still had us in its grip when this bitter cold and snow came to town. No worries. Our wonderful neighbor knocked on the door after the first 12 inch snow dump, snow rake in hand, as he offered to rake the snow off our roof. The next day, he and his wife came over and dug out the path to the front door. We were blessed. We received numerous telephone calls from friends offering to help us or saying that they would pick up groceries for us. My cup was overflowing with comfort and joy. But we were not the exception.
All over the neighborhood people were plowing driveways for others, digging out walkways, and helping in any way possible. And then there was our little Scottie girl, Piper. I learned long ago that Scotties, and probably most dogs, will work very hard to adapt to difficult situations. This was a difficult time because it is not safe for a dog to be out more than ten minutes when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. At zero or below, they should not be out for more than five minutes. At 13 years old, Piper usually needs a little time outside. We always walk for an hour a day unless the weather is like this last cold storm. I don’t know how she managed it, but she took care of her needs in three minutes or less every day. Now it’s an election year, but then it often feels like an election year all the time anymore with all the political bickering going on. But thank you Sisters Country Folks, everyone put such nonsense aside during this big chill. I’m wondering why we can’t learn to put politics aside more and put kindness forward in its place. Didn’t it feel wonderful to give and receive helpful kindness from our neighbors? When we become unpleasant, like snapping turtles about political issues, do we make a positive difference in other’s lives? Or do we just make ourselves and others feel bad? Below is a quote I’d like to share. It’s about illumination, which relates to raising one’s conscious mind to a
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higher, more loving thought level. Illumination dissolves all material ties and binds people* together with the golden chains of spiritual understanding; it acknowledges only the leadership of the Christ; it has no ritual or rules but the divine, impersonal universal Love; no other worship than the inner Flame that is the free state of spiritual fellowship.* The only restraint is the discipline of Soul; therefore, we know liberty without license; a divine service to God without ceremony or creed. The illumined walk without fear — by Grace. — Joel S. Goldsmith *Modified word for gender consideration. Our cold Arctic blast illuminated people for a time. Love and kindness ruled the cold. We can all do this more often than once every five of six years when we are shrouded in an Arctic freeze. We are all better than the arguing world of the politician. We are members of a wonderful community, and we can make everyone feel loved. God bless us all. “God is bigger than any problem. God in you is greater than any difficulty you have to meet. God cares for you more than it is possible for any human being to realize. God can help you in proportion to the degree in which you worship him. You worship God by really putting your trust in him … You worship God by recognizing his presence everywhere, in all people and conditions that you meet; and by praying regularly. You pray well when you pray with joy.” — Emmet Fox
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
The
OWL Erik Dolson Columnist
What next? After concluding three months as managing editor of the The Leader newspaper in Port Townsend, Washington, I’m confronted with an uncomfortable realization: I did the best I could, but could have done better. G e t t i n g o l d o ff e r s many chances for denial. Or embarrassment, when denial doesn’t suffice. And frustration, when opportunities recede. Disappointment lurks at every staircase, doctor’s visit, encounter, and challenge. Getting old also teaches there is value in experience, that continuity is underrated in a world that seems to tack without thought to the new direction. Under my watch at The Leader we changed the “look and feel” of the newspaper to a more traditional format. We increased type
size to make the newspaper easier to read for those who, like me, found small type a challenge. We added stories and photos to the front page to give readers more reason to look inside. The community approved. That felt good. But providing support for employees who felt beleaguered took more than I’d anticipated, as did “realigning” some staff. Perhaps I should have let those issues resolve themselves. To efforts of an exceptional staff writer, we added five or so freelancers with a variety of voices, including an experienced journalist who returned to the fold and a couple of new reporters with fresh points of view. I wrote as little as I could, not wanting the paper to depend on the editor for content. I hoped to develop a “team” that would continue easily after I was gone. Perhaps I should have written more and put more effort into design. I should have been better organized, and put more focus on local government. But we were improving every week and I had priorities. And I was hobbled by what I first thought was age. My left eye stopped focusing with my right eye at any distance. This sudden degradation made reading difficult and proofreading almost impossible, which was frustrating and embarrassing. Words still play
“hide and seek.” A third eye appointment is set for next week. A fog of dullness suffused far too many days. Nothing sharpened my edge, from gallons of caffeine, 5K or 10K walks, nor time in the gym. I was always behind and not catching up, unable to see either forest or trees. It was like walking along a beach of dry soft sand. Far too many inaccurate details and outright errors slopped through on my watch. A friend who holds the managing editor job at a different paper suggested my fatigue was due to stress, but even he notices it’s getting harder to do what somewhat defines who he is. In late November I notified the owners that I would depart by February. They found an extremely capable replacement while I was in Denmark over Christmas. The new managing editor took over in the middle of January. She brings experience, energy, intelligence, and will excel. That’s how evolution works. New blood solves challenges that were daunting for the old, even while the old can still make a contribution. While much was left undone, work which was done still had value. A week after I left Port Townsend, I planned to return to look at a piece of real estate that caught my
interest. While shaving on the morning I was to travel, I felt dizzy, then dropped to the floor. Long story short, I was provided an ambulance ride to the emergency room, treated for atrial fibrillation, then released on my own recognizance with a couple of new medications. It’s difficult to hear that your heart isn’t working the way it should, especially having not “felt” any symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, or pressure in the chest. But in answering doctor’s questions, I realized there was an overlap with my job. At first I was relieved: what I regarded as short comings could be blamed not on advancing age or lack of talent, but on A-Fib! Then I realized that A-Fib was probably as clear a demonstration of advancing age as any other new infirmity. Even if it had a role in the unfinished work, A-Fib couldn’t shield me from knowing that at one time, I was better at getting that work done. My friend the editor offered that when we can no longer do what we once did, which has long been part of who we are, it can cut pretty deep. In addition to work, I’ve lived part time on an old sailboat, which can demand my maximum physical effort. Until recently, I raced cars and planned to do so again. Neither hobby is enhanced by a heart that
flutters like a flag in a stiff breeze, though I’ve been told by a number of friends who’ve had A-Fib that it can be serious or not, with treatment options that are usually effective, and life goes on. Which leads to what I call the “Ice Cream Dilemma:” After being informed by his doctor that his previous four or five heart attacks had destroyed more than 60 percent of his heart muscle, my father barked at the doctor: “A man can’t live with a third of a heart!” On his way home from the hospital, he bought two quarts of ice cream. A week later my stepmother called to tell me “I think your father is in trouble.” I heard him bellow from the couch, “Don’t tell him that! Tell him I’m just relaxing!” Those were his last words. I’ve still not decided if the ice cream was selfish, honest, or just desserts. For now, I’ve decided to eat less ice cream. After all, I had my share, long ago. I’ve also been told not to slam my head hard while on blood thinners prescribed in case A-fib left a clot behind. So I may postpone my next unicycle ride. Long boat voyages and car racing are open to question. But only because I’m curious about what’s next in the here and now, whenever it arrives. For more from Erik Dolson, visit erikdolson. substack.com.
