Central Oregon New Home Living

FEATURES

LATE SUMMER 2010

HIGH DESERT LIFESTYLES 6 9 11 13

day trippin’ tour of homes winners fondue recipes food and fellowship

FROM HOUSE TO HOME 14 16 17

Centerpiece of Attention

wheel of destiny prime time for paint vino in the home

Do You Fondue?

20 divine dining 21 guest accommodations

Garden Calendar

Central Oregon New Home Living

IN THE GARDEN

is a product of The Bulletin’s Special Projects Division, 1777 SW Chandler Ave., Bend OR 97702.

26 garden calendar 28 solar coverings

All content is the property of The Bulletin/Western Communications Inc., and may not be reproduced without written consent.

NEIGHBORHOODS 37-38

Reluctant Host No More

expert advice

Printed by The Bulletin Western Communications Commercial Print Division. Story ideas may be submitted to editor Ben Montgomery for consideration. Contact him at (541)383-0379 or bmontgomery@bendbulletin.com.

Staff members for The Bulletin’s special projects division include: Martha Tiller, Special Projects Manager; Ben Montgomery, Special Projects Editor; Lyle Cox, Photographer; Nicole Werner, Special Projects Assistant; Stacie Oberson, Specia l Projects Coordinator; Clint Nye, Graphic Designer. Published Saturday, August 7, 2010

Cover photo features home built by Copperline Development, Inc., winner of a best feature award for its front porch in the COBA Tour of Homes. Photo by Nicole Werner

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ANNISSA ANDERSON, a freelance writer and public relations consultant, also studied culinary arts and worked as a pastry chef in another life. She writes regularly for The Bulletin and other local publications and was a contributing writer in a recent edition of “Best Places Northwest.”

AMY JO DETWEILER has worked as OSU Extension Horticulture Faculty for 10 years, educating in home and commercial horticulture, and providing annual training for the local OSU Master Gardener™ Program.

LORI GLEICHMAN considers herself intensely curious about almost anything. When not writing, she works as a marketing/ PR consultant and loves to read travel memoirs while dreaming of her own next adventure. She lives in Bend with her husband Dick, her dog Indy and cat Pic.

2 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

SONDRA HOLTZMAN is a record keeper of an evolving life. A professional artist and founder of The Traveling Studio, her journals and sketchbooks reflect explorations afar and close to home. Sondra is a published author, storyteller and travel writer and loves kayaking with her miniature longhaired dachshund, Scout.

ROBERT SPRINGER is a freelance writer living in Sisters. He has worked in the banking, television and information technology industries. In addition to writing, he enjoys being delightfully distracted by his school-age twins.

SUSAN THOMAS SPRINGER began her journalism career as a television news reporter. She worked in corporate marketing, managing communications for a bank and launching high-tech products. Today, she’s a freelance writer living in Sisters where she and her husband enjoy raising their twins.

BUNNY THOMPSON is an internationally published writer living in Sisters. She cruised on a sailboat for six years and 40,000 miles where she wrote a novel and published travel and adventure articles in national and international magazines. She’s an avid cook, outdoor enthusiast and loves the Central Oregon snow.

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 3

EDITOR’S

note

Central Oregon’s natural tour guides My wife and I had lived in Central Oregon for only a month before we hosted our first outof-town guests. It didn’t take long for word to spread among friends and family that we had moved to a place in Oregon called Bend, and that most people who have visited Bend say it’s a place worth checking out. So having barely familiarized ourselves with our new region let alone our not-so-spacious rental home, we found ourselves prepping the house for weekend guests. Equipped with just one bedroom and a single bathroom, the weekend was bound to be a bit cozy. We stocked the refrigerator with plenty of food and a decent selection of local micro-brews. We positioned a futon in the living room, on which we figured our guests might find a good (if not awkward) night’s sleep. And we came up with a

rough bathroom game plan for mornings, a clever arrangement that intermingled coffee and breakfast with everyone’s turn in the shower. We prepped as much as we could, but the fact remained that we had not yet settled into our own daily routines within our new surroundings. We hadn’t yet visited all the restaurants or seen all the sights that surround this vast wonderland of tourism. Even after a month, Central Oregon still seemed about as foreign to us as it would be to our guests. “I hope they’re up for a little exploring,” I thought, summarizing our weekend plans. Armed with a pocket-sized book of popular Central Oregon destinations and a stack of “Outings” articles printed from bendbulletin.com, we loaded our friends in the car and set our sights toward an open road. The particular road didn’t matter; they all seemed to point toward something interesting. We’ve since found that this is one of the greatest benefits of living in Central Oregon: while the outdoors and its lifestyle certainly play the role of a gift that keeps on giving for residents, the beauty

that these outdoors provide act as a natural tour guide. This ensures that when you’re playing host (and here, you will regularly be playing host), even a wrong turn will probably take you to something fantastic. And with urban scenes that include a selection of restaurants, micro-breweries, parks, and a seemingly endless calendar of weekend festivals, concerts and events, Central Oregon communities are continually providing even the most reluctant hosts with a way to impress and entertain guests without a lot of planning. But you will need some planning, and that’s why this edition of Central Oregon New Home Living is dedicated to the art of hosting and entertaining. From day trips and guest accommodations to wine and fondue parties, this edition features tips and ideas that can be applied to a number of scenarios, from hosting intimate evening dinners to ensuring the happiness and comfort of weekend guests. Ben Montgomery is The Bulletin’s special projects editor.

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Be a Reluctant Host

NO MORE

by Lori Gleichman / for The Bulletin Special Projects

The first two years my husband and I lived in Bend, we averaged one longweekend visitor a month. Every month. While we loved having our friends and family keep us company as we adapted to our new home, we quickly experienced host burnout. We found that having company almost constantly was expensive, disruptive and, frankly, boring as we saw the same sights over and over again.

But still, the phone kept ringing and friends kept asking, “Can we come down for a week?” So, we gradually developed our own “Reluctant Host’s Guide to Short and Sweet” that can be summarized like this: boundaries, B&B Ready, keeping busy among the Central Oregon beauty, and brews. Now we look forward to visits that are fun and fabulous, without being a drain on resources and patience.

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 5

Day Trippin’ by Lori Gleichman / for The Bulletin

Keeping visitors to Central Oregon happy means keeping them busy, which is easy to do with all the wonderful walks, hikes and viewpoints within an hour or two’s drive of Bend, Redmond and Sisters. But if you’re interested in avoiding the crowds, try these lesser-known, but easy to find sites. Most are suitable for children, adults and active seniors alike. Just remember to keep your dogs on the leash and take along water, sunscreen and baggies.

Lava Cast Forest

The Lava Cast Forest, just 15 minutes south of Bend across the Highway 97 from Sunriver, is a unique and almost surreal vista that is truly just found in a few places around the world. Off the highway, you and your car first have to survive the nine-mile drive to the trailhead over a deeply rutted washboard road. Once there, however, you’ll find it well worth the trip—and the bouncing. Walk the easy onemile loop and explore the remnants of an explosive volcanic eruption more than 6,000 years ago when the Newberry Volcano to the south spewed hot lava

Avoid crowds by taking your guests on a day trip to some less popular (though no less spectacular) destinations.

through standing forests. The trees became encased in stone when the lava cooled, leaving “casts” of the trees. While lava fields still cover much of the area, there is also new growth, wildflowers in season and views of the modern forests that surround the landmark. Lava Cast Forest is perfect for people who want to explore Central Oregon’s volcanic history without crawling through caves.

Little Cultus Lake

If you’re looking for a place of quiet beauty where you can set up camp for the day, have a picnic, paddle in the water, fish for rainbow and brook trout, and float in a canoe or kayak, head for Little Cultus Lake. About an hour away, it’s easy to find. Go past Mt. Bachelor, head for Cultus Lake, and then turn left at the sign just before the resort. It’s another three miles into the lake over unpaved, rutted roads. With plenty of shady spots and a 10-mile an hour speed limit enforced for boats, it’s a picture-perfect spot to spend the day. Just remember the mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Then, if you want to avoid cooking dinner that night, head for the Cultus Lake

Resort for some of the yummiest all-you-can-eat ribs on Friday and Saturday nights.

