Eric Flowers, Author at The Source - Bend, Oregon

The Real Immorality

The latest on Marylin Shannon, former Republican state senator, is so repugnant and irresponsible that it’s worth repeating. Here’s what she said: “Two laws created

Eric FlowersApril 30, 2008January 4, 2023

The latest on Marylin Shannon, former Republican state senator, is so repugnant and irresponsible that it's worth repeating. Here's what she said: "Two laws created in Salem have established a whole new era in re-verse discrimination, with a new and alien set of moral values that have now been foisted on the people of Oregon. … We're starting a new effort to gather signatures to repeal these two laws." That was followed by a statement from State Sen. Gary George to Basic Rights Oregon: "My ad-vice to the gay community is SHUT UP, just don't talk about it. If you walk around talking about what you do in the bedroom, you should be on the pervert channel."
Wow! My response to Shannon is that the entire state of Oregon knows that's a plea of desperation. I would ask Shannon if strip-ping someone of their basic human rights is part of her "set of moral values." Isn't that better defined as "immoral"? Measure 36 had nothing to do with domestic partnerships or anti-discrimination; it's a ruse. As for Sen. George, his comment sounds like what you might hear on an elemen-tary school playground - i.e., juvenile.

Opinion

Don’t Forget the Wine

Hello Laurie J. Rice, I was excited to see an article on my new favorite place, the Brick House. Great write-up, and boy, was it

Eric FlowersApril 30, 2008October 31, 2024

Hello Laurie J. Rice, I was excited to see an article on my new favorite place, the Brick House.

Opinion

Bachelor’s Not Worth the Trip

Though there are many things I don’t like about Mt. Bachelor’s spring schedule, there is one that bothers me the most. Having Sunrise and Summit

Eric FlowersApril 30, 2008January 12, 2024

Though there are many things I don't like about Mt. Bachelor's spring schedule, there is one that bothers me the most. Having Sunrise and Summit as the only lifts for the last three weekends is unacceptable.
This is my sixth year to buy a season pass and I love spring skiing. However, I can't see driving over from Corvallis to ski those two lifts, and if I do, I will be upset that the skiing is so limited.
I am an advanced 49-year-old skier and have little interest in Sunrise lift. Summit is unpredictable, and even when it is good the window of time is limited. We need Pine Marten or at least Skyliner to make the day interesting and worth the trouble. In past spring seasons, we get most of our runs on Pine Marten groomers waiting for the top to soften up.
Why can't Skyliner be the weather back-up? (Who skis Rainbow?)

Culture

Politics is a Joke: Creating caricatures on the Capitol Steps

Gonna get all wacky on ya. The earliest traces of satire can be found on ancient Egyptian papyrus, poking fun at various trades in society.

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008August 9, 2024

Gonna get all wacky on ya. The earliest traces of satire can be found on ancient Egyptian papyrus, poking fun at various trades in society. The roots of western political satire date to the works of Aristophanes in ancient Greece. A more modern foundation for satirical treatment of politicians can be traced to Swift's "Gulliver's Travels".

And there is no shortage of political satire in the United States, (who doesn't, these days, recognize Jon Stewart's face) Television personalities aren't the only ones mining this rich vein of material, thespians are getting into the act as well. Enter the Capitol Steps, a unique group that incorporates drama, music, and comedy in their send up of current American political figures and issues. The D.C.-based troupe has been creating active caricatures for the American public since 1981. The goal is simple, says troupe member Mark Eaton.

Outside

Sliding and Gliding : Still plenty of winter sports to be had

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008July 30, 2024

Paragliding off Bachelor
Chip Miller spreading his wingsSeveral Paragliding gurus call Bend home. Last Thursday, Steve Rotti, Chip Miller, John Iraggi, Tim Reynolds, Wade Holmes, and Mike Teixeira took advantage of the stunning spring day to spread their wings and soar. The group took off from the summit of Mt. Bachelor and flew to the base of Skyliner lift. According to Rotti, "Thursday was great for flying because the winds aloft were light and the mountain wasn't cloud-covered (referred to as "cloaked" in the local paragliding vernacular). Spring is typically a good time for flying at Bachelor. We look for thermals (columns of warm air) rising up from the ground to provide lift, which can keep us airborne for hours. On exceptionally good days paraglider pilots have flown from Bachelor to Bend and beyond." Mt. Bachelor is just one of the many hills, or buttes, in the area that provide a good ride. Imagine flying like a bird, and it is easy to see the attraction drawing these pilots to paragliding.