Jazz jamming...
PHOTO BY JESS DRAPER
Students from Sisters High School jazz band (including three Sisters Middle School students), a pianist from Mountain View High School, and a saxophonist from Redmond Proficiency Academy turned out last week for the first in a series of jazz jams at Sisters High School where professional and student musicians
shared the stage for 90 minutes of musical growth and experimentation. Musicians rotated in on a collection of jazz pieces, with all players having multiple opportunities to solo. A modest audience was treated to a lovely auditory experience. Watch The Nugget for future dates, likely to be in the first week of April
and last week of May. The event was put on by Robert Sposato (who can be reached at robspo@comcast.net if you’d like to join the jazz mailing list) and Sisters Band Director Kayla Golka. Special thanks to the pros who came out: Ken Piaruli, piano; Rick Homer, trumpet, Tom Freedman, bass; and Karl Lindgren, drums.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
LETTERS
Continued from page 17
what our Democracy stands for — no one is above the law. The Constitution comprises the law of the U.S. Federal Government, it describes the three branches of government and their jurisdictions and lays out the basic rights of U.S. citizens. Trump has mocked our legal system, our judges, our voting system, and our country — he mocks our country! Our allies have continued to remind us of how ashamed we should be to have put him in the White House and how the GOP and some religious groups blindly continue to support him. Wake up, America, the country we love and support needs you. If you want to know what the current administration has accomplished, go to www. whitehouse.gov. Diane L. Hodgson
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Celebrating the wolves’ return
To the Editor: Five groups of wolves are now living within Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes County, and the Warm Springs Reservation. When Wolf Welcome Committee began, in early 2021, none of these wolves called Central Oregon home. Our ongoing commitment has been to promote co-existence. We have hosted events with biologists and authors, helped organize the 2023 Oregon Rewilding Conference and an educational workshop for the ranching community. Currently, two of our members serve on the Deschutes County Wolf
New position focuses on industry, innovation By Christine Coffin Correspondent
Rebecca Robinson has been appointed associate vice president for the newly formed economic development and industry relations office at Oregon State University and also will serve as senior advisor for strategic initiatives at OSU-Cascades. She will start on April 15. Robinson comes to OSU from Kansas State University where she most recently served as president and CEO of K-State Innovation Partners, overseeing Kansas State’s innovation ecosystem, including economic development, corporate engagement, technology commercialization and strategic initiatives. “I am very excited to join Oregon State University and to partner with faculty, university leadership, and the business community,” said Robinson. “OSU has an exciting vision for the economic development and industry relations office, including the innovation district at OSUCascades. I am delighted to be part of realizing that vision.”
Depredation and Financial Assistance Committee. Under Oregon Wolf Plan rules, non-lethal deterrents should be undertaken before livestock producers are awarded compensation for any depredation. Wolf Welcome Committee actively supports proactive, nonlethal methods to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. Guard dogs, fencing, fladry, motiontriggered devices, and range riders are some effective methods. Wolves are smart. When they get used to one type of prevention method, they can become desensitized and a new approach must be implemented. Wolf Welcome Committee does not support lethal control of wolves. Contrary to anti-wolf mythology, wolves are extremely wary of humans and are opportunistic — only hunting the most vulnerable prey. The best available science also indicates that, when a wolf is removed from its pack, there is a negative impact on the remaining family members. That pack is less able to successfully hunt and provide food for its pups and more likely to target livestock. Wolf Welcome Committee strives to shift obstructive views about wolves through education and advocacy. Wolves were exterminated from Oregon in 1949. We aren’t practiced in co-existing, yet the recent presence of wolves in our area has been largely non-eventful. Our wilder landscapes are benefiting from having them back since wolves and healthy ecosystems are inextricably linked. Thousands of people have attended “Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan,” at the High Desert Museum. The majority of Oregonians are celebrating wolves! Susan Prince & Jennie Sharp
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Obituary Daniel Vetter
September 8, 1970 — November 6, 2023
PHOTO BY BRIAN DAVIS
The Rosette Nebula is a prodigious stellar nursery where many new stars are being formed. This object is 5,200 light-years away in the constellation of Monoceros.