Steelhead Falls

While most tourists head west to Tumalo Falls, be a bit more adventurous and head north to Steelhead Falls, just outside of Terrebonne. Be aware that there is a steep half-mile hike up a trail from the parking area, but once there, you’ll find yourself in a special place. In addition to the 12-foot falls, you’ll also find the best swimming hole in Central Oregon, which is ample reward for the hike. And if you’re the intrepid sort, climb some of the rocks along the canyon wall and try jumping into the river. Fishing enthusiasts will want to find the trail that heads about a mile more up the river to enjoy some great fly-fishing along a gorgeous stretch of the Deschutes River.

Tumalo State Park

It doesn’t take long to get there, but it’s a wonderful place to spend the day. Tumalo State Park, found north of town along O.B. Riley Road, offers the river rambling contently through a beautiful canyon, a

Boundaries

We want our guests to enjoy their stay, but we’ve learned that too many people in too close of quarters for too long can wear on nerves and the best of friendships. While everyone has their own ideas of what makes an appropriate length of visit, we believe in the threeday rule: “like fish, visitors stink after three nights.” There are exceptions of course, but family and friends generally arrive on Friday, look forward to two full days of fun, and then hit the road on Monday. We’re also upfront about the house rules. For example, in our small house, we ask for quiet time after 10 p.m. Our guests can stay up later if they want, we just ask them to respect our need to sleep just one wall away. Other things we talk about are smoking, visiting pets, and children hooking electronics up to TVs or the computer. We’ve learned that a little candid conversation while planning the visit can make things easier on everyone during the stay.

Bed & Breakfast Ready

“It’s all about the bed and the breakfast,” confirmed Linda Clark, manager of the Lara House Lodge in Bend. A professional innkeeper for more than 13 years, Clark recommends putting extra effort into making the bedroom comfortable and breakfasts delicious to ensure your guests’ comfort. At our home, we made the decision to replace 6 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

Photo by Nicole Werner

the queen-sized bed with a futon so we could use the room for other needs, but that doesn’t mean we expect guests to squeeze in between our mess. I pack away the clutter, open the windows to fresh air, and make room in the closet for their clothes. I get out special linens and comfortable pillows and leave a stack of magazines and a book or two they might like on the bed. Fresh flowers make a nice final touch. In addition to a ready supply of fresh towels, our guest bath is stocked with necessities like toothbrushes and paste, hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner,

disposable razors and shaving cream. We also include aspirin, antihistamines, antacids, Band-Aids and antiseptic cream in case they need something to help with headaches, allergies, upset stomachs or minor scrapes. Our guest room does not have a TV, so I always encourage guests to bring their laptop and then happily share our Wi-Fi network key and DVDs. Then they can retreat to their room for some privacy and quiet, check their e-mails and watch a movie they might enjoy while we take a break from hosting in our own room.

beach and shallow pool that is perfect for young children, and a perfect series of fishing holes shaded by a grove of willows. The park grounds, complete with tables and barbecues, is the perfect place for a family picnic and a game of ball. Those feeling lazy can enjoy a comfortable float on a hot day, while those more energetic can head for the hiking trail that meanders along the river for about one mile only to dead end at a rock flow. Along the way you may see river otter, young eagles in the spring, or an osprey drying its wings on a ledge on the canyon above. It’s also the site of a small forest fire in 2008, and it’s interesting to see the area recovering to return the canyon to its natural beauty. Just don’t be surprised if you find others wandering along the trail looking for Tumalo Falls. Tell them to drive back into the town and head west at the Phoenix Rising roundabout (known to locals as “the Flaming Chicken”).

Richardson Recreation Ranch

If you and your guests must have a souvenir from Central Oregon, head to Richardson’s Recreation Ranch north of Madras and dig for your own thunder eggs. While listed in guides, the ranch does little advertising. Only a small sign on the side of the road tells you where to turn, so this hidden treasure is rarely crowded. First, explore all the rocks, geodes and fossils on display around the shop, then borrow a bucket, pick and a map and get back into the car for

a drive of about six miles to the egg beds to find your treasures. Just dig around in the loosened beds and you’re sure to find several of these beautiful works of nature. Each egg costs about 50, cents and the shop will cut it in half for a dollar, making it the most unique and affordable souvenir Central Oregon has to offer. If it’s raining, it’s recommended to call first to make sure the road to the beds is open as it gets slippery when wet.

The Metolius River Trail and Wizard Fall Fish Hatchery

Every year, thousands of people stop to stare at the head of the Metolius, which miraculously seems to bubble out from the middle of nowhere. But few wander beyond that natural wonder to the river that it becomes. The relatively easy 2.5-mile trail along the Metolius is one of the most beautiful and peaceful hikes in Central Oregon, especially in the late spring and early fall. The trail starts at the edge of the Canyon Creek Campground and ends at the Wizard Fall Fish Hatchery, which is the perfect spot to rest and have a light lunch before heading back to the car. Don’t forget your quarters so you can buy food to feed the fish. And be sure to stop at the Camp Sherman store on the way home for a cold soda or ice cream, and dream for a moment about having your own cabin along this beautiful river. A view of Mt. Jefferson above the Metolius River

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Busy and Beautiful

hot, I prepare a breakfast casserole in advance in a disposable foil pan, pop it in the oven, and then complement it with some fresh fruit, crunchy artisan bread and unsalted butter. Lunch can take many forms. A hike or a trip to the lakes calls for a picnic, and a stroll through a downtown festival always offers food booths.

Brews … and Food.

Or if there is a special restaurant we’d like to enjoy, we consider lunch instead of dinner. It’s usually more affordable and less hectic. Later in the afternoon, when we need to sit down and get out of the heat, we head to the nearest familyfriendly brew pub for a beer and some light appetizers. Dinner is the tricky meal. Do you go out again after a long day, or do you opt to eat in and create a mess? We usually opt for a compromise of eating in but making it easy. We put what we bought at the farmers’ market together with a rotisserie chicken and some leftover bread, or just order pizza or Chinese food so everyone gets a say. Served on paper plates, neither leaves a mess. Then we finish with some fresh summer fruit and settle down to relax and enjoy the cool breezes off the mountains.

One should never be bored in Central Oregon, especially with so many beautiful places to share and fun things to do. The key is to plan strategically so everyone has something to enjoy and expenses stay in check. We often suggest a visit around a special event that appeals to their interests like the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show or the Cascade Cycling Classic. We also suggest a day trip doing something they can’t do elsewhere like rafting class-three rapids, spelunking in caves, hiking up to a field of wildflowers or a dip into a Cascade lake. Like the Lara House Lodge, we have plenty of books and guides on hand through which guests can browse. Clark also suggests typing up detailed directions to some favorite spots and keeping them easily on hand in case guests want to strike out on their own for a bit. If staying around town, check the morning paper for events that day, such as a farmers’ markets or the First Friday Gallery Walk.

Keeping guests happily fed is one of the biggest challenges for a host, so I get strategic again. As Clark said, “A wonderful breakfast makes for a wonderful stay.”

Lara House Lodge always offers a variety of choices for guests, and we do the same, but with an emphasis on protein and nutrients to fuel the busy day ahead. Most mornings, we set out a buffet with fresh fruit, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, hearty cold cereals and whole wheat bagels with peanut butter. On days with time for something

For these reluctant hosts, it’s all about enjoying Central Oregon with family and friends and creating memories instead of fussing with things like bedding, cooking and cleaning up. Think through the details in advance, and then just enjoy the people you love.

COBA Tour of Homes™ 2010

Central Oregon’s Best of the Best The Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) announced the award winners for the 22nd Annual 2010 Tour of Homes™, an area tour of 37 homes representing some of the best work of area builders. Each year, a panel of judges rates each home

on the tour in a variety of categories including best landscaping, best kitchen, best interior finish, best master suite, best garage, best feature, best architectural design, best value and best of show. This year, homes entered as green homes were judged in the categories of site design, resource

efficiency, indoor air quality, efficient building design and other innovations. The newest award given was the Energy Performance Score (EPS) award for homes with the highest energy efficiency. Below are this year’s winners:

HOMES MORE THAN $1 MILLION

$200,000 TO $230,000

BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Black Rock Construction, Inc. BEST KITCHEN: Artisan Homes & Design, Inc. BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Black Rock Construction, Inc. BEST MASTER SUITE: Artisan Homes & Design, Inc. BEST LANDSCAPING: Artisan Homes & Design, Inc. BEST GARAGE: Black Rock Construction, Inc. BEST FEATURE: Copperline Development, Inc. (Front Porch) BEST VALUE: Pacwest Homes BEST OF SHOW: Artisan Homes & Design, Inc.

BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Parsons Development, LLC BEST KITCHEN: Choice One Builders BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Pahlisch Homes BEST MASTER SUITE: Pahlisch Homes BEST LANDSCAPING: Parsons Development, LLC BEST FEATURE: Pahlisch Homes (Built-Ins) BEST VALUE: Parsons Development, LLC BEST OF SHOW: Leader Builders, LLC.

$600,000 TO $850,000

BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Somerset Development, LLC BEST KITCHEN: Hayden Homes BEST INTERIOR FINISH: HiLine Homes BEST MASTER SUITE: HiLine Homes BEST LANDSCAPING: HiLine Homes BEST FEATURE: HiLine Homes (Pantry/Office Bonus Space) BEST VALUE: Hayden Homes BEST OF SHOW: Triad Homes Inc.

BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Pahlisch Homes BEST KITCHEN: Pahlisch Homes BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Pahlisch Homes BEST MASTER SUITE: Pahlisch Homes BEST LANDSCAPING: Pahlisch Homes BEST VALUE: Bend Trend Homes BEST OF SHOW: Pahlisch Homes BEST FEATURE: Olsen Brothers Construction, LLC (Exposed Beams)

$400,000 TO $600,000 BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Choice One Builders BEST KITCHEN: Choice One Builders BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Arrowood Development, LLC BEST MASTER SUITE: Greg Welch Construction BEST LANDSCAPING: Greg Welch Construction BEST FEATURE: Greg Welch Construction (Accessory Dwelling Unit) BEST VALUE: Choice One Builders BEST OF SHOW: Choice One Builders

$300,000 TO $400,000 BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Pahlisch Homes

LESS THAN $200,000

Best of Show, Artisan Homes & Design Inc.

BEST KITCHEN: Pahlisch Homes BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Pahlisch Homes BEST MASTER SUITE: Structure Development NW BEST LANDSCAPING: Pahlisch Homes BEST FEATURE: Pahlisch Homes (Water Feature) BEST VALUE: Pahlisch Homes BEST OF SHOW: Pahlisch Homes

$230,000 TO $300,000 BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Braatz Earle BEST KITCHEN: Mike Knighten Construction Co. BEST INTERIOR FINISH: Hayden Homes BEST MASTER SUITE: Hayden Homes BEST LANDSCAPING: Braatz Earle BEST FEATURE: Mike Knighten Construction Co. (Commercial Space) BEST VALUE: Ridgeline Custom Homes BEST OF SHOW: Hayden Homes

COBA is a trade association comprised of almost 800 members. About onethird of the members are builders, with the remaining two-thirds of its membership coming from sub-contractors, material suppliers and other support businesses such as banks, mortgage companies, Realtors, etc. COBA is the second largest home builders association in Oregon. Annually, COBA produces the Spring & Fall Home & Garden

EPS AWARDS LESS THAN 2,000 SQUARE FEET WITH SOLAR: Bend Area Habitat for Humanity LESS THAN 2,000 SQUARE FEET WITHOUT SOLAR: SolAire Homebuilders MORE THAN 2,000 SQUARE FEET WITH SOLAR: Bend Trend Homes MORE THAN 2,000 SQUARE FEET WITHOUT SOLAR: Black Rock Construction

GREEN BUILDING AWARDS LESS THAN $300,000: SolAire Homebuilders $300,000 TO $700,000: Bend Trend Homes MORE THAN $1 MILLION: Black Rock Construction

Shows, The Tour of Homes™, the Tour Of Remodeled Homes™. The mission of COBA is to represent the building industry before government and the community, to promote high ethical standards within the building industry, to provide service to its membership and to defend the opportunities of home ownership for all. Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 9

Photos by Nicole Werner

Do You

Fondue? by Annissa Anderson / for The Bulletin

As the cartoon chef Gusteau in the movie “Ratatouille” proclaimed, “Anyone can cook.” That certainly applies to fondue. Fun and funky, fondue cooking is fast and convenient. It’s so easy, anyone can cook—fondue. Whether you’re entertaining friends or looking for fun family dinner ideas, you can make fondue as an appetizer, main dish or dessert. All you need is a pot, individual skewers and some creative, bite-sized edibles for dunking into the melted concoction. 10 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

‘Fun and funky,’ fondue is traditional, versatile and can be made as an appetizer, main dish or dessert.

Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove, halved 1 pound Gruyère cheese, grated 1/2 pound Emmentaler cheese or other Swiss cheese, grated 1 cup dry white wine 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons kirsch Freshly ground pepper Freshly grated nutmeg Cubes of crusty bread for dunking

Method:

Rub the inside of a cheese fondue pot with the garlic clove; discard the garlic. Combine the grated Gruyère and Emmentaler with the wine, cornstarch and lemon juice in the fondue pot and cook on a stovetop over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheeses begin to melt, about 5 minutes. Add the kirsch and a generous pinch each of pepper and nutmeg and cook, stirring gently, until creamy and smooth, about 10 minutes; don’t overcook the fondue or it will get stringy. Remove the pot from the stovetop and place on a fondue réchaud (stand) over a sterno can or votive candle. Serve at once with bread cubes.

When it comes to fondue, don’t feel like you have to choose just one recipe to try. Each fondue is just as easy and delicious as the next. TYPES OF FONDUE

The classic fondue is the Swiss cheese fondue, a traditional dish that originated in the Alps. While it may seem like a gourmet dish, it was actually a peasant dish, using ingredients that were available in the winter: cheese, wine and peasant bread. In Switzerland, “la fondue” means a cheese fondue and nothing else, but today there are plenty of other kinds of fondue. Twists on the Swiss cheese fondue—using regional cheeses and wines—still use the same basic recipe, which consists of rubbing a fondue pot with a clove of garlic, melting the cheese with wine and spices over heat, and cooking with kirsch until creamy and smooth. Some variations add cream or egg yolks, but the result is still a smooth, melted mass of cheese. Bite-sized chunks of crusty bread are de rigueur for dunking, but cut apples, pears and raw vegetables are also popular. This basic idea of dunking cubes of food into a pot of melted sauce has been taken to new culinary heights by cuisines from around the world. There are a number of ways to flavor a chocolate fondue, and dessert fondues are not limited to chocolate. Oil fondues use sizzling oil to cook speared pieces of raw meat, as do stock fondues. Asian fondues are also part of the fondue trend, using a Mongolian hot pot in place of the European-style fondue pot.

FONDUE EQUIPMENT

While the custom of fondue has been around for decades, the accoutrements have changed. State-ofthe-art stainless fondue pots and burners have mostly replaced earth tone ceramic pots in specialty kitchen stores. But while special fondue pots and equipment are helpful for fondue, they are not necessarily prerequisites. For a successful fondue, any appropriately shaped pot—one that is fairly shallow and rounded with a handle—will work. A heavy, enameled cast iron or stainless pot is best because it keeps and distributes the heat evenly throughout the fondue. It is also essential to have something to keep the melted fondue warm. A sterno can or votive candle suspended over an iron stand (réchaud) works best. (Keeping a fondue warm on a stovetop will most likely result in a burnt or separated fondue). And of course, there are the fondue forks. Fondue forks are long and thin, perfect for skewering chunks of bread or other food for dunking. Don’t have a fondue set? Make the fondue in a heavy pan on the stovetop and serve it in a bread bowl or hollowed out baked squash. Use long toothpicks or cocktail skewers for piercing chunks of food.

FONDUE ETIQUETTE

Once the fondue is melted and poured into the pot over a flame, it is time to eat. Fondue forks are marked with a colored tip so that each gourmand will know which is his or hers. Each person should take turns spearing the cubed food and stirring it around in the sauce until it is covered. Scraping the sides and bottom of the pot is recommended to prevent the sauce from sticking and burning to the sides. Eating fondue is as much an art as making it. It is important to pull the cubed food off the fork with your teeth, trying not to touch the fork—which will be reused for the duration of the meal—with your mouth. It goes to follow that double-dipping is taboo. This can be helped along by cutting all food for dunking into small, bite-sized shapes—removing any temptation from the start. As the sauce gets eaten, it will get thicker. It’s important to keep stirring and wiping down the sides of the pot while you eat. If possible, you may also want to gradually lower the intensity of the flame. When only a little sauce remains, turn off the heat. When it comes to fondue, don’t feel like you have to choose just one recipe to try. Each fondue is just as easy and delicious as the next. Go retro and create your own fondue tasting party with your food-loving friends. Gusteau will be proud, and so will you.

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 11

a style uniquely your own.