Culture

Taking Out the Trash: Not even Pacino can salvage 88 Minutes

die hard 8? Nah, Just pacino hanging out.Going under the assumption that 88 Minutes might be bad, I felt Pacino - no stranger to really

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008August 16, 2023

die hard 8? Nah, Just pacino hanging out.Going under the assumption that 88 Minutes might be bad, I felt Pacino - no stranger to really bad movies - would use his scene-chewing ability to make his screen time worth watching. It might have redeeming quality, some value, I thought. Sadly, this was not the case. Why anyone would consider making this flick is beyond my comprehension. Why Al chose to do this movie will haunt me to my grave. He might as well have starred in a Murder She Wrote anniversary special.
The premise: a college professor named Jack Gramm (Pacino) moonlights as an FBI forensic specialist. Gramm's questionable testimony has helped to convict a murderer that receives the death sentence. The move comes back to haunt Gramm on the day of the serial killer's execution via cryptic cell-phone death threats that give him, you guessed it, 88 minutes to live.

Food & Drink

Quick Bites: Mission Malbec: A transcendental tasting tour

Malbec: A nice little french grape gone badSome friends recently returned from Argentina with a once-in-a-lifetime bottle of Alta Vista Alto Malbec 1999, complete with

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008November 10, 2024

Malbec: A nice little french grape gone badSome friends recently returned from Argentina with a once-in-a-lifetime bottle of Alta Vista Alto Malbec 1999, complete with a 3-digit price tag. With characteristic generosity, they invited a small group over for a Malbec tasting. The theme was decidedly Argentine, and contributions included the $7 Alberti 154 2006, Martino 2003 ($20), Casa Marguery 2005 ($15), and Nandu 2004 ($15). In a sporting mood and with nothing else to offer, I added Domaine de la Pepiere, a $13 Loire Valley Malbec blend.

Food & Drink

Quick Bites: Mission Malbec: A transcendental tasting tour

Malbec: A nice little french grape gone badSome friends recently returned from Argentina with a once-in-a-lifetime bottle of Alta Vista Alto Malbec 1999, complete with

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008April 28, 2024

Music

Making Their Mark: Portland’s Weinland hits the road

Weinland’s magic bus. Adam Shearer, the lead singer and songwriter of Weinland wanted to be just that. A singer/ songwriter. But his songs had a

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008May 3, 2024

Weinland’s magic bus. Adam Shearer, the lead singer and songwriter of Weinland wanted to be just that. A singer/ songwriter. But his songs had a different idea.

"I really love acoustic music and adding every layer took a lot of thought for me," Shearer said. "For example, I was sure we weren't gonna have drums and then we ended up adding them. The band wanted to fill out the sound. I was the only one dragging my feet."
Weinland, who will be playing McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend on Wednesday, April 30, started out as a solo acoustic project for Shearer, who at the time, was going by the stage name John Weinland.

Culture

Our Picks for the Week of 4/24-4/30

Eric FlowersApril 23, 2008April 11, 2025

New Monsoon, Moon Mountain Ramblers
thursday 24
The Jam-tastic bluegrass-rock from San Francisco will be rockin' the Summit Thursday with Oregon's own traditional bluegrass band Moon Mountain Ramblers. The San Franciscan quintet's new album was produced by the famed Grateful Dead producer John Cutler which is reason enough to evoke interst. The band has played every festival from Bonnaroo to Summerfest making them seasoned tour veterans. Catch this show, you won't be disappointed. Bend's MMR opens. Proceeds benefit 3E Strategies. 8pm. $15. Summit Saloon, 125 NW Oregon Ave. 749-2440.

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