Stars over Sisters By Abigail Christopher and Molly Greaney Columnists
Ancient skywatchers learned to recognize the night sky by associating certain arrangements of stars with objects familiar to them. These became the constellations. Cygnus the Swan, Orion the Hunter, and Taurus the Bull are three well-known examples. But there is a small subset of constellations that depict more fanciful beings, such as a sea goat, centaur (half human-half horse creature), and flying horse. Our featured constellation for February is a member of this group. Monoceros, the Unicorn, is visible from the Northern Hemisphere during most of the winter but is best viewed in early-to-mid February. Its location in the sky is easily determined because it lies near the center of the Winter Triangle, formed by the bright stars of Sirius, Betelgeuse, and Procyon. Being able to see Monoceros’ constituent stars, however, will be a challenge since none are brighter than fourth magnitude. This means you’ll need to find a dark area from which to see the single-horned critter in all its glory. Surprisingly, Monoceros is not associated with any specific sky lore. It
was originally named “Monoceros Unicornis” by Dutch astronomer and clergyman Petrus Plancius around 1612, apparently because the mythical animal appears several times in the Old Testament of the Bible. Alpha Monocerotis is the constellation’s brightest star, shining with a magnitude of 3.9. It is a “red clump” giant star, which means it’s generating energy through helium fusion at its core. This luminary is twice as massive as our sun,10 times larger than its radius, and lies at a distance of 144 light-years.
While Monoceros is home to several fine deep sky objects, all of them are either open star clusters or defuse nebulae. The most visually striking of these is the Rosette Nebula and its associated star cluster NGC 2244. The Rosette Nebula is a vast stellar nursery where energetic stars that have recently formed are ionizing hydrogen atoms in the nebula, which is responsible for the red glow. The mass of the nebula is roughly equal to about 10,000 solar masses. This object is located 5,200 light-years away.
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kayaking, boating, and riding snowmobiles and motorcycles. He was also very passionate about Oregon and national politics. Dan is survived by his wife, Heather (Iverson) Vetter; mother Mary Garber, sister Michelle Vetter, niece Ashley Kordish, nephew Liam Hughes, and many, many friends. Most of all, Dan loved his dogs! In his memory, please consider adoption over shoppin’ when choosing your next furry friend. All homes need a pet and all pets need a safe, warm, and loving home. Dan, we all love and miss you so much and always will!
Nugget Poetry Corner The Foggy Fright
Qorbin Cowan, age 12 I skip through the fog and what do I see 1000 little children staring at me, I start running away as fast as can be and 1000 little children follow me, I dodge and I turn trying to break free yet somehow the 1000 little children keep following me I hide in a shed hoping they won’t see me next thing I know 1000 little smiles are staring down at me I shriek and I jump in the air 10 feet and 1000 little children jump along with me For no one, I say no one, can be as scared as me for a sweet little froggy is all I can be
Time Stands Still
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We lost Dan. Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Dan and his family moved from Pottstown, Pensylvania, in 1983. Dan attended Sisters Elementary School and then Redmond High School, Class of 1988. He met his future wife, Heather, at school in 1990 and they were married in 2000. Dan started his career in the heating and cooling industry in 1993. He spent many years in night school to become a sheet metal journeyman and then earning his solar, LEB, and class three boiler licenses. Dan specialized in radiant floor heating, including, wood fired and geothermal systems. Many of his clients would not let anyone but Dan service, repair, or rebuild their systems, no matter how long ago he had installed it or what company he worked for. Dan loved the outdoors. Winter camping, fishing,
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Edie Jones Time stands still, Peace descends. as the world turns white as earth, and snow piles grow. and heaven blend, Up, up, it goes, giving a glimpse covering each bush. of what lies beyond, No movement, flow this day, this place, of sound. Stillness. and all with which All is engulfed. we bond, All quietly wait. and unthinkingly embrace.
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Life is a
GAME Robert Kruger Columnist
On Monday, Wade throws rock
Just what is a game? Before I fully launch into my article series covering local games, maybe we should get that straight. For the past six years or so, Wade and I have played Rock, Paper, Scissors at Sisters Athletic Club to see who buys coffee, and it’s often a spectator sport, with the staff and regulars looking on as we stage our showdown. For the benefit of whoever misses it, the winner loudly praises the superior taste of that day’s
coffee. And might even sip it loudly. With savor. In the loser’s face. You’re probably not impressed. How petty are we? And is Rock, Paper, Scissors even a game? After all, there’s no strategy, no skill. Ah, but you see, Wade throws rock on Mondays… except when he remembers that I remember that he throws rock on Mondays, in which case, he throws scissors, but I know he knows that I know, so sometimes I throw rock on Mondays. My longest win streak against Wade is nine days in a row, the odds of which are 2 to the ninth power, or 1 in 512. But, wait, there’s more. Once, we played nine ties, before I won the tiebreaking tenth game that day. The odds of a tie are 1 in 3, which means the odds of nine ties in a row are 3 to the ninth power, or 1 in 19,683. At random odds, if we played every day, we would average a contest like that once every fifty-four years! There must be some strategy and skill involved. Is there a pattern to Wade’s
choices? Does he have a tell when he’s about to throw rock? (Do I?) A game involves not only a system, which may lean one way toward pure strategy or the other toward chance, but also a player or players within that system. Human limitations make a game a game, just as much as the rules do. Consider TicTac-Toe. Is that a game? For sure it is to young kids, but for those who’ve mastered it, the game always results in a tie — that is, the same activity switches from game to solved puzzle. Game developers widely recognize Rock, Paper, Scissors as the simplest form of a balanced game. If it had only two elements, then a rational player would always choose the winning one, so it takes that third element to put the contest in doubt. In game theory, a strategy that maximizes a player ’s expected payoff is identified by what’s called equilibria. There are a few ways to understand this concept. One is to compare equilibria to a set of social guidelines that people would generally follow even if they weren’t enforced by laws,
like yielding at a stop sign. You don’t want to risk getting hit, and you assume the same attitude of other people. Cheating this system is generally a bad idea, given the risk of a collision stacked against the reward of saving a few seconds’ travel. Equilibria are often explored through the thought experiment called the Prisoner’s Dilemma, where two accomplices to a robbery are caught by police and interrogated separately. Let’s say that if they both rat each other out, they will get three years in jail. If neither rats, they will each get a year in jail. And if one rats but not the other, the one betrayed gets ten years and the rat goes free. If the goal is to minimize collective jail time, then neither rats, resulting in a total of only two years served. However, mathematician John Nash observed that the stable unilateral strategy is to rat, because it maximizes your payoff no matter what your opponent does. In Tic-TacToe, the Nash equilibrium is the set of moves that you mechanically follow until a tie results, because you must
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assume the right move is mutually obvious to you and your opponent. Equilibria can help you understand the systemic aspect of games, but remember that games must involve people. The equilibrium state in Rock, Paper, Scissors is purely random play – within the abstract system of the game, there is no other strategy that can reliably improve your chances -- but that’s no fun, and what’s more, unless your opponent rolls dice or coins to determine what to throw, they may very well fall into an unconscious pattern, one that you might recognize. Imagine a guy so transparent that he becomes a solved puzzle. Would you just go ahead and beat him over and over? It depends upon the game you’re playing. You can’t expect a guy to pay for coffee a hundred times in a row before bagging the whole thing. Sure I’d like to never pay, but over the course of a few years, I’ll take a thirty-percent discount — or even a bit less — over nothing. Life is a game, so play it long.