Kathy & Bob Winn

Dark Chocolate Kahlúa Fondue (Makes 2 cups) Ingredients:

370 e cascade ave. sisters

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12 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

2 cups dark chocolate chips 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup heavy cream 3/4 cup Kahlúa liqueur 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper Cut fruit, marshmallows and/or cubed pound cake for dunking

Method:

Set up a double boiler over medium heat. Add chocolate and warm until melted. Add butter and, using a wooden spoon, stir until combined. Stir in cream until glossy and add Kahlúa, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Pour into fondue pot and place into a fondue réchaud (stand) over a sterno can or votive candle. Serve immediately with cut fruit, marshmallows, and/or cubed pound cake.

IN THE KITCHEN

Food and

FELLOWSHIP

Throughout cultures and time, food has consistently been a pillar of fellowship. According to Jaime Aguirre, co-owner of Ginger’s Kitchenware in Bend, food remains an essential focal point of gatherings throughout Central Oregon. “People here in the high desert appreciate the drawing power of delicious cuisine when hosting large parties and intimate get-togethers,” Aguirre said. According to Aguirre, two popular kitchen products exist that not only simplify the process of cooking for a group of people, but also enhance the experience of enjoying traditional (and versatile) dishes: raclette and fondue. “Sharing stories over drinks while creating personalized dishes is an activity everyone will love,” Aguirre said. “And you’ll be cooking with your friends, not for them.”

each guest melts the raclette with vegetables and other toppings of his or her choice. All the host needs to do is supply the equipment and prepped cheese and vegetables.

FONDUE

Also from the Swiss, gathering around a fondue pot is delicious, unpredictable and fun as your group partakes in yet another Swiss tradition.

“Delicious bread and cheese, tasty meat and broth, delectable fruit and chocolate ... all these choices and more are easy to create and enjoy,” Aguirre said. Make your fondue party fun by planning seating arrangements and partaking in fun Swiss traditions. For example, it’s customary that if someone’s bread or meat falls in the pot, he/she has to kiss the person on the right. And if someone’s bread slips off the fork and into the cheese, the person has to buy a round of drinks for the table. “Make a game out of it and create new challenges for every time someone drops a piece of bread or meat into the pot,” Aguirre said. — Swissmar provided information for this article.

RACLETTE

Raclette is a delectable Swiss cheese dish that has been popular for centuries. It’s origin dates back hundreds of years when shepherds tended their herds in the mountains of Switzerland, where meals consisted of cheese melted by the fire, then drizzled onto potatoes and pickles. Tabletop raclette party grills allow hosts to mimic this tradition in a fun, simple way. The grill heats numerous small pans in which

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Wheel of Destiny Tony Aceti working to market and sell the word game his mother created to help him improve his spelling grades. by Susan Thomas Springer / for The Bulletin Special Projects

Tony Aceti’s mother (above), who invented a word game to help her son study, made a dying wish that Aceti improve and share the game with others. Photos by Lyle Cox. 14 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

The game of roulette involves betting, winning and losing. The life of an inventor is fairly similar. Yet if an inventor brings hard work and tenacity to the table, they just might be one of the few who are successful. Tony Aceti bet the word game his mother invented before her death, which uses a roulette wheel to pick letters, would be popular. Now his bet is finally paying off. Today this hay farmer is an award-winning businessman. Aceti’s journey has taken a few decades, included some bumps, and has forced him to learn everything from computers and copyrights to manufacturing and marketing. Now he’s prepared to compete within the big league and bring Mingle Word-Roulette to an international audience. “To meet the ultimate goal of having people all over the world play my mom’s game—it’s overwhelming,” said Aceti. It all began when a young Aceti fell behind in spelling. As a boy growing up on a ranch in Oregon, he was more interested in trying to dig to China and taking apart lawn mowers than he was in studying. So his mother invented a game where they sat at the kitchen table spelling words after spinning a roulette wheel with letters rather than numbers. “She had this idea to motivate me toward spelling,” said Aceti. “I needed a hook—I learn by doing, not by reading a book.” Mingle Word-Roulette is played by spinning four silver balls in the wheel which land on vowels, consonants or letter combinations such as “th.” Players compete to spell as many words as possible with the letters from each spin. Aceti said people of all ages enjoy playing including students who, like him, want to improve their spelling skills. Even though his mother, Rose, was battling breast

cancer, she continued to improve Mingle and tried unsuccessfully to sell it to large game manufacturers. She died in 1981 on Aceti’s 23rd birthday. Rose’s last words to her son were to move forward with the game that had brought them so much fun. At first, Aceti tried to honor those words but was daunted finding supplies and marketing the game. He sold games slowly, then decided to return to hay farming and put hundreds of plastic roulette wheels in his closet, where they stayed for 25 years. “Even during those years, I always had the desire to do the game,” said Aceti. About a year ago, Aceti decided to re-launch the game. His practical reasons for trying again included the physical demands of farming on a 50-something body and seeing the power of the Internet to sell product. “I had a really steep learning curve on the computer,” said Aceti.

Aceti created a website but soon learned having one doesn’t mean buyers will find it. He tried Amazon only to see his game listing buried under the established games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. So Aceti tried a lower-tech route and brought Mingle Word-Roulette to art fairs and shows around the state. The public feedback gave him a great opportunity to improve the game. “I’ve perfected the product so much that it’s very playable,” said Aceti. He adds that people are intrigued when they see Mingle at shows and move in closer to find out how it works. This past June, Aceti took his game to Pittsburgh, Penn., to attend America’s largest invention trade show and came home with the top award for his category. He was surprised to win first prize in the games and toy category at Invention & New Product Exposition (INPEX). (In another unexpected twist, Aceti was interviewed at the show by comedian Jim Norton for a bit in a feature that recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.) The award brought him more than applause and a plaque. It gave him the opportunity to advertise in The SkyMall catalog, which is seen by 88 percent of

all domestic air passengers, reaching more than 650 million air travelers annually. Aceti’s phone and e-mail have been hopping since his award. Along with media interviews, he’s received inquires from buyers but hasn’t found the right one. He is considering a sale carefully because the possibility of the game leaving his hands is both scary and exciting. So now Aceti is focused on manufacturing 1,000 games, so he’s prepared when his advertisement hits SkyMall around the holidays. “I’ve turned my house into an assembly plant,” said Aceti. He has game supplies in two bedrooms and the garage of his Bend home along with two shipping containers at the hay depot. Farming and international business may seem worlds apart, but Aceti says the values he learned on a ranch such as responsibility and honesty have honed his skills to be successful with Mingle. Aceti calls Mingle a game of skill, strategy and luck. Those are the same elements which have brought his mother’s invention from the kitchen table to thousands of people. Learn more about Aceti, the game and to see his Tonight Show interview at minglewordroulette.com.

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 15

COLOR TRENDS

PRIME TIME for PAINT. It’s widely understood throughout the professional painting world that without proper surface preparation, a painting job can fall flat. This preparation, according to Norma Tucker of Denfeld Paints in Bend, includes proper priming. “All too often with do-it-yourself painting projects, primers are taken for granted,” Tucker said. “Priming is essential to ensuring a finished project looks good and the paint performs as expected. It increases the adhesion of your top coat of paint and provides a thicker film buildup, which increases the durability and creates a flatter, smoother surface for applying your top coat.” According to Tucker, a primer performs three essential functions: it seals, hides and binds. “This makes a surface more uniform, leading to a more durable, smoother and more pleasing appearance in fewer coats of paint,” she said. Before priming, be sure to remove all

dirt, grease, oil and chemicals from your surface using soap and water, a household cleaner or a trisodium phosphate (TSP) solution. Also be sure any loose rust or chipping/peeling paint is removed, Tucker said. Tucker said that priming is essential on a number of surfaces:

BARE WOOD Bare wood is a porous substrate that holds air and moisture. Priming is suggested to ensure a smooth, uniform top coat. “Priming will also prevent bleeding from your wood,” Tucker said. “Sand off weathered wood and replace rotten or water-damaged wood before painting.”

BARE METAL Priming makes your top coat adhere more smoothly to bare metal and adds a rust-inhibitive function of your coating.

CONCRETE Water-damaged concrete has a sandy or gritty surface that comes off easily when rubbed, Tucker said. “Remove this loose material by sanding or etching,” she added. “Prevent water or moisture from penetrating underneath your paint or peeling will occur.”

DARKLY PAINTED SURFACES If you’re changing from a dark coat of paint to a light coat, prime in order to cover your old color completely. “Priming helps prevent bleeding of your old color through your new top coat,” said Tucker. — Rust-Oleum provided information for this article.