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to maintain bulk mailing rates into the new year. Please consider supporting your community newspaper by gifting a subscription to a loved one outside the free Sisters Country delivery area...
6 months: $45 • 1 year: $70 Visit NuggetNews.com/subscribe and select “3rd class” or call 541-549-9941 or stop by the office! Many subscribers on the West Coast and in the Central U.S. report receiving their Nugget Newspaper within the week, though postal delivery may take up to three weeks.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
VOLUNTEERS: Little League is ramping up in Sisters Continued from page 3
three Rookie, two Minors, two Majors and one Juniors baseball team, along with Minors, Majors and Juniors softball teams. “I am most looking forward to the Opening Ceremonies on April 6,” said Davis. “It’s the only time in the season where the entire Little League community gathers around a single ballfield.” T h e a n n u a l k i c k o ff event will be held at the Sisters Little League South Church Field behind Sisters Community Church, 1300 McKenzie Highway — but only with help from volunteers. Davis coached a team last year, and helped rebuild the bleachers and fix up the fields following late-winter snowfall. So did his wife, Autumn, who also served as a board member and vital volunteer, mentoring two of her children along with dozens of others. League volunteer Lena Vogelgesang’s children will be playing in the Rookies and Minors divisions this season. She was head coach of her youngest son’s Coach Pitch team in 2023 and has signed up to help with his Rookies squad come April. “I’m looking forward to watching the kiddos build the skills they learned last year. Such a great program, and so fun!” said Vogelgesang. The league is 100 percent volunteer-based. Community members and parents help maintain the fields, produce the uniforms, run the snack shacks, coach the teams and coordinate game schedules with surrounding leagues
including Crook County, Madras, Redmond, and Warm Springs. Sisters Little League President Kim Dunn is returning to lead the league, which is looking to recruit a new board of 10 members. They will be easy to spot: the ones wearing the white SLL hoodies to local games throughout the season. The board works year-round to get things ready for baseball and softball seasons that run from early April through June. Also returning for 2024 is the Hit-A-Thon, a day-long, dollars-for-distance fundraising event where people pledge to “pay” players for the longest fair ball they can hit in 10 swings. For example, a pledge of 50 cents per foot for a player that hits one to the outfield fence line 200 feet away would bring home $100. The first annual event in 2023 raised more than $20,000. Local businesses that would like to sponsor the league – and see their banner on that outfield fence – can contact a Sisters Little League board member at info@sisterslittleleague.org. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out there, too, or sign up at www. sisterslittleleague.org. For the children’s safety, volunteers must complete a background check. Then they’ll pick up those shovels one last time this winter for a few field cleanup days. It’s a family affair, with parents operating heavy equipment and kids using hand tools to clear ponderosa needles and pine cones, fill ruts on base baths, weed pitchers’ mounds and reestablish the lines of demarcation between soil/sand/silt and grass, infield and outfield, fair and foul territory – a community polishing its diamonds to sparkle in the spring sun.
LEADERSHIP: C4C is sponsoring civic academy Continued from page 3
School District boundary or Camp Sherman can now learn more and apply at citizens4community.com/ academy. Applications are due by March 8; participants will be selected the following week, and the Academy will begin on April 15. The Academy will be facilitated by staff from Portland State University’s National Policy Consensus Center (NPCC). The Center has partnered with the City of Hillsboro on a similar program over the past eight years, with numerous program graduates going on to serve in local leadership roles. The Sisters academy will be the first one launched in rural Oregon, with another in Hermiston soon to follow. “We are thrilled to be bringing this impactful, proven model to Sisters Country. Our community is rich in talent, but we know
that much of it remains untapped. We’re excited to help bring new voices and perspectives into local decision making and leadership positions,” said Sisters City Manager Jordan Wheeler. Ten to 12 community members will be selected for the 2024 academy, with priority given to individuals who are new to civic leadership and live within Sisters city limits. The academy’s curriculum focuses on practical skills and knowledge crucial for effective leadership in Sisters Country. Over the six-week period, group members will receive a crash course in local government operations while honing their listening, collaboration, community engagement, and decision-making skills. A “group project” will be a core part of the academy experience. Participants will work together to research a city-selected topic of local importance, produce a report, and present their findings and recommendations to Sisters City Council. The academy is also benefiting from strong regional philanthropic support.
The Roseburg-based Ford Family Foundation, and Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation awarded grants to the City of Sisters and C4C, respectively, to help cover program expenses. That funding will help ensure that the Academy is accessible to all community members, explained Kellen Klein, C4C executive director. “We don’t want financial, physical, or other barriers to get in the way of anyone’s participation.” To achieve that goal, participants will be offered complimentary meals, free on-site childcare, transportation stipends, translation and interpretation services, and ADA-accessible meeting locations, amongst other accommodations. “There are so many opportunities to get involved in our community and local government,” Klein said. “But taking that first step can be intimidating. It’s our hope that those who have felt excluded or stuck on the sidelines will see the Academy as a safe, fun, and easy way to dip their toes in the civic engagement pool.”
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Brooke Blakelock Brooke Blakelock’s energy and enthusiasm radiates from her like her smile. “I’m just the kind of person who is excited about everything,” she says. That makes her school life very full. She has served as Spirit Coordinator and Student Engagement Coordinator, roles that tap that enthusiasm and bring it to the school community. She’s been an ECoS intern and participates in IEE. “All my friends here are so amazing,” she says. “There are just so many small town things that we do here that I just love.” Brooke’s great passion is dance. She has danced at Sisters Dance Academy for 15 years, and dances at halftime for Outlaws football. In the classroom, she says she particularly likes government classes, and deeply appreciates how much the teachers in Sisters care about their students. She plans to become an elementary school teacher herself, planning to study education and dance in college. “I just love kids,” she says. “They’re just little balls of light.” Brooke is the BEST! She’s hard working, smart, talented, and very kind. I absolutely love the impact she’s had on each of my classes that she’s been in. Brooke will continue to enrich the lives of all the people fortunate enough to partner with her. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been one of her teachers. — Dan O’Neill Brooke is such an asset for SHS. Always willing to jump in and help out and carries such great energy. — Rand Runco Brooke has been all in since day 1 of her 9th grade year. Her energy is contagious, and she brightens the world around her with her smile. She also knows how to dig in and work hard, recognizing the power of practice and dedication. Her dance
Sisters High School January 2024 Student of the Month
shows proof of her commitment to excellence, along with her contribution as a leader at SHS. It has been such a pleasure to get to know Brooke! — Rima Givot Brooke Blakelock, with an infectious positivity that brightens every room, embodies a remarkable zest for life. Her joyful spirit is a source of inspiration to peers and staff. Whether it’s through her genuine smile, her eagerness to participate in class, or her willingness to help others, Brooke’s enthusiasm is truly uplifting. Her positive outlook and boundless energy not only contribute to a vibrant learning environment, but also foster a sense of community and togetherness. It is evident that Brooke’s passion for life is and will continue to be a driving force behind her academic and personal endeavors, making her a cherished presence in any community. She is truly a gem. — Mrs. Spear Brooke Blakelock is a GREAT choice for SHS student of the month. She is the epitome of what it means to be an Outlaw. Her warm smile and infectious laugh make every day that much better at SHS. Brooke spends countless hours choreographing pieces for assemblies, helping out with projects for student government, attending sporting and arts events, and cheering on her classmates. She is enthusiastic, empathetic, and curious. Brooke genuinely cares about others and goes out of her way to make space for those who often don’t have a voice. She pours her energy into positivity and community-building. One of the things I love the most about Brooke is the fact that she is so incredibly hard-working and academically motivated, yet always finds ways to be having fun and to be living a joyful life. Congratulations, Brooke, this award is well-deserved! — Gail Greaney Brooke has such a beautiful, vivacious spirit about her. She has an excellent work ethic in the classroom and all her extracurricular endeavors. She brings unique insights, has interesting ideas, and
is authentic in ways that make for truly meaningful interactions. As an SHS Pageant coordinator and contestant she can be counted on to bring a can-do attitude to even the most frustrating of challenges. I really appreciate how she brings out the positive in those around her, and how she can right-size problems so that they are manageable. I hope she never loses her LIGHT-hearted ways because they do shine through to make a difference in the world. — Jami Lyn Weber Brooke is a thoroughly deserving SHS student of the month honoree. Her maturity and enthusiasm make her a natural leader, and she can be counted on as both an organizer of and participant in all of the activities and initiatives that make SHS an amazing place to go to school. — Steve Stanliff
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Fun and Games SOUTH POLE
SUDOKU Easy Peasy!
WORDFIND
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Find words forward, backward, horizontally, or diagonally. PENGUINS ICEBERG WHALES GLACIER FREEZING FROSTBITE ICE SHELF
EXPEDITION OCEAN SEALS FORMATIONS BLIZZARD SWELL HUMPBACK
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.
FIND 5 DIFFERENCES THEN COLOR!