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Vino

in the Home

When storing wine in your home, consider type of wine, how it’s bottled and the ability to show off your collection.

by Robert Springer / for The Bulletin Special Projects

In an era with a high-tech (and sometimes expensive) solution to every problem, it’s refreshing to hear that an ancient, decidedly low-tech solution to storing wine properly is still best. “A cave would work perfectly,” said Scott Ratcliff, co-owner and winemaker of Bend’s Volcano Vineyards. Since caves are not exactly the most practical places to store wine, two local winemakers are sharing their tips for keeping your vino safe. The requirements for wine storage are relatively straightforward: keep it cool and dark to make it age gracefully. “Fifty-five to 60 degrees is ideal,” said Doug Maragas, owner and winemaker of Culver’s Maragas Winery. Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 17

He added that maintaining a consistent temperature is also critical as the bottle and cork expand at different rates; expansion and contraction of the cork could allow air, wine’s enemy, to seep in. “If you’re comfortable, your wine will be comfortable, especially for short periods of time,” said Ratcliff. He said that basements or any consistently cool spot in your house would work. Both winemakers said that most wine bottles should be stored on its side to keep the cork hydrated. A dry cork is a cork waiting to crack and let air in. Maragas said that silicone-corked bottles like the ones he uses can be stored upright. Screw-capped wine should be stored upright, especially if it’s red, as the wine’s acidity could cause it to corrode the lining and eventually the screw cap itself. (By the way, the foil enclosures on wine bottles are decorative and do nothing to preserve it.) Like bats, wine likes dark places. Most colored wine bottles have UV protection built in, but it’s not perfect, so do not store your wine

temperature. Some can maintain two different temperatures (for white and red wine) by featuring two zones or sides with individual controls.

“If you’re comfortable, your wine will be comfortable, especially for short periods of time.” in direct sunlight as it will degrade the wine’s quality. Displaying wine in a standalone or built-in cabinet can be an attractive addition to a dining room, as long as the cabinet is climate controlled, Maragas said. Ratcliff said that small wine coolers offer good solutions for maintaining a cool, consistent

18 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

Another idea is to buy a small refrigerator and experiment to obtain the right temperature. “Why spend the money if you’re not going to display it?” Ratcliff said. Red wine can benefit from aging, while white wine is usually meant to be drunk soon after purchase. Maragas suggested a simple (and enjoyable) experiment for learning when to drink wine that you are aging: buy a half-case of wine and try a bottle every six months. “The tannins and fruity aspects of the wine recede over time, allowing the other qualities of the wine to come forward,” he said. He just tried a bottle of late 1980s Bordeaux (cabernet sauvignon) that is just now maturing. “Our 2001 Legal Zin is peaking now,” he said.

Starting Wine Collection Before you can store your wine collection, you start a collection. Here’s how: • Begin by educating your palate. Go to wine tastings (Volcano Vineyards and Maragas Winery both offer tastings) to learn what you like. Tastings are economical, and you usually end up with the equivalent of a glass of wine for the $5 tasting fee. Also, most grocery stores offer tastings, and many have wine stewards; ask them for recommendations. • Waiters are other great resource for learning what you like. “Tell the waiter, ‘I’m looking for something in this range and this is what I’d like to eat,’” Ratcliff said. If they can’t help you, they will find someone who can, he added. • White wines are more approachable for the newbie, Ratcliff said, suggesting that a Riesling or Gewurztraminer would be a good place to start. • Buy what you like. Have fun and do not be intimidated, Ratcliff said.

Red Wine Stains A dinner party guest spills red wine on your new white carpet. Fear not, say the experts, as they suggest the following steps to combat staining: • Be prepared. Maragas and Ratcliff recommend natural products like Wine Stain Eater or Wine Away to treat the stain. (Maragas sells Wine Stain Eater at his winery. Both products are available online as well.) • Be fast. Ratcliff said the key is to keep the stain moist until you can apply the cleaning product (he has had good luck with Resolve as well). Blot the stain and apply the product as soon as you can. • Wear black. “I always wear black so I don’t have to worry about stains,” Ratcliff said.

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RIGHT AT HOME

Divine DINING

ENTERTAINING AT HOME WITH GRACE AND STYLE When hosting a summer dinner party at home, Heather Cashman of Bend Furniture and Design suggests setting a scene for success by considering the placement and versatility of your furnishings. “Those of us lucky enough to live in Central Oregon love gathering to enjoy great food, drink and company,” Cashman said. “When hosting, you can ensure a most enjoyable event by being mindful of the comfort of your guests and flexible in your presentation.” Taking full advantage of transitional furniture such as dinner tables, a beverage cart or a bistro table with chairs and bar/counter stools, will make seamless work of hosting various sized groups of friends, neighbors and family members. Here’s how:

SET THE STAGE

As guests arrive, welcome them to your home and set the mood with refreshments. “Designate a beverage area with a bar cart or a bistro table with chairs,” Cashman said. “Upon arriving, guests prefer to be close to the chef, so position these near the cooking area.” Comfortable bar/counter stools positioned around

an island or serving area, with a bar cart close by, can also serve this purpose.

WHERE’S DINNER?

Once food is prepared and cocktail hour is over, it’s time to transition your guests to the next stage of the evening - dining. A wood dining table with leaf

Also consider the comfort of dining chairs, offering upholstered, ample seats for your guests. capabilities will offer you the best flexibility. “You want a table that’s versatile,” Cashman said. “Leaves can transform a table to accommodate as few as four people to as many as twelve.”

DINING AL FRESCO

Take advantage of a mild summer evening, as well as the versatility of your furniture, by considering al fresco dining. “If you’re expecting a large group, utilize your outdoor living space” Cashman said. “Convert your bar cart and bistro table into serving stations, positioned in different areas of the patio or deck to encourage mingling.”

Dining chairs and stools can help provide ample seating throughout various parts of the home or patio.

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GUEST accommodations

Photos by Nicole Werner

Make visitors feel comfortable with a well-equipped guest room. by Bunny Thompson / for The Bulletin Special Projects

Summer, fall, winter or spring— Central Oregon is a perfect place to visit. So come one, come all, and stay at our place. That’s a great idea if you have a guest room. If not, how will you accommodate these visitors? An airbed on the floor is always an option, but maybe you can do better than that without building a guest house or reserving a hotel room.

“The most important thing is to prepare a space for your guests that will alleviate the feeling of imposing,” said Meghan Evans, owner of Buttercup Home Styling in Bend. “You want your guests to feel comfortable and at ease while visiting your home.” Guest rooms tend to take two forms: a multi-purpose room and a dedicated guest room. A multi-purpose guest room, also called a flex or dual-function room, can be an office, hobby room, exercise space or loft. Here’s where a little

innovation and creativity comes in handy. Flexible furniture, such as a Murphy bed, sofa bed, trundle bed or a futon, can keep your space open for other uses, then transform into a guest room with few interruptions or modifications. Just make sure to keep the center of the room open to allow space for the bed extension. If your office, hobby or exercise equipment can be moved, try putting it on rollers and temporarily store them in a closet, the corner or in an alcove.

Check out the many closet organizer websites for ideas to extend the use of your flex room closet or even use the closet units within the room as furniture. With a little modification, an antique armoire can become a perfect computer station and filing cabinet that can be hidden behind beautiful and decorative doors. If your flex room is small, multipurposing the furniture is a good option. A wooden, table-height, two-drawer

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 21

filing cabinet placed beside a bed or futon, for instance, can also function as a bed-side table. Try changing the hardware and use a more decorative pull or knob to match the décor or color of the room. Task lighting for your computer or hobby desk can also be used as a bedside or reading chair light. If the room’s closet space can’t accommodate your guest’s belongings, add a few ornamental hooks that can be used for coats or robes. A folding luggage rack, similar to those found in hotel rooms, accommodates your guest’s suitcase and a hanging shoe organizer can provide just the right spot for your guests to store small things. For a dedicated guest room, “think about your own bedroom”, Evans said. “What are the things in your bedroom that make you feel comfortable and rested?” This includes, but is certainly not limited to: twin beds, or at least a queen-size bed to provide adequate sleeping space; a night-

stand with a reading lamp; a dresser (especially if you’re planning for extended guests); spare pillows; closet space and extra hangers; and plenty of towels. For a nice touch, buy guest towels in a color that is different from your family towels and lay them neatly on the bed. Your guests will be assured these are indeed their towels. “Bedding for a guest room should reflect your own personal style,” Evans says. “Don’t just put the old leftover bedding on your guest bed. Create a look or style for that room.” Central Oregon evenings can be chilly, even in the summer months. A down comforter tucked inside a duvet is a perfect top treatment for the bed. Keep an extra blanket or two handy for those cold-blooded guests who aren’t used to our mountain air. Also consider window treatments for your guest room. Your guest will appreciate some privacy and may want to sleep in

a bit on their vacation or visit. Along that same thought, put an alarm clock or a clock/radio by the bed. You don’t want your guest to worry about sleeping in too late and missing or delaying breakfast. “When you’ve finished with the basics, think about those little extras that will make the room even more cozy and special,” said Evans. “Artwork on the walls that pulls in your home décor style, candles, a small basket for keys and perhaps a music option such as a CD player or an iPod docking station.” Want to make your guests feel like they’re at a five-star resort? Hang a fluffy robe in the closet along with one-size-fitsmost slippers. You can even slip a bowl of bedside mints on their nightstand. The perfect guest room is a great addition to your homebut beware. With a comfy bed, a warm down comforter and a fleecy robe, your guests may want to stay an extra week or two!

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Centerpiece

of Attention

Welcome your guests with a homemade centerpiece using colorful garden flora.

by Susan Thomas Springer / for The Bulletin Special Projects

As a girl, Barbara “Barne” Thomas went fishing with her father. But she wasn’t so interested in the fish. Instead, she would wander up and down the river picking flowers. That early passion, plus her interests in art and gardening, led Thomas to the florist business. As the owner of Wild Flowers of Oregon in downtown Bend, Thomas has found that customers like the same natural look in their arrangements that she found along the riverbanks. While it takes experience to complete the arrangements she and coowner Sara Barton create, Thomas said that non-florists can make beautiful centerpieces, too. The right centerpiece is a happy addition to a dinner table and makes guests feel welcome. All it takes is a trip to your back yard, a few tools and tips from an expert. “A centerpiece lets everyone know they were anticipated, that they are special and that you want them to have a beautiful meal and a beautiful evening,” said Thomas.

Choose a Container

Thomas begins by selecting a container. For a centerpiece, it should be low, stable and water-tight. That way,

24 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

dinner guests will be able to see each other, and wind gusts won’t topple a vase at an el fresco dinner. She adds that it doesn’t need to be fancy, and grandma’s candy dish, a kitchen bowl or juice glasses can work.

Materials

The second step is gathering materials. This element determines if the style of a centerpiece will be casual or traditional. Thomas recommends keeping an open mind and looking in your flower garden, your vegetable and herb gardens,

house plants and even produce. She has created centerpieces using kumquats, Brussels sprouts and green beans. “Almost anything that is green and alive, you can put in water and have fun with,” said Thomas. In Central Oregon, people can gather black-eyed Susans, Shasta daisies, campanula, wild sweet peas and smaller flowers like violas. Also, look for annuals like petunias, marigolds and zinnias. Consider herbs like oregano, fragrant

mint, lacey dill or fennel, a spike of lavender, rosemary or parsley. Plants in your vegetable garden that aren’t typically thought of as ornamental include chard or squash leaves. Thomas said that grasses add movement and action. “For greenery, I might pick evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood and any reachable small deciduous shrubs and trees like red twig dogwood, which have nice foliage, flowers, berries and attractive branches for all seasons,” Thomas said. “Others could be vine maple or willow.”

Be Practical

with naturally found items, too. “The simplest way is intertwining twigs or using rocks,” said Thomas. “You don’t have to drive anywhere to get them.”

Start Large

Thomas creates her centerpieces by starting with the largest blooms. She uses a potter’s wheel, allowing her to spin her emerging creation to ensure it looks great from all sides. Any rotating tray will work fine, too. But don’t try to control it too much. “The imperfections are where the beauty is; the wildness is what you want,” said Thomas.

Once you have your ingredients, you need to think about the practical aspects of a centerpiece. Thomas points out that commercial flowers are bred to be more durable, so to help naturally found materials last longer, they need a clean, fresh cut each time they are placed in water. Thomas uses warm water and a sharp knife. To help flowers stand up where you want them, Thomas recommends using floral foam. Hide the foam with leaves, such as salal, and keep it well watered. You can build structure

Photos by Nicole Werner

Outside the Vase Thomas shares a few tips to think outside of the box (or the vase): FLOAT IT: Float a flower with a large surface area, such as a daisy, in a bowl. Simply cut off the stem and add floating votives. BE TRENDY: Thomas said it’s popular to arrange flowers below the level of a tall, glass vase. It’s also easier to keep those stems under control.

AUGMENT YOUR YARD: Buy a mixed bouquet at the grocery store, and take it apart, adding your own garden greenery. CONSIDER TABLE SHAPE: Thomas said round centerpieces work well on round and square tables. However, for rectangles such as picnic tables, line small repeating arrangements down the length of the table. RELAX: There is no right way. While Thomas thinks about odd numbers, color and texture, she adds, “There are design rules, but they are made to be broken.”

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 25

GARDEN CALENDAR August

Wondering why you are not getting any fruit on your apple trees? With our unfortunate cold spring, many of the flowers on our fruiting plants got zapped, so there may be little or no harvest this season.

Avoid fertilizing your lawn during this month. The hotter temperatures are more stressful for turfgrass, and you do not want to encourage excessive growth. Continue to water your lawn four to six inches per month as needed. Plant garlic and cold season crops.

Be sure to give your turf and landscape plants additional water during the hotter days of summer.

Harvest potatoes when the tops die down. Store them in a cool, dark location until use.

Spider mites prefer our hot and dry environment, especially during the month of August, and they target specific ornamental shrubs and perennials such as arborvitae and holly hocks. These tiny insects can be controlled by jet spraying more resilient plants with water from your garden hose. This blast of water will kill the spider mite on contact or knock it off the plant to prevent further feeding damage. For larger infestations on more tender plants, a miticide may be necessary.

Fertilize cucumbers, summer squash and broccoli, white harvesting to maintain production.

Check leafy vegetables for caterpillars. Control with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

Clean up the leaves of strawberry beds and fertilize. Prune away excess vegetation and new blossoms on tomatoes. This will improve the quality and flavor of your existing tomatoes.

by Amy Jo Detweiler / Special to The Bulletin

Harvest beans, broccoli, cabbage, chard, cucumbers, leeks, potatoes and carrots. Plant asters, mums, pansies and ornamental kale for fall color. The Michaelmas daisy or New York aster varieties (Aster novi-belgii) provide great fall color for Central Oregon. Having trouble with voles or other wildlife in your landscape? The University of Nebraska has an excellent website that provides management information on many of our most troublesome critters. To check out this leading resource, go to: http://icwdm.org/handbook/index.asp. Deep water your trees, shrubs and perennials every five to seven days. Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and tall fescues are some of the better choices for seeding or sod in

September

Plant asparagus crowns, seed beans and harvest broccoli, peas, lettuce and radishes.

Featured Publications • “Fire-Resistant Plants for Home Landscapes” is a 46-page publication that provides guidelines and ideas for selecting plants and landscapes that may reduce your risk of wildfires. This guide is especially useful for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas. • OSU Extension has released four newer publications :“Selecting Fruit Tree Varieties for Central Oregon Landscaping and Home Orchards,” “Selecting Berry Crop/Grape Varieties for Central Oregon,” “Selecting Native Plants for Home Landscapes in Central Oregon” and “Roses: Planting and Care in Central Oregon.” These publications and others can be downloaded at http://extension. oregonstate.edu/catalog (type the publication’s name in the search prompt) or mailed to you by calling the local, Redmond-based OSU Extension office at 541-548-6088.

Garden Events Through Tuesday, Sept. 7

Order from a variety of 21 unique, top-quality fall bulbs at the OSU Gardeners Bulb Sale. The bulbs are posted on the master gardener website: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/ deschutes/horticulture/mg. E-mail Pat at pat.kolling@ gmail.com for more information, or watch Good Morning Central Oregon on Friday, Aug. 13. The show is held each weekday at 6:30 a.m. on COTV-11.

Fridays, Aug. 27 & Sept. 10 & 24

Check out the OSU Master Gardener segments on “Good Morning Central Oregon.” Learn about “Waterwise Gardening/Xeriscaping” on Aug. 27 and other topics to be announced on Sept. 10 and 24. The show is held each weekday at 6:30 a.m. on COTV-11.