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
MORE MONEY: Wildfire funding is critical in Oregon Continued from page 18
fire protection off of timber land owners – who already pay extremely low taxes to the state and who have forest products and homes that need protecting – to people who do not.” Forestland owners as a group paid property taxes last year on less than 17 percent of their properties’ Real Market Value, according to Tax Fairness’ analysis of Oregon Department of Revenue property tax data. Large portions of private forestland in Oregon are now owned by timber and real estate investment trusts, Wiser added, which do not pay corporate taxes and where investments can be kept in untaxed pension funds. “These and other large private landowners hold assets worth millions, if not billions, of dollars. They should pay the bulk of the cost of their protection,” she said. Steiner could not guarantee under her plan that large industrial timber companies would get a discount on fire prevention costs at the expense of all Oregon property owners. “I really believe this is a communal problem,” she said. Timber tax Golden would like a greater portion of forestry’s wildfire budget to come from industrial timber companies with forestland in Oregon. He says these companies disproportionately benefit from publicly funded wildfire protection. He and Wiser of Tax Fairness point to the financial losses counties and the forestry department experienced when the state’s severance tax was eliminated in 1999. Some of that money was formerly used to fight wildfire, Golden said. To this day, no one in state government or the forestry department can provide a clean figure for how much revenue has been lost since the tax was ended. But, reporting from the Oregonian, Oregon Public Broadcasting and ProPublica found counties lost at least $3 billion in revenues in the three decades since. Golden said it’s time for private companies that benefit from the forestry department’s firefighting work to pick up a larger share of the cost. He will propose the Legislature approve a ballot measure to go to Oregon voters. If passed, it would impose a percentage tax on the value of timber harvested on private lands, much like
These and other large private landowners hold assets worth millions, if not billions, of dollars. They should pay the bulk of the cost of their protection. — Jody Wiser the former severance tax. The tax percentage would be higher depending on the acreage that each company holds, so a small timber operation isn’t paying the same rate as a company like Weyerhaeuser, among the world’s largest international real estate and timber holding companies. Golden is still working through the details, but he said there would be zero tax for those with less than 500 acres, gradually increasing to up to 6 percent on companies and individuals holding 5,000 acres or more. Golden said imposing a timber value tax could bring the forestry department tens of millions of dollars annually for fighting wildfire and responding to threats from climate change. He’d also propose a discount on the timber taxes if a forestland owner gets certification from the nonprofit Forest Stewardship Council. Such certification requires the guarantee that companies will meet certain sustainability requirements. Ideally, Golden said, he’d like to see 25 percent of the tax revenues go to the forestry department for fire suppression, another 25 percent to the state fire marshal’s office to help Oregonians protect their homes and reduce wildfire risks. Another 40 percent, he said, should be directed for firefighting resources to the counties where the timber is harvested, and the remaining 10 percent should go to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to help improve drinking water supplies in the Coast Range, where wildfires and logging are posing greater threats to water sources. Golden said he’s open to feedback and adjustments during the short Legislative session in February, but that lawmakers should not leave that session without a blueprint for a long-term solution to the forestry department’s budget needs. “The one non-negotiable point is establishing a reliable source of wildfire funding,” he said. Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 court e s y o f h t t p s : / / o re g o n capitalchronicle.com.
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The Nugget Newspaper Crossword
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
N U G G E T F L AS H BAC K – 3 2 Y E A R S AG O
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 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: $3.50 per line for first insertion, $2.50 per line for each additional insertion to 9th week, $1.50 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 $3.50 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 102 Commercial Rentals
OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT Great location across from Ace Hardware. Several space types available. Call owner Jim Peterson/RE Broker. 503-238-1478 STORAGE WITH BENEFITS • 8 x 20 dry box • Fenced yard, RV & trailers • In-town, gated, 24-7 EWDevcoLLC@gmail.com MINI STORAGE Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Sizes 5x5 to 15x30 and outdoor RV parking. 7-day access. Computerized security gate. Moving boxes & supplies.
103 Residential Rentals
TENANT PLACEMENT “nothing’s more expensive than bad tenants” call or text mike 541.588.2028 mikez@wetdogpnw.com
CASCADE HOME & PROPERTY RENTALS Monthly Rentals throughout Sisters Country. 541-549-0792 Property management for second homes. CascadeHomeRentals.com 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
~ Sisters Vacation Rentals ~ Private Central OR vac. rentals, Property Management Services 541-977-9898 www.SistersVacation.com Downtown Vacation Rentals Popular 1 and 2 Bedroom SistersVacationRentals.net Great pricing. 503-730-0150
201 For Sale
Sisters Carports & Metal Buildings start at $1,295 for 12'x 21'x 6' (WxLxH) Free Installation. Contact Matt 541-728-3507 for price sheets. TOO MUCH STUFF? Advertise your excess with an ad in The Nugget!
202 Firewood
SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS DAVE ELPI – FIREWOOD • SINCE 1976 • KINDLING Doug Fir – Lodgepole – Hardwood – Juniper – Fir DRIVE-IN WOOD SALES – 18155 Hwy. 126 East – SistersForestProducts.com Order Online! 541-410-4509
205 Garage & Estate Sales
Huge indoor multi-family sale. Friday, Feb. 9, 8 a.m -2 p.m. 260 E. Sun Ranch Dr., Sisters Happy Trails Estate Sales and online auctions! Selling, Downsizing, or Deaths? Locally owned & operated by... Daiya 541-480-2806 Sharie 541-771-1150 HERITAGE USA Open daily 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 253 E. Hood Ave., Sisters.
301 Vehicles
We Buy, Sell, Consign Quality Cars, Trucks, SUVs & RVs ~ Call Jeff at 541-815-7397 Sisters Car Connection da#3919 SistersCarConnection.com
401 Horses
ALFALFA TRITICALE ORCHARD GRASS HAY New crop. No rain. Barn stored. 3-tie bales. $230-$390/ton. Hwy. 126 & Cline Falls. 541-280-1895
403 Pets
Chihuahua puppies 8 weeks. Call 530-905-2250. No texts. $500 each.
500 Services
SMALL Engine REPAIR Lawn Mowers, Chainsaws & Trimmers Sisters Rental 331 W. Barclay Drive 541-549-9631 Authorized service center for Stihl, Honda, Ariens/Gravely, Cub Cadet, Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, Kawasaki Engines
Junk removal, new home, garage & storage clean-out, construction, yard debris. You Call – We Haul! 541-719-8475 • DERI’s HAIR SALON • Call 541-419-1279 GEORGE’S SEPTIC TANK SERVICE “A Well Maintained Septic System Protects the Environment” 541-549-2871 HAVE A SERVICE TO PROVIDE? Let the public know what you have to offer in The Nugget’s C L A S S I F I E D S!