26 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

Wednesday, Sept. 30

Interested in becoming an OSU Master Gardener? OSU Master Gardeners are trained volunteers in the areas of general gardening and plant problem solving. Applications for the class of 2011 are available in September. Contact 541-548-6088 or visit http://extension.oregonstate.edu/ deschutes. OSU Master Gardener training will be available online for those who are unable to attend during the day.

Central Oregon. Consider a blended mix of grass seed for drought tolerance. For more information about establishing a new lawn, go to http://eesc.orst.edu/ agcomwebfile/edmat/EC1550.pdf. Water your lawn approximately three times a week, with a weekly total of one to two inches. Dethatch or aerate your lawn if necessary. Thatch is a layer of living and dead grass stems and roots. If your thatch layer is a half-inch or greater, it can prevent water, air and nutrients from penetrating the soil and reaching the roots of your grass, resulting in dry spots.

Thatching allows new grass shoots to grow in thick and lush. Thatching should be done every other year, particularly in lawns consisting of 100 percent Kentucky bluegrass. Aeration, the process that pulls out plugs, should also be done every other year in spring or fall. This process helps relieve compaction and opens up the soil for adding soil amendment or reseeding. In late September, plant spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and crocus. Work phosphorus into the soil below the bulbs. Remember when purchasing bulbs that the size of the bulb is directly correlated to the size of the flower yet to come in spring.

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Fact or Fiction:

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It has long been suggested that Epsom salt does more than help soothe your aching feet. If you read the back of the Epsom salt packaging, there exists suggestions for use on plants. FICTION: There is a gardening myth that using Epsom salt (a.k.a., magnesium sulfate) can help fertilize your plants, increase plant growth and keep pests away.

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FACT: Research indicates that magnesium sulfate was and continues to be used in intensive crop production (e.g. tomatoes) situations where there is a need due to a magnesium deficiency, either in the plant or in the soil. In these situations, the addition of magnesium sulfate is useful. Generally, a home gardener is not facing these issues and should not require this type of â&#x20AC;&#x153;fixâ&#x20AC;? for their plants.

FICTION: Epsom salt is a good alternative to fertilizers. FACT: In fact, a well-balanced fertilizer and rich organic soil are much better alternatives for sustaining plant health. If you use too much Epsom salt in a situation where magnesium is not needed, you may be contributing to unnecessary salt buildup or soil contamination.

FICTION: Epsom salt, if sprayed on the leaves of plants, can act as a natural pesticide. FACT: There is no research that supports this claim. You would be better off using research-based, integrated pest management strategies once the pest problem you have has been identified.

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541 - 385 - 5950 WWW.EXTRAFURNITURE.COM Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 27

Solar

Coverings

Expanding outdoor living spaces through the use of awnings by Sondra Holtzman / for The Bulletin Special Projects

The use of awnings in the home environment is not exclusive to modern day life. There is evidence of their use in ancient Egyptian and Syrian civilizations, described as “woven mats” that provided shade for market stalls and dwellings. Here in the high desert and in most areas in the country, a great amount of emphasis has been placed on creating outdoor living spaces in the form of hot tubs, expansive decks and patios, fire pits and outdoor kitchens. With homes and landscapes designed to be so inviting and conducive to various aspects of our home lifestyles, awnings are welcome additions, providing refuge from the sun’s heat. According to Dave and Mari Latimer, owners of Classic Coverings in Bend, one of the primary reasons to own an awning is the management of heat and protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. “With an awning, you can enjoy the outdoors, have parties or just sit and read,” said Dave Latimer. “They also cool the side of the house they are on, so solar heat gain in the home is reduced, along with indoor temperatures and air conditioning costs.” And while all awnings provide shade, Latimer says the consumer has a number of choices when selecting the source of this shade. The most discerning differences between the various options concern installation and usability. For example, homeowners can choose between a motorized or non-motorized awning. According to Latimer, most awnings he sells are motorized because they offer a higher level of convenience as well as a number of styles and features that offer greater versatility, such as automatic wind retraction. The innovations continue. According to Latimer, some awnings offer an infrared heating system that runs off the same remote control as the awning. Besides heat, some awnings also offer patio 28 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

lighting solutions. The “Lunar Lighting” option on Eclipse awnings features conventional incandescent rope lighting along the awning front bar, creating an intriguing nighttime ambiance. An additional factor to consider is the protection of your awning when not in use. In the spirit of this, some awnings are designed to roll up into a protective aluminum hood. “We have one version where the lateral arms and awning all roll up into a box, resulting in a clean looking, compact unit on the side of your home,” said Latimer. “It’s very similar to something you’d find on the side of a high-end motor coach driving down the highway.” Yet another awning option is a product called Pergolino, made by a Swiss company called Stobag. The Pergolino is a freestanding unit designed for situations where people would like the benefits of a pergola but don’t want to build a permanent structure. “The Pergolino has a retractable cover that runs on two guide rails with no lateral arms to worry about,” said Latimer. “It’s very wind-resistant, which provides a nice solution for patios here in Central Oregon where we experience wind. If you have a sunroom, it can get unbearably hot, so you can bring this system across when the sun gets too intense.” The key to the Pergolino awning is a gasfilled cylinder on each guide rail that expands and contracts the unit, eliminating the need for external arms while providing a good windresistant solution. Despite the type of awning you choose, be sure to consider the position of the sun from high-noon to dusk, then plan accordingly. “If your awning faces east or west and you want to sit out either in the morning or evening, you’re going to experience a low sun angle, which may come right through underneath the front of your awning,” Latimer said. “A drop shade in the front bar is a great option in this case because it can provide shade on your patio without having to lower the front of the awning.” Latimer says the allure of awnings is contagious. “We get little pockets where we’ve sold a bunch of awnings, and then all the neighbors want them,” Latimer said.

High Desert Neighborhoods

Black Rock Construction home featured on this year’s COBA Tour of Homes / Photo by Nicole Werner

expert

advice

Real estate predictions, in hindsight I went to see a movie in the theater about 8 years ago. I made it halfway through and asked for my money back. The previews were nothing like the movie, and in fact, there were scenes that were completely unexpected. Since then, I no longer trust movie reviews unless I can track the source. Skeptical perhaps? Analytical and more educated, I like to say. Previews for real estate need to be analyzed the same way. Thousands of articles are written about what we can expect from real estate. I reviewed some predictions about the 2010 real estate market written back in 2008 and 2009. Enjoy:

1. Residential housing will dip again in mid2010 before settling into a recovery in the back half of the year. That’s a head-scratcher ... for about 12 seconds. I see additional properties being foreclosed on throughout this year and next. This will push more inventory onto the market, putting additional downward pressure on home prices.

If it recovers the back half of this year, I will be pleasantly surprised ... oh, that’s starting right now! See? You didn’t scratch your head long either.

2. Foreclosure inventory will be a lot higher than some predict. Tied to No. 1, banks still have shadow inventory they have yet to release. Our friends at Chase have millions of homes in pre-foreclosure and are so far behind that some owners have yet to receive their foreclosure notices after 12plus months of non-payment.

3. No more historic lows on the 30-year fixed. This prediction is all wet; ask several of my 2010 buyers who locked phenomenal rates this spring/ summer.

4. The recession will end and buyers will regain confidence in the market. This prediction was made in 2008 for the year 2009, but I had to put it in. If this wasn’t so wrong it could almost be funny. This last one is the tip of the educational iceberg and it’s specific to now:

5. Investors will get back into the market by taking advantage of lower rates and property prices to fit rental rates. With the lending world tightening their standards were you aware that in most cases, an offer made by a cash-paying non-owner occupied investor will not even be considered on Fannie/Freddie REO property within the first 15 days of the listing period? This is a guideline, not a rule, and it can be negotiated at the time of the listing; however, if they are not aware to negotiate that beforehand, it could be off-limits to investor purchases for a time. Again, it’s a topic that can be asked about, but no guarantees if the bank would/would not agree to opening up the terms. It is imperative that anyone who is looking to purchase speak with their lender about the new lending practices and what is now associated with cash buyers, refinanced purchases, REO listed properties, etc. We in the industry strive to do our best in sharing relevant data to our clients. Never be afraid to analyze and question what you see/hear from my industry. As with any trade, there are three sides to every story: positive, negative and reality. Applying what you learn to your individual situation is always the best way to navigate the market. Cindy King is a principal broker at Steve Scott Realtors.

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 29

expert

advice

Green Pathways: Free education that pays Green Pathways is a free educational series put on by the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Building Green Council and sponsored by Umpqua Bank, KOHD ABC-TV and Neil Kelly Design & Remodeling. The City of Bend, Earth Advantage and the High Desert Branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council of LEED have been instrumental in providing information for these classes. The classes are held the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Neil Kelly Design Center at 190 NE Irving Ave. in Bend. Each of the classes is designed to bring you the best in energy efficiency in all areas of your home, saving you money while saving natural resources becomes second nature. You don’t have to be an activist, and we won’t

turn you into one. The classes are for anyone interested in learning how they can help themselves, their families and their communities save money and resources. The only agenda here is to help you and answer your questions. So whether you’re a high school student, a great-grandparent or of any age in between, Green Pathways is worth an hour of your time. We even provide snacks and age-appropriate drinks. Topics have included: healthy indoor living spaces; tax credits for saving energy: saving water; selecting healthy and safe products for your home, and green remodels. In August, you can learn about solar and alternative energy solutions for your home. In September, we will bring you a class titled “Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design,” while in October you’ll learn about efficient heating and cooling systems. In November, it’s all about efficient electrical and lighting for your home. Many of these principles will translate to your

30 | Central Oregon New Home Living | Late Summer 2010

small business as well. Save money at home and at work. Packed into one hour, you’ll learn both simple steps, and a few more complex steps, you can apply today and in the future that save you time and money. By cutting your energy and water bills, you control your savings and put cash in your pocket. So whether you have a 500-square-foot studio apartment or a 10,000-square-foot luxury home, these classes were made to help you improve the quality of your life. The Building Green Council of Central Oregon, a program of COBA, can direct you to the right resources to help you preserve our natural resources and save you money. Visit the COBA website at www.coba.org for a schedule of classes, or call COBA at 541-389-1058 for more information on building green.

Tim Knopp is the executive vice president of the Central Oregon Builders Association.

Central Oregon New Home Subdivisions

subdivision name:

NW BEND

FREMONT PLACE NORTH RIM NORTHWEST CROSSING RIVERS EDGE VILLAGE SHEVLIN RESERVE SHEVLIN RIDGE TUSCANY PINES WESTVIEW VILLAS

NE BEND

BRECKENRIDGE EAGLES LANDING LAVA RIDGES MCCALL LANDING NORTHCREST WOODHILL PARK

SW BEND

ASPEN RIM AT THE RIDGE DESCHUTES LANDING FOREST MEADOWS 2 POINTSWEST TETHEROW

SE BEND

FOREST CREEK PETTIGREW HIGHLANDS REED POINTE SOUTH BRIAR SOUTH POINT STONEGATE SUNMEADOW THE BRIDGES

REDMOND

ANTLER RIDGE CANYON RIM VILLAGE SUMMIT CREST VISTA DORADO

price range:

From upper $200s Call For Pricing Call for Pricing Lots from $129,900 From $400,000s Lots From $110,000 From $229,000 From low $200,000s

Hwy 97 to Reed Market/Mt. Washington west, rt. on NorthWest Crossing Dr. From Hwy 97, west at Mt. Washington, rt. on Wild Rye Circle West on Shevlin Park to Mt. Washington; south to next roundabout From Hwy 97, west at Mt. Washington past Summit to Fairway Heights West on Shevlin Park Rd., Past Mt. Washington roundabout. On lft. .25 mile West on Shevlin Park Rd., lft. on McClain Dr. From Hwy 97, west on Empire, Rt. on OB Riley, Rt. on Halfway From Hwy 97, west on Empire. On the corner of Empire and O.B. Riley

$237,900-$264,900 From $215,500 From low $200,000s From $159,900 $199,900-$209,500 From low $100s

Next to St. Francis, off 27th Street From 27th , head east on NE Conners Ave. From Butler Market, north on Purcell Blvd. Hwy 97 to east on Empire, to north on 18th. West on Sierra North on Boyd Acres Rd., left on Patriot Ln. From Hwy 97, east on Empire, north on Boyd Acres, west on Gloucester Ln.

From $214,900 From $599,000 From low $200s From $399,900 From $175,000

South on Hwy. 97, west on Powers, lft. on Brookswood, rt. on Montrose Pass St. Take Reed Market Rd. exit west from Hwy 97. Turn rt. after first roundabout From the Old Mil, S. on Brookswood Blvd, W. on Montrose Pass, S. on Dartmouth Ave. Century Drive to Seventh Mountain Resort. Follow signs to Pointswest Off of Century Dr., west of Broken Top

From $67,000 $195,000 From high $100s From mid $100s from High $100’s From low $200,000s $449,000 From low $200,000s

East on Powers, N. on Parrell, E. on Chase, S. on Benham, rt. on Shire Lane S. on 27th St. to Bear Creek. W. on Bear Creek Rd to Pettigrew. S. on Pettigrew to Clairaway. E. on Clairaway to Bridgecliff From Old Mill, east on Reed Market Rd., rt. on 15th, rt. on Helen From Hwy 97, go east on Powers, rt on Parrell, lt on Knightsbridge Adjacent to Jewell Elementary School Corner of China Hat and Parrel Rd. Off Brosterhous, between Klahani and Murphy (only one home left) Hwy 97 to Reed Market Rd. East on Reed Market, south on 15th, go 1 mile

From $99,990 From $185,000 From $150s From $99,990

Hwy 126 west, north on NW 35th St. to SW Cascade. From Highland, north on Rimrock/19th. cross Antler, rt. on Ivy N. on Hwy 97, lft on Gift Road, to 61st, rt on S. Canal Blvd, lft on Helmholtz Wy., rt on Wickiup Ave, lft on SW 49th St. North Hwy 97, east on Maple, north on NE 5th, west on NE Quince

SISTERS

COYOTE SPRINGS From $177,000 THE VILLAGE AT COLD SPRINGS From $139,900

MADRAS YARROW

PRINEVILLE

BUENA VILLA ESTATES CRYSTAL SPRINGS FALCON RIDGE IRONHORSE LONGHORN RIDGE OCHOCO POINTE OLDE IRON ESTATES STONE RIDGE TERRACE

SUNRIVER

CALDERA SPRINGS

EAGLE CREST HIGHLAND PARKS

directions:

Hwy 20, South on Locust, over the creek, left on Coyote Springs Road West Hwy. 20, W. on McKinney Butte Road, N. on Trinity Way, W. on Carson Rd.

Lots from $27,500

From Hwy 97, east on “J” St., north on City View

$159,000-$189,900 From $55,000 $89,900 - $99,900 Lots from $32,900 $50,000-$255,000 From upper $100,000s $169,900 $149,900-$159,900

East on Hwy 26, rt. on Buena Villa Drive Hwy 26 (NE 3rd St.) east of Prineville, south on Stearns Rd. E. Hwy 26, rt. on Combs Flat, rt. on Juniper Canyon, rt. on Davis Lp., to Falcon Ridge Rd. Hwy 26, north on Combs Flat Rd. and follow signs to either homes or homesites E. Hwy 126. Rt on Combs flat rd. rt on Juniper Canyon. Rt on Davis Loop to Longhorn Ridge. From Highway 26, north on Ochoco Plaza, west on Laughlin, north on Hudspeth North on NW Harwood Street, left on NW Olde Iron Street North on Main St., rt. on Mariposa, rt. on Pippin to Brookstone

From mid $400s

Adjacent to Sunriver off of S. Century Dr.

From $400,000s

From W. Hwy 126, south at Eagle Crst Blvd for 1.5 miles, rt. into Highland Parks

For more info., contact a local REALTOR® or builder. Central Oregon Association of REALTORS®: 541-382-6027 www.coar.com Central Oregon Builders Association: 541-389-1058 www.coba.org

Late Summer 2010 | Central Oregon New Home Living | 31

EVERY SATURDAY! NOW THROUGH SEPT. 25 10 am - 2 pm

There’s still time to catch the NorthWest Crossing Saturday Farmers Market.

Join us

each week and enjoy live music, delicious food and of course, a bounty of fresh product— everything from artisan cheese and eggs, to orchard-fresh fruit, herbs, meat, baked goods and so much more!

So grab the family and

meet your friends and neighbors at the market!

www.nwxfarmersmarket.com Location: NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center Take Mt. Washington Drive to the Totem Pole roundabout and head east on NW Crossing Drive. The Market is located on Fort Clatsop Street, just next to portello winecafé.