502 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
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 M & J CARPET CLEANING Area rugs, upholstery, tile & dryer-vent cleaning. Established & family-owned since 1986. 541-549-9090
504 Handyman
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
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LOLO TREE WORKS Tree Services: Tree Removal, Tree Pruning, Stump Grinding, Emergency Tree Services. ISA Certified Arborist Owner / Operator: Erin Carpenter lolotreeworks.com Call / Text: 503-367-5638 Email: erin@lolotreeworks.com CCB #240912
601 Construction
HIGH DESERT WOOD CARE Power wash/clean • Complete sanding • Stain & finish • Log home chinking • 10% military discount • Specializing in log home and deck refinishing 541-948-2303 $100 off decks • $500 off log homes until April 30
From Ground to Finish Accurate and Efficient 541-604-5169 CCB#233074 CASCADE GARAGE DOORS Factory Trained Technicians Since 1983 • CCB #44054 541-548-2215 • 541-382-4553
4 Brothers Tree Service Sisters' Premier Tree Experts! – TREE REMOVAL & CLEANUP – Native / Non-Native Tree Assessments, Pruning, High-Risk Removals, 24 Hr. Emergency Storm Damage Cleanup, Craning & Stump Grinding, Debris Removal. – FOREST MANAGEMENT – Fire Fuels Reduction - Brush Uncompromising quality. Local Mowing, Mastication, Tree and personal. You can trust me. Thinning, Large & Small Scale All projects: From new Projects! construction to those little Serving Black Butte Ranch, projects you don't seem to get to. Camp Sherman & Sisters Area My team of local subcontractors since 2003 and I will get it done right, fair, ** Free Estimates ** and pain-free so you can make Owner James Hatley & Sons your spouse happy. 541-815-2342 Call Jared 503-949-9719 4brostrees.com Licensed, Bonded and Insured CCB-215057 TimberStandImprovement.net Tree Removal & Pruning Custom Homes TRAQ Arborist/ CCB#190496 Additions - Remodels 541-771-4825 Residential Building Projects SICKLY TREES ? Becke William Pierce Check the Nugget's CCB# 190689 • 541-647-0384 classified advertisers for Beckewpcontracting@gmail.com professionals to help you!
SUDOKU Level: Easy
Answer: Page 30
501 Computers & Communications
Technology Problems? I can fix them for you. Solving for Business & Home Computers, Tablets, Networking Internet (Starlink), and more! Jason Williams Sisters local • 25 yrs. experience 541-719-8329 Oregontechpro.com 3 Sisters TeleNetworks, LLC Cable jobs, security cameras, WAPs. CCB #191099 541-318-7000 • 541-306-0729
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.
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
C L A S S I F I E D S
602 Plumbing & Electric
Construction & Renovation Custom Residential Projects All Phases • CCB #148365 541-420-8448
Lara’s Construction LLC. CCB#223701 Offering masonry work, fireplaces, interior & exterior stone/brick-work, build barbecues, and all types of masonry. Give us a call for a free estimate 541-350-3218 PERENNIAL BUILDING LLC Local | Quality | Experienced www@perennialbuilding.com 541-728-3180 | CCB #226794 SPURGE COCHRAN BUILDER, INC. General Contractor Building Distinctive, Handcrafted Custom Homes, Additions, Remodels, Cabin Renovations Since ’74 A “Hands-On” Builder Keeping Your Project on Time & On Budget • CCB #96016 To speak to Spurge personally, call 541-815-0523 Earthwood Timberframes • Design & shop fabrication • Recycled fir and pine beams • Mantels and accent timbers • Sawmill/woodshop services EWDevCoLLC@gmail.com
SWEENEY PLUMBING, INC. “Quality and Reliability” Repairs • Remodeling • New Construction • Water Heaters 541-549-4349 Residential and Commercial Licensed • Bonded • Insured CCB #87587 Ridgeline Electric, LLC Serving all of Central Oregon • Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Service 541-588-3088 • CCB #234821
603 Excavation & Trucking Full Service Excavation
METOLIUS PAINTING LLC Meticulous, Affordable Interior & Exterior 541-280-7040 • CCB# 238067
606 Landscaping & Yard Maintenance
All Landscaping Services Mowing, Thatching, Hauling Call Abel Ortega, 541-815-6740
Complete landscape construction, fencing, irrigation installation & design, pavers/outdoor kitchens, debris cleanups, fertility & water conservation management, excavation. CCB #188594 • LCB #9264 www.vohslandscaping.com 541-515-8462
Free On-site Visit & Estimate Tewaltandsonsexcavation@gmail .com Alpine Landscape Maintenance 541-549-1472 • CCB #76888 Walk & driveway snow removal, Drainfield yard maintenance and cleanup. • Minor & Major Septic Repair Text/Call Paul 541.485.2837 • All Septic Needs/Design alpine.landscapes@icloud.com & Install General Excavation • Site Preparation • Rock & Stump Removal • Pond & Driveway Construction Keeping Sisters Country Preparation Beautiful Since 2006 • Building Demolition candcnursery@gmail.com Trucking 541-549-2345 • Deliver Top Soil, Sand, Gravel, Boulders, Water – All You Need Maintenance – • Dump Trucks, Transfer Trucks, Pine needle removal, hauling, Belly mowing, moss removal, edging, • The Whole 9 Yards or 24 raking, weeding, pruning, roofs, Whatever You Want! gutters, pressure washing. Lic/Bonded/Ins. CCB# 218169 ROBINSON & OWEN Austin • 541-419-5122 Heavy Construction, Inc. All your excavation needs 701 Domestic Services *General excavation BLAKE & SON – Commercial, *Site Preparation Home & Rentals Cleaning *Sub-Divisions WINDOW CLEANING! *Road Building Lic. & Bonded • 541-549-0897 *Sewer and Water Systems I & I Crystal Cleaning, LLC *Underground Utilities Specializing in Commercial, *Grading Residential & Vacation Rentals. *Sand-Gravel-Rock 541-390-1206 Licensed, Bonded & Insured. Licensed • Bonded • Insured beavercreeklog@yahoo.com 541-977-1051 CCB #124327 Log repairs, log railing, 541-549-1848 House Cleaning log accent, log siding, etc. Sisters & Black Butte BANR Enterprises, LLC CCB #235303 Insurance & Bond Free Consult 503-750-3033 Earthwork, Utilities, Grading, Hardscape, Rock Walls 801 Classes & Training Residential & Commercial Rediscover your true nature CCB #165122 • 541-549-6977 through inner nature connection www.BANR.net and ceremonial initiation. Free Custom Homes • Additions 604 Heating & Cooling online workshop to help you Residential Building Projects align with your true nature so you Serving Sisters area since 1976 ACTION AIR can live the life you are meant to. Strictly Quality Heating & Cooling, LLC CCB #16891 • CCB #159020 Retrofit • New Const • Remodel www.metoliusbasininstitute.com/ online-workshop. 541-280-9764 Consulting, Service & Installs John Pierce actionairheatingandcooling.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • jpierce@bendbroadband.com CCB #195556 ADVERTISE HERE! 541-549-6464 Do you offer lessons or workshops for ... THE NUGGET YOGA? DRAWING? NEWSPAPER VIOLIN? SWIMMING? 605 Painting Let our readers know with an ~ FRONTIER PAINTING ~ affordable classified ad! Pat Burke Quality Painting, Ext. & Int. $3.50 per line the first week, LOCALLY OWNED Refurbishing Decks $2.50 per line for repeats. CRAFTSMAN BUILT CCB #131560 • 541-771-5620 $1.50 per line starting the CCB: 288388 • 541-588-2062 www.frontier-painting.com 10th week . www.sistersfencecompany.com And your ad goes online EMPIRE PAINTING UPLOADED at no extra charge! Interior and Exterior Painting EVERY TUESDAY! Call before noon on Mondays and Staining The Nugget Newspaper to place, 541-549-9941. CCB#180042 C L A S S I F I E D S are at • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 541-613-1530 • Geoff Houk www.NuggetNews.com
802 Help Wanted
CITY OF SISTERS Lead Wastewater Collection and Treatment Operator. Full-time, benefits, 40 hours per week (shifts may vary and/or include weekend work). Compensation for full-time is from $5,025 to $7,566 per month depending on experience. Duties will include all aspects of the Public Works Department; water, wastewater, stormwater, streets, parks, vehicle/building maintenance. Knowledge and ability to operate backhoe, dump truck, snow plow, street sweeper and various other public works related equipment is preferred. Special requirements/licenses: minimum of an Oregon CDL Class B, possession of current State of Oregon Class II Wastewater Collection and Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator certifications, Flagger/Work Zone Traffic control card and CPR/First Aid card. Possession of or required to obtain within three months of appointment. City of Sisters is a drug and alcohol free work place and an equal opportunity employer. CITY OF SISTERS – Utility Technician I. Full-time, benefits, 40 hours per week (shifts may vary and/or include weekend work). Compensation for full-time is from $3,929 to $5,905 per month depending on experience. Duties will include all aspects of the Public Works Department; water, wastewater, stormwater, streets, parks, vehicle/building maintenance. Knowledge and ability to operate backhoe, dump truck, snow plow, street sweeper and various other public works related equipment is preferred. Possession of or required to obtain within three months of appointment. City of Sisters is a drug and alcohol free work place and an equal opportunity employer. To be considered, a completed City of Sisters’ application and resume must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2024. An application and detailed job description are available at City of Sisters, 520 East Cascade Avenue, Sisters Oregon, 97759, (541) 549-6022; or via the City’s web page at www.ci.sisters.or.us. Part Time Sales Associate We are looking for a person who is friendly, outgoing, and reliable; someone who enjoys working with the public in a team environment. Workdays are Sunday and Monday. Applications available at the Stitchin' Post, 311 W. Cascade in Sisters or by email diane.j@stitchinpost.com. Questions? Contact diane.j@stitchinpost.com NEED A CHANGE? Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find a new job! NEED ASSISTANCE? Use The Nugget's Help Wanted column to find the help you need! Call 541-549-9941
803 Work Wanted
POSITION WANTED; for Companion Caregiver. Looking for part-time; must be close to Sisters downtown. References upon request. Please call 503-274-0214
999 Public Notice
CITY OF SISTERS 2024 PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE PROJECT Bids due 2:00 p.m., February 22, 2024 INVITATION TO BID Sealed bids for the construction of the City of Sisters, 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project, addressed to the City Recorder, City of Sisters, Oregon will be received until 2:00 PM local time at City Hall, 520 E. Cascade Avenue, P.O. Box 39, Sisters, Oregon, on February 22, 2024 and then publicly opened and read at 2:00 PM at City Hall, in Sisters, Oregon. Bids shall be clearly labeled: 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project. Improvements generally include grind and inlay of asphalt pavement, pavement overlay, pavement grinding, adjustment of existing utilities to finish grade, tack coating, and associated improvements. The work is located on N. Arrowleaf Trail, S. Redwood St., S. Cottonwood St. between Hope Ave. and Washington Ave., S. Sparkling Water Ct., 400' of E. Coyote Springs, and S. Buckaroo Trail. All work on Arrowleaf Trail shall take place at night between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The invitation to bid, plans, specifications, addenda, and notification of bid results for this project may be viewed at Sisters City Hall at 520 E. Cascade Avenue, Sisters, OR 97759; or printed or ordered on line from Premier Builders Exchange at http://www.premierbx.com. There will be no Pre-Bid Conference for the 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project. This project is subject to the provisions of ORS 279C.800 through 279C.870 regarding payment of prevailing wages. Bidders must be registered with the Construction Contractors Board (ORS 701.055) or the bid will not be received or considered. Construction Contractors Licensing Information ~ An active license means your contractor is bonded and insured. For additional details visit www.oregon.gov/CCB
SUDOKU SOLUTION for puzzle on page 29
Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
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Wednesday, February 7, 2024 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon